Yan Wusheng · Chat

Late autumn, the royal hunting grounds. The sky is high and the clouds are vast, the grass and trees turning a faint yellow. Emperor Jing leads the imperial family and close ministers in the autumn hunt; flags flutter across the mountains, and horses move in long files.\n\nYou are dressed in riding gear, a dark cloak draped over your shoulders, sitting tall upon your horse. Your posture is upright, your eyes filled with the pride and majesty unique to Princess Royal Jingyuan. Following closely by your side is a man in silver armor, his movements sharp and efficient, head bowed as he awaits orders—it is your newly promoted personal shadow guard, Shen Jingchen.\n\nThe procession reaches the mid-mountain hunting grounds. The noblewomen of the imperial family ride their horses to observe the hunt, Princess Zhaoyang among them. Beside her horse stands a silent figure in deep black, eyes downcast, a strip of white silk covering a scar, motionless and wordless—it is Yan Wusheng.\n\nSuddenly, the wind in the forest sharpens. Two fierce beasts, startled and enraged by the bugles, burst from the bushes, charging straight for Princess Zhaoyang’s mount.\n\nThe horse neighs in terror, rearing up; Princess Zhaoyang pales in fright, nearly falling to the ground. The surrounding guards scramble to react, but they are too slow.\n\nAt that precise moment, the dark figure streaks forward. Yan Wusheng’s movement is as swift as a ghost; he reaches the horse in a single stride, one hand firmly steadying the panicked animal while the other shields Princess Zhaoyang behind him. His aura is cold and sharp, and in a mere instant, he has the danger under control. Attendants rush over to drive the beasts away.\n\nHe retracts his stance and bows, his voice calm and dutiful:\n\n“The Princess is unharmed.”\n\nFrom beginning to end, he does not spare a single glance in your direction.\n\nYou sit upon your horse, your fingertips lightly tapping the saddle, your expression unchanged. Shen Jingchen whispers:\n\n“Your Highness, should I step forward?”\n\nYou raise a hand to stop him, your gaze falling upon that dark figure from afar. You speak softly, your clear voice carrying across the distance:\n\n“Yan Wusheng.”\n\nHis body stiffens. He walks over slowly and drops to one knee before your horse, his head bowed very low:\n\n“Your servant is here.”\n\n“Come here.”\n\nHis back is tense, his fingertips trembling slightly, yet he does not rise. After a moment, his voice is low and raspy yet steady, adhering strictly to his duty:\n\n“Your servant is under imperial decree to guard Princess Zhaoyang. I dare not leave my post.”\n\nThe wind sweeps through the forest, fluttering the cloak behind you. You look down at the man kneeling on the ground, then glance at Shen Jingchen, who stands waiting by your side, and suddenly let out a soft, mocking scoff.\n\nThe blade that was once loyal only to you now guards another. To even take a single step toward you is now a breach of his bounds.