A Small Promise
“Your Highness, your guest has arrived,” someone announced from outside the private chamber of Yufeng Xun, one of the landowners rumored to carry the blood of the Wind God within his veins.
Yufeng Xun was deeply respected by the people of his village; they treated him like royalty, perhaps even more reverently than a king. Every ceremony held in honor of the Wind God they worshiped was led by Xun himself, his presence regarded as both sacred and authoritative.
“Let her enter,” Xun replied calmly.
The door slid open with a soft sound, and footsteps entered the room one after another—light, measured steps that suggested their owner possessed a small and graceful frame. Xun did not need to turn his head to know who it was. From the rhythm of her steps, from the cadence of her breathing, from the faint fragrance that accompanied her, he recognized her instantly. Everything about that person had long since become familiar to him. Everything about her felt like it belonged solely to him, and though Xun was known to be kind and generous, this was the one thing he would never share, never surrender to anyone else.
“Lord Yufeng, how long will you continue pretending not to notice that I’ve already entered?” the girl spoke, her voice as melodious as ever, soothing to Xun like a private lullaby he had come to rely on.
“In that case, Miss Qing, how long will you continue pretending we are in public and insist on calling me by my family name instead of my given one?” Xun replied without turning to look at her.
“Huh, you’re no fun,” she muttered before walking over and sitting beside him.
“You’re preparing for the New Year ceremony, aren’t you?” she asked, glancing at the bamboo slips before him, where he was carefully inscribing prayers using his maobi, his brush gliding effortlessly across the surface without a hint of stiffness.
“Mm, that’s right. I must finish these before the ceremony begins,” Xun answered, his strokes fluid and precise, as if even ink obeyed his will.
“If you’re this busy, then why did you call me? I’m busy preparing for tomorrow too, you know,” she complained, her face souring in visible displeasure. Xun did not need to look to imagine the expression she wore; a quiet chuckle escaped him nonetheless.
“Sorry, Ai. I just needed someone to keep me company,” Xun admitted honestly.
“You could have asked someone else,” Ai replied, her tone carrying a faint edge.
“Do you want me to call someone else?” he asked lightly.
“Forget it,” Ai answered quickly, far too quickly. She was slightly—no, very—unwilling to let anyone else be the one to accompany him.
“Then let’s exchange a few words. After that, I’ll help you with your preparations,” Xun suggested. Ai sighed at his request, but as always, she yielded.
After some time passed, Xun realized he no longer heard Ai responding to him. When he finally turned his gaze toward her, he found that she had fallen asleep. A gentle smile curved upon his lips at the sight. It did not matter if he had to sit in silence again; the steady rhythm of her breathing alone was enough to encourage him.
A soft breeze drifted through the room, and golden sunlight brushed against the peaceful face of the sleeping girl.
“Ai, wake up. Shi Ai, wake up,” Xun murmured gently.
She stirred faintly, letting out a soft sound as she felt his subtle shaking. Her eyes opened slowly, and she found Xun’s smiling face waiting for her.
“Ngh… Xun? You’re finished already?” she asked, rubbing her eyes before shifting into a seated position.
“Yes. The sun is nearly setting now,” Xun replied, smiling at Ai, who was still not fully awake.
“Mm, I should head back if—wait, why am I in your lap?!” Ai suddenly exclaimed once awareness returned to her.
Xun laughed softly at her delayed realization.
“You looked so peaceful sleeping. I couldn’t bear to let you rest on hard surface,” he explained. Ai’s face flushed instantly at his words.
“You could have woken me up,” she protested.
“How many times do you think I tried?” Xun asked teasingly, though there was truth behind his tone, he had indeed attempted to wake her several times before giving up and allowing her to rest against him.
“Ugh… never mind. It’s time for me to go home. I have to prepare for the New Year,” Ai said, attempting to rise from his lap, but Xun gently held her back.
“Stay like this just a little longer, Ai,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her and burying his face in the soft strands of her hair, breathing in the scent that had quietly become his addiction over the past months.
“What if someone sees you like this, huh? A dignified noble reduced to a spoiled man,” Ai teased, though Xun paid no mind to her mockery, too occupied with memorizing her warmth.
“But in reality, only you can see this side of me. And forever, it will only be you,” he replied softly.
Ai found herself speechless at his words, the blush that had begun to fade now returning to her cheeks.
“You’re impossible,” she muttered.
After a while, Xun lifted his face to look at her properly, only to feel his heart quicken as he lost himself in the crimson-jade whirlpool of her eyes.
“Ai, never leave me,” Xun said quietly.
She responded with a soft laugh. “I do plan on troubling Lord Yufeng until we grow old.”
Though she spoke playfully, Xun treated it as a promise.
“I would be honored if Miss Qing would take responsibility for being my lifelong nuisance,” he answered with a smile so gentle and sweet that Ai could not help but smile back.
The teasing words they exchanged were, in truth, a vow between them—to protect one another, to remain side by side until the end of their days. A small promise born within a room bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, accompanied by the tender breeze of early spring that drifted softly through the open window.