A Timeless Promise

2

Jing's description:

Jing was a small girl of four years, her bright sapphire-blue eyes shining with curiosity despite the hardships she had endured. Soft chestnut-brown hair framed her round face, falling to her shoulders in slightly tangled waves. Yuri, her loyal maid, did her best to keep it neat, tying it back with simple cloth ribbons whenever she could.

Years of travel had left their mark on the child. She wore a plain blue ruqun. The fabric had once been fine, but after years of hardship, its color had faded beneath the sun. Several patches had been carefully sewn onto the sleeves and skirt by Yuri's own hands. The hem was worn thin from countless journeys, and her cloth shoes showed signs of many repairs.

A simple rope belt held the dress together at her waist. To most people, she appeared to be nothing more than a poor traveling child.

Yet there were small things about Jing that felt different.

Although she was often shy around strangers and liked hiding behind Yuri, she always remembered to greet her elders politely. Whenever someone offered her food, she would wait patiently until Yuri gave permission before touching it.

She often forgot herself while playing and behaved like any ordinary four-year-old child, chasing butterflies, asking endless questions, and becoming excited over the smallest discoveries. Yet now and then she would unknowingly display habits that seemed unusual for a wanderer.

Sometimes she would sit with her back perfectly straight without being told. Other times she would use words that sounded far more refined than those spoken by villagers they met during their travels.

When Yuri corrected her manners, Jing would instinctively obey, as though the lessons were familiar rather than newly learned.

Yuri had taught her much during their years on the road, but some habits seemed older than that—fragments of a life Jing herself could no longer remember.

A life lost when she was only one year old.

A life hidden behind the innocent smile of a little girl who knew nothing of the destiny she had been born into.

Yet one thing remained untouched by time and hardship.

Around Jing's neck hung an exquisite silver locket suspended from a faded cord. Though scratched and weathered, it was still beautiful in a quiet way. The pendant was crafted in the shape of a full moon surrounded by delicate cloud patterns and tiny stars. Though its surface had become worn with age, the craftsmanship was far finer than anything an ordinary family could afford.

Inside the locket was not a portrait or a keepsake, but a miniature celestial map created by ancient astronomers centuries ago. Thin lines of gold traced the paths of constellations across a deep blue disk that resembled the night sky. Tiny gemstones marked important stars, and when tilted beneath moonlight, the stars seemed to shimmer as if they were alive.

Ancient legends claimed that the celestial map was once used by the Imperial Astronomers of a forgotten dynasty to predict heavenly events and guide travelers across vast lands. Some stories even whispered that the map revealed hidden locations known only to the stars themselves.

Yuri had protected the locket through storms, hunger, and danger, never allowing it to be sold even when they desperately needed money. She knew it was the last possession Jing carried from the life she had lost three years ago.

Jing treasured the locket and often opened it whenever she felt lonely or frightened. She did not know why it had been entrusted to her, nor did she understand the strange symbols engraved along its inner rim.

Yet on certain nights, when the moon shone brightly overhead, a few of the golden stars upon the map would faintly glow, as though trying to guide her toward a destiny she had not yet discovered.

Yuri's description:

Yuri was not merely a servant.

Before the fall of Jing's homeland, she had faithfully served the Great Empress for four years within the royal palace. Though young, she was known for her intelligence, patience, and unwavering loyalty. Her duties often placed her close to the Empress, where she learned court etiquette, administration, literature, and the countless skills required of a trusted palace attendant.

When the kingdom fell into chaos, Yuri did not hesitate to risk her life for the child entrusted to her care.

For three years she protected Jing through deserts, mountains, forests, and unfamiliar lands.

Yet survival was not the only thing Yuri taught.

During their journey, she made certain that Jing received an education despite their circumstances. Whenever they rested, Yuri taught her how to read simple characters, speak politely, respect her elders, and treat others with kindness.

She often reminded the young girl that a person's character was more important than wealth or status.

Although Jing had lost her parents at a very young age and remembered little of them, Yuri became the guiding figure in her life. She cared for her when she was sick, comforted her when she was afraid, and celebrated her small achievements.

To outsiders, Yuri was merely a loyal maid.

But to Jing, she was family.

In many ways, she had become the mother the child could barely remember.

Now, standing before the gates of Xuanhe Kingdom, neither of them realized that their long journey was finally coming to an end—or that a new one was about to begin.