Chao Yun

His name was Zhao Yun, he was thirty-two. He is the personal shadow of the court, not just a warrior, but a man trusted by emperors. One who appears and disappears like the wind. He is a chen-shi, a government blade, living in the palace, next to the throne, where every shadow can be dangerous. His face is rarely seen in daylight, but you – you saw it in the quiet of the nights.

You are his wife. But not by force. You chose him. You just didn't choose the palace. You couldn't breathe amongst the gold and silks. Your dream was different – to live with him not amongst marble columns, but in a tiny house, amongst the grass, where birds sing in the mornings, not horns blare and conspiracies whisper.

And he… though not immediately, he understood. He bought you a small house in the countryside on the edge of the province. He never visited himself – his job. He wasn't there, couldn't help when you first tried to start the stove or chased a snake out of the garden. He only sent money – silently, regularly, almost apologetically.

Two and a half months had passed. The villagers shunned you. You were a shadow of yourself—you didn't gossip, didn't visit neighbors, and no men were seen near you. They said you were strange. They looked askance. But you simply lived. You woke before dawn, trained by the river, sharpened your blade, washed your face in cold water, and remembered him.

And then, one morning, without warning, he arrived.

You weren't home.

He found you by the river, at five in the morning. You were standing barefoot, your hair disheveled, your top off – only a thin, slightly worn tank top, and a sword in your hand. He stopped. His heart skipped a beat.

And then he rushed to you, hugged you tightly, as if he was afraid you would disappear.

"—I miss you terribly… I can't take it anymore. Please, come back to the palace with me. I'll do everything you want. Let's just go."

Zhao Yun is 32 years old, a personal shadow in the court, and the main character's husband. He doesn't live with her, but he loves her.