Awakening in the Night Wind
Li Wei jolted awake from his dream, his chest heaving like a bellows; every breath carried the heavy burden of surviving a catastrophe, as if an unseen force had just yanked him back from an unfathomable abyss. The suffocating pressure still clung to him like an invisible net, gripping his nerves tightly. His back pressed against the cold wooden floor of the balcony, and sweat, like beads from a broken string, rolled from his temples, catching the cool moonlight with a crystalline gleam before silently dripping onto the floor with a barely perceptible "tick-tock" that sounded especially jarring in the stillness of the night.
The night wind, cool as silk, slipped quietly through the slightly ajar balcony door, gentle yet imbued with a biting chill, brushing over his burning cheeks and gradually dispelling the chaotic haze in his mind like a soothing ice pack. He slowly scanned his surroundings; his gaze fell upon a wooden crate stacked in a corner. The crate stood silently there—like an ancient secret that had slumbered for millennia. Any faint, mysterious glow that might once have animated its surface had long since faded, and the enigmatic figure seemed to have never appeared at all, leaving the desolate balcony to return to a deathly silence. It all seemed nothing more than an absurd hallucination conjured by an exhausted mind.
Yet those eyes—deep as an ancient well, as melancholy as drifting smoke, holding an unsolved sorrow spanning a thousand years—were indelibly branded in his memory like a searing brand, impossible to erase. It was a shock that transcended mere sight, striking straight at his soul and making it impossible for him to dismiss everything as a mere illusion. He massaged his throbbing temples in pain, trying to calm his chaotic thoughts, while his heart pounded like a war drum, each beat sending a dull ache through his chest.
He stared blankly at his own hands, as if they still retained the icy touch of the wooden crate—a chill that penetrated deep into his bones, so vivid and real. The impact had been so overwhelming, that the sensation of his soul being seen and touched was too extraordinary to be dismissed as just a hallucination. Taking a deep, steadying breath of the cold air that filled his lungs and calmed his frantic heartbeat ever so slightly, he realized that this was no ordinary occurrence. He needed someone to confide in, someone whose unique perspective might help him clear the fog. Su Qing—perhaps only she could help him unravel the mystery before him.
Su Qing's Arrival
Half an hour later, the crisp sound of a turning lock echoed from the apartment door, and it was soon swung open briskly. Su Qing burst in like a ray of sunshine, carrying two takeout bags exuding enticing aromas, her steps light as she entered the living room. She wore a loose beige sweater that accentuated her petite frame, and her casually tied ponytail playfully swayed behind her as she moved. Humming an off-key tune, her cheerful mood practically overflowed.
However, as soon as her gaze fell upon the curled-up figure by the balcony, her lively steps halted abruptly, and the smile on her face froze in an instant. She saw Li Wei's complexion was as pale as paper in the moonlight, his eyes vacant and distant—as if his soul had left his body. Immediately, Su Qing furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes filled with worry and concern, and asked in an urgent tone, "Li Wei, what's wrong? You look so pale—are you feeling unwell? Are you sick?"
She set down the takeout bags without bothering to change her shoes, and quickly walked over to the balcony. Crouching down to examine him closely, she gently touched his cold forehead with her fingertips, reproach tinging her voice as she said, "Why is it so cold? Have you caught a chill? Or… did you have a nightmare?"
Slowly, Li Wei lifted his head, his unfocused gaze finally settling on Su Qing's concerned face. He managed a weak smile, hoping to reassure her, but the stiffness of his lips and the unease hidden in his eyes betrayed him. After a moment's hesitation—with his gaze flickering as if weighing his next words—he finally confessed, "Su Qing, I… just now on the balcony, I saw something strange." His voice was hoarse and trembled with a trace of disbelief.
"Something strange? What did you see?" Su Qing's curiosity ignited instantly. Tilting her head, her bright eyes sparkled with excitement, reminiscent of a child discovering a new world. She grabbed a lightweight plastic chair and placed it beside Li Wei without a moment's delay, sitting down with her hands propping up her chin and leaning forward eagerly, as though she were about to listen to an exciting adventure rather than a frightening experience.
Taking a deep breath to steady his thoughts, Li Wei began his account: "I saw a figure—a woman in ancient attire… no, perhaps it was more like a vague shadow. She stood by that wooden crate, her form wavering as if shrouded in a light mist, making it hard to see her clearly. But her eyes… they were extraordinarily clear, imbued with a profound sorrow. A sorrow that seemed to have accumulated over a thousand years, filled with endless desolation and helplessness—as if silently conveying an unspoken story to me. I don't know if it was a hallucination or truly real… but the feeling was so intense, so undeniable, that I couldn't ignore it."
He paused, anxiously watching Su Qing's reaction. He had expected her to be frightened or at least to analyze the situation rationally as a stress-induced hallucination. Yet, to his surprise, Su Qing's eyes shone even brighter—twinkling like stars in the night sky. Suddenly, she grabbed his arm, her voice trembling with excitement as she exclaimed, "Really? You actually saw the spirit of an ancient woman? Oh my, Li Wei, you're so lucky! This is amazing! I've always dreamed of witnessing a supernatural phenomenon, of capturing sensational ghostly photos—and I can't believe the chance has come so soon! This is a godsend!"
Li Wei was momentarily stunned, his mouth agape as he watched her animated, enthusiastic gestures; his lips twitched involuntarily. He had expected comfort or a rational discussion, not such unbridled enthusiasm. "Aren't you… afraid?" he asked, frowning with disbelief and a hint of worry, "What if that spirit means us harm? What if she's malevolent?"
Brushing off his concern, Su Qing patted his shoulder lightly and laughed dismissively, "Afraid of what? We haven't done anything wrong. I believe she must be kind. If she were evil, she would have attacked us by now—there's no way she'd wait. Besides, even if there is danger, we'll deal with it when it comes! Haven't you forgotten my college course in mysticism? It might even come in handy!" She paused, squinting mysteriously and lowering her voice, "Besides, have you considered that perhaps her appearance is a plea for help? Maybe there's some unfulfilled wish that only we, the living, can help complete."
Su Qing's optimism and boldness acted like a jolt of adrenaline, easing Li Wei's taut nerves ever so slightly. With a resigned sigh, he slowly accepted her unconventional way of thinking. He knew that Su Qing had been fascinated by mysterious legends and supernatural phenomena since childhood—and in college, she even took courses in mysticism and folklore, endowing her with an exceptional understanding and acceptance of ghosts and witchcraft. Perhaps she really could offer unexpected assistance in this matter.
The Puzzle of History
In the following days, Li Wei and Su Qing swiftly switched into "detective mode," embarking on an investigation centered around the mysterious woman and the ancient wooden crate. They divided tasks clearly and worked in perfect harmony: Su Qing harnessed her prowess in information retrieval and social networking, spending countless hours at her computer, poring over historical records, mysticism forums, and paranormal boards in search of clues; meanwhile, Li Wei, with his patient and meticulous nature, scoured the city's libraries, borrowing stacks of musty, yellowed ancient texts and local chronicles from dust-laden shelves.
They even managed to contact a reclusive retired scholar—an expert in Qin Dynasty history living in the countryside—via a choppy video call. The elderly gentleman, vibrant and knowledgeable, patiently answered their questions and provided invaluable guidance.
After sifting through an overwhelming sea of data, they gradually pieced together the outline of the mysterious woman's identity, as if assembling scattered fragments from the long river of history, slowly reconstructing a vague yet astonishing picture.She was the daughter most favored by Qin Shi Huang, Ying Zheng—of the Ying family with the surname Zhao—known as Ying Yue, who was posthumously honored with the title "Princess Yuehua."
According to scattered historical records and unofficial legends, Princess Yuehua was extraordinarily gifted from a young age—mastering music, chess, calligraphy, painting, as well as poetry and prose. Her beauty was said to be so breathtaking it could topple kingdoms, as pristine and transcendent as radiant moonlight, and she was deeply cherished by Ying Zheng. It was said that when she was born, the full moon shone brilliantly above, its light pouring into the Xianyang Palace—a sign Qin Shi Huang regarded as an auspicious omen, hence naming her "Yuehua."
But beauty, as fate would have it, is often fleeting. After Qin Shi Huang's death, the empire plunged into chaos, with his brothers embroiled in a ruthless struggle for the throne. Due to her unique status and influence, Ying Yue was drawn into the political vortex—betrayed by trusted aides, falsely accused, and executed in secret at a remote princely mansion when she was only twenty years old.
Even more chilling were the unofficial legends: after her death, Princess Yuehua's soul, tormented by overwhelming injustice, lingered around the royal mansion. A reclusive sorcerer was commissioned to imprison her spirit, sealing it within an ancient jade pendant that was then hidden in a specially crafted wooden crate. Through the twists and turns of a thousand years, by some inexplicable fate, it had reappeared on the balcony of Li Wei and Su Qing's apartment.
"Looks like we've struck gold," Su Qing exclaimed, rubbing her sleep-wearied eyes as she flipped through her densely filled notebook, her eyes sparkling with the glint of an intrepid explorer.
Li Wei, however, couldn't smile. He gazed gravely at the ancient texts spread out before him—the faded illustrations of a palace-clad woman, her delicate features and sorrowful expression bearing an uncanny resemblance to the figure from last night. An unease welled within him; he felt that beneath the surface lay a deeper, more perilous secret, and that some unseen force was inexorably drawing him in, making it impossible to remain uninvolved.
A Dialogue Under the Moon
A few days later, under a sky as dark as ink and with moonlight cascading like a delicate veil, Li Wei found himself alone on the balcony once more. The refreshing night breeze mingled with the soft glow of the moon, which revealed the ancient patterns carved into the wooden crate—a faint, talismanic light, as if a soul that had slumbered for millennia was stirring awake.
He took a deep breath, mustered his courage, and reached out to gently touch the crate. His fingertips were met with a chill as intense as a thousand years of ice, instantly spreading through his body; his finger trembled, as though it had brushed against a force from a distant time and space.
Then, a strange spectacle unfolded. Above the wooden crate, the air seemed to ripple like water, and a vague figure slowly materialized. This time, her form was more distinct: she wore a tattered palace gown, the silk fabric billowing in the night breeze, her long hair shimmering softly in the moonlight, and her delicate face—marked by exhaustion—displayed deep, melancholic eyes that now held a trace of longing and trust.
"I—is it really you? Princess Yuehua?" Li Wei asked softly, his voice trembling with tentative curiosity and reverence.
The woman nodded slowly; her lips moved as she spoke in a faint yet clear voice, "Can you… see me?" Her tone was like a sigh, imbued with an ancient resonance that seemed to pierce the soul.
Startled by the fact that she could speak, Li Wei struggled to compose himself. Nodding, he replied, "Yes, my name is Li Wei, and this is Su Qing. We are the new residents of this apartment."
Princess Yuehua's eyes flashed with surprise as she whispered, "You… know who I am?"
"We did our research," Li Wei said sincerely, "and we know you are the daughter of Qin Shi Huang—Princess Yuehua, Ying Yue. We also learned that you've been sealed here for a long time."
Her eyes dimmed with sorrow as she sighed, "Yes, I have been trapped for a thousand years. My soul cannot find peace; I am forced to linger in this darkness and solitude." Her voice was low and laden with despair.
"Why? What has bound you?" Li Wei asked urgently.
After a moment of silence, she raised her pale hand and pointed first at the wooden crate and then at her heart, her gestures gentle yet resolute.
"Is it the object inside the crate? The jade pendant?" Li Wei recalled the information he'd seen earlier that day, a suspicion forming in his mind.
She nodded, hope flickering in her eyes, "That jade pendant seals my soul. Only by breaking the seal can I be free."
Li Wei's heart skipped a beat as he remembered the engraved portrait of a woman on the pendant—an image strikingly similar to her. "What must I do?" he asked eagerly.
She gazed into his eyes and murmured softly, "The seal was set by a powerful sorcerer. It can only be broken through a specific ritual and with certain items. Will you… help me?" Her voice trembled with both pleading and hope.
After a brief moment of inner turmoil, and moved by the sorrow yet hopeful look in her eyes, Li Wei's sympathy and sense of duty overcame his hesitation. "I will," he said firmly, "but I need to know all the details."
Grateful, she nodded, a fleeting smile touching her lips. "Thank you, Li Wei. I will tell you everything I know, but please be careful—the process of breaking the seal may be dangerous…"
Su Qing Joins In
The balcony door creaked as Su Qing entered with a cup of hot tea. Wearing cartoon-patterned pajamas with her long hair loosely falling around her, she looked sleepy—having come in out of concern that Li Wei might catch a chill. Yet she found him speaking softly to the empty air, holding the jade pendant.
"Li Wei, who are you talking to?" she asked curiously, her clear voice breaking the silence.
Turning around, Li Wei took a deep breath and recounted his entire conversation with Princess Yuehua: "She told me that this jade pendant seals her soul, and that we need to break the seal to set her free."
At these words, Su Qing's eyes lit up. She set her tea aside, snatched the pendant for a closer look, and exclaimed in excitement, "Oh my God! A jade pendant that seals a soul! This is incredible! What else did she say? What are the requirements?" Swiftly, she pulled out her phone and opened the recording app, ready to capture every detail like a secret agent.
Infected by her enthusiasm, Li Wei smiled helplessly and continued to relay every bit of information. As Su Qing listened intently and took notes, she clapped her hands excitedly once he finished, "We've got work to do! Specific rituals and items—like ancient sorcery! We can look up Qin Dynasty occult texts or even contact an expert."
Li Wei nodded, a mix of anticipation and unease stirring within him. He looked at the jade pendant once more—under the moonlight, the woman's portrait seemed to glow, her sorrowful eyes fixed upon him. He realized they had been drawn into a millennia-old mystery. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges and danger, but in their quest to uncover the truth and help Princess Yuehua, they were ready to risk everything.