Drip!
Drip!
For several years now, the skies above the three-thousand-mile White Egret Marsh had always been overcast.
At this time of biting spring cold, the dreary rain fell without end.
Fine rainwater gathered along the eaves into trickling streams, falling continuously like curtains of pearls. Even beneath the sheltered corridors and upturned eaves of the three-courtyard residence, water beads condensed from the damp air and fell with endless drips.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Faint yet crisp footsteps rang out urgently, drawing nearer from afar and gradually becoming more frequent.
Very soon, a little girl with twin horn braids and a face no larger than a palm came running in from outside.
The little girl was exceedingly adorable. Her large eyes resembled pure black gemstones, her nose was high and delicate, and her lips were thin. Only her complexion carried a sickly pallor, utterly devoid of rosiness.
She was dressed very warmly, wrapped from head to toe in white, fur-lined silk clothes.
Yet even that snow-white velvet garment could not compare to the pallor of her face.
A voice full of tender affection came from behind her.
"Mao Mao, slow down. Don't fall."
The little girl was very obedient. Her steps paused, and she braced herself against the thick corridor pillar, panting heavily.
She said excitedly to the person behind her, "Mother, Brother's lessons are ending today. I want to go play with him."
After catching her breath a little, she set off again on her tiny feet, running through the long corridor toward a waterside pavilion hidden behind artificial hills.
The gentle young woman behind her smiled and shook her head, following at an unhurried pace.
Though she remained some distance from the little girl called Mao Mao, the child never left her sight.
Just as they were about to