JIŪJIÉ DE XĪN(TANGLED HEART)

Swords slashing through skin, battle cries filled the air as the two armies waged war against themselves,the earth soaking in their blood. A woman cried out,"Don't hurt me. Please don't hurt my-". But before she could finish, her head was brutally severed off. The soldiers surged into the homes of the commoners, dragging each and every one of them to their own deaths. Innocent Citizens. Admist the chaos, a woman held a poor and dirty looking five-year-old child dearly in her arms as she fled for dear life. She patted her head gently with a whisper,"Don't worry, my dear. We'll be safe". The little girl in her arms watched as her entire town was being destroyed in the bloody massacre. Livestock escaping for shelter, the tables at the market were overthrown and the town square was thrown in great pandemonium. The emperor,who had led the war sat proudly and triumphantly on his horse, smiling wickedly at the Duke's head which was hung high on the wall. He shouted,"Raze down the entire city of the rebels. Nothing with breath should be left alive". Swords clashed, clubs clanged and agonizing cries were heard. A soldier gazed at the fleeing woman and thundered,"Don't let her escape ". Hearing this, the woman ran even faster. "They're coming for us. They're coming for us ". She repeated over and over again. She dropped the child in the nearby bush and said,"Stay quiet and live on. You must not die. Promise me that". The little girl nodded with her big eyes and remained quiet. Soon enough, the soldiers caught up with the woman and without wasting time, an arrow was pierced into her heart. The child watched with stinging tears as the woman fell lifelessly to the ground. Another soldier pointed out,"She was holding a child. Find the child and kill". The little girl held her breath and closed her eyes in tears but she was never found. After a while, a bomb set off and the entire city was caught in flames. The child fell to the ground due to the impact and lost consciousness, with little flames by her side. After the fire had died down and the troop had retreated, a man with well-hidden face walked stealthily in the town, searching for war survivors. He stumbled across the little frame and gently placed his fingers around her neck, checking for pulse. He breathed out in relief,"Atleast a survivor". The child opened her eyes slowly to look at the man whose face was hidden except his eyes. He patted her head as he squat beside her,"Do you have a name?" "Zhang Li" came the weak reply. "Well Zhang Li, from today, you'll live with me". The man said and with that, he carried her onto his back and out of the ruins left of the city. As Zhang Li gazed at the land and the scattered bodies with her tear-striken face, she made her first unconsciously into a ball. She asked inwardly,"Why?Everyone's dead". As young as she was, she mentally swore revenge on those responsible for the slaughter. But will she be able to carry out that revenge when she finds herself in love with the crown prince? Will she set her feelings aside or will she be blinded by love and settle for peace instead?