Is it enough to say just “goodbye” in a dream?

In a dream, on a bright afternoon, Zhao Chengxian seemed to have arrived at the meadow where he often met Yue'er. There, he saw Hui Yue'er in a white gauze dress. She looked gentle and agile, like a fairy from the Moon Palace. Zhao Chengxian hurried over and asked, “Little Crescent, how did you come here?” A light breeze stirred, sending the white gauze and her flowing long hair drifting together in the wind. The scene was so beautiful it seemed unreal, as though it could exist only in a dream.

Yue'er lowered her head and smiled shyly. “Do you miss me very much? I came out because I missed you!” At that moment, she was especially tender.

Hearing her words, Zhao Chengxian was overwhelmed and drew her into his arms. Beside her ear, he laughed softly, “I miss you, I miss you, I miss you, I miss you. I think of you every moment of every day. You occupy all my thoughts. Little Crescent, you are like a slow poison, devouring every notion in my mind until only your imprint remains!” He poured out his longing for her without restraint.

Yue'er playfully pushed him away and said coquettishly, “Is that sincere? If not, you’re dead!” Then she returned to being the same fierce little girlfriend as before. Zhao Chengxian smiled and nodded. The two of them sat quietly on the grass. Yue'er leaned against his shoulder and said earnestly, “Bookworm, if one day I leave your world, please don’t be sad. I hope you can live happily. Remember to take good care of yourself. As long as I am in your heart, I will always be by your side. You must treasure yourself!” As if offering a final farewell, the scene slowly began to blur.

Zhao Chengxian seemed not to notice that it was about to vanish. Instead, he gently patted Yue'er on the head and said with a smile, “Silly girl, you are not allowed to go anywhere. Stay by my side for the rest of your life. We’ll grow old together slowly, watching our house full of children and grandchildren celebrate our birthdays. By then, we will be each other’s walking sticks, supporting one another all the way to the end of life.” To be one another’s support in old age—what could be more romantic than that?

Yue'er said calmly, “Goodbye, Bookworm.” Then, together with the meadow, she vanished into a darkness.

Zhao Chengxian’s world turned black in an instant. He shouted desperately, “Little Crescent, where are you? Little Crescent, Little Crescent...” He could not find his way in the dark.

Early morning, the Quiet Studio in the Prince Jing’s Residence.

Zhao Chengxian woke from his dream, calling, “Little Crescent, Little Crescent, Little Crescent...” Only then did he realize it had been just a dream. Yet it had felt far too real, as though it were reality itself, leaving him deeply unsettled. He got up and opened a book, hoping that reading would help him forget the fear left behind by the dream. Ever since Yue'er entered his heart, Zhao Chengxian could no longer fall for any other woman, so for the past few months he had been sleeping in the Quiet Studio. The Dowager Princess had tried to persuade him not to neglect his three secondary consorts, or to take another wife, but Zhao Chengxian refused. No matter how he married, he could never marry Hui Yue'er.

Suddenly, an urgent knocking sounded at the door. Zhao Chengxian rose and opened the door to the Quiet Studio, where Chen Gui was standing. Chen Gui said anxiously, “My lord, something terrible has happened. The imperial palace is on fire. Xiao Xizi sent a pigeon letter saying the place that caught fire is exactly the Heart-Cultivating Courtyard where Princess Siliue lives!” As soon as he received Xiao Xizi’s message, he rushed at once to report to Zhao Chengxian, because he knew that Yue'er held a place in Zhao Chengxian’s heart more important than anyone else.

At the news, Zhao Chengxian panicked. He immediately mounted a fast horse and raced toward the palace, unable to stop himself from thinking: Little Crescent, don’t be so cruel. Is it enough to say goodbye in a dream? If you leave like that, I will never forgive you. Never.