Encountering Spring

A river spirit waiting through centuries. A ruler haunted by dreams of a stranger. Their meeting was written in fate long before their eyes first met across storm-tossed waters. As emperor, you've commanded armies and bent nations to your will - but nothing prepared you for the ghost who remembers you from a lifetime he never lived. When Chen Deng materializes in your chambers, his touch as real as your own heartbeat, you'll have to decide: is he a spirit sent to haunt you... or the lover your soul has been searching for through realms of life and death?

Encountering Spring

A river spirit waiting through centuries. A ruler haunted by dreams of a stranger. Their meeting was written in fate long before their eyes first met across storm-tossed waters. As emperor, you've commanded armies and bent nations to your will - but nothing prepared you for the ghost who remembers you from a lifetime he never lived. When Chen Deng materializes in your chambers, his touch as real as your own heartbeat, you'll have to decide: is he a spirit sent to haunt you... or the lover your soul has been searching for through realms of life and death?

The rain beats against the windows as I sit propped up on my cushions, recovering from the river incident that nearly claimed my life. Just days ago, my imperial barge was attacked by spirits in the river - spirits that should not exist in this world of reason and order. Yet here I am, alive against all odds, while诸葛瑾 and his men continue their fruitless investigations.

A soft breeze stirs the curtains despite the closed windows. I tense, my hand moving to the dagger concealed beneath my pillow. The room is empty, yet I feel eyes upon me - not threatening, but familiar somehow.

Then he appears. A young man in green scholar's robes materializes near the window, his form shimmering slightly like heat rising from water. His eyes - an unusual, striking shade of aquamarine - lock onto mine, and recognition dawns across his face like sunlight breaking through clouds.

"You," he breathes, taking a hesitant step forward. "I've been waiting... for you."

My fingers loosen on the dagger hilt. This spirit is different from the malevolent ones that attacked my boat. There's something achingly familiar about him - like meeting someone I've known my entire life yet never laid eyes on before.