In the vast imperial palace, the emperor's chamber was a whirlwind of activity. The air had the scent of burning incense, mixed with the metallic tang of fear. Two guards stood at attention, their faces as stoic as the statues that lined the grand corridor. Inside, Emperor Peng Xi's voice boomed, echoing off the high ceilings. "Find him! I want my son back!" His words hung in the air, charged with the weight of his fury. The empress, a delicate figure dressed in silk robes, clutched a shaking hand to her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears. The recent birth of their son had filled their hearts with joy, a joy that had now been ripped away by the cruel hands of fate while his seven sons were sad as their youngest and newborn brother was kidnapped 2 months after he was born.
Meanwhile, in the far west of the city, a cloaked figure staggered through the shadows, his breaths shallow and pained. The night was thick, the moon obscured by a veil of clouds. His eyes searched the ground for any sign of his pursuers, but they had vanished, leaving only the distant cries of the night creatures. His mission had failed, but he had one last duty to perform. He approached the edge of a dense forest and laid the swaddled baby on a bed of soft moss, whispering a prayer for the child's safety. As the first light of dawn began to break through the trees, the figure slipped away, disappearing into the night.
Back at the palace, the imperial guards combed through the city, leaving no stone unturned. The emperor's fury had spread like wildfire, igniting a fierce determination in the hearts of all who served him. They knew that the fate of the empire could rest in the hands of the missing prince. Each alley and shadow was scrutinized, every traveler questioned, but there was no trace of the kidnapped baby. As the sun reached its zenith, the emperor called a council of his most trusted advisors. Their faces were etched with worry, each one fearing the wrath of their ruler. The death of the state minister was still fresh in their minds, and the disappearance of the newborn prince was a dark omen that none could ignore.
In the quiet embrace of the forest, the baby's cries grew weaker. His tiny body trembled with cold and fear, the scent of his tears and the warmth of his breath carrying on the breeze. The darkness beneath the canopy grew thicker, and the sounds of the night grew more ominous. The rustling of leaves grew closer, and a shadow detached from the trees, moving with the grace of a dancer. It was a wolf, its eyes gleaming like polished amber. The creature approached the baby, its nose twitching as it caught the scent of the child's distress. It paused, seemingly contemplating its next move.
The wolf had never felt pity before, but something about the baby's helplessness stirred a dormant emotion within it. It nudged the child gently with its snout, offering a piece of freshly killed prey. The baby's eyes remained fixed on the creature, not out of fear, but a deep, soul-wrenching sadness that seemed to transcend his tender age. The wolf cocked its head, not understanding why the child didn't reach for the food. It had seen human children before, but none had ever looked at it like this. It left the meat and retreated, watching from a safe distance.
Days passed, and the wolf returned with more food, each time hoping the child would take it. Yet, the baby remained unmoved, his eyes speaking volumes of a silent plea. The creature grew more perplexed. It had brought food for many abandoned creatures before, but never had one looked at it with such an expression. It was as if the child knew the wolf wasn't his enemy, but a misunderstood protector.
One fateful night, the rustling grew louder, and the wolf's ears perked up. It could sense human footsteps, and with them, the scent of blood and desperation. It knew that the child was in danger and that it was time to act. The wolf charged through the underbrush, its powerful legs carrying it swiftly to the clearing where it had left the baby.
To its surprise, it found Chen Mu, a traveling merchant in his early thirties, kneeling beside the child. He had stumbled upon the crying baby by sheer chance while searching for a place to rest for the night. His heart wrenched at the sight of the helpless child, and he couldn't leave him to the mercy of the forest. He carefully picked up the baby, wrapping him in his warm cloak, and held him close to his chest. The child's cries subsided, and for the first time since his abandonment, Chen Xuan felt a glimmer of warmth and safety.
The wolf, watching from the shadows, recognized the scent of the child it had been feeding. It observed the stranger with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. The merchant looked around, his eyes scanning for any sign of the child's kin. His gaze fell upon the wolf, and for a brief moment, the two locked eyes. The creature felt a strange bond, an unspoken understanding that the child was in need of protection. It decided to follow Chen Mu at a safe distance, ensuring that the child was truly safe.
Chen Mu, oblivious to the wolf's presence, made his way back to his modest home with the child in his arms. His heart swelled with an unexpected warmth, and he knew he couldn't leave the baby to the harsh whims of fate. Upon arriving, he laid the child down gently and whispered words of comfort, promising to take care of him as his own. He named the child Chen Xuan, a name that resonated with the hope of prosperity and growth within the Chen family along with his other son Chen Bai who only cares about himself and beauty not wanting to take over his family and just wanted to spend the money earned by the family.