Haoran preferred solitude growing up, but his mother refused to let him anywhere without the company of his personal maid Xiaoyu (小玉). Whether that be during his studies, eating, or bathing, she was there by his side. Haoran had practically grown up with Xiaoyu and therefore trusted her entirely. He enjoyed her company but wished to be alone for even a day. He was a grumpy child and was adamant about straying away from the constant watch over him.
Xiaoyu was very faithful to her master and, therefore, refused to let him leave the palace without permission from his mother. However, Haoran was persistent in leaving his studies and exploring the outside world after being denied permission so many times.
It was winter, and snow blanketed the paths and stairways outside of the palace. Naturally, it was slippery and cold, not a suitable environment for little Haoran to be out in alone. Or at all, for that matter. But the young, ten-year-old weasel prince, hadn't known any better after being shut indoors for most of his life.
After refusing to eat his breakfast and "going to take a bath" he snuck out of the palace through the back. Little Haoran's pale cheeks were pink from the cold and his breath billowed in front of him, but he didn't care. This was his taste of freedom, and he was going to explore the whole world. He was going to eat all the pastries in the entire heavenly realm!
The weasel prince gave a small shiver of excitement and bounded off toward the wall of the snow-covered training yard, summoning his spiritual creature to lead him over the wall. But poor Haoran had walked over a slippery patch of ice, stumbling messily and landing on his rear side. The little prince gave a small hum of pain, tears pricking at his wide eyes. His spiritual animal, a giant snow weasel named Yunxue (云雪), squeaked and nudged him up. Haoran reluctantly climbed onto Yunxue, hugging tightly onto its fur with a trembling lower lip.
Eventually, as the pair left the palace grounds and entered the snowy, forested part of the city, Haoran cheered up significantly. It was his first time being outside of the palace by himself! Not counting Yunxue, of course. The giant weasel could sense Haoran's excitement and chirped happily, hopping around in the snow as if it were seeing it for the first time. But in contrast to the prince's great excitement, his body had little strength left and he was feeling quite tired. The fact that he hadn't eaten breakfast coupled with the chilly air stinging his nose and ears had only weakened the young prince. But he had much determination and pulled his spiritual animal along with him, steeling himself to continue his exploration.
As little Haoran explored the forest with big, sparkly eyes, he stumbled upon a large lake. The young weasel prince could only gape at the ice-covered expanse, never having seen anything so magnificent. The thin sheet of ice sparkled under the morning sunlight, and Haoran crouched onto his feet to peer into the murky water. Haoran had unsummoned Yunxue and was therefore alone by the icy lake, left helpless to any danger that could cross his path.
Suddenly, the loud cracking of a branch sounded behind the boy and spooked him. The little weasel prince's eyes flew wide and he slipped in the icy snow, plunging him deep into the frigid water. He had no concept of how to swim, and he also hadn't expected anyone to appear behind him. The young prince was scared so terribly that his little white ears had popped out!
The entire thing had happened so suddenly that the boy hadn't even time to call out for help, struggling helplessly under the water. His whole body had gone cold instantly as he slipped under the surface of the water, and he couldn't feel his legs or fingers. He was so frightened and in shock that he didn't even realize a second figure plunging into the water beside him, stronger hands gripping his slender shoulders to pull him out.