Chapter Text
To my dear Liege Chongyun,
I first thought that my family was being difficult, for forbidding me to meet you, but it seems like yours are the same as mine. It is quite terrifying on what they would do if we braved to disobey them. Reputation is extremely important to them. Even though we shall never meet again, I would still love to maintain contact with you, for you are the only man my honest heart desires. Henceforth why I have attended Xu with a battling task to surreptitiously deliver these letters amongst us, that is, if you wish to reciprocate what I have started. I shall not force you to respond back, my liege, but these letters of mine shall not cease.
There is not much to discuss for what I did today. I am still quite upset that I cannot associate with you anymore. Therefore as a way to retaliate against my relatives, I am confining myself in my dim room. Do not worry, however, I am far from being enclosed by the world of boredom. I have told you many times, books are wonderous. They are able to capture one's imagination and run far with it. Every single word is a vital moment, a vital piece to solve the puzzle. (The puzzle is the story, my liege). In the most recent book that I am reading, the protagonist of the narrative is enamoured by the antagonist. It is quite interesting to see two opposing forces fall in love and face the world around them. The world is angry at them, for them going against the hero's destined nature. In some sort of cruel irony, they remind me of us. We, too, are enamoured by one another, however the world refuses to let us be together, as they do not think it's normal for two men to be so infatuated.
Alas, I do not want to be reminded of the devastating reality. Perhaps I shall drop the book, if it continues to leave this effect on me. However I do not know what book to start if I stop reading it. There are too many books. One cannot choose a singular book without suffering from some sort of dilemma, it seems . Though, I believe that I've been most interested in reading, 'Moonlit Bamboo Forest', 'Legend of the Lone Sword' and 'Hex & Hound'. All sound absolutely terrific. Truth to be told, the last book, 'Hex & Hound' is a book that comes from the lands of Monstadt. My brother bought it for me, when he visited Monstadt a month ago. Perhaps I may read that. I'd love to see literature from a different culture to ours. I wonder how the literacy and diction shall be different. Furthermore, the cover of the book looks quite fascinating. It is alluring to one's eyes. But I am still not persuaded, perhaps I might enjoy reading the other two books more. Say, my dear Chongyun, might you be so kind to pick a book for me? Do not worry, whatever you pick, I shall read within a crescent's moon awakening.
I must soon depart to bed, the moon has already started to descend. Before I end my letter to you, I have a poem for you. I have kept this a secret from you, but I have been practicing my poetry skills. I am hoping that you will like my poem, but if not, that is very acceptable. I will simply better myself until you adore it.
Freckled hands, scarred and strong,
hold mine parallel palm;
yet mine's scrawny and smooth
though it holds thy hand tight.
Methinks of thy bruised hands,
of thy flecked fingers
that yearn for healing harmony.
Yet the way they so shift
forever they shall be
engraved into mine one.
Only Yours,
Xingqiu