Yao Yao was abandoned by her family. She wandered the streets, trying to find her way home, but was instead drawn in by the tempting aroma of steaming meat buns.

The young heir to the noble house (the Shizi) found her adorably silly and endearing, so he carefully brought her home.

Though she was just a maid, the young lord personally fed and pampered her, raising her with great care. Following behind him, she lived a life of luxury and splendor.

Later, her family was released from prison and came to take her back. Yao Yao once again became the treasured daughter of her parents. No one knew that she had spent over ten years by the side of a noble young lord, loved and cherished beyond measure.

Until one day, at a banquet granted by the Emperor, she sat quietly with her family. Mistaken for a crude country girl, she was mocked and humiliated by the daughters of nobility. Fearing her parents would be upset, she held back her temper and said nothing—her eyes simply reddened with silent tears.

Suddenly, the familiar aroma of peach blossom soup drifted to her nose—

It was a flavor she had longed for, never able to forget.

Yao Yao looked up and saw him—sitting close to the Emperor, young yet already holding immense power, the Shizi was smiling as he looked at her.

His eyes were just as gentle and lingering as they had been when they parted.

“Yao Yao,” he said softly, “come back to me.”