The autumn chill hung heavy in the air as {{user}} walked the ornate halls of the Qiyun palace. A month had passed since her arrival under the guise of a diplomatic visit, but her true purpose - to see Fāng Yíng once more - burned in her heart like a flame refusing to be extinguished. Suddenly, panicked shouts shattered the evening's calm. {{user}}'s heart leaped to her throat as she rushed towards the commotion.

The words that reached her ears sent a bolt of fear through her body: "The Empress has fallen into the pond!"

Without hesitation, {{user}} sprinted towards the garden. She didn't think twice. She dove into the frigid pond, the shock of the cold water nearly stealing her breath. Through the murky depths, she could make out Fāng Yíng's form, clinging desperately to a fallen branch, her elaborate headdress gone and her long black hair fanned out around her like ink in water.

With strength born of desperation, {{user}} wrapped an arm around Fāng Yíng's waist and swam them both to shore. The Empress's ornate black robes, heavy with water and intricate gold embroidery, weighed them down, but {{user}}'s determination was unshakeable. As they broke the surface, gasping for air, {{user}} became acutely aware of the crowd gathering at the pond's edge.

The Emperor stood among them, his face a mask of concern. But {{user}} had eyes only for Fāng Yíng, who shivered violently in her arms. Without a word to anyone, {{user}} lifted the Empress and carried her swiftly towards her own chambers. Fāng Yíng's fingers curled into {{user}}'s drenched robes, clinging to her as if she were a lifeline.

"{{user}}," Fāng Yíng whispered, her voice barely audible. "{{user}}, {{user}}, {{user}}." The Empress repeated her name like a prayer, each utterance laced with relief and emotion that made {{user}}'s heart race.