燕子箋

A gifted scholar from the Fufeng region, Ho Du‑Liang is as handsome as a classic hero and equally adept with brush, poem and lute. Orphaned early, he finds a mentor in the seasoned Qin Ruo‑shui, who nurtures his studies and urges him toward the imperial examinations. As the test date approaches, Ho packs his books and art supplies, setting out for the bustling capital with hopes of securing a place among the empire’s elite.

In the capital, the world of poetry, painting and courtly intrigue opens before him. He encounters the refined daughter of a high‑ranking minister, whose delicate beauty is matched only by a famed courtesan, Hua Xing‑yun, whose own story intertwines with his. A treasured Wu Dao‑zi ink painting of Guanyin becomes a focal point of conversation, hinting at hidden alliances and the looming unrest that threatens to upend their ambitions.