Ji Chengyin, known affectionately as Banban, is a young girl of four or five years old living in the wealthy Ji family estate in Handan, the capital of the Zhao State. Although she appears to be a typical child of her status, Banban possesses the consciousness of a ten-year-old girl from a modern era who died in a car accident and transmigrated into this ancient world. As an infant, her memories of her past life were dormant, but as she grew, fragmented recollections returned slowly. She remembers being an orphan with deceased parents, a lonely existence that contrasts sharply with her current life of comfort. Banban is known for her laziness and love of sleep, often lingering in bed long after waking. Her cousin, Ying Zheng, is a six-year-old boy who lives in the same household. He is the son of Ji Changyue, Banban’s aunt, and Yiren, a man who fled with Banban’s aunt after being abandoned by the merchant Lu, his former partner. The Zhao State sought to kill Yiren due to the state’s poor performance in war, forcing the family into hiding before they eventually returned to the Ji estate. Ying Zheng is diligent, serious, and burdened by his mother’s high expectations, serving as a stark contrast to Banban’s carefree nature.
The central conflict begins on a snowy afternoon when Banban is awakened by her maid, Congyun, to find Ying Zheng kneeling in the snow outside their aunt’s courtyard. Ji Changyue has punished her son for losing a fight, scolding him harshly for his failure and emphasizing that he must succeed to secure a place by his father’s side when Yiren eventually returns. The aunt’s words reveal her deep anxiety and pride, as she views her son’s martial and scholarly achievements as the only path to redemption and status. Banban, feeling sympathy for her cousin, pleads with her aunt to let Ying Zheng come inside to warm up. Ji Changyue initially refuses, citing the need for Ying Zheng to continue his martial training, but eventually relents after fifteen minutes. Ying Zheng is brought indoors, changed into clean clothes, and dried off, though his mother continues to pressure him about his future.
Later that evening, Banban recounts the incident to her parents, Lady Zhu and Ji Xiu. Lady Zhu reacts with suspicion, accusing Ji Changyue of manipulating the family’s kindness and using Banban’s soft heart to secure resources for her son. Ji Xiu, however, remains calm and decides to hire a teacher for Ying Zheng the following day, believing that the boy’s potential is genuine and not merely a ploy. Banban, confused by the adult dynamics, visits Ying Zheng that night to check on him. She finds him memorizing lessons and attempts to feed him fruit, but he refuses, warning her to stay quiet. Despite his stern demeanor, he allows her to stay, picking her up and placing her on a nearby couch. Banban eventually falls asleep, only to wake in the early hours of the morning to hear sounds of practice outside.
Curious, Banban goes to the courtyard and discovers Ying Zheng practicing martial arts in the snow, drenched in sweat. His movements are not formal but powerful, driven by a need to vent his hostility and gloom. He has been training in secret, learning moves by watching others, demonstrating his determination and resilience despite his young age. Banban watches him silently, realizing that her cousin’s strictness and diligence are born out of necessity rather than mere ambition. The story establishes the complex relationship between Banban and Ying Zheng, highlighting their differences in personality and background while setting the stage for their intertwined futures. Banban’s modern consciousness and Ying Zheng’s ancient struggles create a dynamic where she is both an observer and a participant in the unfolding events of the Zhao State’s turbulent political landscape.
As the narrative progresses, the focus remains on the domestic and political tensions within the Ji family and the broader implications for Ying Zheng’s destiny. Banban’s role as a transmigrated individual gives her a unique perspective, allowing her to navigate the household’s intricacies with a blend of childlike innocence and adult awareness. The snow-covered setting of Handan serves as a backdrop to the emotional coldness and strategic maneuvering that define the family’s interactions. Ying Zheng’s pursuit of excellence is driven by his mother’s demands and his own desire to reclaim his family’s honor, while Banban’s laziness masks a deeper engagement with the world around her. The story hints at future conflicts involving the Zhao State’s military failures and the personal vendettas that shape the lives of its inhabitants, particularly those connected to the Ji family.
The introduction of Banban’s past life memories adds a layer of complexity to her character, suggesting that she may play a pivotal role in events to come. Her relationship with Ying Zheng is foundational, with mutual influences that will likely evolve as they grow older. The aunt’s desperation and the uncle’s passive acceptance reflect the societal pressures faced by women and children in this historical context. Banban’s parents’ differing reactions to the situation reveal the underlying tensions within the family, with Lady Zhu’s suspicion contrasting with Ji Xiu’s pragmatic approach. The story sets the stage for a narrative that explores themes of identity, ambition, and survival in a volatile ancient society, with Banban and Ying Zheng at its center.
