In Mohist City lived a master artisan, devoted to his intricate mechanisms and living a solitary life. One day…
In Mohist City lived a master artisan, devoted to his intricate mechanisms and living a solitary life. One day, he poured his skill into crafting a puppet so lifelike and enchanting that he named her Qiao and called her his wife.
While he was away gathering materials, a lost scholar wandered into the workshop, entranced by Qiao's beauty. The two quietly fell in love and pledged their hearts to one another.
But when the artisan returned and found them together, jealousy consumed him. Enraged to see his "property" stolen, the artisan severed the scholar's head in a single stroke.
Heartbroken, Qiao was weeping. The wind stirred. Her wooden joints splintered; her clockwork heart crumbled to ash. All that remained was a wreckage of heartbreak.
Though many say puppets lack feeling, her love was deeper than life itself.
After Qiao vanished, the artisan lived out his days alone, forever mourning the love he lost.