The Dragon Princess
Long ago, in a small fishing village by the East China Sea, there lived a young fisherman named Liu Yi. He was kind-hearted, hardworking, and well-loved by the villagers. One day, while returning home after a long day of fishing, Liu Yi encountered a frail and sorrowful old woman by the roadside. She was dressed in tattered clothes and seemed to be in great distress.
Moved by compassion, Liu Yi approached her and asked, "Grandmother, what troubles you? How can I help?" The old woman looked at him with tearful eyes and said, "I am not who I appear to be. I am the servant of the Dragon Princess, the daughter of the Dragon King of the East Sea. She has been mistreated and imprisoned by her cruel husband, the Dragon Prince of the West Sea. I have come to seek help from a kind-hearted soul like you."
Liu Yi was astonished but immediately offered his assistance. The old woman handed him a small, intricately carved jade hairpin and said, "Take this to the shores of the East Sea. When you reach the water, strike the waves three times with the hairpin, and the Dragon Princess will appear. Please deliver this message to her father, the Dragon King, so he may rescue her."
Determined to help, Liu Yi traveled to the East Sea. As instructed, he struck the waves three times with the jade hairpin. The waters parted, and a beautiful young woman emerged, her eyes filled with gratitude and hope. She introduced herself as the Dragon Princess and explained her plight. Her husband, the Dragon Prince, had grown jealous of her beauty and kindness and had locked her away in a tower beneath the sea. She begged Liu Yi to take her message to her father, the Dragon King, who ruled the underwater kingdom.
Liu Yi agreed and was led into the magnificent underwater palace of the Dragon King. The palace was a dazzling sight, with walls of coral, floors of pearl, and gardens of glowing seaweed. The Dragon King, a wise and powerful ruler, listened to Liu Yi's message and was enraged by his son-in-law's cruelty. He immediately summoned his army of sea creatures and set off to rescue his daughter.
The Dragon King's forces stormed the tower where the Dragon Princess was imprisoned, defeating the Dragon Prince and his guards. The Dragon Princess was freed, and her father declared that she would never again suffer such mistreatment. Grateful to Liu Yi for his bravery and kindness, the Dragon King offered him treasures of gold, jewels, and magical artifacts. But Liu Yi, humble and selfless, refused the gifts, saying, "I only did what was right. I ask for nothing in return."
The Dragon Princess, however, had grown fond of Liu Yi. She admired his courage and pure heart and wished to repay him in a meaningful way. She approached her father and said, "This mortal man has shown me kindness and compassion. I wish to grant him a gift that will bring him happiness." The Dragon King agreed, and the Dragon Princess used her magic to transform Liu Yi's small fishing boat into a grand vessel that would always bring him a bountiful catch.
Before Liu Yi returned to his village, the Dragon Princess gave him a small, glowing pearl. "This pearl is a token of my gratitude," she said. "Whenever you are in need, hold it close, and I will come to your aid." Liu Yi thanked her and returned home, where he became the most prosperous fisherman in the village, thanks to his enchanted boat.
Years later, when Liu Yi faced a great storm at sea, he held the pearl close, and the Dragon Princess appeared, calming the waters and guiding him safely home. Their bond, forged through kindness and selflessness, remained strong, and Liu Yi's story became a legend in the village, inspiring others to act with compassion and courage.
