Chapter Five: First Stirring of the Heart

Zhen'an remembered three years ago, when she was but thirteen. It was only a fleeting glance at a banquet, yet it etched itself deep into her heart.

He was fifteen then, volunteering to lead the army to the border. Now, at eighteen, he returned triumphant, his fame resounding throughout Li Dynasty as its youngest and most accomplished general—no one dared look down on him any longer.

For three years she had yearned for him, day and night. Yet now, with him so near, she found herself wavering, uncertain.

He... surely did not remember her, did he?

After all, three years ago, he had merely picked up her handkerchief and returned it, addressing her as “Princess” with distant courtesy. She had looked up at him then, her smile blushing redder than peach blossoms.

But just that single glance rendered him unforgettable ever since.

"Princess!"

Ting'er saw that Princess Zhen'an still stood frozen, lost in thought, while General Chang'an was about to walk past, separated only by the stone statue. Ting'er grew anxious. They had been waiting in this summer heat for nearly half an hour—surely they couldn’t leave without even a word being exchanged?

"Ge—General Chang'an."

Just as Ting’er was about to jump in agitation, at last she heard Princess Zhen'an's voice, tinged with both excitement and shyness.

Lie Chang'an had already passed the stone tiger and dragon statues. Upon hearing her voice, he halted and turned. There, beneath the statue, stood a young woman in a smoky green blouse, her pleated skirt the color of dew-dappled grass. Her shoulders were as slender as if carved, her waist as delicate as drawn silk, her skin like congealed cream, her breath as gentle as hidden orchids. Her brows arched like snow upon distant mountains, her eyes deep and limpid as autumn water, gazing at him with a shy nervousness.

Lie Chang'an paused, his first thought clear: he did not know this young lady. She appeared to be about sixteen, dignified and composed, gentle and serene, accompanied by a personal maid—clearly a lady of the palace. He recalled having heard, amid the camp's idle gossip, that there were two princesses of similar age in the palace: one, greatly favored, was known for her willfulness and beauty...

The other...

Understanding dawned in Lie Chang'an’s heart. He quickly clasped his fists and saluted, "Greetings, Your Highness."

Princess Zhen’an saw his respectful bearing, his every gesture marked by that same distant reserve. Though she had guessed he would not remember her, disappointment still flickered in her heart. Still, she quickly composed herself and offered a gentle, gracious smile. "General Chang'an, you have journeyed far to return to the capital. Entering the palace before even resting must have been exhausting, hasn’t it?"

Lie Chang'an frowned slightly, sensing something odd in her words. It was as if they were on unusually familiar terms.

Princess Zhen'an realized she may have overstepped, and her cheeks flushed as she bowed her head. "General Chang'an, you have just returned. You must take care of your health, so you may continue to serve our Li Dynasty and His Majesty."

"Yes," Lie Chang'an replied, suppressing his unease. He felt it inappropriate to converse too long with a princess in such a public place. "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I have other duties to attend to and must take my leave."

Without waiting for her reply, he saluted and turned, striding away.

Princess Danqing hurried to catch up, only to see Princess Zhen'an standing beside the statue, her face aglow with bashful delight yet tinged with sorrow, gazing longingly in the direction where he had gone.

Guli followed her gaze, spotting the tall, straight figure in deep blue gradually disappearing into the palace corridors. The golden glow of sunset spilled across his back, and that shade of blue seemed to seep into the young girl’s heart, blossoming into fragrant pink—her first stirrings of love.