Chapter Seven: A Serendipitous Encounter

Hometown was a lively and spirited soul. Every time she attended a palace banquet, she found it too novel to sit still, so she would sneak away whenever she spotted an unnoticed moment. Jasmine followed behind Princess Danqing, long accustomed to this behavior; sneaking away was hardly a rare occurrence. The princess might have believed that those above were oblivious, but in truth, the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince saw through it all. Yet, out of their affection for her and since it was of little consequence, they simply turned a blind eye and indulged her whims.

“Princess, shall we return to the palace?” Jasmine asked.

“No, it’s still early,” Hometown replied, hopping along the blue-glazed tiles toward the long pavilion. “Let’s sit in the pavilion and enjoy the breeze.”

Watching the princess skip ahead, Jasmine sighed and shook her head. This was hardly befitting a princess—she truly was spoiled. Still, she dared not say a word, following closely behind while guarding her as they made their way to the pavilion.

Hometown had not expected anyone to be at the pavilion. She had been feeling unbearably stuffy and only wanted to sit there for a while and cool off. Jasmine, too, was surprised when, in the darkness and silence, someone suddenly appeared. She was about to step forward and shield the princess, rebuking the stranger, when he turned around, causing Jasmine to freeze in place.

Hometown stared at the handsome face before her and stood stunned, unable to react.

Lie Chang’an had drunk a few cups of wine and, seeking a pretext to cool his temper, had slipped away. He happened to encounter a furtive young eunuch, who delivered a message asking him to wait at the long pavilion for a while.

Uncertain what business awaited him—after all, he was unfamiliar with anyone in the palace—he nonetheless worried that it might be important, so he braced himself and went.

Who could have guessed that the one to arrive would be the famously spoiled and willful Princess Danqing?

Lie Chang’an turned and saw the young woman standing in the moonlight.

She wore a pale blue, fitted waist dress with a layered skirt, its sleeves adorned with soft jasmine blossoms in the color of water lilies. Her three thousand strands of black hair were loosely gathered into a cloud bun, and around her waist hung a dark palace sash, tied casually. A simple butterfly-shaped silver ornament with delicate flowers was slanted through her hair, its light-colored tassels falling freely, swaying gently in the breeze. The moonlight traced her exquisitely beautiful features with a soft glow; her graceful smile and radiant eyes were reminiscent of jade and lotus, shining bright.

Lie Chang’an’s expression remained calm as water. He quickly stepped back, bowed his head, and saluted, “Your servant greets the Princess.”

His voice was low and cool, carrying a hint of distant detachment. Yet, as it reached Hometown’s ears, it felt like a spark, flushing the skin behind her ears.

Hometown had never found herself face-to-face with a man other than her father or her crown prince brother—especially not on such a dark, windy night.

Suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, she softly asked, “General, what brings you here?”

Lie Chang’an heard the question and realized the princess before him was not the one who had summoned him. But he could not guess who else might have. As he pondered how to answer, her gentle voice suddenly carried a hint of coldness, as she asked, “Did you arrange to meet Jingan here?”

Hometown knew that, given Jingan’s identity, she could not possibly attend the palace banquet. It never occurred to her that the two had already secretly agreed to meet in the pavilion.

Hometown couldn’t help but marvel that her royal sister, who appeared so gentle and composed, was actually so bold behind closed doors. For a princess to meet a man in the palace late at night—if their father were to find out, he would surely mete out a harsh punishment.