In Tai'an, spring arrived earlier than usual this year. Normally, at this time of year, there would still be a late spring chill, but now the flowers are already blooming with pink peach blossoms, green willows, and singing birds.
The main streets of the imperial capital were bustling with people, those in front eagerly waiting, those behind desperately standing on tiptoe. They crowded here for no other reason than to catch a glimpse of the loyal and brave general who had returned triumphantly today.
"They say today is the day the general returns to the capital. We've been standing here on the street for almost an hour. When will we see him?"
"It's almost there. I heard the army is outside the city gates. The commander at the gates just led the guards to clear the main streets of the city, clearing the way for the army."
"Speaking of which, the name of this loyal and brave general is really strange, Lakshmi. It doesn't sound like someone from our Chisha Empire."
"Yes, she is also very mysterious. Thirteen years ago, she appeared out of thin air in the Rock Town in the northernmost part of the Red Sand Empire. She immediately joined the army. In just one year, she went from being an unknown soldier to becoming the adjutant of General Nie Yuhe, who was guarding Rock Town at the time.
Later, when it came time to award her merits, General Nie investigated her background and discovered she had no father, no mother, no relatives, and no friends. If she hadn't performed such outstanding military feats and saved General Nie's life, he would have thought she was a spy sent by another country.
"General Lakshmi is already 26 years old this year, but she still hasn't married. She doesn't even have a concubine. Do you think she is so stout and ugly that no young man dares to marry her?"
Before he could finish, he was met with a resounding punch from a young woman in a long, embroidered green dress. Most of the onlookers were there to watch the excitement, but she was genuinely angry. She was Nangong Xun, the most trusted subordinate of the current Crown Princess Ling Xi. At such a young age, she had risen to the rank of First Rank Commander of the Imperial Capital's Outer City Army. She had come here specifically on the orders of Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess to welcome the loyal and brave general to the palace for an audience with the Emperor.
If Nangong Xun hadn't been traveling in plain clothes today, she would have put the person who dared to spread rumors about the loyal and brave general in jail. "What nonsense are you talking about? If you continue to spread rumors and slander the general, be careful that you will be reported to the authorities and thrown into prison for the crime of slandering the court officials. The reason why the loyal and brave general has not married at this age is because the general is devoted to serving the country and has used all his time and energy to build achievements."
"Making great achievements doesn't prevent you from getting married. If you ask me, your information is out of date. The reason our loyal and brave general hasn't married yet is because a prince in the palace has taken a fancy to her, and it's our Majesty who wants to marry his son to the general. If I had a prince as my husband, and was liked by two princes at the same time, I wouldn't look down on the sons of ordinary families."
The news of being loved by two princes at the same time was so shocking that several people around her wanted to chase her to find out the truth. At this moment, the crowd in front of her was boiling with excitement. Men, women, young and old all let out exciting screams, and the name "Lakshmi" was shouted out by countless people.
The first sound was the sound of synchronized footsteps. Then, everyone saw cavalry leading the way. The general in command was at the head of the army, followed closely by several lieutenants. The military flag fluttered in the wind. Atop the blood-red flag, a giant eagle soared through the sky, fully demonstrating the might of the three armies.
Yunqi Winery. In the private room on the second floor.
A young man put down the teacup in his hand and walked slowly to the wide-open window.
From his perspective, he could see the army below rushing towards the city gate in a black mass.
But in his eyes, the shock of the army's march was far less impressive than the splendour of the man leading the charge. His gaze fell on the loyal and brave general atop his majestic steed. The general's silver-white armor shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
At this time, a warm breeze blew up Lakshmi's silver-white battle robe. She ignored the cheers and shouts of everyone around her, and as if she had sensed something, she looked up at the tall building opposite. Sure enough, there stood a young man in brocade clothes.
The young man wore a lotus-colored gauze gown, exuding the luxurious elegance of aristocrats and royalty. His brows were slightly raised, and his cherry lips were unstained and rosy. His eyes, as tender as autumn water, stared at her without blinking. But when their eyes met, the young man immediately covered his face with the jade-faced silk fan in his hand, as if to hide his infinite shyness.
Although they had only met briefly before, Lakshmi recognized at a glance that the young man standing by the window was none other than the current Empress Fu's beloved son, Ling Shuzhou, also His Royal Highness the Second Prince of the Chisha Empire.
His Royal Highness the Second Prince is already eighteen years old this year. Logically, he should have gotten married at this age, but for some unknown reason, he has not yet gotten married.
Lakshmi was lost in thought when she suddenly felt a gust of cold air strike her face. Years of military service had honed her acuity, and she instinctively drew her dagger to block the incoming hidden weapon. And so, a rose-pink purse lodged itself against the blade. Embroidered with gold and silver thread, it depicted a pattern of mandarin ducks playing in the water, a clear expression of affection between a young man and woman, not a murderous weapon at all.
The purse contained a mixture of spices made from various flower petals. After being cut by the dagger, the spices wafted out, and the faint fragrance soon lingered on Lakshmi's nose.
A young man in the crowd exclaimed, "Ah! The sachet I made actually hit the general. General, if you accept my sachet, you will be responsible for the rest of my life."
Lakshmi looked in the direction of the voice, and before she could see the young man's appearance clearly, countless purses were thrown in her direction.
The laughter of the young gentlemen was mixed in. "General Lakshmi, I have admired you for a long time. I do not ask for any title, I just want to serve you as a slave for the rest of my life."
"General, I've dropped my sachet. Please take it. I spent seven days and seven nights embroidering it. I know I'm not blessed enough to serve you, General. I only hope this sachet can take my place and keep you company for two days. It will be worth my life to die."
"General Zhongyong, my name is Feng Zhengzhan. I just turned fifteen this year. I live in Wuyu Alley, on the main thoroughfare of Guihua Street in the East City of the Imperial Capital. You can find me at the thirteenth gate from the left. Please remember to come when you have time!"
In just a short moment, countless purses and bags fell on Lakshmi's head and body. Some were big, some were small, some were round, some were flat, some were red, some were yellow, some were green, and some were blue. There were all kinds of them.
Lakshmi, who had never changed her expression in the battlefield while fighting among thousands of soldiers, was stunned at this moment.
Aren't men here said to be very shy and reserved, and to value their reputation more than their lives? Why was he showing his love to her in the street without any regard for propriety and shame?
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