Chapter 1: Wash him clean and bring him back to the palace.
(My new book is out! This time I want to write a completely different, absolute female-centric story. I hope you all like it. The first two chapters are a bit slow-paced to develop the female lead's personality and behavior. If you prefer to jump straight into the plot, you can skip to chapter three.)
The capital of the Great Qi Dynasty, on Zhuque Avenue.
The spring sunshine shines on the bluestone road, warm and comfortable enough to make you squint.
It had just rained lightly last night, and there were still wet stains on the stone slabs. They were trampled into mud by pedestrians.
Vendors on both sides of the street were hawking their wares, and passersby were jostling and weaving through the crowds.
The sweet aroma of glutinous rice cakes wafted in the air, blending wonderfully with the bitter medicinal smell emanating from the pharmacies along the street, creating a unique, vibrant atmosphere in the city.
"drive!"
Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the peaceful and bustling scene.
"When the Princess is traveling, all unrelated persons shall give way!"
At this command, the crowd instantly scattered, making way.
Before long, a troop of armored guards came galloping in, clearing the way.
In the very center of this guard, a pure white horse gallops with its head held high.
A woman dressed in crimson riding attire sat atop the horse.
People recognized her at a glance—Li Yuanzhao, the eldest princess of the Great Qi Dynasty.
She held the reins with one hand, her eyes slightly narrowed, her face filled with impatience.
The commander of the imperial guards, Ru Mo, keenly sensed the princess's displeasure and immediately shouted, "The princess has ordered us to speed up!"
Just then, an unexpected event occurred on the previously deserted avenue.
A white figure, seemingly pushed along, suddenly burst out from the crowd, stumbled a few steps, and fell right in front of the princess's horse.
The white horse was startled and reared up on its front hooves.
"Whoa—"
Li Yuanzhao suddenly tightened the reins, barely stopping the horse just as its hooves were about to trample the man's head.
This sudden turn of events instantly transformed Li Yuanzhao's pent-up frustration into rage.
As soon as the horse came to a stop, before she could even see the person's face clearly, she raised her riding whip and lashed the person's back hard.
"Who do you think you are? How dare you block my way!"
The man's white clothes immediately tore open, and blood quickly seeped out, forming a clear bloodstain.
Upon seeing the sudden turn of events, the guards immediately gathered around.
Ru Mo stepped forward and kicked the man directly in the back of the knee.
The force was so great that he was kicked to the ground.
She stomped her foot firmly on his back, drew her sword, and pointed it at his neck.
"Disturbing the Princess's carriage, are you courting death?"
Li Yuanzhao glared at the person on the ground, his anger still burning.
The onlookers gasped in shock, feeling a chill run down their spines for the man.
In the dead silence, the person slowly raised their head, revealing a fair, young, and very handsome face.
His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, and his eyes, bright and upturned, held a certain brilliance.
Her face, slightly pale from the pain, added to her fragile beauty.
A pair of clear eyes stared directly at Li Yuanzhao.
Even in such a critical situation, there was not a trace of fear in his eyes.
Li Yuanzhao narrowed his eyes and carefully examined the man's appearance.
"She's quite pretty. What's her name?"
Ru Mo then moved his foot away, letting the person go a little.
The man endured the excruciating pain in his back and slowly got up, straightening his back.
He brushed the mud off his clothes, looked directly at Li Yuanzhao on horseback, and said with a slight parting of his thin lips, "My surname is Chen, and my given name is Yanqing."
His voice was clear and melodious, with a touch of humility and arrogance.
"Chen Yanqing..."
Li Yuanzhao slowly repeated the name, his tone tinged with amusement.
Then, a cold smile appeared on her lips, and she ordered Ru Mo, "Wash him clean and take him back to the palace."
Chen Yanqing's expression changed drastically, and a hint of panic flashed in his originally cold eyes.
"Your Highness, this humble subject..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ru Mo had already taken a step forward, pinched his chin with his fingers, and skillfully stuffed a cloth into his mouth.
Chen Yanqing let out a muffled sob as he glared angrily at the person in front of him.
Li Yuanzhao didn't even spare him another glance, and spurred his horse forward, the white horse galloping away.
Ru Mo grabbed Chen Yanqing by the back of his collar and tossed him onto the horse like a sack of potatoes.
The deserted street only came alive again after the princess's procession disappeared around the corner.
The people on the street were whispering among themselves.
"It's the eldest princess again..."
"I heard she already has more than a dozen male concubines in her household..."
"This young man is probably in grave danger..."
"What a tragedy, so young..."
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