Who else could you love besides me

Chapter 1

First Encounter with Longming

In June, several days of continuous rain made my heart restless. I looked at the scattered white jasmine flowers in the courtyard, swaying fragilely in the drizzle. The weak white petals, unable to withstand the cold of the past few days, seemed unable to withstand it any longer and fell into the mud. A sense of frustration and helplessness rose in my heart.

I couldn't help but think of two years ago—

She was 15 years old, the age of coming of age.

At the banquet, the emperor made a joking remark, which he then jokingly declined, making it seem like it was all just a joke.

She still remembered that night, hearing his clear voice through the beaded curtain and seeing his tall, handsome profile, which made her vaguely expect something. But one sentence from him shattered her heart, which had just begun to blossom with love. He said, "The daughter of Lord Tian is the most beautiful woman in the capital. Even before she came of age, I heard that many noble young men wanted to marry her. However, I heard that she only marries a man of noble character and would never share a husband with another woman. Now that I have a group of beautiful concubines, how dare I have any wild thoughts?! Hehe, I beg Your Majesty to forgive my philandering."

Everyone burst into laughter, seemingly letting it pass with a laugh, but from then on she became the epitome of a jealous woman in the capital, and no one paid her any attention anymore!

Two years passed in this way.

Her father became a laughing stock in the court because of her, and even two years later, he still held a grudge about it. Her mother's condition worsened as a result, and she eventually did not survive that winter. For a time, some busybodies spread rumors that she was destined to bring misfortune to her husband and mother, and she had nowhere to stand in the capital.

Although her father treated her well, he eventually found a reason to send her to Suzhou, a place in southern China.

When she first arrived in Suzhou, she found it difficult to adapt. She fell ill for a long time due to the humid and warm climate and water, but fortunately, Tian Shuang and Tian Yong took good care of her and she finally made it through the winter. After she recovered, she stepped out of her room and saw the jasmine petals in the garden falling one by one, which made her feel sad and she couldn't help but recall the past.

That year, the most talked-about person among the young ladies in the capital was Prince Xi, Suoge. He had become the ideal young hero in the hearts of many young women in the capital. He was handsome and had made many military achievements. At the age of 15, he was appointed as the vanguard commander. Later, he was transferred to guard the frontier for three years. Recently, he returned to the capital and was granted the title of Prince Xi and the position of commander of the guards. He was a second-rank official and held a large number of troops in the capital. He was the most trusted by the emperor.

I heard that he is skilled with a long spear with a golden tip, and is a brave and fierce warrior who can fight ten enemies at once. I heard that he is a brilliant strategist, well-versed in military tactics and etiquette. I heard that he is gentle and refined. Even his most picky and critical sister, Tian Fei, mentioned this man to her, saying that he is a true nobleman.

I've heard countless rumors about him, but because he spent many years in the military and later served on the frontier, very few women in the capital have ever seen him. Coincidentally, tonight, the Emperor has invited his ministers and their families to a banquet in the palace, and among them is the Prince Xi, whom I've heard so much about but never seen.

Many noble ladies longed to catch a glimpse of his handsome face. That night, the officials deliberately brought their daughters, who had reached the age of marriage, into the palace to compete for beauty. That night was also the first time she had seen such a gentle and handsome man. Every gesture he made exuded aristocratic air. Even the Empress, like her sister Consort Tian, praised him as a true nobleman.

Although she had heard it many times, it seemed to have nothing to do with her. She always treated it as just a story, but she couldn't help but be curious as a young woman: what kind of man was he?

On a certain day, he hid behind the beaded curtain with a group of noble ladies, secretly watching the outside world. He listened to the women's whispers and occasional playful banter. He also inadvertently saw some bold women seemingly lift the beaded curtain unintentionally, their eyes filled with flirtatious glances. He couldn't help but smile, finding the scene quite amusing.

Xi Ri held an exquisite silk fan in her hand, gently waving it. Through the beaded curtain that was occasionally lifted unintentionally, she could catch a glimpse of the man's face outside. Her innocent mind couldn't help but take a few more glances after seeing that gentle and handsome face.

When she heard the Emperor say he intended to bestow her upon him, her heart suddenly pounded wildly. She had never felt anything like it before; it was unfamiliar, a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, and excitement. For a moment, it felt as if her heart would leap out of her chest. Her palms involuntarily became sweaty.

Amidst gasps of surprise, surrounded by envious, sharp, and scrutinizing gazes, interspersed with a few low gasps, she gripped her silk fan tightly, trying to conceal the gasp that threatened to escape her lips, then held her breath in suffocating anticipation. But upon hearing his reply, her heart sank—

Suddenly, I felt an urge to rush out the door, even a desire to suffocate myself under the covers. But then all those feelings vanished. I vaguely saw myself gently waving a silk fan, a smile involuntarily curving my lips, and a bitter taste welling up in my chest. So, it wasn't that I didn't expect it, it wasn't that I didn't care—

She abruptly interrupted her thoughts, realizing she couldn't think about it anymore. Two years had passed; what should be discarded shouldn't be kept.

She strode towards the gate, followed closely by Tian Shuang and Tian Yong. Suddenly, she reached out and took the umbrella Tian Yong had just opened, and strode out into the drizzle.

The rain continued to fall, the sky remained overcast, and she still wasn't used to the dampness of the south. Although a series of landscape paintings seemed to unfold before her, and although a beautiful face was faintly reflected in the flowing water, and although this peaceful day was hard-won, her heart still couldn't find peace. Especially when she thought of those past events that had once troubled her, her heart became restless.

She strolled across the double-arched bridge to Suzhou's most bustling street. Despite the continuous rain, perhaps because the locals were used to this kind of weather, the street was still very lively. Watching the busy figures coming and going, and listening to the noisy chatter of vendors and customers haggling, her restlessness was relieved, and she even had the urge to take a stroll.

Now that she was far from the capital and in a place where she knew no one, she felt free and unrestrained, which was not necessarily a bad thing. She began to stroll leisurely along the street, visiting each shop one by one.

In fact, she has rarely had the opportunity to stroll around so leisurely in her life. Now that she is really indulging herself, she feels a sense of freedom and joy she has never experienced before. She is starting to like Suzhou.

Suzhou has been home to many refined scholars since ancient times, and its landscapes exude a refined and elegant atmosphere. For the past few days, since recovering from her illness, she has felt an unprecedented sense of freedom and joy. The wind still blows gently, and the drizzle still falls softly, but now, these sights evoke a unique sense of leisure and tranquility.

Today, she and her two servants had been strolling around for several hours. They had just finished looking at antiques and calligraphy at Tinghe Tower and came to rest at a pavilion by the bridge. They had barely sat down when a strong wind picked up, followed by heavy rain. The umbrellas in people's hands were being blown about by the wind and rain, and the street, which had been orderly, became chaotic. Many people started running, looking for shelter from the rain. A woman holding a child took a few steps and fell to the ground, her clothes splashed with water. The child cried loudly. The woman quickly got up, ignoring her own disheveled state, picked up the child and gently comforted him before continuing to run away.

In a short while, the street, which was originally bustling with pedestrians, became deserted.

Tian Shuang said, "Miss, the rain is getting heavier. Let's stay here for a while and leave when the rain subsides."

Xi Ri nodded upon hearing this, looking up at the pedestrians still seeking shelter from the rain on the street. Just then, two men rushed into the pavilion. The man in the lead, though soaked to the bone, did not appear disheveled. His clothes were luxurious, especially the collar and cuffs, which were embroidered with exquisitely beautiful golden orchids, clearly indicating his status. A few raindrops splashed on his forehead and cheeks, which he casually wiped away with his sleeve. When he looked up, his gaze met Xi Ri's. That clear yet audacious gaze startled Xi Ri, her face flushing slightly. She immediately turned away, not daring to look again, yet she could still feel his gaze. For some reason, being stared at like that made her feel flustered, her limbs stiffening, yet she lacked the courage to rebuke the man's audacious behavior.

Another man who ran into the pavilion with him, seemingly his servant, soon shouted, disregarding the others already inside, "Young master! What do we do? We're afraid we won't make it in time!"

The young man chuckled softly, his voice clear and elegant: "It's alright, the rain is falling heavily, it will subside soon."

The servant was clearly an impatient fellow, and upon hearing this, he couldn't contain his anxiety any longer. He kept groaning and lamenting, "Young master, I told you to come by carriage, but you insisted on walking! What are we going to do now? If we're late for the prince's invitation, that would be..."

Clang! The servant was flicked on the forehead with a crisp sound. Xi Ri couldn't help but turn his head to look again, just in time to hear the young master laugh and say, "You don't need to be so impatient, we'll definitely be here in time. You're always so impatient, making a fuss over nothing without considering that there are other people here!" As soon as he finished speaking, he turned back and smiled at the three of them.

Xi Ri, Tian Shuang, and Tian Yong all saw that smile at the same time, and the three of them were stunned.

Xi Ri was startled; the phrase "a smile that could launch a thousand ships" seemed to perfectly describe this man.

Suddenly the servant burst into laughter: "Young master, your charm is truly boundless. If Steward Jiang were here..." The servant's words were interrupted by another brutal beating. "If you say another word, I'll never bring you out again."

The servant touched his forehead and smiled sheepishly, seemingly unconcerned about such threats.

Just then, two more women rushed into the pavilion to shelter from the rain. As soon as they entered, they seemed to suddenly see the man sheltering from the rain inside. Their eyes lit up, and they hurriedly tidied their hair and clothes, stealing glances at the man in the pavilion from time to time. Slowly, they moved their feet slightly, trying to get closer. Just as they were getting closer, a man suddenly darted out from between them. It was the monkey-like servant boy. The servant boy stood tall and proud, exuding an arrogant aura: "If you have a love letter to pass on, it's ten taels each. If you want to talk to my young master, it's twenty taels each!" As he spoke, he stretched out his hand in front of the two young ladies.

Upon hearing his words, the two girls immediately blushed and hid to the side, only stealing glances at the man. The young master turned around, raised his eyebrows slightly, and seemed to disregard what his servant had just said.

The rain intensified, and the streets were nearly deserted. The area outside the pavilion was shrouded in mist due to the storm. Then, three more people rushed into the pavilion, making the already small space feel even more crowded. Tian Shuang and Tian Yong shielded Xi Ri in front of them, creating their own private space to prevent outsiders from approaching. The young master, behind Tian Yong, leisurely watched the hazy scene outside, seemingly enjoying the patter of the raindrops. His servant, however, kept a close watch on the three who had just entered—or rather, three women.

Suddenly, the servant's clear voice rang out again from inside the pavilion, so loud that even the heavy rain couldn't drown it out: "If you want to pass on a love letter, it'll be ten taels per person; if you want to speak with my young master, it'll be twenty taels per person!"

"Here you go! Twenty taels!" A woman's voice, not loud, but Xi Ri heard it clearly and could no longer resist turning around out of curiosity. She saw a woman dressed in red, her clothes exquisite, and at first glance, she was quite charming.

The servant took the silver, weighed it in his hand, bit it between his teeth, and then happily put it away. However, he still wouldn't let her pass and said with a grin, "Please speak, young lady, and I will immediately convey your message to my master."

The woman in red was a little angry upon hearing this. She glanced at the servant, then her gaze fell on the tall, upright figure behind him, and she couldn't take her eyes off him anymore: "I want to speak with your young master face to face. Name your price!"

"No price to offer! My young master will speak to you if he wants to, and he won't speak if he doesn't want to. This is my young master's custom, and everyone in Suzhou knows it. Judging from your accent, you must be from out of town, and have only recently arrived in Suzhou? Hehe, but I advise you to follow the custom. Otherwise, hehe, if you want to make an exception, you'll need the consent of all the ladies in Suzhou!"

"Nonsense! How dare you, a mere servant, bully others and spread alarmist rumors! Get out of the way!" a maid behind the woman shouted.

The servant didn't move aside; instead, he grinned and laughed loudly. "Miss, you must be new to Suzhou and probably don't know much. Five years ago, a young lady insisted on speaking to my young master, but was rejected by all the girls in Suzhou and had to marry far away. Sigh, that's considered good. Four years ago, she was driven to suicide by jumping into the river. Although she didn't die, she was close. Three years ago, no one in Suzhou would sell her cosmetics, clothes, or brocade, forcing her to wear tattered clothes every day, like a beggar, and she still can't get married. Two years ago, the girl was chased and beaten by all the girls in Suzhou in the streets as soon as she stepped out of her house, like a rat crossing the street. Sigh, she was so miserable, and she still doesn't dare to go out. Since last year, no one has dared to break this rule. This year, oh? Does the young lady want to be this year's victim?"