Who else could you love besides me

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 th

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