Chapter Thirteen: Descending from the Heavens

How could Gu Li not understand what was happening? The red-brown foal came galloping over, full of exuberance, calling out excitedly for its mother. The usually docile mare beneath her could not suppress the surge of maternal instinct, and with Chen and the little princess wailing piercingly, the sound echoing across the paddock, the horse grew even more frantic and restless, charging straight toward the foal!

“Whoa! Whoa! Stop! Stop!”

Gu Li realized at once that things had taken a turn for the worse. The horse, driven by maternal instinct, would not heed her at all; no matter how hard she pulled at the reins or shouted, she could not rein it in.

Watching Chen and the little princess bouncing on horseback, nearly falling off, Gu Li’s heart leapt into her throat. The distance between her horse and the white foal was closing rapidly—soon, the two would collide. The red-brown foal was already beyond control, and as the white mare instinctively tried to swerve past her son, she suddenly reared up with a long, shrill whinny—

“Ah!”

Gu Li was flung backward, her grip on the reins lost, her body tumbling down. At that critical instant, a pair of broad, solid arms wrapped tightly around her slender waist, pulling her close, while at the same time seizing the reins and yanking hard, finally bringing the agitated horse under control. Hooves flashing, the horse veered past the red-brown foal.

Yet inertia could not be overcome—the pair was flung onto the horse’s back, nearly tumbling off. In a flash, those strong arms drew Gu Li tightly into a protective embrace, shielding her as they rolled over and over, finally coming to a halt.

“Princess!”

“Little Princess!”

Both entourages cried out in alarm, each rushing to their own master.

All Gu Li could sense was the warmth and strength of the embrace enveloping her, the unfamiliar yet comforting masculine scent, and the powerful, erratic thudding of his heartbeat beneath her ear.

Gu Li could already guess who this man was.

She had never experienced such intimate contact before. Leaning against his chest, her hands, trembling with fear, gripped the front of his robes tightly. Even before she raised her face, a flush like the blush of peach blossoms had already crept up her cheeks.

“Princess, are you all right?”

Lie Chang’an, seeing the delicate figure in his arms trembling, felt himself stiffen for an instant—he had never been so close to a woman before. But soon he relaxed, gently pushing her away to check if she was hurt.

“I’m fine.”

Gu Li did not want him to see her disheveled state. The ground was covered in dust, surely making her look a terrible mess; she hurried to stand, but in her flustered haste, her hand pressed down on sharp gravel, pricking her skin.

“Princess!”

Jasmine, leading the maids, rushed over. Seeing the princess’s palm pierced by several sharp grains of sand, with tiny beads of blood welling up, she was heartbroken and filled with guilt. She quickly took out a handkerchief to staunch the bleeding.

“You’re hurt?”

Lie Chang’an had not expected that, even after shielding her so carefully, she would still be injured. His gaze fixed on the white silk handkerchief speckled with blood, his thick brows furrowed, his handsome face darkened with concern.

“It’s nothing, just a scratch.”

Gu Li knew she’d only hurt her hand by accident; though her palm burned, it did not truly ache.

“But you’re bleeding, Princess.”

Jasmine was on the brink of tears. The princess had always been delicate, her skin so tender that even the slightest bump would leave bruises for days. Now, with her palm scraped and bleeding, the sight was truly distressing against her fair, slender hand.

Gu Li herself paid it little mind, her cheeks still flushed as she fixed her gaze on the man before her. “General, are you hurt?” she asked.

Lie Chang’an, caught off guard by the brilliance of the girl’s eyes—bright as stars—looked away, unable to meet her intense concern. He lowered his gaze and replied calmly, “I am unscathed, Your Highness.”

Gu Li knew well enough that he said this simply to reassure her. After all, falling from a horse onto sharp stones, wearing only thin summer clothing, how could one possibly remain unhurt?

But since he insisted all was well, she could not force him to show her his injuries. She asked no more.