Chapter Three: The General of Chang'an

News from Jasmine arrived swiftly.

It was said that on the evening of that very day, Jian’an, after finishing her supper, went once more to Chengkun Hall to seek out the Emperor. By the following day, Jasmine had already brought back the tidings.

Guli was in the midst of her midday meal when she heard Jasmine’s report and paused, startled. “You say she went to inquire when the army would arrive in the capital?”

“Yes,” Jasmine replied.

Guli’s willow brows knitted together. “The inner palace is forbidden from meddling in state affairs. Why would she ask about this?”

“It’s not really meddling in politics,” Jasmine explained. “Apparently, she was simply curious about when General Chang’an, the one leading the army, would return, and when he would enter the palace to receive his honors.”

“General Chang’an?” Guli was bewildered. “Who is that?”

Jasmine said, “Why, it’s General Chang’an, the one who recently commanded a hundred thousand soldiers and won a great victory against the border nation. They say he’s only eighteen, handsome, a man of extraordinary bearing and talent. With this victory, he’s become famous overnight, and on his triumphant return, he’s captured the hearts of many young ladies in the capital. Right now, his glory is unmatched throughout the entire Li Dynasty.”

Guli was only fourteen, still half a year away from her coming-of-age ceremony, and having spent her life deep within the palace, had seen no other men besides her father. She had always believed that her wise and heroic father—the emperor who doted on her—must be the most outstanding man in the world. But now, hearing Jasmine speak, she began to doubt that certainty.

Though Guli was willful by nature, she had always been well sheltered, her thoughts pure and her curiosity boundless. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and wonder as she asked, “Is there truly such an exceptional man? Have you seen him? Is he really as the rumors say?”

Jasmine blushed and shook her head quickly. “I’ve always been by your side, Princess. If you haven’t seen him, how could I have the chance?”

That made sense.

Guli pouted in disappointment, but then, as if recalling something, her bright eyes spun with thought. “But what does this have to do with Jian’an? Why would she seek out Father to ask about him?”

“Oh, my foolish princess,” Jasmine teased gently.

Having grown up with Princess Danqing, always serving closely at her side, Jasmine knew the princess might be imperious, and the servants feared her, but she herself, favored as she was, could sometimes jest without consequence.

“Princess Jian’an must be just like the other young ladies in the capital. Her heart is awakening to love, I suppose.”

It seemed only her own naïve princess remained clueless in such matters.

Princess Jian’an was a year older than Princess Danqing and had already celebrated her coming-of-age half a year before. Generally, after this ceremony, a girl’s marriage would be discussed, but the Emperor had never mentioned a match for Jian’an.

Jasmine thought that if her own princess enjoyed the same favor, even after her coming-of-age, the Emperor and Empress would surely be reluctant to let her go, perhaps keeping her at their side for another two years before even considering a suitor. But for Jian’an, it seemed the Emperor and Empress had entirely forgotten such things.

Thinking thus, Jasmine felt Jian’an was rather pitiable.

Biting her red lip, Guli asked, “But Jian’an has always kept to the inner palace, seldom even leaving her own quarters. When would she have met General Chang’an, let alone developed feelings for him?”

Jasmine could only shake her head, equally bewildered. “I’m not sure, Princess.”

Now Guli’s curiosity was fully piqued. Propping her small chin on her hand, she mused aloud, “Do you think Jian’an might ask Father to let her marry General Chang’an? If she does, would Father agree?”

Though Guli knew little of the matters between men and women, she understood that every woman, even a princess, must marry one day. In the past, such things had seemed distant, but now, hearing that even the usually dignified and gentle Jian’an had a beloved in her heart, Guli suddenly felt that the matter was not so far from herself—and that realization brought with it a trace of fear.