The eldest son of General Yan, Yan Zhao, going to guard the city gates, made the young wives and aspiring maidens of the capital overjoyed.
If you were to ask where the busiest place in the capital was, it would undoubtedly be the city gates.
"Young Master, this is the second wave of fanatical maidens that Yan Shan has held back for you."
Yan Zhao remained silent.
This had been agonizing for Yan Shan, his throat hoarse and legs aching after a full day.
"Young Master, if this continues, you'll be fine, but I'll be in trouble."
Yan Zhao glanced at Yan Shan and said, "I didn't ask you to help me."
Yan Shan: "..."
He felt like crying, as if he had done the wrong thing by helping.
He was exhausted and unappreciated, truly a misfortune, a misfortune indeed!
Today was Yan Zhao's third day on duty at the city gates. The other guards initially thought that the young General Yan was just joking, never expecting him to endure it. Guarding the city gates could be easy, or it could be very tiring.
"Young General Yan, have some water!" Even if it were just for General Yan's sake, these people wouldn't dare do anything to the young General.
Yan Zhao glanced at the water skin being offered, accepted it without hesitation, and took a few sips.
Suddenly, a cloud of dust flew up and hit Yan Zhao in the face. Yan Zhao looked up and saw the nostrils of a horse just inches away, causing him to frown.
"Isn't this Young General Yan? You're really guarding the city gates?"
Yan Zhao glanced at the lowered curtain of the carriage and his gaze tightened slightly.
"Xue Lian, that's enough," came her voice from inside the carriage.
Yan Zhao's hand, holding the water skin, trembled.
Xue Lian was indignant. "Your Highness, he bullied you so much, and you're just going to let him off like that?"
"Xue Lian." Her voice from the carriage deepened.
Xue Lian pouted, "Your Highness is too kind-hearted."
"Princess, please alight for inspection," Yan Zhao threw the water skin to a nearby guard and stepped forward to block the carriage.
"I say, Young General Yan, have you lost your mind? How dare you inspect the Princess? How many lives do you have to dare inspect the Princess?" Xue Lian was furious.
"Please alight for inspection, Princess!" Yan Zhao stood unmoving, speaking word by word.
"Presumptuous." Xue Lian whipped her whip towards Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao didn't even lift his head, as if he hadn't seen the whip.
"Xue Lian, help me down," she spoke again from the carriage.
Xue Lian stamped her foot in anger and had to retract her whip. "Your Highness, you are the most esteemed princess of Huangze. What right does he have to inspect you?"
"Xue Lian..."
Xue Lian could only drop the whip, lift the curtain, and help Xue Zi Ning out from inside.
She had a slender build and a beauty that could topple kingdoms.
A simple, elegant, waist-cinching long dress outlined her delicate and graceful figure. Her face was clear and beautiful, especially her eyes, which were as clear as water, like a mountain spring, incredibly stunning.
"Greetings, Princess Chang Ning!" everyone bowed.
"Rise. Although I am a princess, the inspection cannot be an exception for me. Young General Yan, please proceed."
Yan Zhao nodded, walked forward, and lifted the curtain. "No anomalies."
He lowered the curtain, and Xue Lian said angrily, "Can we go now?"
"Princess, please," Yan Zhao bowed.
"Your Highness, please return to the carriage!" Xue Lian helped Xue Zi Ning towards the carriage.
Xue Zi Ning glanced at Yan Zhao, who was looking down demurely, and suddenly wanted to ask him something. "Young General Yan, I have something I wish to discuss with you."
Yan Zhao heard this and said, "Princess, your humble servant still has duties..."
"Young General Yan, don't be ungrateful. Our Princess wishes to speak with you, and you refuse?"
Xue Zi Ning frowned. "Xue Lian..."
Xue Lian fell silent, but she was still resentful. The Princess was too merciful towards the young General Yan.
"Yan Zhao, are you sure you won't come?" Xue Zi Ning's gaze was as cold as frost, looking at Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao looked up, met Xue Zi Ning's gaze, and then lowered his head. "Princess, it is your humble servant's duty hours. Please arrange another time."
"Very well, Fūlái Tea House." Xue Zi Ning said and entered the carriage.
Yan Zhao watched Xue Zi Ning's carriage, a slight smile curling his lips.
"Young General Yan, you're quite something. The Princess actually asked you out?" the guards said in disbelief. Didn't the young General Yan just break off an engagement not long ago? Why didn't the Princess seem angry?
Yan Zhao said nothing. He changed into casual clothes and went to Fūlái Tea House.
Yan Zhao was led to a private room. As the door opened, he saw Princess Chang Ning sitting by the window.
Princess Chang Ning was wearing a simple, elegant long dress, her black hair cascading behind her, exuding tranquility and grace.
"Your Highness, Young General Yan has arrived," Xue Lian said displeasured.
Xue Zi Ning turned around, her clear and beautiful face framed by eyes as clear as water.
"You've come?" Xue Zi Ning spoke slowly.
Yan Zhao walked in and bowed. "Greetings, Princess."
"Rise!" Xue Zi Ning said.
Yan Zhao stood up and looked at Xue Zi Ning. Xue Zi Ning said calmly, "Sit."
Xue Lian was about to stand guard at the door, in case the young General Yan had any improper intentions, so she could intervene.
However, before she could even settle, her own Princess kicked her out. "Close the door."
Xue Lian was furious but could do nothing.
Finally, only Xue Zi Ning and Yan Zhao remained.
Xue Zi Ning did not speak, nor did Yan Zhao. Finally, Xue Zi Ning spoke. "Since you've come, I won't beat around the bush. Why did you refuse the marriage proposal?"
Yan Zhao was taken aback. He had not expected the Princess to ask so directly.
"Aren't you going to answer?" Xue Zi Ning asked.
Yan Zhao lowered his gaze. "This subject knows that Your Highness favors someone else, not me, so I did not wish to be the one to tear you apart."
Tear us apart, what nonsense? Xue Zi Ning was a little angry. "Who told you I favor someone else?"
Yan Zhao said indifferently, "Perhaps the entire capital knows?"
"Perhaps your guess is wrong," Xue Zi Ning said slowly.
Yan Zhao looked up. "What is wrong?"
"Your guess," Xue Zi Ning said.
Yan Zhao was slightly stunned. "Where am I wrong?"
"I'm telling you, Yan Zhao, I favor no one else. Do you understand?" Xue Zi Ning looked at him coldly.
Yan Zhao was stunned and frowned. "Your Highness, these words carry many meanings."
"Yes, but I wonder if it's the meaning Young General Yan desires."
Yan Zhao thought for a moment before looking up at her. "Your Highness, if you speak like this, I will have to take it seriously. If I take it seriously, Your Highness will never be able to escape."
"When did I ever say I wanted to escape?" Xue Zi Ning raised an eyebrow at Yan Zhao.
Yan Zhao felt his heart pounding violently. The feeling was intense.