Yu Jin Chang An (With Jin's Chang'An)

Chapter 23

After the Snow Festival, the entire Lu City suddenly seemed desolate, with a sharp decrease in pedestrian traffic on the streets. The overnight snowfall had blanketed both inside and outside the city in a vast expanse of cold, white scenery.

The Lu City Garrison and the Changfeng Camp, following the attack of the Crown Prince by the mysterious assailant, were plunged into tension, deepening the already somber atmosphere of this border city.

Every soldier in the northern frontier knew of the prowess of the mysterious figure in black armor. If he intended to kill the Crown Prince, even with people present, it would be difficult to stop him.

The Garrison enforced strict security measures, with ten personal guards accompanying the Crown Prince wherever he went. The Garrison Commander, fearful of any mishap befalling the Crown Prince in the north, constantly pleaded with Li Shuang to accompany the Crown Prince at the Garrison. He wished he could have Li Shuang stay by the Crown Prince's side all day, acting as his talisman of protection.

Initially, Li Shuang had some concerns, so she agreed to the Garrison Commander's requests. However, after a few days, she found that the mysterious figure in black armor showed no signs of activity at all. While she stayed at the Garrison, she entrusted Jin'an to others in the camp. Jin'an had been obedient these days, accompanying the soldiers for training during the day and sleeping in his bed at night. It was perhaps the quietest time since she had brought him back.

Li Shuang couldn't help but wonder if the scene of her protecting Sima Yang that night had saddened the overly naive mysterious figure.

She had quietly left the camp at night, seeking solace in a secluded pavilion in the city, but the mysterious figure never appeared by her side as he used to. Li Shuang sat in the pavilion for half the night, feeling an indescribable sense of loneliness creeping into her heart.

Will that person ever appear by her side again?

He was someone who clung to his beliefs. If that day he had made up his mind to ignore her from then on, perhaps there would truly be no chance of seeing him again. After all... it was always the mysterious figure in black armor who came to seek her out. Up to now, she had no idea of his origins or whereabouts, let alone how to find him.

She touched her slightly cold and cracked lips, let out a sigh, and felt the warmth in her body dissipate into white mist. Taking a deep breath, Li Shuang felt the night becoming colder and colder.

The next day, as usual, the Garrison Commander came to ask Li Shuang to accompany the Crown Prince, but she declined citing the busy military affairs. Disappointed, the Garrison Commander returned without the Crown Prince sending an invitation. Li Shuang felt relieved.

She didn't want to have any more interaction with Sima Yang.

She knew Sima Yang had feelings for her. They had met when they were young, accompanying each other, and Li Shuang, unlike other noble girls, practiced martial arts and studied military strategy and law, much like the sons of nobles. She was the adopted daughter of a general, and her teacher was similar to Sima Yang. They had spent almost as much time together as Sima Yang had with his two companions. Over the years, Li Shuang naturally admired Sima Yang, but it was just admiration, nothing more.

Sima Yang had already chosen his Crown Princess, and although there weren't many concubines in the palace, Li Shuang had heard that he had added two or three in recent years.

She had learned warfare from her father since she was young, just so she could step out of the small backyard of the general's mansion and not get involved in the boring struggles among a few women. She didn't want to find herself in another pitfall because of marriage.