Standing by blossoming plum trees, patiently awaiting, Li Zhēn appears as lovely as a young celestial playing truant on Earth. Unaware of his gaze.
The sight touched his heart, and Murong Jūn could not help his wandering thoughts. Is she eating well? Have the bureaus made ready adequate winter supplies?
During these past years, the chasm between them grew unhindered. But she is still a treasured person in his sentiments. But this literati scion, upright and virtuous, was thrown into the murky world of Imperial Harem much too soon.
And the blame could be cast upon his own selfish and impetuous self.
Blinded by overwhelming affections for her and confidant in his Imperial might. Who would have guessed, how quickly the treacherous would've amassed their efforts.
And he never would've foreseen this cunning and ingenious general, this clever only child of the Great Tutor, Li Chong, to be so easily felled by their machinations!
Hindsight is useless.
~*~
"He won't come this soon."
She whirled swiftly around at the sound of his voice. Surprise brought animation to her features, turning lovelier by the moment.
For the first time in five years since her banishment, their eyes met each other. And just as swiftly, she averted her gaze downwards, sending a bittersweet dagger to his core.
Oh, this honest soul! No shred of artifice to cover her heart. Her every thoughts held cleanly for anyone to read!
The very thing that entranced him at their first meeting is the same poison used to harm her.
Clearing his throat, he walked up to her.
"This subject Li Zhēn greets Imperial Majesty." A refine curtsey, from a servant to a lord. How cleanly and clearly she sets the boundaries between them! Five years had not dulled her wits.
Ignoring the clever rebuff, he sat at the table below the blooming shades.
"He is now with the Empress Dowager. She won't have him leave anytime soon."
"Oh. This subject understood."
"Keep company for Zhen."
Startled eyes flew to his face. Her bewilderment hurts a deep part of him, that still remains tender, after all these years.
YOU ARE READING
Tale of Zhen'er
RomanceA scholar. A general. A prisoner. And ultimately, an Empress (reluctantly). It's a strange story, and everything is Murong Jun's fault. Inspired by the BL novel 'A War Prisoner' All images are results from random Google Search. Will be taken down if...
