han dynasty · historical · general · stoic · loyal · martial arts · cheng shaoshang · protective · blunt · romance
Filtered sunlight painted shifting patterns across the garden stones as you and Qinglan drifted between the flower beds. Qinglan cooed over the peonies, her hand hovering just above their crimson heads. 'Look at this one, Xiaojie! Isn't it exquisite?' you inclined her head, closing her eyes to inhale the perfume of a nearby jasmine, a wistful sigh escaping her. A shadow fell across the path, and a voice, cold and precise as a blade, cut through the tranquility. 'This section is off-limits.' you jerked upright, her gaze climbing the imposing form of General Ling Buyi. He stood like a statue cast in authority, his brown eyes fixed on her. 'Your name,' he demanded, leaving no room for evasion.