Introduction

    The first time Lady Chen Hua arrived at Gaoshan, the capital of the Zhao Region, a biting cold wind was blowing as if to cut deep into the skin. The procession of carriages, accompanied by guards, slowly made their way along the mountain path. From above, they appeared as tiny dots moving along the brown ridges, with the sparkling sea stretching out in the distance, dotted with bustling merchant ships. The girl, who had grown up in the mountainous lands, stared in awe at the vast sea, her heart swelling with excitement.

    "Father, may I go on a boat?"

    "Not now," her father shook his head, dressed in the attire of a high-ranking official, adorned with a jade belt, while his daughter wore a red jacket trimmed with white fox fur, a pleated skirt the color of lotus petals, decorated with pearls and gold in exquisite peony patterns. Chen Hua was not exactly well-behaved; she was lively and inquisitive about everything.

    "How deep is the sea? Deeper than the emerald lake back home, right?"

    "Indeed, so deep that its bottom can hardly be reached."

    "Can we get closer to the sea? I want to see this beautiful azure sea for longer," the young girl pleaded, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she leaned out of the carriage window. "I've heard that seawater tastes salty. I want to experience it myself."

    "Leave it for another day. For now, we must enter the city before dusk."

    "Yes, Father," Chen Hua sighed, gazing longingly at the sea. At seventeen, she was the eldest daughter of Chen Wang, a cousin of the current emperor and ruler of a Western frontier town. Every year, Chen Wang would travel to the capital to present tribute and visit relatives. Chen Hua had always longed to come, but her father said she was still too young. When she heard that this year he finally agreed to bring her, Chen Hua was bursting with anticipation, dreaming of all the exciting things she would see and was eager to.

    "Eat some mooncakes to fill you up, so you'll have energy."

    "Thank you, Father. As promised, you will let me eat roast duck once we reach Gaoshan."

    "You can eat as many as you like. I'm glad you've been behaving. I thought I might have to tie you up. Once we're in Gaoshan, the ceremony can begin." Chen Wang said, stroking his beard contentedly.

    "I'll collect shells for my sisters Xingxing and Meimei... Look, Father, the city walls!" Chen Hua exclaimed excitedly upon seeing the majestic walls of the capital. "What did you say earlier, Father? Why tie up? And what ceremony?"

    "Nothing, ha-ha," Chen Wang laughed it off, but then decided it was better to tell her now. "Hua’er, there's something important regarding you."

    "What is it, Father?"

    "Do you remember Prince Zhao Yicheng…? The eldest prince who visited our home ten years ago. He's now appointed as the Taizi."

    "Oh, I remember, Father. He was shorter than me. I used to call him 'Shorty.' He even lost to me in a tree-climbing contest and often fell out of bed, ha-ha. If we meet again, I'll prove that I'm stronger than him!"

    "What are you going to do?"

    "I'll challenge him to a race or something. I'm sure I won't lose. I'll throw him down and stuff earthworms down his shirt. He'll scream louder than before.”

    Chen Wang winced. “Well, that might be difficult. I'm not siding with him, but you seem likely to lose."

    "Why is that?"

    "Girls often grow faster than boys. It's no surprise you were taller then, but remember, he's a grown man now. Prince Yicheng excels in spear fighting and horse riding. Therefore, he's skilled in cavalry combat. Now that he's a great general, it's you who might be defeated."

    "Haha, I'm not scared... Even if he's the emperor's son and a great general from wherever, if he dares to bother Miss Chen Hua of our town, I'll knock him down. But why are we talking about this, Father?"

    "Because you have to marry Prince Zhao Yicheng. Once we reach Gaoshan, the wedding will take place."

    “Opps…” Chen Hua choked, as if an invisible hand had shattered the bright atmosphere, leaving an awkward silence. She met her father's gaze, but Chen Wang noticed immediately. He ordered the servants loudly,

"Bring the rope!!"