The Legend of Concubine Su

The emperor sat upright on the magnificent dragon throne, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters. His posture was as straight as a pine tree, like a towering, unshakable mountain. His deep, piercing eyes were fixed on the memorials in his hands. They seemed particularly heavy, as if each page carried the fate of the nation, its glory and disgrace, and the people's earnest hopes.

The emperor scrutinized each memorial with rapt attention, his expression focused and serious, as if completely absorbed in the vast sea of text. As he read deeper, his brows sometimes furrowed, as if troubled by an invisible pressure, and then gradually relaxed, as if he had found a solution. With each frown and smile, it was as if he were engaging in a silent yet crucial conversation with his ministers, far away from the court.

The atmosphere within the hall was so solemn and dignified that even the air seemed frozen, a sense of awe permeating the air. Here, time seemed to slow down, broken only by the occasional soft sound of pages turning. The sound, faint as a mosquito's fly, flowed slowly through the quiet space like a melodious melody, like the footsteps of time, steadily and resolutely moving forward.

Yet, in this solemn and serene moment, the emperor suddenly put down his brush. His gaze shifted slightly, scanning the hall, finally resting on the young eunuch standing nearby. He raised his hand slightly, a gentle yet powerful movement that seemed to convey an invisible command. The eunuch, understanding the command, quickly and silently walked out of the hall, like a gust of wind.

Soon, a petite eunuch entered the palace with light steps, followed closely by a valiant and imposing general. This man was Bai Yuan, clad in a gleaming silver armor, resembling a god of war descending to earth. Atop his head, a dazzling red-tasseled helmet, he exuded even greater majesty. Every step he took was as steady and resolute as a mountain, imbued with a sense of power. As Bai Yuan entered the majestic hall, an atmosphere of solemnity and awe enveloped him. Yet, a veteran of battle, he felt no fear or panic. Instead, he took a deep breath, calming his inner turmoil. Then, with long, steady strides, he paused not far from the emperor. Then, standing tall and solemn, with a look of dignified seriousness, he saluted the emperor with a perfectly standardized military gesture. At the same time, his voice, as loud and penetrating as a bell, resounded throughout the entire hall: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May our emperor live long and long!" These short words, full of respect and loyalty, seemed to have infinite magic power. They not only reached the ears of everyone present clearly, but also deeply shook their hearts.

The Emperor, upon seeing this, smiled gently. He waved his hand gently, signaling General Bai Yuan to stand. Bai Yuan quickly bowed in thanks, then stood up, quietly awaiting the Emperor's next instructions.

The Emperor's gaze, as profound as the waters of a deep pool, gazed silently at Bai Yuan. Those eyes seemed to possess the power to penetrate the soul, to discern everything in the world. Like a wise man, he silently scrutinized Bai Yuan's loyalty and exceptional talent, seemingly lost in deep thought, as if weighing a matter of vital importance.

After a moment, the emperor finally broke his silence, slowly opening his lips and revealing a hint of nonchalance in his voice, "I have also heard that Xingrou has been quite mischievous lately, even trespassing on your troop recruitment grounds. I'm sure this behavior has caused you a lot of trouble, my dear."

General Bai Yuan's heart trembled slightly when he heard this. He never expected that the emperor would mention this matter at this moment, but in just a moment, he quickly calmed down and returned to his usual calmness. He responded respectfully: "Princess Xingrou is innocent by nature and kind-hearted, like a bright pearl, emitting endless light. How dare I say that the princess will cause trouble. However, the princess is a princess of noble status, and I am afraid that she will encounter some discomfort or danger in the army, so I have specially dispatched troops to strengthen the defense to ensure the princess's safety." This answer not only fully demonstrates General Bai Yuan's respect for the princess, but also vividly demonstrates his dedication and sense of responsibility as a minister.

The emperor nodded gently, seeming quite satisfied with Bai Yuan's answer. He suddenly changed the subject and asked jokingly, "Bai Yuan, you're already quite old. Have you ever thought about starting a family and building a career?" This question caught Bai Yuan off guard; he hadn't expected the emperor to ask so suddenly. He was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I've only ever thought about serving my country and haven't considered personal matters." His answer, though simple, revealed his unwavering conviction and selfless devotion.

Upon hearing this, the emperor raised a mysterious smile. He looked at Bai Yuan deeply, as if he had seen through his thoughts. Then, he said to Bai Yuan in a firm tone: "Xingrou cares about you very much. Have you noticed her feelings? Do you... like Xingrou?" This question made General Bai Yuan stunned again. He never expected that the emperor would ask about his feelings so directly. He felt mixed emotions and didn't know how to answer. However, he quickly regained his composure and replied respectfully: "I really don't deserve Princess Xingrou's love for me. The princess is worth a lot of money, and I am just a soldier. How dare I marry her?" His answer not only reflected his humility and caution, but also expressed his respect and gratitude to the princess.

The Emperor, upon hearing this, showed no sign of displeasure. He gently shook his head and said, "You are far too modest. In my opinion, you are brave, skilled in warfare, and loyal, making you the perfect match for Princess Xingrou. I have made the decision. I will give you Princess Xingrou as your wife!" These words struck like a bolt from the blue, sending an indescribable surge of excitement through General Bai Yuan's heart. He had not expected the Emperor to hold him in such high regard, let alone the fact that he would marry Princess Xingrou. He quickly knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, "Thank you, Your Majesty! I will do my utmost to protect Her Highness." His response was filled with gratitude and determination, as if he were ready to give everything for the princess.

General Bai Yuan solemnly agreed, secretly vowing to protect this unexpected companion with all his passion and loyalty. He looked up at the Emperor, his eyes gleaming with determination, as if he had already seen a future in which he and Princess Xingrou would fight side by side and weather storms together.

The Emperor smiled faintly upon seeing this, as if he saw a happy and fulfilling future for the two of them. He waved his hand gently, motioning Bai Yuan to stand. "Alright, you may withdraw. I will make all the arrangements so that you can get married as soon as possible."

General Bai Yuan bowed once more and joyfully left the hall. Outside, the sun shone brightly, the breeze was gentle, and he took a deep breath of the fresh air, his heart filled with unprecedented anticipation and longing. He knew a new chapter in his life was about to begin, and it all began with the Emperor's grace and trust.