Love and choices across time and space

The morning light filtered through the gauzy clouds, gently scattering across the glazed tiles of the Daming Palace, refracting a dreamlike light. Inside the palace, the early-rising palace maids and eunuchs busied themselves as usual, their footsteps echoing distinctly in the long corridors.

Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, had just concluded his morning court session and sat in his imperial study, his brow furrowed as he reviewed a mountain of memorials. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe, embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, which gleamed in the sunlight, a testament to his supreme authority. His eyes were deep and piercing, as if he could see through everything.

At this moment, a solemn-looking eunuch hurried into the imperial study. His steps were so flustered that he nearly stumbled at the threshold. "Your Majesty, I have something to report." The eunuch knelt, his voice trembling.

Taizong raised his head, looked away from the memorial, and looked at the eunuch, "Why are you so panicked?"

The eunuch took a deep breath and calmed himself. "Your Majesty, there have been rumors circulating in the palace recently about Princess Changle. It is said that the princess has been in close contact with a strange man, and their relationship is unusual."

Taizong's expression darkened instantly. "Is this really true? Investigate this for me immediately!"

The eunuch quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will do it right away."

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden, Princess Changle and Li Yifeng sat side by side. The princess wore a pale pink palace dress, the hem of which was delicately embroidered with floral and bird designs, swaying gently in the breeze. A golden hairpin, its tassels swaying gently, added to her delicate beauty. Her face was as white as jade, and her eyes were as clear as autumn water, as she gazed at Li Yifeng with tender affection.

Li Yifeng was wearing a simple white gown with a blue belt around his waist, looking gentle and elegant. His face was filled with a happy smile, and his eyes were only focused on the princess.

"Princess, the time I spend with you is the best moment of my life." Li Yifeng said softly.

The princess smiled slightly, "Yifeng, me too."

Just then, a noisy sound of footsteps was heard not far away, and the two men suddenly became nervous.

"Oh no, someone is coming." Li Yifeng said in a low voice.

A flash of panic crossed the princess's face, but she quickly calmed down and said, "Don't be afraid, just adapt to the situation."

However, before they could hide, a group of guards rushed over and surrounded them.

"How dare you, Li Yifeng, meet the princess in private!" the leading guard shouted loudly.

The princess stepped forward and said, "Don't be rude! This palace and Master Li are innocent."

The guards did not dare to disobey the princess's order, but they also did not dare to let them go easily, so they could only remain deadlocked.

The news quickly reached Emperor Taizong, who was furious and said, "Bring them before me!"

The princess and Li Yifeng were taken to Taizong's bedroom, and they knelt down to pay their respects.

Taizong sat on the dragon throne, his face so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it. "Changle, you are a princess, but you are so shameless!"

The princess raised her head, her eyes full of stubbornness, "Father, Li Yifeng and I are truly in love. Please grant us your blessing."

Taizong slammed the table. "How dare you! You are a princess of the Tang Dynasty. How can you decide on your own matters of marriage?"

Li Yifeng quickly said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I am sincere to the princess and have absolutely no intention of disrespect."

Taizong snorted coldly, "You, a nobody, are worthy of the princess?"

The princess cried and said, "Father, I don't care about his status, I just want to be with him forever."

Taizong remained unmoved. "Come here, throw Li Yifeng into jail!"

The guards immediately dragged Li Yifeng away, and the princess cried out in despair, "Yifeng!"

Li Yifeng was imprisoned in a dark, damp cell. The cell was filled with a foul odor, and the walls were covered in moss. He huddled in a corner, his clothes tattered and his face covered in dirt and blood. But his eyes remained firm, his thoughts on the princess.

"Princess, I won't let you down." Li Yifeng murmured to himself.

The princess lost her appetite and cried all the time in the palace. Her personal maids saw this and were worried.

"Princess, your body won't be able to bear torturing yourself like this," the maid advised.

The princess shook her head. "If I can't save Yifeng, what's the point of living?"

Meanwhile, Emperor Taizong was also distraught in his chambers. He loved Princess Changle, but he couldn't ignore the dignity and rules of the royal family.

"Your Majesty, the princess has been willful since she was young, but this time she may be truly in love," said the queen.

Taizong sighed, "I know this too, but Li Yifeng is of low status. How can he be worthy of the princess?"

The Queen gently held Taizong's hand and said, "Your Majesty, why don't you observe for a while before making a decision?"

The princess decided to ask Emperor Taizong to pardon Li Yifeng. She dressed up carefully and went to Emperor Taizong's bedroom.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, but I beg you to forgive Li Yifeng." The princess knelt on the ground, crying.

Taizong looked at his daughter's haggard face and felt a little sorry for her, but he still hardened his heart and said, "Don't mention this matter again!"

The princess refused to give up, "Father, if I cannot be with Li Yifeng, I would rather shave my head and become a nun."

Taizong was shocked, "Are you threatening me?"

The princess quickly shook her head, "I dare not, but I truly love him."

Taizong fell into deep thought. He knew that his daughter had a strong character. If he really pushed her to the limit, the consequences would be disastrous.

At the same time, the ministers in the court also learned about this and wrote to Emperor Taizong, demanding that Li Yifeng be severely punished.

"Your Majesty, this matter concerns the royal dignity and must be severely punished!" said a minister passionately.

"The princess is young and ignorant, and has been bewitched by Li Yifeng. She should cut off her feelings as soon as possible." Another minister echoed.

Taizong felt tremendous pressure, but he also began to reconsider the matter in his heart.

After the princess learned of the ministers' attitude, she became even more anxious and decided to find a way to contact Li Yifeng.

She asked her personal maid to bribe the jailer and finally met Li Yifeng.

"Yifeng, you have suffered." The princess felt heartbroken when she saw Li Yifeng's appearance.

Li Yifeng comforted her, "Princess, don't cry. I'm fine."

The princess said firmly: "Yifeng, I will definitely rescue you."

Li Yifeng was deeply moved. "Princess, I will die without regrets to receive such deep affection from you."

The princess returned to the palace and continued to plead with Emperor Taizong, who finally relented.

"If Li Yifeng can make contributions to the Tang Dynasty, I will consider helping you," said Taizong.

The princess was overjoyed and quickly told Li Yifeng the news.

Li Yifeng decided to seize this opportunity to prove himself.

Not long after, the war on the border became tense, and Li Yifeng volunteered to go to the battlefield.

On the battlefield, smoke filled the air, and shouts of killing shook the heavens. Li Yifeng, clad in armor, bravely attacked the enemy. His swordsmanship was sharp, and his physique was agile, and he quickly distinguished himself among the soldiers.

Every time he charged, he thought of the princess's deep affection, and his heart was filled with strength.

After a series of fierce battles, Li Yifeng's troops won many victories, and his heroic deeds spread throughout the military camp.

And the princess in the palace prayed for Li Yifeng day and night.

Finally, Li Yifeng returned triumphantly.

He returned to the capital in great glory and was personally welcomed by Emperor Taizong.

"Li Yifeng, you really did not disappoint me." Taizong said.

The princess also ran over and threw herself into Li Yifeng's arms.

Taizong finally agreed to their marriage, and the palace was decorated with lights and was bustling with activity.

At the wedding, the princess was as beautiful as a fairy and Li Yifeng was as handsome as a fairy. Amidst the blessings of everyone, they made a vow to be together for life.

However, happy times are always short-lived. Not long after the marriage, war broke out again on the border, and Li Yifeng rushed to the battlefield again.

The princess bid him farewell with tears in her eyes, "Yifeng, you must return safely."

Li Yifeng nodded, "Don't worry, Princess, wait for me to come back."

On the battlefield, Li Yifeng was surrounded by enemy troops, but he did not retreat and fought bravely.

After a hard battle, Li Yifeng finally broke through the siege and once again made great military achievements for the Tang Dynasty.

When he returned, the princess was already waiting at the city gate.