A Hundred of Beautiful Lives - Chapter 003

The date arranged for Princess Anle’s marriage alliance is for the ninth month of the twenty-fifth year of Yong’an.

Ji Yang rested her chin on her hand, sitting in the swaying, golden zhe carriage, peering through the gap in the beaded curtain. As they travelled northward, the mountains and rivers gradually became desolate.

“Princess, once we reach the borders of Jizhou, it will not be so barren anymore. I have heard Jizhou’s prosperity rivals that of our Luoyang,” Yu Sui’er said.

Ji Yang turned her head to glance at Yu Sui’er, knowing that this palace maid, who had served her since childhood, was trying to comfort her.

“Mm. Have you heard anything about the Marquis of Xinyang?” Ji Yang asked Yu Sui’er. While in the palace, she had dared not inquire about Shen Du. Her mother, the Empress, had already been heartbroken over her impending distant marriage; no one dared mention even half a word about the imperial bestowal of this union in her presence.

Yu Sui’er nodded. As he was the man her mistress intended to marry, she had naturally made some discreet inquiries. However, they were still in the palace, and what they could learn was limited. “I have heard the Marquis of Xinyang once had a wife from the Yun family of Fanyang, who bore him a son.”

“And what of him? What kind of man is he?” Ji Yang was only fifteen years old. When young girls began to dream of romance. Since Shen Du was to be her husband, naturally, she cared.

“They say the Marquis of Xinyang is an extraordinarily handsome man, a disciple of the great scholar Min Hao. Upon seeing him, Master Min sighed in admiration and said, ‘The world is shrouded in darkness, yet he alone shines like the stars in the heavens.’” Yu Sui’er leaned forward and whispered, “In fact, before Her Majesty the Empress chose this marriage for you, she had people go to Jizhou to observe him in secret. When she asked how the Marquis of Xinyang was, the scout replied, ‘The Lord of Ji is a water mirror among men; seeing him is like parting clouds and mist to behold the blue sky.’”

Seeing him was like parting through the clouds and seeing the blue sky?

Ji Yang could not help but ask, suspiciously, “Can there truly be such a perfect man in the world without the slightest flaw?”

Yu Sui’er looked troubled. But she knew hiding the truth would only harm the Princess in the long run, so she chose to be frank and let her mistress be mentally prepared.

“Naturally, he has his flaws as well.” Yu Sui’er spoke hesitantly. “It is widely said that the Marquis of Xinyang is fond of women and keeps countless beautiful concubines at home.”

“That is hardly surprising.” Having grown up in the palace, Ji Yang knew about her father’s harem. Although it did not number three thousand, three hundred was certainly not an exaggeration. So, the phrase countless concubines did not move her.

“Exactly, what man under heaven is not fond of beauty? Once he meets you, Princess, those ordinary women will surely pale in comparison,” Yu Sui’er flattered.

Ji Yang said no more, and Yu Sui’er dared not continue. Though this Princess was usually lively and spirited, when she quieted down, she became unreadable, her thoughts hidden deep.

Princess Anle’s carriage procession travelled without incident until it reached the banks of the Zhang Shui, the border between the Central Plains and Jizhou. Across the river lay Jiuhou City, where the people of the Xinyang Marquisate were already waiting to welcome the bride.

“Quickly, pick up the pace and move through!” ordered General Jianwei of the Huben Army, Li He, who was tasked with escorting Ji Yang, urging his men and the escort party to pass through the valley quickly.

This area marked the border between the Central Plains and Jizhou, a region long ago plagued by banditry. The individuals involved were commoners driven to desperation, seeking survival by fleeing into the mountains and declaring themselves kings. The Central Plains court found itself powerless to address this issue. However, these individuals were also astute; they were careful not to cross the river into Jizhou’s territory to cause trouble. Thus, Jizhou overlooks them and does not bother to interfere.

Despite Li He’s caution and vigilance, luck was not on their side. Just as they entered a dense forest, several hundred bandits suddenly burst from the trees, brandishing blades without a word.

Although the Empress had selected only the elite of the Huben Army to escort Princess Anle, the bandits were both ferocious and numerous, far beyond what the two hundred elite guards could handle.

Many of the Huben soldiers died or fled. Fortunately, Li was loyal, leading a dozen soldiers in a desperate fight to protect Ji Yang and her maids, finally breaking through the encirclement. Otherwise, the dignified Princess Anle, future wife of the Marquis of Ji, might have ended up as a bandit Chief’s mountain bride.

Li He led Ji Yang eastward to escape, not daring to cross the river directly. Instead, they climbed into the mountains and hid in the forest. They stopped to rest once they were sure the bandits were not pursuing.

Li He looked at the Princess and her attendants. The maids were so frightened that their faces had lost all colour, their hairpins askew, sweat ruining their rouge, each looking more comical than the last.

When his gaze fell upon Princess Anle, her face veiled in white gauze, he had not anticipated that this delicate and fragile imperial princess had not cried out in hardship or fatigue once, nor had she needed any support. Though at this moment she was panting softly, compared to those palace maids, she could certainly still be considered not in the slightest inferior to the bearing and grace of an imperial princess.

Li He stepped forward and knelt on one knee before her. “Your Highness, this humble one failed in his duty. Please punish me.”

“General Li, please rise. If not for you risking your life to protect Anle this time, Anle fears she would have long become a soul beneath the blade. Once Anle reaches Jizhou, she will surely write to the Emperor and ask him to reward you.” Ji Yang made a show of supporting Li He to his feet.

Li He was merely following court etiquette, as nobles often demanded formalities. But he could tell from her sincerity that this princess was no ordinary person. He continued, “In my humble opinion, those fierce bandits just now were not ordinary. I am afraid there are spies from Liang hidden among them, planted specifically to sabotage the Princess’s marriage alliance. We cannot straightforwardly cross the Zhang Shui to join the Jizhou forces. We can only head first to the east to cross this mountain and then find a way to cross the river.”

“Everything will be as you say, General Li.” Ji Yang, too, had sensed the oddity. Usually, such bandits preyed on merchants, never daring to attack an imperial convoy, especially not one carrying a royal bride.

“Please rest briefly, Princess. We must depart again soon,” Li He said, standing guard a little distance away. He stole a glance at Princess Anle, watching as her maid Yu Sui’er scooped mountain spring water with a leaf for her. She lifted her white veil slightly, revealing a slender, fair neck like polished jade and a chin of breathtaking grace.

The afterglow of sunset filtered through the leaves and fell upon Ji Yang’s face, making her skin appear almost glistening and translucent. Li He had seen no small number of noble beauties, yet not a single one, merely by the shape of her chin, had ever moved him so immensely. Recalling that sound just now, like an icy spring moistening jadeite, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, Li He suddenly began to understand why the current Emperor no longer attended the morning court.

After a brief rest, Li He had no choice but to urge Ji Yang to set off again. “Those people are unlikely to give up. We cannot stay here for long.”

They hurried through the night, not daring to light a torch. Guided by the faint glow of the moonlight, the group climbed up the mountain, their footsteps unsteady and slow.

Yu Sui’er wanted to help Ji Yang, but the princess refused, using the wooden cane Li He had carved for her to push forward. Behind her, the three palace maids also carried wooden staff, but their breathing became laboured as they climbed, swaying like fragile flowers. They were weaker than Ji Yang, the Princess of Anle.

They moved slowly, taking frequent rests to take care of the women. As the first light of dawn appeared, Ji Yang’s group finally made it over the mountain pass.

Yu Sui’er and the others were already stumbling and swaying. Only Ji Yang, walking at the very end, even tossed aside her wooden staff, lifted the hem of her skirt, and walked to the cliff, marvelling as she watched the sunrise from the horizon.

At first, a small cluster of golden-orange light appeared, followed by a soft and gentle red sun that slowly emerged, not blinding but warm. Finally, beams of light burst forth in all directions. Ji Yang lifted her hand to shield her eyes, but her face was still bright with joy. She had never before witnessed a sunrise from such heights. It was a breathtaking and magnificent sight.

Although the morning dew had soaked her shoes and socks and the hem of her skirt had been dyed a pale green from the sap of the mountain plants, with some roots still clinging to the fabric, in Li He’s eyes, the young maiden standing at the mountaintop, bathed in sunlight seemed to be surrounded by a divine radiance, making her captivating and admirable.

Li He was even reluctant to break the tranquil scene before him with a sound, but his duty compelled him to urge Ji Yang and the others to continue their journey. Yu Sui’er could not help but complain, “General Li, can we not rest a little longer? We truly cannot walk any further.”

Li He looked at Ji Yang, who softly said to Yu Sui’er, “Yu Sui’er, General Li is doing this for our sake in case those bandits catch up to us, as they are more familiar with the mountains and forests than we are. By then, we will have no way to escape.”

Since the princess had spoken, Yu Sui’er had no choice but to grit her teeth and, with the other palace maids the support one another as they pressed forward.

“I can see from afar, at the foot of the mountain, there is a tea house. We can rest once we reach it,” Li He said.

At the mention of the tea hut, Yu Sui’er and the others immediately brightened up, as if they had just tasted plums to quench their thirst. Their spirits lifted at once since they had not eaten anything for a day and night.

The path downhill was faster, and after hurrying along, Ji Yang and her group finally reached the tea house in the late afternoon.

The teahouse was exceedingly modest and staffed solely by an elder in tattered clothes who rarely saw more than two or three patrons.

The tea bowls were dark yellow, thick with old stains and many chips. Although Yu Sui’er and the others were palace attendants, they had never suffered such hardship before and could barely bring themselves to drink, their faces twisted in disgust.

Ji Yang, however, was unfazed. It was not that she did not mind the filth, but rather, when she saw Li He and his other soldiers drink a mouthful of hot tea, she also took a few sips, careful not to touch the edge of the bowl.

The tea was poor, but the water drawn from the mountain spring was excellent, and the steaming tea helped dispel some of the fatigue from their journey.

When it finally quieted down, Li He looked over at Ji Yang again, but no matter if she was walking or sitting, she showed no sign of being tired. She was nothing if not graceful and composed in bearing. In contrast, Yu Sui’er and the others, though they were doing their utmost to maintain composure, were forcing it, unlike Princess Anle, as if all that was beautiful had been into her very bones and bl00d, every word and every mannerism, even in the most dishevelled of states, still appeared pleasing to the eye and heart.

But what made Li He deeply moved was Princess Anle’s calm bearing in the face of change. When the bandits appeared, Li He saw a brief trace of panic in Ji Yang’s eyes. But afterwards, she continuously conducted herself with great calm, bearing not the slightest trace of the frailty typical of noblewomen. Instead, she even comforted her maids, saving Li He and his men a great deal of trouble.

And those palace maids, though delicate and pampered in manner, did not make one feel they were noble in bearing. On the contrary, Princess Anle, who had not uttered even a single word of complaint, at a glance, it was clear she was the one indeed born of golden honour and jade-like grace. It was not that she did not possess delicate frailty, but she stubbornly held herself upright on a thread of will, not the slightest loss of the imperial princess’s dignified bearing. 

Li He had never believed in the saying, ‘Are kings, marquises, generals, and ministers born noble by nature?’ Yet today, he could not but admit—the bearing of those born of the imperial family was extraordinary.

Suddenly, Li He realised that if he were the Emperor, he would do whatever it took to bring a smile to her face, just as the current Son of Heaven did. At that moment, he found his disdain for the demon empress, Su Jiang, lessened.

Soon after, the soldiers Li He had dispatched to find a boat returned and reported that they had discovered one.

Ji Yang followed Li He to the riverside. The boat was a small leaf-shaped vessel used by local fishermen, something she had only ever seen in paintings.

“Princess, this boat can only carry three people at a time. Your humble servant will escort you across first,” said Li He.

“I want Yu Sui’er with me,” Ji Yang said, pointing to her maid. Li He nodded and smiled. After all, Princess Anle was still young, with a girl’s heart.

Li He jumped into the boat first, then extended his hand to her. He looked at her nervously, but Ji Yang, as though entirely unconcerned with matters of status or rank, placed her hand in his palm. Using his strength, she made a light leap and landed on the boat.

Her body was as light as a butterfly.

Li He felt as if his palm were on fire. His heart, liver, and lungs were all burning. His heart pounded like a drum. He glanced nervously around, fearing someone might hear his heartbeat and uncover the wild thoughts he should not dare entertain. He had never imagined that a man who had fought bloody battles would be rendered breathless by the little touch of a delicate hand.

But Ji Yang had no inkling of Li He’s inner turmoil. Curious and slightly nervous, she sat on the narrow boat, swaying in the breeze, looking toward the distant hills and waters. In her heart, she thought that it might be pretty good to marry far away. At least such soul-stirring and thrilling experiences, along with the tranquil and detached scenery before her eyes, where such things were unimaginable within the palace.

How interesting. The corners of Ji Yang’s lips curled into a faint smile. 

Exciting! Fun!

It was undoubtedly a princess raised with utmost indulgence. She even found danger amusing simply because she had never realised that she could die.

When the boat reached midstream, Ji Yang was intrigued. She touched the jade flute hanging from her waist. In such a setting, with these mountains and waters, not to sing a song seemed a pity.

“General Li, thank you for risking your life to protect me. Anle has nothing to offer in gratitude, but let me play a tune for you,” Ji Yang said, looking at Li He. “Though I wonder if it might draw the pursuers?”

Li He gazed dazedly at Ji Yang, whose eyes, visible through the veil, were more captivating than the shimmering lake and mountain scenery. ‘Even if more pursuers came’, he thought, ‘as long as I still draw breath, I will protect her without hesitation’. How fortunate he was to have a solo melody performed by such a beauty!

“Many thanks, Princess.” Li He said somewhat breathlessly. “We are safe here. Once we cross the Zhang Shui, we will be in the lands of Jizhou. They will not dare follow us across.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Yang removed the jade flute from her waist. Facing Zhang Shui, she began to play a gentle melody.

[T/N: If you’re already familiar or prefer not to know, feel free to skip to the next chapter.

1. The Lord of Ji is a water mirror among men—seeing him is like parting clouds and mist to behold the blue sky. It’s a very poetic and exalted way of saying he brings peace, clarity, and a sense of revelation to those around him. 
2. “王侯将相宁有种乎” – “Are kings, marquises, generals, and ministers born so by bl00d?” (a famous rhetorical question from Chinese history implying that nobility and greatness are not determined by birthright but by ability).
3. Li He’s Title: Jianwei (Establishing Might)- Huben Jun Jianwei Jiangjun (General of the Huben Army).
4. Meaning- Yong’an (a reign era name), zhiche (an ornate carriage adorned with pheasant feathers, used by nobility), Zhangshui (a river marking the boundary between two regions), Jiuhou City (Nine Marquises City), Huben Jun (the Emperor’s guard and one of the empire’s most elite forces)