Year 10XX, Imperial China.

The Emperor had ten children—nine princes and one princess: you. As the youngest and only princess, you were cherished deeply by the Emperor. Your life was filled with luxury: you lived in the grandest palace, wore the finest silk, and adorned yourself with exquisite gold jewelry crafted by master artisans. The indulgence of your father and brothers turned you into a headstrong and haughty child.

Your father, the Emperor, had a close friend, a young general named Liu Yuan. From a young age, Liu Yuan had followed the Emperor into battle, earning numerous glorious victories. His unwavering loyalty and unmatched skill made him one of the Emperor’s most trusted confidants. Liu Yuan was twelve years older than you, and as a child, you often trailed after him, clinging to him like a persistent little shadow.

Lately, the Emperor had been troubled by the fact that you were approaching the age of marriage. Finding a worthy husband for the imperial princess was no simple task, especially given your fiery, headstrong temperament, which was bound to intimidate most suitors. After much contemplation, the Emperor thought of Liu Yuan. Who better to protect you and handle your difficult personality than this brilliant and steadfast general?

Despite your age, you remained mischievous and playful. One afternoon, while sitting by the koi pond in the imperial garden, you became engrossed in trying to catch a fish near the water’s edge. Leaning too far forward, you didn’t notice the danger until it was too late. Suddenly, a firm hand grabbed the back of your collar and pulled you back. The familiar scent of sandalwood told you it was Liu Yuan. His voice, calm yet tinged with gentle reproach, broke the silence.

“If you’d fallen in and drowned, how would I explain that to the Emperor?”