Capital of Ming Kingdom.
Two gorgeous carriages are heading towards the castle. A few soldiers could be seen guarding the carriage as if the person inside is an important person. The onlookers would give it sidelong glance. Once they see the family mark, a trace of disdain in their face, but they didn't do anything and continue their usual activity.
The person inside one of the carriages is a young lady wearing a flowing white dress. Her hair is tied up into a braid. Although she's wearing a veil, which hides most of her face, people could tell that she is beautiful. Fair skin like snow. Eyebrows like willow leaves. Large eyes brimming with life. Just a glimpse was enough to let them fall into trance. If she were to mature, countless men would undoubtedly fall into her charm.
But if their eyes fall into her hand, they would undoubtedly frown. The hand that's a bit rough is totally unlike a noble girl. Her hand is small. One glance is enough to make them remember that she used to live in the village as ordinary girl.
The girl shifts her head as she gazes outside. Her eyes flashed for a moment, but there's no visible change.
"Miss," a soft voice calls her back from her trance. A maid girl around the age of 16 is looking at her miss's expression. She feels worried.
The girl, Jun Hua, smiled reassuringly. "I'm alright Xia. Just reminiscing."
Xia stares outside. The roads are full with people and lantern. Today is the emperor birthday celebration so festive activity filled the road. It's also because of this she has to return back and prepare herself.
"Miss, do you miss the capital?"
The fourteen year old girl tilted her head a bit, picturing an innocent young lady who never knew the world. Xia knows that her miss is still practicing in her act since she has to appear in front of many officials.
"I don't. I hate the capital. If not for avoiding trouble, I would never want to come back," Jun Hua answered coldly. For a moment, even Xia breaks into a cold sweat. Her master is not an ordinary girl so Xia has grown used to her behavior. Even so, she trembled from the coldness her miss sometimes emitted especially towards her enemy.
"We have arrived," she announces and then hurriedly goes outside to help Jun Hua out.
Jun Hua holds onto Xia's hand and walk down the steps slowly. Her clear green eyes glance towards the enormous castle and for a moment coldness could be seen. She shifted her attention towards the man from the first carriage.
That man is her grandfather, Jun Zhenxian. Jun Zhenxian used to be a general in his young age, but he has already retired and left everything to his only son. Although he has already retired, his oppressive aura still lingered.
"Grandfather," Jun Hua greeted. Jun Zhenxian smiled in response.
"Let's go inside," he said. Jun Hua nodded and walked behind her grandfather. Her steps are slow but sure.
When they arrive, the eunuch announces it loudly.
On one side of the party, two people are engaged in talking, completely disregard everyone else. Other people who want to curry favor cannot even get close to them. Both of them are famous, but their personality is completely opposite, which make people wonder how they could become close friends.
"Soujin, if you're bored, you shouldn't have come here," one of the men laughed. His handsome countenance and the easygoing aura around him totally misguide people. A prince of the kingdom actually has such personality?
"Yan... are you throwing me out?" the other man ask calmly. The tone of his voice contained mockery, but the other party act oblivious to it.
"You should correct your attitude a bit, no one dare to get close to us."
Soujin picks up his wine. "They don't have any business with this general. Besides, it's rarer to see you stay calm in front of girls, Yan."
Yan grinned. "I don't want to create trouble for my father."
"Really?"
"Well, those girls are annoying," Yan frowned a bit. "Besides, I heard that there's another stunning beauty that will come here."
"I was correct to say that your mind is filled with nothing, but girls."
Yan and Soujin continue their banter without caring for those officials who wanted to get close. Both Yan and Soujin are 20 years old and Soujin is Yan desk study partner, so they become close even after they're adult.
Soujin's name is Nanglong Soujin, he's a genius in the battlefield and since young, he has already reaped countless victory. If not for the rise of a new young general called Jun Min, no one will be his match.
Yan is the third prince of Ming Kingdom. The emperor didn't really like him because he's a complete useless prince. If not for his friendship with Soujin, he would never catch the emperor's eyes.
It's at that time that the eunuch announcement reaches their ears.
"Jun family has arrived."
Both of them raised their head and two people come in sight. The amount of family number in Jun family is truly pitiful. Compared to many other nobles who come with more than 10 people, this two people definitely stood out.
Yan sighed. "Why should she wear a veil? With such a fair skin and petite body, I'm sure she's incredibly pretty. Too bad, she's too young for me."
Not only Yan who has those thoughts, many other young men also sighed. But they cannot possibly ask an unmarried woman to unmask her veil since its normal for them. All they could do now is grumbled in silence.
Soujin ignored his friend's lament as he observes the little girl. He notices her clumsy steps, her stiff greeting, and her timid behavior.
For a woman she's truly an eyesore. Such a show of uselessness and yet the Jun family still brings her with them. It can't be helped though, the Jun family only has four people and its better two than one since the other two is still in the battlefield.
"What a clumsy girl, right Soujin?" Yan asked as he felt something was weird about Soujin. He has never seen Soujin pay interest to a woman.
Soujin looks back. "What is it?"
"You have taste in a young girl?"
Soujin rolled his eyes. "No, I'm only interested in what kind of family could produce such a talented general. But, they're truly lacking in educating a woman."
Yandidn't answer. He soon shifted their conversation and they no longer rememberthat clumsy little girl anymore.
