Chapter 02
The Libertine Female General and the Hostage Prince
**Synopsis:**
A free-spirited, unruly female general Ă a cold, ethereal hostage prince from an enemy nation.
When Zhou Qiao was eight years old, she first met the hostage prince from an enemy kingdom who had been sent to the State of Jin.
The moment she saw his extraordinarily handsome face, she fell for him despite her young age.
“Hey! You’re so good-looking. When I come of age, I’ll make you my husband!”
He ignored her.
Later, after dozens of flirtatious letters, she finally received a single reply:
*I have entered the Buddhist order and taken refuge in the Buddha. Do not disturb me.*
From thousands of miles away, Zhou Qiao fumed in frustration, pounding her chest in regret.
She decided that if she ever met another handsome man, she’d make her move much sooner.
Little did she know that seven years later, after returning to the capital from the frontier army,
she would unexpectedly come face-to-face with that breathtakingly handsome fake monk.
**Chapter 1: Returning to the Capital**
It was early March. Though spring had arrived, the weather was still chilly.
The streets of Shangjing were already packed with people. Smoke curled up from market stalls, the Xuanwu City Gate stood wide open, and the citizens lined both sides of the road to welcome the Northern Jin border army returning from Hujiang.
The army marched in magnificent formation, every trace of their advance perfectly orderly. Every soldier’s armor gleamed brightly. Though their expressions remained solemn, the overwhelming joy of finally returning home shone unmistakably in their eyes.
They had defended their homeland for this very day of reunion.
At the head of the army stood two imposing military banners. The black Dragon King Banner was the battle flag of Northern Jin, while the crimson Mountains and Rivers Banner was the commander’s standard. The large character “Gu” emblazoned upon it was especially eye-catching.
The commander leading the army back to the capital was none other than the Cavalry General, Gu Shengyuan.
The moment Gu Shengyuan rode into the city, thunderous cheers erupted.
“General Gu has returned! General Gu, you’ve worked so hard!”
The deafening cries swept through the chilly breeze like a warm current, touching everyone’s hearts. Even a battle-hardened man like Gu Shengyuan could not help reddening his eyes. After seven years of bloody battles defending the frontier, hearing the people simply say, “You’ve worked hard,” was enough.
Just then, a commotion arose behind him. He slowed his horse and looked back at the two young men riding side by side. One of them wore a broad grin, waving enthusiastically and even winking at the welcoming townspeople.
In the brief moment he had looked away, his own son had somehow accepted fruits and pastries offered by the citizens. Still young and thoroughly pleased with himself, he sat proudly atop his warhorse.
He was utterly embarrassing his old father.
“Gu Tingwei!”
The moment the commander spoke, silence fell around them.
With so many eyes watching, Gu Shengyuan suppressed his temper and scolded, “What kind of behavior is this?”
The reprimanded youth reacted quickly. Nudging his horse forward with his legs, he flashed an ingratiating smile and brought his handsome face close to Gu Shengyuan.
“Then please, Commander, have some first!”
The words sounded dutiful enough, but what he offered were only a few half-eaten pieces of pastry.
Gu Shengyuan finally lost his patience and raised his hand to smack his son.
“Was I starving you or something?! I taught you military tactics and warfare. When did I ever teach you to fleece the common people?”
“Father, don’t wrong me!”
Gu Tingwei dodged the slap without the slightest sign of admitting fault. About eighteen or nineteen years old, with black hair, dark eyes, and strikingly handsome features, his wild and flamboyant personality, coupled with his naturally gifted physique for martial arts, made him the very image of the Cavalry General in his youth.
Taking another bite of the fruit in his hand, Gu Tingwei continued with a grin,
“An old man just now kept praising me for being handsome, dashing, wise, and unmatched in both courage and skill. He insisted on marrying his daughter to me. What was I supposed to do? I simply couldn’t refuse, so I accepted some fruit from his family. It would’ve been rude to reject such generosity in front of so many people.”
“Tsk, tsk. Even I’m embarrassed listening to such shameless nonsense.”
The voice beside him wasn’t loud, but it reached Gu Tingwei’s ears perfectly.
His handsome brows furrowed as he turned toward the rider beside him.
“Zhou Lao San, who are you talking about?”
