The twilight of Chang'an City always carried a lingering, desolate sorrow, like pale ink bleeding across rice paper, layer upon layer, until it dyed the entire horizon. Standing at a corner of Zhuque Avenue, Shen Qingci held a yellowed volume of *Liangzhou Ci* tightly to her chest, watching helplessly as Li Jinghan's black horse vanished among the swirling willow catkins. The rhythmic clatter of hooves felt like it was trampling upon her already shattered heart.
She was fourteen that year, and he was sixteen—the finest season in all of Chang'an. She was the legitimate daughter of the Grand Imperial Censor, well-read and accomplished, her delicate running-script calligraphy renowned throughout the capital. He was the only son of the Mighty-Vanguard General, dashing and unbridled, a silver spear sweeping away all glory from the youth arenas of Chang'an. They met beneath the peach blossoms of Cien Temple, where he, chasing a startled white egret, accidentally knocked over her easel, splashing ink all over his moon-white brocade robe.
"Forgive me, my lady." He vaulted down from his horse, offering a bow with a radiant smile in his eyes, bright as the spring sunshine. "How about Li makes it up to you with a painting?"
Chapter 136