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"Are you planning to lead troops against the Xiongnu?" Emperor Wu of Han looked at Huo Qubing, who was kneeling before him, and laughed heartily. "Good! Such youthful vigor! You have not tarnished the illustrious name of your uncle, General Wei Qing. However, our treasury is currently empty, and it is not wise to raise an army. I have decided to seek peace with the Xiongnu and recuperate before making any further decisions. Since you are eager to serve, I will assign you to escort the princess for the marriage alliance."
Wei Qing was momentarily taken aback by these words.
Huo Qubing had requested to attack the Xiongnu, and he initially thought it was merely a youthful folly. Reluctantly, he had recommended him, but he did not expect Emperor Wu of Han to be so open-minded in selecting talent. The emperor held Huo Qubing's abilities and martial skills in high regard. However, Huo Qubing had no prior experience, and taking on such a heavy responsibility as a newcomer to the military could lead to mistakes.
He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this..."
Emperor Wu of Han waved his hand decisively. "No need for further discussion. Heroes often emerge from youth; my mind is made up."
Huo Qubing hurried back home, eager to share this good news with Liu Li.
In the following three days, Liu Li accompanied him during the day to purchase various daily necessities for their journey westward. The two acted like an ordinary couple, chatting and laughing intimately.
At night, Liu Li slept in his bed while he curled up on a chair to sleep.
The Princess Pingyang's residence was filled with servants, yet no one noticed that an extra person had taken up residence.
Liu Li fell asleep shortly after lying down, but Huo Qubing tossed and turned, unable to find rest. He listened to the soft sounds of her breathing and murmured, "Liu Li, if I achieve great merit in battle this time, I will ask the emperor to pardon your crimes. Do you think he would agree?"
"Liu Li, if you were truly pardoned, what would your plans be?"
"Liu Li, do you think if I asked the emperor for our marriage, he would consent?"
"Liu Li, honestly, it doesn't matter whether the emperor agrees or not; as long as you are willing to be with me, I fear nothing."
"Liu Li, would you be willing to stay by my side forever?"
"Liu Li, I love you..."
Three days later, Huo Qubing received orders to head westward as an envoy and escort the princess on her journey.
The winds and sands of the northwest were fierce. The princess coughed continuously inside her palanquin while Huo Qubing appeared distracted; in reality, his mind was preoccupied with how he would request the emperor's pardon for Nangong Liuli after achieving merit.
At that moment, Liu Li was quietly settled in a guest room within the Princess Pingyang's residence and should be safe for now.
A sudden gust of wind lifted the curtain of the palanquin. Huo Qubing instinctively glanced back and felt a jolt in his heart. He pulled on the reins thoughtfully; as the princess's palanquin approached closer, he softly called out, "Princess..."
The princess remained silent, not allowing the bearers to stop.
Huo Qubing lagged behind for a while, urging his horse to catch up. Doubts swirled in his mind, and finally, he couldn't help but shout, "Stop!"
He galloped to the front of the sedan chair and flung open the curtain. In that instant, the air seemed to freeze. Nangong Liuli looked up, her eyes misty with tears.
"Liu Li! How could it be you?"
Nangong Liuli forced a sad smile. "The Xiongnu are fierce and unrefined; do you really think the Emperor would be willing to marry off his own daughter to the Chanyu?"
Huo Qubing instantly understood. The Emperor Wu had not pursued him for harboring a fugitive but had instead entrusted him with the task of escorting the princess, not merely because he appreciated his talents, but because both he and the person he was to protect had their own uses.
The Emperor's thoughts were indeed unfathomable.
The wind and sand whipped against his face like a whip, causing Huo Qubing to squint his eyes as a deep sense of helplessness washed over him.
After a long pause, he clenched his fists and said to Nangong Liuli, "Let's run away together, far from this place of strife."
Nangong Liuli smiled bitterly. "With your skills, it would be easy for you to take me away. But have you considered that if we simply flee like this, it would give the Xiongnu an excuse to invade Han territory? Countless lives would be lost, families shattered."
"Then what does it matter to us!" Huo Qubing's words had barely left his lips when a sharp slap landed heavily on his face. Nangong Liuli's eyes widened in anger as she scolded him, "You are a general! You must remember your duty to your country! If you truly care, then lead an army in the future to slay the Chanyu and bring me home in glory; if you do not care, then let us act as if we have never met. In this vast world, where cannot be home?"
Huo Qubing slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and gently lowered the curtain.
"General," Liu Li called softly, "I have heard what you said during these past few nights."
"Then..." Huo Qubing paused and asked quietly, "Are you willing?"
A long silence followed.
Liu Li asked, "Do you know what love is?"
Huo Qubing pondered for a moment before replying, "I will prove it through my actions."
The wind and sand grew fiercer, quickly blinding him.
It had been nearly six years since that day of parting.
In the long span of six years, Huo Qubing had repeatedly led troops to pursue the Xiongnu. He had commanded eight hundred cavalry, galloping across the plains in relentless pursuit, yet he had never managed to locate the main forces of Yi Zhi Xie Chanyu.
Now, this was a perfect opportunity. He disregarded military orders and cared little for life and death; if he could not find Liuli, he would continue to search through the vast desert.
"What place is this?" Huo Qubing turned to ask a young soldier.
The soldier shook his head and replied, "It seems that ahead is Mount Langjuxu. Beyond that is Han Hai, and further on, I do not know where it leads."
Huo Qubing nodded slightly. "Send word down the ranks to hold a sacrifice at Mount Langjuxu and let the horses drink at Han Hai."
At this time, it was the fourth year of Yuan Shao's reign. Huo Qubing had set out from Chang'an, and during his expedition into the northern desert in search of the Xiongnu's main forces, he had marched over two thousand miles, annihilating seventy thousand enemies and capturing three Xiongnu princes along with eighty-three others, including generals, chancellors, and various officials. He had created an unparalleled legend.
However, no one knew why he was so recklessly devoted.
Crossing Mount Langjuxu, Huo Qubing finally found Yi Zhi Xie Chanyu.
His main force had been defeated by Wei Qing and had fled here, leaving only a few hundred soldiers by his side. They never expected to encounter a general of the Han Dynasty in this desolate place.
Huo Qubing recognized Liuli at a glance.
Though six years had passed since they last met, though she wore foreign attire, and though the winds and sands of the desert had eroded her once delicate skin, in his eyes, she remained his Liuli.
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