A woman lifted the tent flap and stepped inside. Dark clouds hung overhead, dimming the tent. Only an oil lamp before the sand table shone brightly, casting a pool of yellow light across the gloomy military tent. She came to a stop, then raised her right hand and removed the veil from her head. In an instant, lightning flashed, and the tent blazed as bright as day. He looked up and saw her jade-like, moon-bright face. Her eyes, luminous and lovely as autumn waters, gazed at her with affection and shyness. A faint blush rose on her snowy cheeks, lovelier than the sunset, more radiant than peach and plum blossoms. After the lightning passed, the oil lamp returned to its lonely glow, and her face disappeared once more into the gloom. The man seated behind the sand table knitted his brows slightly, the look in his eyes turning cold in an instant. “Come here,” he commanded in a low, authoritative voice. She took a graceful step forward, the water-blue hem of her dress swaying gently like a beautiful lotus leaf in a midsummer pond. Stopping at his side, she asked calmly, “Your Highness, why did you summon me in such a hurry?” He did not answer. He silently took her small hand and asked in a low voice, “Mu Haisheng, how long has it been since we last saw each other?” Mu Haisheng lowered her eyes and replied without hesitation, “Three months and seven days.”
