Iron Hooves and Cavalry

Spring of the sixth year of Yuanshuo (123 BC). A young woman disguised as a man arrived in the bustling, magnificent capital, Chang'an. Clashing blades are no match for a calculating heart. Bloodshed is no match for the darkness lurking beneath the surface. Chang'an is a giant dragon, its head held high, its eyes fierce and bright, its jaws deep and heavy, its claws sharp and cold... And there is room on its back for only one person, only one to tread upon it! The person Chen Yan wants to meet is far beyond her reach. So she began plotting years in advance. What Chen Yan wants to know is a secret that others would never allow to see the light of day. So from the very beginning, she concealed her identity and entered the court dressed as a man. Amid schemes and intrigue, she met someone. He was proud, young, strong, and free-spirited. He could laugh without a care, and ponder with a deeply furrowed brow. He dared to defy countless gods, yet would never profane the two people before whom he knelt. Chen Yan once looked at him, utterly exhausted, yet smiling as if finally relieved. "Without you, Chen Yan would never have become who she is today." Without him, she might still be living according to other people's arrangements, without ever resisting in the slightest. The man curled his lip disdainfully, then firmly took the young woman's hand and tucked it against his chest to warm it. The hand in his gradually grew warm. The soft snowflakes seemed to be warmed, heated, and melted by the person before her. "I only did what I wanted to do, that's all." The man grinned and gently drew the young woman into his arms. "A Yan, you can't escape me. I told you, there's nothing I, Huo Qubing, set my sights on that I can't have." Like a child, he smiled with satisfaction, a mischievous and sly look in his eyes that was impossible to resist. His bluntness, his integrity, his courage, his decisiveness, his thoughtfulness, his restraint, his bearing, his childishness, all left deep, burning marks on Chen Yan's heart. Far away, above the Qilian Mountains, stretched an endless, desolate sky. Perhaps snow was falling there, drifting across a thousand miles. Glaciers covered the land, and one could almost feel the piercing cold of that day. It was the man beside her, with his broad shoulders, solid chest, blazing eyes, and burning heart, who brushed away the cold winter snow from Chen Yan's heart and body, imprinting his own warmth upon her forever. This story is dedicated to the general whose years were brief, yet whose life bloomed like fireworks, beautiful and brilliant: Huo Qubing. This story will focus on historical facts, with literary emotion as a complement, recording the splendid life of that heaven-blessed prodigy. In memory of Lord Huo Qubing, Grand Marshal and Cavalry General of Han. The heroine may be a little too perfect, though I think she's quite normal. There's a plot, and there are plenty of melodramatic twists. The author really wanted everyone to laugh, but it turns out the whole story is incredibly serious. ORZ In short, it's a heartwarming little story set against the backdrop of orthodox history. Yes, that's right, it's mainly heartwarming! =3= Slow and steady is the best kind of romance, hehe! This story is relatively well researched, but it also includes the author's flights of imagination, so I will make a few small changes here and there. Nothing too drastic, since history comes first. Please point out any mistakes. Thank you. This story is 1v1, with a happy ending. A little angst is fine, but there won't be much heavy angst [probably]. There aren't any especially awful characters in this story. Everyone is the protagonist of their own life, and they simply have different perspectives. But there won't be any especially brainless characters... Important: This story will update daily starting February 1. I'll try to finish it over winter break. Theme: