Nirvana in Fire: What We Cannot Have

There was a man, the Young Marshal of the Red Flame Army, who wore light armor in snowy nights and pursued his enemies for a thousand miles. He ranged freely across the battlefield, renowned for never having been defeated. When happy, he was exuberant; when angry, he was like a tiger. He was proud and flamboyant. There was also a woman from a family of military commanders in a powerful northern kingdom. Her family was known for its fierce ways, yet on her very first battlefield, the enemy's young marshal shot her from her horse with an arrow. She broke her leg and lost face. [For many years, war ravaged the northern border of Da Liang. Later, Northern Yan sent an envoy to discuss a marriage alliance with His Majesty. Everyone expected one of the princes to be chosen, but no one imagined it would fall to Lin Shu. What a shame, given the long-standing friendship between the Lin family and Prince Mu's household.] An official recalled those events from years ago and let out a heartfelt sigh. [That youngest daughter of the Tuoba family was so flamboyant and hot-tempered. When she first married into the family, putting two firebrands together was bound to end in an explosion. They never stopped fighting.] Commander Meng shook his head without a word. If you have not understood what it means to long for something you cannot have, do not speak of smiling with a flower between your fingers.