May I Ask, My Lord?

Zhao Ruzhang first met Wen Qi at Shiji Temple.

It was drizzling. Beyond the swaying green bamboo, he stood before the Buddha in plain robes, head raised, silent.

She came running after a cat and saw his profile beneath the eaves, clear and cool as snow atop a mountain.

Her eyes curved into a smile as she asked, "May I ask which family's young gentleman you are?"

Only later did she learn that the gentleman who had caught her eye at first sight had already fulfilled the late emperor's wishes and ascended to the position of Imperial Preceptor.

*

Wen Qi had once crossed paths with Princess Zhaohua.

At the time, he had accompanied his revered teacher into the palace. Beneath its red walls and green tiles, wind and snow swept through. The young princess had come in search of plum blossoms, her shoulders and back damp with snow.

His teacher once remarked, "The Thirteenth Princess will enjoy a smooth life. She is a rare fortunate soul."

He raised his eyes and looked into the distance. Red plum blossoms stood proudly against the wind, while the princess stood alone, composed and graceful.

He never expected that, after they parted, they would meet again at Sanyue Temple. The visitor folded her umbrella and entered the hall, then smiled at him and asked:

"May I ask which family's young gentleman you are?"

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1. An alternate world, with some inspiration from the Tang dynasty.

2. A writing exercise focused on the development of a romance.

Theme: A match made by fate.