Fragrance Fills the Courtyard Upon My Arrival

A wealthy older woman with a cool, stern exterior who is actually softhearted and easy to win over

A bright, handsome young general who is actually penniless

The first time they met, Lan Huai knocked over a candlestick in the temple, forcing him to leap out the window while he was still bathing. She even turned back to save him.

Liu Jizhen knitted his brows, thinking, What a troublesome girl.

The second time they met, Lan Huai stood among a pile of corpses, blood smeared across her face. Clutching a broken sword, she used the last of her strength to make him leave.

Liu Jizhen folded his arms and sneered, calling her a coward.

Later, Lan Huai displayed her skill on the qin at the Shangsi Festival banquet, earning a stream of praise from the men's hall next door. She also met privately with the top scholar in the rock garden, declaring that she would marry the most noble man in all of Chang'an.

Liu Jizhen scoffed. So she was just another social climber.

Later, Liu Jizhen realized that every smile and frown of hers had him utterly enthralled.

He grinned. She must be falling for me too. We're clearly meant for each other.

Who could have guessed that Lan Huai's beloved, the one she had longed for, would return from his hostage mission? The two chatted and laughed together, utterly at ease.

Liu Jizhen was mad with jealousy. For the first time, he broke the rules and climbed over her wall.

Lan Huai calmly set down the glass cup in her hand and glanced at him sideways. "Young Master Liu, you and I are strangers who happened to meet far from home. What happens between me and him is none of your concern, is it?"

Part 2

Lan Huai could never forget that day.

Smoke signals rose everywhere and yellow sand filled the sky. Dressed in red and riding a Hu horse, she was abducted to be made someone's bride.

Just as despair swallowed her, news arrived from her homeland: General Liu had led five thousand elite cavalry to crush an eighty-thousand-strong Tibetan army, forcing the enemy to retreat fifty li.

That day, under a clear blue sky, he stood alone beneath the city gate and shouted to her, "Lady Lan, come home!"

The moon was meant to hang high in the night sky, but I pulled her down to earth.

Extra note: This is a fictionalized Tang dynasty setting with many original details, so please don't scrutinize the history.

"When you arrived, the whole courtyard was in bloom. I will keep this spring sunshine for you."

Theme: Never say that women are not heroes