Lotus Blossoms, Swaying in the Breeze

If not for an accidental fall, there would never have been such a tragic, beautiful romance. I would never have met him, and I would never have been left so battered by love. I can only blame the fickleness of fate and the cruel twists of destiny. All I ask is to stay by his side for a lifetime, and all I hope is that we can grow old together... [One Thought, Two Hearts in Love] The moment I first saw him, my heart raced like a startled deer, and I felt nervous and uneasy. Ripples rose and spread across my heart. My cheeks flushed, and my eyes brimmed with affection. I forgot my shyness and my worries, forgot the world and all its dust. We had met only once, yet he filled my every thought. I was deeply smitten, love at first sight. In a single instant, our hearts were in accord. What kind of man was he, to be so dashing... A long while later, a voice interrupted the perfect moment. “Your Highness, Prince Wu, His Majesty summons you to the palace to discuss an important matter!” Only then did I learn that the handsome young man before me was none other than Li Ke, Prince of Wu. The second time we met, it was another chance encounter. On the main street of Chang’an, we stood face to face... He was just as he had been the first time, gazing at me with a smile. I looked up at him, and as we gazed at each other, I forgot the bodhi tree, the temple, and everything in the mortal world. As I kept looking, I thought of the Stone of Three Lives, of the ends of the earth, of the farthest shores, and of every beautiful thing. The third time we met was one morning in the lovely second month, when the grass was growing and orioles were flying, and willow branches swayed in the spring haze... Just as he was about to leave, he asked me one last time, “May I know your name, young lady?” Only then did I come to my senses. Only then did I remember this was our third meeting, and that I still hadn't told him my name. Only then did I suddenly remember who I was. “Murong Qian’er!” He gave a slight nod, then turned and strode away. I watched his retreating figure, reluctant to let him go... [The Hibiscus Blooms and Sways] After that day, I began to wait: for him to come, for my happiness, for fate to reach its conclusion, for the good fortune I had earned in a past life, and for the hibiscus to bloom! When I first saw him, I was in a state of agitation. The man I was waiting for had yet to arrive, and the flower I was waiting for had yet to bloom... We simply stood there, looking at each other. I wondered who he was and whether he knew Prince Wu. I couldn't guess what was going through his mind. We gazed at each other for a long while... Only then did I learn that the handsome young man before me was none other than Li Tai, Prince of Wei. When I first saw him, my heart was already bleeding. The man I was waiting for still hadn't come, and the flower I was waiting for still hadn't bloomed... We gazed at each other for a long while... Only then did I learn that the refined young man before me was none other than Li Zhi, Prince of Jin. When I first saw him, I had no desires left, and my heart was as still as water. I was admiring the flowers with my older sister... I stood beside her, watching the two of them gaze at each other. After a long while... Only then did I learn that the dignified young man before me was none other than Li Chengqian, the Crown Prince. When he had gone, I turned around and saw the hibiscus flowers blooming throughout the garden, swaying in the breeze...