General Zhao and Anli left the palace by Anli's carriage. Anli was just silent all the way to his father's hometown. General Zhao could see the disappointment on his son's face.
"Bixia visited me when I was busy packing my stuff." He started the conversation.
"Hmmm..." Just a simple answer from Anli.
"Bixia told me that you also requested a day off." He continued.
"Hmmm...!" Another simple answer from Anli while sighing.
General Zhao smiled at his son's answer.
"What happens? You're not like this before. As far as I know, you always want to be close to the Emperor." He said.
Anli quickly adjusted his sitting position and looked at his dad.
"N-nonsense! What are you talking about?" Anli tried to deny it.
"I might not understand you but I know you because you are my son.
He was right. He might not understand his son but he knows him very well. General Zhao still remembers it was the Emperor who had changed his son to be a great man like who he is now. He was a very relaxed person and was not serious about everything. Before he knew the Emperor, Anli had no goals in his life. Maybe because he was the only child he had and he spoiled his son very much.
10 Years Ago...
"Again! After this, you all might rest." Said General Zhao to his troop.
Anli was still 7 years old when he followed his dad to join the Imperial Military. General Zhao knew he could not force his son to pick the path like him. Everyone has their own will to continue their living. However, since his wife died early, he needed to be a mom and dad for his only child, Anli.
"Anli, come." He called his son.
Anli came to his dad.
"Come, sit next to me."
Anli just followed. General Zhao took his waterskin to drink water.
"Anli, do you like to stay here? Do you like to be an Imperial Soldier like me?" He asked his son.
Anli looked around and observed all the people in the training quarter. He then looked at his dad.
"Dad. I'm not really like here. You guys always working hard to protect the country. You guys also need to risk life." Answered his son.
General Zhao patted his son's head and smiled.
"Because this is what the soldier is. I won't force you to follow my step. It just a shame that your mom left too early. I'm sorry because you need to grow up with me like this. You can be who ever you wanted to be." He said.
Anli removed his dad's hand and smiled to him.
"Dad, you don't have to worry. This place is not bad. It's just not my passion. As long as I'm happy with my life, I won't complain." Replied Anli.
"Anli. Training or practising martial arts is not only for protecting our country. It is also for our defence when we are in danger. You should learn martial arts to protect yourself too." Added General Zhao.
"Dad, why do you want to be a soldier?" Anli asked.
"Because I like this job. I like to serve my country. Everyone has their own passion. You should be what you like to be." He replied.
Their conversation stopped when the resting soldiers bowed and greeted a child who entered the training quarter. The child wore a cold look on her face.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" (All soldiers)
General Zhao quickly stood up. When he saw the kid, he quickly bowed too. Anli was sitting still, having no idea what had happened. General Zhao immediately came to meet the kid.
"Your Highness. What are you doing here? His Majesty will punish us if he knows Your Highness is here." Said General Zhao.
The kid drew General Zhao's sword and played it. Everyone was shocked and asked her to stop because they didn't want the kid to get injured.
"Don't worry. I'm just bored with the palace drama so I came here. What a boring life..." Complained the kid.
General Zhao scratched his head. He was confused. At the same time, he was worried about the kid's safety.
"Y-Your Highness. Be careful!" Said the General again.
"Don't worry." Replied the kid.
The kid went to the centre of the training quarter and started to play with the sword. Her hair and white robe swirled like a tornado as she performed her sword moves. Everyone was amazed including Anli. He got up when he saw a beautiful sword dance in front of him.
"That move...! Isn't it the famous move by the famous Martial Art Master in Suzhou? Master Ye Feng!" Shouted the General.
The kid stopped and looked at General Zhao.
"Cutting Wind Move by Ye Feng." She said.
General Zhao was stunned and amazed at the same time. The kid could master the move in such a young age. How talented! The kid returned the sword to its owner. General Zhao accepted it. Anli came to his dad and hold his dad hand. The kid saw him. She saw two wooden swords next to the resting soldier and asked them to pass it to her. They listened. The kid took it and passed the other wooden sword to Anli. Anli accepted it with a puzzled face.
"W-What is this for?" He asked.
"Come play with me since you're also a kid like me." Replied her.
While living with his dad, he learned a little about self-defense. However, he never dueled with anyone other than his father. He gripped his sword and started to do a duel sword with the kid. Anli tried to attack but all his attack was blocked. With just one move, the kid was able to release the sword in Anli grasp without having to touch and injured him. Anli was shocked.
"Time's up. I'll go now. I'll come again next time." Said the kid.
Before leaving, she handed Anli the wooden sword.
"We'll play again next time."
Anli didn't have anything to say but standing still until the kid disappered from his sight.
"He's is awesome!" He muttered to himself.
Anli looked at his dad.
"Dad, who's that awesome boy just now?" He asked.
"You want to know who's that person just now?" His dad asked him a question instead.
"Umm!" Anli nodded.
"Do you amazed by the person's sword skill?" He asked another question.
"Umm!" Again Anli nodded.
"Do you...want to be like the person?" Last question from the General.
"Umm!"
General Zhao smiled and patted his son's shoulder.
"First, she is a girl. Not a boy like you. Secondly, she is the Crown Princess of the Su Empire." He explained.
Anli widened his eyes and openned his mouth as he was shocked.
"She is Crown Princess? The Emperor daughter's?!" Asked Anli half whispered.
"Yes." Simple answer from the General.
"She is a girl but she is good at fighting! Her martial arts skills are superb!"
Anli left his dad and started to play with the wooden sword at the corner of the training quarter.
"Where are you going?" He asked his son.
"I want to train my fighting skills so I can be like her. After all, she also said that she would come here again and play with me!" Said Anli.
General Zhao smiled and shook his his head.
"Love really can change people..." He muttered alone with a smile on his face.
Anli looked at his dad.
"Did you said something just now?" He asked.
"Nothing. I'm just saying that if your mother was still alive, she would be scolding you now." Said the General.
Anli pulled something from his sleeve and gave it to his dad. It was chestnut.
"You like to wear a robe even though during in the battlefield instead of armour." Said the General.
"Uh-huh. It's light and I can move easily. After all, people with a good martial art like me don't need that troublesome outfit." Replied Anli.
"Alright...alright...by the way...What made you so sullen that you came to stay with me in Yangzhou for a week?"
Anli rolled his eyes.
"Tcchh...! None of your bussiness!"
When they arrived at his father's hometown, they immediately dropped off the goods from the carriage. Anli told his dad to entered the old mansion and cleaned it. He will pick all the belongings.
"Dad, I will bring all the stuffs. You better clean the dust inside there. Don't do a lot of movement, especially lifting a heavy thing." He said.
General Zhao agreed. He picked a broom and swept the dusty floor. He also wiped the dining table in the living room. Anli watched his father doing the cleaning from afar and smiled. When his mother still alive, this is the place where he lived. His father barely came home. He only came home during Lantern Festival and New Year. After his mother died, he followed his dad to live in palace. Anli couldn't remember his mother's face because he was too young during the time. He only remember that his mother has a long black straight hair, fair skin and a soft voice when talking.
"Dad, I finish drop off all the things from the carriage. I want to buy some food for us now. What would you like to eat?"
General Zhao was still cleaning inside but he could hear his son.
"I'm okay with anything. Don't forget to buy wine too." He said.
Anli giggled.
"Alright. I'll go now."
He left the mansion and went to the market by his carriage.