The Saga of Love

where Prince Liang often found solace. As he strolled through the familiar pathways, his mind

nce, had returned from an official expedition. Liang had hoped to avoid his siblin

ince Dan's voice boomed, a wry smile o

quaring as he turned to face h

rrowing. "You seem... distracted. And I happened to come across a certain herbalist

d himself for the involuntary reaction. "I.

t a fool. I know you've been spending time with this... commoner. And I've seen the

a response. He knew he couldn't deny his feelings for Lianhua, bu

of mock admiration. "To think you'd have the audacity to dally with a mere herbalist,

e low and urgent. "This is not what you thi

I suppose you won't mind if I take her as my own concubine. After all, she seem

is fists clenching at his sides. "You will not touch

r, don't you, Liang? Well, then, I suppose you'll have to decide - your

de away, leaving Liang grapplin

dn't ignore Dan's threat, nor could he betray his family's expectations. But the thought of losi

of the Empress Dowager, his mother. He found her seat

steady despite the turmoil withi

g. "My son, what is it? I've heard disturbing ru

"It's true, Mother. I've grown... close to Lianhua, the herbalist f

s of such a scandalous relationship. The kingdom's reputation, our family's honor - all of it could be tarn

... I've grown to care for Lianhua. Deeply. And I know the risks, but I cannot ignore my

you must understand the gravity of your actions. The royal family's legacy is at stake

ed, his voice laced with desperation. "Lianhua is not

are blinded by your emotions. This... this Lianhua, she is nothing more than a distracti

y to understand. Lianhua and I... we have a connection that transcends

o choice, my son. If you insist on pursuing this... this foolish romance, I will have no choi

Mother, you can't! Please, don't do this. Lianhua has done no

ng. "Your duty to the kingdom and your family, or this... this Lianhua. The decision

new that he couldn't simply ignore his duty, not when the kingdom's reputation and his family's legacy

to think," he said, his v

"Very well, Liang. But know that time is not on your s

, leaving Liang alone with th

ight – the consequences of his relationship with Lianhua were too grave to ignore. But the thought of losing her,

ily and the kingdom. But the stakes were high, and he knew that his decision coul

he reached for a brush and parchment. He had to make a choic