Chapter 3, Alternative Ending

The surrounding noise gradually diminished, and the disheveled soldiers, covered in dirt and dust, were being escorted out one after another after having removed their armor. It seemed that the situation was nearly resolved. I held the little girl in my arms and, accompanied by a group of officers carrying pigs and sheep, hurried to meet the Emperor, while also hoping to catch a glimpse of the person I had imagined.

At this moment, the temporary palace in the distance was a scene of chaos, with a sea of people. The civil and military officials, who had previously scattered in panic, were now jostling among soldiers who had gone several days without food, all vying for a meager meal. The decorum of the court and the dignity of the officials were cast aside, their robes and insignias in disarray. However, they could not compete with the strong and robust soldiers. Fortunately, it had been arranged in advance to add water to the pot to make thin porridge, preventing these famished individuals from indiscriminately gorging themselves and potentially suffering from overindulgence. Clearly, the cooking utensils of the entire army were insufficient for the task, and those who could not wait simply took their rations and used their helmets and shields to cook elsewhere. Even more absurdly, some had even taken the incense burners from the temple.

At this moment, outside, the scene has changed dramatically; the thousands of troops and horses that once prepared food have now turned into thousands of troops and horses seeking relief. Over the past few days, they have consumed only a pitiful amount of boiled wheat husks and bean stalks, and having swallowed too hastily, their poor stomachs can hardly handle any meat. The most unfortunate are those nobles and ministers along with their families, who fled faster than soldiers and books. The prime locations have all been occupied, forcing them to seek distant alternatives. After much difficulty, they finally found a patch of forest, only to discover it was filled with acquaintances. In their urgent need, they had no choice but to throw all decorum and propriety to the wind, using their clothes to shield themselves, even omitting to cover their faces, pretending not to know each other, and resolving their needs on the spot. The most unfortunate are those nobles and ministers along with their families, who fled faster than soldiers and books. The prime locations have all been occupied, forcing them to seek distant alternatives. After much difficulty, they finally found a patch of forest, only to discover it was filled with acquaintances. In their urgent need, they had no choice but to throw all decorum and propriety to the wind, using their clothes to shield themselves, even omitting to cover their faces, pretending not to know each other, and resolving their needs on the spot. For those who could not find a place in time, they had no choice but to turn back halfway and sneak towards the riverbank. In an instant, the woods and grass were filled with the sounds of flatulence, the stench was like thunder, and they turned a once pristine area into a foul mess, unbearable to the senses

After finally breaking free, I ran into a group that did not seem particularly fierce. Instinctively, I clung to the person who appeared the most harmless and reassuring, yet I could never forget the gentle smile that person showed at that moment. "Miss, have you mistaken me for someone else?" Then, she collapsed onto his shoulder and cried uncontrollably. In that instant, he was twenty-one years old, and she was twelve years old

When I saw this group of women, my first thought was that it was a travesty of nature. Either the aesthetic standards of those ancient literati and scholars were flawed, or the painting skills of the ancients were too poor. Otherwise, how could the surviving portraits of beautiful women depict these stunningly beautiful figures as so-called pear-shaped beauties with pointed heads, small feet, large hips, and thick waists.

Upon arriving at the *Tu* Book Palace, I immediately sensed a suffocating atmosphere, accompanied by faint sounds of weeping and wailing. The young girl seemed to feel something and jumped in like a rabbit, causing a commotion of gasps, screams, and cries from within. Our entrance further stirred the chaos, leading to more exclamations and screams. I could see many individuals resembling eunuchs running about in fear, shouting, "The chaotic army has broken in!" Others were seen falling to the ground, clutching their heads, amidst the widespread panic and cries.

Throughout history, the greatest emperors have often been the most ruthless individuals. When emotions extend to political decisions regarding the state, it transforms into a disaster

In the face of such a splendid scene, one cannot help but recall the various comments made by future generations. Undoubtedly, the bond among them is a rare testament to true friendship forged through adversity, as well as a shared passion for music, which could have become a beautiful tale. However, when such a story unfolds within the imperial family, it transforms into the greatest tragedy, even at the cost of the rise and fall of the entire realm, especially when entangled with the foremost figure in the world.

Historically, monarchs with rich emotions seem to have met with poor outcomes; they are either tyrants or rulers who led their nations to ruin (such as Li Yu of the Southern Tang and Empress Xiao Zhou). Even though Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was a young prodigy, exceptionally talented and valiant, who created a prosperous era through his civil and military achievements, in his later years he could not escape the entanglement of love, becoming madly infatuated with his daughter-in-law. This led to the demise of a glorious dynasty, as reflected in the lines "In the warm spring, the curtains rise high, from then on the monarch does not attend morning court" which ultimately brought an end to an era of prosperity and stability.

This is also a princess. I, feeling gloomy, personally brought this group of people to the scene. I had thought about the idea of a hero saving a beauty, achieving a romantic tale by rescuing a princess. However, saving a little girl who seems to need at least another ten years to see any results is indeed quite disappointing. Nevertheless, it is better than nothing; even a small mouse is still meat, and I do not know how many benefits it might bring. "It's alright, it's alright," I forced a smile reminiscent of a goldfish seller deceiving a little girl, gently patting her head to comfort her. I took out some dried meat and coaxed her until she was no longer frightened, burying her head in my arms and sobbing. Nevertheless, it is better than nothing; even a small mouse is still meat, and I do not know how many benefits it might bring. "It's alright, it's alright," I forced a smile reminiscent of a goldfish seller deceiving a little girl, gently patting her head to comfort her. I took out some dried meat and coaxed her until she was no longer frightened, burying her head in my arms and sobbing.

Especially on the shoulders of the old emperor, there are faint traces of tears that are profoundly evocative. Despite the weariness of travel, the simplicity of her attire, and the light yellow embroidered shirt that has gathered quite a bit of dust, the adornments of pearls on her body are mostly broken or nearly gone. Yet, a beauty is still a beauty; neither the passage of time nor the dust of the world can conceal her unparalleled beauty that surpasses the three thousand beauties of the imperial harem. Her brows resemble spring mountains, her glances are skillful and enchanting, and she embodies all the finest adjectives one can imagine—her beauty is breathtaking, rendering one unable to breathe. She is undoubtedly the kind of woman who makes a man unable to resist the urge to break through barriers to seize her, to hide her away, to gaze upon her for a lifetime without ever feeling satisfied, to guard her fiercely, and to willingly offer everything of value in exchange for a single smile from her. What does it mean to be a woman who can topple nations and cities? A slight expression from her can ignite passion, prompting one to brave fire and water or to fall into despair. It is only then that one understands why the Emperor Xuanzong, known for the flourishing Kaiyuan era, would be utterly devoted to her throughout his life.

"Oh, you are bleeding!" I only then noticed that my nose felt sore and warm, and I was actually having a nosebleed, which was quite embarrassing. Fortunately, the emperor was in good spirits and did not pay attention to it. As for Lady Yang, she seemed to be quite accustomed to such situations when meeting someone for the first time. I had never seen anyone so bold, yet she appeared unfazed. With a gentle smile, she instantly made one feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze, inevitably causing one's heart to race like a little rabbit. How impressive!

The little girl I picked up turned out to be a princess, which I had not anticipated. At that time, I had brought a group of subordinates and was driving the scattered disorganized soldiers away like chasing rabbits. Suddenly, I was caught off guard when a soft little thing sprang out from the grass and wrapped around my thigh, giving me quite a shock. She was a dirty-faced little girl, with tear stains still clinging to dirt particles, and her little clothes were tattered, evoking a deep sense of pity. She sorrowfully called out, "Brother, save me"

Thus, another remarkable scene and book were born—thousands of large and small oddly shaped "pots" were arranged on the grass, with billowing smoke creating a magnificent sight. Fortunately, the deputy general Wei Tao followed the orders and reserved several large pots of porridge, allowing those noble lords and ministers who could not push their way through to at least have a meager meal.

It is now the end of summer, and the thin spring sleeves reveal parts that glisten like jade, evoking a myriad of thoughts about the charm immersed in the smooth and clear spring water. I found myself staring blankly for quite a while, lost in my musings, when I suddenly felt someone tugging at my finger. It turned out to be a young girl who had changed into a lake yellow dress, cinched at the waist with a delicate belt. Her hair was styled into two small double-looped buns at the back, presenting a different kind of charm. Her large eyes were wide open, seemingly glaring at me with an expression of displeasure at my staring.

In the midst of the coup, she cleverly hid in the grass, managing to evade several groups of chaotic soldiers, but ultimately, Yang Xuan, who had been relentlessly pursuing her all day, was caught off guard and brutally stabbed to death by the frenzied soldiers right in front of her. "Father, it hurts so much, I don't want to die," Yang Xuan's dying cries echoed in her ears. If it weren't for Yang Xuan, who was already presumed dead, rising up with blood and tears streaming down her face, and being delayed by the pursuit and turned into a bloody pulp, she would have likely met the same fate. Overwhelmed by fear and panic, she could only hide in a corner and weep softly. If it weren't for Yang Xuan, who was already presumed dead, rising up with blood and tears streaming down her face, and being delayed by the pursuit and turned into a bloody pulp, she would have likely met the same fate. Overwhelmed by fear and panic, she could only hide in a corner and weep softly