Arthmata The Saga

The sun had barely risen, casting a warm glow over the lush gardens of the royal palace, when Prince Liang made his way to the chambers of Master Wu, the trusted royal advisor. His heart was heavy with the weight of his newfound feelings for Lianhua, the enchanting herbalist he had met in the forest just days ago. As he approached Master Wu's door, he took a deep breath and pushed aside the thoughts that threatened to consume him.

He knew he couldn't keep his feelings hidden for much longer, and he needed Master Wu's guidance on how to proceed. Knocking gently on the door, Prince Liang was greeted by the wise, elderly man, whose keen eyes immediately discerned the turmoil within the young prince.

"My dear prince," Master Wu said, gesturing for Liang to enter. "I sense a great burden upon your shoulders. What troubles you so?"

Liang bowed respectfully before taking a seat across from Master Wu, struggling to find the right words to express his inner conflict. Liang took a deep breath, his eyes reluctantly meeting those of the advisor. "Master Wu, I... I find myself quite distracted as of late. I've encountered someone – a woman, to be precise – and I fear my heart has been irreversibly ensnared by her spell."

Master Wu's brows furrowed, a knowing look crossing his weathered features. "Ah, yes, I suspected as much. The forest encounter you spoke of, I presume?"

Nodding solemnly, Liang continued, "It is Lianhua, the herbalist from the nearby village. I cannot stop thinking about her, Master Wu. There is something extraordinary about her, something that calls to me in a way I've never experienced before."

The advisor let out a heavy sigh, his gaze turning pensive. "I see. And I can only imagine the internal conflict you must be facing, my dear prince. Your feelings for this woman, as genuine as they may be, pose a considerable challenge to the expectations of your station."

Liang felt his heart sink, the realization of the obstacles before him weighing heavily on his mind. "I fear you are right, Master Wu. My mother, the Empress Dowager, would never approve of such a union. And the kingdom... the kingdom would never accept me marrying a commoner."

Master Wu placed a reassuring hand on Liang's shoulder. "I understand your dilemma, Prince Liang. The path you choose will not be an easy one, but you must listen to the dictates of your heart. True love is a rare and precious gift, one that should not be cast aside lightly."

Liang's eyes widened, hope flickering within them. "Then you believe I should pursue this... this forbidden desire?"

"I did not say that, my prince," Master Wu replied gently. "The challenges you will face are formidable, and the consequences of your actions could be dire, not just for you, but for the kingdom as a whole. You must tread carefully, and weigh every decision with the utmost caution."

The prince's shoulders slumped, the weight of responsibility once again bearing down upon him. "I see. So you counsel me to abandon this... this connection with Lianhua?"

"I cannot make that decision for you, Prince Liang," the advisor said. "You must search your heart and determine what is most important to you – your duty to the kingdom, or your desire for personal happiness. The path ahead is fraught with peril, but I will support you, whatever you choose."