The novel is divided into four parts, each corresponding to a season and a stage of their relationship. The first part is Spring, where they meet and become friends. The second part is Summer, where they fall in love and face their first crisis. The third part is Autumn, where they are separated and betrayed by their enemies. The fourth part is Winter, where they reunite and overcome their final challenge.
Characters
The novel has a large and diverse cast of characters, each with their own personality, background, and role in the story. Here are some of the main characters and their descriptions:
- Ling Buyi: The male protagonist of the novel. He is a young and handsome general, who is fostered by Emperor Wen and is the biological son of Huo Junhua and Marquis Chengyang. He is brave, loyal, intelligent, and righteous, but he is also cold, ruthless, and vengeful. He falls in love with Cheng Shao, but he does not know that she is a girl and a princess. He is also conflicted by his loyalty to the emperor and his desire to avenge his clan.
- Cheng Shaoshang: The female protagonist of the novel. She is a young and beautiful princess, who is the daughter of the King of Cheng and the Princess of Shu. She is smart, courageous, kind, and cheerful, but she is also stubborn, reckless, and naive. She disguises herself as a boy and runs away from home, taking the name of Cheng Shao. She becomes friends and lovers with Ling Buyi, but she does not reveal her true identity and status to him. She is also loyal to her kingdom and her people, and she opposes the emperor’s tyranny.
- Emperor Wen: The main antagonist of the novel. He is the emperor of the Tang dynasty, and the foster father of Ling Buyi. He is ambitious, cunning, cruel, and paranoid, and he wants to unify the whole world under his rule. He is responsible for the massacre of the Huo clan, and he also plots to kill Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang, who he sees as threats to his power. He is obsessed with finding the legendary Star of Destiny, a powerful artifact that can grant him eternal life and divine power.
- Marquis Chengyang: A mysterious and influential noble, who is the biological father of Ling Buyi and the former lover of Huo Junhua. He is wise, noble, generous, and mysterious, and he has a lot of secrets and connections. He is the leader of the Chengyang Sect, a secret organization that opposes the emperor and protects the people. He helps Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang in their journey, and he also reveals the truth about their past and their destiny.
- Huo Junhua: The mother of Ling Buyi and the former lover of Marquis Chengyang. She is a beautiful and powerful woman, who is the leader of the Huo clan, a noble and martial family. She is loyal, brave, proud, and passionate, and she loves Marquis Chengyang and Ling Buyi deeply. She dies in the massacre of the Huo clan, but she leaves behind a legacy and a prophecy for her son.
Themes
The novel explores various themes, such as love, destiny, loyalty, identity, and power. Some of the main themes are:
- Love: The novel is a romance story, and it shows the love between Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang, who overcome many difficulties and challenges to be together. Their love is pure, sincere, and passionate, but it is also complicated, forbidden, and tragic. They have to hide their true feelings and identities, and they have to face the opposition of their families, friends, and enemies. They also have to choose between their love and their duty, and they have to sacrifice a lot for each other. Their love is like the galaxy, vast, beautiful, and eternal, but also distant, dangerous, and unpredictable.
- Destiny: The novel is also a fantasy story, and it involves the concept of destiny, which is a force that determines the fate of the characters and the world. The novel introduces the Star of Destiny, a mythical artifact that can grant the wishes of the one who possesses it. The emperor wants to obtain the Star of Destiny, and he believes that he is the chosen one who can rule the world. However, the novel also reveals that Ling Buyi and Cheng Shaoshang are the true owners of the Star of Destiny, and they have a special connection with it. They are the ones who can change the course of history and bring peace and harmony to the world. However, they also have to face the consequences and responsibilities of their destiny, and they have to make difficult choices and sacrifices.
- Loyalty: The novel is also a historical story, and it depicts the political and social situation of the Tang dynasty, which is a period of turmoil and conflict. The novel shows the loyalty of the characters, who have to choose their sides and allegiances in the war. The novel presents different perspectives and motivations of the characters, and it shows the complexity and ambiguity of loyalty. Some characters are loyal to the emperor, who they believe is the rightful ruler and the protector of the empire. Some characters are loyal to their kingdoms, who they believe are the victims and the rebels of the emperor’s oppression. Some characters are loyal to their families, who they love and respect. Some characters are loyal to their friends, who they trust and support. Some characters are loyal to themselves, who they follow their own beliefs and desires.
Reception
The novel has received a lot of positive feedback and praise from the readers and the critics, who have enjoyed the novel’s plot, characters, themes, and writing style. The novel has been praised for its originality, creativity, and depth, and for its balance of romance, adventure, and fantasy. The novel has also been praised for its historical accuracy and cultural richness, and for its portrayal of the Tang dynasty and its people. The novel has also been praised for its emotional impact and its message of hope and love.
