Sensing someone’s gaze, Yun Qiya looked up to see a familiar face.
She tucked her beloved rhombus mirror carefully into her purse and offered a greeting with a smile. “Greetings, Young Master.”
As she moved, the small yellow flower on her cloak swayed gently. Though it was winter, the bloom seemed to carry the vibrant energy of spring.
Prince Ruining knew he should turn and leave, yet he did not move. Perhaps it was that tiny flower she had suddenly plucked that made him want to linger for a moment.
“The flower is quite nice,” he remarked.
“Winter in the capital is too cold, and there are few flowers in bloom.” Yun Qiya glanced down at the flower on her cloak. “It is a pity it is so small, and the petals aren’t vibrant enough.”
“It is already a rarity that it can bloom in winter.” Prince Ruining gazed into the distance. Today was the Empress’s birthday celebration, and the Palace Administration had moved many plants from the greenhouses into the Imperial Garden.
Compared to those meticulously tended flowers, this little wild bloom was indeed unremarkable.
“Do you like it?” Yun Qiya unfastened the flower from her jade clasp and held it out to him with nonchalance. “Here, it’s yours.”
She was dressed so exquisitely today that the tiny flower was barely noticeable on her cloak unless one looked closely. Trading a single flower for a noble’s good impression was a bargain!
The little wild flower lay listlessly in Yun Qiya’s palm, looking even smaller and more pitiful.
Prince Ruining lowered his gaze.
The hand holding the flower was beautiful, her fair skin tinged with a healthy, pale pink.
The flower was far too ordinary.
“Thank you.” He reached out and pinched the flower, his icy fingertips brushing against her warm, soft palm.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” Yun Qiya said. “Why are you here all alone, Young Master?”
“I do not care for noise.” Prince Ruining closed his hand around the small flower. “A poetry gathering is being held at the Wind-Sheltered Pavilion, and the Empress’s female officials are in attendance. Why aren’t you there?”
Did she not understand the deeper meaning behind the Empress sending her female officials to accompany the guests?
“I am not gifted in poetry or literature.” Yun Qiya poked her head out to look toward the Wind-Sheltered Pavilion. Seeing more and more people gathering there, she quickly pulled back. “As long as I don’t participate, I won’t lose face.”
She tilted her chin up, showing only satisfaction at her choice to retreat, without a hint of shame for her lack of literary talent.
“There are several pots of peonies blooming well up ahead. I shall pick some for you,” Prince Ruining said, looking at her upturned chin. He suddenly felt those peonies might suit her.
“Wait!” Yun Qiya looked horrified and quickly stopped him. “Young Master, this is the Imperial Garden!”
*He dares to pick flowers meticulously cultivated by the palace? With such audacity, does he think he’s the Emperor’s own son?! He looks like the silent type, but who knew he’d be so reckless the moment he opened his mouth? Listen to how terrifying that sounds.*
Prince Ruining pulled back the foot he had stepped forward. “You do not like them?”
Yun Qiya was honestly cowardly. “The palace rules are strict. I wouldn’t dare touch the flowers inside, and you’d better not touch them either.” She was quite satisfied with her current life and had no desire to go looking for death.
“The wind is strong here; let’s find somewhere else to stay.” Yun Qiya walked a few paces, then turned back to see the sickly man still standing there. She had no choice but to return. “Young Master, aren’t you coming?”
She was truly afraid he would go off and pluck the palace’s precious peonies, and she would end up suffering along with him.
Prince Ruining felt he shouldn’t follow her, yet his legs moved of their own accord.
“I see that you have an extraordinary bearing, Young Master. I wonder which noble family you hail from?” Yun Qiya led the sickly man through several twists and turns. Only after ensuring they were far enough from the peonies did she find a sheltered spot to sit.
“I am a relative of Princess Rongshan.”
Aside from the Imperial Ling family, only the Lu family of the capital would dare claim kinship with Princess Rongshan.
Since he was being vague, Yun Qiya was tactful enough not to pry further. “Oh.”
If he didn’t want to say, so be it. It wasn’t as if she was dying to know.
Silence fell around them again. Prince Ruining had long been used to such quiet; he detested all clamor and noise.
Guessing he might not like to talk, Yun Qiya lowered her head and played with the jade pendant at her waist. A few sparrows hopped onto a distant branch, chirping as they pecked at shriveled persimmons that no one had harvested.
The Empress had arranged for all the young ladies to be in the Imperial Garden, so it probably wasn’t appropriate for her to go back to her grandmother and eldest aunt just yet.
Those persimmons on the branch had a layer of white frost on them; they looked like they would be very sweet. I wonder who the Empress will choose as a daughter-in-law after this birthday celebration… There are so many beautiful things in the palace, but it’s a pity she can’t use any of them. Using them would be considered an act of overstepping one’s rank.
“I know you are the granddaughter of the Marquis of Chengping.”
This sentence pulled Yun Qiya’s wandering thoughts back. She hadn’t expected him to take the initiative to strike up a conversation. “You are correct, Young Master.”
Her face was nestled within the fluffy rabbit fur of her cloak, lively and small, like a tender bamboo shoot just peeking out from the snow.
It was the scent of burgeoning life.
“Young Master, look behind you.” Yun Qiya leaned over and pointed toward a corner of the wall.
In the crevices of the wall, tangled weeds were bunched together, swaying whichever way the wind blew. A few small yellow flowers were blooming perfectly there.
*Pluck. Pluck.*
Yun Qiya pulled all the flowers out, tied them together with a grass stem, and handed them to the sickly man. “Flowers need to be in a bunch to look passionate.”
Tied together, the flowers did indeed look more brilliant than a single, lonely stem.
“Thank you.”
Yun Qiya patted her hands. “Please suit yourself, Young Master. I shall take my leave first.” Now that he had his wild flowers, he’d hopefully stop eyeing the Imperial Garden’s plants.
She didn’t know if the Empress had other plans, so it was safer to stay near the Wind-Sheltered Pavilion.
She walked a few steps, then turned back to emphasize once more, “Remember, whatever you do, do not touch the flowers in the Imperial Garden.”
*And if you do, don’t say you know me.*
Inside Hongde Hall, the Empress was chatting with the ladies of rank. Although she didn’t say it outright, her words implied she was looking for a Princess Consort for Prince Luo.
“Your Majesty.” A female official walked to the Empress’s side and whispered, “His Highness the Eldest Prince only stood in the Imperial Garden for a moment from afar; he did not approach the Wind-Sheltered Pavilion.”
The smile on the Empress’s face faded. Her phoenix eyes looked weary as she gazed absently out of the hall, her hatred for the Deposed Prince intensifying in her heart.
“It doesn’t matter. It is good that he is willing to come out for a walk.” The Empress composed herself. “It is windy today. Arrange for an Imperial Physician to check the Eldest Prince’s pulse.”
As long as there was a glimmer of hope, she would never give up on her child, even if the opponent was illness and death.
By the time Yun Qiya returned, the poetry writing had already begun in the Wind-Sheltered Pavilion.
Several young ladies who were on good terms with the Yun family gathered around her, whispering and laughing. Clearly, they had no intention of participating in the poetry contest.
“Where did you go just now? We were just about to look for you.”
“You know I’m not good at poetry, so I went nearby to hide for a bit.” Yun Qiya didn’t hide the truth. She glanced at the women leaning over the tables writing poetry; some were elegant, others ethereal, all very pleasing to the eye.
“Don’t look too closely; they are all famous talented women of the capital.” The girl speaking was surnamed Sun, the eldest daughter of Yun Qiya’s grandmother’s nephew. she reached out and lightly tapped Yun Qiya’s forehead in jest. “I’m afraid if you look a few more times, they’ll realize you don’t have a single drop of ink in your belly.”
“Sister Sun is brilliantly talented; why don’t you give it a try?” Yun Qiya laughed, covering her forehead and grabbing Miss Sun’s finger. “Sister, your hands are so delicate; don’t let my forehead scratch them.”
“Smooth-talker.” Miss Sun pinched Yun Qiya’s supple cheek and pulled her aside, whispering, “The Empress intends to choose a Princess Consort for Prince Luo. I was betrothed a year ago, so why join the fray?”
No wonder so many people had played the drinking games earlier, but now that it was time for poetry, most were just watching from the sidelines.
An hour later, the palace servants invited them to the theatre to enjoy a play.
The opera was lively and auspicious. Performers dressed as little monkeys appeared carrying longevity peaches to wish the Empress a long life.
Yun Qiya also received a longevity peach. It was made of dough, very exquisite in appearance, but the taste was average.
Aside from the lively parts, the other acts were merely mediocre—more refined than what was found outside the palace, but less exciting and interesting.
The Emperor came to sit with the Empress for a while before leaving. Before departing, he specifically instructed Prince Luo to keep the Empress company.
The undercurrents between the nobles had nothing to do with Yun Qiya. She peeled the honey tangerines on the table, waiting for nightfall so she could fully enjoy the palace lanterns.
Darkness finally descended as Yun Qiya waited. She looked up at the blooming fireworks, her eyes fixed on the display.
The Imperial Garden was hung with all sorts of lanterns. The most spectacular was the box lantern performance; the craftsmanship was so intricate and marvelous that the master who made them must have deeply valued his connection to his nine generations of relatives.
The darkness and the lantern light amplified people’s true natures. The Imperial Garden at night was even more bustling than during the day.
When the performance ended, Yun Qiya was squeezed into the crowd and completely lost sight of Miss Sun and the others.
She wandered around, and before she could find Miss Sun, her attention was caught by a glazed lantern.
The glazed lantern was crystal clear. Yun Qiya looked up at it; such a beautiful lantern, yet it didn’t belong to her. It was truly a regret.
“This glazed lantern is a tribute from the Kingdom of Shalan.” Prince Luo walked over from the side, his hands behind his back. “The Kingdom of Shalan presented three in total. One is hung here, one is in the Empress’s palace, and the other…”
He arched an eyebrow and gave an ambiguous laugh. “The other is in the Prince of Ruining’s Mansion.”
“This servant greets Your Highness Prince Luo.” Yun Qiya curtsied.
“No need for ceremony.” Prince Luo studied her. “I mentioned the glazed lantern just now. What are your thoughts?”
“The Kingdom of Shalan might be a bit stingy,” Yun Qiya said. “Otherwise, why would they only send a few to our Great An?”
*What else could I think? It’s not like you’re going to give it to me. Your royal brothers’ private business has nothing to do with me.*
Prince Luo was momentarily choked by her words. “What do you know? This natural glass is extremely rare, and polishing it into a lantern costs a fortune. After today, this lantern will be delivered to me.”
“I see. Thank you, Your Highness, for enlightening me.” Yun Qiya continued to smile.
“Something that is only delivered to me after being put on display for others to see…” The corners of Prince Luo’s mouth turned up, but there wasn’t much warmth in his eyes. “It is merely so-so.”
Yun Qiya lowered her head, clutching the edge of her cloak.
*Me-re-ly so-so.*
“Your Highness is of noble status and possesses countless treasures. How could a single glazed lantern be worthy of your esteemed eyes?”
“Your Highness, the Empress requests your presence at the Moon-Viewing Pavilion.” A eunuch hurried over.
Prince Luo tilted his chin slightly. “I shall go at once.”
“We respectfully see off Your Highness Prince Luo.”
Prince Luo looked the curtsying girl up and down. “Beautiful, but unfortunately a bit shallow-minded.”
Leaving behind that remark, he hurried away.
“Hmph!” When there was no one around, Yun Qiya sneakily looked in all directions. Once she was sure no one was coming, she kicked a stone by the roadside. The stone fell into a nearby pond, creating a splash.
She looked back at the high-hanging glazed lantern. She hated people who were rude and loved to show off!
In the shadows, Prince Ruining looked down at his shoes, which had been splashed with water, then at the girl who seemed to be having a little tantrum.
Forget it. It was a small matter; there was no need to take offense.
After kicking the stone, Yun Qiya’s good mood was mostly restored. Spotting Miss Sun at the end of the path, she lifted her skirt and jogged over. “Sister Sun!”
Although Prince Luo was a bit annoying, the lanterns were beautiful, and her clothes and jewelry were to her liking.
Today was still a happy day.
Heehee.