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墨書 Inktalez
Recently, I found myself constantly recalling the words spoken by the High Priestess in that cave. She took my hand and said, "The patterns in our palms vary in depth; some people and events are destined to appear where these patterns extend. And we are also destined to fulfill them. To do those things, to recognize those people. This is our fated destiny."
I wasn't sure if I should believe in this so-called destiny. I had always been a skeptic, yet my very presence here was already a miracle. I couldn't help but believe.
I looked at the distinct lines on my palm, unsure of where my path would lead.
The sun shone brightly, illuminating the clear blue sky. The clouds were faint, and the orange-yellow sunlight warmed my face and eyes as a flock of geese flew by outside, forming a straight line.
The surroundings were eerily quiet. Ever since Sima Rui had asked me to leave the Cold Frost Palace, those Consorts who had homes were sent back, while those without were placed in special accommodations with dedicated attendants. Now, Suda and Huan Wen were on the battlefield, their fates unknown, and Xiao Quanzi had been temporarily sent back to Jun Jin. Only Yun Ying remained in the palace, but she was with Consort Wang. The vast palace was silent, with long drapes fluttering gently; only the sound of wind flowing within broke the stillness. It felt as if everything in the world had paused for a moment as I stood alone in the empty hall, feeling somewhat dazed.
I wandered to a small corner of the courtyard, where tall trees reached for the sky under soft sunlight. The leaves cast a gentle green hue, like a burst of verdant breeze, fresh and invigorating.
I closed my eyes, basking in the warm sunlight and savoring this moment of tranquility.
Suddenly, I smiled lightly. Was this the calm before the storm? I seemed to sense an ominous hint of conspiracy lurking nearby.
Living alone in the palace day after day, I began to walk barefoot, recalling memories from long ago—memories that felt like they belonged to a past life—walking on the smooth floors of an apartment in modern times. My feet echoed with loneliness in the vast hall. I imagined holding his hand; his palm's warmth was like spring sunshine, nurturing flowers throughout the city. Love could quietly take root in my heart. His fingers should be long and well-defined, tracing love's patterns into my palm. I envisioned such a man, yet I couldn't see his face clearly; it was obscured by a misty haze that blurred my vision—was it really him?
Sima Rui was preoccupied with matters concerning the rebels; news rarely reached the inner palace accurately. The rules of the palace forbade women from discussing politics; otherwise, they would be deemed gossips. So while everyone else lived in fear within these walls, I maintained a leisurely routine: exercising around the garden and lakeside each morning, preparing meals to satisfy my hunger, painting during breaks, sketching designs for clothes, and occasionally stepping outside to soak up some sun.
Throughout it all, I never spoke up. I didn't want to cause him trouble or draw attention to myself—didn't want others to regard me with curious gazes as if I were some kind of monster. Nor did I want him to feel inadequate compared to a woman. He had his own pride and dignity; I didn't want to strip that away or hurt him.
To my surprise, amidst this atmosphere of anxiety and unease, someone came knocking at my door as a guest.
It was none other than Consort Huan, whom Sima Rui had always regarded with a special attitude. She was the aunt of Huan Wen, that unassuming and aloof woman.
I brewed her some Chrysanthemum Tea, and after settling down, she suddenly got straight to the point: "You care about him, don't you?"
I was taken aback. "Why do you ask that?"
She remained silent, simply gazing at me intently. "He cares about you. In fact, you are one of the special ones."
"One of the special ones?" I replied lightly. "Are you also one of them?"
She smiled, her laughter as gentle as a drifting Dandelion. "I know everyone has their doubts or curiosity about my relationship with him. Those women think I am neglected, but it seems you've noticed something unusual."
I kept my expression neutral.
She took a sip of tea and remarked, "Good tea, refreshing and subtly fragrant. Just like you. Special, unique, intelligent, kind, and composed."
I glanced at her. "When it comes to being unassuming, no one in this palace can compare to Consort Huan."
"Haha," she chuckled softly, though her smile was tinged with bitterness and helplessness. "If one's heart is not in this palace, how could one become entangled? In this harem, I am merely an outsider."
I looked at her with some confusion.
"It's been a long time since then," she said lightly. After a pause, I caught a whiff of the pleasant Buddha Fragrance emanating from her—a soothing scent that seemed to possess a calming power. For some reason, I always felt like I was listening to someone else's story while never truly understanding my own.
"I grew up with the Emperor. We were childhood friends, innocent and carefree. Naturally, we couldn't understand that there would be so many emotional entanglements in the future; we simply enjoyed each other's company. We spent our days growing up together, and I regarded him as an older brother while he cherished me as a younger sister. However, there was never any romantic feeling between us. Our personalities and views were quite similar, making us more like soulmates. Yet, my parents always hoped I would marry him, especially after he ascended to the throne, but we both treated it as a joke. How could soulmates possibly marry?
Then, not long after, he came out of the palace to find me, bringing along a person—a handsome and refined young man, as clean and pure as moonlight. He was a poor scholar but filled with talent, and I fell in love with him, just as he fell in love with me. However, my parents refused to agree to our union, and I felt too embarrassed to ask the Emperor to arrange our marriage. He believed that a man should focus on achieving great things in life, leaving personal feelings aside." She suddenly sighed deeply.
I quietly watched her, waiting for her to continue.
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