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Peach Blossoms Reflecting Human Faces
墨書 Inktalez
In the summer of the sixth year, in the backyard of the Eastern Palace.
When Yuan Qing returned to her quarters after finishing her tasks, it was already late, well past dinner time, and she could only endure hunger once again.
After fetching water and cleaning up, she was just about to rest when consort Li's personal maid, Lan Xiang, burst in without regard for whether she would disturb anyone's rest. She seized Yuan Qing by the collar and scolded loudly, "Trying to slack off? Have you forgotten how the mistress instructed you? After finishing your work, you must immediately go to the lotus pond to collect fresh dew for tomorrow's tea!"
"Yes, I will take care of it right away," Yuan Qing replied.
She lifted her head and smiled faintly at Lan Xiang before shouldering a bamboo basket, picking up a bamboo tube, and taking a lantern. With a calm expression, she stepped out.
From the day she resolutely refused to serve the prince and was demoted to a servant, she understood what she had to face.
Chopping firewood, boiling medicine, cleaning the kitchen, sweeping the courtyard... The dirtiest and most exhausting tasks, the harshest and most arduous treatment, along with the disdainful and mocking gazes of others.
But this was her choice; no matter how cruel it was, she would silently endure.
The night in the Eastern Palace was bright. The candlelight in the stone lanterns flickered brilliantly, illuminating the ground below.
Red palace lanterns hung under the eaves like twinkling stars in the night sky. Even both sides of Floating Moon Bridge were ablaze with lights; the water beneath sparkled as if it were a shimmering ribbon of galactic jade.
As Yuan Qing walked alone along the brightly lit path, a hint of weariness finally appeared on her otherwise calm face.
The bustling splendor of the inner palace had nothing to do with her. All she desired was a peach orchard in the South Suburbs of Chang'an, a small courtyard, and a thatched cottage.
As she walked along the winding stone path, she stepped onto the little boat on the lotus pond, untied the rope, and was about to slide the oar when she saw a group of people approaching with lanterns.
The figure at the front was none other than Prince Li Song.
Yuan Qing did not want him to see her, so she gently set down the oar and retreated into the cramped cabin of the boat.
In her haste, she accidentally stepped on something, slipped, and let out a startled cry as she fell into the water.
Immediately, someone on the shore shouted, "Who’s over there?!"
Fortunately, the boat was still close to the shore, and the water was not deep. Although she sank for a moment and struggled, she managed to climb back up along the embankment.
A bright flame shone unceremoniously on Yuan Qing's face. She squinted slightly and, dragging her soaked clothes, stepped forward to kneel respectfully. "This servant Yuan Qing pays her respects to His Highness the Prince."
"It’s you? What are you doing here so late?" His cold voice carried a hint of anger.
Her clothes were completely drenched, and as the wind blew, she felt a chill seep into her bones.
She gritted her teeth, trying hard to keep her voice steady. "Replying to Your Highness, this servant was sent by Consort Li to collect dew here."
"Are you cold?" His voice remained icy but finally held a trace of concern.
“ Thank You, Your Highness, I’m not cold. I just feel that the moonlight tonight is beautiful, and the fragrance of the lotus is wafting through the air. Such a lovely time is perfect for a swim, and in a moment of forgetfulness, I disturbed Your Highness. I deserve to die a thousand deaths.”
Li Song said nothing, quietly watching her petite figure gracefully prostrate on the ground. Water droplets continuously dripped from her cascading black hair and soaked clothing, splattering on the ground.
She looked so disheveled, yet her voice was infuriatingly calm.
It seemed like a long time had passed, or perhaps just a moment, before he finally spoke, “Still so stubborn.”
Yuan Qing lowered her head in silence.
Suddenly, she felt warmth enveloping her. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of the cloak draped over her shoulders, woven with golden threads and adorned with cloud patterns—belonging to the Crown Prince.
When she looked up in surprise, all she saw was his retreating figure, still handsome and upright against the backdrop of the brilliantly lit night.
It was a pity that the first time she met him was in March among the peach blossoms, when that refined and elegant young man smiled at her, causing everything around to lose its color.
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