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墨書 Inktalez
My father saved my life on the edge of a precipice. During my recovery, visitors came and went continuously, even my arch-rival, Li Jinxiu, made an unprecedented visit.
You won't believe what she said; she told me she was getting married in a few days and personally handed me an invitation. Before leaving, she cleared her throat and said, "I admit defeat to you, but I respect you and am willing to gamble my life. Once you recover, I’ll save you a cup of wedding wine."
Now, it's clear to everyone that the position of Consort Crown Prince will likely fall to me, but my parents don't seem as joyful as one might expect. That day, the Sovereign personally sent someone to deliver a large quantity of high-quality medicinal herbs.
While my father spoke with the officials, a little palace maid secretly slipped me a sachet. I couldn't help but smile; even the lofty Crown Prince had to be discreet.
The heavy sachet felt weighty in my hand, its significance pressing down on my heart. After everyone left, my mother and father talked for quite a while before finally coming to my room.
She indirectly asked if I truly liked the Crown Prince. I quickly denied it: "No, I'm doing this for the Qin Family."
To my surprise, she nodded with relief: "In a month will be the Crown Prince's coronation ceremony and the selection for Consort Crown Prince. Your father and I have discussed it and decided that Hua Shao will represent the Qin Family at the event."
I was a bit dazed: "Why? Haven't you always wanted me to bring glory to our family?"
My mother lowered her gaze: "The official just conveyed the Sovereign's wishes to your father. We believe that the deep palace is not suitable for you."
I knew my limitations; being Consort Crown Prince meant standing shoulder to shoulder with the Crown Prince—someone who was charming and clever. I understood it was beyond my reach, but I had tried my best.
"I'm sorry!"
"Foolish child, you're my daughter; there's no need to say sorry!" My mother embraced me gently, stroking my back. "Huazhi, you must know that you are the most beloved daughter of both your father and me. What we want is not for you to bring glory to our family but for you to be happy and healthy."
Suddenly, the sachet slipped from my hand, scattering red beans all over the floor, causing my heart to skip a beat.
"The Crown Prince does indeed wish to marry, but being from a royal family means he won't just marry someone who can share life's burdens."
Seeing that I remained silent, my mother sighed softly: "The list will only be presented tomorrow morning; there is still room for negotiation. If you want it, your father and I will do everything we can to support you."
"Mother, Huazhi knows what she wants and will not regret it."
Soon it was time for the Crown Prince's coronation ceremony. Since I had not yet fully recovered, I did not attend.
In the distance, I could see several dazzling fireworks displays in the sky, and I imagined they must be spectacular. Sitting in the courtyard, I suddenly felt like having a drink, so I sneaked out.
In the tavern, a group of people surrounded a well-dressed Noble Scion, asking about the situation in the palace. As the banquet was nearing its end, he was one of the first to come out. Everyone seized the opportunity to ask him which young lady had the greatest chance of becoming the Consort Crown Prince.
He kept them in suspense for a while before saying, “I can’t say. I don’t know if His Highness regrets that the coming-of-age ceremony only happens once; just look at his eyes—they’re exactly like that young lady’s.”
At that moment, I lost my grip on the cup in my hand, and it fell to the ground with a crisp sound. He thought I was angry and came over to apologize, “It was just a joke; I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“Drink if you want to drink; if not, then leave.”
I must have been a bit drunk, but at that moment, all I wanted was to get even more intoxicated. Why was this wine like water? It wasn’t enough to just sip; I started downing it straight from the jar.
Suddenly, someone snatched the jar from my hands. Finally drunk, I saw him and blurted out a long-hidden thought: “Take me away?”
He took my hand and helped me onto a horse. The rushing wind blew away some of my drunkenness as I gradually sobered up.
“Why not go?”
“Even if we went, it would just be running alongside. Sister Huashao will surely represent the Qin Family and dazzle everyone; His Highness has seen her!”
“Tell me why?”
“Huazhi is dull-witted and merely has an attractive appearance; everyone in Quanmingsheng City knows that. His Highness has seen this at her coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Don’t try to brush me off with that. A dull-witted person wouldn’t help someone who disgraces them. In a life-and-death situation, they wouldn’t save themselves first. Knowing they are close to that position yet decisively giving up? You’re not dull; you’re foolish beyond measure.” He looked at me intently, his eyes filled with unexpressed anger, his voice trembling.
“I’ve worked hard to arrange everything in the palace—persuading my father, my mother, Prime Minister Qin, and Madam—but it seems I forgot about you. I thought tonight I would be fortunate enough to have a wife who truly cares for me, sharing life and death together until old age. It seems I was merely indulging in wishful thinking.” He took out a jade hairpin from his pocket and slowly placed it in my hand with a bittersweet smile. “I had hoped to put this on you myself, but you didn’t come. Still, I wanted to give it to you…”
“Stop talking,” I said softly; I couldn’t bear those words. If I cried out loud, it would lead to misunderstandings. Clearly, I risked everything just so the Qin Family wouldn’t be implicated. Clearly, I was soberly aware that I didn’t want to be trapped in the palace. Clearly, what I longed for was freedom in the world outside…
“Don’t drink anymore; you’re sober now. It’s only when you’re drunk that you feel sad.”
As night deepened and the city’s clamor gradually faded away, a final purple firework burst open in the sky—everything had already been decided.
But I seem to have regretted it.
At the moment the fireworks faded, he said to me solemnly, "It's late; let me take you home. From now on, may you be joyful and healthy, live well, be free and unrestrained, carefree and unbound."
Every word he spoke felt like a knife piercing my heart. Suddenly, I felt a chill on the back of my hand—was that his tear?
That droplet felt like highly corrosive sulfuric acid, stinging my heart. I wasn't afraid of my own sadness; I was terrified of his sorrow.
I slightly raised my head to look at him and choked out, "Your Highness, please don't be sad. I can enter the Thirty-Six Palaces; I want to stay with you. I am willing."
He reached out to gently wipe away the tears from the corners of my eyes and whispered softly in my ear, "You are willing; I am not."
"Your Highness!"
"Tonight, walk with me once more up the three thousand steps. Let us begin from here, and let it also end here!"
That night, heavy snow began to fall from the sky. I bowed at each step while he paused at each step, accompanying me as we endured the snow together for all three thousand steps.
This morning we have shared the snow together; in this life, we can be considered as growing old together.
One wish is for three bows: first, for my parents' health; second, for the Qin dynasty's longevity; third, what?
The third wish is that this prosperous world may fulfill your desires, with peace in the nation and joy in every home as storytellers gather before the stage.
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