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墨書 Inktalez
Yuan Qing stood at the door, her gaze slowly sweeping over the surroundings, revealing a faint smile.
The courtyard was filled with lush Cui Zhu, its dense foliage completely blocking the view from outside.
Beyond the Cui Zhu lay the shimmering lake, where several guards stood watch. Without the prince's orders, no one was allowed to set foot on the island.
She was thoroughly isolated from the outside world.
Li Song did not visit often, for she had once told him that favor could be a danger, and she simply wished to live a peaceful life.
He had nodded in agreement, saying, "As long as you are willing to stay by my side, I will grant you anything you desire."
The early spring breeze still carried a hint of chill, causing her clothing to flutter gently.
A palace maid held a feathered cloak and whispered beside Yuan Qing, "My lady, are you thinking of His Highness? Actually, His Highness has said that if you feel bored, you can come ashore to find him in his study or even go out to stroll around the streets."
Yuan Qing glanced at her and smiled gently. "That's fine; I have no intention of leaving this little island in the middle of the lake for my entire life."
The little palace maid wanted to say something more but noticed several people approaching Li Song and quickly said, "My lady, His Highness is here."
Two little eunuchs carried a heavy basin that looked quite cumbersome.
Before he even reached her, she caught a whiff of a refreshing fragrance that was soothing to the senses.
Li Song's usually stern expression was softened by a smile, making him appear more approachable and friendly.
He strode up the steps with confidence and said cheerfully, "Why are you standing in the wind? Be careful not to catch a chill."
"Yes," Yuan Qing replied, slightly bowing as she followed him inside.
"I know you don't like incense, so I specially chose this sandalwood carving to bring to you. How does it smell?"
"What the prince sends is naturally the best," Yuan Qing said, her expression wooden as she quietly sat in front of the bronze mirror and began to slowly comb her hair.
Through the reflection in the bronze mirror, Li Song's shadow appeared behind Yuan Qing.
He slowly approached her, crouched down, and wrapped his arms around her.
...
He instructed the Little Eunuch to set down the items and lifted the bright red quilt, revealing the vibrant red wedding attire and the red dragon and phoenix candles.
Cui Hu had once fantasized about this day, but now, seeing the room filled with red, he found it particularly blinding.
Looking at the composed bride sitting aside, Cui Hu felt a sharp pain in his heart.
The bride in her splendid attire looked beautiful; her beauty was different from Yuan Qing's ethereal elegance. It was a kind of charming simplicity that elders favored—an ideal image of a virtuous wife and good mother.
He picked up the wine glass and drank deeply, yet his heart felt heavier with sorrow.
On that day, the Crown Prince had said to him, "Do you wish for her to live or to die? If you take her away, she will only meet a dead end; if you follow my arrangements, your future will be smooth, and your career will flourish."
He truly loved her, but if it meant paying with her life, he would rather bear the guilt of betrayal to ensure her peace and safety.
In the third month of the seventh year of Zhenyuan, a rare sunny day graced the land. Cui Hu left the city alone, walking southward until he stopped in a secluded valley.
There stood the Peach Blossom, a small courtyard with a Thatched Cottage, but the gate was locked tight, thick dust accumulated over time—no one had lived there for ages.
The last time he saw her was on the day of his wedding, just a fleeting glance from across the street.
Since then, he had been unable to find any news of her.
Cui Hu reached out and gently touched the rusty iron lock, reminiscing about their encounters. With a heavy heart, he took up his brush and wrote four lines of poetry:
"Last year on this day within this gate,
Human face and peach blossoms blushed in fate.
Where has that face gone? I do not know,
Yet peach blossoms still smile in spring's warm glow."
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