--Hai'an, three years later--
Finally, it was a day she had free time to eat out at her favorite restaurant.
Li Wei stared at the bun in her hands and held it to the sky. Inspecting the bun in her hands, she couldn't help but happily laughed, her smile beautifully complimented her small face and large eyes. This morning, she was dressed in a Hai'an styled outfit. She had on a long, light blue dress that was formed fitted at the top and flowy from the waist to her feet. The fabric was soft and thin, perfect for the hot weather.
There were long sleeves on the dress that fanned out when she raised her arms. High collars rested snugly against her skin. Small pink flowers were embroidered at all the hems, belt, and back of the dress. On her waist hung a money pouch and perfume sachet.
She also had on a matching light blue hat that had white beads falling down both sides of her face and around her head. Her hair was braided at the back and stopped just below her waist. On her neck, she wore a beautiful large silver necklace that had details dangling from the center.
For the Hai'an people, wearing traditional silver necklaces was a large part of their culture. Just from the silver necklace alone, it identified a person of being Hai'an. The silver necklace was a symbol of a sense of belonging, pride, and connection.
Since it was still early, there were not many customers in the restaurant. Li Wei had asked for a private room, so there were screens separating her from other rooms. From the second floor where she sat by the window, she could see children running on the narrow stone path beneath.
Most buildings had multiple levels and often either touched or were placed closely. People of Hai'an were a collective group, so many of them enjoyed living close to their families and friends. They held great respects for nature so plants, flowers, and animals could be seen throughout the city.
It's been three years since they arrived in Hai'an. Soon after they arrived, Hui bought a house near the outskirts of Hai'an City. Li Wei wanted to stay under radar and away from attention as much as possible.
Sadly, in these past years, she didn't encounter Khan Bojing. It was almost impossible to meet with him. Soldiers heavily guarded the palace walls and gates at all times. She even tried to get a glimpse of him during the traditional festivals. Every year, there were two festivals in which the royal family rode carriages throughout the city in greetings to its people. Once in the middle of summer and once again at the end of autumn.
Each time, for the past two years, she woke up early and stood hours on the streets awaiting the royal carriages. Her attempts all failed and she couldn't even catch the shadow of Khan Bojing. While other families of the royal members looked out the window and waved in greeting, Khan Bojing always hid behind his carriage's curtains.
Li Wei wanted to curse at the Hai'an prince each time. Why was he suddenly acting so shy?
When they first arrived, Li Wei wanted to meet Khan Bojing so badly that she tried to sneak into the palace with Hui's help. Of course, it didn't work and she almost got caught. As a commoner, it was difficult to meet Khan Bojing, especially since he didn't know her.
As time passed, she slowly stopped thinking of different ideas to meet him. Every now and then, she'd ask for rumors and gossips on him. She kept herself updated on news of his wellbeing, but she mainly focused on Aunt Rin's business.
On days that she missed him, she busied herself with embroidery. Li Wei wasn't a woman with many talents, but she had learned many skills in hopes to attract Hua Xifeng in her previous life. Surprisingly, she quickly became very good at embroidery and now did it out of habit and as a hobby. If embroidering didn't distract her enough, then she'd go for walks around the city. The alleyways were perfect for spending time alone.
In the back of the house which Hui bought, there was a small flower garden she planted. She could often be found there, sitting on the swing or laying on the grass and staring at the flowers in full bloom.
Only on rare days of rain in sunny weather would Li Wei allow herself to miss him. Those days were rarely came by, thus she didn't have many excuses to fill his image in her heart. Today was not such a day, so she pushed thoughts of him away.
Li Wei sighed in delight as she took a bite of the soft bun. Though, before she could chew, a conversation between two women in the room next to hers caught her ears. She was almost annoyed that a conversation interrupted her breakfast.
"Did you hear? Next month on the fifteenth, there will be a banquet to announce the new heir."
"What? Don't spread such nonsense."
"Shhh, lower your voice."
"Sister, it's so early. There's no one here but us, I already asked the count in front."
"Oh, that's a relief. Let me tell you, I promise I'm not making things up. There's definitely going to be another heir announced next month."
"How is that possible? There's only one prince and that's the first and crown prince, Khan Bojing."
"That's not true. There are rumors of a second prince all over the streets. An illegitimate child between the emperor and a commoner."
The bun in her hand no longer seemed delicious as she forced herself to chew and swallow the bite she had already taken in her mouth. The sweet red beans in the center tasted stale and bland.
Li Wei waited long until the two women left before she came out of the restaurant. Outside, Hui stood waiting for her at the door. As she followed him back home, her thoughts were clouded with worry.
In just one month, she would turn nineteen. It was a popular age in which most women would either get engaged or married. She was neither engaged nor married, but nineteen was a special and life changing year in her life. Nineteen was the year in which she met Khan Bojing.
A second prince? An illegitimate child? Li Wei had never heard such news before.
When Li Wei originally met Khan Bojing, it was that very same year as now. Towards the beginning of autumn, at the royal tea banquet, her eyes met his tall figure under the falling leaves of the gingko tree.
He stood proud and happy, trailing behind Li Zhilan. Back then, he wasn't known as Hai'an's prince. No, he was in disguised as a stable boy, Li Zhilan's close friend, and confidant by the name of Tai.
In a couple months' time, they'd meet. Li Wei couldn't let that happen. She must find Khan Bojing first. At the very least, she wanted to be the first one to meet him in this lifetime.