Beginning of Arc 2: Na'an, 2 Months Later
A single peach blossom petal fell and landed upon her nose.
Li Wei gave a soft blow, and the petal fell off onto the dirt road beneath. From the inside of the carriage, she placed her arms on the window edge and poked her head out. As far as she could see, the road was covered with peach trees on both sides. It would be a beautiful sight to behold for any person, but not for Li Wei.
When she bid farewell to Khan Bojing, it was peach blossoms that surrounded her. From then on, she disliked them. After all, they witnessed her tears. She wanted to burn all these trees down so there would be no more peach blossoms in sight!
"Miss, we're almost in Na'an. You should smile more," San'er spoke quietly from beside her. It's been two months since they've started their journey from Hai'an and the young miss had been bitter the whole journey.
Li Wei quickly snatched the book that was placed beside her and drew on a large smiling face on the cover. With frustration, she allowed her body to fall back onto the chair and slammed the book over her face.
San'er zipped her lips and the rest of the journey continued silently. When the carriage came to a stop in front of the Li Manor, Li Wei immediately jumped down, walked up the stairs and through the gate.
During this time of the year, the weather was nearing the end of spring. It was almost summer again. She had been gone for three years. Nothing much here at home had changed, but she felt different as she stood in front of the walkway towards the centered and opened pavilion in the garden. There was a feeling of emptiness, but also warmth that she had returned to a place she could call home. While she was away, she felt like she was able to breathe in fresh air and experienced freedom like she could never have here.
Slowly, she stepped onto the stone walkway laid on the ground. With each step she took, her fingertips grazed the plants by the side. The sound of her excited heartbeat filled Li Wei's ears as she looked forward to greeting Aunt Rin, whom she had missed deeply since her absence. It'd be great to go out for dinner while listening to music by the riverside. After the meal, they would slowly sip hot tea in the cold night, something that sounded like it could heal her soul. She would tell Aunt Rin all about her adventures in Hai'an under the dancing trees by the riverside. As the wind passed by, the blossoms above would twirl around as they fell…
When she got to the doorway of the main hall, she could see the hundreds of brocades laid out in the large room. In the center of it all, a middle aged woman dressed in luxurious robes slowly walked around and stopped in front of each one. This woman was no ordinary woman-- the way she held herself spoke one word, power.
Li Wei's smile froze, but not a second later, she smiled bigger than before. This was a smile in which she had perfected, a fake smile reserved for the fake people she would encounter. "Great Aunt, it's such a happy occasion to see you as soon as I've returned!"
San'er, who was following just a couple feet behind almost puked. When was the young miss ever so close to that venomous woman?
Song Yuyan, the first and only wife of the prime minister, gracefully looked up and glanced at the young lady who had just spoke. Her hands gently cover her lips in shock, "Oh my, isn't that Li Wei? You've finally returned?"
"Yes, I'm back now." Li Wei stopped in front of Song Yuyan and bowed to show her respect. Then, she turned sideways and studied the red silk brocade. In fact, all the brocades in the room were various shades of red, just each with a different embroidery. One glance at the golden embroidery on the red brocade and she could tell that this was for no ordinary customer. "Great Aunt, what's the special event?"
"Oh my, I've forgotten. You've been gone for the last three years." Song Yuyan had been studying Li Wei for the last couple minutes. Li Wei was indeed a beauty, but it was unfortunate she had no parents to support her to greater heights. Although Li Fahrin was a successful business woman, Li Fahrin held no position in court. There was no way an orphan like Li Wei could catch up to her very own daughter. This thought made Song Yuyan happier and she continued talking proudly, "While you were gone, there was an engagement between the second prince and my daughter. In half a year's time, they will be wed. Make sure you joing us, Li Wei. You're a part of our family after all."
"Ah, that's such happy news! Of course I will be there to congratulate younger sister!" Li Wei spoke these words, but she didn't feel the happiness.
It was really happening, the plot line of the story was going back on its course. Hua Xifeng was going to marry Li Zhilan and they would live happily. At this time, Li Wei wanted to be alone and sort the thoughts in her head. "Great Aunt, I'm a bit tired out from my travel back home. If you don't mind, I'd like to excuse myself."
"Go ahead, make sure to get plenty of rest." Song Yuyan was more than happy to end the conversation. She was in a hurry to get back to finding the best fabric to make her daughter's wedding dress.
Li Wei bowed to bid her farewell and walked out towards the door. As she walked the along the hallway to her room, another person caused her to stop.
Running across the garden and towards the main hall was Li Zhilan. "Mother!"
Song Yuyan soon appeared at the steps of the main hall and opened her arms for a hug from her daughter. "Lan'er, you naughty child. You've been gone for so long!"
Li Zhilan laughed, her eyes twinkling as she smiled. "Mother, I've done it! I found the best seamstress in the country to make my wedding dress!"
"Really? My daughter will be the most beautiful bride!" Song Yuyan was filled with happiness. As expected, her daughter didn't disappoint.
"Yes, mother. We traveled to many villages but we couldn't find the seamstress until we almost gave up. We shortly rested in Ta'lin Village on the outskirts of Hai'an and encountered the seamstress in the marketplace. It was really our fortune to meet. Mother, I can't wait to tell Xifeng of the happy news. The empress won't be able to deny our marriage now."
The mother and daughter continued talking happily as Li Wei turned away from the scene. She no longer cared to listen more. When she got to her room, she laid on her bed and stared at the ceiling for a long time in silence.
There was so much left she wasn't sure of, but there was one fact she was sure now.
Both Li Wei and Li Zhilan were in Hai'an at the same time, they returned on the same day.
Khan Bojing and Li Zhilan had met.