After Khan Bojing left, she walked back home. Even though they were separating for the time being, she didn't feel sad. Instead, she was overwhelmed with a sense of comfort. As she entered through the gate, Aunt Rin ushered her towards the pavilion in the garden. Li Wei obediently sat down and asked, "Is something the matter?"
"Li Wei, I have great news!" Li Fahrin stated eagerly, interwining their arms together. She smile happily and in excitement, rushed her words. "Darling, you've left a big impression after your performance in the palace. Everyone is talking about you right now."
"Eh... Really?" Li Wei didn't share the same excitement. She didn't want to be the talk of the city. Receiving too much attention always brought bad things to her.
"Li Wei!" Song Yuyan rushed into the garden in a hurry. When she saw Li Wei and Li Fahrin sitting in the garden, she didn't hesitate to join them. "Li Wei, I want to personally invite you to come with us to Sunset Temple."
Li Wei could only blink as she slowly took in the information. She was being invited... Her, an overlooked orphan, was personally invited to join a family gathering...
Every year in early spring, the wealthiest families in Na'an traveled together to Sunset Temple to camp and spend time together. Sunset Temple was well respected and located just a couple hours away. Other than being convenient, beautiful nature surrounded the small temple. It's been such a popular place in the last couple years that people from all over travelled there to see the amazing views, relax, and pray. Word had it that this temple was most famous for its otherwordly sunsets. When the sun lied halfway on the horizon, the world was colored in a new light.
For sure, going to such a place would be exciting, but... The catch was, she had never been invited before. Every year while the rest of the family attended with others, she stayed home alone.
Song Yuyan sensed Li Wei's hesitation and quickly added, "Lan'er will also be attending. You've been away for three years and never got the chance to spend time with us. It'll be nice if you and Lan'er get closer during our family trip."
"I..." Li Wei wasn't busy at the moment and Khan Bojing was away. Should she do as Song Yuyan suggested and used this chance to befriend Li Zhilan? Also, she really had been gone for too long. Additionally, she planned to spend more time with Aunt Rin too. She looked at Aunt Rin's hopeful eyes and finally said, "Alright."
"I knew you would agree! I'll let Lan'er know right away. She's been wanting to spend more time with you." Song Yuyan happily said goodbye and left in a high mood soon after.
Li Wei placed her hand over Aunt Rin's hand and asked, "Aunt Rin, what were you saying?"
"Nothing, darling. I was just going to say, I'm so happy to see you doing well." Aunt Rin smiled as she realized just how much Li Wei had grown over the years. In three years, Li Wei had grown into a beautiful and talented woman who could stand up for herself. "Sleep early tonight, we're leaving tomorrow morning. If you have anything you need, don't hesitate to tell me."
"En, don't worry." Li Wei leaned her head on Aunt Rin's shoulder. The two women quietly enjoyed each other's presence in the garden until the evening.
After eating dinner together, she went to her room and slept early. At sunrise, San'er came into her room carrying a dress. Li Wei's eyes could barely stay open, but she still stood up and walked over to the small vanity in the corner. While San'er combed her hair, she was half asleep.
"Li Wei, you're still sleeping?" San'er giggled as she watched Li Wei's head slowly drooped down. San'er gently shook Li Wei's shoulders, but it was hopeless. "Li Wei, wake up. We're leaving soon."
"Peach... Yummy..." In her dreams, a shiny golden peach floated in front of her lips. It smelled sweet and felt soft. She wanted that peach! Just a taste would be sufficient. Her mouth opened and prepared for a bite, but instead of sweetness, her head hit the table. Pain traveled from her forehead down to her toes.
"Li Wei, hurry and put this on. Everyone is waiting for you." San'er quickly handed her a dress and left the room to give her privacy.
Li Wei blanked three times as she stared at the dress which was made with the cloth she bought from before. The cloth with the birds in flight. It had been used to make a simple but comfortable dress suitable for the current weather. After changing, she finally looked at herself in the mirror. San'er had braided the top half of her hair and left the bottom half to hang freely. To tie the braid, San'er used a small ribbon that matched the light blue color of the dress. In her reflection, she looked pure and bright.
When she walked into the main hall, Aunt Rin was already waiting for her. San'er came to her side and together, they walked out.
"Li Wei!"
At the sound of her name, Li Wei looked up. Li Zhilan waved shyly from the window of her carriage. Li Wei gave a small smile. Seated beside Li Zhilan was Hua Xifeng. He was dressed in simple clothes to disguise his status. Li Wei didn't give any indication that she noticed his presence. After waving back to to Li Zhilan, she boarded her carriage with Aunt Rin.
They started their travel in the morning for two hours before they arrived. Li Wei found herself being awestruck by the beautiful sight in front of her eyes. Sunset Temple was situated halfway up a large mountain which looked almost golden due to the seemingly endless rows of yellow trumpet trees. A long path of stairs started led to the entrance of Sunset Temple. Next to the humble stone building, a magnificent waterfall fell and connected to a river. Birds sung happily and flew about freely. Deers grazed comfortably on the grass. In this place, no one could harm them. It was illegal to harm the animals in this area by the order of the emperor.
A blue butterfly flew past her eyes and her foot quickly followed, causing her hair and dress to fly behind her. The butterfly disappeared at the trunk of a golden trumpet tree. Li Wei's attention was then captivated by the beauty of the yellow flowers above her head. She couldn't bear it to pick a flower on the tree, it was too beautiful to touch, but she picked one that had fallen on the ground. Her fingers twirled the flower in her hand. Her heart felt lighter than air, as if it was flying among the clouds. It was a good decision to come. She placed the flower behind her ear and smiled.
San'er, who was following behind, clasped her hands together in happiness. "Li Wei, your smile is blinding me!"
Li Wei laughed at the young girl's innocence. She bent down and picked up another flower. Then, she leaned over and placed it behind San'er's ear. "San'er, you're beautiful. I want to see your smile too."
San'er gently touched the flower behind her ear with her fingertips. She had never received such a straightforward compliment before. A smile spread on her lips, happiness radiating on her face.
Li Wei hooked her arm with San'er and led them towards their camp to eat lunch. In the distance, Hua Xifeng sat on a rock in a comfortable posture. From this spot, he was leveled high off the ground and he could see far into the distance. It was not his intention to watch her, but his eyes followed Li Wei's presence naturally. When she smiled, she looked more beautiful than the flowers around her. Her beauty seemed to glow from within, captivating his attention. He couldn't looked away. It was only after she disappeared into her tent that he jumped off the rock. His foot landed effortlessly onto the ground as he walked towards the other side.
Li Zhilan wore a white dress and stood by the waterfall, her beauty like that of a fairy. Her lips curved up into a smile as she saw him. Hua Xifeng opened his arms and she ran towards him. He twirled her around, her laughter echoing in his ears. Her body, her warmth wrapped around him with comfort. He pulled out the flower crown he made.
Her eyes shone brightly like daylight stars, her cheeks slightly flushed as she realized what he was doing. "Xifeng, is this for me?"
"Of course." He placed the flower crown on her head. This was his beloved, the woman he would spend his life with. "Lan'er, you're my empress."