At the same time, in the Emperor's study, the Emperor tossed his imperial brush aside. Ignoring the proposals on his desk, he rose to his feet and lifted the end of his robes from the seat. He then said to Li Jin, the eunuch on the side, "Help Us change clothes."
Afterwards, the Emperor left the building. Li Jin noticed his impassive expression and knew that the Emperor was upset because of the marriage proposal. He didn't dare to dwell on it any longer and lowered his head while quietly following the Emperor.
Even though the winter was about to end, the ground in the palace was still somewhat covered with white snow, rare sight for outsiders. But the Emperor grew up in this palace. There was nothing new to him.
After passing through the imperial garden, they came across a pear garden.
"This is the largest pear garden in the imperial palace. Currently the pears are not bloomed. I heard that when pear blossoms bloom, with a single breeze it looks as if it was snowing with all those pears blossoms on the ground."
Overhearing the woman in the pear garden, Li Jin wanted to order them to retreat, but was stopped by the Emperor. By the looks of it, it seems that the Emperor wants to snoop.
The reason why the Emperor did not want Li Jin to have the woman to retreat was because no imperial harem member was fond of pear blossoms, for the word 'pear' sounded similar to the word 'leave'. Due to the superstition, no one would come here even if the Emperor himself was present. It was due to this that the Emperor came here to spend some time peacefully without any disturbance from imperial consorts.
"People dislike pear blossoms because they signify separation. I'm not an exception. But when the person you adore lives in your heart, what can separate you from him?"
"Your Highness....." The maid servant by her side felt that her madam's words were a little pitiful. "However, if the person you adore has hundreds of women serving him and doesn't even notice you, what is the point in waiting for him? Isn't it better to let go?"
The girl didn't reply, but just smiled. Her smile, however, was full of sadness.
"If only it was that easy....."
The maid spoke again with anger, "If you don't even try, then how will you know if it is easy or not?"
"You are not me. How do you know if I have tried or not?" The girl lowered her eyelids and a few tear drops slid down her beautiful face as she said, "Shiyi, there are some people who can stay in your heart but not in your life."
The maid who was called Shiyi stood there not knowing how to console her madam.
Seeing her expression, the girl patted her head and wiped her tears. "It's merely infatuation. The act of placing another in one's heart. If he leaves, I'll feel miserable. If he stays, I'll feel joy. Unfortunately, when he is about to leave, I will feel as if knives have pierced my heart if I beg him to stay. So, isn't it better not to see or hear it happen? Memories are enough."
In the imperial harem, there were two types of women. One type lived their lives for the sake of status and benefit. The other type lived for love. The latter was pitiful and miserable. The former was pitiful and hateful.
Back at the entrance of the pear garden, Li Jin and all the servants behind him knelt on the ground. They all were waiting for the Emperor to scold the woman and didn't even dare to raise their heads. Yet, instead of scolding, they heard the Emperor ask, "Who is that?"
Li Jin carefully raised his head a bit. Seeing that the Emperor was not angry, he slowly replied, "Your Majesty, she is Noble Lady Hai, the eldest daughter and daughter to the first wife of Duke Anyuan, Jiang Yunyao."
The Emperor muttered under his breath, "Jiang Yunyao, what a nice name."
Noticing the woman in the pear garden coming his way, the Emperor retreated quietly with his servants.
After leaving the pear garden, Jiang Yunyao turned her head caught a glimpse of golden robes beyond the flowers. She looked over her shoulder to gaze at the pear garden once again. Suddenly , she sneered. Which fool said that pear blossoms signified departure? All those women in the harem know that the Emperor visits the pear garden once in a while, yet, no one come here to seduce the Emperor. What a bunch of fools they are!
"Your Highness, let's not dawdle." said the maid, who misunderstood that Jiang Yunyao was having difficulties accepting her fate. The maid entered the imperial palace two months ago, owing to her brother who is the highest ranking and the head eunuch of the imperial household department. After entering the palace, she was sent to serve Jiang Yunyao, the newly conferred Noble Lady Hai, who was also her first madam.
It's been nearly three months since Jiang Yunyao became an imperial consort. Till now, she didn't even get a chance to see the Emperor. But, for unknown reason, she seemed to be in love with the Emperor. From the past few days, she daily visited the pear garden and silently watching the pear blossom trees which were fully covered in snow. The maid was afraid that her master will go crazy and is trying her best to take her away from this place.
Jiang Yunyao lowered her gaze, using her maid's hand as support while walking carefully on the ground covered with snow, she said, "Shiyi, today's words were just my wishful thinking. If you forget this, I'll also pretend that this was just a dream."
"I understand, Your Highness."