ZI YIN AND FU TAI walked hand in hand, giggling as they ran through the palace gardens. The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom, their pink petals falling like snowflakes. The air was perfumed with the sweet fragrance of the flowers, and the distant sound of a flowing stream could be heard. The sun was shining, casting a warm glow on the two children as they explored the winding paths and hidden alcoves of the garden. The colorful koi fish in the pond darted back and forth, occasionally jumping out of the water to catch a fly. Behind them, a few eunuchs followed, keeping a watchful eye on the children.
"Zi-gongzi, please don't run," Fu Tai tittered, but he too was running.
"Why not? There's nobody around." Zi Yin took off further into the garden with Fu Tai following closely behind them. "Let's play immortal heroes! I'll be the great Zi Yijun!"
