The soft light of dawn filtered through the delicate silk curtains of Xiaohua's room, painting the walls with hues of gold and pink. She lay awake on her bed, staring at the ornate canopy above her. Sleep had eluded her the entire night, and her thoughts churned like restless waves.
The memory of General Wang's cold touch lingered on her skin, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. She clutched the thin blanket closer, as though shielding herself from an invisible presence.
A knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Miss Xiaohua," one of her maids called softly, "your morning tea is ready."
Xiaohua inhaled deeply and sat up, her long black hair cascading down her back like a midnight waterfall. She allowed the maids to enter, their quiet movements filling the room with a semblance of normalcy. Yet, she felt anything but normal.
As the maids bustled about, Xiaohua's gaze drifted to the jade hairpin resting on her vanity. A gift from Jingwei, it reminded her of simpler moments with her brother. She resolved to distract herself by spending the day with him, hoping his youthful energy could chase away her lingering unease.
By mid-morning, she found herself in the family courtyard, her brother's cheerful voice echoing as he waved to her from the other side of the garden.
Jingwei darted toward her, his arms laden with a bundle of small wooden swords and kites. His jade-green eyes sparkled, so much like hers, though they lacked the burden of duty and fear.
"Jiejie, come and help me! The servants don't know how to make this kite fly high enough!" he exclaimed, dropping the bundle at her feet.
Xiaohua couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm. "You have so much energy this morning, Jingwei. Did you even sleep?"
"Of course! I even dreamed of flying one of these kites higher than the moon!" He tugged on her sleeve. "Come on, jiejie. You promised to play with me."
She let herself be dragged along, grateful for the distraction. They spent the better part of an hour in the courtyard, the servants standing aside as Jingwei ran circles around Xiaohua, laughing when she tried and failed to keep up with his energy.
At one point, he handed her the string to one of the kites. "You have to do it like this," he instructed, demonstrating with his small hands. "See? It's easy!"
Xiaohua followed his guidance, and the kite soared higher, a streak of bright red against the pale blue sky. For a moment, her heart felt light.
"See? You're a natural!" Jingwei clapped his hands in delight. "Next time, I'll show you how to—"
"Miss Xiaohua," a stern voice interrupted. It was one of the senior maids, bowing respectfully. "The master wishes to see you in the sitting room."
Xiaohua's smile faltered. She looked down at Jingwei, whose own excitement dimmed at the maid's words. "Do you have to go now, jiejie?" he asked softly.
She knelt and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I won't be long," she promised. "Keep practicing with the kites, and I'll join you again soon."
Jingwei nodded reluctantly, his gaze following her as she rose and followed the maid out of the courtyard.
The sitting room was empty when Xiaohua arrived, save for her father, who stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. The sunlight streaming in highlighted the streaks of gray in his hair, though his stance remained as commanding as ever.
"You called for me, Father?" she asked, bowing respectfully.
He turned, his piercing gaze assessing her. "I trust you've recovered from yesterday's meeting with General Wang," he said, his tone neutral but probing.
Xiaohua nodded, keeping her expression serene. "Yes, Father. Thank you for your concern."
He regarded her for a moment longer before speaking. "There will be an event at the governor's mansion tonight. A banquet in honor of the visiting trade delegations. I expect you to attend and represent our family with grace."
Her stomach tightened. Public events were always suffocating, but refusing her father's orders was out of the question. "Of course, Father. I will prepare myself."
"Good." He dismissed her with a wave of his hand. "You may leave."
As she walked back to her room, her mind raced. The governor's mansion was always bustling with activity during banquets, filled with merchants, nobles, and travelers from distant lands. It was both an opportunity and a danger—an opportunity to escape her cloistered world, and a danger of encountering those like General Wang again.
By evening, Xiaohua was dressed in an elegant crimson gown embroidered with gold thread, her long black hair styled into a cascading braid adorned with jade pins. A light layer of makeup enhanced her natural beauty, her green eyes shimmering like the first leaves of spring. As she glanced at her reflection in the bronze mirror, a pang of longing flickered in her chest. How she wished to be free of the weight these appearances demanded of her.
The journey to the governor's mansion felt endless. The estate's grandeur came into view as the carriage approached—a sprawling compound lit by hundreds of lanterns, their warm glow casting intricate shadows across the finely carved stone walls. The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves and the low murmur of arriving guests filled the air, but Xiaohua barely noticed. Her mind was adrift, thinking of the many faces she would have to meet, the endless expectations she would have to fulfill.
Stepping out of the carriage, Xiaohua was greeted by a flood of sights and sounds. Servants in crisp uniforms ushered guests inside, while musicians played a lively tune in the distance. The main hall was a swirl of silk robes, jeweled ornaments, and vibrant chatter. It was beautiful, opulent, and overwhelming.
She followed her parents as they navigated the room with practiced ease. Guests bowed, flattered, and exchanged pleasantries with her father, who responded with his usual stern courtesy. Her mother, ever the picture of poise, engaged the noblewomen with graceful nods and soft laughter.
Xiaohua, however, felt like a shadow. Though she returned every bow and uttered every polite greeting, her mind was elsewhere. Every now and then, she caught sight of a woman laughing freely or a child darting through the crowd, unburdened by decorum. An ache grew in her chest. She longed for that freedom, even if just for a moment.
"Excuse me," she murmured, bowing slightly to her parents. "I need some fresh air."
Her mother frowned but said nothing, and her father waved her off, already absorbed in conversation.
Xiaohua slipped through the crowd, her crimson gown trailing softly behind her. She walked past clusters of merchants, their voices rising as they debated trade routes; past young nobles whose laughter rang hollow to her ears. The further she went, the quieter the surroundings became, until she found herself in the mansion's garden.
The garden was a world apart. Soft lanterns hung from ancient trees, their light mingling with the silvery glow of the moon. A cool breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine. Xiaohua inhaled deeply, savoring the calm.
She wandered along the stone path, her fingers brushing against the blossoms that lined her way. Here, she could almost forget the suffocating expectations, the looming shadow of General Wang, and the burden of her family's name.
As she reached a small clearing, the sound of soft footsteps caught her attention. She turned sharply, her heart skipping a beat.
Beneath a cherry blossom tree stood a figure, his silhouette illuminated by the pale light. He stepped closer, and her breath hitched.
It was him.
Liu Chen.
His blue eyes seemed to hold the night sky itself, endless and full of quiet wonder. His expression was gentle, but his gaze pierced through her, as if seeing every hidden thought and feeling she carried.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The world around them seemed to fade, the distant hum of the banquet dissolving into silence.
"You're here," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of something unspoken, something profound.