Xiaohua froze as Liu Chen's deep blue eyes, clear as the sky, locked onto hers. The soft glow of lantern light danced across his face, making his expression unreadable, yet utterly captivating. For a moment, she forgot where she was, who she was, and the rules that bound her.
"Xiaohua," he said, his voice a gentle melody in the quiet alcove.
His familiarity startled her, and she hesitated, searching his face for an explanation. "You know my name?" she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.
He smiled, enigmatic and warm, the kind of smile that stirred both curiosity and comfort. "Of course. A flower as rare as the peony must have a name to match its beauty."
Heat rose to her cheeks at his words. She glanced at the ground, suddenly acutely aware of her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
"You remember me, don't you?" he asked, his tone laced with a teasing note, though his gaze held a deeper intensity.
She nodded slowly. "The lantern festival," she whispered.
"Exactly," he replied. "I didn't think I'd be lucky enough to see you again so soon."
The world outside their little haven seemed to fade as they fell into conversation. He spoke of simple things—the beauty of the moon, the quiet charm of the countryside—but revealed little about himself. Each word was deliberate, each pause leaving her wanting more.
"Do you often wander off like this?" he asked, a playful lilt to his voice.
"Not really," she admitted, the truth slipping out before she could stop it. "I don't have much freedom to wander."
"Then this moment is even more precious," he said, his voice lowering.
A soft breeze stirred the loose strand of hair that had fallen across her face, and before she could reach for it, his fingers brushed against her temple. He tucked it gently behind her ear, his touch light yet lingering. Their eyes met, and time seemed to pause again, the air between them heavy with unspoken emotion.
"You shouldn't…" she started, but the words faltered on her lips.
"Shouldn't what?" he asked, his tone soft but daring.
She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to the space between them. "Be so familiar with someone like me."
"And why not?" he asked, his voice calm but firm. "Perhaps I don't care for the barriers others place between us."
Her heart skipped a beat, unsure whether it was from the words he spoke or the intensity in his eyes.
Moments later, he reached into his sleeve and produced a small, intricately carved hairpin. Its design was simple yet exquisite, with tiny inlaid pearls forming the shape of a crescent moon.
"Take this," he said, holding it out to her.
She stared at it, unsure. "Why?"
"As a memory of this evening," he replied, his smile softening. "And as a promise that we'll meet again."
She hesitated, then took the hairpin, her fingers brushing against his. She quickly tucked it into her sleeve, hiding it from view but feeling its weight as if it were the most precious thing she owned.
will we meet again?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Two days from now, at dusk," he said, his tone filled with certainty. "By the old willow tree near the edge of the market square. Will you come?"
She nodded before she could think of the consequences.
"Good," he said, his smile deepening. "I'll wait for you."
A distant voice called her name, faint but growing closer. Her eyes widened in panic.
"It seems you're being missed," Liu Chen said, stepping back into the shadows. "Until next time, Xiaohua."
Before she could respond, he disappeared into the night, leaving her with only the faint scent of sandalwood and the lingering warmth of his touch.
Xiaohua returned to the celebration, carefully slipping back into the crowd unnoticed. Her absence had gone undetected, though the butterflies in her stomach lingered from her secret meeting with Liu Chen.
She wandered through the grand hall, her gaze flitting over the lavish decorations and the throng of nobles enjoying themselves. Her parents were nearby, engaged in conversation with the hosts, their faces composed with the practiced politeness of high society. She kept her distance, hoping to avoid their scrutiny.
Her mother eventually spotted her and approached, her expression as sharp as ever. "Where have you been, Xiaohua?" she asked in a low voice, though her smile remained fixed for the sake of appearances.
"I stepped out for some air," Xiaohua replied, lowering her gaze to avoid her mother's piercing eyes.
Her mother paused, studying her closely. "You seem… different tonight. Happier, almost."
"Just enjoying the evening," Xiaohua said quickly, forcing a smile. "It's been a lovely event."
Her mother's lips tightened as though she didn't believe her but chose not to press further. "Stay where I can see you," she said finally, before turning back to rejoin the gathering.
Xiaohua let out a quiet breath of relief and blended into the crowd, keeping her head low.
As the evening wore on, Xiaohua found herself increasingly on edge. General Wang was present, his towering figure unmistakable even from across the room. He hadn't approached her yet, but his occasional glances were enough to make her stomach churn. She avoided his line of sight as much as possible, positioning herself behind other guests or near large floral arrangements.
The host of the event, a well-dressed noblewoman, eventually announced the final toast of the evening, signaling the party's conclusion. Xiaohua's parents moved toward the exit, and she followed obediently, her thoughts still tangled with memories of Liu Chen's smile and the weight of the hairpin hidden in her sleeve.
As they stepped outside into the cool night air, her mother gave her another sharp look. "We'll discuss your behavior later," she said quietly before joining her father in the carriage.
Xiaohua climbed in after them, sitting silently as the horses began to trot through the dimly lit streets. Her parents spoke in hushed tones, but she paid them no mind. Her fingers brushed against the hidden hairpin, and a small smile tugged at her lips despite the day's tensions.
Later that night, back in her room, Xiaohua felt an unshakable sense of lightness. Her cheeks still held a faint blush as she recalled Liu Chen's smile and the warmth of his touch when he had tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear.
As her maids helped her prepare for bed, she couldn't stop herself from humming softly—a rare display of happiness that didn't go unnoticed.
"Lady Xiaohua, you seem to be in unusually high spirits tonight," one of the younger maids said with a smile.
"Did something delightful happen at the celebration?" another teased, her tone light and curious.
Xiaohua's cheeks deepened in color, but she waved them off with a laugh. "I'm just tired, that's all. It was a lively evening."
The maids exchanged knowing looks but said nothing more.
When they were done, Xiaohua turned to them with a kind smile. "Thank you for your help. You've all worked hard today, so you may retire early. Rest well."
The maids curtsied, their expressions warm. "Goodnight, my lady."
Once they left the room, Xiaohua moved to the window, gazing out at the moonlit garden below. Her heart was still racing from the evening's events. She reached into her sleeve and pulled out the hairpin, holding it delicately between her fingers.
Its crescent moon design shimmered softly in the dim light, a perfect representation of the mysterious man who had given it to her.
Outside her door, the maids' hushed voices drifted through the silence.
"Did you see her face tonight?" one whispered. "I've never seen her so radiant."
"She was glowing," another agreed. "Do you think it's because of General Wang?"
"Don't be ridiculous. She's always tense around him. No, this is something—or someone—else entirely," a third chimed in.
Xiaohua couldn't help but smile as their words reached her. She placed the hairpin carefully under her pillow, her mind replaying every moment with Liu Chen.
She climbed into bed, her body finally relaxing. The warmth of his words, the touch of his hand, and the memory of his gift carried her into a peaceful, dream-filled sleep.
For the first time in weeks, she felt truly happy, even if she couldn't quite explain why.