At that time, I felt his sudden outburst of temper was bewildering. Perhaps he felt I was an eyesore again?
After all, he always teased me, saying that I drifted in front of him day after day, making him dizzy just looking at me.
So I didn't seek him out. Instead, I quietly tidied up the clothes he had stained and creased in my room.
As I gazed at the azure blue everyday robe, for some reason, the feeling of heartache from before surged even stronger. I couldn't help but feel a stinging sensation in my nose.
Tomorrow,
If Jiang Muye takes a fancy to some young lady and chooses an auspicious date to leave the palace to start his own household, perhaps I will never see him again in this lifetime.
After Mother and Father passed away, he became the person I interacted with the most each day.
Although he was the master and I the servant, in my heart, I had already regarded him as the most important person long ago.
That night, I waited for Jiang Muye in my room all night, but he never returned.
The following day, when the official's daughter entered the palace, he still did not show up.
It was only after the Emperor personally came to Zhu Yin Hall to question him that the matter became serious, and he finally showed up late.
On that day, I did not follow them when he met the official's daughter, but I later heard that he and the Holy Maiden of the Chi Tribe hit it off very well. The Emperor immediately decided on their marriage.
After that, the Holy Maiden took the opportunity to stay in the palace, and she could cultivate their relationship with Jiang Muye before the wedding.
During that time, Jiang Muye seldom returned to Zhu Yin Hall.
In addition to his official duties, the leisure time he used to spend with me was now entirely devoted to accompanying the Holy Maiden of the Chi Tribe.
I happened to see them once in the Azure Garden of Heavenly Water.
From a distance, I saw their backs side by side, chatting and laughing as they strolled amidst the falling flower petals, a perfect match.
I stood still, not daring to approach and disturb them. My gaze followed Jiang Muye intently,
Until his figure disappeared along with the setting sun, it felt like a part of my heart was missing, taken away by his lingering presence.
It was then that I realized, after being comfortably by his side for so long, I had never imagined that our vastly different statuses would eventually lead to our separation.
As that day gradually approached, I understood that without him, I would likely become a drifting speck once again.
On the eve of Jiang Muye's wedding, he unexpectedly returned to Zhu Yin Hall.
Seeing his joyful expression, likely immersed in the happiness of his impending marriage, I concealed my little thoughts and smiled as I joked with him:
"Tomorrow you'll be married. Have you come back to take one last look at this place?"
My remark was presumptuous, drawing the attention of the palace maids.
But in private, I had always spoken to him in this manner.
Since today would be our last meeting, what was the point of observing so many rules?
I was a little reckless, perhaps then he would not forget me so easily.
As for him?
He did not respond to my teasing. Instead, in front of everyone's eyes, he grabbed my wrist and forcefully pulled me out of the hall, without telling me where we were going.
He gripped my wrist tightly, not causing me pain but not allowing me to easily break free either.
I could only follow him.
We walked a long way until we entered an abandoned house that had been forsaken long ago. Only then did he release me.
That house had suffered a fire before, though no one was hurt. But since it seemed ominous, it was left unused.
I noticed there was not a single piece of furniture inside, only a dark oilcloth in the center, covering something underneath.
Before I could voice my confusion, he asked me first:
"Xiang Yun said you cried all night yesterday. Is it because you can't bear to part with me?"
How could I have expected him to ask such a shameless question?
Caught off guard, I blushed uncontrollably and stuttered in denial:
"I had a stomachache. What does it have to do with you?"
But he gazed at me with tender eyes and gently said:
"Then it is I who cannot bear to part with you."
With that, he bent down and lifted the mysterious oilcloth.
To my surprise, beneath the cloth were dozens of pots of lush, blooming sunflowers.
They held their heads high, all stretching towards one direction, vibrant and full of life.
I was stunned by this scene, my heart pounding.
Sunflowers were the flowers Father and Mother used to express their love, and also the origin of my given name, Yang.
As a child, I had seen Father bring this flower back from abroad. But since the red soil of Zhu Yin was not conducive to growing them, I rarely saw them afterwards.
Perhaps it was because of their rarity that I became so fond of them.
In the past, during our idle chats at night, Jiang Muye had asked me what kind of flowers I liked, and I immediately answered with these.
I asked him in astonishment, "This is..."
Without looking at me, he bent down and carefully arranged the flower branches, casually explaining:
"I've been busy with these during the time I haven't been back at Zhu Yin Hall."
Even someone as dull as me could understand his intentions from his actions and words.
At that moment, my heart felt like it was going to leap out of my throat.
I couldn't utter a single word, my legs felt like they were filled with lead, standing as still as a wooden post.
It wasn't until he turned to look at me that I hurriedly averted my gaze to avoid eye contact, feigning ignorance as I said awkwardly:
"Thank you, my lord. On the eve of your marriage, you still thought to give me a parting gift. But I have been rude and didn't prepare anything to give you in return."
"What marriage? I'm just a pitiful person who has been abandoned," he first shook his head with a bitter sigh, then laughed. "I told the girl from the Chi Tribe that if they ever attack Zhu Yin while I'm the crown prince, I would have no chance of survival. She is my wife, she must die with me. She became afraid and fled back to the Chi Tribe overnight, calling off the wedding."
Upon hearing this, I was first shocked, then realized it was just his trick to tease the girl.
If the Emperor found out about this, he would surely punish Jiang Muye severely!
I hurriedly advised him: "My lord, you are no longer young. How can you still act so recklessly according to your whims?"
But he stepped closer and closer until he had me backed against the wall. Then he suddenly embraced my waist and pulled me into his arms without warning.
We were so close that I could even hear his frantic heartbeat, matching my own.
Seeing him lower his head and gradually lean towards my ear, he asked softly:
"There is someone on my mind, to the point that I have neglected this marriage. In your opinion, should the one I have in mind be responsible for this situation?"
"Whoever you have in mind, let them be responsible. Why are you telling me this?" I said flustered, pushing against his chest. But the moment my palms landed on his chest, I lost my strength.
He held me even tighter. As our breaths intertwined, I could no longer avoid his gaze.
In that moment, I saw an unwavering determination in his eyes.
He told me:
"Yang, when you come of age, I will ask the Emperor for permission to take you as my consort."
With that, he placed a light kiss on the tip of my nose, then added emphatically:
"My one and only. Forever and always."
