In the distance, the night watchman's clappers rang out, a crisp, drawn-out "dong—dong—." It was already three quarters past three in the afternoon. Su Jinli, startled, awoke, realizing how late it was. She hurriedly stepped back, nearly dropping the candied phoenix in her hands. "I...I should go home," she said, her voice a touch panicked, like a frightened deer.

She practically ran away, her skirt sweeping past the roadside candied haws stall, making the bamboo sticks clatter. Seeing this, Lingge hurriedly chased after her, anxiously shouting, "Miss, slow down! The candied haws are melting!"

Jiang Yan stood quietly, watching the lilac figure gradually disappear around the corner, his heart filled with longing. He still held the silk handkerchief she had accidentally dropped—a half-opened lotus embroidered on the corner, its edges weaved with silver thread, delicate and elegant, a perfect reflection of her half-hearted feelings at the moment.

"Top Scholar, aren't you going to chase after her?" Old Man Zhang asked with a smile while packing up his stall.

Jiang Yan looked down at the silk handkerchief in his hand, a gentle smile on his lips: "No hurry." He carefully put the handkerchief into his sleeve, as if he was cherishing the most precious treasure, "A good girl is afraid of a clingy man, not to mention me, a 'straightforward guy'." His eyes were full of determination and confidence, as if he had already seen the beautiful picture of walking hand in hand with Su Jinli in the future.

The setting sun cast a long shadow on his face. He turned and walked in the opposite direction, his steps brisk, as if carrying the most beautiful expectations in the world. Passing by a silk shop, he deliberately went in and carefully selected a piece of moon-white brocade. He thought, for tomorrow's poetry society gathering, he must dress nicely, perhaps he would wait for a response from a little rabbit.

Su Jinli, who had fled back to the Prime Minister's residence, was now hiding in the warm room, staring blankly at the mirror. The sour plum soup Lingge had brought was already cold on the table, but she was oblivious to it, simply stroking the lake blue tiger purse, as if it contained endless secrets.

"Miss, why is your face still so red?" Ling Ge came closer curiously, a sly glint in her eyes. "Could it be that Jiang Zhuangyuan told you something in private?"

Su Jinli came back to her senses suddenly, as if someone had seen through her thoughts. She quickly stuffed the purse under the pillow, looking a little flustered: "What nonsense! It's just...it's just that he praised my sugar painting skills." Having said that, her fingertips unconsciously touched her temples, as if the warmth of his fingertips still lingered, and that warmth made her heart ripple again.

Outside the window, the pomegranate blossoms were in full bloom, a fiery brilliance that seemed to set the world ablaze. A red dragonfly gracefully perched on a branch, its wings gleaming in the twilight, like a fairy from a dream. Su Jinli suddenly remembered Jiang Yan's words about "willow" and "lotus," and couldn't help but curl her lips slightly. That smile, like a flower blooming in spring, was filled with sweetness and happiness.

Perhaps, being loved so openly and passionately from time to time wasn't such a bad thing. Her heart was filled with anticipation for the future, as if she could see the beautiful picture she had walked through with Jiang Yan.

She stood up and gently pushed open the window. The evening breeze wafted a sweet fragrance into the room—the half-sugar phoenix on the table had melted slightly, the syrup dripping onto the celadon plate, reflecting the last glimmer of sunset on the horizon, like the unwavering tenderness in someone's eyes. That gentle gaze, like the stars in the night sky, illuminated her path and warmed her heart. On this early summer evening, a seed of love had been planted in Su Jinli's heart, waiting to take root, sprout, and bloom into a gorgeous flower in the days to come.

As time passed, the day of the poetry society's gathering quickly arrived. Jiang Yan rose early and carefully donned his moon-white brocade robe. He stood before the bronze mirror, carefully adjusting his attire, his eyes revealing a hint of nervous anticipation. The brocade robe shimmered softly in the sunlight, seeming to add a touch of elegance and grace to his appearance.

Su Jinli also dressed carefully in the Prime Minister's residence. She chose a pale pink silk dress, delicately embroidered with floral patterns on the hem. As she walked, the flowers seemed to sway gently in the breeze. She inserted the long-unused red gold and kingfisher hairpin into her hair and pinned a fresh jasmine flower to her temples. The delicate fragrance of the flowers lingered around her.

The moment Su Jinli entered the poetry club, Jiang Yan's eyes were instantly drawn to her. A flicker of surprise flashed across his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously. Su Jinli felt his gaze, her cheeks flushed slightly, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.

At the poetry club's gathering, the atmosphere was lively, with everyone reciting poems and painting. Jiang Yan would often, intentionally or unintentionally, approach Su Jinli, offering her brush and ink or discussing poetry with her. Whenever Su Jinli spoke, he would listen intently, his eyes filled with admiration and love. Su Jinli, on the other hand, no longer avoided Jiang Yan's gaze as she had in the past. When she did meet his gaze, a hint of shyness and tenderness appeared in her eyes.

After the gathering, Jiang Yan summoned up the courage to invite Su Jinli for a stroll in the poetry club's garden. The garden, awash in vibrant flowers and lush green grass, felt like a secluded paradise. As they strolled along the path, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and a subtle, ambiguous atmosphere.

"Jinli, have you...thought about what I said yesterday?" Jiang Yan broke the silence, with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Su Jinli lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushed: "I... I'm actually a little at a loss. It's just that during the days I've been with you, I've also felt a different kind of warmth and security." Her voice was as soft as a mosquito, but it clearly reached Jiang Yan's ears.

Jiang Yan was delighted. He gently held Su Jinli's hand and looked at her firmly: "Jinli, believe me, I will use my whole life to protect you and never let you suffer any grievances again." His eyes were full of sincerity and determination, as if he was swearing an oath to heaven and earth.

Su Jinli raised her head and looked at Jiang Yan, tears of emotion flashing in her eyes: "I am willing to believe you." At this moment, it seemed as if time had stopped for them, and the whole world was left with only each other's figures.

From that moment on, Jiang Yan and Su Jinli's bond grew stronger. They often met in various corners of the capital, strolling along the lakeside, admiring the scenery, or listening to stories in teahouses, absorbing the myriad aspects of life. Jiang Yan would write poems and paint for Su Jinli, and Su Jinli would prepare homemade snacks for Jiang Yan. Their love, like a flower blooming in spring, grew ever more vibrant and colorful.

In terms of literary creation, Su Jinli