Chapter Ten: Like a Shadow

As winter turned to spring, the courtyard of Guanghe Palace gradually shed its former chill under Huairou's care. She was a quirky and clever person, always able to come up with novel ideas to enrich life in the palace during her lectures. On this day, she was directing the palace servants to hang various colored papers under the crabapple tree, preparing to hold a unique "Flying Flower Order" poetry gathering.

“Let’s go a little higher here,” Huairou said, standing on tiptoe and pointing to the top of the branch. “The paper needs to sway in the wind to create a poetic effect.”

When Yunji emerged from the study, this was the scene that greeted him. A young girl stood amidst a profusion of fallen petals, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting dappled patterns of light on her moon-white skirt. He paused, a slight smile unconsciously playing on his lips.

“Your Highness, come quickly to help,” Huairou turned around and saw him, her face beaming with smiles. “We’ve invited classmates from Qingshan Academy today, so we can’t lose face.”

Yunji stepped forward as instructed and took the note from her hand. The moment their fingertips touched, he felt a warmth. These days, Huairou always treated him so naturally, as if they had known each other for a long time, gradually bringing life back to the long-silent Guanghe Palace.

After the poetry gathering began, the courtyard was filled with young students. Huairou had specially prepared fresh tea and snacks, creating a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Yunji was initially a little reserved, but under Huairou's guidance, he quickly blended in with everyone. He was naturally knowledgeable and gentle, and soon he was chatting happily with several students.

“Your Highness’s insights are unique,” ​​a student exclaimed. “The phrase ‘The ultimate form of warfare is formlessness’ in Sun Tzu’s Art of War has been enlightened by Your Highness’s explanation.”

Yunji smiled modestly: "It's just something I occasionally learned while debating with Miss Huairou."

Huairou, who was brewing tea nearby, looked up upon hearing this and exchanged a smile with Yunji. These days, they often discussed scholarship in the study, talking about everything from classics and historical texts to current affairs. She always managed to offer her own insights unexpectedly, from which he benefited greatly.

Halfway through the poetry gathering, a light rain suddenly began to fall. Everyone hurriedly packed up their belongings, but Huairou laughed and said, "Isn't composing poetry in the rain even more delightful?" So they moved to the corridor and continued reciting poems. The rain drifted in slantingly, carrying the fresh scent of earth and flowers. Yunji stood by a pillar, watching Huairou and her classmates chatting and laughing, and suddenly felt that this palace, which had been so desolate for so long, finally had warmth, as if it had a mistress.

After the rain stopped, a rainbow appeared in the sky. Huairou excitedly tugged at Yunji's sleeve: "Look, a rainbow!" Yunji looked in the direction she pointed, and there, a seven-colored rainbow stretched across the sky, dazzling and beautiful. He suddenly vaguely remembered that when he was a child, he had also tugged at his mother's sleeve to look at a rainbow. At that time, his mother was much taller than him and would gently tell him the legend of the rainbow, but he couldn't remember how she looked when she turned away.

"Your Highness?" Huairou called softly when she saw him lost in thought.

Yunji snapped out of his reverie and met her concerned gaze, feeling a warmth in his heart: "It's nothing, I was just thinking about some things from the past." From that day on, a smile gradually returned to Yunji's face. His life, which had originally been one of working at sunrise and resting at sunset, was enriched by Huairou's arrival.

When they were happy, they would play the zither together, ride horses, or fly kites in the Imperial Garden; when they were unhappy, they would take walks side by side, practice swordsmanship, and plant flowers and plants in the courtyard by hand.

On a sweltering summer day, in the martial arts training ground of the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, young Yunji had just sheathed his sword when sweat dripped down his angular jawline, leaving dark stains on the bluestone slabs. He wiped his sweat, preparing to practice his archery again, when he heard a clear, laughing voice coming from the corridor below:

"Seventh Prince! Come and rest. Don't catch a heatstroke while practicing like this."

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Huairou, dressed in a light blue gauze summer dress, standing in the dense shade cast by the wisteria trellis, smiling and waving at him. On the stone table beside her was a translucent jade plate, with fine water droplets condensed on the bowl, and several brightly colored "ice fruits" floating in it, each with a slender wooden stick stuck in it.

Yunji walked over, radiating heat. Huairou naturally picked up a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, her movements gentle. The boy was already a little taller than her, but at this moment he lowered his head slightly, his ears turning slightly red, letting the faintly scented handkerchief brush against his forehead.

“Here, try this.” Huairou picked up a “ice fruit” and held it to his lips. The fruit was cut into small pieces and soaked thoroughly in ice water, its edges slightly transparent, radiating a cool sensation.

Yunji took a bite from her hand, and the cool, sweet juice burst in his mouth, mixed with a hint of fruity acidity, which perfectly dispelled the heat from his body. His eyes lit up: "What is this? It's both icy and sweet, unlike ordinary chilled fruits."

"This is called 'Huairou Special Popping Beads'!" She proudly raised her chin, her eyes crinkling. "I saw you were working hard practicing martial arts, so I thought of a way to help you cool off. I cut up seasonal fruits, lightly marinated them in sugar, then chilled them in an icebox, and stuck a wooden stick in them so they're easy to eat. Do you like it?"

"I like it," Yunji replied softly, his gaze falling on her slightly flushed cheeks from her busy work. The sweltering heat and the irritation he felt were easily soothed by the little popping boba and her smile. He took the stick, held it himself, and ate it bite by bite. The coolness seemed to travel down his throat and sweeten his heart.

A few days later, perhaps because he had caught a chill after practicing his martial arts, Yunji developed a fever. That night, lying on his couch, he felt dizzy and lightheaded, his whole body burning hot, and his consciousness becoming somewhat blurred. In his hazy state, he felt a cool, soft hand cover his forehead, bringing him a moment of comfort.

He struggled to open his eyes. In the dim candlelight, Huairou was sitting by the bed, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. She carefully wrung out a handkerchief soaked in cold water and gently placed it on his forehead. Her movements were focused and gentle, as if she were handling a rare treasure.

"Are you awake? Do you feel weak and cold all over?" Seeing him open his eyes, she immediately leaned down to ask, her tone filled with undisguised anxiety.

“It’s alright…” Yunji’s voice was hoarse. He wanted her to go back and rest and not worry about him, but he was reluctant to say it because he was still attached to her.

Huairou ignored his bravado, checked his forehead temperature, and turned to take a warm porcelain bowl from the small stove beside her. "Here, drink this ginger soup and sweat it out." Huairou knew Yunji had caught a cold, but this was the only way she could get him to sweat it out. She helped him lean against her shoulder and patiently served him the slightly spicy and sweet soup. Her breath was close to his, and strands of her hair occasionally brushed against his cheek, making his already feverish heartbeat even more erratic.

The following evening, Huairou magically produced a small copper pot, warmed by charcoal fire, with a milky white broth bubbling inside. Fresh pork ribs and crisp vegetables were skewered on bamboo sticks beside it. "You're sick and don't want to eat anything, but I had someone make a light hot pot. Dip it in my Guo family's secret sauce; it's delicious, and it'll give you energy."

She poached a skewer of translucent fish, dipped it in a little sauce, and happily handed it to Yunji. Looking at her gentle smile and feeling her meticulous care, Yunji felt a surge of warmth in his heart, almost washing away his fever. He thought, if this illness could be exchanged for her unwavering devotion, perhaps… it wasn't all bad.

After recovering from her illness, Huairou specially brought a new recipe from outside the palace. "I learned this from the cook at the Guo residence," she enthusiastically introduced to Yunji, "It includes yam and poria, which are very nourishing." Yunji looked at her earnest expression and couldn't help but tease, "You've arranged my diet and daily life so meticulously." "Of course, children are growing, they can't be picky eaters, they can't crave spicy food or cold food," Huairou raised an eyebrow, "Since I've become His Highness's study companion, I should bring him some benefits that others don't have."

In fact, these were all health preservation experiences from another world. She carefully observed Yunji's constitution and found that although he was young, he was somewhat deficient in qi and blood due to long-term emotional distress. So she quietly adjusted his diet, adding ingredients that nourish qi and blood.

Several months later, Yunji indeed felt refreshed and energetic, and even when practicing martial arts, he felt that his physical strength was better than before. Although he did not understand the reason, he knew that it was all thanks to Huairou.

Every morning, they would read and practice calligraphy in their study. Huairou would always subtly offer Yunji some pointers, and although she was a woman, she had unique insights into governing the country.

On this day, they were discussing the issue of border trade.

“Opening up border markets can certainly promote trade,” Yunji said, pointing to several passes on the map, “but we must also guard against spies infiltrating.” Huairou nodded: “Your Highness’s consideration is correct. However, in my opinion, it would be better to establish a special trading zone outside the passes and station troops there. This would allow merchants to trade freely while also preventing any potential threats.”

Yunji pondered for a moment, then his eyes showed approval: "That's a great idea."

He looked up at Huairou; sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her focused profile. In her company these past few days, not only had his studies improved, but the melancholy in his eyes had gradually faded. Huairou saw this and felt a surge of joy.

The autumn air was crisp and clear, and it was time for the royal autumn hunt. This was Yunji's first time participating in such a grand hunting event, and everyone in the Prince's Palace attached great importance to it.

The day before his departure, Huairou personally packed his belongings. She checked each piece of riding attire, everyday clothes, and warm fur coat over and over again.

In the early morning, Yunji changed into his smart riding and archery attire. Huairou circled around him, smoothing out the wrinkles in his collar and tightening the belt around his waist. She dressed him with practiced ease, without the slightest awkwardness or distance.

"Seventh Prince, you are truly a gentleman of unparalleled elegance, a peerless gentleman. You look absolutely perfect in this outfit." She took a step back, tilted her head to examine him, her eyes filled with admiration and... a hint of barely perceptible pride.

Yunji felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, his cheeks flushed slightly, and he coughed lightly: "It's just ordinary clothing."

“What’s so ordinary about it? It looks handsome on Your Highness.” Huairou gave him a reproachful look, then picked up a thicker cloak. “Take this with you too, it’s windy in the mornings and evenings. Once you’re in the hunting grounds, take care of yourself and don’t be reckless just because you’re healthy, understand?” She stood on tiptoe, trying to tie the cloak’s straps for him.

They were extremely close; Yunji could clearly see her curled eyelashes and feel her warm breath. His body stiffened slightly, his heart pounded like a drum, and he instinctively held his breath.

"I...I can do it myself." He hurriedly took the strap, his fingers accidentally touching hers, and both of them paused.

Huairou, however, seemed oblivious, simply smiling as he withdrew his hand and added, "Be careful when hunting; safety is paramount. The quantity of prey doesn't matter..."

Looking at her caring expression and listening to her gentle, nagging words, Yunji felt a mix of affection, excitement, and a touch of confusion quietly welling up inside him. She treated him so well, so well, that he often wondered what the source of this warmth truly was.

He lowered his head, concealing the complex emotions surging in his eyes, and simply murmured an "Mmm," clutching the cloak that still held the warmth of her fingertips tightly in his hand. Outside the window, the morning light was faint, illuminating the boy's budding feelings and the warm yet subtly turbulent atmosphere in the room.

Huairou's unconventional nature was only revealed to Yunji. To outsiders, she was merely a diligent page. Yunji was secretly delighted, enjoying Huairou's tenderness all to himself, and an indescribable joy welled up within him.