Peach blossoms and chess, innocent childhood friendship
In the early years of the Yong'an reign of the Dajing era, the Zhuque Street in the capital was a riot of color. The bluestone pavement was scorching hot under the spring sun, and the signs of taverns and teahouses on both sides fluttered in the breeze. The sounds of hawking and laughter mingled together to create a vibrant scene of everyday life.
The peach blossoms in the back garden of the Su family mansion were in full bloom, and the pink and white petals fluttered down, landing on the blue stone chessboard, glistening with morning dew.
Beside the stone table, a girl in a light pink dress picked up a white chess piece, lightly tapped the board with her fingertips, and a sly smile appeared on her lips: "Brother Qingci, you lost again."
She wore her hair in two buns, with a half-open peach blossom tucked behind her ear. Her eyebrows were curved, and her eyes were filled with the light of spring water, just like the most delicate flower bud on a branch. Su Yunqing was a famous beauty in the capital since childhood. She was not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also learned a skillful medical technique from her father. She was gentle in nature but had a strong will.
The young man in the blue robe opposite him shook his head helplessly, put down the black piece in his hand, and looked at the deadlocked formation on the chessboard. His gentle voice was filled with laughter: "Yunqing's chess skills are becoming more and more exquisite. I, your brother, am willing to admit defeat."
Shen Qingci was handsome and upright, with a composure beyond his sixteen years. He was the only son of Shen Yanzhi, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He was intelligent, well-read, and especially obsessed with classics, history, philosophy, and military strategy. He was a recognized young prodigy in the literary circles of the capital.
The Shen and Su families were old friends. Shen Yanzhi and Su Yunqing's father, Su Mingyuan, were classmates and close friends, and they were betrothed as children. They studied together at Bailu Private School and played together in the garden. Their childhood friendship was deeply ingrained in their bones.
Su Yunqing stopped smiling, gently brushed the petals off the chessboard with her fingertips, and asked seriously, "Brother Qingci, the imperial examination is next month. How are your preparations going?"
She knew that Shen Qingci harbored patriotic aspirations and longed to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations to bring benefits to the people.
Shen Qingci raised her eyes, a resolute glint in them, and said firmly, "Don't worry, I have thoroughly mastered the Four Books and Five Classics, and have also studied military strategy repeatedly. I will certainly live up to my studies and strive to achieve top honors in this spring examination."
He paused, his gaze falling on the girl's flushed cheeks, his tone so gentle it could melt water: "On the day I pass the imperial examination, I will inform my father and marry you with a grand procession, making you my only wife, Shen Qingci."
A spring breeze rustled through the peach blossoms. Su Yunqing's cheeks flushed instantly, and she quickly lowered her head, twisting the hem of her skirt with her fingertips, and softly murmured "Mmm."
Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows on her face, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Shen Qingci looked at her shy appearance, his heart softening. He reached out and plucked a petal from her hair, his fingertips inadvertently touching her hair bun. Both of them froze, and the air was filled with the faint scent of peach blossoms and the bittersweet feelings of first love.
A maid's voice called from afar: "Miss, Young Master Shen, Madam has asked you to have breakfast in the front hall!"
Su Yunqing suddenly looked up, her eyes still flushed. As she stood up, her skirt swept across the stone table, scattering a few petals. Shen Qingci also stood up, casually picking up the outer garment draped over the stone bench and handing it to her naturally: "The morning dew is heavy, put this on, be careful not to catch a cold."
Su Yunqing took the outer robe, her fingertips touching the lingering warmth of his robe, and her cheeks flushed even more. The two walked out of the peach grove side by side, their figures in green robes and pink skirts contrasting beautifully with the fluttering peach blossoms, like the most moving painting in springtime.
The road ahead is long, with the imperial examinations and the ambitions of the nation beckoning them, and their friendship has quietly grown into an unbreakable bond amidst the peach blossom rain year after year.
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