In the night breeze, the lush orchids under the mimosa tree swayed in the wind, their leaves gleaming with a gentle, glossy sheen, full of vitality.
Its shape seems to indicate that it will thrive here in the future.
Orchids symbolize unwavering loyalty.
When the palace maid handed the orchid to Xie Zhi, she repeatedly warned him, "This orchid was carefully selected by His Majesty. Your Highness, please be careful not to lose it."
Tonight, if Your Highness finds a woman who catches your eye, then give this pot of orchids to her to hold.
Once the person has been chosen, the Emperor will bestow a marriage upon Prince Yu…
The palace maid chattered on and on, saying a great deal.
Xie Zhi looked at the potted orchid and chuckled with a complicated expression: "Heh..."
A woman who catches your eye?
A marriage arranged by imperial decree?
Xie Zhi gazed at the tall, lush mimosa tree and murmured, "Having seen the ocean, other waters seem insignificant..."
"Xie Zhi," Yuan Yao called his name.
"I'm here." Xie Zhi looked up with a smile on his face.
Yuan Yao gently raised the mimosa flower she was holding in her arms and said to him, "It's getting late, let's go back first?"
"Mm." Xie Zhi nodded with a smile.
Yuan Yao smiled brightly at him and looked down at the mimosa flower in her arms.
The mimosa flowers are so beautiful at this time of year!
She's been holding it for so long, she needs to take it back and keep it properly in a vase.
Otherwise, it will definitely wilted very quickly.
She smiled brightly, took light steps, turned around and walked back the way she came, her robes swaying, in a very good mood.
Behind him, Xie Zhi's eyes, filled with suppressed bitterness, reflected a dim flame.
In the firelight, the mimosa flowers were illuminated, as were the bright-eyed girl in white...
He gave a wry smile.
Tonight, only the wind and the night know his secrets—
His orchid, cherished by the young girl in his heart, has already been held...
The mimosa flower not only symbolizes reconciliation, but also represents unwavering love...
Driven by selfish motives, he did what he had struggled with all day.
He thought, "So this is what it's like to be selfish just once—it's both painful and sweet."
Xie Zhi deliberately slowed down his pace.
After passing through the dimly lit area, more and more tourists appeared.
The renowned and exceptionally noble Prince Yu was seen going in and out with a man, which was quite eye-catching.
Many people couldn't help but look at the two of them.
More often, however, people are looking at the "man" he follows.
The Eight Trigrams are human nature.
Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, someone finally couldn't help but whisper and murmur excitedly to their companion—
"Just now, I went to the restroom, and guess what I saw?!"
"What did you see?"
"I saw His Highness Prince Yu hand the orchid for selecting concubines to that man in white!"
"Really?!"
"Of course it's true! And that's not all!"
"Quick! Tell us more!"
"I saw His Highness Prince Yu pluck a mimosa flower for that man in white, and gaze at him with deep affection!"
"Good heavens! No wonder His Highness Prince Yu is still unmarried! There have been rumors that His Highness Prince Yu is unwilling to marry because he is in love with Princess Yuan Yao."
However, the princess has been married for over a year, and His Highness Prince Yu still refuses to marry...
So, His Highness Prince Yu prefers men!
"The upright and honorable Prince Yu is actually a homosexual! This is too shocking!"
"..."
As the night deepened, the discussion grew increasingly heated.
After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two finally returned to Yun Chan and the others' sight.
Upon seeing Yuan Yao, Yun Chan moved closer to her with light steps and asked gently, "You've been gone for so long, are you thirsty?"
Yuan Yao blinked: "A little bit."
So, in front of everyone, Yun Chan took out a palm-sized, exquisitely crafted jade pot, removed the stopper, and handed it to Yuan Yao: "Drink."
Yuan Yao happily took the water jug, took a big gulp, and then returned the jade jug to Yun Chan.
There were still water stains on her lips.
Yun Chan smiled, raised her hand, and gently wiped away the water stains with her fingertips.
"Tsk..."
Jiang Chengyan couldn't stand it anymore and said disdainfully, "You two, you never forget to be lovey-dovey no matter where you go! It's an eyesore to watch."
Yuan Xiaoyao, don't you have hands?
"You drank water, can't you wipe yourself off?"
His three-month-old daughter knew to wave her little hands and wipe her mouth herself after drinking milk...
Yuan Yao blinked: "Cheng Yan, don't you and Sister-in-law Zhiheng ever have intimate moments?"
Isn't it normal and natural for couples to hold hands and wipe each other's mouths?
Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengyan blushed immediately: "I am the emperor of a country, how can I spend all my time indulging in intimate moments with women?"
Does that mean there isn't one?
Yuan Yao clicked his tongue in amazement and earnestly said, "Cheng Yan, this won't do!"
In court, you are the emperor, no doubt, but when you go to Sister-in-law Zhiheng's place, you are her husband.
As her husband, you should be gentler, closer, and more considerate towards her!
Jiang Chengyan blushed even more at her words and replied hastily, "We'll see!"
Huh...
Yuan Yao stared at him with a suspicious look.
Jiang Chengyan waved his sleeve: "Don't look at me like that!"
His tone was somewhat embarrassed and angry.
"Ahem..." Lin Xuan reminded him from the side, "Your Majesty, please be mindful of your manners."
There are people watching all around.
Jiang Chengyan then adjusted his posture, his face stern, and resumed his usual aloof and composed imperial demeanor.
Yuan Yao watched in amazement.
Jiang Chengyan, with a stern face, looked at Yuan Yao, then at Xie Zhi, and asked, "You..."
"Yuan Xiaoyao and I have made up," Xie Zhi replied with a smile.
Make up?
Jiang Chengyan was surprised, but remained outwardly calm.
Beside her, Yun Chan raised her eyes and gave Xie Zhi a deep look.
Lin Xuan looked at Xie Zhi with a complicated expression, his brows gradually furrowing.
"Why are you all staring at me?" Xie Zhi suddenly smiled. "Does it look like I have a flower growing on my face?"
"No." Jiang Chengyan pursed his lips and replied, "My second brother looked exceptionally handsome and dashing tonight, attracting a lot of attention."
I haven't seen you like this in a long time, so I couldn't help but look at you a few more times.
Xie Zhicanran: "When I was in the army, I was often too busy to pay attention to my appearance and rarely participated in activities in the capital. Therefore, I tidied myself up a bit tonight."
He kept his eyes straight ahead as he spoke.
Jiang Chengyan sighed inwardly.
What happened to making up?
That's enough.
You can't force it.
Jiang Chengyan said, "It's rare for us to get together, and it's inconvenient to be in the palace, so we've had someone prepare wine and dishes in the tower."
There is still one and a half hours left before the end of the park visit.
"How about we sit in the tower for a while?"
tower?
Yuan Yao asked, "Is it the same tower from back then?"
Jiang Chengyan nodded.
The tower is the tallest building in the Academy of Chinese Studies.
There, she experienced life and death together with Xie Zhi, Jiang Chengyan, and Lin Xuan.
That year, the rebel army stormed the National Academy, burning and killing indiscriminately, attempting to slaughter the entire academy and destroy the future of the Great Qi.
At that time, she, Jiang Chengyan, and Lin Xuan were still in the immature stage of children bickering and disliking each other.
However, on that day, facing immense danger, Xie Zhi and Lin Xuan picked up their wooden swords for martial arts practice and resolutely stepped forward, using their small bodies to draw away the rebels.
Even Jiang Chengyan, who disliked her, protected her with his small body.
Their pure friendship began that day...
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