She came in a hurry, without bringing incense, candles, or paper money. She carefully picked a bunch of wildflowers and placed them in front of the grave. Suddenly, the shy face of a young girl appeared in her mind.
...
Pingting was rescued by slave traders. At that time, she was covered in wounds and was wary of everyone.
She was stubborn and tried to escape many times. The slave trader was furious and beat her in the street. When the whip fell on her body, she didn't utter a sound.
Jiang Zhijing, who was passing by, was moved by her lifeless eyes. He stopped and stopped the slave trader, looking down at her and asking, "Would you like to come with me?"
Pingting didn't say anything; in her mind, it was just jumping from one fire pit into another.
Staring at her numb expression, Jiang Zhijing sighed: "I can't guarantee anything else, but if you come with me, I'll make sure you're not bullied."
Pingting's eyes flickered slightly, perhaps moved by her pure gaze. After hesitating for a long time, she tentatively reached out her hand.
Jiang Zhijing never inquired about her past, and ordered people to take good care of her and teach her music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
After learning about her background and seeing the bruises on her body, Pingting took the initiative to say, "Your Highness, I want to learn martial arts."
For her, the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were useless; only martial arts could protect His Highness.
Jiang Zhijing looked at her in surprise, a half-smile on her face: "Learning martial arts requires enduring hardship. Can a delicate young lady like you withstand it?"
Pingting's eyes were firm: "I'm not afraid of hardship."
Back then, Pingting was quiet and reserved, and didn't like to talk much.
Jiang Zhijing didn't take it seriously, but occasionally when she was in a bad mood, she would complain to her about her frustrations.
It wasn't until one day when she noticed the burning gaze Pingting was giving her that she realized something was wrong; she was all too familiar with that kind of look.
After Jiang Zhijing disguised herself as a man, what she feared most was the admiration of women. She was born with a beautiful appearance and looked handsome even in men's clothing. However, to those unsuspecting women, this was no different from deception.
They only admired her for her disguise; if they knew she was a woman, they would avoid her like the plague.
She felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, and began to distance herself subtly. Pingting noticed this, and her eyes grew dimmer day by day.
It wasn't until she received news of Pingting's serious injuries that she realized Pingting had developed suicidal thoughts.
“Pingting knows she was born of lowly birth and dares not covet Your Highness, nor does she wish to cause you any trouble…”
Jiang Zhijing looked stunned, then her anger flared: "Is your life so worthless? You're willing to die for someone else? Then why did I save you in the first place?"
She was so angry that she revealed her true identity as a woman in front of Pingting, "So, do you know why I'm distancing myself from you?"
Pingting looked shocked and remained speechless for a long time.
She finally understood why Her Highness always seemed so heavy-hearted, as if carrying a huge burden on her shoulders—she was actually a woman.
Jiang Zhijing thought that Pingting would turn her love into hatred and even secretly send people to keep an eye on her, so that she would take action herself if Pingting showed any intention of betraying her.
Unexpectedly, after only a short period of awkwardness, Pingting acted as if nothing had happened, and became even more attentive and considerate. She would make brown sugar water for her when she had unbearable menstrual cramps, and would even learn a dance just for her.
"I recently learned a new dance called the Zhezhi Dance. Would Your Highness like to see it?"
Jiang Zhijing readily agreed.
Pingting seemed born to dance; she had never seen anyone dance better than her.
Pingting noticed the longing in her eyes and took the initiative to teach her to dance. Jiang Zhijing tried boldly, but unfortunately, she couldn't dance well no matter what she tried.
She had a dance dress custom-made for Pingting, which she treasured. Even though the dress no longer fit her well, she kept it.
Later, Pingting took the initiative to say, "I am willing to share Your Highness's burdens and go to Daqing."
From then on, they rarely saw each other again.
During the Lantern Festival, she had promised to visit her, but her identity was exposed so suddenly that she was unable to keep her promise.
I never imagined that our reunion would be like this, separated by life and death.
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