As dusk approached, white cranes returned to their nests while late-returning gray cranes prepared to depart. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the day was finally over. However, Xia Zhiyuan stood up and ordered the guards and concubines to retreat. sensing something was wrong, I tried to sneak away but was caught by two guards and thrown back.
Xia Zhiyuan looked at me with a half-smile. I smiled ingratiatingly, then realized my veil hat concealed my expression. I returned to an indignant look, allowing only my eyes to appear innocent. He stood by the shallow shore, seemingly not intending anything improper. I stood vigilantly beside him, ready to run, but he casually discussed trivial matters. I subtly asked him to stop pressuring the Book official registrar’s family, and he readily agreed. I wanted to ask about his grudge with An Jin, but fearing a violent reaction, I dropped the subject.
Sunset on the shallow shore, gray cranes spreading their wings – it was quite poetic, though standing beside me was not An Jin, making the scene feel like twilight. I yawned, continuing to chat with the Eastern Palace.
“Madam, only you and I are here. You might as well remove it,” he said, reaching out to pull my hat brim. I stared at him in surprise.
He laughed, saying, “I still remember the wedding night; you looked just like this.” His words were ambiguous, suggesting a shared past that was merely a misunderstanding.
I awkwardly replied, “Your Highness is quite humorous.” He then looked at me seriously, expression revealing infatuation.
“Why did Madam marry An Jin?” he asked suddenly. Dazed, I replied, “Childhood sweethearts, mutual affection, destined to be together – pick any answer.”
Lost in thought, he gazed at the setting sun with a melancholic expression: “I’ve wondered if the one I married that day was truly you, how perfect it would have been.”
With the shallow shore, setting sun, autumn wind, and the melancholic Eastern Palace, I could only think: Close the door, release the Lantern Festival!
Chapter Thirteen: Lantern Festival Wound
