Under the seven-stringed zither, the merchant’s music resonated, resembling rain at the horizon or snow in a gorge, captivating the departing soul. A delicate finger swept across the strings, producing sounds like falling pearls on a jade plate, whispering and murmuring with a slow, lingering charm.
Hao Li trembled, biting his lip tightly. His fingers grazed the cold air, unable to grasp anything. The clear moonlight shimmered on the ground, like tears flowing endlessly. A dried blood-stained tear mark left only a faint, smoky purple trace.
“How is she?”
Xiao An whispered, “Qiu Fei had been poisoned, but it has been resolved; however…” His eyes flickered, avoiding Hao Li’s gaze.
“However what?”
“It seems Qiu Fei is getting close to the Crown Prince.”
Hao Li took the item from Xiao An, narrowing his eyes. Xu Qiu’er, what are you doing? Do you think Long Han Jie is that simple?
“Send a message to Guan Yue to watch Qiu’er closely.”
“Yes.”
The border’s spring was late this year. Misty white dew condensed into frost, and remnant snow lingered along the eaves and roadside, lightly tinted with crystal-like desolation. Windless, the spring remained cold.
In the early morning, the border’s pine and cypress trees, though green, felt frigid. A thin mist twisted in the air, creating an eerie, ghostly essence.
Xu Qiu’er lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes casting a dark blue shadow in her eyes. After a ripple, everything remained traceless. Gently biting her lips, the pale color revealed a subtle blush, like rouge beneath snow, exuding a unique charm when she smiled.
Misty and hazy, thoughts of someone fragmented in the mists.
On this snow-white morning, as spring arrived without warmth, under the thin sun, white dew was about to dry.
“My Lady, please.”
“Qiu Fei has arrived.”
Today was the Second Prince’s birthday, and she had unexpectedly become the main character. Xu Qiu’er entered the main hall, seeing Long Han Jie and Qing Ya seated above, Xu Qing’er with the First Prince below, and other concubines on the left. Xu Qiu’er wondered if her presence was superfluous.
