The wind swept up their sleeves and snowflakes fell silently around them.   His embrace came suddenly, like a rain of flowers pouring down and drenching her completely.   She was a little dazed, sensing the stir of emotions within him – swirling, sinking, flowing as deep as still waters.   “What’s…wrong?”   Tilting her…

Zhu Zi’an fell silent for a moment. “What happened downstairs?” (T/N: ??/Dian Xia i.e., downstairs is a homonym for ??/Dian Xia i.e., Your Highness)   The burly man was startled. “Downstairs? What…happened downstairs?”   Seeing the cold look in Zhu Zi’an’s eyes, he couldn’t help but shudder. He saluted with clasped hands again. “Downstairs is…leaking water!”  …

The little boat rocked lightly atop the rippling river.   A pair of white egrets took flight from the distant sandy shoals, skimming past the snow-lined banks.   In the stillness, their eyes met and found reflections of each other within those twin mirrors.   “Your heartbeat is so loud,” she murmured.   “Sorry…” he…

She unfolded the letter and began reading while he sat across from her, steeping tea.   The faint scent of tea quickly spread from his fingertips, lingering gently between the walls.   As usual, he brewed two pots – one strong tea for himself and one aromatic tea for her. He poured himself a cup…

“You suspect that…”   “Their draft is too deep,” he remarked, watching the boats recede into the distance. “Those grain ships make yearly trips carrying supplies. They set off in batches from the Huai River, sail through the Yellow River, and finally reach Chang’an. After unloading their cargo, they return to various locations for the…

The evening wind blew, fluttering sleeves like flowing water. Countless swaying candlelights, two people gaze at each other amidst the lamps.   She tiptoes, lightly rapping his head.   He laughs, “Jiang Little Full, why are you hitting me?”   “Sneaking out to play so late,” she mutters lowly, “is extremely inappropriate.”   “The last…

Warm braziers and faint incense.   A ray of winter sunlight slanted in through the window, specks dancing amidst the beams.   When Xie Wuyang awoke, he saw a deep yellow dragon robe embroidered with shimmering golden qilins sparkling brightly under the sunshine.   The bedchamber carried lingering wisps of sandalwood incense, faint spirals of…

“How could that be…?”   “As for the specifics, I’m actually not too clear about it all,” the Virtuous Consort murmured. “When affections and grudges become too tangled, matters turn obscure. Over a decade has passed – the past is naught but fading dust. Chasing after mirages and dreams brings no benefit.”   “To end…

Her movements stilled as she was cleaning up the bowls.   “Hmm?” She asked softly, her voice trembling slightly at the end.   “I’ve been feeling a bit strange lately,” he said, tilting his head. “Ever since that day I was injured and fell into the water, when I woke up, you’ve been especially nice…

In the dim candlelight, her heart skipped a beat.   Fireworks burst amidst the sea of stars, accompanied by the crackling pop of firecrackers.   In the far distance, drums and flutes carried drifting strains of melody, one note slower than the last, floating further and further into the alley.   “Zhu Zi’an?”   She…