The Golden Hairpin

"Hidden in the heart, never to be forgotten."

The most bustling and prosperous Brocade Tower in the capital was, as always, filled with guests today.

"Esteemed patrons, this humble old man is here once more to tell a tale. Ah, the story concerns the recent passing of the late emperor in the Xianning Hall and the new emperor's ascension to the throne before the coffin. Do you know who it was that supported the late emperor?"

The crowd immediately erupted in unanimous discussion: "Who else could it be? Naturally, it was Prince Kui!"

The storyteller struck his drum and said, "Exactly! Since the beginning of this year, the court has been abuzz with rumors that Prince Kui sought to overthrow our great Tang dynasty. Yet who would have thought that after the late emperor's passing, it would be Prince Kui who escorted the young emperor from the Eastern Palace to the throne? Such unwavering loyalty—who could have known it then? Truly, 'Even the Duke of Zhou feared the days of slander'! Imagine, when rumors accused him of murdering Prince E and being possessed by evil spirits in an attempt to seize the throne, who knew the truth?"

"Prince Kui has always been the pillar of the Li-Tang imperial family! After the late emperor's passing, wasn't it he who supported the young emperor?"

"If that's the case, what about Empress Wang—oh, pardon me, Empress Dowager Wang—didn't she often involve herself in court affairs before? They say, 'The current emperor is lofty, the empress martial.' What has become of her now?"

Amidst the clamor, the storyteller struck his drum again, waiting for the hall to quiet before continuing, "This matter, when told to you all, will become clear. Though I am but a humble man, my ears are sharp and my eyes keen, and I received the news early. It turns out that as the late emperor approached his final moments, Empress Wang attended to him. The emperor asked her, 'After my passing, what will you do?' Empress Wang wept and replied, 'This humble consort can only follow Your Majesty in death.'"

"Did the empress die?" someone hastily asked.

"Of course not. The emperor consoled her, saying, 'The young emperor still needs your care. How can we let him lose both parents in his youth?' Though Empress Wang abandoned her intention to follow the emperor in death, her grief was so profound that she has now, like Consort Chen of Emperor Xuanzong's time, succumbed to madness from sorrow. She resides secluded in a detached palace, and it is feared she may never recover in this lifetime."

"Who would have thought? Empress Wang and the emperor shared such deep affection." The crowd sighed in admiration.

In the private booth on the second floor, Zhou Ziqin—dressed in an orange brocade robe with a blue-purple inner garment and a pomegranate-red sash—gasped in shock and turned to Li Shubai and Huang Zixia. "Did you hear that? Did you hear that? Did you hear that?"

"We heard," Huang Zixia replied calmly.

"How is this possible? Do you think it's true? How could someone as strong-willed and ruthless as Empress Wang grieve so deeply for the late emperor that she went mad?"

Li Shubai gestured subtly toward the window. Understanding, Zhou Ziqin hurriedly shut the doors and windows with a loud "bang." Huang Zixia picked up the wine jug and poured him half a cup, whispering, "The emperor knew his time was near, so he requested a fish egg of Agashini from Wang Zongshi. It was originally intended for Prince Kui, but later, he bestowed it upon Empress Wang instead."

Zhou Ziqin gasped again. "Did Wang Zongshi know the emperor intended to... to harm Empress Wang? Why didn't he stop the emperor?"Huang Zixiang and Li Shubai exchanged a glance, both thinking to themselves that Empress Wang was never truly a member of the Wang family—she was merely a pawn they had placed by the emperor's side. Now that Wang Fu's son, Li Xuan, had successfully ascended the throne, Wang Shao—or rather, Mei Wanzhi—had outlived her usefulness. What benefit would there be in letting her live any longer?

"Ah, this Agashini is so terrifying. Now I have to check my water carefully every time before drinking," he said, peering into his cup. Only after confirming there were no tiny red dots did he take a sip. "What a hassle. Let's hurry back to Shu. At least there shouldn't be anyone raising such fish there."

"Don't worry, Eunuch Wang has already left," Huang Zixiang said, though she couldn't help but glance at her own cup, still unsettled.

"Left? Where to?" he asked quickly.

"With a new emperor comes new ministers. Now, the young emperor favors Tian Lingzi. Eunuch Wang's Divine Strategy Army suffered heavy losses a few days ago, and after being impeached, the army's commander was replaced. Now, Tian Lingzi has taken his place."

"Heavy losses in the Divine Strategy Army... What happened?" Zhou Ziqin pressed.

Li Shubai looked up at the sky, while Huang Zixiang pointed downstairs and said, "Seems like they're talking about something interesting again. Want to listen?"

Zhou Ziqin immediately forgot his earlier question and hurriedly opened the window facing the courtyard. Sure enough, another topic was being discussed—

"With the new emperor's ascension, the capital's military appointments are changing rapidly. Forget the Divine Strategy Army for now—just look at the Divine Might and Divine Martial Armies under Prince Kui's command. It's truly astonishing. Those willing to return home are given ten times their pay and ten acres of land in their hometowns, ensuring a comfortable life. Those who wish to continue serving can either join the Imperial Guards in the capital or head to Longxi to fight. They have the most experience battling the Uyghurs, so victory is surely within reach. And leading the charge against the Uyghurs this time is none other than Commander Wang of the Imperial Guards—Wang Yun of the Langya Wang family."

The listeners immediately buzzed with discussion. Some said Prince Kui was dispelling the new emperor's suspicions by relinquishing military power, leaving them unsure whether to admire or lament. Others envied the soldiers who had fought under Prince Kui, saying how fortunate they were to retire with ten acres and tenfold pay. Still others marveled at Wang Yun, now the most accomplished descendant of the Wang family, who had chosen the battlefield over a lifetime of courtly drudgery—proof of his lofty ambitions.

"Wang Yun is leaving? We should see him off," Zhou Ziqin said. Noticing Huang Zixiang's awkward expression, he suddenly remembered her previous engagement to Wang Yun—how she had even tried on her wedding dress. Flustered, he quickly changed the subject. "Ah, well... The weather is lovely today, and this tea seems especially good..."

"Enough with the tea. It's almost noon—I'll take you to eat," Huang Zixiang said, rising gracefully and signaling to Li Shubai.

Li Shubai smiled faintly. "Let's go."

Zhou Ziqin gaped. "Seriously? After finally meeting, you're only treating me to tea? Not even a meal? At least a bowl of porridge or a pancake..."

Huang Zixiang followed Li Shubai out, saying, "We're going together! What you'll eat later will satisfy you beyond measure—far more than a hundred meals at Embroidered Tower ever could.""I don't believe it! How could anything in this world taste so delicious?"

"I... I can't believe it! How could anything under heaven be this delicious?!"

In the flower hall of Prince Zhao's residence, peach and plum blossoms bloomed on all sides, willow branches brushed the banks, and lush grass carpeted the ground. Yet no one had eyes for the scenery now—especially Zhou Ziqin, whose mouth was stuffed full of gulouzi , a piece clutched in each hand, his eyes still fixed greedily on another piece on the table.

Prince Zhao, Li Rui, laughed heartily, slapping the table as he asked, "Well, Ziqin, is this the best gulouzi you've ever had in your life?"

"Mmph! It's definitely... tied for first!" He swallowed the overstuffed mouthful, took half a cup of tea to catch his breath, and said, "It's just as good as the one I had at Second Brother Zhang's place, the one made by Dìcuì!"

Huang Zixiao held a crispy piece of gulouzi in her hand, exchanging a smile with Li Shubai before asking softly, "What do you think?"

"Mm, it's truly excellent," Li Shubai nodded.

Prince Zhao said smugly, "Fourth Brother, you have no idea! When I first tasted gulouzi in Puning Ward, I couldn't forget it—it haunted my dreams! But the girl who made it was smitten with some fool from that shop in Puning Ward. Even I couldn't lure her away!"

"You always want whatever catches your eye. You even tried to poach Zixiao from me once," Li Shubai said with a laugh, glancing back at Huang Zixiao.

Prince Zhao hastily raised his hands. "I wouldn't dare! Your little brother here was blind—I truly thought she was just a young eunuch! Had I known she was the Princess of Kui, I wouldn't have dared even if beaten to death!"

Huang Zixiao's cheeks flushed pink, and she lowered her head without a word.

Li Shubai, however, leisurely wiped his hands and said, "Good that you know. Next time you set your sights on someone, make sure you know who they belong to first."

Prince Zhao and Zhou Ziqin exchanged a glance, both wearing expressions as if they had toothaches.

Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Zhou Ziqin quickly changed the subject. "Your Highness Prince Zhao, where did you find such a master of gulouzi ?"

"Ah, that's a long story. When she heard it was being prepared for the Prince of Kui, she said she'd come pay her respects after finishing the gulouzi . Why hasn't she arrived yet?" Prince Zhao glanced toward the depths of the peach blossoms and added casually, "Incidentally, the person who introduced her is someone you all know—Imperial Son-in-Law Wei."

"Imperial Son-in-Law Wei... Wei Baoheng?" Zhou Ziqin immediately jumped to his feet, a thought dawning on him as he stammered, "Don't tell me... the person who made the gulouzi is... is..."

Before he could finish, a slender, petite figure emerged from the path amid the peach blossoms. Dressed in a narrow-sleeved blue-green silk robe, with a jade butterfly hairpin in her bun, she was a delicate girl as fresh as a peach blossom—though her face was shadowed by an unshakable melancholy.

She approached them, curtsying gracefully as she said softly, "Dìcuì pays her respects to His Highness the Prince of Kui, His Highness Prince Zhao, Miss Huang, and Young Master Zhou."

Huang Zixiao quickly stood to help her up, brushing grass from her knees. The others merely smiled without speaking, but Zhou Ziqin's mouth formed a perfect circle as he gasped, "L-L-L... Miss Lü?!"Dicuì gave him a slight nod and stood quietly beside Huang Zixiang, holding her hand. Huang Zixiang, seeing that although she had grown thinner, her spirits seemed relatively well, finally felt relieved and asked, "Are you doing alright?"

A faint mist clouded Dicuì's eyes, but she held back her tears, gently squeezing Huang Zixiang's hand as she whispered, "Thank you for your concern, Miss Huang... Truthfully, I should have been a dead woman long ago. I even thought of turning myself in at the Dali Temple to end my life. But later, Imperial Son-in-Law Wei persuaded me—my father gave everything for me, and Second Brother Zhang... surely wouldn’t want to see me throw my life away like this. My life was bought with theirs... I must cherish it."

Huang Zixiang lightly stroked her hair and said softly, "If you think this way, your father and Second Brother Zhang will surely rest in peace, knowing you’re well."

Dicuì bit her lower lip and nodded silently, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand.

Seeing her low spirits, Huang Zixiang turned to Zhou Ziqin and said, "Ziqin, now you see? The best gulouzi in the world still belongs to Dicuì."

"Mhm, mhm! If Dicuì claims second place, no one dares call themselves first!" Zhou Ziqin nodded vigorously, stuffing another large piece into his mouth as if to prove his point.

Dicuì managed a faint smile at their praise. Prince Zhao, noticing Huang Zixiang sitting back down beside Li Shubai, asked, "Fourth Brother, you and Miss Huang must be nearing your happy event, right?"

"Mn. The sixth of next month. The Huang family elders have already begun arriving in the capital," Li Shubai replied.

"Huh? So soon?" Prince Zhao and Zhou Ziqin blurted out in unison, their tones eerily identical.

After exchanging a glance, Prince Zhao immediately added, "Those palace women are especially dreadful! When my concubine was giving birth, they chattered nonstop every day—absolutely maddening!"

Zhou Ziqin leaned in and said, "The Huang family elders are just as bad! Remember when we went to Shu last time? The moment they found out you were Prince Kui, those old men swarmed around, yammering endlessly. I couldn’t stand it!"

Li Shubai and Huang Zixiang exchanged an amused glance. He took her hand and said with a smile, "It’s nothing. To marry the finest lady in the world, one must endure anything."

Huang Zixiang couldn’t help rolling her eyes at him. Under the stunned expressions of Zhou Ziqin and Prince Zhao, she leaned in and whispered, "Aren’t you scaring them like this?"

"Well, we’re leaving soon anyway. Wouldn’t it be fun to shatter their impressions one last time?"

Huang Zixiang sighed. "Only now, at your age, are you starting to think about fun?"

"Indeed. Because my life is only just beginning," he murmured, gazing at her tenderly. "After meeting you."

Huang Zixiang was left speechless.

Zhou Ziqin was already slapping his arms frantically, muttering to himself, "Incredible, truly incredible. Twenty-four years old and finally getting a wife—Prince Kui is so overjoyed... Who would believe this if they heard it?"

The shadows of life had lifted, and from now on, their days would be radiant and splendid. Even if Li Shubai seemed a little excessively happy, perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing.

At least, compared to his old iron-faced sternness, this was far better—Huang Zixiang thought this to herself on the way back from Prince Zhao’s residence.Li Shubai rode on Di’e, Huang Zixiao on Nafusha, and Zhou Ziqin on "Xiao Er"—yes, the same horse previously named "Xiao Xia," now renamed and surprisingly quick to adapt to its new identity. Every time Zhou Ziqin entered a shop and called out "Xiao Er," the horse would eagerly trot in from outside, even knocking down several doors in the process.

Di’e remained as fierce as ever, with only Nafusha able to walk alongside it. Zhou Ziqin, lagging behind on Xiao Er, asked, "So... is Dicui doing alright now?"

"Don’t worry. The new emperor’s ascension brought a general amnesty, and His Majesty has no interest in troubling himself over his late sister’s affairs—he’s too busy playing polo these days," Huang Zixiao replied.

"Oh..." Zhou Ziqin nodded thoughtfully. "Then my position as Chief Constable of Chengdu is still valid, right?"

"Naturally. You were appointed by the late emperor as an official of the court," Li Shubai said, then added in a lower voice, "When you return, have your father distance himself from Fan Yingxi as soon as possible."

"Huh?" Zhou Ziqin widened his eyes.

"Back when Zixiao was in Shu, the Fan father and son had already stirred up widespread resentment. But despite Magistrate Huang’s years of efforts to bring them down, not only did he fail, he fell victim to their schemes—even Zixiao was wrongfully accused and forced to flee. Now, I’m settling the score for Zixiao’s family."

Huang Zixiao nodded at him with a faint smile.

Zhou Ziqin was thrilled. "Really? When will the edict be issued?"

"In a few days. Have your father prepare accordingly."

"Who’s taking over?"

"That’s not important. What matters is that the supervising eunuch is Jing Xiang." Huang Zixiao winked at him.

"Eunuch Jing Xiang! Perfect! Familiar faces make things easier! Now when my father scolds me for my eccentric behavior, I’ll have someone to back me up!" Zhou Ziqin exclaimed before asking, "By the way, are you two really getting married on the sixth? What kind of gift should I prepare..."

Huang Zixiao winced. "Anything is fine—just not that bronze figurine."

"Got it," Zhou Ziqin nodded seriously. "I have a wooden one that’s even better—you can even take out the brain! It’d be perfect for your future children to play with..."

Before he could finish, Di’e suddenly kicked at Xiao Er. Zhou Ziqin let out a yelp as the startled horse bolted forward wildly. Unable to regain control, he shouted in panic, "Prince Kui! I saw that! You did that on purpose! Whoa—move, move, MOVE OUT OF THE WAY—AAAAAH!"

Just then, amid the chaos of scattering chickens and dogs, a hound suddenly leaped out and clamped onto Zhou Ziqin’s robe. The dog had a strong bite and even stronger tenacity—even as the horse dragged it nearly half a mile, it refused to let go.

By the time Li Shubai and Huang Zixiao caught up, Zhou Ziqin was hopping around in the street, trying to yank his robe free from the dog’s jaws. "Damn it, let go! Release me—"

Huang Zixiao reined in her horse, shot Li Shubai a glare, and hurriedly asked, "Ziqin, are you alri—"

She paused mid-sentence, blinking in surprise. "...Fugui?"

"Fugui?" Before Zhou Ziqin could react, the dog released him and bounded joyfully toward Huang Zixiao, wagging its tail furiously and barking at her.Huang Zixiao dismounted and rubbed the dog's head, smiling as she asked, "Fugui, were you angry that Ziqin didn't recognize you, so you bit him?"

"Not at all! I ordered him to bite!" Before she could finish speaking, a young woman popped up beside them, glaring fiercely.

Huang Zixiao turned to look—a rather pretty girl with skin so fair it seemed translucent, flushed with anger like two rosy clouds on her cheeks, resembling a delicate hibiscus.

That enviable complexion instantly reminded Huang Zixiao of the misty, dreamlike landscapes of Shu, making her pause in surprise. "Second Miss?"

Zhou Ziqin, clutching the torn hem of his robe where Fugui had bitten him, rushed over and gaped at the girl in shock. "Y-you... how did you get here?"

Second Miss turned and glared at him. "Well, Constable Zhou, what do you think? Right after my family arranged our betrothal, you packed up and fled here, leaving me in Chengdu to become the laughingstock of the entire city!"

Under her fiery gaze, Zhou Ziqin flushed red. He quickly covered his face and stammered, "Then... then what do you plan to do, coming all this way to find me?"

"What do I plan to do? I'm here for revenge—I brought Fugui to bite you!" Second Miss roared in the middle of the street.

Who knew how much meat Second Miss had fed Fugui? The dog had completely switched allegiance, now a mad beast that attacked on command. Watching Zhou Ziqin flee down the street in a cloud of dust, pursued relentlessly by Fugui, Huang Zixiao could only brush off the dust helplessly and smile at Second Miss. "Next time you're free, you and Ziqin should come visit Prince Kui's mansion."

"Gladly." Second Miss bowed slightly to them before fixing her gaze on Zhou Ziqin again and waving.

Li Shubai and Huang Zixiao heartlessly turned their horses away, leaving Zhou Ziqin to his fate as they headed back to Prince Kui's mansion.

The spring sunlight was radiant, and the city was awash with blooming flowers. They let their horses amble leisurely, treading on fallen petals as they returned.

"Next month, after we marry, it will be peony season."

"Let's leave after seeing the peonies."

Li Shubai smiled at her and asked softly, "Then, where should we go first after the wedding?"

Huang Zixiao replied, "'Sail to Yangzhou when the spring flowers bloom'—I think April would be just as lovely."

"Speaking of Yangzhou, I remember something," Li Shubai said, recalling a matter. "After Empress Wang was confined in the palace, I went to see her. Changling and Changqing were still by her side, saying that in her madness, she only wept for Xue Se, unable to rest day or night."

Huang Zixiao was surprised. After a pause, she murmured, "I never expected that—after all the lives she took, all the atrocities she committed, the thing that haunted her most after being poisoned by A'ga Shi'nie was this."

"Indeed. Empress Wang was ruthless, treating all her crimes as mere trifles. Only the death of her daughter weighed heavily on her conscience," Li Shubai sighed. "At the time, I tried to return Empress Wu’s dagger to her—after all, it was an artifact from their Yunshao Garden. But she refused, asking instead that if I ever had the chance, I should return it to Yunshao Garden in Yangzhou. Though the sisters there have long scattered, it was still the place where they once dreamed of finding shelter in their youth.""Alright, then let's go to Yangzhou. We can return the dagger to Yunsiao House while we're at it. I've always wanted to visit—they say there are many stunning beauties there," Huang Zixiao said with a smile. "I also want to see the world, all its varied landscapes and diverse people."

Li Shubai turned his gaze toward the wards of Chang'an ahead. These familiar districts and streets, places he could navigate with his eyes closed, suddenly filled him with weariness. "I thought I was the only one who didn't want to stay in the capital."

"Who would enjoy it? If we stay here, it's nothing but scheming and relentless striving," Huang Zixiao sighed softly. "The current emperor doesn't seem like a wise ruler either. I fear this world will remain far from peaceful."

Li Shubai nodded and said, "Indeed. Although the court has seen a change of personnel since the late emperor's passing, with most now leaning towards me, the young emperor grows older each year, and his suspicions of me will only increase. By then, the court's support for me will only fuel his dissatisfaction. I no longer wish to exhaust myself with caution and prudence, only to meet such an end."

"So, let's leave together. Change our names and see the spring rains of Jiangnan, then the farthest corners of the earth. The world is vast, filled with wonders and oddities we could never exhaust in a lifetime," Huang Zixiao turned to him with a smile. "Perhaps decades from now, we can return to Chang'an for a visit. If it suits us for retirement, we might even stay."

Li Shubai gave a slight nod, and the two rode side by side. Ahead stood a flowering cherry plum tree, its branches stretching over a low wall, scattering delicate pink petals like fragments of silk across the ground. As they reached the tree, they simultaneously reined in their horses and paused beneath its blossoms.

"Will you take your little red fish when we leave?"

"No, I've already returned it to Wang Zongshi," Li Shubai replied, tilting his head to gaze at the flowers as a gentle breeze showered him with petals. "He knows better than I how to care for Agashenie. Besides, now that he's retired to seclusion, the serene beauty of nature suits the fish far more than the clamor of the capital."

"Who would have thought that a man like Wang Zongshi, who influenced three emperors, could retire unscathed," Huang Zixiao sighed.

Li Shubai turned to her and said softly, "Before he left, he left you a gift."

"That Wang estate? It's beautiful, but... I don't want it," Huang Zixiao shook her head quietly. "Just like that corridor with the little fish—exquisitely beautiful, yet eerily cold."

"He said it doesn't matter if you don't want it, but he's left Aze behind to wait for you—though, like the others in the household, the boy is now deaf and mute."

A chill ran down Huang Zixiao's spine, dimming even the vibrant spring blossoms around them. "So Aze was indeed sent by the late emperor to spy on Wang Zongshi," she murmured, her voice trembling.

"Indeed. That's why a man like Wang Zongshi truly succeeds, isn't it?" Li Shubai remarked with a faint smile. "I even suspect—when he decided to eliminate me, how could someone as meticulous as Wang Zongshi allow Wang Yun to seek you out and delay our southern departure? He should have had a far subtler method."

"Who knows?" Huang Zixiao mused, then added thoughtfully, "At least he didn't plant Agashenie in you. For that, he's my greatest benefactor. Still, his involvement in the usurpation is unforgivable."

"Speaking of which, when he came to bid me farewell before leaving, he mentioned this. Though he's a distant branch of the Wang family, he never felt much connection to the main lineage as a child. His support for the Wangs and the late emperor stemmed solely from his hatred for my father." Li Shubai caught a falling petal, his tone detached.

Huang Zixiao asked, "Was that the day you had someone make cherry pastries for me?"

He nodded slightly, sighing. "Yes. He sent a basket of cherries freshly arrived from Lishan.""Actually, Eunuch Wang has been very kind to me," Huang Zixiang lowered her head silently and said, "I just don't understand why he harbored such hatred for the late emperor. As far as I know, the late emperor trusted him deeply, even appointing him to command the Divine Strategy Army in his twenties—an exceptionally rare honor."

"I once told you I had no prior dealings with him. But given his prominence as a powerful eunuch in court, how could I not have investigated his background?" Li Shubai lightly flicked his hand, letting the petals in his palm drift away with the wind, and said softly, "When he was young, there was a girl he grew up with, from the most renowned cherry-growing family at the foot of Mount Li."

Huang Zixiang widened her eyes in surprise but remained silent.

"After he was convicted and subjected to castration, that girl personally made him a pair of cherry pastries to see him off."

"What happened to the girl later?" Huang Zixiang asked when he didn't continue.

Li Shubai looked at her silently and replied, "Who knows? She must be a mother to many children by now, perhaps even a grandmother. But for Wang Zongshi, any connection to her was severed forever—all because his family was implicated in an old case, and my father carelessly marked the decree that condemned his entire household."

So for years in the palace, he served Emperor Xuanzong with deference, all while burying everything deep in his heart, silent and unspoken. That was why he insisted on having cherries delivered from Mount Li every year, stubbornly refusing to forget what he once could have had but had lost forever.

Huang Zixiang shook her head sadly and said, "Let's not speak of him anymore. In any case, the storm has passed. I only hope Eunuch Wang truly gets his wish—to be reborn as a fish, free from all awareness."

Li Shubai nodded. A gentle breeze rose, scattering petals in disarray as the two sat silently on their horses, gazing at each other.

Dí'è and Nafusha paced side by side, their necks entwined. As their horses drew closer, so did they. Just as the horses were about to pass each other, Li Shubai suddenly reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her over in one swift motion.

Huang Zixiang, now seated sideways on Dí'è, turned to look at him, both exasperated and shy. "You startled me."

"Before, we always just passed each other by. This time, I won't let go," he murmured, holding her waist as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

The hairpin he had given her brushed against his ear. Smiling faintly, he pressed lightly on the scrolling vine pattern—a soft click sounded as he withdrew the jade pin from its center.

Holding it up to the sunlight, he asked, "Have you ever noticed the inscription?"

Huang Zixiang blinked in surprise. "Inscription?"

He tilted the pin toward the light, letting her see.

Refracted by the sun, an exquisitely fine line of characters appeared on the pin, as delicate as a strand of hair—barely perceptible:

"Hidden in my heart, never to be forgotten."

Huang Zixiang took the pin in astonishment, examining the inscription closely. "This hairpin has never left my side since you gave it to me. When did you engrave these words?"

Li Shubai didn't answer, only smiled at her. Behind them, the flowering trees blazed brilliantly, their petals drifting down unbidden, covering them both in a shower of blossoms.

Then it dawned on her—it could only have been when he first gave her the hairpin.

Long, long ago, back when he still spoke to her coldly, without a trace of warmth.It turned out he had given her these words so long ago.

He chuckled, embracing her from behind. "Slowpoke. When I gave it to you, I had you try it out right in front of me. I thought you'd notice then. Who knew you wouldn't realize until now—I had to tell you myself."

"I... I don't take it out to look at it in my free time, and when I do, it's usually during busy, stressful moments. How could I have noticed such fine lettering, thinner than a strand of hair..." Her cheeks flushed with warmth.

The surroundings were quiet, the flowering trees enveloping them in seclusion, their breaths mingling in the hushed air. Huang Zixiao had felt her heart racing, but as the silence persisted and the arms encircling her remained steady and reassuring, the blush on her cheeks gradually faded. She let out a soft sigh, gently placing her hands over his where they clasped around her.

Neither spoke nor moved, simply sitting together on horseback, watching the blossoms drift and fall before them.

Life was boundless, the world vast. Across the nine provinces and four seas, countless flowers awaited their admiring gaze; in their hundred-year journey, long years stretched ahead for them to walk hand in hand.

Just as they now stood embraced beneath the flowering trees, in the most splendid place under heaven, finding this most tranquil and perfect moment.

Chang'an—eternal peace.