A few days later, something unexpected happened. A palace maid arrived at my door with a sealed card.
Chun'er opened it, then looked at me with wide eyes.
"An invitation?" she whispered. "For you?"
I took the card from her and read the words:
Lady Yue Zhenzhen is invited to attend the Lantern Ceremony in the Pavilion of Spring Fragrance, by recommendation of Lady Bai.
I smiled.
So she remembersme.
~~~~
The Pavilion of Spring Fragrance was full of beauty and danger.
Lanterns hung from trees like fruit that glows.The air smelled sweet with flower petals and too much perfume. Noblewomen and consorts filled the garden, dressed in silk and gold.
I wore a soft green robe, simple but clean. Chun'er had tied my sash carefully. My hair was pinned back with a single pearl comb—crooked, as always.
I stood near the back, like a shadow among beautiful flowers.
Consort Ning had noticed me immediately.
She was dressed in red brocade with black trim, standing tall among a group of admirers. Her eyes narrowed just slightly when she saw me.
She leaned toward one of the court ladies and whispered something. They both laughed.
Oh ho…so thinks I wont last.
That's fine.
I only need her to start watching me.
The ceremony began.
Noblewomen carried glowing lanterns through the pavilion, honoring the return of spring. Music played, soft and slow. Servants walked beside the guests, holding trays of tea and snacks.
Then it happened.
One lantern—large and red—burst into flame.
They put too much oil.
The fire was small, but fast. A silk drape near the lantern had caught on fire.
Everyone at the festival started panicking.
Some ran and some backing away, tripping over each other.
I didn't move.
I hurriedly stepped forward, picked up the edge of the burning curtain, and smothered the flame with my sleeve.
The fire hissed and died.
One of the older noblewomen, Lady Han, had fallen to her knees nearby. I offered her my hand.
She took it with shaking fingers.
"Thank you, child," she said.
I bowed. "I'm glad you're safe, my lady."
Then I stepped back into the crowd like nothing happened.
But not unnoticed.
"Who was that girl?"
"Lady Yue, I think."
"She didn't even scream."
Even Consort Ning said nothing. She only watched me from across the garden with narrowed eyes, as if seeing me for the first time.
I lowered my gaze.
I turned and hid a smile.
~~~~
That night, in the imperial study, Zhao Yunxie sat alone.
He poured himself wine but didn't drink it.
Instead, he looked out at the lanterns glowing across the garden.
"Yue Zhenzhen," he said aloud.
That name sat strangely in his mouth.
He didn't trust it.
Didn't like it.
Because something in her voice, in her eyes, in her calm—
Reminded him of something, or someone.