Plum Blossom Wing – A Foggy Morning
On a misty morning, raindrops gently fell on the plum trees of the "Plum Blossom Wing," the eastern wing of the palace reserved for Princess Lin Xiao.
The breeze carried the scent of wet earth, mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed green tea and fruits neatly arranged on the wooden tables.
Every leaf glistened with raindrops, as if trying to steal the eye, just as the princess tried to breathe life into a morning suffocated by strict protocol.
Princess Lin Xiao sat on a low, polished white stone bench, her light green robe flowing elegantly to the floor, embodying her playful and rebellious spirit.
Her devoted maid, Yu Yi, approached cautiously, carrying a tray of tea with a smile that tried to mask her worry.
"Princess… shouldn't you prepare for your formal lessons today?" she whispered, trying to remain calm amidst the little chaos of the wing.
Lin Xiao smiled mischievously, her eyes sparkling with intelligence.
"You know, Yu Yi… sometimes I feel the trees are smarter than me. At least they know how to raise their heads against the wind, whereas I…"
Yu Yi interrupted nervously:
"But Princess… I heard the Crown Prince hasn't smiled in five years."
Lin Xiao lifted her head to the clouded sky and spoke with playful determination:
"Perfect… then I'll consider it a national mission. If I can make him smile, I'll make history!"
The Grand Chamberlain and the Imperial Decree
Suddenly, the wing's door opened quietly, and the Grand Chamberlain entered, carrying a golden scroll sealed with the imperial dragon emblem.
He raised the scroll and announced in a booming voice:
"By order of the Emperor… Princess Lin Xiao shall marry Crown Prince Zhao Lian within ten days."
The princess's spoon dropped from her hand, followed by the parrot perched on the ledge:
"Princess is falling!" squawked the parrot, flapping its wings in delightful chaos.
Lin Xiao laughed out loud:
"Can I negotiate?"
Yu Yi tried to gather the scattered cake and spilled tea, her eyes wide in shock, while the other chamberlains stood frozen, stunned by the princess's audacity.
First Meeting with the Crown Prince
The next day, the official meeting was arranged in the Jade White Hall.
The walls were adorned with golden dragon engravings reflecting the torchlight.
The floor was polished white marble, patterned with golden clouds.
Tall pillars carved with mythical motifs gave an overwhelming sense of majesty.
Crown Prince Zhao Lian entered, wearing a dark blue robe adorned with golden threads that shimmered in the torchlight.
His face was stern, his deep eyes scanning everything.
His silence commanded respect throughout the hall.
Princess Lin Xiao, in her light green robe, tried to maintain composure but suddenly tripped over the long hem and fell directly in front of him.
The hall fell silent.
Then she grinned boldly and said:
"I like to start relationships honestly… and this is me, as I am."
A faint corner of his mouth lifted for the first time in years — a subtle hint that her courage and lively spirit might just break through his stoic exterior.
The Chicken and the Salty Dessert Incident
A few days into the marriage, the princess decided to add some fun to palace life:
She brought a small chicken into her wing, naming it "Wind Blossom."
She prepared glutinous rice desserts for the crown prince but accidentally mixed sugar with salt.
When the prince took the first bite…
He swallowed slowly and said in a deadpan tone:
"If this is an assassination attempt… it's quite charming."
Lin Xiao laughed innocently:
"Ah… so I am a skilled plotter."
Even the ministers watching the table couldn't suppress their laughter.
Secondary Characters
Yu Yi: the princess's loyal maid, intelligent and protective, always trying to shield Lin Xiao from mistakes without dampening her playful spirit.
Lu Chen: the princess's childhood guard, tall with dark eyes, calm but sharp-witted, his loyalty and respect evident in every move.
The Greedy Minister: an elderly man with cunning eyes, always plotting to seize power in the court, observing every move of the princess and the crown prince, representing the first political antagonist.
Comedic Scene – The Escaping Chicken
The next morning, the little chicken escaped into the palace.
The princess chased it, tumbling over the long carpets.
The crown prince watched the scene, unable to hide a subtle smile.
The servants tried to catch the chicken, each attempt funnier than the last.
This scene strengthened the bond between the characters and added natural comedy to the otherwise serious palace life.
End of Chapter 1
In the darkness, under the shade of a plum tree, the princess laughed to herself:
"If you think I'm just a princess… you don't know me at all."
In the crown prince's wing, he whispered to Lu Chen:
"Protect her… she may become empress one day."
Thus began the real storm in the palace: a mix of adventures, comedy, politics, and a romance that would gradually grow.
Plum Blossom Wing – A Foggy Morning
On a misty morning, raindrops gently fell on the plum trees of the "Plum Blossom Wing," the eastern wing of the palace reserved for Princess Lin Xiao.
The breeze carried the scent of wet earth, mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed green tea and fruits neatly arranged on the wooden tables.
Every leaf glistened with raindrops, as if trying to steal the eye, just as the princess tried to breathe life into a morning suffocated by strict protocol.
Princess Lin Xiao sat on a low, polished white stone bench, her light green robe flowing elegantly to the floor, embodying her playful and rebellious spirit.
Her devoted maid, Yu Yi, approached cautiously, carrying a tray of tea with a smile that tried to mask her worry.
"Princess… shouldn't you prepare for your formal lessons today?" she whispered, trying to remain calm amidst the little chaos of the wing.
Lin Xiao smiled mischievously, her eyes sparkling with intelligence.
"You know, Yu Yi… sometimes I feel the trees are smarter than me. At least they know how to raise their heads against the wind, whereas I…"
Yu Yi interrupted nervously:
"But Princess… I heard the Crown Prince hasn't smiled in five years."
Lin Xiao lifted her head to the clouded sky and spoke with playful determination:
"Perfect… then I'll consider it a national mission. If I can make him smile, I'll make history!"
The Grand Chamberlain and the Imperial Decree
Suddenly, the wing's door opened quietly, and the Grand Chamberlain entered, carrying a golden scroll sealed with the imperial dragon emblem.
He raised the scroll and announced in a booming voice:
"By order of the Emperor… Princess Lin Xiao shall marry Crown Prince Zhao Lian within ten days."
The princess's spoon dropped from her hand, followed by the parrot perched on the ledge:
"Princess is falling!" squawked the parrot, flapping its wings in delightful chaos.
Lin Xiao laughed out loud:
"Can I negotiate?"
Yu Yi tried to gather the scattered cake and spilled tea, her eyes wide in shock, while the other chamberlains stood frozen, stunned by the princess's audacity.
First Meeting with the Crown Prince
The next day, the official meeting was arranged in the Jade White Hall.
The walls were adorned with golden dragon engravings reflecting the torchlight.
The floor was polished white marble, patterned with golden clouds.
Tall pillars carved with mythical motifs gave an overwhelming sense of majesty.
Crown Prince Zhao Lian entered, wearing a dark blue robe adorned with golden threads that shimmered in the torchlight.
His face was stern, his deep eyes scanning everything.
His silence commanded respect throughout the hall.
Princess Lin Xiao, in her light green robe, tried to maintain composure but suddenly tripped over the long hem and fell directly in front of him.
The hall fell silent.
Then she grinned boldly and said:
"I like to start relationships honestly… and this is me, as I am."
A faint corner of his mouth lifted for the first time in years — a subtle hint that her courage and lively spirit might just break through his stoic exterior.
The Chicken and the Salty Dessert Incident
A few days into the marriage, the princess decided to add some fun to palace life:
She brought a small chicken into her wing, naming it "Wind Blossom."
She prepared glutinous rice desserts for the crown prince but accidentally mixed sugar with salt.
When the prince took the first bite…
He swallowed slowly and said in a deadpan tone:
"If this is an assassination attempt… it's quite charming."
Lin Xiao laughed innocently:
"Ah… so I am a skilled plotter."
Even the ministers watching the table couldn't suppress their laughter.
Secondary Characters
Yu Yi: the princess's loyal maid, intelligent and protective, always trying to shield Lin Xiao from mistakes without dampening her playful spirit.
Lu Chen: the princess's childhood guard, tall with dark eyes, calm but sharp-witted, his loyalty and respect evident in every move.
The Greedy Minister: an elderly man with cunning eyes, always plotting to seize power in the court, observing every move of the princess and the crown prince, representing the first political antagonist.
Comedic Scene – The Escaping Chicken
The next morning, the little chicken escaped into the palace.
The princess chased it, tumbling over the long carpets.
The crown prince watched the scene, unable to hide a subtle smile.
The servants tried to catch the chicken, each attempt funnier than the last.
This scene strengthened the bond between the characters and added natural comedy to the otherwise serious palace life.
End of Chapter 1
In the darkness, under the shade of a plum tree, the princess laughed to herself:
"If you think I'm just a princess… you don't know me at all."
In the crown prince's wing, he whispered to Lu Chen:
"Protect her… she may become empress one day."
Thus began the real storm in the palace: a mix of adventures, comedy, politics, and a romance that would gradually grow.