THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 33: Reminding Someone

Shen Yanzhia walked through the park around the East and West Pavilion with slow steps. Netra her eyes stared at the bunch of flowers that started blooming after a few months covered in snow. The flowers were the ones he planted himself as a form of anger and punishment from Lin Zian.

Speaking of Lin Zian, the man had already been gone for several weeks. His departure this time was only accompanied by a few palace envoy soldiers and a few food and clothing supply chariots. Those horse-drawn pedicures should have reached the northern border by now.

On a narrow land surrounded by plum blossoms in a circle, Shen Yanzhia stopped her steps. He then crouched down and grabbed a wooden twig that was not far from its place. The empty wet soil was then dug until a small hole was formed. In that small hole, Shen Yanzhia placed down a few stalks of botanical flower seeds that she had picked up from the courtyard of Ruo Shui Palace some time ago.

After finishing with the botan, Shen Yanzhia turned to another vacant land court. In that empty land, he planted lilies. A while later, he walked towards the water pond, taking a glimpse of the lotus expanse whose flowers were still buds. From above the surface of the water, Shen Yanzhia could see some shadows of koi fish swimming cheerfully in the spring.

"I have to plant a lotus."

Shen Yanzhia then walked away towards the East Pavilion. In front of the wooden door carved in the decoration of dragons and tigers, Shen Yanzhia paused for a moment. Then, the door he opened slowly to cause a scream that can only be heard by people who are not far from the place.

The room in the East Pavilion looked like a room that had never been occupied. Dust thick enough to fill the surface of the table and chair. Shen Yanzhia pulled the end of her long clothes and then stroked them onto the chair she was about to sit on. The tip of the shirt was immediately dirty with dust.

Ah, how long has this residence not been cleaned?

The Western Pavilion was even much better than this place. Since Lin Zian's departure to the northern border, Shen Yanzhia had never again come to the Eastern Pavilion. She spent the day in the library, reading books of ancient poetry and various books of medicinal techniques. If he wasn't in the library, then he would have been silent in the Western Pavilion, staring at the white jade hanger while scribbling through the paper. Most of his time was spent at the Yun residence, chatting with his father or discussing medicine with Ru Xiaolan.

"It sucks! That man must have forgotten his promise!"

Shen Yanzhia unpacked Lin Zian's closet drawers one by one. The contents of the drawers he took out and he placed them carelessly on the floor. He had to find something that could make his mood improve and did not always remember Lin Zian. Otherwise, Shen Yanzhia would have been completely enraged and destroyed the entire contents of this residence out of boredom.

"Ah, meet!"

His eyes sparkled brightly. Shen Yanzia tightly grasped a hanger containing several small keys. Without re-cleaning the mess he made, Shen Yanzhia left the Eastern Pavilion humming. Xu Chi who had just finished cleaning the kitchen happened to cross paths with him. The servant was astonished to see Shen Yanzhia's expression that was like she was finding a treasure.

"Xu Chi, clean up your Young Master's room. Ah yes, also clean the dust, I'll check it later."

Xu Chi just nodded. What other mess was made by his young master's wife?

Xu Chi's work had slightly become light because ever since Lin Zian left, he had served no one anymore. The entire matter of the residence's needs is governed entirely by the butler. He also cleaned the East Pavilion once a week. Lately, Shen Yanzhia had also not acted often because the woman had always remained silent in her pavilion or had gone to Yun residence for days. Come to think of it, his young master's wife must be bored to death.

Meanwhile, Shen Yanzhia re-entered the Western Pavilion. The key he held and stored it in a drawer along with a jade hanger he was investigating the truth. He will use the key tomorrow when he is very bored.

"Let's stay here before I go."

Shen Yanzhia recalled Lin Zian's words on her last night at the residence before leaving for the northern border a few weeks ago. The voice was so soothing and made Shen Yanzhia obedient just like that. For some reason, that night the atmosphere in the room of the Western Pavilion felt so calm and peaceful. As Shen Yanzhia looked at Lin Zian, there was a cold air blowing into her heart.

When he still wanted to leave, Lin Zian blocked his wrist. Something like an electric shock spread as soon as the skin of his hand came into contact with the skin of Lin Zian's palm.

"Zhi'er, stay in this residence before I leave" repeated Lin Zian. His eyes stared deeply at Shen Yanzhia's chocolate bead.

"What did you call me?"

"Zhi'er."

Shen Yanzhia stared in disbelief at the man before her. This was the first time he had heard Lin Zian call him that. For months since his marriage, the man has only called him wangfei or his name directly.

"I don't know if I can go back or not this time," Lin Zian said as he released his hand cheque.

"No! You must keep your promise!"

"I'll try as I can."

"Zhi'er, how does it feel to like someone?"

"I don't know. You like someone?"

"Of course."

"Say, who do you like? I'll teach him a lesson!"

"If I don't come back, will you marry again?"

Strange question, thought Shen Yanzhia.

"I'll be a nun if you dare not return!"

Lin Zian chuckled. He ruffled Shen Yanzhia's hair like an innocent little boy.

"Why?"

"Suri's mother said that noble women can only marry once. You think it's easy to find someone as perfect as you? Although you're a bitch, but I don't mind. If you dare not return at the height of spring, I will go to the temple and shave all my hair. Lin Zian, you gotta-"

Shen Yanzhia did not twitch as Lin Zian silenced her mouth with a kiss. His entire body feels like it has stopped working. Shen Yanzhia was like a statue of a goddess.

The woman closed her eyes. His heart was beating suddenly. With hesitation, he gave Lin Zian a chance to move freely. Both faces are linked.

Wait, this is not true!

Inner Shen Yanzhia exclaimed. A while later he opened his eyes and pushed Lin Zian's chest away some distance. Shen Yanzhia looked in astonishment at Lin Zian, at herself who was acting out of her senses. The man smiled brightly.

"You... You go."

Shen Yanzhia then called Tan'er who was standing guard outside and asked him to prepare his bed. He no longer turned his head to Lin Zian as the man left with a smile on his face.

Ever since the events of that night, the nights that Shen Yanzhia had gone through alone had become extremely long and boring. He had no idea what was going on with him lately. His mood quickly changed in a short period of time. For a moment he often felt happy, a moment later he felt empty. In fact, this large residence crowded by servants sometimes felt like a small house in the middle of the forest.

Shen Yanzhia needed to look into her own heart. He should know for sure something that made him become like a madman at some time.

"Ah, sucks!"

The woman tore the paper she scratched roughly. Even at a time like this, he could lose focus!

"Lin Zian, if you really don't come back, I will curse you even until I reincarnate again!"

After being silent for a while, Shen Yanzhia finally decided to go to the residence of Prince Yun. He had to meet Ru Xiaolan to inquire as well as ask for a medicine that could make him refocus and no longer think of annoying things that made his feelings ungodly!

...***...

Note: Wangfei, title for princely empress.

Question: Is falling in love that hard?