Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Woman Named Ye Qing
Qingfeng Garden was not located within the Eastern Capital, but rather sat beside a royal park at the southwestern edge outside the city. The journey was not far.
As Chu Ge had said, the city was bustling today, nearly half the population streaming toward the direction of the Grand Flower Festival. Even the Vermilion Bird Avenue was crowded and difficult to traverse.
“So many people?” Li Fu exclaimed in mild astonishment.
“I brought you out to see the Flower Festival, not to stand here gawking at crowds! Come on,” Chu Ge said, irritable, pulling Li Fu along as they dashed toward the city outskirts.
Truth be told, the Eastern Capital today was livelier than even the Lantern Festival days before. The throng heading out to see the flowers was unending, which included not a few young gentlemen and ladies of noble households. It seemed the breath of spring descended early upon the city.
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Before they even entered Qingfeng Garden, waves of fragrance washed over them.
Flowers bloomed profusely, the scent of grasses mingled with the earthy aroma, creating a refreshing atmosphere. Stepping into the garden, they found themselves in a sea of blossoms, stretching as far as the eye could see. The myriad hues of flowers and plants adorned every corner.
Animals roamed freely within the grounds: snow-white long-eared rabbits, flower deer unafraid of people, and many migratory birds from the south, adding to the lively scene.
Wisps of mist drifted among the myriad flowers, enchanting under the sunlight like a rosy dawn.
“This is like a dream,” Li Fu marveled at the scene before him, feeling as if he stood in a pure land, starkly contrasted with the mundane world of the Eastern Capital, untouched by a single speck of dust.
“How is it? Not bad, right? But the Flower Festival only lasts a few days. The climate here isn’t like the south—before long, the flowers and grass will freeze and die,” Chu Ge explained.
Because Consort Shangguan Yan adored peonies, the Flower Festival was held here annually at winter’s end or spring’s beginning to win her favor. Yet, the consort did not always grace the festival with her presence, and even when she did, she seldom lingered more than half a day.
Thus, most attendees each year were the city’s elite, but the royal family never tired of hosting the event, investing lavish resources to please the consort.
Maidens danced among the flowerbeds, their grace paired with the rare and exotic flora, rendering the garden tranquil and harmonious.
Once inside, Chu Ge paid little heed to Li Fu, instead heading straight toward a group of young women.
“Look, Chu Ge from the Tiance Army is here.”
“That’s Young Master Chu. In the Eastern Capital, he strolls among the flowers without a leaf clinging to him. Are you, little miss, pining for romance?”
“Of course not! … He’s coming over, I’m so nervous!”
From the whispers around him, Li Fu finally realized the real reason Chu Ge had brought him here. It was not for any Autumn Leaf Green, but for Chu Ge himself.
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Li Fu now felt a pang of regret. Not only had Yang Zixu deceived him, but Chu Ge was no better … The saying proved true: those who walk with ink grow dark.
He watched as Chu Ge was surrounded by a crowd of young beauties, the air lively. Seeing Chu Ge’s refined and gentle demeanor, Li Fu couldn’t help but mutter inwardly, “What a rogue.”
Shaking his head, he decided not to return; since he was here, he might as well explore.
Qingfeng Garden’s layout was uniquely suited for winter. Though designed after southern landscapes, it bore traces of the wild southern frontier, blending ruggedness with finesse.
Li Fu wandered aimlessly through the garden.
Suddenly, a lotus flower in the distance caught his attention.
Its crystalline petals looked as if forged from ice, quite unlike ordinary lotuses. Dense roots were embedded deep in a patch of dark red soil.
Li Fu paused before the ice lotus, brows furrowed, recalling the ancient texts he had studied. Though this lotus resembled those growing on snowy mountains, Li Fu sensed it was not a common snow lotus.
“Hmm? Flaming Snow Lotus?” A soft, melodious voice tinged with curiosity sounded behind him.
Li Fu turned and saw a maiden in green, ethereal as an orchid, standing quietly behind him.
Her figure was as supple and delicate as a willow in March. Her jet-black hair cascaded to her waist, shining in the light.
Her bright eyes were pure as autumn waters, long lashes gently fluttering, lending both elegance and vitality. Her nose was graceful, lips soft and moist, and her pearly teeth shone with luster.
A breeze lifted her hair, making her appear as if a fairy had stepped from a painting.
She gathered her silky hair with slender fingers, gazing curiously at the ice lotus and Li Fu before it.
“I’ve seen you before—weren’t you the top scorer in this year’s Lantern Festival exams?” Her voice was as celestial as song, laced with a hint of puzzlement.
Li Fu stared at the maiden, entranced, his face flushed without realizing.
“What are you looking at?” she asked, her eyes twinkling as she covered her mouth with a gentle laugh, making Li Fu feel as if bathed in spring breeze.
Embarrassed, Li Fu rubbed his nose, composing himself before replying, “I… wasn’t looking at anything.”
“I’ve seen you before—once in the carriage, and again at the Lantern Festival. Why is your face always so red when you see me?” she teased, dimples appearing on her cheeks.
This maiden was Autumn Leaf Green. Li Fu had hoped to meet her at the Flower Festival, and fortune favored him: not only did he see her, but their first conversation went smoothly.
“No, maybe it’s just hot…” Li Fu turned away, nervous, unable to meet her gaze.
“Oh—well, enjoy the Flaming Ice Lotus, but remember, never touch its petals,” Autumn Leaf Green warned, her eyes sparkling, as if she didn’t intend to linger.
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Hearing this, Li Fu regretted his earlier words—no, they were downright foolish!
He turned quickly, afraid she might vanish if he delayed.
“Why can’t you touch the ice lotus?” he asked.
Autumn Leaf Green paused, turned to Li Fu, and pondered for a moment.
“My father told me about this flower. It’s rare, growing only on volcanoes covered by snow year-round. Unlike ordinary snow lotuses, when it blooms, red veins appear on the petals, flickering like flames. But it can only be picked when in full bloom. Otherwise, even a slight touch will release the cold of the icy mountains, freezing your fingers off,” she explained, tilting her head.
Li Fu considered this, then shook his head. “But it won’t do that now.”
Autumn Leaf Green asked, “Why not now?”
Li Fu replied, “Because it’s about to bloom.”
She looked at him, surprised. “Are you sure?”
Li Fu met her gaze and nodded, “I am. In less than a quarter of an hour, it will bloom.”
Autumn Leaf Green was half convinced, yet she stayed, standing beside Li Fu as they quietly awaited the ice lotus’s blossoming.
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Not far away, Chu Ge was chatting happily among a circle of young women. By chance, he noticed the figure by Li Fu’s side, finding it oddly familiar, though he couldn’t recall which family’s daughter it was.
“So you’ve been pretending all along. I knew it—a grown man uninterested in beauties? You’ve found your target soon enough. I must tell Zixu to bring you to Qin Immortal Boat more often and see if you can keep acting so reserved.”
Chu Ge’s lips curled in a faint smile. He hadn’t paid attention to the girl beside Li Fu; had he known it was Autumn Leaf Green, his thoughts might have changed.
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