Chapter 3 — Paper Kite, Mirror Dream

He always waited until my patience wore thin and I was on the verge of a genuine fury before he would finally hand over the object with a reluctant, exasperated sigh. Today was no exception; he had deliberately refused to shoot down my kite. Could it be that he was completely unaware of the strict imperial customs? If a prince were to pierce the kite of the eldest daughter, he would inevitably be bound to take her as his crown princess. Or perhaps... the person his heart truly desired all along was not me, but my elder sister? But now, those lingering doubts held no weight or meaning for me whatsoever. Catching sight of my approach, my elder sister stepped forward, her voice laced with gentle concern.

Au Ninh, the Empress dowager summoned you to her quarters earlier. Was there any particular matter she wished to discuss?

Before I could even gather my thoughts to frame a reply, Pei Thanh chimed in with a mocking chuckle, speaking before his turn.

What else could it possibly be about? It was undoubtedly a warning not to harbor foolish, unrealistic ambitions. How could the Crown Prince ever deign to marry someone of her standing?

Sister Wan Ha, you have no idea. Today, Shen Au Ninh stubbornly insisted that I shoot down her precious kite, whining incessantly that she was terrified someone else would pierce it first.

It was an excessively large and utterly hideous contraption. From where I stood, I wanted to distance myself as far as humanly possible, dreading the mere thought that my arrow might accidentally hit it.

I bit down hard on my lower lip, keeping my gaze lowered and my tongue silenced. Had this been any other day in the past, I would have immediately unleashed a fiery retort and dragged him into a bitter quarrel. Pei Thanh frowned, a flicker of genuine bewilderment crossing his features.

Shen Au Ninh, aren't you usually exceptionally sharp-tongued and ready with a comeback? Why are you standing there in complete silence today?

My elder sister, possessing a quiet intuition, perceived that something within me was fundamentally amiss. She reached out, gently pulling me toward her side with a protective grace.

Au Ninh poured her heart and soul into crafting that kite. Without a doubt, the person destined to appreciate it will eventually appear.

Your Imperial Highness the Third Prince, the hour grows late. My sister and I must take our leave and bid you farewell.

A fleeting trace of reluctant longing shadowed the depths of Pei Thanh’s eyes, though he quickly masked it with a courteous nod.

Sister Wan Ha, please take care on the journey back. Until we meet again.

With those parting words, his gaze shifted abruptly back to me, softening just a fraction.

Very well, Shen Au Ninh, cease your brooding. Should there ever be a next time, I promise I shall shoot down your kite before anyone else even draws their bow.

Along the quiet pathway home, I confided in my elder sister, recounting the Empress’s strange decree granting us a half-year respite. My sister fell into a contemplative silence for a long moment before she finally spoke.

A figure of such towering stature as the Crown Prince... if one were truly fortunate enough to secure his hand, it would undoubtedly be a supreme blessing.

Yet his mind and convictions are far too resolute and unyielding. It would be a formidable task indeed to ever alter his path.

However, my dear Au Ninh, you need not carry such a heavy burden of anxiety. Simply let events unfold according to their natural course.

The fact that the Empress chose not to proclaim this arrangement openly was intended to preserve your dignity and leave you with a graceful retreat. Even if half a year passes and His Highness ultimately chooses to take monastic vows, it will in no way mar your prospects of finding a suitable match in the future.

My mind was a chaotic tangle of silken threads, weaving back and forth between the solemn visage of Pei Huyen and the irritating echoes of Pei Thanh’s remarks. Raising my eyes to look at my elder sister, I asked with timid hesitation.

Elder Sister... is there someone tucked away in the quietest corners of your heart whom you truly cherish?

My sister’s steps faltered for a fraction of a second, her delicate cheeks blooming with a soft, bashful flush before she gave a subtle nod. She was the very embodiment of grace, virtue, and profound propriety. If the man who held her affection happened to be Pei Thanh, then truly, she was infinitely more suited to stand beside him than I ever could be. The following morning, the Fifth Princess unexpectedly hosted a grand poetry gathering within the imperial gardens. To the utter astonishment of every noble guest in attendance, even the notoriously reclusive Crown Prince had been extended an invitation and actually chosen to attend. The young ladies of the capital had long traded whispers of his legendary grace, and each one now strained to catch even a fleeting glimpse of the elusive prince at close proximity. Amidst the lively assembly, Pei Huyen remained an oasis of serene detachment, his every movement carrying an effortless, transcendent elegance. Countless gazes clung to his figure like magnets, yet not a single soul possessed the audacious courage to step forward and disrupt his solitude. The moment my sister and I arrived, Pei Thanh discarded his idle stance and strode briskly toward us. Fixing his eyes upon me, he let out a deliberately provocative laugh.

My Fifth Imperial Sister has entirely rewritten the rules of the game today. Every man and woman must pair up to form a competing duo.

Shen Au Ninh, your literary skills are notoriously abysmal. Whosoever misfortune it is to be paired with you will undoubtedly suffer a crushing defeat. Do not even think of dragging me down into your failure.

I ground my teeth together, pressing out a sharp retort.

I never once uttered a word about choosing you! Even if you were foolish enough to desire a partnership with me, I would hardly grant my consent.

He offered a dry, mocking scoff.

Oh, listen to how fiercely the little sparrow chirps.

When every last partner has been claimed and you are left utterly abandoned, do not come weeping to me and begging for my mercy.

Seething with indignation, I whipped my head away, refusing to grant him another glance. Having thoroughly succeeded in ruffling my feathers, Pei Thanh abruptly shifted his tone, his voice turning honeyed and expectant as he gazed past me toward my elder sister.

Sister Wan Ha, would you honor me by forming a team with my humble self?

To his evident dismay, my elder sister’s eyes did not linger upon him for even a second. Her gaze drifted across the crowded pavilion as though searching for a specific face amidst the sea of nobility. Suddenly, her eyes locked onto a distinguished young scholar standing nearby. She dipped her head in a delicate, respectful greeting, and without hesitation, the young man stepped forward to meet her. It was none other than the newly minted top imperial scholar, Xu Ruoqing. He raised his hands in a formal, elegant bow.

Respected Eldest Miss Shen, would you grant this unworthy one the immense privilege of your partnership?

A radiant smile bloomed across my sister's face as she inclined her head in assent, turning to walk with him toward a quieter alcove to converse. A palpable wave of bitter disappointment rippled through Pei Thanh’s expression. He brusquely waved away the lingering glances and half-formed invitations of several other hopeful maidens, turning back to resume his relentless teasing of me.

Shen Au Ninh, just look around you. Nearly every young lady here has already found her match, leaving only your pathetic solitary figure standing in the dust.

If I were in your position, I would gladly search for a crack in the stone earth and crawl inside out of sheer humiliation.

It was an undeniable truth that not a single young gentleman was casting a favorable look in my direction. Aside from myself, the only other soul standing completely isolated amidst the crowd was Pei Huyen. Having never once deigned to partake in such frivolous courtly amusements, everyone had assumed his presence today was merely that of a distant, indifferent spectator. Furthermore, his aura of icy aloofness was so imposing that even the boldest of noble daughters lacked the nerve to approach him. Pei Thanh, however, continued his relentless drone.

Shen Au Ninh, if you possessed even a fraction of the refinement and literary grace of Sister Wan Ha, you would never have been reduced to such a desperate plight of total rejection.

I have endlessly urged you to immerse yourself in books, yet you stubbornly refused every piece of advice. In the end, you have simply made yourself an inescapable burden.

Very well then, if you swallow your pride, offer me a humble plea, and address me sweetly as elder brother, I might just lower my standards and agree to carry you through this.

The accumulated embers of fury within my chest violently erupted into a blazing inferno. I shot him a glare so fierce it could have melted iron. Then, marching with heavy, purposeful strides, I bypassed the gathered lords and walked straight toward the solitary figure of Pei Huyen.

Your Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, I wish to form a team with you!

The entire poetry pavilion plunged into an absolute, suffocating silence. Even the Fifth Princess froze, her eyes widening into perfect circles of utter disbelief. Pei Thanh was the first to snap back to reality, his face draining of color as he lunged forward to grab my sleeve.

Shen Au Ninh, with your pitiful scraps of poetic talent, how on earth do you dare to disturb His Imperial Highness? You and His Highness are as vastly apart as the heavens and the muddy earth! Stop this madness at once.

I truly admit defeat when it comes to you! Consider me cursed with the worst of luck—fine, I officially agree to be your partner, are you satisfied now?