March 46th 3rd

  In December, after noon, it suddenly started snowing lightly and flutteringly. Chen Hu rubbed his palms together under the window, blowing out a puff of hot air.

  "Second daughter," a family member reported from under the window, "there is a girl outside the door who claims to know you and has come to visit."

  "What does the girl look like?" Chen Hu asked casually as he drew a rough outline on the silk fabric.

  "Hmm. At the age of six or seven, wearing a white fox fur coat, the fur color is rare and good. It looks good too."

  "What? Is it her?" Chen Hu put down his pen in surprise and hastily said, "Bring her to me."

  Zhang Yan put away the black oil-paper umbrella under the corridor, leaned against the wall, and entered the house. Suddenly feeling warm, she relaxed her spirit and looked again to see that there was a brazier burning in the room, with a desk set up by the window, on which were placed poetry books, brushes, and ink. Chen Hu was sitting in front of the window, with a beautifully styled hair bun on top of her head.

  "Ah," Zhang Yan's eyes lit up with a smile, "Has Sister Chen gotten married?"

  "Hmm." Chen Hu turned back with a smile, "The other day when I just had the hairpinning ceremony, the wife of the Prime Minister gave me the courtesy name Zhu Zhen."

  "Is Sister Zhuo painting that plum blossom?" She leaned against Chen Hu's side, gazing out the window at the plum blossoms and then back at her brushstrokes.

  "Hmm." Chen Hu nodded, "Every time I see it blooming in the snow, I feel especially admiring."

  "Yes." Zhang Yan smiled and said, "I couldn't bear it. I almost froze to death in the snow, and thinking that my sister's home was nearby, I came over to visit without an invitation."

  "It doesn't matter." Chen Hu smiled and said, "I also like you coming over." She finished decorating the last red plum blossom, put down her brush, turned around, bit her lip and said, "That Mr. Lü, I don't know if he likes plum blossoms as much as we do."

  "Wow," Zhang Yan widened her eyes in surprise and asked, "Which one?"

  "It's your uncle."

  "Oh——" Zhang Yan smiled and curved her eyebrows, "That one, Lü Gongzi oh——"

  "Spread out, sister," she urged, leaning in close and asking softly, "Do you like my uncle?"

  Chen Hu was taken aback, her face flushing red. "A Yan, don't talk nonsense," she scolded, picking up her brush to paint a few more plum blossoms, trying to shift her awkward thoughts.

  "I didn't speak nonsense," Zhang Yan said, "My uncle is the best man in the world. Look, he's good-looking, knowledgeable, has a good temperament, is filial to his parents, friendly and respectful to his brothers, and takes care of us younger generations too. Even with a lantern in hand, you won't find a better man than him in this vast country."

  There is a rather strict mother-in-law.

  A Yan, isn't that better?!!!!

  Chen Hu turned around, her lips curled up in a seemingly smiling yet not quite smiling expression, and scolded, "What's with the lantern? Are you trying to summon your uncle?"

  ……

  The night was late, and from the main hall came out, on both sides of the corridor, the snow accumulated in the night color, emitting a faint light. In front, a lantern hung, casting a warm yellow glow at his feet.

  "Jiāo," Zhang Yan adjusted her cloak and suddenly spoke up, "Give me the lantern."

  "Ah?" Lian Yu turned back in surprise, laughing and saying "On a snowy day like today, it's better for the lanterns to be lit earlier, no need to trouble Nang Zi."

  "It's not a bother." Zhang Yan took the lantern and looked at the faint light in her hand, suddenly smiling and saying, "Tong Wei, do you think if my uncle married my aunt, would he still treat me like he used to?"

  "Is His Highness the Crown Prince getting married?" Mu Yan asked dazedly, "Has he taken a fancy to some girl from which family, or is it the Ninth Young Lady of the Lu family?"

  "It's not that he has his eyes on which family's daughter," Zhang Yan walked back to her own room, "but rather I have my eyes on which aunt is likable."

  To Liu Ying, she has always been both fond of and fearful of him. Fond of his kind nature and warm gaze; yet afraid of repeating the mistakes of history, achieving that tragic marriage. In history, those two famous husband and wife were actually uncle and niece, trapped in Weiyang Palace, unable to escape, tormenting each other until they died, leaving behind only a pitiful and desolate reputation for the Virgin Empress.

  I'd rather not end up like this.

  Zhang Yan shuddered, uncle is still uncle, the perverse and unconventional feelings made me feel unacceptable. If I could be a little selfish, if I could be a little selfish, I would like to have both my uncle's love and not fall into worries about that fate.

  Then, on that day, passing through the eastern city, I happened to see a young couple across the street with flushed cheeks, and suddenly an idea flashed through my mind.

  She was still a young girl, he had already become a youth. If he had his beloved empress before marrying her in the third year of Emperor Hui, then with her status, she would never be humiliated to be a concubine.

  I just want to be an eternal and simple niece forever.

  February 22nd

  Zhang Yan followed her mother Lu Yuan into the palace and smiled at Lü Zhi, saying, "Auntie, you've got chilblains this year."

  "There's no need, little Ah Yan," said Lü Bu warmly, embracing her and holding her close to his chest. "Ah Yan misses Grandma, and Grandma knows."

  Lü Zhuang raised her head, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes faded away, and her skin shone with a hint of luster, surprisingly looking younger than when she was anxiously waiting for Lu Yuan's return years ago.

  "After the Spring Festival, I'll help your uncle with his wedding, and then this old bone of mine will be completely relaxed." Lü Yu smiled faintly, her expression making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.

  "Speaking of Uncle," Zhang Yan smiled and said, "A few days ago I was in the East Market, and I saw some interesting scenes."

  Lv Wei was taken aback for a moment.

  The third day of March is a fine day, and there are many beautiful women by the river in Chang'an.

  "The best time for peach blossoms to bloom is on my birthday." Zhang Yan said with a smile in the carriage.

  "Yes, yes, happy birthday." Ruyi replied perfunctorily, gazing out at the green grass by the Wei River from the carriage, so excited that he almost jumped out to roll around. "Prince brother," he said, shaking Liu Ying's arm and pointing to where the crowd was most lively, "go there, go there, it's the most fun there."

  "Alright," Liu Ying shook her head, but still ordered the front eunuch to stop with a shout.

  In the late spring of March, willow catkins moisten the city, wild hemp sways back and forth, and a flock of orioles fly in disorder.

  During the Qin and Han dynasties, the customs of the people were fresh and simple. The distinction between men and women was not strict, unlike the rigid etiquette of later generations. As written in "Zhou Li - Di Guan - Mei Shi": In the second month of spring, order the gathering of men and women, and do not prohibit those who are eager to participate. With a rare touch of human warmth and tenderness. The Analects also record: In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, five or six adults and six or seven children bathe in the Qi Wei, enjoy the breeze on the Wu Yu, sing and return. Unlike the usual rigid teachings and solemn principles of the sages, it has a fresh and romantic spring atmosphere.

  Now in the middle of spring, along the banks of the Wei River, men and women are strolling in pairs, chasing each other in joy, singing and harmonizing with each other, a scene of vibrant spring colors. Liu Ying's clothes are luxurious, his eyebrows and eyes are clear and bright, and he is just at the age of youth, as soon as he gets off the carriage, he receives many secret glances from young girls.

  "It's really lively." Ruyi smiled and said, "It's more interesting than the palace. Eh, Ayan, if I could build a house by the Wei River and watch it every day, that would be great."

  Zhang Yan smiled and said, "If you really get what you want, you'll be distracted by something else."

  People are always dissatisfied, what they have in hand is ordinary, but what they can't get is what makes their eyes hot. When they lose the watermelon and pick up the winter melon, only then do they remember how good the watermelon was, and wish to exchange it back. But how many times can a person's life afford such tosses? Gradually, it becomes twilight.

  The young men and women whispered in amazement, "Whose children are these? Each one is so beautiful!" Especially the young boy and girl, they were truly as lovely as jade and snow. If you added a bit more, it would be too much; if you took away a bit, it would be too little. The only thing was that they were still a bit too young to fully appreciate the charm of the spring breeze on the riverbank.

  The round-faced girl in a green skirt was pushed out by the crowd, and she lightly tossed the melons onto Liu Ying's body. Her face flushed, her lips bitten, and her eyes sparkled with tender spring feelings. Liu Ying brushed off the melons, smiled apologetically, turned his head to look at his brother and niece, but didn't respond to the girl. The girl was slightly disappointed, but not disheartened, and she pulled her sister's hand away from the scene.

  "What's this?" Joyful and eager, he exclaimed, "Is it a fruit-throwing contest? I want to play too. Zheng Fu," he pointed at the servant standing beside him, "go buy me a big pile of fruits."

  "Third Master." Zheng Fu frowned, "These melons aren't something that can be bought casually."

  "Why?" Ruo Yi's pretty eyebrows shot up in annoyance. "I'm a dignified young master, how can I not even buy something successfully."

  Zhang Yan covered her mouth and smiled, casting a sideways glance at Ruyi, and asked, "Among so many people here, who do you think is pleasing to the eye?"

  With a pleased expression, she gazed around and then shook her head, "They're all ugly. Well, when it comes to looks, among the people by the river, except for me, only you, this ugly girl, are somewhat passable."

  Zhang Yan knew his temperament, took a deep breath, and silently recited, "I'm not angry, I'm not angry." Then she smiled and said, "If you win by smashing who, they will think you are more powerful than them and will pester you for the whole day. Can you bear it?"

  Ru Yi felt a chill run down his spine, shook his head repeatedly and hastily called back Zheng Fu, "You don't have to go."

  "Zheng Fu, don't listen to him," Zhang Yan said with a smile, turning her head and saying, "Go buy some peaches and plums and bring them back to me."

  Zheng Fu let out a sigh of relief, but was startled again by Zhang Yan, who looked unhappy and said, "Zhang's wife, Third Master shouldn't throw those melons and fruits, do you think you can just throw them?"

  It's more troublesome than expected, he secretly glanced at Liu Ying, who was standing in front of him with his hands behind his back, and the crown prince would have to peel off his own skin.

  "It's really strange," Zhang Yan said with a smile in her eyes, "can't this melon be used for anything else except throwing? I just want to wash it with Wei water and eat it."

  Zheng Fu let out a sigh and reluctantly left.

  Newly picked sugar plums from the tree, cool and refreshing, with a green fruit fragrance. Zhang Yan had just finished swimming in the Wei River, sat on the riverbank, holding one up to her mouth, and threw it in, not realizing how sour it was, furrowing her brow, "Ruyi, want to try some?"

  "No," he said with a hint of disdain, and then looked at the riverbank again. "A Yan, look," he sat down on his haunches, resting his chin on his knees, gazing far into the distance at the shore. "A Yan, look."

  First update seeking pink tickets.