Arc 2.3 - Lin Heng
Six days later, at the Capital City
A young man just passed the age of 16, stood quietly at the doorway of his bedroom
Leaning against the frame of the door, the young man looked out at the connecting water garden
Before him was a calming and peaceful sight, but his heart was filled with turmoil
A few days ago, his parents informed him that Viscount Zhao and his daughter shall be visiting them.
Everyone in the nation knew that Zhao Meixu was his betrothed
His father, the great Prime Minister, had personally asked the Empress for the engagement
The Emperor also gave his royal blessings
So it was already confirmed that when Zhao Meixu turns 18, she will be wedded into the Lin family
For any young man to marry a beautiful bride, he would be blessed
But for Lin Heng, he felt dejected
Ignoring the rumors about Zhao Meixu being spoiled, haughty, mean, and rude, Lin Heng just learned his heart was yearning for someone else
Every if that person does not feel the same way about him, Lin Heng was still trying to move on from his teenager feelings
At this moment, how could he think of someone else
Unknown
Young Master *a young servant stood lying nervously at the entrance while speaking carefully* The viscount has arrived
Unknown
Master and Mistress is entertaining the Viscount in the main hall °Servant°
Unknown
In the Plum Garden °Servant°
Lin Heng
Plum Garden? *bitter smile*
Lin Heng
'Lin Jianle had once told me that she didn't like plum blossoms because of how fragile it was'
Lin Heng
'Instead, she preferred the golden flower - the chrysanthemums for its strength'
Unknown
Young Master....°Servant°
Lin Heng
Let's go then....
Lin Heng
*walked out of the room while the servant quickly followed behind him*
In the garden surrounded by plum blossom trees, a petite figure sat under the Pavillion.
The air was cold but gentle, so the young Zhao Meixu didn't mind sitting outside in the garden
With an elbow on the wooden table, her chin was prompt on the back of her hand while her other hand was gently tapping on the table, creating a beautiful but gentle rhythm
Her eyes were closed with a quiet smile on her face as if she lost herself in the soundless music of the wind
The enchanting but quiet scene was how Lin Heng first saw Zhao Meixu
It had startled both him and the servants nearby
Thus wasn't what they all had expected
Lin Heng had never met Zhao Meixu before, but he heard rumors, gossips, and stories about the girl to believe she was vulgar and rude
But how could a vulgar person sit with such elegance and so peacefully as if nothing in the world could touch or move her
Lin Heng stood frozen in place until Zhao Meixu's eyes slowly opened
Her dazzling jewel like eyes held an unknown depth that made him suddenly nervous, like she could see right through him
How could it be possible?
How could he be nervous towards a small girl?
It was shocking because he was never nervous towards anyone, not even his own father
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*cautiously stood in place, her voice was light but clear*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
Please do not be alarmed... I came with my father here as a guest... *explained looking hesitant*
When she looked up at Lin Heng, she found the man unresponsive, her eyes cast back down with more hesitation
Zhao Meixu/Zade
Pardon me...*bows nervously and turns to leave*
Because her back was turn, Lin Heng did not see the hidden gleam in her eyes as she rushed off
Then, with perfect timing, Meixu accidentally tripped over the long length of her dress and would have fallen to her face if a strong pair of arms hadn't caught her on time
Lin Heng
Are you alright? *asked concerned*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
Y-Yes *quickly stood and kept distance from Lin Heng*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
T-Thank you
Lin Heng
No, it was I who startled you, Lady Zhao Meixu *said gently*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
Y-You know me? *Looked up in surprise*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
You are..?
Lin Heng
Lin Heng *cupped his first and tilted his head slightly to greet her politely*
It was extremely strange for Lin Heng to greet Zhao Meixu in such a formal manner
It was like he was greeting royalty or his elders but not a younger girl
Because of this action, Meixu couldn't help but covering her lips to stop herself from laughing
Lin Heng
*surprised expression hearing her laugh*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
S-Sorry *apologized when she saw Lin Heng's surprised face*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
I didn't mean it, but it's just that Lin-gongzi does not need to greet this little Meixu, so formally
Zhao Meixu/Zade
But since Lin-gongzi greets Meixu so gracefully, she must return his kindness
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*straightened posture and gracefully placed her hand to side*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*Slightly bend her knees, bowed her head, and returned the formal bow*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*Like greeting a royaltly or her elders*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
Meixu greets Lin-gongzi
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*Lifts face and sees the taller boy looking at her in confusion*
Lin Heng
You're not like what they say....
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*understood the older boy's comment*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*Instead of replying, she tilted her head to the side and looked at him in confusion*
Lin Heng
*Saw her lost expression*
Zhao Meixu/Zade
*smiled back*
Unbeknownst to Lin Heng that when Zhao Meixu smiled back at him, the dejected feeling he felt previously suddenly went away.
The original Zhao Meixu didn't meet Lin Heng until months before their wedding date
The Viscount had to drag his spoiled daughter, kicking and screaming to meet her betroth in the original story
When she had met the young man and fell in love with him, she was too late in the game.
At that time, Lin Heng's feelings for Lin Jianle had been for almost six years before Zhao Meixu entered his life.
With no other women to compare, no other soul to resort his heart to, his feeling for Lin Jianle became unbreakable
By the time the original soul made her appearance, the game had already ended.
Starlight✨️
Hi, my lovely bookworms
Starlight✨️
Thanks for reading
Starlight✨️
Hope you enjoyed
Starlight✨️
Be careful and take care
Comments
heartbeat 💓
oh this line seems familiar 🤔
but oh well i don't know where i saw it tho🤷
2023-09-14
7