Worry-Free in July

Wuyou smiled, then turned to Prince An. They had been married in name for many days, but had been so busy that they had never truly met. As she looked up, she met Prince An's gaze, filled with shock and delight. So many emotions swirled in his eyes, too complicated to read.

So it was you. It really was you.

The same words rose in both their hearts at once.

The old prince saw the two of them gazing at each other without moving or speaking, and gave Wuyou a push. “Go on. Qian'er will come looking for you if you don't hurry. I may be an old man, but I don't want to be a nuisance.”

Ziqian was the first to react. He walked slowly toward Wuyou, golden sunlight falling across his jade-like face. His water-blue brocade robe stirred a breeze around him. It seemed to take forever, yet only an instant, before he reached her side. Ziqian held out his hand to Wuyou. “My lady, you've finally come.”

Wuyou looked at the hand he offered, his fingers long and distinct. As if through countless cycles of reincarnation, that hand had come only for her. She slowly reached out and laid her jade-like hand in his. The man smiled faintly and suddenly clasped her hand tightly. His palm felt damp against hers, and Wuyou felt her face grow warm.

“Yes, I'm late. I'm sorry I wasn't there to see you come of age.”