Mini-scene One: The Mystery of the Rouge
On a late spring afternoon, dappled sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice. Cici clutched a damaged rouge brush, her fingertips pale. “I saved up for three months to buy this. You can’t just smash it!”
The young marquis lounged against the cushions, the hem of his black robe sweeping over the scattered fragments. “It’s just some cheap trinket. I’ll have them bring you ten shades of rouge from the Western Regions tomorrow. Smash this junk.”
“You!” Cici’s eyes reddened as she bent to pick up the broken brush. “I earned this by working as an apprentice at the rouge shop for Mother’s birthday…” Before she could finish, the young marquis caught her wrist and slipped a cool jade bracelet onto it. “My gifts are worth far more than a broken brush.”
Mini-scene Two: Protecting the Books in the Snow
In the depths of winter, snow blanketed the vermilion walls. Cici trudged through it to the study, but the oiled-paper wrapping in her arms was already soaked through. The young marquis kicked aside the charcoal brazier and slapped an inkstone onto the desk. “I asked you to fetch a copy of Essential Techniques for the Welfare of the People, and you came back carrying a pile of soggy old books?”
“These are the last rare editions at the bookshop outside the city…” Cici shivered, frost clinging to her eyelashes. “The shopkeeper said he’d have to break them up for firewood…” Before she could finish, a cloak wrapped around her frail body. The young marquis gritted his teeth and pressed her onto the warm couch. “You fool! Couldn’t you look after yourself first?”
Mini-scene Three: A Moonlit Wager
Silver light shimmered over the lotus pond on a summer night. Cici swayed with her wine gourd, humming a tune. The young marquis snatched it away and took a swig. “I bet you can’t block my sword for three moves.”
A flash of steel came at her. Cici spun aside, but the sword’s force snapped the jade hairpin in her hair. She froze in place. The young marquis’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he reached into his robe and drew out a lustrous, flawless
