My darlings, feel free to leave comments! The more comments there are, the more motivated I'll be to write. This book won't be paywalled. It's a little treat from Rou Rou, the author, for all of you.
Everyone in the capital knew that the third legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor's household had loved the young heir of the Pingding Duke's household since childhood, but he had never paid her any attention. The third daughter was truly as beautiful as "spring blossoms and the autumn moon," and her father was a Grand Tutor of great rank. Yet the young heir simply didn't like her.
"Young Master, the young lady from the Grand Tutor's household is waiting outside. She says the weather's lovely today and would like to invite you on an outing," the servant reported softly from outside the door. There was no reply. Looking up, he saw that the young heir was completely ignoring the matter. Feeling the heavy silver in his pocket, the servant tried again in a quiet voice. "Young Master, the young lady has been waiting outside for three hours. It's only February, but it's still cold. I'm afraid her health won't hold up!"
Xiao Qicheng shot the servant a glance. "Why do you have so much to say? You can forget about collecting your wages this month!"
Outside the residence, her maid said, "Miss, let's go. The young heir probably won't come again. It's so cold. Please hurry back. You had a fever just last night. You can't keep waiting out here; your health won't take it."
Her gaze stayed fixed on the entrance, her delicate face set in stubborn resolve. "It's fine. He'll come."
Later, at a banquet, at the emperor's request, Xiao Qicheng had no choice but to offer Xie Shuwan a plate of green plums. Xie Shuwan looked at the plums, bright as green pearls, and her eyes reddened. All she could hear was the sound of her heart breaking. He had never remembered that she was allergic to green plums. Just one could kill her. From that moment on, her heart had gone cold. She decided to throw away that cold stone and be done with it.
Theme: What was once treated as worthless may one day become a precious treasure you can no longer have. A heart that's been deeply hurt may take a lifetime to heal.
