Apricot Blossom Plumpness

Zhan Xing'er, daughter of the Great General Dingyuan, was born and raised on the frontier. At sixteen, she returned to the capital with her parents by imperial decree.

At the royal victory banquet, the nobles seated above began worrying about her marriage.

Everyone's eyes gathered on the pink figure. She answered shyly, "This humble daughter has admired Lord Xie for a long time."

Her soft voice had barely faded when a mixture of snickers, surprise, and amusement spread through the crowd, along with a flurry of hushed whispers.

[Who doesn't know that Young Lord Xie has no interest in women? He even dared to reject a princess. Looks like the capital will gain another lovesick soul tonight.]

"Bingchen, what do you say?" The sovereign, smiling, turned to the young courtier he valued most.

Zhan Xing'er was already working up the tears of heartbreak she expected to shed when he rejected her.

The graceful young man in a crimson robe rose and bowed. In a clear, cool voice, he replied, "I accept."

Plip. A perfect, round tear fell onto her fair cheek. Before Zhan Xing'er could wipe it away, the empress laughed and said, "Oh, look at this child. She's so happy she's crying."

*Thanks to Bishui Gugu for the character cards.

Theme: Spring will come, and apricot blossoms will bloom.