Chapter 35: Drinking the Tea She Had Drunk From

"People say the silk tree flower symbolizes deep affection between couples and lovers staying together for a lifetime, but it is actually this spring that holds the true legend of longevity."

"We juniors would like to hear the details," Han Yi said, standing at the forefront.

The Dowager Concubine Shu slowly opened up, patiently explaining to the group: "It is said that in ancient times, a dragon maiden fell in love with a mortal man. But humans and spirits walk different paths, and the celestial and the mundane are distinct realms. This act infuriated the gods, who cast the dragon maiden down to the mortal world. She spent several decades with the man, but as mortals do, he passed away early. The dragon maiden wept every night, longing for her beloved..."

The crowd was drawn into the story, gradually quieting down as they gathered around to listen intently.

"...In the end, the gods told the dragon maiden that if her tears could fill this spring, her lover would be reborn to be with her once more."

"And the ending? Did the lovers finally end up together?" Huaining blurted out.

The Dowager Concubine Shu shook her head regretfully, gazing at the bubbling water: "The dragon maiden wept for hundreds of years, but for some reason, the spring could never be filled. Finally, her eyes transformed into this very spring, and the water is nothing but her tears, flowing ceaselessly for tens of thousands of years."

"How incredibly sad..." Huaining’s eyes grew increasingly red, and her nose turned pink.

The Dowager Concubine Shu smiled kindly. "However, there is a folk belief that if one drinks this water, they will meet a lover as devoted as the dragon maiden, and if lovers share a cup, they will remain together in deep, lasting harmony."

Nurse Wei said with a smile, "I remember the late Emperor telling you this story, Your Highness. Once he finished, he insisted that you drink with him. You didn't believe it and refused to drink the 'dragon maiden’s tears' no matter what he said."

The Dowager Concubine Shu laughed. "In the end, I couldn't resist him and took a sip. It’s just slightly sweet spring water; everyone should try some for good luck."

The crowd readily agreed.

The Dowager Concubine Shu ordered carpets to be spread on the grass, tea tables set, and fresh snacks, warm wine, and tea served, as she sat with the elderly ladies to chat about days of old.

Meanwhile, the three young sisters found a stone table beneath an apricot tree to sit around.

Xiao Ming looked back and saw many scholars gathered by the pool, eager to try the water, with some even using leaves as makeshift cups to scoop and drink.

"Sister, do you want to drink this spring water?" Xiao Ming asked, tugging gently on Huaixi’s sleeve. "I kind of want to try it, but I’m too embarrassed to go over."

"What is there to be embarrassed about! I'm hungry anyway, let's eat and drink at the same time!" Huaining grabbed Xiao Ming’s shoulder and patted it, then ordered, "Xiao Tao! Come here!"

"Yes, Miss."

"Go fetch a pot of it!"

"Yes." The girl, Xiao Tao, carried a two-tiered, four-cornered, carved wooden food box.

She opened the box and spread a brocade mat on the stone table. As if performing a magic trick, she set out several plates of exquisite snacks, and finally, produced a teapot and four delicate, translucent tea cups.

"Where did you conjure all these little things from?" Xiao Ming could hardly believe it.

Huaixi shook her head with a smile: "This girl is a glutton; she carries all sorts of dried fruit and snacks wherever she goes to satisfy her cravings. It’s nothing new."

Huaining looked quite proud. She was accustomed to ignoring rules; while she pretended to be an innocent, ignorant little rabbit in front of Old Madam Ling and her mother, she was actually fearless in private. Let alone a food box, she even kept two full sets of men’s clothing hidden in the carriage, for what she called "emergencies."

At this moment, Xiao Tao walked over with a smile. "Young ladies, please enjoy. Don't worry about running out; I'll go fetch more if it's finished. Perhaps your fated love is waiting right here at the banquet."

"Then I must drink plenty," Xiao Ming teased.

Taking a cup, Huaining downed three cups in a row; she had eaten too much and was using the spring water to wash it down.

Xiao Ming took a small sip. "The water is indeed sweet and refreshing. Sister, you should drink some too."

Huaixi held the cup between her hands, rubbing it, and said faintly, "I don't believe in these things."

"Sister is just like a wooden statue or a stone-hearted clay bodhisattva—no fun at all." Huaining smirked. "Sister Xiao, let's ignore her!"

As the sisters chatted and laughed, Huaixi suddenly nudged Xiao Ming with her elbow, her eyes shifting subtly. Xiao Ming turned to look.

The man was dressed in a dark brocade robe, handsome and tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist—a physique clearly honed in the military camp. Who else could such a dashing man be but Ling Zhao?

He clearly saw her, but his eyes held an unreadable expression, sharp and piercing. Xiao Ming immediately turned her head away.

How unlucky!

Walking slowly beside him was Meng Qingxuan, his fiancée.

Meng Qingxuan moved with alluring grace, standing by his side with a dignified air, though her cheeks flushed a soft pink whenever she looked up at him, unable to hide the feelings of a young girl.

The two stood together like a perfect pair.

It was common knowledge that the Ling and Meng families were betrothed, and seeing them appear together, whispers began to ripple through the crowd.

"Sister Qingxuan! Big Brother!" Huaining called out, her mouth full, waving her hand. "We’re over here!"

Huaining was indeed a mischievous spirit, but she was young and simple-hearted, unable to see through Meng Qingxuan’s hypocrisy. Huaixi, however, had a sharp mind; after their clash at the last birthday banquet, she had seen the pretense hidden beneath Meng Qingxuan's mask with perfect clarity.

"Ming'er, be careful later."

Xiao Ming smiled, though her eyes were cold as she looked at the pair, whispering only with her lips: "Thank you, Sister, I know what to do."

"Big Brother, Miss Meng."

As they approached, Huaixi greeted them.

Ling Zhao’s gaze swept over Xiao Ming, and he nodded, thinking to himself: *Her smile is so fake.*

He then sat down at the stone table, seemingly casual, his eyes drifting intentionally or otherwise to the half-cup of tea Xiao Ming had been drinking.

He had heard the end of that legend earlier and hadn't paid it any mind at first, but who would have thought this silly girl would actually believe it, clutching her cup like it was a treasure she couldn't bear to drink.

It was just a cup of tea, but if she was going to drink it, then he would too. And he would have to drink from the one she had used.

Meng Qingxuan bypassed the stone table and went straight to Xiao Ming, affectionately taking her hand with great enthusiasm.

"Sister Ming'er, it has truly been a long time. I was just chatting with Young Master Ling and heard that you fell quite ill after returning from the Mo family. Are you feeling better now?"

Xiao Ming lowered her eyes slightly. "I'm fine, it's nothing major."

Meng Qingxuan wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "Look at your pale little face; you still look sickly. It breaks my heart to see you like this."

"Thank you for your concern, Sister."

"It is your first time attending such a banquet, and you aren't familiar with many things. I just can't understand why such unseemly events never happened at previous banquets, and yet they occur as soon as you arrive."

Meng Qingxuan’s words were earnest, her voice raised intentionally. "I blame myself for being useless, for arriving late and failing to protect you, allowing others to mistake you for a thief. But don't worry, little sister; no matter what happens, I will always be on your side and will certainly stand up for you."