“It’s been so long—the Governor’s wounds still haven’t healed?” After the assassination attempt, Li Yuan had been recuperating in Songtao Residence, allowing no one inside except for Li Shimin and his brothers and several madams.
“The assassin poisoned the dagger. Although Uncle Xiahou managed to expel most of it, some still remains in father’s body, preventing his wounds from healing. Fortunately, his life isn’t in danger.”
Yunyi sighed softly and shook her head: “I never imagined Yunyi would be that kind of person. I’m the one who harmed the Governor.”
Li Shimin’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he said gently: “Those who don’t know aren’t to blame. Neither father nor I blame you, so don’t blame yourself either.”
Just as Yunyi was about to speak, from the corner of her eye she caught sight of the snow lotus standing alone in the wind and snow slowly blooming. She hurriedly said: “Second Young Master, look quickly!”
Although Li Shimin was preoccupied with whether Yunyi was the assassin, when his gaze fell upon the moment the snow lotus bloomed, he couldn’t help but be captivated. That beauty was beyond words. Though the peony was the king of all flowers, compared to the snow lotus, it seemed too gaudy and lacked ethereal beauty. After this snow lotus withered, unless one traveled far to the Tianshan Mountains of the Western Regions, they would probably never see another one.
Yunyi had seen snow lotus preserved in ice boxes before, so she wasn’t as shocked as Li Shimin. She looked at Li Shimin with complex emotions, feeling a trace of regret in her heart. This was an excellent opportunity to assassinate Li Shimin, yet she had to give it up. Yunyi sighed inwardly and poured some water into the inkstone, slowly grinding the ink.
The petals bloomed one by one in the wind and snow. From initial blooming to full bloom didn’t take long. Li Shimin collected his thoughts and turned around excitedly: “Quick, quick, spread the paper and paint the…” His words stopped at his lips because Yunyi had already taken up the brush and spread the paper, carefully painting.
Li Shimin didn’t disturb her, standing quietly to the side. Yunyi painted very quickly—in less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, she had finished. Like her earlier painting in the back garden, it captured both form and spirit, perfectly outlining the indescribable beauty of the snow lotus in bloom. However, her use of ink tones was slightly lacking—several places where the ink was either too light or too dark became major flaws in the painting.
Yunyi set down her brush and handed the painting to Li Shimin, saying apologetically: “Meixue has failed Second Young Master’s trust. Please forgive me.” She could naturally have painted it better, but that wouldn’t have suited Meixue’s background.
Li Shimin took the painting and examined it carefully, then smiled gently: “You painted so well—how could there be any talk of forgiveness? If I must say something, it should be gratitude.”
“Second Young Master is too kind.” As she spoke, Yunyi stepped forward and gazed at the snow lotus standing proudly in the wind and snow: “If a skilled master painter had come with Second Young Master instead, I believe it could have been painted much better.”
“No.” Under Yunyi’s surprised gaze, Li Shimin said: “I’ve always felt that snow lotus is the most spiritual of all flowers. To capture its beauty requires more than just painting skill—it also needs fate, just like how you and I were able to witness its blooming here today.”
Yunyi smiled: “What a pity that this flower only blooms for one day and cannot be transplanted elsewhere, or we could enjoy it for several more days.”
After putting away the painting, Li Shimin smiled: “To thank you for painting this for me, would you like me to give you something?”
“What is it?” Under Yunyi’s puzzled gaze, Li Shimin helped her walk out of the rock cave and through the snow to where the snow lotus bloomed: “This.”
“This?” Yunyi raised her sleeve to block the howling wind and snow, shaking her head: “I don’t understand Second Young Master’s meaning.”
“Snow lotus has the effects of beautifying the complexion, strengthening the body, and providing warmth. For women, snow lotus is even more effective than ginseng or cordyceps. Unfortunately, its roots and stem wither rapidly once removed from soil, so forget about consuming it—even people who have seen it are few and far between. Precisely because of this, it’s even more precious. Someone once offered a hundred taels of gold for a single snow lotus but still couldn’t obtain one.”
Yunyi listened carefully and said in confusion: “What does this have to do with me?”
Li Shimin chuckled: “I discovered this snow lotus, so it could be considered mine. I’m giving it to you as a return gift for your painting.”
Hearing this, Yunyi quickly shook her head: “This return gift is too precious—Meixue absolutely dare not accept it. Second Young Master should take it back for the Governor or Second Madam instead, or… you could consume it yourself.”
“I’m afraid by the time we reach the bottom of the mountain, this flower will have already withered. As for me…” he said with amusement: “Does Meixue think I need beauty enhancement?”
“Of course not, but…” Before Yunyi could continue, Li Shimin had already bent down to pick the snow lotus and handed it to her: “Now that it’s been uprooted, if you don’t eat it, it will just wither away.”
Seeing that her refusal was futile, Yunyi could only say: “Meixue thanks Second Young Master for his kindness.”
After returning to the rock cave, Yunyi plucked a petal and placed it in her mouth. Though she had seen snow lotus before, she had never eaten it—this was her first time. The moment the snow lotus petal entered her mouth, it transformed into a cool, clear nectar that slid down her throat into her stomach, leaving a sweet aftertaste.
Whether it truly had effects or was just psychological, after a few petals, she no longer felt so cold. She plucked a petal for Li Shimin, and before he could speak, she said with a smile: “Even if you don’t need beauty enhancement, eating some for warmth would be good.”
“Very well.” Saying this, Li Shimin took the petal and ate it. The sensation of it melting upon contact and the subsequent warmth surprised him as well.
After finishing the snow lotus, Li Shimin looked at the overcast sky: “While it’s still not too late, let’s go down. If we’re any later, the city gates might close.” He added: “Can you walk?”
Since it was no longer appropriate to take Li Shimin’s life, Yunyi didn’t want him to carry her anymore. After all, men and women should maintain proper distance. She tested her ankle: “After resting for a while, it feels much better. I should be able to walk a few steps.”
“Good. I’ll support you as we walk slowly. If you really can’t manage, tell me—don’t force yourself.” After these instructions, Li Shimin helped Yunyi walk slowly downward. By now, the mountain path was covered with snow, but fortunately it wasn’t thick, so they could still descend carefully.
Not far from them, Duan Zhihong hid behind a tree, watching Yunyi intently without daring to relax. Strange—with so many opportunities presented to her, why had she never made a move? Had Second Young Master been mistaken, or was she planning to act during their descent, or had she already discovered him?
Although Yunyi had looked back several times while ascending, he had hidden behind trees in time and shouldn’t have been spotted.
After pondering for a while, Duan Zhihong couldn’t make sense of it and could only suppress his thoughts, continuing to follow behind Li Shimin while secretly observing Yunyi’s every move.