Chapter 18

Prologue I stroked the faded sachet in my palm, where a faint, thread-like scent of plum blossom still lingered among the embroidery threads. Outside the window, snow pressed down on the palace sophora trees, and in a daze, I fancied I saw her standing beneath the plum tree once more, her fingertips dusted with fresh snow as she raised her head to look at me. Section 1: A Startling First Encounter