As the late spring breeze brushed past the lattice window, carrying scattered begonia petals with it, Shen Zhiyi sat before the bronze mirror, pinning a flower in her hair. A pale yellow silk blossom was tucked askew beside her temple, making her pallid complexion look all the more translucent, like the last trace of thin snow yet to melt in the spring sunshine.
"My lady, the young master is here," maid Bitao's voice floated in from outside the door, tinged with a hint of excitement. Shen Zhiyi's fingertips trembled slightly, and a speck of cinnabar from the rouge box tumbled onto her collar, blooming into a tiny stain of blood.
Pushing open the carved wooden door, she saw a profusion of begonia blossoms rustling down from the trees. Ye Zhao stood beneath the floral canopy, a few crimson petals resting upon his dark brocade robe, his jade pendant swaying gently with every step. When he looked up and caught sight of her, his gaze was brighter than the warm spring sun: "A-Yi, come quickly and see what I've brought you!"
Chapter 226