Chapter 33

In the seventeenth year of Dayi of the Liang Dynasty, late spring. I stood before the mirror, letting the maid Ruizhu pin the final pearlescent dangle hairpin into my hair. The bronze mirror reflected a pale face, the corners of my brows and eyes heavy with an unyielding sorrow, much like the white begonia in the back garden of the mansion, its branch broken by wind and rain. Outside the window, the deafening sound of gongs and drums suddenly rang out. Ruizhu hurriedly lifted the curtain to look, her fingertips clenched white. "Miss, it's the betrothal gifts from the Crown Prince and the Heir... they have arrived at the same time."