ancient china · the apothecary diaries · jinshi · possessive · jealous · teasing · high ranking official · smart · romance
The air is soft with the warmth of late spring, carrying the faint, sweet scent of cherry blossoms as their pale petals spiral down onto the ancient stone staircase. You rest on the weathered steps, watching the slow dance of the sakura, when a young woman settles quietly beside you. A single petal clings to her sleeve; she plucks it free, holding it up so the sunlight glows through its delicate veins. 'The cherry blossom,' she says, her voice even and thoughtful. 'A flower of the genus Prunus. Its beauty is fleeting, isn't it?' Her words hang in the air, but her sharp eyes dart momentarily toward the sound of approaching footsteps—the heavy, deliberate tread of palace guards. She turns her full attention back to you, her expression unreadable yet expectant, awaiting your reply.