Chapter 101

When Lin Nianzhi gifted Lin Feilu clothes the last time, she also sent over a few pots of orchids. Lin Feilu then plucked the petals of the orchids and attempted to turn them into dried flowers. Then she asked Xiao Lan to sew a very delicate sachet.

When snow stopped falling, the Imperial School reopened and classes were resumed.

The most painful thing for Lin Jingyuan every day was getting up from bed.

Fortunately, his dearest younger sister, Little Lu, would arrive at Changming Palace every morning just to get him to wake up. Hearing her say the words "Brother Jingyuan" in her soft and sweet voice every morning — Lin Jingyuan felt he could live for another five hundred years!

Under Lin Feilu's care, Lin Jingyuan set a new record for not being late to school for seven consecutive days. This pleased the teachers tremendously, thus he was rewarded with a very exquisite brush after school session today.

Although Lin Jingyuan did not like the reward, he wanted to let his Little Lu know that he had received praise.

As he ran out of the learning hall, full of excitement, he saw Little Lu standing under a snow-covered cypress tree, looking up and smiling at his third imperial brother, Crown Prince Lin Qing.

A breeze of wind blew off the white snow that piled on the branches of the green cypress.

A cloud of snow was about to fall on her head. Lin Qing raised his hand to help her block the falling snow, and the little girl smiled back at him with an even sweeter expression.

Lin Jingyuan: "..."

He listened to the sound of snow falling.

It sounded exactly like the sound of his heart breaking.

♠️♠️♠️♠️

Lin Jingyuan took a heavy step towards his third brother and fifth sister who were talking and laughing.

As he approached them, he saw Lin Feilu handing over a delicately crafted sachet to Lin Qing. When she laughed, her eyes were like crescent moons, and her dimples were sweet and faint.

"Your Highness, this is a gift from Fifth Sister."

Lin Qing brushed the snow off the back of his hand and smiled, "Didn't I tell you there was no need?"

Although he said that, he still took the sachet. Xiao Lan's needlework was even better than the works of the craftsmen in Imperial Embroidery Workshop, furthermore this sachet was crafted with superior intricacy. When Lin Feilu said it was a gift for the crown prince, Xiao Lan paid even more attention to embroidering a magnolia flower with the best silk thread on the sachet.

The sachet was filled to a bulge. He brought it close to the tip of his nose and smelled it. As expected, there was a very light orchid fragrance which mixed with other smells. He could not distinguish the other scents, but it did not matter as he liked the smell.

He smiled and said, "Why did you give me this?"

Lin Feilu put her hands behind her back as she tilted her head to look at him. Her eyes were clear and pure, "There is a saying in Qu Yuan's [The Lament] that goes: [I dressed in selinea and shady angelica, And twined autumn orchids to make a garland.] Your Highness is a role model of good conduct — you are as astute as an orchid and as virtuous as a silver jade tree. As such, the autumn orchid befits you, Your Highness."

Lin Jingyuan: "?"

Selinea? Angelica? What are these things?? What are you talking about???

(T/N: Qu Yuan was a renowned poet during the Warring State period and "The Lament" is a political allegory in which he laments that his own righteousness, purity, and honor are unappreciated and unnecessary in a corrupt, lawless world. You can read the poem translated lyrically in English Here.)