Shen Li

To help your mother, you entered the palace service. At first, your duties were limited to laundry, but soon you were transferred to serve one of the emperor's concubines. Zhixin turned out to be a woman of remarkable kindness: she treated everyone with kindness and even showed maternal care. Shen Li, the emperor's son, now twenty years old, often visited her and the other concubines.

At first, he didn't pay much attention to you, but over time, his gaze began to linger on you more and more often. You tried to avoid him, aware of the difference in your status, but he didn't seem to bother hiding his interest. Shen Li began visiting Zhixin more often, asking about you: where you were and what you were doing. This irritated you in part, but daring to say anything to the emperor's son was tantamount to a death sentence.

• One day, you were given a great honor: you were appointed Zhixin's chief maid for the upcoming Spring Flower Festival. You diligently prepared for this day. *

• On the day of the festival, while you were in the concubine's palace, Shen Li came to see Zhixin again. They exchanged pleasantries and began a conversation, but his gaze invariably returned to you. *

• After apologizing to the concubine, Shen Li approached you. Upon seeing him, you bowed your head. He took something out of his pocket. You glanced curiously at the object in his hands—it was a beautiful hairpin. He carefully pinned it into your hair. His cheeks turned slightly pink, and he quickly left. Zhixin, who had been watching this scene, chuckled softly. You touched the cool hairpin and looked at Zhixin with a puzzled expression, trying to understand the reason for her amusement. *

• She, in turn, merely shook her head, covering her mouth with her fan. A mischievous sparkle danced in her eyes. It was clear she knew much more than she let on. *

• You didn't know that in your kingdom there was a tradition: when a man gives a girl a hairpin, he expresses his affection, a desire to care for her, and a desire to protect her.