1 A New Beginning

Versace purple sunset flooded the cosmic spherical sky. It was a big and open space, surrounded with peach blossoms, with a lady leaning against one of the blooming trees, eagerly anticipating his return.

She was dressed in a gossamer ruqun with her hair flowing to the back and loosely secured with pins.

She elegantly lifted the jade cup and poured wine into it, infusing the air with a delicate fragrance.

Nostalgia was fermented into wine and stored in a porcelain jar beneath the roots of a peach tree, waiting for that special someone.

Sorrow runs deep down her heart as the present scenario couldn't lament her situation.

"It would be a blessing if time could pause at this moment." Her soft voice resembles the wind-blown pink flowers. The word that her heart recites is so sacred that never withers even after thousand of years.

The peach blooms are caressed by a soft breeze. Petals drift and dance in the wind, landing quietly on her cheeks.

"Like peach blossoms, love blooms in my heart. As the seasons change, I entrust my emotions to the winds, who will send them to you." Before taking a sip, she raised her glass in a toast to the magnificent sky.

Wind stirs the clouds and make her earrings tinkle. That's when her lovely eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure from afar. Her pearly eyes misted as she swallowed her longing for him. Her grasp on the jade cup weakened, spilling the remaining wine. She dragged herself to her feet and took small movements towards the person.

She strolled among the fallen flowers in the beatifically beautiful countryside, with unspoken words in her heart, merely to get close to him, to touch him, to feel him.

Is it someone's past that's yet to unravel or the future that's foreseen?

~~~~~~

"Where am I? What is this place?" Anchhi desperately tried to open her closed eyelids but she couldn't. Her hazy visions were focused on the intricately designed ceilings. She finally regained her senses after a deep sleep, and when she opened her eyes, she saw something she had never seen before.

Anchhi felt as if her bones had been ripped apart as she struggled to sit upright. As a result, she flinched her gorgeous brows and stroked her temples, only to find a white cloth knotted over her head.

Her glittering gaze rested on the room, which featured painted rafters and carved beams, as well as exquisitely appliqued windows, which made her question her whereabouts.

"Am I still dreaming?" She mumbled, narrowing her eyes.

Anchhi slinked off her bed, her bare feet touching the cold floor. She got to her feet and walked carefully up to the mirror. The hem of her silk maxi skirt brushed against the floor and her silky black hair cascaded down her back.

For a brief while, Anchhi was astounded by the girl in the mirror. She touched the mirror-self out of curiosity, her mind racing with questions.

Anchhi discovered her head wrapped in a bandage, concealing a serious bruising. Her skin pale but still her delicate features were flawless. As she pondered how she had ended herself in this strange location,

"Young Miss! You've awoken." Anchhi was greeted by a calming voice. When she turned around to see who the owner of that voice was, Anchhi saw a girl in her middle twenties dressed in a long ruqun that touched the ground and her hair was tied up in a bun and tucked back without any strands left over her face. She had a beautiful pair of eyes with fair complexion.

She bowed Anchhi, which took her soul out of her. "Hey! What are you doing? Who are you?" Her eyebrows raised and pulled together, jaw dropped open in horror.

"I'm Shoumen, your personal maid, and I'm treating my Young Miss with respect!"

"Stop referring to me as your young miss!" My name is Ancchi, and you can call me that." Anchhi lashed out in anger, furrowing her brows.

Confused Shoumen, who was flustered spoke, What are you saying, Young Miss? Your name is Fei Jia, and you are the Grand Herald's daughter."

"Are you the Grand Herald?" Anchhi halted in her speech. "Who is he?" she inquired, adding, "By the way, do you have any idea how I wound myself here?"

"Young Miss! The Crown Prince discovered you injured in the middle of the deep jungle. He was terrified when he saw you in that predicament, yet he couldn't stop himself from being happy after seeing you. I'm also relieved to learn that you're still alive!" Anchhi overheard the maid reveal the truth. Shoumen then pushed herself on top of Anchhi, her arms around her petite frame.

"Really? What went wrong?" Anchhi was taken by surprise. "However, tell me what this place is."

"This is Crown Prince residence."

"What Crown Prince residence?" She cocked her head, unable to comprehend what she had just heard.

"Yes, Young Miss." Shoumen gave a strong nod.

"Is this for real? How is this possible?" Anchhi threw a light chuckle. But, her muscles froze when she couldn't see a glint of laughter in Shoumen's expression.

"Don't say me you are serious!"

"We are really in the Crown Prince residence right now, Young Miss." The maid repeated incredulously.

Anchhi kept blinking her eyes repeatedly for a little while. Shoumen's comments caused her to swallow a lump in her throat. She burst out laughing after a little pause.

"Are you acting in front of me on whose words?" Tell me how much they paid you." Shoumen's wrist was immediately grasped by Anchhi.

"Young Miss! Young Miss!"

On the other hand, Anchhi was about to face a sudden blackout. She rubbed her temples, and gradually let go of Shoumen's wrist. In the intense pain that was hitting her brain nerves, her nose wrinkled, eyes compressed, and eyebrows lowered. "Young Miss!" Shoumen was startled. "Let me take to your bed!" she exclaimed as she swiftly caught hold of Anchhi's shoulders and led her to the bed.

"Jia'er" said a hoarse voice from the ornate door as Anchhi sat on the edge of the bed.

Calling her was the gentle and warm-hearted Crown Prince Hui Jing, the adored son of The Almighty Emperor and his Empress. Hui Jing dashed towards Anchhi and seized her in a bear hug before she could even see his face. And she couldn't break free from his embrace since his arms were locked around her.

At that moment, Anchhi could only feel was his heartbeat, that was racing swiftly without escaping a beat. Her jaw dropped down and upper eyelids raised, slightly showing how astonished she was during that moment!

The Crown Prince had always anticipated her reappearance one day. That day, luckily, has arrived.

He bursted into tears without prior warning and hugged Anchhi's little body even tighter on his clasp. When she heard him crying, she froze.

He cradled Anchhi's soft rosy joyful face with his palm as he withdrew. "You're alive, Jia'er, and I can't be happier than this." After a whopping three years, he was finally sensing her in front of his eyes.

No one expected her to emerge alive, defeating death, after what transpired that day.

"We would not have suffered as much as we have if I hadn't made that move." He had a sorrowful and regressive expression on his face.

Anchhi, such a sad story! With her perplexed faces, she couldn't help but blink repeatedly.

"Isn't it wonderful to see me? Did you forget about me?" With Anchhi's hands in his, Hui Jing inquired tenderly.

Wait, first let her digest this whole freaking incident! This man appeared out of nowhere, held her, shed tears for her, grieved for her and now, he is asking if she's delighted to see him or not? Are you serious?

Furthermore, she has no idea how she ended herself in this situation!

Her little brain was rewinding the entire incident in her head, although she was actually oblivious.

But, she was no longer in her bubble of thoughts, and it was soon ruptured when one of the Chang Yuan Palace's Eunuchs interrupted, "Your Highness! The imperial majesty wishes to see you." approached The Eunuch, bowing.

"He must have heard about Jia'er's arrival since he wants to visit me." Hui Jing guessed internally. He sighed deeply and waved his hand as the Eunuch moved back and exited the chamber.

"Jia'er, I am heading towards the palace. For now, Take some rest!" Then he pressed his lips lightly on her forehead, giving her a forehead kiss. Although, she had been emotionless the entire time he was in front of her, Anchhi decided that the only thing she could give him was a smile, so she flashed a gracious smile over her lips while Hui Jing nodded his head and walked from there, taking his route to the palace.