Perchance to Dream

29. Existential Doubts

The Winterflower Woods started from Ling Fengxiao's rear courtyard and went onto an expanse that stretched halfway up the mountains. When they bloomed in late winter, the flush of pink on the peaks was even visible from the imperial palace located in the heart of the capital city.

It was still early for the blossoms yet, so the trees were all bare. Even the earliest bearing branches only had a handful of buds at best. Bereft of flowers, the woods were simply a field of scraggly sticks in the snow at best, but Mei Yanran savored them all the same.

After all, this was her first "date" with her crush!

Her fur-lined boots crunched underneath as she wandered through the trees, Ling Fengxiao following dutifully behind. Occasionally, she'd stop to point at something, or turn around to tell him whatever came to her mind, leaving Ling Fengxiao plenty busy with his answers.

"The woods have been around since before the Zhao gave up their throne to the Chu," Ling Fengxiao rattled off like a textbook. "They say the founder of Yan Kingdom spotted these plum trees in full bloom and took it as a fortuitous sign before establishing the capital here."

Mei Yanran nodded, then asked curiously, "And you, Lord Ling? Do you think plum blossoms are lucky too?"

Ling Fengxiao had honestly never given it any thought. Flowers were flowers; what did it matter if they brought tidings fair or foul? He believed in strength and skill more than luck. Seeing Mei Yanran's expectant gaze, however, he gave it further thought and determined that the blossoms did go well with wine.

"They are good companions," he declared after a pause. "Steady and resilient."

For some reason, Mei Yanran suddenly went to clutch the jade pendant hanging off her skirt before releasing it with a slightly disappointed expression. Noting Ling Fengxiao's stare, she smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

"Right, right! They're one of the four '' after all! It's no wonder they're admirable..." she trailed off with a mournful air. But a person can be a better companion than a plant, don't you think? Much, much better!

Sadly, the cool temperatures of her magical pendant showed no change in Ling Fengxiao's feelings.

Clueless to Mei Yanran's internal monologue, Ling Fengxiao simply continued the conversation. "Judging from your tone, you don't feel the same way, Miss Mei."

"Huh?" Mei Yanran looked up sharply. "Did I say anything like that?"

"Of course not," Ling Fengxiao soothed. "I merely presumed that Miss Mei had a different understanding of the Four Gentlemen."

"Well..." Mei Yanran stopped before her eyes took on a shrewd air. "If you're asking me about my ideal man, I do have someone in mind."

More and more, Ling Fengxiao was getting disoriented from the young Miss Mei's choice of topics. They had been jumping all over the place since they met, from his childhood exploits to torture techiques and now her male preferences. He sighed internally and nodded. "Go on."

Mei Yanran's eyes sharpened before she launched into some thinly-veiled praise. "I don't like the loud ones or guys that take all the spotlight! I prefer the ones who hide behind the scenes and actually get things done. Mm, he should be quiet and unobtrusive, but strike when everyone least expects it! The sort that's fully capable of taking power on his own, but chooses to stand behind his friends and see their happy endings to the end. A truly terrifying demon who still has a soft and gentle side, caring for the weak while crushing his enemies beneath his heel. And, um, super handsome as well—although I promise that isn't the most important bit!"

When she finished, she gave him a breathless grin. Ling Fengxiao could only stare. He was a man who navigated the political tides of Great Chu with ease, but when it came to the workings of a teenage girl's mind, he was as lost as anyone else.