Lin heng

Years come and go as Zhao Meixiang carefully planted seeds of yearning and desire to the second male lead. During their time apart, she would often send short clever poems to tickle Lin Heng or send small poorly drawn sketches to make Lin Heng laugh. Even though she doesn't know how the older boy would react to her letters, she assumed he liked them since the white dove always returned with a letter in kind. Over time, the two young boy and girl grew to develop their own language as their letters become more and more cryptic with strange poem verse or bizarre sketches only two people would understand.

bloccomod into o otunning του

"Miss, the carriage is ready. Master is waiting out front"

Now eighteen, Meixiang blossomed into a stunning young woman. Long silk black hair braided into a simple knot at the back, porcelain smooth skin, pink lips, and big round jewel eyes, Meixiang stood in the Zhao very own plum garden watching the small dove carried her letter away. There were no maids or servants who were not transfixed by her soft, calm beauty. No one could look away at her while she quietly walked away. Over four years have passed since Meixiang has changed - no one remembered how she was before. And because Meixiang had kept quiet within the Zhao estate, rumors of her being spoil and vulgar were forgotten. Meixiang has use time to cultivate her demeanor and used the Zhao's maids and servants to spread her new reputation. Zhao Meixiang is now known as the Viscount's lovely daughter.

"My good daughter, you seem to be in a good mood"

The Zhao father and daughter were in the carriage as they entered the Capital City.

"Is it because you're about to see your sweetheart soon?" The Viscount teased.

"Daddy..." Meixiang pouted quietly.

The Viscount laughed, seeing his daughter was only shy. On the other hand, Meixiang was, indeed, in a good mood, but not for the reason the Viscount believes. She was looking forward to this trip. In the last four years, Meixiang has not once met the main characters of the story - Liu Jiaying and her prince Zhuang Yi. One time, Meixiang innocently stated that she heard stories of Duke Liu's beautiful daughter who was extremely talented in music. She told Lin Heng how she hoped to meet and befriend such a talented girl. But every year that she visited Lin Heng and his family, the two main characters are always conveniently away from the Capital City. The more interest Meixiang shows toward the female lead, the more conflicted Lin Heng appeared to be. Meixiang could see some reluctant in Lin Heng part to introduce her to Liu Jiaying but pretended not to notice. In reality, she cared very little about the female lead. Her true target was Lin Heng making sure this gullible man would be Zhao Meixiang's in the end.

"Shall we head to the Lin resident to give greeting first?" The Viscount wanted to tease his daughter again when their arriages passed through the Capital City gates.

"No..." Meixiang wasn't bother by her father teasing words. "It's the first time Meixiang visit the Capital City during Spring"

They have been gone to the Capital during Fall or Winter. This year, the Viscount took his daughter earlier since the Empress Dowager had invited all young maidens to the Palace to this year Royal Spring Banquet.

"Meixiang heard there would be a Spring Flower viewing today..." Meixiang smiled softly. "Can Meixiang go there?"

No father would deny such a sweet smile from his daughter. Moments later, Meixiang stepped down from the carriage with a help from two maids.

"Watch over the miss carefully" The Viscount voice was stern from within the carriage.

The two maids replied with a bow.

"You two" The Viscount continued to get orders to the nearby guards. "Stand guard slowly. Before the sun set, take the miss home"

The guards also replied with a bow.

"Meixiang, enjoy yourself my daughter"

Meixiang watched as the carriage left before she walked down the paved stone road. It did not escape her eyes how much attention she was receiving. Zhao Meixiang was a beautiful girl so she understood why people around her were looking at her. Whether its jealousy or admiration, she ignored them. Quietly fanned herself with the round paper fan, Meixiang kept her eyes on the blooming flowers while the two maids followed behind her. With Meixiang posture and the two pretty maids behind her, anyone could tell her noble lady status.

Meixiang was enjoying the flower viewing when a string of melody floats across the garden silencing the noise around her. While everyone was left in a daze, Meixiang hid a known smile behind her fan.

The beautiful melody melody of the Guzheng lured everyone like bees. Following the flow of the crowd, Meixiang made her way toward the music. Soon enough, everyone spotted the gorgeous figure sitting underneath a golden pavilion beside a lotus pond. The young woman in gold and silver played on the jade Guzheng while two very handsome men stood watching her. It was truly a scene out a mystic painting - a fairy goddess and her two princes watching over her.

Carefully, Meixiang withdraw from the scene. The two maids behind Meixiang were confused at the sight of their mistress seemingly smiling expression. Even though her fiancé was with a beautiful young woman, Meixiang was undisturbed while continuing to fan herself. After she walked a few yards away from the gathered group of people, Meixiang took out her silk handkerchief to wipe the nonexistence sweat on her forehead. In that exact moment, a gush of wind blew it away from her hand.

"Ah! My handkerchief" Meixiang quickly chased after it.

the handkerchief back to the lotus pond. Right before she nearly fall into the pond, a pair of strong arm grabbed her around her waist and pulled her back.

9

"Meixiang"

The voice was deeper than what she remembered, but she recognized it nonetheless.

"Meixiang"

Quietly, she turned and lifted her head to face Lin Heng. When he suddenly hugged her, Meixiang was caught off guard. She didn't think the man would hug her in public.

"Meixiang... I missed you"

While the man hugged her, Meixiang hid a sly smile against the broad chest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now 20 years old, Lin Heng stood tall and handsome. As the only son of the Prime Minister, the country expected great things from the young man who had recently scored the top mark in the imperial exams. Even though Lin Heng was the Prime Minister's heir and didn't require taking the exams, the young man proved himself honorable and impartial to the rule. The Emperor was not only impressed with Lin Heng, he bestowed the title "Prince Lin" to the young man - giving him the royal status of a 2nd rank prince.

Zhao Meixiang, of course, has heard of her supposed fiancé accomplishment. The humble man never spoke of it in their letters, but news spread throughout the country like wildfire. Unless Meixiang was living under a rock, she would hear living under a rock, she would hear the news. Plus, she was already prep by Bob before she entered this world. She knew beforehand that Lin Heng would gain such accomplishment. The second male lead, after all, was a very good man.

"Meixiang" Lin Heng finally let her go after holding her for so long.

When he saw her cheeks flushed pink, his heart immediately raced. For young man of Lin Heng's age, his heart would be tickled by the sight of a beautiful girl blushing - especially the girl he's fond of.

"I didn't think you'll be here in the Capital today... With your letter, I thought you're arrival be a few days later..." Lin Heng suppressed the urge to hug the lovely girl before him.

"Meixiang wanted to see the flower viewing... so asked father to head out sooner" Meixiang's voice have bloom into a sweet, lyrical one - causing the young man's heart before to melt even more. "Heng-ge... how have you been?"

To others, it appeared as if Meixiang was cautious and nervous. But inside, she was smiling, ear to ear. Lin Heng wanted to take hold of her hand, but Meixiang stepped back, not letting him touch her again. For a lady, she must not let a man touch her easily even if he was her fiancé.

"Meixiang_"

"Heng" The deep, sexy voice caused Meixiang to look up, pass Lin Heng at the tall fourth prince. "Care to introduce us?"

The male lead truly is the male lead. Even though Lin Heng was a few centimeters taller than Zhuang Yi, the fourth prince emits an aura only a true blooded prince gives - the royal aura. Just as Meixiang wanted to admire that sexy man's appearance, her line of sight was blocked by Lin Heng's taller, stronger body. Startled, she looked up at Lin Heng to see his eyes darkened like he was upset. Blinking innocently, Meixiang continued to look up at the taller man knowing well it's dangerous to look away from those dark eyes. If she looked away, wouldn't it make her appear guilty for admiring another male beside her fiancé? Even if it's true, she wasn't stupid to admit it. Meixiang waited until Lin Heng's eyes lightened and softens before she coyly looked back down at her shoes.

"Heng?" Again, another voice caused Meixiang to look up.

This time it's the stunning female lead, Liu Jiaying who stood beside the fourth prince. Only when the female lead called that Lin Heng turned to face the two leading characters. While he introduced Meixiang to the couple, Meixiang quietly studied the leading lady of the story. True to her part, Liu Jiaying was indeed a rare beauty. The way she spoke wasn't refined like Meixiang, but her voice and tone was bright and cheerful. Her posture was tall and strong while Meixiang was soft and frail. Liu Jiaying gave people a sunny feeling, while Meixiang was quiet and calm like the moon. To put it simply, Liu Jiaying is the complete opposite of Zhao Meixiang.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Lady Zhao" The fourth prince smiled. "It seems Heng here have been hiding you from us"

"Prince Yi" Lin Heng voice was stern, clearly telling the prince his jokes were not appreciated.

Zhuang Yi chuckled as if he didn't mind his friend's tone.

"Zhao Meixiang greets your highness Prince Zhuang Yi" Meixiang properly placed her hands to the side and curtsy like she would to any nobleman. "Meixiang greets Lady Liu..."

Meixiang had trained for years to become a proper lady. It was time to show it off.

"U_Um" Liu Jiaying appeared startled at Meixiang's formal greeting.

Meixiang laughed inside because she understood why Liu Jiaying was uncomfortable. Liu Jiaying was a cheerful girl who loves freedom. She spent most of her time outside the Liu's estate, exploring the city or traveling to nearby provinces. Her reputation as a great musician was far and wide because she had travel to many places and met many scholars. On the other hand, Meixiang had done what any young woman of an aristocratic family would, that is to stay in her home and learn etiquette of a young lady. The only time Meixiang step outside the Zhao estate is if she was to attend other aristocratic family banquet - each time, she would remain quiet and polite like she was now. For Liu Jiaying, her interaction with other ladies was little, so in the face of a true lady like Meixiang, she was at a lost on how to respond. But Meixiang remain kind with a gentle smile and showed no sign of antagonism toward Liu Jiaying's ways of greeting. ہے

Meanwhile, Lin Heng focus was on Meixiang, taking in her gracefulness and softness. Unconsciously, he had felt pride to see his fiancé greeting his friends so formally like she would with anyone she meets. The lovely girl did not change since the last time he saw her. And because his focus was on Meixiang, he missed Liu Jiaying's silent conflicting eyes on him. Meixiang, of course, took notice while the two young men did not. Seeing such controlled confliction in the other woman's eyes, Meixiang was impressed but showed no emotion in her eyes.

"Miss..." One Meixiang's little maids chose the time of silence to speak quietly to her mistress. "It's getting late..."

Meixiang smiled softly and nodded. Just as she was about to put her hand on the maid's lifted hand, Lin Heng grabbed it.

"Heng-ge" Meixiang looked up at Lin Heng with surprised.

"It's still early... and we barely spoke"

True, there were a few hours before the sun set, but Meixiang would not make it easy for Lin Heng to obtain what he wants.

"Heng-ge, father would be upset if Meixiang isn't home for dinner" Meixiang said softly, while she purposely tried to take her hand back from the man's tight grip. "Heng-ge"

"I will make sure to take you home in time" Lin Heng voice got deeper. "Meixiang, do you not miss me?"

Meixiang didn't say anything while her blushing cheeks answered Lin Heng's question. Seeing her cute reaction, Lin Heng smiled softly.

"Yes, the day is still early" Zhuang Yi suddenly spoke with a grin. "Why don't we all take a stroll in the garden to admire the spring flowers?"

Meixiang showed clear hesitation on her face.

"Rest assured Lady Zhao, this prince will have his people sent a message to the Viscount" Zhuang Yi smile was also gentle. "Your father will not be upset"

Only then did Meixiang nod gently causing both men to smile warmly. All a while, Liu Jiaying was strangely quiet, her eyes were flickering from Lin Heng to Zhuang Yi. When Liu Jiaying's eyes met Meixiang, there was a flash of aversion. It had been so quick that no one noticed. Just like Liu Jiaying's nonchalant expression, Meixiang's expression held innocence.