The Harmony of The Willow and The phoenix

ght. The evening was calm, the aroma of jasmine wafting over the courtyard of a little house n

isite silk material before her. Her exacting stitches, which spoke to the years of experience and patience she had developed under her mother

gmatic and inflexible in her views, her mother had long before discussed the value of marriage-of a partnership that would improve their position. Every time her mo

She exhaled gently, staring blankly as the moon's light accentuated her exquisite features. Her e

y carried, the sounds of the nightlife of the city trickled in from far

wn official in the city would be there, their attendance mirroring their position in the view of the emperor and his court. That evening was one of relati

en as she gave her daughter a silk outfit meant to help her fit in among the elite. "You are no

estioned her orders. Deep down, however, her heart sank at t

updo with tiny pins that shined just barely in the candlelight. The silk outfit hung to her shape, its complex patterns reflecting the little m

ly. You resemble a real daughter of our home. Mei Ling, tonight ke

tly; however, the weight of thos

d the aroma of incense blended with the richness of food and smell. Nobles and dignitaries shook hands, their voices soaring in

me across *

es of intense red, the color of his family's reputation, he radiated impenetrable grace. His demeanor seemed detached, as if he were a man limited by

she had never seen him before, something about him seemed quite familiar

t off from the world around her even though she recognized the significance of tonight. Every smile, e

n a moment of embarrassment, splattering tea on a beautifully embroi

y Lord." She sank fast on her knees, her hands shaking as s

cut off. "Young lady, there

ing, his eyes revealed a flutter of something unsaid-maybe curiosity? She dis

r; are you not? His voice was bo

Yes, my lord." In circles like this, sh

ancing at her face. Actually, maybe you could show me your w

th, a peculiar honesty that seemed counter to the distanced look he carried so successfully. The ca

rom across the room broke t

ome right h

happened-what it meant or why she had been pulled to him. She understood only that her existence had been spun with the first thread of