❀ pavilion ❀

@侧妃⁴ ❀ tomomi Colors and simple brush sketches flew across the once blank page of the paper he held around the firm grasp of his hands. There stood different establishments built in cement and wood for the main purpose of business or shelter. It was a challenge to include the external objects for his artwork, such as the greenery that thrived within the flowing river banks up ahead the side of a small bridge. Another were the people who came and go for their work, planned upon schedules arranged in mountains that they require to attain by the end of the day. Everything were held onto detail including one specific person that stood among the mass of people, a woman worn with exquisite clothes made Zhixiu capture each vibrant pattern and line that came across it.

From his busy attempt while she wasn't moving, his eyes move back to stare at the female only to see she disappeared. A sigh left his lips, staring at the unfinished sketch of her hair and plump red lips.

"That was a shame. I'm almost done with her features... Did I scare her off?" He was staring back and forth from the paper to the woman he tried to replicate into a piece of art. She probably thought he had some kind of affiliation with an assassin out to capture her, he couldn't blame the thought she had if that was the case. Although it may be creepy, he wasn't that type of person.

The tap on his shoulder made him turn, bewildered at the sudden ask for attention. Once his eyes landed down they instantly turned wide, stumbling back he managed to utter a few words that could hopefully, make him sound a bit more decent than that of his previous actions from before. "I- Miss- I-I'm sorry!"

@公主 ❀ jingyi (Past) Wei was finally going to get what she wanted. Power. The hunger that manifested in her tiny body ever since she could walk. From taking toys from other children simply because she didn’t want others to have them, to manipulating her parents to doing whatever she wanted, Wei was truly spoiled. When she became of age, she asked her parents to get her a husband that could give her the world. And now, years later, she was sitting beside the Third Prince, Yuqiang. Love was just an obstacle. She knew that now. She was foolish only for a moment, swayed by the beauty of a woman who’s name she refused to remember. After she disappeared, Wei was finally able to see her goals more clearly. If she wanted power, she needed to get rid of all her road blocks, including love. Including empathy or sympathy. She had a role to play. She needed to get her husband on the throne. And if it meant getting her hands bloody, she would do it.

She knew this. But why did her heart shake when her eyes met with the familiar woman in the distance? The milky skin and honey blonde hair that glistened when the sunlight shone at just the right angle. It was definitely her. Wei’s brow twitched as she clutched the fabric of her wedding robe. “Third prince, if you will excuse me. I think I’ve just spotted a friend.”

@驸马 ❀ zhixiu Tomomi could feel his gaze on her, not constant but flickering. She fought herself so she didn't look up. Once, twice, she had raised her eyes to the sky to look at a passing bird - an excuse to get a distant glimpse of the man in the pavilion. She hadn't dared stare. Tomomi's arrival to the palace was fresh. She had barely been here for a week and the new clothes she wore still felt foreign on her skin. Her lady's maids were courteous and agreeable. They helped her choose her clothes and appropriate jewellery, and whispered some gossip about the emperor, his wives and his children. She had no reason to complain, yet they didn't accompany her now. Tomomi had sent them off on made-up errands. After all, they weren't /her/ lady's maids. Her soon to be mother-in-law had assigned them to her, and Tomomi knew what that meant. That being said, just because they were gone didn't mean Tomomi had great plans to pursue. In fact, she was sitting on a bench in the gardens right now, open book nestled in her lap. She looked down at the pages dutifully, but she wasn't reading. How could she, when there was a man she had never met and never seen sneaking glances at her? It was already an achievement to keep her cheeks from flushing. Every now and then she would remember to turn a page, or brush a strand of her long curled hair behind her ear. A bird chirped nearby and Tomomi looked up to find it, once again using the opportunity to observe the man through the corner of her eye. He was engrossed in what he was doing. Her heart sped up. 'Should I...?' He still wasn't looking, this was the perfect time to approach. Adrenaline rushed her veins and made her dizzy. Before she could change her mind, she rose to her feet and rushed behind tall shrubbery, quietly, sneakily even, making her approach. Tomomi was behind him now. A smile on her lips, she lightly tapped him on the shoulder with her fan.

@公主 ❀ jingyi Zhixiu was forced to go.

Once again, his father arranged yet another meeting for the Duke to take part in, leaving no mercy from his persuasions and threats. The series of apology letters being sent to the royal palace did wonders to the Duke's amusement, especially on the man's temper over his son. If he were to admit so openly, it was fun playing that little game he held with his father, but this time he'll give in to his wishes and meet with the princess. His father made sure to have himself dressed in the finest blue silk robes that his father bought for him over his journey through the different cities located in the country. It was a strange gift, he once thought. His father would never bestow him any of his presents, unless they were intended for his plans on the throne. "Good morning, your highness. My apologies for the delay in our previous meetings together. I had to attend to some private matters in regards to my family."

A simple lie have made him this far, guilty enough to make a woman waiting for him, he bowed before regaining his posture. If his father was right on his tail, he could've received a slight scold to his ear and a different reason to why he was late before leaving him to converse with her. Instead, he was left alone to ask one of the guards in search for her while his father cleared up the situation. "Shall we take a walk around the palace? I'm sure there were a lot of duties that you had to fulfill before having to meet with me."

@驸马 ❀ zhixiu The Princess looked out from the Palace Pavilion, the trees that adorned the gardens ahead were beautiful at this time of year. Shades of pumpkin orange and yellow leaves filled the air. Jingyi sat quietly with two servants either side of her, spies for her mother who was far too busy to attend the meeting. She was nervous since she knew this day would come, meeting the husband that had been arranged for her. She had no idea who this man was, since he had declined their first few meetings. However, now he had changed his mind and accepted the offer. One servant touched up her make-up whilst the other looked out for the Duke.

Jingyi's long flowing white robes showed that she was a princess by the wide length at the bottom, adorned in jade jewellery that had been gifted to her from her father, the Emperor. Several delicate silver hairpieces hung down from her long hair, carved out of precious stones to resemble flowers. She remained as still as a flower could in the slight wind that provided a gentle song whilst she waited for him. It was a difficult task to fulfil since she was so nervous, yet she tried to remind herself that this was her duty and she was a princess so she had to act like one, as her mother would say. Her mother's servant hurried back over when he arrived and helped Jingyi to her feet since her dress was so heavy. She kept her head down, bowing deeply when she heard footsteps approach.

"Good morning, Duke."