TPGA - 74

Chapter 74: Reciprocity

“It’s been so long—hasn’t Lord Li Yuan recovered from his injuries yet?” After the assassination attempt, Li Yuan had been recuperating in Songtao Residence. Aside from Li Shimin, his brothers, and a few ladies of the household, no one else was allowed to enter.

“The assassin had poisoned the dagger. Although Uncle Xiahou managed to remove most of it, some traces remained in Father’s body, preventing his wound from healing properly. Fortunately, there’s no danger to his life.”

Yunyi sighed softly and shook her head. “I never imagined Yunyi could be such a person—it’s my fault that Lord Li Yuan was harmed.”

Li Shimin’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he spoke kindly. “No one blames you for what happened—neither Father nor I hold you responsible. Don’t blame yourself either.”

Just as Yunyi was about to respond, her peripheral vision caught sight of the snow lotus slowly blooming amidst the wind and snow. She quickly exclaimed, “Second Master, look!”

Though his mind was still preoccupied with suspicions about whether Yunyi was the assassin, the moment his eyes fell upon the blooming snow lotus, Li Shimin couldn’t help but be captivated by its beauty—a beauty that defied description. Though the peony was hailed as the king of flowers, compared to the snow lotus, it appeared overly opulent, lacking the latter’s ethereal elegance. Once this snow lotus withered, unless one traveled far to the Tian Mountains in the Western Regions, it might never be seen again.

Yunyi had once seen a snow lotus preserved in an ice box, so she wasn’t as awestruck as Li Shimin. Her expression was complex as she gazed at him, a flicker of regret passing through her heart. This was an excellent opportunity to assassinate Li Shimin, yet she had no choice but to abandon the plan. Sighing inwardly, she poured some water into the inkstone and began grinding it slowly.

The petals unfurled one by one in the wind and snow, and the time between the initial bloom and full blossoming wasn’t long. Li Shimin snapped out of his thoughts and turned back excitedly, saying, “Quick, prepare the paper! Draw…” His words trailed off as he saw that Yunyi had already picked up the brush and begun painting carefully.

Li Shimin didn’t disturb her, standing quietly to the side. Yunyi worked swiftly, completing the painting in less than the time it took to burn a stick of incense. Like her earlier drawing in the back garden, it captured both form and spirit, skillfully depicting the indescribable beauty of the blooming snow lotus. However, there were slight flaws in the use of ink—some areas were too light, others too dark—a notable imperfection in the painting.

Yunyi set down her brush and handed the painting to Li Shimin, apologizing, “Meixue has failed to meet your expectations, Second Master. Please forgive me.” She could have painted better, but doing so wouldn’t align with Meixue’s supposed background.

Li Shimin took the painting and examined it closely, smiling warmly. “You’ve done an excellent job—there’s no need for forgiveness. If anything, I should thank you.”

“Second Master flatters me,” Yunyi replied. Stepping forward, she gazed at the snow lotus standing proudly in the wind and snow. “If a skilled painter had accompanied you today, they surely would have done a better job.”

“Not necessarily.” To Yunyi’s surprise, Li Shimin said, “I’ve always believed the snow lotus to be the most spiritually profound among flowers. Capturing its beauty requires more than just technical skill—it also demands a certain connection, much like how we were fortunate enough to witness its bloom today.”

Yunyi smiled faintly. “It’s a pity that this flower blooms only for a day and cannot be transplanted elsewhere; otherwise, we could admire it for longer.”

After carefully storing the painting, Li Shimin chuckled. “To thank you for painting this, I’d like to give you something in return. Would that be alright?”

“What is it?” Yunyi asked, puzzled. Li Shimin helped her out of the cave and led her through the snow to where the snow lotus bloomed. “This.”

“This?” Yunyi raised her sleeve to shield herself from the biting wind and snow, shaking her head. “I don’t understand what you mean, Second Master.”

“The snow lotus has properties that beautify the skin, strengthen the body, and provide warmth. For women, its benefits surpass even those of ginseng or cordyceps. Unfortunately, its roots wither quickly once removed from the soil, making it impossible to preserve for consumption. Few people have even seen it, let alone possessed it. Because of this, it’s incredibly precious. Some have offered hundreds of taels of gold for a single stem, yet still failed to obtain one.”

Yunyi listened carefully and asked, confused, “What does this have to do with me?”

Li Shimin chuckled lightly. “Since I discovered this snow lotus, it can be considered mine. I’m giving it to you as a token of gratitude for painting it.”

Hearing this, Yunyi quickly shook her head. “Such a gift is far too valuable—I can’t possibly accept it. You should take it back for Lord Li Yuan or Lady Wan, or perhaps keep it for yourself.”

“It will likely wither before we even descend the mountain. As for me…” He laughed. “Do you really think I need beautification?”

“Of course not, but…” Before Yunyi could finish, Li Shimin had already bent down to pluck the snow lotus and handed it to her. “Now that it’s been uprooted, if you don’t consume it, it will simply wither away.”

Seeing no way to refuse further, Yunyi relented. “Thank you for your kindness, Second Master.”

Upon returning to the cave, Yunyi plucked a petal and placed it in her mouth. Though she had seen snow lotuses before, she had never tasted one. The moment the petal touched her tongue, it dissolved into a cool, refreshing liquid that slid down her throat, leaving a sweet aftertaste.

Whether due to its actual effects or psychological suggestion, after consuming a few petals, she no longer felt as cold. She plucked another petal and offered it to Li Shimin, smiling mischievously before he could speak. “Even if you don’t need beautification, eating some for warmth won’t hurt.”

“Alright,” Li Shimin said, accepting the petal and eating it. The sensation of it melting instantly in his mouth, followed by a wave of warmth, surprised even him.

After finishing the snow lotus, Li Shimin glanced at the darkening sky. “While there’s still daylight, let’s head down. If we wait any longer, the city gates may close.” Then he asked, “Can you walk now?”

Since she no longer intended to harm Li Shimin, Yunyi didn’t want him to carry her again, especially given propriety. Testing her ankle, she said, “After resting for a while, I feel much better. I should be able to walk a few steps.”

“Good. I’ll support you as we go slowly. If you can’t manage, tell me immediately—don’t force yourself.” After these instructions, Li Shimin helped Yunyi descend the mountain step by step. By now, the path was covered in snow, though not thick enough to hinder their progress if they were careful.

Not far from them, Duan Zhihong was concealed behind a tree, keeping a close and unwavering watch on Yunyi. It was strange—there had been so many opportunities for her to act, yet she hadn’t made a move. Had Second Master Li Shimin misjudged her? Or was she planning to strike during their descent? Or perhaps… she had already discovered him?

Though Yunyi had glanced back several times while ascending the mountain, he had always managed to hide behind the trees in time. He was certain she hadn’t seen him.

After much speculation, Duan Zhihong couldn’t make sense of the situation. Suppressing his thoughts, he continued to follow Li Shimin discreetly, carefully observing Yunyi’s every move.