Chapter 1
Flowers bloom during Qingming in March, as we return late to the clear river after the rites are done
With no weariness despite the long journey, while the swings stay locked in the secluded courtyard.
Peonies unfurl lavishly, wine-scented vines drape the trellis overhead—yet there is no one urges me to drink beneath the flowers.
A deep longing takes root—though the east wind returns late, it still ensnares us with its callous touch.
(Excerpt from Fisherman's Pride, by Song poet Ouyang Xiu)
t/n Did my best but wasn't expecting to have to decode poetry lol⋅ ˚ ₊ ‧ ‧ ₊ ˚ ⋅
March in Luoyang City marked the height of spring. Grass grew lush and green, while willow branches swayed shyly in the breeze.
Brilliant swathes of purple and crimson flowers bloomed in quick succession, peonies of every shade filling the city with their heady fragrance, carried far and wide on the warm wind.
Young ladies strolled gracefully through the gardens, silk fans in hand, their dazzling smiles vying with the peonies themselves. Which was more captivating, more enchanting?
Their lips were moist and red, their cheeks tinged with a bashful pink. The sight left young gentlemen utterly entranced, their hearts in disarray.
On one side of the city, the peony gardens flourished in spring’s embrace. But on the other, Siyi Academy remained tranquil and solemn.
Inside the school hall, an elderly teacher droned on, nodding in rhythm as he read aloud from the classics, oblivious to the calligraphy paper stuck to his back with syrup. On it was a remarkable drawing of a green-shelled turtle, its head poking out mischievously.
t/n In Chinese, "turtle" is often used as a profanity, slang for "bastard."Last night's rain had left the sky clear and bright, filling the air with the fresh scent of grass and damp earth. Though no flowers bloomed here, butterflies flitted about, and dragonflies hovered lazily in the sunlight.
A light breeze rustled by, and a single drop of dew slipped from a leaf, vanishing into the soil with a soft sound.
He slowly opened his eyes and stretched, looking around at the familiar yet unfamiliar courtyard.
Was it familiar or not?
He had been here for a long time, watching the seasons pass, from spring to autumn, from warm to cold—and yet, he couldn't say he truly recognized a single leaf or branch.
Ever since gaining a consciousness, he had hidden in his true form, drifting in and out of awareness, cultivating instinctively. He had no idea how much time had passed—only that, for the first time, he was truly seeing the mortal world.
A butterfly fluttered over, circling him a few times before perching lightly on one of his tender green leaves.
The sensation was ticklish, making him giggle aloud.
"Insolence! How dare you behave so recklessly in a place of learning?"
A sharp reprimand rang out from within the school hall, startling him. The butterfly took fright too, fluttering away at once.
He craned his neck as far as he could, but he couldn't see inside.
Before long, two figures emerged—one looking dejected, the other relaxed and unbothered.
The despondent one stopped at the wall corner. Seeing his companion continuing forward, he hurriedly called out, "Yuxuan! Teacher told us to face the wall and reflect—where are you going?"
The young man turned back with a soft chuckle. "You actually listen to that old stick-in-the-mud?"
Shaking his head in amusement, he strolled toward the courtyard.
His robes were a simple sky-blue colour, free of elaborate embroidery or ornate patterns, which made his striking peach-blossom features stand out all the more.
Holding his breath, Little Flower watched as that person drew closer, lifted his robe slightly, and sat down beside him, gazing up at the sky and shielding his eyes with a hand.
t/n For most of the early chapters, our mc is referred to as "he" and ml as "that person" but I swapped those out for their names in some places for clarity.Little Flower exhaled softly in relief. Just as his nervousness began to ease, the young man suddenly turned and smiled, his gaze locking onto him.
"It’s been a few days, and you’ve grown a few more leaves again..."
Fingertips brushed lightly over the small leaves, sending a shiver through his entire being.
After playing with his leaves for a moment, the young man let go with a chuckle and stood, returning to his friend.
Little Flower stared after him in a daze, a hundred thoughts running through his head. Before he could make sense of them, the old teacher hobbled out, his voice stern.
"Qin Yuxuan, Zhao Yuyang—do you two admit your mistake?"
That person remained all smiles. "Of course, Teacher."
Little Flower watched from a distance, quietly repeating that name in his heart.
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By the time he opened his eyes again, it was noon.
Class had ended, and the young nobles were spilling out of the academy, chatting and laughing.
"Yuxuan, let’s go to Ningxiang Garden later. I heard the peonies there are especially stunning this year."
"Not interested."
"Ah, I nearly forgot. Our dear Qin Yuxuan is too sophisticated—if he wants to ‘admire the flowers,’ it’d be at Suoyan House instead."
t/n Likely the name of a brothel.The group chuckled nastily, but the young man only quirked his lips, making no effort to respond.
Little Flower listened in confusion—until he saw that young man lift a hand and point at him. "If you want to admire flowers, just look at this one."