Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Zhao Meixiang often visited the Lin estate, carefully nurturing her friendship with the Lin family. Each time she appeared, she was warmly welcomed by everyone. Her calm, graceful personality easily won the affection of the Lin elders. Her rarely given, sweet dimpled smiles enhanced her allure, prompting everyone in the Lin family to do whatever they could to earn one.
Despite her lack of talent in music or the arts, no one cared or minded. Instead, they found Meixiang adorable—whether she was attempting to paint a bird but ended up with a duck, or trying to play the guzheng, only for everyone to flinch at the horrid sound. But no one could find it in their heart to criticize her, seeing how the young, beautiful girl was doing her best.
"Ah" Meixiang had been so focused on plucking each string until one suddenly snapped.
"Meixiang!" Everyone panicked at the sight of fresh blood on white delicate finger.
Lin Heng had been standing nearby watching the young girl play the Guzheng for his grandmother and mother. At first, he had a small amused smile on his face seeing how poorly she played yet still so lovable because she was trying so hard. No matter how unskilled he learned Zhao Meixiang was, Lin Heng couldn't help but still find her adorable. Because the little girl was putting all her effort in everything she does, people found her more endearing.
"Meixiang!"
As soon as the string snapped and cut Meixiang little finger, Lin Heng rushed to her side and took hold of her hand. He had been worried but Meixiang resisted and pulled back her hand from his grip. This caused Lin Heng to frown. The two had been good and close the first two months of their meeting. Then suddenly, Meixiang pulled away from him. The last month, the little girl had been avoiding him despite her normal visits to the Lin estate.
"You're hurt" Lin Heng took hold of her hand again. "Let me help you bandage it"
"I'm fine... Lin-gongzi, please let go" Meixiang again pulled away and took her own silk handkerchief to wrapped around her fingers.
Lin Heng stood silently as he watched Meixiang stood - her eyes obviously avoid meeting his.
"Meixiang is embarrassed... to show Lin-nainai and aunty such poor skill" Meixiang hid her blushing cheeks by lowering her head.
"Nonsense, you did well child" Lin Heng's grandmother smiled warmly.
"You did well. It's the Guzheng fault for ruining the mood. Someone, take the worthless instrument out and burn it"
The white Guzheng Meixiang just played with was a priceless one of a kind instrument made with rare white horse hair and white oak wood. Even if the string was difficult to replace, the instrument was still worth more than the average Guzheng. The servants and maids all wanted to cry. If they were able to sell it instead, it was enough to feed them for life.
"Why are you still standing there doing nothing" Lin Heng glanced over at the servants.
"Take it and burn it"
And so the rare Guzheng was burned to dust.
"Lin-nainai..." Meixiang appeared embarrassed. "The Guzheng was innocent... why destroy it?"
"Your hand is injured" Lin Heng again took hold of her hand, reminding her that the Guzheng string was the cause of it.
"Only because Meixiang skill is poor..." Meixiang, again tried to pull away but Lin Heng held on tighter. "Meixiang should head back_"
"Grandmother, mother" Lin Heng ignored Meixiang attempt to escape. "I would like a moment alone with Lady Zhao"
"T_that's not appropriate" Meixiang trembled while her eyes seek help from the Lin elders."T_that's not appropriate" Meixiang trembled while her eyes seek help from the Lin elders.
"The plum garden is still blooming beautifully" Everyone in the Lin estate knew by now Meixiang fondness for plum blossoms. "Why don't you take Meixiang there for viewing?"
"Lin-nainai_" Meixiang wanted to protest but was pulled away by Lin Heng.
While Lin Heng led Meixiang away, no one noticed the sly glint in her eyes.
"Lin-gongzi"
As soon as the two were alone in the garden, Meixiang pulled away and took several steps back. Her action and expression clear told the young man that she was uncomfortable.
"I thought..." Lin Heng was hurt by the little girl cold distance. "Did we not become friends...?"
For the first two months, the two had been on good terms - always smiling and talking about anything and everything. Even when Meixiang was careful not to be close proximity of the older boy, she was still warm and friendly, Lin Heng didn't understand when she became so distance and cold.
"Did I do something to offend you?"
"No... Lin-gongzi has been proper_"
"Lin-gongzi... you're still so formal with me" Lin Heng took a step forward only to have Meixiang take another step back. "Meixiang... we're engaged..."
It was the first time Lin Heng spoke of their engagement. He had completely forgotten how unwilling he had been with the engagement 3 months before.
"Lin-gongzi" Meixiang nervously glance up at him. "About that... maybe we should break the engagement"
Lin Heng immediately frowned. His usually kind, warm eyes were flashing darkly.
"Lin-gongzi_"
"Do you have someone else in your heart?"
"N_No" Meixiang again step back with Lin Heng approached her.
"Then why do you want break our engagement?"
"Lin-gongzi_"
"Why are you still calling me that?" Lin Heng couldn't stop his emotion after Meixiang had probed at it with talk of breaking off their engagement. "You called my servant by his name"
His eyes shot a glare at the young boy standing nearby. Instantaneously the servant boy fell to his knees even though he felt wronged by his young master's blame.
"But you can't call me by mine?" Lin Heng eyes went back to Meixiang.
"Lin-gongzi_" Meixiang stopped and then look down at her hands.
Seeing how the little girl was pulling nervously on her fingers, Lin Heng eyes softens.
"Meixiang..."
"Lin-gongzi does not have anyone in his heart?"
Meixiang sudden question startled Lin Heng. All of a sudden, the young man was reminded of the playful, cheerful girl. His heart was conflicting as he was lost within his memories. And because he was lost in thoughts, he missed the smirk on Meixiang's face.
"Lin-gongzi... it's best if we end our engagement"
Meixiang's words brought Lin Heng back to reality. Before him, a small girl stood firmly with clear round eyes causing him to feel panic.
"Lin-gongzi, father has already prepared our trip home in two days..." The little girl cast her eyes down, showing her reluctance. "Today will be Meixiang last visit"
"Meixiang" Lin Heng wanted to take hold of her hand but Meixiang refused. "You're afraid of me..."
Meixiang shook her head.
"Then why are you avoiding me? Why do you want to break our engagement?"
Meixiang remained silent.
"Our families have decided on this. The Empress has already written down our engagement. The Emperor has already given his blessing" Lin Heng voice grew heavier as he spoke. "It's too late to speak of_"
"Meixiang will speak to father"
"No!"
It was the first time Lin Heng gave such an angry outburst. He, himself, was startled at his own emotion. All a while, Meixiang whole body was trembling.
"Mei_"
"Meixiang does not have the confidence..."
Surprised by her sudden statement, Lin Heng looked at her, waiting for her explanation.
"Lin-gongzi... after today, we will be cities apart... Lin-gongzi is good..." Meixiang head was lowered but Lin Heng could see her blushing cheeks glowing as she continued to speak. "Lin-gongzi will find someone better than Meixiang"
It took a moment for the young man to process Meixiang's words. When he realized the girl was hesitating because of his interest for her, he couldn't stop the smile that bloom on his face.
"Silly girl" When he took gentle hold of her hand, Meixiang didn't resist.
"Meixiang isn't silly" The little girl pouted quietly. "The world is large and wide... there is always someone better..."
Meixiang does not know her simple statement moved Lin Heng's heart. The young man, himself, was not aware that those words would be engraved within him for the rest of his life.