Chapter 104: Wary

Wan’er jerked back and shook her head, her face flushed. She couldn’t think of anything to say, so instead, she darted her eyes away without a word. The smell of ink lingered in the air even after Zhang Yuan had stepped away.

Silence followed. Looking around, Zhang Yuan didn’t see Jun Huang or the other. Perhaps they have left to attend to something important, he thought. He turned back to Wan’er and cleared his throat. “If the lady isn’t going anywhere else, may this gentleman accompany you on a walk in the back garden? Earlier I heard that the peach trees in the temple have bloomed. If you are free, maybe we can enjoy the view together.”

Zhang Yuan’s words were polite, and his tone was gentle. It made it easy for her to accept his offer.

Wan’er nodded and lowered her eyes. “If the gentleman is willing, this woman is glad to oblige.”

They walked along the quaint path. Pink peach blossoms falling down from the sky. It felt as if they were walking into the land of the celestials.

Wan’er rarely left the palace. She didn’t know that at the back of the temple was a hidden scene of beauty that could rival the scenery in the palace....