Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

By the time Emperor Kangxi finished making the follow-up arrangements for the Grand Canal transport, winter had arrived.

When the first snow fell, a thin layer of white accumulated on the pillars of the Qianqing Palace. The cold wind swirled the snowflakes and slammed them against the window paper, making a rustling sound.

After Emperor Kangxi finished reviewing the last memorial, he put down his vermilion brush and unconsciously stroked his jade thumb ring with his fingertips.

These past few days, he couldn't help but drift off, his mind filled with images of Liu Yunshu.

I wonder if the crabapple blossoms in her yard have fallen yet. It's cold in winter, I wonder if she's added layers of clothing on time.

"Li Dequan," Kangxi suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the hall.

"Your servant is here." Li Dequan hurriedly came in from outside the door, carrying a hand warmer in his hands.

"How has Yun Shu been lately? Is she feeling much better?"

Li Dequan quickly stepped forward, handed the hand warmer to Kangxi, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Lady is doing well since returning home. Yesterday, she took Biyu and Qiushuang to Huguo Temple to pray for blessings, saying she would be staying for a while."

"Praying for blessings at Huguo Temple?" Kangxi paused, his hand unconsciously tightening as he took the hand warmer.

"Why did she go to pray for blessings? Is she still feeling unwell, or... did someone in the Tong family upset her?"

Seeing that he was getting nervous again, Li Dequan quickly waved his hand.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I heard from Qiu Shuang that the Lady went to Huguo Temple to pray for the well-being of all people during the cold winter, and also to pray for Your Majesty's peace and prosperity."

"For the sake of all the people, for the sake of me?" Kangxi paused in his hand holding the hand warmer, the worry in his eyes instantly replaced by warmth, and even the chill in the hall seemed to dissipate a bit.

He gazed at the snowflakes falling outside the window, and a soft chuckle escaped his throat involuntarily.

This silly girl, she's not fully recovered yet, but she's already thinking about others, even worrying about his safety.

"Prepare the carriage." Kangxi suddenly stood up, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the imperial desk, stirring a gentle breeze. "I am going to Huguo Temple."

"yes!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Huguo Temple.

Xiao Ba eagerly reported to Liu Yunshu, "Your Majesty! Emperor Kangxi is on his way to Huguo Temple!"

Liu Yunshu responded with an "oh," but her hands continued copying the Buddhist scriptures.

As the brush tip made its final stroke on the rice paper, Liu Yunshu slowly raised her eyes and placed the brush in the brush washer.

"Biyu, the snow is beautiful today. Bring me your cloak, let's go to the back mountain to enjoy the snow scenery." Liu Yunshu stood up and pulled her plain-colored jacket tighter around her.

Biyu quickly agreed, took the silver fox fur cloak, and carefully tied the belt for her.

The three of them, master and servants, walked slowly to the back mountain. The snow was still falling, and fine snowflakes landed on the plum branches.

The branches drooped slightly under the weight of the snow, and the red plum blossoms against the white snow created an elegant scene.

Liu Yunshu reached out and caught a snowflake, feeling its cool touch on her fingertips. A rare gentleness appeared in her eyes.

"Your Majesty! Emperor Kangxi is almost here!"

"Miss, do you really not miss the Emperor?"

Xiao Ba and Bi Yu's voices rang out simultaneously.

A smile flashed in Liu Yunshu's eyes. "What a beautiful jade! Having you is truly my blessing!"

As Kangxi approached, he heard Biyu's question.

He stopped in his tracks, wondering if Yun Shu missed him.

Liu Yunshu gazed at the red plum blossoms on the branches, the snowflakes at her fingertips slowly melting into water.

She didn't answer immediately, but said softly, "Look at this snow. It's a beautiful sight when it falls on plum branches, but when it falls under the eaves of ordinary people's houses, it can crush dilapidated houses and freeze crops."

She paused, then turned to look at Biyu, her eyes filled with a faint warmth.

"His Majesty is the ruler of the world, bearing the livelihood of countless people on his shoulders. If I were to constantly think about my own personal feelings and distract him, wouldn't I become a burden?"

"But the Emperor has you in his heart, and you have the Emperor in your heart, so why..." Biyu clutched the corner of her sleeve, her tone full of confusion.

"Silly girl, there are no perfect solutions in this world." Liu Yunshu raised her hand to catch a falling plum blossom petal, gently twirling it between her fingertips, her tone soft yet tinged with melancholy.

"What separates me from him is not just status, but also the rules of the court and the reputation of my family."

Snowflakes landed on her raven-feather-like eyelashes. "He is the emperor, a role model for the world. How can I let him be branded as a 'ruler stealing his subject's wife' because of my personal feelings for him?"

Biyu couldn't help but tear up, "But Miss, you clearly care so much..."

"Jade." Liu Yunshu interrupted her, slowly raising her eyes to look at the snowflakes falling from the sky. "It's snowing. It must be snowing in the palace too."

"It's winter now, so it's naturally snowing in the palace." Biyu looked at Liu Yunshu with a puzzled expression, not understanding why her mistress suddenly brought up the snow in the palace.

Qiu Shuang couldn't understand the deeper meaning in Liu Yunshu's words either. Kangxi stood under a pine tree not far away, looking at her with deep eyes.

Yunshu, it's snowing in the palace too, why are you...?

"How wonderful." Liu Yunshu reached out and caught the pure white snowflakes. "If we can get soaked in the snow together today, we can be considered to have grown old together in this life."

"Since we are not destined to be together in this life, being able to share a snowfall together is enough to make this encounter worthwhile."

Liu Yunshu's voice fell softly on the snow, carrying a hint of relief. The snowflakes on her fingertips melted into water, dripping down her fingers onto the red plum petals.

These words, falling like snowflakes into Kangxi's ears, struck him deeply in his heart.

He stood under the pine tree, gazing at the figure in the distance wrapped in a silver fox cloak.

Snowflakes fell into her hair and clung to her eyelashes. Although she was surrounded by warm wool, she still looked so frail and delicate that it was heartbreaking.

"Together we'll be bathed in snow, and grow old together..." Kangxi repeated these words in a low voice, his fingertips unconsciously tightening around the jade pendant at his waist.

The cool jade pressed against his palm, yet it couldn't suppress the surging emotions within him.

"Biyu, do you remember the poem 'The Brocade Zither' by Li Shangyin that I read a few days ago?"

Liu Yunshu gazed at the red plum blossoms on the branches, her voice as soft as falling snow.

"The brocade zither has fifty strings for no reason; each string and each bridge evokes thoughts of bygone years."

Zhuangzi dreamt he was a butterfly, and the Emperor Wang's heart was entrusted to the cuckoo.

The moon shines brightly over the vast sea, pearls seem to weep; the sun warms the fields of Lantian, jade seems to emit smoke.

This love can only be cherished in memory, for at the time it was already a regret.

"When I read this poem before, I never understood the meaning of the last line."

Liu Yunshu gently brushed her fingertips across the snow-covered plum branches, and snowflakes fell softly.

"Now I understand that everyone has impulses in their lives. I knew it was wrong to fall in love with him, but my will still succumbed."

Kangxi stood behind the pine tree, gazing at the figure standing amidst the red plum blossoms and white snow, as if trying to blend into the snowy landscape.

He couldn't resist any longer and stepped out from behind the pine tree, the snow crunching softly on the soles of his boots.

"Since you're already sinking into despair, why force yourself to let go?"

Hearing footsteps behind her, Liu Yunshu froze, her fingers tightening involuntarily as she gripped the plum branch, snow falling softly onto the back of her hand.

Seeing that she had her back to him and refused to turn around, a smile flashed in Kangxi's eyes.

He walked slowly behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.

His warm palm covered her cold hand and gently pried open her fingers that were holding the plum branch.

"Holding the cold branches in the snow, be careful not to freeze your hands." His voice rang in her ears, tinged with a hint of helpless tenderness.

The warm breath fell on her neck, making her tremble slightly.

Liu Yunshu's body remained stiff, the snow on her fingertips slowly melting, wetting her palms.

She wanted to say something, wanted to push him away, but only a hoarse, breathy voice came out: "Your Majesty..."

"I'm not here to force you," Kangxi gently tightened his arms and pulled her closer to him.

His gaze fell on the snowflakes clinging to her hair, and his tone softened.

"I just heard you say 'to grow old together in the snow,' and I felt resentful. You're right here in front of me, why rely on just a snowfall to make up for 'growing old together'?"

He lowered his head, his chin gently resting on the top of her head, his voice carrying a hint of grievance he himself was unaware of: "Am I really that unworthy of your trust?"

Liu Yunshu's shoulders trembled slightly, and her eyes instantly reddened.

She wanted to turn around, but she was afraid of meeting the tenderness in his eyes, afraid that the defenses she had painstakingly built up would completely collapse.

The chill on her fingertips hadn't yet dissipated, but the warmth from her back spread through the fabric, enveloping her entirely.

"I know what you're afraid of," Kangxi's voice whispered in her ear, tinged with solemnity.

"I'm afraid of bringing shame to the family, afraid of giving me ammunition for criticism, and afraid that the turmoil in the harem will wrong you. But Yunshu, these are not your problems alone; I should bear them."

He gently turned her body so that she was facing him.

"I was the one who fell in love with Yun Shu first, and I was the one who forced you. All these 'mistakes' were caused by me, and I should bear them all. They have nothing to do with you."

Liu Yunshu was forced to turn around and bumped into Kangxi's deep eyes.

It contained a seriousness she had never seen before, and an unyielding tenderness, which instantly brought tears to her eyes.

Tears fell like beads from a broken string, cascading onto the pristine white snow.

She sobbed uncontrollably, looking at him through tear-filled eyes, "Your Majesty, you shouldn't have come. I had already convinced myself, why did you come to provoke me again?"

Seeing her tear-streaked face, Kangxi felt a pang of pain in his heart, and gently wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

"Yun Shu, trust me, I will surely find a way to satisfy both sides."

Seeing Liu Yunshu weeping silently, Kangxi felt a pang in his heart.

He reached out and pulled her closer into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice extremely soft.

"Don't cry, what if you hurt yourself? Look how beautiful the red plum blossoms and white snow are. If you cry and ruin your face, you'll be wasting this beautiful scenery."

He gently patted her back with his fingertips, like comforting a wronged child, and said, "I know you're suffering, and I know you have many worries. But trust me, this isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor is it a casual promise. I truly want to stay with you."

Liu Yunshu nestled in his arms, listening to his steady heartbeat, and finally nodded.

Seeing her nod, Kangxi finally felt relieved and tightened his arms to hold her even closer.

The faint scent of plum blossoms lingered in her hair, mixed with the crispness of snow, bringing him immense peace of mind.

Biyu and Qiushuang tactfully retreated to the pine trees not far away.

Xiao Ba secretly gave Liu Yunshu a "you're awesome" gesture.