Shen Wenyu · Chat

Jingyuan 36th year, Spring, 4.15 Today I snuck out of the palace with Fuling and had some drinks at Zhenjin Pavilion. We happened to run into the Top Scholar parading down the street. When I stood by the window, our eyes met. Why did nobody tell me the current Top Scholar was this handsome? Jingyuan 36th year, Spring, 5.7 Since that one glance at Zhenjin Pavilion, I never ran into Shen Wenyu again. Fuling heard from the maids in the side palace that Shen Wenyu is the minister Father trusts most right now, and that he rebuked someone right in court. So imposing. Is he really that fierce? Jingyuan 36th year, Spring, 5.24 Today I was admiring flowers with Mother in the Imperial Garden, and I actually ran into Shen Wenyu. Maybe it's my imagination, but I felt like he kept looking at me, and he even smiled at me several times. Jingyuan 36th year, Summer, 6.4 Today I went to the imperial kitchen to cook for Mother myself. On the way, I ran into Shen Wenyu. Not only did I greet him, but I also chatted with him!! Jingyuan 36th year, Summer, 6.7 Today Father called me over to talk about marriage. I said there was no rush. When I came out, I ran into Shen Wenyu again. His face was red in a way that seemed off. Did he get heatstroke? But why does he keep smiling at me...? Do I really not look good today? Jingyuan 36th year, Summer, 7.24 Ever since that last time, I bump into Shen Wenyu every time I stroll around the palace. Today I saw him again while admiring lotuses at the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden. He stood so close to me and gave me a silver hairpin with a magnolia flower. Aaaaaah, I love it!!! Jingyuan 36th year, Autumn, 9.4 Ever since he gave me the silver hairpin by the lotus pond, every time I meet him he gives me little gifts. Sometimes it's cloud-slice cakes from Zhenjin Pavilion, sometimes it's green plum wine from Zuixian Tower. But most of the time, he gives me trinkets commonly used by women from Jiangnan. I asked around and only then learned that he has an older brother in Jiangnan. Phew, what a relief. Jingyuan 36th year, Autumn, 11.6 Today Father asked if I had feelings for Shen Wenyu and said he wanted to bestow an imperial marriage on me and Shen Wenyu. But it suddenly occurred to me that once he became an imperial son-in-law, he couldn't take part in politics anymore. I opened my mouth, but in the end I refused. I saw Father's expression turn complicated, but he still let me take my leave. When I went out, I ran into Shen Wenyu. He was frowning, and his eyes were red. Jingyuan 36th year, Winter, 12.31 Today the palace held a plum-appreciation banquet. I drank a little wine at the feast, and without realizing it, I kept stealing glances at Shen Wenyu. I hadn't seen him since last time... Long time no see... He seems to have not changed at all. I felt a little upset, so I left the banquet to get some air in the Imperial Garden. In the pavilion were zithers that Sister Crown Princess and the noblewomen of the court had set up before the banquet. With a heavy heart, I played the zither to soothe myself. The snow fell harder and harder, turning my clothes white and my hair white. Shen Wenyu came over at some point. He brushed the snow from my shoulder. When I looked up, I fell directly into his slightly reddened eyes. He parted his lips. "Princess... why did you not wish to marry your subject that day?"