The drizzle had not yet ceased, and the world was already veiled in mist.
The mouth of the dark stone cave made for an excellent window. Distant mountains lay lush and green, the human world pale and elegant. Even the clouds and fog, the fragrant mud, all became part of the painting.
It truly was a rare, tranquil scene. After all, among the travelers adrift in this world, who did not seek a measure of peace?
The one watching the view through the window sat back lazily, the cold, damp stone wall serving as her pillow. This nameless cave gave her a place to rest.
The spring rain was damp and slightly chill, enough to make even one's breath cold.
Amid crackling sounds, someone lit a bonfire.
The firelight leaped once, then twice, before wearily climbing higher. It wavered there, barely holding on, illuminating a flawless face.
Today, Ye Lan'er wore the latest custom-made formal gown from [Branch Plucking]. Every inch of her was refined to the utmost—even the curl of each strand of hair seemed meticulously arranged.
Unfortunately, she was also in this utterly unrefined stone cave.
The flower embroidery drifting around her like fragrance seemed to have caught the damp as well, wilting and aging by several degrees for no reason at all.
[Branch Plucking] originated in the Jing Kingdom and was said to be Yu Que's business. It had enjoyed a spell of popularity in its early years, but later, Marshal Yu spent more time living in the military camp—at any rate, not at home—focusing on drilling troops and waging war—picking flowers and sowing wild oats—and its momentum gradually faded.
Yet in recent years, it had risen again. Relying on the Central Regions, it had spread its name throughout the world. In terms of ingenuity in clothing