Ice Empress immediately said, "It sounds like a winter lamp."
"Then come and get it."
"Call him Chen'er Xing."
Qian Renxue looked at her.
"What kind of name is that?"
"This star originally belonged to my brother."
"It's golden."
"Chen'er is also golden."
Qian Chen looked down at her white robe.
"I am not golden."
Ice Empress raised her hand and touched the Nine-Color Crystal on his forehead.
"It's golden here."
Snow Empress gazed at the golden star.
"Snowlight is a good name too."
Qian Renxue looked at her.
"Snow Empress Sister likes it too?"
Its light is very quiet.
Qian Chen raised his hand.
A Nine-Color ray of light fell from his fingertip, circled the Milky Way, and stopped beside the golden star.
Golden light and Nine-Color light intertwined.
Two tiny characters gradually emerged from the center of the star.
Snowlight.
Qian Renxue looked at the names on the stars, a bright smile appearing on her lips.
"Was it chosen by your brother?"
"You took it."
"It was my brother who made it appear."
She took Qian Chen's hand and stepped closer.
"I like this name."
Ice Empress hugged Qian Chen's arm.
Where are my stars?
You don't.
"Why?"
"You didn't choose a name just now."
Ice Empress looked up at the starry sky.
"Then I'll get it now."
She stretched out her hand and pointed to a distant, emerald-green star.
"Let's call it Ice Crystal."
Snow Empress glanced at it.
"That star is moving."
"It moves very beautifully."
Ice Empress turned to look at Qian Chen.
"Chen'er, let it stay there."
Qian Chen raised his hand.
Nine-Color rays of light fell along the Milky Way, slightly adjusting the trajectory around the emerald green star.
The stars stopped moving.
The emerald green light swirled slowly in the starry sky, like an unfolding ice flower.
"Now it's all right."
Ice Empress raised their face.
"It's brighter than Snow Sister's."
Snow Empress did not refute.
She looked at Qian Chen.
"You should write a name for it too."
Qian Chen raised his hand again.
The words "Ice Crystal" appeared next to the emerald green star.
Ice Empress watched for a moment, then hugged his arm tightly with satisfaction.
"I'll come here every day from now on."
"Good."
"Chen'er will stay with me too."
"Good."
Qian Renxue grasped Qian Chen's other hand.
"Then I'll look at my stars every day too."
"Good."
Snow Empress stood behind Qian Chen and reached out to smooth the edges of his cloak.
Your cloak is torn.
It's windy at the observatory.
"I know."
She fastened the silver clasp on the side of her neck again.
Nine-Color cloak hung behind Qian Chen, its edges tinged with a pale gold by starlight.
Snow Empress withdrew her hand, but Qian Chen grasped her fingertips.
Where are Snow Sister's stars?
"I don't."
You take one too.
She looked up at the starry sky.
In the distance, a patch of white light fell on the edge of the Milky Way. That light did not gather into stars; it simply remained there quietly, like a layer of snow fallen on the sky.
That will do.
"What's your name?"
Snow Empress thought for a moment.
"Moon Orchid."
Qian Chen raised his hand.
Guided by the power of the Nine-Color Divine Power, the white starlight condensed into a tiny Moon Orchid.
The petals unfolded one by one.
Amidst the starry sky, the Moon Orchid blooms quietly.
Qian Chen carved her name next to the flower.
Moon Orchid.
Snow Empress looked at the star-shaped flower and reached out to touch the hairpin beside her.
That's enough.
"Don't you like bigger stars?"
"I like quiet."
Qian Chen gripped her hand tightly.
It will always be there.
"Will you always stay with me?"
"Meeting."
Snow Empress looked into his eyes, then rested her shoulder on his arm.
That's good.
On the observatory.
The four stood side by side amidst the Milky Way.
Golden Snowlight, emerald green Ice Crystal, white Moon Orchid, and Nine-Colored Divine Light intertwined.
Qian Renxue leaned against Qian Chen's right.
Ice Empress hugged his left arm.
Snow Empress held his hand tightly, her fingers never letting go.
After a long while, Ice Empress raised his face.
"Chen'er, what do you want to eat tonight?"
Qian Chen looked at her.
What would you like to eat?
Chestnut cake.
Qian Renxue immediately replied, "I already ate breakfast this morning."
"We can eat it again tonight."
Snow Empress nodded.
"The tea in the temple should be replaced."
"Then let's go back."
Qian Renxue pulled Qian Chen forward.
"Brother, I'll ask the kitchen to make chestnut cake."
Ice Empress hugged his arm tightly.
"I want the leaf shape."
"I want a flower shape."
Snow Empress walked beside Qian Chen.
"Moon Orchid shape is also acceptable."
The three of them each told each other what kind of pastries they wanted.
Qian Chen nodded after listening.
"Do them all."
Ice Empress immediately burst into laughter.
"Chen'er is the best."
Qian Renxue held his finger.
"My brother has been with us all day."
"I promised."
Snow Empress straightened the edges of his cloak.
"Then let's have some tea when we get back."
"Good."
The four of them re-entered the temple.
Outside the observatory, three stars still twinkled quietly in the Milky Way.
The white light of the Moon Orchid fell on the palace gate.
The turquoise color of the Ice Crystal was reflected on the edge of the long corridor.
The Snowlight spun slowly at the highest point.
Qian Chen turned around and glanced back.
Qian Renxue followed his gaze.
"Brother, will you come again tomorrow?"
"Come back tomorrow."
Ice Empress grabbed his arm.
"We'll have to see it the day after tomorrow too."
"Good."
The Snow Empress closed the doors of the observatory, shutting out the starry winds.
She turned around and took Qian Chen's hand again.
"Let's go have some tea first."
Qian Chen nodded.
The four of them walked together toward the tea table.
Inside the temple, the tea was reheated.
New chestnut cakes were also served on the long table.
Qian Chen sat between the three, with warm tea beside him.
Qian Renxue straightened his sleeves.
Ice Empress picked out a leaf-shaped pastry.
Snow Empress removed the white jade hairpin from her hair and placed it beside the pages of the book.
Outside the window, the Nine-Color Star River continues to flow slowly.
No one mentioned the affairs of the Divine Realm that day.
Only the aromas of tea and chestnuts remained in the new temple.
temple.
After evening tea.
Qian Chen picked up the books from the table and found a long, thin wooden box under the pages.
The wooden box was unlocked, and there was still some dirt on the lid.
Who brought it?
Snow Empress put down her teacup.
"I took a few Moon Orchid from the Rear Garden Heaven Dou, originally intending to plant them outside the window."
He opened the box.
Several Moon Orchid lay side by side on a damp cloth, their roots carefully wrapped, with two new leaves remaining on each branch.
The spacious white jade courtyard outside the window contained only a stone table and a long corridor.
Qian Chen walked to the window and glanced at the empty spot under the eaves.
Where should we plant it tomorrow?
She came to his side.
"It's a spot where the morning light shines, and it's not directly in the wind."
"You've already chosen."
"The location has been chosen, but the soil hasn't been moved yet."
Ice Empress sat up from the tatami mat.
"I want to plant some too."
Qian Renxue closed the food box and pointed to the other side of the courtyard.
"I had the stone benches moved and a new path added."
Where do you want to lay it?
"Place it next to the Moon Orchid, and your shoes won't get muddy after it rains."
Qian Chen nodded and moved the wooden box under the window.
Snow Empress, however, tugged at his sleeve.
"Tonight we're only looking at the location."
He looked at her.
"I haven't picked up the shovel yet."
"You were already watching the gate."
She took the wooden box and covered the roots with a damp cloth again.
Let's plant them together tomorrow morning.
The next day.
Several more ceramic pots have appeared in the courtyard.
Qian Chen changed into a narrow-sleeved white shirt, with a light-colored cloth belt around her waist, and carried a basket of loose soil down the stone steps.
There was a bowl of water and a small shovel on the veranda, along with four pairs of fine cloth gloves.
Ice Empress was already standing by the flowerbed.
She wore a light blue short-sleeved shirt with a thin skirt over it, and her long hair was tied back with a hairband.
She left the jade hairpin in the room.
"Chen'er, how deep do we need to dig here?"
Qian Chen put down the bamboo basket.
A round crater had appeared in front of her.
The bottom of the pit was flat, but the surrounding soil was frozen into hard lumps.
He crouched down and picked up one of the pieces.
"Are you planning to put Moon Orchid in an ice cellar?"
Ice Empress looked at his hands.
"I just wanted the edges of the pit to be neater."
The roots should grow outwards.
He put the clod of earth back, picked up a small shovel, and turned over the frozen soil.
She squatted down and reached out to expel the lingering chill.
Is this okay?
Loosen the soil a little more.
Ice Empress took the shovel, but this time did not activate his Soul Power.
Fine dust settled on the tips of her shoes.
She glanced down at it and continued digging.
Qian Chen moved the bamboo basket closer to shield her from the falling pebbles.
"You don't even care that your shoes are dirty?"
I specifically changed into my old shoes today.
She lifted her toes to show him.
The silver stitching along the edge of the shoe had worn away, but the upper was clean.
"Snow Sister said, you can't plant flowers and then complain about the mud getting your clothes dirty."
Footsteps echoed on the steps.
Snow Empress walked over carrying a wooden box, her light silver skirt gathered up with a thin strap, revealing plain soft boots underneath.
She placed the wooden box on the stone table and handed Qian Chen a folded cloth.
"Place it under your knees."
He looked down and saw that the hem of his clothes was already touching the damp soil.
"A little bit won't hurt."
"I know."
She knelt down beside him and unfolded the cloth.
But there were pebbles on the ground.
Qian Chen followed her hand and saw a protruding pebble pressed under the cloth.
He picked the pebbles out and put them aside.
"It's gone now."
Snow Empress did not take the cloth away.
She pushed one half onto his knees and knelt on the other half herself.
Their sleeves touched.
Qian Chen lowered his eyes and noticed that one of the ribbons on her wrist had come loose.
Give me your hand.
She raised her hand.
He took off his own gloves first before re-tying the straps for her.
A light-colored cloth strip passed through her wrist, the knot remaining on the outside, not touching her palm.
Snow Empress rotated her wrist.
"Won't it fall apart like this?"
"You won't get it if you don't dismantle it."
She looked at the gloves he had just taken off and reached out to open them for him.
"Then you should wear it too."
The damp cloth covering the roots of the Moon Orchid was gradually unwrapped.
Snow Empress supported the roots, Qian Chen held the branches, as the two placed the first Moon Orchid into the pit.
Ice Empress squatted on the other side, shoveling up loose soil and filling it in.
Is it crooked?
She stopped shoveling.
Qian Chen gently straightened the branch to the left.
"And now?"
"A little closer to me."
He did as he was told and moved it half an inch.
Snow Empress pressed down on the back of his hand.
"She was squatting in a low spot."
Ice Empress stood up and circled around Moon Orchid.
"It turns out I misunderstood."
She returned to their side and picked up the small shovel again.
When the soil reached the root collar, Qian Chen stopped and gently compacted the soil surface.
Where's the water?
A water bottle with a narrow spout was handed to me.
Qian Renxue carried another small bucket and walked along the newly paved stone path to the flower bed.
She changed into comfortable ankle boots, her skirt didn't drag on the ground, and she only had a gold hairpin in her hair.
"Brother, I've brought the water."
"The stone path has been paved?"
"There are only two pieces left to choose from. I'll leave them for you to pick."
She pointed to the stone slabs along the corridor.
The two stone slabs, one square and one round, are similar in size.
Qian Chen picked up the round piece and placed it at the corner of the flowerbed.
"Use this here; it won't touch the hem of your skirt."
Qian Renxue squatted down and tapped the edge firmly with a small wooden mallet.
"Put a low table here from now on."
"Are you going to bring out the documents again?"
"It's time to change places after sitting indoors for too long."
She put the mallet back in the basket and took the kettle.
A thin stream of water dripped from the spout, quickly soaking into the soil around the roots.
Ice Empress extended a finger and touched the new leaf of the Moon Orchid.
When does it bloom?
"Let it grow stable first."
Qian Chen raised her hand and brushed aside a leaf that was stuck to the branch.
"If you come to see it every day, you will see flower buds sprouting."
"Can't it open tomorrow?"
"Sure, but that would save a lot of trouble."
She turned her head to look at him.
"What's up?"
"Water it, loosen the soil, and wait for it to sprout new buds."
Ice Empress looked at the small leaf beside his palm and finally withdrew his hand.
"Then I'll come water it tomorrow."
Snow Empress took out the remaining few Moon Orchid.
"Remember to touch the soil first."
"The soil is still wet, so you're not going to water it?"
"Um."
"I'll remember that."
By the time the last Moon Orchid was planted, the morning light had already filled the courtyard.
Qian Chen took off his gloves and patted the remaining dirt off the bamboo basket.
Snow Empress was still squatting beside the flower bed, inserting a thin wooden stick into the soil.
The wooden strip was too short; she tried twice, but the branch still leaned to the side.
He picked out the longer one from the basket and handed it to her.
Use this.
She took the wooden strip and carefully inserted it into the root.
Qian Chen untied the excess cloth belt from her waist, tore it into narrow strips, and tied the branch to the wooden strip for her.
Snow Empress supported Moon Orchid, her fingertips occasionally brushing against his hand.
She only loosened the branch after the last knot was tied.
"Alright."
As he stood up, his sleeve was snagged by a bamboo strip beside him.
A white thread peeks out from the fabric.
Just as Qian Chen was about to tear it off, Snow Empress grabbed his wrist.
"Don't pull."
She unbuttoned her sleeves and turned the fabric over to inspect it.
There was a small tear at the hem of the sleeve, not long, but right next to the seam.
"Go back and change."
"It's alright."
"I'll mend it for you before you wear it."
Qian Chen watched as she carefully examined the stitches and lowered his hand, which he was about to retract.
"Then I'll wait for you."
After washing your hands.
Qian Chen changed into a clean outer garment and sat on a bench under the eaves.
Snow Empress picked out white thread from the sewing box and spread the clothes he had taken off on his lap.
He reached out and picked up the scissors.
How long do you want it cut?
"It's enough that it's in your hands."
She straightened the thread and waited for him to cut it before threading the end through the eye of the needle.
The needle tip pierces through the inside of the fabric.
The tiny cracks were gradually closed up.
Qian Chen didn't urge her, but simply held up the hem of her dress that was hanging down to the side of the stool.
Water droplets still clung to the leaves of the Moon Orchid in the courtyard.
As soon as the wind blows, a few drops of water fall from the tips of the leaves into the soil.
"You used to do these things too?"
Snow Empress bent down and sewed the sleeves.
"It wasn't necessary before."
When did you learn that?
"When I lived in the Heaven Dou Rear Garden."
She lifted the needle and straightened the last piece of thread.
"Your sleeve always touches the gun handle; I've had someone teach you a few times."