Pastries

Qian Chen looked at her hand.

She pressed her fingertips against the seam, the stitches hidden on the inside, leaving only a neat white line on the outside.

You didn't tell me.

"I haven't finished sewing it yet, why would I tell you?"

He handed over the scissors, but didn't let go immediately.

Snow Empress raised her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"If you want to learn anything in the future, you can ask me to join you."

"You want to learn needlework too?"

"At least I can cut the thread for you."

She glanced at the scissors they were both holding.

"Then cut this one first."

Qian Chen cut the thread at the spot she pointed to.

Snow Empress rolled up her sleeves and gently smoothed them with her fingertips.

"Okay, give it a try."

He put on his clothes and reached his hands through the sleeves.

She fastened the cloth buttons on his wrists for him and then had him bend his arms a little.

"Won't it be too tense?"

"Perfect."

Qian Chen took her hand, which was still resting on her sleeve, and gently kissed her knuckles.

Snow Empress paused, her fingers moving slightly.

The needle is still here.

I see you've let it go.

She looked at him for a moment, closed the sewing box, and then let him lead her.

"You've observed quite carefully today."

"I've been watching."

Afternoon.

Ice Empress brought a wooden box from inside the palace.

The box contained several small silver bells and strings of various colors.

Qian Chen moved aside.

"What did you find this time?"

"Hanging under the eaves."

She picked out a silver bell and placed it in his palm.

The bell is engraved with simple leaf patterns, and the small beads inside roll gently with his movements.

"I want to hang it next to the flower bed."

Qian Renxue walked over, holding a thin wooden plaque.

"Then let's add a sign, so the steward won't think these flowers need to be moved."

The wooden sign has been sanded, with rounded edges, and the front is blank.

She placed the carving knife on the table.

"Brother, you write it."

Qian Chen picked up the wooden plaque.

What to write?

Ice Empress leaned closer for a look.

"Write: 'No picking flowers.'"

Snow Empress looked at the few new leaves in the flowerbed.

"It hasn't been spent yet."

"There will be more in the future."

Qian Renxue took a pen, wrote a few words on the paper, and then handed the paper to Qian Chen.

"Writing about the Moon Orchid Courtyard would suffice."

He glanced at the words on the paper, then raised his hand and secured the wooden sign to the edge of the table.

The blade slowly traced the strokes of the brush.

Fine wood shavings curled up from my fingers and landed on the white paper.

Ice Empress, who had been picking out ropes, moved a chair next to him after watching for a while.

She didn't touch his arm, but simply rested her chin on her hand as she watched him carve the words.

Why not just use divine power here?

I want to carve it myself.

What if I engraved it wrong?

The back is still empty.

She flipped the wooden plaque up a little and saw that there were indeed no patterns on the back, and a smile appeared in her eyes.

"Then I'll keep the back side for you."

After Qian Chen finished carving the last stroke, he handed the wooden plaque to her.

The three characters are similar in shade, except that the last stroke is slightly longer.

Ice Empress ran his fingertips along the edge.

"This doesn't need to be flipped."

She picked up the thin, turquoise rope and threaded it through the small hole at the top of the wooden sign.

A silver bell was tied below, but the rope was knotted into a tangled mess.

Qian Chen reached out and caught it.

"I'll teach you."

She simply moved closer to him and handed him the two ends of the rope.

He first loosened the knot, then guided her hand to thread the rope end through the loop.

Ice Empress's fingers landed on his fingertips, initially looking at the knot, but later only looking at his profile.

Qian Chen stopped what he was doing.

"You've learned it?"

"Not yet."

"You didn't see it."

She pulled the rope end back a little and placed it back in his palm.

"Then teach me again."

As he turned his head, she gently kissed him on the cheek.

The thin rope in Qian Chen's hand loosened by half an inch.

Ice Empress caught the silver bell that was about to slip away, his eyes full of smiles.

This time you didn't hold on tight enough.

By the time the wooden sign was hung on the long corridor, the sunlight had already fallen to the other side of the courtyard.

Qian Chen stood on the low stool and adjusted the position of the knot.

Ice Empress below, holding onto the edge of the stool, looked up to check the height for him.

"Lower it a little more on the left."

He loosened the thin rope by half an inch.

"And now?"

"Alright."

Snow Empress handed him the scissors and asked him to cut off the excess rope tail.

Qian Renxue stood at the end of the path, glanced at the wooden sign, and then looked at the flowerbed.

"We're missing a bench here."

You said a low table this morning.

"We need tables, and we need chairs too."

She placed the cushion she was carrying on the stone bench.

"There are four of us, we can't all stand here."

Qian Chen stepped down from the low stool and put the tools back into the wooden box one by one.

Snow Empress bent down to brush the wood chips off his clothes, her gaze sweeping over the mended cuffs.

The stitches are still neat.

She had just straightened up when he caught her hand.

"Shall we go take a look?"

What are you looking at?

"The Moon Orchid we planted today."

The two walked along the stone path to the flowerbed.

Several Moon Orchid faced the sunlight, their leaves more unfurled than in the morning, and the cloth straps tied to the wooden strips swayed gently.

Ice Empress followed, carrying a water bottle. He touched the soil with his hand and then put the bottle back.

No need to water it today.

Qian Chen nodded.

She stood contentedly on his other side.

Qian Renxue carried the empty bamboo basket to the porch and turned around to call the three of them.

"It's time for dinner. The kitchen has prepared fresh bamboo shoot soup today."

Ice Empress immediately looked at Qian Chen.

I want a bowl too.

"Serve it to yourself."

"Then I'll serve it to you."

Snow Empress released his hand, took out a cloth from her sleeve, and wiped away a little mud left on the side of his fingers.

You just washed your hands, but they weren't clean enough.

Qian Chen opened his palm, letting her slowly wipe through his fingers.

"And now?"

She checked his hands before folding the cloth.

"You can use chopsticks now."

He took her hand again and walked back along the stone path.

The wooden sign under the eaves swayed gently, and a silver bell touched its corner.

Ice Empress walked to the door and looked back one last time.

"Chen'er, let's come see the flowers first tomorrow morning."

Qian Chen pushed open the palace door for her.

"Have breakfast first, then come."

"Then I'll get up a little earlier tomorrow morning."

Snow Empress raised her hand to hold his long hair behind his shoulder, so that the ends of his hair wouldn't touch the door knocker.

You asked me to come along.

He turned his head and gently touched her hand with his fingertips.

"I'm waiting for you."

The Divine Realm.

New Temple.

The morning light fell on the window, illuminating the white jade hairpin on the table.

Qian Chen sat by the window, with a scroll of the Divine Realm star map open beside him.

Nine star regions were marked on the star map, with a small teacup resting on one of the corners.

Snow Empress sat beside him and gathered his long, silvery-white hair behind his shoulder.

Are we going to see the Moon Orchid today?

"Go."

"Finish your tea first."

Qian Chen picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Snow Empress watched him put down his teacup before picking up a wooden comb and smoothing the stray strands of hair around his ears.

She wore a light silver long dress with neatly gathered cuffs and a thin white ribbon tied around her wrist.

Qian Chen raised his hand and straightened the white jade hairpin in her hair.

"No mistakes today."

You still watched it.

I saw it.

Snow Empress didn't reply, but simply put the comb back on the table.

In the courtyard outside the hall, several Moon Orchid lined up along the stone path.

The new leaves are unfurling, and there are no flower buds yet on the branches.

Qian Renxue was already standing by the flowerbed. She had changed into a white and gold long dress, with the military token of the Heaven Dou Empire tied around her waist, and a small water bottle in her hand.

She saw Qian Chen approaching and handed him the kettle.

"Brother, it's your turn to water the plants today."

The soil is still damp.

Qian Chen squatted down and used his fingertips to brush away the surface soil.

The soil inside was a deep color, and morning dew still lingered around the roots.

Qian Renxue glanced down at it and put the kettle away.

"Then we'll water it again tomorrow."

Ice Empress walked out from the corridor, her long, emerald-green hair tied back with a small silver bell attached to the ribbon.

The silver bells swayed gently with her steps.

She walked to Qian Chen's side and bent down to look at the new leaves of the Moon Orchid.

How much longer until it blooms?

"It will take some time."

"Could we make it open today?"

Qian Chen stood up and looked at her.

"You want to see flowers?"

"Of course I want to see it."

Ice Empress reached out and touched the tip of the leaf, but did not unleash any cold energy.

"But Snow Sister said it will look best when it blooms on its own."

Snow Empress walked to the other side of the flower bed and raised her hand to check the straps on the wooden strips.

"After the flower buds appear, loosen the soil a little more."

Qian Chen reached out and held the branch down for her.

"It doesn't need to be tied too tightly here."

Snow Empress looked at the cloth strip and loosened the knot by half an inch.

That's good.

Qian Renxue walked to the stone table and spread out a newly drawn courtyard picture.

The map shows a low table, a bench, and a path that winds around a flowerbed.

"I had a long bench made, and it will be delivered this afternoon."

Ice Empress glanced at the blueprints.

"With the bench here, I can sit and watch the Moon Orchid."

"It can also hold teacups."

Snow Empress covered one corner of the drawing to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.

Qian Renxue looked up at Qian Chen.

"Brother, which side of the bench do you think is more suitable?"

Qian Chen walked to her side and pointed to the side of the flower bed near the window.

"It's close to the stone path here, so it won't block the sunlight."

Qian Renxue added a stroke to the drawing.

"Then put it here."

Ice Empress leaned close to Qian Chen and hugged his arm.

"The bench should be wider."

"Why?"

All four of us need to sit.

"It's too crowded for four people to sit on one stool."

"It's okay if it's a little crowded."

Qian Renxue put away the blueprints.

"Then make two."

Ice Empress immediately nodded.

That would be best.

Snow Empress looked at her.

You just said one would be enough.

I've changed my mind.

Qian Chen let Ice Empress cross her arms and reached out to straighten the silver bell on her hairband.

"The silver bell is hanging too low; it'll touch your collar."

Ice Empress looked down, then untied and retied her headband.

What about this time?

Qian Chen moved the bell to the side for her.

"We won't run into each other."

She smiled and moved closer to him.

"Will you comb my hair today too?"

You combed your hair before you left.

I want to comb my hair again.

Snow Empress picked up the wooden comb from the stone table and handed it to Qian Chen.

"Then I'll comb her hair."

Ice Empress sat down on the stone bench under the eaves, turned around, and let her long hair fall over her shoulders.

Qian Chen stood behind her and picked up the wooden comb.

The comb teeth slowly descend from the ends of the hair.

Ice Empress raised her hand to adjust her hair ribbon.

"Don't press the silver bell in."

"I know."

"Don't comb it too tightly either."

"Know."

She looked at Qian Chen through the reflection in the bronze mirror.

"You remember it so clearly."

Qian Chen tucked the strands of hair behind her ear behind her back.

You've said it many times.

Ice Empress looked up at him.

"What else did I say?"

You said you should leave some hair down to your shoulders.

He placed a strand of emerald green hair back on her shoulder.

That's good.

Ice Empress looked at himself in the mirror and raised his chin in satisfaction.

"Chen'er combs her hair the best."

Qian Renxue walked from the other end of the corridor, carrying a wooden box in her hand.

"Brother, I've had some fresh tea delivered."

She placed the wooden box on the stone table and opened the lid.

Inside were two packets of tea, one with a light fragrance and the other with a faint scent of Moon Orchid.

Snow Empress took out the latter and smelled it.

This packet is perfect for an afternoon drink.

Qian Renxue pushed another package in front of Qian Chen.

"This is for morning tea."

Qian Chen took the tea bag and placed it next to the teapot.

Ice Empress rose from the stone bench and walked to the wooden box.

"Are there any more pastries?"

Qian Renxue took out a small food box.

"Chestnut cake is here."

Ice Empress opened the box, picked up a leaf-shaped pastry, and offered it to Qian Chen's lips.

"Chen'er, try it first."

Qian Chen lowered her head and took a bite.

The aroma of chestnuts is delicate, while the sweetness of osmanthus lingers on the tongue.

"Tasty."

Ice Empress put the remaining half into their mouth.

Qian Renxue looked at her.

Didn't you ask your brother how it tasted?

"He's already tasted it."

Ice Empress sat down next to Qian Chen and picked up a piece of pastry.

I'll try this piece for him.

Qian Chen picked up the teapot and poured a cup for each of the three.

Snow Empress took the teacup and poured him half a cup of warm tea.

"It's freshly brewed, have a little first."

Qian Chen picked up the teacup.

Qian Renxue sat to his right and placed a flower-shaped chestnut cake on his plate.

"This one is for my brother."

Ice Empress glanced at the plate, then placed the leaf-shaped pastry in his hand in front of Qian Chen.

"I also saved a piece for Chen'er."

Qian Chen looked at the two pieces of pastry.

One piece is enough for me.

"Then let's share it."

Qian Renxue picked up the flower-shaped pastry and cut it in half.

She handed half of it to Qian Chen, keeping the other half for herself.

Ice Empress also broke the leaf-shaped pastry in half and handed out one half.

"This one too."

Qian Chen took the two halves of the pastry and gave half to Snow Empress.

Snow Empress did not refuse and placed the pastries on her own plate.

"Let's go see the courtyard after we finish eating."

Qian Renxue leaned against Qian Chen's shoulder, lowering her head to drink tea.

"Aren't we going to handle matters concerning the Divine Realm today?"

"The documents have already been sent from each palace; I'll review them this afternoon."

What about the morning?

"I'll stay with you."

Ice Empress placed the teacup on the table and took Qian Chen's arm.

"Then you are not allowed to look at documents this morning."

"Good."

Snow Empress looked at the star map on the table.

"Put the star map away for now."

Qian Chen closed the star map and placed it on the corner of the table.

Qian Renxue reached out and grasped his fingers.

"My brother is only with us today."

"Um."

In the afternoon, the benches for the courtyard were delivered.

The bench is made of light-colored wood with rounded edges and a soft cushion on the seat.

Qian Renxue checked the wooden legs and made sure it was stable before placing the cushion on top.

Ice Empress sat down to test the waters, then moved to the side to make room.

"Chen'er, sit here."

Qian Chen sat down beside her.

Ice Empress immediately leaned against his shoulder and reached for the teacup on the table.

Snow Empress sat on the other side, with a book of Star Domain Records on her lap.

She turned the page and pointed to a line of text.

"The trajectory of this star is different from yesterday."

Qian Chen moved closer to her and looked down at the pages of the book.

Its position has shifted half an inch to the east.

Snow Empress handed him the book.

"Could you confirm this for me?"

Qian Chen took the book and was about to turn the page when Qian Renxue placed a piece of chestnut cake beside him.

"Eat a little first."

I just had tea.

Eating pastries doesn't prevent you from reading.

Qian Chen picked up the pastry and took a bite.

Qian Renxue then pushed the cushion behind him.

"Sit up straighter; it'll be more comfortable leaning back."