Qian Chen looked at her hands.
"That way it won't fall apart."
"You said you were going to the courtyard today."
Then it won't fall apart.
Snow Empress straightened her clothes and looked up at him.
"You've been quite obedient today."
"I've always been obedient."
"Then don't move the soil by yourself later."
"Just looking at the flowers."
"We can only look at the flowers."
What if the soil becomes loose?
"Summon the deacon."
What if the wooden strip is crooked?
"Summon the deacon."
What if the kettle is empty?
"Summon the deacon."
Snow Empress finished explaining each point before withdrawing her hand.
"You're just supposed to stand there."
Qian Chen nodded.
"Good."
Footsteps could be heard outside the palace gates.
Ice Empress pushed open the door and peeked into the hall.
She was wearing a turquoise long dress today, with a silver headband tied around her waist.
A small silver bell hung from the end of the hairband.
The bell clung to her waist, gently brushing against the hem of her skirt as she moved.
"Chen'er, you're awake already?"
"Um."
Ice Empress walked over quickly and first took Qian Chen's arm.
She glanced at Qian Chen's light silver robe, then looked up at Snow Empress.
"Did Snow Sister choose this?"
"Um."
"It looks great."
She reached out and touched Qian Chen's sleeve.
"The cuffs have also been narrowed."
"It's convenient to go to the courtyard."
"Then I'll wear narrow sleeves today too."
Ice Empress turned and walked behind the screen.
A moment later, she changed into a light blue, narrow-sleeved short-sleeved blouse, over which she wore a light, long skirt.
Her skirt had just reached her ankles when she re-tied the silver bell at her waist to the side.
She walked back to Qian Chen, raised her arms, and spun around.
How about this?
"Your belt is loose."
Qian Chen grasped her wrist.
Ice Empress looked down at their side.
The silver headband had indeed come loose a bit.
"I just tied it."
"It's not tied properly."
I've already tried my best.
Qian Chen untied the knot for her and wrapped it around her waist again.
Ice Empress lowered his head, watching his fingertips slip through his sash.
"Don't tie it too tightly."
"Know."
"But it can't be too lenient either."
"Know."
"The bell on the headband should remain outside."
"Know."
Ice Empress raised its eyes.
"You've remembered everything I said?"
You've said it many times.
Do you remember anything else?
Qian Chen carefully put the knot away.
You don't like your sash touching your wrist.
"Anything else?"
"You don't like headbands pressing down on your ears."
"Anything else?"
"You don't like your skirt touching the mud."
Ice Empress raised their chin.
When did I say that?
"You said that when you planted the flowers last time."
That time it was because the shoes were dirty.
"Don't let the hem of your skirt touch the mud today either."
Ice Empress glanced in the direction of Moon Orchid Courtyard.
"Today I will only look, not touch the soil."
Snow Empress picked up a pair of light-colored soft boots from the table.
"Change your shoes first."
Ice Empress took the soft boots and sat on the edge of the bed.
Qian Chen knelt down and untied the thin straps on her shoes.
Ice Empress immediately withdrew their foot.
"I can do it myself."
"You just said you'd only watch it today."
Changing shoes won't affect anything.
"Then change it yourself."
Qian Chen stood up.
Ice Empress looked down at the soft boots in her hand, then looked up at him.
"Chen'er."
"Um?"
"You help me."
Snow Empress picked up the teapot beside him.
"Didn't you just say you'd come by yourself?"
"I don't know how anymore."
"You did it yesterday."
"I forgot today."
Ice Empress stretched out her toes and gently touched the edge of Qian Chen's shoe.
"You help me."
Qian Chen squatted down again.
He took off her old shoes, put on soft boots, and then wrapped the thin straps around her ankles.
Ice Empress looked down at him.
"Don't tie it too tight."
"Won't."
"The other one must be the same."
"Know."
Snow Empress poured the tea into three teacups.
"Change your clothes and then have some tea."
When Qian Renxue walked in from the outer hall, she was carrying a golden food box in her hand.
Today she was wearing a white and gold long dress, her long gold hair was tied up behind her back, and she wore a newly bought Moon Orchid hairpin in her hair.
"Elder brother."
Qian Chen stood up.
Qian Renxue walked up to him first and raised her hand to straighten his collar.
Did you change your clothes today?
"It was chosen by Snow Empress."
"It suits my brother very well."
Her fingertips smoothed out a crease along the collar, then she looked at his belt.
"It's tied here too."
"It's from Snow Sister's style."
Qian Renxue looked at Snow Empress.
"Thank you for your hard work today, Sister Snow Empress."
"It's not hard work."
"I had prepared one as well."
Qian Renxue opened the food box.
Inside was a white and gold outer garment, with fine gold embroidery along the collar and a small gold button on the cuff.
Ice Empress leaned over and took a look.
"Is my brother wearing two layers today?"
"It can be left until the afternoon."
Qian Renxue carefully put away her outer garment.
"If it gets windy in the afternoon, change your brother's clothes again."
There is no wind today.
"Just because it's not there in the morning doesn't mean it won't be there in the afternoon."
Snow Empress picked up the teacup and placed it in Qian Chen's hand.
"Have some tea first."
Qian Chen took the teacup.
Qian Renxue immediately took out a flower-shaped chestnut cake and handed it to him.
"Brother, you eat first."
Qian Chen lowered her head and took a bite.
Ice Empress sat down next to him and picked up a leaf-shaped pastry.
"Chen'er, try some of mine too."
"Eat one piece first thing in the morning."
"This is from this morning."
Ice Empress brought the pastry to his lips.
Qian Chen ate half of it.
Ice Empress kept the remaining half in their hand, turned their face, and took a bite.
Qian Renxue glanced at her.
You said this was for your brother.
"I shared it with my brother."
What about the rest?
I'll keep it for him.
Qian Chen raised his hand, took out another chestnut cake from the food box, and handed it to Qian Renxue.
You eat too.
Qian Renxue accepted the pastries.
She didn't eat it immediately, but instead cut the pastry in half.
"Brother, you eat first."
"You already gave it to me."
"This one is different."
What's different?
"This is the area I chose."
Qian Chen glanced at the pastries in her hand, then lowered her head and ate them.
Qian Renxue then put the remaining half into her mouth.
Snow Empress picked up the teapot and refilled Qian Chen's cup with tea.
He looked at her.
"I can do it myself."
"You were holding pastries just now."
"We've finished eating."
The tea is ready.
Snow Empress pushed the teacup in front of him.
Ice Empress rested his chin on his hand and looked at the three of them.
"You've all been taking care of Chen'er today."
"The same as you."
I just gave him some pastries.
"That's also a form of consideration."
Ice Empress immediately grabbed Qian Chen's arm.
"Then I'll take extra care of them today."
Qian Renxue grasped Qian Chen's other hand.
"Brother, let's go see Moon Orchid first today."
"Good."
"After you've finished reading, go back to the corridor for tea."
"Good."
"Let's look at the star chart again this afternoon."
"Good."
Ice Empress raised their face.
"And chestnut cake."
"Yes."
What about at night?
We'll decide tonight.
Ice Empress was immediately satisfied.
"Let's set off now."
The four of them walked out of the sleeping quarters.
Under the long corridor, the morning light had already bathed the white jade floor.
A small kettle filled with water sat next to the tea rack.
Qian Renxue reached out and lifted it up.
"Brother, we don't need to water it today."
Qian Chen looked at her.
"Is the soil still wet?"
"I just saw it."
Snow Empress walked to the flower bed, squatted down, and touched the surface soil with her fingertips.
"The earth color is very dark."
"I fell into the water yesterday."
"Today, just observe, don't water."
Ice Empress walked over to Moon Orchid's side.
She bent down and carefully examined each leaf.
Has this area gotten bigger?
Qian Renxue approached, carrying a water bottle.
Which area?
Ice Empress reached out, but didn't touch the leaves.
"Here."
Qian Chen walked to her side.
The new leaf was more unfurled than yesterday, its tip pointing towards the morning light, a drop of dew still clinging to its edge.
"You've grown up."
Ice Empress immediately looked up.
"Real?"
"Um."
"I told you it had grown up."
Snow Empress looked at that leaf.
"I just didn't see it clearly yesterday."
Ice Empress turned to look at Qian Chen.
"Chen'er can see it clearly."
Qian Chen squatted down, his fingertips resting beside the leaf.
"I feel much more relaxed today than yesterday."
Ice Empress immediately burst into laughter.
She reached out and took Qian Chen's arm.
When will it develop flower buds?
"We still have to wait."
How long will it take?
"Wait until the branches are more stable."
How much longer?
"Wait until the roots have penetrated deeply."
How much longer?
Qian Chen looked at her.
"If you ask once a day, you'll know."
Ice Empress thought for a moment.
"Then I'll ask every day."
Qian Renxue squatted down on the other side of the flowerbed.
She took out a small piece of paper from her sleeve; a few lines of text were written on it.
"Brother, this is what I wrote down."
Qian Chen took the note.
The label shows the condition of the orchid's leaves Sun Moon, the soil moisture, and whether it needs watering today.
The handwriting was neat, and a small Moon Orchid was drawn at the end.
When did you write it?
"Last night."
"He also drew flowers."
"It was Ice Empress who said it."
Ice Empress immediately nodded.
I said I would record every single day it changes.
Snow Empress glanced at the note.
"It can also record sunlight."
"Should we also record the sunlight?"
"The direction the flowers and leaves face affects the light they receive."
Qian Renxue immediately added a line to the paper.
"This morning's sunlight shone from the east."
Qian Chen looked at the words on the paper.
"I've already noted it down."
Qian Renxue put away the note.
"Brother, after it blooms, we can compile all of these into a booklet."
"Can."
Ice Empress looked at her.
"That booklet should be placed in the Moon Orchid Courtyard."
"It also needs to be protected against moisture."
"I'll have a wooden box made."
Snow Empress raised her hand and brushed the fallen leaves off Qian Chen's shoulder.
"Dried fragrant wood should be placed in the wooden box."
Qian Renxue nodded.
"I've got it."
Qian Chen looked at the Moon Orchid in the flower garden.
"We'll decide where to put it once the flowers bloom."
Ice Empress hugged his arm tightly.
"Then let's wait for the flowers to bloom."
The morning light fell on the sleeves of the four people.
The branches and leaves of the Moon Orchid swayed gently in the wind.
There were no flower buds on the branches, only a few new leaves.
Qian Chen stood by the flowerbed for a while before turning and walking towards the corridor.
Snow Empress followed beside him.
She reached out and straightened the edge of his cloak.
No cloak today.
"You also need to tidy up your clothes."
"The hem of your clothes isn't messy."
"I bumped into a stone step when I crouched down."
Qian Chen looked down.
The light silver hem of her dress did indeed have a little bit of fine dirt on it.
Snow Empress took out a cloth and wiped it away for him.
"It's clean now."
Qian Renxue carried the water bottle and walked on the other side.
Seeing Qian Chen stop, she stopped as well.
"Brother, should we move the bench next to the flower bed today?"
"It was placed there yesterday."
"Add another small table."
Ice Empress immediately said, "Put a teapot on the small table."
Snow Empress said, "We also need to add pastries."
Qian Renxue added, "Put a water bottle next to it."
Qian Chen looked at them.
There's already a bench next to the flowerbed.
"But there's no table yet."
The tea rack is under the eaves.
"It's just a few steps to walk there."
After Ice Empress finished speaking, he immediately added:
"A few steps are also possible."
Qian Chen nodded.
"Then we won't add any more."
Ice Empress raised their face.
"Really not adding any?"
"We'll add more when the Moon Orchid bloom."
"Why?"
"That's when I realized how big a table I needed."
Qian Renxue thought for a moment.
"Brother is right."
Snow Empress put the cloth back into her sleeve.
"Even more people will come after the flowers bloom."
There are four of us.
"And there were people from the kitchen delivering pastries."
Ice Empress immediately said, "Then it should be bigger."
Qian Renxue has already begun calculating the dimensions.
"It can fit at least two teapots, four teacups, and two plates of pastries."
Snow Empress looked at her.
"We also need to leave room for books."
"The star map should also be displayed."
Qian Chen listened to the three talking without interrupting.
The four returned to the corridor.
Snow Empress picked up the kettle, preparing to boil water.
Qian Renxue placed the food box on the table.
Ice Empress then walked to the tea shelf and took down the turquoise tea canister.
She opened the jar and first bent down to smell it.
"Drink this today."
"Light tea is best in the morning."
"That's what the Snow Empress said."
Ice Empress hugged the tea canister to his chest.
"I'd like something with a floral scent today."
Qian Renxue looked at Qian Chen.
Where is my brother?
"It will be all right."
"Then two jugs, please."
Snow Empress had already taken out two teapots.
"A pot of clear tea, and a pot of Moon Orchid tea."
Ice Empress immediately put the blue tea canister back.
"Then I'll have Moon Orchid tea."
"You just said you wanted to drink this."
"Now I'd like to drink some light tea."
Snow Empress glanced at her.
"You just want Qian Chen to choose for you."
Ice Empress turned to look at Qian Chen.
"Chen'er, you choose."
Qian Chen took two tea canisters off the tea shelf.
"Brew the green tea first, and save the Moon Orchid tea for the afternoon."
Ice Empress nodded.
"I'll listen to Chen'er."
Qian Renxue opened the food box and placed the chestnut cake on a plate.
The flower shapes, leaf shapes, and Moon Orchid shapes are arranged neatly.
She placed the Moon Orchid -shaped piece in front of Qian Chen.
"This area most resembles the flowers in the courtyard."
It hasn't bloomed yet.
That's why you should eat first.
Ice Empress picked up the leaf-shaped pastry and placed it on the other side of Qian Chen.
"This one looks like a new leaf."
Snow Empress arranged the teacups.
"Leave the flower-shaped one for me."
Qian Renxue handed over another flower-shaped pastry.
"This one is for Sister Snow Empress."
Snow Empress accepted the pastries.
"Thanks."
Ice Empress looked at the pastries on the plate.
Why do I only have one leaf?
Qian Chen divided the Moon Orchid- shaped pastry into three portions.
That way it'll be the same.
He handed one of them to Ice Empress.
Another portion was placed in front of Qian Renxue.
Keep the last one for yourself.
Snow Empress looked at the pastries in his hand.
Qian Chen then divided his portion in half and placed it on her plate.
That's enough.
Snow Empress did not refuse.
She lowered her head and took a bite.
Qian Renxue took a sip of tea and looked out the window at the Moon Orchid Courtyard.
"Brother, when the flowers bloom, shall we make chestnut cakes in the yard?"
"Can."
Ice Empress immediately said, "I want to emboss the pattern myself."
"You broke a petal last time."
"Not this time."
"Also, remember to distinguish between sugar and salt."
"I've memorized it."
Snow Empress looked at her.
"Then tell me, what color is the sugar bowl?"