The Legend of Concubine Su

For three full months, the days of house arrest were like an invisible shackle, binding Concubine Li. During these long and agonizing days, she was virtually cut off from the world, spending her days wandering the palace, occasionally gazing out the window at the Imperial Gardens, a place she had longed to visit countless times. Now, with the ban lifted, Concubine Li is finally free from this cage of loneliness. She feels both joy at regaining her freedom and anxiety and anticipation for the possibilities of the future.

The moment she stepped into the Imperial Garden, the fragrance of flowers filled her nose, the melodious chirping of birds echoed, and everything seemed vibrant and vibrant, as if even the air itself was celebrating her. However, Concubine Li found it difficult to fully immerse herself in this beauty. She knew full well that the harem was in turmoil, and she was no longer the beloved Concubine Li. The spotlight was now firmly on Princess Sasa, from distant Nepal. With her uniquely exotic charm and gentle personality, she quickly won the Emperor's favor and became the new darling of Su Jingyue's faction.

Concubine Li had imagined countless times the scene of encountering the Emperor in the Imperial Gardens—what a warm and romantic scene it would be! But reality was always so cruel. The Emperor seemed completely captivated by Princess Shasha's charm, and every day he was busy visiting the Moon-Raising Pavilion to be with her. Whenever Concubine Li strolled through the Imperial Gardens, her eyes would inevitably turn towards the Moon-Raising Pavilion. There, the lights were bright and the laughter was endless, while here she was left alone, lonely and desolate.

Faced with this situation, Concubine Li was filled with frustration and bitterness. She tried various ways to attract the Emperor's attention, but each attempt was futile, and sometimes her overeagerness even made her lose control. She knew she was gradually losing her advantage in the competition for the harem, but she remained unwilling to give up. She believed that as long as she persisted in her efforts, she would one day win the Emperor's favor again.

Concubine Li then began to dress herself more attentively, studying poetry and songs to enhance her temperament and inner qualities. She also hosted small gatherings in the Imperial Garden, inviting other concubines to attend. While these activities didn't directly help her regain the Emperor's favor, they at least helped her maintain a certain presence and influence within the harem. Concubine Li also began to pay attention to Princess Shasha, trying to emulate her strengths and qualities that would attract the Emperor. She knew the road ahead might be long and difficult, but she was willing to make every effort.

One day, the weather was beautiful and the sky was clear. A gentle breeze brought the fragrance of flowers and fresh air. Such good weather made people feel happy, and the emperor was excited to hold a banquet in the Imperial Garden, inviting many concubines from the palace to come and enjoy the spring scenery.

In the Imperial Garden, hundreds of flowers bloomed in a dazzling array of colors, competing for beauty and fragrance, each one seeming to tell the story of spring. Some were delicate and gorgeous, some were simple and elegant, some were in bud, and some were in full bloom, forming a beautiful picture.

Concubine Li, clad in a gorgeous palace dress and smiling with grace and grace, strolled among the flowers, feeling the breath of spring. Suddenly, a thought struck her as she caught sight of the beauty before her. Turning to the Emperor, she said in a tender voice, "Your Majesty, the scenery in this Imperial Garden is breathtakingly beautiful, like a poem or painting. Why not, on this beautiful day, hold a game of flying flowers, gather friends through poetry, and enjoy this beautiful time together?"

After hearing this, the emperor was delighted and laughed heartily. He clapped his hands and praised, "What a good idea! Concubine Li is really smart. This is a very good suggestion. In that case, let us meet friends through poetry today and fully appreciate the spring scenery in the garden." Everyone echoed and looked forward to this unique event.

However, Princess Sasha, sitting nearby, looked troubled. Although a princess, her understanding of Central Plains culture was limited, especially poetry and songs, which gave her a headache. She quietly pulled Concubine Su Jingyue over to her and whispered, "Sister Concubine, Sasha doesn't know much about Central Plains poetry. I'm afraid this Flying Flower Order will be difficult to handle. Sister, please help me." Su Jingyue smiled gently and comforted her, "Don't worry, Concubine Ning. The way of poetry is to participate. I will naturally lend a hand."

Seeing that everyone was ready, Concubine Li announced, "In that case, let's have the flying flower game today with the theme of 'flowers'. The Imperial Concubine will go first." Upon hearing this, Imperial Concubine Su Jingyue smiled slightly, opened her red lips, and chanted, "The spring scenery in the whole garden cannot be contained, a red apricot branch comes out of the wall." Her poem was both appropriate and profound, winning applause from everyone present.

Afterward, the concubines took turns reciting poems about flowers. Some were fresh and refined, like "The little lotus has just revealed its pointed tip, and already a dragonfly has landed on it"; others were deeply affectionate, like "I don't know where the person has gone, but the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze." Princess Shasha, under the careful guidance of Concubine Su Jingyue, also mustered up the courage to recite her first line: "How many flowers have fallen, and the years are quiet and peaceful." Although her poetry was a little awkward, her innocence and courage won everyone's admiration.

This Feihua Order was like a magnificent feast, bringing the concubines into a world full of poetry and romance. Here, they danced like ethereal butterflies in the vast ocean of poetry, fully displaying their talents and wisdom.

As beautiful, moving verses flowed from their lips like a gentle stream, their hearts seemed to become deeply connected. Any barriers and alienation that might have existed gradually dissipated, replaced by a sincere and profound friendship. This friendship was as colorful and heartwarming as flowers blooming under the warm spring sun.

At the same time, every flower in the Imperial Garden seemed to sense this rich poetic atmosphere, becoming even more delicate and radiant. They were like a group of loyal audience members, quietly listening to the beautiful poems recited by the concubines; like lively spirits, each of them, in their own unique way, added a touch of brilliant color to this extraordinary poetry gathering.

In this beautiful moment, spring is no longer just a symbol of the season; it is a symbol of hope and vitality; poetry is no longer limited to the expression of words; it becomes a bridge of emotion; and precious friendship, like the bright stars in the night sky, shines with eternal light. This unforgettable time will be forever engraved in everyone's heart, becoming a story worth revisiting again and again.