Chapter ~1~

It snowed.

Pei Yi stood in the yard, bare footed, eyes intent on the only blooming tree; wintersweets.

She raised her hand to feel the blossoms but halted as her finger hovered inches away from the schintilizing petals. The petals quivered by her presence.

She looked down, eyelashes shading her face.

The blossom was a brilliant red and the hand that gently cupped it was as pale as the snow beneath.

A bitter smile filled with emotions at conflict took place on Pei Yi's face.

"Miss!" Her maid hurried out from the room.

Seeing her expression, her maid gently pursed her lips. The maid hurried forwards and draped the cloak around Pei Yi's shoulders.

A gasp almost escaped the maid's mouth when she saw Pei Yi's bare feet.

"Lady Yi, it's cold outside."

Pei Yi took no heed. Instead, she gently moved her hand to the root of a twig where it started.

" A Lian." Pei Yi examined the twig. Her eyes shone silver under the reflection of the snow.

The maid; A Lian, sighed quietly. She beckoned for the younger girl behind her to come up to then whisper in her ear.

The child nodded and left, but soon returned with a tray

Pei Yi took the pair of intricate gardening tools and with a quick snip, the twig was in her hand.

Without even sparing a glance at the twig adorn with Wintersweets, she handed it to A Lian.

A Lian took an ornate China vase off of the tray that the young girl was holding, scooped a metal box full of snow and shook it into the vase.

After putting the twig of flowers in as she looked at her lady again.

Pei Yi had her head slightly tilted,seemingly fascinated by a snow-capped cliff edge, just in sight.

"Yi a!" She turned towards the source of the noise that disrupted the snow.

Flustered wings sounded as late birds flew away, startled by an earlier sound of snow falling down.

A soft thud on the snow indicated the 'intruder's entrance.

"Yi a!"

Pei Yi turned calmly towards the source of the noise. From her garden walls, as per usual.

Not minding the cold at all and keeping a cool expression, she took two steps and curtsied.

"Brother Yu."

Her eyelids shielded all emotions that could have been arising, if there were to be any at all.

"Lady, your feet…" Her maid ached softly, slightly worried. It was not of the courtesy for a lady to be seen like this by any of the male genders, even if they were her brothers.

Pei Yu, her second eldest brother who had always been blunt, finally took notice of his sister's bare feet.

"Pei Yi?! What are you thinking? Why are you out here in the cold bare footed?"

The cold Northern wind blew.

Ice and snow stuck to his hair. A particularly strong wind made his eyes blink.

"I'm fine, brother Yu, it's ok."

"No it definitely isn't." A similar voice to that of Pei Yu but somehow seeming to be a lot maturer came from the arc entrance.

A tender gasp escaped A Lian when she saw who else the eldest brother had with him.

She quickly signalled for the little girl behind her to greet the eldest brother, Pei Xiu, as well as keeping their lady out of sight for as long as it would take for her lady to finally GET SOME SHOES ON.

She was so exasperated at the peculiar acts that her lady tends to do.

But the young man - or teenager, he was between that time when he was too old to be called a boy but still too young to be called a man - had already accidentally caught a glimpse of the flash of white between the snow.

He was startled for a brief moment, and as his view got blocked by a little maid-looking girl, he quickly felt flushed.

Turning his head away, a suspicious cloud of red drifted to his cheeks as he lifted a fist up to his mouth to hide his embarrassment.

The elder boy in front of him rolled his eyes at him " Don't you dare think about my sister."

"Ahem," he coughed into his fist and put his hand down. "Yes, of course- you're my best friend. I would not in the world do that to you."

The embarrassed boy was Pei Xiu's close friend.

Pei Xiu lifted an eyebrow at him, " a Yi?"

Pei Yi nodded gently, "Yes, brother."

A Lian quickly escorted her to one of the side rooms to, finally, slip a pair of boots on.

When she came out again she remained in her regalness, seeming inscrutable to Pei Xiu's abrupt affections towards her.

She walked to where her two brothers and the stranger now stood and curtsied.

"Brother Xiu, Brother Yu." From the eldest to the youngest, and she looked at the stranger and back to her brother expectantly.

"This is my friend Zhong Li... Murong Zhong Li."

Pei Yi curtesied in respect, "Ankang, your Second Prince Highness."

[Ankang, a courteous saying to people of the royal family to wish each other well and good health.]

Pei Yu widened his eyes to this news, but ZhongLi, The Second Prince, was amused.

"You know me?" Alas, he couldn't help but let his sight drift to her feet, now covered by a pair of fine made winter boots. Useful and pretty.

Pei Yi took no account of his rudeness and continued to hold her gaze. A small polite but cold smile fixed on her face. Honestly, if it weren't for that smile, it would be such a blank expression.

But, just because Pei Yi took no note of it doesn't mean that others wouldn't.

"Lecher!" A Lian hissed when she saw where his gaze drifted to..

"A Lian." She still hid those beautiful silver eyes with her eyelashes. "Please don't be discourteous."

A Lian pursed her lips and hushed.

Pei Yi gave a small smile and said, though quietly but distinct and crisp, "Mu Rong is the surname of the direct royalty line of Tsinglan dynasty. Brother Xiu had mentioned to us about your highness."

(Pei Xiu: I didn't I haven't what are you talking about)

"Did he now?" ZhongLi mused.

Pei Yi let out a soft inperceptable sigh.

"Your highness! Mister Xiu, Mister Yu, Mistress! The Master calls for you all to go to the front hall." Ah, here comes the saviour.

Before the reaction of any of the male humans standing here, she gave a genuine smile, a little wider and the corner of her eyes bending a little downwards.

"Your highness, please follow this way.: She still has her posture, but he could almost hear the little jumping figure inside of her.

She blinked twice at his lack of reaction, soft doe eyes dipped in a little confusion.

ZhongLi's lip curled to form a slightly wicked smile, "Sure, Miss Yi of the Pei family, lead the way.

"Yes, your highness."

ZhongLi let his gaze linger on the girl for a moment too long, just when Pei Yi started to feel a little uncomfortable, he smiled and took a step after her.

The twins, Pei Xiu and Pei Yu, took a look at each other and frowned at the second prince's reaction towards their sister.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In the Front Hall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Father." Pei Yi curtsied to the man sitting at the centermost seat.

After receiving a nod from the man, she curtsied again to signal her departure.

"Mother." She walked gracefully to the woman sitting next to, but with her seat a little lower, her father.

Lady Pei took the hand of her close maid and stood up. Walking to the side rooms with Pei Yi following after.

There are males here who are not part of the family directly by blood, hence they would have to go into the other room while they talk unless summoned.

But most of the time, such as this time, this peace and quiet is appreciated more than being annoyed at the lack of freedom. Sometimes with unfriendly guests who pay too much attention to the girls' faces are, indeed, revolting.

Her mother's voice seemed to float about while her mind actually floated away to a place far and beyond.

And when time finally reached for them to be called out to see off their guest, Pei Yi was absolutely relieved.

It's night.

After ensuring that A Lian had fallen asleep in the room next to hers, Pei Yi slipped on a pair of softer boots, so that when she went there would be less noise.