Wu Zheng sat behind the broad wooden desk in his private study, a fine brush held between his fingers. An unfinished painting lay before him, its delicate strokes gradually taking the shape of a young woman. The morning had been occupied with imperial affairs, but the moment he found time to himself, his thoughts returned to the same person who had occupied them far too often since their meeting in the forest.
Lin Xue.
He could still picture her bright eyes, her fearless gaze, and the indignation with which she had protested against their fate. Most people were careful with their words around him, but she had questioned him without hesitation and declared that she would not marry him simply because a mark had appeared on their foreheads.
The memory brought a smile to his lips.
He adjusted his brush and added another delicate stroke to the portrait. He had never been particularly interested in painting, yet he had spent a considerable part of the morning trying to capture her features. Each time he thought he had finished, another detail came to mind, compelling him to continue. The slight curve of her lips, the brightness of her eyes, the lively expressions that changed with every passing thought. He wanted to capture them all.
A knock interrupted his concentration.
The head eunuch entered, bowed respectfully, and announced, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is here."
Wu Zheng set down his brush. "Let her in."
Empress Dowager Ahn Xi entered with her usual graceful bearing, her youthful appearance making her seem far younger than her years. She had come to discuss the preparations for the Flower Day Celebration, but as she approached her son, she noticed that he seemed unusually occupied.
"Zheng Zheng, how have you been?" she asked. "You have been so busy with imperial affairs that you hardly visit your mother anymore. Have you forgotten about me?"
Wu Zheng rose and bowed his head slightly. "I have been occupied with state affairs. Forgive me, Mother."
Ahn Xi regarded him for a moment before her expression softened. "Very well. I shall forgive you this time."
She moved towards his desk, intending to sit down, but her steps slowed when she noticed the painting. Curiosity drew her closer. At first, she examined it with casual interest, but the longer she looked, the more her expression changed.
It was a woman's portrait.
And judging by the care with which every feature had been rendered, the woman was no ordinary subject.
Ahn Xi looked from the painting to her son. He had returned to his seat and was regarding the portrait with an expression so gentle that she almost wondered whether she was looking at the same man who commanded armies and made his ministers tremble with a single glance.
"Zheng Zheng," she began slowly, "you painted this yourself?"
Wu Zheng glanced at the portrait. "Is that difficult to believe?"
"Quite difficult, actually."
He gave a quiet chuckle and reached for his brush again, but Ahn Xi was not ready to let the matter rest. She leaned closer to inspect the painting, then turned back to him with a look of growing astonishment.
"I knew you had found your Empress," she said, "but I never imagined you would become this devoted to her."
His brush paused.
For a brief moment, he simply looked at his mother before a faint smile returned to his face. "Have I done something unusual?"
"Unusual?" Ahn Xi repeated. "You have spent years showing little interest in marriage, and now you are sitting in your study painting the face of the woman you intend to marry. If this is not unusual, I would like to know what is."
Wu Zheng resumed painting as though her observation meant little to him. Yet the slight curve of his lips betrayed him.
Ahn Xi watched him in silence. She had expected her son to choose a wife eventually, perhaps for the sake of the kingdom or to satisfy the expectations placed upon an emperor. She had not expected him to show such unmistakable tenderness towards someone he had only recently met.
Whatever had happened between them, Lin Xue had clearly made an impression on him.
Ahn Xi pulled out a chair and sat opposite him, her gaze shifting between the portrait and her son's face.
"Have you introduced her to the palace yet?"
"Not yet."
"And she knows who you are?"
Wu Zheng's smile deepened. "No."
Ahn Xi stared at him before letting out a disbelieving laugh. "You have managed to find your soulmate, and she still doesn't know that you are the Emperor?"
"She will find out soon enough."