The imperial carriage advanced slowly along stone paths covered with dormant petals. The breeze carried the scent of distant flowers, and the world seemed quiet, expectant... as if the entire Empire were holding its breath. Jin Long and Suwei traveled alone for the first time since their union. No servants. No protocols. Just them, and the creaking of time giving way.
The destination was the Lunar Jade Garden, an ancient palace hidden among sacred mountains. It was built centuries ago by the second emperor of the dragon dynasty as a sanctuary of love and reflection, reserved only for emperors and their most venerated consorts.
When they arrived, Suwei's eyes opened in amazement. The garden was covered with a tapestry of white moss and trees with crystalline leaves that shimmered under the moon. In the center, a lotus-shaped lagoon reflected the starry sky. There, among the rocks, a single cherry tree still bloomed, although it was not spring.
