The next few months flew by in the blink of an eye, sprouting plum blossoms on the once barren trees, while welcoming a colder climate to the palace.
Thus, winter in Zhonglai was just on the border of the horizon, and the nights grew dark as they did cold.
Although Jianlai was plunged into an eternal winter—which Tao Hua learned through their research sessions was the result of the curse, a mechanic Shan Si hadn't understood—it was still subjected the the changing temperatures of Zhonglai, as were all regions in the mortal realm.
It especially strengthened the nightly storm, making it almost unbearable to see through the thick blanket of white. Therefore, a curfew was established in the evening, forcing all patrons of the palace into their quarters until morning.
But Tao Hua didn't mind it much, and it only meant more quality time spent with Shan Si without the riffraff of the palace commotion.
After the night of Shan Si's return, the atmosphere between the two shifted, and it was as if they were dancing around a truth neither knew how to approach or bring up.
And yet, things continued to intensify between the two.
From every minor brush of the hand to Shan Si completely and shamelessly taking advantage of their situation, invading Tao Hua's personal space. It was clear found complete joy in flustering Tao Hua, but Tao Hua also found he was growing to like it.
In fact, any time Shan Si would show up, Tao Hua became fully attentive and a bit more self-conscious than usual. He noticed that with each passing day, the feelings he had recognized on the seventh night of Shan Si's leave, only deepened.
All he wanted to do was spend time with him, following behind him like a young duckling through the palace grounds. He never dared once to cross Shan Si's boundaries, as the fear of ruining what good they had was imminent.
And perhaps influenced by Wan Mie's words that day. Tao Hua was fully happy just supporting Shan Si on the sidelines, even if that meant just as friends.
Now, their strengthening friendship became a focal point in the palace, especially for one sulky individual.
Fang Jian.
She tried her best to find time with Tao Hua, but every chance was infiltrated by Shan Si, who gladly welcomed himself in, changing what was once a duo into a trio.
Apprehensive, Fang Jian threw him a stink-eye response, pointed her finger, and accused him of awful things such as "kidnapping,""bribery," and "Possessiveness."
Shan Si responded by holding up his hands, turning his head away, and confidently declaring, "I deny nothing, but I also regret nothing. In fact, I would do it three times over if I had to."
All said without even a flicker of hesitation.
The more Shan Si sent Tao Hua off with Fang Jian, the more time she'd also spend with Shan Si. It wasn't long before her opinion changed, ever-so-gradually.
She began seeing Shan Si as less of a tyrant dressed in royal clothes and more of a troubled soul. Watching as his mood changed for the better, Fang Jian no longer could deny it, despite still being unsure how to react.
And even more, when helping Tao Hua with his silly crafts one gusty evening, she suddenly understood that the situation between Tao Hua and Shan Si was more than just friends.
Regardless of whether either even realized it.
The realization occurred the moment she held up a bookmark Tao Hua had given her. It was pale pink, with a plum blossom pressed onto it, and swinging from a blue string was a twig from the same tree.
She squinted at it for a while until it finally hit her that this was the exact same style as the bookmark tied to Shan Si's sword; the very one Shan Si would use in the training sessions Fang Jian boldly intruded.
Her head turned toward Tao Hua and Shan Si, and with parted lips, she watched as he pieced the bookmarks together with a smile on his face, keeping up conversation with Shan Si.
Nothing got past her girlish mind when it came to these matters.
All she wanted was the best for the man she dubbed her best friend, so she eventually calmed down and stopped going against the inevitable, even subtly pushing Tao Hua toward it to her complete reluctance.
There was an exception to Shan Si's intrusion, however. To his utter enjoyment, Shan Si would fulfill Fang Jian's wish from time to time and send Tao Hua off with her. This was done for one reason, and one reason alone.
Shan Si shamelessly enjoyed watching Tao Hua return to his bedchambers, completely flustered in rouge and dressed in clothes unbefitting of a man.
Tao Hua's entire frame burnt from embarrassment, just as Shan Si slinked his way closer into Tao Hua's personal space, becoming more touchy than typical, and teasing, "Perhaps I should send you with her more often."
As if he hadn't tried to prevent it originally, but with the truth now out in the open, what more could he do? Seeing Tao Hua in such a position riled up something unexplainable in him, thus the friendship between Tao Hua and Fang Jian brought him great entertainment.
But, while Shan Si continued his antics about his outfit, the moment would die the second Wan Mie's commentary was mentioned, and the colour in Tao Hua would drain fully.
He still hadn't mentioned a thing to Shan Si, not even once, despite the growing suspicion found on Shan Si's face when Tao Hua would crawl away from his playful hold.
But how could Tao Hua mention anything regarding the Wan Mie situation when there were too many variables against him? Especially when Wan Mie continued as if nothing had happened that day, acting as he always had; even praising Tao Hua and teasing him.
As for the rest of Tao Hua's precious time, his morning work had reduced significantly. Prior to Shan Si's return, he'd work until midafternoon, and then make his way back to the library to commence research.
However, Shan Si made a habit of dropping by just before noon and removing Tao Hua from Qian Jue's care, leading him to the training grounds south of the palace.
There were a few notable reasons for this. The first was that he wanted Tao Hua capable of at least defending himself, which bled into the second reason.
The array around Buzhi Forest was weakening, which explained Shan Si's week-long leave. It was imperative that he survey the forest, and given its size, it would have taken a normal person longer than a week.
Shan Si, however, was anything but normal, and had capabilities that could put most gods to shame.
Regardless of Tao Hua's curiosity about the situation, Shan Si just shook it off, stating that it was likely beasts or ghosts—typical creatures that dwelled in the forest.
But for something like a beast or ghost to mess up an array? Tao Hua had his doubts, but he didn't dare argue against what he barely understood. Specifically with how the issue was clearly causing Shan Si stress, and more than he was willing to show.
The more their relationship strengthened, the easier it was for Tao Hua to read Shan Si's mannerisms and quirks, especially when stressed.
From eating more sweets than was healthily acceptable during their research sessions to having little patience for the servants, these were the small things that made Tao Hua understand things weren't going his way. And the problem with Shan Si was he was a man who hadn't a proper outlet in all the 200 years he lived.
But to Tao Hua's surprise, none of Shan Si's frustrations were was channeled onto him, and it was as if having him around actually served as the outlet he'd been missing.
In order not to think too highly of himself, however, Tao Hua assumed otherwise and instead took action in trying to help Shan Si.
He put in thrice the effort into his training and research to lessen the load on Shan Si's shoulders, and whatever Shan Si wanted from him, he'd try to deliver it as best as he could.
Given it wasn't outside of his comfort or anxieties.
Which brought them to a sunny afternoon at the training grounds.
Chapter end.