Chapter 1
I was a hibiscus flower.
To be honest, I only knew that because Shen Yan told me.
“Mother found your seed especially for me,” he said. “You must be prettier than all the other hibiscuses.”
I was only a little seedling then. I hadn’t flowered yet.
I didn’t know whether I ever would, or whether my flowers would be pretty.
He was certainly pretty, though.
With his red lips and white teeth, he was prettier than any of the flowers blooming outside the window. I liked him the moment I saw him.
Only later did I learn that his father, the emperor, had given a hibiscus to every prince and princess.
Every one except him.
“Father doesn’t want me neglecting my studies for play. Of course he loves me best.” That was how he explained it as he watered me.
Of course.
I liked him best of all.
His father must like him best, too.
I flowered the year Shen Yan turned ten.
He had gone off somewhere and hadn’t come back for days.
I had meant to wait until he returned, but the palace servants kept watering me.
I couldn’t help it. I bloomed.
The servants who watered me in Shen Yan’s place lit up at the sight, each declaring they had never seen such a beautiful hibiscus.
I gave my branches a little shake.
Did they really need to tell me?
I was Shen Yan’s flower, after all.
But I waited by the window for a very long time. Even when the edges of my petals curled, Shen Yan still hadn’t returned.
The servants said he had gone out of the palace to play.
I was furious.
As my petals fell, I blamed him for missing my flowers.
He regretted it, too. As soon as he came back, he coaxed me. “Next year, I’ll make sure I see you bloom. The servants tell me you’re the prettiest hibiscus of all.”
All my resentment vanished.
Well, I thought, I would just flower for him again next year.
But he missed it the next year, too.
This time, it wasn’t his fault.
It was a bright day with a gentle breeze when palace servants suddenly burst into his room. They searched through everything he owned, and even hurled me into the courtyard.
It really hurt. When Shen Yan came back, I was going to cry and show him.
But he never came back.
That night, a young maid slipped back in.
She carefully planted me in the courtyard, crying as she did. “Little Hibiscus, you must stay well. The crown prince always loved you best. If he comes back one day and sees you here, he’ll be so happy.”
I didn’t know why she was crying, and she didn’t tell me.
But I did as I was told. I stayed well in the courtyard. I simply never flowered again.
I only wanted to bloom for Shen Yan, and hear him say once more that I was the prettiest hibiscus in the world.