Like raindrops on pear blossoms (1). This was the image inspired by Yan Xi as she knelt on the cobblestones beneath the trees, flowers scattering in the wind around her like they were also sorrowing for her plight.
The late Prime Minister Yan had been known for both his talents and handsome features and his wife had been nonpareil in the capital her looks and virtue, rivalled only by the southern beauty who later went on to become the empress dowager. Anyone who had looked upon them would sigh in envy and proclaim that this lovely young couple was indeed comprised of 'a brilliant young scholar and a fair young lady' (2). Just like Yan Yun, Yan Xi had inherited the best of their features, in particular the heartstopping visage of her mother. But unlike her brother, whose appearance had invited scorn--after all, what good was beauty on a man?--the sight of a fairy-like maiden crying was enough to move anyone who came across it.
(1) Raindrops on pear blossoms: an idiom used to descibe a weeping beauty.
(2) A brilliant young scholar and a fair young lady: an idiom used to describe the perfect match.
(3) Wutong tree: Chinese parasol tree, in legends, this is the tree in which phoenixes like to nest.
A/N Thank you very much for reading and for the lovely reviews, comments, gifts, golden tickets and power stones. For those who find this chapter familiar, it's because it was published at the end of volume 3 in the past due to an error. I have moved it here and in exchange, written an extra at the end of volume 3. Apologies for the error. For further details, please refer to the auxiliary volume for an explanation of the updates as well as the reason for the long delay in chapters.