Fallen leaves can never return to the tree from which they grew from….
Gazing out her window, Yu Tan stared as the peach blossom tree outside her window, mesmerized by the dance of the swirling petals. It has been three year since she was sent to Ruo Xi's group as a tea serving maid, planted in palace as a spy by the Ninth Prince. Three long years had passed since she last talked to her beloved Ninth Prince. She opened a box on her table, inside were every letter ever written to her by Yin Tang. Though she was told to burn the letters after she had read them, her weakness prevented her, instead, keeping each letter, carefully preserved in the box. Yu Tan had memorized each letter; every stroke of every character was stored in her heart. Although the letters only gave instructions to her on where to put her next report, Yu Tan could feel the warmth and calmness of Yin Tang through his characters, his words wrapping her in his strong embrace, like it had every day, three years ago. A soft tapping sound came from the door. Yu Tan put away the letter in her hand and opened the door. Standing in the wind comically covered with pink petals was the familiar face of Xiao Li Zi, a eunuch who secretly worked for the Ninth Prince. "Miss Yu Tan," Xiao Li Zi said, holding out a letter. The familiar stationary and handwriting showed that the letter was from Yin Tang. Yu Tan took the letter and quickly took the letter, rushing back to her room to see the contents.
"Our trading post isn't safe anymore, come to the imperial garden tonight after the third hour, I'll come receive the report personally."
Yu Tan smiled at the words. For three years, she had only been able to see Yin Tang when he was walking with the Princes after the morning meeting with the Emperor. Sometimes when she was serving tea to the Princes, she would exchange a glance with him, unable to even speak a word to him. Knowing that she would be able to see him tonight, Yu Tan threw all the letters into the burning fire. She no longer needed them; all she needed was Yin Tang.