The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains in Punya's room. The sounds of people chatting softly and ancient Chinese music could be heard from outside. When she opened the door, she saw a lively atmosphere. The courtyard of the Grand Palace was filled with courtiers and gardeners. Everyone was busy preparing for the upcoming ceremony.
Li Shan was waiting for her in a corner of the courtyard. His face looked calm but also solemn as usual. "Punya, did you have a good rest?" He asked politely.
"Good. But I didn't think the palace would be this lively. It was like stepping into a fairy tale... Huh! Or is it really like that?" Punya looked around with excitement.
"Don't talk nonsense. This is an important day for the Tianyuan Kingdom. The opening ceremony of the orchard is not held often. It only happens once every few years." Li Shan explained as she led Punya to a hall where a variety of dresses were prepared.
In the hall, there were rows of exquisitely woven brocade dresses. Each dress was beautiful and reflected the culture of the Tianyuan Kingdom. Li Shan pointed to a simple white dress with an elegant shape that suited Punya. "This is the dress you must wear for the ceremony. It represents respect for nature and the orchard."
Punya gently stroked the delicate fabric in amazement. "It's so beautiful. I've never worn anything like this before."
Li Shan laughed softly. "Don't worry, you just have to act natural."
While changing clothes, Punya listened to Li Shan explain the significance of the ceremony. "This orchard opening ceremony is not only to worship the sacred fruit, but also to show the fertility of the orchard and symbolize the protection of the Yang Dynasty."
"Then what is the sacred fruit you're talking about? Is it the fruit in the orchard?" Punya asked curiously.
"It's the fruit with the greatest power in the orchard. It symbolizes life and balance." Li Shan replied, but did not elaborate.
When Punya finished dressing, she walked out into the palace courtyard again. This time, she felt like she was part of the world. Although her heart was still full of questions, the excitement made her wonder what exciting things awaited her in the upcoming ceremony.
"Are you ready?" Li Shan asked with a faint smile.
Punya took a deep breath, smiled back, and answered confidently, "I am."
The sound of flutes and lutes harmonized in the grand ceremony inside the magnificent palace. Punya stood in the middle of the crowd in the ceremony courtyard. Her eyes were fixed on the high platform decorated with many exotic fruits. Their bright colors made her feel as if she had entered a fairy tale world.
"That's Princess Meilin," Li Shan whispered softly, nodding to the young woman walking up to the platform.
Princess Meilin appeared in a white silk dress decorated with golden lotus patterns. She had an elegant face and determined eyes. Her personality was cheerful and friendly, but there was an arrogance that made ordinary people not dare to approach her.
When Princess Meilin spoke, her voice was resonant and steady. "We have all gathered here today to celebrate the Tianyuan Fruit Garden, a garden full of energy and a long history…"
Pun Ya looked at the princess in amazement. She had never seen anyone with such an aura before.
As soon as the ceremony started, Li Shan led Pun Ya to the area near the platform to wait for the introduction. Princess Meilin happened to turn around. Her eyes fell on Pun Ya and she paused for a moment.
"Who are you? You don't seem to be from around here," Meilin asked in a calm but interested tone.
Li Shan bowed before answering. "This is Pun Ya… Those who wandered into our garden."
Princess Mei Lin raised her eyebrows slightly and stepped closer to Punya. She studied him with a sharp gaze, but there was a spark of curiosity in her eyes.
"You seem different from others," Mei Lin said. "I can feel that there is something extraordinary about you."
Punya smiled faintly, but before she could answer, Li Shan spoke up. "Princess, please don't misunderstand. Punya just—"
"Be quiet," Mei Lin raised her hand to stop her. Li Shan took a polite step back.
Mei Lin turned to look at Punya. "I want to know more about you, but right now, I have a duty to attend to in the ceremony. We will definitely talk again."
After that, Princess Mei Lin walked away, leaving Punya feeling both relieved and excited at the same time. She knew that this meeting was the beginning of something important in this new world.
The music died down as the ceremony entered its climax. Everyone's eyes turned to Princess Mei Lin who was standing in front of the high platform. Behind her were various sacred fruits that were meticulously arranged.
"This is the time for us to experience the power of the sacred fruit," Mei Lin said in a clear voice. She picked up a bright blue, round fruit with her slender hands. The fruit shone as if it had a light from within.
"This is the 'Mysterious Fruit,'" the princess explained. "It is said to have the power to draw out people's evil thoughts, but not everyone can release its power."
The participants began to whisper excitedly. Mei Lin smiled faintly before sweeping her gaze around the venue. "Who here wants to prove that they can sense its power?"
A man stepped out of the crowd. He touched the fruit with both hands and closed his eyes, but a few seconds later, he shook his head with a disappointed expression and retreated.
A few others tried to follow suit, but the fruit remained silent, as if it was testing someone.
Li Shan whispered softly into Punya's ear, "You should try it."
Punya turned to look at Li Shan in shock. "Me? How could I do it?"
"You have a special ability," he smiled slightly. "If anyone can do it, it must be you."
Princess Mei Lin turned to look at Punya as if she could read her mind. "You… the newcomer, do you want to try it?"
Punya felt dozens of pairs of eyes staring at her. Even though she hesitated, something in her heart told her to move forward. She stepped out of the crowd and stood in front of Princess Mei Lin.
"Try it." Mei Lin handed the fruit to Punya.
Punya slowly picked up the mysterious indigo fruit. Its touch was as cold as a sheet of ice. She closed her eyes and focused. Suddenly, she felt a current of energy running through her hands and heart.
The surroundings were quiet, with only her own breathing.
Suddenly, the fruit in her hand began to glow. The blue turned into a shimmering silver. Shocked exclamations rang out from the participants. Everyone stared in disbelief.
Punya opened her eyes. She looked at the fruit in her hand in shock. She felt as if it was talking to her through her thoughts.
"How did you do that…" Princess Mei Lin said in a voice mixed with surprise and amazement.
Applause broke out around the ceremony grounds. Li Shan looked at Punya with admiring eyes as Princess Mei Lin approached.
"Who exactly are you?" Mei Lin asked, but this time, her voice contained deep interest.
Punya could only smile faintly, but in her heart, she began to feel a sense of responsibility that had suddenly overwhelmed her.
After the ceremony ended and people started to leave the ceremony grounds, Li Shan walked over to Punya, who was calming down by the orchard.
"What are you doing here?" Princess Meilin wants to see you," Li Shan said seriously.
"Huh..!" Punya paused for a moment before nodding. She knew that refusing was not an option.
Li Shan led her to a pavilion in the middle of the garden, which was situated under a large tree with dark green leaves that were almost black. The white wooden pavilion decorated with colorful flowers looked beautiful but too quiet.
Princess Meilin was already sitting and waiting. Her eyes were fixed on Punya, as if she was assessing something.
"Sit down," the princess said with a slight smile that looked elegant, but Punya could feel the awe in her.
Punya sat down opposite the princess, while Li Shan moved away to stand at a distance so as not to disturb the conversation.
"I want to talk to you," Meilin started. "About your special abilities in the work."
Punya felt the tension in the air. She tried to keep her face calm. "My abilities? I just… do what I feel."
Princess Meilin laughed softly, as if she had heard the answer she had expected. "It's not normal, Punya. Since you can reveal the power of the fruit that even the people in the palace can't do."
Punya pursed her lips, not sure if the princess was admiring her or implying something else.
"Do you know how valuable the power of these fruits is?" The princess continued to ask. "They are not just sacred objects that we worship, but they are the keys that will change the future of the dynasty."
Punya looked into the princess's eyes, feeling the determination hidden in those words.
"I want to know..." Mei Lin leaned in a little closer. "What do you think about the power of the fruit? Don't you want to possess it?"
That question made Punya pause. She quickly replied in a polite tone, "I just feel that the power of the fruit is something that must be used with caution. If you think of possessing it... no, I don't want to do that."
The princess nodded slightly as if satisfied with the answer, but her eyes contained some doubt and desire.
"I'm glad to meet you," Mei Lin said with a small smile. "Maybe... you can help me in the future."
Punya felt the pressure hidden in that sentence, but she remained calm and nodded in response.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave." Punya stood up after receiving permission from the princess. Before walking back to Li Shan who was waiting
When leaving the pavilion, Li Shan whispered to her with concern, "What did the princess say to you?"
Punya shook her head slightly, "It's nothing much… but I think you definitely have some plans."
The two looked back at the pavilion before walking out of the garden. Punya knew that the conversation with the princess today must have many consequences.