Chapter Text
Jiejie had died in a gown embroidered with her beloved green plum blossoms, the same flower that refused to bloom on that dry plant sitting still innocently in the courtyard of Yi Kun Palace, no matter the efforts of the palace’s best gardeners, because green plum blossoms hailed from the south and could not thrive in these cold, heartless northern climes.
Hailan turned over the green plum blossom hairpin in her hand - it had been a long time since she had last worn it, because it simply stood out now at her age; but when she had been younger, the green plum blossom was an ever present in her hair, albeit so often nestled behind showier, brighter jades and kingfisher feather blues - then, only she and Jiejie ever understood why Hailan valued this green plum blossom hairpin more than any other priceless baubles bestowed on her by the emperor.
Now, Hailan reached with trembling hands into the coffin and tucked the delicate crystal hairpin in between the layers of Jiejie’s gown; there she would have to be satisfied with it remaining for all eternity, pressed against Jiejie’s heart.