17、第 17 章 Findi ...
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Chapter 17 — Finding Help in Xian
The Orchid Courtyard had become strangely busy after Shuran's death. Wedding preparations had already begun across the Khan's residence. Servants carried bolts of cloth, baskets of food, and boxes of gifts from one courtyard to another. The marriage alliance was spoken of openly now. Everyone believed Suyuan would become a bride.
She quietly began preparing for a journey. Late one evening, she placed a small wooden box on the table. Nanny Zhang looked at it curiously. “What is that?” “Mother's belongings,” Suyuan answered. Inside were a few things that had belonged to Shuran. Hidden beneath them was the small jar containing her mother's ashes. Suyuan had wrapped it carefully and placed it at the bottom of the box, beneath a layer of cloth. Nanny Zhang knew nothing about it. She thought the box contained only Shuran's personal things that should be returned to Xian. Suyuan had no intention of telling her the truth.
“Nanny,” she said quietly, “I want you to go to Xian.” Nanny Zhang immediately frowned. “Me?” “You should take Mother's things to my uncle. And tell him about the marriage.” Her voice remained calm. “If he knows what happened to Mother, perhaps he will send someone.”Nanny Zhang's eyes softened for the first time since Shuran's death, there seemed to be a possibility of hope. “You're coming with us?” Suyuan shook her head. “I cannot leave now. The wedding preparations have already begun.” Ayao, who had been sitting nearby, immediately stood. “Then I'm staying too.” Suyuan looked at her. “Ayao—”
“No.” Ayao shook her head firmly. “If Nanny Zhang is going, I'll stay with you.”
Suyuan was silent for a moment then she walked over and held Ayao's hands.
“You're worried about me?”
“Of course.”
“Then go with Nanny Zhang.”
Ayao stared at her.
“You need me here.”
“I need you to make sure Nanny Zhang reaches Xian safely.”
“But—”
“She is old,” Suyuan said gently. “The journey is long, and they will be traveling secretly. If something happens on the road, who will protect her, who can help her?” Ayao hesitated, Suyuan gave her a small smile. “You're the only one I trust to do it.” That finally broke Ayao's resistance. She sighed. “Fine. But we're coming back.” Suyuan's fingers tightened slightly around hers.
“Yes.”
“We'll come back before your wedding.”
Suyuan lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
…..
They left in the middle of the night , no farewell ceremony and no servants. No one in the Khan's household needed to know that two women from the Orchid Courtyard had slipped away. They dressed as ordinary merchants and joined a small caravan traveling toward Xian. Nanny Zhang carried the wooden box. Ayao stayed beside her, constantly looking back toward the road they had come from. Suyuan stood beneath the courtyard gate until the darkness swallowed the last torchlight. Ayao turned around one final time and Suyuan raised her hand.
“Go.”
Ayao smiled faintly.
“We'll see you soon.”
Suyuan watched them disappear only after they were gone did she lower her hand. The courtyard was silent again. She looked toward the road leading west. Inside that wooden box was the only thing left of her mother. Nanny Zhang thought she was carrying Shuran's belongings to Xian and Ayao thought they would return. They did not know that Suyuan had already decided she would never follow them. She turned away from the road. The wedding would come soon and this time, there would be no one left in the Orchid Courtyard for the Khan to use against her.
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第17章 第 17 章
