Later that spring, when leaves had sprouted and grown on everything, something Lu Yan had been worried about finally happened.
She was organizing scrolls in the treatment hall when master sent a message telling her to drop everything and meet him at the closest entrance of the inner circle.
Lu Yan and Luizhu hurried, and found Gu Sheng waiting there.
He handed a cloth wrapped package to Luizhu, and gestured towards a carriage, "Your aunt is sending someone to the farm. Change your clothes in the carriage."
Luizhu grabbed Lu Yan's hand as they looked worriedly at each other for a moment before quickly climbing on.
Gu Sheng climbed onto the front and the carriage started moving immediately.
Luizhu made sure the curtains were properly secured before opening the cloth wrapped package.
Inside were the clothes they'd worn before coming to camp. They'd been washed, but the old ragged edges and cheap material was obvious at a glance.
Lu Yan quickly changed with Luizhu's help, and then helped Luizhu change.
Luizhu wrapped their clothes neatly into the bundle and placed it under the seat.
Gesturing for Lu Yan to turn around, she untied Lu Yan's topknot, and braided the front section of Lu Yan's hair, letting the rest hang freely down her back.
Then she untied her own topknot, and collected her hair into a braid which she then wrapped into a simple bun.
Lu Yan fidgeted with her loose hair and skirt, "It feels so strange to wear these clothes again."
Luizhu grabbed her hand, squeezing tightly, "I'm a little scared miss."
Lu Yan patted her arm, "Don't worry. Aunt is no match for master."
She lifted the curtain, and asked Gu Sheng, "When will aunt arrive?"
Gu Sheng replied without taking his eyes off the road, "You probably have an hour."
"Will you stay nearby?"
Gu Sheng shook his head, "I need to return to young master's side. But I have a subordinate keeping watch at the farm."
Lu Yan's immediate worries were put to rest. But-
Pouting, she asked, "When can I return to camp?"
This time Gu Sheng looked at her, his dark eyes inscrutable as ever, "An hour after she leaves."
Lu Yan smiled, and withdrew her head into the carriage, satisfied, "That's for the best then."
Gu Sheng rolled his eyes at her.
They soon arrived at the farm.
When Lu Yan had left, the yard had been covered with snow. Now, green leaves shook gently in the breeze, and wild grass grew everywhere.
Gu Sheng whistled, and a boy appeared. He was the same height as Ashan, but stockier.
"This is Afei," Gu Sheng said. "He'll be around."
He gave Afei a few more instructions before leaving the carriage at the back of the farm, and leaving.
Lu Yan watched him go, surprised that he didn't have any instructions for her.
Lu Yan turned to Afei, "Have you been here all winter?"
Afei nodded, "Cooking, cleaning and keeping watch."
"Weren't you bored by yourself?"
Afei tilted his head, but didn't say anything.
Lu Yan waved him away, "Alright, don't answer. I'm not prying into your secrets."
Afei shook his head, and with a light leap, stepped onto the wooden fence surrounding the shack before disappearing on the other side.
Luizhu watched him in surprise, "He knows martial arts!"
Lu Yan hummed, then looked around the yard before creaking the door open and walking in.
Lu Yan paused at the threshold, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dim interior.
The first thing that stood out was the bed covered with dirty blankets, illuminated by streaks of light falling in from the small window.
Lu Yan put a hand on her chest, calming her racing heart, reminding herself that she was healthy now.
The dirt floor, the dingy kitchen, the dull utensils, the discolored furniture.
Everything was the same.
Instead of taking a step in, Lu Yan stepped back outside.
"Get tea, we'll play five stones outside in the sun," she told Luizhu.
Without a backward glance, she turned and looked up at the bright wide sky. At the new leaves shining golden green in the sunlight. She took a deep breath, feeling her lungs work without protest.
No one can trap me again, she thought. I'm out now.
They sat on the stone table outside. Luizhu brought tea, and five stones.
Lu Yan took a sip of tea, and smiled.
Finally, she understood why master's face had been so sour when he drank this crap. It was really, really bad tea.
She put the cup back on the table, and didn't take another sip.
They soon got bored of the game.
In fact, if she ignored the little hut behind her, today was a beautiful day.
The sun was warm, but a cool breeze was blowing. It wasn't too hot or too cold.
Lu Yan hadn't had time to appreciate spring's arrival. She'd been too busy at camp.
She walked with Luizhu around the yard, collecting wildflowers that caught her eye. The yard wasn't too big, so she moved outside.
Ambling along the path to the village, she picked an armful of flowers.
The path was lined with big trees. Wind swished through leaves, producing a lovely, calming sound. Light and shadows danced together on the ground.
The villagers were busy working at this time of day, and Lu Yan only saw a few children out. They greeted her from afar and disappeared, like they'd always done.
She was in a dreamy haze. Absent-minded, she thought of everything that had changed, and everything that remained the same.
Luizhu, her arms full of flowers, poked her lightly, "Miss, let's go back. It's almost time."
Lu Yan nodded, and they turned around without speaking another word.
Back in the yard, Lu Yan had Luizhu place the flowers on the stone table.
"Get some water and see if we have any string," Lu Yan instructed, "Let's make little bouquets."
Luizhu disappeared into the hut. Lu Yan began arranging the flowers she'd picked.
Time passed.
Outside, the sound of carriage wheels rolling came closer. Lu Yan didn't raise her head.
Thinking back to master's lessons, she recited under her breath, "Consider what the objective is. Take every action in accordance. Understand the character, and you can predict the response."
The carriage stopped outside.
With many loud exclamations, a fat old woman followed by two maid-servants entered the yard.
Lu Yan smiled to herself.
The fat woman cried out, "Young miss! This old servant has come to check on you."