The gentle sound of the stream flowed through the air as Ziyi exhaled deeply, feeling an unusual sense of tranquility enveloping her. Compared to the previous day, the stream had thawed just enough to reveal its crystal-clear waters, harmonizing beautifully with the cheerful chirping of the birds nearby.
With preparation, Ziyi began sorting through the heap of clothes, preparing to immerse them in the frigid water. The icy touch sent a shiver down her spine, yet she was slowly becoming accustomed to the season's chill.
Nearby, Ah Xiao let out a heavy sigh, drawing Ziyi's attention.
Turning her focus to Ah Xiao, who was perched on a rock, Ziyi asked, "Is something bothering you?" as she carefully transferred the clothes into her basket.
Ah Xiao sighed again, meeting Ziyi's concerned gaze. "My brother mentioned that we're leaving for the capital in just three days," she revealed, rising from her seat. "Ziyi, he seems particularly... anxious this time. Do you think something might go wrong?"
Ziyi was aware that Ah Xiao would eventually be sent to the South, but revealing that information was a delicate matter.
Continuing her task of washing the clothes, Ziyi offered reassurance, saying, "Don't worry, nothing bad is going to happen."
"Really? You believe that?" Ah Xiao approached with a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Ziyi responded with a warm, encouraging smile. "Absolutely. Your brother will ensure you're safe."
Ah Xiao returned the smile, albeit with a hint of doubt. "That's true... but I can't always rely on them," she admitted, wrapping her arms around her knees.
Once Ziyi finished washing, she stood up and encouraged, "It's okay to lean on them sometimes."
As they trudged along the snowy path, Ah Xiao continued to voice her concerns. Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted.
"Brother Fu, what brings you here?" Ah Fu's serious tone halted their progress.
"Elder brother wishes to speak with you," Ah Fu stated plainly.
Ah Xiao pointed to herself in confusion. "Me? But why?"
With a glance at Ziyi, Ah Xiao hurried up the road, disappearing from sight. Ziyi sighed inwardly, knowing that Ah Xiao would soon uncover the reason for their trip to the capital. She felt a weight in her heart, grappling with the knowledge that Ah Xiao was about to become entangled in a perilous web. How could she possibly protect her from such a fate?
Lost in her thoughts, Ziyi was jolted back to reality by Ah Fu's offer. "Let me help you with that," he said, gesturing toward the buckets of clothes.
Ziyi promptly declined, asserting, "Young master, this is my duty. You can't just take it over, and if anyone sees..." Her words trailed off, laden with concern.
Ah Fu chuckled lightly. "Who would dare to criticize me?"
"Lord Wu, of course," Ziyi replied, as if the answer were painfully obvious.
Noticing Ziyi's trembling, red hands, Ah Fu's laughter faded, and he swiftly took the basket from her grasp. "I'll take care of this. If you're worried about being seen, just follow me quickly."
Ziyi struggled to understand Ah Fu's stubbornness; she was only trying to act in his best interest.
At the servant's quarters, Ah Fu set the basket down, his clothes damp from the effort.
"Your clothes are wet," Ziyi observed, noting the state of his sleeves.
Ah Fu checked himself and replied, "Are they?"
"Please, go change into something dry. If Lord Wu catches us, it will only raise his suspicions further," Ziyi urged, frustration creeping into her tone as she picked up the basket again.
"I—" Ah Fu began, reaching out to stop her, but Ziyi quickly ushered him out of the room to avoid drawing any more attention. She knew that if Lord Yu sensed anything unusual, he would grow increasingly suspicious. Sighing, Ziyi felt exasperated by the challenges of pleasing these brothers.
"Young Master," called Hu Wei, Ah Fu's subordinate, as he approached.
Ah Fu instantly lowered his hand. "What is it?"
"Lord Wu is waiting for you," Hu Wei informed him.
Ziyi, eavesdropping from the side, slightly opened the door to observe as the two exited the room.
Inside Lord Wu's study, Ah Fu settled into the dimly lit space, his attention fixed on a piece of paper that had just arrived via hawk. It contained the confirmation he had been seeking.
Ah Yu chuckled softly, almost resignedly.
"Brother," Ah Xiao acknowledged, entering the room.
Ah Yu quickly concealed the paper as Ah Xiao stepped in. "You're here," he welcomed her, gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Why did you call for me, brother?" Ah Xiao asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity.
Ah Yu regarded her with a serious expression before speaking. "You're aware we're leaving for the capital in three days, correct?"
Ah Xiao nodded, her expression shifting to concern.
"And you also know about the Southern Inspection that took place a month ago?"
Again, Ah Xiao nodded, her unease growing.
Rising from his seat, Ah Yu continued, "If His Majesty requests your presence there, you must refuse. I'll deal with whatever consequences arise."
Ah Xiao was taken aback by this unexpected directive. "No, brother. I want to go. I can use my skills to help the people."
Ah Yu sighed deeply, frustration evident in his tone. "Just follow my instructions."
"I can't, brother! I believe I can make a difference there, and disobeying His Majesty would be a death sentence!" Ah Xiao countered passionately.
Ah Yu's patience was wearing thin. "I'll manage everything. Just do as I say for once, Ah Xiao!"
"No!" Ah Xiao vehemently protested, tears brimming in her eyes. "Let me go. I can protect myself, brother."
"Ah Xiao, do you genuinely believe that His Majesty wishes for your presence out of concern for the citizens?" Ah Yu questioned pointedly, his voice laced with skepticism.
Ah Xiao shot back, "I understand his intentions aren't pure, but brother, we can't afford to refuse him."
Grasping her brother's hand tightly, she implored, "Brother, I can handle this. Trust me."
Ah Yu sighed heavily, taking his seat once more. "It's not that I don't trust you, Ah Xiao. I don't trust His Majesty."
"Brother Yu is right, Ah Xiao," Ah Fu chimed in as he entered the room.
Ah Xiao turned to her brother, desperation in her voice. "But if I refuse, His Majesty will find ways to punish you!"
Ah Yu interjected firmly, "Listen to my order. The decision has already been made."
Tears streaming down her face, Ah Xiao fled the room in distress.
The brothers exchanged a solemn glance, understanding that this was the best course of action—they could not risk sending their only sister into danger.
As they settled back into their chairs, Ah Yu handed the note to Ah Fu. "It's confirmed."
"Damn it," Ah Fu cursed, slamming his hand down on the desk.
"This time, it's definite," Ah Yu affirmed, his tone grave.
For years, His Majesty had been closely monitoring their movements, disrupting their trades, businesses, and connections. Recently, his scrutiny had intensified, particularly with the outbreak in the South. It seemed almost inevitable that he would compel Ah Xiao to go.
The tension stemmed from the Axile tribe's refusal to pledge allegiance to the Emperor. They had maintained a neutral stance for generations, but after the previous Emperor's death, circumstances escalated. The new Emperor sought Ah Yu and his people's loyalty, but Ah Yu resisted, holding onto a promise made by the previous generation.
However, the Emperor's behavior had grown increasingly erratic, prompting Ah Yu to send some of his people to keep watch.
The Emperor was also responsible for the attack on Ah Fu. Now, they were targeting Ah Xiao, cloaked in the guise of goodwill.
"I'm considering utilizing the imperial decree," Ah Yu revealed, tension etched across his face.
"The imperial decree?" Ah Fu echoed, surprised.
"Yes, it's our only option to protect Ah Xiao," Ah Yu admitted, his concern palpable.
Ah Fu nodded in agreement, though a sense of uncertainty lingered within him. "But won't this only further provoke the Emperor? He'll perceive it as an attempt to assert our authority."
"I know," Ah Yu acknowledged solemnly.
Meanwhile, at Ah Xiao's residence, Ziyi heard the sound of her sobbing as she passed by to distribute the young masters' clothes. Upon entering, she found Ah Xiao weeping against the wall.
"Why are you crying, Ah Xiao?" Ziyi asked softly, setting down the basket of dry clothes.
Ah Xiao clung to Ziyi, pouring out her heart. "Ziyi, what am I supposed to do?"
Ziyi listened intently as Ah Xiao recounted the situation.
Although she understood her brother's protective instincts, Ah Xiao felt torn between her desires and her family's safety.
"Why?" Ziyi asked gently, her voice soothing.
Ah Xiao looked at her, tears streaming down her cheeks. "If I don't go, His Majesty will use it against my brother. I can't just stand by and do nothing, Ziyi. I want to help."
Ziyi comforted her, recognizing the inner turmoil that plagued Ah Xiao's heart.
As night fell, Ziyi quietly left Ah Xiao's chamber once she had finally drifted off to sleep. Closing the door behind her, she found Ah Fu waiting in the hallway.
"What brings you here, young master?" Ziyi inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Ah Fu glanced toward Ah Xiao's room. "How is she?"
"She fell asleep after crying for hours," Ziyi replied as they walked down the hallway together.
Pausing, Ziyi turned to face Ah Fu. "I know you're acting out of concern for Ah Xiao, but she's not a child anymore."
"Ziyi, what did you hear?" Ah Fu asked, his surprise evident.
Continuing to walk, Ziyi assured him, "Don't worry, I won't speak of this to anyone. You can trust me. But I must stress—Ah Xiao is your sister, yes, but you both are also her brothers. Sending her to the South is akin to sentencing her to death, but she's a doctor. It's in her blood to help cure others"
Ah Fu's eyes widened as Ziyi pressed on, "The Southern Inspection is merely a façade. There's no chance the Emperor genuinely cares about the outbreak. Ah Xiao is just another pawn he finds useful at this moment. However, you cannot overlook the fact that Ah Xiao genuinely wishes to go to the South to find a solution to the outbreak. If she can successfully address this issue, then His Majesty will have no reason to target her for a while." Ziyi took a deep breath, exhaling her concern.
"Ah Xiao cannot be shielded forever; she needs to learn to protect herself. The world isn't so simple, young master. I'm not trying to persuade you to let her go, but I'm merely speaking the truth. Please, keep that in mind," Ziyi concluded, bidding him farewell and leaving Ah Fu standing in stunned silence.
Ah Fu's gaze narrowed, suspicion creeping into his mind. While he trusted Ziyi, she seemed to possess knowledge that extended beyond what she should know.
"The truth, huh," Ah Fu murmured to himself, watching her retreating figure.
Hu Wei emerged from behind Ah Fu, prompting, "Young master, don't you find Miss Feng a bit... peculiar?"
"What do you mean?" Ah Fu questioned, intrigued.
Hu Wei trailed behind his master, "I don't know; I just can't quite put my finger on it, but Miss Feng—she seems unfazed by everything, as if she already knew it was going to happen."
"You're overthinking things," Ah Fu dismissed, shaking his head.
"But it's true! And not to mention how quickly Young Miss and Ziyi became close, as if they were friends from a past life," Hu Wei insisted.
Ah Fu shot Hu Wei a look that could silence a crowd; he was rambling too much.
Hu Wei quickly fell silent before speaking again, "But master, why are you so kind to Miss Feng?"
Ah Fu's glare intensified. "It seems you have too much time on your hands. Should I find something for you to do?"
"No, young master! Ahhh, I forgot; I still have some business to attend to—I'll be back," Hu Wei hastily excused himself, eager to escape the conversation.
Ah Fu sighed, bemused by Hu Wei's odd behavior.
Why was he showing such kindness to Ziyi? Ah Fu couldn't quite understand.
As Ziyi set down the basket of clothes, she found herself contemplating how much longer she would remain in this place. It had been weeks since she last dreamt of Yeline. Has something happened to her?
As she lay in bed, Ziyi reflected on the complexities of the situation. While she had no desire to get involved, the matter at hand concerned both Ah Xiao and Ah Fu. What course of action should she take? Surely, lending a hand wouldn't lead to any major complications, would it?