Chapter 26

Bai Qingchu carefully opened and put away the letters that Ling Wu had sent from Cangshan Temple, one by one.

When the ink from these letters is placed side by side, there is hardly any difference, which means that these letters were written almost in a single day.

Her throat was so dry she was almost hoarse. She picked up the letter and turned the pages one by one, following the dates.

What appeared before her eyes was Xiao Wu, sitting at her desk, holding a brush, slowly writing these letters in a charming manner.

And there was the scene of her looking at me gently and softly that day, handing me a peace charm.

Xiao Wu said she prayed that her mother, older sister, and father would all be safe and sound.

May everyone be safe and sound...

Bai Qingchu held the letter in his arms, his voice hoarse and unable to utter a sound, but the grief and pain in his eyes were so intense that they seemed to drip blood.

After a long while, Bai Qingchu slowly raised her head, her face covered in tears.

The clouds outside the window drifted lazily.

It felt like stepping back into the day when the three of them held hands and laughed happily, free and carefree.

She was so happy that she now feels it was all a dream.

"Your Majesty, the Lady is safe and sound."

Bai Qingchu managed a weak smile, her voice hoarse as she murmured, "It's good that you're safe, it's good that you're safe..."

After the maid left, Bai Qingchu looked at the sky outside, lost in thought.

Only when a single tear slid down her expressionless face did she finally break down in tears.

Her younger sister, who would share most of her favorite candied hawthorn with her when they were little, her younger sister who sweetly called her "elder sister," her younger sister who cried uncontrollably with her on the day she entered the palace...

She can no longer see.

It's good that you're safe.

But why is she the only one who is not safe?

———

A month later, despite her father's objections, Bai's mother insisted on going to Cangshan Temple.

The baby's soft crying brought the mother back to her senses.

“Little Bao also wants to see your older sister, right? After your mother brings your older sister back, we’ll name Little Bao, okay?” Mother Bai smiled, her eyes red.

The adorable baby seemed to sense her mother's sadness, clenching her little hand, her eyes still filled with tears, yet she smiled sweetly.

This time, Bai's father did not stop him.

The two people who used to stay in front of the Bai residence every day watching the carriage gradually disappear into the distance are now sitting in the carriage.

Mother Bai kept rambling on and on:

"I wonder if Wu'er has lost weight. I still remember the first time I took Wu'er out when she was little. She was so pitiful and timid when she held my hand. In the blink of an eye, she has grown up so much."

"I don't know if Wu'er likes the dresses I send her every month?"

"When Wu'er comes back, it's time to find her a good family... no, it's time to find her a good husband to marry into my Bai family."

Bai's mother looked outside and wondered, "Why are we still so slow at Cangshan Temple?"

Then she lowered the carriage curtain and asked, "Husband, what should we do if Wu'er doesn't want to get married?"

"If you don't want to marry, then don't marry. As long as Xiao Wu is alright..." The father's voice trembled as he spoke the last part of the sentence, and he had already turned his head away.

Mother Bai suddenly fell silent, then forced a smile, "What nonsense are you talking about? Wu'er will be perfectly fine!"

“Wu’er also sends me several letters every month. She tells me that her health is getting better every day…”

Mother Bai murmured, then clutched her chest, "Ever since the third day after Xiao Wu went to Cangshan Temple, my heart has felt empty every day... as if a piece of my flesh has been ripped out."

Bai's father felt a burning pain in his throat, and he could only lower his head and remain silent, but a glimmer of hope still lingered in his heart.

After getting off the carriage, Mother Bai hurriedly lifted her skirt and walked up the steps one by one.

When she arrived at the room she had already inquired about, she raised her hand and knocked on the door, but no one answered.

After a long while, Bai's mother still did not open the door.

"Madam, actually Xiao Wu, she..."

Before Mr. Bai could finish speaking, the coldness in his mother's gentle eyes made him stop.

As the door was pushed open, Bai's mother lifted her skirt and entered the side room.

The familiar objects in the room brought tears to her eyes. "Husband, please go out first. I want to be alone for a while. Don't worry, I'll be fine."

After all, it was Wu'er who saved her life.

"lady……"

"Get out!" she shouted with almost all her might.

As the door closed, Mother Bai gently stroked the spotless couch, but unfortunately, the entire room felt utterly lifeless.

Slowly, she leaned against the wall and walked toward the table, on which lay a letter.

[To My Dear Mother]

She carefully unwrapped it with trembling fingertips.

[Mother, don't cry. Wu'er is just tired. She's going ahead to see the scenery that's different from the human world...]

The letter was long, but she couldn't read it.

"Clatter".

A crystal-clear drop of water fell onto the paper and spread out like flower petals. She buried her face in her palm.

"Wu'er, my Wu'er, my sweetest child..."

The clouds outside are soft and fluffy, like two adorable little girls with double buns in their hair, being held tightly by their parents.

But it became a memory that can never be relived in this lifetime.

——

Outside the door, Qinglu, who never forgets to come and clean the house every day, is followed by Nanqing.

However, Qinglu no longer possessed the shy demeanor of someone experiencing first love in front of Lingwu that day.

The moment she saw Bai's father, Qinglu's eyes reddened again.

In her memory, she had never seen the master cry so uncontrollably.

He asked with difficulty, "Xiao Wu, did you say anything?"

"Miss said she wishes that Madam, Eldest Miss, and you all be safe and well."

The young lady also told me not to blame myself.

But she couldn't do it; she wanted to pray for her mistress every single day from now on.

I pray that in her next life she will live to be a hundred years old, peaceful and prosperous, and free from worries.

Miss, Qinglu has protected the sachet very well.

——

After a life of wandering and hardship, Jiang Qi was no longer the dashing young man he once was.

Only beggars, dressed in tattered clothes, covered in dirt, and with disheveled hair.

Song Leyuan did not forget to send people to watch over him every day, to ensure that he did not die, and to make him suffer more than all other people!

Finally, on a snowy day, the guards drank some wine and relaxed, and Jiang Qi finally received death's mercy.

Beneath him lay a wound of guilt written in blood.

If there is an afterlife, he wants to watch her from afar, to see her happy and fulfilled, living a joyful life.

On the verge of death, he saw a gentle young woman dressed in a fiery red wedding gown, her eyes filled with love, drinking nuptial wine with him.

The nuptial wine is poured, the tender hands are joined, and vows are made to stay together forever.