A chorus of thanks erupted around me. I slowly rose and looked at the people around me. Apart from the Prince and Princess Jin, and the Crown Prince, I didn't recognize a single one of them. However, judging from their imposing presence, they were no ordinary people. In the court, they would probably all be figures who could turn the tide with a flick of their wrist. Yet, their status and position were only preserved because my father had guarded this region. Now, I've come to send off these former partners of interest on their final journey. In the future, if Ji Mo Dongli can truly defend the border, then these people will be eager to befriend him, just as they were when they befriended the cold corpse in this coffin.
The people here live solely for profit.
With no men in the house, even the vigil nights were cold and desolate. Those who truly missed their father were none other than his brothers who had fought and bled on the battlefield, but now, none of them were in the capital. The women had no right to keep vigil; only a few servants watched over him. Every now and then, they would trim the wicks of the ever-burning lamps, replace the incense sticks, and burn paper money for the dead throughout the night.
On the day of the funeral procession, I gathered my hair, donned mourning clothes, and set off before dawn, for my eyes cannot withstand sunlight. Amidst the commotion, we arrived at the Liao family ancestral cemetery. Looking at that grave, I squinted—this was the final resting place of the Liao family ancestral graves. Neither Mi Lan nor I had the right to be buried here. Women, after all, are merely companions to men. A hundred years from now, she will follow the Prince of Jin, and I, perhaps, will follow Mo.
My mother and father are buried together; it must have been incredibly fortunate for them, sharing the same bed in life and the same grave in death, two people of one heart. I think neither Mi Lan nor I have had that kind of blessing.
He died by hitting his head against a pillar; he must have cared deeply for someone and been reluctant to let go.
The tomb was gradually sealed off, buried in the yellow earth. After the final bowing ceremony, it was already broad daylight. I was feeling weak, and the maid beside me hesitated to help, holding the umbrella blankly, unsure what to do. I sighed, and was about to reach out my hand when the maid took a step back, looking at me with fear. I shook my head, squinting at the high sky. Perhaps I could still make it back; after all, it wasn't a long journey.
Seeing that everything was over, Prince Jin eagerly took his leave. Those who had originally planned to stay for dinner dispersed. Only I and the servants returned to the Liao residence. Unfortunately, all the servants were afraid of me, and not one dared to approach.
The journey was arduous, and the sun grew ever brighter. My vision was already failing, and I was practically blind. My mind began to wander, and my feet felt like they were walking on cotton, the ground uneven and shallow. As I passed through the streets, people who saw me screamed and scattered, shouting that I was a demon or a monster. I was used to hearing those eerie cries; all I wanted now was to desperately find some shadow, but I couldn't see anything, so how could I stumble and stagger to find a place to hide?
Suddenly I heard a thunderous hoofbeat, and the shouts of surprise beside me grew louder. Before I could understand what was happening, I suddenly felt a tightness around my waist, and then a cool sensation on my face.
My body swayed back and forth, as if I were on horseback. The light in front of me suddenly became less dazzling, but the restlessness in my ears was still as irritating as ever.
My waist was being held, and I couldn't help but try to push it away, almost falling off the horse. Only then did I sit obediently. It was only for a short while, so I had no choice but to endure it.
Before long, the sound of galloping hooves gradually subsided. I was helped off the horse and galloped to some place that was dark and without a trace of light. I steadied myself and realized that this was my room.
Taking a step back, the person before him was none other than Ji Mo Dongli.
Shouldn't he be at the border right now? I looked at him with a puzzled expression.
He was still wearing his armor; the cold touch on his face just now was from that hard armor. It was obvious that he had just come from the battlefield.
He smiled helplessly: "In the end, I still couldn't make it to the general's burial."
The general's unauthorized departure from his post to return to the capital, whatever the reason, is an unforgivable crime. But because of my deceased father, he will likely suffer greatly.
"Has the emperor issued the decree?"
I knew what he was talking about, but I had no desire to respond.
He chuckled softly: "I suppose it's been downloaded."
I turned around and took off the foot-long white cloth that was wrapped around my hair. My hair was piled up at the back of my head, feeling very heavy. I waited for him to leave so I could let my long hair down.
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