Chapter 89: The morning dew wets the clothes and whispers softly, gently putting the token away
At daybreak, the Fang Mansion courtyard was bathed in a gentle morning glow. Dew wet the leaves of the wisteria trellis, dripping onto the bluestone slabs. The air was filled with the aroma of rice porridge from the kitchen and the sweet fragrance of gardenias in the corner of the courtyard. Little Swallow, draped in a moon-white jacket, her braids pulled loosely behind her head, held a gilded lacquer tray containing two bowls of freshly warmed almond milk as she walked briskly toward the west wing.
The window paper of the west wing was filled with warm yellow light, and a figure could be vaguely seen moving inside. Xiaoyanzi knocked gently on the door, her voice crisp: "Ziwei, Jinsuo, are you awake? My mother made almond yogurt, come and try it!"
The door creaked open. Ziwei was wearing a plain aqua dress, her long hair loosely tied with a jade hairpin. There was a faint shadow under her eyes, obviously she hadn't slept well. When she saw it was Xiaoyanzi, a gentle smile immediately spread across her face. "Ci'er, you're here so early."
Jinsuo came out from the inner room. Her blue cloth vest was stained with thread, and she was holding a half-sewn dress in her hands. "Young lady, you're sorting through Madam's letters. You said you wanted to see if there were any clues you'd missed." She took the lacquer tray and snorted. "It smells so good! Even better than the sweet wine and egg custard we had in Jinan."
Xiaoyanzi placed the almond curd on the pearwood table by the window. Beside the table stood a small copper basin filled with clear water, a few gardenia petals floating on the water. She pointed to the spread-out letter paper on the table and said, "Are these letters from your mother? Keep them safe and don't let anyone see them."
Ziwei walked to the table, her fingertips gently brushing across the yellowed letter. The handwriting was beautiful yet trembling. It was the last letter her mother wrote before she died. Her eyes reddened slightly. "I spent most of last night reading. Mother said Mr. Zhou, who helped her back then, has moved to Liulichang in Beijing. She just didn't say which shop he moved to."
"Don't worry." Xiaoyanzi scooped a spoonful of almond milk and passed it to Ziwei's mouth. The sweet aroma mixed with the fragrance of milk filled the air. "My brother went out early this morning. He said he was going to Liulichang to inquire about Mr. Zhou's whereabouts. He knows the escort leader there, so he will definitely find him." Seeing Ziwei pursed her lips and didn't move, she pushed the spoon forward again. "Eat it quickly, it won't taste good if it gets cold. My mother said this almond milk is good for your health. You haven't slept well these past few days."
Ziwei obediently opened her mouth and ate it, the richness of the almond spreading on her tongue, her heart warmed. She held Xiaoyanzi's hand, her fingertips slightly cold. "Ci'er, I always feel uneasy. If this token is discovered..." She looked down at the jade pendant at her waist. It was given by Madam Fang when they became sworn brothers. It was exactly the same as the half lotus jade pendant hidden at the bottom of the box, except that this one was engraved with the word "righteousness".
Xiaoyanzi put down the spoon, her expression growing serious. She led Ziwei behind the screen, where a half-worn camphorwood box sat. It was the one Ziwei and Jinsuo had brought from Jinan. "Look," she said, squatting down and opening the box. It was lined with a thick blue cloth. "Wrap up those letters and scrolls in the cloth and place them at the bottom. Cover them with your usual clothes. Anyone who looks through the box will only see the clothes and won't be suspicious."
Jinsuo also came over and squatted on the other side of the box. "I wrapped the sandalwood fan in three layers of oil paper last night and hid it in the young lady's cotton wool. The fan ribs are delicate and can't get wet." As she spoke, she took out an oil paper package from the corner of the box and carefully opened it, revealing the warm jade bamboo fan ribs. "Look, isn't this safer?"
Xiaoyanzi nodded and reached out to gently touch the fan bone. "That's best. Remember, no one except the six of us can see these things. Even if my parents ask, just say they are ordinary thoughts left by your mother." She glanced at Ziwei and saw her brows slightly furrowed. She softened her tone, "I know you want your mother's feelings to be seen, but now is not the time. Once we find Mr. Zhou and get solid evidence, we can openly..." She swallowed the words back and changed her words, "Let the people who should see it see it."
Ziwei lowered her head and took a sip of almond milk. The sweet taste suppressed the bitterness in her heart. "I understand what you mean, but...every time I touch this jade pendant, I think of my mother's death. She held my hand and said, 'You must let your father know that I haven't forgotten him.'" Her voice choked with sobs, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the jade pendant with the word "Yi" on her waist. "I'm afraid if I wait too long, my mother's wish will go cold."
"No." Xiaoyanzi patted her back, her palms warm. "Your mother's thoughts are so profound, just like this almond yogurt, even if it gets cold, it can be warmed up again. My brother is reliable. He will definitely find Mr. Zhou within three days. Then we will know more about what happened back then." Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she took out a small brocade bag from her sleeve, embroidered with two cuddling swallows. "Here, this is a peace bag my mother embroidered. It's stuffed with lavender, which can calm the mind. Put it next to your pillow at night, and you will sleep well."
Ziwei took the sachet. The fresh scent of lavender mixed with the faint fragrance of silk thread relaxed her tense heartstrings. She looked up at Xiaoyanzi, her eyes sparkling. "Ci'er, it's great to meet you. If it weren't for you, Jinsuo and I wouldn't know where we'd be wandering right now."
"What nonsense!" Xiaoyanzi scratched her nose, her eyes curved in a smile. "We're sisters now. Your business is my business. By the way, Liu Hong will be here soon to teach you and Jinsuo how to navigate the capital. She grew up there, so she knows every alleyway with delicious food. You can follow her around to get familiar with the surroundings and relax a bit."
Jinsuo carefully folded the letter and placed it in an oil-paper bag. "Miss, let's put everything away. This camphorwood box has a nice fragrance and is insect-proof, so it's perfect for storing these valuables." She placed the oil-paper bag at the bottom of the box, covered it with thick cotton wool, and then placed a few old clothes on top. "That way, even if someone rummages through the box, they'll just think it's just old clothes."
Xiaoyanzi looked at her attentiveness and nodded approvingly, "Jinsuo is really capable! From now on, all our valuables will be left in your care." She stood up and dusted off her skirt. "I have to go see if my brother is back. I'd love to hear from Mr. Zhou before breakfast."
Ziwei walked her to the door. The morning light filtered through the doorframe, casting long shadows on the ground. She suddenly grabbed Xiaoyanzi's sleeve and asked softly, "Ci'er, tell me...if my father knew about me, would he disown me?"
Little Swallow turned around, the morning light falling on her face, her eyes shining like stars. "How could it be? You are so good and talented. If your father knew he had a daughter like you, he would be so happy!" She waved her hand, and the red pompom on her braid swayed. "Wait for my good news!"
Watching Xiaoyanzi disappear around the corner of the corridor, Ziwei lowered her head and touched the peace sachet in her arms. Then she glanced at the bowl of steaming almond milk on the table. Her uneasiness gradually gave way to a warm feeling. Jinsuo locked the camphorwood box and carefully tied the key to her waist. "Miss, let's not overthink it. With Xiaoyanzi and Master Xiaojian helping us, we're sure it will work out."
Ziwei nodded, walked to the window, and half-opened it. The morning breeze blew in, carrying the coolness of dew. The gardenias in the yard were in full bloom, their snow-white petals stained with dew, like a layer of fine silver. She sighed softly, her fingertips brushing the gardenias on the windowsill. "Mother, don't worry. I will find you and tell you my feelings."
From afar, Liu Hong's clear voice called out, "Sister Ziwei, Sister Jinsuo, let's go to the morning market!" Ziwei smiled in response, turning to exchange a smile with Jinsuo, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future. The morning light grew brighter, tinting the window frames of the west wing golden and quietly illuminating the path to finding one's family, a path shrouded in secrets and hopes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
