237 Yours Truly (1/2)

Duchess Wang Qixing was the first to break the news to Li Xueyue when she returned home.

”What?” Li Xueyue said, after hearing the story for the second time. ”He just left?”

”Yes, he did.” Duchess Wang Qixing sighed at the unpleasant exchange. Hu Dengxiao was very respectful but the news irked her to no avail.

Li Xueyue wasn't sure if she wanted to chase Yu Zhen down and murder him like a crazy woman or just stay put and read the letter. The former seemed like the most appealing option but she chose the latter with a scowl.

Opening the letter, she read the contents out loud to Duchess Wang Qixing.

”To my dearest Sunshine,

I pray the next time you see me, there isn't a sharpened dagger calling my name. There is an urgent business that requires my attention in Hanjian. The problem couldn't be ignored any longer. It's either now or never.

It's just as you said, perhaps time apart will do us good. If you will grant me the greatest wish and patiently wait at home, I will come for you. I will, no matter how long it takes.

I'm unable to disclose much, but please remember, each step I take from now on is to lead me closer to you. I keep you in the dark not because I want to, but there are outside forces silencing me.

I will be safe.

Everything will be fine. All you have to do is put your trust in me, Sunshine. There won't be a day that goes by where I do not dream or think of you.

Please remember to remain a glutton. Don't skip any meals or wallow by the window. May I recommend reading a few vocabulary books?

Yours truly,

Yu Zhen.”

Li Xueyue felt her cheeks heat up at his last comment. She folded the letter closed and slipped it into her sleeve. Embarrassed that this letter was even read out loud, she could do nothing but clear her throat.

”One thing is for sure,” Duchess Wang Qixing said and drew out with a teasing smile. ”It's that Yu Zhen is a lot better at writing letters than Wen Jinkai.”

”Mom!” Li Xueyue groaned, hiding her face behind her hands.

Duchess Wang Qixing grinned and said, ”There is nothing wrong with being inexperienced at writing letters, though, Wen Jinkai's handwriting is surprisingly neat for a soldier.”

Li Xueyue nodded.

”Since neither the soldier nor this letter disclosed the day that he shall return, I suppose we can do nothing but wait for him,” Duchess Wang Qixing murmured.

Li Xueyue smiled a bit. ”Perhaps it will truly be a trial of time. At least, this time, it started off on a good foot.”

”So many wrong turns and now, we finally see the light at the end of the cave.” Duchess Wang Qixing shook her head.

”It'll be fine,” Li Xueyue mused. ”I'll spend my time doing archery and sword fighting, or horseback riding with Heiyue.”

”It's time for you to begin your rigorous training again,” Duchess Wang Qixing said.

Li Xueyue let out an amused laughter. ”It's as if you're training me to become a soldier or something, but it'll be fun. I've missed wielding a sword and firing arrows at least six times a week.”

Duchess Wang Qixing smiled at the fond memory. Life was so simple back then. Before the Spring Tournament, before the truth was revealed. Where did it all go wrong?

Duchess Wang Qixing stared ahead as they walked. Her garden was coming to view. The first thing she saw were the hydrangeas that stood tall and proud, overshadowing all of those around her.

Maybe, everything that seemed to be falling apart was actually falling in place. The buried sins were beginning to wash ashore, drowning the sinners.

”I hope this will be a period of growth for both of us,” Duchess Wang Qixing said with a ghost of a smile lingering on her lips.

Li Xueyue knew there was an underlying message to her mother's words, but chose to not comment. The Li Family was always filled with secrets, and she learned, ignorance is bliss. If there was something she should know, they would tell her.

- - - - -

The next morning.

The dreadful meeting with Wen Jinkai came earlier than expected, especially when Li Chenyang and Duchess Wang Qixing discussed the Emperor's hidden motives with Duke Li Shenyang. The inevitable had crept upon them, and everyone was forced to rush the plan.