11 Family Secrets 1 (2/2)

Sam didn't want to poke in such a terrible subject, but part of her simply couldn't put it down. She HAD to know the reason for Ying Yue's father being accused of treason, and what exactly that meant for her, as part of that family.

So, once it was made clear Ah Mei couldn't tell her anything more, she decided to try with the second best source: Jiang Qing Shan.

Of course, she wouldn't be able to broach the topic all of a sudden. They would need some time together, being close 'again'... And what better way to begin than with a breakfast?

”All right!” she said, joining her hand in front of her with a satisfied smile ”So, we better hurry then!”

”Ah! Xiaojie!” Ah Mei cried out, jumping infant of her miss ”You can't go like that!”

”What?” Sam frowned ”Why?”

”Xiaojie!” the girl seemed in the brink of tears ”You can't get out like this!” she repeated ”What will Third Miss say?!”

”Ah Mei, there is nothing wrong with my clothes!” she insisted. Other than they being enough fabric to cover three people, that is.

”But... Miss! You can't go out in your nightwear!” Ah Mei insisted.

Sam stoped mid step, looking at herself again – more carefully this time. 'So... All this things were pijamas? All of it?' She just had been using half to sleep and the other half when she woke up.

'Maybe that's why all those maids were looking at her like she had gone mad...'.

”Oh!” she said out loud, forcing a laugh ”Right! I was just teasing you!” she looking at Ah Mei ”So... Where is the wardrobe?”.

Fifteen minutes later, sam wobbled out of the room, barely able to stay up over the uncomfortable shoes and the heave – VERY HEAVY – clothes. Gosh, if she thought her nightwear was stuffy, that THING Ah Mei had forced on her (with the help of another meek, seemingly scared maid) were monstrosities brought from person version of hell.

'Hanfu' she reminded herself 'that's what all this layers of fabric are called'. And, apparently, this was her morning, informal clothes! As if in a 'lighter' version.

'It better be worthwhile' she grumbled at herself, flickering her sleeves while following Ah Mei through the manor hallways, trying to ignore the servants on her way that stopped to bow and compliment her, as well as the whispers that followed behind.

The Manor, she noticed, was much like her own room: beautifully arranged, tidied, but with that edge of oldness on the much walked wood paths, the smooth stones structures or even the trees and bushes on the gardens.

”Xiaojie” Ah Mei called ”We are here”.

”Ah? Oh...” she murmured, looking from the house to the ornamental garden to her right, in the middle of which stranded an elevated platform, surrounded by a beautiful, wooden railing. Inside, sitting by a stone table, Qing Shan had her eyes fixed on Sam. It was such a strong, still look that Sam felt herself fidgeted self-consciously.

”Xiaojie...”

”Oh? Ah. Right!” Sam murmured, following her maid slowly, all the while studying the girl waiting for her.

And then, all of a sudden, after more than a week, she was finally standing in front of her sister, separated only by the small, square table.

Seemingly unaffected by the awkward silence and the clear discomfort of the younger girl, Qing Shan got up and took her sister's hands on hers, a very sweet, very watery smile illuminating her beautiful face.

”Yue'er” she said ”I'm so glad you decided to join us for breakfast!”

”Ah... Eh, it... It was nothing” Sam blabbed, fidgeting uncomfortably.

”Still... Thank you for coming” she insisted ”I know it has been hard on you”.

Sam just forced a smile, deciding to stay quiet and only nodding to accept the girl's offer to sit beside her.

”You can leave us” Qing Shan said to the maids around them ”If we need anything, we will call for you”.

Sam observed as all the maids – Ah Mei included – jut bowed respectfully and left the garden, leaving behind only a very deep, very embarrassing silence.

”So... It looks delicious” Sam blurted suddenly, looking at the many plates of food in front of her.

”They are your favorites” Qing Shan smiled ”I hope you enjoy it”.

'My favorite food!?' She forced a smile, pushing at her clothes trying to lessen the growing warmth that was turning her body in a sweaty mess. 'God, this is too hot!'.

”I'm sure it's very good” Sam replied, looking back at Qing Shan for the first time. Even at that moment, she could still appreciate the girl's consideration and care for her sister. There was no disguise on her black eyes, only a nervous expectation, as if she was waiting, fearing really, that Sam would bolt at any time and desapear on her rooms again.

'Ah, Sam, Sam...It will be more difficult than you thought!' she chided herself.

”Qing Shan” she said out loud ”Thank you... For thinking about me. I really appreciate it.”

Instead of answering, the girl surprised Sam by extending her hand and gripping Sam's in a strong, comforting grip.

”Yue'er, we are family” she whispered ”The Jiangs take care of one another... Never leave, never forsake”.

Sam blinked, trying to pass any word through the sudden tightness on her throat.

”Eh...”

”Ah Ying!”.

The sudden scream startled the two girls, that turned to look at a very young man, standing completely still just a few steps from them.

Sam frowned. In a moment, he was looking at her. The next, he had crossed the space between then, took hold of her shoulder and brought her up and into his arms.

'Ah... What is this about now?!' she thought desperately, trying to understand what was happening.

”Ah Ying” he whispered ”Your brother is sorry! I'll never let anything happen to you again!”

'Oh God... So... This must be Jiang Fei Hong, then.'