"Father, I want to go to the river with Lián." She beamed, looking into her father's calm eyes.
He tilted towards the figure standing in the corridor.
"Okay."
"Thank you, Father." She smiled widely as she bowed.
"Yù Xuān held her gown as she straightened, waving at Lián, who was already running out of the corridor.
An unknown smile touched their lips watching their daughters run, leaving the compound.
"Your daughter is fine. Why then was I summoned?"
He turned back to his friend, holding his scarf firmly.
"I'm not sure she is," Chen replied, watching the girls leave through the backyard gate.
"Take her with you…"
His gaze darted sharply.
"Why?" Chen asked, raising his brow.
"Yù Xuān's ordination is soon…" the man said happily.
They smiled at each other.
"I never knew our friendship would last this long." Chen smiled and walked toward the citrus tree.
"How is Rong?"
"Good, she told me to bring Lián with me." He laughed out, settling on the bench.
"When is the ordination?"
At the River
"Ahha… Lián…" Yù Xuān laughed out, tapping Mò Lián's shoulder.
She just finished bathing and was washing her dirty clothes.
"I'm serious. He is taller than you would imagine."
"When will he visit?"
"I don't know, even if he does, I have a feeling I will join my father in the southern province." She smiled, raising the soaked gown.
"I would love to join you. I miss Aunt Rong," Yù Xuān pouted, clasping her palms.
"What of your service at the temple?"
"Hmmm," she sighed, helping her friend hang the clothes on the spreading robe.
"Will Aunt Rong come for the temple purification ritual?"
"I don't know."
Mò Lián noticed a gaze, and she gave her friend a sign, raising her brow.
A group of men passed, pointing fingers at a young girl playing at the shore.
"Yes, she is the one I told you about."
"How could she kill her mother and still live!"
"Such children shouldn't be allowed in the temple."
Yù Xuān spun, hearing the men, and her eyes darkened.
"Let's return home…" Lián waved her head, stopping herself from speaking back.
"We are not done with the laundry."
Yù Xuān's face turned disgusted as the men continued pointing, and she turned to her friend, who lowered her head with a sigh trapped in her chin.
Lián raised her face, and Yù Xuān's brow knitted as her gaze fell on Lián's worried eyes.
I thought you had conquered this? She held Lián's wrist, giving her a questioning look.
"Lián?!"
The men turned at once, recognizing the tone.
Yù Xuān spun in anger.
"You bastard sons of a whore. How dare you!" She freed Lián's wrist, moving with full force.
They retreated, waving their hands in a plea.
"We are sorry. Please spare us." The men lowered their heads, placing their palms on their backs.
She withdrew, folding her arms across her chest.
"This is the last warning. If you don't listen, the law will deal with you."
"Thank you, my lady…" They hesitated before leaving her presence.
"Lián…" Yù Xuān approached her friend, who was already spreading the remaining clothes.
Lián turned to her, smiling. "Did you collect your father's cultivation?"
They laughed together.
"My ordination is not yet official."
"A royal! A royal is here!" The children held each other's hands as they ran away from the shore.
Mò Lián turned, looking around as a chill crept down her spine, and her fingers tightened instinctively on the edge of the dress on the line.
Yù Xuān inhaled sharply as they both looked up.
Nothing.
Whatever or whoever had been watching is gone now, retreating as silently as it had arrived.
Yù Xuān forced a laugh, nodding.
"Must be the wind," her eyes flicked back to the water once more.
Mò Lián nodded, but unease coiled tightly in her chest.
"It's sunny; let's take the clothes home."
The children returned, singing.
"When will you be leaving?"
Lián turned to a friend who was carrying most of the clothes.
"Don't know either."
They walked home, conversing.
"Lián… My father just summoned me." She turned to Lián.
"I wish I had cultivation… "Lián pouted.
"Maybe you have another ability."
They crossed the vineyard to Lián's grandparents' house.
The door was open.
They could hear voices increasing as they approached.
"The yearly ritual was conducted.... I don't perceive any roaming spirits!"
Yù Xuān heard her father's voice; a chill crept down her spine. Her father rarely gets angry.
Lián noticed Yù Xuān's sudden reaction.
"Yù Xuān?"
They entered the open gate.
"If the dream continues, it's your fault… "He noticed his daughter's presence from behind.
"Lord Chen. Leave today if you want your child alive!"
He turned to leave.
"Thank you, Your Holiness." Lián's grandparents bowed their heads, then straightened.
"Father… You summoned me." She passed the clothes to Lián, who was looking at everybody, confused.
What happened? Why the awkward silence?
Yù Xuān bowed slightly as her father approached them; she could sense the power he released.
They dissolved in thin air.
Lián adjusted, bowing slightly, and the hair on her skin prickled, and a cold breeze blew her hair sideways.
Lián tilted her head.
"Yù Xuān?" Her eyes shone in surprise.
She turned to her family, who were looking at her. Her gaze fell on her grandfather's angry face, then on her grandmother, who looked pitiful, and finally on her father, who looked worried and lost in thought.
"I'm hungry, Mama." She walked to the lines, not minding her grandfather's intense gaze.
"Lián…"
She spread her clothes as her grandmother held her arm.
"Lián… Remember to visit the temple anytime you have bad dreams…" Her grandmother sniffed, raising her palm to hold her face.
Mama?
"I know this is not the way out!"
Lián turned sharply to her grandfather, who walked into his room.
"Mama, what happened?" She asked, dropping the cloth on the line.
"His Holiness said you have to join your father in his province." The granny muttered, holding her tears; she could see her daughter through Lián's face.
Lián looked at her grandmother with confusion and pity.
"Mama…why?"
"Yes, Lián." They hugged each other tightly.
Lián understood the deep affection her grandparents had for her.
It's almost the festival; why are you leaving already? Aren't we still visiting the capital?
"Mama, why do I have to leave?" Lián patted her grandmother's hair.
"Lián... Pack your clothes."
His harsh voice caught her attention, and she tilted as her brow knitted.
"Father?" she pulled from the embrace.
"Be good."