A Heart's Foolish Choice

As Rin was walking through the hall after bathing, she came upon a figure she had not seen in a while.

Yun Suyin.

Rin could see the changes in the girl's appearance in comparison to when she last saw her. Her milky complexion had grown pale, and the corners of her eyes appeared to be slightly red.

For a moment, Rin was surprised. While she knew it most certainly had to do with An Sun, she couldn't help but be curious as to what happened between the two for her to look so haggard.

"Miss Yun?"

Sure enough, the moment Yun Suyin heard her voice, the girl's entire body froze. When her eyes turned to look at the perplexed expression on Rin's face, she lowered her head quickly.

"W-What are you doing here?" She stammered, her voice a little on the hoarse side. Inwardly, Yun Suyin was feeling remorseful to be seen outside by Rin of all people.

Ever since the incident with An Sun, she could not muster herself to leave her room. After two days, she finally stepped out to get fresh air. Who would have thought the first person she'd meet would be Rin!

In the midst of her inner turmoil, Yun Suyin missed the amused expression on Rin's face.

"I've just finished bathing and was about to go on a little stroll."

"I-Is that so?" Yun Suyin continued to speak with her hair veiling her face.

Rin stared at her silently before smiling kindly. "You know, it's quite impolite to not look at someone when they're speaking to you. I wonder if Miss Yun wouldn't mind looking at me."

The hands by Yun Suyin's clenched. She bit her lower lip before elevating her head to look at Rin. When their eyes met, she was surprised to see that Rin's expression hadn't changed. Moreover, her gaze had not wandered anywhere else besides her eyes.

The corner of Rin's mouth quirked up. She chuckled and said with one of her soft smiles. "That's better. Now, would Miss Yun like to join me on my stroll? It always relaxes me after a long day."

Yun Suyin's large doe eyes widened slightly. She looked at Rin and studied her expression carefully with narrowed eyes. That half-smile made the girl seem less intimidating, somehow.

After a while, Yun Suyin tilted her chin a little and simply said the words, "Very well."

Rin perceived the look on her face but mentioned nothing of it. A smile played across her lips as she ushered her forward.

…

"Miss Yun, are you in love with An Sun?"

The moment those words left her mouth, the color on Yun Suyin's cheeks blossomed. Her lashes fluttered sheepishly. However, recalling the previous encounter she had with An Sun, she shivered.

While Yun Suyin's feelings for him were still present, there was a lingering sense of fear beneath it.

"I do." She whispered.

"I see." Rin hummed thoughtfully and looked up at the sky.

When she no longer said anything, Yun Suyin couldn't help but glance at her. She observed Rin's features with a keen gaze.

For many, a woman's shield was her hair. It made one feel confident and beautiful. Even with her short hair, however, Rin looked graceful, dressed in all lilac robes that lifted at every gust of wind, and made her look as if she might take flight. She didn't possess any curves, her body slender as a willow.

With her narrow nose, full lips, and milk-pale skin, she possessed all the beauty that men wished to protect and woman sought to have.

She wondered if An Sun was also captivated by her. With this in mind, her gaze unconsciously dimmed.

"I was never able to ask you, but what does your family think of you leaving, Miss Yun?" Rin suddenly asked while turning her gaze to her.

Surprised by Rin's unexpected question, Yun Suyin was silent for a moment. The hands by her sides clenched.

"They do not know."

Rin sounded a faint hum. "I met your little sister back at the inn. I'm sure they all must be worried not knowing where you are. I know my family was whenever I went missing."

"…Yes." Yun Suyin's voice grew quiet. "But...my mother always told me to follow my heart's desires, no matter what others thought."

After she had finished speaking, Yun Suyin stole a glance at Rin only to see she was smiling at her. For some unknown reason, she felt a little tense when their gazes met.

Yun Suyin found Rin's eyes had always been unsettling; pale emerald, almost luminous, flecked with gold. Her eyes could see inside a person, could see their truest, darkest thoughts they possessed down deep.

When Rin looked at her, Yun Suyin felt all her emotions were exposed, leaving her bare and vulnerable. While Rin could sense the girl's uneasiness, she didn't try to defuse it.

"Your mother's words are very wise, Miss Yun. Following your heart is often the right choice." Rin stopped to stare at a blooming pink orchid. Her fingertips stroked the petals gently with a dull gaze.

"But once in a while, our hearts will make foolish choices. It's up to you whether or not you wish to follow it."

Yun Suyin's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to respond but closed it, unable to think of the words to say. Rin watched the various expression play out on the girl's face and smiled helplessly.

For the remainder of their walk, the two silently admired the blooming flowers within the garden.

…

At dusk, the interior of the tents turned dim and eerie. The last light of day slanted down through the flaps of the tent, washing the camp in a red gloom.

"I see you have returned. I take everything has been handled well?"

Standing before the An Clan head, Manchu cupped his fist with a lowered gaze.

"Yes, my Lord. I apologize for my lateness, however, after the ambush…" Manchu's words paused, his hands squeezing to the point of trembling. "I had to issue out a proper burial for Young Master An."

An Hongyu examined his expression and made an affirmative grunt in response.

"You've traveled long. You may go rest for the day and receive orders in the morning."

Manchu bowed his head. At that moment, he suddenly raised his eyes, a look of resolution spread across his face.

"My Lord, before I go, there is one thing I'd like to show you."

"What is it?" An Hongyu's eyebrows wrinkled.

"Before Young Master An's death, he received an order from you to take the head of the Governor Duyi of the Jilin province."

An Hongyu had a cold expression on his face. After a while, he uttered a response, "Yes. That's correct."

Manchu's eyes slanted upward. He cast a glance at the soldier beside him. The soldier nodded his head to his signal. He took the dirty brown cloth bag in his hands and flung its contents on the floor.

At that moment, the room fell silent, everyone's eyes set on the object that had rolled out of the bag. An Hongyu's eyes widened with shock as he looked down at the object below his feet.

Staring at him with swelling eyes and a ghostly complexion was the head of Duyi Zhong.