A New Beginning

Chapter 40

The days passed slowly after the news of Ping's stepmother and stepsisters. She had tried to push the thoughts away, but they lingered like shadows in the corners of her mind.

Ling noticed. He always did.

That evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden hues over the palace, Ling found Ping standing in the garden. She was gazing at the koi pond, lost in thought. He approached her silently, his presence strong yet comforting.

"You've been quiet," he said, his deep voice breaking the stillness.

Ping didn't look at him. "Just… thinking."

Ling studied her profile. The way her brows furrowed, the way her lips pressed together—he knew something was weighing on her.

"Is it about the letter?" he asked.

She sighed, finally turning to face him. "I don't know how to feel, Ling. They were cruel to me, yet I can't be happy about what happened to them."

Ling nodded, understanding her inner turmoil. "That's because you have a kind heart, Ping. Even after everything they did, you still see them as family."

Ping hesitated. "Does that make me foolish?"

"No." Ling reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "It makes you stronger than them."

Ping's heart swelled at his words. She had expected indifference or perhaps even anger from him, but instead, he reassured her in a way only he could.

She took a deep breath. "I think… I just need to let go. To stop holding onto the past."

Ling smirked slightly. "That sounds like a good plan."

A small smile touched her lips. "Thank you, Ling."

He arched a brow. "For what?"

"For always knowing what to say," she admitted.

Ling chuckled. "That's because I know you, my queen."

Ping felt warmth spread through her chest. For the first time in days, she felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted.

Maybe this was the true beginning of her new life.

Maybe, finally, she was free.