Chapter 4

I have an old illness and cannot endure the cold; this time, it inevitably caused a fever.

Ze'er's face has grown thinner from worrying about me day and night.

Xie Yu has also sent a few verbal messages, mostly waiting for me to bow to him.

In the past ten years, I have always been unconditionally tolerant toward him.

But now I am too ill to get up and have no strength to see him.

Thus, Xie Yu has not come again.

The Bright Moon Palace is like a cold palace, with little Ze'er leaning against me.

"Mother, when will we leave here?"

The servants in the palace always shift with the wind; I don't know how much grievance Ze'er has suffered these days.

Though my body is not fully healed, I don't want to delay any longer.

"Ze'er, if we leave here, you will never see your father again."

A struggle appears on Ze'er's small face.

"It's okay, if Father doesn't want Mother and Ze'er, then we don't want him either."

"Alright."

I softly agree, and thus there is no more attachment.

On the day of leaving the palace, I glance around the Bright Moon Palace where I've lived for several months.

Without memories, there is no reluctance.

A raging fire dances wildly with the evening breeze, and the palace attendants run in panic.

"Fire, the Bright Moon Palace is on fire!"

Before leaving, I thought about leaving a note for Xie Yu.

But reconsidered and decided not to.

My complete disappearance from this deep palace with Ze'er is a good thing for both of us.

As the flames shoot up into the low dark clouds under the moonlight.

I leave with Ze'er without looking back.

At the same time, Xie Yu suddenly wakes up from his sleep, his fingers numb, and his heart faintly aching.

"Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?"

Empress Su is still as gentle and considerate as before, but now seeing her, Xie Yu only feels irritated inside.

"I will go for a walk."

The night is deep and quiet yet not peaceful.

Hurried palace attendants kneel to salute Xie Yu.

"What's all the panic in the middle of the night?"

"Replying to the Emperor, the Bright Moon Palace is on fire, it's now burned down to just a few beams, and the people inside are probably..."

Xie Yu momentarily loses his balance and takes a few steps back.

Then quickly turns and rushes toward the Bright Moon Palace.

"Where are the palace attendants on duty today? All of you, get out here for me!"

The palace attendants bow their heads and kneel all over the ground; no one notices Xie Yu's bloodshot eyes.

"If you can't find Mann and Ze'er, you will all be buried alive today!"

The palace attendants tremble and retreat; the fire has been extinguished, but nothing remains except for a mess.

I took Ze'er and boarded a carriage heading back to the Great Desert.

The vast Chang'an behind me has turned into a small mole.

Ze'er quietly asks, "From now on, no one will bully us anymore, right?"

I smile and nod, feeling more relieved than ever before.

"Mother will take you to fly eagles, to see bonfires under the river of stars, and the days ahead will surely be happier than now."

Ze'er finally smiles happily.

The longing for the future dispels the shadows of the past; today's sunlight is just right, and the days ahead will become even brighter.

In Chang'an, Xie Yu had the entire Imperial Palace searched.

The wails of palace attendants under punishment echo over the palace walls.

"How can two healthy living people just disappear without a trace? You useless lot, continue searching for them for me!"