Tao Hua Lang was empty

She open her mouth finally. Same red hanfu with wide sapphire blue sleeves golden phoenix embroidery from hem to chest, same golden phoenix crown with long blue tassels and pearl in beak, long black hair past waist, small black shoes with golden phoenix. Voice was small first, because throat dry from dust. "I... I will go." She said it not loud, but whole courtyard heard because it was so quiet. No one clap, no one cheer. Only wind chimes still screaming from eaves, like they dont want her to go.

Mama Zhou was still on knees, old legs numb. Su Lian bend and help her stand, holding her rough hands. Mama Zhou's blue apron was dirty with petals and dust now. "Xiao Jie, you dont have to do this for old woman" she whisper, eyes red, tears coming. Su Lian shake head, blue tassels swaying. "You are my family, not maid" she whisper back. That was same thing Mama Zhou told her when she was 6 and fell in peony garden. Now she was telling it back. Her hands was still shaking but now she hold Mama Zhou tight.

He stood up from threshold. Tall general in black dragon armor with golden embroidery, black cape moving with wind. He stood slowly, not fast, because he was respecting her space. He dont come close. He keep respectful distance of three steps. His eyes was still dark, but now less cold, a little soft when he look at her helping Mama Zhou. Petals fell between them again. He bowed his head a little, not to Emperor, but to her. It was small bow, but soldiers outside saw it and was shock.

She walk. Small black shoes with golden phoenix stepping on stone path, crushing peach petals that was pink snow this morning. Soldiers on both sides still kneeling, making path for her like river. Same red hanfu with wide sapphire blue sleeves flowing when she walk. She try to walk steady, not wobble, even though her heart was beating fast like drum. Mama Zhou walked behind her, holding her blue sleeve a little, like when she was child and scare of dark. The courtyard was so quiet you could hear petals falling

Close up of her feet. Small black shoes with golden phoenix embroidered on top, same shoes she wear every day in manor to walk in peony garden. Now stepping on stone steps going down to courtyard, petals sticking to sole. Each step was leaving manor she lived 18 years. Her steps was small, slow, because she dont want to go fast. The stone was cold through shoes. She could feel it. The golden phoenix on shoes catch morning light one last time before dust cover it.

She look back one last time at peony courtyard. Same peony courtyard from Episode 1 where she stood on birthday morning. Now peonies was trampled by many boots, some flowers broken, petals on ground muddy. Her face was sad, eyes watery but she dont cry. Mama Zhou behind her was crying silent, blue apron to face. She remember how playful she was there as child, picking peonies and putting on head like crown. Now she was leaving it. She took small breath and turn forward again, because if she look longer she will not go.

The black palanquin with yellow dragon curtains was waiting before Vermilion Gate. Inside was empty, silk cushions red and gold, soft. It was big, bigger than her bed at home. She stand before it, hesitant, hands tight inside sapphire blue sleeves. She had never ride palanquin before, only walk through Tao Hua Lang on foot with Mama Zhou. Now she must sit inside like imperial lady. She dont know how to get in. Her small hands dont know where to hold. The yellow curtains moved in wind, like inviting but also scary.

She sit inside. Small space, yellow curtains closed half, making light dim and golden. Same red hanfu with wide sapphire blue sleeves taking up almost whole seat, golden phoenix crown almost touching roof. Her hands was tight in lap, shaking again. She was nervous, breathing fast. Outside she could hear horses breathing, armor clanging, Mama Zhou's small crying. She wanted to open curtain and look out, but she was scare. Inside palanquin smell like sandalwood and old silk, not like peach blossoms at home. She feel alone.

General Wei Lin ride his black horse beside palanquin. Black dragon armor shining, black cape flying behind, golden embroidery catch light. He dont look inside palanquin, he look forward, serious face, keeping guard. His black horse walked slow, steady, same pace as palanquin carriers. Peach blossoms fell on his shoulders and horse's black mane. He was close enough that if she open curtain a little, she could see his boots. He was like shadow, always near but not touching, like in manhwa romance where male lead protect from distance.

Vermilion Gate of Yu Feng Shan Zhuang was closing slowly behind palanquin. Big red gate that she knew since child, with peeling paint and wind chimes that used to sing. Now it was closing, making creak sound. Mama Zhou was running behind in blue apron, crying loud now, hands reaching for palanquin. "Xiao Jie! Xiao Jie!" she shout. But soldiers blocked her gently, not hurting. Su Lian wanted to shout "Mama Zhou come inside!" but her throat was stuck. She only could see Mama Zhou getting smaller through yellow curtain slit.

Inside palanquin view, through yellow curtain slit, Tao Hua Lang — peach blossom corridor was passing by blurred. Same peach corridor from Episode 1 where dust line first came. Now it was passing fast backward, pink and green blurring. Her hand in sapphire blue sleeve was holding curtain edge tight, knuckles white. Petals flew inside through slit and landed on her red hanfu. She could smell peach blossoms one last time, sweet and sad. She dont want to let curtain go, because outside was home, inside was unknown.

After palanquin left, Tao Hua Lang was empty. Same stone path, same peach trees on both sides, but no soldiers, no dust, no girl in red hanfu. Only petals swirling in wind, falling on empty path where her small black shoes with golden phoenix had stepped this morning. A broken blue tassel from wind chime lay on ground, maybe from the screaming. Quiet. So quiet after so much noise. No one was there to sweep petals now.

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