Mama zhou

Inside palanquin, it was small and shaking a little when carriers walk. 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. She was looking out through yellow curtain slit, eyes sad. Outside, Tao Hua Lang was passing backward, pink and green blurring. She dont want to let curtain go, because outside was home. Petals flew inside and land on her lap.

Mama Zhou was running behind palanquin on dusty road outside manor. Old woman in blue apron, white hair messy, crying loud now "Xiao Jie! Xiao Jie!" Her old legs was not fast, but she try. Villagers and friends from nearby houses was watching from distance, some with hands covering mouth. They knew Su Lian since child, playful girl who used to bring osmanthus cake to them. Now she was in imperial black palanquin with yellow dragon curtains. No one dare to help, because yellow dragon flags was everywhere. Dust and petals mix.

In her head, a playful memory come. When she was 8 years old, same peony courtyard, she and Li Mei, her only best friend, holding hands and laughing, running through peonies. Li Mei was wearing light pink hanfu, hair in two buns, always smiling. They was best friends, picking peonies and putting on head like crown, making Mama Zhou shout "Don't step on flowers!" but they laugh more. That was beautiful scene, sunny morning, butterflies everywhere. Now Li Mei married and moved far, and peony garden trampled by boots. She miss that time.

Palanquin moving on mountain road now, through misty forest. Road was narrow, old trees both sides, mist like white silk. General Wei Lin on black horse ride beside palanquin, black dragon armor with golden embroidery, black cape not flying now because no wind in mountain. Yellow dragon flags behind them snapping. The scenery was beautiful, but she was not looking much, because she was inside. She could hear horses breathing, carriers grunting, birds in forest. Morning was still morning, but sun higher now, light through mist making gold.

Inside palanquin, she found small blue bundle on seat. It was from Mama Zhou, secretly packed before she left. Inside was osmanthus cake, still warm a little, smell sweet. Same cake they talk about making this morning playful, before dust came. She take one small bite, sweet and soft, taste like home. For one second she smile, small smile, because Mama Zhou always make cake too sweet and she used to complain. Now sweet taste make her eyes watery. She eat slowly, trying to make it last long, because after cake finish, nothing from home left.

General Wei Lin look back at palanquin. His eyes was dark, cold before, but now soft a little. He dont say anything, just look for one second to check if she okay, then look forward again, serious. Peach blossom petals falling on his black armor, some stuck on his shoulders. It was like romance scene in manhwa where male lead dont talk but care from distance. She saw his soft look through curtain slit, and her cheeks feel hot suddenly, so she close curtain a little. She dont know why heart beat faster, maybe because mountain road bumpy.

Night came slowly, but still same day, long day. She peek out from yellow palanquin curtain at night, moonlight coming through trees. Same red hanfu with sapphire blue sleeves, golden phoenix crown a little tilted now because she tired. Outside was dark, beautiful night with moon high, stars few. She could see General's black horse silhouette in moonlight. She was not scare of dark before, but tonight she feel lonely. The wind chimes from manor was gone, but wind in mountain trees make similar sound, ding-ling like ghost.

Another family memory come, warm one. When she was 5 years old, little girl in small red hanfu with golden phoenix, sitting on floor in main hall with Mama Zhou and her mother, real mother who died 3 years ago. Mother was elegant, wearing light blue hanfu, smiling soft, holding her small hands. Mama Zhou was younger, laughing, putting dishes on low table — osmanthus cake, tea, peony soup. They was laughing playful, mother tickling her feet. That was last time she remember mother laugh so loud. Now mother gone, Mama Zhou old, and she was alone in palanquin.

Palanquin stopped at small village inn at dusk. Village was small, few houses, yellow lanterns glowing beautiful in dusk, smoke from chimneys. Villagers and children curious, looking at black palanquin with yellow dragon curtains, whispering. Old friends from nearby farms was there too, but they keep distance because soldiers. The inn was old wood, same as manor but smaller. Horses tired, carriers tired, putting palanquin down gently. She could hear innkeeper bowing, voice shaking because imperial soldiers never stop here before.

Mama Zhou finally catch up! Old woman in blue apron running, breathing hard, crying, and Su Lian jump out of palanquin, same red hanfu with golden phoenix embroidery flying, and hug her tight. Reunion hug, family hug. Mama Zhou was shaking, tears wetting her blue apron, "Xiao Jie you scare this old woman to death!" she cry. Su Lian hug tight too, eyes watery, blue tassels from crown tangled with Mama Zhou's white hair. Soldiers look away, giving them space. It was beautiful but sad scene, like family found again after long day.

Inside inn courtyard, two young maids in blue aprons was gossiping and giggling while looking at Su Lian. They was not from manor, they was from inn, young and playful. One say "She is so beautiful, like phoenix fairy!" other say "But why imperial soldiers take her? Is she going to marry prince?" They giggle, but not mean. Su Lian hear and feel shy, looking down at her small black shoes with golden phoenix. Mama Zhou scold them playful "Don't stare at my Xiao Jie!" but she was smiling too, first time today. Maids quickly bow and run away laughing.

Late night, everyone sleep inside inn, but she sit alone on inn rooftop. Same red hanfu with wide sapphire blue sleeves, golden phoenix crown with blue tassels, long black hair past waist blowing in night wind. Beautiful night sky full of stars, moon bright, same stars she saw from peony courtyard at home. She was looking at stars, lonely but beautiful scene. She think of mother, of Li Mei friend, of Mama Zhou sleeping downstairs, of General in black armor who look back soft. Tomorrow road still long to Imperial City. She dont know what will happen, but tonight stars was same as home.

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