Shattered heart
The mirror in the room reflected the most beautiful woman in the whole country. Her maids rushed all over the place to refine her looks. The red drapes she was wrapped in were weaved with silk threads interlaced with delicate patterns of gold fibres. The flowy sleeves of the gown were just long enough to expose her soft hands. On her head was sitting the phoenix crown made in the honour of her great grandmother. The frame of the head piece was all gold with gems of all sorts adorning the sides and a center red ruby, the ruby resembling the eyes of the dragon mentioned in the myths. The gentle tassels from the crown enhanced the already exquisite structure. It was really heavy, although not as heavy as her heart.
Her step mother entered her chamber.
“Ying’er ?”
“Yes mother?”
“Let me have a look at you my dear.”
Qin Yinghua turned towards the woman who loved her as her own daughter after her biological mother left. Her mother looked at her like she was a treasure. Her appearance was no different from the moon goddess of legends but she dared not look at herself.
“Here, have this.”
Her mother pressed a jade pendant into her palm. The pendant was the mark of late empress dowager.
“But mother this is yours. I could never…”
“You are mine too. If you get caught in some unforseen situation, use this for getting out.”
Yinghua hugged her mother trying to let out what burdened her through tears.
“My child, it’s going to be fine. The young lord of Zhao family has a good reputation. He wouldn’t disappoint you.”
She wiped away her tears. “Can I have a moment by myself mother?”
Her mother nodded and left the room with the other maids.
Yinghua walked towards her courtyard. There stood a cherry blossom tree as old as herself. Her birth mother had planted the tree when she got pregnant with Yinghua. The tree was in full blossom as if in celebration of her wedding. Maybe it didn’t know that the bride had to move away to get married. She pressed her forehead against the trunk of the cherry blossom. It felt like her mother kissed her forehead. That dull ache returned as she sank down near its roots feeling sad.
Qin Zi Rui was getting the carriage ready for his sister. The dowry had already been handed over. She was to travel for half a day before she reached her destination. He was worried but like all brothers he put on his smile.
“Call Xiao Ying. It’s time she left for the Zhao mansion.”
Yinghua was soon settled into the carriage. Xu li, her maid, kept looking for someone. As her mistress bid farewell to her family, she was desperately looking towards the other road hoping that the master Yi Fen would come just in time.
The carriage begun to move. Xu li stared restlessly out the window, while her lady had already lost all hopes.
“There’s no point looking out the window Xu li. He won’t come.”
All though she said so, her heart desperately held on to the thought that maybe, just maybe what she said is wrong. Maybe Yi Fen would come back. Just maybe. A sudden jolt, made her leap out of her seat.
“Xiao Ying ?”
The voice echoed in her mind. Yi fen did come. He came for her.
“Yi fen gege, you came ! I thought I won’t see you anymore.” Yinghua couldn’t hide her happiness.
“How could I not ? My dear Xiao Ying will be leaving for longer than we have ever been separated. Here take these candied plums. I rushed my mother to make you some.”
“Oh… the plums aren’t even in the season, how did you get these?” Xiao Ying said, there was disappointment in her voice. There was this feeling that nagged at her. He has not come to take her. He is letting her go.
“Don’t you worry about that. Anyways, you should hurry up on your way, your in laws place is far away. You should leave right away if you want to reach before sun down.”
He did not come to take her. Xiao Ying’s heart shattered. The only hope she had been clutching dearly onto was snatched away from her.
“Yes brother. Xu li ask the rider to move along. It’s time, I moved on.”
Yi Fen missed the change in Yinghua’s gaze. Even her loving gege had been replaced by a cold formal title of brother. Xu li obeyed unwillingly. She did not understand why master Yi Fen did not accept her lady. She was the most beautiful lady in the whole county. People yearned for one look from her and here was this man who could not be bothered by her lady’s feelings. She wondered what was wrong with him. Her lady confessed her feelings for him not once, not twice but seven times on different occasions. Even madam Qin wanted him as their son in law but Yi fen refused the arrangement saying he was a misfit for her.
The rest of the journey was just Xu li, her thoughts and her silent lady who had her veil down. The veil hid the silent tears from Xu li who was already deep in anguish against Yi Fen.
