9 Morning Departure

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Before they knew it, the day to depart for Mount Reverence had arrived.

Xinyu woke up before the Sun even broke away from the horizon. Aunt Yanfei also got up early to prepare breakfast and pack the things she believed Xinyu needed on her trip.

In a satchel, she put a week's worth of taro cake, three sets of clothing of the same wood color, a bamboo hair comb, medicine and ointment for emergencies, and even some face powder and lip paper. Xinyu insisted that she did not need such trivial items, but Aunt Yanfei would not let her go unless she brought them along.

According to Aunt Yanfei, Xinyu was finally beginning to look like a young lady; and therefore, she must pay heed to her appearance. But Xinyu didn't understand this logic. Just because she was beginning to look like an adult did not mean she had to powder her face and color her lips.

Who was she trying to impress? She wasn't going away to find a husband, she was simply following Fate's will. Cosmetics should be saved for those who are looking for marriage, not those who are doing the biddings of the Almighty—how silly Aunt Yanfei was!

But to get her to fuss no more, Xinyu put the items into the satchel and headed to the dining room without arguing. Along with the things that Aunt Yanfei packed her, all she brought was the jade flute in her sleeve and the plum blossom hairpin that locked her hair into a messy top-knot.

As the pair of aunt and niece ate a breakfast that consisted of tofu pudding and stir-fried bean sprouts, Old Deng came to join the morning meal. As usual, he sat quietly on his side of the table and sipped tea. Every once in awhile, his eyes crinkled with a smile as Aunt Yanfei and Xinyu bantered back and forth. It was as if it was just another day in their house on the hill.

When rays of light began to filter through the window, however, they all knew that the inevitable had come. Aunt Yanfei and Old Deng headed outside first while Xinyu went to grab the satchel from the bedroom.

As she stepped outside the bamboo cottage, Xinyu saw Aunt Yanfei and Old Deng standing in front of the plum blossom tree that bloomed beautifully that early spring morning. She started heading towards them, but something in Aunt Yanfei's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"We have failed you, Meihua," Aunt Yanfei's voice trembled as she knelt down before the tree. "Our Xinyu will not be able to escape her destiny. We cannot protect her anymore. Please forgive us."

She touched her head to the ground in a deep bow. Old Deng put a hand on Aunt Yanfei's shoulder when she rose from the bow. They gazed at the plum blossom tree without another word.

Although Xinyu couldn't see their faces, she could tell that they would be filled with deep sorrow.

She held onto her breath and took ten steps.

Sensing her presence, Old Deng turned to meet Xinyu. Aunt Yanfei quickly wiped something from her face before looking at Xinyu with red eyes.

"Come here, Xinyu. Come pay your mother some respect," Aunt Yanfei beckoned her over and patted the spot next to her. Xinyu walked ten more steps and knelt down beside her.

She looked up at the plum blossom tree before her. It was truly a sight to see. The blossoms were in full bloom as dew glistened on its surface. The rising Sun's light hit behind the tree, giving it an unearthly glow.

Indeed, it was very beautiful. But in the end, it was only a tree; it was not the person.

Xinyu bowed deeply before its beauty.

Had this been two days ago, paying her respects would have been a difficult task due to her injured hand. Luckily, it was already all healed up because of Aunt Yanfei's Qing-infused ointment. If this injury had occurred on a mortal without an amazing aunt, it would've taken a month to fully heal!

After a few kowtows, the three finally headed down the hill. Xinyu took one last glance at the place she called home. A sense of sadness came over her, but she shook it away and followed the road downhill.

Upon reaching the base of the hill, Xinyu met the dismal gazes of Aunt Yanfei and Old Deng. She cracked a smile. "Why so sad? I'm not dying yet! Save those long faces for when I'm on my deathbed."

Aunt Yanfei frowned and whacked Xinyu's head. "Don't go spouting nonsense! That's not funny!"

Xinyu took the hit without dodging, but a cheeky grin was still firmly planted on her freckled face.

Old Deng's eyes crinkled with a smile, but he said nothing.

"Now come give your aunt a hug or else she's gonna cry and make a mess everywhere!" Aunt Yanfei puffed and opened her arms sternly.

Xinyu's grin widened and she jumped into her aunt's warm embrace. She nuzzled her head against Aunt Yanfei's chest and took a big sniff of the familiar scent of cedar and wood. Her large arms and ample bosoms were very comfortable—more comfortable than a pillow!

They held onto each other for a while until Aunt Yanfei finally pulled out of the hug and planted a quick kiss on her niece's forehead.

"Now don't go causing any trouble, you hear me? You have to take care of yourself now that this aunt of yours can't, okay? You have to eat well! Don't sleep too much! And remember to brush your hair! It's becoming more and more of a jungle by the day!"

"Yes, yes, yes." Xinyu nodded, but she couldn't help rolling her eyes.

Aunt Yanfei's lips spread to a thin line and she hit Xinyu on the head. "I'm being serious!"

"Okay, okay, this niece understands! She won't go causing trouble. She will definitely eat well and brush her hair daily. As for sleeping, well..."

Aunt Yanfei glared threateningly.

"Yes, ma'am! This niece will definitely not sleep too much!" Xinyu immediately corrected herself with resolution and erected herself into a salute. "Do not worry!"

Aunt Yanfei felt the urge to hit this shameless niece of hers again, but she refrained herself.

Xinyu looked over to the ever-so-silent old man.

"Do you want a hug too, Old Deng?" Her hazel eyes glowed mischievously.

Old Deng's face was as benevolent as ever, but an ominous aura quickly invaded the air.

"I was joking, I was joking!" Xinyu laughed and waved a hand absentmindedly. Old Deng was never a touchy one, but it never hurts to try! After all, who knows when she'll be able to see him again, right?

Xinyu approached the old man and put a palm to her first in a salute. "Thank you for being such a patient teacher all these years. I will put your teachings to good use."

Old Deng gave her a wrinkly smile and pat her shoulder. "I have no doubt."

Xinyu returned his smile and bowed in respect.

Finally, they bid their last farewells. Xinyu looked at her two most important people, engraving their images forever into her mind. With a careless wave of her hand, Xinyu gave them the most reassuring smile she could manage before heading towards her destiny. She did not look back.