Bye-bye My Home

Just as the general ordered, people from the Third Madam's manor had done their best to avoid any kind of confrontation with the other manors. They had seen the care and attention that the general bestowed to their mistress, and believed that this troublesome phase would soon come to pass. It, therefore, came as largely surprising when Xiao Yue summoned them all to tell them that the Third Madam's manor would be emptied. All maids and servants were to be relocated to other manors.

They did not take the news lightly. A lot of questions came up, most of which started with "why". It was not something that Xiao Yue could answer freely. Not that Long Zhao Feng meant it when he said that he was taking her along so she could serve as an unlucky charm for the enemy kingdom. Or did he?

Yu Fen knelt before her and said, "Young Lady, this servant followed you from your maiden home to this house. I have no other intention but to serve you my life long. Please do not abandon me."

Hearing Yu Fen's sincere words, the others also hastily fell to their knees and begged.

"Third Madam, we might have not served you as long as Sister Yu Fen has, but our loyalty is not less. Please do not send us away. We wish to stay with and serve you our whole life."

Xiao Yue raised a hand to her face and slowly began to cry. Seeing their mistress shed tears, the others also began to cry. From the Third Madam's manor that day, a lot of sobbing sounds could be heard.

While Xiao Yue agreed to try and re-negotiate the transfer of her people over to the other manors, the garden still had to be flattened. They all worked together to pull out the weeds and herbs alike and put the useful plants in separate bags as per Xiao Yue's instructions. The whole morning was thus spent that way. After the work was done, the other maids and servants were left to tidy up the patch of land while Xiao Yue and Yu Fen made their way to the First Madam's manor.

When they arrived at First Madam's manor, they were received by an elder maid, who politely led them to the main hall. Yu Fen stood behind Xiao Yue, carrying the bags of herbs. Both of them were equally nervous. Although they knew First Madam as a reasonable woman, First Madam was also the one who threw Xiao Yue into the prison.

After Long Zhao Feng carried her out just like that, Xiao Yue had no idea what First Madam was thinking. Nevertheless, they both originated from tribes. Xiao Yue felt a sense of sisterhood that she would like to maintain if possible.

In this household, if there was anyone who knew how to use medicinal herbs, it would be the First Madam. Honestly, Xiao Yue did not know what First Madam would think when she handed over what was left of her garden to her. She only hoped to express how sorry she was for everything that happened. After she left, they might never see each other again. Goodbye and good luck for the future. These words were so difficult to say.

First Madam entered the room with a blank expression. It was the first time Xiao Yue had grasped an initiative to come visit her. Previously, she only came when First Madam asked for her presence. Xiao Yue thus could not expect First Madam to act first.

Xiao Yue rose from her seat and curtsied in front of the First Madam.

"Elder Sister," she called.

First Madam took her by the elbow and pulled her up.

"No need for formalities," she said. "It is rare to see you come by my residence. Is something the matter?"

First Madam sounded neither furious nor condescending. Xiao Yue swallowed her anxiety and quietly said, "Elder Sister, I have removed all the plants in my garden today. I thought, Elder Sister will know how to make use of what I have harvested."

"Naturally, I did not include the wolfsbane," she added hastily.

'Or any other poisonous plants I planted...'

Yu Fen stepped forward, bowed, and lifted the bags up like some sort of a tribute. First Madam gazed at the pile and after some time, she muttered, "Thank you."

Xiao Yue nodded and turned her head to Yu Fen to tell her that they could go back, but First Madam stopped them.

"Wait. Chun Ya, I want to talk to you."

"..."

Xiao Yue nodded at Yu Fen, who then retreated and left the two women alone. First Madam gestured Xiao Yue to take a sit, but she disappeared into another room. When she came back, she brought a luxurious wooden box with her. She carefully placed the wooden box on the table between them and opened the lid.

The box was filled with all kinds of shiny pieces of jewelry of exquisite make. On top of the many giant pearls, golden hairpins and silver bracelets was a necklace made of colorful raw gemstones and colorful feathers, which were alternately arranged and strung together to form an accessory. Xi'an tribesmen had the custom to prepare hand-made accessories for their spouses. Each of the gemstones was collected during hunting in various locations. The feathers came from colorful birds in nature. All of those represented Xiao Yue's father's love for her mother. Although many people would ridicule her father for lacking the artistic gene, her mother still wore the necklace proudly day in and day out. Every time Xiao Yue's father came back from hunting, he would bring something else to add to the necklace. The most romantic thing Xiao Yue witnessed since young age was her father untying the necklace from her mother's neck, adding another piece from his plunder, and tying the necklace back around her.

Her mother wore the necklace until the day she died.