56 Flashback - The woman in the imperial gardens (5)

Trigger warning: Mentions of child abuse and suicide.

Ji Mo Yuan didn't know how he walked back to his Eastern Palace. Time seemed to stand still and the world had fallen to a deep silence. Inwardly, he knew it was nothing but his subconscious desire to escape reality and already he could see shadows grow and shift around him. People bowed to him as he passed by them, the trees and flowers outside swayed along with the wind, and Tang Lu's mouth was moving. However, Ji Mo Yuan heard nothing but his own mind screaming in anguish.

Ji An was dead. Had been for three days now. His son was gone. Forever. Leaving nothing but regrets and guilt behind.

Standing in front of the gates of the palace, Ji Mo Yuan ignored the two guards and crossed the heavy, open doors. Following him, Tang Lu wrung his hands together nervously.