章 15: A Good Friend

Xing left her home with her hand full of medicinal herbs. She looked at all the trees and shrubs and the singing birds around her. Everything looked the same but she felt empty. She walked mechanically towards the village pharmacy. The entire village was decorated in red for Haru's wedding. Everyone was in good cheer because of all the good things that happened that day from the Emperor's visit to the punishment of their oppressors.

Xing gave the herbs to the shopkeeper and he payed for the herbs praising her for giving the exceptional as always. He asked why she was still here. "The bride was already welcomed inside the mansion. The wedding ceremony would start soon", he smiled with his yellowed teeth showing.

That's right, Haru'd be waiting for me. That stubborn guy won't start the ceremony without me. Xing wondered what she should do and what would be proper. On one hand this is the most important day in Haru's life and the ceremony cannot be cancelled halfway and on another hand he had to be informed that the one he called mother is dead.

Mother! What should I do?

Xing rubbed her temples in an attempt to think straight as her head hurt like someone had smashed a big rock on it. After contemplating for a while, She asked the shopkeeper for paper and ink and started writing, 'Haru, I'm delayed. Start the ceremony. I will attend the banquet afterwards. If you are not married today, I swear I will not even look at you this lifetime '. Then she asked a kid playing nearby to deliver the letter. After she made sure Haru read the letter she walked back to the forest.

Not letting Haru know is best. That fool won't marry for three months if he knew her mother died, since it will be the mourning period and auspicious ceremonies won't be held during that time. Haru cannot wrong the girl who is entirely depending on him now. If the wedding ceremony is stopped halfway that would create unnecessary rumours bad for Shurei.

As she walked aimlessly in the forest on her way back, She remembered the things her mother said...

So I'm seventeen? But why did mother lie about my age.? Also why should mother wants me to find my father now after all these years?

She remembered asking about her father once when she was young which made her mother so sad. So she never asked about him again. Also with her mother, Haru, the animals and the gods, she had never missed her father. Should she really have to leave everything in here to find her father?

What if I don't like him? What if he doesn't like me or acknowledge me? What if he already had another family? She contemplated and finally came to a decision.

I'll listen to my mother for once. It's her last wish afterall!

Suddenly she realised she had left Chenglie and her mother at home. Her head spinned. What to do now? What are the procedures one sbould do when their mother dies?

It was dusk when she got home. She sent Pengpeng away. She saw Chenglie sitting with his hand on his forehead deep in thought and she could see his eyes were red as if he were crying.

"You are back", he said getting up and started walking towards her trying to look normal, but halted his steps seeing Xing unconsciously taking a step back as he approached. He felt like someone stabbed his heart. His beloved is hurting and is bottling up her feelings and he didn't know what to do. He decided to do what he can do - to stick with her quietly and watch her until she decides to opens up.

"Chenglie, I… I don't know what to do next. We should bury her right? What should I do? ", Xing asked softly that made Chenglie's heart skip a beat.

I'm here aren't I?

"Xing, I'll take care of everything. You don't worry, Okay! ", he patted her head, "But shouldn't you inform Haru too?", he asked.

At that time heavy footsteps was heard followed by Haru's shout, " Stupid Xing! Just because your prince returned, you had the guts to skip my wedding?... ", but seeing their expressions, he looked confused in his red robes.

"You…why are you here? Shouldn't you be with your wi..",before Xing finished, Shurei appeared behind him in her red bridal wear.

"What is going on?", Haru asked and walked in calling for her mother. He saw her on the bed motionless and froze. He cried with his heart for a while and bent and kissed her hand while Shurei quietly stood beside him patting his back. He then looked at Shurei and she nodded. Both of them kneeled in front of Xing's mother to pay respects.

"Mother! I'm married. Bless us! ", Haru said sobbing.

Shurei then went to the kitchen to prepare tea. Haru came to Xing with his eyes red. He knew his friend would be shattered to pieces now. He gently patted her head and said, " When?"

"Two hours ago, she suddenly stopped breathing", it was Chenglie who replied.

Haru nodded. He realised his stupid, selfless friend didn't inform him immediately as to not interrupt his wedding.

" Stupid Xing! ", he murmured and tears fell down his cheeks. You were thinking this much for me, even when your mother died?

"Did you finish the wedding ceremony?", Xing asked.

" Yes, the banquet is going on", Haru replied after blinking not knowing what to say of this friend of his. Stupid! Stupidly kind! Stupidly stupid!

After hearing this Xing let out a deep breath and refused the tea Shurei brought. And afterwards she was not clear what happened around her. She was staring at the floor when there were movements around her.

Haru pulled Chenglie outside after asking Shurei to watchover Xing. He told him that her mother had asked to be buried beside this house and a small engraved stone placed over her grave. Chenglie wondered why she didn't let her ashes to be delivered to Xing's father as it was widely done in the kingdom. But Auntie Ling wanted her daughter to meet her father, right?

When they got back inside Xing was still on the same position. Occasionally Haru or Chenglie would ask her something and she just didn't hear anything or responded. Shurei was sitting beside her silently. Hours passed by, and Xing looked at her mother's bed and she was not there. They should have buried her, she thought.

Chenglie pulled her by her hand and asked to light an incense to pay her final respect at her grave. While she was kneeling there, a teardrop fell in her hands. She looked up seeing the rustling tree branches. There was an owl sitting there. She didn't think much of it and did not know how long she was kneeling there but then she was pulled inside her home by Chenglie.

When she went in, the entire house was cleaned and there was hot water in the bath. She took her bath when Shurei asked her to eat dinner. She refused dinner and went to bed and fell asleep.

Chenglie and Haru were worried about her behaving this way. "Why won't she cry like everybody else and grieve?", Haru said while Chenglie sighed. He then told him he's taking her to the imperial capital city as per her mother's wishes. He explained everything that happened, when Haru asked the most important question, "So who is her father? ", which made Chenglie stunned. " She… Didn't say", he replied shamefully. How could a smart person like him overlooked such an important and basic thing?

"What? How are you going to find a single person in a big city whose name you don't even know with a hairpin? "

"It's ok, I'll be with her.", Chenglie replied determinant.

That's the exact reason I'm worried about. Even though she's a... She is the way she is, she's a girl. She's stupid and too trusting. What if this guy leaves again like before? She won't even hold on like before! Even back then she pulled herself together after much difficulty just for her mother and with her gone, Xing would be like a kite with it's strings cut.

"I won't leave her alone", he uttered knowing Haru's worries.

"Also.., another thing",

Seeing his doubtful look, Chenglie said, " I won't touch her before we are wedded and I promised Aunt Ming Ling I'll get her father's permission for marriage",Chenglie said with slight discontent. Geez! Can't you trust me! It's not like I would sell your friend!

" If that's the case, I'm convinced you'll find her father as soon as possible ", Haru winked. "You know, She's not like other women you may know. She looks strong and she is stronger than most men. She doesn't know how to ask for help and she's vulnerable too. Also she forgets to eat and sleep if she finds something interesting. Sometimes she talks without caring how it will be interpreted. She forgets her own needs when someone else asks for help. Overall, she's stupid and amazing. You cannot leave her alone for a moment and she'll involve herself in some troublesome issue. Of course she'll be able to handle it, still you cannot leave her alone. She still forgets to watch her back when fighting. So you'll have to be more careful. And the city people are different and cunning and an impulsive and straightforward person like Xing can never get along well with them and she may end up offending someone of higher status. So please stay by her side. Also she prefers sweets and she likes to drink good wine and... ", Haru went on with his list.

"Haru! Haru! ", Chenglie spoke softly to stop him. What was this guy speaking about.. Other women?

Where or when has he even spared a glance at another woman? But, He couldn't help but feel happy for the boy who had taken care of her all this time and loves her this much.

" Listen! For me, she is the one. I'll take her as she is and won't change a thing about her. There is no other one I consider woman. Are you convinced? And all the other things you mentioned, I already know everything about her, right? So rest assured, Grand mother! " Chenglie said sincerely.

Shurei blushed at his answer as she didn't expect such words from a cold looking person like him, which annoyed Haru as he got a bit jealous. Shurei pretended to not notice it and went to sleep beside Xing.

" Fine, remember your words. I'll hold you responsible if she is even a single bit unhappy in the future", Haru said glaring at Chenglie.

" Isn't today your wedding night, what are you doing chatting with me? Shouldn't you be with your wife? It's not good for a marriage, you know? ", Chenglie told concerned.

"That's impossible", Haru said sincerely and leaned on the wall and closed his eyes. He had explained their relationship to her yesterday and today when they didn't attend the wedding and with Xing only sending the letter made Haru worried. Seeing him worried, Shurei asked him the reason and she was the one who dragged him here to have a look. He knew Shurei had understood how important Xing and Chenglie are in his life and she had accepted them too. This had made him fall in love with her more and he had no intention of taking concubines or hurt her in any way. So there is no chance for his marriage to fail as he had a good wife and both are willing to try and work hard in their marriage.

Chenglie shook his head smiling and looked at the sleeping Xing. He closed his eyes but couldn't sleep as his thoughts wandered around.