As soon as his uncle left, taking all his people with him, and Chu Ming disappeared from sight, Chu Yun's mother deflated like a paper lantern, crumpling against the wall while raising a hand to her trembling chest.
Chu Yun had never seen his mother look so wan. He rushed to her side, to help her stand, worried she might faint. In his worry he had forgotten about her cruel words the day before.
She looked up at him, and her beautiful eyes filled with tears. She clung to his hand tightly, and whispered, "Walk with me."
Chu Yun shot Xiao Zai a look from behind his shoulder, who nodded in acknowledgement. They needed to talk too, and soon, but first Chu Yun would see to his mother. After all, he would be leaving very soon.
She waited until they were in one of the smaller courtyards, far away from the hot springs as well as from the hustle of servants moving from one pavilion to the next, and took a seat on a stone bench beneath the shade of a pear tree.
