Chapter 9: Hidden Threads and Gentle Storms
The late afternoon sun stretched long golden fingers across the path leading from the woods. Su Yanyue stood at the edge of the clearing with a woven basket looped over her arm, herbs and roots neatly arranged within. The wind ruffled her long hair, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers and pine.
Behind her, the sound of tiny feet thundered across the earth.
"Mother Yueyue!" the triplets shouted in unison, barreling toward her like a pack of puppies.
She turned just in time to be tackled by three small bodies clinging to her legs and waist.
Yu Zhen, the eldest, looked up at her seriously. "We guarded the house."
Yu Feng grinned. "But then Heng ate all the candied chestnuts!"
"I only ate three," Yu Heng muttered, eyes wide and innocent.
Su Yanyue chuckled and patted their heads. "You did well. Next time, don't eat your guard's rations."
As she herded them back toward the house, a familiar silhouette came into view. Yu Shiming stood beneath the large tree beside the home, his arm still bound in white cloth, dark robes fluttering in the breeze. He looked like he belonged to a different world—a colder, bloodier one—but somehow, he fit here too, like a blade sheathed in a field of peace.
She stepped closer. "You're outside again."
"I couldn't stay inside with their shouting," he said dryly, glancing at the boys.
Su Yanyue narrowed her eyes. "And your shoulder?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"…Healing," he finally said. "Thanks to you."
She clicked her tongue, unconvinced. "Rest properly, or it'll reopen."
Her words were stern, but her eyes softened. Unspoken concern lingered between them—neither acknowledged it aloud.
As they returned indoors, Yanyue placed her basket on the table and began sorting the herbs into small bundles. The familiar rhythm of her movements soothed her. In this world she didn't belong to, these small acts gave her purpose.
Yu Shiming sat nearby, watching her quietly. "You know quite a bit about medicine."
"I… learned before," she said, hesitating. "I don't remember everything, but it comes naturally."
She didn't elaborate further, and he didn't press.
Instead, his gaze lingered on the grace of her fingers, the way she sorted, crushed, and bound the herbs with swift precision. Her skin glowed under the light of the oil lamp, her profile serene.
"Have you thought of what comes after?" he asked. "Once your business starts."
She paused. "…I haven't looked that far ahead yet. I'm still finding my footing."
He nodded slowly, then said in a low voice, "When the time comes, if you need someone to walk beside you… I can help."
The room fell into a quiet hush.
Su Yanyue turned slightly, meeting his eyes. The words he'd spoken weren't flowery, not romantic in the usual sense. But in their simplicity was a promise—steady, grounded, and without expectation.
She didn't answer right away, only looked at him, her expression unreadable.
Then she gave the faintest nod.
Before anything more could be said, the boys burst in again, each holding a large leaf over their heads.
"We're going to be warriors!" Yu Feng declared. "And Yueyue will be our queen!"
Yu Heng twirled around, knocking over a stool. Yu Zhen solemnly offered her a crooked twig, like it was a royal scepter.
Yu Shiming gave a low chuckle. Su Yanyue sighed—but her lips curved upward.
Chaos had returned.
But this chaos… wasn't so bad