"Miss, the sun is at its peak by now. You really should wake up."
A cold breeze assault the young maid once she steps closer. Yun'er remembered latching the door leading outside the bamboo courtyard this morning, however, not only it is wide open now, the snow has entered and piled up too!
Against the soft and silky fabric which scattered on the floor, her mistress, yet again, buried herself in the middle and slept the day away in the cold floor.
'How stubborn,' Yun'er sighed.
If you wake her up in the morning, the second miss would pretend to be obedient and get up. She wouldn't utter a single complaint but then, she would turn to lay to the other side or on the ground and continue her sleep.
The young maid cannot recall when their every morning become so complicated.
"Eldest young master will be here anytime by now." Yun'er assisted her mistress to get up. The floor is so cold in the winter, of all places, why does the second young miss like to make a nest in here?
Like a child, Xu Xiaoyao rubs her eyes. She blinked a few times and stare at her servant's face. Realizing that it is Yun'er, she yawned and then lay on the other side.
"Miss!"
Suddenly, a hand tapped on the maid's shoulder. Followed by a deep masculine voice, she heard, "It's alright Yun'er, let your mistress be."
Even without looking, Yun'er recognized the owner of the voice. The well-behaved handmaid took a step back and properly curtsy in greeting, "Eldest young master."
Xu Huajie eyed her momentarily before focusing his gaze at the young lady sleeping in a pile of shattered clothes on the wooden floor, devoid of any elegance and aura of a proper lady from a noble household. He then kneeled down beside his second sister and with a coaxing tone, he said, "You always don't get enough sleep, do you?"
Not bothering to open her eyes, Xu Xiaoyao replied, "I'm in the process of growing. Sleep is essential."
In an instant, Xu Huajie chuckle. This little girl has been giving him the same excuse for years. Haven't she thought yet that next year, it'll be her coming of age?
This second younger sister of his is the epitome of laziness. Most of the day is spent sleeping. If she has time to go out, she rather adds that to sleep.
But she's just so delicate, soft and small. As an older brother, it brings him more delight than he expects when he dotes on this sister. He even wishes she would rely on him more.
He prayed--- that time could stop for them.
Xu Huajie fondly traces his sister's face and then pick her up from the floor. He mentally notes to personally send more blankets to the bamboo courtyard. His mother remained firm on treating Xu Xiaoyao with hostility. It made him unable to relay to her when it comes to this sister. Right now, he's the only pillar that his sister could lean on.
The moment Xu Xiaoyao's body lost contact with her warm blankets, she squeezed herself further into her brother's embrace, relying on him while also complaining. "It's cold brother."
Responding to her complaint, in a single large step, Yun'er got a hold on the sliding door and close it.
"What did winter do to you? Always acting like it's against you." He walked towards the warmer part of the courtyard.
"Bad things."
Winter has stolen many things from her and marked her end as well. It was cruel to the point that it took away the 'relief' she found and gave her another life she didn't want, especially when, she's this close to her 'rest'.
The thousand snow falling, dancing, and fluttering. Burying all her feelings and what she deemed as treasures. Turning her senses numb and yet unable to resist trembling from the small touch of the snow.
Once again, she witnesses her mother burial and her father promoting his concubine as a wife. Even though her mother spirit hasn't passed yet. Even though he promised he only have her as a wife.
The lies she thought she'd walk away from was present in front of her again. Tears weren't enough to pave way for this repeating nightmare.
Blatantly showing his love for his third daughter, Xu Rong sent his only di daughter to live alone in a desolated bamboo courtyard.
Her mother died; A new Madame came; Then suddenly, she's not part of the family.
Suddenly, in her father's eyes, she had become the antagonist that would destroy the happiness that they painstakingly build.
Way back then, she did all the best she could to gain his father attention. Studying the four arts, perfecting her etiquette, smiling softly, nodding her head obediently, bowing down to her sisters and even marrying to an unfavored prince in exchange of her younger sister.
She did not demand. She did not complain. She did not utter a single word of disobedient. But what did that gave her?
She walked towards her death. She lived only to die. And here she is again, at the start of that very path. The destination? Still death.
How naive. How tiresome.
"Help your mistress change her clothes." Xu Huajie instructed Yun'er. He gently put Xu Xiaoyao in front of her bronze mirror. "Ah Yao, your Hua ge will ready the carriage and then we will go out. Take your time, I'll return to pick you up once you're ready."
"En." Xu Xiaoyao replied; a lazy smile hangs on her lips. She closed her eyes when Xu Huajie bent down to plant a kiss on her forehead.
This older brother of hers still treats her like a precious child. How funny.
Once he is out of the door, Yun'er started to get busy on helping Xu Xiaoyao pick her dress. Her mistress yawned once again at her actions and then looked over to where the young master exited.
Xu Huajie, the Xu family's eldest young master. Xu Rong's heir and Xu Xiaoyao older brother from the new madam.
A prodigal son. Arrogant but useless. Had too many bad friends and can only waste money. His mother spoiled him and have no talent to back him.
In his first life, he marked the end of the Xu family. Thinking about it now, maybe that made it easier to deposed Xu Xiaoyao. An empress with no maternal family to back her is just like a lamb on an open field, ready for sluther.
But it does not matter, for he is now Xu Xiaoyao's to play.
Her new mother treats her like an eyesore, her sisters---from the oldest to the youngest--- bullies her, and her father is a hopeless case.
Then what about her older brother? If she is favored only by him, others won't be excessive. She's not his sister from the same mother and what he could give is limited. It's not too much that would cause her sister's jealousy nor as threatening to gain the madam's attention, but it was enough that she could hide in his shadows.
A man, acting proudly but nothing to back it. He knows it but will hide it in a facade of anger and arrogance. If you rely on him, wouldn't it make him happy? A few praises and acting dependent would make him give everything to you.
A poor man who wants some acknowledgment.
Such a pushover. His friends definitely have fun playing with this brother of hers.
Xu Xiaoyao smiled at the thought.
With few, slow, and small steps, Xu Xiaoyao walked behind the craved wood divider. She then raised her hands to the side and closed her eyes.
Yun'er bends down to untie her robes. The soft fabric slowly slid down on Xu Xiaoyao smooth skin and fall directly to the cold floor.
The second young miss spends most of her days inside her courtyard and away from the sun. This resulted in her white porcelain-like skin. Pair up with her usual mellow expressions, the young mistress looks exactly like a fragile doll.
The maidservant moved even more careful as she helped her mistress put multiple layers of robes.
"So...?" Xu Xiaoyao asked.
The cold breeze turned sharp, the bamboos rattled, a shadow formed and blocked the light penetrating the paper door.
A silhouette of a man respectfully kneeled outside.
"The third prince successfully acquired a peace treaty with the Great Lian. Right now, together with his army and Great Lian's crown prince, they are matching to return to the capital as per the emperor's orders. He shall be welcomed with glory and unlimited reward upon his return," the man reported, not missing any details.
Hearing about the Great Lian's crown prince, Xu Xiaoyao asked, "A prisoner of war?"
"This servant think otherwise."
"I see."
A roaring war consumed both Qian Empire and the Great Lian. For years, war cries could be heard miles away from the eastern border. The pitiful river that served as the border between the two territories has long turned red.
Once.
Only once did both kingdom compromise. And that too; was short lived. What came after is a war fiercer than the first. Their hunger for territory grew from the time they were hiding and sharpening their teeth.
"Mistress, there are rumors that the emperor plans to crown the third prince as the heir apparel to the throne."
Xu Xiaoyao's eyes darted open. Her mind darting back and forth to the events of both lives.
It was them. It was still them. The people vivid in her memories are still them. How could she forget?
The eyes that looked at her with contempt. The lips that curve upward with every tear she sheds. The cold faces that glance at her begging figure.
They are all still the same one in her memories.
And yet, the pieces don't fit anymore. A new passage opened and she walked in a different door. What she started was actually a whole new book.
"So tiresome," she mocked her life.
Xu Xiaoyao stepped out from the craved wood divider. She wore a thick brocade robe with wide sleeves. Lifelike peach blossoms were sown at the hems. The white garment brought focus to the flowers' joyful colors. Knowing that her mistress hated the cold, Yun'er carefully chose a fox cape to put on her. The fiery orange fur brushed on her face and created a strong contrast, empathizing her pale skin.
Most of her hair drapes down at her back and her accessory remained minimal. The lack of adornments extruded her lazy aura.
"Shall this servant continue to observe the third prince?"
"No need."
The man outside gave one last final bow before disappearing along with the wind.
The news of the third prince returning with the Great Lian's crown prince was Xu Xiaoyao's last straw.
Enough of him. She observed for years and already came to an understanding.
Her pitiful lord. Her ambitious emperor. Her beloved husband. That man wasn't him. She had long escaped from that man.
Truly, her life ended a long time ago.
"Ah Yao the carriage is ready." Xu Huajie called out from across the courtyard.
"En." Xu Xiaoyao replied softly. Whether her eldest brother heard her or not doesn't matter.
She walked a few steps before remembering something. Xu Xiaoyao turned to look at Yun'er and touched her face. A rare light glistened within her eyes as she said, "Yun'er, your mistress will get back your 'sisters' no matter what."
Yun'er direct a questioning look at her mistress who leisurely took her time stepping out.