The sounds of someone walking down the corridor made the both of us jolt.
The Dowager scrambled up onto her feet, wiping her cheeks and straightening her robes.
She headed to the table across us in time just as Zheng came through the door.
"Mother, how is -"
My husband stopped speaking when his eyes found me sitting up against the pillows on my back.
He looked horrible. The dark eye bags and messy dragon robes made my heart ache.
"Qingqing - " His voice was strangled, but I smiled and reached my hand out to him.
Zheng dashed over, the relief and pain he felt all on his face.
He sat down next to me, his hands fisting his robes as he tried not to throw his arms around me. I took his hands, thankful that he was holding himself back.
My back felt like it could break at any moment.
"I'm here," I said softly. Zheng broke down in tears, pressing my hands to his lips as he cried. I tugged him close, wrapping my arms around him instead.
