The road to the capital was long, winding through dense forests and barren plains, stretching seemingly without end. Yun sat on the rough wooden bench in the back of the merchant Zhou's cart, her fingers gripping the edges for balance as the wheels jolted over uneven terrain. Beside her were two other girls, their faces pale and drawn, each clutching a small bundle of belongings. They had barely spoken since leaving their villages, their shared fear forming an unspoken bond.
The cart's rickety frame creaked with every bump, and the horses' labored breaths mingled with the steady rhythm of their hooves on the dirt road. Zhou sat at the front, flicking the reins occasionally, his focus fixed on the distant horizon.
Yun broke the silence first, her voice tentative. "Where... where are you from?" she asked the girl sitting closest to her, a petite figure with raven-black hair and haunted eyes.
The girl hesitated, her gaze flickering to Yun before dropping to the bundle in her lap. "Shuanghe Village," she said softly. "It's near the northern hills. But it doesn't matter now." Her voice cracked, and she quickly looked away, pressing her lips into a thin line.
The other girl, taller and with a stronger build, let out a bitter laugh. "None of it matters now," she muttered. "We're not daughters of our villages anymore. We're... property." She spat the word as if it burned her tongue.
Yun's chest tightened at the bluntness of the statement. "What do you mean?" she asked, though deep down, she feared she already knew.
The taller girl met her gaze, her eyes dark with anger. "You don't know?" she said, her voice low but fierce. "We've been sold, girl. Sold like cattle. We'll be servants if we're lucky. If not..." She trailed off, shaking her head.
Zhou, hearing the conversation, glanced over his shoulder with a smirk. "Talking won't change your fate," he said, his tone laced with indifference. "Best save your breath for the work ahead."
Yun bit her lip, her hands trembling as she clutched the fabric of her skirt. She wanted to argue, to protest, but the weight of Zhou's words crushed any hope she had of denying the truth. Her father's desperate face flashed in her mind, his voice pleading with Master Zhou for more time. This was the cost of her family's survival. She had made the choice willingly—hadn't she?
The cart continued its relentless journey, and the girls lapsed into silence once more. The road grew rougher as they climbed into the foothills, the once-green fields giving way to rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation. Nights were cold and uncomfortable, spent huddled under thin blankets by a meager fire. Zhou allowed them only the bare minimum of food and water, grumbling about the expense of feeding "cargo."
On the third night, as the stars glittered coldly above, Yun found herself unable to sleep. The other girls were curled up nearby, their faces pale and gaunt in the firelight. Zhou sat a short distance away, muttering to himself as he counted coins by the flickering flames.
Yun shifted closer to the fire, seeking warmth and solace in its glow. She pulled out the small book of poetry her father had given her and traced her fingers over the worn cover. The verses within had always brought her comfort, but now the words felt like relics of a life she could never return to.
"Still holding on to that?" the taller girl murmured, her voice breaking the silence. She had been watching Yun from the shadows, her expression unreadable.
Yun nodded, clutching the book to her chest. "It's... a gift from my father," she said quietly. "A reminder of home."
The girl's gaze softened, and for a moment, the hard edge in her voice faded. "My name's Xiaoqing," she said. "Since we're all stuck in this mess together, might as well know who we are."
The other girl stirred at the sound of their voices, blinking sleepily. "I'm Mei," she said after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I was helping my mother weave when they came for me."
Xiaoqing let out a sharp exhale, shaking her head. "They don't care what you were doing," she said bitterly. "To them, we're just bodies to serve their needs."
Yun looked at the two girls, her chest tightening with a mix of fear and determination. "We'll survive this," she said, her voice firmer than she felt. "We have to."
Xiaoqing gave a bitter smile. "Surviving isn't enough. If we're going to live through this, we need to be smart. Keep our heads down, learn the rules, and watch for opportunities." Her tone held a fierce resolve that made Yun wonder about the life Xiaoqing had left behind.
Mei nodded hesitantly. "I don't want to disappear," she whispered. "I want to go home."
Yun didn't respond, her throat tightening. She couldn't promise Mei or Xiaoqing that they would ever see their homes again. All she could do was hold on to the faint hope that their paths might lead to something more than servitude.
The final stretch of the journey brought them to the capital, its towering walls rising like a mirage on the horizon. Yun's breath caught as the massive gates loomed closer, their iron-clad surfaces adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes. The noise of the bustling city grew louder with each step, the air thick with the scent of spices, roasted chestnuts, and the unmistakable tang of the river that wound through the city's heart.
As they passed through the gates, Yun craned her neck to take in the sight of the crowded streets. Merchants hawked their wares, children darted between carts, and nobles glided past on gilded palanquins. The vibrant chaos was overwhelming, a far cry from the quiet simplicity of Lingxi.
"Eyes forward," Zhou barked, his tone sharp. "This isn't a sightseeing tour."
Yun quickly lowered her gaze, her heart pounding. The cart jostled its way through the streets, finally coming to a stop before a set of imposing gates adorned with the imperial seal.
"This is it," Zhou said, his voice tinged with satisfaction. "The palace."
As the gates creaked open and the girls were led inside, Yun felt the weight of the palace's grandeur settle over her. The vast grounds, shimmering rooftops, and towering walls seemed to whisper of power and secrets.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead. She had left her village to save her family, but now, standing at the threshold of the imperial palace, Yun realized that her true journey was only beginning.