Night of the Broken Gliph

“Mummy, I’m going back to school now! Goodbye!” Lam Ming bid Aunt Sit goodbye happily. 

“Remember to listen to Siu Yim, okay? Take care,” Aunt Sit said benevolently. 

“Okay!”

“Thank you for hosting; I’ll take care of Lam Ming,” Chui Yim said, bowing towards Aunt Sit. 

It was dark outside now. The pair of children walked towards Southary under the bright moonlight. 

“I should have told the coachman to stay…”

“Hmm… If I can get a discount by making him a bun, I’m going to make uncle coachman ten next time…”

“Lam Ming, you’re getting craftier…” 

After Lam Ming and Chui Yim left, silence fell over the house again, leaving only the candlelight to sway with the wind. Aunt Sit stared at candlelight, spacing out. 

It’s been ten years. After running and hiding for ten years, the son of an old friend suddenly showed up. 

What does it mean? 

Aunt Sit sighed to herself softly; she had a bad feeling. 

But what she didn’t know was that a thousand metres away from the house stood three men. Surprisingly, at the exact same time, the man in the middle let out a sigh. “It’s been ten years… Is she going to continue running?” 

“Your majesty…” A man next to him called out respectfully. But before he finished his words, the man in the middle raised his hand. “We aren’t in the palace; there’s no need to address me in such a manner.” 

“Lord, we’ve confirmed that Sit Ting’s inside,” the man paused before answering respectfully. 

On the other hand, the third man remained silent throughout the conversation, as if it had nothing to do with him. 

“Sit Ting… Let’s go.” 

As soon as he finished speaking, the trio teleported to the white crushed rock path outside the house. Crackling sounds could be heard as they landed, alerting the silhouette behind the paper window. 

“May I ask what brings me visitors this late into the night?” Sit Ting’s voice rang through the paper window. 

“Siu Ting, it’s me.” 

Sit Ting trembled at the voice, but she calmed down after some time. “Sit Ting has already left South Imperial City for ten years; I no longer have anything to do with the city now.”

“The connection between us isn’t something that could be erased with just ten years. I have been waiting for your return every day for the past ten years.”

Both of them communicated through the paper window, looking at each other’s silhouette through the window. 

They both had the ability to remove the paper window easily, but it was as if they were trying to maintain a distance from each other. 

“Sit Ting knows well that I don’t have such luck, so I didn’t think much about it. All I wish for is to lead the rest of my life peacefully.” 

“There are things you need to strive for your desired outcome.” 

“If I do, then I’m no longer Sit Ting.” 

The man outside the house kept silent, trying to understand what she implied. After some time, he let out a sneer at himself. “I can get anything I want in this world, except the woman I love.” 

“A marriage bond with a man of power leads to an unknown world, let alone the palace,” Sit Ting replied in a low voice.

But the man didn’t give up and continued, “I have already spent ten years regretting it, and I’m not planning to give up once again. Sit Ting, if you return with me, I promise to overcome all obstacles to grant you the identity you deserve.” 

Through the paper window, Sit Ting could be seen coming to a pause. 

After some time, she spoke slowly, “Maybe you’re just ten years late. If you told Sit Ting this before she left, she might have never left.” 

The man’s face turned as pale as a sheet of paper. The man on his right supported him immediately, and the man on the left wanted to shout in anger, but the man in the middle stopped him. 

“You’re right. I thought that my preparation for ten years was to fetch you back when in fact, it was ten years for you to give up on me.” The man sighed sadly after a long pause.

“We might never meet again after today. Take care, Sit Ting. The best blessing to me is the knowledge that my dearest is leading a good life.” 

Next to the candlelight, Sit Ting was already in tears, but she held back her sobs. Her silhouette didn’t move even slightly, and she spoke calmly. “May you be well, Sit Ting will pray for the emperor’s health every day.” 

The man sighed and turned to his left. “Let’s go.”

The man nodded and put his hand softly on the other’s shoulder as they disappeared, leaving only faint footprints on the crushed rocks and a crying woman, the only sign they were ever here.