Under the Bamboo Parasol

When Feng Yun enters the study, she sees madam Lin sitting behind her desk and reading. This time she wasn't reading the reports, but a book. When Madam Lin sees Feng Yun, she puts down her book and asks "Yun'er, you're back. How was the preparation?"

"Madam, all went well, I left them in madam's room." Feng Yun replied.

"Mm." Madam Lin nods gently.

"In that case, I should be on my way now." Feng Yun turns around, prepared to leave.

"Mm, this time when you leave, you will be gone for a while, I don't know how I will pass my days here. Yun'er, why don't you have a drink with me?" Madam Lin suggested.

Madam Lin did not allow for Feng Yun to say anything and called in a servant to bring them some drinks and pulled Feng Yun out to the courtyard. Moments later, a tray of wine and tea was placed on the stone table in the courtyard.

They both sit down and madam Lin poured a cup of wine for Feng Yun, then herself. The wine had an aroma of peaches, it was a milky white color. It smelled like a peach orchard during its time of ripening. The sent it gave off was light, and with a whiff, it could send a person into a daze.

This wine was one of the best in the world, it was made by the old man who spent his entire life, dedicating himself to the art of winemaking. It was said his life would be meaningless without the sweet aroma of wine, and that he would rather be on the road to the yellow springs if he was made to stay sober.

Feng Yun took a sip from the white jade cup, as it went down her throat there was a warming sensation that she felt in her body.

[Indeed a fine wine.]

Seeing Feng Yun enjoy the wine, madam Lin also takes a sip of the fragrant wine. The two were in the middle of the courtyard, with a beautiful scenery before them, with the crystal clear river reflecting the full moon that was the only source of light. If only they were in the middle of nowhere, with no sound of the capital, then it would truly be one to be remembered for the rest of one's lifetime.

Madam Lin looked at Feng Yun with dreamy eyes, as if she was trying to recall the past memories they had shared. There was the faint trace of a smile hanging on her lips, as she gazed at the person sitting across from her.

"Feng Yun, we have known each other for over twenty years, you still look the same as the day when we first met." She still remembered the day Feng Yun had come to serve her, ever since then Feng Yun had been with her. As time passed, she had realized that Feng Yun did not grow older, remaining a fifteen-year-old girl. She had never asked about it, like many in the clan, they did not question Feng Yun nor her student, she was known as elder Yun. Even Feng Yun's age was a mystery. Madam Lin treated Feng Yun as a daughter and teased her often because of the permanent stage of her youth.

"Madam, is there anything you would like to ask?" Feng Yun thought that Madam Lin calling her by her full name was strange.

"Nothing, Yun'er, I wanted to tell you that I have always treated you as a good friend." Madam Lin says as her tone went back to normal and raised her glass to give a toast to Feng Yun.

Feng Yun also gave a toast to madam Lin and smiled lightly. She had always tried her hardest not to form bonds with people. It would not end well in the long run.

There were just some people that she could not bear to push away.

Just like how the tides would be forever be attracted to the moon.

Feng Yun looked at Madam Lin who was beginning to feel the rush of wine go to her head. She had truly drunk too much. It seems that the old man should make lighter spirits just so Madam Lin could enjoy them more, after all, it was hard to stop after just having a single cup, for the taste was like listening to music in the heavens, one would never be able to properly return after merely a single sip.

"I should go now." Feng Yun said as she put her cup down and stood up.

Madam Lin gave a slight nod as she rubbed her temples.

Feng Yun disappeared without leaving a trace as if she was never there.

Leaving Madam Lin staring into the nothingness that was the brightness of the luminous moon that was almost as round and beautiful as a single pearl.

The only difference being, the moon was rare, there was only one of it, and it belonged to no one. No matter how much power they had.

In this lifetime, she would never belong to another again.