Xun Er's Departure

Bamboo Forest Cottage. Dawn was breaking, and the room's window had been left open. A cool morning breeze blew in, making Xun Er's snow-white thigh exposed outside the blanket feel chilly. She startled awake.

Her jade hand lightly wiped her lips, where some stains still remained. Her mouth was a little sore. Xun Er looked at Xiao Yan, who was still asleep, her cheeks flushed and her brows carrying traces of springtime allure.

Tap, tap, tap...

The girl—no, she should be called a woman now—got out of bed, draped herself in a thin gauze robe, and quietly left the room. By the time Xun Er returned some time later, she had already bathed.

A faint mist of water still lingered on her face, while the springtime allure between her brows had faded. Her previously disheveled hair had been combed into a beautiful bun. She wore the purple dress she wore most often, simple in design, with only several golden patterns embroidered at the cuffs, lending her an added air of nobility.

The eastern sky gradually brightened. A streak of golden dawn shone through the window onto Xiao Yan's face. Standing in the room's shadows, Xun Er lowered her head to look at the sleeping Xiao Yan. A faint, contented, happy smile rested on his face, and so a smile appeared on Xun Er's face as well.

"Xiao Yan Gege, Xun Er has to leave first... I'll wait for you."

Xun Er's bright eyes suddenly dimmed. After giving Xiao Yan one final reluctant look, she picked up the bright red Wedding Clothes scattered across the floor from last night's Wedding Ceremony, carefully folded them, and stored them in her Ring of Holding.

Then, enduring the pain of parting from the one she loved, this bride who had been married for less