A long time passed...
Only then did Li Yanshang speak again, his voice somewhat low. "Mr. Cao, I'm afraid you won't be able to see them..."
"What?!"
Cao Wenzhao froze at those words, then sprang to his feet. The teacup shattered in his grip, but he did not even notice the scalding tea spilling over his hand.
He stared fixedly at Li Yanshang. "Steward... what do you mean by that?"
Li Yanshang heaved a long sigh. "Mr. Cao, to tell you the truth, over thirty years ago, our Li Family was still struggling to establish itself in Baihe County, surrounded by powerful enemies. Young Master Yanzong was exceptionally gifted. He was the patriarch's only son and the hope for our entire lineage's future. Lady Yueying was educated and gracious, gentle and virtuous, and she and the young master shared a deep devotion. Yet storms can rise without warning..."
He paused. "Not long after you received that letter, Young Master Yanzong and Lady Yueying were ambushed by an enemy faction while away from home..."
Cao Wenzhao swayed, nearly collapsing to the floor.
"They both lost their lives."
Every word Li Yanshang spoke cut into Cao Wenzhao's flesh like a knife. "It was a tragedy for our Li Family, and an everlasting pain in the old patriarch's heart. For that very reason, few in the lineage dare mention the young master or his wife by name, for fear of reopening the wounds of the old patriarch and our current patriarch."
"Dead... Yueying... dead..."
Cao Wenzhao repeated the words, utterly lost, as the last light in his eyes faded away.
His sister's laughter in her youth, her tearful yet resolute gaze when they parted, her promise in the letter that she would "come back to see you once we've found our footing."
With