Daiyu had been leaning against one of the pavilion pillars, a plain white silk handkerchief pinched between her fingers as she stared blankly at the distant clouds.
"!!"
The moment those words reached her ears, her delicate body stiffened. Only then did she slowly turn her head.
Her misty, smoke-like eyes swept over Tanchun for a moment. The corners of her lips curved in a smile that was not quite a smile, and after a long pause, she spoke in a soft, even voice:
"Ah—"
"If Third Sister wishes to return to that residence, then go."
"Could I possibly stop you?"
She paused, winding the handkerchief around her fingers. Her tone grew ever gentler, yet her expression carried an indescribably strange meaning.
After a while, she nodded slightly and shot Tanchun a sidelong glance before continuing slowly:
"After all, over there you have Madam, Second Sister-in-law Lian, all those respectable relatives, endless silks and satins to wear, and endless delicacies from land and sea to eat... It must be so much better than staying in this dull place of mine."
"Only..."
By then, Tanchun had already sensed that something was off in Daiyu's words. Just as she was about to speak, Daiyu suddenly turned her face away, covered the corner of her mouth with her handkerchief, and gave a light cough. Then, in a voice tinged with restrained sobs, she murmured:
"Why are you telling me this?"
"When have I ever stopped you from going home? Go ahead and take your leave. I can only blame myself for making you suffer such grievance here."
"However—"
"Once you leave, don't come back again."
"This was always a dull place, remote and lonely. It may keep a person here, but it cannot keep their heart."
"Once you go, it will be cleaner