A Wuxia Tale: Free

Final Goodbye

(Qing's POV)

Mei and Jiang welcomed us when we reached the border. They already set up a camp on the soil where the ugly raid happened twenty six years ago.

Dayu's father's grave is our first destination.

The children are happy to see their uncles waiting for us.

"Uncle Mei!" Hua immediately ran to her favorite uncle. Mei carry her. "Our lovely Hua. How are you, my pretty flower?"

Hua's face fell and she buried her face on Mei's shoulder. Mei was surprised. "Dayu, what happened? Why is my flower..."

"Later," Dayu said. "Can you look after Hua and Dao first while we set up the tent?" He asked my former second in command.

"Of course," Mei said and he carried Hua while taking Dao's hand. He took the two kids near Dayu's father's grave.

Dayu and I together with Jiang set the tent up. Dayu and I will sleep here as the children will stay in the wagon. The tent is made of long woods and a big wide cloth. While setting the tent and securing it, we told Jiang the news about Hua.

Jiang was stunned, "Blessed Buddha. How is Dao? What is his reaction?" Here is someone who thinks my son is so precious.

"Devastated," Dayu said. I winced. Dao and I had a talk while cleaning and washing in the stream. "He wanted to be strong like his Baba but Hua got it,"

"But you already explained to him that nothing has change. We are still a strong family," I said to Dayu. "I just can't believe that I missed it. Hua's strength."

"She was sickly, that is why." Dayu said. "Her strength didn't show itself until she is strong enough, her body and mind,"

"Dayu has a point." Jiang agreed. "But there is no point harping on that. What matters is that now you know Hua is strong and you can address that after dealing with...this..." he avoided looking at Dayu.

Dayu grew quiet. He is so close to his father's resting place. This border is being guarded by the Governor of SiChuan who is a close friend of Dayu's father and uncle.

After eating dinner, Dayu busied himself with the children. Helping them with preparing their sleeping bed in the wagon and securing it. I went there to kiss Hua and Dao good night then the children went to sleep.

The four of us, Dayu, Mei, Jiang and I didn't linger around the camp. Tomorrow, the Governor of SiChuan will come into this border to pay his respect to Dayu's father. We decided to sleep early so we can welcome him properly.

I snaked my arm around Dayu's waist while I spooned him from behind. He is silent but I know he is not asleep yet, "How are you feeling? What are you thinking?" I asked him.

"Nothing. And that is surprising. Before, when I visit this place, I always remember that raid. But today, nothing. I worry about Hua and Dao more. I am thinking it's a good thing we take them with us." Dayu turn around to face me. "Can you imagine it? What if we left them on the estate and Hua discovered her strength without us." He shuddered.

I felt my body's fine hairs rising too, just thinking that Hua being alone while she discover her strength.

I hugged Dayu. "Yes, it's fortunate that they are both with us when this happened."