You Are My String Of Fate

2.14 || Virtuous To One's Husband

As soon as Yuzhen and a few of his trusted men took the Liu family members out of Liulin town, he set course towards the north. He did not make his way towards the border however, knowing the Nan Shu Princes' men would most likely already be stationed there.

All he could do was to set up a few temporary lodgings, as discreet as possible.

In this part of Nan Shu, the majority of the land was uninhabited, but the terrain was rugged enough to set up a few small tents hidden from plain view. More so, their numbers were not many. In fact, a few of Liu clan's family members had perished during their escape, and none of their personal servants made it out of town.

Yuzhen and Liu Muyan had brushed their way against a few soldiers enroute, sent either by the Crown Prince or the other two Princes. After Liu Qirong and Anluo had told them about Hou Feihong's possible machinations behind the screen, Liu Muyan was almost sure some of the assassins sent their way were probably Hou Feihong's men as well.

Liu Muyan had lost his own parents during their escapade. His own wife and concubine received slight wounds, but none life threatening. However, Liu Qirong's father, Liu Bahe, was mortally wounded and was currently being looked after by Liu Ziyu.

When Liu Qirong entered Liu Bahe's tent, Liu Ziyu was wiping sweat off their old father's forehead. The person lying on the straw mattress was as pale as chalk.

Although they were not in immediate peril and had temporary places to stay, the humid weather as well as the scarce food source was not ideal to nurse someone back to health. More so, Liu Bahe was already an elderly man and lacked strength to hold on. The reason Yuzhen did not dare to continue their journey, was to give Liu Bahe somewhat calmer days. Everyone knew he was on death's door.

Liu Qirong and Liu Ziyu exchanged glances and nodded towards each other; the former with understanding, the latter with acceptance. At the moment, they were both just daughters of an ailing man, two fallen phoenixes chased by men who wanted to pluck their feathers and cage them, merely intending to display them as symbol of power. Liu Ziyu was no longer the Empress, Liu Qirong was being pursued by the three Princes and her own husband, each to their own schemes.

Liu Bahe passed away two days later without opening his eyes. However, each of his hands gripped onto Liu Qirong's and Liu Ziyu's hand tightly during his last moments. It seemed that he was aware his last two surviving daughters had kept him company during his last seconds on Earth.

Perhaps, Liu Bahe was fortunate in that sense. If he were to die during peaceful times, it was probably too late to summon Liu Qirong from the Prince of Ping's estate. It was even more impossible to summon the Empress Liu Ziyu to leave the Imperial Palace to look after him.

Yuzhen, Anluo, and their handful of men buried Liu Bahe. Neither Liu Ziyu or Liu Qirong cried when they paid their final respect in front of Liu Bahe's simple grave. The last blue jay bird, the very same one that had found Liu Qirong, flew away and never returned, as though it represented the passing of Liu Bahe.

With the death of Liu Bahe, Liu Muyan became the current leader of Liu clan. One night, he called the women over and told them his decision, "Regardless who comes out the victor, there is no place for us Liu clan in our Nan Shu dynasty." His tone was sad when he said 'our Nan Shu'. Liu Bahe and all Liu clan's ancestors had given this dynasty their all throughout their many generations. They had given their daughters away to friends and enemies alike, as symbol of peace, or as boon for the many generations of Emperors.

This current state, was what was ultimately given to the Liu clan's descendants by their Emperor: a thorough humiliation.

Yuzhen also spoke, "I don't intend to stay and watch who will become the new Emperor of Nan Shu. Ideally, we will return up north and you are all welcome to come and make your new home there."