As twilight deepened, the Jing River stretched out like a ribbon of white silk. Xiaopan's eyes traced the hori…
As twilight deepened, the Jing River stretched out like a ribbon of white silk.
Xiaopan's eyes traced the horizon, where Yu'niang, the boatwoman, was steering steadily toward the river crossing.
In the quiet hush, a soft, muffled groan suddenly escaped.
Xiaopan looked up at Lan Ao. Her face was ashen, cold sweat drenching her temples. She wavered on her feet, struggling to stay upright.
Xiaopan knew all too well the deadly poison that coursed through Lan Ao's veins, feared by all, and if anyone sensed something was wrong, it would only end in blood.
Not far off, the silhouette of Yu'niang's boat grew clearer against the river's darkening expanse.
"Be careful!" Xiaopan warned as Lan Ao suddenly leaned backward, and she caught her, hurriedly propping her up with her own body.
Reaching out, Xiaopan felt the dampness of cold sweat soaking through Lan Ao's clothes.
Quickly, she withdrew a pill from her medicine pouch and gently tilted Lan Ao's trembling chin, easing the remedy into her mouth. Stifled, ragged gasps mingled with the river breeze, brushing against her ear. Lan Ao's grown frame was far heavier than she could hold for long.
Lan Ao seemed to sense just how much strain Xiaopan was under and suddenly tried to pull away, but a sharp wave of pain robbed her of control, nearly sending her tumbling into the river.
Without hesitation, Xiaopan dropped to one knee, catching her before she fell, even as her own knee slammed hard against the rough stones, sharp gravel biting into her flesh. Yet she held on with fierce determination, refusing to let Lan Ao slip any further.
This time, Lan Ao didn't resist or utter a sound. She simply surrendered to the moment, quietly allowing Xiaopan to ease her onto a nearby mound of stones.
"You don't need to struggle so much," Lan Ao finally whispered after a pause. "If anyone finds out... I'll deal with them."
Xiaopan met her gaze silently, catching a glimpse of the boatwoman's approaching silhouette near the shore.
"Well, you two have been waiting quite a while!" Yu'niang beamed at them, her eyes crinkling at the sight of the silver she could barely hold in her hands.
Xiaopan nodded in return, steadying the still-shivering Lan Ao as she helped her slowly step onto the boat.
The river's surface rippled gently, and between the three of them, only the soft splash of oars breaking the water filled the evening air.
Yu'niang glanced at the two young women, one tall, the other petite, both quiet and reserved, then smiled warmly and spoke up, "My, this young miss is more devoted than most. Your little sister, is she?" When no reply came, she didn't let the silence fall awkwardly. Instead, she murmured thoughtfully, half to herself, "Aye, in times like these, nothing beats a sister. Sisters look out for one another, not like living alone or even with a brother."
"She's my daughter," Lan Ao interjected out of the blue.
"Your daughter?!" Yu'niang exclaimed and then discreetly studied them both for a moment. "Well, you must've found the fountain of youth."
"Found her," Xiaopan interjected plainly.
Lan Ao shot Xiaopan a surprised glance and then continued, "That's right. And she's a dutiful one, at that."
"Oh, I see..." Yu'niang's gaze softened with quiet acceptance. "No different from one of your own blood, I'd say."
The river flowed endlessly beneath them, and before long, one of the young women laughed a light, genuine sound.
And the other, surprisingly, joined in, their laughter rippling out like the gentle waves. Feeling a warm glow spread through her, Yu'niang struck up a river shanty to the rhythm of their laughter.
Soon, the little boat echoed with joyous laughter. Just sisters at play, Yu'niang thought, the kind with a bond deeper than blood.
Having someone by your side to lean on and share the journey, and then, no matter where you started, you've already found home.