Chapter 80
Wakako’s mind was flooded with fragments of memories she thought she had missed, but actually resided deep within her subconscious.
On the day the Eagle Kingdom sent assassins to attack the Kitagawa clan, when she rushed in with her last ounce of strength, she saw pristine white clothes, not a single stain…
Rika and the others had clearly failed in their duty, failing to protect the Saint, but they were still able to serve in the palace later…
The letter sent by the Jin clan, containing secrets about Miki, was somehow permitted to be received by Liu Siruo on her behalf…
In that dream she had after being poisoned—a dream devoid of any light—someone gently coaxed her. Then, the fresh scent of cherries mixed with blood flowed into her mouth, down her throat. Was that really a dream?
It wasn’t a dream.
She had actually drunk medicine brewed from Miki’s flesh and blood.
Wakako suddenly felt a surge of nausea. Before she even realized it, her fingers were already reaching into her mouth, as if she wanted to claw out what she had eaten from her throat.
How could she be worthy of drinking it?
Liu Siruo had anticipated her reaction and quickly grabbed her wrist. “Even if you try to vomit now, it won’t come out.”
The medicine had already been absorbed into her body, merging with her flesh and blood. Even if she were to open her chest and cut her open now, there would be no way to retrieve it.
But why?
Miki was so thin, almost all skin and bones. Wakako couldn’t imagine where she could have cut out a piece of flesh. She also didn’t dare to think, didn’t dare to imagine Miki holding a knife without hesitation.
Wakako stared blankly at Liu Siruo, suddenly saying, “In the past, when the Saint’s hand was cut by the seventeen-stringed zither, even if it was just a drop of blood, she needed to be comforted carefully.”
She had to suck it into her mouth and take meticulous care of it to satisfy her.
Miki was so precious and delicate. Her tea had to be brewed with fresh morning dew; if any step was off, it had to be discarded and redone. She wouldn’t eat food that had been left out for more than the time it takes a bell to chime. Even washing her face required assistance.
But now she had forcibly cut flesh from her own body… Just the thought of those words made Wakako’s heart seize.
How many cuts did she make? How long did it take for the wounds to heal and scab over? How much pain did she endure?
She had once said that she wouldn’t let the Saint get hurt again, but the only person who had ever made Miki bleed was her, from beginning to end.
Liu Siruo looked at Wakako, her eyes filled with envy, perhaps, or perhaps with a sigh. She said softly, “Now that you’re married, you should look forward…”
“How can I look forward?” Wakako interrupted.
“Miki took Miki’s identity to marry me, but can she keep up this pretense forever?” she said. “And with the divine punishment threatening her life, what should I do? Am I supposed to watch the Saint die before my eyes?”
Wakako’s voice gradually lowered. “Five years ago, I already went through this once… I watched her get taken by the Saionji clan while I drifted away on the water, completely powerless to stop it. I can’t go through that again, Senior Sister.”
Because of her inability to feel pain, when real pain suddenly struck, even breathing became a luxury, and her heartbeat would momentarily cease. She could never forget that feeling.
“Even a fair judge can’t resolve family matters. Ultimately, it’s a private affair between you two.” Having said all she could, Liu Siruo found it inappropriate to say more.
In the silence, a head suddenly popped out from outside the courtyard. It was Lin Lin. They had been talking for a long time, and their masters thought they were arguing, so they sent their junior sister to see what was going on.
Seeing that the atmosphere wasn’t tense, Lin Lin relaxed. With a swift movement, she flipped over the wall and landed gracefully. “What are you two talking about?”
Wakako looked at her junior sister, whose eyes were clear.
She said, “Lin Lin.”
Lin Lin was puzzled. “Hmm.” For the first time in the past two days, she had styled her hair according to formal customs for the wedding, without her usual swaying braids. “What’s wrong with you two? Did something happen?”
Wakako said softly, “I don’t have to die anymore.”
“What do you mean, you don’t have to—” she was instinctively confused, but halfway through her sentence, Lin Lin realized and then looked back and forth between Liu Siruo and Wakako, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Really?”
Liu Siruo nodded. “Really.”
Lin Lin was a child who always wore her heart on her sleeve. She covered her mouth and screamed, not even bothering to ask why, and jumped up happily, wrapping her arms around Wakako like an octopus.
“That’s great! That’s wonderful! You’re married now, and your poison is cured. Double happiness! Don’t we have to celebrate?”
“Hey, you… Senior Sister Siruo, look at her, she’s so happy she’s crying.”
Liu Siruo glanced at the damp spot on Lin Lin’s shoulder and said softly, “Yes.”
…
By the time all the guests had left, Senryu arrived at the residence and spoke with the Saint—probably about matters requiring the Queen’s attention. A carriage then departed from the back gate, taking her back to the palace.
Senryu didn’t leave with the carriage but came to see Wakako.
She bowed gracefully. They hadn’t seen each other for a while, and she seemed more mature than before. “Lady Wakako, don’t worry. Miki is doing well now. Regarding the matter of hiding it from you… she asked me to apologize to you.”
Wakako remained silent for a moment. Even someone as slow as her could tell that Senryu’s eyes softened when she mentioned Miki. “Is she planning to keep the child?”
Unexpectedly, Senryu shook her head. “No.”
“Why?”
“As Lady Jin said that day, the kingdom is still in danger. How can we think about settling down and starting a family? Lady Miki is a mercenary after all, and she wants to do her part.”
“You don’t care? It’s your child too.”
Senryu said gently, “This child wasn’t planned, and bringing it into the world might only lead to regret. Besides, I’m still too young—maybe not ready to be a good mother.”
She seemed to have other things to do and didn’t stay with Wakako for too long. But before leaving, she said, “There’s a Spring festival in the city tonight. The Saint wants to invite you to go.”
“But, she won’t be appearing as the Saint. Instead…” Senryu paused. “She’ll be using Miki’s identity.”
***
Spring was in full bloom, and the festival arrived as scheduled. Though the name sounded grand, it was actually just townspeople gathering to pray to God, hoping for favorable weather in the coming season. Especially those who lived off the land, who sincerely prayed each year to avoid droughts and failed harvests.
The streets were lined with more vendors than usual, and all the money they earned would be offered to God for protection. Especially during these turbulent times, more people attended, making it extremely lively.
Wakako had seen the Spring festival before, but she hadn’t paid much attention. Now, standing by the street and observing closely, she saw crowds bustling, children holding lanterns that lit up the night sky.
An unassuming small carriage stopped across the street. A familiar hand lifted the curtain, and even though she was wearing a veil, her features were vaguely visible through the gauze, revealing the beauty of a woman.
It wasn’t the Saint in white but her newlywed bride in red.
Miki walked towards her slowly. Perhaps because she wasn’t used to wearing shoes, she walked very slowly. When she stood in front of Wakako, she gently reached out, wanting her to take her hand.
Through the veil, Wakako could vaguely see her charming smile. “This is my first time seeing the Spring festival. I’d like to take a good look around.”
Wakako took her left hand. Not far away was a stall selling lanterns, with paintings on paper forming the lantern shades, illuminated by flickering flames inside.
Miki had a special fondness for peach blossoms, and even her favorite pastry was peach blossom pastries, so she immediately set her sights on it. “I want that peach blossom lantern.”
The vendor quoted a price, just a few copper coins, very cheap. While Wakako was taking money from her pouch, he noticed something about their clothes and smiled. “You two are newlyweds, aren’t you?”
Only a new bride would wear a light red dress.
Wakako paused for a moment, not answering.
Miki replied, “Yes.”
“Congratulations! I’ll give you another one for free, as a token of good fortune.” The vendor gestured for them to choose again.
“Thank you.” Miki lowered her head and glanced around, softly asking Wakako, “Do you want this little rabbit one?”
Wakako still didn’t say anything, but took both the rabbit and the peach blossom lanterns in her hands.
The vendor was an experienced man, and he could tell at a glance. He chuckled. “It seems like you’re newlyweds and still shy.”
Miki thanked him again, and they walked towards other stalls. She said, “Let me hold the peach blossom lantern.”
But Wakako didn’t hand it over. She suddenly stopped, her head lowered, staring at Miki’s left hand resting on her wrist.
Under the wide sleeve, the scar from cutting flesh to save her remained.
She wanted to ask Miki if it still hurt, but as she opened her mouth, her eyes welled up, and she couldn’t say anything. She could only turn her head awkwardly, avoiding Miki’s gaze.
Miki clearly saw it, but acted as if she hadn’t noticed. She took the lantern from her hand and asked, “Have you ever been to the Spring festival before?”
After a long pause, Wakako said, “I have.”
“When?”
“Before I was thirteen. Every time there was a festival, people would give more alms, so I often came here to beg for food.”
Beside them, children ran by in groups, laughing and playing, holding all sorts of trinkets bought with pocket money from their parents.
Miki looked at their figures, a hint of envy in her eyes. “It’s my first time experiencing this.”
As they were talking, they ran into someone they knew, a few women who sold vegetables in the market. They immediately recognized Wakako and waved happily. “Isn’t that Wakako?”
When Wakako was in the capital, she often cooked her own meals, and occasionally made some for others, so she went to the market quite often, and over time, she got to know these women who sold vegetables.
Naturally, they didn’t miss the person beside her. One mother asked curiously, “Who is she?”
“Are you dense?” Another woman teased. “You can tell from her clothes and veil that she’s her new bride! Only new brides dress like that!”
“Oh? When did Wakako get married?”
“This girl didn’t say a word, we didn’t even get to drink at your wedding.”
They were simple folk, their speech not entirely refined, their clothes a bit worn.
But Miki didn’t show any disdain. She said gently, “We just got married yesterday. There’s plenty of wine; it’s not too late to drink now. I’ll make sure to send some to you all later.”
She was chatting with the others like a real wife.
Wakako glanced sideways, watching the veil flutter slightly in the breeze.
“That’s wonderful. New bride, what’s your name?”
“My name is Miki.”
All of this was so vivid, so real that Wakako wondered if she was still dreaming.
She had never even dared to dream of such a moment before.
