The Crane of Bygone Years - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

An imperial decree came from the palace, inviting the Marquis inside to admire the plum blossoms.

When Xie Yun came to find me, I was feeding the fish by the pond.

“Xique.” He stood behind me, his expression grave, though his voice was gentle. “There will be a banquet in the palace at the end of the month. Would you like to go with me?”

I turned back, my eyes lighting up. “Someone like me… can go too?”

“You are my sister. Of course you can.” He paused. “When the time comes, all the talented young gentlemen and ladies of the capital will be gathered there. You are of age as well, so it would be a good chance to… see if anyone catches your eye. Your brother will help you judge them.”

My brother was so good to me.

Blushing, I nodded.

By dusk, dark clouds pressed overhead.

Muffled thunder rolled through the clouds, sounding just like the whimper of a trapped beast.

I sat by the window, watching the sky darken bit by bit, and suddenly remembered something Mother had once said.

She said my brother suffered from a condition that made his mind lose itself.

When he was three, a flood struck our hometown. Father was trying to save us when a collapsing roof beam hit him. His body was only found three days later downstream.

My brother had watched Father drown with his own eyes. From then on, whenever there was thunder and rain, he would run a high fever, have nightmares, and talk deliriously through the night.

“The night your brother was taken away was a stormy night just like this.” Mother had stroked my head, her eyes reddening. “I held you in my arms and watched that nobleman’s carriage disappear into the rain. I kept thinking… when your brother has nightmares again, will there still be someone to brew him calming soup and pat his back, telling him not to be afraid?”

At the thought, I shot to my feet.

I went to the kitchen and brewed a bowl of ginger tea to soothe the nerves, then carried the tray toward Xie Yun’s main courtyard.

Shishu was standing guard outside. The lanterns beneath the eaves swayed in the wind, casting his face in a pale light.

“Miss?” He froze when he saw me.

I pointed at the bowl in my hands, then at the tightly shut door.

Shishu hesitated. His gaze lingered on my face for a long while.

Who knew what occurred to him, but he silently stepped aside and said in a low voice, “The Marquis… has already retired. If you insist on bringing it in, then go ahead. Just… do not disturb him.”

I nodded and gently pushed the door open.

There were no lamps lit inside.

Only the occasional flash of lightning from outside illuminated the room for an instant.

Xie Yun was curled up on the inner side of the bed, his back to the door, his whole body drawn into a tight ball.

I softened my steps and walked over, setting the tray on the small table by the bed. Then I reached out, wanting to check his forehead.

My wrist was suddenly seized hard.

The force was so great it nearly crushed my bones.

I cried out in pain, and my whole body was dragged down by a tremendous force.

The world spun. My back slammed heavily onto the bed.

Xie Yun flipped over and pinned me beneath him, one hand clamping around my throat.

Lightning flashed, illuminating his face.

His loose hair was soaked with cold sweat, clinging to his pale temples.

Xie Yun’s eyes were bloodshot. He could no longer recognize anyone.

“B-Brother…” I was so frightened my voice changed pitch. “It’s me, Xique…”

Xie Yun’s pupils focused slightly.

He stared at my face. The hand around my neck loosened, though it still hovered there, half-circling my throat.

“Who allowed you to come in?” His voice was terribly hoarse.

“I… I was worried about you.” I swallowed and tried to keep my voice steady. “It’s thundering, so I made some calming soup…”

Xie Yun said nothing. He only stared fixedly at me.

Another crash of thunder exploded outside. His body shuddered violently, and the crimson in his eyes deepened.

I did not know where I found the courage, but I raised the hand he was not holding and gently patted his back.

Once, then again.

Just like Mother had soothed me when I was little, slow and gentle.

“Don’t be scared, don’t be scared…” I murmured softly. “The Thunder God only sneezed. It’ll pass in a moment…”

Xie Yun’s forehead rested against my shoulder, and his body gradually relaxed.

I kept patting his back and began humming the nursery rhyme Mother used to hum.

After who knew how long, the thunder gradually faded, and the rain eased.

Xie Yun’s breathing became much steadier.

I let out a breath of relief. My limbs went slack, and I fell into a deep sleep.

In a daze, I felt an icy-cold hand brush, ever so lightly, over the sweat-damp hair on my forehead.