OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER (A WANGXIAN STORY)

Chapter 79

Lan Huizhong P.O.V

Mother got into a wagon at dawn and I sat beside her. "You can rest on my lap, son.", she said. I placed my head on her silk-covered lap, my hands clutching the fingers she lay on my chest. There was sleep in my eyes but I'm sure of what I saw- my mother was crying, silently.
I guess leaving was difficult for her too, even if it will bring healing.

We made several stops along the way; to eat and rest. Father stayed quiet most of the time we sat together and at some point, I wondered if he also wanted my mother to stay.

After many moons, we reached Grandma's hometown. Mother pointed out places she had not seen in years, gleefully sharing stories of her adventures.

This place is not how I imagined it. Sure, things had to be fixed, but it was unique in its own way.

The rooms were spacious, with brown wallpapers and beautiful cabinets.
The garden behind her quarters made sense; Grandma loved flowers. There was a huge mahogany tree with a swing, taking my attention off the color and fragrance- I'd never seen one this tall. "HuiZhong, I can give you a push.", Mother said.

" Won't Father be upset?", I thought it would be inappropriate.

"Xichen is discussing with the servants, I'm sure he won't mind. Let me carry you.", She picked me off the ground and onto the swing. I was startled by the first push, mother is quite strong.

" Hahaha, don't be afraid son, you're not going to fall.", She laughed when I shut my eyes in the upward motion. It is, after all, my first time...

I stayed in her room for the night, tucked under her arm like a little dumpling. Father was in the next room, meditating. I hope mother's jokes and our constant giggles did not disturb him.

In the beginning, I thought it was my fault- that I may have done something to make her mad. Then I heard Father say she couldn't take me along...that's when I knew I was not the problem.

Since I was little I had many people take care of me. Since I was little, people have been kind to me. But all I wanted was nothing more than to hear mother laugh, to make her proud, and stay by her side. And now, that wish had materialized; she was happy to hold me and I felt at home. Hanguanjun once said to me, that memories can age as old as time, depending on what we choose to remember and where we keep them... I choose to live in good ones like these; that way I won't forget, that I am not alone...

Lan JingFei P.O.V

There is that heavy feeling again. Morning is here, and they were ready to leave. Huizhong was all dressed up, trying so hard to be brave for me. He did well...

"A'Fei, we'll be taking our leave now...", Xichen seemed to be in a hurry. I did not mind. Even if he didn't keep his promise to me, I had faith that my son would always look for me.

"Lan Jiang, my darling. There are a million things I wish to say, but for now, what you need to hear is one; every day, just after sunrise and right before sunset, I'll be standing in this spot, waiting for you to walk through those gates.", I hugged my boy the fifth time. My son is the only strength left in me. He's the only one I'm sure I dont want to take for granted or lose...I can pull my weight because of him.

Straightening his forehead ribbon, I whispered, "Don't forget to take care of your father."

"Yes, mother. Promise to be on your best behavior.", my boy whispered back and then pecked my cheek.

"Hihihi, you don't have to worry about that son. Just come back to me soon.", I locked him in my arms once more.

Watching him go was hard but I was also happy. This is my chance to be the best version of myself- for him, the only one I should have been obsessed with in the first place...