《《蛮族之花》 Flower of Wilderness》Yina_bubbles

8、第 8 章 Orchi

　　By the time Suyuan and Ayao returned from the river, the afternoon sun had already begun to fade. The fish they caught swung between them, and although Suyuan's clothes had long since dried, the cold from the river still lingered in her bones. They had barely stepped into the Orchid Courtyard when Suyuan noticed that something was wrong. The kitchen door was open, but there was no smoke rising from the stove. The courtyard was too quiet, and even the usual sound of Nanny Zhang moving between the rooms was nowhere to be heard.

　　"Miss..." Ayao whispered.
　　Suyuan handed her the bucket and hurried toward the main hall. The moment she pushed open the door, she stopped. Nanny Zhang was beside the bed, her expression grim. Shuran was lying against the pillows, her face paler than usual. A basin stood beside the bed, and the faint red stains at the bottom were impossible to miss. "Mother." Suyuan rushed to her side, Shuran opened her eyes slowly. She seemed exhausted, but when she saw her daughter, she still managed to straighten herself. "Why are you running? You'll fall again." "I'm fine." Suyuan glanced at Nanny Zhang. "What happened?"

　　Before Nanny Zhang could answer, laughter came from outside. The doors were pushed open. A richly dressed woman entered without permission, followed by two maids carrying a covered tray. Her gaze swept across the shabby room before landing on Shuran. "Princess, I heard you were sick."
　　She smiled.
　　"Since we're sisters serving the same husband, naturally I had to come and see you."
　　Nanny Zhang immediately stepped forward.
　　"Concubine Liu, Her Highness needs rest."
　　Concubine Liu didn't even look at her.
　　Instead, she walked toward the bed and deliberately uncovered the tray. Inside were several exquisite dishes, still steaming and the smell filled the room.
　　Suyuan's eyes narrowed. Shuran glanced at the food before looking back at the woman.
　　"You're very thoughtful."
　　"Of course." Concubine Liu smiled. "I heard the kitchen has been sending you leftovers again. How could I bear to watch the Khan's principal wife eat scraps?"
　　One of her maids quietly placed the dishes on the table. Suyuan expression hardened, however Shuran remained calm. "If you came only to show off your dinner, you may take it back."

　　The smile on Concubine Liu's face stiffened ,she hadn't expected Shuran to answer so directly. "Still so proud after all these years." Shuran adjusted the blanket over her lap. "Pride is all that remains when a person has nothing worth envying."
　　The room became quiet, Ayao almost forgot to breathe and Concubine Liu's face darkened. "You really think being the principal wife still means something?"
　　She stepped closer. "The Khan hasn't visited this courtyard in years. Even the servants know which woman he favors."

　　Shuran's expression didn't change, "Then you should be enjoying your favor instead of worrying about me." Concubine Liu's fingers tightened around her sleeve, she had come expecting to humiliate a sick woman. Instead, she had been reminded that Shuran still possessed something she could never obtain. Her title, her blood and her place as the Khan's principal wife. Concubine Liu's gaze shifted toward Suyuan.Her smile became colder. "Such a pity that she inherited your misfortune."
　　Suyuan stepped forward "Watch your words." Concubine Liu laughed "Why? Did I say something untrue?"

　　She looked Suyuan up and down "raised in Younis but never truly accepted as one of us. A princess without a kingdom, a daughter without a father who cares for her."
　　Shuran's eyes sharpened, "Enough."The single word was quiet, but it carried enough authority to make the room fall silent.Concubine Liu turned back toward her.
　　Shuran sat straighter despite her weakness. "You may insult me if you wish. But don't speak about my daughter as though she is something you have the right to judge."
　　Concubine Liu's smile disappeared, then she gave a soft laugh.
　　"Very well." She leaned closer."Perhaps I should tell you something more important."
　　Her voice lowered."The border has been restless." Shuran's eyes flickered.

　　Suyuan watched her carefully.
　　Concubine Liu continued, deliberately enjoying the unease she had created. "If war comes, what do you think will happen?" She looked toward Suyuan. "Xian has already lost General Su. Their greatest pillar is gone." Shuran's fingers tightened around the blanket.Concubine Liu noticed, "Ah. "Her smile returned."So you still care about that name." Shuran's eyes became cold, "Leave."Concubine Liu moved closer.
　　"You haven't even heard the best part, there are rumors that General Su's death was no accident."For the first time, Shuran's composure cracked. She paused, "and I also heard that other tribes will come for something really important."

　　Her gaze settled on Suyuan. "Perhaps this time, they'll send Khan your daughter."
　　Ayao's face went pale but Suyuan's expression remained still. Shuran suddenly reached for the cup beside her , the cup trembled slightly in her hand. "Get out."
　　Concubine Liu smiled, "What? Does the thought frighten you?"

　　Shuran looked directly at her, "No." Her voice was weak, but steady, "I'm simply tired of listening to a woman mistake gossip for power." Concubine Liu's face turned ugly, she abruptly knocked the cup from the table. It shattered against the floor, Nanny Zhang flinched.Suyuan immediately stepped forward, but Shuran stopped her with a glance.Concubine Liu looked at the broken pieces."Enjoy your remaining peace, Princess."She turned toward the door, "Perhaps the next time I visit, your daughter will already be preparing for her wedding."

　　The doors slammed shut behind her and silence returned.Shuran remained sitting upright for several breaths. Then, her hand went to her lips and she coughed. Once, twice and the third cough brought blood.
　　"Mother!" Suyuan immediately caught her while Nanny Zhang hurried forward with a cloth.Shuran's breathing became strained, and the color drained from her face.
　　"Don't panic," she whispered. "I'm fine." But Suyuan knew better , she looked at the blood staining the white cloth.Her mother's illness had taken another turn.

　　Suyuan lowered her eyes, the fish they had caught that morning still sat untouched in the kitchen.She had gone to the river hoping to prepare one more good meal for her mother.Instead, she had returned to find the first crack in the quiet life they had built.
　　Winter was coming and it seemed the cold would not be the only thing approaching.