boyutpedia Chapter 199 Parting is the best separation
Chapter 199 Parting is the best separation
Before the palace gates of the Nanzhao Kingdom, the sun shone brightly, but its radiant light could not dispel the gloom in Xiao Nanyao's heart. She wore a light pink jacket, the hem of which swayed gently in the breeze. Standing there, watching Jiang You'an's departing convoy, tears welled up in her eyes, and her small body trembled slightly.
"You'an, little brother..." Xiao Nanyao murmured to herself, her voice trembling with tears, so soft it seemed a gust of wind could dispel it. Her eyes were fixed on the convoy that was gradually disappearing into the distance, as if only in this way could she keep Jiang You'an here.
Xiao Nanyi, standing beside her, also looked reluctant to part. He gently took Xiao Nanyao's hand and tried to comfort her: "Yao'er, don't be too sad. Brother You'an is just going back to his own country. We will meet again in the future."
Xiao Nanyao turned her head and looked at Xiao Nanyi. Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled out: "Brother, I know, but I still miss You'an so much. There will be no one to play hide-and-seek with me or watch butterflies in the Imperial Garden anymore." Her voice was thick with nasal tone, and every word was filled with deep reluctance.
Xiao Nanyao recalled her first meeting with Jiang Youan. At that time, Jiang Youan was still somewhat shy, hiding behind his father and mother, only peeking out with curious eyes as he observed the palace. It was she who took Jiang Youan's hand and led him around the palace, introducing him to every interesting place. From then on, they were inseparable, becoming best friends.
They chased butterflies together in the Imperial Garden; Jiang Youan was always fast and managed to catch the prettiest one for her each time. They studied together under the palace corridors; although young, Jiang Youan was very diligent in his studies and would humbly ask her and Xiao Nanyi for help with any questions he didn't understand. They also fed the fish together by the lake, watching them scramble for food and laughing joyfully. These beautiful memories flooded Xiao Nanyao's heart like a tide, making her even more sorrowful.
"Yao'er, look, that's a jade pendant that your little brother You'an gave you." Xiao Nanyi took out a delicate jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Nanyao. This jade pendant was specially given to Xiao Nanyao by Jiang You'an before he left, hoping that seeing the jade pendant would remind her of him.
Xiao Nanyao took the jade pendant and gently stroked it; the warmth of Jiang You'an still lingered on it. She held the pendant tightly in her hand, as if she could hold onto the bond between herself and Jiang You'an. "Brother, I will definitely keep this jade pendant safe. It is the most precious gift that Brother You'an left me," Xiao Nanyao said, her voice choked with emotion.
At this moment, Gu Liuli and Xiao Jingchuan also came over. Gu Liuli looked at the heartbroken Xiao Nanyao and hugged her tightly, saying, "Yao'er, don't be too sad. It's a good thing that Jiang You'an is going back to Xijing Kingdom. He's going to get to know his country, and maybe he'll come to visit you again in the future."
Xiao Nanyao leaned against Gu Liuli's chest and sobbed, "Mother, I know, but I really miss my little brother You'an. I'm afraid he'll forget me when he goes back."
Xiao Jingchuan also squatted down and looked at Xiao Nanyao gently: "Yao'er, no, your brother You'an will not forget you. You are best friends, and this friendship will not change because of distance."
Xiao Nanyao raised her head, looking at Xiao Jingchuan and Gu Liuli, her eyes full of anticipation: "Really, Father and Mother? Will Brother You'an really not forget me?"
Gu Liuli nodded gently and wiped away Xiao Nanyao's tears: "Of course, you can write letters, so you can know each other's situation and your relationship will get better and better."
Hearing this, Xiao Nanyao felt a little better. She sniffed and said, "Then I will write to my little brother You'an often and tell him about everything that's happening here."
Back at the palace, Xiao Nanyao went alone to the Imperial Garden, her favorite place to play with Jiang Youan. She sat on the stone bench they often sat on, looking at the familiar scenery and reminiscing about the happy times she and Jiang Youan had spent there.
"Little brother You'an, where are you now? Do you miss this place, and miss me and your brother, just like I do?" Xiao Nanyao said softly to the empty garden, as if Jiang You'an were still by her side.
Suddenly, a butterfly flew over and landed on Xiao Nanyao's shoulder. Looking at the butterfly, a thought struck Xiao Nanyao; she remembered chasing butterflies with Jiang Youan, and tears blurred her vision again. "Little brother Youan, look, this butterfly looks just like the one we used to catch. Do you remember?" Xiao Nanyao murmured to the butterfly.
At this moment, Xiao Nanyi also arrived at the Imperial Garden. He saw Xiao Nanyao sitting there alone and felt a pang of heartache. He went over, sat down next to Xiao Nanyao, and said, "Yao'er, don't be sad here alone. Let's go back to our room together."
Xiao Nanyao shook her head: "Brother, I want to sit here a little longer. I want to spend more time with You'an's memories."
Xiao Nanyi sighed helplessly. He knew Xiao Nanyao was upset, so he didn't force her. He sat with Xiao Nanyao on the stone bench, looking at the scenery in the garden and reminiscing about the moments he had spent with Jiang Youan.
As dusk settled, the setting sun cast its golden rays upon the Imperial Garden, draping the entire garden in a thin veil of gold. Xiao Nanyao and Xiao Nanyi remained seated on the stone bench, lost in their longing for Jiang Youan.
"Yao'er, it's getting late, we should go back," Xiao Nanyi said softly.
Xiao Nanyao then came to her senses. She stood up, took one last look at the Imperial Garden, and said, "Brother, let's go. I will cherish all the memories here."
Back in her palace, Xiao Nanyao sat at the table, took out paper and pen, and began to write a letter to Jiang Youan. She wrote down her sadness of the day, her longing for him, and the interesting things that happened in the palace.
“Little brother Youan, I’m so sad after you left. I really miss you. Today I went to the Imperial Garden where we used to play. The butterflies there are still so beautiful. I saw a butterfly that looked just like the one we used to catch. It landed on my shoulder. I wish you could see it too…” Xiao Nanyao wrote as she cried, her tears falling onto the letter and blurring the words.
After writing the letter, Xiao Nanyao carefully folded it and put it in an envelope. She planned to have it delivered first thing tomorrow morning, hoping Jiang Youan would receive it as soon as possible.
At night, Xiao Nanyao lay in bed, clutching the jade pendant Jiang Youan had given her tightly, unable to fall asleep. Gazing at the moonlight outside the window, she silently prayed, "Brother Youan, you must reach Xijing Kingdom safely. You must remember me. We promised to play together again in the future."