Chapter 13 — Her Road Is Still Long

It's still a cold cup of tea.

“I don't hate you.”

“But I don't need your apology anymore.”

He stopped. I turned around and walked down the steps. The carriage is waiting outside the second gate. Tham Quy Bach led his gray horse and stood next to the carriage. Seeing me coming, he didn't say anything. We boarded the carriage. Before the curtains fell, I saw Tham Thanh Tu still standing in the hallway. His back was stretched far away by the moonlight. Both long and thin. Loneliness and loneliness. Like a late autumn sycamore. When we returned to Trang Thanh Tuyen, it was already late at night. Tham Quy Bach did not leave. He tied his horse under a persimmon tree and stood in the yard for a while. The yellow dog recognized him. Run out from the nest and rub against his leg.

“Why don't you come inside?”

I stood at the door and asked him. He turned around. The moonlight outlined his eyebrows and the bridge of his nose into clear, bright lines. He was silent for a moment. Then he took out a cloth bundle from his chest.

“For her.”

I received it and opened it. Inside are two packets of medicinal herbs... One packet of astragalus. One package of dong quai. There is also a square folded piece of paper. I opened that paper. It's a map. The map clearly shows the official road from Trang Thanh Tuyen to the south. Along the way, there are clearly marked service stations, ferry wharves, along with a few citadels with medicinal markets. The ink is still very new. It was drawn by his own hand. In the corner of the map there is a line of small letters. Elegant, sturdy handwriting:

“This place has the medicinal herb that Tiet To Van once mentioned, you can go there and pick it.”

I hold the map tightly. Fingertips trembled slightly.

“Since when do you draw?”

“Last month.”

He tucked his hands into his sleeves.

“Miss Tiet once said she wanted to go south to pick some herbs that were only available in the south.”

“I thought about it again and again.”

“I feel like going with her would be better than staying in this manor forever.”

“That's why you drew this map?”

He drew that diagram so meticulously that it couldn't have been more meticulous. Each station along the way is clearly marked. Each location of the drug markets is carefully delineated. More thoughtful than any map we have ever seen. But when he said those words, his tone remained calm as usual. It's like saying that the weather is very nice today. I look at him. Three months ago, he was all wet and knelt next to me, his hands constantly patting my back, saying:

“Release the water.”

Over the past three months, he has come once every ten days. Bring medicine. Bring news. Now he gave me a map. Tell me and Tiet To Man to go south. He did a lot of things. But never said anything.

“Second cousin.”

I folded the map and held it in the palm of my hand.

“Why do you always help me like that?”

He smiled softly. That smile is a bit tired. But very sincere. Moonlight covered his whole body. Making those eyebrows and eyes appear more clearly than ever in the silver light. There was an emotion in those eyes that I couldn't understand. Like regret. It's like peace again. He called my name.

“Just keep moving forward.”

“Her road is still very long.”

After speaking, he turned and left. The gray horse is tied under the persimmon tree. He took off the reins. Flip onto the horse. Seamless movement fluency. The sound of horse hooves rang out in the night. From near to far. Gradually, the sound of chirping insects was swallowed up. I stand in front of the hospital gate. Look at his back as he walks away. Mother Tong poked her head out from inside the room.

“Miss Bieu, has the Second Young Master gone?”

"It's not safe for Second Young Master to return to the city alone in the middle of the night like this."

I said nothing. Then go back into the room. Tiet To Van was lying on his side on a chair reading medical books. Seeing me walk in, she immediately asked.

“What are the results of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet?”

“Eating brings out purity.”

I gave her the leftovers.

“Check this out.”

She took it and opened it. Just one look and he immediately sat up.

“This is…”

“Drawed by Tham Quy Bach.”

She watched from beginning to end. From the end, look back to the beginning.