Chapter 19 - A Lone Tree

"Yue'er.. Don't forget to eat well and take care of yourself. Don't forget about us. Mother will always remember you and miss you." Sadness could be heard in that voice.

A male's voice was heard. "Yue'er, take care and study well. No matter what, this is your home. We will wait for your return here."

Li Mei Hua held Jiang Ying Yue's hand with tears in her eyes. Next to her, Jiang Rong offered some words of advice. He was not a man who's good with word. Saying take care and study well was all that he could say.

Today was the day where Jiang Ying Yue would leave with Yan Hua.

Right after breakfast, Yan Hua came with a white carriage with him.

Three days ago, right after his visit, Li Mei Hua started preparing her things to be used during Jiang Ying Yue's journey. Knowing that she would leave soon, Li Mei Hua spent most of her time after lunch with Jiang Ying Yue. She wanted spend every single second she could with her dearest daughter before she leaves for two years.

Everyday at night after dinner, the Jiang brothers would visit her and spent time together. They buy snacks for her from outside and eat while chatting with her. She did not do most of the talking though thanks to Jiang Xiang being a chatterbox. They would laugh and have fun together.

Actually, soon her brothers would need to leave to their respective academies too. Thus, they tried their best to spend time with each other while they can.

Back to present, behind Jiang Ying Yue's parents were the Jiang brothers.

"Ai mother, she would only be leaving for two years. She will be back to us in no time!" Jiang Xiang tried to distract his mother. He did not want his mother to be this sad.

They all were sad too but they knew this was something that they must do. This was for their little sister's health!

Li Mei Hua glared at her son. "Hmpph! Two years is a long time. Losing a daughter is different than losing a son. It feels longer!"

'Eh? That is just biased isn't it? Wuuu mother is unfair.' Jiang Xiang lamented in his heart.

Jiang Qiu, being the calm and collected man he was slowly stepped forward. He handed a box to her. "Yue'er, we do not know your destination or how long journey is. This is snacks that we brothers bought from Sweet Savis shop.You can munch on it whenever you are hungry."

He was really reluctant to part with her and he wanted to hug her and wish her to be safe but he knew that it was inappropriate. He could just pray for her safety and wellbeing.

A pair of slender hand took the box slowly. Seeing it, Jiang Ying Yue felt really thankful. She had just interacted with this family not for long but she could feel their sincerity and love to her.

"Thank you father, mother, brother Qiu, brother Quan and brother Xiang for everything. I will remember your advises and will return home after 2 years."

Home.. she never thought she would say the word home here. But this family made her feel a sense of belonging. They did not care her ugly look and her untalented self. She had nothing to offer but they accepted her wholeheartedly still. At first, she was still vigilant but after interacting with them for a few days, she knew that these people were sincere to her.

Standing at the sideline, still in his white robe, Yan Hua opened his mouth. "If everything is done we should get going. The journey is going to be long and we are trying to reach there before dark."

"Right, go Yue'er. Your clothes and essential needs are already in the carriage. Remember to always take care." Turning his head to Yan Hua, Jiang Rong cupped his hands and made a slight bow "I would have to trouble elder Yan Hua to take care of my daughter in my stead. Thank you again for everything."

For a general to do that, that meant that he was respecting but humbling himself to the other person at the same time. Of course, he had his pride as a general. But he could not gamble the safety of his daughter. This child had been through so much.

Yan Hua's keen eyes moved to look at the general. His old face had a slight smile on it. "She is my one and only disciple. I will take a good care of her. Don't worry general."

With that, the master and disciple got into the white carriage after hearing a little bit more advises from Li Mei Hua.

The carriage was pulled by two Ignium horses. Even though the carriage did not look extravagant on the outside, the inside was a whole new different story. It was all white and everything was made from the best materials. Be it the tea cup, plates, cushion even the curtain was made out of the best material.

"Move."

After hearing the order made by Yan Hua, the coachman pulled the reign and the horses started moving.

Jiang Ying Yue poked her small head out of the carriage's window to have one last look at her family members.

She could see all of them standing there waving at here with solemn expressions. She waved back with a smile. Jiang Ying Yue then mouthed 'I will be back.'

Jiang Qiu and Jiang Rong were the only ones who could read her lips.

Of course, Li Mei Hua, being the one in lost turned to her son to ask about it. "Qiu, what did Yue'er say?"

Jiang Qiu looked at his mother with a soft smile. "She said she will be back."

"Yes, of course she has to be back. She is our daughter, your sister, where else would she go? Here is her home and we will wait for her." Li Me Hua said while waving at the fast moving carriage.

Soon, the carriage was no longer in sight.

Jiang Qiu knew his mother did not get what Jiang Ying Yue meant but he did.

When Jiang Ying Yue said that, he could see determination burning in her eyes behind her smile. He could see her desire to grow stronger. He also could see that she had already accepted them as her family.

At first, he saw her vigilance and distance towards them. But slowly, her smile turned genuine and lovely.

But.. even when she smiled, he could see sadness and slight detachment from everyone. As if, she was lonely and detached from the world. Like a lone tree on a huge empty field.