Night had already settled when the sound of carriage wheels approached the gate, and I stood at the entrance with the others as we waited.
The red ribbons tied across the gate moved gently in the night breeze, and the lanterns hanging along the entrance cast a warm and steady glow over the courtyard.
The carriage came to a stop.
For a brief moment, no one moved, as if everyone was waiting for the same signal.
Then the door of the carriage opened.
Fu Tong stepped down first, followed closely by Fu Teng.
Behind them, Zhao Yin and Zhao Yue remained seated inside.
Fu Tong immediately reached forward and helped Zhao Yue down from the carriage, and although his movements were careful, there was a slight stiffness in the way he acted. Fu Teng, on the other hand, remained calm as he extended his hand to Zhao Yin and guided her down with steady ease.
Once both women stepped onto the ground, the atmosphere in the courtyard shifted.
They had arrived.
