At the entrance of the suburbs in the capital.
The afternoon sun was gentle but forgiving, casting a pale golden light across the streets of the capital.
Shen Miao sat by the window of a regular carriage. Though it wasn't as comfortable as the usual carriages she took her eyes were still bright, her hands tapping her lap in excitement.
She had thought that after her brother finished his meal, he would postpone their trip out to the next day but surprisingly he told her to prepare instead.
So, to blend in she had chosen a simple robe in pale green, her hair pinned with the light green bamboo hairpin Shen Yao had given her. Though it was simpler, its craftsmanship was exquisite.
Across from her, Shen Yao's expression was calm, his gaze drifting occasionally to the window. He had rested well earlier. And so even if the cold numbing feeling was still there, at this time it was nothing but a dull ache beneath his ribs, a faint chill in his fingers that he had learned to ignore.
He didn't really mind it.
The carriage slowly rolled through the streets, past stalls and shops, past merchants calling out to customers. The scent of fresh bread, roasted nuts, and drying herbs drifted through the open window. The city was alive, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to fade.
Shen Miao leaned forward slightly, her eyes following a group of children chasing a stray dog.
"Brother, look."
"Sit down" Shen Yao said glancing at her "this road is very bumpy .... you might get hurt"
"Okay" Shen Miao sat back down
Shen Yao then peered to glance out the window. Seeing a group of normal children laughing and playing around, their voices loud with no care.
It reminded him of the memories he had buried long ago
"Brother" Shen Miao said noticing her brother had been glancing out for a long time.
"I'm fine" he sat back down his eyes drifting to the windows again
He didn't say anything.
---
Finally getting off the carriage.
They stepped out at a busy market square.
The noise of the city surrounded them from all sides. The haggling merchants, clattering carts, the distant hum of a street musician playing a guqin. Shen Miao had covered her face with a thin veil as she walked beside her brother, her steps light, her eyes moving across the stalls. Xi Shu and Bai Yin following closely behind the two.
Passing by numerous stalls, Shen Miao finally stopped at a fabric merchant's, her fingers brushing over a bolt of pale blue silk.
"This is beautiful," she said.
Shen Yao stood next to her and glanced at it. "Buy it then"
She looked up, surprised. Her mouth opening slightly before closing once "It looks expensive."
"I know."
Shen Yao really couldn't blame her for this she had spent most of her life at the border and when she came here because of her status she couldn't move around as freely much less buy anything.
He really wanted to just buy it directly but respecting her decision. He watched her hesitate then turn to the merchant and negotiated a fairer price. There was a quiet confidence in her voice, a calm that reminded Shen Yao of her mother. She didn't haggle aggressively—she simply stated her price and waited.
Shen Yao frowned
These weren't his memories how was it even possible
By the time Shen Yao got back to his senses the merchant and Shen Miao had already agreed on a price.
She handed the bundle to Bai Yin, who had followed at a respectful distance, and turned back to her brother with a small, satisfied smile.
"Thank you, Brother."
He nodded.
---
After walking for a long while, they stopped at a small stall selling fried pastries, the oil sizzling and fragrant in the afternoon air.
Shen Miao bought two, handed one to her brother, and bit into hers with eagerly it had been a while since she had tried street food. The pastry was crisp and golden, the filling sweet and warm.
"It tastes good, brother should try it," she said, her voice slightly muffled.
Shen Yao took a bite. It was warm, crisp, slightly sweet.
"It is good."
She laughed—a brief, genuine sound.
"Brother, you're supposed to say something more than 'it is good.'"
He looked at her.
"It's very good."
She laughed again, and this time, he was amused.
---
After a satisfying lunch break
They wandered further down the street, their steps unhurried.
Standing ahead of them, a two-story local inn rose at the corner of the square. Its wooden facade was weathered but clean, and a few patrons sat at tables on the upper balcony, sipping tea and watching the crowd below.
Shen Yao's gaze drifted upward a bit curiously but then paused.
On the top floor, a figure sat alone at a table by the railing.
He was dressed in white robes, his posture relaxed, a cup of tea in his hand. His face was half-shaded by the balcony's impend, but his gaze was fixed directly on Shen Yao.
For a moment, they held each other's eyes.
Then the man in white stood, set down his cup, and turned away. He disappeared through a doorway, leaving only an empty table and the faint steam of cooling tea.
Shen Yao's steps slowed. He glanced at the top floor almost in a daze as if something was calling out to him.
"Brother"
"Brother" Shen Miao said snapping her brother back to normal.
"Yes"
"What is it, Brother?" Shen Miao asked, noticing his hesitation.
"Anything wrong"
Shen Yao shook his head turning back to the balcony.
"It's nothing," he said. "I just thought I saw someone."
She followed his gaze, but the balcony was empty.
"A friend?"
"No," he said. "Maybe"
"Not sure"
He turned away, and they continued down the street.
But the image of the man in white lingered at the edge of his thoughts.
---
The afternoon sun was beginning to dip when they climbed back into the carriage.
Shen Miao sat with a small bundle of purchases in her lap—fabric, a new ribbon for Bai Yue, a few scrolls from a secondhand book stall.
Taking off the veil covering her face Shen Miao seemed exhausted but content.
Shen Yao sat across from her, his eyes closed, his breathing even.
She watched him for a moment.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
He opened one eye.
"For today and for coming with me"
He closed it again.
"Don't mention it."
She smiled slightly and leaned back against the newly purchased cushions as the carriage rolled through the capital, the sounds of the city fading behind them.