TRBDM -Chapter 203 The Boy Cries in Sorrow

Xie Lan didn’t stop what he was doing. “What nonsense are you talking about? The Long Princess’s Mansion is your home.”

“But the Lan Courtyard is my home too,” Xie Yu pouted, tears welling in his eyes.

“Mm.”

Xie Lan made a soft, almost imperceptible sound.

His hands moved faster and faster, quickly folding a pile of clothes.

“Let’s take some of these now. The rest can be sent over by the servants later.”

Over the past few days, the Marquis’s Mansion had prepared quite a few outfits for Xie Yu; they wouldn’t fit into just one bundle.

The room wasn’t large, but it was filled with traces of Xie Yu.

His calligraphy and paintings, his textbooks, his ink, brushes, and paper, the little trinkets he liked…

“Third brother, stop packing,” Xie Yu’s voice rose slightly, sounding especially loud in the quiet room.

Xie Lan paused for a moment, then continued his task.

“The Long Princess is still waiting, and it’s almost dark outside. If we don’t hurry, how will it do?”

Xie Yu, frustrated, stepped in front of Xie Lan, blocking his peripheral vision.

Xie Lan sighed lightly and turned to the other side to continue packing.

He worked intensely, as if someone were behind him urging him to go faster, faster, even faster.

“Third brother!”

Xie Yu couldn’t bear it any longer and suddenly pressed down on his hand.

“Stop packing. Let’s talk, okay? There won’t be many chances to talk after this.”

Xie Lan’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Alright… let’s… talk.”

The two of them moved to the desk and sat facing each other.

They were still young, and during their time together, studying had taken up most of their days.

On the desk were many memories.

They had argued there, laughed there, even fought there.

Of Xie Yu’s short thirteen years, Xie Lan had spent seven by his side.

During those years in the backyard, they kept each other warm in the darkness, giving each other rare comfort, supporting one another to carry on.

Now, looking back, it had been less than a year since they moved into the Lan Courtyard.

After enduring so much hardship, the two brothers could savor even a little sweetness for a long time.

But the Lan Courtyard had given them too much sweetness—perhaps they had consumed it too quickly—which made tonight’s unavoidable separation even harder.

“Third brother, the lessons Mr. Dong assigned today, I’ve already finished them at the Dong Mansion. Tomorrow, please hand them to him for me.”

“Mm.”

“Make sure the begonia trees in the courtyard get watered morning and evening.”

“Alright.”

“From tomorrow, I won’t be able to pay respects to my godmother. When you go to the Anhe Courtyard, remember to say a word for me.”

“Alright.”

“My sister-in-law is expecting. The gift I bought is in the trunk. I was planning to give it these days. Third brother, if you have time, please deliver it for me.”

“Alright.”

“If my eldest sister and Master Jiang get engaged, make sure to tell me. I’ll prepare a grand gift.”

“Mm.”

Xie Yu chattered on and on. He thought of everyone in the Marquis’s Mansion, even the flowers in the courtyard, but there was one person he didn’t mention—right in front of him.

He wanted to smile, but the more he tried, the more tears fell.

His mouth opened several times, but his throat felt hoarse; not a single word came out.

Thousands of words were stuck in his chest, impossible to speak in a day and a night.

Yet, he couldn’t say a single word.

A hand gently wiped the tears from his face.

Xie Lan leaned on the desk, reaching over to wipe Xie Yu’s tears.

“Why are you crying? Are you too happy?”

Xie Yu didn’t reply, only watching Xie Lan quietly shed tears.

He had a pair of exceptionally beautiful peach-blossom eyes, now filled with tears, making anyone who saw them feel a pang of pity.

Xie Lan let out a soft sigh and tried to comfort him. “It’s not like we won’t see each other. As long as we want to, we still can.”

“But I want to see you every day.”

Xie Yu finally managed to speak a few words, the grievance almost spilling over in his eyes.

They had always been inseparable. He didn’t want to see her only occasionally—he didn’t want to change the life he had now.

“Fourth Brother, some things aren’t just about wanting them,” Xie Lan said.

He had seen far too many helpless situations. They were still inexperienced, and many things could only be pushed along by circumstances.

Now that the Eldest Princess had officially recognized Xie Yu, Xie Lan was happier than anyone.

But the paths they were meant to walk were different.

Being able to walk together for a while was already a blessing. How could he dare to wish to walk side by side forever?

Xie Yu understood this simple truth, of course—but he felt so distressed that it was hard to breathe. Tears streamed like broken beads, impossible to stop.

Xie Lan withdrew his hand and sat beside him, watching him cry.

“Cry, it’s fine,” he thought. Sometimes, crying was a good thing.

Once he had cried his fill, he could leave without regrets.

The cicadas in the courtyard had fallen silent; the scorching summer had finally passed.

The early autumn breeze drifted in through the window, carrying a chill that mixed with Xie Yu’s tears.

After some time, Xie Yu finally cried enough.

He casually wiped his face, stood up, and quietly began packing his things.

Xie Lan’s eyes followed him.

Having lived in Lan Courtyard for over half a year, Xie Yu had grown taller—now reaching Xie Lan’s brow.

But he was still thin, the contours of his bones visible beneath the light fabric of his clothes.

After eating so many sweet soups, why hadn’t he gained any weight?

One of them remained still while the other moved. No one came to disturb them.

The servants of Lan Courtyard stood in the hallway, waiting for the two young masters.

Although Xie Yu wished time could slow down, all things must come to an end.

He placed the last book into his bundle, hands trembling as he tied it.

Xie Lan, who had remained still all along, finally stood.

He took the bundle, slinging it over his back. “Let’s go.”

Xie Yu kept his head lowered, footsteps heavy.

Passing beneath the crabapple tree in the courtyard, he reluctantly reached out and touched the trunk.

Xie Lan didn’t pause. Xie Yu cast one last, deep glance at the tree and then followed Xie Lan out of Lan Courtyard.

They arrived at the main hall, where everyone was waiting.

“Mother, I’m ready.”

Xie Yu stood before Zhao Lingchen.

Zhao Lingchen nodded. “Since you’re ready, don’t delay. Let’s set off for the Princess’s Residence.”

Xie Yu acknowledged this.

He turned to the people of the Mingde Marquis Mansion and bowed deeply. “Thank you all for taking care of me all this time. Xie Yu takes his leave.”

Wei Zhaorong had seen many farewells between life and death, yet she was still moved.

She lifted Xie Yu up. “Yu’er, the Marquis Residence will always be your home. If you miss it, come back anytime, alright?”

The tears Xie Yu had just stopped threatened to fall again.

He gave a bitter smile. “Yes, Godmother.”

Soon after, Zhao Lingchen led Xie Yu away.

To avoid drawing attention, no one from the Marquis Residence accompanied them.

Xie Lan watched Xie Yu’s figure disappear into the night. The tears he had held back for so long finally slipped from his eyes.

Xie Wanrou came over and held him close. “Lan’er, if you want to cry, just cry.”

Xie Lan buried his face in Xie Wanrou’s shoulder, his burning tears soaking it.

“Big Sister, I feel so sad.”

Xie Wanrou patted his back. “Mm, I know, I know.”

Sob, sob—

Xie Wanrou didn’t speak in grand moral lessons, and Xie Lan didn’t need them. What he needed was simply companionship.

The moon shone brightly, yet beneath the corridor, the boy cried with deep sorrow.