Tie Hailan was struck with a daze upon seeing the scar.
He Su looked at Tie Hailan with teary eyes, subconsciously covering her arm. Her expression was a mix of sha and embarrassnt, as if reluctant to expose the scar. Yet at the sa ti, her face seed to recall sothing.
Tie Hailan’s heart tightened.
The Coachman Ah Ying said with grievance, "This wasn’t my idea, it really wasn’t my idea... It was you! Owner He, was it not you? How could you betray , how could you disown ?"
"Enough, Ah Ying!" Tie Hailan wiped her face. She was full of sha, but deep within, the scar on He Su’s arm had led her to a decision.
Coachman Ah Ying was instantly dumbstruck! She realized that Tie Hailan was planning to sacrifice her, to use her as a scapegoat to protect He Su completely!!
Tie Hailan turned her face away; she couldn’t bear to look into Ah Ying’s eyes. "Your family... I will take care of them, I will settle them well..."
Coachman Ah Ying fell silent.
Perhaps in Tie Hailan’s view, her words were a safeguard for Ah Ying, a promise. But to Ah Ying, they sounded more like a veiled threat.
She could disregard her own safety, but she had a whole family to think about...
The logic that you can’t fight against a stronger power was sothing she understood.
Ah Ying grimaced with a bitter smile.
Never had she imagined, loyal to the core, that she would end up less valued than an outsider, facing such a fate!
Ah Ying hung her head low, her heart deadened, filled with deep disappointnt toward Tie Hailan...
***
A succession of dramatic events unfolded today.
He Su, as if nothing had happened, made a token appearance in the court and was then acquitted.
Tie Hailan followed with a heavy heart.
He Su stopped in her tracks, suddenly turning to Tie Hailan with teary eyes... "Hai Lan, I’m sorry?"
Tie Hailan gave a wry chuckle, "I’m sorry?"
Her jaw tensed, and she grew cold.
Through today’s events, she had seen He Su’s true character and would no longer be deceived by her.
"You once saved from mountain thieves and horse bandits, for which you got that scar on your arm; today, my people took the bla and bore the consequences for you. He Su, we are even now."
He Su felt a pang of panic. She had always known that her relationship with Tie Hailan was her greatest asset. If Tie Hailan were to shun her, He Su would lose her most significant support and refuge should future troubles arise.
Then, she grasped Tie Hailan’s arm, crying uncontrollably, trying to use her tears to sway Tie Hailan’s resolve.
But Tie Hailan slowly, yet firmly, pushed her hand away.
"Let us part ways from here."
Ah Ying was his servant, yet He Su would attack her at will. Everything was commanded by He Su, yet she blad it all on Ah Ying in front of him.
Bound by a past lifesaving grace, she held back her anger. After all, she owed He Su.
But from now on, you take your "fairway", and I’ll cross my "Single-log Bridge".
She thought, it’s probably best for them to keep their distance.
"Hai Lan??"
He Su called and shouted, but Tie Hailan never looked back.
Thus, Tie Hailan walked away, alone and increasingly distant, while He Su remained, her expression shifting uncertainly.
In the future,
what should she do?
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