"Mama!"
Mò Lián called out in her sleep.
The night lantern flickered and went out.
Her body twisted beneath the blankets, drenched in sweat.
"Mama!"
She jerked up, panting.
The door flew open.
"Lián?" her grandmother cried, rushing to her side.
Mò Lián fell into her grandma's arms.
"It's a bad dream, I'm here!" She held Mò Lián's quivering fingers.
"Your body is so cold."
"Lián?" Her grandfather stood at the edge of the bed.
He followed her fixed gaze, his brow knitting in confusion.
"Mama." She whispered, raising her finger.
Her eyes were wide, fixed on the empty wall.
"Stop!"
Lián trembled, noticing her environment.
"There is no illness in her body; it's a demon," he said.
Her grandmother's hands trembled as she brushed the hair from her face.
"What is happening to her?"
"When will Chen visit?"
Mò Lián tilted her head, releasing her grip.
"Lián?"
A noise was heard from the courtyard.
The wooden gate boomed as Lord Chen entered.
He entered the quiet compound, looking around.
This vineyard is flourishing. He took off his damp cloak, settling his luggage.
"Papa, Mama."
Maybe they have a service at the temple. Lián would be happy to see me. His lips curved into a smile.
"Lián…"
No reply.
He walked down the corridor, passing all the shut doors to his daughter's room.
He cornered, and his gaze fell on a wide-open door.
"Lián… I got you your favorite sweets." He entered the open door, smiling.
He walked in, and his gaze fell on his in-laws standing next to Lián's bed.
He stepped inside, eyes scanning the room as the tense air unsettled him.
His step slowed as his father-in-law looked up at him.
"Chen…" His mother-in-law tilted her head upon hearing his voice.
She turned completely as her trembling hands wiped the tears from her eyes.
His gaze fell on his daughter lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling as though she were no longer part of the world.
What! What happened? His breath slowed at every step.
"Lián…" he mumbled, approaching the bed.
She turned at the sound of his voice.
He hurried to the bedside in confusion.
"Father…" The word came forcefully and weakly.
"I'm here, I won't leave ..."
His heart ached as a smile tugged at her lips.
He knelt, holding her hands.
I'm not losing you! He turned towards his In-law in fear.
"I will invite the temple priest," his father-in-law said in urgency.
"I've seen her," she murmured, "She's alive…"
Lord Chen could not explain the grief he saw lingering in his daughter's eyes. It unsettled him more than his teary eyes.
"Papa!" She rose from the bed.
Her grandfather halted mid-step.
He spun, worries worn out his face.
She waved her head in disapproval.
"You are not sick, you had a bad dream!" The granny cried, standing by the bed.
She held her gown, sobbing.
"Mò Lián?"
"I don't want to go anywhere!" She took a breath, facing both her grandparents.
"Lián, your body is cold," she said. "Your dream is not normal; you encountered a demon in your dreams."
Chen sat, confused, staring at his daughter's stubborn face.
"I saw my mother, not a demon." She turned to the other side of the bed, crossing her arms.
"Lián…."
The granny wept, leaving the room.
"You are just as stubborn as your mother…."
"I saw my mother. She was with me just now…" She folded her leg to her chest, remembering the face she saw in the dream.
Mò Lián's grandparents left at once for the temple.
"Lián…"
She tilted her neck slowly.
"The priest won't hurt you." he patted her hair. "We need to know why you met your mother in your dream."
He paused as she turned.
"A dead person is a bad omen. I love you, I don't want anything bad to happen to you."
Tears dripped from her watery eyes.
"Mama is not bad! I want to see mama…" She blinked, remembering how her mother hugged her in her dream.
He embraced her.
"I will take you to the capital, your…."
She pulled out smiling.
"Really!" She beamed, eyes shining in excitement.
"Yes."
She let out her breath.
"Tell me your dream."
He looked straight into her eyes.
A footstep redirected their gaze to the door.
Both turned at the same time.
"Lián… are you there?"
A voice called, entering.
Yù Xuān.
She bowed slightly, holding her gown.
Lord Chen straightened, looking at the girl who had just entered.
"You are welcome."
He turned to his daughter before walking away.
She smiled as Yù Xuān straightened.
"Yù Xuān?"
Lord Chen stepped out.
"Lián, how are you doing?" She moved forward.
She opened her blanket, stepping onto the cold floor.
"I thought you were still angry with me."
"Even if I'm, it doesn't mean we won't visit."
"Who?"
"My father was summoned, so I joined him." She sat behind Mò Lián.
Mò Lián sat calmly, looking at the floor.
"You look pale. What happened?" Yù Xuān took a deep glance at her friend.
"I can hear your heartbeat…" she paused, adjusting. "You are not sick," she mumbled, examining her.
"You had a dream!" She exclaimed, covering her mouth with her palm.
Mò Lián tilted her head slightly as their gazes met.
"I don't believe in all that; don't start. I have been waiting for the day we will meet; there is something you are missing." She lifted her gown, winking as she rose to her feet.
"Lián! You have to…"
"A lot happened while you were busy with your temple work." She raised her brow, smirking, and they smiled at each other.
"But Lián..." She stood up, holding her gown.
"Join me! It's not a light one." She turned, walking away, and Yù Xuān followed, tiptoeing behind her.
"Tell me about it…" She bit her lower lip, waiting for Lián's gossip.
"First, tell his holiness we need to visit the shore, and I'm not sick."
"I will. Just give me a tip on the fun," Yù Xuān pouted, walking beside Mò Lián.
"Yes, my lady." She laughed out loud, pivoting.
They walked down the corridor, looking out at the compound.
"This is the right time," Lián smirked, releasing her gown, and Yù Xuān turned to her, nodding.
"There they are, my lady." Mò Lián winked, giving her an assuring look.
Yù Xuān sighed as she turned, walking away with her shoulder sagging.
"You can do it; you taught me."
Yù Xuān descended the pavement, approaching her father, who was conversing with Lord Chen.
Mò Lián stood in the corridor watching, but her mind was still on her dream.
"Chen, I can't do that. What if she is summoned?"
"What if she finds out, and…" Chen paused mid-speech as his gaze fixed on the girl approaching them.
"Father." She held her gown, bowing slightly.
He turned to his side as she straightened.
"Father, I want to go to the river with Lián." She beamed, looking into her father's calm eyes.