Qin Yurong's laughter was bitter as she caressed her once rounded belly, now flattened. Grief swelled in her eyes. She bit down hard on her upper lip in a desperate attempt to stave off the tremors that racked her body. Soft cries slipped out, turning into a torrent of tears, and finally she could no longer withhold her sobs, which grew louder. She cried so mournfully, as if she had lost the most important thing in life, her sadness permeating the air, shattering hearts to hear it.
Qin Yucen also raised her hand to secretly wipe away the tears that emerged at the corners of her eyes, the bitterness in her throat spreading wildly, making her feel as though she had swallowed something even more bitter than coptis.
Huo Jingtang stood behind her, allowing her to lean lightly against his chest, his hands gently wrapped around her shoulders, comforting her with his tender gestures.
