Beyond the Starlit River
Among those things had been the marriage contract between Father and Mother, the only keepsake Grandfather left behind, and the jade scepter Father had given Mother as his own love token.
Father pulled free of Mother's hand and spoke softly.
"Naturally, because it no longer matters to me."
The person who had given him the love token no longer mattered. Of course the object did not matter either.
After hearing that, Mother flew into a rage and had Father and me placed in the most remote, broken-down courtyard in the residence.
Father did not get angry. He only looked into the empty air and said to me, "Soon, Eli. In three days, we'll be able to leave."