"Cough, cough!"
Staining her hands bright red, blood coated over the surface of Fei Fu Qu's palms as her coughing fit came to a close.
"Sister Qu!" Dropping her tray of tea, A-Tong rushed to Fei Fu Qu's side as she cried, "Sister Qu! What happened!?"
"...Its-cough! Cough! Cough!
It's okay, A-Tong," Fei Fu Qu smiled as she wiped her hands clean of blood before a sharp pain rang throughout her shoulder, wincing; she patted A-Tong's hand reassuringly. "I'll be okay…
Cough! Cough, cough!"
"Sister Qu!" Using her spiritual insight, A-Tong noticed that something was very wrong with her Sister Qu. "Three broken meridians and a cracked dantian! Sister Qu, how is it that you've gained such vicious wounds!"
As A-Tong injected some qi into her body to stabilize the chaotic energy that terrorized her body, Fei Fu Qu let out a quiet sigh as a soothing coolness came over her aching meridians and dantian. "...thank you, A-Tong…"
"Sister Qu," A-Tong cried as she saw further damage raging across Fei Fu Qu's pale and thin body. Large blue and black bruises the size of a man's palm painted her body's flesh as red gashes silently wept blood.
As her lips trembled, A-Tong gently brushed the surface of Fei Fu Qu's wounds until she winced out in pain. "Sister Qu, what did you do…?"
"It's nothing," Fei Fu Qu coughed as she held her chest tightly. "As long as Xiao Ran is safe, this is nothing to me."
"Sister Qu," shaking her head, A-Tong couldn't believe Fei Fu Qu's words. "You've just recovered from your last wound, and for you to gain more…
How will you be able to hold on like this!
Sister Qu! If you keep going on like-"
"A-Tong!"
Freezing at Fei Fu Qu's sudden outburst, A-Tong stepped away and bowed her head. "This servant apologizes.
This servant has spoken out of place."
"... sigh…
It's okay, A-Tong.
Lift your head," Fei Fu Qu flashed a warm smile at A-Tong. "I know that you're worried about me, but this sister is a lot stronger than you think, silly girl.
Something like this won't kill me."
"But-"
"I'm alright," Fei Fu Qu cut in a bit firmer. "Just go get some ointment to help cover these wounds.
Please."
Standing there reluctantly, A-Tong sniffled before wiping her damp eyes. "Yes, I'll bring them right away."
Bowing her head, A-Tong quickly picked up the fallen tray and shuffled out of the room before quietly closing the doors behind her.
Once she had heard that A-Tong had left, Fei Fu Qu reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a small red embroidery bag, identical to the one that she had given Zhu Na Ran before.
'Sigh, Xiao Ran, what have you done to get yourself in such a condition?'
Based on her wounds, Fei Fu Qu could infer that the mission that Zhu Na Ran had gone off to was a dangerous one, as for the past week, she had experienced numerous cuts and bruises.
But, the wounds that she had received compared today paled in comparison to those minor injuries.
'Hah, if it wasn't for the amulet, in what condition would Xiao Ran be in?'
Thanks to the protection amulet that she had given her Xiao Ran, seventy percent of the damage that Zhu Na Ran received would transfer over to her body as long as Zhu Na Ran kept the amulet close.
Perhaps dead if she had not made prior preparations. However, she wasn't going to take any chances when it came to her Xiao Ran's health.
'It's better this way…
At least this way, I can protect her even if I'm not there.'
Falling back into her bed, Fei Fu Qu smiled as she thought of the past, the good old days when the sun was still with her.
"Heh… has so much time passed since then, Xiao Ran?"
Ten years ago…
"Alright, you can stay here," carrying the dirty child, Fei Fu Qu placed her down on the ground as she called for some servants to prepare a bath.
"Emm…" Nodding, the little child looked around cautiously as she gripped onto Fei Fu Qu's cloak draped over her.
'Aw, how cute!' She felt the urge to pinch the little kid; however, Fei Fu Qu managed to restrain herself. 'I don't want to scare her off. It already was a hassle to get her to follow me back.'
If she hadn't prepared a little crumb trail of snacks back to her residence, she was sure that Na Ran was willing to stay in that dark and dangerous forest for who knows how long.
'I better tell someone first before they discover Na Ran and misunderstand something…'
"Second Young Miss," a knock on the door came, "We're here with your bath."
"Em, come in."
The doors soon swung open to reveal an entourage of maidservants and eunuchs carrying in a large tub with pails of hot water.
Disturbed by the sight of these new strangers, the little child clung to her side and hid behind her. "There, there, there's no harm from these people."
Like a synchronized dance, the maid each took turns pouring in hot water before excusing themselves and leaving. A sizable steaming bath was soon ready, complete with privacy curtains and flower petals floating on the top.
Fei Fu Qu felt small hands grip her skirt tightly. "Do you wish to go into the bath?"
Zhu Na Ran looked up as if asking, 'Me?'
"Heh, silly girl," patting the child's matted head, she smiled. "I had this bath prepared for you. Here let me help you get in."
Kneeling down, she reached out to help Zhu Na Ran strip herself of the dirty rags which clung to her body, yet she evaded her hands.
"I…can… do it…"
"Oh? Alright," she nodded, patting Na Ran's head once more she stepped behind the privacy curtains. "Call if you need anything."
"Em," Zhu Na Ran nodded as she started to remove her clothes. Fei Fu Qu could hear the shuffling of clothes being thrown to the floor as Na Ran slowly approached the bath.
She heard the quiet creak of the step stool followed by a large splash.
Peeking behind the curtain, she saw the bath water overflowing over the edge before a little face popped up through the water's surface. Giggle in content, Na Ran played with the water for a bit before leaning back and soaking in the warmth.
'Looks like she's okay.'
"Na Ran, I'll be right back, alright?"
"Em!"
After leaving Zhu Na Ran under the supervision of her maidservants, Fei Fu Qu rushed over to her sister's courtyard as her heart beated in excitement.
"Eldest Sister, quick! I have something, or well, someone, to show you!"
"Eh?" Wiping down her blades, Fei Fu Xi was surprised to see her younger sister burst into her room. "Oh, so you've finally come back. Mother just called for dinner, so we better go now."
"Forget about dinner," Fei Fu Qu suddenly grabbed onto her sister's arm and began to drag out of her room. "Come with me!"
"Huh!?" Perplexed, this was the first time that Fei Fu Xi saw her sister so excited over something. "What, hold on!
What is it?!"
"I found something very cute!"
"Hah?! There's no need for you to get so worked up over something cute!"
"Aiyah, you don't understand, you'll get it once you see them!"
"Fine, fine, I'll take a look!"
Arriving back at her room, Fei Fu Qu pulled the doors open to reveal a shocking sight.
Seated by the window, a cute little fairy doll looked out the window as she caught falling blossoms in her hand. "Wah…" she gasped as she stroked the flowers thin petals.
The image would be a very peaceful and adorable one…
If only Zhu Na Ran chose to wear more than Fei Fu Qu's dirty cloak.
Noticing the new arrivals, Zhu Na Ran let out a small sound. "Rawr…"
"Why are you not dressed," slightly flustered, Fei Fu Qu rushed over and tried to get the little girl to wear the clean clothes that the maidservants prepared.
"Nnoo…" Zhu Na Ran whined as she tried to wiggle out of them. "I… don't wanna… growl…"
"Aiyah, what's wrong with these clothes," Fei Fu Qu sighed as water droplets from Zhu Na Ran's wet hair hit her face. "Goodness, and you didn't even dry your hair either…"
"Pfft! Hahah!"
Looking back, Fei Fu Qu saw her older sister holding her stomach in laughter. "Second Sister, have you found a little daughter to raise and take care of you?
Haha, you're not even engaged yet!"
"Wah, it's not what you think!
Aiyah, Na Ran, please put on some pants~." Coaxing the little girl, she looked back and flashed a glare at her laughing sister.
Which in turn only incited more laughter from the older girl.
"Mother, Father!" Rushing out of the room, Fei Fu Xi started to shout as she ran, "Second Sister brought home a little granddaughter!
Come and look! Hahaha!"
"Wah! Fei Fu Xi, come back here!"