In a little house, a girl was found sleeping peacefully. Her body was covered with medicinal leaves, hiding all the bruises and wounds it left after the tragedy.
Her serene expression broke when her fingers twitched as her forehead wrinkled. Her breathing became disoriented, with cold sweat forming on her temples.
Fei Wanrou suddenly got up, her eyes welled up in tears as they continuously flowed down her cheeks.
"Father is dead because of me.. If I didn't stumble on that rock, then we all could've escaped". All the frustration, pain, sadness, guilt, and anger dawned on her. She screamed and screamed and screamed until her voice became hoarse. She cried until she felt a gentle pat on her back, only to look up and see an elderly woman gazing at her with soft eyes.
"Let it out, just let it all out. Take everything that you're feeling right now and let it out".
The elderly woman's gentle tone somewhat reminded her of her late mother, who always had such a soothing tone whenever she was sad, immediately knocked down all her defenses and cried in despair.
"I don't even know what to do anymore," sobbing between her lines, "Because of me, my father...He died because of me."
The elderly woman's eyes flashed with pity for Fei Wanrou, continuing to stroke her back to ease her emotions. "Your father's sacrifice wasn't for nothing, dear; he willingly did what he did for you and your little brother."
"Remember the things that he always tells you; don't let him down, as your little brother is still with you. Please don't blame yourself too much. That's all I can say," Fei Wanrou couldn't help but remember her father's warm smile and the words he told her. Ever since her mother's death, her father retired from the military and focused solely on raising her and Zhou'er.
As Father Fei's eldest daughter, he wanted her to be strong and independent so that when the time came, his worries would become less with her living in such a chaotic era.
He taught her different things, whether it was hunting, reading, writing, or the fundamental skills needed for living. Father Fei prepared her that's why, Fei Wanrou, who is just 15 years old, is considered to be educated, compared to other kids.
Life was difficult after Mother Mu's death, but such a hole was gradually filled up, strengthening her. Now, the same thing happened again, but now, with her father...such a scar would be irreparable.
If only this was a dream.
Fei Wanrou, who was still in dazed at everything that happened, suddenly asked. "How did we end up here? Where are we, and where is my brother?" asked in one breath.
Wringing a damp cloth, "Lie down, and I'll answer your questions," said the elderly woman in a warm, soothing voice.
"I found you and your brother on the river shore three days ago; you were full of wounds. Good thing I found you both because if not, you'll end up sustaining more health problems than now." Fei Wanrou's tense shoulders eased up a little, and then she asked, "Where are we? Ming Village?"
"Ming Village is quite far from here; I'm amazed that you somehow reached our place. It usually takes two days on foot to get here from Ming Village."
"What's the name of this place?"
"Jiaju," said the old woman.
"Jiaju." Fei Wanrou whispered as she repeated the word, trying to remember if she knew the place.
The elderly woman then explained, "Hmmm... Jiaju is located near the south of the border of Wu."
Ming village is an isolated village located deep inside the forest mountains. Being surrounded by a deep forest, few people know the existence of such a remote place. It is much farther than Jiaju. Also located in the south is where the Jiaju, the nearest human settlement, can be found. Ming village is close to the northern border of another country, the Zhuo State, only separated by the thick foliage of the forest.
"My name is Que Yie; just call me whichever is to your liking," said the old woman, smiling warmly at her. Everything was still a blur for Fei Wanrou, but one clear thing to her was that she was starving. The old woman heard as Fei Wanrou's stomach grumbled.
"Let me help you get up; I know you're hungry. I'm going to get some food outside. Do you need anything else?" said the old woman as she assisted Fei Wanrou in sitting up.
"My brother, where is he?"