Chapter 008: Half-Sisters

We are all orphans now Liu Yujin extended her stiff hand and grasped Danfei's ankle Afai we only have each other now

Danfei said irritably: "Why don't you lead the way in front, and I will follow you. You can walk as fast or as slow as you want!"

So, where are we going now

"You can follow me, but we must establish three rules first." Danfei looked at Liu Yujin's delicate hands and said indifferently, "If you truly decide to follow me, all tasks will be divided between the two of us. If you fail to complete your share of the work, there will be no food for you. Do you understand?"

Afi

"Do you still not understand?" Danfei exclaimed, "Have you forgotten everything I told you before? Stop pretending to be some rich heiress. The way you behave as a lady can wait until you get to your uncle's house. If you continue to throw these temper tantrums, I will leave on my own, and I won't care whether you freeze to death or are fed to wolves"

Liu Yujin awoke in the side room of the temple. She heard the sound of chanting and smelled a faint fragrance, momentarily thinking that she had already passed away

Furthermore, Danfei added, "In case of any situation, you will follow my orders. Whether you want to live or not is your own business, but I still wish to survive."

"Are you awake?" Danfei brought in a bowl of soup dumplings, "I was just about to call you. If you are awake, get up and have something to eat."

Liu Yujin truly has a deep affection for Madam Chen, this concubine. Madam Guo has been bedridden for many years, and Madam Chen has taken great care of her, compensating for a significant amount of maternal love. Even Dan Fei, who has undergone a drastic change in temperament and often scolds herself, is not genuinely hated by Liu Yujin.

She knew that at home, whether it was her mother or her grandfather, although they doted on her, they trusted and appreciated Danfei even more. Danfei was capable of anything, intelligent and competent. Therefore, at that critical moment of life and death, her grandfather understood that for his daughter to survive safely, she could only rely on Danfei.

"No slacking off, and no throwing tantrums. And one more thing, no crying!" Danfei said sternly, "At the very least, no crying in front of me!"

Liu Yujin had previously vomited all the food she had eaten, and at this moment, she was extremely hungry. She was no longer picky about the blandness of the soup and pancakes, and quickly finished them off, even drinking the soup clean.

Madam Chen held Liu Yujin's hand, her expression as loving as ever, her face calm. It seemed as if the deafening sounds of battle outside were merely an illusion to everyone, and everything was harmonious and peaceful, filled with happiness. A serene smile adorned Madam Chen's beautiful face, as if she believed they were merely visiting relatives, rather than facing death.

Without her holding her back, Danfei might have it easier. However, if she does not have Danfei's help, she will undoubtedly die tonight

The sound echoed through the woods, soon swallowed by the wind and snow

But... where can we rest at night after entering the mountains? Are there any inns in the mountains

Danfei looked at her with a mix of laughter and disbelief, "Go to sleep. We have to set off early tomorrow."

Understood..." Liu Yujin said softly

"Foolish woman." Danfei scoffed, brushing the snowflakes off her clothes, and walked away without looking back. Her steps were vigorous, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared into the dense forest, leaving only a trail of footprints

In the misty gaze filled with tears, a slender figure appeared

The two walked intermittently and only entered the mountains in the afternoon. Inside the mountains, due to the presence of trees, the snow was much thinner, making the journey finally easier. However, this ease was relative to Danfei. She moved swiftly through the forest, while Liu Yujin struggled to keep up, panting heavily behind her. Occasionally, he stumbled over tree roots and broken branches on the ground, falling and seeing stars, with every part of his body aching.

Liu Yujin felt a pang in her heart, almost on the verge of tears, but was met with a fierce glare from Dan Fei, which caused all her tears to retreat.

Is what you said true? Danfei asked

Daphne lowered her head and wiped away the tears from her cheeks

After spending half a day together, Liu Yujin finally understood that Dan Fei had undergone a significant change in temperament and would likely no longer be as gentle and indulgent as before. Yet, she found herself unable to do without Dan Fei's assistance. With this thought in mind, no matter how angry Liu Yujin felt, she could only force a bitter smile and get up to chase after Dan Fei.

Danfei let out a long sigh and dug Liu Yujin out of the snow. She whistled, and the Turkic horse emerged from the dense forest. Danfei placed Liu Yujin on the horse's back and jumped up herself, riding towards the temple where they had previously hidden.

Dan Fei gazed at the candle flame, her mind momentarily drifting back to the past, while also contemplating the need to bring Duan Ningjiang's ashes along tomorrow to hand over to her cousin. Numerous thoughts about the past and the future flooded her mind, preventing her from falling asleep for a long time

Liu Yujin set aside her worries and quickly fell asleep

Jinniang, good child, hide well and do not come out. Afei will definitely return. I understand this child; she will surely come back to find me! At that time, the two of you can leave here together and go far away. Although you are not related by blood, you have lived under the same roof for two years, and your bond is like that of sisters. I hope you can form a deep friendship, supporting each other and watching over one another in the future. No matter what happens, you must live well. Tell Afei that only by living can there be hope for everything.

Afei—Afei, I was wrong! I know you are here. Please help me! I know I have been causing you trouble, and I shouldn't have lost my temper. Can you come out? Afei—I don't want to die here! Before Aunt Chen took her own life, she told me that we should become sworn sisters, and no matter what happens in the future, we must live well.

Lying in the soft snow, a profound fatigue captured Liu Yujin. She was as defenseless as a rabbit caught in a trap. At this moment, the cold, hunger, fear, and sadness were unprecedentedly clear. Liu Yujin realized that she was truly going to die, freezing to death in the snow. Once her eyes closed, they would never open again

The Liu family has a bond with Danfei and her mother, and she will undoubtedly repay that kindness. Therefore, even though Liu Yujin is throwing a tantrum and acting spoiled at this point, she has never truly considered abandoning her.

Liu Yujin did not expect Cao Danfei to leave just like that, and was instantly taken aback. However, the words had already been spoken, and now it was impossible to take them back, for Danfei had already vanished without a trace, leaving only the mournful sound of the mountain wind blowing through the forest

"What you said, what my mother said, is it true, or is it a lie to coax me back?"

Having said that, he continued to walk forward

She grew up in the frontier, and although she is capable of hunting, even if she were given a bow and arrow now, she fears she would be unable to find any prey in this icy expanse of snow and sea

Upon thinking of this, Liu Yujin became increasingly excited, eager to set off immediately

Enter the mountains

"Are you going to Yuanzhou because of this?" Liu Yujin exclaimed, "Isn't this aiding the tyrant? Afei, you must expose him and have the Emperor sentence him to be executed in public!"

What ... ... is it? Liu Yujin's consciousness has begun to blur

Liu Yujin recalled with difficulty, saying: "It's true! At that time, my mother had already taken her own life. Aunt Chen... dressed herself... and had Ye Ye take me away. Before we left, she called out to me..."

... ... and - picture - book

Liu Yujin shrank back slightly and said hesitantly, "No... I can't. It's better if you lead the way."

Liu Yujin shook her head in fear. Crying and throwing tantrums when things do not go her way has been a habit she developed since childhood, as she knew that as long as she made a fuss, others would fulfill all her demands. Now, with her family destroyed and having nothing left, she finds that this long-standing habit cannot be changed overnight.

Liu Yujin held her hand and said, "Afei, I know I am spoiled and clumsy, and you naturally find me troublesome. I promise I will never lose my temper again and will no longer be a burden to you. Can you please not abandon me?"

"I will listen to you. I promise I won't hold you back!" Liu Yujin had no objections to this. She was clever in small matters, but had always lacked opinions on significant issues. If she didn't listen to Danfei, who else could she listen to?

She could not help but recall when her grandfather hid her in the storage room and said to her: "If A Fei can return safely, you should go with her. Listen to her, she will keep you safe."

With these thoughts in mind, Liu Yujin felt even more fear and despair. After contemplating for a while, she had no choice but to follow the footprints left by Danfei. At the very least, following Danfei would be much safer than wandering aimlessly in the mountains alone

Tonight we will temporarily stay in the temple. Tomorrow morning, we will set off for Yuanzhou. Danfei lifted a handkerchief to wipe her face, and both acted as if the previous argument had never occurred

It is extremely laborious and arduous to forge a path in the snow, yet Liu Yujin is not foolish

Dan Fei let out a cold laugh and said, "Since I am the one leading the way, you can follow if you can keep up; if you can't, don't expect me to stop and wait for you again"

Liu Yujin's face flushed bright red, breathing heavily in anger, suddenly grabbed a handful of snow from the ground and threw it at Dan Fei.

At this thought, Liu Yujin could no longer care about that ridiculous pride and face, and began to shout loudly towards the desolate mountains and forests

Now, with their family shattered, the once prosperous life has crumbled like smoke. Liu Yujin's capital, which she relied on for her arrogance, has been buried along with her parents. She, Liu Yujin, is no longer the daughter of a wealthy family, and Danfei is no longer the daughter of a relative living under someone else's roof. They are merely two orphans who have lost their families, wandering aimlessly with nothing. The proud one has shed her halo, and the strong one no longer needs to disguise herself.

Liu Yujin cried as she got up, turning around in place to confirm that she was now all alone. She was disoriented, had no provisions on her, and only possessed a small dagger, which was given to her by Danfei before she left.

"Shut up!" Danfei shot a glare over, "Save some energy for climbing the mountain later!"

In another fifteen minutes, it will be completely dark, and the wolves will soon come out. Are you planning to sit here and feed the wolves? Danfei was extremely frustrated.

Liu Yujin stood alone in the forest, finally feeling a deep sense of fear and despair. She clearly realized that she might truly die. She grew up here, knowing the desolate mountains and snowy plains, the bitter cold of the earth, and how quickly night would fall, bringing with it a terrifying chill. She had no firewood, no shelter from the wind and snow, let alone any food to fill her stomach; she would freeze to death from hunger and cold beneath some tree tonight

Danfei said: "If you change your mind halfway, you are free to leave, and I will not stop you. But once you leave, do not come back to find me. I will not go back to save you like I did last time. You must remember this."

Liu Yujin wiped her face and consciously carried the basin of water outside to pour it out

Liu Yujin stumbled and fell into the snow. This time, she no longer had the strength to get up

Liu Yujin repeated everything Madam Chen said that day, and then remarked: "During the siege, the thing she said the most was: 'Fortunately, A Fei is outside the city.' ... ... She has always been most concerned about you"

"Afei, slow down!" Liu Yujin huffed, "You are walking too fast, I can't keep up."

In the suburban wilderness, the snow was nearly knee-deep. Danfei was leading the way, leaving a trail of footprints, while Liu Yujin followed closely behind, stepping in her prints. As the snow grew deeper, both of them found it increasingly difficult to walk. Liu Yujin lost her balance for a moment and fell onto the snow.

Dan Fei smiled weakly, "He is the brother of Empress Wei. Whether or not he can be exposed is beyond my capability. It all depends on whether that cousin Cui, whom Duan Ning trusts so much, can accomplish it. But this matter must remain confidential."

In the night sky, the Milky Way sparkles brilliantly, resembling pearls and gemstones scattered across a black silk cloth. Such a beautiful scene allows one to forget the pain of their wounds and the ravaged landscapes in a fleeting moment.

Dan Fei silently sighed, pondered for a moment, and then told her about Duan Ningjiang's matter

There are Turkmen scattered everywhere in the mountains, and encountering them means certain death

Dan Fei stood beside Liu Yujin, looking down at her. Her expression was calm, clearly not overly concerned about Liu Yujin's well-being.

Danfei had walked far away, leaving a long line of footprints winding through the snowy forest. Liu Yujin was initially able to follow the footprints, but before long, the sky turned overcast, and it began to snow again. The snowflakes drifted into the woods, quickly covering the footprints on the ground. Liu Yujin grew increasingly anxious and quickened her pace. Suddenly, a clump of snow fell from the treetops, landing squarely on her head. When she wiped the snow from her face, she realized she could no longer distinguish the footprints in the snow.

Afei, why don't we take the official road

Dan Fei made up her mind not to indulge Liu Yujin, merely watching her struggle to get up from the side, resolutely refusing to offer any assistance. Liu Yujin, exhausted, sat in the snow, and began to cry again

Then go! If we part ways, then we part ways! I don't care! Your surname is Cao, mine is Liu; we are not family to begin with! From now on, you take your own path, and I will take mine. My life and death are none of your concern

Liu Yujin hesitated for a moment and nodded firmly

The night in the mountains was quiet, as it was midwinter, and not even the sound of birds could be heard. The two sisters curled up on the kang. After a long silence, Danfei finally asked: "What else did my mother say?"

As the sky darkened, Liu Yujin had already lost track of her whereabouts. She felt very cold, her hands and feet had lost all sensation, and hunger and fatigue made her feel extremely drowsy. She longed to have a good sleep. However, she also knew that if she fell asleep at this moment, she would never wake up again

Danfei let out a helpless sigh

And after her death, Dan Fei would certainly not feel sorrow or sadness for her; she would simply leave with ease. The one who could mourn for her, she had already buried him last night

She does not want to die. She is only fifteen years old, just coming of age. She wishes to marry a good husband, bear many children, and live a happy and fulfilling life until old age. She has escaped the massacre, fleeing from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood in the city, not to die a tragic death from the cold in the mountains like this

Liu Yujin had previously listened to many stories about Hua Mulan joining the army and Hong Fu Nu's night escape. In this dynasty, there are also many capable and talented women, and news of women achieving great deeds often emerges. She thought that this time going to Chang'an, delivering secret letters over a thousand miles, and exposing a shocking injustice, she and Dan Fei would surely astonish the court and the people, making a name for themselves. Perhaps they could even be written into plays, sung by people for generations to come

Liu Yujin has come to a profound realization of the serious consequences that momentary impulsiveness and speaking without thinking can bring upon oneself