Dongfang Huaizhu nodded as a perfunctory response. She just couldn't bring herself to like Jin Renfeng, so she could only put up a pretense.
Dongfang Huaizhu stepped onto a small stool and got into the carriage, sitting in the same one as Dongfang Qinlan. Jin Renfeng silently watched them, lost in thought for a long while.
"It's time to go," the coachman beside him reminded. Only then did Jin Renfeng react. He swung onto his horse and followed beside Dongfang Huaizhu's carriage.
The group set off in grand style.
"Don't worry, sister. I'm still here," Dongfang Qinlan said softly, seeing the worried look on Dongfang Huaizhu's face. She wanted to reassure her sister.
Then she picked up a pastry and took a bite. The pastry was delicious, and Dongfang Qinlan nodded in approval.
Dongfang Huaizhu forced a smile. She was about to lift the curtain to look out of the window when she saw Jin Renfeng on his horse.
"What's wrong, junior sister? Are you feeling unwell?" Jin Renfeng asked when he saw her lift the curtain. But his tone was not as obsequious as usual.
Dongfang Huaizhu ignored him. "It's nothing. Don't worry, senior brother," she replied coldly.
Dongfang Huaizhu was already in a bad mood. Seeing Jin Renfeng following beside the carriage, she simply lowered the curtain and stopped looking.
"Junior sister, the road ahead is bumpy. Hold on tight," Jin Renfeng's voice came from outside the carriage. It seemed they were about to pass a rough section of the road, and he reminded her carefully.
"Thank you, senior brother," Dongfang Huaizhu replied. She gently held Dongfang Qinlan with one hand to prevent her from getting hurt.
Not long after Jin Renfeng's words, the carriage began to shake violently. "Sister!" Dongfang Qinlan exclaimed and quickly grabbed Dongfang Huaizhu's arm to steady herself.
The carriage creaked. Dongfang Huaizhu held Dongfang Qinlan with one hand and the window with the other to keep them steady. The carriage shook so much that Dongfang Qinlan looked very pale. "Sister, I feel so dizzy. My stomach hurts," she said.
Dongfang Huaizhu also felt dizzy. She could only comfort her. "It's okay, Qinlan. It will be over soon," she said, hoping they could get through this section of the road quickly.
After what seemed like a long time, the shaking carriage gradually returned to a steady state. "Coachman, stop the carriage," Dongfang Huaizhu said. Seeing her sister looking so uncomfortable, she suggested taking a break to let her recover.
As soon as the carriage stopped, Dongfang Huaizhu rushed out and leaned against a big tree, retching. The violent shaking had made her stomach churn. Breathing in the fresh air, she couldn't vomit much. Dongfang Qinlan got out of the carriage and walked to her. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Dongfang Huaizhu reached out and patted Dongfang Qinlan's back. Dongfang Qinlan wiped the non - existent stain from the corner of her mouth. "I feel much better after breathing the fresh air," she said.
Seeing this, Jin Renfeng also came over to check. "Junior sister, are you okay? How about we take a short break?" he asked.
Dongfang Huaizhu looked up at the road ahead. They had reached a valley. It was surrounded by greenery. There were strong trees and many shrubs. The tall trees blocked much of the sunlight, which filtered through the leaves.
Dongfang Huaizhu nodded. "Okay, let everyone take a break."
"Then you rest here, junior sister. I'll go find some water for you," Jin Renfeng said and walked away, telling everyone to take a break.
"Sister, when will we arrive? I don't want to sit in the carriage anymore. It makes me feel sick," Dongfang Qinlan said, straightening up after retching. Her eyes were teary because of the discomfort.
"Okay, we'll rest here first," Dongfang Huaizhu comforted her, completely unaware of what was happening behind her.
Even if she hadn't been talking to Dongfang Qinlan, it would have been difficult for her to notice. The green snake's body blended in with the surrounding grass. It slowly approached its prey. Only the swaying grass could be seen, making it impossible to detect the danger.
"Hiss." Dongfang Huaizhu was concentrating on comforting her little sister when suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her left ankle. The cold and stinging sensation made her come to her senses. It was as if sharp fangs had pierced her skin. A chill ran through her body.
"Snake!" Dongfang Qinlan was the first to notice. She quickly drew her sword. She couldn't see the snake clearly, but she could guess its position from where it was biting Dongfang Huaizhu's left foot. Before she could think, she had already swung her sword and cut the snake into two pieces.
Dongfang Qinlan quickly helped Dongfang Huaizhu up, forgetting about her own discomfort. Dongfang Huaizhu's face was deathly pale. The pain in her ankle was intense. The shiver caused by the cold - blooded animal touching her skin spread from her ankle throughout her body.
Dongfang Qinlan had never seen her sister so weak. Being young, she was at a loss. "Come on! Sister is injured!" she said, supporting Dongfang Huaizhu and looking for the others.
Hearing Dongfang Qinlan's cry, the servants dropped their water flasks and food and rushed over.
The fastest - footed one reached Dongfang Qinlan first and called the others. A maid came forward to check Dongfang Huaizhu's injury. She lifted the skirt and found that the blood had seeped through. The injury was serious.
"Miss, the eldest miss's injury is serious. We can't delay. How about we find a cave to bandage her up?" a quick - witted little girl, who also looked like a servant, said.
"Yes, yes. Let's find a cave quickly and let sister rest," Dongfang Qinlan said, seeing Dongfang Huaizhu's pale face. She quickly gave the order.
Dongfang Qinlan was worried. The servants helped Dongfang Huaizhu, and Dongfang Qinlan tightly held her sister's arm, anxious.
"I'm fine, little sister. Don't worry. It's just a small injury," Dongfang Huaizhu said, guessing that Dongfang Qinlan must be worried and anxious. She wanted to comfort her.
Her little sister was impatient and easily flustered when something happened. Dongfang Huaizhu thought silently that this was not a good trait.
Not far from where they were, the group found a cave. It was pitch - black. But at this moment, they didn't care. Someone lit a torch, and they walked in.
The cave was not as dark as it looked from the outside. Sunlight could be seen from the entrance, making the inside a bit brighter.
Dongfang Qinlan quickly helped Dongfang Huaizhu sit down. When she was at a loss, she suddenly thought, "Where's senior brother? Where is he? Why can't I see him?"
Everyone looked at each other, not knowing where Jin Renfeng was.
He usually tried so hard to please! But at this anxious moment, he was nowhere to be found! He was really unreliable! He must have had a lot of tricks up his sleeve!
Dongfang Qinlan was furious. But Dongfang Huaizhu's injury couldn't wait. "You guys, take good care of sister. I'll go find some herbs. I'll be back soon," she said. After giving the order to the servants, she left the cave with her sword to look for herbs.
"Qinlan, be careful!" Dongfang Huaizhu wanted to stop her from going alone, but her body was too weak. The words that came out were just a warning.
"I know. You guys must take good care of sister!" Dongfang Qinlan turned back and told the guards beside Dongfang Huaizhu. Then she stepped out of the cave and disappeared.