"What's your relationship with that kid from the Wangquan Family?" Old Gao stared at Dongfang Huaizhu with inquisitive and gossiping eyes.
"We just know each other." Mentioning Wangquan Baye, Dongfang Huaizhu felt a jolt in her heart. That fluttery feeling resurfaced, and memories of Wangquan Baye came flooding back. She shook her head to drive them out.
Old Gao looked skeptical at her words, clearly not believing her. "Lass, you said your left foot was injured. Was it bitten by a venomous snake in this valley?"
Dongfang Huaizhu nodded. "I got off the carriage to check on my sick sister. I didn't notice and got bitten by that cold - blooded thing." Her tone was full of helplessness.
"Here, take this." Old Gao took out a small white porcelain bottle from his bosom, poured out a black pill, and handed it to Dongfang Huaizhu.
"The venom of the poisonous creatures in this mountain is not extremely potent, but it spreads slowly throughout the body and is quite stubborn. I've lived in this cave for years, so I've had my fair share of encounters with these poisonous things. Over time, I always keep an antidote on me."
Old Gao patiently explained to her, completely different from his aggressive and sarcastic self when they first met.
"Thank you, old man." Dongfang Huaizhu thanked him and swallowed the antidote. Although the guards around were skeptical about Old Gao's antidote and didn't know if it would work, they all felt relieved and sheathed their swords.
"Lass, now can you tell old man me what you're up to this time?" Old Gao was still gossipy and determined to get something out of Dongfang Huaizhu. It was more like he wanted her to admit that her relationship with Wangquan Baye was significant.
Dongfang Huaizhu let out a sigh and helplessly explained, "It's the birthday banquet of the head of the Wangquan Family. My father sent me there. I didn't expect something to go wrong halfway."
"Lass, your route is very round - about. There are many dangerous places on the way. If you trust old man me, I'll show you a shortcut." Old Gao shook his head and said to Dongfang Huaizhu.
"Okay, thank you, old man." Dongfang Huaizhu said as she stepped closer. Old Gao whispered a few words in her ear, clarifying the shortcut to the Wangquan Family.
"Thank you." Dongfang Huaizhu clearly memorized the route and thanked Old Gao. With his guidance, they wouldn't have to endure such a bumpy journey. Then she realized that Qin Lan, who had gone to look for herbs, hadn't returned yet and felt worried.
"Junior Sister, Junior Sister?" Jin Renfeng's voice came from the cave entrance. When he came back, he couldn't find Dongfang Huaizhu and the others. He heard some noise in the cave and tentatively asked.
"Senior Brother, we're all here with the eldest miss!" The guards felt more confident when they saw Jin Renfeng return and shouted outside the cave.
Jin Renfeng strode into the cave. Seeing the unfamiliar - looking Old Gao, he immediately became hostile. "Who are you? Why are you here?" He was afraid that this ordinary - looking old man might have ill intentions towards Dongfang Huaizhu.
"You impudent lad! I was out in the world when you were still in your mother's womb! How dare you speak so rudely!" Old Gao was always hostile towards strangers and was not polite at all.
Jin Renfeng clearly didn't expect Old Gao to speak so aggressively. He was directly embarrassed in front of his junior brothers and sisters, and his face turned ugly for a moment. "You old man! You're so unreasonable!"
"I haven't even accused you of having ill intentions towards my junior sister, and you're already looking for trouble!" Jin Renfeng said fiercely.
"Senior Brother, don't be like this. This old man is a good person. He kindly gave me the antidote." Dongfang Huaizhu quickly stopped Jin Renfeng. She was afraid that Old Gao would fight with him the next second according to his character.
"You say you care, but where were you when this lass was bitten by a venomous snake? Why weren't you around?" Old Gao was observant and aggressive.
Jin Renfeng's face froze. After a while, he explained, "Junior Sister, when I came back with water, I found you were injured. It couldn't be delayed, so I quickly used my light - footed skills to go to the town to look for an antidote."
As Jin Renfeng said, he took out a packet of medicine from his bosom. It seemed to be packed from the pharmacy.
Dongfang Huaizhu didn't show it on her face, but she still suspected in her heart: With his light - footed skills, he shouldn't have taken so long. And no one knew what he was doing during the time he went to look for water. Did he have some conspiracy?
"It's my fault, Senior Brother. I didn't come back in time." Jin Renfeng looked apologetic. No one knew how much of this emotion was real and how much was fake.
"Forget it, Senior Brother. Don't mention this anymore." Dongfang Huaizhu shook her head and stopped Jin Renfeng who was about to speak.
"Qin Lan went to look for herbs and hasn't come back yet. It's been a long time. I'm worried. Let's set off now to look for Qin Lan. We should prevent anything dangerous from happening to her." Dongfang Huaizhu was worried about Dongfang Qinlan and proposed to go looking for her together.
Everyone nodded, packed their things, and left the cave. Dongfang Huaizhu walked at the end. "Lass, wait." Old Gao, who had been silent, called out to Dongfang Huaizhu.
Dongfang Huaizhu turned around. "Lass, you must cherish the person in front of you. If you miss them, you'll regret it." Old Gao's tone was mysterious, but Dongfang Huaizhu immediately understood. It was Wangquan Baye...
Dongfang Huaizhu nodded as if in agreement.
"Also, lass, there's someone with ill intentions around you. They're not a good person. You must be careful and never let your guard down." Old Gao said earnestly.
"Okay, thank you, old man." Dongfang Huaizhu listened to every word and remembered them in her heart.
"Take care." Old Gao waved his hand, indicating that she could go.
"Take care, old man." Dongfang Huaizhu nodded at Old Gao. This old man with a cold exterior but a warm heart...
Dongfang Huaizhu left the cave and caught up with the others. "Qin Lan went to look for herbs for me, but she still hasn't come back after so long." Dongfang Huaizhu was anxious and self - reproachful.
"Don't worry, Junior Sister. We'll go look for her now." Jin Renfeng led the way for everyone, and the group set off to look for Dongfang Qinlan.
"Qin Lan! Qin Lan! Where are you!" Dongfang Huaizhu walked in the valley. The trees were dense here, and it was really hard to find Dongfang Qinlan.
"Miss! Miss!" The guards also called out together.
"Junior Sister!" Jin Renfeng shouted.
The shouts of the group echoed in the valley.
"Sister! I'm here!" After the group had been shouting like headless chickens in the valley for who knows how long, they finally got a response.
Dongfang Huaizhu was overjoyed. Ignoring her still - unhealed foot injury, she followed the sound and rushed towards where Dongfang Qinlan was.
Before Dongfang Huaizhu could see clearly, a figure rushed towards her and hugged her tightly. Dongfang Huaizhu saw that the guards she had sent out were all tired and dusty, losing their previous vitality.
Dongfang Qinlan lifted her head from Dongfang Huaizhu's embrace. "Sister!" The little girl's eyes were teary, her sideburns were in a mess, and her face was dirty.
Because she was in a hurry to look for herbs for her sister, she couldn't even see the road clearly. She sprained her foot several times and fell countless times. "Here, sister, I found them." Dongfang Qinlan held up a bunch of herbs in her hand.
Dongfang Huaizhu was touched, and tears welled up in her eyes. She blinked to prevent herself from crying in front of Qin Lan. "Qin Lan is so great. You've worked hard." She stroked Dongfang Qinlan's head, her nose feeling sour.