"Wait!" Ziyi screamed as she jolted awake from her sleep.
Turning to her side, she quickly realized that she was not in the familiar confines of her tent.
Ah Xiao, who had just walked in, exclaimed, "Ziyi, you're awake! (sighs) I truly thought you wouldn't pull through… Oh, and just so you know, I learned your name from my brother," she said with a smile.
"Where am I? This doesn't look like my tent at all," Ziyi replied, her voice laced with confusion.
Ah Xiao gestured for the maid to set down a tray of food. "You're in the Axile ground, my hometown," she explained.
Ziyi frowned, still puzzled.
"You've had a high fever for the last few days, but we couldn't postpone our travels any longer. So, my brother brought you here," Ah Xiao continued, her tone lightening. "You rode with him—he was carrying you like a baby bear," she chuckled while checking Raina's pulse.
"How long have I been asleep?" Ziyi inquired, her brows furrowing with concern.
Ah Xiao paused for a moment before answering, "Three days."
"Three days? (Why did my dream feel so short then?)... You said your name is Ah Xiao?" Ziyi asked, trying to piece everything together.
Ah Xiao nodded affirmatively." Wu Xiao, but you can just call me Ah Xiao".
"Do you happen to have a brother named Wu Yu He?" Ziyi probed further.
Ah Xiao nodded again, her eyes widening in surprise. "Yes, how do you know that?"
Ziyi fabricated a response, "I overheard it from some people passing by."
Ah Xiao shook her head dismissively. "Brother Yu isn't at all like what they say."
"What do you mean?" Ziyi asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ah Xiao sighed, "Well, people say he's too cold and mean—true, sometimes, but he has his reasons. He genuinely wants the best for everyone."
At that moment, a maid entered the room and announced, "Young Miss, the eldest young master would like to see Miss Feng."
Ziyi followed Ah Xiao as they made their way to the main hall.
Is this really happening? No matter how much she wished to deny it, hoping it was all a nightmare, the evidence around her was undeniable.
She glanced around, taking in the sight of snow covering the ground, extending far into the unknown. A massive, rocky structure that appeared to be fused with a cave loomed in front of her.
This had to be the residence of the leader of the Axile tribe.
The Axile ground was situated in the northeast region of the Xuěyǐng Jiè Empire's capital. The Axile people were infamous for their settlements near rugged mountains and deep within the forests of Axile land.
As they arrived at the main hall, Ah Fu, another figure from her memories, said, "Take a seat, Ah Xiao," as he walked in.
Before them stood Wu Yu He, also known as Ah Yu, the head of the Axile tribe.
According to the novel, Ah Yu was a well-regarded supporting character, known for his stern demeanor and strictness. It was through him that Ziyi's story had been mentioned, albeit for all the wrong reasons.
Ziyi found herself awkwardly standing in the middle, waiting for the next command. She needed to navigate past Ah Yu if she hoped to survive.
In the original narrative, Ziyi was infatuated with Ah Fu and schemed to sabotage his relationship with Xue Yihuan, a friend of the female lead. Ah Yu had exposed Ziyi's plot and ultimately imprisoned her. Consumed by vengeance, Ziyi sought out Mu Qing, the emperor and villain of the story, ultimately selling the female lead's secret to him and being manipulated into thwarting the main characters' plans. Tragically, as is common in such tales, she was caught. Unable to bear the thought of harming Ah Fu or witnessing him with another woman, Ziyi chose to end her own life.
Ziyi dared to glance up at Ah Yu, who looked as though he were ready to devour her whole.
Ah Yu broke into a disingenuous smile and inquired, "Miss Feng, where do you plan to go from here?"
Ziyi cleared her throat nervously. "If it's possible, I would like to stay here for a while until I can figure things out."
"What's your true intention?" Ah Yu's expression shifted to one of seriousness.
"Brother! How could you ask that?" Ah Xiao interjected.
"Calm down, Ah Xiao. I merely want to ascertain if Miss Feng here is genuinely just someone Ah Fu rescued," Ah Yu replied, forcing a gentle smile.
All eyes turned to Ziyi.
Feeling the weight of the room's tension, she could almost feel her back burning under their scrutiny. "Rest assured, I'm not here to spy, if that's what you're implying. It was truly a coincidence that led to Young Master Fu saving me, and for that, I am grateful."
"If that's the case, then it's acceptable. However, if I discover anything suspicious, I trust you won't mind if I take a more aggressive approach," Ah Yu warned.
Ziyi offered a smile and nodded in response.
"If you're that suspicious, why not keep her close?" a woman suggested, her voice cutting through the tension.
"Mother," all three of them chimed in unison.
Lady Han Ying smiled warmly as she took a seat.
Ah Xiao rushed to her mother's side. "Mother, please tell brother to stop being such a snob. He's intimidating Ziyi. Brother is being mean," she said, glancing reproachfully at Ah Yu.
"Have Miss Feng work alongside you so you can supervise her every move," Lady Han Ying proposed.
Ah Xiao looked at her mother incredulously. "Wouldn't brother Ah Fu be a better choice for that?"
"I agree with Ah Xiao, Mother. Since I rescued Miss Feng, I'll take full responsibility for her safety in case anything arises," Ah Fu added earnestly.
Ah Yu turned his gaze to Ziyi. "The decision is yours, Miss Feng."
In the original story, Ziyi had chosen Ah Fu, but Raina hesitated now. She didn't want to follow the same path as Ziyi in the novel. Surely, making a small change wouldn't be an issue, right?
"I agree. I would like to work for Lord Ah Yu," Ziyi declared, taking a firm stand.
---
Outside, Ah Xiao halted Ziyi. "Are you really sure about this, Ziyi?"
Ah Fu stood beside her, his demeanor calm yet concerned.
Ziyi nodded with determination. "Yes, I'm certain. Thank you for worrying about me, but I believe I can manage from here on out."
Ah Fu offered, "If you need anything, please feel free to come see me, Miss Feng."
Ziyi smiled gratefully and nodded.
As the two siblings walked away, Ziyi watched them depart.
Suddenly, a maid called out to her, "Hey, you!"
Ziyi turned her attention toward the maid. "Are you speaking to me?"
The maid, with medium curly hair and slightly shorter than Raina, donned a gray uniform and appeared to be around the same age.
The maid arrogantly confirmed, "Of course, I'm talking to you. Do you think you're any different from us?" She crossed her arms defiantly. "Now that you're under Lord Yu, you're just as low as a maid. Follow me!"
Ziyi complied and followed the maid into a room.
The maid, introduced as Lin Lin, tossed a pile of clothing onto the table.
"Finish washing these before sundown. I'll check on you after I'm done cooking," Lin Lin commanded, her tone dripping with authority.
Lin Lin exhibited a superiority complex, likely stemming from her family's long-standing service to the Axile tribe, making her more arrogant than the other maids.
Ziyi stared at the mountain of clothes before her. "Did I make the wrong choice?"
She exhaled into her cold hands to warm them before plunging her hands into the icy water.
---
Inside Ah Yu's study...
"A maid? I think that's excessive, brother. Miss Feng just recovered not long ago," Ah Fu protested, concern etched across his face.
Ah Yu was busy feeding his wolf, seemingly unfazed. "You're getting worked up over a girl you've only known for a few days? What's going on, Ah Fu?"
"It's not that. I just believe it's too harsh and... unnecessary," Ah Fu replied, taking a seat with a frown.
Ah Yu glanced at him before handing over a letter. "A message arrived not too long ago. I fear His Highness might be involved in your attack."
"And you suspect Ziyi might be a spy sent by the emperor?" Ah Fu asked, his tone incredulous.
Ah Yu nodded gravely. "Yes, everything seems to fall into place too neatly. Your attack coinciding with Miss Feng's attempted suicide on the day you arrived in town is quite suspicious."
Ah Fu remained silent, absorbing the implications.
"For now, I'll keep a close watch on her. You, however, need to focus on your recovery," Ah Yu instructed firmly.
Ah Fu nodded in understanding.
---
Ziyi hung the final piece of clothing with care before making her way back to her new place.
The moon hung high in the darkened sky, casting an ethereal glow, while the haunting howls of wolves echoed from all directions.
With deliberate movements, Ziyi began to unwrap the bandage that covered her feet.
At that moment, Ah Fu knocked gently before entering her room.
"Young master?" Ziyi asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
Ah Fu placed a tray of medicine down and proceeded to help Ziyi rebandage her injuries. "My eldest brother can be quite demanding at times. Try not to take it personally," he reassured her.
Ziyi found herself pondering whether Ah Fu was always this kind in the novel. Was that perhaps the reason the original Ziyi had developed such deep feelings for him?
With a sigh, Ziyi expressed her gratitude. "Thank you, young master, but you really don't need to go to such lengths. I am merely a maid."
"A sick one," Ah Fu noted, emphasizing her current state.
She thanked Ah Fu once more and showed him to the door, watching as he left.
Turning her gaze to the stunning night sky, she marveled at the countless stars that twinkled brilliantly above.
As she turned back, she was startled to find Ah Yu standing there unexpectedly.
"Lord Wu, what brings you here?" Ziyi asked, taken aback by his sudden presence.
Ah Yu replied, "I should be the one asking you that, Miss Feng. It's quite dark out here, and everyone else is asleep. What are you doing out here in such secrecy?"
"Secretly? Did you not see—" Ziyi began, but Ah Yu interrupted her.
"See what?" he queried, his tone curious yet firm.
Realizing that Ah Yu would likely remain skeptical regardless of her explanation, Ziyi conceded, "Nothing, Lord Ah Yu," and began to walk toward her tent.
Ah Yu studied Ziyi closely, noting that she appeared to be a fragile individual who hadn't rested in days. Had he been too harsh on her? She had only recently recovered, and yet he was already burdening her with responsibilities.
Just as Ziyi was about to close the entrance to her tent, Ah Yu stepped forward to stop her.
"You—" he cleared his throat, "you don't need to work for the time being. Take a few days off to recuperate," he offered, his voice softer than before.
Ziyi felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. Did she look that unwell? She touched her face, questioning, "Do I really look that sick?"
Ah Yu remained silent, his expression confirming her fears.
Ziyi then placed her hand on her forehead, and without thinking, reached out to touch Ah Yu's forehead to compare their temperatures. "It feels the same," she noted.
Startled by the unexpected contact, Ah Yu quickly stepped back. "You— you really shouldn't touch people so freely. Don't you know that women and men should keep their distance! I'll be heading back now," he stammered, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
With that, Ziyi retreated into her tent, the night enveloping her in its quiet embrace.