"Lin Wuyue… that name, for some reason, sounds familiar…" Linyuan whispered, genuinely confused.
Lian glanced at him sideways. "Lin Wuyue… that's the name I gave one of my concubines in my past life. It wasn't her real name, but I gave it to her anyway."
Tsk, I need to get back to what I was doing. I can't lose focus just because they recognized a simple name.
Lin Wuyue clicked her tongue, shook her head to clear those thoughts, and gave her cheeks a couple of gentle pats.
It was late at night in the Forest of No Return.
The forest lived up to its name: it was so dense that even during the day, sunlight barely filtered through. On a hot day, it could feel refreshing, even pleasant, but the real problem was the thousands of beasts that inhabited it.
Luckily, they were still on the outskirts. Otherwise, they would have died long ago.
But just as it harbored dangers, it also concealed countless treasures. Among them, a white sword imbued with the attributes of ice and water.
For Jin Shao, in his past life, that sword would have been a mere useless ornament in his treasure room; but for Lin Wuyue, in her current state, it could be the key to survival or even to one day ascending.
Tsk… not the time to dwell on that. She shook her head again and continued her task.
While pretending to gather twigs, she discreetly collected several herbs that, at first glance, seemed useless. However, if combined correctly, they could serve as a repellent for beasts—especially the gray wolves that inhabited that forest. They always hunted in packs, and although the teenagers accompanying her were decently strong, they would be at a disadvantage against a large group. And if they died, I would too. So I would have to lend them a hand.
The clothes she was wearing had some small pockets. When they found her, there was a bag beside her, filled with tiny clothes, made for a child. Of course, they thought she was a child… she thought ironically. But that doesn't matter anymore. I chose this. And even though I complain, this feeling… this emotion… I haven't felt it for ages.
"Gray grass, broken root, hard seed, dry leaves…" Lin Wuyue muttered to herself, listing each ingredient while pretending to continue gathering twigs.
She sighed deeply. She knew these plants were ignored by everyone, which was why they were so easy to collect.
But if she mixed them properly, this could save our lives. She felt quite proud of her small accomplishment.
She decided to give the twigs she had gathered to Linyuan.
Linyuan was momentarily surprised: the branches were small and few. Well, at least they'll help increase the fire a little, he thought.
Besides, the girl had such a proud smile that he didn't say anything. She had surely done her best.
He had no idea that that satisfied expression wasn't due to the fire, but to the gray wolf repellent he'd just prepared. If he knew, he'd probably go mad.
The camp was small, but cozy. Linyuan had cleared the nearby rocks and bushes, so the air was fresh and the ground comfortable.
Lin Wuyue settled down to one side, on a large rock, her back to Linyuan.
While he wasn't looking, she began grinding the ingredients into a paste. Then she thought about how to apply it: she could pretend to fall and get it all over herself "by accident," or use it as an ointment.
Suddenly, she heard noises in the bushes.
Her heart nearly stopped. Gray wolves?
But when she saw it was just the loudmouthed teenager—the same one who kept repeating that she was a child—she breathed a sigh of relief. I almost died before I finished my medicine.
That sigh didn't go unnoticed by Feng Wu.
He was a cheerful and boisterous boy, the kind who could liven up any gathering. Of course, he didn't miss the opportunity to tease her.
"Little sister, were you scared? Don't worry, I'm here, absolutely nothing will happen!" He winked at her with a bright smile.
Lin Wuyue smiled kindly.
"Thank you, big brother. You're very kind to Xiao Yue."
Though inside, she was rolling her eyes as hard as she could.
Feng Wu laughed arrogantly, convinced that the girl was flattering him by thinking he was great.
"What did you bring?" Linyuan's voice interrupted his thoughts. Feng Wu frowned, annoyed by the change of subject.
"Some birds, a deer, and a rabbit. They're in the bag."
Sure enough, there was a huge bag behind him. Linyuan hadn't noticed it, but Lin Wuyue had… and she was starving.
Linyuan nodded.
"It'll be enough. We can manage without eating, but little Yue… I don't think she'll be able to."
As if her stomach were proving her right, it growled loudly.
Lin Wuyue, her back to them, stood motionless; her ears, visibly red, betrayed her.
Feng Wu burst into laughter.
He knew perfectly well that the girl was ashamed and, probably, wished she could bury herself alive again.
Linyuan began to cut the deer meat. She didn't laugh, but her lips trembled, suppressing a smile.
"Were you able to find anything out?" Linyuan asked.
Feng Wu's face turned serious instantly.
"Yes. The territory of the poisonous worm cocoons is near the center of the forest. It will be dangerous to go there, but if we take a shortcut across White Fish Lake, we might be able to get there…"
Linyuan nodded, agreeing with the plan, until he noticed something odd.
"You chose that route because of Lin Wuyue, didn't you?"
"Lin Wuyue…? Isn't that the name they gave my mother when she was a concubine?"
Lin Wuyue's heart stopped.
What…? No, it can't be. This is bad. Very, very bad. It can't be true!
Mother? That two-faced woman? I was dying, and you went off with another man… and had children?
He seemed to have completely forgotten that he himself had ensured none of his wives would bear children. He had no empress, and all of them had tried unsuccessfully to conceive by him. Lin Wuyue—his favorite concubine—had received jewels, treasures, and all manner of favors…
Slowly, Lin Wuyue turned around.
She had already finished the medicine; she dabbed a little on her hands, concealing it under her sleeves, and carefully observed Linyuan and Feng Wu's faces.
They looked too much alike… Coincidence? she wondered.
"Older brothers, you still haven't told me your names," she said with a sweet smile. "Xiao Yue is very curious."
In her head, however, she was rolling her eyes in fury. Curious, yes… I want to know which one of you is the son of that traitor.
The teenagers looked at each other, unsuspecting. Feng Wu spoke first, proudly:
"I'm Feng Wu, and this one here…" He put his arm around Linyuan and pointed at him. "…is my brother, Feng Linyuan."
Brothers?
It was like an arrow piercing his chest. Two brothers… two sons.
Even so, Lin Wuyue didn't let any of that show on her face.
"Big Brother Wu, how old are you?" she asked with a smile.
Feng Wu was completely pleased with the title and replied proudly,
"I'm fifteen years old. And you?"
Lin Wuyue opened her hand, revealing five small fingers.
"Five years," she replied with an innocent smile.