'Where is Xiao Ran headed off to in such a hurry?' Looking out the window, Fei Fu Xi saw the figure of a young girl running through snow and hopping over the walls of the estate with ease. 'Since when did Xiao Ran become so agile?'
"Xiao Ran!
Where are you going, Xiao Ran?
Don't you have to go to the Lantern Festival with Second Sister?" Coming outside, she walked closer to the escaping child. "Why are you going off in such a hurry?"
Mid-climb, the young girl froze like a startled deer in the wild, her eyes wild as she gaped at her. Soon the girl's face flushed pink from the cold or embarrassment. Perhaps both.
"I-, uh- Y-you, see, Eldest Sister."
"Hah, come down and come over here." Beckoning the mischievous girl over, Fei Fu Qi watched as Zhu Na Ran looked between her and the wall, conflicted. "Aiyah, are you really in such a hurry that you can't talk with your eldest sister?"
"E-eh, no, no… that's not it…" Zhu Na Ran's eyes frittered from side to side as if looking for a tactical way of escape. "I'm, I'm really sorry, Eldest Sister, but I have some matters to attend to outside.
I'll explain when I come back! "
"Hold it!" Grabbing onto Zhu Na Ran's cloak, Fei Fu Xi prevented the young girl from going any further. "Stay still.
There's something that I want to discuss with you. So you're not allowed to head out today.
Come with me. It's cold today, so let's get back inside."
"Eh? Eldest Sister, what are you talking about?
Are you treating me the same way as Second Sister? Are you trying to prevent me from playing with Little Fox?"
"Hm? Second Sister doesn't allow you to play with that little fox friend of yours?"
"Emm." Zhu Na Ran nodded as bowed her head. "Every time that I head out to play with Little Fox, she gets mad.
Recently. Second Sister seems to be like a totally different person. Before, she would've let me go out and play whenever I want, however now, it's like her whole demeanor changed... "
'It seems like mother and father made the right decision. Second Sister has begun to avoid Xiao Ran.
But then again, it doesn't mean that her feelings for Xiao Ran have changed in any way.'
"Let's head inside. I'm sure your friend will be understanding if you're a little late."
"Ehmm, fine…"
---
Pouring two cups of tea, she handed one over to Zhu Na Ran.
"Ehm, thank you." Taking it with both hands, Zhu Na Ran blew the gentle steam off the top before taking a sip.
"Xiao Ran, Eldest Sister has a question for you, and you must answer it honestly."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Do you like your second sister?"
"Hmm? Of course, I do!
I also like Eldest Sister, mother, and father as well!"
'This girl.' Fei Fu Xi rubbed her brow with an irked smile. "You idiot, that's not the kind of like I'm talking about.
Hmm, how should I put this?
Whenever you're with Second Sister, do you feel excited or nervous?"
"Eh, not really."
"Okay, how able when the two of you are not together. Do you think of her often or miss her dearly?"
"Uhh, I don't think so either."
"Then tell me, is there someone for whom you have this kind of feelings?"
"Huh, someone…" Zhu Na Ran mumbled herself as she tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"There isn't, right?
Otherwise, how could your eldest sister not notice?"
"Ughh…" Instantaneously, Zhu Na Ran's face started to glow red.
"Wait, there really is someone!
Your expression~!
Who, who is it?"
"Umm, L-little Fox. I mean, every time that I see her, I get so excited and nervous.
My heart is like a little fawn running around. And when we're not together…
Well, all that I can think about is playing with her…
'Is this that so?
So Xiao Ran likes her fox friend. As her eldest sister, I can't say that I'm thrilled by this revelation.
But I supposed that is fine too. As long as Xiao Ran doesn't have any feelings for Second Sister, this should be easy to handle.
Hmm, perhaps mother and father were right about choosing to send Xiao Ran away. That indeed seems to be the best way to break Second Sister away from her…'
"Eldest Sister, are you done? I need to meet up with Little Fox!"
'Aiyah, this girl is naive when it comes to love.
Hmm, well, I guess she's at least aware of her feelings now.'
"Xiao Ran, can you take your eldest sister to meet that little fox?"
"Hmm?
Okay!"
---
Walking alongside Zhu Na Ran, Fei Fu Xi dreaded her father's task for the day.
Her father's words rang through her head as the leaves rustled in the wind.
"Remember Xiao Xi. You must ensure that Xiao Ran leaves before Xiao Qu gets to her.
Understood?"
"Yes, Father." Fei Fu Xi hated what her parents were doing; however, she hated herself more that she wouldn't be able to stop her parents' plan.
If it weren't her, then they'd send someone else instead. And who knows how they'd break the news to Xiao Ran then.
"This daughter will be sure that Xiao Ran leaves safely and out of sight before the lantern festival ends."
"Good." Her father nodded approvingly with a relieved sigh. "That's good.
My daughter, don't let us down. For the face of the Fei Family, this must be done."
"...Yes…"
Although she understood that it was necessary for their family, she still couldn't help but disagree with its method.
'It's too late now.
I can only hope that Xiao Ran will do well without us…'
"Eh? Eldest Sister, why have you stopped walking?
We still have a ways to go until we get to the meeting spot with Little Fox."
"Xiao Ran, you've always wanted to explore the realm, right? Does that still hold now?"
"Huh?
Well, of course! I always wanted to see what's out there!
Mountains that touch the heavens and oceans as deep as the underworld! With adventure in every corner, who could bear sit still and let it pass them?"
Seeing how animated the younger girl was about adventure brought a little reassurance to Fei Fu Xi's resolve. At least she knows now that Zhu Na Ran would always be on the move.
"Hmm, I'm glad you're optimistic about the future, Xiao Ran. You know mother and father had taken notice of your desire for adventure, so they've decided to let you go off on your adventure."
"W-wait, really?"
"Ehm, on the condition that you leave right now. Go as far as you can and as soon as possible.
The farther, the better, and don't ever come back."
"W-wait." Zhu Na Ran suddenly grabbed Fei Fu Xi's clothes as her eyes grew red and her voice became shaky. "W-wait, what are you talking about, Eldest Sister?
W-why, why do you want to send me away so suddenly? Did I do something wrong?
W-what do you mean that mother and father are letting me leave?
Do they not want me anymore ?"
Seeing her younger sister in distress only made the guilt in her heart worsen. However, she knew that there was no going back.
Patting the top of Zhu Na Ran's head, it was the only consolation that she could give the poor girl. "That's not it…
You didn't do anything wrong, but this is what is best for both you and your second sister."
"O-oh…" Zhu Na Ran sniffed as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve. "I-is that so?
Hic, hic, okay then… I'll go... "
"..." Fei Fu Xi hugged her younger sister for what may be for the very last time. Rubbing the back of Zhu Na Ran's head, she tried to soothe the poor girl. "Xiao Ran, the fault lies with our Fei Family. We are the ones who can't live with you.
And since we sisters can't watch over you anymore, you take good care of yourself!
Find someone or somewhere that is strong enough that one can look down upon you. Somewhere that will keep you safe and happy."
"Sniff." Wiping her eyes, Zhu Na Ran struggled to plaster a reassuring smile on her face. "Eldest Sister, you don't have to worry. I will look after myself properly…
Um, please thank mother and father on my behalf.
Sniff, for all they've done for me during the past ten years. T-tell them that I'm sorry that I can't fulfill my filial duty."
'Xiao Ran, you realize that by sending you away, I'm merely following mother and father's orders…'
"Sniff, I suppose I should get going now... "
"Wait, Xiao Ran, before you go, I must give you something." Pulling out a small wine jar, she placed it in the young girl's hands. "If the pain of leaving is too great, drink this sweet flower wine.
It's not much, but at least it should ease the pain just a little. But, remember, don't share it with anyone.
I made this for you, and I'd hate for it to go to waste." Thousand Peach Blossom Wine. A rare recipe that she had managed to find in the Fei Family study many years ago. At the time, she had just assumed that it was an old wine recipe; only after doing some research, that she found that this wine was a powerful lost tool.
While drinking the sweet concoction, one simply had to think of what weighed heavy on their heart, and soon they would find any sorrow or misery evaporate.
Just a single drop is capable of letting a person forget a day's worth of pain.
Forever.
Although Fei Fu Xi was powerless at preventing the pain that Zhu Na Ran is going through, at least she could make her forget it entirely.
If she didn't know any better, perhaps this wine would've been the actual medicine for regret.
"Sniff, ehm. Thank you, Eldest Sister." Zhu Na Ran smiled as tears pearled up in her eyes. "I'll be sure to savor it while it lasts."
"Ehm." Petting Zhu Na Ran's head one more time, she waved the young girl farewell. "Take care of yourself, Xiao Ran."
"Oh, one more thing, Eldest Sister.
Don't forget to say goodbye to Second Sister for me.
Sniff. Tell her I'm very sorry that I can't accompany her to the lantern festival tonight...
Hic, hic, p-please apologize to her for me o-or she'll be very angry…"
"Don't worry, Xiao Ran. I will... "
Watching Zhu Na Ran's lonely figure disappear into the distance, Fei Fu Xi couldn't hold back the sob that threatened to spill from her throat.
'Why, why?!
Why do I have to do this… Why do you want to make me do something as cruel as sending Xiao Ran away?
Even if she was adopted, she's still my little sister… "
"Despicable!" Even if she wanted to curse the heavens, curse her parents for the unfairness of the situation, she knew that she was just as guilty as them.
'Second Sister will never forgive me…'