CHAPTER 08 - Herb

In the middle of the night, facing the window with moonlight passing through. Her body was cultivating together with it.

She sat in cross legged position, quietly both of her hands are on her knees, her eyes were completely sealed off.

Chao Lei exhaled and inhaled.

Her qi was completely lost but with her experiences, she didn't became ignorant on the strange environment she's in.

Morning came, and He Jian came knocking on Chao Lei's door but it didn't opened and no one replied. She started calling but still no one is answering.

"Big Sister Chao??"

"Big Sister?"

When finally, the door opened and revealed the same woman but Chao Lei exerts a different aura from usual.

Before He Jian could speak, Chao Lei spoke "Give me the leaves of Harir and when you found it, come knock on my door but when you don't have, don't disturb." she spoke coldly and then closed the door.

He Jian was stunned but then still admired this big sister for having different attitudes and begun searching for the herb she said but she found none. She doesn't even know what the herb looks like.

He didn't went for his big brother garden for she will resolve this problem alone!

She came to the market and rampagely asked and searched for the herb but she found nothing even a bit of clues!

Days passed, and she didn't even dared to knock on Chao Lei's door in fail of searching the herb. The Lady Miss has shut off from the world!

He Jian was frustrated.

"Just what is this herb look like?!"

"Young Miss. We already searched the whole village but we found nothing on it. But Young Miss, there's still one place we haven't searched." the servant spoke

"Where?!" He Jian anticipated

"Your Big brother's knowledge and his garden."

He Jian's expression turned gloomy. "No, I don't want him to be disturbed. I want to fix this problem alone."

The servant sigh "Yes yes you repeated it a lot of times already Young Miss. But with the proper knowledge of Master, he might know the rare herb and can perceive why the Lady Miss wants it."

That made He Jian in deep thought. She will open her mouth to argue but ended up shutting it then.

She started biting her nails in nervousness. "This is really... Stressing for a young woman like me."

The servant shook his head, young miss you were the one who started this after all!

Half hearted, He Jian went to Qiang Ping courtyard and told him about it.

"So, that's why." Qiang Ping stated depressingly

"What do you mean big brother?"

"The day after we had the meeting between the Elders, she strangely became quiet. Quiet as still and didn't talk all the way to me. She only uttered conserved words to me before we parted, she said 'I need to do something' and this herb you said, this must be something connected with her current situation."

"Do you know it big brother?" He Jian anticipated

Qiang Ping hesitatingly nodded "But it was rare and its existence was almost to none. Unfortunately, I dont have it in my garden but I know one place that it might grow."

"Then! I'll call our persons to deliver the task immediately--"

"No. I'll be the one getting it." Qiang Ping firmly declared

He Jian chuckled, she thought that her big brother was dedicated to his role for being Chao Lei's future husband that he wanted to take all the credit.

But then after she finished hearing all the plans of her big brother, she was dumbstruck. Qiang Ping don't plan on taking a even a single servant with him.

"Then I'll go!" He Jian volunteered but then immediately refused by Qiang Ping.

"Big brother. I know you truly love Big Sister but what you're planning is---"

"If ever she would find me, don't tell her everything we discussed here Ok He Jian?"

He Jian hesitated, this can't be happening. Her big brother is gonna go out alone!

But she had only bit her lip, Qiang Ping can't be stopped!

Reaching outside the Manor, Qiang Ping forcefully moved his wooden wheel on both side of his wheelchair.

He is aware of what condition Chao Lei has now, and maybe this herb can truly help her return his self from its former condition.

This herb was not rare but was forcefully seized its existence on this village for it brought great bad luck and damage to the people here. He didn't brought people because they may lost their lives just seeing the herb. But Chao Lei is not a person of this village, the herb could not damage her.

The herb was commonly called Harir or the so called 'Plant of the Heavens Will'. A very righteous plant among all.

.....

Days passed and she was likely in seclusion, all she did was to sit and cultivate. But when she was at the peak of comprehension, she will spout another mouthful of blood.

Her dress was already tainted in red caused by the blood. Her face was already at its edge but she need to confirm it. She need to. She need to!

On the other hand, He Jian was going crazy for another day passed. Both the couple had their own ways to make her explode from intense worrying.

Her big brother was nowhere to be found, she sent spies but her big brother was a complete genius, he left no traces! Then her big sister Chao, she can hear her coughing inside her room but she didn't dare to knock or open it, and now she could only do was to grit her teeth in nervous.

"My heart, my heart, my Young heart. I'm gonna die early." He Jian spoke in deep grief.

"Young Miss, It would be good if you think only the positive." the servant suggested

"Hao Hao. Where do you think is the positive side here?!" He Jian turned to her

"Being positive that Master Qiang Ping will successfully brought the herb to Lady Miss Chao Lei. Simple as that."

He Jian scoffed at her words "Do you think it is simple as that?"

"Yes."

"If I said simply that chickens can fly. What positivity is there?"

The servant named Hao Hao smiled and said, "Of course, the wings they had has finally of use."

"Wrong! If they can fly then they would be harder to catch! If they are harder to catch we can't cook them! If we can't cook them, we will not be eating anything! We will gonna die of hunger for chickens meat! There is no positive side at all!"

"..."

He Jian grinned with her grievely lost servant.

"Big brother went out alone to take the mysterious herb out of nowhere and even successfully escaped my agents! Do you think my brother won't risk it all?"

"What?"

Both He Jian and Hao Hao turned behind to the lady who had just arrived. Her voice was almost faint, her face was extremely in a worst state and her dress, it has blood!

"Big sister Chao!" He Jian quickly approached not believing her eyes.

"W-W-What happened?!!!" She analyzed Chao Lei's body but there's no sign of any wounds.

But Chao Lei gripped He Jian's both arm "Where did your brother go?" she asked with authority, hearing those words from He Jian earlier. Chao Lei trembled in fear.

Just what the hell she did?

He Jian thought of an acceptable excuse because her big brother strictly not to tell Chao Lei about what he did "Uh-haha... Big sister Chao---"

"He Jian. Where is Qiang Ping?" Chao Lei exerts a very terrible aura that made He Jian sweat and drink her own saliva.

"I-I-I... I'm sorry Big sister!" she kowtow suddenly infront of Chao Lei "...you gave me task for me alone but I failed to find the herb that's why, I asked Big brother about it then, knowing it alone he came rushing towards the herbs whereabouts."

Chao Lei stiffened her back "H-He knows about the herb?"

He Jian vigorously nodded.

Chao Lei bit her lower lip and turned around.

"Big sister chao! W-Where are you going?!" seeing Chao Lei's figure going out, she can't help but to be become hysterical.

"I'll gonna go get him."