The Queen of the Prairie and I

When the food in the pot finally boiled, everyone in the cold wilderness was given a little to eat, but the hot soup belonged only to the Anzu soldiers.Slaves like me can only eat millet with wild vegetables.The crunchy chewiness, and the spicy taste of the wild vegetables that almost tingle the tongue, are actually not very adaptable to me.

There is still a little water left in the water bag, I dare not drink too much.The slaves would rob each other of water bags, and the Anzu warriors would use whips to stop the slaves from fighting, but they would not uphold justice for them, nor would they care who was robbed of what.If there is no eldest sister, I might have died without a burial place in this kind of journey, right?I'm afraid even the hair will have to be pulled out to tie up the luggage after death.

But as long as I sit closer to the eldest sister, the slaves will not be able to approach me.Being closer to the eldest sister means being closer to the bonfire, which is relatively warmer.But the eldest sister will not show any kindness to me on such an occasion where everyone is watching.I also know that I am still just a slave, with different identities, and this is an unbreakable rule here.I was neither far nor near the campfire, curled up on the cold ground after eating my own food, wishing I could have that strange, distant dream again.

"An Xiche, take a good rest." I heard the elder sister in front of the campfire say.An Xiche, that female warrior with straight black hair. "After you get to the territory of the Bode people, you can reconcile with other sisters." The Bode tribe, I still know it. I heard it from the conversation between the son and the others. It is a large tribe in the westernmost part of the Eastern Prairie.

"Sister, that slave is weird, do you really want to make her an adult?" An Xiche said, she was obviously talking about me.

"I've made up my mind about Li Zi, you don't have to doubt her too much."

"..." The eldest sister spoke to her so gently, I curled up on the ground and I actually became jealous of that An Xiche.I heard head shaking, like every night.That was the eldest sister taking off her helmet and arranging her hair in front of the campfire.Only An Xiche had seen the eldest sister take off her hair or hat.

I feel even more jealous.

Early the next morning, the team set off again. The Baishan Mountains were far away, and we were getting closer and closer to the eastern prairie.

I am a shoulder slave, but because my body is not so strong, the luggage I carry is much smaller than other slaves, although it is enough to kill me.

But today's trip was extremely difficult, and I don't know what's wrong with me.I am sick?Going to die of illness?

Painful devastation and rising sun, dust inhaled and exhaled through my nose, I was left behind.

I stood where I was, panting heavily, and I could hear the sound of horseshoes approaching again, but I was too uncomfortable to think about whether I would be whipped again.I don't know why since last night, I can't sleep and have a headache as if I have something on my mind.Now it was like a stone was stuffed in the stomach again.

"Li Zi, what's the matter with you?" said the eldest sister who came on horseback.As soon as I looked up, I saw her on horseback with a whip in her hand.I don't know how long it took, but the whip didn't come down, only I lowered my head and panted.

There was another sound of hooves. "What the hell is this slave doing?" This time it was An Xiche's voice, and she still didn't believe me as always.

"I...I..." I wanted to say something, but it felt as if there was a burst of moisture.The wet feeling spread with the close-fitting cloth clothes, which made me feel even worse.The eldest sister and An Xiche looked at me as if they saw something extraordinary.I also looked down, only to see that there was already a blood stain.

Sighing, I fell on my back again.Because of this, but also because of fatigue.

In a trance, there seemed to be a voice from the elder sister scolding others not to watch, "Whoever watches will die!" Such a voice.I saw An Xiche take out a piece of cloth, grab a handful of ashes from a bag, wrap the ashes in the cloth and walk towards me.

I still remember that many times, it was me who figured out the solution.Because whether it is the young master or the others, they will all show expressions as if they saw something terribly dirty, and drive me out of the tent.Throw out the felt that got on that thing too.

"Get up quickly." An Xiche said, still in a very impatient voice.I seemed to take this opportunity to take a nap and she actually took everything straight to the point.She didn't help me, and I could only turn over and struggle to stand up.It looks like she put the gray cloth bag inside, which is a good way.

"Is this... your first time?" An Xiche suddenly asked in a low voice.

"No." I replied.

She suddenly became very unhappy, and I could almost see her blushing, turned and ran angrily, got on the horse, and ran away.

That's weird, she doesn't look much younger than me.Has it never been?