Chapter 2
Helian An noticed me as well.
I was not as striking as my sister, but I was still pretty.
I was young, and the cold had reddened the tip of my nose, making me look even more fresh and delicate.
“This is your sister, isn’t it? Let her become my concubine.”
Helian An asked me, “Are you willing?”
If I said no, they would abandon me in that frozen wilderness to die.
My closest kin were dead. I had no one left.
The escorting soldiers were dead too. As long as I remained within Great Yue, I would be hunted as the daughter of traitors.
I had no choice. I nodded. “I am willing to be your concubine.”
I wanted to live, even if it meant becoming the lowliest concubine.
My sister snapped, “Have you no backbone at all? You throw yourself at a man the instant your life is at stake?”
Stunned by her shamelessness, I shot back, “Didn’t you defect to the enemy to save your own life, Eldest Sister?”
Leaning against Helian An, she said,
“His Highness and I fell in love at first sight. Our feelings are mutual. This is love.
“Besides, I am marrying him as his lawful wife.
“But you want to be his concubine and share a husband with me. You’re just a pampered wife who lives to compete with other women!
“Rather than watch you sink any lower, you should kill yourself now and preserve your honor!”
She tossed me a broken arrow and ordered me to take my own life.
Helian An praised her. “I never imagined you would be so principled and unyielding.”
She answered sweetly,
“I have always believed women should be independent. We must never become parasitic vines clinging to men.
“I will marry Your Highness because I love you.
“My sister’s motives are impure. She will do anything to survive and prosper, so she is certain to become the sort of woman I hate most.”
She dabbed at her tears. “Better that she die before that happens.”
What a hypocritical face she wore.
Heartbroken, I looked at my brother, my grandmother, and all the Song women lying beneath the drifting snow. Then I seized the broken arrow and lunged at her.
Helian An saw what I meant to do. He drove the tip of his saber through my chest.
My sister shrieked and stamped her foot. “Your Highness, how cruel you are!”
I fell backward. She walked toward me with a smug smile.
“Blame your bad luck for being my family. A strong female lead’s relatives exist to be sacrificed.
“If all you female cannon fodder didn’t die, how could I look beautiful, powerful, and tragic?
“How else could Helian An fall in love with me at first sight?”
I did not understand her words. Gritting my teeth, I gathered the last shred of strength in my dying body and rammed the broken arrow through her left ear.
Its bloody point burst from her right ear canal.
Song Huaiyu stared at me in agony and disbelief. I roared,
“You killed everyone… Die!”
Helian An drew his saber in alarm and slashed at me.
My sister clutched her right ear, convulsing and vomiting blood.
I laughed. Even if I died, I would drag her down with me.