Hidden Fragrance

[This chapter is into the future, but an alternative story where the original main characters don't exist, the snake doesn't exist either. You can read the full book on scribblehub.]

In a dimly lit hut, a young woman stands hunched over, wearing a skirt and top woven from wool. With skillful hands, she stitches two pieces of fabric together using a needle and thread. Nearby, a man lies pale and frail, his coughs staining the air crimson.

Putting aside her needle, the woman looks at him with concern etched on her face. "Are you having trouble with your chest again? Should I get water for you?"

He weakly dismisses her worries. "No, I'm fine... Stay away, in case you get sick."

This woman is Han Kuize, chosen to be a sacrificial bride to the sickly old chief of the esteemed Tiger clan.

This man, Guo Yunshen fought a venomous snake and got blinded, losing his senses but not his hearing. The venom made him sick enough to be on deathbed and everyone believes it is slowly killing him.

In order to ensure he doesn't die alone, the tigers have found a bride for him from the Water Buffalo tribe - Han Kuize.

As part of this alliance, the Water Buffalo tribe gave various resources such as freshwater fish, high-quality grass, water supply, grazing land, medicinal herbs, bamboo shoots, honey, a hot spring, clay, mud, and mutual grooming sessions.

In return, the tigers provide fresh meat, maintain paths for easier movement, and handcrafted tools made from bones and bird feathers.

The tigers did not offer much in return because they consider themselves superior in race and believe they are far better than any other species, except for primates.

However, Han Kuize finds herself caught in an inevitable dilemma. The Tiger Tribe demanded a specific bride - none other than Han Qingzhao.

Her sister's fame had transcended limitlessly, inciting numerous suitors from various tribes. Despite the potential prospect of widowhood, there exist no traditional norms in matters of matrimony, with marriages often extending to three or even five partnes.

The sick man in her care firmly believes that she is Han Qingzhao, and Han Kuize can't reveal her true identity because of the Tiger Tribe's strict rule.

They want their chieftain to believe he had married a stunning beauty until his last breath.

This deeply hurt Han Kuize's self-esteem, feeling as if she had been struck in the chest with a heavy blow.

As she mulled over this, two men from the Tiger Tribe came in, carrying baskets filled with animal skins.

Callously throwing the baskets to the floor, they are we're about to walk out the same way they came in until Han Kuize spoke.

"Excuse me, sirs. May I ask what these animal skins are for?" Han Kuize asks hesitantly, her voice betraying a mix of curiosity and concern.

The two men paused, their eyes scanning Han Kuize with a dismissive glance. "These animal skins are offerings for our chieftain," one of them replied indifferently.

Guo Yunshen's clouded eyes trailed after them before he turned to his bride, his voice hushed and tender.

"Qingqing, please share more about your home with me."

"Sure… Our clothing isn't made from animal hides, but rather from plant fibers like cotton, hemp, or bamboo."

After a momentary pause, Guo Yunshen spoke softly, his voice strained and low.

"Tell me, where do you store your food? What crops do you cultivate? And how do you preserve meat?"

"We preserve our grains in woven baskets lined with wool. Fruits and vegetables are cooked with sugar and dried for preservation. As for meat, it is either frozen in caves during cold seasons or preserved with salt. However, we refrain from consuming or hunting meat. It is considered a taboo to even touch or eat it. Usually, it is given to us by tribes with whom we have formed alliances."

Guo Yunshen falls silent for a moment, his body quivering as he tightly clenches his fists, his knuckles turning pale. He hopes that she won't force him to survive solely on fruits and vegetables since a carnivore cannot sustain itself on plants alone.

It takes him some time to regain his composure, only to realize that she is not like the rumors had portrayed her. Her voice is captivating and calming.

He expected to be left lying in his own filth while under her care, but ensures he is cleaned daily and engages him in conversation about various topics, allowing him to stay informed about current events.

He is grateful that she has never exploited him as a breeding horse or subjected him to any form of verbal or physical abuse.

Things like that happen daily to those who fall sick and can't take care of themselves. Guo Yunshen, despite being blind in both eyes, lost in taste and smell he could have managed to care for himself.

However, the venom of the snake makes it difficult for him to move without experiencing excruciating pain and coughing up blood.

He once discovered that one of his friends, whom he had known since childhood, got married but ended up becoming crippled in both legs and subjected to cruel and brutal treatment worse than his own fears, such as daily scalding with hot water.

Unfortunately, this friend did not survive.

"How does the mainland look now?"

"It looks like it hasn't rained at all, it's dry and empty."

*

At the marshy home of the Water Buffalo tribe, people donned in white garbs diligently extract mud from the water, placing it into sturdy baskets.

Once this task is accomplished, they venture towards an open space where their fellow tribe members convert the mud into solid bricks.

"Why do we maintain an alliance with those arrogant cats who believe themselves to be superior? Yes, they possess great power, but in what regard?" someone grumbles.

Rather than simply preparing the mud for transportation, the Tiger tribe insists that Water Buffalo also take charge of the brick-making process as well.

"They demand too much but offer too little in return," another retorts.

"Get back to work!" an elder exclaims, rubbing his beard in irritation.