Reborn and returned, sisters swapped

Chapter 145 Herbal Milk Tea

Yasha's voice was deep and gentle, carrying the dust of the desert, as she recounted the ancient legends of the Hu clan.

Yasha said to her, "These are songs passed down from our ancestors. They sing of the sandstorms and the raging fires, and the fate that our generation faces."

Gu Jinyan lowered his head, a feeling passing through his mind.

She had gradually integrated into this place, and the secrets about the customs and culture of the Hu clan had been quietly collected into the depths of her memory.

The firelight shone softly on their faces.

Every painting, every detail, seems to be the silent language of this land, and she has already held it in her hands without even realizing it.

As the last rays of sunset faded from the horizon, a tranquil twilight descended upon the grassland like a veil, casting a soft, hazy glow over the world.

Only a few soft rustling sounds of wind breaking the silence broke the stillness.

Gu Jinyan and Samila continued their stroll across the vast grassland.

The air carried a crisp scent of grass and the dampness of the night breeze.

They walked to a slightly higher slope, where the view suddenly opened up before them.

Not far away, several cows were leisurely grazing with their heads down, while a few horses stood quietly beside them, their manes swaying gently in the wind.

It's like they're silently protecting this land.

The mountain shadows behind the herd of cattle and horses are as steadfast as deep contours, giving people an unspoken sense of weight and tranquility.

Gu Jinyan slowed his pace, afraid of disturbing their peace.

Samira stopped and pointed ahead, saying softly, "These cattle and horses belong to our camp. They will return here on their own in the evening and find their way back."

As Gu Jinyan gazed at the herd of cattle and horses, a strange tenderness welled up in his heart.

Samira noticed her curiosity and gently patted her shoulder: "Come on, let's go take a look."

As he spoke, he led her slowly closer to the quiet animals.

Gu Jinyan walked very lightly, taking each step with utmost care.

Samira, on the other hand, remained calm and knew every path leading to them well.

She would occasionally turn back and smile at Gu Jinyan, giving her a sense of relaxation and comfort.

As they approached, a brown calf seemed to sense their presence and slightly raised its head.

His eyes were clear yet held a hint of curiosity.

Its breath exhaled a warm breath, which seemed especially comforting in the cold night wind.

Samira bent down and gently patted the calf's head, her movements practiced and natural.

This has become part of her daily life.

The calf gently licked her hand, and Gu Jinyan couldn't help but smile when she saw this.

"These cattle and horses are like part of our tribe, accompanying us through wind and sand and cold nights."

Samira spoke softly, a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

She gently beckoned Gu Jinyan to come closer, pointing to several herdsmen not far away.

"These people are responsible for herding them on the grassland. They live with these cattle and horses day and night and are already familiar with each other."

Following Samira's gaze, Gu Jinyan saw several herders walking slowly towards them from a distance.

His figure blended into the night, his face bearing the serenity sculpted by time.

They walked steadily, each step firmly planted on the ground, intimately connected to this land.

He waved to Samila and Gujinyan from afar, his expression gentle, carrying the unique simplicity and tranquility of the grassland people.

Samira smiled and waved, then whispered to Gu Jinyan, "They are slow-paced, but very warm-hearted."

If you want some milk or mare's milk, just chat with them and they'll always be willing to share some.

The people on the grasslands are carefree; everything is shared.

Her voice carried a hint of pride and warmth.

It's like introducing a distant relative to Gu Jinyan.

As night deepened, the herders began to slowly drive their cattle and horses back to their camp.

As Gu Jinyan watched their skillful movements, the cattle and horses seemed to know where they were going, slowly moving forward and leaving behind a large number of footprints.

Samira stood beside her and said softly, "On this land, the relationship between people and cattle is like that of family."

They protect each other and share this land.

Gu Jinyan nodded slightly, as if he had touched the pulse of this grassland.

Tuker stood not far away, watching this scene thoughtfully, a complex expression in his eyes.

Perhaps he didn't realize that he had unknowingly become part of her plan.

And she had already quietly turned all of this into a powerful shield for her to hide in.

As night fell, the tranquility of the grassland was gradually replaced by the aroma of cooking fires from the campsite.

The herders gathered in twos and threes around the fire, talking in hushed tones.

Occasionally, a few rough laughs would erupt.

Gu Jinyan quietly looked around, pondering how to strike up a conversation with these people.

We must find a suitable opportunity without arousing suspicion.

She slowly approached the fire, lowering her head to conceal the slight hesitation and nervousness in her eyes, and pretended to sit casually by the fire.

Samira saw her coming and patted her on the shoulder.

The herdsman handed Gu Jinyan a bowl of "grass-scented milk tea," the tea having a warm and mellow color and gently steaming.

Gu Jinyan brought the bowl close to his nose and immediately felt a unique aroma wafting towards him.

The tea has a delicate aroma of wild grass and milk, with a hint of smokiness.

The essence of the grassland is condensed into this small bowl of tea.

"This is our grassland-scented milk tea, made with fresh sheep's milk and some crushed herbs."

Samira explained with a smile, a hint of pride in her eyes.

“Every year at this time, we collect a plant called ‘fragrant lotus grass,’ dry it, stir-fry it with tea leaves, and add a little bit of milk skin to make this unique flavor.”

Gu Jinyan took a sip, slightly surprised.

The tea initially tastes slightly bitter, followed by a lingering sweetness, and finally leaves a milky aroma that lingers on the tongue.

The aroma of the "fragrant lotus" is fresh and elegant, complementing the milky fragrance in the tea soup and bringing a lingering and profound flavor.

Piercing through the night, reaching deep into the grassland.

"This tea also has the effect of dispelling cold. Drinking a bowl in winter will warm you up from head to toe."

Samira continued, her gaze fixed on the fire.

That tea carries not only warmth, but also memories passed down from the grasslands.

Gu Jinyan put down the bowl, feeling the warmth of the tea slowly spreading from his chest, dispelling the chill of the night.

This also made her feel a deeper sense of closeness to this grassland.

Although the taste of this "grass-scented milk tea" is unfamiliar, it carries the unique simplicity and sincerity of the grassland people.

He was telling her stories that had never been told before.

The herdsmen beside her smiled kindly at her appearance, and the group began to chat with her casually.

"How were the horses you saw during the day?" an older herdsman asked.

Our horses are the pride of the grasslands, having weathered storms and snow with us, and have long been like family.

Gu Jinyan nodded and praised with some sincerity, "The horses are indeed very strong, unlike the thin and weak horses I have seen elsewhere."

She smiled gently, her eyes revealing admiration.

Upon hearing this, the herders all burst into laughter.

He was very pleased with her praise and gradually started talking more.

Gu Jinyan seized the opportunity and casually mentioned, "I heard that these horses are often lent to people in the camp, is that right?"

A middle-aged herdsman nodded, looking quite satisfied and proud: "Of course. The military camp isn't far from here, and their cavalry can't do without our horses."

Our horses here are strong and robust, with great stamina; they can walk steadily whether in the desert or mountains.

After hearing this, Gu Jinyan continued to feign curiosity and asked, "Is the military camp nearby?"

"I didn't expect it to be so close... I thought the military camp was far away. No wonder you're so familiar with them." She said casually.

I waited cautiously for the other party's reaction.

The herders exchanged glances, some of them wary.

But those few glasses of strong liquor made them relax their guard a little.

Finally, the older herdsman spoke, his tone tinged with disdain: "Hmph, not far, not far at all, just behind that high slope to the north. The patrolling troops have to go back and forth several times a day."

As soon as he finished speaking, another young herdsman seemed to realize that he had revealed too much, so he coughed lightly to remind his companion.

Gu Jinyan smiled and nodded, saying nothing more, but simply lowered his head and took a sip of herbal milk tea.

Silently memorize this information.

In the ensuing conversation, she did not mention the military camp much further.

They even steered the conversation towards hunting on the grasslands and the changing seasons, which eased the atmosphere and gradually dispelled everyone's wariness.

The firelight illuminated everyone's faces, and the flickering light and shadow added a touch of liveliness to the otherwise quiet night.

Gu Jinyan took a small sip of the herbal milk tea, feeling the warmth slide down her throat, and slowly put the bowl down.

He casually remarked, "This kind of tea must be indispensable in the cold winter. How do you get through the winter? Does life on the grasslands become difficult?"

Upon hearing this question, the herders fell silent for a moment, their eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

The elderly herdsman sitting to the side finally spoke, his tone slow and steady: "Winter is indeed difficult, especially in years with heavy snow. Cattle and horses can't find grass, and prey is hard to track."

Every year we have to prepare in advance, storing grain and meat.” His voice was deep, as if every word carried the weight of years of experience.

Gu Jinyan looked at him, his eyes revealing a mixture of curiosity and respect: "So how do you usually hunt? The grasslands are so vast, it must be difficult to find prey, right?"

Upon hearing the topic of hunting, the young herders immediately perked up, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Hunting isn’t something just anyone can do!” a burly young man laughed, his eyes sharp as an eagle’s.

"The prey on the grasslands are very clever, especially the wolves and deer, which are fast runners and good at hiding."

For inexperienced people, let alone catching them, even seeing their shadows is a problem.

Another herdsman added, “We usually hunt in the spring and autumn, when animals are active and herds of wild deer roam the grasslands.”

But once autumn is over, the grass and trees wither and turn yellow, and the prey all hide away, so in winter they have to rely on the food they stored up earlier.

His words carried a hint of pride; every hunt was a victorious battle.

He himself was the king of hunters in this land.

Gu Jinyan gently followed up on the topic, asking, "Will there be any difficulties during the hunt? It sounds like it won't be easy to succeed."

“Of course there are difficulties,” the older herdsman replied, his tone becoming somewhat heavy.

“Especially when encountering a pack of wolves. Wolves are not only hunters, but also adversaries.” He paused, a hint of vigilance and awe appearing in his eyes.