Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play
Chapter 192: Tenderness

Chapter 192: Chapter 192: Tenderness

Just a little more, these Yanyang people truly excel in treachery. In hand-to-hand combat, Xie Zhang couldn’t defeat him, yet in the end, it was he who lost. How infuriating!

Marquis An Yuan remarked sarcastically, "Ninth Prince, contests of strength are just the way of soldiers—victory and defeat come with the territory."

Dugu Jing: "..."

"Someone, bring more fine wine for the Prince." Emperor Jianming raised his cup in invitation. "With fine wine and good food, let’s not squander this splendid night. We, the court, shall revel in this moment together."

The officials raised their cups and drank heartily, as though the blood-soaked duel in the arena was no more than a passing episode.

Xie Zhang had internal injuries. It was Zhang Lingzheng’s father who treated him. Though his injuries were severe, his robust constitution ensured that they wouldn’t be fatal. He just needed proper care. Feng Shu, by his side, was heartbroken. His previous arrow wound had not yet healed, and he had taken part in the major battle to kill the Beiman King. Afterward, he scarcely had time to recuperate in the Capital City before suffering new wounds at the hands of Dugu Jing. Though he emerged victorious, he nearly lost his life.

The Marchioness also left her seat to accompany him. Hearing Judge Zhang confirm that his injuries were not life-threatening, both the Marchioness and Feng Shu breathed sighs of relief. "Mother, I’m young and strong. Though the wounds look frightening, they’re really not serious. Just make some red jujube and pork liver porridge to help replenish my blood. It truly doesn’t hurt," Xie Zhang said.

"Lies! How could it not hurt when you’re this injured?!" The Marchioness reprimanded him. Her eldest son’s face was pale, devoid of blood. "You’re right. I’ll have someone prepare the food. Shu’er, take good care of him."

"Alright!" Feng Shu replied.

Xie Xun, ever perceptive, pulled Xie Jue away. Xie Jue frowned, "What are you doing?"

"Big Brother wants the company of Sister-in-law, not us. Why are we loitering?" Xie Xun dragged him further away. "What’s wrong with Dugu Jing? What’s got him challenging Big Brother?"

"I don’t know." Xie Jue seemed restless. "Any developments in Xiyanshan?"

"I wanted to talk to you about that." Xie Xun, ensuring no one was around, hurriedly said, "Lin Xiao and the others triggered a trap in the southern hunting grounds—poisoned darts tipped for instant death."

"Follow me!" Xie Jue brought him back to the tent. Shortly after, Fang Chuning arrived as well. In the center of Xie Jue’s tent was a large square table, upon which a map of Xiyanshan was spread out.

"Circle the locations of the traps!"

Meanwhile, the feast at the front was still ongoing, with lively chatter filling the air.

After Xie Zhang’s bout with Dugu Jing, the clash fueled the fighting spirit of both the Beiman officials and Yanyang Generals. Several Junior Generals and Beiman Generals began issuing challenges. Fearing it might escalate into a bloodbath, Marquis Zhenbei raised his hand to halt them.

Noticing that his three sons and Fang Chuning were absent, Marquis Zhenbei’s brows furrowed slightly.

Inside Xie Zhang’s tent, Feng Shu was holding a bowl of freshly brewed medicine. Blowing on it gently, she intended to feed him, but Xie Zhang decisively took it, briefly blew on it, and drank it all in one go. Feng Shu couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing her worry, Xie Zhang reached out to hold her. "Really, I’m fine."

"Even though I’m so distressed," Feng Shu said, cradling his head and gazing into his eyes, "you truly are the bravest and most handsome man I’ve ever seen."

Xie Zhang’s heart ached tenderly. Over the years, he felt he might drown in Feng Shu’s sweet words. Her words stirred him. He lowered his head and kissed her. Tasting the bitterness on his lips, Feng Shu lightly traced her tongue over them, thinking with a bit of sweetness, sharing bitterness like this could be considered sharing everything together.

"Dugu Jing respects the Beiman King and traveled thousands of miles to the Capital City attempting to abduct you. If so, he wouldn’t have knocked me off the stage. For the honor of the cavalry and Yanyang, I couldn’t back down either. The best strategy was preserving my strength and finding an opening to knock him off the stage. If I had fully engaged him with all my strength from the start, I wouldn’t have beaten him." Xie Zhang had tailored his strategy to the opponent, relying on sheer willpower to win against Dugu Jing.

Feng Shu gently touched the tear on his lip, taking the ointment from the side and applying it for him. Despite the scratches on his face, to Feng Shu, they did nothing to diminish his allure.

Her slender fingers dipped into the salve, spreading it along the corner of his mouth. Having experienced Feng Shu’s teasing often, Xie Zhang, seemingly self-taught, bit her fingers. He then licked and kissed the ointment off them. Feng Shu felt as though she might drown in his gaze. Her face turned a fiery red as she scolded quietly, "Let go."

"Scolding me?" He sucked on her finger once more before reluctantly releasing it. Feng Shu, blushing, continued applying the ointment to his wounds. "Such a handsome face cannot be scarred."

Xie Zhang’s heart melted entirely. He gazed at her tenderly and asked about Fengyu. "How is Sister Fengyu’s condition?"

"The snake venom is deeply rooted and difficult to treat. If she makes it through tonight, there’s still a glimmer of hope," Feng Shu replied as she finished applying the ointment. "I’ll return to her tent later. I won’t stay with you tonight; you should get some rest."

"Alright!" Xie Zhang acquiesced. He hadn’t expected so many incidents to occur even before the hunt began. Both he and Fengyu were people Feng Shu held dear. Watching over him took her attention away from Fengyu. Holding her by the waist, he pulled her closer, their bodies pressing tightly against each other. Feng Shu worried she might aggravate his injuries. "Brother, don’t overexert yourself. Mind your wounds."

"I’m not that weak. I’ve got to save my strength to hold you." Xie Zhang playfully adjusted her hair. "Were you frightened watching me take a beating just now? Why must you be so stubborn, insisting on coming to watch?"

"I was worried about you." Feng Shu clasped his hand. "Dugu Jing is so ferocious. For the sake of the cavalry and Yanyang, I know you wouldn’t back down. But if something happened to you..."

Hearing her words, Xie Zhang felt a slight pang in his heart. He was a seasoned General, as he had been in the past and would be in the future. In all the years she wasn’t by his side, Shu’er had always feared for the dangers of the battlefield, where blades and spears showed no mercy. Any news of trouble would prompt her to personally travel to Ningzhou. No matter the time or place, he knew someone cared deeply, waiting for him to return alive.

Xie Zhang, though reserved in his emotions, had grown more sentimental under Feng Shu’s influence over the years. He tenderly embraced her. "I haven’t yet carried you home in a grand ceremony. No matter where I am, I will return alive to see you."

"I know!" Feng Shu was deeply moved. "I believe you."

Some words did not need to be spoken outright; their understanding was mutual. They held each other tightly. Xie Zhang said, "Shu’er, no matter how difficult Dugu Jing makes things, the two nations will eventually cease fire. In the future, I won’t let you live in fear again."

"Alright!" Feng Shu replied, though her heart still ached. "With your injuries so severe, you should rest in the tent for the next few days of the hunt. Don’t participate."

"Alright!" Xie Zhang consented to her wishes. Given his injuries, it was indeed unsuitable for him to join the hunt. Though he should have returned to the Marquis Mansion to recuperate, he chose not to because of concerns for his father and brothers. For now, he decided not to return to the Capital City. "Don’t wear yourself out taking care of Sister Fengyu through the night."

The two whispered intimately as they held each other. Xie Zhang, knowing she worried about Fengyu, pretended to be drowsy so she would go check on Fengyu. Reluctantly, Feng Shu finally left his side.

After finishing their discussions, Xie Xun and Xie Jue, along with Fang Chuning, headed to Feng Family’s side of the camp. Xie Xun went to check on Fengyu, while Fang Chuning was there for Fang Lingjun.

Zhang Lingzheng remained stationed inside the tent, afraid of any sudden change in Fengyu’s condition. Fang Chuning led the drowsy Fang Lingjun out, saying, "Fengyu’s family is all here. Go rest. Let your maid keep watch; she’ll notify you if anything happens."