Chapter 70 Even if she dies, she'll die by my side…
"Oh, wait a minute!"
Wei Xuan was at a loss for words. He quickly fetched the medicine, hesitated for a moment, and then sat down on the stone bed to make it easier to apply the medicine.
He and she grew closer.
The girl tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and displayed all the injuries on her face to the man.
Grandma Liu had been by the young lady's side for five years. The young lady had always been cautious and timid, and she had never seen her "shout" at anyone like this before, let alone seen her openly and confidently show her whole heart to another person.
The sunlight streaming into the cave made the girl's cheeks appear rosy and white, and even the moisture in the corners of her eyes seemed to shimmer.
Like a bud just beginning to bloom after the rain has stopped.
This must be the Princess Zhaoyang who everyone praised back then.
Wei Xuan, who was so close, could only see the scars that couldn't be covered up beneath the faded rouge.
Two bruises on his forehead, a split at the corner of his mouth, not to mention his sunken eyes and bruises under his eyes.
When the little girl got her ears pierced, she would cry for three days straight.
It's unknown how many tears she has shed in these five years.
Wei Xuan's throat felt tight, and his hands trembled slightly as he applied the medicine, wanting to spread it evenly but afraid of hurting her.
He was very careful. After applying the medicine to one wound, he gently blew on it to dry it. Seeing that she didn't seem uncomfortable, he moved on to the next one.
The general's hand was so light that Xue Lanyi felt no pain, only the cool mint ointment and the warm, moist breath spraying on her skin.
It felt as if a spring breeze was gently caressing her face.
It's very comfortable and reassuring.
Xue Lanyi instinctively tilted her head, showing him the wound on the right side of her neck that Xiao Cheng had pinched.
Wei Xuan readily accepted the advice and continued to apply the medicine along the neck line.
But when he buried his head, Xue Lanyi realized that the distance between them was too close.
His breath clung to her neck and seeped into the back of her collar.
Xue Lanyi's earlobes suddenly turned red. She opened her eyes and saw ears that were even redder than hers, almost dripping blood.
It's hard to imagine that a man past twenty, with such deep and composed features, has a pair of bright red earlobes amidst his black and white hair.
Xue Lanyi suddenly wondered what his reaction would be if she kissed him.
He's probably never been kissed before.
Thinking of this, Xue Lanyi blushed and felt a surge of emotion.
Just as I was about to muster up the courage to do it, I felt a cool sensation from the ointment on my collarbone.
Xue Lanyi's expression hardened, and she looked down to see Wei Xuan applying medicine to the hickeys on his collarbone.
He may not have realized what it was, or he simply didn't know what it was, and he was completely focused on her injury.
She gently applied the kiss marks that Wei Zhang had left on her.
Those dense hickeys stretched from the collarbone all the way to the shoulder blades, and then to the tattoo.
If Wei Xuan sees this...
Xue Lanyi dared not think about it and quickly pulled her clothes tighter, covering her neck completely.
Wei Xuan paused slightly as he dipped the medicine brush in, then exchanged a blank look with Xue Lanyi. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I... I'd better let Granny Liu apply the medicine." Xue Lanyi glanced away.
The clearer Wei Xuan's gaze became, the more distressed she felt.
She realized something: the intimacy she had once fantasized about exploring with him.
She's already slept with another man.
Wei Xuan remained where he was.
He doesn't understand anything.
She knows everything.
A complex pain made it difficult for Xue Lanyi to face Wei Xuan. Her eyes darted around as she said, "I...I'm hungry."
"I've prepared sweet rice cakes, osmanthus pastries, and lotus leaf chicken. What would you like to eat?"
"I...I..."
Wei Xuan prepared all of her favorite foods.
Only now did she realize that the delicious food she ate at Shuanghuazhai, the soft cushions she used in the bridal sedan chair... every little thing was Wei Xuan's thoughtfulness.
The better Wei Xuan treated her, the more anxious she became.
Not knowing how to face him, she clutched her collar tightly, "I want to eat fish, pheasant, and wild fruit, is that okay? Is that okay?"
She intended to get him away first.
Wei Xuan listened carefully. He never refused her requests. He thought about it carefully and said, "There is a canyon behind the cave. We should be able to hunt wild game there. Wait for me for half an hour. If you get hungry, have some pastries to tide you over."
"I..." Xue Lanyi felt even more upset, but she could only nod.
She seemed guilty, like someone who had done something wrong.
Even though I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, I still panicked.
She needed a little time to sort out her emotions, so she urged, "Go on, I'm hungry."
"Okay, wait for me."
Wei Xuan could tell she was in a bad mood.
But she didn't want him now, and he couldn't force her to stay, lest he upset her, so he didn't say anything more, got up and took his bow and arrows.
Upon reaching the cave entrance, Fang instructed Granny Liu, "This place is located deep in the canyon and is still safe. There's no need to stay trapped in the cave forever. You can help Yiyi out for some fresh air, if... she's willing."
Wei Xuan glanced at Xue Lanyi.
Xue Lanyi sat on the stone couch with her arms wrapped around her knees.
When he looked at her, she shrank back to avoid him.
Wei Xuan had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
Having never experienced romantic love, he didn't immediately consider other possibilities.
All he could see were her wounds.
On the way to hunt in the mountains, Xue Lanyi's sudden defensiveness and loss of control kept replaying in his mind.
He suddenly realized this possibility.
So, the wounds he just wiped were densely packed, with more than ten on her neck alone, all of which Wei Zhang deliberately left on her body?
Thinking about it this way, one wonders how much humiliation she suffered in places unseen by outsiders?
She loves pretty girls the most; she'll be unhappy if she gets a scratch or an ear piercing.
What else did Wei Zhang do?
Even if he felt the slightest pity for her, how could he bear to see the girl covered in scars?
I don't know if she's in pain.
Wei Xuan's thoughts were in turmoil, and his grip on the reins tightened suddenly.
Then I thought of her curled up in her dream, her eyes filled with fear like a young animal, still in a state of alternating lucidity and confusion...
All of this was thanks to Wei Zhang.
Wei Xuan felt a burning desire within him.
He was not the type to endure in silence or live a life of cowardice; even his mount, Liefeng, could sense his master's anger.
The horse ran faster and faster, crossing towering mountains and swamps, heading straight towards Shengjing.
The scenery around me rushed past, and the wind whistled in my ears.
Upon reaching the summit, standing atop a cliff, he saw Wei Zhang, dressed in black, standing on the other side of the Yellow River.
At that time, the Yellow River estuary was already full of boats, and Wei Zhang looked down at the scene on the river from the observation deck.
On the high ridge, Wei Xuan held the bow steady.
His archery skills could penetrate thousands of troops and take the enemy's head.
I will never let any enemy who is within arm's reach return safely.
From this vantage point, there's an absolute chance that an arrow could pierce the heart of anyone standing on the observation deck!
The bowstring is drawn taut.
A creaking, sluggish sound rang out.
Can……
Then what?
He was not afraid of alerting the enemy; at worst, he would fight to the death, and even if there were thousands of troops, he could still escape.
But what about Yiyi?
She is now like a frightened bird, not tolerating the slightest mistake.
If he gets hurt again because of his momentary anger, how can he face her?
Wei Xuan took a deep breath and finally, in a cowardly manner, put down the eight-stone bow that he was so proud of.
Well, what could be more important than making her happy right now?
Wei Xuan curled his lips and patted Lie Feng's head, "Alright, stop being temperamental, let's go hunt wild chickens."
With a snort, the man and his horse disappeared back into the deep mountains.
When Wei Xuan returned to the cave, it was almost dark.
His footsteps were so light that they were almost inaudible.
But the aroma of roasted wild pheasant wafted into the cave first, along with the faint scent of wildflowers.
Xue Lanyi quickly closed her eyes.
Grandma Liu opened her mouth, but didn't know how to offer any advice.
She had just applied medicine to the girl.
His entire body, even the back of his feet, was covered in the Duke's fingerprints.
With such a body, it's understandable that she couldn't face the man she longed for.
Granny Liu draped a cloak over the young lady's shoulders. When she saw Wei Xuan come in, she quickly went up to her and said, "The young lady is a little tired and has gone to sleep."
Wei Xuan looked over Granny Liu's shoulder and glanced inside at Xue Lanyi's stiff, sideways-lying back.
In fact, martial arts practitioners can easily distinguish whether a person's aura is concentrated or dispersed.
She was pretending to be asleep; she didn't want to see him.
Wei Xuan understood, so he didn't go into the cave. Instead, he gave the roast chicken wrapped in banana leaves to Granny Liu at the cave entrance.
She also handed the bouquet of wildflowers in her right hand to Grandma Liu.
"Please trouble you to place this by the bedside, Mother. If you need anything, please feel free to call me." Wei Xuan said in a very soft voice, nodding politely.
Then, he deliberately walked away quietly, as if he had gone far enough away that he could no longer be heard.
Xue Lanyi's heart did not clear up just because Wei Xuan was away.
She didn't know what was wrong with her.
He distanced himself from her, and she was unhappy.
She wasn't happy when he got close to her.
"Miss..." Granny Liu finally couldn't help but speak up and held the flowers in front of the stone bed. "Miss, look how beautiful the flowers the young master picked for you are. Don't be angry."
A faint scent of mint and wild chrysanthemum wafted into Xue Lanyi's nostrils.
He used to make bouquets like this for her when he accompanied her on outings in the countryside.
It's for repelling mosquitoes.
He made this especially for her because there were many mosquitoes in the cave at night.
Xue Lanyi felt warm inside.
However, the better Wei Xuan treated her, the more upset she felt.
"Go ahead and do your work, Mother-in-law," Xue Lanyi said listlessly, leaning to one side.
Before Granny Liu could say anything more, Wei Xuan's voice rang out from outside, "Would you mind coming over to help me scrape off the fish scales, Granny?"
"Young lady..." Granny Liu didn't say anything more, and left after curtsying.
Inside the cave, only Xue Lanyi remained. A single, crystal-clear tear spilled from the corner of her eye and streamed down her nose.
She knew, of course, that she shouldn't have argued with Wei Xuan.
She should be most angry with Wei Zhang.
He was like a filthy mud splashed onto a pristine white canvas.
Xue Lanyi could not erase it, could not forget it.
Even if she leaves him, she still cannot escape his control.
A surge of hatred welled up in Xue Lanyi's heart.
She even harbored malicious thoughts.
Will her nightmare only end when that person dies?
He deserves to die!
She hated him to death!
The girl's fists were clenched tightly.
On the other side of the Yellow River, a man gazing down at the surging waters felt a sudden, inexplicable pain in his heart, as if something were clenching him so tightly he couldn't breathe.
"Master hasn't slept for a day and a night, he should go back and rest," Qingyang advised from the side.
Wei Zhang took a deep breath, suppressing the hidden emotions within him.
It has been one day and two nights since Xue Lanyi jumped into the river.
The rivers are turbulent due to days of torrential rain.
It's possible that a person falling into the water could be torn to pieces or devoured by a fish-like beast.
The longer it drags on, the more dangerous it becomes.
Wei Zhang was still handling court affairs in an orderly manner.
Late last night, he finally came to Sishui Pass in person.
They stood there for a whole day and night.
The wind is strong at the mouth of the Yellow River; one cannot stay there for too long.
Unable to dissuade him, Qingyang changed his approach and said, "A letter has arrived from the Western Qi, saying that Prince Xiao's behavior has been inappropriate, implicating Wang Yu and Zhou Qing, the wedding envoys, and causing the concubine to disappear. They express their deepest apologies and, to show their sincerity, are willing to return the three cities in the western border to Dayong."
These words did not cause any stir.
Everything was just part of Wei Zhang's scheme.
On the day Xiao Cheng publicly offered a city and horses as betrothal gifts to Xue Lanyi, Wei Zhang, concerned about his official reputation, had no choice but to agree.
After that, Wei Zhang made an agreement with Xiao Yi, the prince of Western Qi, to arrange for Yingzhou people to assassinate Xiao Cheng after Xiao Cheng left Shengjing.
Therefore, it was not Wei Zhang who forcibly kept Xue Lanyi, but Xiao Cheng who was philandering, which led to the failure of the marriage alliance.
As for Crown Prince Xiao Yi, as long as he could eliminate Xiao Cheng and tarnish Xiao Cheng's reputation, it would be entirely beneficial to him.
Therefore, he quickly admitted Xiao Cheng's crimes and returned Dayong City.
From then on, Xiao Yi firmly held the position of Crown Prince.
Wei Zhang was able to reclaim the city without losing a single soldier, and at the same time, he could rightfully take back Xue Lanyi.
This was supposed to be a win-win situation.
The only variable is... Xue Lanyi is gone.
Ironically, Wei Zhang went to such great lengths to deal with Yingzhou, Xiao Yi, and others, but his ultimate goal was simply to get his people back.
If this step is wrong, all the previous plans will be meaningless.
Wei Zhang's plans were always flawless, but this time they failed.
Perhaps it was the first time he had experienced the feeling of being out of control; his chest felt empty, yet his emotions surged like the Yellow River before him.
Qingyang couldn't let his master worry too much and ruin his health, so he advised again, "The ministers of the cabinet are waiting for you to return so they can discuss the handover of the city with Xiqi. Why don't you make a trip back to the capital?"
Returning to Beijing is better than standing at the mouth of the Yellow River, enduring the ravages of wind and frost day and night.
Qingyang understood Wei Zhang after all; when state affairs were mentioned, a slight ripple appeared in his eyes as he gazed into the distance.
He averted his gaze.
At that time, officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War had been waiting for a long time, just ten steps away.
The current emperor is unable to make decisions on anything, and we are currently in a period of great turmoil, so the court officials can only rely on the Grand Secretary.
However, dressed in a golden python robe, standing beneath the mountains and waterfalls, his black robes fluttering, he appeared far too aloof and unapproachable.
No one dared to approach and disturb them; they simply waited where they were.
Seeing that Wei Zhang had come to his senses, the crowd bowed respectfully from a distance, hesitant to speak.
In short, matters of the court are of utmost importance and cannot be delayed.
Wei Zhang straightened his robes before stepping down from the viewing platform and heading towards the carriage.
Seeing that Wei Zhang intended to return to the capital, everyone rushed forward to greet him and followed closely behind him.
"Lord Wei, who do you think would be suitable to take over the three cities in the western border?"
"And Prince Xiao's body is already badly decomposed. How can we explain this to the Western Qi?"
...
All matters of the court flowed forth like the Yellow River, ceaselessly surging forth.
Wei Zhang walked in front of the crowd with his hands behind his back, his expression growing increasingly grim as he listened to the ministers' words.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, paused, and then glanced at the crowd behind him.
The ministers all stopped and bowed, listening attentively to which matter Lord Wei would address first.
"If we can't find it in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, we'll look in the nearby valleys," Wei Zhang said.
The officials were puzzled and did not understand what Lord Wei was referring to.
Only Qingyang understood. He walked through the crowd to Wei Zhang's side and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency, I have sent people to search the Yellow River and its banks, but there is no trace of my concubine. If my concubine had jumped into the river and drowned, she couldn't have been too far from the riverbank."
"If she can't do it herself, what about others?"
Wei Zhang couldn't believe that Xue Lanyi had been swallowed by the fish beast so silently.
So, what if someone rescued her?
"How about the one in the Western Region?"
Qingyang knew that the master was referring to the eldest son.
Now, even the eldest son's name is no longer to be called.
Qingyang cupped his hands and said, "Lord Pei said that the eldest son is currently in seclusion to recuperate his eyes."
Qingyang's reply made Wei Zhang's suspicions even clearer.
Could it be that Wei Xuan really sneaked back to Shengjing and rescued Xue Lanyi?
Did he reunite with Xue Lanyi?
The thought of this possibility made the emptiness in Wei Zhang's chest grow ever wider.
He was certain that Wei Xuan was now like a kite on a string, surrounded by spies. Even if he escaped temporarily, Wei Zhang was confident that he could bring him back.
However, the uneasy undercurrent in my chest still simmered faintly.
Even a sense of unease arose in my heart.
He didn't know what was wrong with him, nor did he want to think about it anymore; the fingers behind his back clenched unconsciously.
"Send someone to the western border to confirm, make sure you actually see him in person, and be careful not to alert him," Wei Zhang said.
Still not enough, he said again, word by word: "Burn the mountain."
Wei Xuan is skilled in surprise attacks. If he really took Xue Lanyi away, he must be hiding in some valley.
Wei Xuan disappeared into the mountains and forests, like a fish swimming in the deep sea, his whereabouts were unpredictable, and he was difficult for ordinary people to find.
The only solution is to address the root cause.
Hearing this, Qingyang felt a chill run down his spine.
There are many fishermen and hunters living along the river.
Now, Wei Zhang's use of fishing boats has already brought fishermen's livelihoods to a standstill. If he were to burn the mountains again, I fear...
It's not certain that a concubine can be found, and civil unrest may frequently occur, which could have a significant impact on the official career of the master.
"Please reconsider, sir..."
Wei Zhang glanced at him with a cool gaze.
Qingyang choked, knowing that his master's decision was irreversible. He changed the subject, "What if Auntie is really in the mountains and gets hurt?"
"She will die, but she must die by my side." Wei Zhang said calmly, and then added, "If she dies, every blade of grass, every tree, every bird and beast in the mountains will die, including you all."
His eyes, bloodshot from not sleeping for two days and one night, looked even more dangerous than usual.
This danger is different from the usual quiet and restrained pressure; it is a beast breaking free of its cage. Once it breaks free of its chains, it will go completely mad and tear everything apart.
The key to this chain was actually in Xue Lanyi's hands.
Qingyang gazed at the endless mountain range, hoping that Aunt Xue wouldn't really run away with the eldest young master.
If she really cut the chains herself, the first beast to pounce on her would be...
The night was dark and the wind was high, so the search area extended from both sides of the Yellow River into the rolling mountains.
In the dense forest, the slender bamboos were bent over by the weight of the wind, rustling softly in the breeze, the sound sometimes near, sometimes far.
"Aunt Xue... how have you been?"
A pair of gloomy eyes quietly appeared behind Xue Lanyi.
A chilling aura descended from above.
Xue Lanyi shivered on the stone bed and hurriedly tried to get up.
A tall, dark shadow slowly loomed over her from behind, and a thin, cool lips brushed against her earlobe. "This time, how do you want me to punish you?"
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