7 Chapter 7
She would put chains on my wrists and neck.
Wei Xianxi rushed to the main hall and saw Xie Yutang holding a horsewhip, about to lash Su Lu.
His outer robe had been removed, leaving him only in a plain, thin undergarment. He looked as if he had fallen into the mud, which made Wei Xianxi's heart clench.
If it weren't for Su Lu, he would probably have died from poisoning long ago. She was the one who saved his life. It would be fine if he didn't get a reward, but how could he be tormented by Xie Yutang, that vixen, and suffer for no reason?
Xie Yutang remained unmoved by Wei Xianxi's pleas: "He caused Lord Wei to be frightened and injured. I was just about to punish him and then bring him before Lord Wei to beg for forgiveness."
Su Lu knelt with his eyes down, letting Wei Xianxi and Xie Yutang pull him along, his expression remaining indifferent, as if he were not the one about to be punished.
In the end, the two compromised. The punishment was still to be imposed, but it was reduced from ten lashes to three.
That vixen was truly wicked and cruel. With three lashes, she tore the man's skin open, leaving long, bloody welts running down his back like plum blossoms blooming on thin snow—a breathtaking yet breathtakingly beautiful sight. Wei Xianxi watched, feeling both heartache and attraction, and secretly resolved to bring this little fox spirit to his side.
Most of the beauties in this world are aware of their beauty, and they have long been spoiled by others and developed bad tempers. Even male prostitutes who rely on selling their looks can be spoiled and will shed tears in a soft voice if they are tortured too much.
He had never seen anyone like Su Lu before, so noble yet so lowly, so virtuous yet so easily manipulated. If only he could get him into bed…
Wei Xianxi felt a heat in his lower abdomen, and took a few steps uncomfortably. He stood in the windy corner of the corridor and let the cold wind blow on him for a while before returning to the inner hall.
The noble ladies watching from the sidelines blushed, having long forgotten their earlier sullenness at the banquet. Their eyes were now fixed on the young prince of the Muqing Prince's Mansion, who used a plum branch as a sword to subdue enemies and save people, displaying a carefree and romantic spirit.
They hated Xie Yutang with a passion, yet felt immense pity for the handsome, strong, and tragic young prince. They all swarmed in front of Xie Yutang's residence, carrying medicinal herbs and tonics.
Xie Yutang, carrying a teapot, pushed open the door and entered the room, describing the grand scene outside: "How about I have someone carry our beloved young master Su out for a look? If he catches your eye, I will personally go to propose marriage?"
She traveled light and simply, with only Huai Jin accompanying her besides Su Lu. Xie Yutang left Huai Jin in the outer room to appease the noble ladies, while she herself slipped inside for some peace and quiet.
Su Lu was about to get up to take the teacup from her, but Xie Yutang stopped him with a look. He could only sit obediently and watch her pour tea for him while making sarcastic remarks.
When Xie Yutang pushed the tea over, he drank it very cooperatively. After a pause, he said, "You just promised you wouldn't kick me out."
"This isn't about kicking you out," Xie Yutang found the aggrieved tone in his voice somewhat amusing. "Haven't you thought about settling down and starting a family?"
Here we go again.
Su Lu lowered his eyes and gave a self-deprecating smile.
"It's time to arrange a marriage for Minister Su."
The scene from her previous life was still vivid in her mind. Xie Yutang, wearing a phoenix crown inlaid with kingfisher feathers, played with a glass cup in the candlelight, as if teasing Lin Tan, or as if talking to herself.
He hadn't expected that this question would be raised again so soon in this lifetime.
He clenched his fist slightly inside his sleeve, and heard himself whisper, "And you? Has Master ever thought about... getting married?"
Xie Yutang paused in pouring the tea.
She really hadn't thought about this.
Men are unreliable; only power will never betray her. Reborn, she only wants revenge and power. Romantic love is nothing but a shattered illusion to her, meaningless and fragile.
Seeing that she pursed her lips and remained silent, Su Lu hesitated for a moment, then knelt down in front of her.
He was still injured, and his kneeling seemed completely out of the blue. Xie Yutang asked in surprise, "What are you doing?"
"I apologize."
His voice remained gentle and calm, but his underlying resolve was as firm as a rock. Su Lu lowered his eyes and said, "Because these words are presumptuous, but I still have to say them."
Xie Yutang looked at him quietly.
"The Third Prince is not a good man."
Xie Yutang was taken aback by this question. After a moment of stunned silence, he laughed and asked with interest, "How do you know he's not a good man?"
After waiting for a while without getting an answer, she changed the question: "So, do you still think... I like him?"
Su Lu kept his eyes downcast, his long, thick eyelashes completely obscuring the emotions in his eyes. Xie Yutang only saw his Adam's apple bob: "This subordinate dares not... presume to guess Master's thoughts."
That's what I meant.
Xie Yutang chuckled: "You're injured all over yourself, yet you still have the mind to consider these trivial matters for me."
She helped the person up and pressed them back into their seat.
His shoulders were thin and straight, almost as if they had no flesh, and his body temperature was still slightly cold to the touch. Xie Yutang looked at the whip marks on his back again. Several scabs had cracked open from the kneeling earlier, and blood was seeping out, which looked shocking.
Xie Yutang downed a cup of tea.
"I'm very angry right now, but I can't punish you. What do you think I should do?"
Su Lu was amused by her angry words and gently comforted her, "It's alright. You controlled your strength, so it's just a superficial injury. It only looks scary."
That's what they say, but the wound was bloody and didn't look like something that could be dismissed as just a "superficial injury".
Xie Yutang took out the Jade Skin Cream from his bosom: "Why don't we apply some medicine first? I'll just apply a little bit, it shouldn't be noticeable."
“Master.” Su Lu squeezed her wrist lightly with a hint of helplessness. “If you’re going to put on an act, you have to go all the way. You just finished making some harsh remarks to Commander Wei, and then you turn around and apply medicine to me. He’ll become suspicious. Then all the pain I’ve endured will have been for nothing.”
...
Xie Yutang couldn't argue with him, so she sighed and said, "Why isn't that Wei guy here yet? He's not as good at currying favor as the noble lady at the gate."
Su Lu chuckled softly in her throat. Suddenly, a gentle force came from her shoulder, massaging the spot where she had stepped on earlier. Su Lu turned her head in surprise, wanting to dodge, but the hand massaging her shoulder increased its pressure.
Xie Yutang was behind him, the faint scent of spearmint wafting through the air. She leaned down and whispered into his ear, a few strands of her hair tugging at the crook of his neck: "What, you can kneel down to grill meat for me, but I can't give you a shoulder massage?"
*
Wei Xianxi, concerned about Su Lu's injury, hurriedly changed his clothes and straightened his hair before bringing the doctor to pay his respects to Xie Yutang. The servant handed the medicinal herbs and tonics he was carrying to Huai Jin, and saw Xie Yutang sitting on a high-backed pearwood chair in the main hall, playing with a small crossbow in his hand.
Everyone knew that Princess Ning'an was no ordinary woman, so they all tried to please her by collecting swords, daggers, and crossbows from all over the country. The one Xie Yutang was holding was said to have been seized from a nobleman from the Hu people. It was inlaid with gemstones and jade and was extremely exquisite.
Wei Xianxi bowed to Xie Yutang but did not see Su Lu. He assumed that the man must be resting in bed and recovering from his injuries. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he was about to invite Su Lu to visit him when a tall and handsome figure carrying tea walked over from behind the screen. It was Su Lu.
He was still wearing the clothes he had been tortured in, and the whip marks on his back were simply bandaged. Rather than bandaging, it was more like a treatment done to prevent the blood from flowing out and soiling his clothes.
He poured himself tea like a true servant. Wei Xianxi looked closely and saw that his face was pale, his lips were so pale that they were almost bloodless, and even the wrist holding the teacup was trembling slightly.
The young master of the prestigious Muqing Prince's Mansion was injured, and not only was he not allowed to rest in bed, but he was also forced to do such menial chores!
Wei Xianxi restrained himself, repeatedly warning himself not to speak too harshly and offend Princess Ning'an. He simply took the teapot from Su Lu's hand, placed it on the table, took a deep breath, stood up and bowed to Xie Yutang, saying, "Please allow me to treat the young prince Su's injuries, Your Highness."
Xie Yutang continued to play with the small crossbow in his hand at a leisurely pace. Upon hearing this, he raised his lips and said, "Young Master Su, our Commander Wei is truly heartbroken for you. Not only did he plead for you, but he also specially brought a doctor to treat your injuries. Why don't you quickly thank Commander Wei?"
Su Lu was about to curtsy, but Wei Xianxi couldn't bear to do so and quickly stopped him: "Young Master Su has saved my life, there's really no need to be so polite."
Huai Jin led the group to a side hall. Xie Yutang seemed quite interested in the small crossbow and did not follow. Due to the separation of men and women, Huai Jin could not stay in the room, so for a moment only the three of them remained.
The doctor was one of their own, so naturally he wouldn't say anything out of line. Wei Xianxi thought to himself, "Heaven is on my side!" and stood behind the screen, tentatively asking, "Is Prince Su doing well at the Princess's residence?"
The doctor applied the medicine with his head down, focusing solely on being a tool. Su Lu remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh: "Whether it's good or bad, it's all the same. What choice do those who live under someone else's roof have?"
His tone was low and menacing, which made Wei Xianxi's heart clench. However, having been in officialdom for many years, he could tell from Xie Yutang's observation that Xie Yutang had a strong possessive desire for this young prince. Not only did he step on his shoulders as a footstool to get off the carriage, but he also forced him to serve him attentively in front of all the noble ladies at the banquet, clearly declaring his ownership.
Although Wei Xianxi used the fact that they were both men to make Xie Yutang less wary, who knew that there might be eavesdroppers?
Wei Xianxi was about to test the waters again when the door was suddenly pushed open from the outside. Xie Yutang strode in, sneering, "Our young master Su is really too precious, isn't he? Lord Wei is busy with official duties and has countless responsibilities. You only got a minor scratch, and you're planning to delay Lord Wei for how long? Do you think I've been too harsh on you?"
The doctor was so startled by the reprimand that his hands trembled. He quickly bandaged the wound and bowed as he withdrew. The young prince's eyelashes fluttered, and it looked like he was about to apologize again. Wei Xianxi quickly helped him up, stuffed the note in his hand into the prince's palm, and said, "Your Highness, please don't blame me. It was I who asked the doctor to be more careful, which caused the delay."
Xie Yutang pretended not to notice, exchanged a few polite words, and saw the person out of the residence. When he returned, he found Su Lu holding a note in his hand.
She went around behind him and looked him up and down: "How was it? How was the doctor's skill? Should I take it apart and redo it for you?"
"Aren't you going to ask what Commander Wei wrote on this note?"
Xie Yutang was still staring at the newly wrapped gauze on his back: "What else could it be but poaching talent?"
Su Lu unfolded the note and handed it to Xie Yutang. It contained the time and place, inviting him to meet at the teahouse at 9:00 AM the next day: "Commander Wei is suspicious and cautious. He must have been thinking about meeting me for a long time, but he has been reluctant to say it. Your timing in opening the door was just right. It dispelled his concerns and prevented him from discussing the details of the meeting with me. He could only hurriedly hand me this note that he had written in advance."
Xie Yutang seemed not to hear him at all, only concerned about the injury on his back.
Su Lu sighed, feeling a bitter and throbbing pain in his heart. He would rather she were as she acted in front of Wei Xianxi, being rougher and more harsh towards him than what was happening now.
The young man gently invited Xie Yutang back to his seat: "Master, I grew up on the frontier battlefield since I was a child. What are these flesh wounds? Your actions are making me uncomfortable."
The two discussed their next plan in detail, while Wei Xianxi was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night. The next morning, he began to bathe, burn incense, and change his clothes. His attire was even more exquisite than when he went to the palace to meet the emperor.
He waited anxiously and excitedly in the second-floor VIP room for a while, and finally saw a figure in moon-white robes ascend the zigzag staircase.
Su Lu was stopped by the guards downstairs. He turned his head to listen to what they said, then nodded, quietly raised his hands, and let the guards search him before walking upstairs.
Wei Xianxi felt somewhat displeased, annoyed that the guards were investigating too thoroughly and too slowly, even managing to hit Su Lu's body before he could. Therefore, upon seeing the other party sit down, he could no longer resist reaching out to touch the other party's hand resting on the table.
Naturally, they came up empty-handed.
Wei Xianxi's expression changed slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Su Lu picked up the teapot with his slender fingers, poured tea for him, and gently placed the cup in front of him.
"This cup of tea is what I owed Lord Wei yesterday. I am grateful for your kindness."
Wei Xianxi immediately felt completely relaxed again, and he even remembered clearly the cup of tea that was not finished yesterday. This little vixen really has a knack for winning people's hearts.
Forget it, as long as we can get them to our side, we can do whatever we want with them later, so why rush things?
Thinking this, Wei Xianxi smiled again, half-greeting and half-probing, "Young Master Su is very busy with the princess. Will your invitation to come and chat interfere with your business?"
Unexpectedly, Su Lu smiled calmly and said, "I informed the princess about this matter and only came to the banquet after receiving her permission."
Wei Xianxi was shocked. Su Lu said slowly, "My lord, as you know, the princess keeps a close eye on me. She once warned me that if I leave her sight for more than half an hour without permission, she will break my legs, put chains on my wrists and neck, and lock me in a room."
His voice was calm and gentle, like a thin layer of snow covering the grass.
Wei Xianxi listened with trepidation, his hands and feet going numb. Yet, he also felt that this was indeed the kind of thing that crazy woman, Xie Yutang, would say and do. He couldn't help but regret it. Xie Yutang's possessiveness towards this little vixen was far too perverse. If his actions really displeased that crazy woman...
As if seeing through his thoughts, Su Lu smiled faintly: "Lord Wei, there is no need to worry. The princess is unaware of the message you sent me. After you left that day, it was I who took the initiative to ask the princess to let me thank you today to repay the kindness of treating your injuries and giving you medicine."
That day, Xie Yutang ordered Su Lu to kneel on the steps of the main hall, saying he would be severely punished. It was only because Wei Xianxi pleaded for him that he was spared a heavy punishment. In addition, there was the subsequent visit to deliver medicine. No matter how willful and domineering Princess Ning'an was, she had to keep these formalities. It was reasonable for Su Lu to take the initiative to come and express his gratitude.
Wei Xianxi felt mostly relieved, but still had doubts: "But since she came to express her gratitude, I should not have known about this. Yet we arranged to meet at the teahouse. How could the princess believe your story?"
Su Lu ran his fingertips along the rim of the cup. "I told the princess that a personal visit would be too ostentatious, so I arranged to meet you at the teahouse. Tell your servant to remember this, so that there won't be any problems if anyone asks."
Wei Xianxi was even more determined to bring him to his side after hearing how he had handled the matter so clearly and efficiently in just a few words.
Such a perceptive person can also use this mindset to serve others; no wonder even the usually arrogant and domineering Princess Ning'an was captivated by him and neglected Lin Tan.
He looked at Su Lu's hand holding the teacup. He had seen those hands diligently serving others before. Since he was going to do hard work anyway, he might as well let him do it for him...
Wei Xianxi took a sip of cold tea, composed himself into a respectable manner as if he were eager to recruit talent, and first recounted how the young master Su was so skilled that he subdued the assassin in just a few moves and saved his life at a critical moment. He then mentioned that the patrol battalion had recently been short-handed but had not yet been able to find a suitable candidate.
The young master Su immediately understood, and the two hit it off. They talked for another half an hour before leaving the teahouse.
Wei Xianxi personally drove the carriage to take the person back, his gaze towards the other person's back was completely undisguised.
Su Lu stepped forward, concealing the coldness in his eyes from the gaze behind him.
Huai Jin, who had just come out of the main hall, met him. Seeing that he turned around and was heading towards the side room, she asked him why he wasn't going to the main hall: "Miss is still waiting for you."
The coldness in Su Lu's eyes vanished completely upon hearing those words, and a faint smile curved his lips: "I'm dirty, and I'm afraid of contaminating my master."
He bowed to Huaijin and said, "Please pass on a message to the master that I will change my clothes and come over in a moment."
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