Chapter 110 He Stays by Her Side

The night was enticing, the lingering raindrops slipping from the eaves with a clear, melodious sound. Within the Zishan Inn, a chill hung in the air, the tension between the two factions palpable, ready to ignite at the slightest spark. Cheng Feng sat with Yue Ying to the side, rubbing his forehead with some exasperation. “It seems the conflict between the Wu and Ji kingdoms is about to escalate into a feud between Wu, Ji, and our own Cheng Kingdom. Wu King, how do you intend to resolve this situation?”

His expression was lucid, carrying the authority of a nation's regent. Though the Cheng Kingdom wished no enmity with any neighbor, it did not mean they would turn a blind eye to provocation.

“Do you think I will surrender so easily?” His voice was cold; he had never been threatened before. Even if the world stood against him, he would never yield.

All the more so because...

He lifted his gaze to the upstairs room, faint light spilling from within. In that very room was his Xue—he would reclaim her at any cost!

The thought curled a wicked smile on his lips, like a demonic bloom, his mouth tinged with a crimson so vivid it was almost frightening.

“I am not so naive.” Cheng Feng regarded him, his clear eyes unchanging, their gentleness undiminished.

Zuo Qiu Liye said no more, merely gestured with his hand—a signal to attack. His attendants instantly surged forward, blades flashing, intent on carving a path through. Under the cold moonlight, shadows of battle tangled and merged, sword and saber clashing in a deadly dance.

Cheng Feng calmly drew Yue Ying closer, unruffled by the turmoil. “You all go help them,” he commanded, and most of their guards melted into the fray, each one skilled and agile.

“That Zuo Qiu Liye looks formidable. Can they really capture him?” Yue Ying shrank back, unnerved by the violence. She’d never witnessed such a scene before—this was the clash of real steel and flesh.

Sensing her faint trembling, Cheng Feng wrapped a steady arm around her. “You must have quite the grudge against him,” he remarked. Zuo Qiu Liye was cunning; it was uncertain whether they could catch him.

“Not really, I just dislike him. He’s too wicked,” Yue Ying pouted, her small face clouded with indignation. “Just because he’s a beautiful viper—what good is a lovely face with a venomous heart?”

“You think he’s handsome?” Cheng Feng’s tone was mild, but there was an undertone to his question.

“He is rather handsome, yes, like a flower in bloom,” she replied honestly. She had to admit, Zuo Qiu Liye’s looks surpassed any woman she’d ever seen. Even when he spoke threats, there was something striking about him.

Seeing her gaze stray toward Zuo Qiu Liye, Cheng Feng’s brow furrowed, though he kept his composure. “You do realize you shouldn’t praise another man so extravagantly, especially in front of your own husband.”

“But he really is very good-looking,” Yue Ying said, a little conflicted, realizing perhaps she shouldn’t speak of a man this way, much less in such terms.

“Is that so?” Cheng Feng murmured, glancing toward Zuo Qiu Liye. Indeed, after Yue Ying’s comment, the man seemed to possess an even more arresting presence.

Suddenly, Cheng Feng rose and strode toward Zuo Qiu Liye.

“Cheng Feng, what are you doing?” Yue Ying called, startled and confused.

“Fighting,” he replied simply, and before she could stop him, he had drawn his sword and leapt into the fray, targeting Zuo Qiu Liye.

Yue Ying was dumbfounded. He never fought—why now?

The two exchanged a few terse words, then their duel began in earnest—one wielded a sword, the other a leaf-shaped dart, their movements fluid and graceful, a deadly dance almost beautiful to behold.

“What’s going on? With the prince’s health, why aren’t you helping him?” Yue Ying asked anxiously. Cheng Feng might look formidable, but his constitution was always delicate. What if Zuo Qiu Liye took advantage?

“Our orders are to protect you, Princess. We cannot leave your side,” one attendant answered.

“Fine, let him fight until he’s satisfied, he’ll come back on his own,” Yue Ying said, settling down to watch intently, almost wishing she had seeds and tea to pass the time.

The match was evenly matched: Cheng Feng’s sword was sharp, every stroke seemingly gentle yet lethally precise. Zuo Qiu Liye’s hidden weapons were deft and deadly, each move calculated to kill.

“So, this is all to avenge your princess?” Zuo Qiu Liye taunted, surprised by Cheng Feng’s sudden aggression.

“If that’s how you wish to see it, so be it,” Cheng Feng replied, his eyes darkening.

After several exchanges, neither could claim victory. Zuo Qiu Liye, unwilling to prolong the fight, vaulted onto the wall, surveying the battlefield below. “This time, I admit defeat. But this isn’t over.”

With a wicked smile, he cast a glance at the distant loft, his eyes flashing with some hidden intent. Then, in a blink, he vanished into the night.

Yue Ying watched, speechless for a moment. He actually ran away? She had thought him rather cool, but it turned out he valued his life quite a lot.

“Why did you let him escape?” she demanded as Cheng Feng returned. She’d seen clearly that her husband had held his own—he should have been able to best Zuo Qiu Liye.

Cheng Feng gave her a look before silently pressing his hand to his chest, saying nothing.

“Are you all right?” Yue Ying rushed to his side, steadying his arm. “You’re not healthy to begin with, yet you insist on showing off. Are you being foolish?” she scolded, her small face wrinkled with worry.

“I’m fine, just need a good night’s rest,” he assured her, looking into her anxious face, his eyes brimming with unmasked tenderness.

“Then let’s go rest. You’re pale as a sheet,” Yue Ying fussed, scanning him from head to toe.

“All right.”

Upstairs, Ji Wu Qing stood by the window in white robes, his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond. His eyes were deep as an abyss.

“I understand,” he said to the shadow guard’s report, unsurprised that Qiu Liye had escaped. A man with both ambition and talent would never wait passively for defeat. Their reckoning would come, but on the battlefield.

Yet now, he pressed a hand to his chest. This was not the time to confront him head-on.

In the room, mist rose from the bath. She sat in the tub, her fair cheeks tinged with warmth, lending her a delicate, inviting beauty. Her bare shoulders were pale and slender, her long black hair coiled up, untouched by water.

After bathing, she felt much better, her body warmed through. Gripping the sides of the tub, she tried to stand, but her legs, numb from soaking, refused to cooperate.

“Xue’er, are you ready?” A soft voice called, unhurried footsteps approaching.

“Just a moment!” Xue Xue startled, reaching for the bath towel nearby. But her legs were weak, and as she grasped the edge of the towel, her whole body tipped, dark hair tumbling loose.

“How careless,” came a gentle voice as strong arms caught her around the waist, her cheek pressing against the steady thrum of his chest.

Xue Xue froze. She wasn’t wearing a thing!

“Though as your husband I wouldn’t mind catching a glimpse, your hair is far too long—it covers everything,” Ji Wu Qing teased, half amused, a trace of regret in his voice.

With that, he wrapped her snugly in the oversized towel and carried her to the bed.

Bundled into a small bundle, she nestled in his embrace, her long hair cascading in disarray, nearly veiling her face.

He laid her gently on the bed, smoothing her hair. “Why so silent?”

“Now that you’re here, there’s nothing left to say.” When he wasn’t there, she missed him terribly, so many words welled up inside her. Yet now that he was here, words seemed useless, unable to capture her feelings.

A gentle smile touched Ji Wu Qing’s lips. He sat at her side, took her small foot in his hand, and laid her leg across his own. His warm palm kneaded her toes, gradually restoring life to her cold feet.

She squirmed at his touch, a strange and wonderful sensation, her heart cozy and warm.

“There won’t be a next time. I will always stay by your side,” he promised, his voice low and tender, colored with commitment. “Others only wish to use you. I am here to protect you.”

Others would exploit her, but he would guard her, drive away all those who sought to use her.

“Why are you so good to me?” Xue Xue asked, dazed.

He said he would protect her, keep her from being made a pawn.

“Isn’t it rare to marry the one your heart desires? Naturally, your husband will cherish you well,” Ji Wu Qing replied playfully, still gently massaging her feet until they were warm in his hands.

Hearing this, a gentle smile curved Xue Xue’s lips.

But—

“You said you know all my secrets. Did you know me before, in my previous life as Yuan Xue?”

“Don’t you know, Xue’er? You’ve lived in my heart for a very long time—longer than you can imagine,” he answered softly, though his words left Xue Xue puzzled and uncertain.

The night was far from calm. Alone in the courtyard, the plum blossoms withered, their rain-soaked petals striking the ground heavily.

Fallen to mud and ground to dust, only the fragrance remained as before.