Chapter 175 She Is Angry

"Where is this talk of owing a favor coming from? Ji Wuqing, you must make yourself clear today. Do not try to change the subject again!" She was genuinely angry this time, furious that he had so carelessly tossed the hard-won sacred medicine to Zuoqiu Liye, furious that he cared so little for her intentions, and even more furious that he showed such utter disregard for his own health!

Seeing her formidable attitude and watching those beautiful eyes of hers shimmering with tears and tinged with red on his account...

His Xue'er was angry because of him.

"I won't change the subject. Get into the carriage first, and I will tell you everything," he said earnestly, his tone carrying a convincing weight.

How could he bear to let her continue to be angry?

Although Xue'er was still furious, she knew that Qi'an was no place to linger.

Once inside the carriage, her mood gradually calmed down. Ji Wuqing had her lean against the small couch inside, which was layered with thick, soft cushions. Resting against the padding, she looked at him, her gaze unwavering and carrying a hint of probing curiosity.

"Zuoqiu Liye has always been a shrewd person, yet this time he has acted somewhat out of character. His thoughts are rather extreme; he was willing to risk his own life just to keep his promise to you. I do not wish to delve into his reasons for doing so, but I cannot simply sit back and ignore it, pretending I know nothing." Zuoqiu Liye wanted Xue'er to remember him forever through this act, or even to spark some strange sentiment in her heart, carving out a permanent place for himself.

Ji Wuqing would never allow Zuoqiu Liye's scheme to succeed.

Besides, he had no need for anyone's concessions...

Hearing this, Xue'er slowly lowered her head, her gaze drifting away from him.

She fell silent. Was this the reason—for such a motive—that he had abandoned the sacred medicine?

Perhaps what he gave up was not just the sacred medicine, but also the magnificent rivers and mountains of the Wu Kingdom, letting go of the easiest way to conquer it—which was to leave the enemy without a leader.

Yet, would Zuoqiu Liye really die? From what she knew, Zuoqiu Liye had only suffered some internal injuries. However, Consort Chenxi had claimed Zuoqiu Liye would die, and Ziqing had said the same...

Although that was not an outcome she wished to see, Ziqing also needed the sacred medicine. Without it, what consequences would follow?

"Then what do you plan to do? If there is no sacred medicine, what will happen to you?" Matters had reached this point; surely he wouldn't keep her in the dark any longer.

"Xue'er can rest easy about this. Your husband cannot bear to leave you all alone." Seeing that she seemed completely calm, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

Hearing this, Xue'er closed her eyes, appearing as though she intended to rest against the cushions for a while. So many things had happened today; she felt somewhat exhausted and needed to sort out the sequence of events.

Ji Wuqing stared at her quiet expression with her eyes closed. After waiting a good while until he felt she had truly fallen asleep, he shifted his body closer to her. Reaching out, he carefully lifted her onto the side couch, covered her with a blanket, and then seated himself nearby.

He lowered his head to look at his own wrist. As for what Xue'er had asked—what would happen to him without the sacred medicine—though it might not pose an immediate danger to his life, it would certainly bring quite a few troubles.

By nightfall, the group finally reached the city gates of Qi'an.

The gates of Qi'an were still open, but as night descended, the number of people coming and going had dwindled to almost none. The surroundings grew quiet, as if they had stumbled into an ominous, deserted city.

In truth, their current situation was far from optimistic. Being in enemy territory meant one could easily fall into a meticulously laid trap at any moment.

Yet, everything seemed peaceful. The commander guarding the gates showed no unusual movements, and no signs of lurking danger disturbed the stillness.

***

Meanwhile, Consort Chenxi, who had been taken hostage, had regained consciousness. From inside her carriage, her noisy protests could be heard: "Did you hear me? Let Xue'er out! I want to see her, I have something to say to her!"

"Do you ever have anything good to say?" Liyin glanced at Consort Chenxi, whose hands and feet were bound, a coldness flashing across his expressionless face.

This somewhat deranged woman was dangerous, and she could not be allowed to see his master. Otherwise, there was no telling what madness she might spew.

"Oh? You like her, don't you? You're in love with your master..." Consort Chenxi looked at Liyin at last, a malicious glint in her eyes. "Since you love your master, why don't you just snatch her away?"

"Because the one who can bring her happiness is not me." Liyin did not refute her; he simply walked away after dropping those words.

He could have ignored the raving woman's words entirely, but he saw no reason to deny something that was simply the truth.

"I think you people have all gone mad! Obsessing to the point of a devilish trance over a woman who already has a husband!"

"The former ruler of the Wu Kingdom was the truly deranged one. For the sake of a woman, he actually murdered his own younger brother. Yet that woman was already carrying a child and had only lingered by his side to exact her revenge," Ji Wuqing said. Standing outside the carriage, he looked down at Consort Chenxi, who lay somewhat disheveled on the ground.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Consort Chenxi glared at him with a ferocious gaze, as if the secret buried deep within her memories had been violently excavated, her most agonizing past mercilessly exposed.

"It is merely a pity. What should have been a stirring, heroic epic of a steadfast woman avenging her husband turned into a tragedy when that woman actually fell in love with her husband's killer. But as they say, the imperial family knows no affection; amidst a harem of three thousand beauties, she was soon cast aside, banished to a remote courtyard to fend for herself." Ji Wuqing's words were like the final straw, causing Consort Chenxi to fall completely silent.

She stared blankly at Ji Wuqing, her face devoid of any expression, as if she had been utterly pierced through by his words.

How could this be? Those old grievances had long been buried with the death of the former ruler. Everyone in the palace who knew of those matters had died, buried alongside the former ruler...

Seeing that she had finally quieted down and ceased her uproar, Ji Wuqing returned to the carriage with a satisfied expression. His objective had been achieved.

"Qinghe, leave her here and let's go."

"Yes."

Consort Chenxi remained sprawled on the ground, and no one paid her any further mind. The group mounted their horses and drove the carriage forward, slowly fading into the distance.

The Wu Kingdom troops, who had been trailing far behind, saw them leave and quickly rushed to Consort Chenxi's side.

"Your Majesty, should we send men to pursue them?" Yunwu watched the departing party, looking eager for action.

"There is no need. Let them go." However, Zuoqiu Liye merely cast a light glance toward the front, turned his horse around, and headed back toward the palace.

Inside the moving carriage, Xue'er lifted the curtain to look at the scenery slowly slipping past outside. Had Zuoqiu Liye and his men really not pursued them?

She had woken up the moment Consort Chenxi started making a scene, and she had heard every word of the dialogue between Ziqing and Consort Chenxi. Put that way, Zuoqiu Liye was not the biological offspring of the former ruler of Wu, which was why he had changed his surname to Zuoqiu?

She rubbed her temples, feeling a dull ache in her head. So many things had truly happened today, leaving her unable to think clearly.

Seeing her gesture, Ji Wuqing could not help leaning closer. Though he vaguely sensed that Xue'er was still angry with him, he couldn't resist reaching out to pull her into his embrace, hoping to ease the fatigue in her heart.

However, Xue'er swatted his hand away and said with an unfriendly tone, "Stay away!"

She thought she had expressed her dissatisfaction with him quite clearly. Yet, the noble King burst into laughter—a rather pleasant and amused sound.

Xue'er ignored him, assuming he was deliberately trying to capture her attention. Although she gave him the cold shoulder, she was indeed curious as to why he was laughing. Was it because she had just slapped his hand away?

"So my Xue'er is capable of getting angry after all. Your husband has learned his lesson."

"..." Of course she could get angry. Some anger was hidden deep in her heart without a trace, while other anger had to be displayed on her face. Toward someone like Ji Wuqing, she no longer bothered with restraint.

She didn't know when it had started, but she had grown accustomed to revealing her most authentic emotions in front of him, laying them bare without any pretense.

"May I ask my wife when this anger might dissipate, so your husband can mentally prepare himself?" The King held her with a smile, his gentle tone laced with coaxing notes.

"Every time you speak, my temper flares up," Xue'er stated bluntly.

Ji Wuqing always had a way of leaving her speechless, yet she had to reply, otherwise, it would seem as though she had lost the upper hand.

Yet, since when had she started caring about such things? Ah yes, whenever she was with Ziqing, she always seemed to grow somewhat insistent and display the petulant posture of a young maiden.

Indeed, Xue'er's words proved quite effective; for the remainder of the journey, the King did not utter another word, quietly holding her instead. He let her lean against his chest as she watched the scenery outside the window.

A scenery of pitch-black darkness.

Before long, they found a suitable place to camp—a relatively secluded mountain forest, chosen specifically to guard against any petty, sneak-attack tactics Zuoqiu Liye might attempt later.

The group halted to rest, skillfully gathering firewood and striking a fire. Soon, a warm flame crackled to life, flickering brightly and radiating a fierce heat.

"Your Majesty, the dry rations and meat have just been warmed, and the fruit has been sliced. Shall I bring them in now?" Outside the carriage, Qinghe personally carried the food over and asked into the carriage.

There was no sound in response. Qinghe felt a twinge of suspicion, though he could sense that the King and his wife were indeed inside.

Inside the carriage, Xue'er found it somewhat strange. Why was Ji Wuqing remaining so tight-lipped when Qinghe spoke to him?

However, facing her puzzled look, the King simply pointed at his own mouth. That was when Xue'er remembered what she had told him earlier—that hearing his voice made her temper flare.

"Then don't ever speak again," Xue'er said coolly.

She didn't find his obedience particularly commendable. Instead, she pushed herself out of his embrace, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped outside to get some fresh air.

Inside the carriage, Ji Wuqing rubbed the bridge of his nose. He hadn't realized that coaxing a wife was such a difficult task...

It seemed he would just have to keep trying harder.