Chapter 172: Rescue

"No reason to stand by." She said.
Xie silent.
Weak reason—bare acquaintance—student teacher few words—trust stranger with secrets—odd—Xie notices everything.
Can't tell past life—unbelievable even to her.
Expected more questions—nod—"Can."
Relief.
Before friendship—probe all secrets—after—respect—won't force confession—maybe learns alone anyway.
"But—" Pause—"Ding Manor guarded—under Fu's nose—not simple."
"You'll go yourself?"
"Else?" Flat strange—"You asked—I dare no slip."
Hesitant—Rongxin Su enough—Fu worse if knows—
"Careful—" "Don't want widow at the door."
"Curse yourself?" Wicked smile—"No widow."
Her: "……" Probably bluffing—too cautious—overthinking.
Talk—maid dinner call—harmonious meal—Xie charmed Rongxin once—easier Luo Xueyan—broad views—even Luo Ling listened.
Shen Xin speechless—Qiu remembered noon promise—mid-meal—"Too full—brother-in-law—spar—men need stretch."
Chopsticks stopped—Luo Xueyan—"Qiu—itchy skin—spar me?"
"Mother—young men's affair—" To Rui—"You fight—right?"
"Slightly." Smile.
Qiu formal—"Good—royal tutors—I'll go easy—army habits—heavy hands—sorry in advance—"
Brother-in-law sweet—face eager—would drag now if not eating—
Luo Tan Luo Ling watch—curious Rui skill—Great Li mystery—pretty not famed—gut says strong—
Mother furious—look at Shen Xin—"Control him?"
Shen Xin chewed—"Young solve themselves."
Shen Miao saw—Qiu backed by father—test martial arts?
Glance—Xie side smile—
Send gown—bring chaos—admiring.
Father's ok—mother can't block—ungracious—
After meal—Qiu dragged to empty yard—
Mother followed—Shen Xin—Luo Tan Luo Ling—Shen Miao too—circle like arena—
Mother warn—gentle—scholar prince—no barbarian—
Qiu deaf—weapons parade—"Pick, brother-in-law—generous!"
Long spear halberd staff curved blade nine-section whip hammer sword—axes—
Heavy awkward—
Mother won't look.
Rui slight surprise.
Qiu proud—"Handy—pick any—my concession."
Her: "……"
Qiu usually dull socially—not militarily—today childish vs Xie—
Almost funny to Xie—
Scan weapons—short dagger.
"This?" Short surprise—"Short inch danger—few dare—not light—rusty long sword easier—"
"Thanks—this." Smile.
Cold snort—"Don't blame me—weapon too poor."
Corner tug—mockery—Qiu shouldered spear—
Mother covered face.
"Please, brother."
"Arrogant!" Charge—
Years later—legendary General Shen old—countless victories—god of war—
Still remembers this warm afternoon—unerasable—shame—
Blur—Qiu charged—clash—separate—spear down—two fingers dagger on throat—
All: "……"
Released—dagger spin—half-smile—"Thanks for yielding."
Six words—face purple.
Blank—Luo Tan—"Cousin Qiu—lost?"
Shock—
Qiu second youth—Shen Xin taught—real war—solid—
Spear dropped—dagger neck—clear loss—
Teeth—"Fair defeat."
Luo Tan clapped—"Brother-in-law wins Ming Qi first!"
Luo Ling covered her mouth—
Mother rushed Rui—"Such skill?"
"Child training—flowery—not brother's solid—ashamed."
"Don't over-modest—young should pride when earned."
Already proudest—more and he'd ascend—
Feast overall joy—more martial talk—humble perfect—everything—mother delighted—after leave—"Good boy—courage talent character—rare."
"Mask hides face—" Qiu—"scar ugly?—character how?—mediocre."
"You know nothing—poetry in bearing—temper compensates—bridges vs roads—eyes show character—can't fake."
"Picked side."
"Enough today—" Glare—"Why target him—jealous—practice—few moves—blade on neck—face?"
"Going now—practice—immediate!" Fled.
Mother at chest—lock gown—hidden layer—
Opened—red cloth booklet fell—
Elsewhere Qiu and Shen Xin—
"Father—years not few—child training—else can't win so fast—moves vicious—beyond soldiers—royal shouldn't—" Hate—"Careless next time—surprise him!"
Wave—"You're not his match."
"Father!—one mistake—pretty bookish—hidden—"
"Hidden isn't that—" Complex face—
"Meaning?—bad man?"
"Out—don't fantasize—train."
"……"
One loss—treated like scholar—
Left angry—daily arena—glance at father—
Why so worried?
Worry growing—can't tell anyone—chaos if spoken—
Test groom qualification—before today—name on decree—malicious ambition—unequal match—
Today Luo Xueyan pleased—
If she approves—not just decree—real son-in-law—tests harsh—
Martial—protect wife in danger—
Clear to elders—Shen Xin saw moves—dagger throat lock—seen once—
Xie Ding.
Generations Shen vs Xie—rules vs surprise—why enemies forgotten—
Enemy knows you best—youth rivalry—Shen spear square killing—Xie no spear—Xie Ding's throat dagger—envied—mid-charge blade at throat—terror—
Xie Ding's wins—
Only taught legitimate son Xie Jingxing—not concubine sons—young Xie perfected harsher angle—Shen Xin witnessed—
Today Rui—same move—modified—slower—deliberate clear view—
Horror—silence only—
Xie dead two years north—Great Li Rui same move—overlapping perfect—
Absurd thought—Rui is Xie?
Dead!
Ridiculous yet unstoppable—slow on purpose—want recognition?
Can't speak—investigate first—
Won't hurt Jiaojiao—if Rui is Xie—tangles deep—
……
Days to New Year—common joy—feast play—short happy feels scarce—
Pei Lang—lingering death—daily flayed—wish quick blade—
Dungeon time lost—Fu stopped visiting—knees tomorrow—kneecaps gouged—kneel forever—proud man's nightmare—Fu knows weakness—young talent destroyed—
Still won't sell Shen Miao.
Reason says speak—death better—not friends—firefly coercion—she never hurts innocents—
Torture too much—
Mouth almost opens—closes—sin to speak—owed her past life?—glad suffer—
No rescue—disappointment—forgotten—or expendable pawn—
Commotion outside—crackling—
Heat rolling—
"Fire! Fire!"
Fire?
Dungeon—Fu's trusted only—strict—quick extinguish—
Wrong—grows—smoke—footsteps fade—
Deepest cell—alone—fire wall—no one enters—
No one dies for him—
Heat familiar—deja vu—relief—
Close eyes—
Stranger—"Dead?"
Open—black mask—bright eyes—calm in flame—impatient—keys—door open—
Rescue!
Disbelief—dress says so—
Why eyes so familiar?