Chapter 173: Wounded

Night lamp—sorting books Shen Qiu sent—rare editions—history and romance—romance for Luo Tan and Feng Anning—history keep—
Window noise—maids retired early—no fear—Congyang would strike—yard—tree figure—lantern—Xie Jingxing.
Black robes not purple—purple worldly noble—black cold killing air—lazy smile—approached.
Something wrong—couldn't name—"Why standing here?"
Once he'd invite himself in for tea.
Smile—before she spoke—he collapsed into her.
Caught—back wet—lantern light—blood shocking—cold dulled smell—heavy stench when he fell.
"Congyang!"—no answer—gone.
Urgent—can't alarm—dragged him inside—bed—fetch doctor—
Awake flash—"Don't call anyone."
Squat—"Your wounds?"
Medicine bottle from robe—out again.
Hot water for hands—clean cloth—hesitate—unbutton.
Lamplight—lean strong body—face warm—hurry.
Blood dried on cloth—cold wind merged—each tug—brow furrow even unconscious.
Scissors—flame—cut clothes.
Seen men's bodies—Fu Ming often—different with Xie—alone undressing—awkward—
Quickly grave—many shallow cuts—crosswise—not deep alone—enough blood to drain—wipe clean—powder—no bandage—used her new chest binding—copied soldiers—ugly but stopped.
Blood tonic pills—Luo Tan bought for monthly weakness—crushed—hot water—fed him.
Done—deep night—half bare on her bed—wrapped in her binding—absurd.
Twitch—turn him—check more—
Shirt wet—pants dry—only torso back—
Hand thigh—burn—wrong—skin hard—not smooth—thick scab—
Lifted pants edge—belly deep terrible old scar—
Unlike today's shallow cuts—old dark—bone-deep once—
No such news in Ming Qi—Great Li?—more scars—how survived?
Hand lower—groan—wrist grabbed—face scarlet—awake?—misunderstand—still asleep—frown lips tight—
Relief—no more—shredded shirt—her oversized outer robe—wrap tight—stool vigil fever—
Slept unknowingly.
Dawn—rooster—woke on bed—thick quilt—meant to sit guard—moved asleep—exhausted—
Sat up—empty—no Xie—voice behind—"Looking for me?"
Wide inner robe—washed—water on jaw to collar—yesterday dying—today refreshed—
"Recovered?"
"Of course."
"Qi pills worked—cousin didn't lie?"
"Qi pills?" Frown—
"Women's blood tonic—one pill monthly—less weak—you bled much—three pills—" Smile—"Fast recovery—their credit."
Smile frozen.
She almost laughed—next line killed it—"Then payment for last night's touching."
Blank—wicked—"Someone didn't know where she was touching—"
Color white green—"You were awake?"
"Couldn't speak—mind clear." Sat poured tea—natural as home—
Stood—"Your wounds—what happened?"
"Your errand." Easy—"Ding Manor—skip next visit—" Stretch—"Fu Xiuyi's games—even I tired."
"Ding Manor—you went dungeon?"
Flash—"You know dungeon well—" Nod—"Strolled—brought out your Mr. Pei."
Stunned—
Expected agents—not him—Fu dangerous—if found—trouble—asked help knowing his people—never thought he'd go himself—
Mixed feeling—Ding wounds explain—
Fu cautious—enemies—iron wall—dungeon secrets above all—more guard than whole manor—
Alone in—save one—alive is miracle—
Dazed—tilt head—"Not ask if Pei lived?"
"Alive—" Brow—"not a spark on him."
"Fire?"
"Burned Ding dungeon—" Flat—"roots and stubble."
Gasp—Fu will hunt—secrets ash—loss—no mercy—
Admiration—she bold on past life memory—he does as he pleases—pierce sky—complain sky weak—
"At Rui Manor?"
"Gao Yang treating."
Odd—why injured here not Gao—
Interrupt—"Not so kind unless you—"
"How wounds?" Cut—
"Many guards—Fu's death squads—crowded—alone inside."
"Not that—" Pause—"Old deep scars—Great Li?"
Startled—silent—
"No near-death news in Ming Qi—" Soft—"old—how?"
"Care?" Half-smile—
"Want to know—even Great Li prep—can't meet stranger blind."
Grand excuse—true reason different—
Knew his revenge—not enough of him—once feared knowing secrets—now wants to know—
Tea smile—"Northern frontier."
Head up sharp.
Flat—"Imperial man in Xie army—plan changed—early return to Great Li identity—ambush real—meant Xie Ding—my request changed target—trusted aide was emperor's man—struck me—Ink-Feather rescue—heavy wound—switch corpses—emperor thought success—I healed half year—" Smile—"Accurate—wounded in Ming Qi."
Wave—then clarity—
How wounded—of course!
Past present diverge—Xie house—past Xie Ding first—defeat death—decline—Xie Jingxing order—ten thousand arrows—designed end for both!
This life early march—emperor shifted target—Xie dead—Xie Ding broken—no second strike—
"Nurturing only erasure"—true—
Merit bird bow string—royal crush—knew past—hearing different—
Even Xie Ding's trusted—emperor's eyes—why distant from father—maybe knew spy somewhere—Fang concubine sons controlled maybe—sons dead Fang broken—no heirs—emperor done—
Look at him—survival gratitude—
Not Su's imagined ease—Great Li sent him for Lin'an status—Princess Yuqing dead—expected love—crisis in glitter—harder than common folk—forced adult games young—
Intrigue—royal false warmth—hidden blades—
Without Great Li rescue—slow timing—real death—
Saw her breathing—smile—hand over table on head—"Afraid? In Great Li I'm here—who touches you?"
"Great Li has royalty too."
"I'm royalty—" Withdraw hand—"Fear none but brother—even anger him—tell me—I keep you safe."
"My turf—bully you—fight the world—" Grin—"Ming Qi sordid tales—don't—hurts pride."
Not pride—bitter past—unhappy years—noble youth like ants under foreign power—
Talk—brightening—maids soon—he left—
Gone—Congyang appeared—
"Where last night?"
Apologetic—"Task—thought quick—delayed—morning when back—orders?"
"Nothing." Window shut.
Tree jump—wronged—master ordered silence—all night no blanket—what in room—light wounds—ran bleeding to Shen house—Gao stopped—make her pity—
Cold wind—blamed—no reward—who pities me?
Xie walking to Rui Manor—
Congyang linked houses—no walls—continuous courtyards—
Deep winter—loose inner—black cloak—pale face—
No mask—not easy—peach eyes cold thin—
Lied to her.
Scars not only north—also Great Li—
North—Xie army deputy's trusted blade—bone deep—half year near death—Gao saved—inch late—dead—
Only Gao Yongle kin knew—returned elegant Rui—
Sudden prince not easy—Yongle suppressed—interests lost—assassination plots endless—
Many near-death—Great Li worse—Ming Qi hid—target whole Lin'an—not him alone—title draws arrows—
Every crisis—next day lazy smiling Rui in court—fear respect—wish death bow—
Two years—Rui seat solid—no doubt challenge plot—snow night fights—black robe cut like last night—
Sunlight always noble clean—
"Prep for Great Li—" Her words—
Slow steps on snow—crackle—ice gems—
Soft smile—
What prep—
He'll clear trouble first.