22. Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mu Fanqing
“This really isn’t necessary,” I mumble as Ting brings in a tray of medical supplies. Bottles of ointments and bandages are balanced neatly on top. This is all so ridiculous. It’s only a small scrape, it doesn’t even hurt that much anymore, just a faint sting.
I probably wouldn’t even remember to feel that if everyone wasn’t making such a big fuss.
Shu tightens his hold on my wrist, drawing it closer to him. To say that he was upset when I arrived at the governor’s mansion under armed escort and then learned that I was attacked would be an understatement. He was furious.
I was right in my assumption that the person who attacked me was the spirit that Shu was hunting.
Which was how it was able to be a woman and then a man.
Apparently, this fox spirit takes the form of any unfortunate soul it devours the liver of, and it thought I would be fun to replace next.
According to Shu, I fit her profile for a victim.
Not that there was any chance of that happening. Quanyu was trailing behind me and Ting, Chenghou would not have allowed anyone to hurt me, and I could have called upon my own cultivation to protect myself. Ting threw herself in front of me to shield me with her own body.
I was protected four times over, but that doesn’t seem to make Shu any less furious since learning what happened. Although, to be fair he doesn’t actually know that I had a dragon protecting me. Still, he could have a little bit of faith in my abilities as a cultivator.
I tighten my grip on the bracelet that I had slipped off when Shu insisted on treating my wound. I hadn’t liked the idea of him staring at Chenghou for long periods of time.
It worries me that the fox spirit saw Chenghou, I can only hope that she is caught and slain before she reveals my secret.
So, maybe it would be best to play along with my wound, make Shu even angrier.
Make certain that he doesn’t spare her even for a second.
If he gets the opportunity, he must cut her down without hesitation.
Only then can I be certain that my secret is safe.
Ting sets the medicine down on the small table between Shu and me before she steps back, disappearing to the other side of the room to stand next to a stoically silent Yan Yi.
Shu opens one of the bottles, dipping a stick into it and scooping out a clear batch of ointment that smells a bit pungent.
Ehuang could probably tell me about the components from just one sniff.
Although, knowing my sister, she would stick it in her mouth and determine it that way.
Her tongue is an expert at discerning any plants by their taste.
He places the stick against my skin, and I draw in my breath with a sharp hiss, surprised by how cold it is. My reaction spawns an immediate response from Shu who loosens his hold on my wrist and pulls the stick away. He glances up at me, over his brows. “Sorry, I will try to be gentler.”
He adjusts his grip on my wrist, his thumb massaging it slightly as he leans forward as though he is trying to appraise the authenticity of an ancient scroll for his smuggling business rather than put a bit of ointment onto a small scrape.
This time the stick is featherlight as he spreads the clear ointment across.
He pulls the stick away but leans forward even closer before he blows gently on my scrape.
I must be sitting too close to the candle, because I’m uncommonly warm right now.
Shu turns, placing the small flat stick down on the tray next to the ointment bottle and grabs a strip of linen bandage.
His hand slides up my arm until it is just above the cut and then he begins twining the linen bandage around my arm before stopping and gently tying it off into a little bow.
He is so careful I don’t even have an opportunity to milk my injury.
Shu releases my arm and pulls away and suddenly I feel a bitter chill. I shudder a bit.
Only then do I realize that I’ve been gripping Chenghou’s bracelet so tightly that his scales have left an imprint in my palm. I place it in my lap and rub subtly at my palm as Shu places the lid back on the ointment jar.
Suddenly the door to our room slides open and Quanyu strides through. He stops a little in front of us, bowing his head. “Boss...”
“What is it?” Shu asks, turning away from the table. He rests his elbow on his knee, looking every bit like a lord. Gone is the tender man who was tending my wounds before.
“The second lady of the governor’s house is here,” Quanyu says, gesturing to the door. “She heard of the attack and wished to bring sister-in-law some tonics to soothe her nerves.”
Shu glances at me out of the corner of his eye and his brow hikes up ever so slightly. I can tell what he is thinking, I definitely don’t look hysterical.
I’m doing a horrible job of making him wish to avenge me.
“Please send her in,” I say, attempting a shaky voice.
I will myself to look paler. It seems all I have to do is imagine the fox spirit telling Shu about my shapeshifting bracelet and it works.
Shu leans forward, raising his hand to touch my face, but stopping just a hairsbreadth away.
“Fanqing, are you sure you’re all right? ”
“I—I’m sure I will be fine, once I recover from the shock,” I say, keeping my eyes lowered. “I just, I cannot stop thinking about what would have happened if Quanyu wasn’t there.”
Shu lowers his hand until it lands on mine and he gives it a brief squeeze. “As long as we are here, I will have Quanyu remain by your side as your personal guard. You have nothing to worry about. I will make certain that fox spirit doesn’t come anywhere near you again.”
He pauses as the second lady strides into the room.
She’s tall and fair, dressed in a heavily brocaded robe.
Her hair is piled on her head and filled with more pins than even I would wear.
Her face is painted with makeup, highlighting her fair features.
She’s quite beautiful, but I’ve heard that the governor’s first wife is a rare beauty and it makes me wonder if maybe that is the reason she is dressed so extravagantly, because she is trying to make up for that fact.
She has two maids behind her. One is carrying a tray with the tonic balanced on top of it.
She smiles grandly as she drops into a slight bow.
“Lord Xiao, Lady Xiao,” she says sweetly.
“I heard of your unfortunate encounter earlier, so I had the kitchens prepare this tonic. It will soothe your mind and help you to sleep tonight.”
The maid holding the tray steps forward and holds up the tray so that the second lady can lift the tonic. She steps up to me and holds out the bowl. Her every movement speaks of a practiced elegance and grace.
Before I can accept the tonic, Shu takes it out of her hand, bringing the pot to his face. He lifts the lid and sniffs it, before setting it down on the table next to the medicine tray. “Thank you for your kind consideration to my wife,” he says.
The second lady seems confused, but she plasters on a smile. “Of course, it is after all a dereliction of our role as hosts if anything were to happen to you during your stay here.”
He smiles tightly and nods as the second lady turns and leaves with her maids in tow. Ting slides the door shut behind them and Shu pushes to his feet. He gestures to the bowl. “Quanyu, make sure that this isn’t poisoned.”
I feel my eyes widen in surprise. “Do you really think it would be?”
“Of course it wouldn’t,” Quanyu says in a comforting tone as he sweeps up the bowl and sniffs it.
He pulls out a small silver pin and places it into the bowl.
He holds it up, squinting before he slides it back into a small groove in his belt.
He places the tonic down and gestures at it. “See? Not poisoned.”
Shu nods once, not commenting on his paranoia. He turns to me. “I have some matters to attend to. I will be back late tonight. Do not wait up for me.”
“Where are you going?” I ask, before I remember that he is a smuggler and I probably won’t get a straight answer from him.
“I will be following some leads,” he says vaguely.
“Then why don’t I come with you?” I ask, tilting my head, testing whether or not he is actually investigating or if he is lying to me.
“That isn’t necessary. Besides, you are probably exhausted from your ordeal.” He turns to Quanyu. “I’m entrusting her in your care, make certain that she is safe.”
“I’ll guard her like my own… well, like my own sister.”
Shu grunts obviously not impressed. “I would be more comforted by that statement if you still had any living family.”
“Hey, you’re one to talk,” Quanyu protests.
Shu shoves past him and strides out of the room, and Yan Yi follows close behind.
I sigh heavily, my eyes darting to the tonic. One thing is certain, that husband of mine is getting into trouble tonight.
Quanyu smiles at me ruefully. “Guess you’re stuck with me for now.”