Chapter 216: The Bubble Was Pierced

"This time going to East of Long Mountains, the safety of our family's Alang is entirely entrusted to you."

"You are older than me by half a year; here I presume to call you elder sister. Come, I, your humble self, raise a cup to you, elder sister."

"At the dinner table, Wang Yunxiu enthusiastically poured wine for Pei Xiu; her warm attitude actually made the scheming Pei Xiu a little embarrassed."

"Yes, elder sister, our family's Alang is the pillar of the house; you must definitely protect him well."

"Anna Ye said with an innocent expression, also coming to raise a cup to Pei Xiu."

"Fang Chongyong looked doubtfully at her, then at Wang Yunxiu whose smile never ceased on her face, feeling somewhat doubtful in his heart."

"You're acting so obviously, could it be that Pei Xiu really can't tell?"

"He muttered to himself like that, yet saw Pei Xiu openly down the cup of fine wine in one gulp, and after finishing, she boldly said to Wang Yunxiu and the others: 'Come! Let's sisters drink again!'"

"Alright, indeed I couldn't tell."

"Fang Chongyong sighed in his heart."

"Pei Xiu was not at all polite, first pouring wine for the two women, then filling her own cup."

"First, cheers as a sign of respect! This time, the safety of General Fang is entirely on me!"

"She said it boldly, seemingly not noticing at all that Wang Yunxiu and Anna Ye harbored ulterior motives."

"Before she had even drunk a few cups, Pei Xiu was drunk, leaning against the chair, her cheeks flushed."

"It's late; take Miss Pei to rest, I and Alang will have a talk."

"Wang Yunxiu gave Anna Ye a glance; the latter understood, hurriedly helped Pei Xiu up and headed out the door."

"After they left, Fang Chongyong helplessly sighed: 'What act are you putting on? Did you put medicine in the wine? You've made me not dare to take a sip.'"

"In Sand Prefecture, when interrogating important prisoners, they used a certain bewildering drug from the Western Regions. Its main ingredients are mandrake and some other herbs; the taste is slightly bitter, and only when mixed into wine is it not easily detected."

"Just now, Fang Chongyong smelled that strange odor from afar; only a woman like Pei Xiu who has never been involved in the Western Regions would fall victim."

"This drug is strange; after taking it, the body cannot move, but the mind remains clear. It's not usually used for those rascals, because this drug is extremely expensive, comparable to gold. Fang Chongyong once used it to interrogate a Western Region merchant and uncover the location of his buried treasure."

"That state of being completely powerless, at the mercy of others yet mentally clear, causes mental weakness. Those who are affected, if slightly threatened or given increasing doses of the drug, will gradually faint, their defenses collapsing, and they will reveal any secrets."

"This drug was only recently 'reverse-developed' by Anna Ye, and its effectiveness has not yet been tested by anyone."

"These two ignorant women actually dared to use it on Pei Xiu!"

"\"Alang, I'm not a three-year-old child. You have no private relations with her; she is Pei Min's daughter and has stayed in the palace; this person is that old immortal Li Longji, sent to spy on us nearby, right? \""

"Wang Yunxiu asked solemnly."

"Fang Chongyong fell into silence, then nodded slightly and said: 'Indeed, perhaps she herself is still kept in the dark, but Pei Min must certainly know. Although I know, I cannot refuse this matter. Without Pei Xiu, there would be Li Xiu and Zhang Xiu. The sage ordered me to establish the Yinqiang Xiaojie Army; this is his personal guard, so how could he not have precautions against me?'"

"\"If that's the case, why are you standing there? Go quickly. \""

"Wang Yunxiu said with a strange expression."

"\"Go do what? \""

"Fang Chongyong felt bewildered."

"\"What do you say? In the middle of the night, a lone man and woman, what else could we do? You wouldn't be wanting to tell me about those things you don't understand, would you? \""

"Wang Yunxiu snorted coldly."

"She knew very well in her heart that Fang Chongyong not only understands such matters, but can even be called a master-level expert; as his bedmate, she knows best what feeling that is."

"Wang Yunxiu could be certain that as long as Pei Xiu is gotten into bed, she would never be able to part from Fang Chongyong; thus, no matter what deployments Li Longji has, they would collapse without attack."

"\"Ah, your methods are too vulgar and lowly; to win people's hearts, there's no need for this. \""

"Fang Chongyong waved his hand, saying indifferently."

"He walked over, embraced Wang Yunxiu's slender waist, bit her ear, and said: 'Actually, we can have a good talk tonight; tomorrow we must go to East of Long Mountains, it's been a long time since we last saw each other.'"

"Upon hearing this, Wang Yunxiu's body went limp and she couldn't move; she struggled, panting:"

"\"No, absolutely not today. If you don't get Pei Xiu into your hands, I won't feel at ease letting you go to East of Long Mountains. Tonight you must do this; you are the pillar of the family, my and the flirtatious fox's happiness rely on you. \""

"\"You're not doing this for your own enjoyment. \""

"Wang Yunxiu broke free from Fang Chongyong's embrace, saying solemnly:"

"\"I have agreed with the flirtatious fox on this; you cannot refuse. Rather than letting Li Longji scheme against us in the future, it's better to strike first now. \""

"\"First get Pei Xiu into bed, then talk; regardless of whether she's a spy, we won't lose out, and if worse comes to worst we can push her into the river to drown. \""

"Wang Yunxiu's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness as she said, not even considering Pei Xiu as one of us at all."

"\"I understand. \""

"Fang Chongyong nodded slightly and said."

"Hearing this, Wang Yunxiu laughed: \"Knowing is enough; don't show womanly compassion. \""

"Fang Chongyong walked out of the study, arrived at the side room where Pei Xiu lived, and Anna Ye came over, pulling his arm, saying:"

"\"Alang, don't show womanly compassion; those years when Alang was a prefect in Sand Prefecture, you already killed so many people—do you still think you're a good person? \""

"\"Now it's for harming women for the family's sake; absolutely don't go soft. \""

"She stretched out her hand, making a chopping motion."

"\"How can you be like this too? \""

"Fang Chongyong gave a bitter smile."

"\"What else would it be? There's a distinction between great and small households; the Great Tang belongs to Jige, it's not Alang's turn to worry. Now Alang being able to protect our little household is already good enough; do we need to be courteous to an outsider? \""

"Anna Ye said righteously."

"Fang Chongyong knew that this Hexi country girl doesn't understand notions of right and wrong, good and evil; whoever treats her well, she will treat well in return, so he could only sigh and say: 'Winning Pei Xiu's heart does not require such despicable, lowly means.'"

"\"Hmph, the day Alang is killed by Jige, when I and Lady Wang are stripped naked and humiliated, you won't think we're despicable then! \""

"Anna Ye, angry, slammed her hand hard on the back of Fang Chongyong's hand, turned and left."

"……"

"Under the candlelight, the beauty is like a painting."

Pei Xiu lay on the bed, her eyes wide open, straining to struggle, but she couldn't even lift her arms.

Although she had no experience of the jianghu, having stayed long in the palace she knew that some strange drugs could make the body go limp and immobile, but this was certainly not the sign of drunkenness.

Seeing Fang Chongyong approach the bed silently, his gaze complex as he looked at her, Pei Xiu sighed and said, "Actually I already knew this day would come; I just didn't expect my beauty to make you unable to restrain yourself, to the point that you'd act before even leaving Chang'an."

Hearing such narcissistic words, Fang Chongyong was momentarily stunned speechless!

Seeing Fang Chongyong not move, Pei Xiu said again, "Although I've been in the palace for years and know that some people have shameful illnesses, I keep myself pure and have certainly not debased myself. If you come onto the bed I can't resist, but please don't despise my body as dirty!"

The more she spoke, the angrier she became!

Although Pei Min had already hinted at it before she came, her future had basically been entrusted to Fang Chongyong. But Pei Xiu never imagined that he would act against her the very day she arrived!

While Pei Xiu lamented her own great charm, she also mourned in her heart the fate of beautiful women doomed to short lives. A woman as lovely as she was indeed could not escape the destiny of being eyed and schemed against by men.

"Then let's begin."

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice.

Pei Xiu stubbornly turned her head, speaking with a heart as still as water: "Then come on; if I cry out I'm a dog. Your concubine has already stripped my clothes off, which is convenient for you to proceed."

From childhood she had grown up amid constant praise, everyone saying her appearance was extraordinary, and it was precisely because of her beauty that she was selected for the palace.

At this moment Pei Xiu felt no anger, only endless regret.

Just as a valiant general must die on the battlefield, a woman of extraordinary beauty will always be coveted by others, leading to a tumultuous fate.

Finding Fang Chongyong taking no action, Pei Xiu opened her eyes and saw that he was staring at her unblinkingly.

"Why aren't you making a move?"

She asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Um, if I had to say, it's probably because your looks are too ordinary—I really can't bring myself to act."

Fang Chongyong sighed helplessly.

Who would have thought that Pei Xiu, who had been fearless of the impending humiliation and tragedy, upon hearing Fang Chongyong's words would struggle to sit up and reach for the side sword not far from the head of the bed!

What the hell is going on! Why are one or two people so full of themselves!

At this moment Fang Chongyong felt utterly off, hurriedly taking Pei Xiu's side sword and holding it to his chest, eyeing her warily.

"What are you getting worked up about?"

Fang Chongyong asked, feeling that she was being inexplicable.

"Come! Get on the bed! I don't believe you're unmoved by my beauty!"

Pei Xiu roared at Fang Chongyong.

"Are you sick?"

Fang Chongyong felt he couldn't communicate with such a narcissist.

"Come on, people used to say your looks were heavenly because your father is the Sword Saint Pei Min. How many wanted to learn a couple of moves from your father—how could anyone say his daughter is ugly?"

"Praising you won't cost you an ounce of flesh! Don't lose yourself in others' flattery."

Fang Chongyong, while speaking, hurriedly went over and covered Pei Xiu with the blanket.

Although the other's struggle just now only revealed her fair shoulders, seeing the clothes carelessly tossed on the bed shows that Pei Xiu is surely stark naked, wearing nothing at all.

"Is that really how it is…"

Pei Xiu felt as if a huge hammer had struck her chest, her belief shattered, and a line of clear tears streamed down her cheeks.

Just now she had thought Fang Chongyong would certainly rape her, yet she hadn't felt this bad.

"All right, all right, I won't talk about those irrelevant things. Let's discuss the serious matter now."

Fang Chongyong said solemnly.

Pei Xiu turned her head, apparently having given up, utterly unwilling to speak to him, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water.

"You're sent by your father to monitor me, aren't you? And your father supposedly received the sage's mandate, right?"

Fang Chongyong asked in a deep voice.

"You know all that!"

Pei Xiu turned her head and blurted out, her handsome, delicate face filled with terror.

"Yes… my father said your responsibility is great. In the future, if you are detrimental to the sage, let me find a chance to eliminate you. If you harbor no ill intent, then just stay by your side to protect you."

Pei Xiu sighed and said.

"So, if I wanted to possess you, you wouldn't resist, right? After all, your father's word comes first; offending me would make your mission impossible to fulfill.

And you never considered what you yourself want."

Fang Chongyong also couldn't help sighing.

In aristocratic eras there were far too many women like this, for whom family came first and they had no right to consider their own happiness.

"Although Father didn't say it outright, I think that's what he meant."

Pei Xiu closed her eyes, as if she didn't want to look at Fang Chongyong's face.

She was seething inside; Fang Chongyong was built like a black bear, certainly not a handsome pretty boy, so on what grounds does he look down on this beauty whom everyone praises?

"Why are you so honest? I ask anything and you just answer."

Fang Chongyong felt it strange and couldn't help inquiring.

"I suppose I won't survive tonight, so what's there that I can't say?"

Pei Xiu lamented, having seen too many dirty tasks in the palace; in aristocratic mansions a person dying is all too ordinary. Now that things have come to this, can she even survive?

"I'll go get you an antidote; actually the drug you've taken, if you drink some tea and vomit it out, you'll recover quickly."

Fang Chongyong spoke gently with a smile.

"I've resigned myself to fate; you don't need to find such a clumsy excuse to poison me to death."

Pei Xiu growled angrily.

"Another day I'll have a medical officer examine your brain; I'll pay the fee."

Fang Chongyong snorted, tapped his own head with his index finger, said, then turned and left.

……

Two days later, a carriage sped along the post road from Chang'an to Longyou.

Inside the carriage, Pei Xiu held the sword, furrowed brows, and stared at Fang Chongyong.

The latter returned the gaze without showing any weakness.

"You're laughing at me for being ugly."

Pei Xiu said coldly.

"Did I laugh?"

Fang Chongyong felt bewildered; since that night, Pei Xiu had become a tight-lipped gourd, not saying a word to him, and now the first thing she said when she opened her mouth was this.

"You definitely laughed; just now I saw the corner of your mouth twitch."

Pei Xiu said seriously.

"That day it was just a joke; the atmosphere was too tense back then, I wasn't really saying you're ugly."

Fang Chongyong spread his hands and explained.

"I don't believe you; anyway, you're mocking me in your heart."

Pei Xiu insisted.

"So, is it still my fault that I didn't offend you the day before yesterday?"

Fang Chongyong also got angry.

"That's another matter, unrelated to you mocking my ugliness in your heart."

Pei Xiu seemed to have her own logic.

"Then what do you want for me to believe you?"

Fang Chongyong was completely broken down.

"Anyway, I just don't believe it."

Pei Xiu turned her head away and stopped speaking.

Just then, the carriage suddenly braked and stopped, and Pei Xiu, sitting opposite Fang Chongyong, was jolted into his arms!

Unexpectedly, Pei Xiu, who had hardly spoken before, suddenly, while in Fang Chongyong's arms, shoved her mouth toward his like a little pig, nudging it around.

She seemed to want to kiss, having seen the desperate look of lovers entwined wanting to devour each other, but she didn't know how; she only felt their noses pressing together painfully.

The frightened Young Master Fang hastily dodged, then pushed her away; before he could curse, he saw Pei Xiu covering her face with both hands and bursting into tears, not knowing whether it was from the nose bridge being pressed earlier or from inner anguish.

"Dear, someone's blocking the road."

A Duan's voice came from outside the carriage.

"Are they bandits? Then shoot them!"

Annoyed and upset, Fang Chongyong shouted.

"Uh, the servants over there say they're the entourage of Huangfu Weiming, the Military Governor of Longyou, and they want us to yield the road."

A Duan's voice sounded somewhat hesitant, but the words, mixed with a Qizhou accent, made the meaning clear.

Huangfu Weiming wasn't implicated in the Li Heng affair, so how is he still the Military Governor of Longyou?

Fang Chongyong pondered a moment and then suddenly realized: Huangfu Weiming was returning to the capital to report on his duties, and now this was a retained performance of the Tang bureaucrats' "post road brawl".

"I'll go take a look!"

Fang Chongyong lifted the carriage curtain and saw a crowd of soldiers opposite; their numbers seemed considerable, and his heart immediately pounded.

Keyword: XXN.

Those who get it, get it; you need to ponder the plot carefully—the book can be understood both forward and backward.

(End of chapter)