Chapter 49 (1/2)

Chapter 49 Rising Wind: Ruse

Despite being rebuked during the feast, the Ailao amba.s.sador quickly approached Situ as soon as the feast had ended.

“General Situ, I was wondering if we could have a drink together now that the feast has ended. I’ve always admired your bravery and accomplishments.”

“Isn’t the West guarded by the Defender-in-chief, General Xue? How would you know about my accomplishments then?” Situ and Gan Qingjia slowly made their way out of the hall, the amba.s.sador tagging behind them.

“That just goes to show how famous and inspiring you are, General Situ! Your name even reaches faraway lands, such as ours.”

Situ inwardly rolled his eyes. He was never the kind to entertain such guests and engage them in small talk, this work was mostly left to the other Generals. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Gan Qingjia winking furiously at him. Elder Brother! Bait him into the trap now! The amba.s.sador continued droning on and on about Situ’s deeds and bravery, but before Situ could reply, an attendant came running towards them.

“Is something the matter?” Situ quickly asked the attendant. He was not surprised to see the attendant reporting to him instead of one his Covert Guards; it was inappropriate for the Guards to appear in the palace.

“Your Grace, Miss Feng is currently at your residence. She is injured, but is unwilling to enter the household.”

“Injured? How serious is it?” Situ took off immediately.

The Ailao amba.s.sador quickly held him back. “General Situ! What about our drink together?”

“Just drink with my brother here; he can represent me.” Situ grabbed Gan Qingjia, pushed him into the arms of the Ailao amba.s.sador, and hastened back to his household with the attendant behind him.

“Uhm…this…” The amba.s.sador was stunned by the sudden change of events. What just happened? Before he knew it, Gan Qingjia was guiding him through the streets of Chang’an.

“Let’s go! Chang’an is only fun in the night. I know a good place where we can have a drink!”

“But…what about General Situ?” The Ailao amba.s.sador was confused.

“I’m the man to talk to if you want to know more about General Situ. Let’s go! I’ll let you have a night to remember!” Gan Qingjia slung an arm around the amba.s.sador’s shoulder, half-dragging the man into the streets of Chang’an.

“Your Grace, there is no hurry! Miss Feng had only twisted her ankle!” The attendant called out to Situ as he spurred his horse. A few metres ahead of him, Situ was charging forward on his steed, a horse whip in his hand. Situ ignored the calls of the attendant, fully concentrated on getting back to his residence as quickly as possible.

He saw her as he approached the household, a figure in a white robe sitting atop the steps, her knees hugged close to her chest. The dim light of the streetlamps bathed her in a warm light, and for that moment, she was the only thing in Situ’s eyes. The attendants and stewards gathered around her had all disappeared from vision, and Feng Luodi was all he could see.

Situ dismounted, and waved the head steward away before he spoke. The attendants and stewards quickly returned to the household, and Situ walked over to Feng Luodi. His voice was soft and gentle.

“The night is cold, shall we go in?”

Feng Luodi raised her head and smiled. “There you are.”

It was as if the world had stopped. Nothing else mattered, except for her brilliant eyes. Finally, I am the only one in her eyes.

Situ reached out his hands and bent over. Feng Luodi quickly spoke up. “Please send me back.” She placed a hand on Situ’s arm, and used it as leverage to stand up. But before she could steady herself, her leg gave way and she fell into Situ’s embrace.

“I will, but first we have to treat your leg.” Situ moved to help Feng Luodi into the household, but Feng Luodi stood still.

“What’s wrong?” Situ looked at her.

“Father forbids me from entering your household.”

“Then I’ll carry you in.” Situ bent over and picked Feng Luodi up with ease.

“Hey!” Feng Luodi shouted in surprise and pummelled his back with her fists. “Put me down! Someone will see us!”

“It's too dark for anyone to see us.” Situ brought her straight to his room, and placed her by his bed.

“Hey! Situ Muye!” Feng Luodi raised her other leg in an attempt to kick him, but that foot was quickly grabbed by Situ.

“Situ?!” Feng Luodi’s voice wavered, tinged with embarra.s.sment and anxiety.

“Don’t move, or you will exacerbate the injury.” Situ looked at her emotionlessly.

Feng Luodi shuddered. That expression is really scary! She could only watch as Situ took off her shoes and socks, his hands fully in contact with her feet.

“Your Grace, the warm water is ready outside the door.” An attendant’s voice sounded from the other side of the door.

“I understand. You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Situ brought in the pail of hot water, and placed it by the bed. He dipped his hand into the basin and, confirming that the water was of an acceptable temperature, placed Feng Luodi’s twisted ankle into the basin, slowly pouring the water over her feet while ma.s.saging the swollen ankle gently. Feng Luodi’s face was flushed red, her eyes darting around the room, avoiding Situ’s figure in front of her as much as she could.

Warmth filled the room, and the silence wrapped itself around the both of them.

“How did you twist it?” Situ broke the silence.

Feng Luodi licked her lips, and blinked. “I twisted it when I was vaulting over the wall of my household.”

Situ slowly wiped her feet dry, and sat down by the bed beside her to reach for the medicine. He laughed lightly. “Were you grounded again?”

“Hmph! You seem awfully happy to see me grounded, eh?” Feng Luodi glared at her, momentarily forgetting her embarra.s.sment.

“You seem like a obedient and quiet girl; so tell me: why are you always getting grounded?” Situ gently rubbed the ointment onto her ankle.

“I didn’t do anything wrong.” Feng Luodi raised her voice a little, but quickly calmed down again. “I guess I was too willful in my actions; I had no right to make them cater to my needs.”

n.o.body will ever understand me.

“What rights are you talking about?” Situ tenderly put her socks and shoes back on, and held out his hand. “It’s getting late. Let me send you back.”