Chapter 107 (2/2)

Feng Luodi bit hard into her lower lip as she teared from the immense pain, refusing to show any signs of weakness. Glancing down, she could see where her hand was bleeding.

“Not feeling satisfied yet, Xiaoxiao? Here, take this.” Princess Shangrong handed a bowl of hot soup to Chu Xiaoxiao. Enjoying the look of fear in Feng Luodi's eyes, Chu Xiaoxiao dumped the bowl of soup onto her hands.

“AHHHHH!” This time, Feng Luodi could not hold back her scream. Whipping her head back involuntarily, she sunk her teeth into Chu Xiaoxiao's arm.

“Argh! Let go of me, you crazy woman!” Chu Xiaoxiao slapped Feng Luodi again, trying to free her hand from her jaws.

“What are you doing? Help her!” Princess Shangrong shouted at the two guards. One of them struck Feng Luodi on her neck, causing her to open her mouth in shock.

“You b.i.t.c.h!” Chu Xiaoxiao kicked Feng Luodi hard in the stomach.

“Here, take this to vent your anger.” Princess Shangrong placed a dagger into Chu Xiaoxiao's hands. Chu Xiaoxiao laughed and bent down before Feng Luodi. Ignoring her struggles, she thrust the dagger deep into Feng Luodi's hands.

Feng Luodi glanced down at her hands, bloodied and searing with hot pain. Tears clouding her vision, she gathered all the anger in her body and laughed at Chu Xiaoxiao. “Mark my words: you will not leave Chang'an unscathed.”

“Who do you think you are to stop me? Foolish commoner!” Chu Xiaoxiao snarled, her eyes bloodthirsty and cruel.

She raised the dagger again, about to bring it down onto Feng Luodi's hands. The door burst flew inwards with a huge bang, bringing a cloud of dust as it unhinged from the frame.

“Let go of her!” A voice bellowed.

Situ? Feng Luodi smiled weakly. Why is he here so fast? Didn't Quattor return to him already? How did he know what was happening?

“Duke of Anping?” Princess Shangrong and Chu Xiaoxiao were stunned by Situ's arrival.

Situ did not spare a look at them. He strode forward, sending the two guards flying to the far side of the room with two swift kicks. Catching her as she fell forward, he cradled her in his arms. “Everything is going to be okay; I'm here now.”

Feng Luodi could not hold it in anymore. She buried her head into his chest and sobbed. How many times has this happened before? He's always there for me when I need it most, but I reject him time and time again out of selfishness.

Situ looked down, the blood on Feng Luodi's lips and hands sending a sharp pain into his heart. He turned to Princess Shangrong and Chu Xiaoxiao, his eyes full of cold fury. “I shall remember this gift of yours to me; antic.i.p.ate my gift in return.”

“Anping Duke! Please listen to me!” Princess Shangrong panicked, jabbing a finger in Chu Xiaoxiao's direction. “It was entirely her idea! She was the one who'd hurt Feng Luodi; I didn't do anything!”

Chu Xiaoxiao was shocked by the accusation. “Shang'er?”

“Shut up!” Princess Shangrong screamed at her friend. She turned, frantically trying to grab hold of Situ's sleeve, who ignored her completely. Situ dashed out of the restaurant, not wanting to delay another second. Two stepped into the room and stood in front of her.

“Your Highness, please remember your dignity as royalty.”

“Move away at once, you lowly commoner! How dare you stop me!” Princess Shangrong screamed hysterically.

Two did not flinch. Slowly backing out of the room, he placed the door back onto its hinge and gave orders to the owner not to open it until an hour later. The bodies of the palace guards that stood watch outside the dining room lay on the floor, unmoving.

Two walked out of Manchun Tang hurriedly, intending to send a physician to Situ's residence where Situ had brought Feng Luodi. He was quickly stopped by Jiang Moyin and Scarlet, hurrying towards the restaurant.

“How is Luodi?”

Two bowed at Jiang Moyin. “Sir. Miss Feng's hands were badly injured; she is on her way to the General's residence as we speak. I am heading off to fetch a physician. Please head to the general's residence if you wish to do so.”

Jiang Moyin nodded and turned to Scarlet. “Let's head to Situ's residence right now.”

They had barely taken a few steps when Jiang Moyin stopped in his tracks and doubled over, coughs racking his entire frame. When he lifted his hand from his mouth, blood glistened brightly in his palm.

“Grand Tutor, are you alright?” Scarlet panicked. “Why don't you return to your residence? I'll send word to you as soon as possible. I'm sure young miss will be fine with the Duke of Anping with her.”

“Don't worry about me.” Jiang Moyin shook his head. “I can't rest without checking on Luodi.”

Quickly hiring a carriage from Manchun Tang, Scarlet helped Jiang Moyin into the cabin and the two quickly made their way to the Duke of Anping's residence.