She brought Fang Lingjun’s favorite pastries to accompany her. Fang Lingjun stayed by Fang Chuning’s side, not leaving even for a moment. Zhang Lingzheng said Fang Chuning had lost a lot of blood, but the critical period had passed. As long as he recuperated well, he’d be fine.
"Junjun, have something to eat." Fengyu handed her a piece of pastry. Fang Lingjun, feeling somewhat relieved by Fang Chuning’s improvement, had a slightly better appetite. Fengyu fed it to her.
She then talked with Fang Lingjun about Princess Huazhen’s upcoming marriage to the Beiman King.
Fang Lingjun’s heart skipped a beat, giving rise to a trace of pity. "The Beiman hate us. If Princess Huazhen marries into Beiman, will her life be miserable? Will she die?"
Fengyu gently shook her head. "I don’t know."
The two of them leaned against each other, both feeling a sense of desolation. Neither took any satisfaction in the princess being married off to Beiman. Fengyu fed a few bites of pastry to Fang Lingjun, and her spirits lifted somewhat.
"Ayu, I don’t hunting trip." Fang Lingjun wiped her tears. "I want to go home."
She had nearly lost her life, and her brother had almost died too.
The Second Young Master’s eyes were also injured.
When her brother woke up, he was sure to go mad.
"We’ll go home tomorrow. Don’t be afraid!" Fengyu gently patted her shoulder, feeling heartache for the frightened Fang Lingjun.
"Ting Feng..." Even in his unconscious state, Fang Chuning was calling Xie Jue’s name. His fever had just broken, and he was in a muddled daze. Zhang Lingzheng had said he likely wouldn’t wake until tomorrow, but he seemed trapped in a nightmare, repeatedly calling Xie Jue’s name.
Fang Lingjun and Fengyu moved closer to the bedside. Fang Lingjun held his hand. "Brother, it’s okay now. The Second Young Master... is still alive."
She had originally wanted to say the Second Young Master was fine too but dared not, settling instead on the simple statement that he was alive.
Fang Chuning suddenly opened his eyes. His body convulsed violently in pain, terrifying Fang Lingjun. Fengyu lifted the curtain and hurried out to call Zhang Lingzheng. The tent became a scene of chaos. Zhang Lingzheng applied acupuncture, bled him, and forced down a bowl of medicine. Fang Chuning should have succumbed to the drowsiness, but instead, he gripped the bed frame and sat up.
Zhang Lingzheng said, "Fang Chuning, lie down and rest. Stop tormenting yourself!"
They had grown up together and were deeply bonded. Zhang Lingzheng had stayed by his side, afraid he might pass away at any moment.
"Brother, listen to him. Don’t get up. Don’t scare me!" Fang Lingjun held a dry towel to wipe his sweat. Fang Chuning was in terrible shape, his face ghostly pale, his hair damp with sweat and clinging to his cheeks and neck. Clad only in his inner garments, the faint traces of blood on his back were visible—he looked both frail and pitiful. Yet he stubbornly gripped Zhang Lingzheng’s arm, his voice hoarse. "Ting Feng..."
What happened to Ting Feng?!
When he and Xie Jue had tumbled down the hillside together, they were fortunate enough to land in a natural barrier. The pursuing enemies behind them were struck down by Xie Jue’s flying darts, giving the two of them a brief respite. He had no time to hunt for the spotted deer, only wanting to rush Xie Jue back to camp for treatment, fearing for his wounded eyes. Yet, as luck would have it, they came across the spotted deer.
Fang Chuning made a split-second decision, blowing his whistle to summon the white-coated warhorse Treading Snow, which carried Xie Jue out of the forest while he stayed behind to capture the deer. Ting Feng had risked everything—his very life—just to obtain the thirty thousand red silk armors.
Whatever Xie Jue wanted, he would give!
"Take care of yourself first. You’re hurt worse than he is!"
"You’re lying!" Fang Chuning slapped Zhang Lingzheng’s hand away, staggering as he got out of bed and throwing on his outer robe. Fang Lingjun, panicking, could only help him fasten his belt.
Zhang Lingzheng snapped, furious, "For Xie Jue, one day you’ll lose your life! You’re so stubborn, I’m done with you!"
Fang Chuning teetered precariously as he stood, his voice firm and resolute. "I’m willing!"
Zhang Lingzheng’s brow twitched heavily but, restraining himself in the presence of Fang Lingjun and Fengyu, refrained from saying anything harsher. "You’re all impossible to deal with!"
Fang Lingjun alone couldn’t support Fang Chuning—his injuries were too severe—as he insisted on leaving the tent. Fengyu, casting aside any concerns about propriety, came forward to help Fang Lingjun steady him.
Xie Jue had yet to awaken. His eyes were covered with a strip of white silk, which accentuated his skin, pale as porcelain. The tent was saturated with the pungent scent of medicine. Fang Chuning sat down by his bedside. The silk concealed Xie Jue’s eyes, leaving only half of his face visible—sharp and cold, like a handful of moonlight in the autumn, serene and frosty.
Fang Chuning’s heart ached terribly. He turned to Zhang Lingzheng, who had followed them in. "Will his eyes... recover?"
Zhang Lingzheng hesitated, unsure how to reply. To the Marquis Mansion and Fang Chuning alike, the truth was unbearably harsh. His silence felt like a slow-cutting blade, wounding deeply with every moment.
Fang Chuning, overcome with pain, collapsed against Xie Jue’s waist, his shoulders trembling. It was unclear whether he was crying or shivering from the physical torment. Fang Lingjun had never seen her brother so distraught. He was the pride of their family, commanding admiration and awe, someone who seemed invincible in her eyes. Her brother, always laughing and carefree, was a man who carried the world on his shoulders.
In Fengyu’s heart rose an inexplicable sensation. Brother Chuning’s feelings for the Second Young Master... were far too complex. Fengyu, naturally observant and reserved, had always paid attention to the subtleties around her. She had heard of Fang Chuning and the Second Young Master growing up as childhood companions, deeply attached to one another. But until this triumph, she had never met Xie Jue, though she had seen Fang Chuning numerous times.
Fang Chuning was fiery and unrestrained, his carefree demeanor inspiring fondness in others. His charisma made those around him seek his friendship. Yet, he always maintained a measured restraint, perfectly balanced in his actions and words, never overly transparent with his emotions.
It was said that Fang Chuning had confidants across the land, but he was always orbiting Xie Jue. Whenever the two of them were together, there was an unmistakable atmosphere, one that others could not penetrate.
The way he looked at the Second Young Master... was exactly the same as how Xie Xun looked at her. Zhang Boxin and Lin Xiao had grown up together too, inseparable as brothers, yet she had never seen Lin Xiao look at Zhang Boxin in such a way.
Fengyu noticed Xie Jue’s fingers tremble slightly. Slowly, he lifted his hand and placed it atop Fang Chuning’s head, giving it a gentle pat. Fang Chuning froze, then grasped his hand tightly, his voice trembling with emotion. "Ting Feng, you’re awake."
Xie Jue only felt searing pain in his eyes. The sensation spread, leaving his head pounding. Fang Chuning seemed to sense his discomfort, his hands moving to massage Xie Jue’s temples gently.
Fengyu thought to herself, in this atmosphere, who could possibly intervene? The Second Young Master remained silent, yet Fang Chuning instinctively knew where he hurt.
"Is it still unbearable?"