Chapter 286: Beating Xun Yu
Chapter 286: Beating Xun Yu
October 17, 2024
At the entrance to the hot springs, Shangguan Ling, who had witnessed the entire incident, whispered to Xun Qi, "What did the Prince say to make them so angry?"
Xun Qi smiled and said, "Shangguan, it's best not to ask about my third and fourth brothers' personal matters."
Shangguan Ling replied, "I was just asking casually."
After the group of four left, Si She also stood up and said, "I've soaked enough. Let's start the hunt tomorrow."
Ji Li spoke coldly, "I can't wait until tomorrow. I'm already feeling a bit itchy."
The two changed into dry clothes and left the hot springs.
In the vast area, only Yu Zichuan remained on the shore, and Lu Yuan was in the pool.
Lu Yuan sat motionlessly in the spring water, the ripples gently lapping against his shoulders.
His expressionless face made it seem like nothing had happened, and he didn't seem to care about anything.
However, the dark night was like a giant beast with its mouth wide open, ready to swallow him whole, letting him rot in endless gloom, and never allowing him to escape.
Yu Zichuan bowed his head and silently wiped his bow.
Suddenly, the sound of intense fighting erupted from outside.
Ji Li was fighting with them.
Yu Zichuan looked up and glanced at Lu Yuan in the hot spring.
Lu Yuan didn't move.
Yu Zichuan continued wiping his bow, head bowed.
Ji Li was fighting against Xun Liu and Shangguan Ling at the same time.
Xun Qi walked over to Si She and asked, "Aren't you going to help your friend?"
Si She replied, "He's not my friend."
Xun Qi sighed, "I thought you were together."
Si She stared at the three fighting and answered, "We are indeed together."
Xun Qi smiled, "You're quite an interesting person."
Si She said indifferently, "But I find you rather uninteresting."
Xun Qi shook his head in confusion, "Are all the Shier Wei as strange as you?"
Si She said, "I don't know if we're strange, but you're certainly annoying."
Xun Qi smiled, "I've met many people, and Lu Yuan was the only one who made me feel special. Recently, Meng Xiaojiu joined him, and today, I had the pleasure of meeting you, Si She."
"Your inner resolve is terrifying. No matter how skillfully I use my words, you never let me lead you by the nose, nor do you get easily angered by anyone."
Xun Qi's competitive spirit was sparked, and he smiled, gazing at the three who were locked in an intense battle, "However, your companion seems a bit impulsive. Why don't you advise him?"
Si She replied, "Only those who can't win are impulsive."
Xun Qi was taken aback by his words, and his gaze returned to the three fighters.
Both Xun Liu and Shangguan Ling were experts among experts, yet Ji Li, fighting them both simultaneously, showed no signs of being at a disadvantage.
Indeed, the Shier Wei, known for their exceptional martial prowess, lived up to their reputation.
However, Ji Li was fighting two opponents alone, and his energy consumption was greater. It was only a matter of time before he was defeated.
As expected, just as this thought crossed his mind, Ji Li was struck by Xun Liu's palm.
But before Xun Qi could finish rejoicing, he saw Xun Liu get knocked away by Ji Li's knee.
At the same time, the embroidered spring knife that Shangguan Ling had stabbed towards Ji Li from behind was also caught by Ji Li's fingertips.
Xun Qi's face paled slightly.
Fortunately, Xun Liu's internal skills were profound, and he quickly recovered, engaging Ji Li in combat once again.
Xun Yu had no interest in watching the fight and said to Xun Qi, "Let's go, Seventh Brother."
Ji Li's cold voice rang out, "Xun, are you a coward? Leaving so soon?"
Xun Yu gave a cold laugh, "Talk after you've beaten my sixth brother."
After speaking, he arrogantly turned to leave.
However, what he didn't expect was that as soon as he turned around, he was kicked in the chest, sending him flying backward. He landed heavily on the ground, tumbling awkwardly before coming to a stop.
Meng Qianqian wore a light pink Qianjin Qiu Cloak and her long hair was wet, cascading like a waterfall.
Her attire was charming, but her face was as cold as frost, and her eyes radiated boundless killing intent, as if she wanted to send Xun Yu to the eighteenth level of hell.
"Third Brother!"
Xun Qi immediately stopped testing Si She and hurried towards Xun Yu, helping him up as he was in pain.
"What are you doing?"
Accompanied by a stern shout, the Minister of War, General Han, and Royal Inspector Wang strode towards them.
Several people had just finished discussing the next day's matters with the Emperor in the Imperial Residence when they heard the sounds of a fight as they exited.
Speaking was Secretary of War, Ho.
Shangguan Ling, Xun Liu, and Ji Li stopped their actions.
The three officials' gazes swept over them, then over Meng Qianqian, finally settling on Xun Yu, whose mouth was bleeding.
Secretary Ho spoke sternly, "Private fights are prohibited outside the hunting grounds. Anyone who violates this order will be imprisoned. Are you all clear on this?"
Shangguan Ling laughed, "Secretary Ho, we were just sparring. There's no fight, no problem."
Secretary Ho turned to Xun Yu.
Xun Yu smiled at Meng Qianqian, "It's not right to say we were sparring, right? After all, I don't know martial arts, but you, as the Tiger Guard who has slain countless enemies at the border, it looks like you're trying to kill me."
Wang, the censor, frowned.
The three of them had indeed witnessed Meng Qianqian injuring Xun Yu, and the situation didn't look good.
"It was just a joke with the Prince. Surely he won't take it to heart?"
Lu Yuan calmly emerged from the hot springs, wearing a long robe and with wet hair, like ink and satin.
He was already handsome, and with his lazy, wet hair, he exuded an even more captivating coldness.
Xun Yu wiped the blood from his mouth and smiled, "So the Tiger Guard was joking with me. Since the Marquis says so, I won't pursue this matter."
Wang, the censor, spoke seriously, "Since there's no issue, let's all disperse."
As the involved party didn't pursue the matter, Secretary Ho and General Han couldn't enforce the law forcefully.
Xun Yu cupped his hands and said, "I'll see you off, gentlemen."
The three officials nodded and turned to leave.
With the outsiders gone, Xun Yu reverted to his familiar address for Lu Yuan, "Fourth Brother, see you at the hunting grounds tomorrow."
As he passed by Meng Qianqian, she spoke coldly, "Xun Yu, I'll leave your life here."
Xun Yu gave a cold laugh, as if finally shedding all pretense, "We'll see!"
"Let's go back."
Si She spoke to Ji Li.
Ji Li scoffed, "I haven't had enough of the fight yet."
Si She looked up at the clouds above, "Tomorrow, there will be more."
After the two left, Lu Yuan approached Meng Qianqian.
He took a closer look and realized she was barefoot, her cloak soaked, dripping wet.
Her nightgown was faintly visible beneath the cloak.
She had been soaking in the hot springs and had rushed over without changing, wearing only a cloak.
"Don't do this again. Be careful not to catch a cold."
"Oh."
Lu Yuan took off his outer robe and draped it over Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian looked at him in surprise, her nightgown also soaked, "You're talking about me, but you're also..."
Lu Yuan picked her up horizontally and headed towards the courtyard.
"I can walk by myself."
"You're not wearing shoes."
"Neither are you."
The sudden change from hot to cold made their wet hair and clothes stick to their bodies, causing their bodies to quickly turn cold, yet their hearts felt slightly warm.
"Are there still people in the hot springs?"
"No, they're all asleep."
Lu Yuan carried Meng Qianqian into the courtyard's hot spring pavilion, "Soak a little longer. Warm your body before going to sleep."
He placed her in the warm spring water and was about to leave.
Meng Qianqian grabbed his sleeve and looked up at him, "Let's do it together... Your body is colder than mine."
"No need."
He straightened up, pulled out his sleeve, and refused without a second thought.
Meng Qianqian looked at him deeply, then grabbed his pant leg, "You shouldn't have said, 'Meng Xiaojiu, are you inviting me to bathe with you? I knew you had ulterior motives towards me!'"
"Stop fooling around."
Lu Yuan turned his back to her, his tone as usual, but his profound phoenix eyes concealed endless madness.
Intuition told Meng Qianqian that if she let him leave like this tonight, he might never escape the shadows of his past.
Meng Qianqian stood up resolutely and held his hand, "Husband, your hand is so cold. Is your illness acting up again?"
"I'm fine..."
Before Lu Yuan could finish, Meng Qianqian pulled him into the hot spring.
(End of Chapter)
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