Chapter Twenty-Nine: Xue Yang Wounded

Xue Fanzhi only emerged from the warm water room after Lady Jin had left.

As she stepped out, she was immediately met by Xue Qiu’s attendants, who were impeccably mannered and greeted her respectfully, “Lady Eight, the Old General requests that you accompany the Princess.”

Xue Fanzhi replied dejectedly, “I can’t go. Please tell the Princess directly that she may do as she pleases. My father is gravely ill; I must tend to him.”

The attendant offered to relay her message to Xue Yang, but Xue Fanzhi refused, insisting only on passing along her words. The maid, unable to persuade her, had no choice but to leave.

Shortly after the maid departed, Xue Yang called for Xue Fanzhi from inside the room. She clenched her fists, lifted the curtain, and went in.

She knew well enough what Xue Yang would ask—nothing but questions about her relationship with Princess Zhaoyang.

She feigned ignorance to every inquiry.

Xue Yang’s patience wore thin. He swung his legs off the couch and said, “Did the Princess truly not say why she’s so good to you? It has nothing to do with the Old General?”

Xue Fanzhi shook her head, “The Princess is simply a warm-hearted person!”

Xue Yang sneered; he didn’t believe her for a moment.

He not only wished to marry his daughter into the royal family, but also aspired to make something of himself. Yet the highest official he could reach was the Old General, who considered him unfit for office and refused to let him enter official ranks.

If he could understand Minglan’s intentions, it would change everything. Minglan, a princess wielding great influence at court, would surely be courted by princes seeking favor. The royal family had thirteen sons—who would ascend the throne was uncertain. If one could join the right side early and secure support, life would surely transform.

Minglan might be the breakthrough.

Xue Yang found Xue Fanzhi utterly useless and muttered, “Indeed, my judgment was right—rotten wood cannot be carved!”

Turning to Xue Jiaoyue, he said, “When you become good friends with Princess Zhaoyang, be sure to find out which prince she’s close to, why she’s come to our home—don’t miss a single clue!”

A look of smugness flashed in Xue Jiaoyue’s eyes as she glanced at Xue Fanzhi. She replied to Xue Yang, “Yes, Father, I will not let you down!”

Xue Yang nodded in satisfaction.

Father and daughter, pleased with themselves, no longer needed to hide their intentions. Xue Fanzhi sneered coldly in her heart.

As Xue Yang and his daughter basked in mutual admiration, they suddenly turned their heads and saw a pair of innocent black eyes gazing at them.

Xue Yang: “…”

Xue Jiaoyue: “…”

Xue Yang thought irritably that this foolish girl was just like those people from the Jin family—her vacant stare was simply repulsive.

He barked, “You’re here to tend the sick! Why are you just standing there? Go fetch water for my foot bath—I want to soak my feet!”

Xue Yang was fastidious, bathing his feet in medicinal water each day.

Xue Fanzhi lowered her head and agreed, but before she could leave, Lady Jin hurried in.

Her face was anxious as she said, “Princess Zhaoyang is leaving—no matter how we try, she won’t stay. What will the family head do?”

Xue Yang still hoped Xue Jiaoyue would befriend the Princess.

“Why is she leaving?” he asked in confusion. “Did someone offend her?”

Lady Jin stepped closer and nodded, “I heard the Princess was angered by something, but the exact cause is unknown.”

Xue Yang, frustrated, flung his sleeve, “It’s all that muddle-headed Second Uncle’s fault! He has neither son nor daughter, so how could he settle the Princess—a young lady—in the second branch? It’s absurd and outrageous! I could almost slap him awake!”

“Yes, I really should slap you awake!” No sooner had Xue Yang spoken than a stern, furious voice rang out at the doorway.

Everyone looked up—indeed, the Old General himself had arrived.

A cold glint flashed in Xue Fanzhi’s eyes. Second Uncle had finally come; Xue Yang, you can drink your own bitter cup!

Xue Yang hadn’t expected to be caught cursing Xue Qiu. He was both fearful and embarrassed, his voice trembling, “Se-Second Uncle, what brings you here?”

Xue Qiu sneered, “Weren’t you gravely ill? Didn’t you need Little Eight to tend you? I came to see when you would die—only to find you wishing for my death instead!”

Xue Yang was mortified, “Second Uncle!”

Quick to change the subject, he asked, “Is it true the Princess is leaving?”

“Because of you, Little Eight was delayed, and now the Princess is leaving.” Xue Qiu’s tone was icy.

Xue Yang was stunned, “The Princess is leaving because of Little Eight?”

He turned to Xue Fanzhi, his gaze shifting from puzzled to sharp, and demanded, “What trick did you use to drive the Princess away? Did you know I planned to have Jiaoyue accompany her, so you deliberately angered the Princess?”

Xue Fanzhi looked at Xue Qiu with timid eyes.

Xue Qiu was nearly beside himself with rage. He hadn’t intended to act, but could no longer restrain himself.

“You ignorant thing—still want to hit me? Come here, today I won’t stop until I’ve beaten you!” he said, moving into the room.

“Second Uncle, be reasonable! When did I ever try to hit you?” Xue Yang pointed at Xue Fanzhi, “But this one—it’s useless not to beat her! She’s scheming against me now!”

Xue Qiu strode into the room, hand gripping the hilt of his sword. As a military man, he carried his weapon everywhere, and the aura he’d cultivated on the battlefield was palpable even from afar. Xue Jiaoyue, terrified, cried out, “Father, run!”

Xue Yang, dazed by Xue Qiu’s threat, reacted instinctively to the shout, running backward without thinking. In truth, Xue Jiaoyue had shouted because she herself wanted to flee. She turned and ran as well, father and daughter spinning away—one to the left, one to the right. As they were standing close together, they collided with a thud.

Afraid of hurting Xue Jiaoyue in the collision, Xue Yang hurriedly tried to dodge, only to stumble over the footstool behind him and fall flat on his back.

Because they were so close, as Xue Yang fell, Xue Jiaoyue lost her balance and toppled backward too. Xue Yang’s leg landed on the footstool, and Xue Jiaoyue’s fall brought a loud crack as she landed right on that leg. Xue Yang let out a scream, “My leg!”

Quick-witted, Xue Jiaoyue assumed Xue Yang was feigning injury to avoid Xue Qiu’s wrath. She scrambled up, knelt, and pressed his leg, crying, “Father, are you alright? Is your leg broken? You’re the pillar of our family—what will we do?”

The pain was already overwhelming, but her pressing made Xue Yang cry out and faint.

Xue Jiaoyue thought to herself that age truly brought cunning—his performance was far too convincing.

She cried out, “Mother, help! Father has fainted from the pain!” and winked at Lady Jin, who stood nearby, bewildered.

Lady Jin, seeing Xue Yang’s forehead drenched in sweat, was beside herself with worry. But when she caught her daughter’s wink, she realized the family head was pretending.

His act was far too convincing, Lady Jin thought.

She nearly applauded, but remembering Xue Qiu was watching, quickly adopted a tearful face, wailing, “Family head, wake up! Don’t frighten me so!”

She knelt, calling to Xue Jiaoyue, “Quick, carry your father to the couch!”

Xue Jiaoyue grabbed Xue Yang’s calf and lifted with all her might. There was another crack, and the already fainted Xue Yang revived—only to faint again...