Chapter 14

“Were you specifically waiting here?” Zheng Xuanfu asked.

Yan Nanjing smiled without replying. She lowered her head slightly, not responding to Zheng Xuanfu’s question at all. “Thank you both for your trouble on this trip.”

She smiled again with a slight bow of her head. “I’ve already prepared some hot soup. Please, follow me.”

Looking up, she met Zheng Xuanfu’s gaze. The boy appeared about fifteen or sixteen, skilled in combat but still much like a child in temperament. A few days ago, when Yan Nanjing had confronted him in cold hostility, it had almost turned violent. Now, however, he seemed cheerful, the coldness and dissatisfaction from when he first entered completely gone.

She glanced past Zheng Xuanfu to the young man beside him. Taller by half a head, he was handsome and slender—impossible to ignore.

When he killed, his killing intent surged fiercely. Yet in conversation, even when drenched in blood, there was no hint of savagery.

Now, all traces of last night’s bloodshed were gone. He still wore an ill-fitting winter coat, standing quietly, listening to their exchange.

Noticing her gaze, his deep brown eyes turned toward her.

Their eyes met, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. “How may this lady command?”

This man was far more difficult to deal with than the younger one.

Yan Nanjing confirmed her suspicions. The elder was calmer and more composed, yet equally, if not more, formidable.

The younger one, born into wealth and pampered from childhood, wore his emotions plainly—joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness all evident at a glance.

But the elder maintained a serene and gentle demeanor at all times. Even while wielding a knife, no trace of ferocity or loss of composure showed.

No matter how she looked, she could not read him.

So when he spoke, Yan Nanjing could not discern the truth behind his words.

Given the rampant banditry these days, she had at last found use for them elsewhere. Before her brother’s return, even if only for appearances, she was willing to play the gracious hostess.

“You flatter us,” the elder replied.

Yan Nanjing met his gaze and smiled more warmly. “Thanks to you both last night. Please, go warm yourselves in the hall and have some mutton soup.”

He smiled and nodded. “Thank you, lady.”

The hall was already set with low tables, and Ayuan brought in the mutton soup. It had been simmering all night; the meat and bones were tender and soft. Hot and steaming, it was perfect for warding off the cold in this weather.

Zheng Xuanfu, accustomed to fine living, even in the army had servants attending to his meals. His kitchen staff had come from his own household—he simply could not tolerate the local mutton.

No matter how carefully the sheep were raised here, the meat still carried a gamey odor. His expression revealed distaste.

Having been raised in the Zheng family, he was fastidious about food and drink; even under duress, he would not abandon the comportment of a noble scion.

He was just about to place the bowl on the table when a cough from Qi Yun beside him caught his attention. He looked over to find Qi Yun watching him with a half-smile.

The bowl was lifted again, and in a single gulp, he finished the soup.

“Are you all right, sir?” Yan Nanjing asked with genuine concern, having observed the whole scene.

Zheng Xuanfu shook his head but could not suppress several coughs. The mutton soup was freshly served; even after the chilly wind on the way, it was still scalding hot.

After a few sips, his throat nearly burned too painfully to speak.

Seeing Zheng Xuanfu’s flushed face, Yan Nanjing signaled Ayuan to bring some tea.

This was a habit left by Chen Yun when he was alive: drinking tea after meals to cleanse the oily residue. Most tea came from Shu, transported with difficulty and expensive, so it was a custom mostly among scholars and gentry.

Zheng Xuanfu drank the tea, which was slightly bitter, cutting through the greasy taste. His complexion improved.

“Thank you.”

Only now did Zheng Xuanfu feel somewhat better and nodded to Yan Nanjing.

“Thank you both for what happened last night.”

She rose from the seat and bowed deeply to the two men.

Before Zheng Xuanfu could react, Qi Yun grabbed the back of his cloak, pulling him away to avoid accepting her formal thanks.

“My lady, you are too kind,” Qi Yun said, holding Zheng Xuanfu’s cloak. “It was nothing more than a small favor, no need for such ceremony.”

“We were the ones disturbing you,” Zheng Xuanfu added. “We feel guilty, so being able to help you makes up for our intrusion.”

Zheng Xuanfu opened his mouth to respond but closed it quickly after a glance from Qi Yun.

Though a deputy general in the army, Qi Yun had truly earned his reputation. He had followed his father and uncle into battle since he was thirteen or fourteen. His aura was nothing like that of the pampered Zheng Xuanfu.

“I apologize for frightening you earlier,” he said.

Yan Nanjing parted her lips to respond but suddenly saw Qi Yun’s expression change as he looked toward the door.

“Someone’s coming.”

“I didn’t call anyone,” Qi Yun said, and Yan Nanjing immediately chimed in. They exchanged looks full of shock and alertness.

“Zhishan!”

From the corridor outside, the call came through the plain screen into the inner room.

It was too late to hide.

She grabbed Qi Yun’s arm, trying to shove both him and Zheng Xuanfu behind the curtains, the same place they hid last time.

“Go back here,” she said, tugging Qi Yun while reaching for Zheng Xuanfu.

Gripping Qi Yun’s arm tightly, she found him looking down at her hand with a strange expression.

“No need. We can’t hide.”

Even if they hid, those tables wouldn’t conceal them.

Just then, Cui Ti arrived at the door, bypassed the screen, and saw the few people in the hall.

Seeing the unfamiliar Qi Yun and Zheng Xuanfu, his expression darkened. Drawing his sword, he confronted them. “Who are you?”

The bandit raid from last night had been reported to the authorities at dawn. The bandits, emboldened by their numbers, had wreaked havoc not only on a few villages but several large families’ estates.

Cui Ti had connections at the government and rushed over upon hearing the news.

There were only a few villages and estates around here; recognizing faces was not difficult.

“Zhishan, hurry over!” Yan Nanjing called back upon seeing Cui Ti.

Qi Yun’s expression shifted oddly at her words. He suddenly pushed Yan Nanjing behind him.

He stared at Cui Ti with eyes full of fury but smiled faintly. “Who are you, and why should this lady come to you?”

Cui Ti raised his sword to strike.

Renowned in his generation as a wandering knight, Cui Ti was a man of chivalry but also prone to violence; rival knights often fought among themselves. Their techniques were practical and deadly.

He aimed directly for the vulnerable knees.

The blade howled as it swept toward Qi Yun’s knees. Qi Yun drew his own blade back and swung it to parry.

The two ring-headed swords clashed sharply. Cui Ti immediately felt his wrist go numb.

He looked up into the eyes of his opponent.

The young man before him had a rare kind of beauty most men lacked. His sharp brows and eyes were unremarkable at first glance, but up close, beneath that gentle exterior was a deadly sharpness that threatened to overwhelm.

Qi Yun seized Cui Ti’s numb wrist, immobilizing him, and pressed the edge of his sword against Cui Ti’s neck.

“It’s a misunderstanding!”

Yan Nanjing rushed over, seeing Qi Yun’s blade at Cui Ti’s throat. Cui Ti glared angrily, refusing to yield.

“What misunderstanding?” Qi Yun retorted.

Yan Nanjing wondered what madness had possessed Qi Yun—was he addicted to fighting?

She turned to Cui Ti, who was held fast, and said, “These two know my brother. Last night when bandits attacked, it was they who helped. That’s why I am safe.”

Zheng Xuanfu, prepared to draw his sword and kill Cui Ti, relaxed his hand from his weapon upon hearing her.

“Yes, we are upright men,” Qi Yun continued, his captive’s surprised expression amusing him.

“Do they know Lord Yang?”

“We deeply admire Lord Yang and came specifically looking for him. But when we arrived, he had not yet returned. The lady, kind-hearted, seeing the late hour, allowed us to stay. Who would have thought thieves would come that night?”

“Zhishan, are you being held captive by these two and lying to me?” Cui Ti asked.

Yan Nanjing laughed, sounding angry. “There are still bloodstains in the courtyard from last night’s death. Want to go see?”

Cui Ti was left speechless.

Yan Nanjing noticed Qi Yun’s sword still pressed against Cui Ti’s neck and looked at him. “Sir, since the misunderstanding is cleared, might you sheathe your sword?”

He glanced down at Cui Ti’s frustrated face, nodded, and put the sword away.

Cui Ti staggered a few steps and was caught by Yan Nanjing before he could fall.

His wrist was still sore and numb; he hadn’t expected such force behind the strike.

Grasping Yan Nanjing’s wrist, Cui Ti quickly pulled her away from Qi Yun.

Qi Yun’s voice was low and stern. “Let go. How long will you keep troubling the lady so?”