Chapter 023

Chapter 23

Her hairdo was slightly disheveled, and her pearl hairpin swayed. Her fair face was smudged with dust and dirt. The once magnificent gown she wore was now wrinkled and soiled, concealing her identity as the esteemed Princess Royal. In Fu Anyian's eyes, Yu Xi now appeared quite disheveled.

She stared unwaveringly at him, her eyes shimmering with excitement and confusion. She desperately sought to learn who was behind the attempt on her life, her gaze revealing her anxiety.

Observing her reddening eyes, filled with hurt and fear, yet trying bravely to hold back tears, making her eyes even redder, Fu Anyian sighed inwardly. He lowered his head and helped her up.

"It's not the time to discuss this. We need to leave first."

Indeed, the two black-clad assassins had just been dealt with, and their master, or masters, were likely on their way, possibly accompanied by others. With only the two of them, they stood no chance against numerous adversaries. How could Fu Anyian protect her in such a situation?

They needed to depart swiftly.

Understanding the urgency, Yu Xi didn't press further. It was better to wait until they were out of danger before delving into details. As she was helped to her feet, dizziness overtook her, prompting her to bend down, nauseous.

"Ugh..."

Startled, Fu Anyian didn't dodge. Instead, he pressed his thin lips together and looked down at her. Just as she vomited, the sour contents landed on his sleeve. He knitted his brows, turning his face away, unable to bear watching but not showing any sign of disgust.

Yu Xi expelled the contents of her stomach, finally relieving the discomfort in her belly that had tormented her all day. She searched for her handkerchief but couldn't find it; she must have dropped it while running. Deciding it was not worth dwelling on, she made do with wiping her face.

"I'm sorry."

Blushing with embarrassment, she then recounted her hardships of the day. "I'm hungry and nauseous. My legs are numb and aching, and my clothes are making me uncomfortable. I'd like to bathe and change."

Her litany of complaints earned her a look of impatience from Fu Anyian. "You sure have a lot of requests."

Yu Xi tugged on his sleeve, leading him forward. As she took a step, her legs gave way, and she stumbled.

Fu Anyian turned to look at her and immediately crouched down. "Let me carry you."

If she continued walking like this, they wouldn't make it out of the woods before being caught.

Without fuss, Yu Xi climbed onto his back. The biting cold vanished the moment she touched his clothing, replaced by a gentle warmth. She exhaled in relief, her subtle fragrance wafting around his ear, sending shivers down his skin like the lightest touch of a feather.

Fu Anyian pushed aside such thoughts, focusing instead on scanning their surroundings. He chose a direction and began walking slowly with her on his back.

The cold wind brushed past his ears, causing Yu Xi to draw her neck inward and gaze around. "Do you know the way?"

Currently, they were sixty miles away from the capital. It would take a long time to walk back, but Yu Xi believed that her imperial brother would surely send someone to rescue her. As long as they could endure, they would return safely. However, for now, she had to rely on Fu Anyian.

"I don't recognize it," Fu Anyian replied with two words. To alleviate her worry, he added, "I spent three years training with my father in the military when I was young, so there's no need for you to worry about survival."

Essentially, his experience in the wilderness meant that even without knowing the way, they wouldn't die anytime soon.

Upon hearing this, Yu Xi admired him while feeling relieved. Her last trace of concern vanished. She leaned against his shoulder, her chin resting on it, devoid of strength.

Assuming she was unwell, Fu Anyian hastily turned his head to look at her. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head, her voice becoming softer. "Nothing, I'm just hungry. When you weren't here, I was terrified. I didn't dare move or speak, and I kept my eyes closed, afraid that they might kill me in anger. I endured the hunger, waiting for someone to save me."

"I'm weak, unable to defeat them. If I provoke them, even if they don't kill me, they'll torment me. I'm well aware of that."

After hearing her recount her experience, Fu Anyian felt a pang in his chest. He took a deep breath and tried to lighten the mood with a jest. "You have self-awareness. Your brain hasn't gone to waste."

Upon hearing his words, Yu Xi frowned. Although it was a teasing remark, she still struck his shoulder in annoyance, expressing her displeasure.

Her strength was small, so the taps didn't hurt. Instead, they seemed like a coquettish display of petulance.

Fu Anyian sensed that her chin had become more pointed, likely due to her previous illness and subsequent weight loss. Recalling her earlier vomiting, where she only expelled sour water without any solid food, he knew she must be ravenously hungry.

He strode towards the mountains, planning to gather some wild fruits for sustenance. If none were available, he would hunt a wild fowl.

Despite carrying someone on his back, his steps remained steady. Even when the ground was slippery, he maintained his balance.

Yu Xi, lying on his shoulder, felt dizzy but gently reminded him, "Lord Fu, please walk steadily, or I might vomit again."

Fu Anyian casually acknowledged her with a nonchalant hum, then muttered under his breath, "So delicate."

She pretended not to hear, focusing instead on the fleeting trees and shrubs before her. This sight brought her immense comfort, replacing the fear of near-death with a sense of warmth and reassurance.

Yu Xi tilted her head to gaze at his profile. After admiring it for a moment, her eyes fell upon his smooth neck. The protrusion of his Adam's apple and the barely visible red mole added a compelling sensuality to his appearance.

As she continued to admire his strikingly handsome face, she found it visually pleasing. However, his current cold demeanor lacked the warmth she desired.

Yu Xi pressed her rosy lips together and spoke, "I'm very glad you came to save me."

She would have been happy if anyone else had rescued her, but there was an absence of that particular joy and surprise with others.

The man's back stiffened at her words, stirred by her sentiment, but he quickly regained his composure, not revealing any unusual reaction. He was holding back his emotions.

Seeing his silence, Yu Xi felt at a loss, unsure of what to say next. She had spoken earlier to convey her feelings and express her gratitude.

But it seemed inappropriate, as he didn't respond emotionally.

Yu Xi tilted her head to look at him. Fu Anian gazed straight ahead, his eyes showing no ripples, except for the slight reddening of his ears.

Lowering her gaze, she sought a casual topic. "Why didn't we take the main road?"

"It would have been too conspicuous. If our people didn't arrive, we would have been easily captured."

He turned to look at her, a faint smile curving his lips. "How could I run with you in tow?"

"..."

Did he think she wouldn't understand if he called her a burden?

Yu Xi pouted, unusually refraining from arguing with him. "Then how did you find me?"

Fu Anyian had been on her trail, nearly losing her scent until he spotted the markings and the cross on the ground, which pointed him in the right direction.

If she hadn't left that clue, Fu Anyian wouldn't have found her so swiftly.

"You did leave a cross," he observed.

The cross symbolized the Temple of Ten Miles. Yu Xi had taken a gamble, and to her surprise, her luck held out as Fu Anian indeed found her and saved her.

For saving her life, Yu Xi was genuinely grateful.

"Lucky I had a moment of brilliance," she said with a smile, her earlier tension fading away.

Fu Anyian scanned their surroundings before heading towards the sound of running water. "Yaoyao reads storybooks too. There was a murder case at the Temple of Ten Miles in one of her books, so that's how I knew about the place."

As he spoke, the joy in Yu Xi's eyes gradually vanished, replaced by a deep sense of disappointment. Why did he have to mention Jiang Yaoyao? She must have visited her courtyard often if she knew the content of her storybooks.

Feeling a wave of unease, Yu Xi took a deep breath, patted his shoulder, and said, "Put me down."

Fu Anyian's expression froze, not understanding how her mood had shifted so abruptly. Just now, she was whining about her legs being sore and numb, and that she was hungry with no strength to walk. Now, she suddenly wanted to get down and walk by herself. Her mood swings were truly swift.

"I thought your feet were hurting?" he asked.

Yu Xi kept a straight face, her tone revealing her displeasure. "They don't hurt anymore. I want to walk on my own."

Indeed, the pain had subsided. The earlier ache was only temporary due to the impact of the stone.

Swinging her legs restlessly, she fidgeted, forcing Fu Anyian to set her down. The mountain trail was damp, and the mud clung to the bottom of her shoes, causing discomfort. Moreover, her skirt was slightly too long, dragging along the ground and getting dirty after just a few steps.

Yu Xi glanced back, furrowing her brow in distress. She had never been in such a disheveled state before, ever.

Fu Anyian shook his head and chuckled. Why bother? Clearly, she disliked it yet insisted on being stubborn. With his tall figure, he could see further ahead and scanned their surroundings, seeking a cleaner spot.

"Let's take a break here."

Under the tree, there were dried grasses that weren't as filthy. She could sit down there.

Yu Xi lifted her skirt and sat, placing a hand on her stomach. She was starving; if she didn't eat soon, she wouldn't have the energy to continue walking.

She lifted her gaze to Fu Anyian, her rosy lips parting as she was about to speak. But then, she saw the man's eyes narrow slightly as he suddenly squatted down, covering her mouth with his hand and making a shushing gesture.

Yu Xi nodded silently, not moving a muscle. Lowering her eyes, she gazed at his broad hand. His palm was scorching hot, with rough calluses that tickled her skin.

Now, with half her face covered, she could smell a faint hint of blood, a residue from his recent kill for her sake.

Raising her gaze, Yu Xi met his handsome, vigilant face. Surprisingly, the scent of blood didn't repulse her. She breathed gently, feeling her heart beat irregularly, her cheeks unknowingly flushing pink.

Fu Anyian tilted his head, his eyes fixated on the source of the sound. After a while, a rustling noise was followed by the appearance of a wild hen running out from behind the bushes. His furrowed brow relaxed, and his tense demeanor eased instantly.

He exhaled, turning his head to find her staring at him with an open expression, as if she had seen through him. Swallowing, he slowly withdrew his hand. His chest throbbed uncontrollably at the sight of her alluring eyes. He shifted slightly and spoke in a strained voice, "It's alright, just a pheasant."

"Oh," she replied, her cheeks slightly flushed like a blooming peach blossom.

Yu Xi licked her lips and composed herself before suggesting, "Go catch it, and we can have roasted chicken."

Upon hearing this, Fu Anyian looked at her in surprise, hardly believing these words came from her. Glancing at her flat stomach, he understood - she was desperately hungry.

"Don't think about it," Fu Anyian observed as the pheasant fluttered away. He continued slowly, "If we start a fire, they'll locate us right away."

She opened her mouth, considering his words. Yes, smoke would reveal their position – they'd be practically inviting trouble.

Yu Xi swallowed her saliva, no longer desiring roasted chicken. Just having something to eat would suffice at this point.

After resting for a moment, she cautiously followed behind Fu Anyian, wherever he went. Though it was inconvenient to walk with her skirt lifted, she didn't ask him to carry her again.

They walked for what seemed like an eternity. The sun weakened, painting the sky with hues of twilight, and darkness crept in. They had been walking all afternoon, from daylight till dusk.

Yu Xi's legs trembled, drained of all strength.

She grabbed the back of the man's garment, panting heavily. "Lord Fu, I can't walk anymore."

"Want me to carry you?" he asked.

Yu Xi looked at him without speaking, her eyes pleading. She did want him to carry her.

Fu Anyian's lips curved up slightly. He tilted his chin. "See that? There's a cave over there."

She gazed in that direction and vaguely discerned a dark opening – it was a cave.

-

Fu Anyian built a fire and, venturing into the darkness, managed to pluck some wild fruits. With no other options, they had to suffice.

Yu Xi examined the fruits in her palm, pouting slightly. They seemed to be persimmons and jujubes, hardly filling, but better than starving. With this thought, she took a small bite. Not sweet, but not astringent either, they were edible.

She nibbled slowly, finishing every last one in her hand, finally easing the emptiness in her stomach.

Seeing Yu Xi finish, Fu Anyian handed her the remaining fruits. She glanced at his hands, then into his eyes, before accepting them.

Regaining some strength, Yu Xi finally remembered Lin Xue'an, who had shielded her from an arrow. How was he?

"Lin Xue'an, is he alright?" she asked.

Fu Anyian prodded the fire with a branch, the flickering light casting dramatic shadows on his face, accentuating his features.

"He's injured, but there's no danger to his life."

Yu Xi nodded in relief. That was good. She already felt guilty for his injury; if anything worse had happened, what would she have done?

This favor she would remember.

She gazed at the fire, feeling warm all over. She had already decided how to thank him when they returned. "He wants a good marriage, doesn't he? I'll help him find one when we get back. I'll make sure he's pleased."

At her words, Fu Anyian couldn't help but smile, as if reminiscing about something. His laughter grew more uninhibited. Lowering his head, he caught a glimpse of her with the corner of his eye, his expression enigmatic.

"Do you know why the Minister of Revenue changed his mind about marrying his daughter to Lin Xuean?"

Yu Xi perked up. There was more to this story than she knew.

"Why?"

Fu Anyian looked at her intently and said slowly, "You described Lin Xuean as a smooth talker who avoids his responsibilities and can never amount to much. That's what you told the Minister of Revenue."

"Me?"

Yu Xi's eyes widened. So, because of her words, Lin Xuean had lost his chance at a good match.

Her lips twitched in disbelief. Finding the date in her hand unpalatable, Yu Xi found it surprising that Lin Xuean didn't hold a grudge against her.

"You don't need to feel guilty either. Lin Xuean has no interest in that young lady. Even if you hadn't said anything, he would have found someone else to clarify the situation."

Yu Xi raised her head, relaxing her furrowed brows. That was good news; she had feared she had ruined a potential match.

Finishing the fruit, she felt a bit drowsy. Leaning back, the rocky surface dug into her back, causing discomfort. She frowned and sat up straight, resting her hands on her knees with her chin propped on her wrists, gazing at him.

The dim, warm light lent an air of intimacy.

An unspoken tension filled the air, making both of them slightly uneasy.

After a moment of silence, Yu Xi blinked and asked, "You're willing to talk about Lin Xuean, but why not about me? Why won't you share anything about my past?"

She looked genuinely hurt, pausing before continuing, "If that arrow had really hit my chest, I would never have known the truth."

Her soft voice echoed in the cavernous space, reaching his ears.

The man lifted his gaze, fixing his eyes on her, deep in thought.

Fu Anyian pondered her words. She had a point. Before, he'd kept silent because he deemed it unnecessary, but he hadn't anticipated how much it mattered to her. Moreover, given the recent attack, he should have informed her of the truth beforehand.

Upon their return, Song Mingyin couldn't hide the truth any longer; he had to reveal it, or else how would they handle another attack in the future?

Despite her amnesia, she wasn't foolish. She needed a strategy to deal with this.

Fu Anyian sighed and asked, "Do you truly wish to know?"

"Uh-huh, uh-huh," she nodded vigorously, like a rattle drum.

Seeing that she was eager to hear, his eyes locked onto hers intently.

Well then, if that's the case, he might as well tell her.

Fu Anyian added a stick to the fire and spoke calmly, "It was you."

Just two words, and Yu Xi's expression changed. She immediately jumped up and crouched beside him, warning, "I may have lost my memory, but I'm not stupid. Don't try to pin all the blame on me while I'm in this state."

A faint crease formed between Fu Anyian's brows as he turned towards her, looking innocent. "Am I that kind of person?"

She nodded. One must never harm others, but also remain vigilant against potential harm. Even though this man was her ex-husband, she couldn't fully trust him.

"Who knows." She muttered softly, barely audible. "Perhaps it could be true."

The man tossed the branch in his hand, his temper flaring. "Do you still want to hear?"

"I'm listening. Go on," she said.

Fu Anyian raised the corners of her lips in a self-deprecating smile, her words tinged with disappointment and wistfulness. "It's because your heart is already taken."

"..."

She moved her lips, gazing at him for a long moment without a response. "That can't be possible."

How could she have feelings for someone else? It must be a deception.

Even after losing her memory, she had found him attractive. How much more so before her amnesia? She was drawn to dashing and handsome gentlemen, and Fu Anyian certainly fit that description, down to the strands of his hair.

There was no way she could have feelings for another.

"Liars," she spat out.

Yu Xi rose to her feet, looking down at him with an air of superiority. The pink edges of her dress brushed against his robe, their overlapping silhouettes creating an inexplicable beauty.

She crossed her arms and posed one final question, "Since you claim I have someone I adore, then tell me, who is this person?"

No one had informed her since she woke up that she harbored feelings for another.

It was all his assertion alone.