Chapter 36 Poisoned Water Regretted it.

Chapter 36: Poisonous Water, Regret.

Xue Fang was going to Misty Hidden Mountain with Xie Chi. That place was infested with ruthless bandits, and the court had sent troops several times to wipe them out but failed. Zhong Yao had never imagined she would one day have to go there.

The last time Xie Chi brought it up, she had said she wouldn’t go.

Now that it was mentioned again, Zhong Yao was tempted—after all, her second brother was very likely there—but after thinking it over, she still refused.

“If I tag along… it wouldn’t be right.”

“What wouldn’t be right?” Madam Zhong’s voice suddenly cut in.

Ever since she heard the Fourth Prince asking if Zhong Yao had leaked information to Xie Chi from the start, Madam Zhong had been watching her closely.

She hadn’t had a chance to confirm yet whether this was true, but from Zhong Yao’s attitude and how often she was dealing with the Yong’an Marquis’ estate these days, Madam Zhong was almost certain the Fourth Prince was telling the truth.

She was terrified—scared that Xie Chi might have used Zhong Yao to uncover their family’s plans and then arrest them all—but she was also relieved that he hadn’t done so.

Madam Zhong felt something was off, but she had no time to dwell on it. She simply assumed Xie Chi was helping their family out of consideration for Zhong Yao’s friendship with Xue Fang. Now, hearing Xue Fang mention the Fourth Prince and Zhong Yao saying something was “not good,” she quickly shoved Zhong Lan aside and walked over and asked, “What are you talking about?”

Xue Fang, bold, acting like a young girl, said bluntly, “I wanted to ask Zhong Yao to stay with me at the suburban estate to avoid the Fourth Prince, but she said it’s not good.”

Madam Zhong paused, then her face lit up. “That’s great! How could that be bad?”

In Madam Zhong’s view, since the Fourth Prince also had it out for Xue Fang, the estate Xie Chi had put her in must be safe—at least safer than the Zhong residence or their ancestral home!

Letting Zhong Yao, who’d been through a lot with Xue Fang, stay with her—Madam Zhong felt totally at ease about it!

She was clearly excited, and Zhong Yao could read her mind without needing words.

But what Madam Zhong didn’t realize was that Xue Fang wasn’t a girl, and she wasn’t really staying at the estate to rest like everyone thought.

This wasn’t something she could explain quickly. As Zhong Yao hesitated, Madam Zhong gave an apologetic smile at Xie Chi and Xue Fang, pulled Zhong Yao to the side, and said in a low voice, “I was already worried about leaving your big brother alone in the capital. Now that the Fourth Prince’s gone crazy and set his sights on you, even going back to our hometown might not be safe. After thinking it over, Yao’er, you’re better off staying with Xue Fang. As long as you’re safe, I can focus on helping your brother in the city. His thing with Chen Luoling isn’t over yet—they’re both poor girls…”

Madam Zhong’s logic made sense, and it was the best option for the Zhong family.

Can’t find a reason to say no, Zhong Yao thought it over and nodded. “Alright.”

Overjoyed, Madam Zhong quickly told the plan to Zhong Lan.

Zhong Lan also felt something was wrong, but he couldn’t go against his mother. Considering how crazy the Fourth Prince was, he finally agreed.

The matter was hastily settled. Madam Zhong heaped praise on Xue Fang, while Zhong Lan thanked Xie Chi.

“You’ve done a lot for the Zhong family and my younger sister, Your Highness. I’m really grateful.”

Xie Chi picked up on the probing tone in Zhong Lan’s words and replied, “I’m just thinking about the Marquis estate’s future.”

That kind of made sense—after all, compared to the crazy Fourth Prince, anyone with sense would back the stable Crown Prince.

Zhong Lan paused, then added, “Even so, knowing the slanderous rumors about my sister in the streets, you still chose to help. That’s a debt of gratitude as deep as the ocean. When you return, Your Highness, my father, brother, and I will personally visit with generous gifts to thank you.”

Xie Chi gave a slight nod. “We’ll see.”

His attitude wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either. Unable to gauge his intentions, Zhong Lan had to let it go.

Meanwhile, the servants had already separated Zhong Yao’s luggage.

The Fourth Prince had defied the emperor’s orders by leaving the city privately and “injuring” Xie Chi. He had just been taken back by the Imperial Guard. Zhong Lan, as a partial witness, needed to return and testify against the Fourth Prince before the emperor.

Additionally, the steward’s injuries required immediate treatment, so the group couldn’t linger. Thus, they had to entrust Xie Chi with escorting Xue Fang and Zhong Yao to the Marquis’ estate on the outskirts.

After all the necessary farewells were said, they were about to part when Xie Chi suddenly spoke. “If anything goes wrong, you can send word to the Marquis’ estate.”

Zhong Lan’s steps froze instantly.

Since being found, he had met Xie Chi several times, but their conversations had always been about official matters, never personal. This was the first time Zhong Lan heard words tinged with personal sentiment from Xie Chi.

Startled, Zhong Lan looked at Xie Chi and saw a fleeting expression of what seemed like regret on his face. But before he could get a clearer look, Xie Chi had already mounted his horse, ready to depart.

Xie Chi hadn’t wanted to say it either.

His original plan was to divert the trouble and then leave the capital, letting the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince fight it out. As for the Zhong residence, that was Zhong Lan’s responsibility as the eldest son, and with the Crown Prince shielding them, it should be fine.

If something went wrong, it would be Zhong Lan’s incompetence, not his fault.

But after a few days of being stirred up by his grandmother and Xue Fang, Xie Chi felt irritable. Imagining Zhong Yao crying and making a fuss if the Zhong family met with misfortune, he had ultimately let slip those words he shouldn’t have said.

So, after Madam Zhong and Zhong Lan reluctantly departed, he boarded the carriage but remained silent for a long time.

As the carriage began to move, Xue Fang spoke first. “Why not just send the servants back? Say we’re going to another estate for secrecy and don’t need them. We can head straight to Misty Hidden Mountain. I even want to ride a horse!”

“She’s not coming with us.”

“I’m not going with you.”

Two voices rang out simultaneously.

Xie Chi turned his head to see Zhong Yao looking at him.

Zhong Yao lowered her head slightly, her chin tucked in, but her eyes looked upward, wearing a resentful expression that seemed to say, “See, I knew it.”

“Why not?” Xue Fang asked.

Xie Chi gestured with his chin toward Zhong Yao, signaling her to answer first.

Zhong Yao shot him a look full of grievance. “Because I’d be useless and get in the way… and be disliked…”

“Who dislikes you?” Xie Chi asked.

Zhong Yao kept her head down and murmured, “Whoever disliked me knows in their heart.”

Xie Chi had disliked her, very much so.

But that was a long time ago.

“If you’re annoying yourself, can you blame others for disliking you?” Xie Chi said, noticing Zhong Yao’s lips droop in sulky silence. He paused, then added, “This time, you don’t need to help.”

“Even if I don’t help, I’ll still be disliked,” Zhong Yao said. “If I try to help and do it badly, I’ll be called an idiot. If I know I can’t help and just watch, I’ll still be called an idiot. No matter what, no matter what I do, us girls always get called idiots.”

“Who said that?”

Zhong Yao replied, “Your grandmother said so.”

This was something Madam Zhong had told Zhong Yao. Many years ago, when she first attended a banquet as an official’s wife, she was low-ranking and new to the capital. Only one Madam Du kept her company. While admiring flowers by a rockery, they overheard someone plotting to embarrass another lady.

The two ladies thought it was bad, hesitated for a long time, and then one went to warn the targeted lady, while the other, feeling it wasn’t her place to interfere, pretended not to hear.

In the end, the incident still happened.

At that banquet, Old Madam Xie held the highest status and scolded everyone, including Madam Zhong and Madam Du, both of whom she called fools.

Madam Zhong was deeply humiliated and didn't dare socialize for a long time.

There might've been a better way to handle it, but she came from a small family and had no one to teach her.

Zhong Yao was luckier than Madam Zhong; her mother taught her to steer clear of dangerous situations to avoid getting burned.

Last time someone plotted against Xie Chi, Zhong Yao didn't listen and got hit with his anger. Now she's wiser, knowing Misty Mountain is beyond her reach, and flat-out refused.

"Just over this, your mom held a grudge for over ten years, only daring to sneak revenge when she thought she was about to die?"

After that, Xie Chi was speechless and just went along with it.

Zhong Yao immediately let out an "Oh" and said, "You're grossed out! You're grossed out by me again!"

She was picking at him again, and Xie Chi didn't want to argue with her about it. The old folks' grudges were all tangled up, and he couldn't sort them out. He only asked Zhong Yao, "Is that all?"

"There's more." Zhong Yao fidgeted with her fingers and lowered her voice, saying, "It's too dangerous… I'm scared."

The last run-in with the Misty Mountain Bandits was way too bloody, and Zhong Yao was terrified, not wanting to experience it again.

Besides, Xie Chi was going to wipe out the bandits, not for fun—why would she go along?

She'd agreed to Madam Zhong earlier 'cause she couldn't think of a safer plan. Zhong Yao planned to agree first, then find a quiet little courtyard to hole up in later.

That way, to everyone else, she'd still be recovering with Xue Fang at the marquis's estate. If she was careful, the Fourth Prince wouldn't track her down.

It was safe and wouldn't drag anyone down.

Zhong Yao laid out her plan, and after a short pause, Xie Chi said, "It could work, but if the Fourth Prince finds you, no one's saving you."

Zhong Yao's almond eyes went wide as she argued, "But going to Misty Mountain doesn't mean you'll make it back either."

"…" Xie Chi glanced at her.

Zhong Yao giggled softly, scooted closer, and tugged his sleeve, saying, "Someone like me definitely wouldn't make it back, but you, Heir Xie, you can. You're the best."

Xie Chi didn't buy it. He figured she was just buttering him up, hoping he'd bring her second brother back safe.

"Don't you want to go find your second brother yourself?"

"I do," Zhong Yao said. "But to not cause trouble, I'd better stay put."

"Fine." Xie Chi nodded. He hadn't wanted her to go in the first place.

When he said goodbye that day, he meant it, but he hadn't expected Xue Fang to suddenly ask her along.

When Xue Fang invited Zhong Yao to stay with him at the suburban estate, Xie Chi knew what he was up to but couldn't stop it in time. Now that Zhong Yao herself refused to join, it worked out perfectly for him.

Just to keep Zhong Yao from saying he was grossed out by her, Xie Chi grudgingly explained, "It's dangerous there, not a place for you."

Neither objected, but Xue Fang, who'd been listening, suddenly let out an angry snort and said loudly, "Then you wait! No one knows your second brother. If I accidentally kill him 'cause I think he's a bandit, don't come crying to me!"

Zhong Yao had never thought of that and whipped around to Xie Chi in shock, "You don't know my second brother?!"

Xie Chi felt oddly choked up and retorted, "He knows who I am, doesn't he?"

Zhong Yao was nearly in tears, "But our families are at odds! How would he dare show himself to you!"

Xie Chi fought off a headache and said patiently, "Besides you and your mom, who else takes that as a real grudge?"

"My second brother!" Zhong Yao said, anxious and sorrowful. "He used to trash-talk your grandma with our mom all the time. He even said that since the higher-ups set the example, you must be no good either!"

"…" Xie Chi reached out and pinched Zhong Yao's cheek, right where the bloodstain was still wet.

He hated that smear of blood, so he rubbed it hard with his thumb, hurting Zhong Yao.

Zhong Yao yelped, "Ow, ow!" and smacked his hand away, holding her face in both hands, eyes all teary. "When you can't win an argument, you get physical! If my poor second brother ever talks smack to your face, he's definitely dead meat!"

Xie Chi was too angry to respond.

"So, are you coming or not?" Xue Fang interjected again. "I don't know your second brother, and he doesn't know me. I don't care—I'll kill anyone I see!"

Zhong Yao hesitated for a long time, then turned to Xie Chi and asked cautiously, "Can I go?"

Xie Chi said curtly, "There are vicious dogs."

Bandits and vicious dogs were Zhong Yao's two biggest nightmares. She immediately grew fearful, looking distressed, and murmured, "Going is dangerous, but if I don't go, you might accidentally kill my second brother…"

They could draw a portrait, but what if her second brother was too worn out in the bandits' den, lost weight, or got his face scarred?

Xie Chi wanted to say that while her second brother sounded foolish, he at least had some official rank and shouldn't be truly stupid. He'd surely find a way to reveal his identity.

Moreover, killing bandits was secondary. His main goal was to completely dismantle Misty Mountain, and the best way to do that was to send someone inside to learn all the bandits' identities and hideouts.

In any case, he wouldn't act rashly. Zhong Yao's concern was truly unnecessary.

Xie Chi watched Zhong Yao's troubled expression and was about to speak when she suddenly turned to him and asked solemnly, "Heir Xie, if I go, can you promise to protect me, not scold me, wait on me, not despise me, take full care of me, and not bully me?"

Xie Chi wanted to see if her bond with Zhong Shu could overcome her fear of vicious dogs, so he raised an eyebrow and said, "Except for those unreasonable demands, I can do the rest."

Zhong Yao smiled shyly and said sheepishly, "You caught me…"

Xie Chi had had enough of her sly tricks. He suddenly raised his hand again, startling Zhong Yao into covering her face and dodging backward.

After dodging, she gently patted her cheeks, then looked up with a determined gaze and a strong voice.

"For my second brother, I've decided to go." Zhong Yao raised her voice, energized. "I'm willing to risk my life for my best second brother!"

"…"

Xie Chi frowned sharply, glanced at Zhong Yao several times, and warned in a low voice, "The Misty Mountain area is poor and remote, full of poisonous insects and snakes. A single bite could disfigure you. Are you sure you want to go?"

Zhong Yao showed fear but still gritted her teeth and nodded firmly. "My second brother and I often argue, but we're the closest. I'd do anything for him, and he'd do the same for me. So, I'm going!"

Xie Chi looked at her resolute expression, curled his lips, and said coldly, "Fine, since you're willing, let's go together. Let's go save your beloved good second brother."

"Mm-hmm." Zhong Yao didn't catch his sarcasm and nodded repeatedly.

After nodding, she grabbed Xie Chi's arm, leaned in, and whispered, "Heir Xie, I'm still a bit scared. About what you promised earlier… Could you swear an oath? Otherwise, I won't feel at ease…"

Xie Chi was furious.

He had tried to keep her safe by not letting her go, but she, for the sake of that foolish second brother, wasn't afraid of vicious dogs or disfigurement, and now she doubted he'd protect her properly.

Xie Chi felt his grandmother's worries were entirely unnecessary. With Zhong Yao so distrustful of him, there was no way he could ever develop feelings for her.

"Say one more word, and I'll throw you off!" Xie Chi said.

Now it was Zhong Yao begging Xie Chi to take her along. She immediately relented and ingratiatingly rubbed his arm, saying, "No more nonsense, no more nonsense. I just have one last question."

"Go on."

Zhong Yao quickly glanced at Xue Fang beside her.

Ever since they got into the carriage, Xue Fang's gaze hadn't left her. He stared at her intently, like he was sizing up a fierce enemy, yet mixed in with that were hints of dissatisfaction, judgment, reluctant resignation, and a faint hint of something almost tender...

Zhong Yao couldn't quite place it, but it was totally creepy.

What made her even more uneasy was that Xue Fang had repeatedly invited her to join them!

She wondered if he was possessed by a little demon.

She grabbed Xie Chi's arm and motioned for him to lean down. When he did, annoyed, she sat up straight and whispered in his ear, "Don't you think Xue Fang's acting strange?"

With all three of them in the same carriage, no move could escape notice, and Xue Fang clearly saw their whispered exchange.

Zhong Yao was too close; her breath, carrying a faint feminine fragrance, brushed against Xie Chi's ear and neck, threatening to go further.

A vein popped in Xie Chi's neck. Just as he was about to pull away, Xue Fang called out suspiciously, "What did you say to my elder brother?"

Zhong Yao jumped back, startled.

After pulling back, she grabbed Xie Chi's arm for courage and asked, "What do you think I said to your brother?"

With only three people in the carriage, Xue Fang figured if Zhong Yao was whispering to his brother, it had to be something against him—something about him.

Maybe she was egging his brother on to beat him up.

Xue Fang still disliked this culprit who made him dress like a girl, and he didn't want Xie Chi and Zhong Yao together. But he had no choice; Grandmother had said that his elder brother had already fallen for Zhong Yao.

Either break them apart and let Xie Chi resent them both in the future, or help them get together and live under Zhong Yao's thumb later.

Having weathered many storms, Old Lady Xie now only wanted a peaceful old age, so she reluctantly went with the latter.

Xue Fang didn't totally get it, but he didn't want to be resented by Xie Chi, so he followed his grandmother's choice.

"I only bullied that girl that one time, and after we got back, your elder brother repeatedly ordered me never to bully her again."

"And you? When you do the same thing, she gets off scot-free, but you get beaten."

"Before he's even confessed his feelings, it's already like this. Once they're married, whatever she says, your brother will do."

"Men, they're all the same—once they get a wife, they forget their mothers... So you need to earn merit. Before your elder brother realizes his own heart, do something great in front of her, so she won't treat you harshly later."

"After all, a sister-in-law is like a mother. Whether you spend silver or marry a wife, you'll need her approval first."

Old Lady Xie's words echoed in his mind, reminding Xue Fang that his future and his grandmother's twilight years were all in Zhong Yao's hands.

Xue Fang had been somewhat skeptical before, but now he was utterly convinced, thanks to what he had witnessed today—

—He said he wouldn't go see Zhong Yao, but less than half a cup of tea's time later, Xie Chi suddenly abandoned the carriage, mounted a horse, and galloped off in another direction, almost leaving him and the guards in the dust!

—He worried about danger and wouldn't take Zhong Yao to Misty Mountain, but why didn't he consider that he, Xue Fang, was still a child and might also face danger?!

Xue Fang glared resentfully at the malicious little woman before him for a long moment, then snorted coldly. He poured a cup of tea and shoved it toward Zhong Yao, saying stiffly, "Say whatever you want. You must be thirsty from all that talking. Have some water!"

Horrified, Zhong Yao clutched Xie Chi's arm, only daring to take the cup after confirming Xie Chi was right beside her.

After taking it, she hesitated for a long time under Xue Fang's strange gaze. Finally, she looked up and offered the tea to Xie Chi, whispering, "Heir Xie, you drink it. I'm afraid it might be poisoned."

"..."

Xie Chi's neck still felt warm, as if tangled by a heated spider's web—tingling and uncomfortable.

He looked down at Zhong Yao, who was nervously huddled beside him, holding up the "poisoned water" as if waiting to feed him, then glanced at Xue Fang, whose face was full of suppressed frustration. He downed the tea in one gulp and then closed his eyes tightly.

He shouldn't have brought Zhong Yao to Misty Mountain.

He regretted it.

He regretted it even before they set out.