Chapter 450: Chapter 434: Attachment
A brutal fight, with both men completely exhausted and unable to move. Drops of blood stained the ground, their source unknown. Xie Xun’s face bore some injuries, though not as alarming as those on Fang Chuning. However, Fengyu knew that the wounds beneath their clothing must be severe. When the two struggled to climb up from the snow, Xie Xun groaned, not knowing where he was hurt. Blood filled his mouth, and he spat it out fiercely, glaring at Fang Chuning with an intense resolve, as if ready to keep fighting.
This fight wouldn’t end until neither of them could stand!
"Your Highness... how about we stop now!" General Xu Zhou scratched his head, worried that continuing the fight would lead to tragedy.
"Again!" Xie Xun rasped, his voice hoarse, as he staggered to his feet. Fang Chuning sneered, pressing his palm to the ground as he slowly got up too. Seeing him rise, Xie Xun launched another punch. Fang Chuning took a step back but suddenly hesitated, giving Xie Xun a chance to land a blow squarely on his waist. Fang Chuning was sent flying.
Blood sprayed across the snow, blooming like red plum blossoms, before he lost consciousness.
A figure quickly pushed through the crowd, placing a hand against his lower back and pulling him into their embrace. Xie Jue lowered his head, gazing at the unconscious and deeply battered Fang Chuning in his arms. A slight crease formed between his brows—was it heartache or anger?
"Had enough?" Xie Jue asked coldly.
Xie Xun’s fury surged, his teeth clenched. "...I underestimated him!"
In his mind, he cursed Fang Chuning’s ancestors for generations. How could someone be so cunning? He spat out angrily, "Second Brother, he did it on purpose!"
The man truly seemed unconscious. Looking at Fang Chuning’s battered and bloodied face, it was hard to say who had been more deliberate. Lifting him into his arms, Xie Jue carried him toward the rear courtyard. "Call the doctor!"
"...Understood!"
Fang Lingjun wanted to follow them but hesitated for a moment, then decided against it.
Xie Xun’s vision darkened with rage, but he gritted his teeth and held on. Fengyu hurried to support him. "Why... why did you go so hard?"
"I... ah..." Xie Xun clutched his chest. His legs gave out, and he knelt in the snow. Pain wracked his body so intensely that cold sweat drenched him. Fang Chuning’s fighting style was ruthless, repeatedly targeting the same spot, leaving him numb from the repeated hits. Now, as the numbness faded, the pain returned with a vengeance, soaking his clothes in sweat and feeling as if his bones were shattering.
"Zhixu!"
Fengyu failed to catch him in time as he collapsed into the snow, unconscious.
Indeed, this fight ended with no one left standing.
"Zhixu!"
"Master!"
In Xie Jue’s courtyard, Fang Chuning lay on his bed, still covered in dust and bloodstains, while the doctor checked his pulse. "Mr. Fang’s internal injuries are serious. Coupled with unstable vital energy, he may be bedridden for a while."
Xie Jue stared at Fang Chuning’s bruised and bloodied face, unable to contain his exasperation. "Idiot!"
The doctor trembled. "Second Young Master..."
"I wasn’t talking about you!" Xie Jue said flatly. "Prescribe the medicine."
"A few ingredients are hard to find. They may only be available in Jinzhou."
"Understood." Xie Jue furrowed his brows. "Just write it down. Xie Xun’s injuries are likely worse than his. When you examine him, pay close attention to his bones to ensure there are no lasting effects."
"Yes!"
After the medicine was prescribed, Fengyu had already sent someone to fetch it. Xie Jue didn’t keep the doctor any longer. Though there were a few doctors in the household, this old physician was the most skilled, capable of treating both internal and external injuries. After the doctor left, Xie Jue handed the decoction instructions to an attendant, instructing him to prepare it. Ying Qi returned to the residence and noticed Fang Chuning lying on Xie Jue’s bed, still filthy. His brow twitched sharply. "Master, should I help Mr. Fang change into clean clothing?"
"No need. I’ll take care of it later myself. Did he meet with Han Ziqi?"
"Yes. The two of them had a falling out. Perhaps he was aware I was nearby, so I couldn’t hear the specifics of their conversation." Ying Qi hesitated slightly. "But I feel that Mr. Fang’s actions today, especially engaging in a fight with Han Ziqi, were uncharacteristic."
Xie Jue pondered. "Noted. Keep an eye on Han Ziqi."
"Understood!"
Xie Jue instructed someone to bring a basin of hot water. Dipping a towel into the water, he carefully wiped the blood from Fang Chuning’s face. The water quickly turned murky, and the maid replaced it with a fresh basin.
After cleaning Fang Chuning’s face and hands, Xie Jue looked in disgust at the bloodstained bedding. Gently, he lifted Fang Chuning and moved him to a warm chaise nearby.
When the attendant came in to replace the bedding with a clean set, everyone left the room. Xie Jue retrieved a set of his winter clothes from the wardrobe and began dressing Fang Chuning with care. As he was helping him into a new shirt, he accidentally touched one of Fang Chuning’s wounds. Fang Chuning, unconscious and leaning against his shoulder, murmured faintly, "Ting Feng... softer... it hurts..."
Xie Jue’s hand froze. Pressing his palm lightly to Fang Chuning’s cheek, he pulled back slightly. Though Fang Chuning was completely unaware, it was as if he instinctively sensed Xie Jue’s presence.
This unconscious attachment pierced his heart with a sharp, aching sadness.