Chapter 47: Interest

Never to break my promise…

Three days later, Xiao Ziqi and Yuchi Meng led eight thousand elite troops, escorting the Red Feather Army prisoners back to the Zhenbei Army camp.

Upon learning that General Xuan and the Zhenbei Wang’s party were about to arrive, fifty thousand soldiers stood in silent formation to welcome them.

Lu Zhan rode at the forefront, slowly passing through the ranks. Hearing the entire army shout “General Xuan is mighty,” he felt deeply unsettled.

Back in the day, the Zhenbei Army wasn’t prominent among the three armies. It was only after Xuan Rui took over that it gradually developed and expanded to its current scale.

Although they now barely numbered sixty thousand, each soldier was personally trained by that wolf cub and became his trusted confidant.

Just like the once-renowned Red Feather Army.

He had grown careless in his old age!

Throughout his life, he had been most accurate in judging character. When he promoted Xuan Rui to commander, he knew this man wouldn’t remain subordinate forever.

Now, at the first sign of opportunity, this wolf cub couldn’t wait to seize power.

Hmph! Though he was old, he wouldn’t be replaced so easily.

Having personally nurtured this man, no one understood his ambitions better than he did.

Ambition was written all over his face, shrewdness carved into his bones—but this time, he also detected a trace of wishful thinking.

If he only wanted to reign as king in the northwest, perhaps he could contend with him.

But this wolf cub saving the Crown Prince, capturing the princess, trying to gain legitimate status before the emperor—it was simply laughable.

He might be blinded by temporary comforts, but he didn’t know that royalty was the most heartless. All his efforts would ultimately come to nothing.

Just as he himself had been ruthlessly abandoned by Shu’er back then.

He had always believed their connection was genuine, never imagining she was promiscuous everywhere—besides him, she was simultaneously involved with two other men.

Hah… He often prayed to heaven, hoping the little princess was truly his own flesh and blood. Otherwise, he would never let that vile woman Sima Shu off!

~

After settling the Wang residence party in the eastern camp, Xuan Rui used his injury as an excuse to take Li Youqing back to his own tent first.

The addition of Zhenbei Wang on this journey had kept the little thing in a bad mood, which in turn aggravated his own temper.

The tent was already prepared with hot bathing water and some pastries and fruits. Xuan Rui let her stay by herself while he went to the soldiers’ bathing area to take a cold shower.

Returning, he waited outside the tent for a while until the camp’s logistics lady carried out the bathtub, then he entered.

The person who had just been steamed by the heat had flushed cheeks and was curled up on the bed drying her hair with a towel.

Seeing Xuan Rui, she looked somewhat embarrassed, but then remembered she’d done even more embarrassing things in front of Zhenbei Wang, so she forced composure and glanced at him saying, “It’s getting late.” Shouldn’t General Xuan summon the army doctor to change your dressing?”

Instead, Xuan Rui went to get the medical kit, boldly sat directly on the bed, took off his outer robe and said, “You change it for me.”

Li Youqing frowned slightly and muttered, “I won’t.”

“What’s wrong? Weren’t you quite adept at taking my pants off before?” Xuan Rui glanced at the bandage on his arm, feeling a surge of warmth.

In all his grown years, this was the first time someone had taken care of him so patiently and meticulously. While bathing, looking at the gauze on his body, he felt an unprecedented sense of comfort.

As for the bandage on his arm—he hadn’t even dared remove it during his shower, afraid she might renege.

“Stop talking!” Li Youqing’s face turned deep red as she threw the towel in her hand at him.

Xuan Rui didn’t respond further. He took the cloth and naturally began drying her hair.

The stove inside the tent burned brightly, warming the space to a drowsy comfort.

Li Youqing’s mind was a muddled mess, leaving her with no resistance against him.

Their damp hair tangled together, and before long, they tumbled onto the bed.

In low spirits, Li Youqing had no desire to bicker with him. She struggled, pushing him away.

Fearing she might catch a cold, Xuan Rui pulled the quilt over both of them with one broad sweep. Continuing to dry her hair with the cloth, his lips lingered by her ear as he murmured, “Don’t rush. Wait until your hair is dry before sleeping.”

“How can you be like this? We haven’t even changed the dressing yet.” Dizzy from his kisses, Li Youqing’s voice carried a warm, nasal softness. Her arm drooped by the bedside, reaching for the medicine box.

Xuan Rui lifted the lid of the medicine box first, deftly retrieving the травма medicine and bandages. With a few quick movements, he tore off the old dressing, his tone urgent. “Just change it like this.”

Li Youqing lay on the bed, staring at the infuriating man pinning her down, feeling utterly helpless and on the verge of tears.

But how could they change the dressing like this—

“Don’t know how? This General will teach you.” Xuan Rui guided her hand, dipped it in the ointment, and applied it to the wound on his arm.

The flesh there hadn’t fully healed yet and looked painfully raw, but he didn’t even furrow his brows. Instead, his eyes gleamed as he fixed his gaze on the delicate figure before him.

He resembled a starving wolf, his eyes locked solely on his long-coveted prey.

Li Youqing only grew more bewildered. Throughout their journey, he had been relatively restrained. Who would have thought that upon returning to the camp, he would suddenly transform into this?

Noticing her daze, Xuan Rui found it amusing and teasingly kissed her cheek, reminding her, “Aren’t you going to bandage it?”

Snapping back to reality, Li Youqing carefully wrapped the bandage around his arm.

“Scissors.” His tone was gentle, his gaze leisurely as he watched her, as if admiring his most treasured prize.

Though Li Youqing knew he was mocking her, she had no choice but to comply. She took the scissors from his hand and snipped the bandage.

“Not bad skills.” Xuan Rui praised, patting her head. His nose and lips nuzzled against her face and neck, refusing to let up.

Like an overly clingy giant dog, he left her feeling both ticklish and tingling all over.

After a while of cuddling under the quilt, Li Youqing realized he was crossing boundaries more boldly than usual and could only try to push him away with her foot.

As if anticipating her reaction, Xuan Rui caught her ankle, his tone laced with a roguish charm. “Be patient. I’m just collecting a little interest first.”

Li Youqing’s eyes widened in shock. What kind of rogue was he? How could any normal person casually spout such nonsense?

“Xuan Rui, you’re a complete scoundrel!” She was furious, but her voice remained soft and lacking any threat.

Seeing her frustration even redden the corners of her eyes, Xuan Rui pulled her closer by the ankle, suppressing the rising heat in his abdomen as he held her tightly.

Noting that the little one still hadn’t calmed down, he leaned over and kissed her calf.

He had always taken what he wanted by force, without room for negotiation—the only exception being her.

He worried she would be heartbroken being so far from home, and feared her delicate constitution wouldn’t adapt to the northwest climate.

That day, escorting them past the border, he had considered letting go. Yet she had turned back and fallen into his grasp once more.

Xuan Rui knew he was no saint. Ironically, this naive little princess saw him as a living Bodhisattva.

After experiencing a chaotic battle and tasting the bitterness of near loss, his emotions could no longer be suppressed tonight.

This delicate, flawless skin—he couldn’t bear to overlook a single inch of it. He wanted to leave his mark upon it.

Lost in the passion of his kisses, his chin was abruptly kicked hard.

Xuan Rui chuckled, burying his face in her hair to conceal the emotions in his eyes. “How perilous the northwest is, Your Highness witnessed that day. If you want this General to continue risking his life for the royal family, you must show some sincerity.”

When he lifted his head again, his gaze turned sharp, like a cold, ruthless eagle soaring over the desert.

This exquisite and precious trophy was earned with his own blood and sweat. It must belong to him entirely, and no one else should dare covet it.

Seeing the redness at the corners of her eyes and her uncertain, fearful gaze fixed on him, he finally sighed with reluctance. “What are you thinking? What this General wants is the Military Tally.”

“But… how can I give that to you now?” Li Youqing knew only that the Military Tally was in Zhenbei Wang’s hands. Even if Father Emperor issued an order for him to surrender it now, he likely wouldn’t comply.

Her expression turned troubled. “Can’t it wait until after the northwest is pacified?”

By then, he would be a great hero, and even being enfeoffed as a non-imperial Wang wouldn’t be out of the question.

When he didn’t respond, Li Youqing pondered for a moment and added, “Why not take this opportunity to directly eliminate the rebel king—”

“How naive you are, little princess—” Xuan Rui gripped her waist and sat her on his lap, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “If I kill Zhenbei Wang today, believe me, your Father Emperor and Crown Prince brother will immediately turn their backs, labeling me a rebel. Then, a hundred thousand border troops will surround and slaughter me… Qingqing, if I die, would your heart ache?”

What he left unspoken was his suspicion that what the Li family most desired now was for him and the rebel king to destroy each other, allowing them to reap the benefits and fully reclaim military authority in the northwest.

“No, Father Emperor is a man of his word, and Imperial Brother is kind-hearted. They would never do such a thing!”

Li Youqing had once deeply disliked the Crown Prince, but now that the misunderstanding was resolved, recalling past events, she felt she had been too foolish, easily swayed by others’ provocations.

Imperial Brother had taken such a great risk to come to the northwest to find her—proof that he still cared for her as much as before.

Hearing this, Xuan Rui thought of the intimate gestures between her and the Crown Prince, and a wave of frustration welled in his chest.

He said indifferently, “If it were just about eliminating the rebel king, perhaps they wouldn’t feel so threatened. But what if I want more than that?”

To reclaim Rou Lan, to crush E’er Hai and the various tribes of Chile.

He wanted to let the souls of the soldiers who had died in this desert rest in peace—to repay tooth for tooth, blood for blood.

Seeing his serious expression, Li Youqing asked, puzzled, “Then what do you want?”

Xuan Rui had his own plans and didn’t want to involve her too deeply. He raised an eyebrow and said, “The future is uncertain, but what I want now is simple.”

Li Youqing was taken aback, as if suddenly scalded by something. She scrambled off his lap, unwilling. “Instead of eliminating the rebel king, you’re here bullying me. How shameless!”

Seeing that he made no move for a while, she seized the chance to jump off the bed and put distance between them.

A chill settled in Xuan Rui’s heart. He sneered coldly. “I never engage in losing deals. Is Your Highness planning to burn the bridge after crossing the river?”

Li Youqing couldn’t stand his crude speech, her brows furrowing tightly as she took another step back.

Having been indulged by him lately, she had grown bolder and couldn’t resist retorting, “Fine then! This princess doesn’t want you anymore, never again!”

Her childish words nearly made him laugh aloud.

Xuan Rui blew out the candle and strode toward her step by step.

In the darkness, nothing was visible.

Though Li Youqing couldn’t see his figure, she could feel his overwhelmingly oppressive presence slowly closing in.

In an instant, the world turned upside down.

Before she could react, he had swept her onto the bed.

Beneath the quilt, his rough breath drew near, his stubbled chin brushing against her delicate cheek.

“It doesn’t matter. This general wants you, no matter what.”

Late at night, the commander’s tent requested hot water, and the commotion soon reached the tent of Zhenbei Wang, Lu Zhan.

Though it was infuriating, he couldn’t help but feel this might be heaven’s will.

～

When the candle was relit, Li Youqing peeked out. As her eyes adjusted to the light, she saw the man approaching with a medicine bottle.

Kneeling beside the bed, he dipped his fingertip in the ointment and gently applied it to the inner part of her thigh.

The cool sensation made her inhale sharply.

“Does it hurt?” Xuan Rui frowned, gazing at the chafed skin with deep remorse.

Remembering how fragile she had been, like a kitten, repeatedly asking how much longer, he felt heat surge in his lower abdomen again.

Li Youqing bit her lip without speaking, her face flushed crimson with shame and anger, too weak even to kick him.

Xuan Rui saw through her thoughts and offered, “You can hit me all you want when you regain your strength. For tonight, rest well.”

He then touched her burning cheek and lifted her head to help her drink water.

Watching her gulp down a full cup, he said guiltily, “Don’t be afraid. I didn’t truly take you.”

Though reckless, he knew some things must wait until their wedding night.

Having promised only to collect interest, he would never break his word.

Li Youqing turned her face away, unwilling to look at him anymore.

At least she now understood what it was all about.

But the size was simply wrong—even if she were to take a consort, she would never dare choose one like him!

Before dawn the next day, Li Youqing jolted awake from a nightmare. Turning, she saw the man’s handsome profile and felt her heart inexplicably tighten.

Xuan Rui suddenly rolled over, his arm draping over the quilt onto her, still in a possessive posture.

She lay awake for a while, her mind lingering on the dream, when unexpectedly the man opened his eyes.

In the thick darkness, his gaze was filled with tenderness as he rasped, “Still uncomfortable?”

Li Youqing blinked and shook her head. “General, I’m scared.”

She couldn’t tell whether she feared the darkness or him.

The man before her was a sharp blade that could clear her path ahead, yet also a dense net that smothered her breath.

She couldn’t leave him, yet feared getting too close would wound her.

In the end, she cherished herself most—on such a cold night, she couldn’t bear to lose the warmth of his body.

But now Xuan Rui dared not hold the delicate girl too tightly, afraid of frightening her again.

He simply patted her back rhythmically, just as on past nights when nightmares woke her, soothing her softly back to sleep.

[Author’s Note]

General Xuan is a man of his word—fight me if you disagree!