Late at night, Zhuge Yue was still unconscious. Chu Qiao was changing his bandages—the wound showed no signs of infection and had been meticulously cleaned, revealing her seasoned skill in dressing injuries.
Outside, darkness had long fallen. After an indeterminate length of time, Zhuge Yue groggily opened his eyes. He was ravenous and aching all over. He found himself dressed in a clean black silk robe, the kind worn indoors, made of soft, smooth fabric embroidered with faint golden orchid patterns.
Chu Qiao glanced at him and saw him sitting there, bleary-eyed and still drowsy. His gaze wasn’t directed at her; instead, he slowly furrowed his brow and muttered impatiently, "Tea."
Chu Qiao fetched a cup of water and handed it to him.
Perhaps truly parched, he drank it in one gulp without even looking. Then, licking his dry lips, he seemed to register the taste and abruptly hurled the cup away. Turning to her, he snapped angrily, "Ginseng tea!"
But as the words left his mouth, Zhuge Yue froze. He stared at Chu Qiao for a long moment before suddenly realizing his situation. His eyes widened in shock, and he gaped, speechless.
"Still half-asleep, aren’t you?" Chu Qiao remarked indifferently. As she spoke, she hopped off the bed to pick up the broken pieces, then casually pointed to the food container on the table. "There’s food in there. Help yourself."
Zhuge Yue rarely lost his composure like this. Forcing himself to stay calm, he took a deep breath, feeling a sharp pain in his shoulder wound. His brow still furrowed, he asked, "Why didn’t you take the chance to escape?"
"I’d like to," Chu Qiao retorted, curling her lip as she turned to face him. "Your men have surrounded this place from all sides, watching day and night without rest. How could I possibly run?"
Zhuge Yue snorted coldly. "At least you’re honest."
Chu Qiao shrugged slightly. "With you, there’s no need for beating around the bush."
After tidying up the mess on the floor, Chu Qiao walked to the bed, sat cross-legged, and looked directly at Zhuge Yue with a calm expression. "Speak. What do you intend to do?"
Zhuge Yue glanced at her sideways, then got out of bed without a word. He picked up the food container from the table but struggled to retrieve the dishes inside due to his injured shoulder. He turned to her and commanded naturally, "Come here. Serve me my meal."
Chu Qiao’s brow immediately furrowed tightly, and she didn’t move.
The man shamelessly sat by the table. "When I’m hungry, I’m in no mood to talk. If you want to ask anything, you’d better wait until I’ve eaten."
With a huff, Chu Qiao jumped down from the bed. She opened the food container with apparent calm, but her fingers were pale with tension. She pulled out a bowl of soup and slammed it onto the table. Instantly, there was a crash—the thick porcelain bowl shattered at the bottom, spilling the entire contents. Zhuge Yue cried out in surprise and leaped to his feet, but the soup had already splashed all over him. Silver ear mushrooms and longans clung to his chest like exhibits, still steaming fiercely.
Zhuge Yue’s face darkened as he surveyed the mess, his eyes seeming to spit fire. Finally, he turned and strode toward the bathing room, saying sternly as he walked, "Come here. Help me wash up!"
The bathing room? That place again!Zhuge Yue stood unabashedly in the center of the room wearing only black satin trousers, his upper body bare. He opened his eyes and cast a sidelong glance at Chu Qiao standing by the doorway, letting out a light, indifferent snort. "What are you standing there for? Come here!"
Chu Qiao's chest heaved rapidly. She took deep breaths, her fists clenching and unclenching repeatedly. After several cycles of this, the woman finally stepped inside, casually picking up a large wooden bucket along the way. She filled it with hot water from the bathing pool and strode in with imposing momentum.
Her gaze was venomous, her expression icy. Even someone as bold as Zhuge Yue couldn't help feeling slightly intimidated. He quickly retreated a step, unconsciously adopting a defensive posture as he cautiously asked, "What are you going to do?"
Chu Qiao lifted the water-filled bucket with one hand while supporting its bottom with the other, replying casually, "Didn't you tell me to wipe you down? How can I do that without wetting you first?"
"I'm injured!" The young man frowned deeply, pointing at his chest and emphasizing loudly.
"Right," Chu Qiao nodded. "I saw. I was the one who stabbed you."
"And you still want to pour water directly on it?"
"How else am I supposed to wipe you down?"
The conversation began looping: "But I'm injured."
"Right, I saw. I was the one who stabbed you."
......
......
"Enough," Zhuge Yue said with a dark expression. "Get out."
Chu Qiao lifted the bucket in demonstration. "Really don't need it?"
The man instantly flared up: "I said get out!"
Then Chu Qiao turned around and walked out of the bathhouse, whistling leisurely as she went.
Covered in dirt - blood, sweat, and now sweet soup - Zhuge Yue stood gloomily by the poolside, slowly taking off his trousers.
He'd have to get in, just be careful not to get the wound wet. Otherwise it might get infected, infection leads to inflammation, inflammation causes scarring, and scars are unsightly.
"Hey, here are clean clothes. I just had someone bring them."
The bathhouse door was kicked open. With a splash, Zhuge Yue jumped into the pool, roaring furiously, "Get the hell out!"
Zhuge Yue seemed to have forgotten that the bathhouse was filled with heavy steam. From her position, Chu Qiao could only see a shadowy figure splash into the water, but she could easily guess what was happening. The woman smiled gleefully and kindly reminded him, "Be careful not to drown."
Then she turned and left the bathhouse.
The water had completely soaked his wound. Furious, Zhuge Yue tore off the white bandage from his shoulder and slammed his fist against the water's surface!
Having not eaten for a full day and night, Chu Qiao's stomach was empty. After clearing the table, she methodically unpacked the food from the tiered lunchbox. Tian Rucheng had indeed been thorough in his service to Zhuge Yue - the dishes were exquisitely prepared with exceptional flavor. The three-tiered lunchbox contained separate layers for charcoal, water, and food, so despite having been prepared much earlier in the evening, the meal was still warm.
Chu Qiao let out a long sigh of relief, set her mind at ease, sat down, and began eating heartily.
This was the scene that greeted Zhuge Yue when he emerged from the bathhouse. The corner of his eye twitched, but he forcibly suppressed his anger. Walking directly to Chu Qiao's side, he sat down with a dark expression and coldly snorted, "You seem to be in fine spirits."
Chu Qiao turned to him with a sweet smile. "Not as fine as yours."
Zhuge Yue gave her a sidelong glance. "Facing certain death, yet you still dare to be this insolent."Chu Qiao's smile remained unchanged: "Don't you know? Prisoners always get a full meal before execution."
Zhuge Yue leaned forward, his gaze gloomy, speaking slowly word by word: "Are you so certain I won't do anything to you?"
"I'm not certain," Chu Qiao smiled, "but since you're pretending to be oblivious, why should I be in a hurry?"
"What a clever little Xing'er," Zhuge Yue leaned back in his chair with a cold laugh, "it seems you've learned quite a bit during these years by Yan Xun's side."
"Thanks to you, I may not have much else, but I do have plenty of patience."
The lamplight flickered in the desolate night as the two sat facing each other, staring coldly without the slightest hint of yielding.
The smile gradually faded from Chu Qiao's face, her relaxed expression slowly disappearing. She stared coldly at the man's devilishly handsome face before her and said icily: "Zhuge Yue, whatever you want to do, just lay it out clearly!"
The young fourth master of the Zhuge family smiled faintly, winking mischievously: "Guess?"
A dull thud suddenly sounded as the two previously still figures instantly moved simultaneously. In that split second, two arms swiftly crossed, sharp cold steel leaving trails of white light in the air. Instead of retreating, they advanced, cold light flashing as their bodies abruptly surged forward, colliding! Pressing close! Engaging in close-quarters combat!
The lethal weapons in their hands nimbly flipped between their wrists - the shorter the weapon, the deadlier the risk, each move aimed to kill, every inch threatening the throat!
Their wrists spun and grabbed at each other with lightning speed, striking fiercely, fast as lightning, violent as thunder. The moment they both had each other's wrists controlled, they swiftly switched hands. In that instant, the weapons gleamed brightly, sweeping toward each other's throats as if seeking mutual destruction!
Time suddenly froze - one second, two seconds, many seconds...
Neither struck with their blades. Moments later, they had exchanged their original positions, still maintaining their previous expressions and demeanor, quietly staring at each other.
See? They were both filled with deep wariness and profound hostility toward each other. That's why he had found a decorative knife in the bathhouse, while she had gripped the fruit-peeling dagger indoors.
Then secretly hidden them on their persons, just in case.
"Zhuge Yue, let me go, otherwise..." Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, speaking in a low voice, "kill me."
Zhuge Yue curled his lips in a wicked smile, saying lightly: "Xing'er, this world isn't just black and white. Some places are gray. And choices aren't limited to just two either."
"Between you and me, there are only two paths to take."
Chu Qiao looked into Zhuge Yue's eyes, her expression grave as she said: "I'm grateful for your repeated mercy in sparing my life and your helping hand, but that doesn't mean we can sit down and coexist peacefully. Zhuge Yue, you're also a powerful minister from a noble family, a formidable leader who wields great influence. How can you be so naive in your thinking, so trusting by nature? Aren't you afraid I might turn around and bite you?"
Zhuge Yue laughed heartily and said: "Xing'er, do you really think I'm too softhearted to strike?"The man's expression instantly turned fierce and ruthless. He stared coldly at Chu Qiao and said indifferently, "I've seen through your character. Back then, Yan Xun merely showed you some kindness, and you stayed by his side for eight years without regard for your own life in such circumstances. So now, how could you bring yourself to kill someone who has repeatedly spared your life? Xing'er, I'm not being careless or rash—I simply understand you too well!"
A gloomy wind stirred in the air, and their gazes met amidst the breeze, almost sparking with tension.
"Aren't you afraid you've misjudged me?"
"Fine wine meets its connoisseur, a chess player meets their match. Xing'er, I trust you, and I trust myself even more."
Chu Qiao lightly moistened her dry lips and slowly said, "What do you intend to do now?"
Zhuge Yue replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Capture you and take you away."
"You can't control me."
"Xing'er, I enjoy a challenge," Zhuge Yue said with a light laugh. "If I can't control you, I can tame you. If taming doesn't work, I can imprison you. And if even imprisonment fails, I still have one last option. But for now, we haven't reached that final step."
Chu Qiao raised her head and fixed her gaze on Zhuge Yue's eyes, speaking gravely, "Zhuge Yue, what mistake have you made that you still don't understand?"
Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow and let out a cold laugh. "Mistake? They were just a few insignificant slaves. If I, Zhuge Yue, killed them, so be it. What mistake is there in that?"
"I'm not talking about that," Chu Qiao frowned slightly. She looked at Zhuge Yue and finally let out a heavy sigh. "Fine, I admit it. I don't want to kill you, nor do I wish to be your enemy. I did hate you once, but that hatred has faded with time. Given the circumstances and our differing positions, your actions were, in a way, understandable. Moreover, you have indeed shown me kindness. After the old master of the Zhuge family passed away, the entire city was hunting for me. You knew where I was but did not expose me. For that, I cannot deny my debt to you."
"But you should understand clearly that now, you are a golden noble of the Zhuge Clan in Daxia, while I am the remnant leader of the rebellion in Yanbei. The war between Daxia and Yanbei is inevitable. Our positions are different, our identities opposed, and sooner or later, we will face each other on the battlefield. Therefore, it's better for us not to have too many entanglements. Now that I've fallen into your hands, if you wish to kill or harm me, I have nothing to say. But you should also understand that as long as this door remains closed for a moment, I have the chance to take you down with me before your men break in! I will never surrender meekly or await execution. I prefer to make everything clear and straightforward, without ambiguity or hesitation. The conflict between Yanbei and Daxia is not without benefits for your Zhuge lineage. I hope you will consider your family and interests carefully. Decide whether to release me or kill me—give me a clear answer!"
Upon hearing this, Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips as he said indifferently, "Xing'er, you truly make me more and more intrigued."
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Qiao's expression turned icy. She said sternly, "Zhuge Yue, the fact that I haven't killed you before doesn't mean I'll maintain that mindset when pushed to the brink! In the past, it was only because you posed no threat to my life. But if you insist on interfering now, I won't hesitate to kill a man who means nothing to me!"Zhuge Yue gave a cold sneer. "Then by all means, try!"
With a loud bang, both of them abruptly stood up, their eyes locked in a frigid stare. The conversation had reached a breaking point—they both understood that many things were irreconcilable, leaving only one possible outcome!
Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded from outside the door. Chu Qiao froze, her brows immediately furrowing. She shifted her stance slightly, adopting a posture ready to explode into action at any moment, prepared for a last-ditch battle.
"Young Master!"Yue Qi's voice called out in a low tone from outside." "Lord Tian requests your presence in the side hall for a discussion."
Zhuge Yue frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Now?"
"Yes."
"You're not going!"
Chu Qiao's dagger was still pressed against Zhuge Yue's neck. The young woman hissed in a low voice.
This was no joking matter—as long as they remained in this room, she still held some bargaining chips. The moment he stepped out, she would immediately be surrounded. How could she be so careless?
"If I don't go, it will definitely raise suspicions. Tian Rucheng will surely come to investigate."
Chu Qiao remained unmoved. "Find an excuse to refuse him!"
Zhuge Yue gave a cold laugh and glanced at the large wardrobe where the female slave was confined. "You've already used the excuse of me fooling around with a woman to stall for an entire day. What other excuse do you plan to use now?"
"I don't care!" Chu Qiao said coldly. "I don't know whether your absence will attract investigation, but I do know that the moment you leave this room, I'll lose all advantage. Zhuge Yue, I'm not a fool!"
Zhuge Yue raised his eyebrows impatiently. "Then come with me."
Chu Qiao was taken aback as Zhuge Yue continued, "You're about the same height as that woman. Women in Biantang all wear veils when going out, so no one will see your face. Besides..." Zhuge Yue's eyes swept over Chu Qiao's modest chest, "The women's clothing here has loose robes and wide sleeves—no one will notice the difference in your figures."
Chu Qiao's expression immediately darkened, her face filled with anger.
Ignoring her reaction, Zhuge Yue pushed her hand away, stretched lazily, and said nonchalantly, "With your skills, what is there to fear following by my side? Hurry up and get dressed properly."
...
This was the first time in so many years that Chu Qiao had taken such care with her appearance.
It wasn't that she was particularly incompetent as a woman—she simply couldn't figure out these ancient cosmetics and tools. After spending a long time trying to style her hair, it remained a complete mess.
Zhuge Yue, who had been drinking tea, turned around and burst out laughing at the sight of her frantic struggles. Clapping his hands, he slowly walked over, took the comb from her hand, and said with a smirk, "Are you even a woman?"
To be precise, no matter how calm and intelligent a woman might be, she would never be completely indifferent about her appearance—just as no woman, regardless of her beauty, would be entirely unconcerned about her bust measurements.
Chu Qiao immediately lifted her face and snapped angrily, "You'd better shut up!"
Zhuge Yue snorted coldly and immediately tugged harder with the comb. Chu Qiao let out a soft cry and grabbed her hair, shouting angrily, "Be gentler!"
"Keep complaining! If you keep complaining, I'll pull all your hair out!"
"You dare?"
"Hmph!"
"Ah! You bastard, be more careful!"Silky black hair slipped through his fingers like flowing water, cascading over Zhuge Yue's arm. He gathered it up, twisted it into a bun, and tied it securely with a ribbon at the back. His eyes casually scanned the dressing case before he deftly picked out a blue orchid hairpin, inserting and securing it so only a delicate, trembling orchid remained visible. Neat tassels hung on both sides, with fine bangs framing her forehead. Her hair was swept up high in elegant curls, a vermilion dot adorned her forehead, and her eyebrows were lightly penciled into willow-leaf shapes. Rouge reddened her lips, while her face remained pale as snow. A small cotton puff gently brushed her soft cheeks, adding a touch of blush. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and in an instant, even Chu Qiao barely recognized the woman in the mirror.
Zhuge Yue opened the wardrobe and said lazily, "Pick one."
Without even looking, Chu Qiao randomly pulled out a white gauze feathered dress. But Zhuge Yue snatched it from her hand. The man said disdainfully, "Always wearing either white or black—are you attending a funeral?"
His fingers glided over the colorful garments one by one until he finally selected a lake-green light gown embroidered with five layers of intricate phoenix patterns. The skirt billowed loosely, layered with ribbons that resembled misty clouds. A high waistline accentuated her tall figure, and she was draped in a wide phoenix-patterned outer robe with deep sleeves and narrow shoulders. Her steps were light and graceful, exuding an air of luxurious elegance.
Chu Qiao stared at her reflection in the mirror, slightly stunned. The woman in the mirror was enchanting and radiant, her eyes sparkling brightly, yet with a sharp, piercing intensity.
For a moment, Zhuge Yue was also captivated, but soon he curled his lips in disdain and remarked indifferently, "With some proper dressing up, you actually look like a woman."
Chu Qiao retorted coldly, "You seem quite skilled at this."
Zhuge Yue was momentarily taken aback but only snorted coldly without retorting. Instead, he tossed aside the matching sheer silk scarf he had originally prepared and spent a long time rummaging through the items before finally pulling out a thick square cloth—almost thick enough to be used as a sock—and swiftly draped it over the small crown on Chu Qiao's forehead, completely covering her face.
Chu Qiao was instantly blinded, able to see only blurry shadows of people. She immediately protested, "What are you doing? This is a windproof veil. With this on, I can't see the way."
Ignoring her, Zhuge Yue brushed aside her hand as she tried to remove it and said coldly, "If you can't see, then follow me."
Chu Qiao was furious. If he was going to make her wear such a thick veil, why bother with the makeup?
She cautiously took a step but nearly bumped into a table.
"How clumsy!" Zhuge Yue strode over, grabbed her hand, and snapped angrily, "Keep up!"
Chu Qiao struggled fiercely. "Let go of me!"
Zhuge Yue suddenly turned around and gripped her chin. Startled, Chu Qiao thought he was about to attack her and instantly reacted—in the blink of an eye, she pressed the dagger hidden in her sleeve against his neck, her movements astonishingly fast.
To her surprise, Zhuge Yue acted as if he hadn't seen the dagger. He stared coldly at her and said in a grim tone, "If you keep talking nonsense, I really won't mind dying together with you."
With that, he released her chin coldly, took her hand, and turned to walk toward the exit.
"Guard the door. No one is allowed to step inside!"
"Yes!"
"Let's go! What are you waiting for?" Zhuge Yue scolded impatiently, then pulled Chu Qiao out of the room.Yue Qi quickly led his men to follow behind, leaving the few soldiers guarding the room shaking their heads as they watched the group's retreating figures. One guard sighed, "The young master really likes this woman—he takes her everywhere."
"Perhaps after we return from Biantang, there will be a joyous occasion in our mansion. Even if she isn't the principal wife, he could take her as a concubine. The young master has long been of age to take a concubine."
...
The night breeze was cool, and all was quiet. Yet on such a tranquil evening, the residence of Magistrate Tian in Wupeng City was bustling with activity. Just as Zhuge Yue led Chu Qiao toward the front hall, an unexpected and uninvited guest arrived abruptly.
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