The assassin came for Cui Buqu because with Qiao Xian's abilities alone, it would be impossible to stop him. So it would be suffice to say that originally, the chances of Cui Buqu escaping from this assassination was zero.
Who could have guessed that Feng Xiao's sudden appearance not only thwarted the assassin from killing his target, he even seemed to have enough capabilities of fighting with him until morning. This was enough to enrage the proud white-robed assassin like he had never been before. Both of them fought for fifteen minutes before the assassin finally took a step back. His figure blurred as it leaped into the air, and midway, he turned around again, diving down headfirst with his sword prepared, carrying a strong killing intent as he spiralled at Feng Xiao!
As midnight drew near, the clouds thickened and concealed the moon; silence fell all around. Even if the citizens were alerted by the fight, they dare not come out to watch the commotion. They would give everything to dig both their eyes out and pretend to see nothing. The gengfu was patrolling the place too far away from them to notice.
Qiao Xian set out some smoke to raise an alarm to the people from the Zuoyue Bureau, but even if someone hurried over, it was very difficult for them to stop the man in white.
Other than Feng Xiao and the white-robed assassin, all that was left on the road was an empty horse carriage. From afar, the driver was hidden under the roof, shivering.
As the sword was about to slash the other's throat in two, sending a wave of blood spluttering into the light, the white-robed assassin suddenly felt a silver of regret.
This man, Feng Xiao, ever since he succeeded in the command of the House of Blades, everything he did was bombastic. Many people have already begun to hate him in secret, so if he could kill him under the eyes of the public in broad daylight, he would receive even greater applause for his deed. When that time comes, the House of Blades would be like a bird that lost its wings, no longer able to fly. No one would be able to replace Feng Xiao, and the agency could only choose to disband.
As he thought about this, the white-robed man suddenly realized that his sword was blocked by something invisible and could not descend downwards. The sword glare disappeared, there was only one sword remaining, and that sword was in Feng Xiao's hand!
Was his opponent so strong that he could forcibly just take the sword like that?
The white-robed assassin was shocked, but he didn't stop for a moment to think before drawing his sword again, however, his sword seemed like it was thrust into the soil. It stuck fast to its sheath and not only did it refuse to be unsheathed, it even took control of its wielder. The white-robed man felt as if he was pulled under!
From afar, footsteps of people from the Zuoyue Bureau seemed to edge closer, and the one leading them was one of its Vice Commanders, Zhangsun Bodhi.
Although that person's martial arts was not on par with Feng Xiao's level, if both of them joined hands, it was possible for them to take down the man in white robes.
The white-robed man knew that he was destined to leave empty-handed, and to avoid more losses, he immediately withdrew, his figure floated into the air and retreated. After leaping a few zhangs onto the roof a distance away, he leaped even further and dissolved into the color of the night.
Feng Xiao leaped from the roof and landed down next to Cui Buqu.
Due to using his hand to parry the sword's attack, blood was currently forming little streams down the length of his arm, dripping from his hand.
Feng Xiao used his other hand, the one that was unhurt, to raise the sword and examined it. Then he shook his head and tossed the blood-coated sword to the ground.
"There was no mark, there is no manner of telling where it came from. It might be just a normal sword."
"How is your hand?" No matter what, Feng Xiao has saved his life, so even if Cui Buqu knew that the other man would try all he can to claim his conquest, he could not ignore it.
The dark clouds gradually parted, and once again, starlight shone upon their heads. Cui Buqu's lips looked paler than they were before, but they also looked more swollen.
It was as if, almost, a glimmer of wetness could be seen on it.
Only because Qiao Xian would not examine his lips on purpose, she would not notice it.
Feng Xiao, however, was guilty at heart.
Of course, he would never admit that he was the 'leecher', but he couldn't help allowing his gaze to fall upon the other man's lips. Feng Xiao lowered his head, the color of his face suddenly changing.
"Not good. There's poison on the sword!"
Cui Buqu's heart sank, he immediately reached out to catch the other's falling body.
In the next moment, he saw that the corner of Feng Xiao's lips began to bleed.
"Qiao Xian, quick! Take a look at him!"
Qiao Xiao immediately placed her fingers on his wrist, furrowing her eyebrows, "His pulse is weak, it seems like he really got poisoned. I cannot think of a cure for the time being, Commander, we must quickly escort him back to the House of Blades to avoid any misunderstandings!"
Zhangsun Bodhi managed to arrive on time. Cui Buqu allowed him to remain and take care of matters, explain to the Zuoyue soldiers, and investigate the man in white robes' identity, before taking Qiao Xian and Feng Xiao and left quickly for the House of Blades.
The place they were currently in was not far from the House of Blades; both places were similarly in the capital. They arrived within the time of half a burning incense, but as Feng Xiao laid in the horse carriage, his face grew paler and paler. The oleander who couldn't stop shining on the usual days was like a wilting flower at that moment. However, it was as if he was stomaching all the pain down, forcing himself to bear it. He even held Cui Buqu's wrist tightly, refusing to let go.
Cui Buqu said in a low voice, "Qiao Xian, is his life in danger?"
Qiao Xian responded guiltily, "I am only vaguely knowledgeable in the arts of medicine. I dare not judge, but I heard that the House of Blades does not lack skilled physicians, so perhaps they would have an idea. However, Commander Feng possesses a strong foundation in martial arts, after a while, it should not be a problem."
Feng Xiao's furrowed his eyebrows tightly, and said weakly, "Don't speak. My heart hurts."
Both of them really shut up at once.
Feng Xiao added, "It's suffocating for me to lie down like this…"
He struggled to prop himself up, then placed his head on Cui Buqu's thigh. Cui Buqu almost wanted to move away so his head would hit the board instead, but as he recalled what the other man did a few moments ago, he tolerated it.
Feng Xiao, "Cui Buqu…"
Cui Buqu replied, "Hm?"
Feng Xiao, "Do you…really hate me?"
Cui Buqu, "No."
Feng Xiao, "Then why do you, keep your silence so much?"
Cui Buqu rolled his eyes, "Did you not say just now that you did not want us to speak?"
Feng Xiao, "I only feel…headache…when Qiao Xian…is talking."
Qiao Xian vibrated, feeling her hands itch.
Feng Xiao, "Buqu, can you, tell me…"
Cui Buqu, "I cannot."
Feng Xiao: "…"
He cast Cui Buqu a weak look, pressing on his chest as he began coughing.
Cui Buqu's expressionless face finally loosened.
Feng Xiao, "I just want to ask you three questions."
Cui Buqu, "One."
Feng Xiao, "Two."
Cui Buqu twitched the corner of his lips. Is he seriously bargaining in this kind of situation?
Feng Xiao, "What is the relationship between you and Empress Dugu, why did Prince Jin…"
"Why was Yuwen Xuanzhu being distant with me, why Princess Leping avoided me, and why Prince Jin held immense familiarity with me?" Cui Buqu finished his question.
The corner of Feng Xiao's lips curled, "Correct."
Cui Buqu, "I do not want to answer this question. Give another."
Feng Xiao, "But I want to know. I want to know everything about you."
His face turned green as he spoke, unable to breathe. The hand that held onto Cui Buqu's wrist tightened and turned cold.
Cui Buqu's heart moved and watching that handsome and beautiful face like that, his anger involuntarily decreased. The first thought that came to his head wasn't the fact that the Zuoyue Bureau would lose a rival, but it was a sensation of pity.
And pity was all he felt. After all, taking Feng Xiao's entire body into consideration, only his face was useful, he thought.
"Because during that year, when the former dynasty's Emperor's emotions seemed to be unstable, he was suspicious of the Yang family, but the Prime Minister was unable to make the decision to usurp the throne because his daughter was the Empress and the people around him could not make this decision for him. He was indecisive and it was I who spoke out, laying all the benefits and disadvantages it would bring, and aided them in toughening their heart to cast the ultimate decision." Cui Buqu spoke slowly.
Feng Xiao felt very surprised.
He had countless theories before, even going so far to guess that Cui Buqu might be a bastard of the Emperor, or perhaps a secret lover of the Empress, but never would have thought about this.
So in reality, when the Emperor was still the Prime Minister, Cui Buqu was already working as a strategist for them. He even played the part of the role, for one sentence from him had created all there was today, overturning the colors of the Imperial Court.
Feng Xiao, "Then why…"
Cui Buqu, "After the Emperor received his coronation, originally, I was among the ones with the greatest contribution, but to receive one bestowal after the last, it was not a good thing to have. Compared to showing-off and acting as a chess piece that rushed to the frontlines in the game, what I loved more was to be its silent player."
A sudden realization struck Feng Xiao, for all of a sudden, everything made sense.
Because of the fact that Cui Buqu carried the truth that he had done such a huge favor for the Emperor and Empress, yet refused to receive any entitlement for them, it made the royal couple feel guilty as days passed. Therefore, they allowed him to lead the Zuoyue Bureau at such a young age and Cui Buqu's suggestions were also often taken seriously by the royal couple, especially Empress Dugu, who perceived Cui Buqu as her lead strategist. That was the reason why Prince Jin wanted to get on his good side, and towards Princess Leping and her daughter, Cui Buqu was the reason they had lost their identity as the Empress and Princess. Naturally, they both respected, hated, and avoided him, building a complicated relationship.
With the person Cui Buqu is, this layer of truth regarding himself was his bottom line, he would never tell someone this truth of himself so easily.
But tonight, he confessed everything to Feng Xiao.
Feng Xiao gave him a brief smile before he closed his eyes and passed out.
The horse carriage finally arrived before the doors of the House of Blades.
Members of the House of Blades had received the news, so they rushed out of their nest and saw Cui Buqu and Qiao Xian giving the two a very hostile look. Even if Qiao Xian tried her best to explain, it was very difficult for them to avoid misunderstanding.
"Since we delivered Feng Xiao, we should leave." Cui Buqu said before turning around to leave, but his path was blocked by Pei Jingzhe.
"My Lord obviously went to attend the banquet, why did he come back so heavily injured? Until he wakes up, Master Cui, please remain."
"Let him…go." It was unknown since when Feng Xiao opened his eyes again, helped by his men on both his arms, he spoke weakly.
"My Lord!" Pei Jingzhe found it difficult to believe. Was this the unsurpassed, unparalleled, undefeatable Commander Feng-Er that he knew?
"Let them go." Feng Xiao closed his eyes, refusing to say more.
Pei Jingzhe could only wave his hand, indicating that he's allowing them to leave, watching unhappily as they traveled away in the horse carriage.
Because of Feng Xiao's injuries, the entire House of Blades was shaken.
The physician was immediately woken up in the middle of the night by Ming Yue, he rubbed his eyes as he took his medicine bag and rushed over.
When Pei Jingzhe was greeted by the sight of Feng Xiao half-dead by the gate just now, he was so shocked stiffed that he lost all his spirits and senses. On the way back, his knees were like cotton, his mind kept repeating the words 'what should we do if anything happened to my Lord?'
In the end, as he rushed to Feng Xiao's room, he saw Feng Xiao sitting crossed-legged on the bed, reaching his hand out to allow the physician to bandage it.
Other than that, the color of his face was back, his eyes were bright. How did he look like someone who was going to die?
Pei Jingzhe: "???"
Author's Notes:
Congratulations Feng-Er for prompting QuQu to shake off another layer on his own accord!
Feng-Er: Ridiculous! After taking advantage of him I cannot pretend to be innocent, I need to pretend to be submissive. Only in this way, I wouldn't be pitted too hard…