Chapter 128: You Owe This King a Favor
Everyone was astonished by the formidable prowess displayed by Chi Nie. He was truly worthy of being Prince Nie; he rarely made a move, but when he did, he stunned the entire crowd.
"My husband!" Yun Shang scrambled down from the carriage, rushing toward Tie Fan with a look of agony.
While everyone who had engaged in the battle was covered in blood and in a state of disarray, Chi Nie alone remained standing in his luxurious, icy black robes, not a single thread out of place, exuding a charm that was peerless and devilish.
The women present could not help but swoon, while simultaneously feeling a sense of disdain for Tie Fan. To call himself a general and a protector of the nation, yet he had been wounded by a single wolf; compared to him, Chi Nie was infinitely more magnificent. How could they not be enamored with a man who seemed like an immortal descended from the heavens?
Tie Fan’s face was deathly pale, yet he did not let out another groan. Pushing Yun Shang aside, he turned to Emperor Chi Xuan and said, "I have frightened Your Majesty. It is my incompetence as a protector; I beg for Your Majesty’s punishment!" With that, he swept his robes and knelt on the ground.
Yun Shang, heartbroken, knelt beside him, reaching out to check his hand, but Tie Fan pulled away. Only then did the crowd notice that, beneath the blood covering his body, he was missing two fingers.
During the hunt, Tie Fan had not been the center of attention, and he had deliberately kept his hands concealed, so no one outside the Yun family knew he was missing those fingers. This had clearly been a premeditated scheme.
Yun Shang wept bitterly, her tears falling like rain, evoking pity from those watching. Chi Xuan, who had indeed been shaken, saw the color drain further from his already pale face. After steadying his nerves, he spoke, "The General has served with merit in protecting the crown and has even suffered injury; I should reward you."
He cast a glance toward Chi Nie with phoenix eyes that bore a striking resemblance to the Prince's. "Prince Nie, your ferocity in protecting the royal party and driving back the wolf pack is equally meritorious. I shall reward you and the General handsomely upon our return to the capital. As for the injured guards, let them be taken back in the carriages to recover, each granted a hundred taels of silver. Those who have unfortunately perished shall be compensated with a thousand taels to their families."
Having regained his composure, Chi Xuan proceeded to distribute honors. They attributed the wolves’ sudden attack to mere starvation.
Chi Nie’s phoenix eyes remained cold and sharp. He scanned the crowd, his gaze eventually settling on Tie Fan’s hand. Feeling the biting intensity of that stare, Tie Fan recoiled, looking every bit the guilty thief.
With a slight curl of his perfect lips, Chi Nie addressed the guards who were clearing away the wolf carcasses, "I have suddenly developed a curiosity for the taste of wolf meat. Bring me the wolf that General Tie slew!"
Upon hearing this, Tie Fan initially saw no issue, but the cunning Yun Yao immediately emerged from the carriage to intervene. "Prince Nie, if you have a craving for wolf meat, perhaps it would be better to take one of the others. That particular wolf’s stomach contains the General’s fingers..."
Her meaning was clear: Tie Fan intended to retrieve his fingers. If Chi Nie took that wolf and gutted it only to find no fingers inside, their ruse would be exposed. While a wolf might digest flesh, the bones would not vanish in such a short time.
Tie Fan and Yun Shang were jolted into realization. How had they forgotten? Thank goodness for Yun Yao’s quick thinking. If they had failed, it would have been a crime of deceiving the Emperor.
"Indeed, Prince Nie, I wish to retrieve my fingers," Tie Fan said, wearing a pitiable expression.
The cold light in Chi Nie’s eyes intensified. He curled his lips into a smile and replied, "In that case, I shall suppress my desire and grant your wish. Just remember, you owe me a favor."