Chapter 41: A Chance Encounter in Fengcheng

Ji Xiao retracted his gaze, then stood by the roadside to perform a set of martial arts forms.

Yan Wangchen also alighted from the carriage.

Ashan checked the person lying on the ground, then turned back, shouting, “Young Master, he’s not dead yet, but he’s close to death.”

Ji Xiao said, “No need to bother.”

Yan Wangchen said, “Carry him into the carriage and tend to his wounds.”

Ashan was speechless.

Ji Xiao said, “When my opinions diverge from the General’s, I defer to the General.”

“Understood.”

Ashan immediately carried the man into the carriage.

Axing followed them into the carriage and began to tend to the man’s injuries.

There was a reason for bringing these two guards along.

Ashan possessed formidable martial arts skills, while Axing’s medical expertise was exceptional.

With them present, Ji Xiao’s safety was assured with an additional layer of protection.

Yan Wangchen walked over to Ji Xiao’s side and lowered his voice. “He is one of your subjects. What harm is there in saving him while you’re at it?”

Ji Xiao nodded. “I will listen to you.”

Yan Wangchen was momentarily speechless. “You are an emperor. How can you always listen to me?”

“I am the emperor. I listen to whomever I wish to listen to.”

“…”

Only after Axing had applied medicine and bandaged the man’s wounds did Ji Xiao and Yan Wangchen board the carriage.

They found a nearby spot to stop the carriage, intending to rest for two hours before continuing their journey.

With an extra person lying inside, Ji Xiao settled into Yan Wangchen’s embrace, clinging to his neck and gently nibbling at his lips.

Yan Wangchen tilted his head slightly, whispering, “Don’t be mischievous. There’s someone else in the carriage.”

Ji Xiao countered, “He’s unconscious.”

Yan Wangchen insisted, “No.”

Ji Xiao, growing impatient, declared, “Then throw him out.”

Yan Wangchen understood his nature.

Although Ji Xiao had changed significantly recently and grown closer to him, his core temperament hadn’t vanished entirely; it had merely been suppressed.

“He’s injured. Being exposed to the wind outside might…”

“Then let’s just pretend he doesn’t exist.”

“…”

Yan Wangchen sighed helplessly, leaning against the carriage wall and tilting his head back slightly, allowing Ji Xiao to have his way.

Ji Xiao watched his stern face flush with color, then closed his eyes.

Black Cat remarked eerily, “The one lying there resembles Wei Xiuyuan so much. Don’t you feel like you’re cheating?”

Ji Xiao thought, [It’s just a resemblance; he’s not him.]

Having spent a lifetime with Wei Xiuyuan, Ji Xiao could tell at a glance that while this person bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Wei Xiuyuan, it was only that — a resemblance.

People sometimes look alike. Ji Xiao was not surprised to encounter someone with a face similar to his past lover, and his heart remained entirely unmoved.

Black Cat chimed in, “Focus, and kiss properly.”

Ji Xiao thought, [Don’t peek.]

Black Cat hummed, shrinking back into the depths of his consciousness to connect with the Leader.

Intimate sounds faintly echoed from within the carriage, carried by the night.

The two guards outside, half-asleep, feigned ignorance of the sounds they heard.

Inside, the person they believed to be in a coma had actually regained consciousness.

However, upon hearing the sounds beside him, he instinctively maintained his unconscious posture.

Now was not the time to wake up.

His face, however, grew increasingly red.

After their kiss, Ji Xiao moved with Yan Wangchen’s assistance to sit beside him, and as he lowered his head, he noticed the flushed face of the man lying down.

Yan Wangchen noticed as well.

“It seems his wound has caused a fever.”

Ji Xiao said indifferently, “Let him have a fever. Whether he can endure it depends on his own fortune.”

Yan Wangchen simply replied, “Indeed.”

What could be treated had been treated. A fever was inevitable, and he would have to bear it himself.

Before dawn, Ashan began driving the carriage, maintaining a steady pace.

Axing leaned back, resting with his eyes closed, intending to switch with him during the day.

As daylight fully broke, the man lying inside slowly regained consciousness.

He was dazed for a moment before struggling to sit up, his face pale as he thanked them, “Thank you, young masters, for saving me.”

Ji Xiao’s expression was calm. “We will drop you off at the next town.”

“That’s only right,” he said with a weak smile. “I am Wei Yan, from the Wei family of Fengcheng. My friend and I encountered bandits while traveling in the mountains and were chased all the way down, eventually tumbling down. If not for your rescue, I fear I would have met my end.”

“The Wei family of Fengcheng…” Ji Xiao raised an eyebrow. “What is your relation to Wei Yuan, the Minister of Justice?”

Wei Yan looked a little embarrassed. “He is my eldest uncle.”

“I have some connection to Wei Yuan,” Yan Wangchen also looked at him. “It seems we didn’t save the wrong person. Your eyebrows and eyes bear some resemblance to Wei Yuan’s.”

Wei Yan asked curiously, “Are you two from the capital?”

“Yes, we are also out traveling,” Ji Xiao said with a half-smile, looking at him. “But you, Fengcheng is about a day’s journey from where you fell, isn’t it? Did you specifically travel so far to sightsee?”

Wei Yan’s gaze drifted slightly. “Actually, it wasn’t exactly sightseeing…”

“Oh?”

“My friend and I heard that Floating Cloud Mountain had red foxes, and we wanted to see if it was true. If so, we planned to catch one to keep as a pet.”

Wei Yan’s ears flushed slightly.

Since they had a connection to his eldest uncle, if his uncle found out about this, he feared he would be scolded again for being obsessed with trivial pursuits.

Ji Xiao and Yan Wangchen did not respond.

Wei Yan remained silent for a while longer, then sighed. “My friend and I split up to escape. I wonder how they are.”

Ji Xiao stated, “Everyone has their own destiny.”

Yan Wangchen offered, “Perhaps they also managed to escape unscathed.”

Wei Yan was speechless.

The carriage fell silent.

Black Cat emerged, “Wei Yan, and your Wei Ziyan, their names are similar. Let me check his past life.”

Ji Xiao thought, [Looking for trouble where there is none.]

****

It was midday.

The carriage approached Fengcheng.

Ashan’s voice came from outside, “Young masters, should we enter the city for supplies?”

Wei Yan perked up upon hearing this. “Aren’t you two here to travel? Fengcheng is also a lot of fun! You saved me, so when we reach Fengcheng, I’ll definitely treat you to a good time!”

Ji Xiao instructed, “Enter the city.”

Ashan replied, “Understood.”

The carriage drove into Fengcheng.

Wei Yan brightened. “You must be hungry, right? There’s a restaurant in Fengcheng with exquisite food and wine; it’s delicious! I’ll treat you to a meal, shall we?”

Ji Xiao looked at Yan Wangchen.

Yan Wangchen nodded slightly.

Wei Yan seemed intent on repaying their life-saving kindness, so letting him treat them to a meal was acceptable, to prevent him from constantly worrying about how to reciprocate.

Ji Xiao said, “Lead the way.”

Wei Yan quickly poked his head out, giving Ashan directions.

At the restaurant.

Wei Yan was disheveled, his face smudged with dirt, and his head wrapped in bandages. Seeing that no one at the restaurant recognized him, he didn’t reveal his identity, instead requesting a private room in a hushed voice.

As they ascended the stairs, they overheard conversations from the main hall.

“Did you hear? That Young Master Wei went gallivanting with his disreputable friends again, supposedly to find some red fox.”

“How could I not hear? Madam Wei made such a fuss!”

“Indeed. Speaking of which, Madam Wei is quite something. She went directly to the homes of Young Master Wei’s friends and cursed their parents, saying they hadn’t raised their sons properly and were leading her son astray.”

“My cousin works at the Wei manor. I heard that Master Wei issued an order: if Young Master Wei returns, he’s to be held down and subjected to family punishment.”

“It seems Young Master Wei is in for a terrible time this time.”

“Exactly. I heard that while Madam Wei was scolding them, Madam Zhou also opened her door and cursed back at her, infuriating Madam Wei so much that she almost miscarried.”

“This time, Young Master Wei…”

As Wei Yan listened, his already pale face turned even more ashen.

Distraught, he followed the waiter into the private room. After sitting down, he couldn’t help but ask the waiter, “I just heard them say… is Master Wei really going to punish Young Master Wei?”

“Indeed,” the waiter sighed softly. “You guests must be from out of town, right? That Young Master Wei is quite famous in our Fengcheng. While not exactly a cruel profligate, he’s known for being obsessed with trivial pursuits. You often see Madam Wei chasing him through the streets.”

“…”

“Before, they never got serious, but this time, because of Young Master Wei, Madam Wei was so enraged she almost miscarried. Master Wei has declared that when Young Master Wei returns this time, he’ll likely lose a layer of skin.”

Wei Yan stammered, “Madam Wei is pregnant?”

The waiter replied, “Yes, it seems they’ve given up hope on Young Master Wei and want to have another child.”

“…”

Seeing that he had no further questions, the waiter smiled. “What would you guests like to order?”

Wei Yan was lost in thought.

Ji Xiao casually said, “Bring us one of all your signature dishes, and some good wine too.”

“Coming right up!”

After the waiter left, Wei Yan snapped out of his daze and immediately knelt. “W-w-would you two young masters take me along on your travels? I have a lot of money, and I’ll cover all the expenses on the road!”

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