Chapter 23: No matter day or night, you’re hideous all the same Part I
Bai Yu did not know how long a person could cry. She did not know whether her tears would someday dry up or not. From late morning to the afternoon, her lone figure was slumped on the floor in the same position, still sobbing. The woman who answered her questions had disappeared. In the area, there was only the young lady, the surrounding white fog from before was all gone.
Her renowned beauty was replaced by pitifulness. The wicked glint in her eyes was washed away by falling tears, and what could be seen from that gaze was sorrow and confusion from what she had heard. Her nose was as red as the flush on her face caused by continuously crying for a long time without realizing that...she was blocking someone’s way.
‘Ouyang Feilong’ could not go past this way when there was a woman crying in front of him. On top of that, it seemed that this was the woman who saved his life. Yet at the same time, she was vastly different from that night. Right now, she...seemed like she could shatter at any moment.
Ouyang Feilong was a man who never wanted intimacy with any woman. He was satisfied with his life on the battlefield among other brave soldiers. Even when there were women who tried to come close, they all had to give up because this man did not understand how to cherish flowers.
A stern, dignified, and great commander. These were characteristics of Ouyang Feilong who was in the military and war almost his whole life.
The closeness between Bai Yu and Ouyang Feilong last night happened because of an out-of-control circumstance. He was gravely injured, leading him to unconsciously act intimate with a woman. Later, he learned from a soldier under him that the woman was the Bai family’s first daughter.
The elegant and beautiful Miss Bai. Those words sounded like an exaggeration because the young lady was weeping her heart out in front of him. At first, Ouyang Feilong did not pay much attention to her since he did not intend to become any more involved with any woman, but the vacant gaze brimming with tears reminded him of someone.
.....
He waved to his accompanied soldier, telling him to leave the area...at least that could protect the dignity of his savior. And then...should he go to comfort her? But how does one comfort a woman?
“Hideous woman.”
The one who was called ‘hideous’ looked up to see the owner of the familiar voice. The moment Bai Yu saw a black mask with a dragon-like pattern, she immediately understood that the man in front of her was the owner of that black jade. Today he was wearing leather armor of Da Yang’s army instead of the black attire from last night.
“No matter day or night, you’re hideous all the same.”
That first word was already vicious, but the next sentence was even more so!
Even while her heart was sorrowful, she still could not help but argue when provoked. Who forced you to look at a beauty in this kind of state?
“How’s my hideousness any of your business?!”
The villainess was so overcome by anger that she forgot what had occupied her thought before. She yelled at the man with her hoarse voice and face stained with tears. It was as if this man had a mysterious medicine that could make her lose her character at the first whiff of it.
Ouyang Feilong lifted the corner of his mouth when he saw the kitten try to act like a lioness again.
“Not any business at all. But you’re in benwang’s way.” The tall figure in armor approached, his firm footsteps stopped at a step away from her. Black cape fluttering behind further enhanced his arrogant manner as a warrior.
Bai Yu lifted her face up to look at him. This time he used a different pronoun, and there was also no trace of an injury at all. But...why did you have to come so close and make me hurt my neck by looking straight up like this?!
“Apologies to Wangye that your path is blocked by a hideous woman like me...” Bai Yu gritted her teeth. “...Please go around me, if that was not too much to ask.”
“I refuse.”
“You!”
“Benwang is still injured. Going around you would take too much strength.”
What a pain!
“Then please, stay here all day, Your Highness!”
“You’re not standing up?”
Bai Yu stopped. Why did he suddenly ask? Was he worried about her?
“Ow!”
The force that pulled her arm up lifted her whole body from the floor. Bai Yu staggered, feeling like she was going to fall because she had been sitting for so long that her legs went numb. But this brute just yanked on her and showed no sign of helping her stand at all! Bai Yu cursed at the Wangye whose name she did not know over hundreds of words.
In your dreams! What was she thinking, expecting him to worry about her?
“You like to be forceful to women like this, Your Highness?”
“Bengwang don’t like women.”
Ouyang Feilong let go of the small wrist that seemed like it could break in his hand. Bai Yu stared at him. “So Your Highness prefers to cut sleeve*?”
“Nonsense!”
“Wangye, there is no need to be shy. Men who subdued men are considered the greatest of men.” Her red lips formed a knowing smile. Though her eyes were still puffy, there was no sadness left reflected in them.
“Hideous woman. You’re not only foolish but also like to blabber nonsense.”
“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness.” Bai Yu mockingly curtsied to him.
“You...”
“Miss!”
Ouyang Feilong took a deep breath to suppress anger when he saw her personal maid approaching. He retained his calmness, completely covering up his prior provoking behavior.
Xiao Xi who had been frantically looking for her young miss suddenly hurried to give a curtsy the moment she saw the tall figure wearing a dragon mask, the symbol of the Da Yang army’s general.
“Blessings to Wangye.”
Bai Yu raised her eyebrows. Xiao Xi knew him?
“No need for formality.”
Who is this man, exactly? How come Xiao Xi knew him but she did not?
“Miss, what happened to you?” After being allowed to act freely, Xiao Xi slowly whispered to Bai Yu. Because of the atmosphere surrounding Rui Wang who was like the god of war, she did not dare to ask out loud no matter how worried she was.
Currently, Bai Yu’s eyes were puffy from crying, her lips were swollen because she bit her lips to suppress the sobs, her hair was messy because of the wind, her clothes were wrinkled from when she gripped her chest because of her heartache, both of her wrists also had fingerprints bruise, and those leaves all over her body...no one would be able to guess that this was the number one beauty!
Xiao Xi studied the state that her young miss was in, then turned to look at the general nearby. Though she was, like any ordinary person, afraid of him, Xiao Xi still could not help but think that this Wangye bullied her miss.
“Or miss was...”
“It’s not that!” Bai Yu interrupted before her maid could imagine anything further. True, he really did bully her. But with her looking like this, Xiao Xi might think he did something more than just yanking at her arm.
“Then why...”
“Miss Bai wasn’t careful. She slipped and fell, then rolled for quite a distance. Benwang happened to pass by so benwang came to help her up.”
R...roll...for quite a distance...Liar!
He smiled discreetly at the woman who glared at him. Thought of it as payback for accusing him of being interested in men, then.
“Thank you, Wangye.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Don’t mention it, your mother!
“Wangye came all this way here, is there anything Bai family could do to serve?”
Even though she was angry with him, the fact that he appeared in daylight and revealed his identity was enough for her to guess that he had urgent business at this temple. Otherwise, the injured person should have taken a rest and not come here by himself despite his high status.
“Then you should come with benwang to see the abbot together.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Because Ouyang Feilong said with a serious tone and manner, Bai Yu had to keep her feelings regarding what happened just now to herself. Though she felt strange seeing his sudden change, she still let Xiao Xi quickly take care of her appearance before following him mannerly. Bai Yu right now was graceful unlike the image Ouyang Feilong saw a while ago at all.
———————
In the temple, at the honored seat was Ouyang Feilong who had the title of Rui Wang and held the position of the commander-general of Da Yang, the commandeering presence characteristic since birth exuded from the man in black armor. Behind him were two strong-looking soldiers standing guard. On one side of the hall were the abbot of this temple and the head worker from the Bai family who took care of the temple. The other side was Bai Yu and Bai Hua who participated as representatives from the Bai family as well.
After Ouyang Feilong’s appearance, armored soldiers suddenly flooded into the temple. All of them wore black capes which was the symbol of Da Yang’s grand army.
“Benwang was returning to the capital according to the royal decree. On the way, benwang saw villagers fall ill, so benwang ordered soldiers to investigate. It was found that the cause was an infectious disease. However, there were too few royal doctors within the army and not enough time to determine the true cause, nor the way to cure this disease.” The most esteemed person in the hall said calmly. His low voice seemed indifferent despite the gravity of the situation, which had a great effect on the citizens’ lives.
“Is it...” Bai Hua muttered to herself. Her voice was low, but since it was quiet, everyone could clearly hear her. Ouyang Feilong spared a brief glance at the beauty in maid attire before continuing.
“This morning benwang’s men saw you went to distribute congee at the village where several infected villagers were found. Benwang wishes to bring those people back to the village with benwang. This disease cannot spread in the area of this temple or reach the capital. Until the cure is found, no one will return to the capital!” The tone was impassive. there was something within his voice that could command obedience from listeners. No one dared to object even within their thought.
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*Cut Sleeve: Homosexuality between men
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