Perhaps these words had shaken him, for the tip of the blade, mere millimeters from Hu Shen’s neck, did not press further inward.
But she could sense that Xie Xixiao was on the verge of fury—the grip restraining her tightened, and the pain in her body intensified bit by bit.
This couldn’t go on.
The man above her was like a jackal tearing into its prey. She wanted to struggle, yet she could clearly feel the iron-like hardness of his muscles and bones.
He was much larger than her, his long arms easily pinning her down, his knees bent against the ground, a terrifying strength lying dormant within him.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down first, and tentatively softened her tone: “Last night was my fault. I hurt you. I—”
“Shut up.” Xie Xixiao’s voice seemed to carry a gritted-teeth intensity.
Hu Shen immediately fell silent, her mind racing as she searched for a way to escape, while also wondering why he hadn’t struck yet.
Perhaps she had managed to sway him—she just didn’t know which part had struck a chord.
Her legs were still sore. Perhaps because of the deer-blood wine, she hadn’t felt much at first, but when she woke this morning, something felt off. Her waist and abdomen ached with fatigue, and there was a subtle, hidden soreness in a certain place. Confronting Naye and Guzi earlier had drained the last of her strength.
She had to admit that, in this situation, struggling was futile. With a sigh, she let her strength go slack, leaning forward until her cheek pressed against the rough mat inside the tent. “I know you’re not willing to die. After enduring all kinds of suffering this past year, why would you throw your life away over a single night of pleasure?”
The man above her showed no reaction.
“You must have heard earlier, right? I won you. From now on, you’ll only have to face me. Isn’t that better? If you stay with me, you won’t have to endure those tortures. Later, we can even have a child—”
“Enough.”
Xie Xixiao cut her off again, unable to listen further.
Hu Shen pursed her lips. The palm gripping her wrist radiated heat. She spoke again: “You’re burning up. I can feel it. I brought herbs for you… though you might have spilled some. But medicine is hard to come by on the grasslands. There’s no need to take your anger out on your wounds.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Xixiao’s grip noticeably shifted.
Hu Shen was both surprised and relieved. Seizing the moment, she swiftly drew the dagger from her waist and swung it backward.
She didn’t expect to injure him—and it was best if she didn’t, given how many wounds he already bore.
She only hoped to force him back, at least to a distance where he posed no threat.
Xie Xixiao’s eyes sharpened. Reacting quickly, he restrained her hand and knocked the dagger away, but in doing so, he freed her pinned hands. She flipped over, lifting her leg to kick at his lower body.
Just as she was about to land the blow, she realized she couldn’t actually injure him there. In a panic, she redirected her aim to his waist and abdomen, but that moment of hesitation weakened her force and cost her the opportunity. Xie Xixiao seized her ankle, pressing her entire leg down.
This was truly unfortunate. Her already exhausted waist and legs were now strained together. She couldn’t hold back a muffled groan, which made Xie Xixiao realize the current position was somewhat delicate.
His breathing grew rapid—with anger.
Perhaps recalling the uncontrollable impulses of the previous night, his anger surged even more intensely. Facing him head-on, one could see more clearly the hidden ferocity beneath his refined and gentle appearance.
Hu Shen’s heart fluttered with panic, truly feeling she might die under his furious rage. But in the next moment, the tent flap was thrown open, followed by her elder brother’s low roar: “Bastard, let her go!”
Hu Lang raised his hand to throw a punch. Xie Xixiao caught the movement from the corner of his eye, sidestepped to dodge, and was about to retaliate when the strain aggravated his wounds. His brow furrowed tightly, forcing him to pause momentarily.
He stood opposite her brother. The heavy cloak he wore softened the gauntness brought on by his injuries, and his tall stature now carried an imposing presence. His eyes were cold and sharp as he stared at the man who had captured him.
The sounds of battle still echoed in his ears. The desperate situation of being attacked from both front and back made his breath catch. The sight of his comrades falling in pools of blood repeatedly stabbed at his eyes, and the hatred surging through his flesh and blood made his clenched fists crack audibly.
Seeing the situation turning dangerous, Hu Shen quickly scrambled up from the ground. Watching as her brother prepared to advance again, she rushed over and clung to his arm. “Forget it, forget it. He’s got a fierce temper; it’s normal for him to act out for a while.”
She made him sound like a petulant cat or dog.
A vein throbbed at Xie Xixiao’s temple. He stared at her coldly, his breathing slowing like a predator lying in wait, gathering strength for a fatal strike.
At that moment, her brother turned back and saw the injuries on her face. His pupils immediately contracted sharply. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, no. I got into a fight with Guzi and the others. It’s nothing serious, and I beat both of them.”
She tried to sound as cheerful as possible, even forcing a smile for her brother. The movement tugged at the wound on her lip, causing the eye on that side to squint slightly. She didn’t want her brother to worry about her.
But the more she acted this way, the more it pained Hu Lang. He gritted his teeth fiercely. “The Second Prince spoils her too much.”
He was referring to Guzi, who had long been a woman in the Second Prince’s tent.
Hu Shen didn’t want to discuss this further and simply tugged at her brother’s sleeve.
This reminded Hu Lang of his original purpose. He patted his younger sister’s hand, then frowned at Xie Xixiao. “The Khan wants to see you.”
Xie Xixiao narrowed his eyes, temporarily suppressing his hatred and impulse. His gaze held mockery as he looked over. “So polite this time? What, no more dragging me as a prisoner, but an honorable invitation instead?”
Hu Lang rotated his wrist. “Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit.”
Yet Xie Xixiao’s expression shifted slightly at that moment. His eyes swept over the siblings before him, his mind flashing through everything that had happened from yesterday until now.
The woman, the riches, the charcoal, and the medicine.
He began to form a vague suspicion.
Xie Xixiao’s expression grew more solemn. He was determined to go and see for himself. Raising an eyebrow, he gestured toward the iron chain on his ankle. “Unlock it. I’ll go with you.”
Hu Shen remained in the tent. She stoked the fire, making the interior warm and cozy. She stored the medicinal brew farther away to prevent it from being overheated by the flames.
Xie Xixiao was not detained for long before being brought back to the tent.
The Khan said nothing. His aged, clouded eyes held a commanding gleam as he simply looked Xie Xixiao up and down. Instead, the attendant beside him chattered on, asking if he was satisfied with the rewards and saying the Khan thought highly of him, that he should serve the Khan diligently from now on.
Xie Xixiao coldly refuted him, but the man responded with a meaningful smile.
Xie Xixiao sat on the bed with lowered eyes, no longer wearing the thin moon-white robe from before but a newly tailored fur cloak. His expression was grave, and the fever had drained what little color remained in his face.
Hu Shen glanced at him twice but had no intention of dwelling on it. She simply lifted the tent flap and went out to find her elder brother.
In the past, guards had been stationed outside the tent where he was held, but all of them had been withdrawn yesterday.
Her brother looked down at her and reached out to gently touch the corner of her mouth. "Does it hurt?"
Hu Shen shook her head.
Fortunately, she had pulled her sleeves down before coming out. If her brother had seen the wound on her forearm, he would have worried again.
Hu Lang’s large hand rested on her shoulder as he lowered his voice. "Today, he went to see the Khan, and his attitude seemed to soften. But I still suspect treachery. Leaving people around him might alert him. Little sister, now we can only rely on you."
He raised his hand and stroked her hair, from the forehead ornament to her braided dark locks.
When she was young, he had always braided her hair himself. The forehead ornament she wore now was given to him when he first met the Khan—a unique gemstone from the snowy mountains, and she cherished it.
But now, they saw each other less and less. Even when they met, the time they could spend together was scarce.
Yet his little sister never complained.
She had always been obedient, always listened to him.
"Little sister, while you’re with him, keep an eye out for any unusual movements. And remember, your life is the most important. If you sense danger, leave immediately. Don’t force anything."
Her brother’s gaze was earnest, and the weight of such a responsibility pressed heavily on Hu Shen, making it hard to breathe.
But she still smiled at him and said, "Alright. I hope I can help you, brother."
Hu Lang hesitated but finally spoke. "If possible, get closer to him. It would be best if we could win him over."
Hu Shen pursed her lips. Though she thought it difficult, she nodded—whatever her brother asked, she would agree.
With that, her brother didn’t stay long. He had matters to attend to and left in a hurry.
Only after he was gone could she lower her head, sigh softly, and turn back into the tent.
Xie Xixiao was still sitting there, the medicine beside him untouched. Hu Shen returned to her seat by the fire, keeping her distance to avoid provoking him.
She didn’t know how much time had passed when, as she was drifting off to sleep, Xie Xixiao suddenly spoke. "Are they still alive?"
Hu Shen instinctively looked up at him, realizing he must be referring to the five men.
"Of course they’re alive."
"I want to see them."
Hu Shen immediately refused. "That’s impossible. You can’t leave here."
"You can make a demand."
Xie Xixiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed, the words seeming to spill from his chest, stained with the blood of his utmost restraint.
He spoke with difficulty, carrying the humiliation he had endured. "Any demand will do."
This piqued Hu Shen’s interest.
She pursed her lips and tentatively asked, "Really, anything?"
Xie Xixiao closed his eyes, a premonition stirring in his heart, but he could only reply, "Yes."
Hu Shen stood up and spoke plainly, without any pretense. "I want to have a child with you. If you don’t resist, I’ll find a way to take you to see them."
Xie Xixiao gritted his teeth, his hand gripping the edge of the bed as it slowly tightened, veins bulging on the back.
"Ten months of pregnancy is too long. Choose something else."
He paused, took two deep breaths, his chest rising and falling heavily, and uttered words that even he despised. "But not resisting… that can be arranged."
Hu Shen crossed her arms over her chest, pondering seriously for a moment. "What if you're lying to me? I need to see your sincerity."
Xie Xixiao raised his gaze, looking at her with a hint of mockery in his eyes. "What, do you want me to swear by your Heavenly Maiden too?"
Hu Shen stared at him. Could he really be treating her like some easily fooled idiot?
"You're from Zhongyuan. Your oaths mean nothing to the Heavenly Maiden."
She took a step forward. "Then let's start with ten days. If you don't resist for ten days, I'll take you to see them."
"Ten days is too slow." Xie Xixiao suppressed his anger—this was the first time in his life he had ever used such a matter as a bargaining chip.
"Three days at most. Think carefully—I won't give you another chance to take advantage like yesterday."
Hu Shen had already walked up to him, feeling somewhat dejected. People from Zhongyuan really were better at haggling.
She sighed helplessly. "Fine, then take it off."
Xie Xixiao's brow twitched violently. "What did you say?"
"Didn't we agree on three days? Then it starts today. Unless you don't want to see them quickly?"
Hu Shen lowered her gaze to look at him. "Let's begin now. I need to inspect the goods too."
Author's Note:
Hu Shen (making amends): Sorry, did I hurt you?
Xie Xixiao (?): Is this a provocation?!
Hu Shen (rubbing her hands together): Time to get down to business!
(Note: In the steppe setting of this story, chastity is not considered important because population growth is prioritized. Historically, this was also the case—Empress Liu E remarried, Genghis Khan didn't care when his wife returned pregnant after being captured, and the Xianbei had traditions of marrying brothers in succession. So, for the female protagonist to do this, her brother sees it as just another undercover mission.)
(Additional note: It suddenly occurred to me today—did the character "tin" (xi) exist in ancient times? I was worried it might have been coined after the periodic table. When naming characters, I just focused on making them sound pleasant together… Thankfully, I remembered Liu Yuxi. A quick search confirmed that "锡" is also a variant character for "赐" (ci, meaning "to bestow"). How fitting! The male protagonist is the only son in his family, so "bestowed by heaven" perfectly suits his character. Wonderful, wonderful. fans self with a fan)