Chapter 8: A Sudden Turn of Events — I Am Indeed a WomanA sudden turn of events — another tiger burst out from the forest, completely throwing the scene into chaos.This tiger was even larger than the last, clearly in its prime. It lunged at the cart first, and before the servants could flee, three had already lost their lives in an instant, their deaths gruesome.Sharp screams erupted from the stands, accompanied by a few retches. Before Su Zheyun could react, she and Lu Xun were already hurrying down from the viewing platform in quick strides.Perhaps because the scent of the dead tiger clung to them, the beast, after attacking the cart, charged straight toward Jiang Weixu and the others.The guards in the enclosure rushed forward to assist, and Lu Xun casually grabbed a fine horse, galloping toward Jiang Weixu.The tiger moved with lightning agility, dodging several volleys of arrows. A thunderous roar pierced their eardrums, its massive frame utterly intimidating.The guards dared not advance recklessly. Hulan and her men could only keep their distance on horseback, coordinating in rotating attacks.The tiger sent men and horses tumbling, its fangs tearing open a horse's belly in a few swift bites, entrails spilling out, a foul stench saturating the air.More and more guards encircled it. Several arrows whistled through the air and sank into its body. It roared in pain, its mountain-like frame throwing off the guards as it leaped into the air toward Hulan.Hulan hastily spurred her horse to flee, but the tiger refused to relent, its gaze locked firmly on her. In the chaos, Su Zheyun threw open the stable gate and cracked her whip through the air. Dozens of horses, startled, bolted in every direction — some charging straight toward Hulan as well.The stampede disrupted the tiger's plan. Arrows rained down like a storm, and it lost its bearings for a moment. In the gap created by the guards' diversion, it abruptly changed targets and made straight for Su Zheyun.The tawny shadow grew larger and larger in her vision, the very air around her seeming to be sucked away. Su Zheyun's legs went weak with terror. In her panic, she turned and ran toward the stable.The stable was nothing more than a shed built from a few beams, its fence just thin wooden planks — utterly useless against a tiger.The beast was mere meters away. Su Zheyun grabbed everything within reach and hurled it, her heartbeat thundering in her ears, her body trembling uncontrollably, forgetting even to breathe.The tiger pounced. Su Zheyun dodged to the side but slipped and fell. She scrambled to brace herself on the ground, the pain in her arm sending a wave of dizziness through her head.The tiger's roar was suddenly right on top of her. Hot, heavy breath sprayed against her face as a massive shadow swallowed her whole.The sound of hooves approached from afar. Blood-stained fangs were already inches from her eyes. In despair, she shut her eyes, her mind going completely blank.Whizz — arrows cut through the air. A heavy body crashed down onto her legs in the darkness, but the agonizing pain she expected never came.A faint jingle of silver ornaments. Su Zheyun's eyes flew open. Half the tiger's body lay pinned heavily across her, its glossy fur soaked in blood, its sharp claws caked with dust. An arrow pierced clean through its eye, the shaft still quivering.A horse reared, its front hooves kicking high as the reins were yanked taut, then stamping down hard on the splintered wooden planks. Su Zheyun's pupils contracted. Sunlight glinted off a bowstring in a blinding flash. The rider sat tall and straight, features hard as iron, lips pressed thin, cold light gleaming in their eyes —It was Hulan.—Inside the tent, Su Zheyun clutched her arm with her right hand, slowly lying down with Hulan's support. She accidentally jostled the wound and gritted her teeth in pain, while Jiang Weixu frowned from the side.A dark patch had soaked through her already dark clothing. She was covered in dust from head to toe — this was easily her most disheveled day yet.Zhao Jing burst in with the imperial physician. Su Zheyun hastily stopped him the moment he set down his medical box."No need to trouble the physician," Su Zheyun said, forcing a natural smile. "I'm fine. Just give me some medicine to stop the bleeding.""Nonsense. An arm injury is no small matter," Jiang Weixu immediately retorted, his tone displeased. "If the bone is broken, do you want to keep that arm or not?""Then I don't want it." Su Zheyun shot back, self-destructively, as if speaking in anger.Jiang Weixu's expression darkened further. Hulan gently touched her injured left arm, worry clear in her eyes. "Zheyun, you should let them look at it. You're bleeding."Jiang Weixu signaled, and the physician immediately stepped toward Su Zheyun. But she was extremely resistant — the moment she moved, a piercing pain shot through her arm.Since force wouldn't work, Su Zheyun quickly thought of another approach."Your Highness, it's not that I refuse to be examined. Ever since a high fever in my childhood, I've suffered from an illness that prevents me from having contact with men." Su Zheyun's voice was low, as if the words were difficult to speak. "If touched, at best I vomit and grow dizzy; at worst, I develop a high fever and convulsions, nearly losing my life."She looked up at Jiang Weixu's skeptical face, her voice catching slightly. "My parents hired countless wandering physicians, but none could cure it. The people around me dared not come near because of this strange illness. I didn't dare mention a word, afraid you'd all think I was a monster."Jiang Weixu said nothing, but his eyes still probed. Su Zheyun continued earnestly, "So, the moment I entered the estate, I asked Steward Zhou for a maidservant, precisely so no one would discover it."Jiang Weixu's furrowed brow relaxed slightly, but he still didn't dismiss the physician. Hulan watched for a long moment, then said softly, "Then let Anari take a look. She knows medicine — she's excellent at treating bleeding and fractures."Su Zheyun looked at Jiang Weixu, who slowly nodded and stepped back out.Zhao Jing and the imperial physician didn't linger either, leaving the space to the others.Anari closed the door and drew the curtains. Behind the landscape folding screen, Khulan leaned close to her, and in those light-colored pupils, Su Zheyun could almost see her own reflection.The northern dialect drifted into her ears as Khulan asked softly, "Zheyun, are you a woman?"Su Zheyun raised her eyes with a faint smile, her clear gaze utterly candid."Yes."Clouds drifted along the horizon. The bloodstains on the horse grounds had been cleaned away, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and vegetation.Khulan's saddle had been placed on display. Grand Court Judge Fu Qinglan and Jiang Weixu were playing a game of Go at the table, while the attendants beside them had finished interrogating everyone from the Imperial Stables. Dense lines of handwriting covered the paper, the red fingerprints upon it especially conspicuous.Physician Qin, along with the recorder, had carefully examined the items and discovered that Khulan's saddle cushion had been pre-soaked in Qingcong Powder—a drug that stimulates animals into heat, and wild beasts that catch its scent are easily driven into a frenzy.Clearly, it was a trap set by the Crown Prince. Everyone in the room understood this without needing to say it aloud. Zhao Jing waved his hand, and they withdrew.Slender fingers pinched a white stone, and after deep deliberation, placed it steadily at the upper-right star point. The white stones, already showing signs of decline, connected with the others, forming an encirclement."Your subject concedes."Fu Qinglan tossed the black stone back into the bowl, looking at the aloof and indifferent Jiang Weixu before him, a smile slowly curling at his lips."You lost long ago." Jiang Weixu's voice was low and measured, betraying no emotion whatsoever."Yes, but since Your Highness enjoys the feeling of slowly strangling the opponent, I shall play along."Fu Qinglan set down his teacup, his crimson round-collared robe accentuating his handsome features."But your subject still believes that when hunting a tiger, one should strike early. If you let the tiger return to the mountain, I fear that when the time comes, it will be Your Highness who dies."Jiang Weixu naturally knew what Fu Qinglan was referring to. But in terms of ritual propriety—both as the legitimate son and as the eldest—he held no advantage."A few days ago in Fang County, someone said to me: if you want something, you don't necessarily have to fight others for it—you should first ask the owner of that thing. Only if you cannot obtain it from the owner should you then take it by force. What do you think, Fu Qing?""That Su Zheyun?" Fu Qinglan naturally knew a thing or two, smoothing the creases on his robes. "Then can Your Highness grasp the owner's heart?""Seventy percent." Jiang Weixu had pondered for several days, trying to make the answer as objective as possible."Then go ahead and try, Your Highness—there's nothing to lose either way. The fifteenth of next month happens to be Mid-Autumn Festival, and Consort Gui will be there as well, which will help you smooth things over." Fu Qinglan had a complete plan formulated within moments. Since matters were already settled, it was time for him to return to the Grand Court.Fu Qinglan rose to his feet, patting off dust that wasn't there. Just as he stepped out the door, something occurred to him, and he paused mid-step."Where is that Su Zheyun? I haven't met him yet—I want to go see him.""No." Jiang Weixu refused without a second thought. "He's injured and currently having his wounds dressed. It's not convenient for visitors.""Fine then," Fu Qinglan said as he walked away, his voice gradually fading, "I'll go to your residence to see him.""Hiss!" While Jiang Weixu remained silent on that end, Su Zheyun, whose bones were being set on this end, sucked in several sharp breaths of pain.Fortunately, it was only a dislocation. Anari's hands were skilled—with a push and a twist, the joint was back in place. Su Zheyun tentatively moved her arm, and indeed, most of the pain had subsided.The wounds on her body were scrapes from gravel when she fell. They weren't serious—just superficial—but they stung fiercely. Anari applied medicine and helped her change into the clean clothes Jiang Weixu had sent over. Su Zheyun felt refreshed and much more comfortable all over.Khulan brought over a cup of warm water and carefully held it to her lips. She drank several gulps, and her cracked lips finally received some moisture."Zheyun, would you like more?"Khulan smiled, her eyes curving into crescents, her light brown pupils the kind that could easily draw one in.Su Zheyun smiled back, then shook her head."Khulan, thank you for saving me.""No need to thank me, because you saved me too."Khulan's expression was sincere. Anari brought over the twin-fish jade pendant and reattached it to Su Zheyun's waist.Watching her movements, Khulan remembered something and spoke up: "Before I came to the capital, my father told me that when people in your lands pledge their love, they give jade pendants. So he gave it to me and said I could give it to whoever I took a liking to." With that, she raised a smile and winked at Su Zheyun. "Zheyun, what should we do now?"Su Zheyun gave a wry smile, her right hand touching the jade pendant, her expression serious. "Then should I give it back to you?" She moved to undo the pendant with one hand, but a pair of hands with thin calluses covered hers."No need to take it off. The affection between friends is still affection. I like you, so giving it to you is just right."Warmth welled up in Su Zheyun's heart. Khulan leaned closer, her tone solemn. "I won't tell anyone about you. This is our secret."Su Zheyun clasped Khulan's hand. She didn't know why she chose to trust Khulan—perhaps it was the familiar dialect, or perhaps it was the shared sense of being strangers in a foreign land, that made the two of them lick each other's wounds in the dangerous darkness."So you ran into a tiger in the woods? That one on the horse grounds charging straight at you really scared me half to death." Su Zheyun brought up the earlier incident, still feeling shaken."I don't know," Hulan replied, looking equally bewildered. "At the time, the Crown Prince told me he'd spotted a white fox, so I left the others behind and went east with him. When we reached a large boulder, the Crown Prince suddenly changed direction, and I lost track of him. I was circling around nearby when I ran into a fierce tiger not long after. Then Prince Duan came out to help me, and shortly after, the Crown Prince reappeared and shot the tiger dead."Su Zheyun nodded, silently beginning her assessment. "The story's a bit clichéd. I get the feeling the Crown Prince planned it all—putting you in danger so he could play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress."Hulan shot her a look of agreement. "I suspect him too, but I have no proof. Thank goodness you're alright—otherwise, I really would have hated him to death."Hearing the indignation in Hulan's voice, Su Zheyun was secretly overjoyed. She hadn't even done anything, and the task of sabotaging the Crown Prince's marriage alliance had already been accomplished smoothly."So, have you chosen who you want for the marriage alliance?""What about choosing you?" Hulan laughed along with Anali. "Besides, you have no official rank, so I could even take you back to the Shuofeng tribe."Su Zheyun's eyes widened. "No way, I can't go with you—I still have a younger sister back home.""Alright then, who should I pick? How about Prince Duan?" Hulan's eyes sparkled. "Then I could see you every day."Su Zheyun's lips parted slightly as she suddenly fell into thought. Jiang Weixu had power and influence, was handsome, had military merit, and had no concubines or chambermaids in his household—by all accounts, he seemed like a good match.Just as she was thinking this, she looked at the radiant, lively Hulan, then thought of Jiang Weixu's cold, aloof expression, and immediately dismissed the idea in her mind.Never mind—she'd better ask the party in question for his opinion first.

Plotting with My Wife