Was Yuanxiao here? I looked behind him for Que’er, but she likely went to find An Jin while Yuanxiao insisted on finding me.
With Yuanxiao’s arrival, I was touched, but his meeting with the Seventh Princess might spell trouble. Yuanxiao, vengeful and resentful of Xia Zhiqian’s previous attempts to undermine him, barked fiercely at her.
Xia Zhiqian said disgustedly, “Pull it away.”
I hurriedly whispered kind words, calming him down. However, Xia Zhiqian sneered, “A cowardly dog matches a cowardly master.”
This provoked Yuanxiao again, and he lunged, ripping a large section of her red robe and exposing her calf. Xia Zhiqian screamed, while her attendants hesitated to approach due to Yuanxiao’s ferocity. Recognizing his anger, I called him back, and he finally let go, running to me. But unexpectedly, Xia Zhiqian raised her whip and struck Yuanxiao from behind.
Yuanxiao was caught off guard, hit squarely, tumbling several times before collapsing beside my foot, gasping, with a bloody wound on its back, skin torn and flesh exposed.
This whip hurt more than if it had struck me directly, leaving me feeling completely hollowed out.
Yuanxiao struggled to rise, wobbling to my foot and lying down, rubbing against my leg and whimpering. I squatted down, patted his head, and whispered, “Yuanxiao, you’re a true hero.”
Xia Zhiqian ran up with her whip. “Bite! Bite again! Rabid dog, you’ll never learn without punishment!”
I looked up at her, my gaze fierce enough to make her step back. “W-what are you doing?”
“Nothing,” I smiled and took a step toward her. “Just want to avenge Yuanxiao.”
I never imagined I would one day pounce like a hungry tiger. But at that moment, I had only one belief: You hit my Yuanxiao?! I’ll make you pay!
I shook my head, dragging myself out of the water and squatting next to Yuanxiao, lifting this several-dozen-pound fellow with both hands. Yuanxiao rubbed its big head against my neck, and I could feel its chaotic breathing and cool, wet nose.
The previously numbed senses started working again, and my body ached all over, especially my burning face, with warm liquid flowing down—unsure if it was water or blood. It sensed my pain and licked my face, seemingly trying to comfort me.
Xia Zhiyuan followed behind. “You’re injured,” he said, hinting at regret.
