After Transmigrating, I Was Kidnapped By A Scheming Beauty Into The Bridal Chamber - Chapter 14

“You’re really something. You didn’t manage to land a single hit on the tiger, but you sure managed to cut me. And I just pulled you out from the tiger’s jaws!” Shen Hetang frowned, staring at him in disbelief. She even started to suspect he had done it on purpose.

“I, I, I… I misjudged the angle. Are you alright?” Li Baokui was stunned to see he had accidentally wounded her, and he looked quite awkward.

“What do you think?” Shen Hetang hunched over, clutching her arm. A sharp, burning pain radiated from the wound. She could feel it wasn’t too deep, but there was no way she was going to pass up this chance to manipulate him.

The tiger-hunting mission, which had put everyone on edge, finally came to an end. Although the losses were heavy, it had been worth it. She felt a twinge of regret for the tiger, but since it was a man-eater, she naturally had to prioritize human safety above all else.

Seeing that Shen Hetang had been injured because of him, the usually stoic Chief Li felt a pang of guilt and even fussed over her a couple of times on the road.

The uninjured men supported those who were badly hurt, while the others carried the tiger, swaying as they made their way back to the city.

“Chief Li, how will the tiger be handled once we get back?” she asked, nursing a small selfish desire.

“The tiger meat doesn’t taste good, and it’s poisoned anyway. The fur is ruined too, so it’s not much use for anything. I suppose we’ll just burn it after we put it on display,” Chief Li said dismissively.

“Chief, why don’t you sell me the tiger skin? I’ll pay twenty taels for the brothers to have a drink on me. What do you say?” She felt a bit guilty toward him, so this request shouldn’t be an issue. He was the County Magistrate’s brother-in-law, so if he agreed, it would likely be settled.

“If you want it, it’s yours. Why talk about buying or selling?” Li Baokui was genuinely generous.

“I’m new here, and I was hoping to treat you all to a drink anyway. Even if you don’t take the silver, I still want to buy you all a round.”

“Drinks are fine, but you don’t need to pay for them. I’ll treat you,” after surviving such a life-and-death struggle, Li Baokui seemed to have accepted this young man, whose appearance and demeanor were so different from the rest of them.

“You’re very generous, Chief Li. It’s my good fortune to work with you all.” Just like that, chatting and laughing along the way, she had officially joined the ranks of the Qingyuan County constables.

*****

Shen Hetang had been gone for three or four days. Jiang Chenyu had been restless for the past two days, haunted by dreams. She had only found out later that all the constables had been summoned to hunt the tiger, which made her even more worried.

“Miss, the young master is back,” Chuntao said, having spent the last two days constantly peering out the doorway.

Seeing a slim, straight figure enter the main room, Jiang Chenyu couldn’t suppress the longing she had felt over the past few days. She threw herself forward, catching Shen Hetang off guard. She felt a soft, delicate body collide with hers, bringing with it a faint, lingering fragrance. Her neck was wrapped tightly in Jiang’s arms, and that pretty little face was pressed against her, nuzzling like a spoiled kitten.

“Why are you only back now? I was so scared sleeping alone at night.” She truly missed him, and she was even more afraid that the man-eating tiger might have hurt him.

When Chenyu hit her, Shen Hetang frowned slightly. She looked down and saw that blood was indeed seeping through the bandage on her arm again.

“Well, I’m back now, aren’t I? Why don’t you get off me first?” She couldn’t reciprocate Jiang Chenyu’s intensity.

“I won’t!” She was unhappy. They were married, yet every time she got close, Shen would subtly dodge her. Was she some kind of man-eating demon?

Although the young girl’s pouting was adorable, but………

She gently pushed against Jiang Chenyu’s waist, separating them.

“I’m dirty and need to wash up first.” It had been tough out there these past few days. There were no latrines, so she had avoided relieving herself as much as possible, and she hadn’t slept very soundly either.

Jiang Chenyu reluctantly let go, but her gaze immediately fell upon the wound on her forearm.

“What happened? You’re hurt? Why didn’t you say anything?” Seeing the deep red blood seeping through the light grey sleeve, her heart felt suddenly pierced, and her tone became rather agitated.

“It’s just a small wound; it only looks scary. I’ve already had it bandaged.” Her voice carried its characteristic clarity and gentleness, like a stream flowing slowly over blue stones.

“Was it a tiger? Did you apply any medicine?” She had said that tigers were such dangerous beasts, and now she really was hurt. For a moment, she just stared at Shen Hetang’s wound, not knowing what to do.

“It wasn’t a tiger. I was just accidentally hurt by a colleague. It’s really not that serious.” Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, Shen Hetang had to offer comfort.

“What kind of blind colleague is that? Are they bullying you? “I’m going to go resolve the issue with them.” Saying these words, she lifted her foot and prepared to walk out.

Shen Hetang quickly caught up in two steps, grabbing her slender waist with one hand and swinging her back. Her whole body, dress and all, traced a semi-circle in the air before she landed right back in her arms.

“Where are you going?” She pressed down on Jiang Chenyu’s head with a helpless sigh.

“To find some medicine and re-bandage it for you, obviously.” She had just been spun half a circle and was still a little dazed.

“Oh, that’s good.” I thought she was actually going to go find someone to settle the score.

“Of course, I have to bandage you up first. There will always be time to settle accounts with the others later,” Jiang Chenyu said, her face serious and taut.

“Hmm, you’re right,” she agreed.

“Take off your clothes, okay?” After a short while, she took the herbal medicine and clean cotton cloth from Chuntao.

When Shen Hetang heard that she had to take off her clothes, she tensed up instantly, her right hand awkwardly touching her left fingers.

“It’s just my forearm. I can just roll up my sleeve,” her cold, jade-like face flushed slightly.

Jiang Chenyu thought she was just feeling shy, so she decided not to tease her at this moment.

The weather grew warmer with each passing day, and the courtyard turned greener by the day. Behind the house, in the corner, climbing roses covered everything inside and out, looking like a vast sea of pink flowers. Every day, when she had nothing to do, Jiang Chenyu would pluck a few flower branches and place them in a small cyan cup, letting the room soak up a bit of spring.

Wu Daoyuan, who had been quiet for a long time, suddenly sent a matron to report that he had urgent business to discuss with Jiang Chenyu. He asked her to come over today, but since Shen Hetang was not at home during the day, she would not step into the West Courtyard alone. She only replied that she would go over later in the evening.

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