The Red Bride - Chapter 44

Her breathing slowed down and the hiccups began after a while. Her eyes were puffy and her nose filled with mucus, which she had wiped on Hu Feng’s robe. Feeling more calm, but empty, she finally remembered that she had fainted and have no idea what happened afterwards. Another sense of panic started again, however this time she pushed it down and forced herself to become more focus. Her large brown eyes looked up at the man she was clinging to.

Seeing her gaze full of questions and concern, he said, “I will answer after the doctor’s visit.”

He moved to put her down, but she gripped onto his robe, “N-n-no, I wa-want to kn-know now…hic.”

His eyebrows furrowed, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he reached into his robe and pulled out a handkerchief. Eagle sharp eyes scanned her weary face, Hu Feng saw that his beautiful Empress had turned into a snotty nosed brat with big puffy eyes to match. He quickly placed the cloth onto her nose, and since Mu Qing had no shame, she immediately blew into it. Hu Feng, being who he was, had no reaction to the warm and stick sensation that he felt through the very thin handkerchief. He just silently put it aside, and looked strictly at the woman still in his embrace.

“Eat first, then the doctor, and then the answers,” he saw her looked at him pleadingly, then added, “No bargaining.”

Mu Qing saw that he was serious, so she had no choice but to comply with his plan. She watched a little resentful as he put her down and walked to the door. She craned her neck to see who was the servant he was talking to. Gu Chi? Ke Ying? However, she was thoroughly disappointed when she saw that it was just a random maid. The more she thought, the worst, and worst the scenario became.

Were they seriously injured?

Were they paralyzed?

Then, what about Yu Yue? Did she…..did she die?

She covered her face with her hands, and took a deep breath in.

Hu Feng walked back to the bed and pulled down the curtains. He saw a very annoying bug coming their way, and Mu Qing looked too vulnerable with her large teary eyes and her very, very thin nightgown. Just as the curtains fell down, the door busted open and entered a handsome man with his all too typical fan.

He looked at the closed off bed worryingly, “Did she turned for the worst?”

Hu Feng sent a chilly glared his way.

Mu Qing choked on her saliva, “I’m still alive, thankyou Imperial Tutor.”

Tang Feng waved his fan and laughed sheepishly. Of course he knew she was awake, why else would Hu Feng close the curtains or the door on him. That being said, she was always fun to tease. He also figured that she was devastated by the traumatic events and that Hu Feng was not all that “comforting”, so it was best to ease up the tension a bit. He glanced at the Emperor up and down with crafty eyes, and saw the tear stains on his robe. Perhaps, he gave his brother in arms too little credit.

“Your Majesty, General Mu is looking for you,” he announced while looking at the hidden bed for a reaction.

Mu Qing stared at the canopy ceiling with little interest. She could care less about the family that had hidden her away her whole life then threw her into a marriage full of dangers. Her long, oxyn hair was no longer silky and smooth. It was matted with oil and grease, and stuck out in unflattering angles. Her eyes were swollen from crying, her lips were chapped, and her skin felt like dirty, dusty rubber. That’s not to mention that she was an emotional wreck, and just fully embarrassed herself in front of the Emperor. So yes, she couldn’t give two feces matter about her eldest brother trying to seek her husband. She had more important matters to sort out.

“You can go,” her voice was barely above a whisper.

He hesitated then said, “Be good.” Then his eyes gave the grinning man in front of the doors a warning, before he walked away from her chambers.

Listening closely for his disappearing footsteps, the young wounded woman felt a sense of lost. However, this also meant that her questions will be finally answered, so that feeling was quickly replaced by one of curiosity and concern. She heard Tang Feng sitting down and pouring himself a cup of tea, completely comfortable about invading a married woman’s room.

Her voice was full of doubt and distress, like the wind quietly making its way through dead leaves, “Where are they?”

The Imperial Tutor sipped on his tea, building on the suspense, beforeing finally saying, “Gu Chi had light injuries with the worst being the gash on her arm, while Ke Ying broke her left arm. They will be find after a while. As of right now, they are ordered to rest until further notice.”

She sighed in relief before asking the question that haunted her the most, “Is…is Yu Yue alive?”

Her voice trembled, and her knuckles turned white from clenching on the blanket a bit too hard.

“We arrived before she bled out completely. The doctor said that arrow barely missed her heart, and that it was nothing short of a miracle. As of now, she has not awaken yet,” he answered her truthfully. He was once in her shoes, so he understood the need for answers.

The boulder that sat on her chest fell off, and she could finally breathe again.