Taming Tyrants III

Arc 7: Royal Deceit (253)

As Gu Zixing expected, they got lost on the road. He went past Hong Cha and instructed the driver to take Xiao Wen with him using the active steed. They released the steed from the carriage and he helped them prepare to leave. Once he is alone with Hong Cha, he got on the dark mount and had it stand close the broken carriage.

"It's getting darker." He reached his hand towards her but Hong Cha took a step back. Gu Zixing heaved a deep sigh. "We need to return. Get on."

"I'll wait for a rescue." Hong Cha sat on the doorway and hugged herself, completely dismissing his concern. She thought Gu Zixing ran out of patience and will give up but she didn't expect he will get down and stand before her.

"Being courteous with you is really not working, huh." Gu Zixing stepped closer which made Hong Cha lean back.

"Head Minister Gu, don't you dare touch me." She warned in hostility but Gu Zixing swiftly pulled her up and carried her on his shoulder. "You! Put me down! I will have your title stripped!"

"Have it done then, I will have few more reasons to hold back myself." Gu Zixing placed her on the back of the steed.

Hong Cha clumsily arranged her seating. She wanted to glare at him but her sight fell on the snowy mounds. Pairs of ferocious eyes stared at them. A pack of wolves conveniently showed up, growling in hunger. Gu Zixing hurriedly went behind Hong Cha and held the reins. He wrapped his arm around her waist, causing Hong Cha to pinch him.

"You will fall off if I won't hold you, just stop resisting!" Gu Zixing explained. Hong Cha scoffed, thinking he was reasonable. She never knew her first guess was right, Gu Zixing took advantage of her this time.

Hong Cha have to lean on him for support once the steed dashed against the snowfall. She peeked back and saw the wolves are catching up.

"Can't you hurry?! Those wolves are trying to bite the horse!" She frantically shouted. Gu Zixing tightened his hold around her and lashed the rein. Hong Cha unconsciously held unto his arm and closed her eyes. She can hear the wolves barking and the steed nearly stumbled. "Gu Zixing! You'll kill us!!!"

Gu Zixing was taken aback when she called his name. He looked around and saw a nearby cliff separating two lands. He can either choose to go straight Chang'an but that will tire the steed and endanger them, or have it jump the cliff.

"Huh?" Hong Cha opened her eyes when she noticed the steed went to a different direction. Her eyes widened because it is heading to a cliff. "Are you crazy!? Chang'an is over there, you really want to die now?!"

"Die with you, then yes!" Gu Zixing chuckled.

Hong Cha really wanted to tear off his smirk but her heart thumped crazily once the steed took a leap. She buried her face on his shoulder and held his arm tighter. Hong Cha felt the wind caress her cheek gently and heard a thump. The steed paused as she opened her eyes slowly. On the other side were the wolves that hesitated to jump. Hong Cha noticed how close she is to Gu Zixing. She pushed him off the horse without a warning.

"Hey!" He didn't expect that. He was enjoying her embrace when she suddenly kicked him off!

"Chang'an." She pointed at the other side demandingly.

"The wolves are still out there." Gu Zixing moved his eyes as a gesture. He took the rein and led the steed to a different path. "It's better if we find a temporary shelter. The snowfall is getting worse."

Fortunately, there is a small cave and some dried branches outside. Flame lit up the little cave and there was barely enough space for three people to fit in since the steed is with them. Hong Cha have to sit next to him without a choice. She kept looking outside to see if the snowfall had diminished. Even though the fire is warm, she felt oddly cold. Hong Cha stayed silent and endured the uncomfortable feeling. Her nose turned a little bit red and snots blocked her smelling sense.

"Why do you have to leave?" Gu Zixing broke their silence. Hong Cha didn't answer him as usual. He turned to her and noticed she was shivering.

"Don't touch..." She hoarsely said but Gu Zixing didn't heed her. Hong Cha can't resist at all, she was placed on him while Gu Zixing encased her with his arms and cloak. "Bastard."

"Mhmm. Whatever you call me, a bastard, a rogue, you can't stop me." Gu Zixing learnt this stubbornness from her. No matter how unwilling he is, she can still find a way to have him follow her wishes, like a mortal bewitched effortlessly.

He locked her hands between his palms to keep them warm and shared his secretly used his qi to help her recover. Soon, Hong Cha fell asleep comfortably and stayed on him. Gu Zixing closed his eyes too. He had never felt so peaceful after three years. She gives him content he was desperately seeking for. As if a home where one can rest assured after a long time of weary travel.

"Gu Zixing..." A sweet voice called gently. He opened his eyes to see someone on the bedside. Gu Zixing can't make out her features but he strangely felt like he knew her. Then, the girl started crying. She rested on his chest and cried as if she seemed to have lost everything. "Gu Zixing, in your next lives, I will take better care of you, better than her."

The dream was short but vivid. Gu Zixing recalled those words. He have no idea what he had dreamt of. His gaze fell on Hong Cha. She seemed to be bothered by his movements and subconsciously cuddled closer to him for his warmth. His thin pink lips hooked up to an endearing smile.

"Gu Zixing..." Hong Cha muttered and interlaced their hands.

"En, Camellia?" He responded as if believing an illusion she is sober.

"You're warm." The girl in his arms slowly opened her eyes. She looked up to him before returning to sleep. "Thank you, but this doesn't indicate I will stop being mean to you."

"En, I'll still be naughty to you then." Gu Zixing jested but he felt her pinching his arm, although it doesn't hurt that much.

"You sound so obscene." She can't tell if she was the one responsible for this. Three years ago, she has been teasing him and sometimes with meaningful words. "Don't call me Camellia."

Gu Zixing sighed. He rested his head on her nape and nodded. "Imperial Noble Consort Hua..." He thought, such title befits her.