Three Joys

Chapter 43

That lonely figure, appearing as if on the verge of collapse, stood straight, as if on the edge of a steep cliff. Those deep, profound eyes gazed quietly, landing on the hands held by Xu Changfeng and me.

"He Lang..." the gaze seemed calm, but it was like thrusting a sharp, bloodied knife into his heart. I'd never felt my palms so ablaze, and just as I was about to pull away, I noticed that the grip on my hand was subtly tightening.

Xu Changfeng remained as steady as a rock. Without waiting for my response, he addressed Xu Qihao ahead, "Third Brother, if you're not feeling well, it might be better to avoid standing in the hall to prevent catching a chill." His tone was composed, a usual exchange between brothers. But perhaps no one here understood better than I did that speaking of his illness, even out of concern, was like a painful thorn to Xu Qihao.

I saw his chest rise and fall, and the hands hidden behind his back clenched tightly, fingernails nearly digging into the flesh. His face was icy, and his pale lips moved lightly as he spoke, one word at a time: "Today, elder brother, I'll thank you for looking after our clumsy little wife." Then he turned to me, his voice chilling, as if carrying a mouthful of blood, and said, "Come here."

I was afraid he was truly getting angry, feeling more awkward. I could only forcefully pull my hand from his broad palm when I took a few steps. But as I stepped forward, someone behind me suddenly yanked my arm.

Xu Changfeng gripped my arm, his face still calm, but his tone grew colder, "Third Brother, we need to follow the rules." He glanced at me, and I gave a slight shake of my head. Xu Changfeng's eyes darkened for a moment, but he eventually held back, saying in a low voice, "I... I took him out without permission. Don't make it hard for him."

In the end, he released my arm. I hurriedly walked over, intending to support Xu Qihao, but he suddenly slapped my hand away, shouting, "Don't touch me!" His yelling left me stunned, and I called out softly, "He Lang...?"

Xu Qihao glared ahead, his eyes bloodshot, and he said sharply, "Xu Changfeng, who do you think you are? You... You're just an 'Chang ren!' Do you think that with all your underhanded methods, all your scheming, you can surpass the like of us? You intentionally charted a different path, in the eyes of others, you're Commander Xu, but so what? You have military achievements, and everyone respects you, but... so what?" He grinned menacingly, "In my eyes, you're nothing but a coward - a coward who couldn't even protect his own wife!"

Xu Changfeng's face suddenly changed, and he spoke coldly, "Third Brother, considering your frail health, I, as the Elder brother, have often been lenient with you. However, don't think that I'm giving you a little leeway means you can take undue advantage"

"Please stop!" I held onto Xu Qihao and shouted, "Just stop it!"

Xu Qihao, though, broke free from my grasp, his face turning ashen, unyielding as he said, "Yes...! I'm a short-lived man anyway, of course, you should let me! Elder brother, since that's the case, why don't you give him to me too, instead of arguing with me, the one with a short life? You abandoned one, so what does it matter to give one to your brother!"

"YOU-" Xu Changfeng's eyes flashed angrily, and he began to march toward Xu Qihao, seemingly intent on grabbing him. Steward Zhang rushed forward, hastily shouting, "What are you two doing! Stop them!"

I was pushed aside by the servants, stumbling back a few steps and sitting on the ground, my elbow knocking painfully, causing me to cry out in pain.

"Sanxi!" Xu Changfeng, upon seeing me, immediately left the others behind and came over to help me up from the ground. He took my hand and tried to roll up my sleeve to examine it, but I shook my head in a hurry, saying, "I'm fine... I'm fine."