Chapter One: Three Thousand Affections (Part Five)

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V. Peril in the Forest
Escaping from the crowd, Xiangbao found a small stream beside the dense woods, its waters so clear one could see the bottom. She slipped off her shoes, rolled up her skirt, and stepped into the stream, instantly feeling a rush of refreshment throughout her body. The water was filled with beautifully rounded white stones. Bending down to look, she discovered a thumb-sized, dazzlingly colorful pebble—so beautiful it took her breath away.
Leaning lazily against the tree trunk, Xiangbao delightedly admired the pretty stone, basking in the afternoon sunlight. Only when the sun began to sink westward did she open her eyes, tuck the colorful stone into her bosom, stretch languidly—though not very gracefully—and, moving her stiff limbs, rose with the help of the tree. Suddenly, she felt a chill at her back. Turning in alarm, she saw Wu Feng with a murderous expression, his sword gleaming coldly and pointed directly at her chest.
Hadn’t he gone hunting in the forest with King Fuchai? Xiangbao was momentarily stunned, then understood: he had returned specifically to kill her and silence her. The area was deserted—an ideal place to strike. She’d been too careless; she shouldn’t have been alone.
“So you’re Xi Shi,” Wu Feng said coldly, staring at her.
She looked at him, outwardly calm, though her mind was in turmoil, racing through countless escape plans—none useful in this moment.
“You’re not mute.” The sword moved closer still, Wu Feng’s voice icy.
Xiangbao could feel the cold edge against her neck. The sword didn’t look particularly sharp; if it cut through her neck, the wound would surely be ugly.
“I can continue to play mute for you,” she said, meeting his eyes, willing herself to stop panicking. After a pause, she continued, “If I wanted to tell the King, I’d have spoken long ago—why wait until today?”
Wu Feng hesitated. In that instant, Xiangbao glimpsed hope for survival. He wasn’t as difficult as his father, it seemed…
“Kill her.” A voice suddenly sounded.
It was Lady Yun, who stepped out slowly from behind a large tree. Xiangbao’s vision darkened; it felt as if fate itself was against her.
“Kill her,” Lady Yun repeated, her voice gentle yet unwavering.
“Yun’er…” Wu Feng hesitated.
“Kill her.” Lady Yun gazed at Wu Feng, her tone brooking no refusal.
“She hasn’t told the King about us,” Wu Feng frowned, hesitated, then added, “Or… are you worried she’ll steal the King’s favor?”
Lady Yun was momentarily startled, glaring at Wu Feng. All the emotion on her face dissolved into a cold smile at her lips; she turned and left with a sweep of her sleeve.
Wu Feng grew flustered. “Yun’er, Yun’er don’t go! I’ll kill her now!”
Hearing this, Xiangbao was torn between laughter and tears—how absurd! She had become a tool for this man to curry favor with a woman, and even her reason for dying was so ridiculous…
Feeling Wu Feng’s sword thrust toward her, Xiangbao instinctively closed her eyes. Was her life, so inexplicable, really ending just as inexplicably?
Suddenly, her arm was seized; someone pulled her aside. Xiangbao opened her eyes in shock to see Fan Li’s face. Perhaps his pull was too forceful, for she was flung into his embrace, bumping painfully against his chest, her nose stinging.
“It’s you!” Wu Feng exclaimed in surprise.
“General Wu, do you know the penalty for attempting to assassinate the King’s consort?” Fan Li said calmly, his voice gentle. Xiangbao, tightly shielded in his arms, heard the frantic, irregular beating of his heart…
Wu Feng’s expression darkened.
“Doctor Fan, holding the King’s beloved consort like this is hardly proper,” Lady Yun interjected.
“Fan Li’s urgency to save a life—His Majesty will understand.”
“You!” Lady Yun was furious. “Do you think the King will believe a surrendered minister like you?”
“But I have a fifty percent chance,” Fan Li smiled.
“What do you want?” Wu Feng stepped forward, pulling Lady Yun behind him.
“It’s almost dark. If we don’t return soon and the King sends someone to look for us, Fan Li will have no choice but to tell the truth,” Fan Li said quietly.
Lady Yun wanted to protest but was pulled away by Wu Feng.
Thick branches blocked the lingering rays of the setting sun. Xiangbao lay dazed in Fan Li’s arms, hearing his anxious heartbeat gradually settle.
“Are you all right?” Watching Wu Feng and Lady Yun depart, Fan Li looked down at Xiangbao.
Xiangbao snapped out of it, hurriedly pushed him away. “Thank you, Doctor Fan, for saving my life.”
Fan Li froze. Xiangbao dared not look at him again, running toward the camp, leaving Fan Li alone, standing in the dappled shadows cast by the sunset filtering through the leaves.
Xiangbao ran faster, as if pursued by a ferocious beast. That arrogant Fuchai must have returned—perhaps with a deer to show off. Xiangbao rolled her eyes; she could almost picture his swagger.
She needed to think of something, anything, to chase that white silhouette from her mind…
“Xi Shi, where have you been?” Upon returning to camp, Hua Mei hurried over, a bit agitated.
Xiangbao was momentarily puzzled, sensing an unusual tension around the tents.
“Xi Shi, where have you been all afternoon? Do you know everyone was worried!” Hua Mei was angry.
“Sorry.” Xiangbao gently patted her shoulder, touched. Everyone was worried? Actually, only Hua Mei herself truly was; most here wished she’d never return.
Seeing Xiangbao apologize, Hua Mei grew embarrassed. “Well… it’s not really your fault. You’re not well, and you don’t remember things—just be careful.”
“Everyone, hurry and get ready!” Wu Feng’s voice rang out nearby, sounding flustered. Something had happened?
Turning, Xiangbao saw Shi Lian watching her. When she looked back, he seemed startled, awkwardly turning away, muttering something under his breath. Though she couldn’t hear, Xiangbao was almost certain he was cursing her… idiot.

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“It’s almost dark; everyone entering the forest must stay alert—the King’s safety comes first!” Wu Feng’s voice sounded again.
The King’s safety? Xiangbao looked around and realized most who’d entered the woods with Fuchai had returned—except the arrogant one himself.
“What happened?” she whispered, tugging Hua Mei’s hand.
“The King of Wu seems to be missing,” Hua Mei glanced at Xiangbao, whispering with a hint of glee.
Xiangbao suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Fuchai. So many wished him dead, but how many truly hoped for his safe return? Was it a failure to be so hated?
The search party for Fuchai was ready. Goujian hurried to Wu Feng. “General Wu, may I join the search?”
Wu Feng frowned.
“Another helper would be good,” Goujian pressed, humble. “The King treats me with great kindness; I’m truly worried…”
Wu Feng impatiently raised a hand to silence him. “Follow if you must.”
“Thank you, General.” Goujian quickly called Shi Lian to join him.
“Why would His Majesty…” Hua Mei muttered.
Xiangbao stayed silent. If asked whether Goujian genuinely wished Fuchai safe, the answer was yes. Hua Mei’s perspective was too narrow; she only hoped for Fuchai’s death, but didn’t consider that with Fuchai gone, the young Prince would ascend, and Wu Zixu would surely urge Goujian’s execution to eliminate future threats. Clearly, Goujian had thought through all this, hence his concern for Fuchai.
“With so many people, how did he disappear?” Xiangbao quickly asked, trying to distract Hua Mei from reckless words.
“I heard he was chasing some animal, went deep into the woods… Then vanished, hasn’t come back.”
Chasing what animal?
“Lady Xi Shi,” Wu Feng suddenly called.
Xiangbao was still frowning, appearing thoughtful.
“Lady Xi Shi!” Wu Feng raised his voice.
“Xi Shi,” Hua Mei nudged her.
“Huh?” Xiangbao returned to herself, confused. “What is it?”
“Would Lady Xi Shi join the search?” Wu Feng asked.
“Huh?” Xiangbao’s eyes widened. Why her?
“The King risked himself to chase a deer,” Wu Feng’s gaze was icy.
A deer?
Xiangbao was stunned. He risked himself for a deer?
“For lunch was rough, so this afternoon I must hunt a deer for my lady…” Xiangbao remembered Fuchai’s words before he left, could almost feel his cheek brushing close to her ear…
“Lady Xi Shi, will you come?” Wu Feng pressed.
Xiangbao stared at him, realizing he hadn’t given up—he wanted to use this chance to kill her. But… surely nothing had happened to Fuchai?
Before she could refuse, someone brought a horse, half-pushed and half-lifted her onto it.
“I’ll come too.” A gentle voice eased her tension.
It was Fan Li.
Wu Feng’s expression soured.
The group entered the forest. Shi Lian led the way, scanning the area to determine direction. The ground was covered with chaotic prints—impossible to distinguish.
Xiangbao bent down, carefully examining the tracks. Among the confusion, there were animal prints—something like a deer, not a horse. Following these prints, she searched onward; gradually, they became clearer, with faint hoof prints overlaying the animal tracks. Xiangbao rode ahead, losing track of the group, but suddenly the prints ended, leaving only a pool of blood…
She stared at the blood, frowning. She didn’t believe that cunning man would risk himself for her, nor could she imagine that arrogant face lifeless…
Such a boastful person, he wouldn’t easily throw away his life here.
“Xiangbao, watch out!” Lost in thought, she heard a shout—Fan Li’s voice, startling birds from the trees.
Xiangbao turned her head, hearing a whistling arrow graze her cheek and strike a nearby tree, its feathers still trembling. Another arrow flew; Xiangbao, startled, urged her horse to dodge, clamping her legs to flee deeper into the woods.
Another arrow struck, and she heard the blade pierce flesh; her mount gave a mournful cry, throwing Xiangbao off. She tumbled into the grass, her palm stinging sharply. Looking back, she saw the horse fallen, arrow in its leg. Ignoring her injury, Xiangbao struggled to stand, limping deeper into the forest.
As she fled blindly, the trees grew denser and the path narrower. She ran and ran, branches scraping her face, leaving fine bloody lines.
After surviving the ambush, Xiangbao realized—tragically—that she was lost.
Unable to run further, she collapsed onto the ground. Suddenly, a rustling came from the grass ahead. Eyes wide, heart pounding, she watched, fearing a beast would leap out and devour her.
Deep breath… deep breath…
“I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid…” she murmured, slowly retreating.

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The grass shifted slightly, revealing a pair of shiny black eyes. Xiangbao steadied herself—only to see a deer. Staring at it, her nose tingled; she almost wanted to cry.
The deer was startled by Xiangbao and quickly fled. As it ran, Xiangbao saw, through where it had stood, an arrow aimed in her direction, its tip glinting coldly.
The archer was Fuchai, standing beneath a tree, left eye narrowed, bow drawn. When he saw Xiangbao, he lowered the arrow in surprise. Xiangbao stared blankly at him—she must have startled his prey.
For some reason, seeing Fuchai at this moment, Xiangbao felt immense relief, her nose tingling, eyes moistening. But when she saw the massive beast standing just fifteen meters behind Fuchai, she froze, her tears scared away, and she began to tremble.
It was… a bear!
Fuchai was watching Xiangbao, unaware of the danger behind him. The beast advanced step by step; its heavy footsteps finally alerted him. But it was so close, it could strike his head with a single paw—a blow that could kill or cripple.
Lowering his bow, Fuchai’s body was tense with murderous intent, danger at its peak.
Xiangbao’s eyes widened; before she could think, she rushed forward, throwing herself into his arms.
Bears are intelligent, but poor hunters; they rarely seek prey, relying on chance. Though their hearing and smell are sharp, their eyesight is poor, earning them the nickname “blind bear.” Typically, they don’t attack proactively. So, Xiangbao chose the folk method—play dead.
She hurled herself into Fuchai’s arms, knocking him over and rolling them into the grass.
“You…” he started, as if to ask something.
Oh no! Bears may have poor eyesight, but their hearing is keen. If it heard…
Without hesitation, Xiangbao pressed her mouth to his. Sacrificing her lips to silence him…
The heavy footsteps sounded like a requiem from hell. Xiangbao lay atop Fuchai, back to the danger, full of regret. She couldn’t see how close the beast was, and she’d acted on impulse…
Was the method mere rumor? She’d never tested it—now she was experiencing it firsthand… The thought made her heart ache.
Fuchai’s eyes flashed coldly; he stiffened, holding Xiangbao tightly, reaching for his sword. Xiangbao was alarmed—if he provoked the beast, it would ruin everything. Fine… she’d already risked it, might as well gamble it all!
She held his hand down, meeting his gaze, her lips pressed to his, eyes fixed on his.
Trust me, trust me… Xiangbao whispered in her heart.
Fuchai paused, seeming to read the resolve in her eyes, and relaxed, letting Xiangbao hold his hand, not moving. Xiangbao was incredulous—even she didn’t trust herself, and yet he did…
The footsteps drew closer, fear making Xiangbao tremble. She squeezed her eyes shut, body rigid, letting terror seep in. She didn’t know how long it lasted—felt like centuries… At last, the footsteps faded.
Xiangbao breathed out, finally noticing the soft coolness of his lips. She held her breath again, trembling as she opened her eyes, seeing a flash of intense, unfamiliar emotion in Fuchai’s gaze—so quick she wondered if fear had made her hallucinate.
She blinked, seeing those narrow eyes filled with intrigue, feeling deep regret. As she stewed, suddenly she felt a moist sensation on her lips, and stared in disbelief—he… he dared to use his tongue! She’d saved him, and he was taking advantage!
Flustered, Xiangbao tried to push him away and stand, but fear and prolonged stillness had left her body numb. She slipped, falling back into his arms.
He lay half on the ground, propped on his left arm, looking down at Xiangbao with a relaxed smile, as if they were in the palace bed rather than the wild wilderness.
Her hair ornaments were disheveled, lending her a peculiar allure.
Xiangbao, nestled in his arms, was furious—desperate to rise, but her body refused, not only numb but aching, and she began to tremble uncontrollably.
“Only now afraid?” He raised his right hand, gently brushing her cheek, tucking loose hair behind her ear. “Weren’t you brave just now? Hmm?”
“Hiss…” Xiangbao sucked in a breath. “It hurts.”
Noticing the fine scratches on her face, his narrowed eyes darkened. Holding Xiangbao half-sitting, he took her hand—her palm was bloody, her dress torn, exposing wounded flesh, blood seeping from her knee.
“How did this happen?” he asked.
Xiangbao hadn’t felt it before, but now, seeing his sinister look, she hesitated to implicate Wu Feng. If she did, Fuchai would investigate, and Wu Feng’s relationship with Lady Yun would be exposed. If Fuchai, enraged, executed Wu Feng and Lady Yun, then Wu Zixu, Wu Feng’s father, would surely bear a grudge against Fuchai… She’d stirred up so much trouble since entering the palace—wouldn’t that confirm her as a “calamity of beauty”? Heaven pity her…
Xiangbao decided to swallow the insult. But… she was still unwilling! As she pondered, she suddenly felt her sash loosen, and looked down in shock—what was he doing? Undressing her? Angrily, she pressed his hand and glared at him—she’d saved his life, and he treated her like this…
“What is it?” Fuchai looked up at her, and seeing her flushed face, leaned in, laughing softly, “What’s the matter, my lady? You rushed over so passionately, even dared to kiss me—now I’m repaying your lifesaving kindness, planning to offer myself as thanks…” He whispered at her ear, warm breath brushing her earlobe, tickling her.
Offer himself?! Xiangbao was stunned, feeling his hands grow restless. Her lips twitched—she was the one at a loss; was this gratitude or revenge?
“Ah, no, I don’t want…” Xiangbao struggled, crying out, “Don’t touch me!”
Fuchai stopped, glanced at her, then stood up, silently turning to leave.
Xiangbao stared at his departing figure, suddenly afraid—would he leave her alone in this wilderness?
Watching him walk away, Xiangbao tried to stand and follow, but her knee screamed in pain, and she collapsed, watching him recede.
“Don’t… don’t go…” She gasped, struggling to stand, finally steadying herself. But when she looked up, Fuchai was gone.
She stared blankly for a long while, then sank weakly to the ground.