Chapter Eighteen: The Bruised Ankle

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They finally reached the edge of the pond. Only then did Liu Fuying struggle to get down from Pei Zhouwu’s back.

If she hadn’t, he looked like he really would’ve carried her straight into the water.

“I’ve gotten much better at swimming and diving now. Really—I don’t need you to give me mouth-to-mouth underwater anymore. I can already—”

She acted as though she brought it up unintentionally, but in truth, she meant to remind him of the incident.

As soon as she said it, the image of them underwater, lips touching, bodies close—flashed vividly before them.

In the heat of the sun, those memories seemed to grow warmer, almost scorching.

Pei Zhouwu’s ears turned visibly red in an instant, and his gaze began to wander. He turned away quickly, unable to meet her eyes.

But Liu Fuying suddenly let out a yelp, pulling his attention back.

He turned to see her fall again, having lost her balance.

He immediately crouched down and, ignoring her protests, lifted the edge of her skirt to inspect her ankle.

It was red and bruised—clearly a bad sprain.

In truth, she had pinched it herself with the hand holding the rabbits while riding on his back just moments ago, hard enough to leave a mark.

“I’m fine.” She tried to act shy, gently covering her ankle again with her skirt. “It’ll heal quickly. Don’t worry about it—let’s go back.”

Pei Zhouwu only then realized it might be improper and turned away, apologetically avoiding her gaze.

A moment later, he reached out again, helping her up—and this time, he didn’t let go, instead guiding her into the water by the wrist.

Before, he had only ever handed her the iron chain and let her hold on from a distance.

As they prepared to dive, he thoughtfully took the wild rabbits from her again, mindful of her injury.

Taking a deep breath, the two of them plunged into the water together.

Throughout the swim, Pei Zhouwu never once let go of her hand. He adjusted his pace to accommodate her slower speed and even glanced back now and then to check on her.

After passing through the underwater tunnel and arriving at the hidden bamboo hut beneath the deep pool, he surfaced first to confirm the coast was clear before helping her up.

Liu Fuying gasped for air, but her face was still smiling.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked as they climbed ashore.

She smiled sweetly, a little proud. “I wasn’t lying, was I? I’ve gotten much better at swimming. Maybe next time—or the time after that—I’ll be able to swim with someone on my back just like you.”

Seeing her smile made Pei Zhouwu’s eyes crinkle with warmth as well.

He didn’t even realize it himself.

She used to seem so pitiful to him, but now… she actually looked quite adorable.

“You don’t believe me?” she teased.

He didn’t reply, just turned and started walking. Liu Fuying quickly trailed after him, repeating her words enthusiastically.

“Even if I can’t do it next time, the time after that I’ll manage! I’ll be able to bring in even more supplies too. Someday, I’ll swim just as well as you.”

Pei Zhouwu still said nothing—but he didn’t seem annoyed. In fact, he listened patiently.

Just as they neared the bedroom, his expression suddenly changed—his brows lifting and his face becoming grim.

Seeing this, Liu Fuying immediately stopped talking.

She heard voices—it was the guards.

“Pei, the national traitor, this is our newly appointed captain, Commander Yang. Show some respect and greet him.”

“Watch your mouth! Calling him a traitor—His Majesty only ordered him held pending investigation. There hasn’t been a verdict yet. You can’t just label our Imperial Uncle a criminal!”

The two voices, one aggressive and one placating, came in tandem. The first, clearly looking for trouble, was grating to the ear.

Liu Fuying’s position was just barely shielded by the wall of the bedroom, but if those men insisted on stepping inside, she’d be discovered immediately.

She couldn’t risk moving.

She was standing on thick gravel. Even the lightest step would make noise.

Worse, she was pretending to have a sprained ankle.

Pei Zhouwu kept his gaze forward and strode out, deliberately blocking their path to stop them from entering.

“Well, well, look at that—it’s the mighty General Pei himself, the Empress’s dear brother, our honorable Imperial Uncle. I’ve heard plenty about you, and seeing you in person—truly impressive.”

One of the men caught on to the captain’s sarcasm and shouted again.

“How dare you! A prisoner like you should kneel before our superior!”

Liu Fuying held her breath, brow furrowed. She didn’t know how Pei Zhouwu would respond—but she trusted him completely.

“There aren’t many in this world I would kneel to,” he said calmly.

His parents. His emperor. And that was it.

Pei Zhouwu wasn’t being arrogant—his tone was flat, as if none of this mattered to him.

“You’ve got nerve, Pei Zhouwu. You’re already a prisoner, and you still dare—”

“I said enough!” the new captain, Yang, cut in, stopping the man.

Yang himself strolled forward leisurely, sword in hand, and approached Pei Zhouwu.

“Why is the Imperial Uncle soaking wet? Went for a swim? Can’t blame you—the heat today is unbearable. But if you’re this uncomfortable, imagine how the guards feel. I hear you’ve treated them with beatings and curses. Why so harsh? We’re all just doing our jobs.”

“What do you want?” Pei Zhouwu’s voice was colder now.

“Nothing much. Just hoping you’d apologize to the men you mistreated.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Well… then I’ll have no choice but to be rude myself. I don’t want to, but as their commander, I have to stand up for them—or how will they respect me later, wouldn’t you say?”

Liu Fuying couldn’t see anything from where she stood, only hear.

A loud metallic clang suddenly rang out, snapping her head up. It sounded like a sword striking chains—clearly, a fight had broken out. Then came a sharp cry.

“Captain Yang! Are you alright?!”

Relieved, Liu Fuying exhaled—clearly, Pei Zhouwu had not been the one injured.

“Pei Zhouwu, you think you’re still that high-and-mighty Imperial Uncle? Don’t get cocky!”

“Captain, stop talking, you’re bleeding!”

“Get off me!”

“But—!”

“Help me up!”

“……”

Then came two pairs of panicked, retreating footsteps, along with a shouted warning.

“Pei Zhouwu! This isn’t over!”

Soon after, Pei Zhouwu returned and walked over to Liu Fuying.

“You need to go. Now,” he said firmly—leaving no room for argument.

“I…”

Liu Fuying clenched her fists and glanced at the two wild rabbits lying on the ground, abandoned when Pei Zhouwu had shielded her from sight earlier.

She had looked forward to roasting them with him.

They’d still had a whole day left to spend together, to grow closer—but now, all of it was ruined.

Still, she understood his concern.

That Captain Yang had just taken office and clearly wouldn’t let things go. In the coming days, he would surely find more excuses to provoke Pei Zhouwu. If she stayed, it would only increase the risk of being discovered.

Pei Zhouwu picked up the rabbits and handed them to her.