Volume One, Chapter 20: Jiang Yuan Injured, Lu Xiuyi Panics

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“What’s wrong? Are you crazy?” Fortunately, as soon as his hand touched her, Jiang Yuan sensed it and dodged, looking up angrily to scold him.

Seeing this, Lu Xiuyi’s usually icy expression softened slightly, and he withdrew the foot he had just stepped forward with.

“Accidentally touched you, don’t take it to heart.”

Chen Jianye withdrew his hand with a sullen expression; this woman really had a fiery temper.

Jiang Yuan curled her lips, unwilling to stay near Chen Jianye, and went around to the other side.

The scorching sun blazed down on the wheat field, where the village’s strong laborers were pulling livestock in circles to thresh the grain. The wheat made crisp “crackling” sounds, accompanied by the sharp “whip-crack, whip-crack” urging of the horsewhips.

“Zhang Ergou, lighten the force on the reins. Anyone would get tired, and the horse can’t take this kind of torment,” a villager called out.

On the field, Zhang Ergou kept cracking his whip fiercely against the horse, shouting, “Hurry up, no food yet.”

Nearby villagers frowned at his harsh treatment of the horse, clearly disapproving.

Zhang Ergou sneered at their words, saying, “Mind your own business. If you think you’re better, come and do it.”

Zhang Ergou was strong, and the village chief had specifically assigned him to this task; others really didn’t dare take it on.

“No can do,” Zhang Ergou shrugged, as expected. He swung the whip even harder, stubbornly doing things his own way.

The horse’s eyes were covered to keep it calm, but Zhang Ergou’s increasingly harsh whipping pushed the horse’s patience beyond its limits.

“Puff, puff!” Soon, the horse’s muscles tensed, nostrils flaring rapid hot breaths, its tail flicking restlessly as if venting its frustration.

Noticing the horse’s agitation, Zhang Ergou was unperturbed, flicked the whip again, and warned with raised brows, “Stop moving. No finish, no food today.”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk!” But instead of calming down as Zhang Ergou expected, the horse grew even more anxious, shaking its head wildly and struggling violently, trampling the ground into a chaotic mess.

Now Zhang Ergou panicked, rushing to grab the reins.

But it was too late. With its eyes blindfolded, the horse kicked randomly, and Zhang Ergou, caught off guard, was thrown to the side.

“The horse is out of control! Everyone, get out of the way!”

Someone quickly shouted to warn those nearby.

On the wheat field, the villagers scattered in fright. Once at a safe distance, they turned back to ask:

“What happened?”

“How did it suddenly get uncontrollable?”

“Hmph, it’s all because of that Zhang Ergou—big ego, looking down on everyone, not listening to anyone.”

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“That Zhang Ergou, whatever he's doing, just hope no one gets hurt.”

...

Jiang Yuan heard the shouting too, but she was too close, and after the horse broke free, it charged straight toward her. There was nowhere for her to dodge.

“Ah!” Jiang Yuan lunged sideways, but the horse collided with her, sending her tumbling on the ground several times, crying out in pain.

Nearby, Lu Xiuyi’s pupils constricted sharply; his heart pounded like a drum, and a chill shot from his feet straight to his forehead.

“Husband, don’t rush. Sit down,” Jiang Yuan said as she sat by the kang, swinging her legs. Lu Xiuyi gently lifted one of her arms and wiped the blood from it.

“Don’t move.” Seeing the wound bleeding again, Lu Xiuyi frowned, his face serious.

“Oh.” Jiang Yuan was in a good mood now and obediently listened to him.

Just moments ago, she was knocked to the ground by the horse, scraping a large patch of skin off her hand. When she opened her eyes, she found herself in a warm embrace.

Looking up, it was Lu Xiuyi. Jiang Yuan was slightly surprised; the man picked her up and strode away without hesitation—a display of full husbandly strength.

Most importantly, Jiang Yuan saw concern on his face.

“Husband, are you worried about me?” Jiang Yuan tilted her head and asked, not minding the small injury on her hand.

“Looks like it’s not painful enough yet,” Lu Xiuyi said coolly, then without giving her time to react, rubbed crushed herbs directly onto her wound.

“Shhh!” Jiang Yuan took a deep breath of cool air; just because she wasn’t worried didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

After treating Jiang Yuan’s arm, Lu Xiuyi turned to leave.

“Phew,” as soon as he stepped out, Jiang Yuan carefully supported her waist. The worst injury was actually on her waist, which was probably already bruised.

She cautiously lifted her shirt and looked down; just as she expected, the area was a large patch of purple and blue, no wonder it hurt so much.

“Creak…” At that moment, the door was pushed open.

Jiang Yuan’s hand trembled, hurriedly lowered her shirt, sat up straight, pretending nothing had happened.

Lu Xiuyi entered the room, glanced at Jiang Yuan, walked over to the shelf to dry his hands with a towel, then said flatly,

“Take off your clothes.”

“!” Jiang Yuan’s mind exploded, stammering, “D-Do you have to be in such a hurry? It’s still not even dark yet.”

Jiang Yuan’s expression tightened. Was the moment she had long awaited about to arrive? But why was she feeling nervous?

No, come on, Jiang Yuan, you can do this.

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Lu Xiuyi: “...”

After a moment of silence, Lu Xiuyi slowly lifted his eyelids and glanced at Jiang Yuan.

As if slightly exasperated, he said, “You’re overthinking it.”

Whether relieved or disappointed, Jiang Yuan’s feelings were complicated upon hearing this.

But she probably felt more disappointed, she thought silently.

Lu Xiuyi walked over to Jiang Yuan, looking down at her with a faint smile playing in his eyes.

“Do you want me to do it?”

“What?” Jiang Yuan covered her collar, staring at Lu Xiuyi in confusion, not understanding what he meant. Didn’t she just have the herbs applied?

The smile in Lu Xiuyi’s eyes grew stronger as he raised his brow and asked, “Does your waist still hurt?”

Jiang Yuan tilted her head to look at the small jar in his freshly washed hand, surprised, “You’re going to apply medicine to me?” pointing at the jar.

It was the medicinal wine that Lu’s mother had sent her last time.

But how did Lu Xiuyi know she had injured her waist?

Lu Xiuyi nodded, “Yes.”

“Ahem... cough, cough, I don’t need it.” Jiang Yuan choked on her saliva and jumped suddenly, but “ouch!” it pulled on her waist.

“It’ll be better in a few days. No need to bother you,” Jiang Yuan shook her head frantically, resisting with all her might, refusing to agree.

If Lu Xiuyi were to massage her waist, wouldn’t he see her thick waist? No way, she had to keep her dignity.

Being carried by him today was already an accident. Luckily, Lu Xiuyi was strong; otherwise, she’d be utterly embarrassed.

This kind of thing absolutely must not happen again. She was determined to transform into a delicate, graceful beauty and then secretly astonish Lu Xiuyi.

But not now, absolutely not!

Lu Xiuyi stood still for a moment, seeing she had no intention of undressing herself and no more words to say, extended his large hand.

“Ah, don’t touch me,” Jiang Yuan’s eyes widened in terror as she lifted her foot to block the man, backing away continuously, no longer worrying about pulling her waist.

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