The two left Hangzhou one after the other.
Fang Ruoxi had always been confident in her lightness skill, but the world is vast, and there are always people more skilled than her. Song Zixing's lightness skill was not only on par with hers, but even superior. Fang Ruoxi ran until she was almost out of breath, but she still couldn't shake off Song Zixing. Coupled with the internal injuries she had sustained from the earlier palm strike, she was now completely unable to run. She turned around, panting, and looked at Song Zixing, who was close behind. Pointing at him, she sighed breathlessly, "I can't stand you! I'm scared of you! Okay, okay, I'll go back and apologize." Just as she was about to turn back, Song Zixing suddenly struck her pressure points, and in the blink of an eye, he bound her like a dumpling. Fang Ruoxi yelled at Song Zixing, "Hey, what are you doing? Let me go! Let me go now!"
Song Zixing released her pressure points, struggled against the rope in his hands, and with a slight smirk, said, "It's easier to keep you tied up in case you try to escape again." With that, he dragged Fang Ruoxi back.
Because Fang Ruoxi's hands were tied behind her back with a rope, Song Zixing's pull forced her to walk backwards. Fang Ruoxi struggled fiercely along the way, but Song Zixing ignored her. She cursed him, but he paid no heed. She tried to kick him, but how could she possibly reach him? After a while, Fang Ruoxi wisely gave up. Song Zixing was now leading Fang Ruoxi like a stubborn donkey towards Hangzhou. Actually, even the donkey was better than Fang Ruoxi; one only hears of riding donkeys backwards, never of making a donkey walk backwards.
Song Zixing strode forward, and Fang Ruoxi could only retreat behind him. Although she was extremely unwilling, she had no choice. The rope that Song Zixing used to bind her was not ordinary hemp rope, but a specially made rope containing metal wire. Fang Ruoxi's hands were bound behind her back and were very tight. Song Zixing was constantly pulling on them, preventing her from moving freely. She was angry, but she could only silently endure it.
As they walked, Fang Ruoxi tried to turn around and walk alongside Song Zixing, but he pulled her back. Fang Ruoxi gritted her teeth, but still pleaded with Song Zixing, saying, "General Song, I know I was wrong. I will honestly go back with you and apologize to Lord Wu. Look, it's really hard to walk with me tied up like this, isn't it? And if other people who don't know you see this, they'll think that a great hero like General Song is bullying a nobody like me. It would damage your glorious and great heroic image."
Song Zixing snorted and said, "If it weren't for the fact that you're a woman, I wouldn't be so polite to you!"
Fang Ruoxi was startled by his words, not expecting him to have already figured out she was a woman. It seemed this disguise was a complete failure; she would definitely change next time. Still, she cautiously probed, "Young Master Song, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. I'm a dignified man..." Before she could finish her impassioned speech, Song Zixing said, "Your fake Adam's apple is crooked." Fang Ruoxi immediately swallowed back what she was about to say. She lowered her head slightly and indeed felt that her fake Adam's apple was crooked to the side.
After a while, Fang Ruoxi changed her voice and said with a coquettish smile, "Young Master Song is indeed discerning. Since Young Master Song knows that I am a woman, why would you do this to me in public? Anyone who didn't know better would think that Young Master Song has taken a fancy to me and wants to take me back to be your concubine."
Song Zixing remained silent and continued walking briskly.
Fang Ruoxi tried to turn around and walk alongside him again. This time, Song Zixing didn't pull on the rope. Fang Ruoxi asked with a fawning expression, "Why is Young Master Song silent? Do you really think I'm not bad?"
Song Zixing glanced at her and saw her almond-shaped eyes sparkling with a smug look. Suddenly, he raised his lips and took off, displaying his lightness skill. The ropes binding the two of them tugged at the ropes, and Fang Ruoxi screamed and turned around abruptly. Before she could exert any force, she was pulled backward and flew up. The journey was truly miserable.
If she had known, she wouldn't have bothered him with her nagging; she should have just held his hand instead.
The two entered Hangzhou. Fang Ruoxi became well-behaved and kept her mouth shut. Song Zixing did not make things difficult for her anymore and tacitly allowed her to turn around and walk with him.
At the city gate, someone was already waiting to inform Song Zixing that Vice General Wu was waiting for him at the Governor's Mansion. Song Zixing then led her towards the Governor's Mansion.
Hangzhou was still bustling with people, and street performers were everywhere. Small vendors were hawking their wares and making a living. All sorts of trinkets were available on the streets, making Fang Ruoxi's heart itch with desire.
Along the way, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Song Zixing dragged the extremely unwilling Fang Ruoxi along. Passersby couldn't help but glance at the two of them, or more precisely, at Fang Ruoxi, who was being led by the hand by Song Zixing and whose body was tightly bound with rope.
As she walked, Fang Ruoxi suddenly had an idea: why not shout for help in the street? But when she looked at herself in this state, she lost her nerve and sighed heavily. Now she was at the mercy of others, and she was on their turf. She decided to endure as much as she could for the time being!
They were almost at the Governor's Mansion. As soon as they arrived at the gate, a servant came up to greet them. He first bowed to Song Zixing, then noticed Fang Ruoxi tied up beside Song Zixing. His eyes flashed, and he stepped forward and whispered something in Song Zixing's ear.
Song Zixing nodded, pulled the rope, and Fang Ruoxi had to obediently follow.
The three entered the mansion one after another, and saw many people standing inside. Fang Ruoxi immediately spotted the matchmaker who had just stormed onto the arena.
As soon as the matchmaker saw Song Zixing return to the mansion, she immediately greeted him with a smile. Her handkerchief swayed back and forth with the movement of her body. Even when she was still several steps away from Fang Ruoxi, Fang Ruoxi could smell the strong scent of perfume on the matchmaker. She was lucky that she didn't faint.
Fang Ruoxi had been observing coldly from the sidelines when Song Zixing suddenly broke free of the rope binding her. Fang Ruoxi glanced to the side and saw Song Zixing giving her a sidelong look and a meaningful glance. Fang Ruoxi didn't understand at first, but then she saw Song Zixing looking at the matchmaker and suddenly realized what was happening. She quickly stepped in front of the matchmaker, her face beaming with smiles, and said, "Auntie..."
Before Fang Ruoxi could finish speaking, the matchmaker shoved her aside without any courtesy, saying, "Where did this wild boy come from? Get out of the way!"
Fang Ruoxi's smile faltered slightly. She glanced back and caught a glimpse of a hint of amusement in Song Zixing's eyes. Just then, the matchmaker approached Song Zixing, bowed, and said, "General Song, today you were at the martial arts contest for Miss Zhou's marriage in the Zhou family..." This time, Fang Ruoxi didn't wait for the matchmaker to finish. She suddenly snorted, pushed past the matchmaker, and interrupted her, saying discontentedly, "Auntie, that's not right. Who said General Song went to the contest?"
Upon hearing this, the matchmaker immediately shouted, "You clearly said on the stage that General Song admired Miss Zhou. Many people saw and heard it. Are you trying to go back on your word?" This statement seemed pointed, and Song Zixing frowned slightly.
Upon hearing this, Fang Ruoxi laughed dismissively and said, "Yes! I was just talking nonsense, but you insist on believing it."
Just as the matchmaker was about to erupt, Fang Ruoxi suddenly moved closer to Song Zixing and said softly, "Brother Song, shall I tell them the whole truth?"
Looking at the smiling Fang Ruoxi, Song Zixing's eyes flashed with a strange light, and he said with a smile, "Okay."
Fang Ruoxi's gaze flickered, first giving him a flirtatious wink, then she raised her head high and loudly addressed the matchmaker and the crowd: "Auntie, to tell you the truth, I am a woman. Brother Song has admired me and pursued me for many years. He was planning to come to my house to propose marriage, and we would be married in three days. But I don't want to marry him, so I disguised myself as a man and ran away. Unfortunately, he bumped into me, and that's how we ended up fighting in the street. I didn't expect that we would accidentally end up on Miss Zhou's fighting stage. It was all a misunderstanding..." Fang Ruoxi's words suddenly stopped, because in full view of everyone, Song Zixing suddenly raised his hand, his fingers tracing a path down her cheek, from her temple to her jawline. This touch seemed like a tease, but it was more like a flirtation. Fang Ruoxi stared at the gleam in his eyes, stunned, and dared not move.
Song Zixing's actions were seen as extremely ambiguous by others.
Then, Fang Ruoxi felt his breath gradually approaching, brushing against her ear, and heard him say, "I'm really afraid that you won't marry me and will just run away, so I plan to keep you tied up like this until three days later when I marry you."
Fang Ruoxi broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this, but still pretended to be shy and happy, whispering in his ear, "Brother Song, if you really intend to marry me, what does it matter if you tie me up for the rest of my life?"
The righteous path is one foot high, the evil path is ten feet high.
Upon hearing this, Song Zixing's smile deepened, so deep that Fang Ruoxi felt a chill. It wasn't that she didn't know who Song Zixing was; her father had mentioned him back home, and she knew he wasn't someone to be trifled with. But due to a series of unfortunate events, she had somehow gotten involved with him. Now, she was caught in a dilemma, and could only proceed cautiously, enduring if possible and retreating if necessary.
The two flirted so openly, oblivious to everyone else, that it was extremely awkward for onlookers.
The old woman pondered for a long time before saying, "General Song, you have to give me an explanation today. You won the ring in front of everyone, but if you don't marry Miss Zhou, that won't do. The reputation of the second young lady of the Zhou family will be ruined."
Upon hearing this, Song Zixing's gaze turned cold, and he suddenly said, "Guards!"
"Yes!" Five guards with swords immediately came forward from all around.
Song Zixing glanced at the four people in front of him, including the matchmaker, and said coldly, "Throw these people out!"
At this moment, the guards rushed forward and pushed the group out of the house, but the matchmaker refused to leave and started acting like a spoiled child, crying and shouting that she wanted to seek justice for Miss Zhou.
Song Zixing's face darkened, and he said coldly, "You audacious scoundrel, daring to cause trouble in the Governor's Mansion, throw him out! If you dare to cause trouble near the gate, have him beaten to death on the spot!"
The guard replied, "Yes!"
Upon hearing this, the matchmaker immediately got up and ran out before the guards could pull her away.
Fang Ruoxi looked at Song Zixing beside her with slight surprise, and suddenly felt a little scared.
At that moment, Wu Zheng had just entered the sect.
Upon seeing Wu Zheng, Fang Ruoxi, without waiting for anyone to speak, hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply to him, saying loudly, "General Wu, I was blind to your greatness and have offended you greatly. Please forgive me. General Wu is a true man, upright and magnanimous. I am but a woman who only knows how to shirk responsibility and is ignorant of the ways of the world when I make mistakes. Please do not take offense, General Wu. I apologize to you today." After speaking, she bowed again with utmost sincerity and respect.
Wu Zheng was taken aback upon hearing this and asked in confusion, "You're a woman?"
Fang Ruoxi raised her head and said with a smile, "Look at my fake Adam's apple."
Wu Zheng frowned upon seeing this. He was a martial man and didn't want to argue with a woman. Besides, he was quite pleased with what Fang Ruoxi had just said and had been praised as a magnanimous and upright man. How could he hold a grudge over such a trivial matter? So he waved his hand and laughed heartily, "I didn't know you were a woman. Forget it, it's nothing."
Upon hearing this, Fang Ruoxi smiled and quickly flattered him, saying, "Brother Wu is truly a hero! I admire him!" In an instant, General Wu became Brother Wu.
Wu Zheng smiled and hurriedly stepped forward to greet Song Zixing.
Song Zixing nodded slightly. Wu Zheng saw that Song Zixing was holding the rope binding Fang Ruoxi, his eyes flashed, and he stepped forward to Song Zixing and said, "General, the aftermath of the Qionglong Mountain bandits has been handled according to your instructions. However, the compensation for the soldiers who were injured or killed in this bandit siege still needs to be decided by you personally."
Song Zixing nodded and said, "Go to the camp and wait for me. I'll be there in a bit."
Wu Zheng bowed and agreed, then went out the door first.
Seeing this, Fang Ruoxi immediately moved closer to Song Zixing and said ingratiatingly, "General Song, I have already apologized to Brother Wu. You are all quite busy, so I won't bother you any longer. Please untie me quickly."
Song Zixing glanced at her, a slight smirk playing on his lips, and said, "Have you forgotten? You just said that as long as you marry me, what's wrong with being tied down for life?"
Fang Ruoxi felt a chill run down her spine at the sight of his smile, and upon hearing his words, she wanted to bite off her own tongue. She couldn't help but laugh awkwardly, "I was just talking nonsense. How could General Song possibly be interested in a lowly woman like me from the martial arts world? I was presumptuous and spoke without thinking. I really know I was wrong. Please forgive me, General Song, and let me go." Fang Ruoxi lowered her head pitifully, showing weakness to Song Zixing.
Song Zixing raised an eyebrow and said, "Do you know what this rope was originally for?"
Fang Ruoxi shook her head, not daring to say anything more.
Song Zixing said, "I used to have a disobedient hunting dog, and this leash was used to lead it."
Upon hearing this, Fang Ruoxi's face twitched slightly.
When Song Zixing saw her appearance, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
Throughout the afternoon, Song Zixing held Fang Ruoxi's hand wherever they went. Faced with all sorts of stares, Fang Ruoxi's mood changed from initial shyness and embarrassment to indifference, and then to a defensive stance of "If you dare to look at me, I'll glare at you."
Song Zixing didn't know what he was thinking, but he actually took her, this burden, with him on horseback to the camp on the outskirts of the city. Fang Ruoxi sat in front of him, held in his arms. At first, she was not used to being so close to him, and her body was very stiff, but later she felt at ease, because she remembered that he had kept her as a pet, so she simply did not treat him as a person.
Just as Song Zixing arrived at the military camp to discuss the aftermath of the attack on the bandits with his subordinates, she fell asleep in a chair nearby. It's unlikely any other woman in the world could sleep soundly under such circumstances, and even dare to smack her lips in public. Perhaps she hadn't eaten lunch and was dreaming of something delicious. Her actions not only left the men present speechless, but even Song Zixing was mesmerized by her, and couldn't help but smile.
Inside the tent, the subordinates looked at Song Zixing with such a gentle smile as he gazed at the young man, and they couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances. They were even more puzzled as to who this person was, who could sleep so peacefully in such an environment while being bound and held by the general.
Until someone came to report that a soldier had raped the daughter of a bandit, and that the woman had bitten her tongue and committed suicide.
Upon hearing this, Song Zixing's gaze suddenly turned cold. The tent fell silent, save for the occasional, uninhibited smacking of Fang Ruoxi's lips. Suddenly, Song Zixing got up and left the tent. Fang Ruoxi, who was asleep, was jolted awake by his sudden movement and stumbled after him out of the tent.
The woman was young and already dead; she had committed suicide by biting her tongue. Her body was covered haphazardly, and the purplish-blue marks on her skin were still visible.
When Fang Ruoxi saw this, she felt extremely distressed. Seeing the soldier kneeling beside her, trembling with fear, she suddenly kicked him to the ground and then stomped on him repeatedly, cursing, "You beast, worse than a pig or a dog, born of a mother, I'll kick you to death for disturbing my sleep!"
The soldier was completely overwhelmed by Fang Ruoxi. Although Fang Ruoxi's hands were bound, her footwork was excellent. After being kicked around by her, the soldier was left with only half his life.
Someone tried to stop Fang Ruoxi, but Song Zixing stopped them with a raised hand. Song Zixing held the rope in one hand while watching Fang Ruoxi hit the soldier, until she spat in his face. Only then did he break free of the rope and pull her back. Before he could give any orders, Fang Ruoxi shouted, "Military law enforcement!"
Just as someone scoffed at Fang Ruoxi's words, Song Zixing suddenly burst into laughter, leaving everyone bewildered.
They had never seen General Song laugh so heartily. Wu Zheng cautiously asked, "General, this..."
Song Zixing smiled and said, "Let's do as she says."
Wu Zheng glanced at Fang Ruoxi and said, "Yes, General."
Song Zixing seemed to be in a good mood, and he led Fang Ruoxi onto a horse and they left the military camp together.
Song Zixing rode his horse extremely fast, and his attendants tried their best to spur their horses to catch up, but they were still left far behind by his steed.
By the time they returned to the governor's mansion, it was already dark. Fang Ruoxi said with great dissatisfaction as they walked, "I'm hungry and thirsty. If you don't want me to starve or die of thirst, you'd better feed me something."
Fang Ruoxi no longer talks to him much and just goes with the flow.
Song Zixing said to the servant following behind him, "Did you hear that?"
The servant bowed and said, "Yes, I will go and prepare right away."
The servant left, and Song Zixing led her to the east wing, which was the courtyard where Song Zixing resided in the governor's mansion.
There was an old locust tree in the yard. Song Zixing led Fang Ruoxi to the locust tree, tied one end of the rope to it, and Fang Ruoxi struggled for a moment, sighed, leaned against the locust tree, and asked in utter boredom, "Where's my nest?"
Song Zixing ignored him and leisurely sat down on the stone bench next to the locust tree. Soon after, a maid brought over pastries and tea.
The sun has set, and the lamps in the courtyard have been lit.
The moon quietly rises in the night sky. Today is the fifteenth, and the moon is round and bright, revealing everything in the courtyard.
Song Zixing dismissed the maid, leisurely poured himself a cup of tea and drank it, glancing at Fang Ruoxi as he sipped his tea, as if savoring something interesting or admiring his own masterpiece.
In this situation, any normal woman would probably be captivated by such a handsome and unparalleled young man's ambiguous gaze under the romantic moonlight. However, at this moment, Fang Ruoxi felt extremely bitter and aggrieved.
Fang Ruoxi felt uncomfortable under his gaze, so she glanced at him and said coldly, "Give me a sip!"
Song Zixing smiled, picked up his teacup, walked over, and presented the cup, which he had just touched with his lips, to Fang Ruoxi.
Fang Ruoxi glanced at him disdainfully, and Song Zixing asked softly, "What? Not drinking?"
Song Zixing's voice was very soft, seemingly gentle, but it made Fang Ruoxi feel scared from the bottom of her heart. She had already sensed a certain meaning, so she gritted her teeth, lowered her head slightly, and drank from the cup he handed her. It was clearly top-grade Biluochun tea, but the bitterness upon entering her mouth was simply unbearable.
Song Zixing smiled, picked up a piece of pastry from the plate on the table, took a bite of it himself, and then offered the rest to Fang Ruoxi. This time, Fang Ruoxi couldn't help but turn her head away, but then she heard Song Zixing say, "Do you want to eat it yourself, or do you want me to feed you?"
Fang Ruoxi was determined to ignore it, but then she saw Song Zixing about to put the remaining half of the piece in his mouth. Fang Ruoxi suddenly understood something and shouted, "I'll eat it! You don't need to feed me."
Song Zixing smiled and fed the half-eaten pastry in his hand to Fang Ruoxi. The pastry melted in her mouth, but Fang Ruoxi found it extremely difficult to swallow, as if it had been contaminated with poison and that she was eating poison.