Rejected Beauty Practices the Villain Play

Chapter 801 - 779: Poisoned to Death

Xie Jue felt that Fang Chuning could never show him a good face; one good face would lead him to get an inch, and for this he blamed himself for indulging too much. With Han Ziqi watching so intently, Fang Chuning dared to act so recklessly.

The weather in Jiangnan is unpredictable. In the afternoon, a torrential rain began, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The heavy rain slowed the military march. After discussing with Han Ziqi, Fang Chuning decided to take shelter from the rain in the valley, as marching in such a storm was unsafe. Given this situation, they couldn’t enter the city as planned and would have to camp outdoors.

Although the rain was fierce, it came quickly and left cleanly. After the rain, a rainbow hung at the horizon, and the sun shone brightly. This ever-changing weather astonished both Fang Chuning and Xie Jue.

Han Ziqi was more familiar with the terrain of Sannan and decided to camp overnight in the valley, setting off again at dawn. After all, the mission to the capital wasn’t an urgent march requiring travel at all hours.

The Imperial Physician changed Xie Jue’s medication, and the injury at his waist had improved, with the pain subsiding. Xie Jue could move freely and no longer needed to sit in a wheelchair daily. After changing his medicine, he casually asked Ying Er, "Where’s Anning?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Chuning came in holding two fluffy white rabbits, saying, "Ting Feng, we have game to eat tonight."

The tent flap was not lowered, and Xie Jue saw Zhang Boxin’s shadowy gaze behind Fang Chuning, seemingly boring a hole into his back. "Did you steal Zhang Boxin’s rabbits?"

"Who says so? He was too slow, and I caught them by skill." Fang Chuning couldn’t help but boast, "The rabbits look pretty good."

Completely snow-white, plump and sturdy, with eyes rolling about, they stared at Xie Jue and Fang Chuning and were surprisingly docile.

"Mr. Fang, do we really have to eat them? Rabbits are so cute, and it’s quite boring on the road; let’s keep them as pets!" Zhang Boxin’s voice was almost tearful. He and Fang Chuning had discovered the wild rabbits simultaneously and thought of keeping them for a few days as companions to the capital, lest the journey be too dull. But Fang Chuning acted first, saying Xie Jue needed nourishment due to his injury, so they could make stewed rabbit for him. Zhang Boxin pleaded throughout the road, but Fang Chuning was unmoved and said he’d give him a bowl of meat once the rabbit was cooked.

"Anyone who dares to take these rabbits from me today, I’ll be angry with!" Fang Chuning snorted coldly, lowering the flap and blocking Zhang Boxin’s resentful gaze. When only they were left inside the tent, Xie Jue laughed and said, "What are you teasing them for?"

"It’s boring. Aren’t they cute to you? They’re good companions for the road." Fang Chuning never intended to stew the rabbits but caught them to amuse Xie Jue. Though Xie Jue’s injury was gradually healing, the bumpy carriage travel was dull, and it couldn’t be easy to read books or do much else. Raising a couple of little critters for fun was just perfect.

The wild rabbits were timid and hid under the bed after being placed in the tent. Xie Jue and Fang Chuning weren’t in a hurry, waiting for them to familiarize themselves with the surroundings. They had raised foxes before, and although their habits were different, they both knew how to handle fluffy animals well.

Xie Jue found the cute, plump rabbits delightful, as they indeed provided entertainment for the journey.

Meanwhile, Zhang Boxin was sulking halfway up the mountain in the valley. Lin Xiao couldn’t bear it anymore, "Two little rabbits, is it really worth it? If you want them, I can accompany you to the depths of the valley to catch two more. Rabbits are herd animals; there must be many wild rabbits in the valley."

"I just liked those two!"

Lin Xiao laughed mockingly, "They look exactly the same—snow-white and round. You can’t even tell male from female, yet you insist on those two. If I catch two now, can you even tell them apart?"

Zhang Boxin, "..."

He was just frustrated, "How could they be the same? Such cute rabbits will soon become rabbit meat!"

He was upset because Fang Chuning wanted to stew them.

"Haven’t you ever had rabbit meat?"

"No, I never eat rabbit meat. Are you even my brother if you don’t know that?" Zhang Boxin was principled, refusing to eat rabbit and dog meat or many other animals’ meat. He liked furry creatures and had dozens of night cats at home. When spring came, they would yowl miserably while in heat, which Lin Xiao experienced once as a nightmare, losing sleep for nights. Despite this, Zhang wouldn’t heed advice, raising more night cats each year.

"The Prince is injured. It’s reasonable for Mr. Fang to catch some wild rabbits to nourish him. What’s there to be angry about? Keep your eyes away from it and don’t stew anymore. It’s inappropriate!" Lin Xiao chided.

"You’re as heartless as Mr. Fang!" Zhang Boxin accused, angrily throwing small stones at Lin Xiao’s feet as Lin Xiao jumped aside, "I thought of catching two for you again, but if I’m heartless, then stew here alone until you suffocate!"

Han Ziqi watched his generals argue fiercely over the rabbits, amazed at the spectacle, "Are Beining’s generals so lacking in dignity?"

It’s just two wild rabbits, even if they were yours. If Xie Jue wants them for nourishment, it’s an honor. Just two foreign flavors—is it worth quarrelling over?

Han Li said, "Princely Heir, from my observation, Young General Zhang is simple-minded, the easiest to elicit information from. You could build a rapport with him, possibly pry open a conversation?"

"Indeed, you have a point. I’ve been worried about lacking an opportunity, so have someone catch two wild rabbits and give them to him to fulfill his wish."

"Yes!"

When Shadow Guard reported to Xie Jue, he was astonished, "Using two wild rabbits to win over one of Ningzhou Iron Cavalry’s generals—how did this Princely Heir rise to power? No wonder he was so miserably defeated years ago by Zhixu."

Fang Chuning, listening nearby, burst into laughter. He and Zhang Boxin joked around but were sure that Zhang wouldn’t do anything against them over two rabbits, or speak recklessly.

"I’m more puzzled by the approach. If he wants to pry Zhang’s mouth, finding his likes isn’t about catching two rabbits. It’s easier to get him drunk by drinking with him daily, eventually leading to drunken talk, no need for all this trouble."

The two small wild rabbits had gradually poked their heads out to explore, becoming slightly bolder. Fang Chuning teased them with a handful of wheat.

In the camp, smoke rose from cooking fires. Xie Jue’s meal was prepared separately and delivered swiftly, with Ying Er bringing it in and placing it on the table. They brought Fang’s portion along, too.

Having recently snacked on wild fruit brought by Fang Chuning, Xie Jue wasn’t hungry. He set the meal aside as Ying Yi’s pigeon arrived, and watched as Ying Yi sent him updates.

Fang Chuning rose and walked over to him, "Is Ying Yi in the capital?"

"Yes!" Xie Jue nodded; after learning Ying Yi’s background, he sent him to Sannan. "It’s tough for him, living alone in the capital."

"Did you send him into the Imperial Palace or just the capital?"

"In the palace!"

"Truly capable, able to navigate his way through!" Fang Chuning sincerely admired, "Where on earth did His Lordship find these Shadow Guards for you? They’re all so talented."

All fit to be agents!

Xie Jue laughed slightly and burnt the parchment, then turned to find the rabbits stealing his meal. Fang Chuning followed his gaze and laughed even more gleefully, knowing that Xie Jue wouldn’t touch the meal anymore.

"Ying Er, come in and take the meal away, replace it with a new one."

"Yes!"

Ying Er entered, gathered the dishes onto a tray, ready to take them out. Suddenly, the two rabbits that had stolen the meal went limp on the ground, emitted weak wails, convulsed briefly, and lost movement.

Fang Chuning’s laughter vanished instantly, cold sweat lining his back, followed by a surge of fury within, realizing the meal was poisoned.