FIMA Ch93: Suitable

That noble youth who was feeding bloody meat in front of the large iron cage cart was so frightened by this sudden roar that he backed up several steps in succession, and ultimately, losing his footing, fell straight onto his bottom on the ground.

A tiger’s nature is inherently fierce.

Plus, Xie Xuan’s tone just now was actually very low; besides those seated immediately to his left and right, absolutely no one heard it clearly.

Seeing the fierce tiger suddenly act like this, the crowd only thought it was because the person feeding it meat just now had teased it too much, aggravating the tiger and making it angry.

Not only were they not nervous, they instead burst into loud laughter.

The Second Prince, Xie Kuan, had heavy tastes. Don’t be fooled by his gentle and refined appearance; in private, he loved watching the bloody hunting scenes of large beasts like tigers and leopards the most.

At this moment, he even proactively stepped a few paces closer, standing directly in front of the iron cage. He directed the attending palace servants beside him to throw in a wild roe deer that was still alive and kicking.

As soon as the wild roe deer entered the large iron cage cart, its body trembled, and then it swiftly distanced itself from the tiger, running frantically around the edge of the cage, scratching its ears and cheeks in panic.

But that fierce tiger, which had been incredibly ferocious just a moment ago, simply watched the prey escape with its golden, slightly blood-red pupils, without the slightest intention of getting up to chase it.

Amidst the canopy of a large tree at the edge of the drill ground, Gu Siyuan slightly straightened his back, narrowing his sharp eyes.

This tiger is not right.

Meanwhile, Xie Kuan in front of the iron cage only felt somewhat displeased seeing this scene. He felt this fierce tiger was exceptionally disrespecting his face. Annoyed, he said to a palace servant beside him, “Give it to me, I will personally throw one in.”

The palace servant hurriedly obeyed.

Just as Xie Kuan reached out and caught the plump wild rabbit handed to him, Wang Chengying’s voice came from the very top: “Second Prince, this old slave estimates that this tiger just hunted and is already full!”

Xie Kuan looked up at Wang Chengying, somewhat surprised.

This guy was a genuine old fox who rarely spoke up, let alone casually interfered with the affairs of them masters. So, this was likely Emperor Jianzhao’s intention.

Emperor Jianzhao had previously felt this hobby of his was improper and had reprimanded him twice.

Thinking of this, Xie Kuan’s expression changed slightly. He immediately tossed the wild rabbit in his hand casually into the cage, preparing to turn around and leave the front of the iron cage.

Who could have expected that the plump wild rabbit would smash squarely onto the injured forehead of the fierce tiger. The tiger’s golden pupils instantly dyed red, a massive roar erupted from its throat, and its sturdy front paws directly tore the wild rabbit into two halves mid-air, blood splattering everywhere.

Xie Kuan’s departing steps paused slightly, a glint flashing in his eyes.

However, the fierce tiger didn’t stop its movements there. Instead, its entire massive body violently pounced forward, its thick limbs slapping directly onto the iron cage door and chains, emitting crisp clangs of metal striking metal, “Clang, clang…”

The expressions of the guarding Imperial Guards instantly changed.

Xie Kuan’s heart also trembled.

The beast tamer under the King of the Northern Frontier immediately explained: “Your Highness, rest assured. The iron cage and chains are made of cold iron unique to the Northern Frontier and are incredibly sturdy. When this fierce beast was first caught, its ferocious nature was hard to tame. It rammed its head until the bone showed, but still couldn’t break it open. The wound on its forehead was left from that time.”

But right at this moment, Xie Kuan heard a loud shout: “Quick, dodge away!”

The next moment, with a loud “crack…”, the supposedly incredibly sturdy iron cage chains were snapped in half by the fierce tiger’s slap, and the large iron door directly crashed onto the ground with a bang, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The Northern Frontier beast tamer’s face instantly turned pale.

Xie Kuan was directly scared stiff, his body so rigid he couldn’t even move.

Although Xie Xuan was sitting in the back, he was also momentarily stunned by this sudden change of events.

Suddenly, a familiar, calm voice rang in his ear: “Quick, go to His Majesty immediately!”

Xie Xuan finally reacted and shouted loudly, “Protect the Emperor!”

After speaking, he brought out the fastest speed he could muster in his life and ran toward Emperor Jianzhao at the very top, shouting anxiously as he ran: “Imperial Father, run quickly, Imperial Father, there’s a tiger…”

Seeing Xie Xuan actually running toward him, Emperor Jianzhao’s face stiffened at first, but upon seeing his expression clearly and hearing his words, he seemed to recall some past event and was unexpectedly stunned for a moment.

It wasn’t until Wang Chengying beside him pulled him forcefully that his whole person reacted.

The seats of Emperor Jianzhao and Xie Xuan were originally very close, separated only by Xie Hong and Xie Kuan. During this brief daze, Xie Xuan had already run to his side, grabbed his other arm, and hurriedly ran toward the outside of the drill ground.

Emperor Jianzhao never expected that after the fierce tiger went mad, Xie Xuan’s first thought would actually be to come and drag him away to escape.

Because he was too shocked, his footsteps staggered, and he temporarily lost his footing.

Xie Xuan turned his head, saying exceptionally anxiously: “Imperial Father, run, tiger…”

After speaking, he pulled Emperor Jianzhao and started running wildly again without caring about anything else.

From the moment the fierce tiger broke out of the cage until now, it was actually just a fleeting instant.

But the very bottom of the banquet venue had already fallen into complete chaos. Everyone ran back like madmen; some were scared completely stiff, standing in place unable to move, even directly wetting their pants.

When the fierce tiger broke out of the cage earlier, Xie Kuan was the closest. Looking at the massive shadow pouncing out and the huge blood-red, lantern-like eyes, he felt his life was over.

But after the tiger’s sharp claws grabbed him, it merely sniffed him and then quickly tossed him aside with a swipe of its claw.

Xie Kuan was overjoyed; although he was injured, his life was saved.

Next, the surrounding Imperial Guards reacted and rushed forward to block it, but they were directly swatted flying by two swipes of the tiger’s claws, which was on the verge of madness.

The fierce tiger was inherently immensely powerful. When the King of the Northern Frontier captured it back then, he had also made ample preparations, brought enough men and horses, and ultimately only caught it relying on traps.

And today, because of the martial arts competition during the day, some of the highest-martial-arts experts from both Great Liang and the Northern Frontier were not present tonight; they had gone to recuperate or rest.

However, the remaining Imperial Guards were considered well-trained. After a moment, they began to organize orderly attacks; some fired arrows, some used fire…

But that fierce tiger acted as if it felt no pain, blindly swiping away the obstacles in front of it, completely ignoring the danger and pain on its back and hindquarters.

Naturally, none of those present were fools. They immediately realized that although this fierce tiger seemed to have gone mad, it was actually consciously chasing a person in a certain direction.

Everyone looked up in unison; astonishingly, that was exactly the direction Emperor Jianzhao and the Sixth Prince were fleeing.

Instantly, there was a collective gasp across the venue…

Was it an assassination attempt on the Emperor again?

The expressions of the King of the Northern Frontier and his people were even more extremely ugly.

Although Xie Xuan started running immediately after Gu Siyuan’s reminder, he was, after all, still dragging a person along, and no matter how fast he was, how could he outrun a tiger?

He felt that in just a few blinks of an eye, he could already smell the pungent, bloody stench of the fierce tiger catching up behind him.

He abruptly let go of Emperor Jianzhao’s hand, violently pushed the person forward, and roared: “Imperial Father, run quickly.”

After speaking, he spread his arms and blocked in front of the person.

Emperor Jianzhao looked at the body blocking in front of him. It was several degrees more slender than an average adult man, and actually couldn’t block anything.

That was because Xie Xuan had been in poor health since childhood…

Thinking of this, his face suddenly turned deathly pale.

And right at this moment, the fierce tiger had already caught up to Xie Xuan.

The heavy, foul-smelling breath of the tiger sounded by his ear.

Xie Xuan watched the tiger’s whiskers clearly magnify before his eyes, as well as that bright red tongue with barbs, and the huge, sharp teeth still hanging with flesh and blood…

For an instant, his mind went blank, leaving only curses and chaotic thoughts.

First, he cursed Gu Xun. Why hasn’t this bastard come to save my life yet? If I truly die, you won’t have such a perfect paramour to have an illicit affair with anymore.

Second, he still thought of Gu Xun. If I had known I would encounter such a thing, before leaving the main tent, I should have finished the deed with that annoying guy Gu Xun. Dying as a virgin boy is just too tragic…

“Xuan’er,” Emperor Jianzhao suddenly opened his mouth and erupted into a loud shout, “Protect the Sixth Highness!”

Hearing this voice, among the Imperial Guards dealing with the tiger from behind, several individuals who originally had slow movements suddenly gripped their weapons tightly. Their speed and power sharply became incredibly fierce, and they swiftly charged toward the tiger.

Not far away, Xie Huan, who was watching this scene, suddenly had his slightly joyous face sink a few degrees.

Heh, when a person gets old, they just easily become soft-hearted.

However, faster than those Imperial Guards was a streak of silvery-white sword light, descending from the sky like a thunderbolt from the ninth heaven, instantly concealing all the fear before Xie Xuan’s eyes.

Xie Xuan only felt his face turn hot, as if he had been splashed in the face with warm water.

He couldn’t help but stick out his tongue and lick it. Tsk, hot, fishy, and bitter.

This wasn’t tea; it was fresh blood, the blood of a freshly severed head…

Xie Xuan blinked, looking at the tiger that was incredibly fierce just a moment ago. In an instant, its head and body had been separated. Fresh blood poured out from its neck like a fountain, yet its body still maintained the posture of pouncing forward with its four limbs, and then, with a “bang…”, it smashed onto the ground.

It splattered those few special Imperial Guards who had just rushed to the front with blood all over their bodies.

A cold yet familiar voice rang out: “This general arrived late to protect the Emperor, please forgive my offense, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jianzhao looked at Gu Siyuan and was slightly stunned.

He had deliberately sent the person away in the evening, but he didn’t expect him to still arrive at the last moment.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Xie Xuan’s thin, trembling back, and the tiger blood continuously dripping down his body. Thinking of Xie Xuan’s choice at that critical moment, he steadied his mind and said warmly: “You are a person of merit, how can we speak of asking for forgiveness? Rise!”

Gu Siyuan straightened his body. His indifferent gaze swept past Xie Xuan without stopping for the slightest moment.

Xie Xuan’s line of sight swept past those few Imperial Guards, and then he turned around to look at Gu Siyuan. The dark red fresh blood on his fair face possessed a kind of demonic beauty: “It is General Gu who saved this Prince’s life again.”

“What a true coincidence. General Gu can always save Sixth Royal Brother at critical moments; the predestined affinity is not shallow.”

At some point, Xie Huan had already walked over.

And not just him, the Eldest Prince Xie Hong and a large group of courtiers had all rushed over here.

Just now when there was a fierce tiger, they didn’t dare to come over. If they still didn’t come now, then their intentions could be deemed treacherous.

Gu Siyuan lifted his eyelids, casting a fleeting glance at him, and said coldly: “It is probably because the Sixth Prince loves to flock to His Majesty’s side. It’s a pity the Fourth Prince doesn’t seem to like coming; otherwise, the one this general saved would have been the Fourth Highness!”

This tone was extremely impolite. Compared to his usual indifference, there was a bit more harshness.

It seemed he was both disgusted by Xie Xuan being troublesome and disgusted by Xie Huan being talkative.

But Lord Ding Ye in the crowd immediately grasped the deeper essence within it. He stepped forward and said loudly: “This is the deep father-son affection between His Majesty and the Sixth Highness. Due to His Majesty’s daily teachings, the Sixth Highness is extremely loyal and filial. Whether it was the assassination at the sacrificial ceremony or the tiger menace just now, he sacrificed himself to suffer for His Majesty, making the people of the world sigh with emotion at the deep affection between father and son in the imperial family!”

“His Majesty is wise as a father, and the Sixth Highness is loyal, filial, principled, and righteous. He is worthy of being an exemplar for the common people of the world in cultivating oneself and managing the family!” The courtiers present reacted and immediately echoed their agreement one after another.

The King of the Northern Frontier’s party also scrambled to begin sincerely praising this.

After all, if the Emperor of Great Liang had truly encountered some accident today, let alone how the subsequent alliance would be handled, whether they could walk out of Great Liang alive would be a question.

Xie Huan’s face turned extremely ugly in an instant, and he took a deep look at Gu Xun.

He never expected that this person’s usually taciturn character would be as sharp as a sword the moment he spoke.

Xie Xuan is loyal and filial? Xie Xuan and Imperial Father have deep father-son affection?

Then what about him?

He is also Imperial Father’s son. Just because he didn’t rush forward in time, does it mean he is disloyal and unfilial?

Xie Huan’s gaze became incredibly venomous and hateful.

It’s all Xie Xuan’s fault, what was he showing off for?

Originally, according to the plan, it should have been him pulling Emperor Jianzhao to run, but Xie Xuan suddenly rushed over.

Xie Xuan’s wine cup just now had been spiked with something, so the tiger would truly chase after him. How could he still approach?

However, Xie Xuan, who was currently being resented, had absolutely no mood to pay attention to these things. He only said to Emperor Jianzhao: “Imperial Father, your son wishes to return and wash up a bit.”

Emperor Jianzhao immediately nodded.

When Xie Xuan left, his gaze lightly swept over Gu Siyuan.

Emperor Jianzhao didn’t notice. Looking at all this mess in front of him, and then at Xie Xuan’s appearance, his mood was extremely complex for a moment.

At this time, Gu Siyuan suddenly pointed to the tiger’s corpse and said: “Your Majesty, when this subject heard the commotion and rushed over from the tent just now, it seemed this evil creature intentionally chased after Your Majesty. I fear this tiger menace is man-made. This subject requests a thorough investigation.”

Emperor Jianzhao’s expression changed instantly.

The crowd only thought this was him being overly furious.

Afterward, they heard Emperor Jianzhao turn to Gu Siyuan and say: “I have an idea in my heart. You were originally on leave this time but arrived at the critical moment and performed a meritorious service in saving the Emperor. Combined with your performance during the day, I have decided to confer a noble title upon you when we return. For now, you should rest well for a few days according to the original plan. I will arrange for someone to thoroughly investigate this matter.”

Gu Siyuan naturally wouldn’t refuse and immediately accepted the order: “Yes.”

After speaking, he withdrew.

Many courtiers or young people of the same age present cast envious gazes at his back.

To be this young, not only holding real power, but also having a noble title that can be passed down through the family, truly bringing honor to his ancestors…

Why don’t I have that kind of luck and divine strength?

Gu Siyuan didn’t care about the noble title anyway; he didn’t have descendants to pass it on to regardless.

He suddenly brought up this matter just now merely because he wanted Emperor Jianzhao to dismiss him earlier. After all, those matters couldn’t withstand his detailed investigation.

He wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Firstly, because the Little Highness’s gaze when looking at him just now was extremely terrified and pitiful. He definitely needed his hugs and comforting right now.

Secondly, because he was truly holding it in to the point of catching fire. Otherwise, when testing Xie Huan’s malicious intentions just now, he wouldn’t have suddenly impatiently shown aggressiveness.

Mm, since the Little Highness needs hugs and comforting, then I might as well go deeper and more thoroughly; the effect should be better.

Gu Siyuan thought so.

With this thought, the speed beneath his feet became even faster.

The Imperial Guards guarding nearby only felt a black shadow flash before their eyes. When they focused their eyes to look carefully, there seemed to be nothing there.

It must be because an incident just occurred and my nerves are too tense.

Inside the main tent.

Xie Xuan, his face full of disgust, had just half taken off his clothes covered in tiger blood, wearing only his inner garments.

Right at this moment, he felt a breeze behind him.

Before he had time to say anything, his waist tightened, and then his whole person was picked up horizontally.

Next, his body was lifted into the air, being carried away from the main tent at a speed unimaginable to ordinary people, and also leaving the brightly lit, noisy drill ground camp.

When he looked at the pitch-black mountain forest below his line of sight, and the sound of stepping on leaves and brushing past branches that constantly reached his ears, he finally realized that he seemed to have been forcibly abducted.

This isn’t a secret illicit affair, this is a mountain bandit chief forcibly snatching a bride!

Xie Xuan had always been an open-minded person; this seemed even more exciting.

He stretched out his slender arms, looped them around Gu Siyuan’s neck, and deliberately feigned anger on his face: “You didn’t even cast a glance at this Prince just now, but now you’re an impatient one.”

Gu Siyuan’s expression remained unchanged: “When I was sitting on the tree, I was looking at you the whole time. The wine was very delicious, wasn’t it.”

Xie Xuan frowned, realizing: “You were at the banquet scene the whole time?”

Gu Siyuan nodded: “En.”

Xie Xuan puffed his cheeks: “I knew it, why did you remind me to run to Imperial Father the moment that tiger went mad? Did you know the tiger was targeting me?”

Gu Siyuan: “Ninety percent certain. But no matter what, heading toward His Majesty will definitely maximize your benefits.”

Xie Xuan glared at the person: “How are you so calm? I was about to be murdered to death! Your brain can still think so much, and you still waited until the last moment to come out?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him and said calmly: “It’s not my first time seeing you almost get murdered.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

I can’t retort, so angry.

Right at this moment, the deep, magnetic voice he had heard countless times sounded by his ear, carrying an incomparable sense of peace: “With me here, I will absolutely not let anything happen to you.”

In an instant, Xie Xuan’s heart felt thoroughly soothed to the extreme.

How can this man know exactly how to handle me so well?

But, who told me to like it?

He raised his head slightly, leaned forward, wanting to plant a soft kiss on that cold, sharp, chiseled face.

However, what his tongue tasted first was a bitter and fishy flavor.

The tiger blood was still on his face, seemingly dried and scabbed.

“…” Xie Xuan.

Gu Siyuan just spoke words of love to this filthy, messy appearance of his?

What should I do, I seem to love Gu Siyuan even more.

And to think he always believed Gu Siyuan was merely mesmerized by his youthful and beautiful body.

Xie Xuan said softly: “We ran too hurriedly just now. My body is all dirty, and I haven’t even had time to wash up a bit?”

Gu Siyuan: “No rush.”

Xie Xuan felt even more smug and sweet in his heart, and continued to ask: “You don’t despise me looking like this?”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him, thinking: What kind of question is this.

“There is a hot spring at the mountain peak. We’ll wash up conveniently when we get there.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

Fine.

He couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Do you come here often? Are you very familiar with this area? You even discovered this wild mountain hot spring. This Prince thought all the hot springs around here had been enclosed by those people in the capital to build estates? There’s actually one that slipped through the net?”

Gu Siyuan said calmly: “Not familiar, never been here. I just discovered it the day before yesterday while inspecting the patrols.”

Xie Xuan frowned: “Discovered it just the day before yesterday?”

Thinking of something, he took a lock of hair and tickled the face of the person in front of him, intentionally teasing: “Oh my, General Gu, did you have this thought the moment you saw the hot spring? You’ve been drooling over this Prince for a long time, haven’t you?”

Gu Siyuan lowered his eyes to look at him, saying with a serious face: “It seems you and I truly understand each other’s hearts; we immediately thought of the exact same thing.”

“…” Xie Xuan.

Don’t wrong an innocent person.

Who thought of the exact same thing as you, someone who is cold on the outside but debauched on the inside.

Just as he was thinking this, he found Gu Siyuan making a rapid descent, and his feet had already stepped onto solid ground.

At the mountain peak, it was silent and vast.

There was only the bubbling sound of the hot spring water. Beside the spring, an old plum tree with vigorous branches was planted.

The moment Xie Xuan looked up, he felt that in an instant, he was also extremely close to that starry night sky.

Truly a good place.

Having the first time here can be considered extremely suitable and wonderful.

And then the next moment, he was directly thrown into the hot spring.

“…” Xie Xuan.

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