The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 21

Learning from Ran Mo that someone had already gone to alert the guards, Wei Lan rode directly into the forest, heading towards where the Crown Prince had fled. Following the direction of the broken branches, Wei Lan and Ran Mo split up to search. After riding for a long time, Wei Lan finally heard the sounds of fighting and saw the Crown Prince being protected by Wang Xi, standing to one side, while Xie Zichen was engaged in a struggle with three tigers with his sword.

Wei Lan rode towards them, nocking arrows and shooting at the tigers from a distance. She shot three arrows in quick succession, all hitting the tiger that was about to pounce on Xie Zichen from behind.

Xie Zichen and Wang Xi immediately looked up, seeing Wei Lan approaching. Wang Xi exclaimed excitedly, “It’s Wei Shizi!”

“But it’s only her and her servant,” the Crown Prince frowned, showing some concern.

Wei Lan, too, felt a pang of concern. For Spring hunts, large beasts were usually cleared in advance, so the arrows they carried were meant for smaller animals. Regular arrowheads without poison were a bit too inadequate for such large prey. Her three arrows only slowed the tiger’s movements, causing it to roar in place before pouncing towards the Crown Prince again.

Xie Zichen hurriedly blocked the tiger with his sword. The three tigers moved between Xie Zichen and the Crown Prince, seemingly attracted by something on the Crown Prince. Each time they approached, they were enraged by Xie Zichen. Wang Xi, gripping his sword nervously, watched the tigers repeatedly try to pounce, only to be stopped by Xie Zichen, his face turning slightly pale. Although the Crown Prince tried to maintain his composure, it was clear he was also somewhat panicked.

Wei Lan jumped off her horse and directly confronted one of the tigers. She didn’t dare to engage head-on, so she maneuvered around one of the tigers, giving Xie Zichen some relief.

However, with one person provoking and dodging a tiger, Xie Zichen wasn’t having an easy time either. Ran Mo jumped down to help, about to assist Wei Lan when Xie Zichen said, “Help me with the other one!”

“Ah Xi, go help!” the Crown Prince ordered decisively. Wang Xi didn’t hesitate, rushing to Ran Mo’s side to help her hold off another tiger. Xie Zichen finally had a bit of respite, holding a sword in one hand and drawing a short knife from his waist with the other, charging straight at the tiger. The tiger, sensing his aggressive approach, lunged at him. As they crossed paths, Xie Zichen suddenly ducked, sliding under the tiger and driving the short knife into its soft belly. The tiger swiped at him, but he rolled away just in time, then dashed towards Wang Xi.

The short knife seemed to have a significant impact on the tiger. Though it wanted to pursue, after a few steps, it collapsed, shaking the ground slightly.

Xie Zichen rushed to Wang Xi, who was working with Ran Mo to hold off another injured tiger. Despite its injuries, the tiger was still formidable, forcing the two to dodge constantly. Seeing they couldn’t hold on much longer, Xie Zichen arrived just in time. He drew another short knife from his boot, and while the tiger’s attention was diverted, he stepped on its spine and drove the knife deep into its neck, then leaped away. The tiger roared in pain, charging at him, but he ignored it and ran towards Wei Lan.

This time, seemingly out of short knives, he thrust his sword at the tiger. The agile tiger swiped back. Wei Lan quickly stabbed it in the neck with her sword.

The pain drove the tiger into a frenzy, and the tiger Xie Zichen had just attacked caught up, pouncing on him. Seeing Xie Zichen unable to dodge, Wei Lan threw herself at him, tackling him to the ground and rolling them aside.

The tiger’s claws left a deep gash on Wei Lan’s back, causing her face to pale from the pain. Xie Zichen’s expression darkened instantly, but he had no time to speak. He pushed Wei Lan aside and stabbed the charging tiger, pushing its body away with all his strength.

Then he quickly moved towards the fallen tiger, and before it could get back up, he slashed its belly open with a fierce strike and jumping away immediately.

His movements were so swift they were almost a blur. The tiger let out a final wail, while the black-clad figure retreated with the grace and agility of a crane. The tiger struggled to rise but collapsed after a few attempts, finally succumbing.

With all three tigers dead, the five people present finally relaxed. Blood dripped steadily from Wei Lan’s back, staining her white robe red. Ranmo supported her as she sat up, his face grim as if facing death itself, standing protectively behind her.

Her clothes were torn, exposing the wound and her fair skin. However, she seemed unconcerned, leaning on Ran Mo and watching Xie Zichen, who was splattered with blood, walk towards her.

Xie Zichen stopped before her. Today, as always, he wore a dark robe with a black cloak draped over it, looking cold and beautiful. He seemed to want to say something but merely pursed his lips and extended his hand to her instead.

Wei Lan smiled, leaning on Ran Mo, “Lan’s clothes are in disarray. May I borrow Fourth Young Master’s cloak?”

It was a casual request. Borrowing a beauty’s cloak would be ideal, but with her blood-soaked state, she wasn’t sure if the fastidious Xie Zichen would agree.

To her surprise, Xie Zichen said nothing, unfastened his cloak, knelt down, and draped it over her himself, carefully tying a knot in front.

While tying the knot, his face was so close that she could see every fine hair on his face. He was truly like a jade sculpture, flawless even at this proximity.

“Why did you protect me?” he whispered, only loud enough for them to hear. Wei Lan chuckled.

In times of danger, a woman should instinctively protect a man.

But she didn’t voice this thought. She merely blinked and whispered, “To be injured for Fourth Young Master is Lan’s honor.”

Xie Zichen didn’t respond. Wei Lan thought he might be annoyed, but after securing the cloak, he lifted her into his arms.

The other three were stunned. Xie Zichen glanced at them, then looked at the Crown Prince, saying calmly, “Your Highness, we should leave quickly.”

Who knew what else might be lurking in the forest.

Their horses had fled, so they had to walk out. Xie Zichen carrying Wei Lan left her flustered and shocked.

She was being carried by a man…

She was being carried horizontally by a man!!

She immediately struggled, frowning, “No, put me down, I…”

Before she could finish, Xie Zichen swiftly pressed her pressure point, immobilizing her. She stiffened in his arms as he said calmly, “You’re injured. Rest.”

With that, he carried her out of the forest.

As he walked, Xie Zichen couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander.

“So soft and fragrant, almost like a woman’s.”