After a long, tense moment, Lang Huan finally let go—violently shoving Qiu Yue away. She staggered back a few steps before collapsing onto the ground, her hand at her throat, gasping.
The spoiled brat who always clung to the princess with carefree smiles and childish charm had turned into someone cold and terrifying.
Qiu Yue's lips parted, but no sound came. Her voice was caught in her throat—stolen by fear. She didn't know which version of Lang Huan was real, but this one made her blood run cold.
She swallowed hard, recalling how Lang Huan had once killed Mo Yuan merciless. Maybe because it had been so long, she'd forgotten just how unhinged this man really was.
Lang Huan turned, ready to walk away, but paused when she heard Qiu Yue cry out in pain. She glanced over her shoulder and saw her still on the ground, struggling to get up.
Qiu Yue's fists pounded the dirt as tears streamed down her cheeks. She had never felt this helpless, this embarrassed—not in front of someone she used to look down on.
Lang Huan scoffed. "Take care of yourself," she said coldly, then turned and started to walk away.
"No… Lang Huan… Lang Huan!" she cried.
Lang Huan stopped mid-step. "Hmm? What do you want now?"
Qiu Yue bit her lip and said nothing. Her pride was still too strong to let the words out.
Lang Huan turned slightly, one eyebrow raised. "Do you want my help?"
"Then beg for it."
Qiu Yue's hands clenched into fists so tight, her nails dug into her palms and made them bleed. Her face burned with shame, but she gritted her teeth and forced the words out. "Lang Huan… please help me."
"Say it clearly!"
Qiu Yue shut her eyes, swallowed her pride, and repeated louder, "Please… help me."
Lang Huan walked back to her. She crouched beside her, eyes scanning the injury on Qiu Yue's leg. The fabric of her pants had stuck to the wound, now dark with dried blood.
Qiu Yue wanted to say, "Don't touch me," but she was afraid that if she made Lang Huan angry again, things would only get worse.
Lang Huan carefully tore the fabric. Qiu Yue flinched and let out a hiss of pain. She took out a small pouch from inside her robe and gently sprinkled black powder onto the wound. "Hold still."
Then, she touched Qiu Yue's other leg, checking for any swelling or signs of a sprain.
Qiu Yue's mind was spinning with discomfort. She stared at Lang Huan's focused, serious face—completely unaware of boundaries.
Does he not understand that men and women aren't supposed to touch like this? Qiu Yue thought angrily.
Her cheeks flushed, and in a sudden burst of anger, she kicked Lang Huan away. "Rogue!" she shouted, her voice trembling.
Qiu Yue cursed under her breath, glaring at her. "You have no manners!" she snapped. "Touching me however you want—how shameless can you be?!"
Lang Huan rubbed her shoulder where the kick had landed. She gave a quiet snort. "What are you so scared of?" she said. "If you weren't injured, I wouldn't even bother touching you."
She stood up slowly, brushing dirt from her robes. "I was only checking if your other leg was hurt."
Her glare deepened as Lang Huan silently tore part of her robe and began bandaging her injured leg. The cloth was warm from Lang Huan's touch and wrapped firmly around her skin.
"Open your hand," Lang Huan said in a flat voice. "I know it's bleeding."
Qiu Yue winced as Lang Huan sprinkled black medicinal powder onto her palm. The sting made her face tighten, but she stayed quiet while Lang Huan wrapped the last piece of cloth around it.
Seeing how stiff and grumpy Qiu Yue looked, Lang Huan let out a small sigh. "Relax. I'm not going to do anything inappropriate. I'm only interested in beautiful women."
What did he just say? Did she hear him right? Did he mean… she wasn't beautiful? Was he blind?
She was confident she was prettier than the famous Luo City courtesan, Qing Meier, or even the Eighth Princess, Feng Xiyan—though not as breathtaking as the Eldest Princess.
Countless men had tried to win her heart, but she had turned them all down—out of loyalty to the Eldest Princess.
"What do you mean?" she asked, half annoyed.
Lang Huan smirked. "What? I just said the truth—you're ugly."
No woman liked being called ugly—and Lang Huan knew that. Which was exactly why she said it.
In Lang Huan's eyes, Qiu Yue was just so irritating. Always serious, never smiling—like someone with a paralyzed face. She barely showed any emotion.
Come to think of it… the Eldest Princess isn't much different, Lang Huan sighed to herself.
Seeing that Qiu Yue could barely stand, Lang Huan crossed her arms and said flatly, "I'll call Xiao Bai. We need to get back. I'm worried about my wife."
The corners of her lips curled into a smug little smile when she said my wife, clearly enjoying how the words sounded.
She turned away and stood on the sloping path that led deeper into the cave. Then, she tilted her head back and let out a sharp, clear howl.
Her voice echoed off the damp stone walls. A few moments later, the sound of pounding footsteps came from above. Xiao Bai came running in, strong and fast, with Xiao Lan riding on his back. The wolf's paws hit the ground with powerful thuds, shaking the ground slightly.
Just as they got closer, Qiu Yue's eyes went wide in shock. Sitting on top of the giant white wolf was Xiao Lan.
"Xiao Lan?! What are you doing here?" Qiu Yue asked, surprised and worried.
Before Xiao Lan could answer, Lang Huan stepped in with a teasing tone. "Don't scare her with your ugly face and fierce voice," she said, smirking as she gently patted Xiao Lan's head. "She's the one who came looking for me and helped pull me out of that trap. If anyone should be praised, it's her."
Qiu Yue finally realized why she hadn't been able to find Xiao Bai earlier. "No wonder he was missing this afternoon…" she muttered.
Lang Huan gave Xiao Bai a small gesture. He lowered his body, making it easier to climb on. Then she turned to Xiao Lan and said with a straight face, "Xiao Lan, help this sister get on. It's not proper for a man and a woman to touch." There was a clear edge of sarcasm in her tone.
Qiu Yue's eye twitched. She knew Lang Huan was doing this on purpose. Xiao Lan looked confused, remembering how Lang Huan had carried her before. But the little girl still nodded and tried her best to help.
Qiu Yue didn't say a word. She bit her tongue and let Xiao Lan awkwardly support her. All the while, Lang Huan stood there, clearly enjoying every second of it.
After Qiu Yue and Xiao Lan climbed onto Xiao Bai, Lang Huan swung herself up to sit behind them, taking the very back seat. She tapped the wolf's side lightly. "Let's go, Xiao Bai."
The giant white wolf began moving, carrying the three of them up the narrow, sloppy path that led out of the cave. The trail was steep and uneven, rocks slipping beneath his paws. Cold night air brushed against their skin as they finally emerged from the darkness into the quiet forest.
As they rode, Qiu Yue glanced down at the strong wolf beneath them and muttered, "Aren't you tired… carrying three people?"
Lang Huan snorted loudly. "Of course he's tired. You should lose some weight."
Qiu Yue didn't reply. She kept her mouth shut, her lips pressed together in silent rage.
It was the first time in her life that anyone had ever called her both ugly and fat. If she had even a bit more strength in her body, she would've punched Lang Huan and sent her flying into the trees. Right now, she could only sit and let the cold wind gnaw at her pride.
Lang Huan wasn't someone who normally made fun of people. She knew how painful cruel words could be. Qiu Yue's sharp insults earlier had left a mark—she couldn't just brush off.
She couldn't physically hurt Qiu Yue. This annoying woman was a good commander — a loyal protector of the Eldest Princess. Lang Huan couldn't do anything else.
This was her way of striking back, of showing Qiu Yue how it felt to be wounded by words.