Sheng Chumu retorted, “If I weren’t a man, would you be hoping I’d repay you with my body?”
Fang Ziyan exploded, “Nonsense! If not for your General Dingyuan badge, I wouldn’t care if you live or die!”
“Badge?” Sheng Chumu suddenly patted himself as his eyes scanned his waist. “Where’s my pouch?”
“Never seen it.” He's going to play stupid.
“Rou’er made it for me!” Sheng Chumu panicked.
“I don’t know.” He's both jealous and envious.
“My badge is still here. I purposely attached the pouch to my belt; how can it disappear?” Sheng Chumu found it odd.
“You were floating in the ocean and your clothes were torn and tattered. It is considered a feat that we could even fish you out. Am I supposed to take responsibility for your items as well? Most likely, the pouch that you are talking about had already fallen into the ocean.”
Sheng Chumu became suspicious. “Did you steal—” Fang Ziyan smacked his injury. Sheng Chumu’s face cramped from the pain.
“Your injury hasn’t even recovered, and it’s like you are half-dead. How dare you bicker with me?”
Ma Haihu ran over and called happily, “Leader, we have found the guys from Suicide Nine!”
Sheng Chumu asked, “Who?”
Fang Ziyan glanced at him. “Pirates.”
Sheng Chumu analyzed seriously. “The name itself already sounds more powerful than your sect. So, you are jealous and hate them. Are you going to do dirty on a fellow pirate?”
In one motion, Fang Ziyan grabbed the back of Sheng Chumu’s shirt and dragged him to the hold of the ship. With a rope, Fang Ziyan wrapped it around Sheng Chumu and turned him into a dumpling. Ignoring his shouts and curses, Fang Ziyan shut the door on him and left.
Sheng Chumu shouted until he became hoarse, but no one bothered about him. Clashing sounds could be heard from the outside. It seemed like they were really fighting.
After some time had passed, the door opened once again. “Hey, leader of the pirates—” Sheng Chumu perked up.
Who knew that the person who entered wasn’t Fang Ziyan but a huge burly looking girl. She was dressed similarly to the other pirates, with a short-sleeved shirt and a mid-length skirt. She even had long pants and leather boots.
The huge girl walked up and loosened some of the ropes around Sheng Chumu without saying anything. Sheng Chumu’s hands were still tied and he could only move his body. “Who are you? What do you want?” There were female pirates?
“I am Ma Hainiu. My brother asked me to come and change medicine for you. Oh right, my brother is Ma Haihu.” She then pulled open Sheng Chumu’s shirt. Ma Hainiu’s eyes glimmered as she reached out to poke his white chest. “Wah, you are the most muscular man I have seen. I like you!”
Sheng Chumu rolled his eyes. “I already have someone in my heart. Furthermore—” His gaze brushed over Ma Hainiu. “I don’t like such muscular women. Males and females should keep their distance. Don’t touch me however you like.”
“What distance?” Ma Hainiu did not understand him.
“Males and females should keep their distance!” Sheng Chumu purposely repeated.
“If males and females don’t get together, then how do they have children?” Ma Hainiu swallowed her saliva. She switched from poking to stroking him as she clicked her tongue in admiration of what she was feeling.
Sheng Chumu blushed. “Who wants to have children with you? Don’t touch me!”
Ma Hainiu’s expression turned serious. “You are tied up, what can you do? I like to touch you so I will do as I like.” She pointed all ten of her fingers into the air and started to polish his beautiful looking chest.
Sheng Chumu bellowed, “I am the Assistant General Dingyuan of the Great Tang. If you dare to do anything to me, I will chop off your hands!”
Ma Hainiu’s eyes seemed to turn into stars. “So, you are an Assistant General. Wow, wow. You must be the best looking and most capable man in the world, after our leader, of course. When you shout, you sound so heroic. Shout louder, I want to hear you.”
Sheng Chumu immediately fell silent. After a moment, he suddenly stretched out his neck and yelled, “Fang Ziyan! Come here right now! Fang Ziyan, you bastard! How can you use such a despicable method?!” This woman is too horrifying!
Chapter 19.2: Empty Heart
Fu Rou leaned against the bed. Her face resembled a withered flower, devoid of any colour. When she woke up, she realised that she was not in her room but did not even bother asking where she was. Prince Zhou was trying to coax her into taking her medicine. Although the spoon had been held in front of her for very long, she ignored it. Tears streamed down her face.
“You finally woke up after being unconscious for so long. Are you just going to keep on crying and not say anything? Are you going to cry until you go blind? Or are you going to starve yourself?”
Fu Rou shook her head but continued sobbing. “If he didn’t make a bet with Lu Qi for me, he would not have gone to the Imperial Competition. If he did not go to the Imperial Competition, he wouldn’t have obtained the title of General Dingyuan from the Emperor and be sent onto the battlefield. If he hadn’t been sent to fight, he wouldn’t have died such a terrible death.”
“So you intend to starve and sacrifice yourself for him?” Is she so stupid?
Yes, what’s the point of living if she killed the person she loved?! Fu Rou turned her head once again and Prince Zhou’s spoon was left in the air.
Prince Zhou placed the bowl down angrily and took big strides towards the door.
When would she ever have him in her eyes? As a royal, even though he was not the Empress’ child, he was still of noble birth. Why did he have to lower himself just to please a girl? Other than the throne, anything he wanted has always been presented to him or would be within his grasp.
Prince Zhou suddenly stopped and turned around. He stormed back to the couch. Under Fu Rou’s gaze, he picked up the medicine bowl and drank a huge mouthful. Leaning over, he held Fu Rou down and placed his mouth over hers, forcing the medicine into hers.
Fu Rou could not free herself and had no choice but to swallow the medicine. When Prince Zhou let go of her, she slapped him before looking at her own hand in shock.
Prince Zhou’s breathing became rushed as a fire burned in his eyes. “I rescued you from death’s door not for you to sacrifice yourself out of love for Sheng Chumu. I am your benefactor, and your life is mine. If you still dare to refuse to take your medicine or take any food, I will personally feed you every meal!”
Fu Rou glared at Prince Zhou for a while before picking up the medicine bowl and finishing it in one breath.
“You are finally thinking clearly now?” Prince Zhou was mildly disappointed. If she had insisted on not drinking, it would be his fortune.
“Giving up on myself will bring no benefit to myself nor those around me. Chumu would also not wish to see me rot away.” And she also did not want to be fed by Prince Zhou in this manner for every meal.
“He would want you to be happy and lift your head to look forward, finding another source of happiness.” Prince Zhou did not forget to insert himself in Fu Rou’s heart.
“I would like to ask Your Highness for another favour.” Unfortunately, her heart was already full.
“You want to pray to Sheng Chumu.” Prince Zhou stated blatantly. He knew her well. “They haven’t found his body, so it is just a cenotaph now.”
Fu Rou looked miserable. “It doesn’t matter. I just want to have a look, spend some time and say a few words to him.”
Prince Zhou grasped a jade pendant in his hand before finally saying one word. “Okay.”
He was not in a rush. This jade pendant will eventually be given to the one he loves.