Chapter Nineteen: Subdued Subaru

He took a velvet pouch from his chest, round and bulging with unknown contents, and pressed it into her hand. “Smell this,” he said.

Kaeming obeyed. At the first whiff, a coolness swept through her body. “How comfortable... What is it?”

“It’s herbal medicine to dispel summer heat. I chose a few and put them in the pouch. The air in this room is heavy, so it can mask the odors and help people fall asleep,” he explained patiently.

“That’s wonderful.” She inhaled several times, reluctant to let it go, her eyes shining as she looked at him. Suo gently patted her head and said softly, “Sleep now. Tomorrow, we have a long journey ahead.”

Kaeming murmured her assent, not resisting his touch—indeed, she found herself liking these gestures of intimacy. She couldn’t quite name the feeling; she only knew that this man before her inspired trust and gave her a sense of security. She nestled obediently against his knee, her heart fluttering with a quiet joy.

Suo stroked her head intermittently, as one would caress a beloved cat, his voice barely audible: “When all this is over, we... will be different, won’t we...”

She responded vaguely, not knowing precisely what he meant, nor caring to know.

“Though I’ve spent time in taverns and brothels, I’ve never crossed the line. What happened last time was an accident...” he began to stammer.

She simply murmured, letting his voice wash over her, soothing as a lullaby. All she wished was for him to speak on, just a little more, so that she might sleep.

“I am not a lecher, you know... Actually, I...” His words grew softer, distant, fading entirely as she slipped into sleep. It worked. She slept deeply.

In the morning, she was jolted awake by a shrill scream. Opening her eyes, she found herself still leaning against Suo’s leg. He reclined against the wall, squinting. The other prisoners, disturbed by the noise, sat up rubbing their eyes.

With everyone watching, she felt a little embarrassed and quickly moved away from his leg. Suo happened to open his eyes, meeting her gaze in mild confusion.

“What’s happened?” he asked, surprised and suspicious. The commotion outside was loud. He was too distracted to notice her embarrassment.

The door was kicked open, and three jailers stormed in, swinging their batons at those who hadn’t managed to rise. “Move it! Out of the way!”

The prisoners scrambled to clear a path, which led directly to Suo and Kaeming—and stopped there. Kaeming saw their fierce faces and silently cursed. Were they here to cause trouble so early?

“You, come here!” Two of them seized Suo by the arms. Though he was large, his hands and feet were bound, and they managed to push him out.

“What’s going on?” Kaeming cried. Why take only Suo? The third jailer blocked her with his baton. “Don’t you know what happened? Don’t play innocent!”

“You’re talking nonsense,” Kaeming retorted angrily, glaring at him.

The jailer sneered, “Last night, two of our brothers were ambushed, stripped naked, and left at the inn’s door. Who else would do such a thing but you? Don’t try to deny it!”

Kaeming was stunned, unsure whether to laugh or be furious. Her expression was stormy as she declared, “It wasn’t us! Absolutely not! Everyone here can testify!”

The jailer shouted at the prisoners, “Will you testify for her? Huh?”

Silence reigned; not one dared speak up.

Kaeming was livid. From the doorway, she heard the sounds of a violent struggle, her heart wrenching with worry. The jailer beside her smirked, “See? Who will testify for you? Who dares?”

She ignored him, reaching out to push him aside. The man, surprised by her boldness, swung his baton at her. Kaeming, trained as a soldier, dodged swiftly. He swung again, and she raised her shackles to meet it. The baton snapped in two with a crack.

While the jailer was stunned, she bolted for the door. But stepping over the threshold, the sight before her made her gasp.

Two or three jailers were surrounding Suo, cursing and beating him with their batons. Suo did not resist, only curled up on the ground, arms shielding his head, enduring their blows. Kaeming stood in the doorway, dizzy for several seconds. Each strike seemed to land on her own body, bringing both pain and a wrenching ache in her heart.

“What are you doing? Get away! Move!” she screamed, rushing forward and shoving the officers, breaking into the circle to pull at Suo. “Why let them bully you? Why? Are you Suo or the man you once were?”

The push only enraged the officers further, and they swung harder at her. “Beat them both to death!”

Kaeming sprang up, ready to fight, but Suo suddenly wrapped his arms around her, taking the blow on his own back. He groaned, “Don’t fight! No matter what happens, don’t fight!”

Kaeming heard the sound of the baton landing, her heart trembling. Seeing another blow coming, she spun to shield Suo with her own body, taking the strike herself. The pain was searing, like fire. She gritted her teeth, glaring at Suo in silence.

“You’re mad!” Suo cried, pulling her tightly into his embrace, covering her with his own body. The batons whistled down on his back, splitting skin and drawing blood. Once, twice—the suppressed groans from Suo tore at her heart.

“What are you doing?” Suddenly, Akong’s furious voice rang out. He quickly intervened, blocking the officers’ attacks and standing before them, calm and composed. “Gentlemen, may I ask the reason for treating my master in this manner?”

“He attacked two of our brothers last night. Just giving him a little lesson,” one said nasally.

“Gentlemen, I stood guard outside my master’s door all night and saw nothing. The two of you drank too much—perhaps you fell asleep outside while going to the latrine. Though my master is in trouble, he is still an official of the Purple Palace. Please, for the sake of propriety, let’s end this matter here.” Akong spoke as he moved toward the nasal officer, secretly slipping something into his hand and signaling with his eyes. “Officer, shall we let this matter rest?”

The officer weighed the bribe in his hand, a satisfied smile on his face. The two who had been left outside last night saw they had lost nothing and gained a windfall, exchanged glances, and agreed to the proposal.

When they left, Akong hurried to support Suo. “Master, are you all right? How could something like this happen when I was only gone for a moment?”

Suo looked up at him. “Akong, was it you who did that last night? Tell the truth!”

Akong hesitated, biting his lip and bowing slightly. “I only meant to vent your anger, Master, not expecting you would suffer for it. Please punish me!”

“Akong,” Suo sighed, “Are you truly foolish or just pretending? They mocked us yesterday, and then something happens—of course they’d suspect me. Do you even think?”

Akong hung his head lower. “I acted rashly. Please punish me, Master.”

“Let it be. You meant well.” Suo released his arms, every bone aching. He groaned, “Quick, help me with these wounds. The pain is killing me!”

Akong went to fetch medicine for Suo.

Suo called to Kaeming, “Don’t go yet. You took a hard blow—let me see if the skin is broken.”

Kaeming mumbled, “It’s nothing. I’ll just use cold water.”

Suo glared at her. “What if it gets infected? If it worsens, nobody will care for you. You’ll be left on the road, alone, waiting to die.”

Kaeming was startled into silence, staring at him. Suo, meanwhile, removed his shirt, revealing a dark, muscular torso. His shoulders were broad, his muscles taut and lean, not an ounce of excess. But Kaeming’s attention was drawn to the scars—fresh and old, crisscrossing his skin.

The scars were scattered, some merely swollen, others split open and raw. Suo faced her now, but if he turned, his back would be even more appalling.

She drew a breath, closed her eyes, and forced down the wave of nausea rising within.

After applying the medicine, Suo dared not put his shirt back on and walked over to her bare-chested.

“Come here!” He took her hand and led her into the roadside thicket.

Finding a secluded spot, Kaeming understood his intent and sat obediently, turning her back to him and carefully lifting her shirt. Her fair skin was marred by an angry, swollen bruise. Suo touched it lightly, making her gasp.

“Damn it, they were ruthless!” he cursed, applying the ointment as he grumbled.

Kaeming laughed, “Why didn’t you show this fierceness when you were being beaten?”

Suo fell silent, then spoke. “The road ahead is dangerous. I don’t want to die for nothing.”

“Dangerous?” she echoed, surprised.

“I fear someone has been bribed by the Dai household, and may attack us along the way,” Suo said quietly.

Kaeming exclaimed, “If they really wanted to, there’d be plenty of chances. How could we escape?”

Suo suddenly smiled. “After what just happened, I’m certain they aren’t from Dai’s household.”

Kaeming was baffled, unable to follow Suo’s logic.

Suo chuckled softly. “If they were from Dai, they would have succeeded. Even if they didn’t kill me, they’d leave me crippled. Look, I’m still standing here, strong as ever.”

“Not so strong!” Kaeming protested. “One blow left me like this, and you’re bleeding. Why speak up for them? I don’t understand.”

Suo continued smiling. “Kaeming, you see things too superficially, missing the essence. Today’s beating has settled it for me. As long as we behave, they won’t trouble us. Akong brought enough silver; we can last till the end.”

Kaeming muttered complaints as the cool, stinging medicine spread. She exhaled deeply, her body relaxing. Suo’s fingers left her back, and for a long time, there was no movement.

“Is it done?” Kaeming wondered, “Why so quiet?”

Suddenly, there was a clatter, and a pair of hands, shackled and strong, descended from above, encircling her tightly. She felt a burning sensation on her back, as though scorched. At the first touch, her muscles tensed, and a torrent of heat surged from Suo’s body into hers.

Suo pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, “Why did you take that blow for me?”

His actions were intimate, and the sudden question made Kaeming’s heart pound wildly, threatening to leap from her chest.