A jade cup gave off a faint fragrance.
Bao Xiaoqin instinctively opened her mouth, letting the warm wine flow down her throat.
The instant the wine entered her stomach, warmth rose from her dantian and swiftly spread through her limbs and bones. The limp, powerless feeling receded like the tide.
She slowly closed her eyes, silently sensing the medicinal potency of the spiritual wine.
Wang Xian stood before the wooden couch, still holding that slender bamboo twig, an expression on his face that was hard to tell whether it was helplessness or amusement.
He glanced at the four men still bleeding on the floor, then at the completely naked Bao Xiaoqin. He removed his cloak and casually tossed it over her.
"Put some clothes on first."
Clutching the black cloak that still carried the young man's body heat, Bao Xiaoqin suddenly felt as though something were lodged in her throat, neither rising nor falling.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something cutting, but her lips trembled so badly that not a single word came out.
For a long while, the woman made no movement, as though she were afraid—or perhaps simply trembling.
Wang Xian did not blame her. In truth, he did not know what to do either.
Good thing I'm blind. Good thing the doors and windows of this little courtyard are shut. Good thing no one is passing through this alley.
With her eyes closed, Bao Xiaoqin had no idea how many curses she spat out... cursing and shouting in fits and starts.
Even after she had cursed herself tired and opened her eyes, she still did not think to get dressed.
Instead, she jumped down from the wooden couch. A sword had somehow appeared in her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, she stabbed