Xia Zao shuddered, trembling all over beneath that sinister, crazed gaze. His body swayed involuntarily to one side, and his palm accidentally landed in a pool of blood.
The sticky sensation and rank stench of blood hit him at once. He jerked his hand back, his expression turning ugly.
Shen Yangge swam over, his silver hair stained another color by the blood. Whether seen up close or from a distance, it was painfully jarring. After calling Chu Xuanzhen's name, he added the moment the other man looked over, "I want to go somewhere else."
Chu Xuanzhen's pupils contracted. He walked past the servant toward Shen Yangge, his steps unhurried. He looked calm, but he was anything but.
The veins stood out on the backs of his hands beneath his sleeves, like the light rain before a storm. No one could guess what would happen next, but Shen Yangge felt that if he did nothing to soothe Chu Xuanzhen's anger, the servant would suffer.
Chu Xuanzhen bent down and held out his hand, spreading five slender fingers before him. Fine calluses covered their pads.
Without a word, Shen Yangge placed his hand in it. The instant his hand touched Chu Xuanzhen's palm, he was hauled out of the pond. Chu Xuanzhen then swept him into his arms and, as he passed the servant, gave him a kick. "Prepare the bath."
Hearing that cold voice, Xia Zao felt an inexplicable surge of relief. He knew his life had been spared, but that brought him little joy. Instead, he was filled with regret and self-reproach.
Xia Zao scrambled ahead, no longer sparing a thought for what had just been on his mind. The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, a sword slashed straight toward him. It was too fast, and he was