Yao Ling saw that her goal had been achieved, she smiled to herself inwardly and decided to go out. After all, there was a boundary between man and woman. It wasn't good for her to stay too long inside the room with General Hu, even though Xiao Yu was accompanying her all along. Besides, she knew that her petty husband would be jealous.
She supposed that General Hu was a bit too honest because he was easy to be manipulated, however, at least... he had a mind of his own. Once he got ahold of the truth, he would get justice for Xiao Fang. Yao Ling really hoped that she didn't make a mistake by betting Xiao Fang's future on this honest general.
Yao Ling already got the information about this general beforehand from the information that Lin Jian had been gathered, so she had a quite good understanding of the general's personalities. It was all actually a mind game...
Yao Ling deliberately didn't introduce herself or ask for General Hu's name because she didn't want to look desperate to get to know him. She treated him like an ordinary patient and when Han Yi called him General Hu, she pretended that she didn't hear anything all. General Hu was in too much pain to realize this point.
When Yao Ling was treating General Hu, Xiao Fang was already on Han Xiang's side. She became a chatterbox just like usual as not to make Han Xiang feel suspicious. She told what she had been doing --- of course, excluding the trio's part. In their friends.h.i.+p, she was usually the one who did the most talking but lately Han Xiang indeed only talked about her resentful life.
Xiao Fang finally decided to ask about Han Xiang's wellbeing, after the latter finished taking a bath. "How are you doing?" She looked at Han Xiang with a sympathetic face, knowing that the latter had been through a lot at this point.
Han Xiang glanced at her and bit her lower lips, "I'm not fine!" She whined then she jumped onto Xiao Fang, hugging her. Xiao Fang was taken aback because she had never seen this side of her. Her usual calmness was gone. "They even killed all of my maidservants! Heartless bandits! I could only rely on myself --- even General Hu is hurt. He still has his subordinates to attend to him, but I have none!"
Han Xiang felt resentful because of the tiring journey. She thought that Xiao Fang would save her but until this point, she said nothing about it. General Hu was wounded and it was the perfect time for Xiao Fang to help her! It seemed like she had to put some ideas into Xiao Fang's head so the latter would try to help her with her own initiative.
Han Xiang cried, "I already told you before how I didn't want to get married. However, we both know there was nothing that we could do. After all, this marriage is decreed by the Emperor. I didn't want to involve you, but how come you are here? Are you going to save me?"
Han Xiang's face changed into happiness when she said the last past. She asked with full of hope, "I know you are the only one who treats me the best! Thank you for saving me, Xiao Fang!"
Han Xiang didn't give Xiao Fang any chance of refusal by directly thanking her first. Han Xiang knew Xiao Fang's personalities best --- she always said yes to her plea, so she was pretty sure that the woman wouldn't reject her.
Xiao Fang started to feel more and more bewildered. If previously Yao Ling or Han Yi didn't talk some senses into her, she would of course... without regard saving Han Xiang. However, she had her own family to consider. Yao Ling was an outsider but she understood this point, how come Han Xiang didn't realize about it too?
Was Han Xiang too innocent or she actually didn't care about Xiao Fang and Xiao Fang's family wellbeing? The more she thought about it, the more she felt her heart colder.
Han Xiang waited for Xiao Fang's usual loud voice and how she always defended and said yes to her, however... the current Xiao Fang didn't say anything. She only bit her lower lips sadly, making Han Xiang fall into confusion. Somehow... everything was out of her control. Han Xiang was quite surprised by Xiao Fang's sudden change. They only didn't meet for less than two weeks... what had happened to Xiao Fang around those times? Han Xiang squinted her eyes, trying to see Xiao Fang more clearly because she was feeling suspicious.
Han Xiang bit her lower lips, "Xiao Fang, why didn't you say anything? You are here... really only to send me to the lion's den?" She looked so pitiful, making Xiao Fang almost felt her heartbreak.
Han Xiang had a beautiful small face with enchanting phoenix eyes. Her tall nose and small red cherry lips were also complimenting her beauty. She had a natural white lotus face that always attracted pity and the protective feelings from the onlookers. This was the thing that always made Xiao Fang weak-willed in front of her. However, this time... her face overlapped with her father and brother's back home.
Even though Han Xiang was important for her, she couldn't abandon her own family. Xiao Fang bit her lower lip, feeling guilty. Xiao Fang sighed and said, "I'm sorry... I... I can't..."
Han Xiang was stunned because of her answer. The yes-woman was rejecting her plea?! This was a first... She clenched her jaw and her hands tightly before she changed her contorted face to sadness in a flash. Han Xiang kept her expression under control. She wanted to get Xiao Fang back under her control or else... everything would go awry. She needed Xiao Fang to let her get out of this marriage. Only her and her family... had the power to do this.
Han Xiang already received the news about the Qin Emperor's misconduct a long time ago, hence her reluctance to marry that b.a.s.t.a.r.d. "Why?" Han Xiang asked. "You have the power to help me get away from this marriage..." Han Xiang trailed off at the last part.
"Why do you say so? I'm only a woman... how could I help you?" Xiao Fang asked Han Xiang curiously.
"Don't you have your father to back you up? After all, he's the right prime minister of our kingdom. One word from him and everything will be fine..." Han Xiang said softly, trying to persuade Xiao Fang.
When she heard this statement, how could Xiao Fang didn't understand what Han Xiang meant? She indeed wanted to use her family to achieve her own goal. "I have my father true... but Han Xiang ah~ Have you ever thought what would happen to my family if the Emperor finds out that we lend you a helping hand?" Xiao Fang really wanted to know Han Xiang's answer.
Han Xiang smiled at Xiao Fang and said, "Your father is so powerful. Of course... everything will be okay..." Han Xiang once again tried to persuade Xiao Fang. Han Xiang certainly knew about the consequences, however, she didn't care... She wanted to ruin Xiao Fang's family... There was a hint of hatred that appeared in her eyes. However, she was really good at her act. The hatred was gone in a few moments.
Even Xiao Fang who paid attention to her demeanor missed the sinister glint inside her eyes. Han Xiang had been through a lot in her childhood, so her mind was a bit twisted. However, she indeed once thought Xiao Fang as her good sister... until something changed her way of thinking.