Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Bitten by a Viper

In the scope of their vision, on the treetop above Shen Ruoxi’s head, a green bamboo viper was silently flicking its tongue, stealthily sliding downward.

Lan Jue tightly gripped his dagger, fully prepared.

Shen Ruoxi had also clearly sensed the danger. She mouthed the words “don’t move” silently, and her arrow was ready to be released…

However, Lan Jue suddenly shouted aloud: “Cousin, watch out!”

He sprang up, pulling Shen Ruoxi into his embrace.

In her shock, Shen Ruoxi saw the startled viper with eyes fixed, fiercely bite into Lan Jue’s calf.

Lan Jue gasped in pain, his hand throwing the dagger, piercing the viper straight through.

“Cousin Jue!” Shen Ruoxi exclaimed in panic, quickly standing up.

She saw two black fang marks on Lan Jue’s calf, which was swelling quickly, his face turning somewhat blue.

The venom of the bamboo viper was indeed potent.

Shen Ruoxi had no time to blame his recklessness. Had he stayed still, the snake would have met its end, but his rash move startled it, so unlike the usual composed Prince Lan.

She hurriedly tore open Lan Jue’s pant leg, bending down.

“Ruoxi.”

Lan Jue wanted to stop her but was held down by her as she coldly said, “Don’t move.”

Lan Jue could only comply, watching her lower her lips to the wound on his leg.

Her body came so close, the cool fragrance wafted to his nose, and Lan Jue’s heartbeat quickened, his body becoming stiff.

At that moment, Shen Ruoxi was concentrating on sucking the venom from Lan Jue’s leg, mouthful after mouthful, until the blood turned red. Only then did she gently breathe out a sigh of relief.

“Quick, take the medicine.”

One more Condensing Spirit Pill was consumed, the stock running low.

Admittedly, the Little Spirit Pill could also be used, but its effect was ultimately slower.

In comparison, the Condensing Spirit Pill could quickly detoxify.

He obediently swallowed the pill, watching her foraging for herbs, crushing them with a stone, then applying directly to his leg.

The pain and numbness in his leg gradually subsided.

At this moment, Lan Jue felt a surge of guilt.

He had intentionally gotten injured, just to evoke her sympathy, to keep her by his side longer.

Thinking back, he almost wanted to slap himself fiercely, not out of fear for himself but worried about possibly endangering her.

After all, sucking venom could also lead to poisoning.

“Ruoxi, are you alright?” he asked with concern.

“I’m fine. I just took a Condensing Spirit Pill yesterday, its effects haven’t faded yet, so I’m good.”

He breathed a sigh of relief, thankful she was fine, feeling frustrated: “Sorry, Ruoxi, in that heated moment, I just thought I couldn’t let you get hurt, and forgot I could just kill the snake outright, I really lost my wits.”

As he voiced the last sentence, he genuinely felt he had lost his mind and gone crazy at the time.

Shen Ruoxi thought he must have been concerned about her safety, causing his reckless behavior, as he usually maintained the utmost calm and restraint.

She gently shook her head, “It’s okay, you were worried I’d get bitten by the venomous snake. How are you feeling now?”

“Much better.” he replied.

“Can you walk?” she inquired.

Lan Jue tried standing, it seemed feasible, but he intentionally staggered, prompting Shen Ruoxi to immediately support him.

“Cousin, let me carry you.” she said softly.

“No need,” were the words lodged in his throat, but they turned into, “Thank you, cousin?”

“Cousin Jue, there’s no need for such formality between us.” Shen Ruoxi bent down and carried him on her back.

Apologizing inwardly to Shen Ruoxi, Lan Jue told himself this would be the last time, the last time he indulged his feelings and threw everything aside.

Her body was soft and warm; carrying him, a tall and strong man, seemed effortless, her steps steady.

He initially tugged at her collar, feeling unsteady and worrying she’d feel burdened.

So he let his body relax completely, leaning all his weight upon her back, his arms encircling her neck gently.

He closed his eyes, deeply inhaling her cool scent.

Shen Ruoxi clearly felt his relaxation, not due to any increased weight, as carrying a man wouldn’t be strenuous, but more out of concern for any discomfort he might feel.

“Cousin Jue, are you alright?” she asked with concern.

“I’m fine, leaning on you like this feels more stable,” he whispered back.

“Mhm, just don’t move; we’ll be there soon.” she reassured him, her pace steady as they headed back.

Seeing Shen Ruoxi carrying Lan Jue back, the Yang Family, Zou Family, and Chuntao were taken aback. Upon learning he was bitten by a snake, they were worried, but once Shen Ruoxi reassured them, they felt relieved.

The three maids went to handle the pheasants, and Yang Family laughed: “You two lost.”

Thinking about the eggs in the basket, Shen Ruoxi whispered, “Sister-in-law, can someone twist the truth?”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Yang Family asked, puzzled.

Shen Ruoxi chuckled, “Let’s see soon!”

Yang Family was left bewildered yet curious.

When the time came, Xu Ji and Pei Xuan returned, triumphantly full-loaded.

The two had successfully hunted nearly thirty animals through great effort.

There were hares, pheasants, sika deer, foxes, roe deer, goats, and wild boars, all laid out in substantial numbers, practically piled high.

“How come you all returned so early?” Xu Ji asked curiously.

Shen Ruoxi explained: “Cousin’s leg got bitten by a venomous snake.”

“Is it serious?” Xu Ji and Pei Xuan immediately stepped forward, inquiring with concern.

“It’s fine.”

“Since we’re in on the bet, we must honor it, no backing out due to injury!” Pei Xuan declared confidently.

Lan Jue smiled and instructed Shen Ruoxi: “Ruoxi, show everyone what we’ve hunted.”

Xu Ji and Pei Xuan looked around confused, wondering where the prey was in such a small area.

Shen Ruoxi stifled her laughter, reaching into the bamboo basket to pull out over forty pheasant eggs.

Upon seeing this, Xu Ji and Pei Xuan were utterly astonished, hardly able to believe their eyes.

“You’re not counting these pheasant eggs as prey, are you?” Pei Xuan exclaimed in surprise.

Lan Jue, however, without any guilt, replied, “It’s exactly these pheasant eggs!”

Pei Xuan jumped up at once, objecting, “Are eggs at your house considered prey?”

Lan Jue countered, “Aren’t you bewildered by the eggs?”

Pei Xuan’s face turned sour, “Your reasoning is less convincing than Xiang’er and their fish catch; should I go collect a hundred butterflies?”

Lan Jue responded calmly, “Too late, time’s passed, besides, butterflies and chickens are completely different beings.”

Hearing this, Xu Ji and Pei Xuan turned green with anger, unable to fathom how Lan Jue could argue so shamelessly.

Pei Xuan gritted his teeth, “Are these really chickens?”

“Aren’t these just chickens in their youth?” Lan Jue replied, as if it were only natural.

“First Young Madam, Fifth Young Madam, Chuntao, you three maids, and Qing’er, come and judge, who really won?” Xu Ji declared loudly.

“As humble maids, we truly don’t know how to answer.” The three maids all lowered their heads to avoid commenting.

Qing’er wisely added, “Uncle Ji, given your senior status, it’s inappropriate for a junior like me to get involved.”

Pei Xuan gritted his teeth and turned to Eldest Young Madam Shen and Fifth Young Madam Shen: “You two ladies, your take?”

Yang Family spoke up with difficulty: “Prince Pei didn’t clarify the conditions back then, so Cousin Jue can’t be entirely blamed, the bet was set by you, outsiders shouldn’t really get involved.”

“You all…” Xu Ji and Pei Xuan were infuriated, almost to the point of passing out.

Xu Ji furiously directed at Lan Jue, “Cousin, do you recall any Royal Family hunt where anyone’s passed off pheasant eggs as fill-ins?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep