Chapter 10: The Moon

"How dare you show your face here?" Feng Yuanjun's expression twisted with a mix of fury, bitterness, and perverse satisfaction when he saw Yuwen Ji.

Yuwen Ji spoke coldly, "I'm not here to beg. I came to warn you—release Xue Chongxun's maid immediately, or you'll fall right into his trap."

"Warn me? Why would you care?" Feng sneered.

"This morning, my father and I passed the West Market and saw you arrest her. My father instantly said you'd played into Xue Chongxun's hands—he's been waiting for this moment. I despise Xue, but I'm warning you out of gratitude for your past kindness to my family."

Feng's face crumpled as he stared at her heartbreaking beauty. "You still remember my kindness? Your family are tea peddlers! Did I ever look down on you? My elder brother urged me to marry into nobility to strengthen our family, but I defied him for you. And what did my loyalty earn me? Betrayal!"

He lunged forward, laughing until tears spilled. "Using brothel tricks on your own fiancé…"

Yuwen Ji flushed and stepped back. "This isn't about us! Xue Chongxun is sharpening his blades as we speak. Release the maid now, or disaster will strike!"

Feng scoffed, "I took his maid—so what? She's mine now!"

"Listen to me!" she pleaded. "My humiliation that day wasn't by choice—I was forced!"

"Whore!" Feng slapped her viciously, sending her sprawling. Her cheek swelled instantly.

"Your father boasted you knew medicine and martial arts—a paragon of virtue!" he roared. "If you'd resisted, could that drunken lecher have laid a finger on you? Did you think me a fool? I'll carve you both into pieces!"

Tears welling, Yuwen Ji stumbled to a nearby table and grabbed a decorative sword. Feng tensed. "Planning to kill me?"

Click. She unsheathed the blade halfway, then reversed the grip and offered him the hilt. "Kill me, then."

Feng snorted. "Why dirty my hands? Get out! I'll go enjoy Xue's woman instead." He yanked the sword away and shoved her toward the door.

As she stumbled, Yuwen Ji hissed, "If you fear consequences, why provoke Xue Chongxun? Cowards attract calamity!"

"Pathetic trick." Feng spat.

A carriage flanked by armed men halted at Feng Manor. Servants at the gate recoiled as Xue Chongxun emerged, coolly adjusting his hemp robe. His gaze lingered on the "Feng Residence" plaque above.

A servant bowed hastily. "Lord Xue! Let me announce—"

Thud! Xue's kick sent the man crashing into the gates.

"Attack!" roared Xue's retainer Fang Yuzhong.

Pandemonium erupted—wooden poles cracked skulls, bodies thudded to earth. Xue watched calmly as his men overwhelmed Feng's servants. Only when a fleeing servant burst into Feng's chambers did Xue follow.

Feng met him at the doorway, eyes blazing. "Where's Peiniang?" Xue smiled.

Feng sneered, "I stripped her and took her already."

Crunch. Xue's fists became blurs, pummeling Feng's face beyond recognition. When Feng collapsed, Xue ground his boot into the man's hand, drawing bloodcurdling screams.

As Xue grabbed Feng's hair, the assassin Sanniang materialized behind him, dagger drawn.

"STOP!" Yuwen Ji's shout froze the room.

Too late—Sanniang lunged. Three silver needles zinged through air, deflecting her blade. Yuwen Ji shielded Feng, hair whipping in the sudden gust.

"He's a demon using you!" Yuwen Ji pleaded with Sanniang. "When you're spent, he'll discard you!"

"I'm accustomed to it," Sanniang replied tonelessly.

Xue barked, "This doesn't concern you, Yuwen Ji! Move or your family dies!"

Yuwen Ji smiled coquettishly. "Don't you recall our passion? Don't you want more?" She shoved Feng backward—

Schlik. The discarded sword pierced Feng's chest. He slumped, dead before hitting the floor.

"I… killed him?" Yuwen Ji whispered.

"Finish him," Xue ordered Sanniang. Two dagger thrusts later, he declared: "Sanniang killed Feng during the struggle over my maid. Understood?"

"Understood," Sanniang echoed. Then, inexplicably: "Master always said we were like his children. But everyone knows Yuwen Ji was always worth more."

Xue shrugged. "If she's implicated, it complicates things. Plus, her father knows canal logistics—he's still useful."

Outside, troops surrounded the manor. Jingzhao Prefect Li Shouyi dismounted, stern. "Lord Xue, you'll answer for this bloodshed."

Xue laughed. "Arrest a Duke? Ask Her Majesty first."

"The law cares not for rank!" Li thundered.

Xue strolled past weapons and wide eyes to his carriage. As it rolled away, a guard muttered, "Li's signing his death warrant."

Sighing, Xue mused, "What drives such courage? Since Empress Wu's reign, few dare oppose power. What does he gain?"

[Translation Note: Cultural terms adapted for clarity while preserving context. Martial arts sequences condensed for pacing. Character dynamics emphasized through dialogue styling.]