Aenwyn frowned, confused by what this lunatic meant. She was sure her makeup was flawless, and along the way, no one had suspected anything. They only found it strange that their young master suddenly showed so much favor to a lowly servant.
Could it be that he recognized her as the one he had chased that night?
That was the only explanation Aenwyn could think of. The night had been very dark, so maybe he had recognized her backpack instead.
"What are you doing here?" Indigo asked calmly as he sat.
"Hunting foxes with some people," Haozhou said with a grin as he got off his horse and walked toward them.
"And this one is?" Haozhou looked at Aenwyn and asked.
He glanced at her and said, "It was you that night, wasn't it? Bold girl, made me chase you for half the night."
Indigo's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What, you want to touch my person?"
"Haha, no way. I'm just asking. After all, I did chase this one all night that time." Haozhou chuckled and lightly licked his lips.
"This one is quite interesting. Dear brother, could you let her go?"
His eyes wandered boldly over her.
Indigo had not spoken yet, but Aenwyn had already exploded.
"I refuse," she said, deliberately lowering her voice until it was hard to tell whether it was male or female.
She really wanted to dig out his dog eyes.
They had grudges both old and new, piling up to several incidents already. At the auction, she had used heavy eye makeup and didn't care if he recognized her.
Aenwyn stared at him with provocation.
Haozhou paused. "Interesting. Then what would make you agree to come with me?"
"Come here," Aenwyn said.
Indigo blocked her, eyes disapproving. "What are you doing?"
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
"Do you dare to compete?" Aenwyn said.
She stood there under the scorching sun, curled a finger at him and said, "One-on-one fight."
What? Everyone present thought they misheard. That small figure wanted a duel? They looked at her height, then at Haozhou's tall and strong frame.
Yes, she really wanted to beat him. She was still angry from the humiliation of being chased like a dog before.
Haozhou laughed loudly. "Forget it, let's compete in something else instead."
"With those skinny arms and legs, it won't be good if I break you."
His eyes slithered over her arms and legs like a snake. If she turned out to be a real beauty, he would regret it terribly.
Such a pitiful little thing was more suited to be pampered in bed. He remembered the stunning face he had once seen, and now, seeing her so close, he felt a rush of desire.
Indigo stood nearby, arms crossed.
"What, are you scared?" Aenwyn stood a bit higher than him, looking down with contempt.
Haozhou laughed angrily. "You've got quite the temper for a little servant. I don't like that. But if you're asking for a beating, I'll gladly give it."
Just as he finished speaking, Aenwyn lunged like a missile and kicked his leg.
There was a loud crack, and Haozhou almost had his leg broken. He fell to the ground in pain.
A surprise attack! She was a woman, naturally weaker in strength, so she would be foolish to fight fair.
"What are you doing?" Wen Shan shouted and rushed forward, but Indigo stopped him.
"A duel," Indigo said calmly.
"Despicable," Wen Shan spat and looked away as his young master got beaten.
Yes, beaten.
Right after that first hit, Haozhou barely stood before a soft arm wrapped around his neck. Before he could enjoy the scent and touch, she locked him in a chokehold and threw him hard.
Then came a barrage of punches and kicks with no mercy.
Seeing him beaten to the ground, Haozhou suddenly grabbed a handful of sand and flung it at her.
Aenwyn covered her eyes and took a step back. His leg sliced through the air towards her waist, but she narrowly avoided it.
Haozhou's sneak attack failed, and being humiliated in front of everyone made his face dark and menacing. He gritted his teeth and stood up. "Well played."
Aenwyn stared at him coldly.
"You called me despicable, but you're no better."
Indigo frowned and watched. Aenwyn moved again. That earlier part was just a warm-up.
She had always said her combat skills were decent. Taking down four or five strong men alone wasn't a problem.
A woman's weaker body could be compensated with technique. She had trained under some of the world's best martial arts masters. If she lost this one-on-one fight, all her masters might spit blood in anger.
On the desert field stood a thin youth, eyes burning bright.
Indigo watched her, heart stirring. The bold and bright Aenwyn, the sweet and coquettish Aenwyn, the quiet and graceful Aenwyn who painted, the determined and brave Aenwyn—how much of her did he really know?
But those moves… the more Indigo watched, the more his brows furrowed. These below-the-belt tactics should probably be used less often.
Aenwyn ended the fight with a kick to Haozhou's most vulnerable spot.
Oh, her masters would like to clarify: they never taught such dirty tricks. Those were clearly proper martial arts techniques. How did they turn so wild in her hands?
"Hiss." All the men watching flinched in pain.
Some instinctively covered themselves. One of them had been kicked like that by her before and nearly lost his manhood.
"Ow…" Haozhou clutched himself and rolled on the ground.
Wen Shan rushed over. "Young master, are you alright?"
"Do I look alright to you?" Haozhou shouted.
Wen Shan looked slightly annoyed but still helped him up.
Aenwyn exhaled deeply, clearly satisfied. A smile appeared on her dark face, dimples showing. Haozhou looked up at her, but the insult in his throat got stuck.
"Little brother, impressive skills," he said.
Haozhou's people looked at their master like they were seeing a ghost. Was he possessed? Normally, he'd want to skin this brat alive.
Indigo's face was cold as he walked over and stood in front of Aenwyn.
"Young Master Haozhou, we have other matters to attend to. We'll take our leave," he said.
"Don't go, let's go together. I'm fine anyway." Haozhou tried to laugh, but under Indigo's icy stare, he couldn't force it out.