(GL) Taming The White Tiger

Anning stood rooted in place for several seconds, she stared at Wanqing as though she must have misheard her. The words she had just said kept echoing in her head like a broken record player.

’This is the price I pay for your attitude’

"This has to be some kind of joke right?" She finally blurted out.

Wanqing just glanced at her, her face mirroring her exhaustion and the indifferent expression in her eyes made it seem like they were talking about the weather instead of something serious.

Without another word, she turned and started walking toward the bed.

Anning on the other hand didn’t follow, she stayed rooted in place. A heavy, uncomfortable feeling settled in her chest and made it hard to breathe.

Why was Wanqing getting punished? If anyone deserved a punishment, then it should have been her. She was the one who had argued, caused trouble, almost insulted royalty and refused to behave. Not Wanqing.

Her eyes followed Wanqing’s slow movements. The woman looked like she was on the verge of death and just the sight of her looking this way, made Anning bite her lip.

Maybe she should have kept her mouth shut earlier or just left when Yufang asked her to. Back then, if she had remained quiet, smiled politely and endured it all.

Even though pretending made her feel sick, she would rather feel that way than seeing Wanqing like this.

Without thinking, she walked toward Wanqing who had already started slipping off her outer robe. Anning stopped just behind her and gently helped pull it from her shoulders.

Wanqing paused for a moment but didn’t stop her. When the robe fell to the floor, Anning held her breath or rather forgot how to breathe.

Wanqing’s back that had once been smooth and soft was now covered in long, angry welts. Some were shallow and others looked deep, with dark blood sipping from them that stained her skin and clothes.

Anning’s stomach churned in discomfort. She had seen scrapes, bruises and even someone dying, but nothing like this.

"This is madness..." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

She reached out cautiously, her fingertips hovering just above one of the cuts. The skin around it looked swollen and raw.

She noticed the ropes tied at Wanqing’s back. The ropes kept her moxiong secure and found herself quickly looking away, heat rushing to her cheeks.

"Can... I take it off?" She asked, gently tugging at one of the robes then she awkwardly cleared her throat.

But Wanqing was too tired to even care about her acting all awkward. "This whole thing isn’t a big deal "

"That’s what you think?" Anning asked, frowning.

When she didn’t get an answer, she pressed her thumb lightly against one of the deeper wounds.

Wanqing let out a small, stifled sound...her entire body tensing up. Anning watched a fresh lime of blood seeped out of the wound, then pulled her hand back.

"You still think it’s not a big deal?" She asked softly.

Wanqing glanced over her shoulder with a darkened expression and it was then Anning realized she had gone a bit far.

She rubbed the back of her neck feeling stupid and muttered, "Pardon me."

Then she glanced around the room, "Do you have anything I could use to take care of this?"

"There is alcohol on that shelf," said Wanqing, weakly pointing toward a cabinet. "You would also find the cotton beside it."

Anning nodded immediately, then told Wanqing to take a seat. For once, Wanqing didn’t argue with her.

She walked over and lowered herself into the edge of the bed.

Meanwhile, Anning hurried to the shelf Wanqing had pointed at. Arranged neatly on the top of the shelf were several jars

She grabbed a random one and unscrewed the lid but nearly recoiled as the sharp scent hit her nose instantly.

"This is definitely it." She thought, quickly closing the jar again.

The cotton was exactly where Wanqing said it would be.

After getting everything she needed, she took in a deep breath and then hurried over to where Wanqing sat. She took off her sandals, climbed onto the bed.

Anning knelt on the bed behind her, carefully untying the ropes of her moxiong. Her mind surprisingly stayed clear... It was only filled with guilt and worry at that moment.

She dipped a clean cloth into cold water and began gently wiping away the blood. The cloth turned red after a few wipes. The wounds looked ever worse now that they weren’t covered in blood.

How did Wanqing even have the strength to stand? She freaking walked around like this was nothing!

But sadly, Anning didn’t scold her. At least not yet. She dipped one ball of cotton into the alcohol, then whispered an ’Alright’

When Wanqing didn’t say anything, Anning took that as permission and pressed the cotton to the first wound.

Wanqing’s shoulder visibly tensed up, her muscles tightening under Anning’s touch. Anning paused for a few seconds, then rested her free hand on Wanqing’s shoulder.

"It’s going to be okay." Anning said softly. "Just take a deep breath."

After a moment, Wanqing’s shoulders slowly relaxed. Anning continued cleaning each wound without making a single sound, the room was only filled with the sound of their breathing.

When she finished, she reached for a clean cloth to cover/bandage the area.

"I’ll do that myself." Wanqing said, suddenly snatching the cloth from her. "I will be seeing the physician tonight. They would apply some herbs on the wound then, I don’t need you covering it."

"Tomorrow?" Anning repeated with a frown.

"I need to sleep." Wanqing added, pressing her eyes closed.

Anning opened her mouth to argue, then closed it. The frustration she usually felt melted away and was replaced with something she recognized well, guilt.

She stared at Wanqing... at her pale face, tired eyes and the blood she had just spent minutes cleaning.

"I’m sorry," she said quietly.

Wanqing froze, then turned to stare at Anning who was staring down at her intertwined hands. She hadn’t apologized because she was obligated to or to avoid trouble. She really meant it.