Seeing the bloodstains on Jiang Wumei’s cloak, Xiao Tong—whose paws were bound to the bedpost—felt his tiger eyes flush with a mix of terror and rage. His fur stood on end, and he let out a low, continuous growl, arching his spine and struggling violently.
Moments ago, when a commotion broke out outside the hall, Xiao Tong and Niaoniao had woken up together. As the noise intensified and it became clear that Chun Yurong had brought her maids to cause trouble, Xiao Tong’s fury flared. He had tried to head out with Jiang Wumei, but she scooped him up and used a soft cloth to bind him to the bedpost, leaving him unable to break free. He could only watch helplessly as Jiang Wumei threw a cloak over her thin sleeping robe and hurried out into the cold wind.
Bound inside the hall, listening to the clash between Jiang Wumei and Chun Yurong—and hearing the sound of steel being drawn—Xiao Tong’s eyes burned with cold, murderous intent. His mouth tasted of blood, and his heart was consumed with a manic desire to charge out and slaughter everyone who dared to harass her. Seeing her return now, stained with blood, his mind was overwhelmed with such a mix of anger and dread that he could not think clearly; he could only continue to thrash and roar in her direction.
Chapter 49