Chapter 101: Feng Yixiao in Peril, Linglong on the Brink of Madness
“But who has the ability to bribe an elder of the Tongtian Pavilion? As members of the Xiaoyao Manor, we have never even seen the true faces of the elders. How could that person know who the elders of the Xiaoyao Manor are? And why would he kill Xiaoyu’er?” Jifeng asked.
Qin Daofei stood up, walked to the window, and looked toward the direction of the Linglong Pavilion. He said calmly, “Don’t you think that killing Xiaoyu’er serves to intensify the conflict between us and Hu Hanzhi, and it also makes the relationship between Linglong and me even more delicate?”
“Making the relationship between the First Madam and the Manor Master delicate… Manor Master, are you referring to Hu Hanzhi?” Tang Li and Jifeng spoke in unison, looking at Qin Daofei in disbelief.
*Sigh!*
Qin Daofei exhaled. “Now that things have developed to this point, speculation is redundant. The top priority is first to figure out why that elder went out to kill Xiaoyu’er, and second, to keep a close watch on Hu Hanzhi to see if he makes any further moves. Third…” That was his own business; he had to find a way to make Linglong believe that he truly had not ordered the killing of Xiaoyu’er.
Jifeng scratched his hair and said suspiciously, “There is one more thing that I have been very curious about!”
“Speak!” Qin Daofei and Tang Li said together.
Jifeng said, “When Huan’er first arrived at the manor, she usually stayed by the Old Madam’s side, never leaving her for a moment. Why did she appear in the courtyard alone that day, and why did Xiaoyu’er happen to strike at her right then? The identity of the person who died is so sensitive that it makes me feel as if someone did this intentionally.”
Qin Daofei glanced at Jifeng and then at Tang Li. The two men bowed immediately and said, “We shall go and investigate at once!”
“Investigate thoroughly. I want to see who dared to strike within the Xiaoyao Manor right under my nose!” Qin Daofei narrowed his eyes, staring coldly into the distance.
After Tang Li and Jifeng investigated, the conclusion they reached was unexpected: Tan Xiyin!
The little girl had met with Tan Xiyin alone previously, and the two had chatted for a long time. No one knew what they were talking about. At first, the girl seemed agitated, but later she was chatting and laughing with Tan Xiyin. Afterward, the girl had gone into the courtyard.
If not for Tan Xiyin, this matter might have been simpler, but with Tan Xiyin involved, it was clear that this matter was definitely not simple.
After hearing their report, Qin Daofei looked calmly toward the direction of the Miaoyin Pavilion and said coldly, “Why didn’t the person assigned to follow Tan Xiyin report this?”
“He said he didn’t see Tan Xiyin leave her room!” This was rather strange.
Qin Daofei furrowed his brows and looked at Jifeng, at a loss.
“In fact, that is exactly how it was. Tan Xiyin indeed did not leave her room, yet she truly did go out. During that interval, not a single person saw her. It is such a bizarre thing—she was sitting under one person’s nose, yet appeared at the Songbai Residence under the nose of another,” Jifeng explained, feeling completely bewildered himself.
*Hah!*
Qin Daofei sneered. “It seems that the maid by her side can no longer be kept!”
“Should we take action?” Jifeng asked with interest.
Tang Li patted Jifeng. “Aren’t you worried about Aifei? Although she is highly skilled, she is still at a disadvantage against the elders of the Tongtian Pavilion. If she was truly guarding Xiaoyu’er and yet let Xiaoyu’er get killed, given her temperament, would she just stand by? Once she intervened, the possibility of her being in danger…”
Before Tang Li could finish, Jifeng had already flown off.
Qin Daofei said calmly, “Come, help look for Aifei. I want to see her alive or see her body!”
“Yes!” A voice from the shadows replied, and the person flew off.
Qin Daofei looked at Tang Li and said calmly, “Find a reason to get rid of that maid by Tan Xiyin’s side!”
Tang Li nodded and retreated.
Qin Daofei sat in the room in deep thought for a long time, then got up and entered the Tongtian Pavilion.
After entering, he walked to the open space in the center, sat down cross-legged, and cupped his hands. “Respected elders, do you have any thoughts regarding the Fifth Elder killing that child?”
“We do not interfere in each other’s affairs. We all hold our own posts, and we do not know what business he had, why he went out, or why he killed. If the Manor Master suspects him, go and investigate him!” They made it clear they did not want to deal with this matter.
Qin Daofei knew that it was impossible for the elders of the Tongtian Pavilion not to know what had happened within the pavilion, unless they were unwilling to tell him.
But what kind of person could make an elder of the Tongtian Pavilion betray the Xiaoyao Manor?
Qin Daofei asked no more. He sat quietly in the center, meditating, hoping to find some clues.
However, Qin Daofei organized several lines of thought, only to abandon them because they did not make sense.
With no other choice, he walked down the tunnel into the water dungeon.
The water dungeon remained as dry as it had been last time, but the person related to Fang Qing who had been imprisoned there had disappeared. Only the Fifth Elder remained, looking at Qin Daofei coldly.
Qin Daofei stood on the stone steps opposite and asked, “Fifth Elder, do you have nothing to say to me?”
“I have contributed my whole life to the Xiaoyao Manor. If the Manor Master feels I am unworthy of being an elder, or believes I have betrayed the manor, then please grant me death. I will not even blink!” The Fifth Elder’s attitude was equally unyielding, carrying a sense of righteous obstinacy.
It gave Qin Daofei a massive headache.
“I will not kill you, but you were indeed impulsive. You ruined my plans. Shouldn’t you offer me an explanation?” Qin Daofei asked circuitously.
The Fifth Elder sneered. “Manor Master, there is no need to fish for words. My heart is clear. If you do not believe me, just kill me. But ask yourself: did that brat deserve to die or not? As the Manor Master of Xiaoyao, you let an outsider run wild in the manor for the sake of a woman. Where is the dignity of the Xiaoyao Manor?”
The Fifth Elder questioned Qin Daofei righteously. His reasoning was so sound that it put Qin Daofei in a difficult position.
“Release the Fifth Elder, but I hope that in the future, none of you elders will interfere in matters outside the Xiaoyao Manor. Your task is to guard the Tongtian Pavilion. Please think twice!” Qin Daofei finished coldly and walked out.
That night.
Qin Daofei entered the secret passage from the study, the one Linglong had once used to hide. As he neared the secret room, he took a turn and walked into an opposing secret passage that was only a wall. After fumbling around the wall for a while, it suddenly rose, revealing another deep, dark passage.
Qin Daofei walked in holding a night-pearl. After about fifteen minutes, he stopped. He saw a row of footprints at the other end of the passage, glowing with an eerie green light under the pearl’s illumination, stretching strangely ahead.
Qin Daofei followed the footprints for half an hour until they finally disappeared.
He fumbled with the wall again, and another door appeared. Behind it were long stairs, on which the glowing green footprints continued, stretching all the way outside.
Qin Daofei followed the path out and found himself in a garden outside the East City that had been abandoned for decades due to rumors of hauntings.
The garden was overgrown with weeds and was terrifyingly quiet.
Guided by the light of the night-pearl, Qin Daofei followed the footsteps to a room. There, he saw a woman with her hands and feet bound, hanging from the wall. Her head was stained with dried blood, her eyes were closed, and her breathing was faint.
Qin Daofei took a closer look and realized it was Aifei!
He looked at Aifei hanging on the wall, gritted his teeth, and flew away.
Qin Daofei returned to the Xiaoyao Manor as if nothing had happened. Upon entering, he called for Tang Li. “Is Jifeng back?”
“I’m here!” Jifeng had spent the whole day searching for Aifei to no avail. Hearing Qin Daofei call for him, he immediately stepped forward.
Qin Daofei beckoned him over. Jifeng was confused, but he walked over anyway. After Qin Daofei whispered a few words in his ear, Jifeng asked excitedly, “Really?”
Qin Daofei shook his head slightly, signaling Jifeng not to make a scene.
Jifeng cupped his hands and gestured, “Manor Master, I understand. I shall go and handle it!”
“Be extra careful in your actions from now on. There is a ghost among us!” Qin Daofei gestured for Tang Li and Jifeng to be cautious.
Tang Li and Jifeng looked at each other with worry, but Jifeng was more concerned about Aifei, who was trapped in the deserted garden. He looked at Qin Daofei anxiously, asking with his eyes, “What should I do now?”
“Pick a fight with me!” Qin Daofei gave Jifeng a hint.
Jifeng and Tang Li looked at each other, not quite understanding.
Tang Li was the first to catch on. He said loudly, “Jifeng, you damn fool! You don’t care about the affairs of the Xiaoyao Manor, searching for a woman every single day! You take the Manor Master’s salary but don’t do the work. What is the meaning of this?”
“Easy for you to say! If Hua’er were in trouble, would you sit idly by?” Jifeng caught on immediately and roared at the top of his lungs.
Tang Li sneered. “Hua’er is a member of the Xiaoyao Manor and serves the First Madam. What trouble could she be in?”
“So Aifei wasn’t protecting the First Madam? Even if you won’t help me look for her, am I not allowed to search for her myself?” Jifeng demanded angrily.
Qin Daofei said coldly, “Both of you, say no more. Jifeng, you may search for Aifei, but Xiaoyu’er is dead now, and Hu Hanzhi will not let this rest. You must still keep an eye on the outside and ensure Hu Hanzhi doesn’t make any moves that catch us off guard.”
*Hmph!*
Jifeng kicked open the study door and said coldly, “Don’t worry, Manor Master, I shall go and monitor Hu Hanzhi right now!”
With that, Jifeng left. Qin Daofei and Tang Li looked at each other, both filled with worry.
The sound of the three men’s argument carried far into the quiet night, reaching Linglong. She flew from the Linglong Pavilion to the study and grabbed Qin Daofei’s sleeve. “What happened to Aifei?”
“First Madam, it’s like this: when we were chasing Xiaoyu’er earlier, Aifei appeared to stop us. Later, she disappeared along with Xiaoyu’er. We thought she might be a threat to the Xiaoyao Manor, but Jifeng doesn’t believe she would harm the manor, so he insists on finding her to ask for the truth,” Tang Li explained for Qin Daofei.
Qin Daofei held Linglong’s hand, tapping it rhythmically.
Although Linglong didn’t understand what they were up to, Qin Daofei’s action reminded her not to be impulsive.
Linglong steadied her breathing and said calmly, “Aifei would not harm the Xiaoyao Manor. She only came to protect me. Because she had a good relationship with Xiaoyu’er, she didn’t want to see him killed. You don’t need to be so guarded against her—*cough, cough, cough!*”
As she spoke, Linglong began to cough violently.
Seeing her cough, Qin Daofei felt uneasy. He swept her up in his arms and walked toward the Linglong Pavilion.
Linglong pointed outside. “I want to go find Aifei; otherwise, I won’t be at peace!”
“You are so weak right now, where do you think you’re going to find Aifei?” Just then, a signal flare burst in the quiet night sky. Qin Daofei grabbed Linglong’s hand and ran.
It was in the direction of the East City!
Seeing the flare, Tang Li also hurried out.
The three arrived at the deserted garden in the East City and saw a black shadow flash by. Tang Li wanted to pursue, but Qin Daofei called out to him, “Don’t chase! Jifeng is inside!”
They went to the place where Qin Daofei had seen Aifei imprisoned. She was still tied up, hanging from the wall, while Jifeng lay collapsed on the ground in front of her, clutching his stomach.
“Aifei!” Linglong rushed over and felt for Aifei’s pulse, only to find it flickering. “What happened to her?”
Qin Daofei walked over, checked Aifei’s carotid artery, and said calmly, “She was drugged!”
Tang Li helped Jifeng up. Qin Daofei said, “You take Aifei down; I’ll look at Jifeng!”
Linglong quickly took a hairpin from her head, used the small blade hidden within to cut the ropes, and lowered Aifei. Tang Li supported Jifeng. Qin Daofei tore open Jifeng’s clothing and saw a deep wound on his chest, exposing the bone and bleeding profusely.
Qin Daofei tore off a piece of his hem, took out some styptic powder, poured it onto the cloth, and pressed it against Jifeng’s wound. Then he said to Tang Li, “Go call Ye Lishang!”
Qin Daofei fired another signal flare, ordering his men to come for support.
The people of the Xiaoyao Manor sent Jifeng and Aifei back.
Inside the Linglong Pavilion.
Ye Lishang was already waiting. Seeing Aifei brought in first, he checked her pulse and said, “She’s been drugged. Give her water!”
Then he rushed to check Jifeng’s injuries.
“This is not good. Jifeng has been poisoned!” One had to know that a wound to the heart was already extremely dangerous; with poison added, it significantly increased the chances of Jifeng dying.
Linglong trembled as she poured water for Aifei to drink, then looked quietly at Jifeng nearby.
Ye Lishang applied some medicine to the wound Qin Daofei had dressed, then sealed Jifeng’s acupuncture points with silver needles. He urged, “I must seal his points to protect his heart. Quickly, have someone boil hot water and prepare strong liquor.”
*Cough!*
Just as everyone was watching Jifeng nervously, Aifei woke up faintly.
She opened her eyes and pressed her temples, her expression twisting in pain.
“Aifei, you’re awake?” Linglong helped her up. Aifei saw Jifeng lying on the bed opposite and staggered to her feet, nearly falling over as the drug’s effects hadn’t fully worn off.
Linglong supported her. “Be careful!”
“What happened to him?” Aifei asked urgently.
“He went looking for you after discovering you were missing, and then we saw his signal flare. When we arrived, he was already lying at your feet!” Linglong didn’t know what had transpired either.
Aifei narrowed her eyes and grabbed Linglong’s sleeve. “Then hurry and save Xiaoyu’er. He is in danger too.”
Linglong remained silent.
“What’s wrong?” Aifei asked.
Linglong said, “Xiaoyu’er is already dead!”
Aifei looked at Linglong in shock, frowning as she repeated, “Xiaoyu’er is dead?”
“Yes!” Linglong closed her eyes heavily. “Rest for now. Once Jifeng is out of danger, we will discuss what happened.”
Aifei staggered to the bedside, looking faintly at Jifeng. “Is he in danger?”
“The wound is very deep. The person must have been aiming to kill you, but Jifeng arrived in time to stop him. If it were an ordinary person, this strike would have been fatal. Jifeng’s skills are good, which is why he held on. But the biggest problem now is the poison on the attacker’s weapon!” Ye Lishang inserted the last silver needle into Jifeng’s point, stood up, and said, “I need to go home to get more medicine!”
Qin Daofei stood up. “I will go with you!”
Ye Lishang hesitated for a moment, then said calmly, “Then let’s make it quick!”
Although Qin Daofei said nothing, Aifei could feel his tension. She drew her sword and stood guard coldly in front of Jifeng.
Seeing this, Tang Li went to dispatch men to guard the Linglong Pavilion.
With only Linglong and Aifei left in the room, Linglong asked, “After Xiaoyu’er escaped, were you following him the whole time?”
“Yes, I was. But I don’t know how I was drugged!” Aifei only vaguely remembered Xiaoyu’er discovering her and talking to her. After a few words, she passed out.
Linglong looked at Aifei in shock. “Someone approached, and you didn’t notice?”
Aifei shook her head. “I didn’t notice!”
Linglong subconsciously thought of the elder from the Tongtian Pavilion and said, “The person who killed Xiaoyu’er was an elder of the Tongtian Pavilion. But why didn’t he kill you directly instead of hanging you in that deserted garden?”
“Perhaps he felt I was still useful to him?” Aifei couldn’t explain it either.
After a while, Aifei asked Linglong, “Does Hanzhi know the news of Xiaoyu’er’s passing?”
“He was present at the time. He demanded the Xiaoyao Manor cancel the pursuit of Xiaoyu’er. He was willing to pay the little maid’s family 100,000 taels of silver to settle the matter privately and was even willing to leave for the frontier, giving Qin Daofei two years to continue investigating his father’s affairs. Just as the matter was settled, Xiaoyu’er was thrown from the top floor of the Tongtian Pavilion…”
Linglong didn’t want to recall the scene. Although Xiaoyu’er had been at fault, she didn’t want him to die.
“I said long ago that Xiaoyu’er was impulsive and would get into trouble sooner or later. I didn’t expect him to bring such disaster to the Xiaoyao Manor. Now that he has lost his life, it was perhaps inevitable,” Aifei stated calmly.
Linglong didn’t know what to do. She said faintly, “Qin Daofei told me he did not order the pursuit of Xiaoyu’er. He had secretly ordered the people of the Xiaoyao Manor, behind his mother’s back, not to pursue him!”
“Do you believe him?” Aifei asked.
Linglong looked up, at a loss.
“You believe him, don’t you?” Aifei pressed. Linglong wrung her fingers, not knowing how to answer, but in truth, she truly wanted to believe Qin Daofei.
Aifei gently patted Linglong’s shoulder. “Believe him, because the pursuers did indeed withdraw quickly. I believe they withdrew because they received Qin Daofei’s order to stop the pursuit.”
For some reason, hearing Aifei’s words, Linglong felt a sense of relief.
Qin Daofei and Ye Lishang returned with the medicine. After Jifeng took it, everyone waited for his condition to improve and for him to wake up.
However, by dawn, Jifeng had still not woken up.
Linglong stood at the doorway of the Linglong Pavilion, looking at the peaceful capital in the morning, and sighed softly.
Qin Daofei walked out, held her shoulders, and asked softly, “Are you tired?”
“Very tired!” Linglong leaned against his shoulder, looking into the distance.
Qin Daofei kissed her forehead. “Why don’t you go rest in Hua’er’s room?”
“No, I intend to see Hu Hanzhi!” Linglong lifted her head, smoothed her hair, and said calmly.
Qin Daofei raised an eyebrow. “Why are you going to see him?”
“I don’t want to see you two become enemies!” After saying this, Linglong looked at him. “Do you believe me?”
Qin Daofei frowned at first, then curled his lips into a smile. “You are willing to believe me, so why wouldn’t I believe you?”
“Then I will go see him. I will make him give up the idea of revenge, even though Xiaoyu’er’s death has made us all very sad!” Linglong patted Qin Daofei’s hand.
Qin Daofei ruffled her hair. “He is very extreme right now. If he refuses to believe you, don’t make things hard for yourself. I will explain everything to him myself!”
“It would be better if you two didn’t meet!” Linglong said, then left the Xiaoyao Manor alone to see Hu Hanzhi.
Yuelai Inn.
Outside Hu Hanzhi’s room.
Linglong knocked on the door.
There was no response from inside, so Linglong said, “Hanzhi, I’m coming in, okay?”
She pushed the door open and found that Hu Hanzhi, who was usually the most meticulous person, was surrounded by a strong smell of alcohol. He was curled up in a corner, watching her with cold, murderous eyes.
“Are you alright?” Seeing him like this, Linglong walked over with concern, but Hu Hanzhi suddenly grabbed her arm and asked fiercely, “Why don’t you like me? Why?”
*Ugh…*
Linglong broke free and didn’t know how to answer.
Hu Hanzhi looked at her with bloodshot eyes and grabbed her hand again, refusing to let her resist.
“Hanzhi, I originally came to discuss Xiaoyu’er, but seeing you like this, I assume you aren’t in the mood. Let’s talk later, shall we?” Linglong was a bit afraid of him; in her memory, he had always been gentle and non-confrontational.
Hu Hanzhi threw her hand away coldly. “What do you have to say to me? Xiaoyu’er is already gone. What can you say to bring him back to life?”
“I couldn’t speak freely in front of Qin Daofei, but Xiaoyu’er was definitely in the wrong for acting out. I tried my best to save him, but things moved too fast. None of us could have predicted it—neither Qin Daofei, nor you, nor I. We never expected Xiaoyu’er would be killed by an elder who never concerned himself with the martial world.”
Hu Hanzhi refused to listen to her explanation. “So, you believe Qin Daofei, don’t you?”
“Hanzhi, you are a smart man. If Qin Daofei had ulterior motives, he could have let you leave the capital after your deal. Throwing Xiaoyu’er from the pavilion is equivalent to declaring war on you. That would benefit him in no way!” Linglong defended him.
Hu Hanzhi grabbed her hand again, forcing her to lean in. He said coldly, “Linglong, is it fair for you to treat me and Xiaoyu’er this way?”
“Aifei was following him to protect him, but she was knocked out and locked in the deserted garden. When someone tried to kill her, Jifeng appeared and saved her. This matter is not simple. Don’t you want to know who is manipulating all of this?” Linglong looked him straight in the eye, fearless.
*Hahahahaha!*
Hu Hanzhi laughed wildly and pushed her away. He curled his body back up and said coldly, “Go back. I don’t want to talk to you, and I don’t want to see you again. Our past friendship is wiped clean. From now on, you are the First Madam of Xiaoyao, and I am Boss Hu from the frontier. You are you, and I am me. Don’t come to see me again!”
Linglong was stung by these words. She looked at him, feeling everything in her heart, eyes, and mouth turn sour and bitter.
“Get out!” Hu Hanzhi pointed coldly at the door, forcing her to leave.
Linglong was stubborn too. She just stared at him, neither leaving nor speaking.
Hu Hanzhi, enraged, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. “You won’t leave, will you? Don’t regret it!”
With that, he leaned in to kiss her.
Linglong slapped him across the face, stunning him and herself!
Hu Hanzhi gritted his teeth and pushed her to the floor. Linglong stood up angrily and pointed at him. “You’re acting out of your mind with alcohol today, so I won’t hold it against you. If you do this again, I will not forgive you!”
With that, she turned and left.
Hu Hanzhi watched her retreating figure, sneered, and picked up the bottle to pour more liquor down his throat.
***
After returning, Linglong sat in Hua’er’s room, feeling stifled and silent. Hua’er didn’t know what was wrong and didn’t dare disturb her, so she took Feng Yixiao to see Jifeng.
As soon as Hua’er entered, she asked Qin Daofei, “Young Master, where did the Young Madam go? She was so upset when she returned.”
“I’ll go check on her!” Qin Daofei didn’t answer and went to find Linglong.
He pushed the door open and saw her pounding the table in anger. He walked over and placed his palm on the table, cushioning it so her hands wouldn’t hit the hard surface directly.
Feeling his hand, she stopped pounding.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
Linglong held her face in her hands. “Hanzhi wasn’t like this before!”
*Hah!*
Qin Daofei sneered. “People are the most complex things. It would be truly strange if you could actually understand someone!”
“But I can feel that there is something weird about Xiaoyu’er’s death, yet he refuses to believe it. When I try to explain, he accuses me of defending you. When I want to investigate, he tells me to get out. I…” Linglong didn’t know how to describe it; she was just furious.
Qin Daofei said calmly, “He is smarter than anyone. Why torment yourself?”
What did he mean?
Linglong looked at him, but he smiled and changed the subject.
“You haven’t held Feng Yixiao properly in days. Hua’er is busy with meals for you and Jifeng. Shouldn’t you help take care of Yixiao?”
Linglong tapped her forehead. “Every day is full of trouble, I can’t attend to anything. And I’m so angry right now, what if I accidentally yell at the child?”
“Want to vent?” Qin Daofei asked.
Linglong raised an eyebrow. “Young hero, what brilliant advice do you have?”
“We investigated and found that Huan’er—the girl Xiaoyu’er killed—never went outside before the incident. She was basically inseparable from my mother. But as it happens, not long before the incident, Tan Xiyin met her once. Yet the person guarding Tan Xiyin at the Miaoyin Pavilion said he saw Tan Xiyin stay in the pavilion the whole time without leaving. So, there were two Tan Xiyins: one who met Huan’er at the Songbai Residence, and one who stayed in the Miaoyin Pavilion.”
Linglong was clever; once he put it that way, she understood immediately.
“Are you saying Xiaoyu’er killing Huan’er was part of their plan?” She looked at him in shock. She shook her head. “That’s impossible!”
Qin Daofei didn’t explain, as these were only guesses without solid evidence. He wouldn’t say it directly.
Linglong shook her head. “Impossible, this is too crazy!”
“That maid by Tan Xiyin’s side is the same Xiao Cui who fled in fear of punishment. If you want to find someone to vent your anger on, I suggest you drag her out. Kill her or cripple her—do whatever you think is best.” Qin Daofei completely avoided that topic.
But the more he did so, the more uneasy Linglong felt.
She narrowed her eyes at the Miaoyin Pavilion and said calmly, “You want me to pull out all the claws Tan Xiyin has, don’t you?”
“We have already eliminated King Xiang and Prince Consort Yongkang. Tan Xiyin doesn’t have many people left. If we work a little harder, the person behind the scenes might emerge!” Qin Daofei patted her hand. “However, you must find a different excuse. Do not let them realize you are targeting them.”
Linglong stood up and paced anxiously. To deal with that person, she would have to plan carefully.
In the afternoon, Feng Yixiao didn’t want to stay inside and insisted on going out. Hua’er worried she would disturb Jifeng, who was still recovering, so she took her to the front courtyard to get some fresh air.
Feng Yixiao arrived at the front courtyard and watched the bustle, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction.
As it happened, the maid was pushing Tan Xiyin out for a stroll. Seeing the child, Tan Xiyin reached out to hold her.
Hua’er guarded the child, and Feng Yixiao turned her face away, ignoring Tan Xiyin.
Tan Xiyin said with a smirk, “Truly worthy of being Feng Linglong’s daughter—her personality is just like hers!”
“Not everyone is capable of having a heart as venomous as a snake!” Hua’er said, turning to take the child back.
Seeing Hua’er going back to the Linglong Pavilion, the child began to cry, refusing to return.
In the struggle, the child’s diaper fell off, accidentally wetting Hua’er’s skirt.
Hua’er was torn between tears and laughter. Hearing the child’s crying, Old Madam Qin Wang Xiangyu hurried over with Xia He, scolding, “Do you even know how to take care of a child?”
“Old Madam!” Hua’er bowed.
Qin Wang Xiangyu took the child, fixed the diaper, and walked around the courtyard.
Seeing she didn’t have to go back, the child laughed happily. Xia He saw Hua’er standing there and said, “Why don’t you go change your clothes? If you offend the Old Madam, you’ll have it coming!”
“But Yixiao…” Hua’er was worried.
Xia He glanced at her coldly. “What, do you think the Old Madam would harm the young miss?”
Hua’er didn’t dare speak and hurried away to change.
Qin Wang Xiangyu played with the child in the courtyard, and Tan Xiyin watched with a smile. The maid standing by Tan Xiyin looked at her, her eyes full of murderous intent.
While everyone’s attention was on the child, she plucked a bead from Tan Xiyin’s hair. After observing, she saw the Old Madam walking toward them with the child. She flicked the bead at the Old Madam’s knee. The Old Madam’s leg went numb, and she stumbled forward with the child.
She fell in a clever way, landing on Tan Xiyin’s lap. The child landed safely on Tan Xiyin’s lap, completely unharmed, while the Old Madam fell in a very undignified heap.
“Are you alright, Mother-in-law?” Tan Xiyin handed the child to the maid. The maid froze.
The maid was startled by Tan Xiyin’s sudden move. This wasn’t what she had planned. If the child passed through her hands…
But now, she was in too deep.
The maid held the child foolishly, watching as they scrambled to help the Old Madam up.
Just then, Hua’er returned and saw the child in the maid’s hands. She rushed over, grabbed the child, and checked her carefully.
“What, Sister Hua’er, do you think I would hit the young miss?” the maid said sharply.
*Hmph!*
Hua’er sneered. “I don’t know if you hit her, but you two don’t have kind hearts. I have to see if you pinched her!”
The Old Madam stood up and looked coldly at Tan Xiyin, her maid, and Hua’er.
“Who used something to trip me just now?” she demanded coldly.
Hearing this, Hua’er frowned and looked over, rushing toward the bead at the same time as the maid.
The maid was faster, but Xia He realized what was happening and stepped in front of her. “Hand it over!”
The maid didn’t dare act up in front of Xia He and handed the bead over.
“Isn’t this a bead from the Second Madam’s clothing?” Hua’er looked at the bead in Xia He’s hand in shock.
Tan Xiyin’s heart trembled as she looked at the bead. She didn’t even know how a bead from her clothing had ended up at the Old Madam’s feet.
“There are millions of beads in this world. How can you be certain this one is mine?” Tan Xiyin’s tone shifted.
Hua’er said coldly, “Whether it is from the Second Madam’s clothes, we’ll know once we check!”
Because she was holding the child, she didn’t dare pull on Tan Xiyin. Xia He stepped forward, roughly pulled Tan Xiyin’s arm, and found a missing bead under her armpit.
The maid’s placement of the bead had been clever, at least so that she wouldn’t be the first suspect.
*Heh!*
Hua’er sneered. “Second Madam, you see the Old Madam holding the child and you feel uncomfortable, don’t you?”
“You’re talking nonsense! How could I be so vicious?” Tan Xiyin’s face turned red, and tears started falling.
Hua’er said nothing, just looked at her coldly.
The Old Madam narrowed her eyes. “You say you aren’t vicious?” She sneered. “You even dared to kill your own parents, and you say you aren’t vicious?”
This…
Now, the poisoning of her parents became the best evidence of Tan Xiyin’s murderous nature. She realized for the first time the helplessness of being unable to clear her name.
“Brother Daofei, come out! Are you just going to watch as others frame me like this?” Tan Xiyin shouted toward the Linglong Pavilion.
Qin Daofei frowned at Linglong. Linglong said casually, “Your dear concubine is calling for you, Manor Master Qin!”
“Shall we go out and look?” Qin Daofei pulled her, but Linglong refused, leaning against the chair listlessly. “I don’t want to see your concubine’s face!”
Just then, Hua’er screamed, “Yixiao! What’s wrong, Yixiao!”
*Yixiao?*
Linglong and Qin Daofei flew out, arriving in the courtyard in an instant.
They saw Hua’er holding Feng Yixiao. The child’s lips were purple, white foam was on the corners of her mouth, and she was convulsing in Hua’er’s arms.
“Yixiao, don’t scare Mother!” Linglong rushed over, grabbing the child. Seeing the small body twisting in pain, a cold murderous intent flashed in Linglong’s eyes. She demanded sharply, “Who did this?”
Seeing this, Qin Daofei gestured for Wuying in the shadows to restrain Linglong. He hurried over, took the child, sealed her acupuncture points, and ordered, “Go call Ye Lishang! Use the fastest speed!”
He took a pill from his pocket and fed it to the child.
Feng Yixiao calmed down, but her lips and the corners of her eyes remained purple. Anyone with common sense knew she had been poisoned.
Linglong grabbed Wuying’s arm, cold-voiced. “Let go of me! I promise I won’t kill these two!”
“First Madam, the most important thing now is to wake the young miss. We will keep these two here; they will not escape. Please, do not be impulsive.” Wuying didn’t dare stop Linglong, but he couldn’t let her do as she pleased.