Chapter 109: Villa Master Qin Leans Against the Door to Flirt, Feng Linglong Receives Gifts Until Her Hands Grow Sore

In the end, Warm Hill was the first to regain her composure. She smiled and said, "Sister Linglong, please do not take offense. When I visited the Linglong Pavilion, Sister Linglong was not there. Big Brother Qin said you do not care for such trinkets and forbade me from leaving gifts in your room. I only reluctantly left three. Had I known you liked them, I would have left many more!"

"Qin Daofei said I do not like gifts? I don't like *him*, that's what!" Linglong said fiercely. "Throughout the Xiaoyao Manor, who doesn't know that I, Feng Linglong, turn to jelly at the sight of silver—a thoroughly wicked woman?"

"If the First Madam likes these gifts, you are welcome to take them all back. I see the young miss likes them immensely as well. Shall we take them all?" Though her heart was bleeding, Tan Xiyin had no choice but to put on a generous front.

Linglong waved her hand. "How could I possibly do that? These are gifts from Her Highness the Princess to you. How can I rob someone of what they cherish?"

"I am a cripple, and having fallen out of favor, these things are of no use to me anyway. The young miss is Big Brother Daofei's daughter and the esteemed young miss of Xiaoyao Manor. If she fancied the stars in the sky, I fear Big Brother Daofei would pluck them down for her, let alone these paltry gifts." Tan Xiyin's only demand right now was for Feng Linglong to leave this place immediately.

"Oh!"

Linglong nodded. "Since you put it that way, Yixiao will accept your gifts. I won't disturb the two of you any longer. Farewell!"

Linglong picked up Feng Yixiao and said to Hua'er, "Hua'er, take all these gifts back. With toys to unpack, Feng Yixiao will surely stay put in her room, and I can go check on the front courtyard. Business has been terrible these past few days!"

"As it happens, I am leaving too. I shall accompany Sister Linglong!" Warm Hill said with a smile, reaching out to take Feng Yixiao's hand.

Yixiao pulled her hand back with a haughty sniff, snuggled into Linglong's embrace, and pouted, "Bad, bad!"

Linglong smiled faintly and said nothing, while Warm Hill pretended not to hear.

Upon reaching the fork in the path leading to Linglong Pavilion and Pinewood Lodge, Warm Hill bowed and took her leave of Linglong. After watching Linglong depart, she murmured softly, "She loves money, does she? That makes things much simpler!"

When Warm Hill arrived at Pinewood Lodge, Dowager Qin hurriedly pulled her down to sit beside her. "You are carrying twins now; how can you not rest? If you were to trip and fall, your mother-in-law would not want to live!"

"It is nothing. Didn't your daughter-in-law say she wanted to go and greet everyone in the manor? I just went to see Second Madam Tan Xiyin..." Before Warm Hill could finish, Dowager Qin slammed her hand on the table and stood up, asking in agitation, "You said you just went to see Tan Xiyin?"

Startled, Warm Hill shrank back slightly and answered timidly, "Yes, I went to check on her!"

"My child, why won't you listen? That Tan Xiyin is a notorious Black Widow! You must never go see her again, and stay as far away from her as you possibly can—during your pregnancy and even after you give birth. Let me tell you, though Feng Linglong is utterly unruly, she has never once allowed Tan Xiyin to touch her child. You should learn from that!" Dowager Qin now lived in fear of Tan Xiyin. Having finally secured the prospect of a grand-grandson, she could not let Tan Xiyin poison him.

Warm Hill smiled. "Mother, do not fret. I am a princess who emerged from the inner courts of the imperial palace. What intrigues could these domestic quarters hold that compare to the vicious battles of the palace? There is a reason I stood out among so many princesses to win my imperial father's trust and heavy responsibilities. Tan Xiyin is a poisonous widow, indeed, but such a person, if used correctly, becomes a sharp sword. Point her wherever you wish, and she strikes!"

Warm Hill deliberately pointed her finger in the direction of the Linglong Pavilion.

How could Dowager Qin fail to understand? She said excitedly, "I truly did not misjudge you. A woman like you is the only one worthy of my son! But all that aside, you must still be careful; Tan Xiyin's methods are utterly ruthless!"

"It is fine, Mother, rest assured. I know how to handle her." Warm Hill paused before continuing, "Mother, have you ever heard that Sister Linglong is fond of wealth?"

*Hmph!*

"She is not merely fond of wealth; she is a miser of the highest order!" At the mere thought of being defrauded of a million taels of silver, Dowager Qin felt her heart bleed anew.

Warm Hill sneered, "Since that is the case, I have a way to deal with her. Just now, she subtly hinted that the gifts I gave to Tan Xiyin were numerous, while hers were few. I shall send gifts directly to her."

"What gifts would you send *her*? That woman is utterly shameless! You should simply ignore her. To send her gifts—are you spoiling her rotten?" Dowager Qin wouldn't want to spare a single hair for Linglong now.

Warm Hill smiled. "Mother, you don't understand, do you? Hasn't Big Brother Qin been hiding in her room and refusing to come out? Without using various pretexts of gift-giving, how could I ever get close to Big Brother Qin?"

"Ah, and they say princesses are magnanimous! Look at the problem you've solved—something your mother-in-law could never have thought of. Well, send her some gifts, then send her some more. I refuse to believe Qin Daofei can remain entirely indifferent when he sees how hard you are working." Dowager Qin was exceedingly pleased with this daughter-in-law.

Princess Warm Hill smiled and said, "Mother, rest easy, I know what I am doing!"

With that, she gathered more gifts and headed toward the Linglong Pavilion.

At the same time, Linglong had returned to the Linglong Pavilion.

Seeing the gift boxes Hua'er had placed on the table, Qin Daofei frowned and asked, "Whose wealth did you extort this time?"

"Your princess and the concubine Tan were conspiring to keep you away from a seductress like me. Feng Yixiao couldn't bear to watch, so she kicked open their door. Then, seeing gifts on the concubine's desk, she insisted on unwrapping them. Touched by her overwhelming longing for you, the concubine transferred all her affection onto Feng Yixiao and forced these gifts upon her, claiming they were for Yixiao. Since Yixiao didn't refuse, how could I be so impolite as to decline? Look how happily Yixiao is unwrapping them!" Linglong neatly shifted the blame onto the toddler.

Unfortunately, Yixiao was still too young to understand and had been utterly exploited by her own mother, continuing to beam foolishly.

Qin Daofei pinched Feng Yixiao's chubby, rosy cheek with affection and said, "You were sold by your mother, yet you're still helping her count the silver, my silly daughter."

Not long after, Jifeng, now on guard duty, announced with a gloating tone, "Master, Princess Warm Hill has brought gifts to see the First Madam!"

*Hiss!*

Qin Daofei felt a headache coming on that threatened to burst his skull!

"What good deed have you done this time?" Qin Daofei rubbed his temples and said, "I finally managed to chase her off, and you had to go and invite her back?"

Linglong flashed a grin. "She merely wishes to see you. How can you be so heartless?"

"Feng Linglong!" Qin Daofei raged, grinding his teeth until they clicked.

With a mischievous smile, Linglong stroked Qin Daofei's handsome face. "While this face of yours still retains some allure, you shouldn't refuse. Maintain your haughty aloofness and let Warm Hill send us many, many gifts. The flow of gifts must never stop."

*Pfft!*

Jifeng chuckled bitterly. "Master, when did you fall to making a living with your looks?"

Qin Daofei cast a sidelong glance at Jifeng, the threat in his gaze unmistakable. Yet Jifeng was entirely unafraid, grinning stupidly at Qin Daofei.

*Knock, knock, knock!*

"Sister Linglong, are you in your room?" The voice outside prompted three very different reactions: Jifeng laughed gleefully and fled, Qin Daofei rubbed his temples in mounting agony, and Linglong rubbed her hands in eager anticipation of Warm Hill's gifts.

Oh, and let's not forget the tiny person who, just like Linglong, was rubbing her hands in eager anticipation.

Seeing the utter lack of conscience in this mother-daughter pair, Qin Daofei wondered what sort of fiery purgatory his coming decades would be!

"Princess Warm Hill, please come in," Linglong called out with a smile.

Displeased with Linglong, Qin Daofei snatched Feng Yixiao up and held her tightly in his arms.

Warm Hill's maid pushed the door open, both of them carrying numerous items. Seeing Qin Daofei holding Feng Yixiao, Warm Hill clutched her belly and hurried over excitedly, grabbing Qin Daofei's arm. "Husband, you are so heavily injured—how can you be holding the child?"

Linglong propped her chin in her hand, watching Qin Daofei with a deeply amused sigh.

"Is there a problem with me holding my own daughter?" Qin Daofei asked with displeasure.

Seeing Qin Daofei's cold indifference, and realizing she had shown too much emotion, Warm Hill softened her tone and coaxed, "Yixiao is so adorable, it is only natural for you to want to hold her, Husband. I was only worried that the wounds on your back might tear open."

"It's fine. Even when I 'take care' of Linglong at night, I'm completely fine. Holding Feng Yixiao is naturally no problem at all!" Qin Daofei must have done it on purpose, placing a heavy, deliberate emphasis on the word *take care*.

*Beast!*

Linglong felt too mortified to face anyone. Clearly, nothing at all had happened, yet he was slandering her like this. The thought made her bristle with anger.

However, far angrier still was Warm Hill, whose complexion instantly turned paper-white.

The atmosphere suddenly grew terribly awkward. Linglong offered an uneasy laugh and said, "He just loves to joke around. Please don't take it to heart!"

*He loves to joke around?*

"I always thought Sister Linglong was the one who loved to joke around?" Warm Hill refused the ladder Linglong offered to help her down, instead kicking it away entirely.

Very well then!

Linglong rubbed her nose—she had been projecting her own friendliness.

"As for me, my greatest virtue is that I cannot bear to see others feel awkward. However, if someone insists on courting death, I don't mind obliging them. Princess Warm Hill, what do you think?" Linglong gazed at Warm Hill with a chilling look.

Warm Hill returned the chilling gaze.

As their eyes met in midair, sparks instantly flew.

"Does Sister Linglong dislike my coming to the Linglong Pavilion?" Warm Hill backed down first.

"Yes!"

Linglong nodded. Amidst Warm Hill's increasingly unsightly expression, Linglong slapped her thigh and laughed, "Princess Warm Hill, you are truly amusing! You already knew I love to joke around, yet you still take my words to heart? Hahaha!"

"Hehe... hehe. So Sister Linglong was merely joking? You gave me quite a start! With your lively and charming nature, everyone up and down Xiaoyao Manor must adore you, Sister Linglong?" Warm Hill clearly could not force out a genuine smile, yet she still had to tug her lips into a rigid, ingratiating grin to please Linglong.

Linglong looked at Qin Daofei with an amused smile.

Qin Daofei replied coldly, "Up and down Xiaoyao Manor, aside from myself, no one likes her!"

*Pfft!*

"Qin Daofei, did you really have to be so blunt?" Linglong fumed.

Warm Hill was even more enraged, but what could she do? No matter how furious she felt, she had to keep smiling. Warm Hill forced a smile. "Husband is quite humorous, too. Since Sister Linglong married you, having your sole affection is quite enough. Whether others like her or not is completely unimportant!"

"Oh? You shouldn't put it quite like that. Actually, I care a great deal about how others in Xiaoyao Manor view me. It's just that I lack Princess Warm Hill's popularity—truly, not many people here are fond of me," Linglong sighed dejectedly.

For reasons unknown, Linglong hadn't done a single thing, yet Warm Hill felt her lungs were about to burst with fury.

Clutching her belly with a pained expression, Warm Hill whimpered, "Husband, my stomach aches a little. It must be because I walked around too much today!"

"Oh, then you should head back. The Linglong Pavilion never keeps overnight guests," Qin Daofei declared before pressing a hand to his chest and groaning, "My wounds are hurting terribly as well. Feng Yixiao, come lie down on the bed with Daddy, and Daddy will tell you a story."

"Daddy, play!" Unaware of the undercurrents between the adults, Feng Yixiao loved nothing more than being with Qin Daofei. Her short legs kicked excitedly as she pointed at the bed, eager to climb up.

Princess Warm Hill was mortified—utterly, excruciatingly mortified.

"Well... if I linger too much, Elder Madam Qin will surely accuse me of harboring ulterior motives. Since she already dislikes me, I won't outstay my welcome. What was the name of the young lady accompanying you again? Do help your princess back," Linglong said before standing up and opening the door herself.

Earlier, Warm Hill had only feigned pain to evoke Qin Daofei's sympathy for the child in her womb, but now the pain was real—brought on pure rage.

Unable to maintain even a veneer of polite pretense any longer, she stormed off in a huff.

Once Linglong shut the heavy doors behind her, she began humming a cheerful tune as she set about unwrapping the gifts.

"Didn't you say Feng Yixiao was the one who wanted to unwrap these?" Qin Daofei gently exposed her.

Linglong remained entirely unbothered by being caught. She walked over to the couch and reached for Feng Yixiao. "Yixiao, come here and help Mommy unwrap the gifts!"

"No want!" Feng Yixiao tucked her little bottom into the quilt and burrowed deeper. She didn't want gifts; she wanted her handsome daddy!

"Feng Yixiao, you little traitor who forsakes all principles for a pretty face, get over here!" Linglong reached out to drag her out, but Feng Yixiao burrowed even harder. Fearing she might jar Qin Daofei's injuries, Linglong didn't dare use too much force.

Unable to bear it a moment longer, Qin Daofei rolled his eyes, gave Linglong a sharp tug, and pulled her down into his arms. Wrapping his long legs around her to pin her in place, he murmured softly, "Here is your chance to make me stop being angry."

"I'm asleep. I know nothing at all!" Linglong snuggled straight into Qin Daofei's embrace and played dead.

Seeing Linglong usurp her spot, Feng Yixiao was so incensed that she babbled a string of incomprehensible baby talk, her little expression, eyebrows, and eyes radiating pure outrage.

Not only did she scold Linglong, but she also reached out to tug at Qin Daofei's hand, forbidding him from holding Linglong.

Spurred by a sudden wave of mischief, Linglong insisted on fighting Feng Yixiao for Qin Daofei's attention. Pushed to her limit, Feng Yixiao grabbed Linglong's arm and threatened to sink her teeth into it.

Realizing the child was genuinely throwing a tantrum, Qin Daofei scooped her up, moved her deeper into the bed, and scolded sternly, "Xiaoyao, you must not bite Mommy!"

Feng Yixiao's lower lip quivered and quivered until, unable to hold it in any longer, she burst into loud wails.

By this time, Hua'er had already gone to the front courtyard's accounting room. Lacking any other options, Linglong reached out to comfort Feng Yixiao, but Qin Daofei pulled her back, forbidding her to rise. With one arm, he drew Feng Yixiao into his embrace, sandwiching her between himself and Linglong, holding them both tight.

Having successfully reclaimed her place in Qin Daofei's arms, Feng Yixiao finally calmed down, contentedly sucking on her finger as she drifted off to sleep.

One moment she had been howling with tears still wet on her eyelids, and the next, she was sound asleep. Truly a formidable skill.

Linglong rolled her eyes at her. "How can this child possibly be like this?"

"Much like you," Qin Daofei chuckled.

Linglong bristled. "Am I that sort of person? I am a thoroughly reasonable person!"

"Mm, you are very reasonable. And since you are reasonable, you should know that I am an invalid who requires rest—therefore, you must accompany me to rest as well!" With that, Qin Daofei gently massaged Linglong's temples to help her sleep.

Linglong was already prone to drowsiness, and Qin Daofei's massage technique was exceptionally soothing. After murmuring two sleepy notes of protest, she said no more, curling up in his arms and falling fast asleep.

Looking at the two women—one large, one small—nestled in his arms, Qin Daofei felt a profound and complete sense of contentment.

As dusk fell, goose-feather snowflakes suddenly began to drift from the sky, cascading down in thick layers so dense that even acquaintances standing face-to-face might struggle to recognize one another.

Logic dictated that in such a snowy tempest, the finest course of action was to gather around a hearth, drinking and eating while no one stirred outdoors.

Yet, the Second Prince arrived anyway, braving the bitter wind and snow.

Spotting the Second Prince striding forward with his umbrella hoisted, the doorman hurried out to greet him. "Second Prince, in such heavy snow, what brings you here?"

"I have some matters to discuss with Master Qin. Is he in?" The Second Prince handed his umbrella to the doorman.

The doorman shook the snow off the umbrella, set it aside, handed a clean one to the Second Prince, and bowed. "He is. The Master is inside the Linglong Pavilion, perhaps partaking in a meal at this hour. Your Highness might wish to join them for a few cups."

"Many thanks," the Second Prince replied, hoisting the umbrella again as he walked toward the Linglong Pavilion.

Inside the Linglong Pavilion, Linglong and the others were gathered around a steaming hotpot filled with simmering delicacies. Jifeng, Afei, the family of three, and Miss Hua'er formed a lively circle around the table.

Suddenly, Qin Daofei laid down his chopsticks and said calmly to Jifeng, "The Second Prince is here. Open the door and welcome him."

*Hm?*

"In this heavy snow, what is he doing here?" Linglong asked, biting her chopsticks in surprise.

Qin Daofei replied, "The brilliant scheme you cooked up has likely left the Second Prince unable to locate Night Lishang's whereabouts, and he's growing desperate!"

"What does that have to do with me? I merely made a suggestion. If Night Lishang hadn't let his own desires get the better of him, who could have forced him?" Linglong remained entirely unconcerned.

Sure enough, the moment Jifeng opened the door, he saw the Second Prince pacing gracefully up the stairs. His garments were slightly damp, and a thin crust of frost coated his hair—testament to a full day spent braving the elements in search.

"Second Prince, with such heavy snow outside, what brings Your Highness here?" Jifeng bowed respectfully.

The Second Prince replied coolly, "I have some urgent business with your master. Is it convenient?"

"Very convenient. We are currently sharing a hotpot; if Your Highness does not mind, would you care to join us for a bite?" Jifeng invited him inside.

Linglong smiled. "What he needs right now is wine!"

Qin Daofei tapped Linglong lightly on the head with his chopsticks. "His mood is quite poor at the moment. Exercise some restraint!"

"Oh!" Linglong obediently shrank back into a ball and continued eating from her own bowl. Besides, she had no desire to speak with the Second Prince anyway; he had been fierce enough when biting people, yet lacked the courage to make a commitment—*hmph!*

The Second Prince sat down beside Qin Daofei, and Hua'er poured him a cup of wine. After drinking two cups to warm his stomach, he said coldly, "I searched all day and could find no trace of Night Lishang. Help me find him!"

"He is a grown man, and it has only been half a day. Why is Your Highness so anxious?" Linglong chuckled with a sour tone.

The Second Prince slammed his palm down on the table, speaking with rare severity: "Feng Linglong, have you played enough?"

*Uh...*

Hua'er scooped up Feng Yixiao and bolted from the scene. Seeing this, Jifeng abandoned his meal, grabbed Afei, and fled as well.

"I haven't finished eating!" Afei coldly shook off Jifeng's hand, showing no intention of leaving.

Furious, Jifeng scooped Afei up around the waist and followed Hua'er. "I'll set up another hotpot for the four of us. This room is about to turn into a block of ice!"

Afei muttered in protest but said nothing more.

"Second Prince, that table is made of Hainan huanghuali wood. If you smash it, you'll have to pay for it!" Linglong stroked the tabletop, lamenting that anyone could bear to strike such expensive wood.

Driven to the brink by Linglong—unable to release his anger yet unable to swallow it—the Second Prince glared at her and said, "What exactly did you say to Night Lishang? He has always been extremely sensitive about this matter; I am afraid he might do something foolish!"

"Nothing at all! I thought he was quite resilient. Earlier today when he came to see you, he actually wanted to ask you a question. But I suspect he knows you too well, realizing that asking you anything is pointless, so he chose not to ask after all." Linglong's roundabout phrasing made the Second Prince's head pound.

Fixing his narrow gaze on Linglong, he said coldly, "Give me the result. I only care about the result!"

"The result is..." Linglong didn't dare say it; her courage had failed her.

Seeing her back down, Qin Daofei chuckled involuntarily. "She incited Night Lishang to sleep with you. Night Lishang probably figured out he couldn't manage it, grew heartbroken, and ran off."

*Hiss!*

The Second Prince drew a sharp breath. "You couple are doing this on purpose! You're deliberately making trouble! He was just playing around and let Princess Warm Hill in on a whim, but the two of *us*... we are different!"

"What makes it different? Do you not like him?"

*Smack!*

This time it was Linglong's turn to slam the table—though she instantly regretted it. That tabletop was truly hard!

What could she do, though? She couldn't let the Second Prince notice, so she could only sit beneath the table and rub her stinging hands!

Linglong's words reduced the Second Prince to silence. After draining three cups of wine in a row, he murmured softly, "My liking him is useless. Born into the imperial family, I cannot give him happiness. If I like him, must I simply endure it all the same?"

"Why endure if you like him? He doesn't care that you're a man—can't you abandon your imperial dreams for his sake?" What Night Lishang dared not voice, Linglong voiced on his behalf.

Hearing this, Qin Daofei frowned, took Linglong's hand, and said, "It is not as simple as you think. The Second Prince has his own hidden grievances; you cannot pressure him."

"Fine, then I won't pressure you. But Second Prince, have you ever considered this: if you cannot give him an answer, why are you searching for him?" Sometimes Linglong simply could not fathom the way men thought.

Night Lishang—no, the Second Prince cast a glance at Linglong and found himself utterly unable to offer a single word of rebuttal.

After a long pause, he murmured, "I am simply worried about him!"

"Your Highness need not worry. He is currently raising a ruckus in the Wuyou Pavilion; he is quite fine!" Seeing the Second Prince's anxiety, Qin Daofei stopped keeping secrets.

The Second Prince looked at Qin Daofei in astonishment. "You mean he went to his master's place?"

*Smack!*

Linglong grew excited again. "So you knew all along that Night Lishang went to the Wuyou Pavilion, and that's why you suggested we go out for a stroll?"

"Not at all. When I suggested going out for a walk, you hadn't even gone to see Night Lishang yet," Qin Daofei smiled like a fox.

Grown furious, the Second Prince downed his cup of wine in a single gulp and snapped, "Why on earth am I sitting here watching the two of you make eyes at each other?"

"When did I make eyes at him? Have you ever seen anyone make eyes at someone *like this*?" Linglong vehemently refused to acknowledge any ambiguity between herself and Qin Daofei—not even the slightest trace.

Qin Daofei sat to one side, smiling.

Pointing at Qin Daofei, the Second Prince asked, "Brother Qin, would you mind if I beat her?"

"You won't get past the Wuyou Pavilion. If you dare lay a finger on her, I'll go to the Wuyou Pavilion and cripple Night Lishang!" Qin Daofei threatened an imperial prince with an air of chilling indifference.

The Second Prince and Linglong spoke in unison: "How do you plan to cripple him?"

One had to hand it to Linglong—she loved a good spectacle and didn't mind seeing Night Lishang suffer, but why did the Second Prince wear such an anticipatory look as well?

"Second Prince, why do you seem so eager for Night Lishang to be crippled?" Linglong asked with a mischievous grin. "Could it be that you truly wish to dress him as a woman and lock him up at home?"

The Second Prince raised his chin, pondered for a moment, and said coolly, "Princess Linglong is indeed clever. Thank you for teaching me such a foolproof method. If I truly manage to dress him as a woman and lock him up one day, I shall thank you!"

For reasons unknown, Linglong sensed not a shred of goodwill.

Shrinking back slightly, she muttered, "Forget it. You must have wanted to do that all along. No wonder Qin Daofei said you'll stop at nothing to get what you want—you're just as much of a beast as he is!"

"Brother Qin? Shall we visit the Wuyou Pavilion?" the Second Prince asked, raising an eyebrow.

Rubbing his injured back, Qin Daofei replied coolly, "Shall we?"

"Wait, in this heavy snowstorm, why are you going to the Wuyou Pavilion? Have you lost your mind? Your wounds haven't even healed!" Linglong flatly rejected the Second Prince's proposal.

The Second Prince glanced at Qin Daofei and sighed softly. "Sometimes I truly wonder whether your woman is clever or merely foolish."

"Speak human!" Unfazed by his imperial majesty, Linglong looked ready to use her feet next.

With a half-smile, the Second Prince looked at Qin Daofei and said coolly, "Not only is Brother Qin's plan doing me a massive favor, but it also allows him to use the hot springs behind the Wuyou Pavilion to recuperate. You should know that Old Man Ye's hot spring has miraculous restorative properties for healing flesh and bone."

"So Qin Daofei deliberately instigated me, getting me to plant crooked ideas in Night Lishang's head so that he would flee back to the Wuyou Pavilion in a huff. Then Your Highness would come seeking help, allowing the Manor Master to extort a fortune from you. Is that how it went?" Linglong asked, her eyes narrowing.

Qin Daofei laughed helplessly. "Silly girl!"

"Unscrupulous profiteer!" Linglong retorted, though she immediately turned to the Second Prince with an eager expression. "In that case, Second Prince, please settle your payment!"

*You aren't unscrupulous—you're just utterly dim-witted!*

The Second Prince ground his back molars together. "Have the two of you fallen entirely into a money pit?"

"A thousand taels of gold!" Qin Daofei quoted a price fit to swallow an elephant.

The wine cup in the Second Prince's grip shattered with a sharp *crack*!

"Now, now... Second Prince, do not be rash. As the saying goes, a thousand pieces of gold are worth a beauty's smile; this thousand taels is well spent! I guarantee Night Lishang will return with you obediently without throwing any tantrums, letting you see him whenever you wish without giving you any trouble!" Terrified that the Second Prince might crush Qin Daofei's neck in a fit of rage, Linglong quickly stepped in to shield him.

"Really?" The Second Prince raised an eyebrow at Linglong.

Linglong flashed a grin. "If it doesn't work, you can drag Qin Daofei back to your estate and ravage him however you please!"

*Oh my!*

No sooner had the words left Linglong's mouth than Qin Daofei gripped her slender waist, pulled her hard into his arms, and held her fast.

"I'll go ready the carriage! The two of you can stop making me, a lonely bachelor, want to vomit!" The Second Prince strode off in a fury.

Linglong asked Qin Daofei, "How many years has it been... between the Second Prince and Night Lishang?"

"Ever since their youth. Poor fellow—he has kept himself pure for Night Lishang all these years and remains an untainted virgin to this day!" Though Qin Daofei called him poor, his face was plastered with mockery, ridicule, and derision.

*A virgin? Ahahaha!*

When a journey must be made, no time is wasted.

That very night, the Second Prince prepared a large carriage lined with thick, plush mattresses to accommodate Qin Daofei's convalescent state.

Leaving quietly without alerting a soul, they set off on their elopement-style journey, not even bringing Hua'er along.

All internal affairs of Xiaoyao Manor were left entirely in the hands of Jifeng and Hua'er.

Inside the carriage, the Second Prince looked at Feng Yixiao, who was sleeping soundly wrapped in a red cloak, and his expression instantly softened. "I plan to spend the next five years straightening out the court affairs of Hanshi, and then take Night Lishang into seclusion. When that time comes, I wish to take Yixiao with us. Do you agree?"

"I do not. Yixiao is my daughter, and no one is taking her anywhere!" Linglong pulled Feng Yixiao protectively into her arms.

The Second Prince smiled faintly and said no more.

Because they traveled day and night without stopping, by the afternoon of the next day they arrived at the foot of Mount Wuyou.

Gazing up at the towering peak piercing the clouds, Linglong instantly felt a sharp ache in her ankles.

"Can Brother Qin still make the climb?" the Second Prince asked with a mocking smile.

Without a word, Qin Daofei tossed Feng Yixiao into the Second Prince's arms, grabbed Linglong by the waist, and soared upward into the air.

Seeing this, the Second Prince bundled Feng Yixiao securely and leaped up after them.

Qin Daofei landed steadily before the gates of the Wuyou Pavilion. Without even knocking, he planted a boot against the heavy doors and kicked them open. Ducking back against the wall with Linglong in tow, he waited as a barrage of hidden darts came whistling through the opening.

When the Second Prince caught up, a flurry of darts headed straight for his position. Startled, he tucked Feng Yixiao tight against his chest and rolled across the ground, narrowly dodging the volley.

Unaware of what the adults were up to, Feng Yixiao found it immensely entertaining and kicked her little legs in delight.

Adjusting her red cloak, the Second Prince spoke with rare gentleness, "You little girl truly have no sense of danger!"

"Who the hell dares break into the Wuyou Pavilion?" Night Lishang's energetic voice roared from within.

Hearing his voice, the Second Prince charged inside, clutching Feng Yixiao. "Do you even have the nerve to ask?"

*Good grief!*

Hearing the Second Prince's voice, Night Lishang hurled the roasted chicken leg in his hand like a hidden weapon. The Second Prince caught it expertly and handed it straight to Feng Yixiao, who immediately began gnawing on it without the slightest hesitation.

Having hurled his missile, Night Lishang turned tail and fled.

Panicking, the Second Prince set Feng Yixiao down on her feet and gave chase.

However, unfamiliar with the layout of the Wuyou Pavilion, he lost Night Lishang within a few turns.

When the Second Prince returned empty-handed, Feng Yixiao was already back in Qin Daofei's arms. Seeing his dejected expression, Linglong found it thoroughly amusing. "What is it, Second Prince? You couldn't catch that slippery eel?"

The Second Prince offered no reply, fixing Linglong with a frosty stare.

Patting his shoulder, Linglong offered, "Leave it to me! I guarantee he'll come crawling out obediently in a moment!"

Once Linglong departed, Qin Daofei handed Feng Yixiao back to the Second Prince. "Xiaoyao, go tag along with this man who isn't quite as handsome as your daddy for a bit. Daddy needs to go heal his wounds."

*Ugh...*

The Second Prince and Feng Yixiao stared at each other with wide eyes. "You think I'm less handsome than that scoundrel of a father of yours?"

"Handsome!" Yixiao proved exceedingly cooperative, cupping the Second Prince's face and planting a loud, sloppy kiss on his cheek, instantly melting his heart.

Threading her way through the winding secret chambers, Linglong finally located Night Lishang in the apothecary. He was holding a vial of poison, mixing ingredients while ranting savagely, "I'm going to poison that old bastard Chengjie and make sure he can't get it up for the rest of his life!"

*Pfft!*

"Hey, hey, hey—Night Lishang, are you even a man?" Linglong leaned against the doorframe, watching him with an amused smile.

Stoking his fury, Night Lishang snapped, "I'm not a man!"

"Oh, perfect! The Second Prince has never tasted the joys of a woman—why don't you go fulfill that honor?" Linglong flashed a wicked grin.

*Clatter!*

The cup slipped from Night Lishang's fingers, shattering on the floor. Glaring murderously at Linglong, he hissed, "Feng Linglong, do not provoke me. I have a strong urge to kill someone right now!"

"Don't provoke *me* either; I have a strong urge to kill someone myself!" Linglong was utterly unfazed.

Yet, seeing Night Lishang's thoroughly gloomy expression, and recalling how Qin Daofei had狮子大开口 (extorted a thousand taels of gold) from the Second Prince, Linglong felt a twinge of guilt toward the Second Prince. She softened her tone and said, "Night Lishang, you really don't need to be like this. The more you act this way, the more the Second Prince will think you care. Look, he's grown so anxious he came here to hunt you down himself."

"B-bullshit! Who cares about him? When did you ever see me care about him? I ought to poison your eyes blind so you stop seeing things!" Night Lishang brandished his vial of poison defensively.

*Terrifying!*

Covering her eyes, Linglong snapped back angrily, "Look at you right now! You're acting like a discarded, resentful woman! If you want an explanation from the Second Prince, go ask him! Go find him! Why are you hiding in here?"

"I don't like him, I am not a resentful woman, and I don't need any explanation from him! It was just like getting bitten by a stray dog—it's not like I've never been bitten by a dog before!" Night Lishang's face flushed bright red, his eye rims stinging.

*Right!*

Linglong nodded vigorously, pulling him down to sit beside her. "I knew you weren't someone so shallow. Between two people, you simply bit each other once—why would you possibly force the Second Prince to take responsibility? That's the sort of thing women do, isn't it?"

"Exactly! That's what women do! I'm a proud, upright man—I wouldn't force a dog to take responsibility just because it bit me once!" Night Lishang had been thoroughly brainwashed by Linglong.

*Precisely, precisely, precisely!*

Linglong smiled. "Let me tell you: if you don't want him to misunderstand, you need to walk out there as if nothing happened, interacting with him just like before. If he doesn't bring up what happened that day, you don't either. Go about your business as usual, acting completely unbothered, so he's left guessing what you're up to!"

"Right! He's always so arrogant. If he senses anything, he'll start acting all smug. I won't give him the chance to be smug! Come on, let's go out there and prove to him that I couldn't care less about what happened that day!" Seized by this logic, Night Lishang grabbed Linglong and hauled her toward the door.

It was the Second Prince's first time visiting the Wuyou Pavilion, and he dared not wander aimlessly for fear of tripping some mechanism or trap. Hurting himself was one thing, but if Feng Yixiao got hurt, that madwoman Feng Linglong would undoubtedly fight him to the death.

When Night Lishang emerged, he spotted the Second Prince holding Feng Yixiao, his large eyes wide with curious wonder as he examined the Wuyou Pavilion.

"Well, well. Earlier I thought Qin Daofei and Feng Linglong had brought some little scoundrel here, but it turns out His Highness the Second Prince has graced us with his presence?" Night Lishang sauntered out, putting on a brilliant display of being "completely unbothered."

Behind him, Linglong frantically signaled the Second Prince with her eyes. Catching her drift, the Second Prince refrained from retorting.

With a bright smile, Linglong chimed in, "It is the Second Prince's first time here at the Wuyou Pavilion, and leaving him standing here is rather impolite. Hurry up and invite the Second Prince inside for tea. I'm going to go check and see if Qin Daofei has drowned in the hot spring yet!"

With that, Linglong skipped off toward the hot springs.

Left behind without Linglong, Night Lishang suddenly felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him. He cast a covert glance at the Second Prince. Though millions of caustic retorts swirled in his mind, not a single one made it past his lips—and for some reason, his legs felt strangely weak.

"Why did you poison me that day?" the Second Prince finally spoke.

*Heh!*

Night Lishang offered a silly laugh. "I didn't poison you; I was trying to poison that wretched woman Feng Linglong. The wind just happened to carry it your way! Besides, it wasn't even real poison—just a paralytic agent that temporarily robs people of their mobility."

"Then why were you trying to paralyze Feng Linglong?" The Second Prince had no intention of probing Night Lishang's bottom line, yet his tongue itched to tease him. Watching the man bristle like a startled cat before smoothing his fur over brought a strange sense of accomplishment.

*Heh!*

"Why? How should I know why?" *The poison was meant for you all along; Feng Linglong was purely collateral damage!*

Taking a few steps toward Night Lishang, the Second Prince watched him freeze. Night Lishang immediately threw his hands up in alarm. "Don't you come any closer! I'll tell you why I tried to paralyze Feng Linglong—it's because, as you know, that woman has a sharp tongue and offended me! She ruined my herbs right here in my own home, and I couldn't swallow my pride, so I wanted to poison her! Yes, that's right!"

"Oh?" The Second Prince raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, yet magnanimously choosing not to press further. He had no intention of stopping the game just yet, however. With a half-smile, he shifted the topic. "Then why, pray tell, did you run all the way to the Wuyou Pavilion in the middle of a heavy snowstorm?"

"I missed my master! The Wuyou Pavilion is my home—am I not allowed to come back?" This excuse sounded infinitely more righteous.

*Mm.*

The Second Prince nodded. "You miss your master, yet your master is nowhere to be found in the Wuyou Pavilion. Are you trying to amuse me?"

"Chengjie, don't force me to strike!" Night Lishang completely lost his temper.