Chapter 112: King Qin of the Fragrant Domain Takes the Lead in Courting Death, Linglong's Anger Reaches a Boiling Point

Tan Xiyin looked at Hill calmly and said, "Why do you care what other people say? If I cared about such things all the time, I wouldn't even know how I died. That's why I don't even want to think about it now—it's too distressing!"

"But I am distressed! As a princess of a nation, I am being suppressed by a shrew, and I feel deeply uncomfortable!" Hill said with a rather willful tone.

Tan Xiyin smiled and said, "If Your Highness is unhappy, just go vent your anger on Feng Linglong. That woman looks ruthless, but she has actually been through many bad things. Take Prince Xiang, for instance. I simply don't believe that she and Brother Daofei have no rift between them. I doubt anyone even knows if Prince Xiang ever slept with her; otherwise, I can find no reason why a noble prince would be so obsessively fond of a madwoman!"

"Oh? Why is it that Master Qin can let go of whatever happened between her and Prince Xiang?" Hill asked, already deeply interested upon hearing Tan Xiyin's words.

Tan Xiyin sneered and said, "That is because Brother Daofei has not found conclusive evidence to prove that Feng Linglong is a fickle woman. Tell me, if Brother Daofei were to search her room or her person and find another man's belongings, do you think he would still love Feng Linglong?"

"Now that you mention it, I do happen to have a man's trinket on hand. It's just an item from the northern frontier, so how could it possibly implicate Prince Xiang?" Hill thought Tan Xiyin's method was brilliant and couldn't help wanting to give it a try.

Tan Xiyin smiled and said, "It is precisely because it's a trinket from the frontier that it will work best. Let me tell you, didn't Feng Linglong leave Xiaoyao Manor for two years previously? During those two years, she was at Crescent Manor in the northern frontier. The man who sent her there is a man of the frontier, and he had an affair with Feng Linglong. Because of this, Brother Daofei has already had a few unpleasant falling-outs with Feng Linglong. Now, if you were to plant this item on her person, wouldn't that be just perfect?"

"Then let's do it this way. I'll go fetch the item!" Hill said, and immediately stood up to retrieve it.

Tan Xiyin looked at Hill with an icy gaze, her eyes full of cold hostility.

Later that evening, Hill invited Tan Xiyin to pay their respects to Feng Linglong.

When Linglong heard that the two of them were coming to pay their respects, she sneered and said, "Since they want to come, let them come. If I don't let them in, they'll think I look down on them—though I truly do look down on them. Still, seeing them is always better than not. Let them up!"

With that, Zhifeng invited Hill and Tan Xiyin upstairs.

Linglong was holding Feng Yixiao. Seeing the two enter, she smiled faintly and said, "I'm looking after a child, so I don't have much time to entertain the two of you. If you aren't afraid of being bored, come in and have a cup of tea?"

"Look at what Sister Linglong is saying. How could we possibly be bored? We simply felt that since Hua'er is no longer by Sister Linglong's side, and as a young lady of a good family you don't have anyone to care for you, wouldn't it be rather desolate? So we discussed it with Mother, and she sent over a clever maid from her side. Have a look and see if you like her!" As the saying goes, one does not hit a smiling person. Hill maintained her usual pleasant demeanor, unfazed by any potential difficulties Linglong might create.

However, Linglong had been sparring with the smiling tiger Tan Xiyin for several years; she didn't believe Hill's smiles for a single second.

"Princess Hill has put in a lot of thought. But my temperament is eccentric, and ordinary people simply cannot serve me. Moreover, I am someone who holds grudges and seeks immediate revenge. Anyone who dares to plot against me or offend me will face my merciless retaliation. A person cannot keep pretending to be a good person all the time; it's simply too exhausting. I disdain hypocrisy. Maid, have you ever seen Hua'er?" Linglong smoothly diverted the topic of conversation to the maid, leaving Hill and Tan Xiyin completely unable to interject.

That maid had naturally heard of Linglong's methods. She trembled with fear and didn't dare to utter a word.

Linglong was quite satisfied with her reaction. She smiled and said, "Look at her. Forget about serving me; she doesn't even dare to cast a glance at me. Am I supposed to expect such a person to serve me? I am not some extraordinarily noble and lofty figure; I can take care of myself. Take your kind intentions back!"

"How can I do that? This is a maid bestowed upon you by Mother. I certainly wouldn't dare take her back. If Mother finds out, she won't be pleased!" Hill smiled as she refused to back down.

Heh!

Tan Xiyin stepped into the fray!

"Oh, I thought Concubine Tan's legs weren't the only thing with problems, that her mouth had issues too. I didn't expect you weren't mute after all?" Linglong looked at Tan Xiyin with a half-smile, her tone extremely unkind.

Tan Xiyin gritted her teeth and said, "Feng Linglong, the only reason you're keeping the old madam's maid is probably so you won't be caught by Mother when you're rendezvousing with Hu Hanzhi, isn't it?"

"Goodness!" Linglong stood up, gritted her teeth, and patted Tan Xiyin's shoulder with all her might, looking astonished as she said, "Concubine Tan, do you possess divine foresight? How did you ever guess my thoughts? That is precisely what I was thinking! Why don't you go tell your Brother Daofei? It would be best if you brought him along to catch me in the act. As for catching adulterers in bed, it seems anyone can do that!"

Hiss!

Tan Xiyin gritted her teeth and endured the pain; her shoulder was bound to be bruised.

"Sister Linglong is quite the joker. How could you possibly be such a frivolous and dissolute woman?" Hill played the good cop.

But Linglong wasn't buying it. "Not at all. Concubine Tan didn't get it wrong; I do meet Hu Hanzhi frequently. He's my savior, after all. You see, I'm not like some people—I don't dare to philander with just anyone, nor am I afraid of catching diseases!"

Tan Xiyin was furious, but she didn't dare to vent her anger, making her feel utterly aggrieved.

Hill was also a perceptive person. Hearing Linglong's words, she basically grasped the underlying meaning: it seemed that this Tan Xiyin went out at night precisely because she couldn't endure the loneliness.

"Sister Linglong, this concerns a person's reputation. How can you say such a thing? Your own reputation is greater than the heavens itself. Let's drop this topic and talk about something pleasant. I heard from Mother that Sister Linglong likes gold. Coincidentally, yesterday when I went outside, I saw a very unique gold necklace. No matter how I look at it, it seems to match Sister Linglong perfectly. Shall I put it on for you?"

With that, Hill took out a sandalwood box from her bosom, drew out a golden necklace, and eagerly walked behind Linglong to clasp it around her neck.

Just as she stepped behind Linglong, something slipped out from her sleeve and landed right in Linglong's lap.

Since there were gifts to receive, Linglong was naturally happy and stopped locking horns with Tan Xiyin. Seeing that Linglong's expression had brightened, Hill tried to persuade her again: "Sister Linglong, your relationship with Mother wasn't good to begin with. You really should just accept this maid."

"Alright, I'll accept her!" Linglong narrowed her eyes and smiled.

A profound glint flashed across Hill's eyes as she smiled and said, "That's more like it!"

"Well then, Feng Yixiao needs to go to sleep. You two please make yourselves at home; I'm going to go put the child to bed." Linglong picked up Feng Yixiao and prepared to leave.

Hill smiled, grabbed her hand, and said, "Didn't we just find you a maid? Why are you still putting the child to bed yourself? Go put the little miss to sleep!"

"Yes, Your Highness." The maid took Feng Yixiao from Linglong's hands and walked into the inner room.

Linglong smiled faintly without a word.

Despite the awkward atmosphere, the two women showed no intention of leaving, chatting with Linglong in a desultory manner.

By the time the afternoon dinner hour arrived, Hill pulled Linglong along toward the Pine and Cypress Residence.

"Sister Linglong, Mother said the kitchen got a wild rabbit and made braised meat with it. The flavor is exceptionally savory. Besides, Husband has already agreed to come dine, so you must come with us. Once Yixiao wakes up, the maid will naturally bring the child over." Hill tugged at Linglong, dragging her along.

Linglong offered no resistance and followed Hill.

At the Pine and Cypress Residence.

The moment Princess Consort Xiangyu laid eyes on Feng Linglong, displeasure welled up in her heart. However, with Hill and Qin Daofei present, she couldn't afford to be overly uninhibited—after all, this son of hers wasn't someone easy to deal with.

Still, her complexion was terrible, making it blatantly obvious that she disliked Linglong attending the banquet.

Seeing Linglong arrive, Qin Daofei took the initiative to stand up, pull her to his side to sit down, and gently stroke a stray lock of hair from her forehead. He asked softly, "Didn't you rest? You look a bit tired."

"Husband, it's all my fault. I didn't even know Sister Linglong needed an afternoon nap, and I just kept pestering her, making her talk with us the whole time!" Hill cut off Qin Daofei's words before Linglong could even speak.

Linglong offered a rare, docile smile. "It's fine. It's not like I have to rest every single day."

"Hill, move over and sit next to Daofei. Daofei, Hill isn't quite used to the food here, so take good care of her while eating!" Seeing Qin Daofei seat Linglong right beside him, Princess Consort Xiangyu hastily arranged for Hill to sit on his other side.

At this sight, a flash of icy murderous intent crossed Tan Xiyin's eyes, though she masked it almost instantly.

Before long, the servants had all the dishes served.

"Let's all pick up our chopsticks," Princess Consort Xiangyu said coldly, picking up a morsel of food for her own bowl.

Only then did Qin Daofei and the others begin to eat.

"Eat more. You've lost weight recently!" Qin Daofei picked up a piece of food and placed it in Linglong's bowl.

Linglong desperately fought down the urge to roll her eyes, thinking to herself: *Qin Daofei, just how deep into the fire pits do you intend to push me before you're happy?*

Yet, Linglong said nothing. As long as she could disgust the women at this table, she would never let go of such a fine opportunity!

Sure enough...

Seeing that Qin Daofei was only concerned with serving food to Linglong, Princess Consort Xiangyu slammed her chopsticks down heavily and said coldly, "Is Feng Linglong pregnant or are her hands broken? Do you have to dote on her and fawn over her like this?"

"Who knows?" Qin Daofei replied ambiguously, making Princess Consort Xiangyu's heart flutter with rage.

"What do you mean by that?" Princess Consort Xiangyu pressed him.

Qin Daofei also set his chopsticks down heavily. "If Mother doesn't wish to dine with your son, just say so directly. I'll take Linglong back to the Linglong Pavilion to eat!"

Thud!

Princess Consort Xiangyu felt like vomiting blood!

"You unfilial son, can't you yield to your mother even once? Just once?!" Furious to the extreme, Princess Consort Xiangyu began pounding on the table.

For some reason, although Linglong hadn't had any appetite over the past few days, seeing the women at this table look ashen-faced today gave her a miraculous surge of appetite.

Thus, amidst their tense confrontation, Linglong was the only one eating in small, dainty bites—remaining inconspicuous yet glaringly conspicuous—and thoroughly enjoying her meal!

"Husband, say a little less. Mother, please don't be angry; I have all my limbs and can serve myself. Look, I can do it myself. I'm hungry; won't you let me eat?" Hill was quite clever; she knew better than to go head-to-head with Qin Daofei.

Yet her "understanding" failed to earn her the slightest bit of tenderness from Qin Daofei, who continued to add food to Linglong's bowl with an expressionless face, carrying on as usual.

While eating, Linglong blocked Qin Daofei's hand and said, "My hands and feet are fine, eat your own food. I see the Old Madam is in a bad mood, you should go coax her!"

Hill kept finding indirect ways to call Linglong useless, so Linglong bounced it right back onto Princess Consort Xiangyu. Who was afraid of whom, anyway?

Tan Xiyin quietly played her role as a vase; she knew there was no room for her to speak here. If she showed the slightest bit of anomaly now, she might become the target of Princess Consort Xiangyu's wrath, leaving the older woman free to vent her fury on her. Therefore, she remained cautious and circumspect at all times.

Yet, despite her utmost caution, Princess Consort Xiangyu still aimed her guns at the innocent Tan Xiyin.

"All you know how to do is eat, eat, eat! You've been married to Xiaoyao Manor for so many years, yet you haven't even produced a single son or daughter. If I raised a rooster, at least it would know how to crow. You're a useless piece of trash!" Princess Consort Xiangyu's tone was exceptionally sharp.

Linglong paused, feeling a surge of intense indignation.

Knowing how sensitive Linglong was about the matter of children, Qin Daofei said coldly, "If Mother truly cannot tolerate us, then you and Princess Hill can eat by yourselves. We're leaving!"

A flash of surprise crossed Tan Xiyin's eyes; she hadn't expected Qin Daofei to actually take her side!

However, she was completely mistaken. Qin Daofei wasn't taking her side at all; he simply didn't want Linglong to hear a single soul-crushing word.

Linglong, however, also misunderstood. She narrowed her eyes at Qin Daofei, wondering why he had suddenly stepped in to defend Tan Xiyin.

Naturally, Hill and Princess Consort Xiangyu misunderstood as well. After all, they had no idea that Feng Yixiao wasn't actually born to Linglong.

"Alright, alright, let's all say less. This is the first time since I married into the Qin family that we've had such a reunion dinner, let's all say less!" To appease Princess Consort Xiangyu, Hill took the initiative to sit beside her.

This gesture deeply warmed Princess Consort Xiangyu's heart. She reached out to pat the back of Hill's hand and, for her sake, swallowed her anger this time.

Everyone ate in silence. Because of Princess Consort Xiangyu's remark, Linglong truly lost her appetite, but not wanting to show it, she kept her head down and ate without uttering a single word.

Tan Xiyin sat directly opposite Linglong. Catching Hill's eye, Hill stood up, walked over to Linglong, and smiled as she said, "Sister Linglong, my body isn't suited for alcohol right now, but let me pour you a cup of wine. We are all Husband's wives; if I ever do anything inappropriate in the future, please don't take offense. As a woman from the Great Desert, there are many customs of the Central Plains that I simply don't understand."

"Her Highness is so courteous; it makes me, the older sister, look ill-mannered instead. It is I who should ask for forgiveness," Linglong said with a faint smile, looking at Hill.

Seeing this, Tan Xiyin picked up a four-joy meatball with her chopsticks and smiled. "In that case, this humble concubine will also present a stolen flower to Buddha. This is Eldest Madam's favorite four-joy meatball; I hope Eldest Madam can let bygones be bygones with me!"

Let bygones be bygones!

Humph!

Linglong looked at Tan Xiyin indifferently, but Tan Xiyin's hand slipped, causing the entire meatball to slide right into Linglong's lap.

"Oh my, Sister Linglong, are you alright? Let me help you clean it up!" Seeing this, Hill hurried over to pull Linglong to her feet, offering to clean her clothes.

Linglong wore a half-smile, watching Hill's movements with indifference.

"Oh my, what is this? It looks like a trinket belonging to a northern frontier man?" Hill fussed for a moment before a finger-length jade pendant emerged from the collar of Linglong's gown, with a black tassel dangling from it.

Hill pulled the jade pendant out and saw that it was inscribed with the words: *Missing you without a glimpse, nowhere to seek this yearning!*

"Isn't this a jade pendant given by a frontier man to a woman he secretly loves to confess his feelings? Why would Husband give this to Sister Linglong?" Hill deliberately placed the jade pendant close to Princess Consort Xiangyu.

Princess Consort Xiangyu had long since heard about the matter regarding Hu Hanzhi and knew he hailed from the northern frontier. Seeing such an item in Linglong's possession now, her anger flared instantly.

"Feng Linglong, have you no shame at all? You live in my Qin family while harboring thoughts of another man—what do you take my son for?"

Linglong sneered, snatched the jade pendant from Princess Consort Xiangyu's hand, and said coldly, "Old Madam, what do you think this proves? Oh, I see—you're trying to pin a crime on me and cement my guilt as an adulteress, aren't you?"

Linglong tossed the jade pendant into Qin Daofei's lap and said coldly, "Master Qin, look, we've caught an adulterer in the act. Would you like to divorce me a second time?"

"Didn't Tang Li give this trinket to Hua'er? How did it end up in your hands?" Qin Daofei held the jade pendant, examined it casually, and delivered his verdict.

Princess Consort Xiangyu said coldly, "How can you prove this belongs to Tang Li?"

"And how can Mother assert so doggedly that someone else gave this to Linglong?" Qin Daofei parried.

Princess Consort Xiangyu was so furious she felt steam coming out of her seven orifices!

Staring fiercely at Linglong, she gritted her teeth and said, "I simply don't believe that she, Feng Linglong, is truly this innocent!"

"What does Mother want this time?" Qin Daofei asked coldly.

Seeing this, Hill stepped forward once more to play the peacemaker. "Mother, please don't be like this. Such jade pendants are very common in the frontier. What if it really was a gift from Tang Li to Hua'er? This concerns Sister Linglong's reputation; you mustn't jump to conclusions so lightly."

"What do you know? This wanton woman secretly meets with that man every few days, and that fellow even came to the manor to contend with Daofei over her! If she's innocent, I'm willing to go ten days without food or drink!" Princess Consort Xiangyu was dead set on believing that Linglong and Hu Hanzhi had an illicit affair, and that sensitive nerve of hers had finally been provoked by the jade pendant.

Linglong gazed languidly at Princess Consort Xiangyu and said coldly, "Don't ever let me hear that highly insulting word 'wanton' again. Otherwise, even if you were the Emperor of Heaven, I'd beat you just the same!"

"Men, come here! Go and search Feng Linglong's room. Dig three feet into the ground if you must, but find me the evidence of her illicit meetings with another man!" Princess Consort Xiangyu was furious too.

Qin Daofei slammed his palm down hard onto the table, shattering it into two halves with a loud crash. He said with a cold, gloomy expression, "Is Mother truly forcing her son to commit an unfilial act?"

"If you don't let them search, today that charge of adultery will truly be pinned on me. Let them search!" Linglong was unyielding, sneering as she said, "I'm still waiting to see the Old Madam go without food or drink!"

Provoked thus by Linglong, Princess Consort Xiangyu flew into an unstoppable rage. She kicked away a broken plate blocking her path and told Hill and Tan Xiyin, "You two come with me as well, and search every single inch thoroughly!"

And so, the group rushed back to the Linglong Pavilion in a flurry.

The moment they stepped through the door, Princess Consort Xiangyu directed people to search everywhere.

Feng Yixiao had her sleep interrupted prematurely and burst into wails of crying.

Pointing at the maid, Princess Consort Xiangyu snapped, "Take this little brat outside! Her mother's return was shady, and heaven knows whose bastard this little wretch even is!"

Swish!

A long sword was instantly pressed against Princess Consort Xiangyu's neck.

She looked tremblingly at the owner of the sword and stammered, "Feng Linglong, what are you trying to do?"

"Apologize!" Linglong said coldly.

Princess Consort Xiangyu bit her lip, remaining stubbornly silent.

Linglong's eyes instantly bloodshot, she said in a chilling voice, "Apologize to Feng Yixiao!"

"Why should I apologize? If she were truly my son's child, why do you insist on her taking the surname Feng?" Driven to desperation, Princess Consort Xiangyu lunged forward to crash against Linglong's sword.

Fearing she might actually get herself killed, Qin Daofei flicked his finger against Linglong's wrist, numbing her hand and causing the sword to drop.

As she lunged forward to choke Princess Consort Xiangyu, Qin Daofei quickly pulled her into an embrace, saying softly, "Linglong, calm down. Whether Yixiao is my child or not, I know it clearly in my heart. I won't listen to other people's nonsense."

Shoving Qin Daofei aside, Linglong pointed at Princess Consort Xiangyu and raged, "Princess Consort Xiangyu, let me tell you this: you can scold me and I can endure it, but how can you treat a child like that? Have you no virtue in your speech? You claim to be a devout Buddhist—don't you know that talking like this means having your tongue pulled out when you go to hell?"

"You're the one going to hell! A promiscuous woman like you, how dare you lecture me on virtue and Buddhist philosophy?" When driven to extremes, Princess Consort Xiangyu possessed a shrewish temper that gave people a headache.

Heh!

Linglong sneered. "Promiscuous? Did I steal your father, or what? Why are you so dead set on claiming I committed adultery? Didn't you say you were going to search? If you can't find evidence of my infidelity today, either you die or I do!"

Linglong's temper flared as well.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Qin Daofei felt his head ache profusely!

Knowing that Linglong was completely beyond reason right now, and realizing Princess Consort Xiangyu wouldn't let the matter drop, he said coldly, "Go ahead and make a scene, both of you. Mother, I'd like to see how you plan to end this farce!"

With that, Qin Daofei scooped Feng Yixiao into his arms and ignored them entirely.

Feng Yixiao cried miserably. Cradled in Qin Daofei's arms, she sobbed and wailed, "Daddy, scared! Grandma is bad!"

"That's not your grandma, that's your older sister! I stole her father? I gave birth to you with her father!" Linglong scolded Feng Yixiao.

Wuwah!

Feng Yixiao couldn't bear the grievance anymore and wailed louder.

Clutching her chest, Princess Consort Xiangyu collapsed to the floor and began making a scene. "What kind of sins has our Qin family committed to bring home such a shameless woman?!"

"Oh, not only does the Old Madam like to find young wives for her father, but she's also so old she's forgotten who it was that married me into this family in the first place? Tsk tsk, come to think of it, your true nature isn't all that great either. Back then, because you despised Concubine Tan for failing to bear children, you married me in to try and chase her away. Now that you don't want me in the Qin family, you bring Princess Hill in. After all these years you haven't grown an inch, and my responsibilities as a mother are truly heavy! I've failed my father-in-law!"

Alas!

Qin Daofei felt his temples throb with relentless pain!

Ahhhhh!

Furious enough to crawl up and claw at Linglong, Princess Consort Xiangyu was halted when Linglong looked down at her coldly and said, "I've already died once anyway, I'm not afraid of doing it again. Killing you... is as easy as crushing an ant!"

The murderous glint in Linglong's eyes finally forced Princess Consort Xiangyu to regain some sanity.

Clutching her chest as she sat disheveled on the floor, she rasped, "Search! All of you, go search! You must find evidence of Feng Linglong's adultery!"

This played right into the hands of Hill and Tan Xiyin. Disregarding Qin Daofei's gloomy gaze from the side, the two of them hurried off to look for evidence.

Before leaving, Hill cast a glance at the maid she had summoned to serve Linglong. The maid met her gaze deeply, then lowered her head in silence.

Turning her back, Hill sneered inwardly.

*Feng Linglong, if you yielded, perhaps you'd find a way out. But you just had to be such a hot-headed person. You've offended the Old Madam, and today you've been caught with evidence of adultery—let's see how you can monopolize Qin Daofei now!* Hill muttered to herself.

Xiahe, Hill, Tan Xiyin, Anmuya, Tan Xiyin's maid, and the two maids from Princess Consort Xiangyu's retinue turned the Linglong Pavilion upside down, eventually unearthing a stack of letters.

Because they were hidden so deeply, Princess Consort Xiangyu concluded that Linglong must indeed be guilty.

Linglong looked at them coldly with a sarcastic smile.

Seeing her reaction, Qin Daofei suddenly chuckled. *This girl!*

Sure enough, when Princess Consort Xiangyu opened the first letter, it turned out to be correspondence from the years when Linglong had pursued Qin Daofei. Linglong had written pages upon pages of flowing prose, while Qin Daofei had merely added a single comment at the bottom: *"Terrible handwriting!"*

The second letter was likewise filled with Linglong's flowing prose, but Qin Daofei's commentary had been to correct her typos.

By the third letter, Linglong could no longer sustain the sweet talk and instead discussed business matters with Qin Daofei. This happened to strike Qin Daofei's interest, and he had advised her: *"Be ruthless when making your move, and have a unique vision!"*

Upon seeing those letters, tears welled up in Tan Xiyin's eyes.

She said sorrowfully, "So, the reason Feng Linglong managed to revitalize the Feng family was because Brother Daofei was guiding her from the sidelines all along, wasn't it?"

Mmm-hmm!

"I merely thought she was too young and offered a few pointers. But she is truly clever—she caught on the moment she was taught," Qin Daofei replied somewhat sheepishly, reluctant to discuss past memories with Tan Xiyin.

Linglong gritted her teeth in fury, cursing inwardly: *Aifei, you damned woman, just you wait until I settle accounts with you!*

As it turned out, the moment Hill slipped the jade pendant into her lap, Linglong had realized Hill intended to frame her. Maintaining her composure, when Hill called her away, she had signaled Aifei on the rafters to keep an eye on that maid.

After entering the room, the maid had indeed coaxed Yixiao to sleep with apparent patience. But once Yixiao fell asleep, she pulled a stack of letters from her bosom and tucked them into various hiding spots around the room. Having completed the task, she docilely sat back down to keep watch over sleeping Feng Yixiao.

After a while, she simply slumped forward and fell asleep by the bedside.

Sensing her opportunity, Aifei had consulted Zhifeng on what materials would work best for the frame!

Thus, this pair of troublemakers who loved watching a good spectacle dug up all the foolish stunts Linglong had pulled in the past and laid them all out on the table.

Linglong regretted it so much her intestines turned green.

Suddenly, amidst the letters, Princess Consort Xiangyu spotted a specific document. After reading it, she flung the paper directly into Tan Xiyin's face and rebuked sharply, "You wretched creature, take a look at this yourself!"

Tan Xiyin had no idea what was going on—what did this have to do with her?

Opening the letter, Tan Xiyin saw that it detailed the precise plan she and Prince Xiang had concocted years ago to murder the child in Linglong's womb.

Having lifted a rock only to drop it on her own feet, Tan Xiyin's complexion turned alternately green and pale.

Princess Consort Xiangyu continued reading, then seized the opportunity to slide one of the letters up into her own sleeve.

Linglong raised an eyebrow, maintaining a facade of absolute calm.

Once their inspection was complete, Linglong clapped her hands and said, "Well? Did you find any evidence of me committing adultery?"

Hill looked at the maid, who was breaking out in a cold sweat.

To avoid blowing her cover, Hill refrained from pressing the maid further, saying only, "Mother, it seems you really misunderstood!"

"Fine! Even if the Linglong Pavilion didn't yield these things, shouldn't you at least explain the jade pendant in your possession?" Princess Consort Xiangyu still refused to let her off.

Qin Daofei stepped forward and said indifferently, "Last winter, when Tang Li and I went to the northern frontier, Tang Li bought a jade pendant for Hua'er. Now that Hua'er is not in the manor, is Mother going to forbid her from keeping a memento?"

"Then summon Tang Li to testify!" Princess Consort Xiangyu would not yield.

Ha!

Qin Daofei sneered. "Mother, you really are determined to pin the crime of adultery on Linglong, aren't you? Since that's the case, don't blame your son for being heartless!" Turning to Xiahe, Qin Daofei commanded coolly, "Go tidy up the Pine and Cypress Residence properly. I've had a giant Buddha statue brought back from Hanshan Temple for Mother. Starting today, Mother is to cultivate her mind and study Buddhism in the Pine and Cypress Residence in seclusion, and no one is permitted to disturb her under any circumstances!"

"Qin Daofei, how dare you!" Princess Consort Xiangyu never expected that Qin Daofei would openly place her under house arrest.

Ha!

Qin Daofei chuckled. "If Mother doesn't want the Wang family to vanish from the imperial court from this day onward, I must ask you to cease your foolish behavior."

"You..." Princess Consort Xiangyu didn't dare speak further; she knew that when Qin Daofei turned ruthless, he was truly capable of anything.

Looking at Princess Consort Xiangyu with cold detachment, Qin Daofei said, "Son asks Mother to practice Buddhism so that you can calm down and stop being so easily manipulated by others without even realizing it! Men, escort the Old Madam back to the Pine and Cypress Residence."

Princess Consort Xiangyu's face was ashen. She dared not resist—whether for the sake of the Wang family or Qin Daofei's reputation, she didn't dare defy him.

Tan Xiyin and Hill watched blankly as Princess Consort Xiangyu was hauled away by guards. For Tan Xiyin, it was nothing new; having witnessed Qin Daofei's methods when pushed to the limit by Princess Consort Xiangyu in the past, she found it unsurprising. She only felt that losing Princess Consort Xiangyu as a "divine assistant" would make their future schemes much more difficult to execute.

Hill, however, reacted quite differently. Believing that someone like Qin Daofei must be a filial man—since during her days at Xiaoyao Manor he visited Princess Consort Xiangyu daily—she had assumed he would never truly harm her. That was why she had so unscrupulously used the older woman as a pawn. Never had she imagined that when Qin Daofei turned ruthless, he would even scheme against his own mother and uncle.

"You may all return to your quarters," Qin Daofei said coldly.

Tan Xiyin was more than eager to leave. Though fearless in her persistent rivalry with Feng Linglong, what she feared most was drawing Qin Daofei's attention.

Seeing Tan Xiyin depart, Hill knew she had no reason to linger either. She possessed neither past grace nor love in Qin Daofei's eyes, and thus she dared not provoke this man further.

"Wait, Princess Hill, please take this maid back with you. Linglong isn't used to outsiders caring for her, and Hua'er will be returning soon. From now on, you needn't trouble yourself to send anyone else to wait on Linglong; I can take care of her myself," Qin Daofei stated with chilling indifference.

Hill forced a smile. "Yes, Husband, I understand. I won't meddle in these matters ever again!"

And so, Hill departed with a wronged expression.

With the crowd finally dispersed, Linglong placed her hands on her hips and shouted angrily, "Zhifeng, Aifei, you two scoundrels, get out here!"

Thud!

Zhifeng emerged from the shadows with an aggrieved expression. "Eldest Madam, we are neither married nor betrothed, how did we become scoundrels in your mouth?"

"Those letters were your doing, weren't they?" Linglong didn't even have to guess; only Zhifeng and company could have laid their hands on the evidence of her past foolishness.

Aifei stepped out from the shadows as well, shoved Zhifeng aside, seated herself opposite Linglong, and poured herself a cup of tea.

"I honestly didn't expect you to be so passionate toward Master Qin!" Aifei remarked, then lightly nudged the table, sliding herself and her chair back three paces.

Linglong wanted to strike her, but couldn't reach!

"That was... that was..." Unexpectedly, the usually sharp-tongued Linglong found herself at a loss for words.

Seeing how furiously angry Linglong was, Qin Daofei calmly remarked, "Who hasn't had their youth?!"

"Right, exactly! Who hasn't done foolish things in their youth? Did you think everyone is like Zhifeng, who doesn't even dare do anything foolish?" Linglong redirected her fire toward Zhifeng.

Pointing an aggrieved finger at his own nose, Zhifeng protested, "What did I do now? How did I offend Eldest Madam?"

"You've liked Aifei for so long—do you dare kiss her? Do you dare?" Linglong asked with utter disdain.

Youth, after all, was characterized by impetuosity!

Stung by Linglong's words, Zhifeng slammed his hand on the table in fury. "Of course I've kissed her! I've kissed her plenty of times!"

"You mean that time she ambushed you and still called you green?" Linglong's look of contempt deeply wounded Zhifeng's young-man pride. He pointed indignantly at Linglong and said, "I've kissed her many times! If you don't believe me, ask her!"

Furious, Aifei threw her teacup at Zhifeng. "You've lost every shred of dignity. Can't you be a bit smarter?"

Wounded, Zhifeng wrung his fingers miserably and slunk away.

"Women are truly terrifying!" Zhifeng muttered under his breath before leaving. "I clearly succeeded many times already. It looks like next time I must find an opportunity to show off properly—ideally letting Eldest Madam witness the charm of Young Master Zhifeng!"

*Yes, that's settled!*

Zhifeng resolved to make Linglong and the others see that he too had his moments of retaliation!

With a twitch of his brows, Qin Daofei stood up with a half-smile and said indifferently, "I'm going to go have a life chat with Zhifeng!"

"If you dare instigate him to do anything, I'll beat Feng Linglong half to death!" Aifei clenched her hand slightly, turning the teacup in her grasp into fine powder.

Unfazed, Qin Daofei merely smiled faintly. "Just leave her half-paralyzed; that'll be fine with me!"

"You... get out!" Linglong raged.

Once Qin Daofei had left, Linglong tapped on the table and asked Aifei, "Did you see it?"

"Saw what? That Qin Daofei placed his own mother under house arrest for your sake? Quite imposing!" Aifei smiled faintly.

Linglong rolled her eyes. "Who's asking you about that? I'm asking if you saw Princess Consort Xiangyu secretly shove a letter into her clothes?"

"Mm, saw it. I even specially marked it. That letter detailed the process of Hill hunting down Qin Daofei and her purpose in coming to the Central Plains. I honestly didn't expect Princess Consort Xiangyu to have such composure." Aifei had slipped that letter in deliberately, originally expecting Princess Consort Xiangyu to blow her top on the spot.

Linglong sneered. "You don't understand her. Leaving aside the fact that Hill's womb carries her hopes, based on her status alone, Princess Consort Xiangyu would definitely keep her around. This is her habitual tactic. If Hill stays and manages to get rid of me and Tan Xiyin, she'll have solved her problems once and for all. When that time comes, she can pull out the letter, report Hill to the Emperor, and have the Emperor execute her. By then, every woman she dislikes will be gone from Xiaoyao Manor. She can then simply pick a woman she actually likes to carry on the Qin family line—isn't that a perfect plan?"

"She certainly has a high opinion of herself!" Aifei said coldly.

Looking out the window, Linglong said indifferently, "Whatever they plan to do, I'm not afraid anymore. My only worry is Hua'er. In such snowy weather, she left taking only a tiny amount of silver—I'm afraid she's going cold and hungry!"

"That girl learned it straight from you—she carries everything on her own without a word. She had no idea how well Tang Li treated her, nor why Tang Li did what he did. She misunderstood his intentions and ran off alone. And as for you..." Aifei changed the subject and turned her guns on Linglong. "I always used to think Qin Daofei was a bastard who let you get hurt and suffered, but you fool, all of this proves that Qin Daofei gave you his true heart! Yet you spent all those years right by his side and remained completely blind to it!"

Linglong slammed the table in exasperation. "How am I a fool? Didn't he just dislike me back then?"

"If he disliked you, why did he keep all these letters? Because your drafts had collectible value? Ha, your handwriting isn't even as neat as Feng Yixiao's—isn't that right, Feng Yixiao?" Aifei asked Feng Yixiao, who was in Linglong's arms.

Feng Yixiao gave a very cooperative smile.

Linglong rolled her eyes. "Well... well, maybe he kept them just to mock me?"

"Complaining about your bad handwriting while keeping every single letter you wrote, correcting your typos and even adding annotations at the bottom—just how much free time do you think he has?" Aifei's words hit the nail right on the head.

Linglong had nothing to say in response.

"And what about those business comments? Didn't he teach those to you?" Aifei asked.

Linglong scratched her face, and seeing her do so, Feng Yixiao raised her little fat hands to scratch her face as well. Their foolish cuteness successfully amused Aifei.

Smiling, she asked, "Are you going to admit it or not?"

"Actually, he had already returned all these letters to me. I threw them away in a fit of anger back then—how was I supposed to know how they ended up back in his hands?" Spurred by Aifei's analysis, even Linglong couldn't help wondering if she had truly managed to melt this block of ice named Qin Daofei!

"So if you aren't a fool, who is? Feng Yixiao, who is the fool?" Aifei asked.

Feng Yixiao looked up at Aifei, then at Linglong, before pointing a chubby little finger at Linglong. "Aunty Long is a fool!"

"Little ungrateful wretch!" Linglong was so exasperated by Feng Yixiao that she had to laugh.

"So, while you and Qin Daofei are still capable of bearing children, you'd better hurry up and have another one to shut Princess Consort Xiangyu's stinking mouth!" Aifei concluded with a cold amusement.

Linglong rolled her eyes. "Go to hell!"

"See you never!" Aifei leaped gracefully up onto the rafters and vanished.