Chapter 117: Assassination in the Heavenly Prison
At this moment, at the Carefree Manor.
After returning, Qin Daofei sat in his study, questioning about the circumstances before and after Nuan Xier’s incident. The person assigned to watch over Nuan Xier said, “Since that person separated from the manor lord and the lady, she hasn’t gone out in these three days. Not only that, no one has come to see her; she’s been entirely with her little maid.”
“Do you think it’s possible that Nuan Xier killed her own child and framed the lady?” Jifeng asked.
The man retorted, “That’s unlikely. That child was Nuan Xier’s bargaining chip left at Carefree Manor. Without that child, who would want to shelter her here? Since she’s so determined to establish roots in Carefree Manor, she wouldn’t give up the child so easily!”
“Enough talk. Wait for the ghost doctor to arrive and ask him about the cause. Jifeng, go to the Second Prince’s residence and have him visit Ye Lishang’s medical hut. I want to see him,” Qin Daofei ordered coldly.
Jifeng cupped his hands, “Yes, lord, I will handle it immediately!”
No sooner had Jifeng left than Ye Lishang arrived.
He strode in and plopped down on Qin Daofei’s desk, grinning, “Your Nuan Xier princess has committed a grave sin. She’ll never bear children again. Brother Qin, your fate truly... curses your offspring!”
“Why can’t she have children anymore?” Qin Daofei narrowed his eyes.
Ye Lishang chuckled, “The child was stillborn, and when it was born, it damaged her uterus. When I treated her, she even cursed me. Hmph!”
That last sentence seemed crucial.
Qin Daofei frowned, “You caused her to be infertile. If I want to drive her away later, it won’t be so easy, huh?”
“Such a woman doesn’t deserve children,” Ye Lishang’s eyes suddenly grew cold.
Qin Daofei raised an eyebrow, “Is there something I don’t know?”
“She has repeated bruises from pinching on her abdomen. At first, I thought she injured herself from pain, unable to control her strength. But I noticed most of the bruises are around the child’s neck. When I carefully examined her wounds, she got angry, cursed me, and told me to get out. Why would she be so agitated?” Ye Lishang asked with a sly smile.
Qin Daofei frowned, “Are you saying... she strangled her own child?”
“Yes!”
Ye Lishang nodded, “But to be precise, it’s not entirely correct. She was poisoned, likely causing premature labor. Whether the child was dead or alive, no one can say for sure. But if she didn’t want the child born, pinching like that would surely kill it.”
Taking a sharp breath of fresh air, Ye Lishang then said fiercely, “Such a woman doesn’t deserve to be a mother. Rather than letting her use child after child, it’s better if she never bears a child in her lifetime. That’s the best punishment.”
Phew!
Qin Daofei felt a pressure building inside. He thought the child might have been poisoned, but he never imagined Nuan Xier herself was the one who sent the child to its death.
After a moment of silence, Qin Daofei said, “My men have dug the child out. Go see if it matches what you described.”
“I don’t want to see it. I refuse to live under such oppression!” Ye Lishang resisted.
Qin Daofei wasn’t eager to see it either, “For the sake of saving Linglong, bear with it.”
Though Ye Lishang’s words were sharp and biting, his heart was soft. Once Qin Daofei spoke kindly, he immediately softened.
“All right, all right, I get it. I’ll go see it with you, but you have to go with me. I can’t bear it alone!” Ye Lishang pulled Qin Daofei along.
They went to the wood storage at Carefree Manor, entered a cellar behind it. The cellar was full of ice blocks, used by the manor during summer.
In a small box in the corner lay the child dug up by the manor’s people.
Qin Daofei and Ye Lishang examined it. They didn’t really need Ye Lishang to confirm; the child’s neck, face, and chest were covered with pinch marks. Even without witnessing it, they could guess the child had endured cruel torment before dying.
Both fell silent.
Especially Qin Daofei, who had lost a child before. He understood the pain of a parent losing a child but couldn’t fathom how Nuan Xier faced the child she had brutally killed herself.
People say a tiger will not eat its cubs. How could she be less than a beast?
Qin Daofei covered the child and said coldly, “Child, I will avenge you.”
Ye Lishang took out a silver needle, lifted the blanket covering the child, and whispered, “Child, I will find out who harmed you and help you take revenge.”
Qin Daofei held his breath watching Ye Lishang. After a moment, Ye Lishang said, “This is a poison called ‘Mother-Child Heart Connection.’ Once poisoned, the mother suffers damage as severely as the child. But the cruelest thing about this poison isn’t that it kills the child—it turns the child into an idiot instead, without killing him.”
“If that’s the case, the poisoner couldn’t have been Nuan Xier herself. If she wanted to poison her child, she wouldn’t use such a desperate method. So, the poisoner must be someone else,” Qin Daofei said calmly.
Ye Lishang asked, “Who else at Carefree Manor could poison the child?”
“Tan Xiyin!” Qin Daofei and Ye Lishang said simultaneously.
Ye Lishang looked at Qin Daofei and sneered, “That woman’s cruelty is beyond limits!”
Qin Daofei felt nothing but looked at Ye Lishang calmly, “The woman we need to deal with urgently now is Nuan Xier. The person hiding behind Tan Xiyin is the only one connected to her.”
“So, you want to spare that wretched Tan Xiyin again?” Ye Lishang said.
Qin Daofei wasn’t content either but said softly, “There’s no way right now. If that person isn’t uncovered, I won’t know how Carefree Manor will end!”
“What will you do now?” Ye Lishang asked, pointing at the child.
Qin Daofei said, “What if I put this child on Nuan Xier’s bed? What will happen?”
*Pfft!*
“Qin Daofei, you’re shameless to the extreme, but… that’s a brilliant idea!” Ye Lishang approved.
Qin Daofei said calmly, “I have more important matters now. Come with me to your place?”
“Why? What important thing could happen at my place?” Ye Lishang said casually.
Qin Daofei said softly, “The Second Prince has gone to your house.”
“Oh my, Qin Daofei, you bastard, I’m going to kill you!” Ye Lishang charged off like being chased by a dog.
Qin Daofei was about to head to Ye Lishang’s medical hut when Effie came out carrying Feng Yixiao, saying softly, “Send Feng Yixiao to the Second Prince’s or Ye Lishang’s place. I guess the storm at your house won’t calm down soon.”
“Let’s go,” Qin Daofei said.
Effie, holding Feng Yixiao, followed Qin Daofei.
At Ye Lishang’s medical hut.
The Second Prince sat unmoving in the hall, leisurely sipping tea and watching the snowy scenery outside.
Ye Lishang came in puffing, leaning on the doorframe, asking the Second Prince, “Have you been to my study?”
“No,” the Second Prince replied without expression, then looked up and smiled, “Why are you in such a hurry? Is there some secret in the study?”
Hmph!
Ye Lishang growled, “My only secret, my lifelong wish, is to poison you!”
“Then come on!” The Second Prince relaxed and slumped into the cushion, posing as if inviting a challenge.
Ye Lishang’s face flushed red, teeth clenched, “Chengjie, I swear… killing you a thousand times wouldn’t be enough!”
“Then come on!” The Second Prince remained easygoing.
Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang.
*Clap clap clap clap!*
“Fun!” It was Feng Yixiao’s voice.
Seeing Feng Yixiao, the Second Prince smiled warmly, “Oh, Yixiao is here too!”
Yixiao smiled sweetly, eyes squinting, “Huang Huang, hug me!”
“All right, a hug!” The Second Prince took Feng Yixiao from Effie’s arms.
Ye Lishang grumbled, “Did you just call me ‘old man’?”
Then he tried to pinch Feng Yixiao’s face.
Feng Yixiao snuggled into the Second Prince’s arms, “Shangshang is ugly!”
*Pfft!*
Everyone laughed heartily.
Ye Lishang, furious, carried Feng Yixiao towards the backyard, “If I don’t kill you, I’m not Ye Lishang!”
“Why have you come?” The Second Prince asked.
Qin Daofei said softly, “Your father caught my woman. You ask me why I’m here?”
“That’s my father’s business, not mine. But I heard that Jiong Zimei has been inquiring about the personnel at the Zongren Mansion, trying to smooth things over. I’m curious why you want your uncle to do that,” the Second Prince said calmly.
Qin Daofei said softly, “Nothing. My uncle sent Jiong Zimei to investigate Linglong’s matter and find a way to save her.”
“Oh? Your uncle has wised up?” The Second Prince smirked.
Qin Daofei glanced at the Second Prince coldly, “If I kill your father, will you hate me?”
…
The Second Prince was silent.
After a moment, he sighed earnestly, “Although he’s always used me and never treated me well, he is still my father. If you ask me that, I honestly don’t know how to answer.”
“But have you forgotten your purpose? Have you forgotten your mother’s experience?” Qin Daofei asked.
The Second Prince smiled bitterly, “Has it come to this point?”
“I can’t answer you right now. But your father still broods over Chengxiang’s death. If he strikes at me first, it will definitely be you. Do you believe that?” Qin Daofei asked.
The Second Prince had no reason not to believe. He knew the emperor’s favor for Chengxiang. Even though that boy nearly killed everyone trying to usurp the throne, the emperor chose to forgive him. Sometimes the Second Prince struggled to understand why the emperor cherished that bastard so much.
But Qin Daofei’s words were also true: the emperor had crossed Qin Daofei’s bottom line. If Qin Daofei truly had the heart to kill, the emperor would not escape. He asked the question only out of loyalty to a friend.
“Well then, how about this? Don’t kill him. Keep him alive, and I’ll give you a letter. As long as the empire remains ours, I guarantee the Qin family won’t suffer royal oppression for a hundred years!” The Second Prince still couldn’t bear to see the emperor die.
Qin Daofei said softly, “Then I must be sure if he’s stubborn.”
The Second Prince sighed, speechless.
Meanwhile, Nuan Xier woke. Dragging her weak body, she left Carefree Manor once again, heading toward the imperial palace.
In the Golden Hall.
Nuan Xier knelt weakly before the emperor, gazing at him faintly.
“The princess had me arrest someone. Out of respect for the friendship between our two countries, I first helped you detain them. But if you fail to produce evidence, I’ll have to release them. Have you thought it through?” The emperor seemed oblivious to Nuan Xier’s suffering, speaking as if to himself.
Nuan Xier sneered, “Your Majesty is right. So even if I am to die, I will not forget to present the evidence first, to fulfill your wish to deal with Qin Daofei.”
“That’s wrong, princess. There’s no hostility between me and Qin Daofei. I arrested Feng Linglong only because you claimed she killed your unborn child. You must understand this clearly and not slander,” the emperor said ambiguously, wary of Carefree Manor’s situation.
Nuan Xier understood the emperor’s intent but, stranded in a cold place, unable to oppose him, she had to comply.
“Yes, I remember. Here is the evidence of Feng Linglong poisoning my child. Please examine it, Your Majesty.” Nuan Xier presented the so-called proof. The emperor glanced at a eunuch, who took the evidence for inspection.
After a brief look, the emperor said coldly, “You must protect all witnesses and evidence yourself. When Qin Daofei demands a trial, you must present them. I’m only providing the venue.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Nuan Xier kowtowed and left.
The emperor watched her leave coldly, saying softly, “Whether you can bring down Qin Daofei this time depends on you.”
“Does Your Majesty think the so-called evidence from Nuan Xier is credible?” the eunuch asked.
The emperor glanced at the eunuch. The eunuch immediately knelt, trembling, “Your Majesty, I deserve death for speaking too much!”
“You’re right. Find someone to help this woman and make everything solid,” the emperor said coldly.
The eunuch bowed and left.
That night.
The Zongren Mansion was eerie and terrifying after dark. The few lights barely illuminated the huge prison.
Inside the cells, it was very quiet, only occasional coughing proving many people were imprisoned here.
In the shadows, a man dressed in black hugged the wall, cautiously surveying the cells, seemingly searching for something.
Suddenly, a silver dart grazed his face and landed by his ear. The man trembled, then after calming down, pulled out the dart. A note was attached: “Xu Nai is from Carefree Manor; not to be used. Under the big tree in the cold palace, can help you understand!”
He pocketed the note and vanished into the prison unnoticed.
A black-clad man followed him.
Under the big tree in the cold palace.
The black-clad man approached, saying softly, “You said you could clear my doubts; come out.”
“Heh, you’re so reckless. Does your master know?” came an old voice from beneath a black robe, the figure’s face hidden.
The black-clad man narrowed his eyes, asking sharply, “How do you know whose man I am?”
“If I wanted to know, it wouldn’t be difficult,” the mysterious man smiled faintly.
The black-clad man guardedly eyed him, saying coldly, “You say Old Xu is Qin Daofei’s man? Any proof?”
“I say he is. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him to kill Feng Linglong. But I must warn you, if your plan is exposed, killing Feng Linglong again will be much harder,” the mysterious man said quietly.
The man didn’t know why this man knew all his movements. He looked at him with murderous intent.
“You can’t kill me, and there’s no need to be hostile. Listen, if you want Feng Linglong dead, you must obey me. Otherwise, you’ll never kill her. I know your master’s leverage held by Tan Xiyin. With Qin Daofei’s nature, your master’s escape is unlikely. And if your master dies, do you think Qin Daofei won’t find you? He’ll crush you like an ant,” the mysterious man said softly.
The black-clad man swallowed nervously, voice unstable, “If I kill Feng Linglong, won’t Qin Daofei… want to kill me?”
“That’s why I said I’m helping you. I’ll make sure Qin Daofei can’t trace back to you. What do you think?” the mysterious man tempted.
The man muttered, “Jiong is ruthless. If I fail, he’ll kill me. Since you can help, I might as well trust you. Tell me, how can I kill Feng Linglong without anyone knowing?”
“Find a chance to visit that Xu at home. Tell him openly that Wang Liu wants you to kill Feng Linglong, give him money, and have him act...” Before the mysterious man finished, the man interrupted angrily, “You’re joking, right? I know Xu is Qin Daofei’s man, and you want me to ask him to kill Feng Linglong?”
Hmph!
The mysterious man sneered, “So I say you’re stupid.”
“What did you say?” The man, furious, lunged to see who this mysterious man really was.
But the mysterious man seemed to see through his intent, grabbed the man’s hand, gently pushed, and the man staggered back several steps, feeling a surge of blood and chest pain.
“You…” The man knew he was no match and clenched his fist, quiet.
The mysterious man chuckled, “I haven’t finished, why so impatient?” He paused, then took out a black porcelain bottle. “Inside is a poison, colorless and tasteless. One drop can kill fifty people. Have someone bribe the prison’s food delivery staff to poison all the women in Feng Linglong’s cell. That will divert Qin Daofei’s attention; he’ll think the target is the women related to King Xiang, and Feng Linglong was only mistakenly killed. Qin Daofei will blame the emperor, not you.”
The man took the bottle, quietly asked, “Are you sure?”
“I’ve fought Qin Daofei for years. Feng Linglong’s child was poisoned, she was imprisoned, the prison fire—all my doing. Qin Daofei hasn’t caught me yet. Do I have the right to teach you how to deal with him?” The mysterious man’s words brightened the man’s eyes.
“Fine, I’ll do as you say!”
After the man left, the mysterious man disappeared into the cold palace.
After both left, another middle-aged man in black appeared under the tree. Wearing a grotesque mask, his true face unseen, he said softly, “Feng Linglong… useless. Kill her!”
The black-clad man returned to Jiong Zimei’s residence instead of going directly to Xu.
“Sir, when I investigated the Zongren Mansion, I met a black-clad man. He told me Xu is from Carefree Manor and said going to him to kill Feng Linglong is useless. He gave me a bottle of colorless, tasteless poison that can kill fifty people with a drop. He told me to bribe the food deliverers to poison all the women in King Xiang’s mansion, killing them all, diverting Qin Daofei’s attention so he thinks Feng Linglong was killed by mistake and won’t come after you. What do you think?” The man reported to Jiong Zimei.
Jiong Zimei frowned, “Who is he? Why should we trust him?”
“He said he knows about you and Tan Xiyin, that he planned Feng Linglong’s murder. He also said he poisoned Feng Linglong’s child, framed her, imprisoned her, and started the fire. He’s been fighting Qin Daofei, and Qin Daofei hasn’t caught him,” the man explained.
Jiong Zimei narrowed his eyes, “Then I want to see Tan Xiyin. Let’s see what she says.”
“But sir, Tan Xiyin is locked in Carefree Manor. How will you get in?” The man worried.
“I have my ways. You needn’t worry. Stay here; I’ll be back soon.” Jiong Zimei braved the snow and left.
He entered a pharmacy and never came out.
When he reappeared, he was in Zhang’s steward’s room at Carefree Manor.
“Sir Jiong?” Zhang was astonished.
Jiong Zimei said softly, “Tell Tan Xiyin to see me.”
…
Zhang’s mouth twitched, but before he could reply, Jiong Zimei sneered, “Don’t tell me you and Tan Xiyin have some connection!”
“That wretched woman!” Zhang said angrily.
Jiong Zimei laughed coldly, “You should have known she’s a wretch from the start. Now regret is too late.”
“But I didn’t expect Sir Jiong to be her late-night guest,” Zhang said coldly.
Jiong Zimei sat at the desk, saying coldly, “I want to see Tan Xiyin immediately.”
“Wait!” Zhang stormed out angrily, then hurried to the Melody Pavilion, keeping his usual calm to avoid suspicion.
At Melody Pavilion.
Zhang shook off the snow as he entered. Tan Xiyin’s maid hurried to him, “Steward Zhang, why have you come?”
“When the Second Lady managed Carefree Manor, I couldn’t find some things and wanted to ask if she remembered where they were. It’s cold today, and the Second Lady isn’t well. Hurry and add some firewood; this room is freezing,” Zhang said coldly.
The maid was unsuspecting and went to add firewood.
Heh heh!
Inside, Tan Xiyin smiled coquettishly. Zhang growled, “Wretched woman, why are you smiling?”
“Why so angry? Have I neglected you lately?” Tan Xiyin leaned on the door and smiled.
Zhang looked at her coldly, “Your lover Jiong Zimei came to see you. Do you want to meet him?”
“Uh…” Tan Xiyin narrowed her eyes, “What does he want?”
“How should I know? I brought the message. He’s in my room. You figure out how to see him!” Zhang said and left.
Tan Xiyin pondered for a long time until the maid came in.
“I have to go out. Change into my clothes and pretend to be me here,” Tan Xiyin said directly.
The maid remembered last time Nuan Xier came and was reluctant but was held hostage by Tan Xiyin and had no choice.
They switched clothes. Tan Xiyin dressed as the maid and left to meet Jiong Zimei.
In Zhang’s room.
Tan Xiyin entered. Jiong Zimei glanced at her disguised as a maid and asked coldly, “Where is your master?”
“Who else, Sir Jiong?” Tan Xiyin sat on Jiong’s lap despite her disguise. Her voice was unmistakably hers, so neither was surprised.
Zhang was displeased watching Tan Xiyin fraternize with Jiong Zimei in his room.
“Tan Xiyin, you truly are... shameless!” Jiong Zimei pushed her off and said coldly, “I have business with you. Should I ask this guest to leave?”
Tan Xiyin’s eyes cooled but quickly returned to normal, “Sir Jiong, what’s the urgent matter?”
“A mysterious man said your parents were killed…” Hearing the words “mysterious man,” Tan Xiyin shuddered, “Wait!”
Jiong Zimei smiled without answering.
Tan Xiyin said to Zhang, “You leave. I have business with Sir Jiong.”
“Tan Xiyin!” Zhang couldn’t bear being ignored.
Tan Xiyin sneered, “What, you want to deal with me?”
Hmph!
Zhang stormed out.
Only Tan Xiyin and Jiong Zimei remained.
Jiong Zimei asked, “That mysterious man said there’s someone from Carefree Manor in Zongren Mansion who helped you plan Feng Linglong’s murder. Do you believe him?”
“I do. Of course I do. His words must be true. If anyone can deal with Qin Daofei, it’s him!” Tan Xiyin said excitedly.
Heh!
Jiong Zimei got the answer he wanted and said coldly, “Feng Linglong is dead, and Princess Nuan Xier stands in your way. What can you gain?”
“What I gain is none of your concern. Just watch yourself and don’t let Qin Daofei catch your weakness!” Tan Xiyin said and left without looking back.
Back at Melody Pavilion, Tan Xiyin sneered, “What can I gain? Feng Linglong was killed in Zongren Mansion, Qin Daofei will surely kill Nuan Xier. What do you think I can gain?”
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Tan Xiyin’s face twisted into a wild, arrogant grin.
After returning, Jiong Zimei told the black-clad man, “Do it as the man said!”
The black-clad man followed the mysterious man’s instructions and went to Xu’s place.
It was already dark.
Xu was warming a pot of wine, drinking alone. The man, cloaked against the snow, knocked on the door.
“Who is it?” Xu said coldly.
The man bowed outside, “Brother Xu, I am Zhang Heng, a guard under Lord Zhanggu. Do you remember me?”
“The door’s unlocked. Come in,” Xu said coldly.
Zhang stepped in, bowed, “Brother Xu, sorry to disturb.”
“No matter, I’m drinking alone. Want some?” Xu offered warmly.
Zhang smiled, “Then I gladly accept.”
They sat by the fire drinking. Xu poured wine and asked, “Brother Zhang, why come so late?”
“Ah,” Zhang sighed. “Working for others, there are always things beyond control. I’m desperate and came to you for help. Please help me.”
Xu looked at him quietly, then said, “I’m just an executioner. How can I help you kill?”
“Yes!” Zhang clapped excitedly. “I want Brother Xu to help me kill someone!”
Heh!
Xu smiled, “All in Zongren Mansion are royal relatives. You don’t want me to kill royalty, do you?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t. But isn’t there someone in Zongren Mansion who isn’t royalty?” Zhang said, placing a 5,000 tael silver note on the table.
Xu’s eyes narrowed sharply, “You want to kill Lady Feng Linglong of Carefree Manor?”
“Yes. Our Lord Zhanggu serves under Lord Wang. Lord Wang obeys his sister. Now Feng Linglong killed Qin’s unborn child, and the old lady is furious, demanding Feng’s death. We must fight for this. You work in Zongren Mansion and control laws. If you act slightly, Feng Linglong will surely die. Can you help me?”
Zhang added another 10,000 tael silver note.
Xu looked at Zhang and smiled, “You offer me 15,000 taels to kill the lady?”
“Uh…” Zhang looked at Xu, surprised Xu agreed and even asked for more.
Remembering Jiong’s warning, Zhang gritted his teeth, “All my master’s silver is here. If you’re still not satisfied, there’s nothing I can do. After all, I’m just a small pawn.”
He threw down the last 10,000 tael note.
Xu pocketed the silver and said calmly, “I’ll take this job.”
“Then… I’ll await your good news!” Zhang said and left.
Shortly after, Xu went out.
Dressed in black, he took a secluded path but ended at the Ruyi Pavilion.
The madam of Ruyi Pavilion saw Xu and smiled coquettishly, “Young master, you’re new here, aren’t you?”
“Yes, first time. Madam, any good recommendations?” Xu hooked her silk scarf, keeping her from touching him.
The madam smiled, “First time here, you shouldn’t be disappointed. I’ll personally take you to choose a girl you like.”
“Money won’t be spared. The girl must be the best!” Xu threw a silver ingot to her.
The madam smiled, pocketed it, and led Xu inside.
Zhang, hiding in the shadows, stepped out and sneered, “Taking money to come to a brothel, claiming he’s from Carefree Manor. He must be mad!”
Inside.
A girl entered, whispered, “Brother Xu, you’re being followed!”
“Hm, how else would I come here?” Xu smiled faintly.
The madam glanced at Xu and said coldly, “Got news? Say it, then get lost!”
The girl shook her head, smiling ambiguously, and left, kindly closing the door behind.
Once she left, Xu grabbed the madam’s waist, pulling her close, and tore off her mask, revealing a cold and beautiful face.
“Not treating me well?” Xu grinned devilishly.
The madam angrily clawed his chest, “Speak business or get lost!”
“Business first. A man named Zhang Heng came today, claiming to serve under Jiong Zimei, ordered to assassinate the lady. He said Lord Wang and the old lady instructed. Hurry and tell the manor lord. He gave 25,000 taels. I agreed but don’t know if they have other ploys. Tell the lord to be careful!” Xu took out the silver notes and placed them in the madam’s hand.
The madam said softly, “Why give me? The lord never takes the money. You keep it!”
“To buy you pretty clothes!” Xu smiled.
The madam gritted her teeth, “Are you trying to seduce me?”
“Will you accept?” Xu asked seriously.
The madam threw the silver at Xu’s face, “I’ll deal with you after I deliver the message!”
Xu smiled, prepared.
At Carefree Manor.
News from Ruyi Pavilion soon reached Jifeng, who hurried to Qin Daofei in the study.
“Lord, news from Zongren Mansion says they’ve started moving!”
Qin Daofei looked and said calmly, “Old Xu has his countermeasures. What worries me most is if they have a backup plan. Tomorrow I will confront the emperor at court. Prepare for it!”
“Yes!” Jifeng bowed and left.
Qin Daofei took Linglong’s dice from his waist, gently rubbing it, saying softly, “Linglong, are you well there? Wait a little longer; I’ll rescue you soon!”
At the same time, in Zongren Mansion.
Linglong and Lingdang huddled together. Lingdang asked in surprise, “Feng Linglong, why are you so cold?”
“I’m weak and cold... I think I have a fever,” Linglong said, suppressing her trembling.
Lingdang was anxious, “How long can you hold on?”
“I don’t know. Don’t worry. I believe by tomorrow, Qin Daofei will meet the emperor and interrogate me. If I can hold on till then, I’m fine,” Linglong reassured.
Lingdang shook her head, “No, it’s too dangerous. I’ll get help.”
“Don’t. I’m in prison. Many want me dead. Any disturbance is bad. No one can succeed now!” Linglong grabbed Lingdang’s hand.
Lingdang nodded softly, “Okay, I won’t tell anyone. Rest easy; I’ll guard you.”
Linglong smiled peacefully and closed her eyes.
Next morning.
Lingdang woke from a nightmare, hurriedly shaking Linglong, “Feng Linglong, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Let me sleep a bit more. I’m dizzy and uncomfortable,” Linglong said weakly.
Hearing her reply, Lingdang felt relieved.
Linglong turned away, back to them, and slept.
Soon, the food delivery person arrived. Seeing Linglong collapsed, he glanced quietly but dared not speak. Secretly, he slipped several buns to Lingdang.
Lingdang understood and hid the buns for Linglong when she woke.
Everyone had starved all night and ate the buns greedily. Only by eating could they resist the cold and survive the long winter.
Lingdang checked Linglong’s forehead, confirming the fever had lessened, then sat down to eat. Suddenly, the other women in the cell clutched their necks, struggling painfully.
Lingdang panicked and called guards, “Someone’s in trouble! Help! Someone, please!”
But the guards also collapsed, foaming at the mouth, eyes wide open.
Ahhhh!
Lingdang was terrified, shaking the bars and screaming, “Is anyone there? Anyone? Help! Help!”