Chapter 121: Qin Daofei's Uncontrollable Rage

“What is the matter?” Aifei asked faintly.

Linglong looked at Aifei with a lingering gaze and said, “When I was hiding from King Xiang underground, I once helped Qin Daofei review the old records of the Tongtian Pavilion. I discovered—” Linglong leaned close to Aifei’s ear and whispered a few words, then said heavily, “You must never tell anyone else!”

“Alright, I won't say anything!” Aifei promised.

Neither of them noticed that Qin Daofei, who had returned after leaving, had overheard their entire conversation outside the door.

His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides, and within his boundless, misty eyes flickered complex emotions—resembling pain, disappointment, and an ineffable, unfathomable sorrow.

Afterward, he flew away from the Wuyou Pavilion all by himself.

For the entire day, no one saw him.

By dusk, Linglong grew worried and said to Ye Lishang, “Why don’t you go look for him? He hasn’t been seen all day, and I am worried!”

“Alright, alright, don't panic, I’ll go look!” Ye Lishang thought to himself that every single day he had to manage the messy affairs of their household.

He flew out of the Wuyou Pavilion and headed in the direction Qin Daofei had gone earlier.

Sure enough, in the valley opposite the Wuyou Valley, Ye Lishang spotted Qin Daofei sitting alone in the snow, meditating. A thin layer of frost had formed over his body, and right in front of him, a large line of calligraphy was written in the snow: “Pity the world's master painters, a heart full of heartbreak cannot paint it!”

Whose brushwork, whose heartbreak?

Just as Ye Lishang was about to step forward for a closer look, the frozen Qin Daofei suddenly moved. With a wave of his large sleeve, that line of characters vanished into the snow, leaving no trace behind.

“What is it, why so heartbroken?” Qin Daofei was not someone who easily displayed his vulnerability, but now that he had shown it, Ye Lishang tactfully refrained from joking with him.

Qin Daofei gave him a faint, sidelong glance and asked, “What are you here for?”

“Feng Linglong hasn't seen you all day, she's worried!” Ye Lishang said nonchalantly.

Mmm!

Qin Daofei gave a faint nod, then stood up and walked away.

Ye Lishang shrugged and shouted at Qin Daofei’s back, “So what if you admit you're feeling miserable inside? I'm your friend, I won't laugh at you!”

“Before I change my mind and let the Second Prince finish you off, shut your mouth and don't let Linglong find out!” He admitted his heartbreak, yet refused to tell Ye Lishang why he was grieving.

For the gossipy Ye Lishang, this was pure torture. He chased after him, begging shamelessly, “Then tell me, why are you grieving to this extent?”

“Because the food at your place tastes terrible!” Qin Daofei casually fabricated an excuse and walked away on his own.

Leaving Ye Lishang in utter disarray in the wind!

When Qin Daofei returned, Linglong was waiting at the main entrance. Seeing him drenched through, Linglong hurried forward and asked, “What happened to you?”

Qin Daofei gave Linglong a deep look, smiled faintly, and said, “I'm fine, just had some things I couldn't sort out, so I went to the valley to meditate by myself.”

“You can talk to me if something is bothering you!” Linglong complained, grabbing Qin Daofei’s icy hand.

Qin Daofei paused for a moment, then said quietly, “I was organizing my thoughts, it’s useless to tell you. You’re not feeling well, hurry back and rest. I’m going to soak in the hot springs and I’ll be right back.”

Although he seemed to have no problems on the surface, Linglong could sense a faint rejection—a rejection originating from the deepest depths of his heart!

“Do you guys know what is wrong with him?” Linglong asked Ye Lishang and Aifei helplessly.

Aifei held Feng Yixiao and said indifferently, “I've been with you the whole time, how would I know what's wrong with him?”

“I haven't been with you guys at all, how would I know what's wrong with him?” Ye Lishang eagerly followed suit, then quickly made his slip. If he were to spill Qin Daofei's secret, he doubted whether Qin Daofei could kill him or not—how terrifying!

Linglong stood at the edge of the wind and snow, having no idea what to do.

After coming out of the hot springs, Qin Daofei returned to the room with his hair loose and unkempt. Seeing him return, Linglong quickly stood up to greet him.

“Why so enthusiastic?” Qin Daofei smiled faintly, put his arm around Linglong's waist, and sat down.

Only then did Linglong feel a bit more at ease. Phew, thank goodness, she really was overthinking it!

“Who’s being enthusiastic? I was just waiting for you to eat. I waited so long I'm starving!” Linglong blushed with anger and rushed to clarify.

Mmm!

Qin Daofei didn't dwell on it, merely smiling as he said, “Alright, everything you say is right. Let's go eat!”

“Daofei, I've recovered now, shall we head back tomorrow?” Linglong tugged at him and said.

Qin Daofei cast a faint, sidelong glance at Linglong and said in a deep voice, “You stay here, I'll go back first. You, Ye Lishang, and Aifei stay here, and return only after you've fully recovered!”

...

Who was the one who had started out saying he couldn't bear to leave Linglong alone here?

And who was the one turning around now to say he wanted to go back by himself?

Linglong felt a wave of irritation. That unsettling feeling that Qin Daofei was keeping something from her had returned!

“Daofei, are you...” Hiding something from me!

Hmm?

Qin Daofei looked up at Linglong, “What were you going to say?”

“Nothing, I must have been locked in that cell for a while and my head is a bit muddled, don't mind me!” The peaceful atmosphere between them was completely shattered by Linglong's remarks.

Qin Daofei said no more, and Linglong remained silent as well.

This silent atmosphere persisted until dinner ended. By then, even Aifei and Ye Lishang could sense the awkwardness between the two of them.

“Well, Yixiao will sleep with me tonight! The two of you get some good rest.” And communicate properly.

Linglong felt a grievance swelling in her chest and stubbornly refused to let Yixiao leave her side. She sneered and said, “I haven't seen Yixiao for days, I'll sleep with Yixiao tonight.”

“Then I'll go sleep at Old Ye's place. If you need anything, just call me, I'll hear you!” Qin Daofei's attitude was no different from usual, but Linglong had already firmly convinced herself that Qin Daofei simply couldn't stand the sight of her anymore. A wave of painful grievance washed over her, making her want to cry.

Hmph!

She picked up Feng Yixiao, stood up, and said coldly, “What could possibly happen to me in the Wuyou Pavilion? I don't need you to mind my business!”

“What is wrong with you? Why do you lose your temper the moment you open your mouth?” Qin Daofei looked at Linglong with a lingering gaze and asked.

Uh...

Linglong glared resentfully at Qin Daofei, looking aggrieved and pitiful, yet having no idea where to begin.

“It's nothing, I have a phobia of cells, my emotions have been unstable these past few days, you don't need to worry about me!” With that, Linglong turned and walked away with Feng Yixiao.

Yet Qin Daofei firmly and deeply believed that Linglong was angry about the past events—angry that he had caused her to be thrown into prison. Because of her hatred, when facing the rivalry between him and Hu Hanzhi, she had chosen to shield Hu Hanzhi and keep secrets from him.

Such a realization made even someone as mentally mature as Qin Daofei feel aggrieved, and it was this grievance that made him completely unwilling to stay here.

That very night, Qin Daofei descended the mountain.

He didn't tell a soul when he left, merely standing outside Linglong's door for a short while before departing.

Aifei witnessed the entire process clearly. When Linglong woke up the next day, Aifei said quietly, “Qin Daofei went back to the capital last night, but he stood outside your door in the wind and snow for a long time. What on earth are the two of you fighting about?”

“If I knew what we were fighting about, that would be great!” The crux of the matter was that Linglong herself had no clue!

So exasperating!

Yet, looking at the boundless wind and snow, Linglong had no idea why she felt so melancholy.

Qin Daofei braved the stars and the moon to return to the capital. The moment he stepped through the door, he summoned Jifeng to see him. By then, Tang Li had already returned to the Xiaoyao Manor, and upon hearing of Qin Daofei's summons, he had arrived ahead of time to wait in the study.

Seeing him, Qin Daofei furrowed his brows and asked, “Weren't you looking for Hua'er? Why have you come back?”

“I heard something happened at the Xiaoyao Manor, so I hurried back to check. I figured, with such a big incident, Hua'er might have heard about it and returned on her own. If she hasn't returned...” Then her chances of survival were slim. These words were too terrifying for Tang Li to voice aloud.

How could Qin Daofei not know? But since Tang Li didn't mention it, he didn't wish to bring it up either, so as not to add to Tang Li's psychological burden. After all, he too had once lost Linglong in the vast sea of humanity; he understood that feeling better than anyone!

“Since you're back, rest well for a couple of days. Wait for news at home these few days; I've sent people searching for Hua'er all across the country. The moment there's any news, you can rush over!” Qin Daofei patted Tang Li's shoulder and said.

Guilt welled up instantly in Tang Li's eyes, and his voice choked as he said, “ Manor Lord, during the Xiaoyao Manor's most difficult times, I was still only looking out for my own affairs. I have let you down!”

“Because I understand you, I am willing to let you pursue your own matters. As for the affairs of the Xiaoyao Manor... even you wouldn't have been able to turn the tide!” Qin Daofei was truly exhausted. When he realized that Hu Hanzhi held the same weight in Linglong's heart as he did, a wave of weariness washed over him, making him want to simply let Linglong go.

At that split second, he genuinely felt that since he could not grant her true happiness, he should let her pursue it herself.

“Manor Lord...” Tang Li wanted to comfort Qin Daofei, but Qin Daofei waved a hand, stopping him from continuing.

“Go wait for the news, I'm heading to the Miaoyin Pavilion!” With that, Qin Daofei walked toward the Miaoyin Pavilion.

Miaoyin Pavilion.

Tan Xiyin sat in front of her dressing table, applying floral makeup in the bronze mirror. Through the mirror, she saw Qin Daofei walking toward her. At that moment, a sense of desolation washed over her heart. The transition from being the person who loved this man most to becoming the person who destroyed him sent a slight, sharp pain through her heart.

Yet, upon catching Qin Daofei's gaze, she hardened her heart again, thinking, “Qin Daofei has always been like this toward me, he will never treat me any better. Why should I care about him?”

“Daofei Brother, how is it you have time to come over?” Tan Xiyin put down her accessories, turned around, and looked at Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei looked at her indifferently and said, “Xiyin, shall we go visit your older brother?”

Tan Xiyin's heart skipped a beat, completely unsure of what Qin Daofei was up to. She had originally expected him to come and interrogate her about the matter of the child, but he hadn't. Instead, he was bringing up Tan Jian's affairs with such an attitude.

Ever since she had personally poisoned her parents and younger sister three years ago, she had never visited Tan Jian's grave again. Because Qin Daofei had also buried them around Tan Jian's resting place, she was unwilling to go. However, to prevent arousing Qin Daofei's suspicions, she would occasionally claim she went to sweep the graves, though she never actually had.

Right now, she was even less willing and did not want to go.

“The mountain is currently blocked by heavy snow and the paths are terribly slippery, I simply can't go up. Daofei Brother, whatever made you think of visiting my eldest brother today?” Tan Xiyin said with a lingering, melancholy tone.

Qin Daofei cast a faint, sidelong glance at Tan Xiyin and said, “It's fine, I'll carry you up... The Xiaoyao Manor will soon change hands, I want to go see your eldest brother and have a chat with him.”

“Daofei Brother, why would you say such a thing? How could the Xiaoyao Manor possibly change hands?” Tan Xiyin thought to herself that the mysterious person hadn't even made their official move yet, so how could something go wrong with the Xiaoyao Manor? Could there be someone else also targeting it?

Qin Daofei smiled faintly and said, “Mmm, the Xiaoyao Manor should change hands after the New Year!”

With that, he wheeled Tan Xiyin's wheelchair closer and reached out to lift her into it. Over the past few years, Qin Daofei had never been this close to her. For a split second, Tan Xiyin even wanted to say to him, “Daofei Brother, let's both stop this. Treat me well, and I'll treat you well. Forget Feng Linglong, forget everyone else, let's just live our lives together, alright?”

However, she knew that Qin Daofei would never let go of Feng Linglong's hand!

Therefore, tears brimming in her eyes, she cried wildly and bitterly, “The two of us now... can't even share an intimate embrace!”

Qin Daofei said nothing. He brought Tan Xiyin out of the manor, maintaining a solemn expression the entire journey until they reached the foot of the mountain where Tan Jian's grave was located. He lifted Tan Xiyin out of the carriage and finally spoke: “Back then, when you plotted against me and I consummated our marriage, I should have told you the truth and refused you. If I had refused you then, perhaps things wouldn't have turned out this way between us. But back then, I stubbornly believed I would never fall for a wild and eccentric woman like Feng Linglong.”

Yet the Matchmaker in the moon had played a colossal joke on him: not only had he fallen in love, but he had loved without reservation.

Heh!

Tan Xiyin sneered bitterly, “Daofei Brother regrets the past, but I have never regretted it. You and I were childhood sweethearts growing up together; if it weren't for Feng Linglong's shameless entanglements with you, you would never have fallen for her.”

“No, I too once believed that I needed a woman like you—proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, graceful and dignified enough to take out in public—to be the mistress of the Xiaoyao Manor. But later I learned that the matches heaven arranges for everyone have their purpose. A cold and ruthless person like me needed a spirited, lovely, and kind woman like Linglong to save me. Otherwise, my existence would have been solely for expanding the Xiaoyao Manor and making money, devoid of any joy. The immense pressure I bore back then could miraculously vanish amidst Linglong's chatter. Whether I am willing to admit it or not, it was because of her that I managed to persevere until the end.”

“Qin Daofei, is this fair to me? Is it fair?” Tan Xiyin could no longer hold back. She clutched the lapels of Qin Daofei's robe and wept like a fool.

Qin Daofei tightened his grip and said quietly, “Xiyin, I used to want to be fair to you, which is why I deliberately distanced myself from Linglong. In truth, it was because you saw my feelings for her that you developed the intent to kill her, wasn't it? It was my desire to balance two women that harmed both Linglong and you.”

“Qin Daofei, you actually think you were in the wrong? You actually... are you willing to become a loser just for Feng Linglong?” Tan Xiyin felt that the wind and snow outside were not as chilling as Qin Daofei's words; no matter how warm Qin Daofei's embrace used to be, it could no longer warm her heart now.

Qin Daofei held Tan Xiyin, walking step by step steadily toward Tan Jian's grave, and said softly, “That is because you have never truly loved someone with all your being. If you had ever loved with everything you had, you would surely understand—for her sake, the entire world can be forsaken!”

Ah!

Tan Xiyin buried her face in Qin Daofei's chest, weeping wildly and desolately.

“Then what does my love for you count as?” Angered by Qin Daofei's words, Tan Xiyin demanded sharply, “Then what does my love count for?”

The summit had been reached!

Qin Daofei placed Tan Xiyin in the snow, making her face Tan Jian's tombstone, and said coldly, “Your love has always been built on what is advantageous to you. Your love for anyone else cannot compare to your love for yourself!”

“No, I love you, I love you!” Tan Xiyin cried out, refuting Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei pointed one by one at the tombstones of Tan Xiyin's parents, younger sister, and Tan Jian, and said sternly, “Then tell your eldest brother: why did you make a move against your own parents and younger sister? You killed the family members Tan Jian cared about most, yet you peacefully and comfortably utilized his gratitude toward me to shackle me. Have you ever considered that one day, when you go down below to meet your eldest brother, how you will explain this to him?”

“No, no, no, Eldest Brother, don't listen to his nonsense! I didn't! At that time, I truly never intended to kill Dad, Mom, and my little sister! That person said the dosage of poison given to everyone was identical and not fatal—it would only cause Feng Linglong to miscarry. He also said that if I didn't act against my parents, Daofei Brother would surely discover that I was tampering behind the scenes. I thought it would only result in us getting hurt, but I never expected him to directly poison Dad, Mom, and my little sister to death! I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to kill them, I didn't want them to die!” Tan Xiyin was having a mental breakdown.

Qin Daofei wanted precisely her breakdown. He said quietly, “Do you think saying that will make me believe you? Will Tan Jian believe you? Tan Xiyin, you must know that a deadly poison like Liang Sheng Gao—when ordinary people ingest it, death is certain. You simply wanted to monopolize my gratitude toward Tan Jian and didn't want them to share in it, which is why you poisoned them. Now that matters have reached this point, what use is it even if you admit it?”

“Fine, I hated my younger sister! My dad and mom told me that since I couldn't bear children, they were going to give my little sister to you so she could bear you a child to tie you down, and that way our family would never have to worry about our livelihood for the rest of our lives. They also said that half of the Xiaoyao Manor's achievements today came from my brother, so we had the right to enjoy all of it. My little sister liked you too, she also wanted to possess you! Why shouldn't they die? Everyone used the fact that I couldn't have children to make an issue of it, everyone treated me like this, why couldn't I treat them the same way?” Tan Xiyin truly broke down, spilling everything.

Qin Daofei's gaze darkened, and he said chillingly, “Tan Xiyin, what on earth does that mysterious person collaborating with you want? What is your relationship with him, or what did he promise you?”

“He—” Before Tan Xiyin could finish her sentence, a poisoned dart flew out from the shadows, aiming straight for her chest.

Qin Daofei caught the poisoned dart with his bare hand and shouted sternly, “Show yourself!”

Yet, aside from the howling wind and snow, there was no other sound.

Qin Daofei shielded Tan Xiyin and demanded angrily, “Who on earth are you, that you can command an elder of the Tongtian Pavilion?”

Yes, Qin Daofei had laid an ambush of Tongtian Pavilion elders around the area beforehand; logically speaking, that poisoned dart should never have had the chance to be fired.

“That person who has always been plotting against you—I've taken care of it for you. You don't need to keep investigating, you won't be able to find him!” That grey-haired, masked middle-aged man walked out from the edge of the wind and snow.

Qin Daofei narrowed his eyes at him and launched an attack without a second word.

The masked middle-aged man fought Qin Daofei using only one hand. Anyone with even a slight grasp of martial arts could tell that Qin Daofei's moves were identical to the middle-aged man's.

Qin Daofei withdrew his stance, looking at the man with shock and uncertainty as he said, “Impossible, impossible!”

Hmph!

With a flick of his sleeve, the masked middle-aged man struck Tan Xiyin unconscious and said quietly, “Live your life well. Some things are not meant for you to bear; I will help clear them all away.”

“What about my mother, then? Her life became so extreme entirely because of your departure. Shouldn't you give an explanation?” Qin Daofei said coldly.

Heh!

“Just a stupid woman!” The man paused, and having dropped those words, he rapidly vanished up the snowy mountain.

Ashen-faced, Qin Daofei collapsed heavily onto the ground. He had never expected... never expected that the person constantly sabotaging things from behind the scenes was him—it was actually him!

Qin Daofei had been shrewd his entire life, yet he never imagined it would be him!

Sitting there in the snow, he suddenly felt as though he had been abandoned by the entire world—isolated, empty, and freezing!

Puff!

A mouthful of fresh blood gushed from Qin Daofei's lips onto the snow, the scarlet red against the pure white looking agonizingly stark.

Clutching his chest, he tried several times to stand up, but failed each time. Just before losing consciousness, Qin Daofei seemed to see Linglong walking away with someone else at the edge of the snowstorm. He wanted to hold her back, but was powerless to do so.

“Young Master—” Seeing Qin Daofei vomit blood and faint, several great elders of the Tongtian Pavilion revealed themselves.

The Third Elder asked the First Elder, “Eldest Brother, what should we do?”

“Take the Young Master back to the Tongtian Pavilion first and let him heal his injuries,” the First Elder said.

The Second Elder pointed at Tan Xiyin on the ground and asked, “Then what about her?”

“A venomous woman; she no longer deserves to have the Young Master honor any of Tan Jian's favors. Let her freeze to death right here. Let's go!” With that, the men carried Qin Daofei down the mountain, leaving Tan Xiyin all alone.

Not long after they left, the mysterious person emerged from the other side, squatted down in front of Tan Xiyin, and laughed coldly, “Hahaha, the Qin family... I have arrived. Accept my invitation from hell!”

With that, he picked up Tan Xiyin and flew down the mountain.

That night, Qin Daofei woke up in the Tongtian Pavilion. Compared to his agitation on the mountain, he now wore not a shred of expression. He stood up quietly, ignoring the elders currently treating his wounds, and walked step by step toward the exit.

“The Young Master's injuries are not yet healed, where are you going?” The First Elder opened his eyes and asked.

Qin Daofei curled his lips in a mocking sneer, “I am not your Young Master. In your hearts, there is only ever room for him alone, and you have never once obeyed my commands. Why bother addressing me as Young Master now? If you don't find it sickening, I find it revolting!”

Everyone fell silent.

Qin Daofei strode out of the Tongtian Pavilion and returned to the Linglong Pavilion.

At the Linglong Pavilion, Tang Li, Jifeng, and the Second Prince, who had been searching for Qin Daofei all afternoon, were stunned and blurted out simultaneously upon seeing him return, “Where have you been?”

“I took Tan Xiyin to Tan Jian's grave!” Qin Daofei sat down.

Seeing his poor complexion, Tang Li poured him a cup of hot tea and asked with concern, “Manor Lord, if there is anything upsetting you, please tell us so we can help you think of a way!”

“It's nothing. How are the investigations into the tasks I assigned you coming along?” Qin Daofei asked indifferently.

The Second Prince furrowed his brow and said, “The only suspicious thing about Jiongzimu in the imperial palace was that he asked His Majesty's chief eunuch about the Imperial Clan Court.”

“I discovered he visited a pharmacy and stayed inside for several hours before coming out,” Jifeng reported the pharmacy matter to Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei asked indifferently, “Which pharmacy?”

“Huitang Hall. The owner of the pharmacy is a pugilist who loves making friends, so many people from all walks of life go to him for medical treatment. I had Yingge test the waters; his shop does sell an abortifacient called 'Mother and Child's Shared Heart'. This fellow has no moral compass—as long as there's silver, he'll do anything!” Jifeng said.

Qin Daofei narrowed his eyes and commanded, “Investigate!”

“I'll investigate!” The Second Prince grabbed Qin Daofei's hand and said, “If you make any rash moves right now, His Majesty will seize the opportunity to deal with you!”

A chilling, murderous intent flashed across Qin Daofei's eyes as he stated indifferently, “From this day on, slaughter gods if they block my path, slaughter Buddhas if they stand in my way!”

“Brother Qin!” The Second Prince did not know what Qin Daofei had experienced, but he could sense the overwhelming hostility radiating from him.

Qin Daofei said coldly, “Second Prince, you should just go back and be your prince. As for the affairs of the Xiaoyao Manor, I will resolve them myself. Since the owner of Huitang Hall is a pugilist, I will deal with him according to the rules of the pugilist world, which shouldn't pose any problem at all!”

Uh!

The Second Prince was left speechless.

However, Qin Daofei's attitude still infuriated him. He said, “Brother Qin, we are friends who have been through thick and thin together. Although I don't know what you've been through, at least give me some face. Let me handle it to avoid a conflict between you and my father, and to preserve the strength of your Xiaoyao Manor—how is that a bad thing?”

“Second Prince, please calm your anger! Our Manor Lord... you should head back first, and we can all calm down and talk tomorrow!” Tang Li hurriedly bowed in apology.

Hmph!

The Second Prince flicked his sleeve and said indifferently, “Do whatever you please. Since Brother Qin has the ability to eradicate Hanshi, then by all means go ahead and try. The time has come for the two of us to have a formal showdown!”

With that, the Second Prince strode away.

Expressionless, Qin Daofei went into his room to sleep.

“What should we do? Elder Li!” Jifeng had never witnessed Qin Daofei in such an extreme, stubborn state and was at a loss for what to do.

Tang Li thought for a moment and said, “Quickly go invite the Ghost Doctor and the Eldest Madam back. They are the only ones who can rein in the Manor Lord and the Second Prince!”

“Alright, I'm going right now!” Jifeng said, then leaped into the air and departed.

Braving the stars and the moon, Jifeng arrived at the Wuyou Pavilion in the dead of night.

Disregarding propriety, he pushed open the door and entered Linglong's bedchamber.

The moment he stepped inside, Aifei's sword was pressed straight against his throat.

“Stop messing around. For reasons unknown, the Manor Lord took Tan Xiyin to Tan Jian's grave, returned alone, and even got into a fight with the Second Prince. The two of them have officially declared war.” Jifeng pushed Aifei's sword aside anxiously and walked further in.

Because of her argument with Qin Daofei, Linglong had also been tossing and turning, unable to sleep. Hearing Jifeng's words, she hurried out and asked anxiously, “You don't know what happened between him and Tan Xiyin?”

“Based on my understanding of the Manor Lord, it doesn't seem to be about Tan Xiyin. Tan Xiyin doesn't have that kind of impact on him!” Jifeng said.

Linglong suddenly looked at Aifei in panic, “Could he have—”

“Could he have what? You'll know why he's like this the moment you go back. Two old friends suddenly falling out is not their style. Go call Ye Lishang, have them head back first, and I'll bring Feng Yixiao back shortly.” Aifei stopped Linglong from finishing, though deep down, she also had a vague feeling that Qin Daofei had already begun acting strangely while here, and the only possibility was that he had overheard Linglong's words.

“Alright, I'll go get Ye Lishang right now!” Disregarding her own unrecovered illness, Linglong braved the wind and snow to wake Ye Lishang.

Ye Lishang was sleeping soundly when he heard Linglong pounding on his door. Completely unwilling to wake up, he rolled around in bed in a fury, “Feng Linglong, who are you trying to kill in the middle of the night?”

“The Second Prince and Qin Daofei got into a fight, they've even declared war on each other!” Linglong yelled from outside.

Crap!

Startled by Linglong's words, Ye Lishang tumbled straight off the bed and onto the floor. Scrambling up clumsily, he stammered, “Did you just say Qin Daofei declared war on Chengjie?”

“Mmm, Jifeng came to report that Qin Daofei is acting very strangely, and wants us all to go back and talk some sense into him!” Linglong said.

Ye Lishang hurriedly dressed and came out, gritting his teeth as he said, “I should have realized something was wrong with Qin Daofei yesterday!”

“What do you mean?” Linglong asked.

Ye Lishang recounted the line of poetry Qin Daofei had written as well as everything he had witnessed regarding Qin Daofei's behavior. Linglong murmured under her breath: “Pity the world's master painters, a heart full of heartbreak cannot paint it? Whose brushwork, whose heartbreak?”

“If I knew, I would have told you. I asked him yesterday and he wouldn't tell me,” Ye Lishang said.

Linglong was so irritated she wanted to scratch someone's face off: “Then why didn't you tell me?”

“He wouldn't let me say anything!” Ye Lishang feigned the innocence of an obedient child.

Hmph!

Linglong was furious: “You bigmouth, normally you blab about everything, but when it really matters, you keep your mouth shut!”

“His mood was in the gutter; as his sworn brother, how could I betray him?” Ye Lishang retorted.

“Never mind all that, let's head back first!” Anxious about Qin Daofei's condition, Linglong hastily pulled Ye Lishang out the door.

Seeing how lightly Linglong was dressed when they hurried back to the capital at dawn, Ye Lishang pulled her back inside: “No, no, you can't go out like this, let me put my fox-fur cloak on you!”

Linglong didn't refuse, wrapping herself tightly before setting off with Ye Lishang.

They arrived back in the capital early in the morning. Linglong returned to the Xiaoyao Manor, while Ye Lishang headed to the Second Prince's residence.

Standing at the entrance, Tang Li saw Linglong returning through the snowstorm and hurried down to welcome her, “Eldest Madam, why did you rush back in the middle of the night? Your illness hasn't even fully healed yet!”

“I'm fine, where is Daofei?” No sooner had Linglong finished speaking than the door creaked open. Raising their gazes, they saw Qin Daofei standing in the doorway with a gloomy expression, staring at them with a lingering, heavy gaze.

Terrifying!

Linglong instinctively took a step back. Seeing Qin Daofei like this, the fear deep in her heart threatened to erupt uncontrollably, but the thought of Qin Daofei's terrible state forced her to endure it.

With a swift, agile leap, Qin Daofei landed steadily right in front of Linglong and demanded harshly in a hoarse voice, “Who gave you permission to come back in the middle of the night? How reckless!”

What to do, what to do? It's been so long since he was this angry!

Panicked out of her wits, Linglong suddenly had a flash of inspiration: *Wait, aren't I still sick?*

And so, the ailing Linglong promptly collapsed. Seeing Linglong faint, Qin Daofei rushed forward to catch her in his arms, holding her tightly as he demanded furiously, “Which one of you dragged her back here?”

“Manor Lord, this subordinate was merely worried about your condition!” Tang Li shouldered the blame proactively.

Qin Daofei gritted his teeth: “A bunch of bloody fools!”

With that, he scooped up Linglong and carried her back inside.

Once inside the room, Qin Daofei began pulling at Linglong's clothes to check on her. Unable to keep up the act of feigning unconsciousness, Linglong awkwardly grabbed Qin Daofei's arm and pleaded, “Stop being angry, you're scaring me!”

“You...” Qin Daofei glared with furrowed brows, but seeing Linglong's aggrieved expression, his tone softened involuntarily as he said helplessly, “With you acting like this, how can you expect me to ever let go?”

“Then hold on tighter! Grab onto me just like I'm grabbing onto you, hold me close and never let go, even in death!” Linglong pulled Qin Daofei's arm around her waist, pressing herself tightly into his embrace.

Just like that, Qin Daofei's anger was extinguished by Linglong—snuffed out instantly without even a buffer.

“Did Jifeng fill your head with nonsense?” Qin Daofei tucked Linglong under the quilt, then climbed into bed to hold her, wanting to warm her up.

Nestled in Qin Daofei's arms, Linglong finally felt a sense of security return.

“He told me you got into a fight with the Second Prince, and that the Second Prince was even going to trade blows with you. Neither of you are hot-headed people, how did you both manage to lose your tempers?” Linglong grasped Qin Daofei's hand, utterly unwilling to let go.

Qin Daofei said quietly, “I wanted to investigate a pharmacy, and Chengjie said the Emperor was constantly watching for an opportunity to deal with me, insisting that he should investigate instead. My mood was already in the trash at the time, so I blurted out that I wanted to kill the Emperor. Chengjie kept trying to make peace and pleaded with me to let the Emperor off, but at that exact moment, my entire body was filled with hostility, and I just wanted to kill. I couldn't control myself.”

“You're still radiating hostility right now. Just a moment ago, I wanted to turn around and run away!” Linglong complained to Qin Daofei.

Yet Qin Daofei remained silent.

Linglong clasped his hand and said, “Actually, I understand very well. You want Chengjie to stay out of this and avoid getting dragged into the struggle between you and the Emperor. But Chengjie isn't that kind of person; he won't just watch you walk down a wrong path. You were in the wrong this time, you should take the initiative to go apologize to him!”

Qin Daofei remained silent, because he didn't know how to broach the subject—especially not if Linglong were to find out that the mastermind behind all these events was...

At that thought, Qin Daofei's mind fell into turbulent turmoil, compounded by a terrifying deduction he harbored—one he was utterly unwilling to acknowledge.

“Daofei, go apologize to the Second Prince. I know you care about him as a friend, and he's a friend worth having. You're a real man, you should own up to your mistakes. You won't back down from that, right?” Linglong shook Qin Daofei's arm coaxingly.

Yet Qin Daofei's continued silence made it impossible for her to go on.

Silently releasing his hand, she changed the subject herself, “I heard you took Tan Xiyin to Tan Jian's grave. What did you two talk about, and why didn't you bring her back?”

“Someone sent her back!” Qin Daofei answered evasively, glossing over the details.

Ah?

Linglong had no idea what Qin Daofei meant by that. Evidently unwilling to discuss it further, Qin Daofei dodged every topic she raised, saying instead, “I need to go handle the matter regarding Jiongzimu. You've been traveling overnight, get some rest first!”

I...

Linglong was rendered speechless.

After Qin Daofei left, Linglong hugged herself and wept in grievance.

Yet, grievance aside, she didn't dare question Qin Daofei about whether it was because of *that* matter; if Qin Daofei were to turn the question back on her, she truly wouldn't know how to answer.

The truth was, she hadn't figured out how to handle that matter herself yet!

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Huffing and puffing, Ye Lishang ran all the way to the Second Prince's residence. The gatekeeper informed him that the Second Prince had claimed illness and skipped court today, and was currently resting in his chambers.

Resting in his chambers, huh?

Fainting at the thought, Ye Lishang instructed the gatekeeper: “Go tell the Second Prince I'm waiting for him in the study. I have an emergency of the utmost importance to discuss, tell him to come see me in the study!”

Oh!

The gatekeeper scurried off to find the Second Prince, exhausted by his duties as a messenger.

When he relayed Ye Lishang's exact words to the Second Prince, the Second Prince lay sprawled flat on the bed in a star-shape and said indifferently, “Tell him I have no intention of getting up today. If he has something to say, he can come inside and say it. If he doesn't, forget it—anyway, I never concern myself with his urgent matters!”

Sigh!

The gatekeeper's life was bitter; playing this game of telephone was truly exhausting.

When he faithfully passed the Second Prince's exact words back to Ye Lishang, hearing that phrase—“never concern myself with his urgent matters”—made Ye Lishang instantly blow his top. Bedchamber or sleeping quarters, he was crashing the place regardless!

Crash!

With a violent kick from Ye Lishang, the Second Prince's carved pearwood double doors successfully splintered into two halves.

Lying unmoving on the bed, the Second Prince looked like a wolf lurking in the dark, waiting for its prey to step into the trap!

“Chengjie, what kind of man are you, damn it? You just got into a fight with Qin Daofei, and now you're faking illness and refusing to get out of bed? Get up right now, I have something to say to you!” Ye Lishang strode over angrily, intending to rip the Second Prince's quilt right off.

Knowing Ye Lishang's tactics all too well, the Second Prince kept himself tightly wrapped in the blanket, turning his back to the door and ignoring Ye Lishang completely.

Spurred by his blazing temper, Ye Lishang immediately rolled up his sleeves and climbed onto the bed. Straddling the Second Prince's waist, he forcibly rolled him over to face upward, then loomed over him from above and demanded, “Are you seriously going to pick a fight with Qin Daofei just because of your heartless father?”

“Are you seriously going to pick a fight with me just because of that heartless bastard Qin Daofei?” Reaching out, the Second Prince brushed away the tiny fragments of ice clinging to Ye Lishang's hair, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

Terrified of this look from him, Ye Lishang immediately slapped a hand over the Second Prince's eyes: “Don't look at me like that, damn it!”

“Why are your hands so freezing? Did you ride back overnight?” The Second Prince naturally tucked Ye Lishang's hand inside his own robe to warm it up.

Muffled whimpers...

Frightened into wanting to pull back, Ye Lishang found himself blocked as the Second Prince refused to let him move: “I asked you a question!”

“Hmph, I heard you were going to fight Qin Daofei, and I didn't want to miss the once-in-a-lifetime grand spectacle of two mongrel dogs tearing each other apart, so I rushed back overnight. Got a problem with that?” In front of the Second Prince, Ye Lishang could certainly be described as utterly brazen.

Raising an eyebrow, the Second Prince murmured, “Two mongrel dogs?”

That same mischievous hand had already crept around Ye Lishang's waist. With the slightest exertion of force, Ye Lishang would lose his balance, and with a single roll, everything would naturally fall into place. Yet, after a moment's thought, the Second Prince chose to restrain himself.

After all, if you subdue a bristling, spitting cat, you're bound to end up getting scratched yourself.