Chapter 14: The Scheming Master Protects His Wife with Unyielding Authority

Hehe!

Linglong’s smile bloomed like a flower. She reached into a hidden pocket and drew out a small golden abacus, shaking it lightly so the golden beads clattered crisply, the sound clear and pleasant to the ear.

“Since you’ve invited me here to explain what happened, I must settle some old accounts with you first. To begin, without a shred of evidence, why did the Capital Prefecture single me out as the murderer, seeking a confession with no regard for justice, attempting to force it from me? When that failed, the prison caught fire during the night—I was nearly burned to death, and when I awoke, I found myself tossed in a heap of corpses at the pauper’s graveyard. Your oversight nearly cost me my life, and if I tally up my losses, I’d say they’re worth at least one hundred thousand taels of silver.”

Linglong finished calculating on her little abacus and raised it for all to see, its dazzling brilliance nearly blinding them.

“Feng Linglong, you’re too clever for your own good. Someone, bind her!” The man suddenly drew his sword and struck it against the staircase.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Linglong shook her head. “A centuries-old huanghuali wood spiral staircase… But this belongs to Qin Daofei’s household. If you want to hack it up, so be it—it’s none of my concern.”

Linglong’s boldness left the two young attendants beside her trembling in fear.

“Why aren’t you arresting this shameless woman already?”

Slap! Slap!

A shadow flashed past, and suddenly two bright red handprints appeared on the brow of the man with the awkwardly shaped eyebrows.

“Who did this?” he demanded angrily.

“Master Jiong, I beg your pardon. This is one of the guards here. As a child, he heard too many insults directed at his sister, leaving a lasting illness in his heart. Whenever he hears those words, he acts out violently. If it weren’t for your status as an official, I fear…” The speaker was Steward Zhang from the Freehold Manor, who made a slicing gesture across his throat and grinned as foolishly as the village simpleton.

But the man with the awkward brows only felt a chill at his neck and instinctively shrank back.

“Come, come, take Feng Linglong away!” He lowered his voice, instructing his two attendant officers.

“Wait…” Just as the two moved forward, a low, melodious voice, cool and distant, sounded from below.

All those from Freehold Manor bowed deeply upon hearing this voice.

Only Linglong, toying with her dice, looked up at the sky as if she hadn’t heard.

The newcomer was none other than the master of Freehold Manor—Qin Daofei.

After returning to his room, he had changed into a long white robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns. Tall and elegant, he strode toward Linglong, who seemed to see only the words “one hundred thousand taels of silver,” mocking her mercilessly.

“Master Qin, I am Jiong Zi Mei, the registrar of the Ministry of Justice…”

Linglong’s laughter rang out, clear and melodious—a heavenly sound in such solemn circumstances.

“Thank you, Master Jiong, for coming so early to amuse my wife. However…” Qin Daofei’s tone suddenly cooled. “My centuries-old huanghuali wood staircase, destroyed as it is, will cost me quite a sum to replace.”

Jiong Zi Mei’s mouth twitched. Truly, birds of a feather flock together!

“Master Qin, I… My actions just now were in a moment of excitement. Forgive me!” Jiong Zi Mei bowed and scraped, all arrogance gone.

Hmm.

Qin Daofei responded blandly, then stepped past them to Linglong’s side, wrapping an arm around her slender waist. “Have you taken your medicine?”

Linglong struggled but couldn’t break free. She was about to speak when another voice echoed.

“Master Qin, forgive my intrusion.”

Beneath the gallery, a man in a crimson official robe strolled in, his cheerful laughter reaching everyone’s ears from afar.

Linglong glanced sidelong at Qin Daofei, noticing the barely perceptible frown on his brow. Clearly, this unseen guest was no easy character.

After all, few could make Qin Daofei frown.

“Who is it?” Linglong asked Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei replied coolly, “It’s not your concern. Go back to your room and take your medicine.”

Tan Xiyin stood at the foot of the stairs, watching the exchange between Qin Daofei and Linglong. Her eyes, bright as autumn water, now clouded with gloom.

Linglong smiled, “My affairs shouldn’t be shouldered by Master Qin.”

Qin Daofei’s gaze darkened as well.

“Oh, the registrar from the Ministry of Justice is here too?” The man, upon ascending, spotted Jiong Zi Mei.

Jiong Zi Mei returned the greeting, “The Prefect is here as well?”

“What wind brings Master Liu here?” Qin Daofei looked at Liu Zitong, the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture, with a half-smile.

“Forgive me, forgive me. I heard someone reported that the former Manor Mistress, who poisoned the master’s father-in-law and burned down our Capital Prefecture prison, has returned. I thought it unnecessary for the busy Master Qin to escort her, so I came unannounced,” Liu Zitong squinted, eyeing Linglong.

Liu Zitong’s smile seemed warm, but his eyes were as poisonous as serpents, chilling all who met his gaze.

“Master Liu, your words are doubly mistaken. First, she is not the former Manor Mistress. She has always been the Mistress of Freehold Manor. Second, the poisoning incident was rife with doubts. On what grounds did the Capital Prefecture convict my wife? As for the arson at the prison, have you found evidence to support such a charge?” Qin Daofei inquired.

Liu Zitong’s gaze flickered. He forced a smile, “Yes, yes, that was my slip of the tongue—apologies! Still, as the principal in the poisoning case and a witness to the prison fire, I must ask the Mistress to come to the Prefecture to clarify the matter, surely that’s acceptable?”

“She was recently injured and poisoned by assassins, requiring rest. Traveling back and forth is inconvenient. Moreover, the assassin remains at large—should he appear and harm her again, I, Qin Daofei, will exhaust all resources of Freehold Manor and pursue him to the death.”

Qin Daofei’s words were delivered with a calm air, but everyone present felt the weight and pressure in them.

Even Liu Zitong seemed surprised that Qin Daofei would so openly threaten him.

He squinted, pondering for a moment, then smiled, “If that’s the case, let the Ministry of Justice handle it. I dare not bear such a responsibility. The Mistress of Freehold Manor is worth her weight in gold—I, a mere official, could never afford the cost.”

With that, Liu Zitong departed.

Qin Daofei watched him go, his brow furrowed. He raised his left hand and subtly signaled; immediately, someone followed Liu Zitong in secret.

Jiong Zi Mei had hoped Liu Zitong’s arrival would free him from responsibility, but he never expected Liu Zitong to give up so easily. He stood frozen, staring dumbly at Qin Daofei.

“So, does the Ministry of Justice still insist on questioning my wife?” Qin Daofei asked coldly.

Jiong Zi Mei wiped the cold sweat from his brow and muttered, “Well… I must ask for your cooperation, Master Qin.”

“In that case, let my uncle first compensate me for this fine huanghuali wood. Then I’ll let you take her for questioning.” Qin Daofei looked at Jiong Zi Mei with a half-smile.

Jiong Zi Mei was close to tears.

Minister Wang Liushu of the Ministry of Justice was notoriously stingy—expecting compensation for huanghuali wood was a dream. But if Jiong Zi Mei had to pay himself, where would he find so much silver?

“Ah, do pass a message to my uncle when you return. Freehold Manor intends to publish his biography. Ask him whether he prefers silver or beauties for the cover.” Qin Daofei said, then led Linglong back to their room.

Jiong Zi Mei resigned himself to misfortune and left in defeat.

Tan Xiyin slumped to the ground, staring at the door for a long time.

“Tell me, Master Qin, isn’t it improper to threaten the Minister of Justice so openly?” Linglong’s smile nearly split her cheeks.

Qin Daofei looked at her coldly. “If you want to laugh, laugh. I won’t look down on you.”

Thud, thud, thud.

Someone stomped up the stairs in anger.

Linglong arched her brows and grinned mischievously, “Master Qin, perhaps you should publish your mother’s romantic history?”

“Why not publish ours instead? The tale of the Manor Master and his fugitive wife—might sell for quite a lot!” Qin Daofei remained neither pleased nor angry; sparring with him was no fun at all.

Linglong blushed furiously, “Who has a romantic history with you?”

“None?” Qin Daofei raised a brow.

Linglong nodded firmly, “None at all. Not even a hint.”

“Then let’s create some romantic history.” Qin Daofei said, and pinched her waist, tossing her onto the bed. He lowered his head to kiss her incessantly chattering lips.

Mm!

Linglong, furious, tried to knee Qin Daofei, but he seemed prepared; his long, strong legs held her fast.

Oh dear!

Qin Wang Xiangyu, who had burst in angrily, saw the two wrestling on the bed and, blushing fiercely, covered her face with her wide sleeves and retreated in a huff.

Tan Xiyin, following behind, stumbled back two steps and fainted on the spot.

Qin Daofei, as if unaware of their presence, kissed Linglong several more times, finally releasing her and dispelling the frustration pent up in his chest.

Meanwhile, Little Cui and Nanny Xiahe hurried to pinch Tan Xiyin’s philtrum.

Linglong, enraged, raised her hand to slap Qin Daofei, but he caught her wrist and said, “I don’t mind making the scene even more scandalous. After all, earning money isn’t easy—if the story lacks spice, it won’t sell.”

“Qin Daofei, you beast in scholar’s robes!” Linglong kicked him. Qin Daofei was unfazed, but his posture was a little awkward as he walked out.

“Are you trying to anger your mother to death?” Qin Wang Xiangyu clutched her chest mournfully.

Linglong, ever eager for drama, leaned in, “Oh, Tan the concubine has fainted again—her frequency is impressive.”

“Feng Linglong…”

“Yes, her name is Feng Linglong, but shouldn’t you address her as the chief lady?” Qin Daofei coldly interrupted Little Cui.

Little Cui dared not retort and only bowed her head silently.

Qin Daofei went over and gently picked up Tan Xiyin. “Xiyin, wake up?”

Watching the pair of lovers, Linglong seethed, though the angrier she grew, the brighter her smile.

“You’re too gentle with her. When Tan the concubine faints, I’m the only one who can revive her.” Linglong said, then calmly pulled her hairpin from her hair, grinning wickedly as she approached Tan Xiyin.