Chapter 17: Linglong, Who Only Likes Sweets

Pfft!

Tang Li couldn't hold back and burst out laughing, but the moment he met Qin Daofei’s sharp gaze, he quickly covered his mouth with his fist, bowed, and said, “Master, I have some matters to attend to. Please excuse me.”

Then he dashed off in a flash—this Feng Linglong really was something else.

Hua’er bit her handkerchief in frustration, refusing to acknowledge Linglong.

Linglong gave a sheepish smile. “Well, since you’re back, why don’t you head to the kitchen and make a few dishes for me? When I return, we can share some wine and catch up about your years away.”

Hua’er knew Linglong loved her cooking best, so she nodded eagerly. “Then, miss, come back soon, or the food will get cold and won’t taste as good.”

Linglong nodded and walked a few steps, then noticed Qin Daofei hadn’t followed. He stood where he was, watching her with an indifferent air. Linglong didn’t call to him, simply played with her little golden abacus, utterly content on her own.

Qin Daofei gritted his teeth and followed after her.

Once they reached the street, Linglong headed straight for the Feng’s Bank.

Qin Daofei wanted to follow, but Linglong stopped him. “I’m off to handle some private women’s business. I’m afraid we’re not quite close enough to share such things yet, Master Qin. Would you mind waiting here?”

Private business at the bank?

Qin Daofei wasn’t about to fall for that.

As soon as Linglong went in, Qin Daofei followed. The bank manager, seeing Qin Daofei, hurried over and bowed. “Master, what brings you here today...?”

“What did Linglong come here for?” Qin Daofei asked coolly.

The manager looked troubled, glancing at Qin Daofei. Qin Daofei said, “You should know your employer is no longer Feng Linglong.”

“From what the young lady said, it seems she wanted to pawn her dowry...” The manager trailed off, suddenly feeling a chill in the air. He rubbed his arms and dared not say more.

A flicker of confusion passed through Qin Daofei’s deep, smoky eyes. After a moment’s thought, he said, “If she wants to pawn it, let her. Keep the items in the back courtyard and don’t let anyone touch them... Also, give her extra silver, but don’t let her know the bank is now under my control.”

“Yes, yes!” the manager replied hastily.

After making his instructions clear, Qin Daofei stepped outside and waited for Linglong under the large tree by the bank’s entrance.

Linglong emerged, saw Qin Daofei obediently waiting under the tree, and flashed him a radiant smile. “I’m done here. If you have other business, Master Qin, you needn’t worry about me. I know my way back.”

Qin Daofei didn’t reply. He simply grasped her wrist and strode off toward Miss Feng’s courtyard.

“You’re not planning to sell me to a brothel, are you?” Linglong teased, struggling a bit as she bantered with him.

Qin Daofei looked down at her with disdain, using his height to intimidate her. “Do you really think someone like you could become a courtesan?”

“One day, I’ll poison you mute, you scoundrel!” Linglong didn’t answer him aloud but cursed him countless times in her heart.

Seeing her offer no resistance, Qin Daofei found it uncharacteristic. He said lightly, “We’re going to see Miss Feng to have some clothes made for you. She’s very skilled.”

“I’m not going!” Linglong resisted forcefully, gripping his hand tightly in return. “I won’t go.”

“Why not?” Qin Daofei asked.

Linglong replied calmly, “My skin is thick; it’s a waste of Miss Feng’s talent.”

With that, she shook off his hand and walked away.

Qin Daofei stood there for a long while, pondering, and finally understood—she still cared!

After all, Tan Xiyin always wore clothes made by Miss Feng!

With this realization, the gloom that had clouded Qin Daofei over Linglong pawning her dowry vanished like a passing storm.

Linglong herself disliked her current attire. She ducked into a ready-made clothing shop, picked out three black outfits, and asked, “Do you have these in my size?”

“Yes, miss, please wait a moment,” replied the manager, who then disappeared into the back.

By the time he returned, Qin Daofei was already standing by Linglong’s side. The manager didn’t recognize Linglong, but he certainly recognized Qin Daofei. Seeing such a prestigious guest in his humble shop, he bowed deeply. “Master Qin, your presence honors my little shop. Please, have some tea in the back.”

“No need for ceremony. How much for these outfits?” Qin Daofei asked coolly.

“No need to trouble Master Qin, I’ll pay for myself!” Linglong sat herself on a stool, pulled a wrinkled banknote from inside her shoe, and grinned. “Manager, please accept this.”

Of course he would accept—if Linglong gave him a silver note smeared with filth, the manager would still take it without hesitation, given she was with Qin Daofei.

Linglong took the clothes from the manager, putting on the air of a wealthy lady, and strutted out in grand fashion.

At Xiaoyao Manor—

As soon as Linglong and Qin Daofei entered, they ran into Lady Qin of the Fragrant Domain.

“Greetings, Lady Qin,” Linglong curtsied with impeccable manners.

The more proper Linglong behaved, the more uncomfortable Lady Qin became. She ignored Linglong’s greeting and coldly addressed Qin Daofei, “My son, you seem to have too much leisure today.”

“I’ll leave you two to talk!” Linglong, completely unconcerned, hugged her bundle and headed inside.

When she returned to Linglong Pavilion, Hua’er was just bringing in the soup. Starving, Linglong didn’t even bother to wipe her hands before eagerly popping a piece of braised pork intestine into her mouth. The spicy, rich flavor was simply divine.

“Oh, my little mistress! Didn’t you even wash your hands after coming in from outside?” Hua’er hurried over with a towel and carefully cleaned Linglong’s hands.

Linglong obediently let her.

“What’s this?” As Hua’er wiped Linglong’s hands, she uncovered the wounds Linglong had concealed with rouge, revealing the savage scars beneath.

Linglong smiled carelessly, changing the subject. “Come, come, let’s drink while we can. Tell me all the bad things you’ve done lately.”

She pointed teasingly at Hua’er’s married woman’s hairstyle.

“There’s nothing to tell. Miss, stop joking around. I want to know—what happened to your hand?” Hua’er was determined to get an answer today.

Linglong sighed. “Those dark, sunless days—I don’t want to remember them, and I hardly do anymore. Why make me recall them?”

“Fine, I won’t ask. But eat more—you’re all skin and bones now. You used to have such a round, lovely face.” Hua’er’s heart ached, but she forced herself to stay cheerful for Linglong’s sake.

Linglong poured her a cup of wine with a smile. “What do you know? This is the beauty of bones. Men these days like girls like me.”

“Hmph. Only dogs like bones!” Hua’er was most upset that Linglong always kept her worries bottled up, joking and laughing all day, making her heart ache even more.

Uh...

Linglong was left speechless.

After a few rounds of wine, Hua’er grasped Linglong’s hand. “Miss, after all you went through to escape, why did you come back? This place isn’t worth your affection.”

“I’ve already run into enough walls, forgotten the old stories, and locked that person out of my heart. I only came back to put the past to rest.” Linglong sipped her wine, suddenly finding it bitter and astringent.

Hua’er held her hand gently. “Do you still care for Master Qin?”

“This life is long—why settle for just one?” Linglong picked up a piece of cake, took a bite, and said, “I can’t stomach any more bitterness. Let’s toast with something sweet!”

Outside, a tall figure slipped away unnoticed.

A little tipsy, Linglong leaned against Hua’er and sighed, “It’s true—nothing smells as sweet as my Hua’er. I could fall asleep right here. Am I drunk?”

“If you’re drunk, just rest. I’ll stay right here by your side,” Hua’er said softly, gently patting Linglong.

Linglong thought, I really am drunk. Time to sleep.

Bang!

The door was flung open so forcefully that Linglong tumbled off Hua’er’s shoulder and sprawled awkwardly on the floor.

She opened her bleary eyes and saw Xia He entering with two maids holding ropes and sticks. A cold gleam flickered in Linglong’s eyes.

“What’s the meaning of this, Madam Xia He?” Linglong asked calmly.

Xia He glared at her, then pointed at Hua’er and ordered the two maids, “Tie her up!”

“Just try laying a finger on her!” Linglong sat up unhurriedly, adjusting her oversized sleeves. The gesture was comical, but her presence was commanding.

“Madam, Hua’er was in the kitchen today, wasn’t she?” Xia He asked sharply.

Linglong toyed with her cake, replying coolly, “And if she was?”

“My lady has been poisoned—poisoned with Lifelong Paste...” Xia He cut off, staring at Linglong to gauge her reaction.

At the mention of “Lifelong Paste,” Linglong’s expression sharpened. She hadn’t expected to hear of it again after two years.

Well, well.

It seemed her return to Xiaoyao Manor was meant to be.

“There are so many people in and out of the kitchen every day. Why are you so sure it was Hua’er who did it?” Linglong stood and circled Xia He three times before smiling. “The one you really want to catch is me, isn’t it?”

“Madam, I’m merely doing my duty and can’t afford to overlook any suspects. Please don’t make things difficult for me,” Xia He said, neither humble nor arrogant.

Linglong sat down, propping her chin on her hand. “Without evidence, you won’t catch anyone here. But we can go and confront the matter together. I’d very much like to know who made this Lifelong Paste.”

Her last words were cold as ice.

Xia He was startled by Linglong’s sudden authority, but in the next instant, Linglong smiled again, taking Hua’er’s hand. “Come, let’s go watch the excitement.”

Hua’er was at a loss. “Miss, poisoning the old lady is a grave crime—should we really go watch?”

“Of course! It wouldn’t be my style to miss a good show. Let’s go!” With that, Linglong dragged Hua’er toward Songbai Residence.

Elsewhere, at Miaoyin Pavilion—

Tan Xiyin frowned at Xiaocui. “Are you sure the old lady was poisoned with Lifelong Paste?”

“Yes, Madam Xia He is already on her way to Linglong Pavilion to arrest someone. It can’t be false,” Xiaocui replied.

Tan Xiyin twisted her handkerchief, murmuring, “This Xiaoyao Manor truly hides dragons and tigers.”

“Madam, should we go and see?” Xiaocui asked.

Tan Xiyin straightened her dress and, in a tone laced with amusement, said, “How could I not attend to my ailing mother-in-law?”