Chapter 30: The Old Mouse Rampages Across the Land An Extra Chapter for zoooooooey Little Crystal!
Linglong Pavilion.
From a distance, Hua’er saw Qin Daofei and Tang Li approaching with a cage in hand. Startled, she dashed into the room, tugged at Linglong’s sleeve, and whispered urgently, “Miss, you must escape!”
“Why should I run?” Linglong took a dainty bite of pastry, her eyes curved in a smile.
“Miss… The Master and Tang Li are coming this way with a cage!” Hua’er stamped her foot in agitation.
Linglong sipped her osmanthus tea, her eyes narrowing with languid amusement. “So let them come, be good.”
As they spoke, Qin Daofei and Tang Li had already reached the doorway.
Hua’er rushed out to block their path, stammering, “My lady… is not receiving visitors at the moment!”
“Give me the cage,” Qin Daofei said, turning to Tang Li.
Tang Li handed him the cage, and Qin Daofei added, “Guard the door. Don’t let anyone in.”
With that, he strode inside, carrying the cage.
Seeing this, Hua’er tried to stop Qin Daofei but was caught by Tang Li, who said coolly, “Don’t anger the Master.”
“Let go!” Hua’er pushed him, but in her haste, only succeeded in stumbling into Tang Li’s arms.
Awkward.
Tang Li stiffened, staring at Hua’er. At that moment, Wen San, who had come up to eavesdrop, saw the scene. Fuming, he grabbed Tang Li’s arm and snapped, “Let go of my wife!”
Tang Li shot Hua’er a glance, then stepped back indifferently. “Let go.”
Wen San, recognizing Tang Li was not to be trifled with, dragged Hua’er downstairs. “Shameless! You’re hugging another man right in front of me!”
Hua’er looked at him in silence, her eyes cold and distant.
Tang Li, watching the exchange, felt a flicker of doubt, but remained impassive, quietly standing guard at Linglong’s door.
Inside, Linglong was still nibbling her pastry in the same posture as before. She looked up at Qin Daofei and smiled, “Master Qin, how thoughtful of you to bring me a gift.”
“Yes, a grand gift.” Qin Daofei set the cage on the table. Only then did Linglong see what was inside: a pitiful male rat, its limbs bound and hanging, its wounded symbol of masculinity on prominent display, still bleeding, a grotesque and shocking sight.
Tsk tsk.
Linglong shook her head, eyeing Qin Daofei as one would a beast. “Master Qin, your hobby is certainly… unique.”
“I think so too.” Qin Daofei sat beside her, reached out to grasp her waist, and pulled her into his arms with an unruffled air.
Ahem.
Linglong pressed a hand against his chest, protesting, “Master Qin, isn’t this a bit unseemly in front of Mr. Rat?”
“Had your fun?” Qin Daofei knew that skirting around the truth with Linglong was pointless; their exchanges amounted to playful banter between husband and wife.
To deal with her, he had to be ruthless.
Linglong clung to Qin Daofei’s collar, nestling coquettishly in his embrace. With a soft laugh, she asked, “What fun did I have?”
“Tan Xiyin had wound medicine on her. A rat’s sense of smell is so keen—of course it would seek out the medicine when injured. I’m just curious, how did you know the rat was so fond of this particular balm?” Qin Daofei toyed with her silken hair, his voice as gentle as a lover’s whisper.
Linglong only smiled. “You make me sound omnipotent.”
“Still won’t confess?” Qin Daofei tightened his grip, drawing her closer, their faces pressed together, noses almost touching. A mere tilt of the head and their lips would meet.
Heh.
Linglong pressed her palm against his cheek, retreating lazily. “Looking at you makes me crave pig’s head terrine.”
Yes, she was hungry.
“Linglong…” Qin Daofei had just said her name when she suddenly stood, her elbow “accidentally” striking his prominent nose. She spread her hands impatiently, “Whatever you say, so be it. Lock me up, avenge your little concubine!”
With that, she thrust her hands out before him.
Qin Daofei’s eyes watered in pain; Linglong hadn’t held back, and his entire nose throbbed so much he could barely speak.
Seeing he was in no state to control her, Linglong tiptoed over to the cage and unfastened the string binding the rat.
Squeak, squeak!
The rat, newly freed, bolted from the cage in a frenzy.
Qin Daofei, still clutching his nose, flicked a silver ingot at the fleeing rat’s head. Blood spurted as the rat collapsed, motionless.
“Qin Daofei, you killed my rat brother—I’ll fight you to the death!” Linglong curled her fingers in a throttling gesture and pounced at him.
Hmph!
Qin Daofei smirked coldly, caught her deftly under the arms, and, using his lightness skill, spirited her to the bed, pinning her beneath him.
“Didn’t you say it wasn’t your rat?” Qin Daofei, stifling his pain, pressed his body fully against hers.
Linglong felt as if a boulder weighed upon her, leaving her breathless.
“You insist it’s my rat—well, it’s not the first time I’ve been falsely accused. I don’t care anymore. Since the rat avenged me, he’s my brother. You killed him, so I’ll have to avenge him!”
“And how will you do that?” Qin Daofei’s lips curled with a devil-may-care smile, looking down at her.
Linglong struggled in vain, then, vexed, mimicked his earlier forwardness and kissed him.
Qin Daofei’s body tensed; his hands, previously resting at her sides, slid to her slender waist, and he eased his weight, giving her room to breathe.
“I missed you,” Linglong murmured, then hurriedly leaned in again.
Qin Daofei paused, then ravished her with wild, stormy kisses. Amid their tumbling, Linglong seized her chance and went for his neck. Sensing her intent, Qin Daofei quickly caught her hand, but just then, Linglong’s knee, poised and waiting, shot upward.
A sharp gasp of pain escaped Qin Daofei, but he refused to let go of her hand.
Linglong, her face ashen, stared at him, uncertain what tempest she would soon endure.
Qin Daofei ground out, “Feng Linglong, even if you cripple me, I have plenty of ways to deal with you!”
Eh?
That’s all?
Linglong gaped at him, aggrieved. “I told you, don’t bully me—I’m fierce.”
“Who started it?” Qin Daofei’s jaw clenched, barely restraining his urge to throttle her.
“Oh? You’re not satisfied with just a kiss?” Linglong put her hands on her hips. As long as he didn’t fly into a rage, she cared little for his schemes; now was her chance to get her own back.
Seeing her so feisty, Qin Daofei wanted nothing more than to snatch her up and swallow her whole, so she’d never again cause trouble and leave him to clean up the mess.
“Would I dare?” Qin Daofei shot her a sidelong glance, his posture relaxed and deliberate.
Heh.
Linglong leaned in and, most unladylike, made a slicing gesture between her legs. Qin Daofei’s heart clenched; her technique, learned from that little rat, was disturbingly adept.
Linglong herself didn’t realize how a tiny rat could inspire such dread.
Clutching her stomach pitifully, she whimpered, “Qin Daofei, I’m starving.”
Sigh.
Qin Daofei drew her into his arms, his voice gentle. “What do you want to eat today?”
It seemed Qin Daofei truly intended to let her off.
Linglong could scarcely believe it, but she accepted his affection with an untroubled heart, grinning like a carefree child. “I want braised pig’s head.”
Qin Daofei cast her a sideways glance—getting bold, are we?
“My father used to love taking me out for braised pig’s head…” Linglong trailed off and sat hunched in the corner like a wronged wife.
Qin Daofei, well aware of her little ploy, said nothing and took her hand. “I’ll take you to Madam Liang’s.”
Madam Liang’s braised pig’s head was the most renowned in the capital. In her youth, Linglong had loved going there with her father. In fact, her entanglement with Qin Daofei and even with Prince Xiang traced back to that very shop.
When they stepped outside, neither Hua’er nor Tang Li was at the door.
In fact, while Linglong and Qin Daofei were busy with the rat, Tang Li, unable to stop worrying about Hua’er, had gone in search of her and Wen San.
Wen San had dragged Hua’er to his room, tossed her onto the bed, and started making advances.
“Bastard! Aren’t you afraid my lady will kill you?” Hua’er was most unwilling, wishing she could live her life without ever being entangled with Wen San.
He chuckled wickedly, straddling her waist. “I’m your husband—does your lady think she can meddle in this?”
“If you dare bully me, I’ll have her throw you out!” Hua’er kicked and punched, resisting with all her might.
Wen San, nursing a bellyful of rage these days, seized the chance to vent. Seeing Hua’er relying on Linglong for support, he grew angrier still and grabbed a shoehorn, whipping it at her.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
No matter how hard he struck, Hua’er remained silent.
Inside and out, only Wen San’s curses and the sound of blows could be heard.
Bang!
The door burst open. Against the light, Hua’er saw Tang Li standing there, and she felt as if she’d been stripped and cast into the street—nowhere to hide.
“Well, here’s the lover!” Wen San yanked off Hua’er’s clothes, exposing her red undergarment, and leered, “Let’s all have fun—I don’t mind!”
Hua’er closed her eyes in anguish, never having felt so filthy.
“If you want to see the sun rise tomorrow, you’d better get out now.” Tang Li, though aware that Wen San was a scoundrel, hadn’t realized the extent of his depravity.
Wen San knew Tang Li was a trusted aide to Qin Daofei. If Tang Li truly wished to deal with him, not even Feng Linglong could protect him.
Hmph!
Wen San scrambled off Hua’er, growling, “One day, I’ll have your Master give me justice!”
“Out!” Tang Li’s voice was icy.
Intimidated by the murderous glint in Tang Li’s eyes, Wen San fled, not even stopping to put on his shoes.
Hua’er clutched her torn clothes, pleading, “Please, don’t tell my lady!”
“Why?” To Tang Li, Linglong had a thousand ways to make Wen San wish for death. He couldn’t understand why Hua’er would keep this hidden.
Hua’er shook her head miserably. “The hardships my lady endures, none of you can see. I don’t want her to be upset for my sake.”
“Here, use my robe. Go tidy yourself up.” Tang Li slipped off his outer garment and handed it to her.
Hua’er accepted it and said quietly, “Please leave me a moment.”
Tang Li, awkwardly rubbing his nose, stepped out. Hua’er took the washbasin from Wen San’s room, poured the water over her head, and emerged, wrapped in Tang Li’s robe. “I slipped into the lotus pond and got soaked. The young master just lent me his clothes.”
Tang Li regarded her with an unreadable gaze.
As they headed back toward Linglong’s room, they saw Wen San, sniveling, leading Linglong and Qin Daofei their way.
“Hua’er, what happened?” Linglong, seeing her maid in Tang Li’s robe, rushed forward in alarm.
“Miss, what do you think happened? I told you—Young Master Tang Li stole my wife and beat me…” Wen San blurted.
Hua’er slapped him hard and snapped, “There’s nothing improper between me and Young Master Tang Li! Don’t slander us!”
“What’s going on?” Qin Daofei’s calm inquiry settled everyone.
Hua’er knelt. “Master, I fell into the pond. Young Master Tang Li rescued me and lent me his robe. Wen San misunderstood.”
Both she and Tang Li fixed Wen San with intense gazes.
Not daring to reveal his own abuse, Wen San muttered resentfully, “You keep flirting with him—how can people not misunderstand?”
“Hua’er, go change. I need a maid with me today—you’ll accompany me,” Linglong said. She knew the truth was not as Hua’er claimed, but she also understood Hua’er’s nature; like herself, Hua’er kept many things buried inside. If she didn’t want to speak, nothing could force her.
When Hua’er had gone, Linglong glanced at Wen San and smiled. “You and Hua’er are husband and wife. If you don’t trust her, it’s only your own insecurity. In future, I don’t want to hear any more words that insult her reputation or Young Master Tang Li’s. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes, you’re right, Miss—I’ll pay attention!” Wen San bobbed and scraped like a lapdog.
Linglong smiled. “Since the little lake at Linglong Pavilion is so dangerous, you’ll be in charge of building a fence around it today. If my Hua’er falls in again, I’ll be angry.”
Angry?
Wen San squeezed his legs together, feeling a chill below.
Miss’s anger…
“Rest assured, Miss. I’ll get it done quickly—no one will fall in again!” Wen San nodded and bowed.
Linglong nodded in satisfaction. As Hua’er, now changed, came downstairs, Linglong took her by the hand and led the way, with Qin Daofei and Tang Li following behind as they set out together.
Watching their paired backs, Wen San’s eyes glinted with a cold, murderous light.
One day, he would repay all the humiliation they had given him.
As Linglong and her party left, they didn’t notice the two furtive figures loitering at the entrances to Miaoyin Pavilion and Pine-Cypress Residence. Once they saw the group depart, they slipped away as well.
Inside the carriage.
“Isn’t it time to send a gift to Prince Xiang today?” Linglong asked, as if in passing.
Qin Daofei shot her a dark look. “I’ll handle the affairs at Prince Xiang’s manor. Don’t meddle.”
“You have no feud with Prince Xiang. You’ve already done so much for me—I’m grateful…” Linglong began, but Qin Daofei cut her off.
“If you’re truly grateful, stop bullying those women. When you’re satisfied, I have to go and smooth things over at both ends!” Qin Daofei pinched his brow, thoroughly exasperated.
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