Chapter 34: When Paths Cross, the Brave Prevail

Pine and Cypress Residence.

Madam Xia He quietly approached the couch in Qin Wang Xiangyu's chamber and whispered, "Madam, something has happened at Linglong Pavilion."

"In the dead of night? What could possibly happen?" Qin Wang Xiangyu was still furious, and upon hearing of trouble at Linglong Pavilion, showed not the slightest sign of concern.

Xia He spoke with difficulty, "Feng Linglong claims there's been a murder. It doesn't seem a trivial matter!"

Qin Wang Xiangyu threw off her covers and sat up hastily. "Really?"

"Should I go ahead and take a look?" Xia He suggested.

After pondering for a moment, Qin Wang Xiangyu replied in a cool tone, "Forget it, let's go together."

She rose swiftly, not bothering to arrange her hair, and headed toward Linglong Pavilion.

Tan Xiyin also hurried there.

Encountering Qin Wang Xiangyu and Xia He, Tan Xiyin greeted them and said softly, "So late, thank you for your trouble, Madam."

"Let us see what's happened first," Qin Wang Xiangyu said coldly, proceeding toward the room.

As she reached the doorway, she saw Steward Zhang anxiously leading people, carrying five corpses downstairs. Upon seeing Qin Wang Xiangyu, Steward Zhang quickly bowed and then lowered his voice, "Madam, there are dead bodies in the Lady's chamber!"

"Dead bodies? Who died?" At the mention of death, Tan Xiyin rushed forward to ask, though she had already seen the five corpses.

Steward Zhang cast a deep glance at Tan Xiyin, then turned to Qin Wang Xiangyu, "Madam, five black-clad assassins came to the Lady's quarters. All are dead."

Qin Wang Xiangyu stepped back, still shaken, "You're saying she killed five assassins?"

"This servant does not know if it was the Lady who killed them," Steward Zhang replied.

Qin Wang Xiangyu frowned, gazing upstairs, and said coldly, "Your master is away, she has no one to protect her... aside from herself, who else could help her?"

"Madam, then... could she one day kill us as well?" Tan Xiyin, feigning weakness, hid behind Qin Wang Xiangyu.

Hmph!

A gust of wind swept through, and Gale appeared.

"Madam, the master has instructed his subordinates to protect the Lady in secret. It was I who killed the assassins—they tried to harm her!"

Upon seeing Gale, Qin Wang Xiangyu finally calmed down, muttering, "I told you, even if Feng Linglong had extraordinary abilities, she couldn't become a martial master in just two years."

"Steward Zhang, summon the uncle to send someone to investigate. I want to see who dares commit murder in my Xiaoyao Manor." Qin Wang Xiangyu did not go upstairs to see Linglong; after speaking, she turned and left.

Tan Xiyin glanced at Linglong Pavilion, then at Qin Wang Xiangyu's departing figure, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Linglong stood upon the railing, gazing down at Tan Xiyin. Just as Tan Xiyin looked up, their gazes met, and Linglong smiled to herself.

Seeing Linglong's smile sent chills down Tan Xiyin's spine.

"Concubine Tan, I'm now targeted by assassins. If you're clever, you should follow Madam Qin's example and stay far away—unless..." Linglong did not finish, but her smile was deeply meaningful.

Tan Xiyin finally dropped her pretense of weakness, glaring coldly at Linglong, and said sharply, "Feng Linglong, if you bring disaster to Xiaoyao Manor, I will not forgive you."

As if she cared so deeply for the manor!

Linglong shrugged, "Speaking of which, these assassins revealed some interesting little secrets before dying. When the officials arrive, I'll have a good chat with Lord Wang."

Tan Xiyin hesitated in her departure, but after Linglong's words, she quickly left.

"Is it really wise for the Lady to frighten the Second Madam like that?" Gale asked, cradling his treasured sword, his expression half amused.

Linglong gave him the same half-smile, "Brother Gale, you do know how to claim credit—without a single soldier lost, you take all the glory."

"I don't want the glory, but the master ordered me—unless absolutely necessary, never let Miss Fang Qing be exposed. Otherwise, the assassins would stop coming." Gale grinned.

Truth be told, Gale's style was quite similar to Linglong's.

"Your master knew the assassins would come?" Linglong caught the point, giving Gale a mischievous look.

Gale glanced up at the sky, "The Lady enjoys teasing cats and dogs. Those who play with eagles risk their eyes being pecked."

"Fine, then when Lord Wang arrives, you'll have to protect me!" Linglong spoke without restraint.

Gale's mouth twitched, "If I could, I'd rather go back to sleep. I'm growing, I can't stay up late."

"Take your time!" Linglong yawned, turned, and went back to sleep.

Yet Gale did not dare leave. Every time he saw Linglong maneuver skillfully, managing the people of Xiaoyao Manor with laughter, he felt the urge to challenge her.

And the results weren't bad!

When Wang Liushu arrived, it was already the third quarter of midnight.

With him came Lord Jiong Zimei, the Chief Registrar. At the sight of Linglong, he instinctively stepped back. Linglong, who had just fallen asleep, was irritable at being awakened.

She showed them no friendly face.

After circling the five corpses, Wang Liushu asked coldly, "Who killed them?"

"Uncle, strictly speaking, these people weren't killed by anyone. They are renowned assassins from the Nether Hall. When captured, they activate the poison within their bodies. It's suicide," Gale replied calmly.

Lord Jiong Zimei gave Gale a half-smile, "So, young master, you mean you captured all the assassins?"

"Would you like to fight me to test my skills?" Gale detested being underestimated due to his youth or having his abilities questioned.

Lord Jiong Zimei smiled awkwardly, "The master’s guards are certainly skilled. I was merely asking for details—the closing statement needs to be prepared."

"Lord Registrar, your main concern should be the assassins' motive." So quick to close the case—no wonder the master wanted to write Lord Wang's biography.

Wang Liushu slapped Lord Jiong Zimei, growling, "Investigate at once—this concerns my elder sister's safety."

"Indeed, given the tight security of Xiaoyao Manor, ordinary assassins shouldn't sneak in unnoticed—unless..." Gale cast a fleeting glance at Lord Jiong Zimei, his expression ambiguous.

"You mean the assassins were hidden in Xiaoyao Manor from the start?" Qin Wang Xiangyu, now groomed, approached step by step.

Gale bowed, "Madam, I believe the assassins calculated the master's departure for Suiye City. Whoever hired them knows the master's habits well—he usually travels with me and Brother Li. Only, the one thing they didn't count on was the master foreseeing a threat to the Lady and ordering me to protect her in secret."

"Someone, investigate who appeared suspicious today, and who had contact with outsiders," Qin Wang Xiangyu ordered coldly.

Linglong leaned against a pillar, watching the corpses in the courtyard like an outsider.

It seemed someone couldn't wait any longer.

Ah!

Linglong stretched lazily and said, "As the victim, I suppose I'm not a suspect this time?"

"You're not worried?" Wang Liushu asked.

Linglong smiled, "Lord Wang, it's your duty to investigate. If you can't handle even this, who will protect us common folk?"

"You certainly know how to play the game," Wang Liushu, who had never liked Linglong, felt Qin Daofei deserved a more distinguished bride, but fate had bound him to Feng Linglong.

Linglong was well aware of Wang Liushu's dislike, but it didn't affect her in the slightest.

Under the watchful eyes of all, she leisurely returned to her room to sleep.

In the middle of the night, the door to Linglong's chamber was pushed open from outside.

Linglong, who valued her life, was not deeply asleep; hearing the door, she grabbed the hairpin beside her pillow and demanded coldly, "Who is it?"

"It's me!" Qin Daofei had returned.

Linglong got out of bed in the dark, intending to light a candle, but was seized by the waist and carried back to the bed.

"Didn't you say you'd be gone for two days?" If she wasn't in his arms, able to smell his familiar scent, Linglong wouldn't believe he'd returned from Suiye City.

Qin Daofei let Linglong rest her head on his arm. In the darkness, she heard only his deep voice, unable to see his expression. "I was gone just one day and you got into trouble. Had I stayed two, you'd have grass growing on your grave."

Pfft!

"Qin Daofei, even if I died this minute, there wouldn't be grass on my grave tomorrow. You're being ridiculous!" At first, she was touched he had rushed back overnight, but hearing his words, she instantly wanted to kill him.

"Did those people hurt you?" Qin Daofei's voice was as gentle as warm water, rippling in Linglong's ear, soothing every tense pore.

But Linglong said nothing.

Both fell silent.

After a while, Linglong asked quietly, "Did you know someone was hiding near me? Why didn't you say anything?"

"The Nether Hall's Mistress of Life willingly guarded you in the shadows—I could only wish for such protection," Qin Daofei replied with a faint smile.

Uh!

Linglong muttered, "She wasn't free; just now she was demanding a raise!"

"Miss Aifei, since the assassins are from the Nether Hall, please investigate and find out who is so eager to kill Linglong," Qin Daofei called to the woman on the beam.

So, the black-clad woman by Linglong's side was none other than Aifei, the top assassin in the martial world!

"Silver!" With Qin Daofei so direct, Aifei had nothing to hide.

"Brother Tang Li has already paid. Please hurry back," Qin Daofei said calmly.

After a rush of cloth through the air, the night returned to silence.

Aha!

"I'm sleepy," Linglong yawned.

Qin Daofei tightened his hold, "I'll watch over you. Sleep."

Before long, Linglong had drifted off.

"Master, you haven't eaten all day. Should I ask Miss Hua to bring you something?" Tang Li spoke from outside, concerned.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Daofei said, "Let Hua prepare food for you. No need to keep watch at the door."

"Yes!" Tang Li went next door and softly knocked on Hua's door, "Miss Hua, my master hasn't eaten in a day and night. Please..."

"One moment!" Hua's gentle voice came from within, especially warm at night.

Soon, Hua emerged, properly dressed, holding a small lantern. Tang Li took it from her, glanced at her, then looked away, silently heading downstairs.

As they neared the exit of Linglong Pavilion, Tang Li suddenly stopped, saying coldly, "Show yourself!"

"Hmph, sneaking out in the middle of the night for a tryst—do you two even care that I'm your husband?" Wen San's voice slithered from the darkness like a venomous snake lurking in a sewer, sending shivers down the spine.

Hearing Wen San, Hua felt fury rise within her.

She glared coldly in Wen San's direction, "What do you want?"

"I want to come with you. I want to see how you, you filthy woman, fornicate with your lover right in front of me!"

Just as Wen San finished speaking, there came a crisp slap, slap in the wind.

Wen San clutched his face, and when he looked up, Tang Li stood calmly beside Hua, as if he hadn't moved at all.

"Those two slaps are a warning. Next time you insult us, you'll get worse than a slap... The master and I rushed back from Suiye City, neither of us has eaten in a day and night. I came with Miss Hua simply to prepare food for the master. If you can protect Miss Hua, I don't need to accompany her."

With that, Tang Li made to leave.

"Oh, Guard Tang, I was just joking—no need," Wen San called after him, grinning, "Actually, I'm hungry too. Let's go together!"

Tang Li gave Wen San a deep look, then turned ahead, still holding the lantern for Hua.

After eating in the kitchen, Tang Li brought a bowl of beef noodles to Qin Daofei.

"Master, please have a bite," Tang Li bowed at the door.

Qin Daofei, troubled and sleepless, rose at the aroma and said, "Come in."

Tang Li entered with the tray and placed the noodles before Qin Daofei.

"When dawn breaks, you must..." Qin Daofei whispered to Tang Li, finally frowning, "Get rid of that person. Make an example."

Tang Li nodded respectfully, "Should we..."

"No, not yet... But you can spread the word that Wang Shun has already entered the capital," Qin Daofei said with a cold laugh.

"Yes!" Tang Li nodded and withdrew.

After pausing at the bottom of the stairs, Tang Li headed for Wen San's hut.

Soon, screams erupted from Wen San's room.

When he got up, the room was empty—no sign of disturbance on doors or windows. It was as if what he had just experienced was a nightmare.

"Damn it, what a cursed place!" Wen San scratched his head and found a bald patch, causing him to frantically inspect his scalp. Though there was no light, the touch made him despair.

"A ghost... ghost... ghost barber!" Wen San threw himself at the desk, trying to light a candle, but each time he did, a cold wind blew it out.

After several attempts, Wen San was so terrified he wet himself.

Aaaaaaah!

His earth-shattering scream echoed from Linglong Pavilion, far and wide. Qin Daofei calmly ate his noodles, pretending not to hear.

The next morning.

Linglong was scooped up from bed by Qin Daofei. She hadn't slept enough and collapsed limply in his arms, dozing off.

Hua wrung a cloth and wiped Linglong's face. Qin Daofei let Linglong cling to him as he led her outside.

Morning air brushed her cheeks, finally rousing Linglong. "Where are you taking me?"

"To sell you," Qin Daofei replied with a faint smile.

Linglong muttered, "Remember to give me half of the proceeds."

"Feng Linglong, you..." Qin Daofei was utterly helpless with her.

"Good morning, Master, good morning, Miss!" Wen San, traumatized by last night's ordeal, greeted them with his head hanging low.

Linglong glanced at him and burst out laughing.

"Wen San, what happened to you?" Linglong, seeing his messy hair and exposed scalp, laughed without pity.

Wen San replied miserably, "Miss, I've been ghost-barbered."

"Well done!" Linglong said under her breath, then smiled with squinted eyes, "Nonsense, how could there be ghosts in my Linglong Pavilion?"

"There really is! I tried lighting candles all night but none would stay lit," Wen San, with terror in his eyes, looked at the hut and tried to grab Linglong's wrist, but Qin Daofei's glare stopped him.

"Miss, please let me stay with Hua. That place truly has ghosts!" Wen San pleaded.

Hua bit her lip, eyes reddened, looking at Linglong.

"That won't do. I sometimes need to sleep with Hua. You being there would be inconvenient," Linglong shamelessly declared.

Qin Daofei pinched Linglong's waist, issuing a silent warning.

Wen San blushed, caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Don't worry. With Master Qin here, as long as you behave, no ghost will dare bother you. Get to work!" Linglong called for Hua to follow.

After some distance, Linglong lazily glanced at Qin Daofei, "Master Qin, did Guard Tang sleep well last night?"

"His mood was likely quite good," Qin Daofei replied, his gaze drifting meaningfully toward Hua.

Hua lowered her head, feigning ignorance.

"Hey, my Hua is beautiful, but you shouldn't look at her like a beast," Linglong tugged at Qin Daofei's belt.

Qin Daofei watched her delicate hand tease his waist, making him grit his teeth, swallow blood, and only wish to drag her back to the room for some passionate retribution.

"Feng Linglong, do you want to go out or not?" Qin Daofei asked, raising an eyebrow.

Linglong, wise to Qin Daofei's facade, clung to Hua's hand, "Though I don't know where you're selling me, I've decided to follow you into fire and water."

Excellent!

"Then keep quiet, or else..." Qin Daofei pulled Linglong into his arms, whispering in her ear, "I won't just make you face fire and water, but storms and waves, too."

Linglong covered her mouth, resolving to be a silent ornament from now on.

Finally, peace!

Qin Daofei took Linglong's hand and led her out.

They say enemies meet on narrow roads; Linglong, who always walked boldly, had never experienced this, but today she felt it deeply.

Qin Daofei took Linglong to the outskirts. On a narrow floating bridge, she encountered King Xiang.

"Heh, Linglong, what luck I've had today, meeting you here," King Xiang's gaze burned as he looked at Linglong.

Linglong gave a mocking, insincere smile, "Is that so? I feel my luck is terrible, assassinated yesterday, and today meeting an enemy."

At the word "enemy," King Xiang's expression fell.

But in a moment, he smiled as if nothing had happened, "Seems Xiaoyao Manor's defenses are lacking. I've planted King Xiang's mansion's back courtyard full of roses, always ready to welcome you."

"I wouldn't mind visiting King Xiang's mansion, but I have a penchant for a house full of eunuchs. I’m quite skilled at castration—want me to help? That way, you get your wish and so do I!"

In terms of sharp wit, few could best Linglong.

Qin Daofei only prevailed through sheer presence, and if not for his occasional threats to sleep with Linglong, she could have defeated him verbally.

King Xiang's expression shifted several times but ultimately did not flare up.

His attendants cowered, wondering how the Feng family’s daughter could provoke their unpredictable master for years and still live so well.

"If I lost that, how could I make you happy?" King Xiang smiled at Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei gave King Xiang a cold glance, "As for Linglong's happiness, I decide. Rather than worrying about another man's wife, you'd do better to feed your own—women can be exhausting when roused."

"Tsk, tsk, darling, how do you know King Xiang's women are unfed? Have they begged you for food?" Linglong feigned innocence.

Turning to King Xiang, she said sternly, "King Xiang, you are a prince—how can you let your wives starve? Though my husband is formidable, I'd be furious if he fed other women. Next time, care for your own!"

"In that case, why not swap? I don't mind taking care of Linglong," King Xiang replied, unfazed.

Linglong was instantly displeased, "Cheng Xiang, you rascal! You can't even feed your own wives—want me to go hungry? I'm happy with my husband; I won't go to your house to starve. Move aside!"

King Xiang's guards shrank even further.

King Xiang remained unruffled, opening his arms with a wicked grin, "Please, then."

"Then I won't be polite!" Linglong moved to walk past, but Qin Daofei pulled her back, refusing to let her touch King Xiang. Linglong laughed, shrugged off Qin Daofei's hand, and strode forward.

King Xiang greeted her with a smile.

Qin Daofei clenched his fist, watching Linglong approach King Xiang.

As Linglong was about to fall into King Xiang's embrace, she suddenly stepped back, tumbling toward the lake.

"Careful!" King Xiang and Qin Daofei spoke at once, both reaching out.

King Xiang was closer; he grabbed Linglong's hand, preventing her fall. At that moment, a small red snake crawled from Linglong's sleeve onto King Xiang's arm.

King Xiang jumped, but pulled Linglong up with force.

As soon as he let go, Linglong screamed, "Ah, there's a snake!"

Then she kicked King Xiang in the belly—"plop"—and he became a drowned rat.

The "snake" floated lightly on the lake.

"Oh dear, I forgot—that's my mechanical snake!" Linglong "regretted," patting her forehead, but her smile was as radiant as peach blossoms in March.

King Xiang, lying in the water, looked up at Linglong, feeling no anger—only a burning itch!

"Bold Feng Linglong, to push our prince into the water!" King Xiang's guards drew their swords at Linglong.

King Xiang splashed water at the guard's face, scolding, "You dare harm her?"

"Your Highness..." The guards quickly sheathed their swords and bowed.

"All of you kneel and let Miss Linglong walk over you," King Xiang commanded coldly.

The guards obeyed without hesitation, kneeling on the bridge to clear a path.

"Be careful not to dirty your feet," Qin Daofei came over, held Linglong by the waist, and with a light step, flew across.

In the end, King Xiang's human carpet was trod only by Hua, alone.

Linglong and Qin Daofei stood on the other side, watching King Xiang, drenched and disheveled, dragged from the water by his guards. In contrast, Linglong and her husband looked almost celestial.

"Well done!" Qin Daofei openly praised Linglong.

Linglong grinned, "When you sell me, remember to get a good price—I'll take seventy, you thirty!"

"Enough!" Qin Daofei stopped her nonsense.

Linglong shrugged, deciding to let him off for now.

They walked along the lakeshore, through flower paths, until a stunning bamboo house appeared ahead, music drifting from within.

King Xiang, finally ashore, watched Linglong and Qin Daofei depart, a deep smile curling his lips, "Linglong, I’ve waited all these years. I don't mind waiting another year or two. I'll wait!"

Linglong felt like prey caught in a snake's trap, her spine chilled and enveloped in gloom.

She rubbed her arms and glanced back at King Xiang's fading figure, worry flickering in her eyes.

Qin Daofei held Linglong's head, forcing her to look away from King Xiang, then wrapped her in his arms.

Linglong didn't want to linger, but couldn't deny that Qin Daofei's embrace felt incomparably warm—a sense of home she couldn't ignore.

"Don't worry, the money from selling you—I'll give it all to you," Qin Daofei, seeing her downcast, brought up the old joke.

Linglong smiled with squinted eyes, "Really?"

"Just kidding," Qin Daofei carried Linglong inside.

"Oh, I wondered why the magpies were chirping so loudly this morning—turns out Master Qin is here!" From afar, Linglong saw a woman in a fiery red gauze dress, swaying her hips to greet them.

Tsk, tsk!

Linglong gave Qin Daofei a sly look, "So Master Qin is becoming a groom?"

"I'm ready anytime—are you?" Qin Daofei replied in kind.

Annoying!

Linglong turned her back, observing the house's decor. It was elegant and frequented by nobles.

"The usual private room, please," Qin Daofei said calmly as the woman entered.

The woman eyed Linglong shrewdly, then smiled, "Madam Qin is here as well?"

Linglong nodded coolly, saying nothing.

In the private room, the manager dropped her flirtatious manner, bowing before Qin Daofei, "Master, the rumor of Wang Shun entering the capital has been spread. King Xiang heard it and left in a hurry—the evidence must be genuine."

Uh!

Linglong was amazed.

"That's the desired effect. He'll definitely suspect here—make sure to keep yourself clean," Qin Daofei said calmly.

"Yes," the woman replied respectfully.

Qin Daofei pulled the dazed Linglong to sit beside him, "This is Lü Si Niang, who collects information on the nobility. Anything you want to know about King Xiang, she knows."

"Thank you, Lady Si Niang," Linglong thanked politely.

"The Lady is... quite different from the rumors," Lü Si Niang teased.

Qin Daofei smiled gently, "Go prepare something nice for her."

Lü Si Niang was stunned—after years by Qin Daofei's side, it was the first time she'd seen such tenderness in his eyes.

Perhaps she was his heart's true red mark.

As Lü Si Niang left, not even closing the door, Linglong pounced on Qin Daofei, choking him, "Bastard, I thought this was a brothel!"

Qin Daofei let Linglong play, unmoving, and poured her a cup of tea, "Don't worry—with your looks, you wouldn't fetch a brothel price."

"Qin Daofei, I'm going to fight you today!" Linglong, furious, bit him.

Just as Linglong's teeth touched his arm, Qin Daofei pulled her into his arms, pressing her onto the couch, eyebrows raised, "How shall we fight? An hour or all day?"

Oh, too embarrassing!

Lü Si Niang quickly closed the door, thinking the master could kill someone with his charm.

Hmm!

Linglong covered her eyes, grumbling, "I'm hungry and dizzy."

If it were any other day, Linglong would have eaten by now. Qin Daofei, so focused on catching King Xiang, forgot to have Hua prepare food. Hearing Linglong was faint from hunger, he stopped teasing her.

He helped Linglong up, took a candy from his hidden pocket, unwrapped it, and put it in her mouth.

"What is this?" Linglong resisted, not seeing him unwrap it.

Qin Daofei forced the candy in, "Yin-Yang Harmonizing Pill!"

Such resentment!

Linglong smacked her lips, tasting the familiar candy, and smiled, "Oh, Master Qin cares for me—carries candy everywhere."

"Don't flatter yourself. I just happened to have it," Qin Daofei pushed her face away, ears flushing.

Linglong smiled like a fox, believing entirely that he kept candy for her.

"Where did you buy this candy? It's delicious!" Linglong poked his chest.

Qin Daofei grabbed her hand, not letting her tease him.

"Not sold in shops."

His meaning was clear—if you want more, beg me.

"Stock up. If I die, you won't find the murderer of your in-laws and sister-in-law," Linglong joked as she retreated.

Qin Daofei looked at her calmly, offering neither explanation nor embrace.

Linglong opened the window, gazing at the lake in silence.

Every time she turned her back to Qin Daofei, he felt only despair.

But when she turned, her smile was radiant.

"Master Qin, your dishes have arrived!" Lü Si Niang's voice broke the silence.

Linglong turned, beaming.

"This place is so well hidden—it must have exquisite food. Today, I must try it!" Linglong eagerly grabbed her chopsticks, eyeing the serving girls.

Tsk, tsk!

"Si Niang, this place is enchanting—no wonder the nobles flock here," Linglong's eyes sparkled, genuinely impressed.

Lü Si Niang laughed, "Rest assured, the master never looks at them."

"That's true—rabbits don't eat grass at home, right?" Linglong stabbed at Qin Daofei with her chopsticks.

Qin Daofei caught Linglong's hand, putting the chopsticks down. Lü Si Niang handed him a cloth, and he carefully cleaned Linglong's hands.

"Um..." Linglong didn't want to expose her injury.

Qin Daofei held her hand, "You touched a venomous snake—aren't you afraid of poison?"

"Hmph!" Linglong scoffed, "Master Qin and King Xiang are alike."

"We're only alike in one way," Qin Daofei admitted.

Linglong hesitated, then finally asked, "Which way?"

Qin Daofei finished cleaning her hands, gave her the chopsticks, and sipped his tea, not speaking.

Which way?

Naturally—they both want to sleep with this woman!

After a busy morning, Linglong was truly hungry. Qin Daofei kept silent, so she simply ate heartily.

Lü Si Niang signaled at the door; Qin Daofei nodded and left with her to a neighboring room. They discussed matters for half an hour before Qin Daofei returned.

Linglong, meanwhile, had swept up two people's worth of food.

She lay on the couch, rubbing her round belly like a pregnant woman. Sunlight filtered through the window, softening her features and Qin Daofei's gaze.

His mind drifted to beautiful visions.

It seemed some things must proceed faster.

"Would you like another chance encounter with King Xiang?" Qin Daofei asked, towering above Linglong.

Linglong propped her head, lying seductively, waving a shoehorn, "Will you let me hit him?"

Pfft!

Lü Si Niang thought, this was truly how the Lady was supposed to be—she'd misjudged before.

"Do as you please," Qin Daofei replied.

Linglong stretched out her hand, "Then you must carry me down—be as loving as possible."

"Is it not enough to make him hate me?" Qin Daofei replied, but his actions were honest—he picked up Linglong and carried her out.

Linglong nestled in Qin Daofei's arms, waving goodbye to Lü Si Niang, then murmured, "Hatred is a wonderful thing—it makes people lose reason."

Lü Si Niang and the maids watched them leave.

A maid asked, "Si Niang, the Lady is untalented and unvirtuous, so disrespectful to the master—why does he indulge her?"

"That's why you're a maid, and she's your mistress. Her wisdom perhaps rivals the master's," Lü Si Niang said solemnly, worry in her eyes.

The maid, still confused, scratched her head, "Maybe that's true?"

The encounter didn't keep Linglong and Qin Daofei waiting long.

On the return, they passed a desolate area—steep cliffs, narrow paths. There, an encounter was more than just a wet dog.

King Xiang sat boldly in a grand chair, blocking the road, his gaze dark as he stared at their carriage.

Whoa!

The driver stopped, turning respectfully to Qin Daofei within, "Master, someone blocks the road ahead."

Linglong, previously distant from Qin Daofei, now quickly clung to him. Qin Daofei gave her an ambiguous look and said calmly, "Open the curtain."

"Yes!" The driver opened the curtain, revealing the entangled pair to King Xiang, whose eyes reddened instantly.

Oh!

"Who could it be, but His Highness King Xiang?" Linglong smiled as she slipped from Qin Daofei's side, looking at King Xiang carelessly.

King Xiang sneered, "Qin Daofei, are you sure you want a woman to stand up for you in this?"

Qin Daofei took Linglong's hand, pressed her into the carriage, "Since His Highness insists, I'll meet him alone."

A genius remembers the site address in a second: . Mobile reading address: m.