Chapter 40: Truly Magnificent, Even Her Tantrums Are Full of Wit

"Someone, punish this wicked servant severely!" ordered Lady Qinxiang, and the opportunistic lackeys eagerly began beating Hua'er.

No matter how hard they struck, Hua'er remained silent from beginning to end.

The rosewood cane struck her back, and Hua'er could almost hear the bones shattering, the skin splitting apart, and feel the searing agony. Soon, her entire back was a mangled mess of flesh and blood, yet she only stared coldly at Tan Xiyin, her calm, sharp gaze uncannily similar to Linglong's fury.

Tan Xiyin, "frightened," hid behind Xiaocui, avoiding Hua'er's eyes.

Many servants in the manor couldn't bear to watch; no one expected Hua'er to withstand such pain.

A quarter of an hour later, Linglong awoke.

Seeing her awake, Fang Qing rushed over, grabbing her hand, "Tan Xiyin came just now, insisting you're the murderer and disturbing your rest. Hua'er, afraid you'd be awoken, slapped Tan Xiyin."

"Where is Hua'er?" Linglong asked.

Fang Qing looked anxiously outside, "Tan Xiyin took her away. I feared she meant harm to you, so I didn't dare follow."

Hearing this, Linglong didn't even bother with her shoes, kicked off the covers, and dashed downstairs.

When she reached the front courtyard, Hua'er was already lying on the ground, her back soaked in blood.

Linglong stopped, her gaze indifferent as she looked at the coldly watching crowd.

Fang Qing hurried after her, wanting to check Hua'er's injuries, but Linglong grabbed her wrist and spoke harshly, "Give me your sword!"

"No!" Fang Qing shook her head.

Linglong repeated coldly, "Give me your sword, or I'll fetch a kitchen knife myself."

Fang Qing had never seen Linglong so fierce; fearing Linglong might do something reckless, she handed over the sword hidden in her bracelet.

Linglong gripped the sword and strode over, pointing it at the servant holding the cane, "Was it you who beat her?"

"I... I was just following orders!" The words had barely left his mouth when Linglong slashed, leaving a deep wound on his arm and causing the cane to drop.

Another servant knelt, pleading, "Madam, it was the old lady who ordered it!"

"So, it was you?" Linglong stepped forward, the bloodied sword pointed at Lady Qinxiang.

Qinxiang trembled, pointing at Steward Zhang, "Why aren't you restraining this madwoman?"

Linglong let out a miserable laugh, then marched over to Tan Xiyin, shoving Xiaocui to the ground and dragging Tan Xiyin out by her hair.

"Aah!"

Tan Xiyin screamed in terror.

Linglong pressed the sword to Tan Xiyin's throat and spoke chillingly to Steward Zhang, "Go summon the physician to treat Hua'er. If she recovers, there will be explanations today. If she dies, none of you at Free Spirit Manor will live."

"Madam, why are you so cruel?" Tan Xiyin trembled, still feigning pitiful innocence.

Linglong laughed coldly, then slapped Tan Xiyin twice, each blow full of force, her fingers digging into Tan Xiyin's face and leaving bloody marks.

"You claim Hua'er hit you—where are your injuries? Where? Is this the mark?" Linglong pointed at the scratch.

Tan Xiyin shook her head in terror, "No, she didn't hit me."

"If she didn't, why are you so vicious, seeking her death?" Linglong slapped her again.

Tan Xiyin crawled, sobbing.

"You say I'm cruel, but you all beat an unarmed woman like this—what does that make you? What does that make Tan Xiyin?" Linglong demanded, her anger causing the veins in her neck and forehead to bulge, her eyes bloodshot, icy blades within.

Tan Xiyin quivered in fear, unable to answer.

Linglong slapped her twice more, her voice cold, "Answer me—who is truly cruel?"

"It's me, it's me, I'm cruel!" Tan Xiyin broke, admitting through tears.

Linglong pressed the sword harder against Tan Xiyin's neck, "Tan Xiyin, you'd better pray she's safe, or not even Qin Daofei can save you."

Lady Qinxiang, once so domineering, now saw Linglong's savagery and fell silent, not daring another word.

The physician arrived, found Hua'er lying in a pool of blood, checked her breath, and shook his head, "You were too brutal!"

"Wretched woman, I'll kill you!" Hua'er was Linglong's only kin in this world; if she died, Linglong would truly lose her mind.

The storm of pain overwhelmed Linglong, stripping away reason; she wanted nothing more than to kill Tan Xiyin, to bury her with Hua'er.

Clang!

A piece of broken silver struck Linglong's arm, knocking the sword from her hand. Unwilling, she bent to retrieve it.

The servants rushed to restrain her.

"Who dares!" It was Qin Daofei!

His voice froze everyone in place.

Qin Daofei strode over, removed the sword from Linglong's hand, tossed it aside, then pulled her into his embrace.

On the other side, Tang Li saw Hua'er motionless on the ground, his eyes red as he picked her up, fiercely threatening the physician, "Save her, or you die with her!"

"I—I can't do anything!" The physician looked pitifully at Tang Li.

"Ye Lishang, Ye Lishang!" Linglong tried to leave, but Qin Daofei held her fast, calmly instructing, "Jifeng, fetch Ye Lishang."

Linglong shoved him aside, rushed to Hua'er, caressing her lifeless face, tears streaming, "Hua'er, you can't die. If you die, I won't live either."

Hearing Linglong, Qin Daofei shut his eyes, unable to bear it.

When he opened them, only murderous rage remained.

"Who did this?" he asked.

Tan Xiyin retreated uneasily, Lady Qinxiang's face paled, and Steward Zhang had no choice but to recount what had happened.

Qin Daofei faced Tan Xiyin, his tone icy, "You confronted Linglong while she was recuperating, Hua'er slapped you, so you had the servants beat her to death?"

"No, Daofei, it wasn't me—it was... it was... Lady Qinxiang who ordered it." For the second time, Tan Xiyin faced Qin Daofei's wrath, his cold gaze freezing her entire world, numbing her from feet to heart.

Faced with mortality, she again pushed Lady Qinxiang forward.

Silence, deadly and chilling, spread between Qin Daofei and Tan Xiyin.

Lady Qinxiang felt as if she’d fallen into an ice cave.

"Young master, Hua'er is a servant. She defied her mistress—beating her to death is no crime!" Xiahe blocked Lady Qinxiang, gazing at Qin Daofei.

Linglong released Huaer, strode over, and slapped Xiahe twice.

"Hua’er is whose servant? What relation has she to Free Spirit Manor? Who told you she was a servant? She merely cared for me! You killed her, you’re all murderers, and you, dog servant, I’ll beat as I please!" Linglong slapped Xiahe twice more.

Usually arrogant thanks to Lady Qinxiang’s favor, Xiahe could only cower in the corner now, fearing imprisonment for murder.

"If Hua'er doesn't recover, you—you—and all those who tormented her, I won't spare a single one!" Linglong pointed at Tan Xiyin, Xiaocui, and all involved, then told Tang Li, "Carry her back!"

Tang Li glanced at Qin Daofei, then carried Hua’er toward Linglong Pavilion.

Qin Daofei watched coldly, his voice chilling, "If Hua'er dies, none in Free Spirit Manor will be safe. Pray she lives."

With that, he followed Linglong.

Everyone watched the spot where Hua'er had fallen, realizing she wasn't actually a servant.

In truth, Hua'er had never been a servant—neither at Free Spirit Manor nor at the Feng family, she was always free.

"Mother!" Tan Xiyin, accustomed to playing the weak, now sought sympathy after causing trouble.

Humph!

Lady Qinxiang swept her sleeve coldly, "This began with you. I’m just an old woman, used by you to give the order. Ultimately, it’s your fault. Xiahe, let’s go."

With that, Lady Qinxiang left with Xiahe.

Only Tan Xiyin remained, stunned.

Back at Linglong Pavilion, Linglong busied herself washing Huaer’s wounds, while Tang Li watched from a respectful distance.

Qin Daofei, seeing Linglong tirelessly running about, asked Fang Qing to help fetch water, but Linglong, like a wounded beast, insisted on tending to everything herself.

She refused any help.

Fortunately, Ye Lishang soon arrived. Seeing Hua’er, he frowned and asked Qin Daofei, "How deep is your family’s grudge against this girl?"

Tang Li and Fang Qing intervened, one stepping on his foot, the other twisting his arm, preventing Ye Lishang from becoming Qin Daofei’s scapegoat.

Noting the grim mood, Ye Lishang quickly set down his medicine box, applied silver needles to Huaer's acupoints, but Hua'er showed no sign of waking.

Ye Lishang removed a needle, finding nothing unusual.

He shook his head, "No, something is off."

He took out a box of ointment, solemnly said to Tang Li, "I need to undress her. Will you allow it?"

Tang Li hesitated, looking at Linglong, who looked at Ye Lishang.

"Do it!" Linglong, seeing Tang Li's indecision, took the initiative to undo Huaer's clothing.

Tang Li stepped over, speaking softly, "Let me help, Madam."

"No need, I’ll do it myself!" Linglong knew Huaer had suffered humiliation at Wen San’s hands. Tang Li, a normal man, would naturally be uncomfortable.

She left no room for ambiguity.

Ambiguity—was far too painful.

Tang Li retreated, watching Linglong and Ye Lishang treat Hua’er.

Ye Lishang rolled the silver needle in the blue ointment, then inserted it into Huaer's acupoint. Soon after, he withdrew the needle, now black and glossy.

"Poison!" Linglong and Ye Lishang spoke in unison.

Tang Li, forgetting propriety, seized Ye Lishang’s hand, his gaze cold, "What poison is this?"

Meanwhile, Qin Daofei had already rushed away.

Ye Lishang examined the needle, "This poison doesn’t manifest directly and is slow. She’s unconscious because the culprit didn’t know how to use it—likely applied it to the rosewood cane, amplifying the effect."

Rosewood?

"Free Spirit Manor uses rosewood canes to execute guilty servants!" Tang Li said, dashing out after Qin Daofei.

But they were still a step too late. By the time they reached the storeroom, the cane used to beat Hua'er was gone.

Qin Daofei punched the doorpost in fury, ordering, "Find out who took the cane!"

"No need. It’s already been broken and burned as firewood in the kitchen," Jifeng emerged from the shadows.

Qin Daofei frowned, "Jifeng, gather everyone—all of them!"

Soon, everyone stood in the front courtyard, those who participated in beating Hua’er quaking as they waited for Qin Daofei's verdict.

"Just now, Ye Lishang detected poison—a slow-acting one. The culprit didn’t know its flaw: it should never touch rosewood. Once it does, the poison intensifies, killing in half a day."

Qin Daofei watched their reactions.

Everyone appeared shocked; only Tan Xiyin, her face veiled due to Linglong’s injuries, remained unreadable.

"Why did the culprit want Huaer dead?" Qin Daofei continued, answering himself, "I have reason to believe the person is Wen San’s mistress. She killed Hua’er to silence her."

He noticed Tan Xiyin, though her head was lowered, visibly tensed at his analysis.

He continued, "From now on, Free Spirit Manor is under curfew. After dinner, no one may leave their courtyard. I’ll assign guards to each. Let’s all behave accordingly."

With that, Qin Daofei turned to leave.

"Young master... I have something to report!" An old servant tottered forward, kneeling before Qin Daofei.

"What is it?" Qin Daofei asked calmly.

"The rosewood cane—I secretly kept a piece, let the master punish me!" The old man hung his head in shame.

Qin Daofei frowned, "Why keep a bloodstained cane?"

"I thought the rosewood too fine to burn, so hid a piece in my sleeve, hoping to use it for a memorial tablet after I die."

"Steward Zhang, reward Uncle Fu with a fine piece of century-old rosewood for his evidence," Qin Daofei instructed Tang Li, "Go with Uncle Fu and retrieve the rosewood."

Then, he swept the crowd and departed.

"Fei’er!" Lady Qinxiang caught up, nervously asking, "Is the girl alright?"

"With Uncle Fu’s rosewood, she should survive. Mother, please be cautious in future—don’t let yourself become someone else’s scapegoat!"

Watching him leave, Lady Qinxiang lamented, "Do you think I wanted this? If not for seeking you a good match, for the Qin family’s future, how could I be so foolish?"

But Qin Daofei didn't hear.

Tang Li handed the rosewood cane to Ye Lishang, who sighed in relief, "It’s been preserved long enough. As long as the residue remains, I can determine the formula and make an antidote."

"Will she live to receive it?" Tang Li asked, looking at Hua’er.

Ye Lishang smiled, "Who am I? I’m the one who wrestles souls from the King of Hell!"

Linglong and Tang Li both breathed easier.

That night, Linglong insisted on staying with Hua’er. Qin Daofei wanted her to rest, and after much persuasion, Linglong finally relented.

Yet in her room, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Qin Daofei, watching from the window, walked over, pulled back the covers, and cradled Linglong, "If you keep this up, you’ll get no sleep tonight!"

Linglong closed her eyes, and soon, exhaustion overtook her.

After she slept, Qin Daofei fetched hot water, gently washed her hands and face. When he touched her socks, he remembered the time Linglong tricked him—the most humiliating episode of his life.

He gritted his teeth, tucked her feet back under the blanket, and finally lay down beside her, full of exasperation.

The next morning.

Linglong woke and grabbed Qin Daofei's collar, "Did you drug me again last night?"

"Again?" Qin Daofei was amused by her phrasing.

Linglong glared, "Don’t think I don’t know. Whenever I sleep deeply, it’s because you drugged me. Otherwise, I’d never sleep like that."

"Shouldn’t you check on Hua’er now?" Qin Daofei lounged with hands behind his head.

Linglong stomped on his stomach, rolled off him, and rushed to Huaer’s room.

Qin Daofei pulled back the covers, wincing—something sensitive had been hurt.

Linglong, still wearing yesterday’s dirty socks, found Fang Qing asleep at the desk, Tang Li red-eyed from a sleepless night, staring at Hua’er.

He rose, bowing, "Madam!"

"How is she? Was she alright last night?" Linglong walked over, holding Huaer's cold hand.

Tang Li answered gratefully, "The Ghost Doctor is indeed a master. Hua’er slept peacefully last night; I believe he’s prepared the antidote. I’ll check."

"Eat something first—you’ll be needed more soon!" Linglong, though she found Tang Li lacking, understood his position.

Sigh.

After Tang Li left, Fang Qing woke and asked, "Shall I fetch you something to eat?"

"Fang Qing, I lost my composure yesterday. Sorry!" Linglong knew she’d been impolite and owed an apology.

Fang Qing smiled, "It’s fine. Everyone gets anxious. If you weren’t so genuine, I wouldn’t have liked you, and even if Free Spirit Manor were rich as a kingdom, they couldn’t have hired me."

With that, Fang Qing left.

As soon as she was gone, Aifei descended from the rafters.

"She’s right, after all, she’s the eldest daughter of the Fang family, a renowned chivalrous clan in Jiangnan. Though not quite equal to Free Spirit Manor, she ranks just below."

"You mean Fang Qing is the Fang family's eldest daughter?" Linglong was astonished. She’d always suspected Fang Qing was special, but never thought she’d willingly serve here as a maid.

Aifei flicked Linglong's forehead, "The world of martial arts is unpredictable. But you, heartless woman, managed to recruit a heroine who commands both sides of the law—it’s impressive!"

"You took your medicine today?" Linglong was unaccustomed to compliments from Aifei.

Aifei set down her teacup, checked Huaer’s pulse, "A slow poison, Man Condensing Pearl."

"You know this poison?" Linglong, excited by Aifei’s diagnosis, nearly hugged her.

Aifei pushed her away, "I have no interest in you. Don’t throw yourself at me."

"This is a poison from the Nether Hall, used to create mysterious deaths," Aifei smirked coldly.

Linglong kicked her, "Nether Hall again. Why does everything lead back to them?"

"Nether Hall is in business; if someone brings money, they won’t turn it away. Why should they refuse profit?" Aifei mocked her.

Linglong wanted to bite her, "What about the antidote?"

Heh.

"Since returning to Qin Daofei, you get dumber by the day. In a few years, shall I hire you a wet nurse?" Aifei’s words were always venomous.

Linglong scratched her head, "God, can you speak plainly?"

"Nether Hall’s poisons have no cure. Huaer is lucky—the fool used it on rosewood. Otherwise, even the gods couldn’t save her." Aifei’s expression was tinged with sadness.

Linglong tried to comfort her, but Aifei barked, "Do I look like someone who needs a fool’s consolation?"

Linglong covered her face, "I’m so... ashamed."

"If shame bothers you, you’ll never see anyone again," Aifei snapped.

Linglong clutched her chest, pointing to the rafters, "Go back up!"

Whoosh!

Aifei vanished overhead.

Linglong finally felt better.

About half an hour later, Tang Li rushed in. Linglong stood, excited, grabbed his collar, "Is there an antidote? Can it work?"

"Madam, please, the master will kill me!" Tang Li pleaded.

Linglong released him, asking gently, "Where’s the antidote?"

Tang Li took it from his pocket and fed it to Hua’er.

But Hua’er, unconscious, couldn’t swallow.

Linglong looked skyward, then wandered out, leaving a final instruction, "No matter what, get the medicine in her. Otherwise, your fate will match that of Lord Mouse."

Pfft!

Tang Li pitied Lord Mouse for three seconds.

Pitied himself for an hour.

So cruel!

Later, when Linglong returned, Hua’er had opened her eyes, staring dazedly at Tang Li blowing the medicine.

Hmm!

Linglong entered, grinning, hands behind her back like an elder.

"Miss, my wounds hurt, can you stop making me laugh?" Hua’er complained.

Linglong rushed over, sitting on the floor, her head resting on Huaer’s bed, "If you can joke, I’m relieved. You scared me."

"Sorry for the trouble," Huaer said, ashamed.

"We grew up together. You’re my only family. If you were gone, I couldn't live either." Linglong’s words made Huaer want to cry, "Hey, I was just saying, no need to be so moved!"

Seeing her tears, Linglong changed her tone.

Hmm!

Huaer pounded her bed, "Brother Tang, chase her out—my wounds hurt!"

"Madam, perhaps you should step out?" Tang Li dared not drive Linglong away, only coaxed her gently.

Linglong pouted, stamping her foot, "If I’d known you were so heartless, I wouldn’t have come!"

She left, hands behind her back.

"She must have made a scene yesterday?" Huaer sighed, watching Linglong’s retreat.

Tang Li smiled, "It was fine. Compared to before, now Madam’s tantrums are intelligent."

Indeed, even tantrums can be smart!

"Did she get into trouble again?" Huaer guessed her mistress had terrified Lady Qinxiang and Tan Xiyin.

She knew her mistress—protective and fierce.

"Don’t worry, the master can handle any disaster she causes!" Tang Li assured, feeding Huaer more medicine.

Soon after, Qin Daofei arrived.

Huaer struggled to sit up, but Qin Daofei said, "Rest. I just have a few questions."

"Please ask, master," Huaer lay prone due to her injured back.

Qin Daofei asked, "On the day Wen San and that woman were together, do you recall anything—like her scent, speech, anything?"

Huaer thought carefully, then shook her head, "No. I was nervous, didn’t notice any particular scent. She spoke a few times, but deliberately lowered her voice, making it hard to hear."

"Alright, rest and recover. For now, accept nothing from anyone except Linglong, Fang Qing, and Tang Li. Never be alone," Qin Daofei instructed.

Huaer’s eyes dimmed.

Tang Li protested, "Does the master mean the culprit will try again?"

"Better safe than sorry," Qin Daofei replied, and left.

Linglong leaned on the railing outside, pretending to be deep in thought. She watched anxiously until Qin Daofei emerged, then feigned gazing into the distance.

Qin Daofei approached, stood behind Linglong, his arm encircling her waist.

Linglong shivered, turned to glare, "What did you want with Huaer?"

"I told her to be careful, accept nothing from others, never be alone. Satisfied?" Qin Daofei stared at her.

Linglong nodded, "That’s better. If anything happens to Huaer, I’ll kill your concubine myself."

Sigh!

Qin Daofei sighed silently—could she ever think of him?

"I’m going out to investigate the murder of the herbalist and the rumors. Want to come?"

Linglong glanced at Huaer’s room, then at Qin Daofei, "I don’t like being with you, but Huaer says seeing me makes her wounds ache. For her health, I’ll go with you."

"Sorry to trouble you," Qin Daofei replied insincerely.

Linglong pressed for compensation, "Since you know, you should make it up to me."

"How much do you want?" Qin Daofei, helpless before her money-loving ways.

Linglong glared, "Am I that vulgar?"

"When are you not?" Qin Daofei retorted.

Fine.

Linglong lowered her head, mumbling, "I want medicine from Ye Lishang for Huaer's scars. She’s young, will marry someday, and these scars could affect her marriage. But Ye Lishang dislikes me and might charge me a fortune."

"So you want me to get his medicine for you?" Qin Daofei half-smiled.

Linglong grinned, "Yes, or you could buy it."

"Why should I buy?" he asked.

"Hmph! If your concubine and mother hadn’t hurt Huaer, she wouldn’t be injured. Who else should pay? Why are your women so troublesome?"

Indeed, they were troublesome. Qin Daofei agreed, his smile crooked, "The most troublesome one, I can only keep by my side, headache and all."

"Go away!" Linglong weakly pointed at the stairs.

Qin Daofei walked ahead, Linglong hurried to catch up.

He paused after a few steps, and Linglong bumped into his back, nose reddened, tears in her eyes.

"Qin Daofei, can’t you warn me?" Linglong rubbed her nose, her eyes full of grievance.

Qin Daofei said nothing, only stared at her.

"What... what do you want?" Linglong hugged herself, avoiding his gaze.

Qin Daofei stared until she nearly broke, then grabbed her hand, wiping off her makeup.

"Are you keeping these scars to avoid ever being with anyone again?"

Uh...

Linglong grinned, wrapped her arms around his neck, "But I’m still with you, aren’t I?"

Is this what she calls "good"?

Why did Qin Daofei feel so insecure?

"I can find her the best medicine," he said, holding her hand, "But you must also treat your own wounds." That was his condition.

Linglong pulled away, smiling, "I’m a woman—what do scars matter? As a thrifty woman, I won’t waste money on Ye Lishang’s overpriced medicine."

Qin Daofei let go, walking ahead.

Linglong chased after him, teasing until he grew cold, so she gave up.

On the carriage, she curled into a corner, closed her eyes, ignoring him.

Perhaps Ye Lishang had given Linglong too much medicine for calm, and she was naturally sleepy—soon, her head began knocking against the carriage boards.

Thud!

She shifted, continued sleeping.

Thud!

Her head hit the boards again.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Qin Daofei, sulking, finally moved beside Linglong, pulled her into his arms.

Linglong found the most comfortable spot, a faint smile on her lips as she slept.

Qin Daofei held her hand, playing with her fingers. He knew that the past never faded from Linglong’s heart; she used her life's scars to remind herself of pain.

The pain of those days belonged to Linglong.

And to Qin Daofei.

Yet all his wounds lay within; he could neither cry out nor save himself.

"Maybe, if we had another child, you’d heal? And I would too?" Qin Daofei mused.

Perhaps his words seeped into Linglong’s dreams, for she suddenly heard cries—women’s, old men’s, men’s, children’s.

The crying woman was herself, the elder her father, the child her own, and in the dream, even Qin Daofei wept, so sorrowful and desolate!

"No, don’t cry, please don’t cry!" Linglong wanted to embrace everyone, but flames blocked her, forcing her to watch as her most precious loved ones turned to ashes.

"No!" Linglong sobbed uncontrollably.

Qin Daofei held her tight, soothing gently, "Linglong, I’ll do everything in my power, so you’ll never cry again."

Under his continuous comfort, Linglong finally calmed.

Whoosh!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Suddenly, arrows sounded outside the carriage, followed by the driver’s fall.

Qin Daofei pressed a mechanism, the carriage floor opened, and he pulled Linglong into the narrow space below, closing the floor again.

Linglong woke, but it was pitch black.

"Qin Daofei..." she began to ask, but he silenced her with his lips, kissing her until she quieted. He whispered, "We’re under attack, hiding in a secret compartment... Shh. They’re here!"

Qin Daofei held Linglong’s head down; both held their breath, listening to the noises outside.

"Damn, Qin Daofei escaped!" a young voice said.

The voice made Linglong shudder.

Qin Daofei remained unmoved, quietly listening.

"This is a public street, let’s go!" another voice said.

The first youth cursed, "Damn, so close!"

Then they hurried off.

Someone else lifted the carriage curtain, "Lord Liu, this is Qin family’s carriage, but there’s no one inside!"

"As long as no one’s hurt, take the driver for treatment. Qin family will claim him," replied Lord Liu, Liu Zitong.

After they left, Qin Daofei triggered the mechanism, opening the compartment. Linglong saw the carriage riddled with arrows; the attackers clearly meant to kill Qin Daofei.

"Are you stunned?" Qin Daofei teased.

Linglong shoved him, laughing, "Stop it."

"Let’s go investigate the rumors about you killing Tan Xiyin’s family. Let’s see who started them," Qin Daofei said coldly, pulling Linglong with him.

He moved swiftly, wrapping Linglong in his arms as they slipped through the crowd. No one noticed two people emerging from the carriage.

As they left, a familiar figure flashed by in the teahouse opposite.

Qin Daofei led Linglong to a shabby courtyard where children played. Seeing their fine clothes, the children ran over, chanting, "The groom is handsome, the bride is beautiful."

Pfft!

Linglong was amused by these clever children.

Qin Daofei glanced at Linglong, seeing her genuinely happy, handed her some silver, which she distributed to the children.

The children, delighted, ran off.

Then, from a corner house, came the sound of an argument—a man’s voice, "Woman, what are you up to?"

In that moment, the world seemed to pause, and the story continued...