Chapter 43: Happily Attending the Banquet at Hongmen An extra chapter dedicated to all the beloved readers who have showered me with their generous rewards.

"I know!" How could he not be aware when someone he planted by Lord Xiang's side was about to betray him? Heh!

"Nothing escapes you," Fang Qing replied with a gentle smile, feeling her actions were somewhat redundant.

Qin Daofei looked at her and said sincerely, "Thank you for treating her so well."

On the third floor of Cloud Pavilion, in a private room, Qin Daofei sat by the window, observing the bustling world below.

Not long after, the door opened and a figure clad entirely in a black cloak entered, taking a seat opposite Qin Daofei.

She pulled back her hood and asked nervously, "Why did Master Qin summon me in broad daylight?"

"Today, Lady Xiang sought out Linglong, hoping she'd help her deal with you." Qin Daofei poured a cup of hot tea for Liu Fengying.

Liu Fengying gripped the tea bowl, visibly agitated, as though reluctant to drink and merely cradled it.

"Did Feng Linglong agree to help her?" Liu Fengying tilted her head, curious.

Qin Daofei replied coldly, "My wife is no fool; she knows who makes a worthy ally."

"That's good. As a gesture of closeness, tomorrow I'd like to host your wife for a meal. Would that be agreeable?" Though Liu Fengying appeared relaxed, she was clearly anxious.

Qin Daofei cast a measured glance at Liu Fengying, a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. "Very well. She would be honored."

"In that case, it's settled. But this is a conversation between women, so Master Qin, please refrain from accompanying your wife. Otherwise, I'd be so pitiful all alone," Liu Fengying joked, though her eyes darted nervously, never daring to meet Qin Daofei's gaze.

Qin Daofei nodded lightly. "Certainly, but I hope the Lady Consort won't bring any men with her either."

"Heh, how could I?" Liu Fengying's voice lacked conviction, and with her flustered expression, Qin Daofei withdrew from the room, half-smiling.

Upon exiting, Qin Daofei's face turned cold as he instructed Gale, "Twelve hours, assign a squad of elite soldiers to rotate and follow her and Lord Xiang. Find the location they've chosen."

"Yes!"

After Gale departed, Qin Daofei slipped into the rear courtyard of Cloud Pavilion and did not reappear.

At the Second Prince's residence.

A tall, burly man with a full beard, dressed in steward's attire, stood at the entrance, bowing and nodding to the gatekeeper. "Brother, could you do me a favor and announce me? I'm the steward of the Second Prince's villa. Just tell him there's a problem with the crabs he's raising."

Crabs at the villa?

The gatekeeper looked at him in confusion, not understanding the message, but dutifully went to announce it.

The Second Prince was in the midst of discussing matters with his generals. Upon hearing the report, he immediately set aside his affairs and ordered, "Bring him in."

Shortly after, the man was ushered inside.

Pfft!

Upon seeing the man's face, the Second Prince laughed heartily, slapping his thigh without concern for decorum.

"If you enjoy laughing, Second Prince, I can keep you amused for three days and nights," came the cool voice—was it not Qin Daofei?

Indeed, this was the very Qin Daofei who had mysteriously vanished from Cloud Pavilion.

"Alright, alright, I won't laugh. But tell me, what's with this disguise?" Though he claimed he wouldn't laugh, the Second Prince could barely suppress his amusement.

"Tomorrow, Lord Xiang's people will surely seek trouble with me. Would you mind visiting my home as a guest?" Qin Daofei spoke frankly.

The Second Prince smiled. "How interesting. I'll come tomorrow, but can you tell me why he's doing this?"

In truth, everyone knew Qin Daofei held evidence of Lord Xiang's treason.

But the Second Prince knew Lord Xiang coveted Linglong most of all.

"As you expected, Second Prince—he wants to steal my wife. Are you satisfied?" Qin Daofei said coldly, then turned and left.

The Second Prince scratched his nose and muttered, "So quick to anger!"

When Qin Daofei returned home, Linglong had already awakened and was eating. Seeing him, she squinted and smiled, "Master Qin, are you in a bad mood?"

"Liu Fengying has made her move. She invited you tomorrow for a gathering—no husbands allowed," Qin Daofei said, gritting his teeth.

Pfft!

Linglong sprayed noodles toward Qin Daofei. If he hadn't dodged quickly, his face would have been covered in noodles.

"Well, if husbands aren't allowed, so be it," Linglong seemed unconcerned, though Qin Daofei's sour expression nearly made her laugh.

Qin Daofei sighed, his tone cold. "I'll handle it."

"Exactly, since you'll handle it, why get upset with yourself?" In truth, Linglong didn't understand a man's mind. Any man who knows another covets his woman would hardly be pleased!

The next day.

Linglong awoke to find Qin Daofei picking out clothes for her. She propped her chin and watched him.

"Wear this black outfit. It looks good!" Although Qin Daofei disliked Linglong wearing black, he chose it without hesitation.

Linglong nodded. "Whatever Master Qin says is fine."

Truthfully, as long as she's Linglong, even dressed as a beggar, Lord Xiang would still snatch her away without hesitation.

Qin Daofei surely understood this.

"Master, they've chosen a location," Gale rushed in, drenched in sweat.

Qin Daofei asked, "Where?"

"Silk and Bamboo Music House!" Gale grinned.

Qin Daofei and Linglong turned to him and asked in unison, "Say that again?"

"Yes, Silk and Bamboo Music House!" Gale's molars were bared in a grin.

Heh!

Qin Daofei slapped the table, his voice cold. "A fine choice indeed!"

"Oh, just perfect, I can enjoy Fourth Lady's cooking again," Linglong took the black clothes from Qin Daofei and went to change.

About half an hour later, the carriage from Lord Xiang's mansion arrived as expected.

After Linglong and Fang Qing boarded, Liu Fengying glanced at Linglong's black attire with a sneer.

Linglong pretended not to notice, feigning sleep as soon as she boarded, leaning on Fang Qing's shoulder.

Liu Fengying had no intention of currying favor with Linglong anyway; this suited her, allowing for peace and quiet.

As soon as their carriage departed, a troop of over a hundred soldiers surrounded Carefree Manor.

Liu Zitong emerged from behind the soldiers, looking calmly at the imposing signboard of Carefree Manor. "Would Master Qin please come out?"

"Lord Liu, what is the meaning of surrounding my home so early with heavy troops?" Qin Daofei, clad in black, regarded Liu Zitong coolly.

Liu Zitong cupped his hands. "By order of Lord Xiang, I am here to seal Carefree Manor."

"Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue with such bluster? Sealing Carefree Manor—do you have the ability?" Qin Daofei's tone was arrogant, but Liu Zitong paid it no mind, as his aim was not here.

Liu Zitong smiled. "Isn't your claim a bit much, Master Qin? If I lacked real evidence, how could I dare make trouble at your manor?"

"Then please show your evidence," Qin Daofei replied calmly, one hand behind his back.

Liu Zitong shook his head with a smile. "This concerns the royal family's reputation; I can't just reveal it to you. Please come with me."

"What, does your prince want Master Qin for tea this early? I wonder if I, too, might join?" The Second Prince, dressed in bright red court robes, stood beside Qin Daofei, his gaze coolly surveying the crowd.

At the sight of the Second Prince, Liu Zitong's knees began to tremble.

"Your Highness, I merely heard Master Qin's home holds evidence incriminating the prince, so I came to investigate," Liu Zitong forced himself to speak, though clearly intimidated.

Oh?

"So quickly reduced to hearsay?" Qin Daofei questioned with a half-smile.

Liu Zitong, sweating coldly, looked at the Second Prince, lamenting, "Yes, it's hearsay."

"If it's baseless, then everyone may as well go home for tea and sleep. Don't disturb my conversation with Brother Qin." The Second Prince, repeatedly calling him "Brother Qin," invisibly elevated Qin Daofei's status, making the crowd reluctant to act rashly.

After all, even the emperor wouldn't lightly move against someone protected by the Second Prince.

"Then I won't disturb Your Highness's pleasure," Liu Zitong ignored the hundred soldiers and hurried off alone, eager to report to Lord Xiang.

Not far from the manor, someone tapped Liu Zitong on the shoulder. Before he could turn and see who it was, darkness overcame him.

"Oh dear, Lord Liu has fainted!" The person caught Liu Zitong, shouting aloud, and soon a crowd gathered.

Before long, officers from the Capital Prefecture found Liu Zitong unconscious and quickly took him back to the magistrate's office.

Meanwhile, Linglong.

Led by Liu Fengying to Silk and Bamboo Music House, the first thing she did was announce her hunger.

Seeing her lack of refined manners, Liu Fengying inwardly despised Linglong.

Yet, as the hostess, if Linglong fainted, whether Qin Daofei blamed her or Lord Xiang punished her, she'd be in trouble.

Liu Fengying had been here with Lord Xiang before, so she smiled at Lady Fourth and said, "Please, Fourth Lady, prepare some food for my friend and a quiet private room for us to converse."

"Certainly! The Lady Consort’s favored guests are my guests too. I’ll make sure this young lady is satisfied," Lady Fourth feigned not to recognize Linglong.

Linglong also pretended not to know Lady Fourth, and with deliberate familiarity, she said, "Thank you, beautiful proprietress!"

"Miss Linglong, please," Liu Fengying courteously led Linglong to the elegant room.

After they left, Lady Fourth signaled the waiter with a glance and headed to the kitchen. She knew well that if their matron went hungry, the master would surely be displeased.

Once inside the room, Linglong looked around, her gaze settling briefly on a certain spot before moving on.

Lady Fourth remembered Linglong’s preferences from her previous visit and prepared all her favorite dishes. Noticing no hot soup, Linglong requested, "Please bring me a bowl of hot chicken soup. My health is poor; I need nourishment."

"Miss, you came to the right place. I have just-cooked black chicken soup—perfect for women’s health."

Lady Fourth soon brought in a steaming bowl of chicken soup, placing it beside Linglong and smiling obsequiously. "Miss, piping hot chicken soup—best enjoyed while it’s hot!"

Linglong nodded. Once Lady Fourth left, she scooped a bowl of soup and walked to the spot she’d noticed earlier, saying quietly, "Ever since my father died, I always honor him with a cup before eating. I hope Lady Consort won’t find it strange."

Linglong’s tone was cold as she finished, then poured the scalding chicken soup over that spot.