Chapter 71: Flirting Across the Distance

“Heh, whether you seek revenge against Qin Daofei or not, your grudge with Lord Xiang—you won’t give up on that, will you?” Hu Hanzhi’s eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, though he concealed it well.

Linglong lifted her head, resolute. “Of course not.”

The darkness in Hu Hanzhi’s gaze deepened.

After a long silence, Hu Hanzhi said to Linglong, “Linglong, I’m preparing to make a move against Lord Xiang. Tan Xiyin might also be caught up in this.”

“But if they both die, won’t the person hiding behind the scenes escape justice?” Linglong could not forget the hatred she bore for her child’s death.

Hu Hanzhi looked at her and asked, “Then what’s your plan?”

“Make the move. As long as we drive Lord Xiang and Tan Xiyin into a corner, that person will naturally emerge!” Linglong said firmly.

Hu Hanzhi refilled her cup of hot tea and said softly, “If that’s the case, steel yourself. Don’t disappoint me.”

Don’t let me down again!

“Rest assured, I won’t,” Linglong replied resolutely.

Hu Hanzhi smiled faintly. “The first step to not disappointing me is to lay Sister Aliang to rest. Her vengeance, we will repay—and we will succeed.”

“I’ll follow your lead!” Linglong pondered for a moment before firmly deciding.

Sister Aliang’s funeral was scheduled for dawn three days later.

Since Sister Aliang had no sons, Linglong had the youths of Qingyun Charity Hall help with the funeral procession, while she, as a daughter, attended the burial.

At dawn, with the sky dim and gray, Linglong knelt before Sister Aliang’s coffin, watching the women prepare her for burial.

“Miss, do you want to see her one last time?” an elder woman asked.

Linglong shook her head. “I haven’t found the killer. I have no face to see her.”

“All right, then we will seal the coffin!” the elder woman said. Linglong knelt and shouted thrice according to custom, “Mother, may you rest in peace!”

As soon as Linglong’s voice faded, it was time for the son to cover the coffin. Unexpectedly, Hu Hanzhi appeared dressed in mourning clothes—the son’s mourning attire.

“You…” Linglong was taken aback by his actions.

Hu Hanzhi looked at her calmly. “I consider you like a sibling. It’s nothing.”

Looking at Hu Hanzhi, Linglong suddenly recalled the day her own father’s funeral. Qin Daofei had appeared unexpectedly, taking on the role of filial son, helping carry her father’s body. Back then, Linglong thought Qin Daofei had gone out of necessity to avoid gossip at the Feng family. Now, she realized that someone like him could not be forced.

“Linglong, what’s wrong?” Hu Hanzhi softly called as she was lost in thought.

Linglong shook her head. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“May the funeral be auspicious!” someone announced. Linglong knelt and watched as Hu Hanzhi and the others carried the coffin out of the mourning hall.

She thought she would cry.

Yet, strangely, not a single tear fell.

Instead, she kept kowtowing, over and over, until her forehead was broken and no tears came.

“Miss, please stop!” Hua’er couldn’t bear to see Linglong like this and reached out to shield her forehead.

Linglong murmured, “Hua’er, I don’t know why—I just can’t cry!”

“Aliang has gone to see the master, to be with the one she loved. You don’t need to cry; you should be happy for her. They are finally reunited!” Hua’er held back tears as she said this.

Linglong looked helplessly at Hua’er and asked, “Is that true?”

“It is,” Hua’er nodded firmly.

Linglong gave a bitter smile. “I might be the most unfilial daughter. Both parents died unjustly, and I just sit here waiting to die!”

After saying this, Linglong clutched her chest, groaned, and coughed up blood.

Hua’er caught her as she almost collapsed, crying out, “Sister Aifei, my lady is coughing blood!”

Aifei climbed down from the beam, frowned, and looked at Linglong. “If you keep going like this, no one needs to kill you—you’ll kill yourself!”

But Linglong’s face was pale and expressionless; she heard nothing.

Aifei didn’t know where to find Ye Lishang, so she went to the Second Prince’s residence.

By coincidence, she saw the Second Prince and Ye Lishang joking inside—a scene where the prince teased Ye Lishang, and Ye Lishang played along, getting increasingly ruffled.

“Ye Lishang, you woman!” Aifei sneered.

Ye Lishang hated being called a woman. Hearing Aifei’s words, he instantly flared up.

“Who the hell are you calling that?” Ye Lishang lunged to scratch Aifei.

Aifei sneered, “If you scratch me, you’ll look even more like a woman!”

“Give me your sword. If I don’t kill this woman, I’m not Ye Lishang!” Ye Lishang scratched the Second Prince.

The Second Prince sighed. “You won’t kill her. Why don’t you ask her what she wants from you?”

“Yeah, why did you come to me?” Ye Lishang, at first seeming ethereal and aloof, was actually full of roguishness and foolishness.

“Feng Linglong has been coughing blood these days. I’m worried she’ll die if it continues!” Aifei said bluntly.

The Second Prince rubbed his forehead, troubled. “I’ve always wondered why Qin Daofei insisted on leaving at such a critical time. What really happened?”

“Probably just a foolish man and a troublesome woman hurting each other,” Aifei said impatiently, then asked, “Will you treat Linglong?”

Ye Lishang tossed his hair arrogantly. “Feng Linglong’s body just needs nurturing. She’s strange—usually noisy and troublesome, but when it matters, she’s calmer than anyone else. No crying or tantrums. That’s not good for her illness. Let her cough blood. At least it’s not bottled up inside. Give her a prescription to regulate her.”

After speaking, Ye Lishang held out his hand.

Aifei looked at him coldly and didn’t respond.

“Damn it! You want a divine doctor to treat her without paying?” Ye Lishang got angry.

Aifei raised an eyebrow and sneered. “The trouble was caused by Qin Daofei. If you want money, go ask him!”

“I want the money first!” Ye Lishang suddenly became coy.

The Second Prince looked at Ye Lishang and said quietly, “You always court death at critical moments. If Qin Daofei were here, wouldn’t you lose a layer of skin?”

“Then give me the money!” Ye Lishang reached toward the prince.

Calmly, the prince handed over a silver note. “Take it…”

Ye Lishang gleefully gave the prescription to Aifei.

Aifei sneered, “Just like Feng Linglong—stupid and greedy. Woman!”

“What the hell did you say?” Ye Lishang reached for the prescription, but the prince grabbed him by the slender waist. “I gave you the silver, but that’s not payment for the medicine. It’s your fee for visiting a prostitute.”

I…

Ye Lishang was really furious and scratched wildly. “You’re the prostitute! You’re the prostitute!”

“Don’t worry, I’m not interested in men. Here’s your money. Now dance for me, dress like a woman…” The prince’s words were cut off as Ye Lishang tore the silver note into pieces, threw them in the prince’s face, and shouted, “Go to hell!”

Then Ye Lishang smashed the prince’s study, broke a window, and left.

The guards outside were unfazed; if Ye Lishang didn’t break something one day, they’d find it strange.

The prince never stopped him; each time Ye Lishang finished smashing things, he had servants fetch replacements so Ye Lishang would have something to vent on next time.

Watching Ye Lishang’s retreating back, the prince sighed, “If you really were a woman, it might be better.”

He closed his eyes heavily and didn’t open them for a long time.

---

At Qingyun Charity Hall, after Sister Aliang’s funeral, Linglong lay listlessly on the bed. No one disturbed her. Seeing her lack of spirit, Hua’er handed her a child named Yixiao and said, “I’m going to help prepare for the New Year. Miss, you must take good care of Yixiao!”

“Mm,” Linglong replied but did not get up.

Hua’er left after placing Yixiao beside her.

Linglong gazed blankly at Yixiao’s small face and thought, “How I wish I were a baby.”

But she could not become an infant, nor could Yixiao grow up in an instant.

Unaware of Linglong’s mood and discomfort, Yixiao cried heartbreakingly when not held.

Linglong had no choice but to get up, hold Yixiao, and feed her.

When Hua’er returned, she saw Linglong and Yixiao under the red plum tree admiring the flowers, both with pure, innocent smiles.

“Yixiao, look, these are plum blossoms, red plum blossoms. Aren’t they beautiful?” Linglong plucked a flower and showed it to Yixiao.

Yixiao blinked fearfully, looking pitiful, making Linglong laugh heartily.

Seeing her smile, Hua’er finally relaxed.

---

The New Year approached.

Linglong hadn’t celebrated the festival in years, so her anticipation had dimmed. But the children in the house loved the New Year.

Especially Yixiao; watching older kids play wildly, she insisted on watching too. Missing any exciting moment made her wail like a little emperor.

Linglong, herself once a treasured child, treated the little one with special care. The mother and daughter stuck together, harmony growing.

Sometimes Hua’er thought of someone, but each time reminded herself she only wished her master would return soon.

Far beyond the city, Qin Daofei and Tang Li were trapped in a snow-sealed mountain cave for over ten days.

“Master, the heavy snow has sealed the mountain. We can’t even find direction. We may have to wait until spring to leave,” Tang Li tore off a piece of dried beef and offered it to Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei took it but didn’t eat.

“No matter. When the sun rises tomorrow, we’ll find direction. Heading north is sure,” Qin Daofei said.

The month of trials had left him haggard and thinner.

Tang Li often wanted to ask if Qin Daofei truly planned to give up on Linglong.

But each time he saw Qin’s dark, silent eyes, he dared not speak.

Qin Daofei, however, broke the silence: “Tang Li, can you really bear to give up Hua’er?”

The question seemed to be asked to himself as well.

“I can’t. But I was the one who hesitated. I don’t know how to explain myself to her. Now that we don’t live together, I have less time to see her.” What was once a knot in the heart had become concern. What the future held, no one knew.

Frowning, Qin Daofei looked at Tang Li. “If you’re sure she’s yours, why hesitate?”

“If you didn’t hesitate, I’d have been able to do this easily too!” Tang Li finally spoke, watching Qin Daofei, waiting for anger or some reaction.

But Qin Daofei didn’t react. He simply stared at the snow outside and said softly, “I’ve exhausted Linglong’s hopes. Don’t drain Hua’er’s.”

“Master, the lady and you… it’s not yet a time to sever ties. Won’t you fight for her?” Tang Li urged.

Qin Daofei smiled bitterly. “Let me endure all the pain she’s suffered, then I’ll see if I deserve to fight for her.”

So, he hadn’t given up yet.

Tang Li had no words, silently offering the clean snow water he had brought to quench Qin’s thirst.

---

New Year’s Eve.

Linglong set two places at the table, laying out the favorite dishes of Old Feng and Sister Aliang.

Though accompanied by Hua’er, Aifei, Hu Hanzhi, and Little Fish, Linglong felt lonely, as if something was missing.

“Madam, the master isn’t home, and Brother Li went to the frontier. I had nowhere to eat, so I came to your house for a meal,” Jifeng arrived uninvited, carrying a lunchbox.

Seeing him, Aifei’s brow twitched, a faint smile appearing.

Linglong and Hua’er both felt awkward, for Jifeng mentioned two people Linglong thought of but could not speak about.

Linglong joked, “You brought your own food. If I didn’t invite you to sit, wouldn’t I be stingy?”

She clearly saw the lunchbox was from Old Zhu’s pork knuckle shop.

Jifeng sat beside Aifei.

Linglong and Hua’er exchanged a smile, feeling superfluous but tolerating it since it was New Year’s Eve.

“This is a New Year gift for Miss!” Jifeng placed a red envelope in Yixiao’s cradle. The weight suggested it wasn’t from Jifeng alone.

Linglong didn’t want to mention it and spoil the mood.

But with Jifeng sitting there, every glance at him stirred many memories.

Halfway through the meal, Linglong nervously offered Jifeng a dish and asked, “Jifeng, Tang Li has been gone a long time. Doesn’t he plan to return?”

Tang Li?

Jifeng was surprised, unsure why Linglong asked about Tang Li.

Under the table, Aifei kicked Jifeng sharply; he caught on and smiled. “Of course he’ll come back. I got news from the master a few days ago…”

“Who asked about him? I asked about Tang Li!” Linglong sharply interrupted to stop Jifeng from mentioning Qin Daofei.

Jifeng obediently changed topic. “They got lost on Qingfeng Mountain, trapped for fifteen days. The man traveling with Li has frostbite on hands and feet, eyes injured from the glare. Still, he insists on hardship. Looks like they’ll return after spring. The carefree estate still has many matters needing the ‘someone’ to handle.”

Fine.

Linglong nudged Hua’er. “Tang Li is hurt?”

“Mm, Miss, I know. The master seems badly hurt too!” Hua’er retorted teasingly.

Hu Hanzhi, silent until now, cleared his throat. “Isn’t this a meal? Hurry, it’ll get cold.”

Jifeng had no chance to talk with Hu Hanzhi before; now Hu spoke first, so Jifeng raised his cup.

“Mr. Hu, our master is not in the capital. I thank you for taking care of our madam. The master asked me to toast you twice. Next time you meet, don’t pretend you don’t know he’s around, okay?”

Jifeng’s words made Hu Hanzhi’s hand freeze. Under the table, Aifei twisted Jifeng’s thigh hard, but he was unfazed, smiling challengingly at Hu.

Hu Hanzhi kept his composure, saying lightly, “Master Qin is a noble known throughout the capital. If I meet him, I would naturally chat with such a prominent figure. After all, it’s rare to meet someone like him.”

He smoothly changed the subject.

Jifeng sneered, “Mr. Hu, you really are… a merchant, huh?”

Hua’er and Little Fish didn’t understand Jifeng’s words. They thought him good-natured but wondered why he opposed the equally good-natured Hu Hanzhi.

Hua’er glanced at Jifeng, then Hu, then Linglong.

Smack!

Hua’er slammed her palm on the table, startling Linglong.

Pointing at Yixiao, Hua’er said, “Miss, give Yixiao to Sister Aifei. I need to talk with you.”

When Hua’er was serious, Linglong dared not joke. Obediently handing Yixiao to Aifei, she followed Hua’er out like a docile kitten.

Outside, the air was bitterly cold. Linglong tightened her robes and pleaded, “Hua’er, let’s hurry back. It’s freezing.”

“Did the master leave because of Hu Hanzhi?” Hua’er asked sharply.

Linglong’s eyes darted, searching for a good excuse. Seeing this, Hua’er snapped, “Miss, speak!”

“Well, it’s not exactly like that. He misunderstood me!” Linglong stammered.

Hua’er raised an eyebrow. “Get to the point!”

“The point is, that day Tan Xiyin framed me. I was locked with some drugged men. She mocked me. I lost my temper and knocked her down, leaving her with the men. Then I ran into Hu Hanzhi. I asked how he found me. He said his little green snake could sniff my scent. I wanted snake soup, so I asked him for it, but he refused and lifted it high. I tried to grab it and accidentally fell into his arms. I don’t know how much Qin Daofei saw. When I arrived, I saw his cloak on the snow.”

Linglong obediently recounted everything.

Hua’er gasped and said in shock, “So the master thought you cuckolded him?”

“What cuckoldry? That bastard judged me without asking. Hasn’t he slept with that concubine for years? I never stopped him! If anyone’s wearing a green hat, it’s him! He was the first to reject me, every time!”

Tears welled in Linglong’s eyes. Seeing her pitiful, Hua’er stopped scolding and hugged her arm.

“The master is also suffering. He went to the frontier to endure hardship. Who do you think he cares about most?”

“Who cares about him? Whoever cares about him is a dog!” Linglong swore fiercely, determined to the point of frightening herself.

Hua’er laughed. “Yes, yes, the master’s the dog, not you. Let’s go back, drink and eat. Whether he’s out there braving the elements, it’s none of our concern!”

“Hmph, that bastard only knows how to seek sympathy. If he had the guts, he wouldn’t let others tell me what happened at the frontier! I suffered in silence; I didn’t send word to him!” Linglong was furious, almost wanting to kill Qin Daofei.

Hua’er encouraged her venting. It was rare for Linglong to show emotions.

“Right, right, you’re right. I think Tang Li’s that bastard too. They both deserve hardship!”

Thus, the two women cursed the two men lost in the snow, hunting a wild rabbit for food.

Achoo! Achoo!

Qin Daofei and Tang Li sneezed together.

Tang Li muttered, “Could the madam be cursing us?”

“Very likely,” Qin Daofei smiled bitterly.

Sigh.

“I really miss the food Hua’er makes!” Tang Li rolled on the snow, gazing at the blue sky.

Qin Daofei sat and said, “I had Jifeng send a red envelope to Yixiao. Someone must be happily cursing now.”

“Because the master didn’t send madam a red envelope?” Tang Li thought. The only thing to make madam angry would be money.

Qin Daofei smiled meaningfully. “Right, no red envelope, no word—trying to make her feel guilty.”

Thus, in the capital, this scene unfolded.

---

After Linglong vented and calmed down, it was Hua’er’s turn to complain.

“Miss, though the master is at fault, you’re not blameless. You like each other. Though Mr. Hu never said, it’s obvious he has special feelings for you. You two cling to each other; it’s normal the master is unhappy. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have run off.”

“Who likes him? I’m not that little girl Feng Linglong anymore. I don’t like him. Not at all!” Linglong emphasized.

Heh.

Hua’er laughed mockingly. “You really don’t like him?”

“Mm, really don’t,” Linglong said firmly, then changed the subject. “Why don’t you ask if Tan Xiyin was bullied? Don’t you care about that?”

Hua’er smiled knowingly, then looked down. “No matter how much she was bullied, she deserved it.”

“Too bad someone saved her. The person behind Tan Xiyin is truly powerful,” Linglong said, staring blankly at the northern sky, wondering how Qin Daofei was now.

“We’ve been out long enough. Let’s go inside,” Hua’er pulled her hand.

Inside, Jifeng was still subtly mocking Hu Hanzhi.

Hu Hanzhi smiled faintly but didn’t get angry. The atmosphere was strangely tense.

Yixiao was held by Aifei, who tried to comfort her. When Yixiao realized it wasn’t Linglong or Hua’er, she pouted and cried loudly again.

Linglong felt sorry, took Yixiao from Aifei, and muttered, “Can you hold the child without treating her like a block of wood?”

“Wood’s cuter,” Aifei pinched Yixiao.

Yixiao stopped crying when she saw family but burst out again when pinched.

Linglong was furious, wanting to bite Aifei to death.

“Don’t touch my daughter!” Linglong slapped Aifei’s hand.

Aifei grinned, “Have you got the guts to have one yourself?”

“This one is mine!” Linglong said firmly.

Hu Hanzhi smiled faintly. “Speaking of which, the origin of this child makes me curious.”

“Curious about what? What do you have to be curious about? I’ve been Qin Daofei’s wife for years. Having a child now is nothing,” Linglong stubbornly declared. She was Yixiao’s mother.

Hu Hanzhi smiled lightly and didn’t press further.

Except Linglong and Qin Daofei, no one knew whose child Yixiao was.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, Hu Hanzhi gave each of them a red envelope. Hua’er, loyal to her master, showed no interest and casually tossed hers to Linglong, thanking her quietly.

Linglong happily took the extra red envelope, then early returned to her room with Yixiao to count money.

Hua’er saw Jifeng out and smiled, saying, “My lady told me the master ran off without explaining to her. She’s very angry. Plus, Yixiao got a red envelope, but she didn’t. So, she’s unhappy. You should know how to tell the master, right?”

“Mm, I will. They’ll cross the snowfield to the frontier. We have a contact point there. I took the message ahead. Brother Li can come back sooner!” Jifeng joked fearlessly.

Hua’er remained composed. “The frontier is harsh. If Brother Tang returns, let me know. I’ll leave the capital. It’ll be awkward if we meet again.”

Pfft!

Jifeng thought Tang Li’s road to win his wife was far harder than the master’s.

“Sure, I’ll tell him,” Jifeng said eagerly, wanting to see the master’s flustered face.

After a few steps, Jifeng returned. “Oh, this is from Brother Li to you. This is from the master to the lady. The master was hesitant to send it, but because of your words, I sent it first.”

“I don’t need anything. I’m a widow now; better to keep distance from Brother Tang. But I’ll accept what’s for the lady!” Hua’er said and tried to leave.

Jifeng shoved both gifts into her hands. “I don’t care about your mess. Handle it yourself.”

He dashed off before she could refuse.

Hua’er took the gift Qin Daofei sent Linglong and placed it in Linglong’s hand.

Linglong grinned. “Hua’er, why so polite?”

She eagerly opened the gift—inside was a large golden cake, about the size of an adult fist, thick and shaped like a jade pendant with red tassels.

Linglong recalled, at sunset, she had mentioned a gift to Qin Daofei. He had given a gold-inlaid jade piece, which she thought stingy. Now, he gave this?

She examined the golden cake closely, noticing shallow carvings that looked like paintings. Without careful inspection, it seemed like mere patterns.

She looked over both sides and said to Hua’er, “Fetch cinnabar, paper, and brush.”

Though unsure why the little one wanted these, Hua’er obeyed.

Linglong carefully traced the red ink on paper, transferring the painting—a vivid family portrait of six, the two adults clearly resembling Linglong and Qin Daofei.

She pressed her lips, forbidding any expression.

Tracing the other side and pressing it on paper, Hua’er suddenly burst into laughter.

“Pfft, the master is such a rogue!” Hua’er stomped, blushing.

Indeed.

The other side depicted a man and woman in the bridal chamber kissing, while another showed childbirth. Qin Daofei, you really are something.

“Take it and melt this golden cake for me. I’ll take it to a singer!” Linglong tossed the cake on the table disdainfully.

Hua’er picked up Yixiao and grumbled, “Yixiao, your father’s playing rogue from afar. Let’s ignore them and go sleep with auntie.”

Hua’er didn’t take the golden cake.

The next day, while tidying Linglong’s room, Hua’er noticed the golden cake missing from the table.

But when sorting Linglong’s jewelry box, she found it carefully hidden inside the box with the treasured little golden abacus.

---

On the fifth day of the lunar new year, the capital held a lantern night market. Linglong felt better and took Yixiao to enjoy the festivities.

Though not Linglong’s biological child, Yixiao was raised by her and clung to wherever the fun was, refusing to be alone.

Linglong held the chubby Yixiao, walking with Hua’er and Aifei through the streets, when they unexpectedly encountered Lord Xiang’s family.

Seeing the little bell beside Lord Xiang, who looked remarkably like Linglong, both Aifei and Linglong narrowed their eyes fiercely.

Liu Fengying smiled and approached to greet. “Miss Linglong, you seem in great spirits today?”

“Mm, very well,” Linglong replied, holding Yixiao and calmly watching them.

Lord Xiang stared at Yixiao as if she were his father’s killer. Sensitive, the child wailed loudly.

Linglong, protective as ever, wouldn’t allow Lord Xiang to scare Yixiao. She snorted, “Hey, Prince, what’s with pretending to be tough to a baby? Why don’t you pick on me instead?”

Lord Xiang dared not challenge Linglong. He looked at her pitifully. “Linglong, you’ve lost weight.”

“Mhm, I didn’t die from your anger. Are you feeling uncomfortable inside?” Linglong said bitterly.

“Linglong, you know I’d never want you angry. About Sister Aliang, I admit capturing her was my fault, but I truly wanted to return her to you. No one is more important to me than you.” Lord Xiang felt guilty since they hadn’t found Sister Aliang’s killer.

Linglong replied coldly, “Don’t mention Sister Aliang to me. You’re not worthy.”

She then took Yixiao and walked off.

Lord Xiang followed, pleading, “Linglong, where are you going? I’ll go with you. I’ll protect you!”

“Protect me? Ha!” Linglong laughed sarcastically. “Lord Xiang, you and your pretty wife better not entangle with me. I have a husband!”

Mentioning her husband infuriated Lord Xiang.

“Qin Daofei treats you so unfairly. Are you still going to endure it?” Lord Xiang was almost mad.

Linglong sneered, “What happens between me and him is none of Lord Xiang’s business.”

“I know Qin Daofei left in anger because of the man in your Qingyun Charity Hall. Who is he exactly?” Lord Xiang’s head ached with Hu Hanzhi’s arrival replacing Qin Daofei.

Linglong squinted. “Lord Xiang, you’d better not lay a finger on him. He’s my savior!”

“If he were just a savior, I wouldn’t move against him. But if he dares to have improper thoughts about you, he’s my enemy. I’ll fight him to the death!” For Lord Xiang, any man daring to entangle with Linglong was his foe.

Linglong was furious. She stamped her foot. “You’re shameless to the extreme!”

With that, she turned and left.

Lord Xiang followed, but Linglong angrily warned, “Try it again, see what happens.”

Uh!

Seeing her real anger, Lord Xiang dared not pursue. Linglong then left holding Yixiao.

Sigh.

Hua’er sighed. “Lord Xiang is persistent. After all these years, he hasn’t given up.”

“Men are all like that. If he had me, he’d be bored by now!” Linglong replied. Like Qin Daofei, who was always pursued by Linglong and thus shamelessly hurt her.

Perhaps human nature was just so—Lord Xiang, Linglong, Qin Daofei alike.

---

“Hey, I’ve been gone a short time, and already there’s a child?” A familiar voice came nearby. Linglong and Hua’er looked up surprised and saw Fang Qing smiling at them.

Of course, beside Fang Qing was Murong Xiao, grinning smugly.

Linglong handed Yixiao to Hua’er, then walked over to circle Fang Qing and Murong Xiao twice before poking Fang Qing’s coiffure and teasing, “Murong, you’re quick, huh?”

“Naturally! I’ve chased her for years. Finally, she agreed to marry me. I wouldn’t wait a minute! See, I got the beauty!” Murong Xiao held Fang Qing’s slender waist, beaming.

Linglong couldn’t take the sting and pushed Murong Xiao. “Enough, enough. Don’t laugh at me, the disappointed one. It hurts!”

“How did things get so bad with Master Qin?” Fang Qing pushed Murong Xiao away, holding Linglong’s hand as they walked to a teahouse.

At the teahouse, Linglong looked up sadly at the sky. “Maybe… I’m too charming, and he’s insecure?”

Pfft!

Fang Qing was exasperated.

“When will you speak properly to me?” She was never a worry-free person.

Linglong adjusted her posture. “I’m telling the truth. Look at me—beautiful and young…”

“Stop, stop! Where did this bastard come from? Did some man get her pregnant and make Qin Daofei heartbroken enough to leave?” Murong Xiao reached to pinch Yixiao.

Hua’er and Fang Qing both objected. “What nonsense are you talking?”

Fang Qing glared at Murong Xiao. “She’s a girl. How can you speak so rudely to her?”

“Wife, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again!” Murong Xiao was the epitome of a devoted husband.

Linglong rested her chin on her hand, disappointed. “You two are suffocating. Can I have a break?”

“I’m asking, what’s with the child?” Both Murong Xiao and Fang Qing were united in their question.

Linglong rolled her eyes and pointed to her belly. “That was one dark, windy night. After eating beef noodles, I felt stomach pain. I thought I needed the privy, but instead, a little one sprang forth…”

“Feng Linglong, have you lost all shame in your lies?” Murong Xiao pinched Yixiao’s tender face. “This brat’s yours? You probably have a demon fetus?”

Fang Qing nodded in agreement. “I’m with you every day. You two’s business, do you think I don’t know?”

“Believe it or not, but the child is mine. Hua’er and that bastard were there. Oh, and Aifei too. Feifei, right?” Linglong kicked the always aloof Aifei.

Aifei shot a glare. “Don’t provoke me unless you want to die!”

“Fine, then I’ll live!” Linglong’s survival instinct was strong.

The atmosphere fell silent.

No one knew the child’s origin. Linglong joked to avoid the topic.

“You don’t have to care about Yixiao. Just know she’s my child. I promised someone I wouldn’t say more,” she gave a more official answer.

“Enough talking. Since we’re all here, let’s drink!” Murong Xiao suggested.

Jifeng silently climbed down from the beam and said, “Our master asked me to say: anyone who drinks with madam will become our master’s enemy.”

Pfft!

Linglong was annoyed, stood, and kicked Jifeng. “What am I to your master? He sure meddles a lot!”

“Madam is the master’s wife and the lady of the estate. Please watch your words. The master said you’re very flirtatious when drunk,” Jifeng said reluctantly, knowing if he spoke, Linglong would maim or kill him, but the master forbade madam from drinking.

A genius moment.

[End of translation.]