Chapter 95: Linglong's Second Marriage, Qin Daofei's Remarriage

Pfft!

Although Hua’er was quite reluctant, she obediently clapped her hands along with Linglong. Feng Yixiao, seeing that both his mother and aunt were clapping, naturally didn’t want to fall behind and clapped his little hands energetically, chuckling gleefully.

Tan Xiyin was so furious that tears welled up in her eyes. She pointed coldly at Linglong and said, “Even if you like him, it’s not your turn. Brother Dao Fei will be married in three days, haha!”

Married?

Linglong was momentarily stunned, but immediately the scene of Steward Zhang buying red silk flashed in her mind. No wonder he was avoiding her—so it was for Qin Dao Fei’s wedding?

“Oh, this Qin Dao Fei is so unfair. After all, we’re husband and wife. He’s getting married and didn’t even invite me. Could it be he’s afraid I’ll ask him for money and he won’t give?” Linglong harbored doubts, but in front of Tan Xiyin, no matter how painful it was, she wouldn’t show it. After all, she couldn’t let Tan Xiyin have even a shred of happiness.

Seeing Linglong was not angry, Tan Xiyin was indeed a little disappointed. She narrowed her eyes and said, “Are you willing to let go?”

“I already said it, Qin Dao Fei is rubbish, and I don’t want to be a dog. To avoid being a dog, I certainly can’t like him. I’m a free and easy woman!” Linglong was indulging in her own boastfulness.

Tan Xiyin sneered, “I hope you can really be that carefree!”

“It’s actually very simple for me to be carefree. All he has to do is repay the silver I squandered when I helped him during his amnesia. If he gives me that money, then... wait, isn’t it the perfect time to ask him for money now?” Linglong said, then shouted into the room. Someone came out to help her carry away the fabric.

Linglong climbed into Tan Xiyin’s carriage with practiced ease and said to the coachman, “Please take me to Xiaoyao Manor!”

The coachman obeyed promptly, urging the horse forward with a lively clip-clop.

Tan Xiyin snapped out of her daze, angrily lifting the curtain to scold the coachman, “Who allowed you to listen to her?”

“Mistress!” The coachman was straightforward, and Tan Xiyin was helpless.

Linglong wanted to laugh, but now wasn’t the time.

Upon arriving at Xiaoyao Manor, Linglong didn’t go inside. Standing at the gate with hands on her hips, she proclaimed, “Hurry up and let your Master Qin come out and see me, or I’ll come in myself!”

At this time, the Master of Qin Manor was not in the estate. The gatekeeper didn’t know what to do and quickly informed Qin Matriarch Xiangyu. Upon hearing that Feng Linglong had come, Qin Matriarch glared fiercely, “Who told her?”

“She’s with the Second Madam!” the gatekeeper said plaintively.

Qin Matriarch immediately understood and cursed, “It must be that little wretch Tan Xiyin again!”

The gatekeeper dared not say a word.

“Xia He, come with me to meet Feng Linglong!” Qin Matriarch said, then went out first.

Seeing Qin Matriarch, Linglong greeted her sweetly, waving, “Old Madam, hope you’re well.”

“What brings you here?” Qin Matriarch tried hard not to look at Feng Yixiao, but the child was so adorable she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

Linglong noticed her eyes drifting to Feng Yixiao, so she hid Hua’er and Feng Yixiao behind her and spread her hands, “I’m here to settle accounts with Master Qin!”

“Settle accounts? If you have business with me, don’t come to my son!” Qin Matriarch was most afraid of Linglong meeting Qin Dao Fei now.

Linglong pouted, “But he owes me money. Can’t you make decisions about that too?”

Pfft!

Qin Matriarch wanted to strangle Linglong but only thought about it.

“My Xiaoyao Manor is a grand estate. How could my son owe you money?” Qin Matriarch thought Linglong was making things up to find an excuse to see Qin Dao Fei, so she wouldn’t give her the chance.

Linglong knew Qin Matriarch wouldn’t allow her to meet Qin Dao Fei, and thought that was good—it would make extorting money less awkward.

“Well, call Tang Li or Jifeng. They know exactly what Qin Dao Fei owes me!” Linglong put her hands on her hips and fished out a small golden abacus from her hidden pouch, clicking it loudly.

Qin Matriarch told the steward, “Go see if they’re around.”

“Old Madam!” Steward Zhang was about to go in when Jifeng came out, smiling slyly at Linglong and bowing, “Madam.”

“I call you grandpa, not madam. Tell your old madam that back in Suiye City, to help Qin Dao Fei secure that business, I invested all my life savings. Didn’t I save your Xiaoyao Manor?” Linglong said impatiently.

Jifeng’s lips twitched but dared not retort. He said, “Yes, Madam, to buy Master six months’ time and prevent loss of reputation, you invested all your promissory notes!”

“How much?” Qin Matriarch only wanted the bottom line.

Jifeng looked at Linglong, who smiled, “Not much, just 300,000 taels of silver!”

“How come you, Feng Linglong, didn’t just take it by force?” Qin Matriarch glared.

Linglong stomped her foot and pointed at Qin Matriarch, “Old Madam, you need to understand that the opportunity I fought for your son was a gamble of all Xiaoyao Manor’s savings!”

“Oh no, how could he gamble so big?” Qin Matriarch felt guilty.

But Jifeng, ever the troublemaker, said, “Old Madam, if it weren’t for Madam’s negotiations, Xiaoyao Manor would have lost everything!”

“Fine, 300,000 taels of silver—I’ll give it to you!” For Qin Matriarch, anything to get rid of Linglong was best.

Linglong widened her eyes incredulously, “Old Madam, you don’t really think it’s just 300,000 taels, do you?”

“Th-there’s more?” Qin Matriarch was losing her composure.

Linglong clapped her hands, “Of course! Traveling from the capital to the desert, not counting daily expenses, just my friend’s business earnings are thousands of taels in gold. Add in our food, clothing, and expenses—about a thousand taels in gold and a thousand taels in silver—roughly 50,000 taels of silver!”

Qin Matriarch gritted her teeth, “For my son’s lifelong happiness, I’ll bear with you!”

“Not done yet?” Linglong looked innocent.

Qin Matriarch trembled, pleading, “Feng Linglong, can you just say it all at once?”

“Alright. Also, when we reached the Great Demon City, to save your son, my friend lost a stronghold. That can’t be measured in silver—it’s hard to establish oneself there. Plus, that young lady ran her own cloth shop, now gone. Isn’t it fair that Master Qin compensates her with 100,000 taels? And we saved your son’s life. Whether he’s trash or treasure depends on how you settle this account, Old Madam.”

If paid less, your son’s trash; if more, it’s deserved.

Qin Matriarch counted on her fingers—half a million taels of silver already, and that wasn’t all. Her son’s life was indeed valuable.

“Say it. How much do you want? Say it quickly so I can give you the money and you can leave!” Qin Matriarch rubbed her temples, exasperated.

Linglong grinned, “One million taels, since I’m technically Master Qin’s wife, I won’t ask for more!”

One million taels?

Qin Matriarch’s legs went weak as she leaned on Xia He and said to Steward Zhang, “Check how much Xiaoyao Manor has on the books.”

“Yes, Old Madam!” Zhang was moved to tears by seeing such a scene after so long.

After a while, Zhang returned, “Old Madam, only 100,000 taels in the account.”

“My own dowry is over 200,000 taels, plus 100,000 taels in the account, and 200,000 taels I’m keeping for Lord Wang. Altogether, only 500,000 taels—not enough!” Qin Matriarch panicked badly.

Jifeng murmured, “Wasn’t there 500,000 taels in the bride price for the new wife?”

“Yes, yes, give that to Feng Linglong. She’s a little orphan anyway, bride price or not, it all belongs to the Qin family!” The old madam was excited and told the steward, “Give everything to Feng Linglong and forbid her from coming to our mansion again!”

Then Steward Zhang handed over 500,000 taels in silver notes and 500,000 taels worth of bridal gifts to Linglong. Linglong led the Xiaoyao Manor people, proudly and grandly bringing the bridal gifts home.

Seeing Linglong’s triumphant look, Qin Matriarch couldn’t hold on any longer. Her eyes rolled back and she fainted.

After Linglong left, Jifeng hurried to the Second Prince’s mansion and whispered into Qin Dao Fei’s ear. Qin Dao Fei frowned, “Did she make my mother faint again?”

“Yes, fainted!” Jifeng gloated.

The Second Prince laughed, “Brother Qin, clearly your heart’s favorite is special. Your mother’s had a hard few years.”

Qin Dao Fei ground his teeth, “She used to know how to cheer my mother up. She’s only acting so arrogant since coming back!”

“Wish you happiness!” The Second Prince said without sincerity.

Qin Dao Fei stood coldly and looked the Second Prince up and down, sneering, “Someone who can’t even admit they like me has no right to mock me!”

Then Qin Dao Fei left, and the Second Prince watched his retreating figure in silence.

Meanwhile, Linglong.

After receiving those bridal gifts from Qin Dao Fei, she returned to Qingyun Hall and immediately checked them. Seeing them made her grind her teeth in anger—the bridal gifts Qin Dao Fei gave his new wife were exactly the same as those he gave the Feng family back then.

Exactly the same!

Linglong stomped down the stairs and rushed to the kitchen. She stole the cooking wine Hua’er was using, took it back to her room, and shouted at the beam, “Xiaoyao Manor, who’s responsible here, come out!”

The one who appeared was Wuying, bowing, “Madam, what are your orders?”

“Tell Qin Dao Fei this!” Linglong raised the wine bottle, “A toast to the past—if either I or Qin Dao Fei turns back, the one who does is a dog!”

Pfft!

Wuying couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Linglong took a swig of the wine and mournfully said, “Go tell him if not, I’ll burn down your house!”

Wuying sighed and left.

Back at Xiaoyao Manor, Wuying didn’t dare meet Qin Dao Fei and passed the task to Jifeng.

Jifeng, fearless, was delighted.

He grabbed a bottle of yellow wine from the kitchen and staggered into the study. In front of Qin Dao Fei, he raised the bottle and said, “Madam asked me to deliver a message to Master. Wuying dared not, so I had no choice but to act as the messenger. Master, please restrain yourself!”

Qin Dao Fei frowned, “One chance. Speak properly.”

In Linglong’s voice, Jifeng said, “A toast to the past—if either I or Qin Dao Fei turns back, the one who does is a dog!”

...

The sudden silence was deafening.

Qin Dao Fei looked at Jifeng softly, “She said that?”

“Yes, she did!” Jifeng struggled to hold back laughter.

Seeing his pain, Qin Dao Fei kindly said, “Don’t hold it in, laugh!”

“No, I don’t want to laugh at all!” Jifeng’s face flushed dark red.

“Alright then,” Qin Dao Fei said coldly, “Since you don’t want to laugh, come over and clean my sword.”

Clean the sword... what for?

Jifeng was terrified, looking at Qin Dao Fei in panic.

“Not coming?” Qin Dao Fei said coldly.

Jifeng, risking a frostbite, approached. Just then, Tang Li entered. Jifeng immediately handed over the task, “Master, Brother Li is here. He’s better suited to this. I’m off!”

With that, Jifeng dashed out, leaving the manor filled with his wild laughter.

Tang Li frowned, “Jifeng gone mad?”

“Chase him down and silence him!” Qin Dao Fei ordered calmly.

“Got it, I’m on it!” Tang Li laughed.

He chased after Jifeng, who was hiding in a large tree behind Xiaoyao Manor, laughing uncontrollably while hugging the trunk.

Tang Li caught up and crossed his arms, “Who taught you this reckless habit?”

“No one, Brother Li. You don’t understand, I just couldn’t help it. It’s too funny!” Jifeng twisted and kicked his legs as he laughed.

Tang Li said coldly, “Master ordered me to silence you. You coming down on your own, or do I come up?”

Silence you say?

Jifeng hugged the tree, looking pitiful, “Brother Li, you can’t do this to me. If you heard it, you wouldn’t be able to hold back either!”

“I’m listening,” Tang Li said.

Jifeng seized the chance and told Tang Li the whole story. Tang Li had been holding back laughter, but when Jifeng added, “I wonder if next time Master and Madam meet, they’ll call each other dog man and dog woman!”

Dog man and dog woman?

Pfft hahahaha!

Tang Li couldn’t hold it anymore. The image was just too beautiful to bear.

Jifeng rolled his eyes, “See? You laughed. How can you silence me now?”

Uh...

Hahaha!

Tang Li sat under the tree, laughing until he twitched, “I don’t care. Let’s just laugh. If this keeps up, who knows what Master will turn into under Madam’s influence!”

Thus, not only was Jifeng not silenced, he gained an ally.

That night.

Qin Dao Fei quietly sneaked into Qingyun Hall. He saw Linglong clutching the wine bottle, sound asleep. Feng Yixiao was beside her, belly up, also fast asleep. He felt all his recent troubles vanish.

He sat by the couch, gently brushing Linglong’s hair behind her ear, recalling what she said that afternoon. He couldn’t help but smile.

“Feng Linglong, I’m the dog, and you’re the dog!”

“Shut up, you’re the dog!” Linglong, still half asleep, slapped Qin Dao Fei on the face and scolded.

Qin Dao Fei didn’t get angry. Grabbing Linglong’s hand, he bit her finger one by one, growing hungrier and more mischievous.

Ahem!

At that moment, Aifei “kindly” interrupted, poking her head in and coldly saying, “Don’t engage in beastly behavior!”

Qin Dao Fei obediently stopped, spent the night with Linglong until dawn, then left quietly.

The next morning.

Ye Lishang stood at Linglong’s bedside like a ghost and said coldly, “Feng Linglong, I’m very upset!”

“There’s a knife there. Feel free!” Linglong mumbled groggily.

“I can’t live anymore. No one comforts me. What’s the point of living? I won’t live anymore!” Ye Lishang sat on Linglong’s bed, crying and throwing a tantrum. Linglong was scared and quickly sat up, patting Ye Lishang’s head, “Come on, I’ll comfort you!”

Ye Lishang grabbed Linglong’s sleeve, “Linglong, marry me?”

Uh...

Linglong was momentarily dumbfounded, “Are you crazy or stupid?”

“I don’t want to like anyone else. I just want to marry some woman, just to prove I’m married. I’m so heartbroken!” Ye Lishang said, shedding a tear.

For some reason, seeing him like this made Linglong feel especially sad.

“Alright, I’ll help you. But on one condition: you have to pass in front of Qin Dao Fei’s bridal sedan chair with pride!” Linglong was still angry and wanted Ye Lishang to make sure Qin Dao Fei knew her power.

Ye Lishang nodded, “Fine. You help me too. After we’re married, let’s show our love at the Second Prince’s mansion so Qin Dao Fei and that bastard Cheng Jie can see how happy we are!”

“Yes, very happy!” Linglong said indignantly.

Thus, two disheartened souls—a woman and a man—formed this strange alliance and quickly teamed up.

Ye Lishang pulled out a bundle containing all the wedding attire and ran to the next room, tossing Hua’er over, “Dress Linglong!”

Hua’er did Linglong’s makeup and changed her clothes. Afterward, Linglong was carried into the bridal sedan chair. Approaching Caishikou, Linglong heard the distant sound of suona trumpets.

She felt excited yet a bit regretful.

She had acted impulsively agreeing to help Ye Lishang perform, not knowing if Qin Dao Fei would laugh at her naivety.

Hmph!

Linglong thought, naive or not, she had been naive before!

She lifted the curtain and said to Ye Lishang, “Charge!”

“Got it!” Ye Lishang was thrilled and led the sedan chair straight into the other.

The two bridal sedan chairs collided. According to custom, they had to compete for the road. Whichever side went first would be blessed with happiness.

The sedan chair carriers fought fiercely, blocking and pushing each other in a lively scene. Spectators clapped and cheered, treating it like a performance.

Poor Linglong, the bride, was tossed around inside the chair, dizzy and nearly vomiting.

“All right, our sedan chair got the road!” someone shouted outside. Linglong barely heard it, then felt the chair resume its normal pace.

“Here we are!” the matchmaker announced. “Groom, kick open the sedan door!”

Dizzy, Linglong only saw a pair of brand-new black boots gently kick the door. The matchmaker handed her a red silk ribbon, and then someone pulled her out.

They bowed and paid respects at the wedding altar and entered the bridal chamber. Linglong felt like a puppet, doing whatever she was told, her mind blank.

Once inside, Linglong finally relaxed, “Damn it, to fake a wedding like this, Ye Lishang, you’re something else!”

She lifted the red veil and locked eyes with the person standing at the door.

It was none other than Qin Matriarch Xiangyu, looking as if she’d seen a ghost.

“What are you doing here?”

Both spoke simultaneously, questioning each other. Linglong glanced around, “Heavens, isn’t this Linglong Pavilion?”

Linglong refused to believe it. She ran out, looked around the courtyard—wasn’t this Xiaoyao Manor?

“Who can tell me what’s going on?” Linglong demanded in frustration.

Qin Matriarch stepped forward and swung at Linglong’s face. Linglong ducked, and Qin Matriarch crashed into the doorpost, leaving a purple bruise across her forehead.

“Feng Linglong, you shameless woman!” Qin Matriarch fumed, pointing at Linglong. “You came to my house for a million taels two days ago and now you regret it? How dare you marry in again? I’ve lived a long life and never met anyone as shameless as you!”

Qin Matriarch’s accusation was piercing.

Linglong was bewildered but stood with hands on hips and shouted, “Qin Dao Fei, I’m giving you a chance to explain! Otherwise, I’ll burn down your Tongtian Pavilion!”

“You can’t burn Tongtian Pavilion. Linglong Pavilion just got built. If it burns down again, I really can’t afford to rebuild!” Qin Dao Fei, dressed in festive clothes, walked over calmly, smiling at Linglong.

Linglong was furious, lunged forward grabbing Qin Dao Fei’s collar, demanding, “What’s going on?”

Qin Matriarch asked the same.

Qin Dao Fei pulled both of them inside and had them sit. He said to Qin Matriarch, “You had someone deliver the bridal gifts to Linglong that day. Everyone in the city saw it, right?”

“Yes, but...” Qin Matriarch was cut off by Qin Dao Fei, who turned to Linglong, “You accepted the bridal gifts, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but...” Linglong didn’t get to finish before Qin Dao Fei shook his head, “Since one side sent the gifts and the other accepted, the marriage is basically done.”

Linglong and Qin Matriarch stood at the same time. Qin Matriarch pointed at Qin Dao Fei, her voice trembling, “That’s not true at all!”

At the same time, Linglong slapped Qin Dao Fei hard on the head, angrily saying, “In fact, that was your mother compensating me for my losses.”

Qin Matriarch saw Linglong hitting her son and cursed, “Wretch, how dare you hit my son?”

“So what if I hit him? He schemed against me!” Linglong was full of fiery energy, ready to explode. Anyone who tried to stop her would get hit.

Qin Matriarch continued cursing, “If you hit my son again, get out!”

“That’s not right, Old Madam. Weren’t we supposed to settle accounts with Qin Dao Fei? Why are you targeting me?” Linglong’s mind turned, realizing things were complicated.

Qin Dao Fei rubbed his nose. Women really shouldn’t be too clever.

Qin Matriarch was stunned, then looked at Qin Dao Fei, “Right, those were just things I used to offset debts, not bridal gifts.”

“Mother, whose offset goods are decorated with ‘double happiness’ and red silk?” Qin Dao Fei asked coldly.

Qin Matriarch was speechless.

Linglong quickly added, “But everyone knows they were for offsetting debts!”

“Who knows?” Qin Dao Fei retorted.

“Your servants know! The people at Qingyun Hall know!” Linglong shouted, hands on hips.

Qin Dao Fei waved and their servants and Qingyun Hall staff stood downstairs. He asked, “Did you deliver bridal gifts or offset goods?”

The servants said, “Master, the Old Madam ordered us to deliver bridal gifts!”

Qin Dao Fei asked Qingyun Hall’s people, “And you, did you see Linglong accept bridal gifts or offset goods?”

They said, “Who knows what that was? Miss didn’t say. But any clear-eyed person could tell it was bridal gifts!”

“You...” Linglong was so angry she grabbed her phoenix coronet to smash down.

“Miss, we’re no good at fighting. If you break us, what will we do?”

Ahhh!

Linglong stamped her foot, pointing at them, “Ungrateful bunch!”

“If we were ungrateful, we wouldn’t care about Miss’s life or death. Miss, live happily with your husband. We’re leaving!” Qingyun Hall’s people walked away, as did Xiaoyao Manor’s servants.

Linglong and Qin Matriarch stared at each other.

“Old Madam, your son’s cheating. Don’t you care? How can you be such a mother?” Unable to argue with Qin Dao Fei, Linglong shifted her anger to Qin Matriarch, hoping she’d deal with her son.

Qin Matriarch sat on the ground, patting her thigh, crying, “Lord, why didn’t you take me away too? What’s the point of living?”

“Mother, Father can’t hear you, but if you want someone to take you away, I have some good candidates with good character!” Qin Dao Fei said coldly.

Qin Matriarch’s face darkened as she pointed at Qin Dao Fei, speechless.

History repeated.

Qin Matriarch pointed at Linglong, “Aren’t you clever? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to stay at Xiaoyao Manor? Then leave. If you leave, everything’s over.”

“Not a chance! These bridal gifts were your family’s offset payments. If I leave, I’m taking them with me!” Linglong wouldn’t stop without the money.

Qin Matriarch rolled her eyes, “You’re so scheming. You must have come back on purpose. Get out!”

“Hey, hey, understand this—I’m the victim!” Linglong said, hating Qin Matriarch for losing control over her son and shouting at her.

But Qin Matriarch was beyond reason. She lunged at Linglong, grabbed her hand, and dragged her away, “Get out, get out!”

Oh, my temper!

Linglong pushed Qin Matriarch into Xia He’s arms, grabbed Qin Dao Fei’s hand, and said, “If you want me to leave, I’m not going! Go, Qin Dao Fei, to the bridal chamber!”

Then Linglong, in front of Qin Matriarch, pulled Qin Dao Fei inside and shut the door.

Qin Matriarch pounded on the door, “Feng Linglong, open the door!”

“Don’t come in! Your son’s clothes are all off!” Linglong yelled.

Qin Matriarch collapsed to her knees, crying bitterly.

Qin Dao Fei pinched his eyebrows and whispered, “If you must make my mother cry, can’t you just talk nicely?”

“No!” Linglong was afraid Qin Matriarch would really come in, grabbed Qin Dao Fei’s collar, and pushed him onto the bed.

Qin Dao Fei happily swung his legs, “Wife, haven’t had the wedding wine yet!”

“Oh, okay!” Linglong blankly went to pour wine, but halfway through, she felt something was off and pointed at Qin Dao Fei trembling, “What did you make me do?”

Qin Dao Fei came over, embraced Linglong from behind, and held her hand to finish pouring the wine.

With deep affection, he said, “Linglong, I owe you a wedding, so I want to give it to you!”

Then, to Linglong’s stunned eyes, Qin Dao Fei fed her wine, then took her hand and had her feed him a cup.

“You did it on purpose!” Linglong grumbled.

Qin Dao Fei nodded, “Yes, I did. But my mother’s outside. If you don’t want her and Tan Xiyin to make a laughingstock of you, you better go out. Also, if you want to deal with Tan Xiyin, you won’t have the chance if you don’t stay here!”

“I won’t fall for your tricks!” Linglong declared, refusing to be fooled again.

Qin Dao Fei smiled, “Linglong, do you want your second wedding to have regrets too?”

That really hit home.

Linglong thought seriously, then angrily said, “Even so, you’re always scheming against me!”

“I’m not!” Qin Dao Fei refused to admit it.

Linglong glared at him. Outside, Qin Matriarch still sobbed pitifully. Qin Dao Fei felt bad seeing his mother cry and said, “Shall we apologize to her together?”

“No. I was schemed against. If anyone owes an apology, it’s you. I’m not wrong. Why should I apologize?” Linglong muttered.

Qin Dao Fei sighed, “Fine, I won’t force you to do what you don’t want.”

But his expression showed he hated seeing his mother cry.

Linglong grumbled, “Send someone to bring Feng Yixiao over to her so she can hold him and calm down!”

Qin Matriarch always firmly believed Feng Yixiao was Qin Dao Fei and Linglong’s child.

Hearing this, Qin Dao Fei was delighted. He hugged Linglong and kissed her hard, “I just love that you’re stubborn but soft-hearted!”

Hmph!

Linglong disdainfully wiped the kiss-off and sat on the desk sulking.

Qin Dao Fei opened the window and sent someone to fetch Feng Yixiao, then stared at Linglong sulking, not daring to come closer.

Soon, Hua’er carried Feng Yixiao upstairs. Seeing Qin Matriarch kneeling and crying miserably, Hua’er’s resentment softened. She put Feng Yixiao down and smiled, “Yixiao, go find Grandma!”

Feng Yixiao, just learning to walk, wobbled two steps and nearly fell. Qin Matriarch pounced, holding the child tightly and scolding, “How can you take care of a child like this? She can barely walk!”

Uh!

“Old Madam, Yixiao can walk two steps, and she can hold onto the wall to walk. The little girl is very smart, she won’t fall!” Hua’er said kindly.

Qin Matriarch was still dissatisfied, grumbling, “Smart she may be, but a child is a child. Yixiao, come with Grandma. These people are mad. Let’s ignore them!”

Yixiao was at the talking stage. Hearing “Grandma,” she squinted and called out in a baby voice, “Grandma!”

Ah!

Qin Matriarch hugged Feng Yixiao tightly, showering the child with kisses, having completely forgotten about Linglong and Qin Dao Fei.

“Come with me to Songbai Residence. I’ll have Xia He teach you how to care for children. Really, you don’t know anything, yet you dared to entrust the child to me!” Qin Matriarch, disheveled, took Feng Yixiao and left.

Hua’er didn’t dare speak and followed.

Linglong rolled her eyes inside. Qin Dao Fei watched her smile.

“Linglong, thank you!” Qin Dao Fei reached to hug her.

Linglong grabbed his chest with her hand. Seeing this, Qin Dao Fei quickly dodged and tried to grab her back. Linglong was fierce. Unable to catch him, she bent low, aiming at his lower body.

Qin Dao Fei smiled helplessly, put his hands on Linglong’s shoulders, flipped over her head, and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifting her up.

Linglong nestled in Qin Dao Fei’s arms, and for some reason tears began to fall.

“Qin Dao Fei, you never know how to properly comfort me!” Linglong accused.

Qin Dao Fei looked helplessly at her, “I did comfort you, but I can’t let you hurt me. I still want the bridal chamber!”

Bastard!

Linglong cursed silently but still scolded him, “You schemed against me from the start!”

“I told all the shops in the capital not to accept your silver, so you could extort me in peace. I know you regret the wedding back then, and I went to great lengths to give you one. What else do you want? I’ll gradually change and satisfy you. Just don’t leave me!” Qin Dao Fei held Linglong, gently wiping her tears.

Linglong angrily said, “I asked you to chase me for seven years. Did you?”

“I’ll chase you for a lifetime, but only here. I can’t let you live outside!” Qin Dao Fei was unusually well-behaved.

Linglong pushed his hand away, “Fine, I’ll give you a chance to chase me. Let go first!”

Good!

Qin Dao Fei let go. Linglong said, “Go sit over there!”

Qin Dao Fei obediently sat on the couch.

Linglong said, “Close your eyes!”

Qin Dao Fei obediently shut his eyes.

Linglong swiftly unfastened her belt, walked over, tied Qin Dao Fei to the bedpost with it, then blindfolded him with a black cloth, angrily saying, “I’m tired. I’m going to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow!”

Thus, Qin Dao Fei’s wedding night passed in desolation.

The next morning, Linglong got up early to look for Hua’er and Yixiao. She hadn’t seen Yixiao all day and missed him terribly.

After Linglong left, Tang Li and Jifeng slipped into her room and saw Qin Dao Fei casually undo the ropes on himself. In their surprised eyes, Qin Dao Fei said calmly, “Was everything smooth last night?”

“Very smooth. Just don’t know if Master was as smooth!” Jifeng hinted.

Tang Li elbowed Jifeng, “You brat, if Master didn’t want it, how could Madam have tied him up?”

“From now on, call her Madam. Xiaoyao Manor has only one Madam!” Qin Dao Fei said calmly and left first.

Linglong didn’t find Feng Yixiao or Hua’er in Hua’er’s room. Returning, she saw the three about to leave. She kicked Qin Dao Fei hard, “Did I allow you to untie the ropes?”

“I’m going out for a bit. I’ll come back tonight to continue playing with you!” For some reason, Qin Dao Fei’s serious words always sounded a bit different coming from him.

Linglong rolled her eyes in frustration, “Get lost!”

Qin Dao Fei took Jifeng and Tang Li and left.

Shortly after, Linglong heard the sound of a wheelchair downstairs. She grinned, neither going out nor speaking.

Tan Xiyin looked up at the upstairs, softly saying, “Madam, I am Dao Fei’s concubine Tan Xiyin, here to pay respects, but my legs are inconvenient, so I can’t come up. Please do not mind.”

“Aifei, come down!” Linglong beckoned and had Aifei sit beside her, who said coldly, “If you’re inconvenient, don’t trouble me.”

Pfft!

So aloof!

Linglong admired Aifei.

Aifei was indifferent, poured herself some tea, and waited for Tan Xiyin’s response.

Tan Xiyin, unaware the Madam who married in last night was the former Madam, clenched her fists in disdain, thinking, “A lowly woman marries over here just because of Dao Fei’s words and dares to look down on me?”

“Xiaoyao Manor is a wealthy family. I dare not disrespect the Madam and must pay respects!” Tan Xiyin patiently explained.

Aifei spoke up, “Isn’t it customary for wealthy families to bring gifts when meeting? Where’s your gift?”

Ah!

Linglong was troubled. How could Aifei ask the concubine for a gift? Well done!

Uh...

Tan Xiyin was stunned looking at the maid beside her. The maid’s hearing was sharp. She said coldly to Tan Xiyin, “Second Madam, the Madam is asking you for a gift.”

“I heard it!” Tan Xiyin ground her teeth angrily. She didn’t know if Xiaoyao Manor had problems or if Qin Dao Fei’s judgment of people was off. This woman was just like Feng Linglong—greedy for money.

Tan Xiyin looked at herself. The only thing she could offer was the jade bracelet on her wrist, secretly saved during the half-year Qin Dao Fei was away and she was in charge.

Last time, Xiao Cui stole all her valuables. Now, Tan Xiyin was strapped for cash and could hardly manage anything.

Though it hurt, she had no choice but to take off the jade bracelet and have a maid deliver it upstairs to the Madam.

Knock knock knock!

The maid knocked. Aifei opened the door crack and took the bracelet without even looking at the maid.

Genius!

[End]