Chapter 22: Love That Penetrates the Bones—Whose Yearning Is It?

Linglong listened to Qin Daofei’s tone and couldn’t help but feel as if a libertine were heading to a brothel for pleasure. Ugh! She stuck out her tongue in secret, thinking, why am I cursing myself to be like a courtesan?

“This evening, there’s a banquet at Lord Xiang’s residence. I’ll be back late,” Qin Daofei explained his whereabouts.

The moment Linglong heard he was going to Lord Xiang’s, she perked up, ran over in her socks, and fawningly helped Qin Daofei straighten his clothes.

“Maintain propriety!” Qin Daofei shot back, using Linglong’s own words against her.

Linglong slapped his chest with a mischievous smile. “Master Qin, you’re so amusing. After all these years as husband and wife, what’s the point of acting reserved?”

“Who just said that about propriety?” Qin Daofei gave her a cold glance.

Linglong took up his belt, fastened it for him, then looked up with hopeful eyes. “Do you need an attendant at Lord Xiang’s?”

“Not at all!” Qin Daofei was laughing inside, but his face remained icy, not betraying even a hint of a smile.

Linglong, having finished his belt, thoughtfully twisted a towel and handed it over. “I’ll be good, just eating my fill and keeping quiet.”

“I don’t need a dog!” Qin Daofei rejected her ruthlessly.

Linglong, furious, grabbed his collar. “What do you want, then?”

“Linglong, if you’re asking for a favor, you should act the part!” Qin Daofei coldly pulled her hand away and flicked the wrinkles from his lapel.

Linglong gritted her teeth, forcing a smile uglier than crying, clutching Qin Daofei’s sleeve, and pleading in a soft, childish voice. “Daofei, please, I want to go too.”

Ugh!

Qin Daofei’s face grew long. “Speak properly!”

“If you take me, I won’t pursue the matter of those hundred thousand taels anymore,” Linglong said with difficulty.

Qin Daofei didn’t even lift his eyelids. “I’ve already given you the money. Try another offer.”

“Then… then… I’ll help you dress every day!” Linglong blurted out, risking it all.

But Qin Daofei was still unsatisfied, coldly saying, “Tang Li does that better than you.”

“Just tell me what you want!” Linglong was at her wit’s end.

Qin Daofei scanned her up and down, speaking slowly, “There’s nothing about you that I find appealing.”

“Not even this?” Linglong suddenly leaned in and pressed a fierce kiss to his lips, so forceful that Qin Daofei wondered if his mouth was bleeding.

Qin Daofei wrapped an arm around her waist, responding with ardor, then murmured, “Fine, I’ll take you. But in the future, be more proactive in matters like this.”

Linglong looked skyward, tearful—what a scoundrel!

Her speechlessness delighted Qin Daofei; he curled his lips into a lordly smile, spreading his hands. “You’ve cinched my belt too tight—loosen it.”

“If I don’t strangle you, I’ll take your surname,” Linglong muttered, determined to break his obstinate waist.

Qin Daofei said coolly, “Linglong, before you act, you’d better think. I have plenty of free time today.”

With that, he glanced meaningfully at the bed.

Linglong immediately straightened up, obediently loosening his belt, adjusting his ornaments and sachet, as meek as a little chambermaid.

Qin Daofei praised her without reserve, “Good girl.”

Linglong rewarded him with two enormous eye-rolls.

Every move between the two was clearly seen by Tan Xiyin outside the door. She was certain that Feng Linglong had spotted her, and deliberately kissed Qin Daofei in response.

Tan Xiyin, holding back tears, unwillingly cast one last glance at the embracing couple before quietly withdrawing.

After Tan Xiyin left, Qin Daofei’s gaze darkened. Linglong looked up at him, and he instantly concealed the depth in his expression, gazing at her blandly.

Soon, Tang Li returned from Lady Snowflower’s with a set of banquet attire. At the door, she ran into Madam Xiahe. Seeing Tang Li holding a box bearing Lady Snowflower’s trademark, Xiahe’s eyes flickered.

“Tang Li, hasn’t Second Madam always worn Miss Feng’s clothes? Why switch to Lady Snowflower’s?” Xiahe asked casually.

Tang Li glanced at the bag, replying carelessly, “This is for the First Madam, prepared by the Master for the banquet.”

With that, Tang Li walked off. Xiahe frowned, watching her leave, then rushed to the gatehouse to inquire, “Did anyone deliver an invitation to the Master today?”

“Yes, Lord Xiang’s residence sent a card inviting the Master to the banquet,” the gatekeeper recalled.

“Thank you!” Originally set to run errands, Xiahe, upon receiving this news, turned back toward Pine and Cypress Residence.

Once home, Xiahe hurriedly reported the matter of Qin Daofei taking Linglong to the banquet at Lord Xiang’s to Qin Wang Xiangyu.

Upon hearing it, Xiangyu slammed the table several times, making the tea cups clatter.

“Does Feng Linglong have no shame? She’s returned to the Qin family, yet she still maintains ties with Lord Xiang?”

“Madam…” Xiahe whispered in her ear, and Xiangyu’s expression softened slightly. She nodded, “If that’s the case, we have no choice.”

As they discussed, a corner of cloth silently vanished through the front gate.

Tang Li delivered the attire to Linglong Pavilion.

Qin Daofei said coolly, “Since you’re attending Lord Xiang’s banquet, you can’t go in all black. See if you’re satisfied. If not, I’ll personally take you to choose.”

“You expected me to follow you, didn’t you?” Linglong looked at him with a dark, sharp glint in her eyes.

Qin Daofei smiled, “This was originally for you to wear at home. I didn’t think you’d be so eager to see Lord Xiang.”

“You wouldn’t know unless you’re a mind reader!” Linglong was truly annoyed—damn it, she’d inadvertently been manipulated by Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei shrugged, unconcerned, “The star of tonight’s banquet is Lord Xiang’s sister-in-law. Would you like to try the dress?”

Sister-in-law?

Is this a matchmaking event?

“Give me the dress!” Linglong snatched it unwillingly and went to try it on.

Lady Snowflower’s gowns were luxurious and elegant, always the favorites among the noble ladies of the capital.

When Linglong reappeared before Qin Daofei, he couldn’t help but be dazzled.

A graceful woman stood before him, wearing a pale lotus-colored gown with subtle patterns trailing to the floor, her raven hair cascading behind her ears. As a gentle breeze swept by, the fragrance of her hair and the white jade tassels in her hairpin wavered before his eyes and nose, finally settling deep within his heart.

He suddenly regretted having said he’d take her to Lord Xiang’s banquet.

“Master Qin, does this suit me?” Linglong spun in a circle, her delicate scent wafting around him.

He stepped forward, gripping her slender waist, his voice husky and low. “Drop the ‘Qin,’ and I’ll reward you.”

“You’re the courtesan, your whole family are courtesans!” Linglong was furious, paying no mind to her splendid attire as she lifted her skirt to kick him.

Qin Daofei glanced at her sidelong, then said to Tang Li, who was watching the show from behind, “Go fetch a set of jewelry for the First Madam.”

With Tang Li gone, Linglong immediately shrank back, straightening her skirt and walking past Qin Daofei with dignity.

“Why stop?” Qin Daofei asked.

Linglong gave a half-hearted smile. “I need the restroom.”

“How urgent?” Qin Daofei held her waist, forbidding escape.

He was the kind of man brimming with predatory energy; Linglong found herself wrapped in his strong masculine aura. A blush crept up her cheeks and neck, her heart fluttered in fear that this lurking leopard might suddenly pounce, tear her apart, and devour her whole.

“I’m about to wet myself—urgent enough?” Linglong shoved Qin Daofei aside, fleeing to Hua’er’s room, slamming the door behind her, gasping for air.

Hua’er, cleaning up, saw Linglong pressed against the door in her lavish dress, panting, and asked curiously, “Miss, were you chased by a dog?”

“Pretty much.” Linglong patted her cheeks. Wasn’t that the case? A vicious dog.

Outside, Qin Daofei ground his teeth, his icy voice chilling even through the door. “Come out, it’s time to leave.”

“Vicious dog?” Hua’er mouthed to Linglong.

Linglong scrunched her features and nodded solemnly, “Yes!”

Hua’er shrank back, then, utterly lacking loyalty, pulled Linglong aside, opened the door, and bowed. “Is the Master taking Miss out?”

“Could Tang Li stay and look after Hua’er?” Linglong looked pleadingly at Qin Daofei.

He glanced at her, replying coolly, “Don’t you already have a vicious dog here—need more help?”

“Master Qin, you’re so funny—ha ha ha ha!” Linglong laughed dryly, her fingers clinging tightly to his sleeve, refusing to let go.

Sigh!

“Tang Li, stay here tonight,” Qin Daofei said, then grasped Linglong’s hand and led her away.

In the carriage.

Qin Daofei radiated a forbidding chill, while Linglong ignored him, idly playing with the dice at her waist.

“What’s with the dice?” Qin Daofei finally asked.

Linglong grinned, “Oh, these? I’ve depended on them for meals these past years. How about a round?”

“If you win, I’ll grant you a night of spring delight. If I win, you must accompany me for a night of spring delight.” Qin Daofei reached for her dice.

Linglong guarded it as if from a thief. “Scoundrel, go find your Tan concubine!”

Her actions summoned a storm in Qin Daofei’s eyes; he persisted in grabbing the dice, but Linglong looked up, eyes misty with tears. “I don’t want you to see.”

Qin Daofei’s hand hesitated, struggled, but finally dropped in defeat.

“Linglong’s dice conceal red beans, love engraved deep within the bone, unknown to all. Feng Linglong, whose bone bears your longing?” Qin Daofei asked, cool and distant.

Linglong paused, then laughed as she slipped her arm through his. “Yours, of course. You’ve known since childhood—I’ve always liked you!”

“Feng Linglong, sometimes I wish I could sew that noisy little mouth of yours shut,” Qin Daofei’s voice was cool and melancholy.

Linglong’s eyes flickered. She quietly hid the dice beneath her skirt and spoke not another word to him.