Chapter 44: A Bowl of Chicken Soup Offered to the Conqueror King

Ah!

Liu Fengying shivered with fright, letting out a brief cry before hurriedly covering her mouth and nose, afraid to make another sound.

“Did I startle the lady?” Linglong, “surprised,” held an empty bowl and turned to look at Liu Fengying.

Liu Fengying shook her head vigorously. “No, not at all. I was just worried you might scald yourself with the hot soup.”

“Oh!”

Linglong nodded emphatically. “This time, you must be careful. When I serve soup to my father, I can’t make a sound. He hates people talking loudly during meals.”

“Is… is there more?” Liu Fengying couldn’t bear it, avoiding looking in that direction.

Linglong nodded solemnly. “You don’t understand. My old man is strange. If he isn’t full, he’ll make everyone who ate at the table keep him company for another meal at night.”

“But… but your father isn’t…” Dead? How could a corpse ask people to eat with him?

“Hush!” Linglong gestured for silence, speaking mysteriously. “Don’t mention it, or he’ll certainly come find you tonight.”

“Alright… alright… alright!”

“I won’t mention it.” Those words should have been easy, but Liu Fengying couldn’t utter them.

Linglong nodded, thinking, “No more nonsense with you. If the soup cools, it won’t be as much fun.”

She cheerfully ladled another bowl of soup and, with precision and determination, poured it right into that spot.

A hiss!

With a crash, a bamboo wall was pushed over, and a man dressed in purple leapt out, pointing at Linglong and shouting, “I’m burned, I’m burned!”

He tore at his clothes, heedless of his image. It being summer, his garments were thin, and his chest was reddened and swollen from the scald.

“My lord, are you all right?” Liu Fengying hurried over to help wipe him down with a silk cloth.

Who else could it be but the Lord Xiang?

Linglong flung her bowl onto the table, and it rolled twice before falling to the ground, smashing with a sharp crack.

“Oh, Lord Xiang, how did you come out from there?” Linglong looked at him, her face smiling but her eyes icy, wishing she could freeze him to death.

“Feng Linglong, you knew I was behind the wall. You did it on purpose.” Lord Xiang strode forward, reaching for Linglong’s hand.

Linglong grabbed the soup basin, retreating two steps with resentment. “Go ahead, then.”

“That soup is hot, put it down!” Lord Xiang saw Linglong’s fingers reddening, forgetting his grievances and shouting in concern.

Linglong sneered, “How I handle it is none of your business.”

“Your business is my business. Put it down!” Lord Xiang was sweating with anxiety; he knew just how scalding chicken soup could be.

Linglong asked angrily, “I want to ask the lady—weren’t we supposed to be talking privately, no men allowed? Why is Lord Xiang here? Isn’t he a man?”

“This…” Liu Fengying dared not tell Linglong the truth, fearing Linglong would pour the soup over her head if angered.

“Speak!” Linglong raised the soup, threatening Liu Fengying.

Lord Xiang, wanting to calm Linglong’s anger, explained, “I told her to do it. Don’t be upset, put the bowl down.”

“Oh!”

Linglong smiled. “Since that’s the case, should the lady drink this bowl herself, or shall I force it down?”

Either way, death awaited.

Liu Fengying anxiously stepped back, pleading, “Miss Linglong, I was wrong, please don’t do this.”

“Madam, killing the lady won’t benefit you either. Please put the bowl down,” Fang Qing worried about Linglong’s scalds and stepped forward to snatch the bowl.

Lord Xiang rushed to grab Linglong’s hand, frustrated. “I told you not to hold it—now you’re burned!”

“Your concubine caused my scald. How will you compensate me?” Linglong snatched her hand away, shaking it fiercely, then grabbed a wet cloth from the table to wipe it vigorously.

Lord Xiang, used to Linglong’s attitude, watched her with a bitter expression.

Then, catching Liu Fengying off guard, Lord Xiang pressed her hand into the chicken soup, saying coldly, “You best not resist. When Linglong relents, I’ll release you.”

“Miss Linglong, please!” Liu Fengying’s face twisted with pain, yet she dared not pull her hand out.

Linglong glanced at her coolly. “Don’t play the pitiful act with me. I don’t fall for it. Take it out.”

Only then did Lord Xiang allow Liu Fengying to remove her hand from the soup. Her maid stood paralyzed, but Fang Qing quickly took a basin of cool water and immersed Liu Fengying’s hand.

Liu Fengying was dizzy with pain but still didn’t dare cry aloud.

“If Lord Xiang is finished, please don’t disturb our conversation.” Linglong’s face was cold as she ordered Lord Xiang to leave.

But Lord Xiang was determined to seize Linglong and would not let her go so easily.

“Linglong, all these years, I let you be with Qin Daofei. You’ve had freedom, pursued love, but he gave you nothing. Today, I won’t let you leave.” Lord Xiang’s resolve was ironclad; nothing could stop his ambition toward Linglong.

Linglong sneered. “Is this amusing to you, Lord Xiang?”

“I don’t care. Amusing or not, I want you.” No matter what Linglong said or did, his mind would not change.

Linglong stared coldly at Lord Xiang, who gazed at her with burning eyes.

The private room was silent as a deserted night; everyone breathed carefully.

Then, from outside, came a knocking.

“Who is it?” Lord Xiang barked.

A pause, then, “Your Highness, the elite you hid in the patrol camp have been captured for some unknown reason. They confessed. The Second Prince is furious and plans to behead them.”

“What?” That army had taken Lord Xiang three years and untold riches to assemble; if they were lost, his losses would be immense.

“If Your Highness explains they were trained to guard the estate, there might be hope,” the servant reminded.

Yes, yes!

Lord Xiang, frantic, suddenly stopped, casting Linglong a deep look before telling Liu Fengying, “Watch her. If she disappears, your path to becoming princess will be forever out of reach.”

“Yes!” Liu Fengying trembled under Lord Xiang’s gaze.

Lord Xiang paused, looked at Linglong, then strode out.

After he left, Linglong sat calmly, as if nothing had happened. “Liu Fengying, was the chicken soup tasty?”

“You wretch, I will reclaim today’s humiliation from you one day,” Liu Fengying snarled.

Linglong was unperturbed. She poured a cup of tea for Liu Fengying and said coldly, “I just want you to see clearly: no matter what you do, in the end, Lord Xiang will only care about me. The moment you help him acquire me is the moment you drift further from your ambition. I won’t tell Qin Daofei about today, but if you try anything again, I won’t go easy on you.”

“You really won’t tell him?” Liu Fengying stared in disbelief, unable to believe Linglong would let it go so easily.

Linglong nodded. “Why should I? Your goal is to become mistress of Lord Xiang’s household; his goal is to stop Lord Xiang from pursuing me. At heart, your purposes are aligned.”

“Aligned? How so?” Liu Fengying sneered at Linglong’s naivety.

Linglong looked at her, speaking slowly, “If Lord Xiang gets me, none of you will ever be queen.”

Though arrogant, Liu Fengying knew it was true.

“If I stay with Qin Daofei and Lord Xiang abandons his obsession, whichever of you sisters rises, the queen’s seat will be yours. Think it over,” Linglong advised earnestly.

Unable to hold back, Liu Fengying blurted, “Will you avenge your father’s death by Lord Xiang?”

“My father gave me life so I could survive. I can’t win against him; I don’t want to provoke him. If I can spend my days with Qin Daofei, I’m content.” Linglong’s beautiful eyebrows knit together, her sorrow palpable.

Heh!

Liu Fengying smirked. “To sit as mistress of the greatest estate, to be cherished by a man like Qin Daofei—isn’t it happier than scheming in court?”

Linglong’s eyes lingered deeply on Liu Fengying, then she smiled.

Liu Fengying sensed something amiss, lifted her teacup fiercely then set it down, coldly saying, “Now that Lord Xiang’s plan has reached this stage, if I let you go, he’ll kill me.”

“I don’t need you to let me go. My husband is coming to fetch me.” Linglong gazed out the window, her smile serene and blissful.

Qin Daofei is here?

“You said you wouldn’t tell him?” Liu Fengying looked at Linglong as if her world had collapsed, wishing she could kill Linglong.

Linglong smiled. “Have I told him? But do you know why the estate is known as the greatest? You’d better come up with an excuse to clear your name.”

An excuse?

What excuse?

Liu Fengying trembled uncontrollably, her mind muddled, unable to think.

“For instance, slap yourself hard—make your cheeks look battered. Tell Qin Daofei you were beaten by Lord Xiang, forced to do this, and if you disobeyed, he’d kill you. Qin Daofei won’t blame you. Then tell Lord Xiang your wounds are from me, and that Qin Daofei came for me. I threatened suicide, so you let me go, afraid I’d hurt myself. How’s that?”

Hearing this, Liu Fengying gritted her teeth and slapped herself twice, then cupped her face, asking Linglong, “Is that enough?”

“A man’s strength is much greater, and as Feng Linglong, I’m far more forceful when I lash out.”

Slap, slap, slap!

As Linglong finished speaking, Liu Fengying quickly slapped herself again.

She didn’t hold back; her face swelled, looking like two enormous buns.

Linglong nodded. “Excellent, very good!”

No sooner had she spoken than the private room’s door was kicked open.

Qin Daofei entered like a demon from the underworld, coldly staring at Liu Fengying.

“Master Qin!” Liu Fengying threw herself into his arms, but Qin Daofei grasped her wrist tightly, forcing her to step back.

“Master Qin, you’re hurting me.” Liu Fengying’s words nearly made Linglong spit blood—what a shameless woman!

Qin Daofei glanced at Liu Fengying, then turned to Linglong. “You’re not hurt, are you?”

“I’m fine!” Linglong winked playfully at him.

Qin Daofei shot her a look, then addressed Liu Fengying. “You said you came to talk with my wife?”

“Yes, yes!” Liu Fengying trembled uncontrollably.

Qin Daofei snorted. “As soon as you left, Lord Xiang’s men arrived, accusing me of treason and trying to take me to the authorities. Had the Second Prince not happened to be at home, I’d be in jail now. Coincidentally, Lord Xiang never showed up. My men traced him and found he’d arrived at this music house early.”

“Master Qin, I didn’t mean it. Lord Xiang is cruel; I had no choice. He beat me, threatened to kill me if I didn’t obey.” Liu Fengying clung to his sleeve, sliding to her knees.

Qin Daofei looked down at Liu Fengying, easily discerning her fresh wounds. He glanced at Linglong, who stuck out her tongue.

If not for wanting to maintain his image, Qin Daofei would have rubbed his temples, his head aching.

“Liu Fengying, this time, even if Lord Xiang forced you, I won’t hold it against you. Next time, remember: I helped you rise; I can help your elder sister just as well. She is the legitimate one, after all.”

With that, Qin Daofei took Linglong and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, Linglong pressed her brow. “Ah! I…” Then she collapsed softly into Qin Daofei’s arms.

“What did you give her?” Qin Daofei demanded.

Liu Fengying trembled. “Lord Xiang had someone administer it—‘Yin-Yang Harmonizing Powder’!”

“Well done.” Qin Daofei said, then carried Linglong away.

Fang Qing hurried after them.

Liu Fengying stood pitifully in place, feeling aggrieved. “What was all this for?”

Back in the carriage, Linglong burst out laughing, gently pushing Qin Daofei away. “If you’d come any later, I’d have made Liu Fengying regret being alive.”

Blaming him for arriving early!

Qin Daofei ignored Linglong, turning to ask Fang Qing, “What did she do?”

“Not much—just poured two bowls of hot chicken soup on Lord Xiang hiding in the dark, then got Lord Xiang to make Liu Fengying wash her hands in the hot soup, and finally convinced Liu Fengying to slap herself five times.”

Fang Qing couldn’t help admiring Linglong—she managed to torment Liu Fengying without lifting a finger.

Qin Daofei rubbed his brow in silence.

His headache was severe!

“Do you think they’ll harm Lady Si?” Linglong looked anxiously toward the music house.

Qin Daofei squeezed her small hand. “Don’t worry. With your performance just now, and Lady Si’s finesse among the nobility, Lord Xiang won’t dare touch her.”

“I wasn’t acting. I really was drugged!” Linglong clutched her throat, looking pained.

Qin Daofei smirked. “With ‘Yin-Yang Harmonizing Powder,’ you played the wrong part.”

Fang Qing looked away, refusing to watch them.

Linglong suddenly sat upright, straightened her clothes, and earnestly scolded Qin Daofei, “Master Qin, as the leader, a model for all martial artists, can you be serious?”

“I was just pointing out your mistake.” Qin Daofei replied, then picked up a stack of files to read.

Linglong asked, “What are you looking at?”

“Investigating a woman from over twenty years ago. It's difficult.” He continued his research.

Linglong watched his furrowed brow, then snatched the files and tossed them aside, acting spoiled. “I was frightened just now; you owe me compensation.”

“Was it pouring hot soup, seeing pig trotters in hot soup, or watching someone slap herself so hard, reflecting on how you deserve a slap yourself, that scared you?” Qin Daofei’s string of tongue-twisters left Linglong dizzy.

She mumbled, aggrieved, twisting her clothes, refusing to look up no matter how he prodded her.

“You were brave today. I’ll take you for pig trotters later.” Qin Daofei occasionally refused to indulge Linglong's extortion, lest he lose all dignity.

Pig trotters?

Linglong shook her head fiercely. “I don’t want to go to Old Zhu’s. Let’s eat stewed meat at Sister Liang’s—just stewed meat!”

That day, she left blood on Old Zhu’s bed. Who knew if he was waiting for her to show up, so he could chop off her feet for pig trotters? She wasn’t foolish enough to walk into that herself.

But Qin Daofei insisted on going to Old Zhu’s.

“Coachman, to Old Zhu’s knuckle shop,” Qin Daofei ordered, giving Linglong a mischievous look, waiting for her to fidget.

Linglong spread her hands and wailed, “Out of the wolf’s den and into the tiger’s mouth—why?”

“Because the master is pleased!” Qin Daofei declared with authority.

Fang Qing was silent for a while, then asked, “Who is Old Zhu?”

She was curious about someone who could frighten Linglong.

Linglong waved her hand weakly. “Old Zhu isn’t human!”

“Feng Linglong, you little wretch, if I don’t kill you today, I’ll take your surname!” came a coquettish voice from outside, followed by the cart being stopped by a burly figure.

Linglong instinctively swallowed, timidly suggesting, “Old Zhu, if you take my surname, would you be called Zhu Feng or Feng Zhu?”

“You’re the most fearless person I’ve ever met.” Clearly terrified, yet still making jokes—so very Linglong.

Linglong grinned at Fang Qing, then hid behind Qin Daofei, tugging at his sleeve. “You must protect me.”

Thud, thud, thud.

Old Zhu rushed over, pulled aside the curtain, and reached in to grab Linglong.

Fang Qing and Qin Daofei moved at once: Fang Qing’s sword pressed against Old Zhu’s belly, Qin Daofei grabbed his wrist.

“Master, if you don’t let me beat her, I’m telling you, I’ll quit!” Old Zhu dared not resist Qin Daofei, resorting to threats.

Linglong poked her head out, gloating. “Old Zhu, think carefully—if you quit, your dashing Old Kang will be snatched away within two days.”

What Old Zhu feared most wasn’t Qin Daofei, but his handsome Old Kang being seduced.

“I… I won’t leave. But today, I must beat you to death!”

Linglong expected Qin Daofei to intervene, but to her surprise, when Old Zhu insisted on beating her, Qin Daofei let go.

“Qin Daofei, you’re using someone else’s hand to kill me!” Linglong protested, but Old Zhu’s massive fist was already flying at her face.

Linglong closed her eyes in despair. “Old Zhu, if you must kill me, don’t destroy my face!”

“You can kill her, but trade Uncle Kang’s life for hers…”

Old Zhu’s fist stopped just a grain of rice from her face, unable to strike.

Linglong wiped her brow, retreating from under Old Zhu’s iron fist, hiding behind Qin Daofei, peeking out. “Old Zhu, don’t die of anger—I haven’t had breakfast yet!”

“Master, do you believe she could reach the heavens?” Old Zhu withdrew his fist, slumped onto the carriage board, sulking.

Qin Daofei glanced at him coolly. “Never forget what I’ve told you.”

Humph!

Old Zhu kicked the coachman. “Home!”

“What… did you tell Old Zhu?” Linglong asked curiously.

Qin Daofei looked mysterious. “Want to know?”

Linglong observed him, then shook her head. “Maybe not.”

At Old Zhu’s knuckle shop,

Linglong and Fang Qing feasted in the courtyard, while Qin Daofei and Old Zhu slipped into a room, not to emerge for a long time.

“Madam, you’re in high spirits today?” Kang Jun, arriving from outside, greeted Linglong with a smile as she gnawed on a knuckle.

Linglong squinted and smiled. “Old Zhu and Qin Daofei have been inside for half an hour. If you hurry, you could still catch them in the act…”

Her words were cut off when Old Zhu snatched her half-eaten knuckle and stomped it into the dirt, cursing, “I’d rather feed our knuckles to the dogs than let you eat them.”

“Old Zhu…” Qin Daofei called. Kang Jun smiled, took Old Zhu’s hand, and said to Linglong, “Don’t mind her, Madam. I’ll keep her in check.”

He went over and held Old Zhu’s hand. “Wife…”

“All right, I won’t interfere. I’m mad!” Old Zhu lost her temper as soon as Kang Jun took her hand.

Linglong rested her chin in her hand, sighing. “Old Zhu and Kang Jun’s love is… truly beyond comprehension.”

From any aesthetic standard, Kang Jun shouldn’t be paired with Old Zhu, yet for decades, no matter how fierce Old Zhu was, nor how many women pursued Kang Jun, he never changed.

To Linglong, that was true love.

“Your love with Master Qin is just as baffling,” Fang Qing commented.

Linglong picked up another knuckle and mumbled, “There’s nothing between us.”

Fang Qing didn’t respond, likely not hearing.

Qin Daofei’s hand paused, but he too showed no reaction, probably not hearing.

Linglong continued happily feasting.

The angrier Old Zhu got, the more Linglong enjoyed her meal. If Kang Jun weren’t holding her back, Old Zhu would have forced Linglong to spit out every knuckle she’d eaten.

She just couldn’t stand Linglong!

Linglong, aside from liking her pig trotters, probably had little affection for her either.

After eating her fill, Linglong’s routine was to nap. Once on the carriage, she lay on Qin Daofei’s shoulder and fell asleep.

To ensure Linglong’s deep sleep, Qin Daofei had her sniff a vial of medicine, then said quietly, “With Lord Xiang’s actions today, he won’t stop. He’s not clever, but he’s relentless. If he’s determined, ordinary people can’t deter him.”

“You think he has another move?” Fang Qing frowned. “Is he really that bold?”

“You don’t understand. To deprive Linglong of support, he ruthlessly murdered my father-in-law, knowing it would only push her further away. To get Linglong, he’s mad enough to kill her, so long as she’s his alone. He’ll certainly strike again soon.”

From his description, Fang Qing couldn’t imagine such a pathological mindset, but she knew that madmen were the most dangerous people.

“So, I hope you’ll protect her. Any terms you want,” Qin Daofei said, holding Linglong’s hand, his eyes grave.

Fang Qing paused, then said, “You know why I’m here—it’s for him.”

“Your father won’t allow you to be with him. He’s tied up by your father’s own hand, only your father has the key. That man isn’t worth your lifelong trust.” Qin Daofei rarely gave others advice or told them so firmly who was or wasn’t suitable—unless he considered someone a friend.

“I have things to ask him. If his answers don’t match what I know, I’ll give him up immediately,” Fang Qing replied calmly.

Qin Daofei was slightly stunned. “No wonder she allows you by her side. Sometimes, you two are very alike.”

You have to hit the wall before turning back!

“So, that’s why you risked everything to save me?” Fang Qing tilted her head and smiled.

Qin Daofei stroked Linglong’s hair, murmuring, “Perhaps.”

Fang Qing said nothing more, gazing quietly out the window. “Don’t worry. I consider her a friend—I won’t neglect her.”

“I’ll also speak with your father, let you meet him once more. You two need closure.”

After that, no one spoke again.

Just as Qin Daofei predicted, when Lord Xiang returned to the music house and found Linglong gone, he nearly killed Liu Fengying in a rage.

“You wretch, I kept you because you weren’t jealous of Linglong and could help me get her. But you failed. Why should I keep you?” The killing intent in Lord Xiang’s eyes froze Liu Fengying; she didn’t dare resist, cry, or speak.

Lord Xiang grabbed her throat, his bulging veins showing just how hard he squeezed.

“My lord, please spare my mistress! She didn’t mean to let Linglong go. Linglong threatened suicide if my mistress didn’t release her. Knowing how important Linglong is to you, she couldn’t risk it. Then Qin Daofei arrived, so we had no choice but to let them leave,” pleaded Liu Fengying’s maid.

Her words calmed Lord Xiang a little. He released Liu Fengying’s throat and barked, “She really held a dagger to her neck?”

“Yes, yes! If she’d died, you’d be heartbroken. We’ll have another chance, my lord!” After her brush with death, Liu Fengying finally began to argue.

Lord Xiang stood coldly by the window, saying, “I hadn’t expected Qin Daofei to ally with the Second Prince to stop me from getting Linglong. How amusing.”

It seemed he must see that person now!

“Let’s go, back to the manor!”

Linglong’s prediction was accurate—Lord Xiang really let her go.

Liu Fengying finally understood the feeling of surviving disaster—there truly was only a thin line between life and death.

Lady Si hurried to greet Lord Xiang and Liu Fengying as they exited. “Lord Xiang, are you leaving already?”

Lord Xiang glared at her. “Kill everyone here, burn the place down.”

“Why must you kill us and burn my music house?” Lady Si stepped forward to question him.

Lord Xiang stared at her, arrogant and domineering. “Do I need a reason to burn it?”

“Many saw you here today. When Master Qin left with Madam in his arms, I knew you’d target innocent people. So I’ve already informed Prince Yongle. If I die, he’ll come for you. In this fierce struggle for succession, that won’t help you, my lord.”

Though Lady Si spoke politely, Lord Xiang could easily weigh the pros and cons in her words. If Prince Yongle stopped supporting him, he'd lose an important ally in the fight for the throne.

“Investigate—if this music house is connected to Qin Daofei, burn it immediately.” With that, Lord Xiang turned to leave.

Lady Si bowed calmly. “Safe travels, my lord!”

That night, Lord Xiang went to a dilapidated temple outside the city, where a figure in black sat in the shadows, their face and even gender impossible to discern.

“You’re here!” The person spoke, their voice aged and hoarse, like one who had weathered much.

Lord Xiang sat down casually. “I want Qin Daofei dead. But I can’t beat him, and he has leverage on me. You must help.”

“Qin Daofei’s leverage is either at the estate’s branch in Suiye City or the branch in Yuanyang. Search carefully,” the person replied.

Lord Xiang snorted. “I’ve turned Suiye City upside down. Wang Shun isn’t there—he should be in the capital’s estate, in the Tower of Heaven. Only there could someone be hidden.”

“The Tower of Heaven?” The person’s interest was piqued.

“It’s clear you have ways of entering it. We both want to deal with Qin Daofei—we’re allies, not enemies. If you help me get that evidence, I’ll rule the realm and you can run your business.”

“Fine, I’ll try. But come here, I have instructions for you…”

Lord Xiang approached, and the figure whispered to him for a long time. At first, Lord Xiang’s face was grave, then he grew elated, finally ecstatic.

A few days later, rumors swept the streets: Linglong had killed the gossiping woman and her husband, because the woman accused her of being the poisoner in the old case.

The children who sang for Linglong and Qin Daofei became witnesses.

Liu Zitong came to arrest Linglong for the fourth time, this time bringing a thousand soldiers, surrounding the estate tightly, clearly intending to seize her by force if necessary.

Hearing Liu Zitong’s aggressive approach, Tan Xiyin, ignoring her healing wounds, hurried to the front yard for the spectacle.

Like Tan Xiyin, Qin Wang Xiangyu, who hoped for Linglong’s disappearance, also went outside. Only Linglong herself, the story’s protagonist, had yet to appear.

Liu Zitong stood outside, hands on hips. “Feng Linglong, I’ll give you one teacup’s time. If you don’t come out, I’ll force my way in—any casualties will be your estate’s business, not mine.”

“This is between you and Feng Linglong, not my estate. If you dare attack, I’ll die at the gate before letting you in,” Qin Wang Xiangyu glared coldly.

Liu Zitong laughed. With that assurance, he felt at ease.

The time passed quickly, and Linglong still didn’t appear.

“Men, advance!” Liu Zitong laughed heartily.

At that moment, a clear, cold snort came from within the estate. “Liu Zitong, you’re truly Lord Xiang’s good dog—wherever he points, you bite and don’t let go.”

Linglong!

She wore a black high-collared flowing skirt, her hair unbound, standing calmly inside the estate’s gate, gazing coldly at Liu Zitong.

Most importantly, she held a long sword.

Her resolute posture made Liu Zitong uneasy.

As Linglong passed Tan Xiyin, she sneered, “Tan Xiyin, one day, all your evil deeds will be exposed, and you’ll reap what you’ve sown.”

“Let’s see who pays for it first,” Tan Xiyin laughed coldly.

Linglong stepped through the estate gate, calmly raising her sword to her own neck. “Isn’t Lord Xiang after me? Here, take my corpse.”

With that, Linglong slashed her own throat.

Blood spurted onto Tan Xiyin’s face, clothes, and body—the metallic scent made Tan Xiyin scream uncontrollably.

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