Chapter 55: Back to the Way We Were? Impossible!

"Get up first. I told you, if you're upset, you can hit me," Hua said, tugging at Linglong.

She insisted on pulling Linglong up. Only when Linglong was properly seated did Hua beam with happiness, offering her a spoonful of rice. Watching Linglong swallow, she finally said, "Just now in the kitchen, I heard them talking—our young master had a huge row with his mother. They said that old witch cried so hard she started spitting blood."

Oh!

Linglong's reaction was calm—perhaps Qin Daofei was furious at Qin Wang Xiangyu for ruining his grand plans?

"The young master said that if the madam dares marry her niece into Xiaoyao Manor, he’ll have every man in the manor go sleep with her. Of course, the young master would never really do that, but just hearing it made me feel so much better." Hua grinned, feeding Linglong another bite.

Wouldn't he?

He would!

Linglong knew Qin Daofei never spoke empty words. For some reason, her mood suddenly improved.

Linglong opened her mouth of her own accord, pointing to the meat in the bowl. "I want meat!"

Seeing Linglong finally eating, Hua smiled sweetly and said, "The young master also said, if the madam drives you to death, he’ll follow you in death. He’s truly a good man."

"I’ll feed myself!" Whether it was the food or something else, Linglong suddenly felt full of energy.

Her appetite had returned, and she devoured every last bit of the dishes Hua brought her.

Hua stood by, stifling a laugh behind her hand.

That night, after Qin Daofei had gone to bed, Linglong crept from her own bed, pulled a small jar of ointment from under her pillow, and tiptoed toward his small sleeping mat.

She knelt down, gently took Qin Daofei’s hand, and began, ever so carefully, to rub ointment into his palm, even blowing softly as if afraid to hurt him.

Just then, Linglong felt a sudden grip at her waist, and before she knew it, she was lifted off the ground and, in a blink, found herself lying in bed.

Qin Daofei, his eyes bloodshot, glared at Linglong, gritting his teeth. "Don’t tease me. I might take you seriously."

"Get off!" Linglong kicked at him.

Qin Daofei simply leaned in, showering her with bites and nibbles. Linglong squirmed and whimpered, but when she could no longer escape, she let him continue, until at last he collapsed atop her collarbone, gasping hard.

"Tired. Want to sleep," Linglong declared, turning her back to him.

Qin Daofei froze, then reached out and drew her into his arms, nestling her against his chest.

Linglong did not resist.

And so...

Qin Daofei brazenly held Linglong in his arms, sleeping soundly through the night.

Indeed, the chill of autumn is best warmed by two sleeping close together.

That night, Linglong slept exceptionally well.

That night, Qin Daofei also slept deeply and sweetly.

Outside the door, Tang Li and Hua waited. They exchanged uncertain, worried glances.

Fang Qing came over, also puzzled. "Still not up?"

"I’m just afraid they’ll start fighting again," Hua said anxiously.

Fang Qing smiled. "What kind of person do you think your lady is?"

"Headstrong, stubborn, soft-hearted but sharp-tongued, forever spouting nonsense, never serious," Hua replied candidly.

Pfft!

Tang Li thought it a miracle that Feng Linglong had survived so long in Xiaoyao Manor.

"Exactly. A woman like her, stubborn on the outside but soft within, learning that the man she loves threatened his own mother on her behalf, threatened to do unspeakable things to his cousin, and said he’d die with her if she died—that’s the kind of confession no woman could resist," Fang Qing said sincerely.

"So you mean, our master and madam have made up?" Tang Li was eager for peace; serving a master who could explode at any moment was agony. But with such strong personalities, could they really reconcile?

Jifeng flipped down from the beam, shaking his money pouch, grinning mischievously. "Let’s place bets! No changing now—I bet the master and madam won’t make up. He’s as dense as a rock, clueless about winning a woman’s heart."

"I bet they won’t make up either; things might even get worse," Tang Li added.

"What nonsense!" Hua snapped, itching to bite Tang Li.

He scratched his head and fell silent.

Hua looked to Fang Qing, who said without hesitation, "I bet they will reconcile, better than ever!"

Thinking of Linglong’s softened attitude yesterday, Hua placed her coins on the reconciliation side too. "My lady and the young master will certainly make up."

Ai Fei poked her head down from the beam, coldly declaring, "They’ll make up!"

And tossed her silver into Jifeng’s hand.

Jifeng winked at Tang Li, as if they’d already won.

"Brother Li, if we win, let’s go feast at Yunwai House—without these short-sighted women!" Jifeng tucked away the silver, patting his chest.

Tch!

From the beam, Ai Fei snorted derisively.

Jifeng stamped his foot. "What would a woman who only knows how to kill understand?"

"I know how to kill you the quickest," Ai Fei replied, full of swagger.

Hua tiptoed close to Tang Li. "Um, Sister Ai Fei, just don’t let me see you kill someone. I can’t handle that."

Eh?

Jifeng frowned, pointing at Hua. "Brother Li, are you going to do something or not? If not, I’ll take matters into my own hands!"

"Don’t you dare!" Tang Li said coldly.

Blushing, Hua stomped away.

"If anyone dares bully my Hua, I’ll have them sent to Rat Grandpa!" Linglong’s clear voice rang out from inside.

With a creak, the door opened.

Qin Daofei stood there, holding Linglong’s hand, facing the group. Fang Qing and Ai Fei exchanged a glance, both smirking in triumph.

Jifeng stared at their joined hands in disbelief, wishing he could tear them apart—it was too much to bear.

But if he did, would the master kill him? Remembering his master’s sinister ways, Jifeng decided against it.

"Master, madam!" Jifeng and Tang Li greeted them quickly.

Linglong shot Jifeng a sidelong glance, reaching out as if to poke his chest, but Qin Daofei caught her fingers, holding them tight. Qin Daofei said calmly to Tang Li, "Congratulations—you’ll be going hungry again this month."

"Master, you did that on purpose," Jifeng grumbled, tossing the silver to Fang Qing and storming back onto the beam.

Tang Li, though defeated, felt at ease; a contented master meant an easier life for him.

In fact, while they were betting, inside the room, the scene was as follows.

Linglong had awoken to find Qin Daofei beside her and, in her anger, kicked him hard twice. Qin Daofei caught her foot, saying, "They’re making bets outside—Tang Li and Jifeng are wagering that we won’t make up, hoping to see the girls lose money."

What?

Linglong, always protective of her own, was immediately indignant. She ran to the door to eavesdrop, not even bothering with shoes.

Once she confirmed Qin Daofei wasn’t lying, she dressed, quickly combed her hair, and took Qin Daofei’s hand. "Just so you know, I only did this so Hua, Fang Qing, and little Feifei don’t lose money—don’t get any ideas."

"Of course," Qin Daofei replied, tightening his grip on her hand. "I won’t overthink it."

One thought was enough for him.

And so, when they opened the door, it was this harmonious scene that greeted the others—a sight that wounded Jifeng’s young heart.

"A happy ending. Master Qin, shouldn’t you treat us to a meal in celebration?" Fang Qing laughed, tossing the silver to Ai Fei on the beam.

Catching it, Ai Fei said coolly, "Hua deserves the most credit. Master Qin, you ought to thank her properly."

Qin Daofei glanced at Tang Li. "Go fetch Hua, will you?"

"Yes, sir!" Tang Li blushed and dashed off to find Hua.

In her room, Hua had meant to answer the door, thinking it was Fang Qing. She smiled, "Sister Fang Qing, did we win?"

"We did!" Tang Li stood in the doorway, beaming.

Hearing his voice, Hua jumped up, nervous. "Brother Tang, what brings you here?"

"Um... the master wants you to come out. We’re all going out to eat." Tang Li scratched his head, not daring to meet her eyes.

Hua lowered her head, muttering, "Brother Tang, don’t mind what Jifeng said. He has a foul tongue."

Mind?

He didn’t mind at all!

But did Hua mind...?

A thousand doubts flickered through Tang Li’s mind. Seeing her shy manner, and remembering her past, his gaze darkened.

"Let’s go," Tang Li said, his tone suddenly flat.

Sensing the shift in his mood, Hua looked up, but couldn’t catch his expression. All she saw as Tang Li left was a lonely figure.

Hua gripped her sleeve tightly, forcing a bitter smile.

After a moment, she composed herself and went out to join the others.

They went together to Yunwai House.

From the day Linglong learned that Qin Daofei held evidence of Tan Xiyin poisoning, Xiaoyao Manor had languished in gloom for two months. Everyone was careful, not daring to smile.

Now, at last, the clouds had parted.

Linglong, once recovered, wasted no time in resuming her sharp-tongued, teasing ways.

She pushed past Tang Li to sit beside Jifeng.

The moment she sat down, everyone could feel the murderous aura radiating from Qin Daofei.

Jifeng tried to inch away, but Linglong moved closer each time he did.

"M-madam, please, I’m still young!" Jifeng protested, not wanting to die young.

Linglong propped her chin and smiled at him, "Jifeng, I hear you’ve been bullying my Hua lately?"

"Not at all! Miss Hua’s beef noodles are the best in the world—I couldn’t like her more... ah... oh!" Before Jifeng could finish, Tang Li twisted his thigh mercilessly, leaving him howling.

Jifeng rubbed his leg in humiliation and growled at Tang Li, "Brother Li, you’re a grown man, but you pinch like a woman. Aren’t you ashamed?"

"I didn’t touch you—we’ve got Hua sitting between us," Tang Li replied.

Hua’s expression was complicated, her smile forced. Everyone assumed she was just shy; after all, everyone knew how hard things had been for her.

Jifeng looked at Qin Daofei. "Master, you saw that, right?"

"If you want to investigate, report to the manor, pay a fee, and I’ll give you your answer," Qin Daofei said coolly. Perhaps Linglong had extorted him so much lately that he wanted to extort even his own men now.

Everyone burst out laughing.

None of them noticed the pair of strange, bewitching eyes peering through the door crack, taking in the whole scene.

The watcher paused, then slipped away downstairs.

Linglong, sensing something, glanced up, but saw nothing, and soon forgot about it.

When the group returned to Xiaoyao Manor, they found Wang Liushu sitting on a stone bench in the front courtyard, fuming. Seeing Qin Daofei, he stomped over and said coldly, "We need to talk!"

"Uncle, let’s go to the study," Qin Daofei replied.

Linglong, worried, grabbed Qin Daofei’s hand, but he only patted her head gently. "Go rest. I’ll take you somewhere after."

Linglong neither nodded nor shook her head, just watched him leave, troubled.

"Don’t worry, the young master isn’t the type to be bullied," Hua tried to comfort her.

Linglong rolled her eyes. "I’m more worried he’ll make Wang Liushu so angry the court will put a price on his head!"

Pfft!

Everyone burst out laughing.

In the study.

Qin Daofei invited Wang Liushu to sit, and poured him tea himself.

Wang Liushu took a sip, then, unable to contain himself, slammed the cup down, shattering it instantly.

Qin Daofei only glanced at the broken cup, betraying no emotion.

"Don’t you think you owe your uncle an explanation?" Wang Liushu asked.

Calmly, Qin Daofei replied, "What should I explain, uncle?"

"You—making your mother that upset, then going out feasting with your people—how could you become like this?" Wang Liushu couldn’t bring himself to mention that business about the men and his daughter.

Qin Daofei smiled faintly. "If you mean yesterday, it all comes down to my mother. If she doesn’t meddle, cousin will be perfectly safe. But if she tries to force me, I don’t mind carrying out my threat. As for her illness, I hired the best doctors, paid my respects, but every time she sees me, she’s just like you now—smashing cups, making threats, preaching. If I watched over her every minute, she’d die of anger for sure."

So, he was still a dutiful son—he’d at least left her breathing.

Wang Liushu felt as if a heavy stone was lodged in his chest, his rage boiling but nowhere to go.

"But your engagement with your cousin has already been registered at the magistrate’s office. If she doesn’t marry you, who can she marry? Can you bear to see her reputation ruined?" Wang Liushu tried to reason with him.

Qin Daofei glanced at him and replied, "The engagement was arranged by my mother alone. It can be annulled—it’s not widely known. Besides, cousin is young; in time she’ll find someone she likes. Since she came of age, I’ve kept a full yard’s distance from her. How can her reputation be ruined?"

"Is it really so little known at the magistrate’s office?" Wang Liushu pressed on.

Qin Daofei smiled, the curve of his lips edged with irony. "Uncle, with your influence, can you not silence idle gossip?"

"Why don’t you like her? Is she really that bad?" The question was a father’s helpless sigh.

Qin Daofei answered quietly, "Uncle, I’ve always thought of her as a sister. And a sister I would protect, never let her suffer."

He didn’t spell it out, but the meaning was clear: if they tried to force the cousin to become his wife, he would indeed do as he’d threatened.

Wang Liushu, defeated, could only blame Qin Wang Xiangyu—she’d always thought she could control Qin Daofei, but he’d always had his own mind.

Looking back, Wang Liushu finally understood: when Daofei married Feng Linglong, perhaps it hadn’t been under duress at all. Otherwise, with his cunning, Linglong would never have set foot in the Qin family.

"In that case, we won’t force the matter," Wang Liushu said bitterly, sweeping out.

Qin Daofei didn’t rise to see him off; he needed to make his stance clear.

But his thoughts drifted back to five years ago, when his mother forced him to marry Linglong.

That day, sunlight gently spilled into the courtyard. Linglong swaggered toward the study. Seeing him, she hiked up her skirts and ran over, grinning like a cheeky child. "Daofei, I’m here!"

"Hmph!" Qin Daofei snorted at her in reply.

Linglong paid no mind, resting her chin in her hands as she sat across from him, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Your mother came to my house with a proposal. They say our birth charts are a perfect match."

"I won’t marry you," Qin Daofei said, as laconic as ever.

Linglong pouted, a flicker of sadness in her eyes.

But it lasted only a moment before her smile returned. "That’s all right. I’ll just marry you."

At the time, she didn’t understand the vast difference between marrying someone and being married by them.

"Feng Linglong, have you no pride?" Qin Daofei asked coldly.

Linglong looked up, startled, like a child caught misbehaving. "Do you need pride to love someone? Someone has to take the first step, right?"

"I won’t marry you," Qin Daofei repeated.

Oh.

Linglong felt a pang in her heart. She stood on tiptoe, fixing him with a determined look. "But I really like you. If loving you like this gets me nowhere, I’ll just have to love someone else."

With that, she ran off.

Love someone else?

The thought of her smiling at another made Qin Daofei feel as if a thorn were lodged in his chest. So when his mother brought it up again, he didn’t object.

But for the sake of pride, he married Lady Tan on the same day, and after the wedding, Linglong’s overbearing treatment of Tan Xiyin only made him resent her more. Their relationship soured steadily.

Until... Linglong begged him, her voice full of pain, "Qin Daofei, in the next life, when you see me, please just walk away, all right?" Only then did he realize that over the years, he had exhausted a woman’s purest, deepest love.

Before he could make amends, word came that the prison in the capital had burned. No one had survived.

No one.

He refused to believe she was dead. For two years, he searched everywhere, calling in every favor he had, but found no trace.

In Suiye City, when he heard the innkeeper say Feng Linglong had reappeared, his heart clenched so tight he could hardly breathe.

In that moment, he knew Linglong had returned for revenge.

Yet, knowing she crawled back from hell for vengeance, he still bound her to his side, unable to let her go.

Time changes many things. He’d always hated her mischievous ways, but in the end, hadn’t he fallen helplessly in love?

"Master Qin, when your uncle left just now, he didn’t look happy. Are you about to write a eulogy for someone again?" Linglong was suddenly in front of him.

Qin Daofei pulled her close and held her tight, saying nothing.

"Did your uncle beat you? Someone like you, willing to offer up your not-yet-wedded wife—if I were your uncle, I’d bite you to death," Linglong teased relentlessly.

Lost in memories, Qin Daofei didn’t retort, no matter how she mocked him.

That actually made Linglong worry.

"You don’t have to be troubled. If you’re going to take a new wife, just say so. I’ll—" Before she could finish, Qin Daofei seized her arm, glaring at her fiercely.

Linglong kicked him. "Don’t you try to bully me—I’m all alone, I’m not afraid of you!"

"Would you really hand over the position of Madam Qin to just anyone who asks?" Qin Daofei asked coldly.

Linglong scratched her head. "Well, that depends on the offer..."

A dangerous glint flashed in Qin Daofei’s eyes, and Linglong quickly changed her tune. "I’ll do whatever you say. I’m very obedient!"

"Really?" Qin Daofei leaned in, brushing her nose with his.

Linglong nodded and bumped his nose with hers.

Hiss!

Qin Daofei winced in pain. "If you were really obedient, I wouldn’t have such a headache."

"How is it my fault you’re exhausted by the women in your family?" Linglong protested.

"You do know how much trouble you are," Qin Daofei said, then bent down and hefted Linglong over his shoulder.

Oof!

Linglong felt her organs shift, all the blood rushing to her head.

"Qin Daofei, I’m already a bit dim, and if you turn me upside down like this, I’ll become a complete idiot. Then I’ll cling to you forever!" Linglong kicked him, and he gave her a playful pat on the backside.

"I wish you were an idiot," he said lightly.

"You’re an idiot! Your whole family are idiots! Your future sons will be idiots too!" Linglong blurted in her anger.

Qin Daofei dropped her onto the bed, straddling her menacingly. "Feng Linglong, who curses their own son like that?"

Last time she cursed their son as being born without an anus—he’d nearly exploded then, and now she was at it again. He must have spoiled her too much.

"Um... I just remembered, Lady Tan asked me to go torment her. Would you mind moving?" Realizing he was genuinely angry, Linglong immediately gave in—after all, she was on his bed right now. If he really decided to do something, she couldn’t fight him off.

Qin Daofei just stared at her, his gaze cold and silent.

"You turned me upside down—I’m dizzy and nauseous, look, I’m sweating cold," Linglong whimpered, guiding his hand to her forehead.

"Are you sure it’s not from heat?" Qin Daofei eyed her skeptically, unmoved by her act.

Linglong’s eyes brimmed with tears. "Must you treat a weak woman like this?"

She started crying!

Qin Daofei, caught off guard, reached to wipe her tears, but she turned away stubbornly.

"Next time, don’t joke about children," he said at last, climbing off her.

As soon as she was free, Linglong scrambled off the bed, stomped on his foot, and ran out the door covering her face.

Qin Daofei looked at his hands, briefly remorseful.

But when he stepped outside and saw Linglong, arm in arm with Hua and Fang Qing, walking away with a spring in her step, his head throbbed.

"Feng Linglong!" For reasons he couldn’t name, Qin Daofei called out sharply.

At once, Linglong collapsed against Fang Qing, feigning weakness. "Oh, my head spins, I feel like vomiting—so uncomfortable!"

Pfft!

Fang Qing and Hua couldn’t help laughing—especially Hua, who said loudly, "Just now, the young lady was saying she wanted to pick lotus seeds for lotus chicken. Since she’s dizzy, young master, why don’t you take her back inside?"

Linglong shot Hua a look full of betrayal. She’d never imagined Hua would sell her out.

Qin Daofei leaped down, scooped Linglong into his arms, and flew up to the balcony. "Tang Li, take Hua and the others to pick lotus seeds. Tonight we’ll have lotus chicken."

"Yes, master, take your time—we won’t disturb you," Tang Li grinned maliciously.

"Tang Li... Hua... I’ll remember this!" Linglong wailed, clawing at the door as Qin Daofei carried her off to his den.

But Qin Daofei simply tickled her under the arm, and she let go, meekly allowing herself to be carried to bed.

He set her on the bed but didn’t pin her down, instead sitting leisurely on a chair. Whenever she tried to get up, he pressed her back down.

After this battle of wits and strength, Linglong was sweating and too exhausted to even complain.

"Qin Daofei, you bully me!" she protested, her voice soft and weak. But rather than making him relent, it only spurred on his wicked, uncontrollable impulses.

Linglong fumed, while Qin Daofei remained composed.

In the end, she gave up and simply closed her eyes to rest.

She lay still, and he did likewise, watching her until she fell sound asleep.

Then, gently, he smoothed her tousled hair behind her ear, kissed her forehead, and left the room.

"Go fetch Ye Lishang," Qin Daofei ordered, and Jifeng darted off.

Soon, Ye Lishang arrived. He looked haggard, hollow-eyed, disheveled, his whole bearing forlorn.

Seeing him like this, Qin Daofei couldn’t help but smirk. "What’s with the great, dashing ghost doctor today?"

"Qin Daofei, I’m going to poison Chengjie to death. I swear I’ll do it," Ye Lishang said, eyes flashing murder.

Qin Daofei shrugged. "Be my guest. Just remember to use a heavy dose—he’s got a tough life. Ordinary poison won’t do it."

"Hmm..."

"I’ll castrate him and keep him in my house as a eunuch!" Ye Lishang, after imagining a thousand cruel poisons for the second prince, decided letting him live was even crueler.

Qin Daofei glanced at him. "Are you sure he won’t kill you first?"

"I’m leaving. I’m in a foul mood!" Ye Lishang spun to go.

Qin Daofei watched him, and after a few steps Ye Lishang turned back, confused. "Aren’t you going to stop me?"

Usually, whenever Qin Daofei summoned him, if Ye Lishang tried to leave, he’d have a thousand ways to stop him.

"No need. I’ll just tell Chengjie I fed you three doses of love elixir," Qin Daofei replied coolly.

Pfft!

Ye Lishang pointed at him, trembling with rage. "Beast!"

"Go to Miaoyin Pavilion. I want to know whether Tan Xiyin’s injury can be healed," Qin Daofei said, leading the way.

Ye Lishang tagged along, puzzled. "You really want to help her? Whatever debt you owed Tan Jian, she’s long since squandered it."

"Just check her leg—I didn’t ask for commentary," Qin Daofei replied curtly. Whatever the reason—debt or strategy—Tan Xiyin could not be moved yet.

Ye Lishang shrugged and followed.

Years ago, Miaoyin Pavilion was the most bustling place in Xiaoyao Manor. Back then, to prove he’d never fall for Linglong, Qin Daofei put all the best food and entertainment there—and spent his days there himself.

Now, the pavilion was deserted; even the fallen leaves in the courtyard went uncleared.

From afar, Qin Daofei and Ye Lishang could hear Tan Xiyin’s racking coughs, so harsh yet unnoticed.

"They say the new is always greeted with laughter, the old only with tears. Qin Daofei, you heartless fox, making two women miserable for you," Ye Lishang remarked, giving him a sidelong look.

Qin Daofei glared. "If you want to cry, I don’t mind."

Ye Lishang smirked. "Someone’s getting angry!"

They went upstairs. Qin Daofei pushed open Tan Xiyin’s door. She started at the sound, then asked warily, "Who’s there?"

"It’s me," Qin Daofei replied.

Hearing his voice, Tan Xiyin quickly sat up, smoothing her hair and straightening her dress. If her vanity table were closer, she’d have put on makeup for him.

But Qin Daofei was already inside, and for her—and for everyone—privacy no longer existed.

"Brother Daofei..." she began, then stopped, seeing Ye Lishang behind him.

As always, Ye Lishang smiled and waved as if nothing had changed.

"Good day, Mr. Ye," Tan Xiyin greeted him politely.

Ye Lishang waited for Qin Daofei to speak, but as he said nothing, he had to step in. "I’m here to check how your injury is healing."

"My leg still has no feeling—I’m afraid it’s hopeless," Tan Xiyin said, her tone somber.

Ye Lishang smiled. "I’m the doctor. My word counts, not yours."

"That’s true. Then I’ll trouble you to take a good look—if I recover, I’ll serve Brother Daofei as a maid for life," Tan Xiyin said, mentioning only service, never atonement.

Qin Daofei made no reply, only watched Ye Lishang.

Ye Lishang took her pulse, then frowned and produced his needles. "Let me try acupuncture."

"Thank you, Mr. Ye," Tan Xiyin replied, as composed as ever.

He began stimulating her acupuncture points with long needles.

Qin Daofei watched Tan Xiyin’s reactions closely.

But...

Even as Ye Lishang pricked several points, she showed no reaction, as if she truly felt nothing.

Frowning, he took out another needle, intending to try her other, healthy leg. At that moment, a maid rushed in.

"Second madam?" the maid called.

Tan Xiyin glanced at Ye Lishang, who had to withdraw his needles, smiling at her.

"Who is it?" Tan Xiyin asked.

The maid entered, performed a formal bow, and said, "Steward Zhang sent me to serve second madam. I saw your door open and feared someone was bullying you, but it’s just the master."

"Since you’re here, look after her well," Qin Daofei said, signaling Ye Lishang. The two men left together.

Back in the study, both were silent for a while.

"Well?" Qin Daofei asked, once seated.

Ye Lishang sat across from him, puzzled. "When I checked Tan Xiyin’s pulse, her meridians were clear, but with the needles, she had no reaction. That either means she’s genuinely gravely injured and I missed it, or..."

He trailed off, looking at Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei smiled. "You wanted to try her other leg. If she still had no reaction, it’d mean she took medicine to paralyze her limbs—enough to fool even you. Pity that maid interrupted."

"Nothing gets past you," Ye Lishang said, a little dejected.

Qin Daofei gazed out the window. The old Linglong Pavilion was now just a grassy lot, the builders only just starting the foundation.

"Try again next time," he said, massaging his brow.

Normally, Ye Lishang would have left by now, but seeing Qin Daofei’s headache, he decided to linger, sipping tea with a schadenfreude smile. "Worried about your lady Linglong?"

"..."

Qin Daofei just looked at him, then rose. "I have something for Chengjie. Take it to him."

"I’m the great doctor Ye Lishang, not your errand boy," Ye Lishang huffed, tossing his head.

Qin Daofei’s eyes grew cold. "Are you sure?"

Uh...

"Fine, fine, I’ve run errands for you before," Ye Lishang grumbled, bowing to pressure.

Qin Daofei nodded. "Knew you had some sense."

He scribbled a note, sealed it with wax, and said, "You know, if you snoop on Chengjie’s secrets, you’ll die a horrible death."

"I have no interest in snooping," Ye Lishang snapped, grabbing the letter and storming off.

Second Prince’s residence.

Ye Lishang marched straight to the study and, without knocking, kicked the door open.

Inside, a man and the second prince seemed rather close.

The prince sat serenely while the man, arms braced on either side, leaned over him, both busy with something.

At the crash, the man glanced up.

But the prince, as if knowing exactly who it was, never looked up. "That’ll be all for today. You may go," he said.

"Yes, your highness." The man smirked as he strolled past Ye Lishang.

Grinding his teeth, Ye Lishang strode to the desk, tossed down Qin Daofei’s note, and turned to leave.

"Wait," the second prince said.

Ye Lishang stopped, glaring back. "What the hell do you want now?"

The prince opened the letter, lips curling in a sly smile. "Ye Lishang, I never knew you were that kind of man."

"What kind of man I am is none of your business," Ye Lishang retorted.

"Come here," the prince beckoned, as if calling a dog.

Ye Lishang seethed inwardly. "If I go over there, I really am a dog!"

"I’ll give you a chance. Come over yourself. If I have to come fetch you, it won’t be so pleasant. You know what I mean," the prince said, his righteous aura taking on a wicked edge.

Ye Lishang’s inner scales tilted back and forth—should he go or not?

"One..."

"Two..."

Before the prince could say three, Ye Lishang, vowing not to be a dog, stomped over and kicked him in the foot. "You call and I come—is that how you treat a great doctor?"

The genius remembered the site address in a flash: ... Mobile reading site: m.