Chapter 58: Playing Matchmaker for Her Mother-in-law, Inciting the Wrath of Master Qin
The road to seek medical help grew increasingly steep, and the carriage slowed to a crawl. Suddenly, Tang Li, who was driving with utmost focus, gave a slight shiver and quietly asked Fang Qing, “Miss, did you feel that?”
Fang Qing remained composed, lifted the curtain, and entered the carriage. She glanced indifferently at Qin Daofei, only to find him unruffled, tapping his knee in a steady rhythm with his fingers.
Before Fang Qing could speak, Qin Daofei broke the silence. “It’s nothing. Not just anyone can enter the master’s place where Ye Lishang’s teacher lives.”
This made it awkward for Fang Qing to say anything further.
Linglong asked, “Are we being followed?”
For some reason, as she asked, Qin Daofei suddenly looked up and cast her a deep, searching glance.
Linglong shrugged, unconcerned, then looked coolly at Fang Qing.
Fang Qing smiled, gesturing outside. “I think I’d rather be out there. The air in here doesn’t suit me.”
“I feel the same. The people here give off such a strange vibe—the air is practically poisonous. I can’t take it either,” Linglong added, intending to follow Fang Qing. But Qin Daofei caught her by the wrist.
Linglong looked at him in exasperation. “Why can’t I get some air?”
“If you go out, the air will be just as poisonous for those three. For their safety, you’d better stay and ‘trouble’ me alone.” He was determined not to let Linglong leave.
Furious, Linglong kicked Qin Daofei hard. “Qin Daofei, if I suffocate in here, it’s on you—all your fault!”
“Yes, my fault,” Qin Daofei nodded. “Since you’re bored, let’s find something to do.”
Linglong instinctively wrapped herself tighter in her clothes, crossed her arms defensively, and warned, “Don’t try anything—this isn’t the time for jokes.”
“Linglong, admit it, you want to…” Qin Daofei replied, a half-smile playing on his lips. Linglong could tell nothing good would come from his mouth, so she slapped a hand over it, forbidding him to speak.
Qin Daofei sat back, letting Linglong muffle him as she lay across him.
After two days of travel, they finally reached Carefree Mountain, where Ye Lishang’s master lived in seclusion. Staring up at the imposing building perched atop the peak, Linglong’s face turned greener than the mountain itself.
“You’re not seriously going to make us climb up there?” she asked in disbelief, pointing at the cloud-piercing structure.
Qin Daofei grinned, grabbed Linglong’s slender waist, and said quietly, “Shall I give you a lift?”
Then, holding her close, he leapt up the mountain and deposited her at the entrance to Carefree Pavilion—before promptly heading back down.
Yes, he went back down.
Linglong stared at the tightly closed doors, her heart pounding, and knocked. “Is anyone there?”
“No!” came a disgruntled voice from inside.
Linglong burst out laughing and knocked again. “If no one’s there, I’ll just let myself in!”
“Little girl, you dare barge into my Carefree Pavilion? Are you tired of living?” the voice boasted.
Linglong scratched her head. “If I weren’t full of energy, would I bother climbing all the way up here to get you to treat me?”
“Who are you calling old?” the man inside thundered, truly enraged.
Linglong wasn’t bothered. She shrugged and replied, “You’re Ye Lishang’s master—should I call you a young man instead?”
“Well… young man works…” He paused. “Where’s Qin Daofei? Where’s that brat? He left you here just to annoy me?”
Apparently, the master was quite self-absorbed.
Linglong smiled. “Qin Daofei? He’s off holding his beloved concubine. Say, young man, could you let me in? He dumped me here—if I can’t get in, it’s really embarrassing.”
“How much is your pride worth?” The door remained shut.
Linglong, now truly annoyed, rolled up her sleeves, put her hands on her hips, and shouted, “Are you opening up or not?”
“No one’s ever threatened me and succeeded!” came the firm reply.
“Fine!” Linglong said coldly. “Then I’ll just jump off this mountain. If Qin Daofei sees me dead and doesn’t tear down your Carefree Pavilion, I’ll change my name!”
The man inside was silent.
Linglong, undeterred, closed her eyes and jumped. As she fell, she felt a soft ribbon wrap around her waist, and with a gentle tug, she was lifted up and landed steadily on solid ground.
This time, the place was different from where Qin Daofei had left her. Outside was a sea of flowers, vibrant and colorful, rather than the green mountain slopes.
In front of her stood a silver-haired youth, no more than two years older than Qin Daofei, handsome as a jade carving, with refined features and eyes full of wisdom and sorrow.
“Old man…” Linglong began, but he immediately scowled.
“Have you ever seen an old man as handsome as me?” he snapped.
Linglong nodded, “Yes, yes, you’re a handsome old man!”
“Ye Lishang, get out here! Didn’t you say this woman was dying? She’s got more nerve than sense!” The young (but self-styled) old man seemed on the verge of madness.
Ye Lishang emerged from inside, grinning, “Master, you’re amazing. You figured out Linglong’s reckless nature right away. I have no words for your wisdom—you’re truly mighty.”
His flattery made the master beam.
“See! Ye Lishang’s master, and you have the nerve to make me call you young man? Where’s your pride, grandpa?” Linglong teased.
The master immediately blew his top, jabbing a finger at her nose, “What did that brat just call me? She dares call me grandpa! Ye Lishang, you brought her here, you treat her yourself—I won’t do it!”
“Who cares? For all I know, you’re a quack, since you trained a quack!” Linglong shot back, pointing at Ye Lishang with a roguish air.
“Damn it! If I don’t kill you today, I’ve wasted seventy years of life!” the master shouted, searching for something lethal.
Linglong watched him calmly, arms folded. Ye Lishang, delighted by the spectacle, helpfully handed his master a knife, grinning, “Master, you’re right. Letting her live is an insult to us both. She’s infuriating!”
“Why should I do as you say? If you want her dead, I refuse!” The old man put his hands on his hips, defiant.
Linglong looked at him, a headache forming.
The master stormed over, placed his hand on Linglong’s wrist, and after checking her pulse, looked at Ye Lishang in astonishment. Ye Lishang merely shrugged, smiling slyly at his master.
“Good heavens, I haven’t seen a case like this in years. Girl, you’re lucky you met me—otherwise you’d never know what killed you!” The old man was clearly intrigued by Linglong’s condition.
Linglong had many questions, but just as she opened her mouth, a deep voice called from outside, “Old Ye, open up!”
Linglong couldn’t help but laugh.
“That little demon…” Old Ye ground his teeth, wishing he could poison Qin Daofei.
Linglong’s eyes gleamed. “Tsk, tsk, tsk—Old Ye, you let Qin Daofei bully you like this? Are you afraid of him?”
“Who says I’m afraid? I fear nothing and no one, least of all that little punk!” Old Ye’s beard bristled with indignation.
Linglong nodded, but looked at him suspiciously. “I agree, he’s nothing but a little beast. If I were you, I definitely wouldn’t let him in.”
“Wait…” Old Ye called to Ye Lishang, who was about to open the door. “I’m not in the mood. Let him wait outside.”
Ye Lishang stopped, his hand on the bolt, and called out gleefully, “Master Qin, you’ve really married well.”
“Linglong, remember—I won’t be kept out forever!” Qin Daofei threatened coldly from outside.
Linglong waved her hands, delighted. “I’m off to find a spot to sleep!”
So what if he got in eventually? She’d figure things out when the time came!
As Linglong left, Qin Daofei and the others stood in the damp mountain air. Fang Qing rubbed her fingers together. “It’s going to rain.”
They looked where she indicated and saw misty rain rolling toward them.
“Old Ye, are you going to let one girl boss you around?” Qin Daofei called out.
Old Ye squatted among the flowers, laughing. “She’s your woman, I’m just being polite.”
“Is that so?” Qin Daofei asked.
Old Ye considered, then replied with conviction, “Yes, that’s how it must be!”
“Fine. If I get in, all your flowers and plants die,” Qin Daofei threatened.
Old Ye smacked his lips, then relented. “Wait, Lishang, let little Qin in.”
Ye Lishang was disgusted but quickly opened the door.
As soon as they entered, a downpour began.
“What do you want from me?” Old Ye was clearly impatient.
Qin Daofei replied, “A woman at home shielded me from harm and was injured. Can you see if she can be healed?”
“Thank you, Elder,” Tan Xiyin said respectfully from her wooden wheelchair.
Old Ye glanced at her with a deadpan eye. “She’s ugly. Linglong may not be pretty, but at least she has spirit. What could you possibly see in this one?”
“Master, you’ve gone too far! You won’t even call her a woman. Even if you won’t show her respect, shouldn’t you at least give Qin Daofei some face?” Ye Lishang added, twisting the knife.
Hua’er finally understood what was being said.
Old Ye tilted his head at her, and Tang Li quickly put himself between Hua’er and Old Ye’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Li Li, your little wife’s not bad-looking!” Old Ye’s mischief was beyond words.
Hua’er’s face went from green to white to red…
First, the nickname “Li Li” disgusted her, but then she found it endearing. “Little wife” both stung and embarrassed her, leaving her flustered.
Tan Xiyin, though aggrieved by Old Ye’s bluntness, only hung her head, not daring to meet his eyes.
Qin Daofei asked coolly, “Are you going to treat her or not?”
Old Ye, hearing Qin Daofei’s tone, flared up. “Bring her in so I can see if I can treat her. I’ll take a look, but no promises.”
Ye Lishang could barely hide his disdain.
Once inside, Old Ye took Tan Xiyin’s pulse, stretched lazily, and said, “I’m old, I need a nap. If you want her to recover quickly, don’t bother me.”
With that, Old Ye really did leave.
Ye Lishang followed after him.
Seeing this, Qin Daofei said to Tang Li, “Take care of Second Madam. I’m going to settle accounts with Linglong.”
A gleam of something flashed in Tan Xiyin’s eyes, then vanished.
In the back hall, Old Ye sat gravely in a grand chair. When Ye Lishang and Qin Daofei entered, he snorted and said coldly, “Your little concubine isn’t ordinary, is she?”
“As if the master of Carefree Manor would fancy just anyone?” Ye Lishang couldn’t resist a sardonic reply, knowing full well his master was being sarcastic.
“Get to the point!” Qin Daofei always found it a headache to talk with this master and disciple pair.
Old Ye said, “She’s been drugged. There’s a pain suppressant in her system—no wonder she didn’t react when Lishang used needles.”
“So her legs are fine?” Qin Daofei asked.
Old Ye smiled. “The injury wasn’t well healed, but she’s not crippled.”
“And Linglong?” Qin Daofei pressed.
Old Ye’s brows knit. “That girl’s in much more danger. She’s been poisoned for at least three years. Her body’s badly depleted.”
“Three years?” Linglong had appeared behind them without notice.
Old Ye nodded. “Three years, yes.”
Linglong looked accusingly at Qin Daofei, hands on hips, “Look at that—married to you for five years, gone for two, and in that time I’m poisoned and tormented. How can you bear it?”
“Are you angling for my forgiveness?” Qin Daofei saw through her act.
Linglong grinned, “I’m so well-behaved—what could I possibly need forgiveness for?”
Old Ye laughed heartily. “This girl’s just my type. Come, let me check your injuries again.”
The old master and the young woman headed inside.
Leaning in the doorway, Ye Lishang chuckled, “Qin Daofei, all your principles go out the window when Linglong’s involved.”
“Some things are worth it. As for you, our business isn’t settled yet,” Qin Daofei replied, turning the tables.
Ye Lishang tried to change the subject. “You think the poison in Linglong was administered by Tan Xiyin? She’s impressive—using a toxin I couldn’t even detect. A true master!”
“That’s because you’re an idiot,” Qin Daofei said mercilessly.
Ye Lishang jumped up. “Believe it or not, I’ll poison Linglong myself!”
“Before you could, she’d tear you limb from limb,” Qin Daofei said confidently.
Ye Lishang realized the conversation was going nowhere. He grumbled, “I’m heading to the kitchen to see if mute Auntie has anything good to eat. None for you lot!”
“Better think of a reason for me to spare you,” Qin Daofei warned.
Ye Lishang fell silent. At worst, he could always beg that scoundrel Cheng Jie for help—pride is nothing compared to survival.
As for Linglong, after entering with Old Ye, she soon found her head bristling with silver needles. Displeased at the assault on her beauty, she wailed, “Old Ye, do you even know what you’re doing?”
Smack! Old Ye slapped her on the forehead, making her scalp tingle painfully. Linglong howled, “Are you trying to kill me?”
“Don’t worry. The poison is well hidden, but who am I? I’m the Ghost Doctor’s master. No ordinary toxin can stump me. If you don’t want to suffer, be quiet, or I’ll mute you with poison!” Old Ye threatened gruffly.
Linglong gazed anxiously at the door, then whimpered, “Qin Daofei, Old Ye is bullying me!”
Old Ye looked up and saw Qin Daofei had arrived unnoticed.
“Not bad, little Qin, your skills are improving,” Old Ye said, not quite sincere.
Qin Daofei eyed the needles in Linglong’s head and asked, “Can she be cured?”
“The poison is cleverly administered—enough to fool a greenhorn like Lishang. Take her to the hot spring behind the house for two hours a day. While she soaks, use this to stimulate the Baihui, Yongquan, and Renzhong points to draw the toxins to the Yongquan. Bleed the poison each day, have Lishang make nourishing tonics, and that’s that. I’m busy—goodbye.”
Old Ye left grandly.
Qin Daofei smiled. “The hot spring, then?”
“What are you planning?” Linglong demanded, flustered.
“Nothing. We’ll take it slow,” Qin Daofei replied.
“Beast!” Linglong shot back, closing her eyes to avoid him.
Qin Daofei swept her into his arms and flew toward the rear mountain.
With her head full of needles, the pain nearly made Linglong faint. She gritted her teeth, “Why can’t you take out the needles before the hot spring?”
“I’m no doctor—don’t ask me,” Qin Daofei replied, obediently dumping Linglong into the spring, then using the scraping board Old Ye had given him to stimulate her acupoints.
Linglong shrieked. Qin Daofei quickly asked, “Does it hurt?”
“The water’s hot, your scraping hurts, and the needles hurt too!” Maybe it did hurt, but not enough for such a howl. Linglong mainly screamed to distract Qin Daofei from undressing her.
But Qin Daofei, worried, thought she was genuinely in pain, his features creasing with concern.
Seeing the sweat trickling down his handsome face as he accompanied her in the water, Linglong suddenly felt parched.
She swallowed, closed her eyes for a long moment, then opened them to find Qin Daofei looking at her just as intensely.
Shy, Linglong slapped his face, scolding, “What are you staring at?”
“Does it still hurt?” Qin Daofei’s tone was dangerously soft, as if reading her thoughts.
Linglong, embarrassed, flopped to the side. “I feel weak… My head hurts, my chest hurts, everything hurts!”
“Your chest hurts?” Qin Daofei’s gaze slid down her neckline.
Linglong clutched her collar, protesting, “I want water!”
“Wuying, go ask Old Ye if she can drink.” Qin Daofei ordered calmly.
An awkward silence fell.
Linglong finally took in her surroundings. The spring was ringed with fresh bamboo forming a fence, beyond which lay lush lawns and masses of flowers. The bottom was paved with smooth river stones, and if not for Qin Daofei’s predatory presence, she’d have loved to enjoy it.
“Master, Madam’s tonic is outside the bamboo. Please fetch it.” A voice drifted from all directions, making Linglong shiver.
“Could you not float around when you talk? You’re making me dizzy!” she complained, then leaned over to vomit.
Hidden, Wuying felt a chill and quietly withdrew.
Qin Daofei moved closer to soothe her. “How are you feeling?”
“A bit dizzy,” Linglong replied, weakly leaning on him. Suddenly, Qin Daofei plucked out the hairpin from her head and, with precision, skewered a worm from her vomit.
A parasite.
“Gu poison,” Qin Daofei murmured, eyes narrowing. “Stay here. I’m going to find Old Ye.”
Having caused Linglong’s nausea earlier, Wuying now stood at attention behind the bamboo. “Yes, sir.”
Linglong slumped by the water, rinsed away the filth, and thinking of the squirming worm on her hairpin, vomited again.
When Qin Daofei returned, Linglong was nearly sinking. He scooped her up at once.
“What did Old Ye say?” Linglong asked weakly, still concerned.
Qin Daofei frowned. “He said it’s normal. You’ll get used to vomiting.”
“That old quack!” Linglong muttered, leaning on Qin Daofei as he pressed her acupoints with the scraping board, per Old Ye’s instructions.
“Want some water?” Linglong’s thirst was overwhelming.
Qin Daofei gently brushed aside her hair. “Old Ye said, once you vomit that thing up, you have to endure—no water allowed.”
“How long?” Linglong clung to him, desperate for a drink.
Qin Daofei soothed her. “After the bath, you can have porridge. But as long as you vomit in the spring, no water.”
Linglong was driven mad, clawing at Qin Daofei’s chest. “Is Old Ye doing this on purpose?”
“I’ll moisten you,” Qin Daofei murmured.
Linglong stared, confused by his meaning—when Qin Daofei cradled her face and kissed her.
Their lips met. Linglong struggled, but couldn’t deny the comfort he gave.
In that instant, tears welled in her eyes.
This man…
Her tears mingled with their kiss. Qin Daofei pulled back, frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“Aren’t you disgusted?” Linglong herself was.
Qin Daofei smiled. “Silly girl, what’s there to mind?”
If only you knew how hard I’ve searched for you these past two years…
He thought but didn’t say: “When you know the value of regaining what’s lost, nothing in this world can stop you from loving her.”
Such tender words, however, he could not voice.
Linglong’s eyes felt dry and swollen. Not wanting him to see her feelings, she pushed him to turn away, then pressed her forehead to his back.
Feeling warmth soaking through his clothes, Qin Daofei was moved. He tried to turn, but Linglong pinched his waist in warning.
Qin Daofei was helpless.
“Are you crying?” he asked.
Linglong pinched harder, scolding, “You’re the one crying! Do I look sentimental to you? I’m not your Tan Concubine, bawling at every turn!”
“Ow, that hurts,” Qin Daofei replied softly.
Linglong switched to her fists, but her punches were so hard they nearly cracked his bones.
“If you’re crying, just admit it. I won’t laugh at you,” Qin Daofei said, grabbing her hand. With a gentle pull, Linglong slipped around to face him, his deep eyes locked on hers.
“No staring!” Linglong’s eyes were red, her fierce expression making her look like a bristling cat.
When he kept staring, she clawed at him.
Qin Daofei caught her hands, saying, “Don’t act like a shrew.”
“I am a shrew! I’ll scratch you all I like!” Linglong never minded the label, and began to scratch everywhere.
Qin Daofei seized her wrists, amusement in his voice. “Enough. I need to work on your acupoints.”
But Linglong bit him instead. With no choice, Qin Daofei pinned her hands with one hand, her jaw with the other, and silenced her with a kiss.
Linglong struggled at first, but could only whimper as Qin Daofei took full advantage.
In the end, it was unclear who was biting whom—both were equally impassioned.
Qin Daofei held Linglong close, their bodies pressed together, the hot spring’s warmth no match for their heat.
Linglong thought escape was impossible today.
But—
Old Ye appeared suddenly, whacking them apart with a bamboo pole. “I told you to treat her, not fool around. Stimulate the acupoints or go to sleep!”
He left, hands behind his back, grinning wickedly.
Linglong, mortified, buried her head in Qin Daofei’s chest. “That old beast is too much!”
Qin Daofei’s face flushed with rare embarrassment as he tried to steady Linglong and find the scraping board, making Linglong burst out laughing.
Watching him flustered, Linglong laughed without a shred of sympathy.
Qin Daofei ground his teeth. “Still laughing?”
“Hahaha, Qin Daofei, you’re so adorable when shy. Come, smile for me!” Linglong, playful as ever, teased him.
Qin Daofei tightened his hold, pressing Linglong close, letting her feel his desire.
Feeling his intent, Linglong immediately froze.
“Still want to play?” Qin Daofei’s half-smile was enough to cow her.
Linglong shook her head vigorously. “No, you’re too much of a beast!”
Qin Daofei pushed her to the pool’s edge, found the scraping board, and resumed stimulating her acupoints. Whether from excitement or the spring’s sedative effect, Linglong soon fell asleep.
When she awoke, it was dusk.
In an unfamiliar room, Linglong was first confused, then realized she was at Ye Lishang’s Carefree Pavilion, and promptly went back to sleep.
Eventually, she got up, went to the window, and was struck by the view.
On the far side of the mountain, the mist, tinged gold by the slanting sun, lacked a touch of the ethereal but gained a regal grandeur.
The great sun hung halfway up the mountain, golden-orange, making her think of… a golden cake.
“Oh, what a beautiful golden cake,” Linglong sighed, cupping her face.
Just then, Qin Daofei entered, heard her, and approached, encircling her from behind. “What golden cake?”
“That sun—it looks just like a golden cake. It must be worth a fortune!” Linglong replied, looking up at him with a greedy smile.
Qin Daofei frowned, not eager to reply.
“Qin Daofei, coming here for treatment has wasted so much of my time. Shouldn’t you give me a golden cake as big as that?” Linglong gestured a plate-sized circle.
Seeing Qin Daofei’s growing annoyance, she shrank the size. “This big, then?”
She formed a circle with her thumbs and forefingers.
Qin Daofei’s expression grew darker.
“Fine, make it the size of a jade pendant?” Linglong kept haggling.
Qin Daofei closed his eyes, reopened them, and his anger had faded, replaced by resignation.
“What do you want it for?” he asked.
Linglong grinned, “To wear on my belt—it’s much prettier than a jade pendant!”
Of course…
“I thought your taste had improved over the years, but it turns out you were just hiding it,” Qin Daofei said with genuine disdain.
Linglong, offended, jabbed at him.
“Master, Miss, dinner’s ready!” Hua’er called from the door.
Linglong pushed past Qin Daofei and skipped out.
He followed, expressionless.
When they arrived, the others were already waiting. Seeing them emerge together, Tan Xiyin shot them a murderous look before quickly masking it with a feeble, sorrowful, “Brother Daofei, dinner’s ready.”
Tsk, tsk.
“Tan Concubine, you look well. Did Old Ye agree to treat your legs?” Linglong grinned maliciously.
Tan Xiyin’s face stiffened at the implication, but before she could retort, Linglong continued, “I knew it! You look so happy—you must be getting treated.”
“Are you blind? Where do you see her happy?” Old Ye interjected for reasons unknown.
Linglong pointed at Hua’er. “You think Tan Concubine isn’t happy?”
Hua’er kept her head down, pretending not to hear.
Linglong asked Tang Li and Fang Qing, but they too pretended not to notice, so she turned to Ye Lishang. “Quack, what do you think?”
“I’d like to poison you to death!” Ye Lishang retorted without mercy.
Linglong shrugged, then asked Tan Concubine, “Tell them, if Old Ye can cure you, won’t you be happy?”
“Don’t worry, Madam. If Elder can cure me, I’ll leave once I’m well,” Tan Xiyin replied, her tone resolute—perhaps she truly believed she could fool everyone into thinking she’d never recover.
Linglong once thought Tan Xiyin was simply a woman who used her frailty to deceive the world. But after all that had happened, Linglong realized she was truly clever.
Even in dire circumstances, she found a way to stay by exploiting Xiang Wang’s attack.
If Qin Daofei hadn’t intended to unmask the person behind her and insisted on sending her away, he’d now be seen as heartless and untrustworthy.
But who was providing her with all these things?
The drug that numbed her legs, all the subsequent schemes—were they really her own?
Xiang Wang came to challenge Qin Daofei, Tan Xiyin happened to block the blade, and the wound just happened to numb her leg. Afterwards…
Who was it? Who was really manipulating things behind Tan Xiyin and Xiang Wang?
Linglong’s mind whirled. Qin Daofei nudged her, his voice even. “Why are you daydreaming? Eat.”
“Ah, Tan Concubine’s spirited words just now inspired me. I’m a bit emotional,” Linglong replied with a smile.
Hearing this, everyone’s heart skipped a beat. Did she mean to leave Qin Daofei?
The ones most affected were Qin Daofei and Tan Xiyin.
Qin Daofei only looked at Linglong with a cold gaze. Though he felt wretched, he didn’t show it. The look in his eyes was enough to break any woman’s heart.
But it was Tan Xiyin’s heart that broke, not Linglong’s. When she announced she’d leave, Qin Daofei said nothing, not even a flicker of emotion. But at Linglong’s merest hint, he looked so pained.
“Oh, why are you all staring at me? I was just thinking, when Tan Concubine leaves, should I find Qin Daofei another concubine? It would be fun to have someone else to bicker with.” Linglong tried to lighten the mood.
But it only made matters worse.
Hua’er snatched Linglong’s bowl away. “Always talking nonsense. No food for you.”
“Master Qin…” Linglong appealed to Qin Daofei.
He gave her a look that showed no intention of helping.
Linglong could only give Hua’er a pitiful look. “If you starve me, you’ll have no mistress left.”
“Will you stop talking nonsense next time?” Hua’er could be fierce when Linglong spouted nonsense.
Linglong nodded meekly. “I won’t.”
But only in words!
Thunk!
Hua’er returned the bowl and chopsticks. The others ignored Linglong and ate.
That night, Old Ye came as usual to treat Tan Xiyin with acupuncture. Then he took Linglong to the darkroom for detoxification.
Linglong, miserable, clung to Qin Daofei’s arm and whined, “Come with me—this old man always bullies me.”
“When have I ever bullied you?” Old Ye finally understood why Hua’er disliked Linglong’s nonsense—she was a master of making trouble.
Linglong ignored him, looking pitifully at Qin Daofei.
Qin Daofei was about to accompany her, but recalling her antics that afternoon, decided to tease her instead.
He pried her hands from his arm. “Didn’t you say you’d find me a new concubine? If you’ve decided to let go, what’s the point of clinging to me now?”
“I was just trying to annoy Tan Concubine! Why are you, a grown man, so serious?” Linglong protested.
Qin Daofei sneered. “I mean it.”
“Master Qin, after you kick Tan Concubine out, I won’t let any other women stay at Carefree Manor. I’ll have all the men castrated and use them as eunuchs. As for your mother—well, you plan to marry her off anyway. We’ll just find a rich family and send her off.”
For some reason, Qin Daofei, intending to mock Linglong, only grew angrier.
He was on the verge of exploding.
Old Ye shook his head and dragged Linglong to the darkroom. “I never expected that little beast to be so heartless—he’d even marry off his own mother. Still, she may be a bit stupid, but she’s good-looking. If the dowry’s big enough, she can come to Carefree Pavilion.”
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