Chapter 59: After Drinking Linglong’s Tea, the King of Xiang Met with Trouble

"Feng Linglong!" Qin Daofei gave a low, warning growl.

Linglong hunched her shoulders. "I'm not trying to marry off your mother, so what's with all the yelling?"

"Ah, little Qin, even you have your day. Damn, this is satisfying!" Old Night chuckled heartily, as if a great revenge had been exacted, his heart unburdened, his gaze clear, his limbs full of strength again.

Qin Daofei fell silent.

Linglong too was quiet.

After bringing Linglong to the secret chamber, Old Night forced her to lie down on an icy jade bed. The moment she lay on it, she was so cold she shivered uncontrollably.

"My bones hurt from the cold. What is this thing?" Linglong asked through chattering teeth.

Seeing her suffer, Qin Daofei's heart softened. He walked over to her and asked Old Night, "Can I use my inner energy to shield her?"

"If you want the eggs inside her to die from the sudden temperature changes, then go ahead and shield her," Old Night huffed, glaring.

Qin Daofei could only hold Linglong's hand in comfort. "Don't worry, Linglong. It'll be over soon."

"If I ever find out who poisoned me, I'll kill them with my own hands!" Linglong ground her teeth in anger, and somehow, her body didn't feel quite so miserable anymore.

As Linglong lay on the icy jade bed, Old Night used silver needles to stimulate her acupoints.

"I'm telling you, Old Night, I'm about to freeze to death here. Can't you distract me with something I like?" Linglong pleaded, though her eyes were actually on Qin Daofei.

"What do you want to talk about?" Qin Daofei asked.

"I just want to know if Tan Xiyin's legs can be healed." Truthfully, Linglong wanted to ask, haven't you all noticed her legs aren't actually lame?

Old Night flicked Linglong's forehead with a smirk. "I see you're a sly one, but only little Qin can handle you. We all know your concubine's legs aren't crippled. No need to be so roundabout. Do you think I'm an incompetent physician?"

Ah!

Linglong kicked her legs in excitement. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I thought I was so clever, feeling proud of myself all this time!"

Uh!

"Shouldn't your concern be why little Qin hasn't exposed her?" Old Night inquired.

Linglong raised an eyebrow with a mischievous grin. "That just shows you don't know Qin Daofei. You call him a beast—he's not one for normal conduct. If Tan Xiyin likes to act, Qin Daofei will play along. If he killed her now, people would think he's heartless, even if he actually is. Right, Master Qin?"

To criticize a man to his face and expect his agreement—Feng Linglong truly had courage greater than the sky, and a skin as thick as the earth is deep.

Qin Daofei sneered, refusing to engage with her. He thought, if there were another Feng Linglong in the world, he'd have killed her a hundred times over.

"Little Qin, is she right?" Old Night joined in, as if determined to aggravate Qin Daofei further.

Qin Daofei ground his teeth. "Are you all tired of living?"

"Yes, I want to die. Why don't you kill me?" Linglong, still sprawled starfish-like on the bed, seized the opportunity to provoke him.

Veins bulged on Qin Daofei's forehead—he was furious!

Old Night watched Qin Daofei, who quickly calmed his breath and suppressed his killing intent. He said coolly, "Linglong, when we return to Carefree Manor, let's have a child together."

"No, I can't have children!" Linglong refused outright.

Qin Daofei raised an eyebrow and asked Old Night, "She says she can't bear children. Is that true?"

"With me here, how could she not? Ridiculous!" Old Night cackled, ever the madman, always relishing the chaos.

Linglong turned her face away in misery, not daring to look at Qin Daofei. She knew he’d wanted to do that for a long time; provoke him now, and who knows what might happen tonight. The thought itself was terrifying—she shrank into herself, silent.

Old Night laughed. "Little Qin really does have the upper hand. Come, let's get her to the hot springs, quickly!"

Oh, heavens!

"This shock of hot and cold could kill someone!" Linglong wailed.

Qin Daofei's cold smile lingered in her ear as she was overcome by a chill that sank into her bones. But soon enough, that icy pain was replaced by a searing heat, and she found herself unceremoniously tossed into the hot spring by Qin Daofei, the spray of water like a raging tide.

Linglong was in such pain she nearly lost consciousness. As she struggled, Qin Daofei appeared, clasped her slender waist, and lifted her from the water, asking anxiously, "Are you all right, Linglong?"

"Nearly died!" Linglong gasped, but warmth soon suffused her whole body—the agony was fleeting.

Clinging to Qin Daofei’s waist, she wrapped herself around him. "Old Night’s icy bed and this hot spring really are a perfect match!"

"Hmph. I added over twenty rare medicinal herbs to keep you from being scalded. Soak for two quarters of an hour, no more, or the effects won’t last!" Old Night called from outside, hands behind his back, then stalked off, only to turn back and warn menacingly, "No funny business in my pool, or I’ll kill you both!"

Pfft!

Linglong kicked Qin Daofei's calf. "Brother Daofei, don’t do anything, or Old Night will kill you!"

"Want me to kill you instead?" Qin Daofei realized that threatening Linglong with that particular thing was always effective.

A dark, windy night—prime for murder and robbery.

Naturally, Linglong dared not tease him further, and obediently slid off him, whiling away the time by dog-paddling clumsily in the water.

Qin Daofei watched her struggle, unable to bear the sight, and turned away. Linglong, however, paid him no mind and swam on merrily.

Seeing her carefree, Qin Daofei felt the softest part of his heart fill up—her ungainly swimming form was all he could think of.

Before leaving, Old Night placed incense on the shore. Once it burned out, Qin Daofei unceremoniously fished Linglong out and carried her to their room.

Whether by design or coincidence, Ye Lishang had given Linglong and Qin Daofei a room right beside Tan Xiyin’s.

As Qin Daofei carried the dripping Linglong back, Tan Xiyin opened her door. Six eyes met, and the air grew awkward.

"Brother Daofei, what’s going on?" Tan Xiyin asked in confusion.

Qin Daofei frowned, saying nothing.

Linglong made a scene at once. "Qin Daofei, you won’t even let me swim—how can you be so overbearing?"

"In the middle of the night, with the damp and chill in the air, don’t you know better?" Qin Daofei kept Linglong slung over his shoulder, his tone icy.

Tan Xiyin bowed her head sadly. "Brother Daofei, I want to talk to you. Go change, and then can we talk alone?"

"Mm." Qin Daofei calmly carried Linglong inside.

When the two reemerged, both wore thin gauze robes, but Linglong was cloaked in a long, black mantle that trailed on the ground—clearly Qin Daofei’s.

So it was that when Tan Xiyin asked to speak to Qin Daofei alone, she got both of them.

"I only want to talk to Brother Daofei," Tan Xiyin said, pointedly ignoring Linglong.

Linglong propped her chin on her hand, lazily replying, "Just pretend I’m not here. I’m just a silent orchid in a secluded valley."

"I’ve never met such a noisy orchid!" Qin Daofei retorted mercilessly.

In the past, Tan Xiyin might have naively thought that Feng Linglong meant nothing to Qin Daofei, but now she knew: no matter how he mocked or criticized her, the place in his heart would always belong to this one woman. No one else could take it.

To prove she could be a quiet orchid, Linglong rolled her eyes and didn’t answer.

"Speak," Qin Daofei said coolly to Tan Xiyin.

Tan Xiyin, tears threatening, pushed her wheelchair away, offering only a desolate back and a mournful, "I’ve changed my mind. I want to rest. Please close the door on your way out."

Pfft!

Linglong, chin propped on her hand, burst out laughing. "How much must Concubine Tan hate me?"

"Isn’t it the main wife who hates me?" Tan Xiyin replied without turning, her voice flat. "Please leave, both of you."

"Fine, let’s go. Qin Daofei, aren’t you coming? If you don’t, Concubine Tan has already warmed your bed and is waiting. I won’t disturb you!" Linglong stomped off, fuming.

From inside Tan Xiyin’s room, they heard Qin Daofei’s hurried footsteps and his parting words before shutting the door: "Why are you jealous over nothing again?"

Hearing this, Tan Xiyin dug her nails into her thigh, her eyes dark with venom.

"I took a knife for you—was that not enough?" In her mind, saving him once should have erased all her past wrongs.

But the old wounds in Qin Daofei and Linglong’s hearts could never be so easily erased.

Back in their room, Linglong patted Qin Daofei’s shoulder and whispered, "Did you notice?"

"Notice what?" he replied.

"Tan Xiyin seems suspicious about who came for treatment. Does she suspect it was me?" Linglong asked, worried.

Qin Daofei frowned, pressing Linglong onto the bed and drying her hair with a towel. "She doesn’t know your body is depleted. Otherwise, with her nature, she’d be waiting for you to die."

"Qin Daofei!" Linglong ground her teeth, but on reflection, it was probably true.

"If Tan Xiyin didn’t poison me, then who did?" Linglong wondered.

Qin Daofei gazed at her deeply. "The one hiding behind them."

That person again!

In truth, they weren’t even sure such a person existed.

"It’s late," Qin Daofei soothed, drying her hair. "Get some rest. I’ll handle everything else. You just need to recover."

Drowsiness overtook Linglong, but she fought sleep to ask, "And then?"

"And then..." Qin Daofei watched her eyes close and her breathing steady before whispering, "Then you’ll give me lots of children, and we’ll make lots of money together."

They stayed at Wuyou Pavilion for four days. To keep up appearances, Old Night also regularly did acupuncture for Tan Xiyin.

Yet no matter what he did, her legs remained numb.

Unaware of the truth, everyone else believed Tan Xiyin’s legs were truly crippled.

She seemed satisfied with this outcome, so on the return trip, she kept a serene smile on her lips.

"Concubine Tan seems especially pleased that her legs can’t be healed," Linglong observed, eyeing the hint of sarcasm in Tan Xiyin’s smile, wanting to rip off her mask.

Tan Xiyin looked up warily.

"Does the main wife wish I’d cry every day?" Tan Xiyin retorted.

Linglong pouted. "No, I don’t wish that. I just wish you were dead."

"Sorry, but I won’t die just yet, nor will I leave Carefree Manor. No matter how much you dislike it, Brother Daofei won’t abandon me." Tan Xiyin challenged her.

Linglong smiled. "Are you trying to make me angry?"

Tan Xiyin narrowed her eyes. She’d never thought Feng Linglong was clever, but this time, she’d grown sharper, able to anticipate her moves and disrupt her plans.

"That’s not my intention. Why does the main wife always trouble me?" Tan Xiyin replied coolly, glancing toward the approaching Qin Daofei, her lips trembling with unshed tears.

Linglong watched her with a half-smile, guessing now what Tan Xiyin had wanted to discuss last time.

"What are you doing?" Qin Daofei asked as he approached.

Tan Xiyin bowed her head, letting her tears fall.

Linglong shrugged, waiting to see her performance.

After a moment, Tan Xiyin looked up, eyes misty. "Brother Daofei, I won’t return with you. Let me wander the world alone."

"The world?" Qin Daofei sneered. "Tan Xiyin, life outside isn’t what you imagine. Not everyone survives out there. With your condition, you wouldn’t last."

"But the main wife wants me gone. I don’t want to burden you, Brother Daofei. I’ve already cost you enough!" Tan Xiyin’s words pointed straight at Linglong.

All eyes turned to Linglong, waiting for her response.

Fine!

Linglong thought, let me give you a reaction.

"Concubine Tan, I beg you not to leave! You saved Brother Daofei, making you our family’s benefactor. Even if you’ve committed crimes, or cheated, we can overlook it. But please don’t leave him. I was wrong!" Linglong wailed, voice loud, but no tears came, so she simply flopped onto the carriage in mock sobs.

Tsk!

Qin Daofei massaged his temples in exasperation.

Fang Qing tugged at Hua’er’s sleeve and whispered, "Are you sure she’s persuading her to stay?"

Hua’er struggled to suppress her laughter. "Sister Fang Qing, I can’t take it. Let’s go laugh somewhere else."

"Me too, let’s go!" Fang Qing pulled Hua’er away to giggle in private.

Tan Xiyin’s tears spilled over in frustration. She wanted Linglong to bow her head, and Linglong had done so. If she pressed further, she’d be in the wrong. Yet, why did she feel no sense of victory?

"Enough. Linglong has apologized. Never mention leaving Carefree Manor again. We’re going home," Qin Daofei declared, seemingly impartial, but his favoritism toward Linglong was clear.

Tan Xiyin dared not provoke him openly—she knew Qin Daofei too well; if angered, he really might drive her out.

No one brought up the subject again, and Linglong soon dozed off, her head drooping.

Tan Xiyin, too, behaved herself the rest of the way, unexpectedly quiet.

Back at Carefree Manor, Linglong's first act was to seek out Effie.

"Effie?" she called up at the rafters.

No answer.

"Effie, little Effie, assassin Effie, woman, where have you died off to?" After a few tries, Linglong lost patience and started yelling all sorts of nicknames. If Effie were on the beams, she’d surely react.

Sure enough…

Effie silently dropped behind her, patted Linglong’s shoulder, and said coldly, "Are you looking to die?"

Yikes!

Linglong clutched her chest in fright. "Woman, you’ll scare someone to death like that!"

"Where have you been these days?" Effie asked coolly.

Linglong grinned foolishly. "I went with Qin Daofei to treat Tan Xiyin."

She shot Effie a proud look, as if saying, "See how nice I am to Concubine Tan? Even I’m moved by my own kindness."

"Tan Xiyin is lucky you didn’t kill her on the road," Effie replied dryly.

Linglong glared. "Am I that kind of person?"

"So, can her legs be healed?" Effie poured herself tea, sipping calmly.

Linglong eyed her sideways. "How should I know? That woman’s thoughts run deep. How’s Cheng Xiang doing?"

"In over his head," Effie replied succinctly.

Linglong raised a brow. "Knowing he’s miserable puts my mind at ease!"

"Heh, woman," Effie rolled her eyes.

Linglong sidled closer. "Tell me the details?"

"Ask Master Qin—he planned it all," Effie said, pushing Linglong aside and heading for the roof.

Just then, Qin Daofei strolled in and, seeing Linglong grinning like a madam at a brothel, asked, "What are you up to?"

"I heard from Effie you’ve been making Cheng Xiang miserable these days," Linglong said, eyes shining.

Qin Daofei sat down unhurriedly. "What, do you want to help him?"

"Do you think I’m that kindhearted? Tell me, what merciless things have you done?"

Qin Daofei answered, "Nothing much. Just dismantled the network he built for selling offices and making money, and cut off some of the Liu family’s business, costing them a few hundred thousand taels of silver."

Tsk, tsk, tsk!

"And the silver?" As always, Linglong cared most about the money.

"It was wrung from the people. Naturally, it should go back to them. Yuanyang County suffered a drought, so all the silver was donated to the refugees there," Qin Daofei replied.

"Do you think Cheng Xiang is so angry he can't eat?" Linglong probed.

"Hardly. He’s eating just fine!" Qin Daofei said, and seeing her disappointment, added, "He’s been bedridden these days—not up at all."

"Qin Daofei, I love you to death!" Linglong exclaimed, leaping into his arms.

Qin Daofei squeezed her waist. "How about you repay me with your body?"

"Hua’er, I’m starving! Prepare me lots of beef noodles—your cooking!" Linglong yelled.

Qin Daofei frowned, biting her ear hard.

Linglong dared not cry out, but gazed at him with pitiful eyes, waiting for him to relent.

Seeing her so pitiful, Qin Daofei relented. He pulled her into his arms, placed a candy in her hand. "Eat."

Linglong beamed, nibbling on the candy.

At Prince Xiang’s manor—

"Your Highness, news from over there says Qin Daofei has returned with Tan Xiyin and Miss Linglong," a guard reported.

Prince Xiang lay on his bed, a white towel over his forehead. On hearing this, he tossed the towel aside and demanded, "Has Qin Daofei discovered Tan Xiyin’s lameness is fake?"

"Tan Xiyin returned in a wheelchair, so it seems she hasn’t been exposed," the guard answered.

Prince Xiang fixed him with a cold stare. "Prepare the carriage. I’ll visit Linglong myself."

"Your Highness, with Qin Daofei pressing so hard, you—"

The man fell silent under the threat in Prince Xiang’s eyes.

"I am the emperor’s favorite son and the strongest contender for the throne. Qin Daofei is nothing. He cannot best me," Prince Xiang declared.

The man dared not argue further.

When Prince Xiang arrived at Carefree Manor, Linglong was eating noodles. Hearing of his arrival, she rushed out, but Qin Daofei grabbed her hair and pulled her back.

"Finish eating," Qin Daofei ordered.

"I’m full," Linglong protested.

"He’s just a dog. Why care so much? Eat," Qin Daofei insisted.

Linglong relented and finished her food.

"Tang Li, see what he wants," Qin Daofei instructed.

Tang Li grinned. "This time, His Highness has learned his lesson—he sent a formal invitation, requesting to visit the main wife."

"I’m not dead—why does he want to visit?" Neither would refuse him, but Qin Daofei made no effort to hide his disdain.

Tang Li nearly choked with laughter.

"He’s come properly to pay his respects. You can’t turn him away. Go meet him—take Fang Qing with you," Qin Daofei said.

Linglong, in the middle of picking up a piece of meat, was so startled she dropped it.

"You want me to see Prince Xiang?" Wasn’t he always against her seeing him?

Qin Daofei picked up the meat and popped it in her mouth. "He sent an invitation. If you refuse, he’ll claim Carefree Manor slighted him."

"True. Prepare things to entertain Prince Xiang!" Linglong rolled up her sleeves, looking wickedly delighted.

Qin Daofei massaged his brow, letting her have her way.

He arranged for the meeting to be held at a lakeside pavilion in the front courtyard—busy enough that even Prince Xiang wouldn’t dare act out in public.

By the autumn lakeside, the wind carried a chill. Linglong, wrapped in Qin Daofei’s cloak, lounged lazily in the pavilion, chin in hand, watching the fish.

"Linglong, where have you been these days?" Had he not known Qin Daofei took Tan Xiyin for treatment, Prince Xiang would have suspected they were escaping.

Linglong looked at him coolly. "I heard you let Liu Fengying beat your princess to death, and she was carrying your child?"

Prince Xiang was stunned—he hadn’t expected her to bring up his princess.

When he didn’t answer, Linglong’s tone turned cold. "I asked you a question."

"I didn’t know she would kill her!" Prince Xiang’s defense was feeble—he couldn’t convince himself, let alone Linglong.

Linglong regarded him with a mocking smile. "I liked that child. I thought, once it was born, I’d visit often, teach it not to grow up cruel like you. But it never got the chance to live."

"If you like, we could have many children together," Prince Xiang offered. He knew Linglong cherished children—otherwise, she could have killed his princess last time.

Linglong sneered. "You killed my child, then your own, and still talk of having more? Don’t you ever fear, in the dead of night, seeing its bloody little hands in your dreams?"

"Linglong, I swear I didn’t mean it. Liu Fengying acted on her own! Your child’s death had nothing to do with me!"

Before he finished, Linglong rose and pointed at him. "Nothing to do with you? Cheng Xiang, do you think me a fool? We were all poisoned—Tan Xiyin and I survived. She lost her family, I lost my child. Are you telling me letting me live was Tan Xiyin’s idea?"

"I..." Prince Xiang was at a loss.

Linglong shut her eyes in pain. "Forget it. You’ll never admit it anyway. Tan Xiyin saved Qin Daofei, so he won’t kill her. I’ll bear it alone. Maybe someday I’ll die, and then you’ll all be happy."

"I won’t let her live much longer!" Prince Xiang said darkly.

Linglong shot him a frosty glare. "This is Carefree Manor’s affair. What business is it of yours? Do you plan to silence witnesses?"

"I... I don’t. It has nothing to do with me!" Prince Xiang denied.

Linglong’s heart turned cold. She looked at him and said, "Your Highness, you’re not young anymore. Here, have some tea."

Prince Xiang thought she was about to lecture him, but she only offered tea.

He was caught off guard.

"I’m frail. In autumn’s chill, I drink chili water to keep warm. Qin Daofei worries for me, so all the teapots are filled with chili water. If you don’t mind, have some too," Linglong said, her voice slow.

Prince Xiang had already taken a sip. Upon hearing it was chili water, he nearly spat it out.

"What, you claim to share my hardships, but can’t even drink chili water? You’re still a child!" Linglong teased, for while they were the same age, she always called him a child, which he hated.

Being called a child by someone you love is no compliment.

Prince Xiang, embarrassed, forced himself to swallow the chili water. His lips turned red, his brows flushed.

Linglong, unsatisfied, downed another cup herself. "See? I can do it without changing expression!"

To prove his manhood, Prince Xiang gulped another cup, immediately coughing uncontrollably.

Still not content, Linglong had Fang Qing pour her another. Fang Qing, ever polite, asked, "Would Your Highness like a refill?"

"No need!" Prince Xiang refused. "I only came to see Linglong. I have state affairs to attend. Goodbye!"

And so, for the first time, Prince Xiang left Carefree Manor in such haste.

Watching him scurry off, Linglong threw his cup into the lake, saying coolly, "Still too green to spar with me."

"Wait, Linglong!" Fang Qing suddenly cried and dashed out.

Following her gaze, Linglong saw several fish in the lake, belly up, dead after fighting over the tea leaves.

In that moment, Linglong went numb.

Who could it be, attempting to kill Prince Xiang and frame Carefree Manor?

She shouted, "Wuying, detain everyone immediately!"

She and Fang Qing hurried after Prince Xiang.

Before he could leave, Fang Qing stopped him. "Your Highness, my lady says there’s something else she must tell you."

Prince Xiang ignored her and tried to leave.

Fang Qing grabbed his arm. "She feels guilty for teasing you and wants to make fruit tea as an apology. It’s her specialty."

Hearing this, Prince Xiang was tempted but wary, suspecting another trap.

"Please, Your Highness!" Fang Qing all but dragged him back.

Just as he was about to protest, Linglong appeared, relieved to see him stopped. "What, you won’t stay when I ask?"

"Linglong, what are you planning?" Prince Xiang asked.

Fang Qing, fearing Linglong would slip, smiled calmly. "We told you, fruit tea."

Just then, Qin Daofei strode out.

"Yes, my fruit tea is famous. If you refuse, I’ll be angry!" Linglong said.

Prince Xiang smiled wryly. "Even if you serve me poison, I’d drink it."

Qin Daofei’s face was grim, but he said nothing.

"Tang Li, have Hua’er prepare fresh fruit and take my sister with her to pick it," Linglong ordered, meaning for Effie to oversee and prevent more poisoning.

Tang Li understood and hurried off.

Linglong led Prince Xiang to the main hall, where incense burned. She took care not to breathe deeply.

No sooner had Prince Xiang sat than he slumped over, unconscious.

"Phew! Nearly suffocated," Linglong exclaimed, opening the windows for fresh air.

Qin Daofei entered, snuffed out the incense, and asked, "Are you all right?"

"Is the rear courtyard secure?" Linglong asked.

Qin Daofei frowned. "It’s under control. Tang Li is handling it."

"Has Ye Lishang been summoned?" Linglong asked.

"Jifeng is fetching him. Don’t worry," Qin Daofei soothed, though he was anxious himself.

To poison Prince Xiang at Carefree Manor was no small feat.

Soon, Effie and Hua’er returned with a tray.

Linglong rushed to Effie. "Check—will he die here?"

Effie felt Prince Xiang's pulse and frowned. "There’s no pulse."

At that, Linglong staggered back. If there was no pulse, Carefree Manor...

Her first thought was for the manor and Qin Daofei.

Qin Daofei drew her close. "Don’t scare yourself. The poison may kill fish, but not a grown man so easily."

"But if he dies here, what will become of you, of Carefree Manor?" Linglong whispered anxiously.

Effie glanced at Linglong, but Linglong was too distraught to notice; her mind was only on finding a way to save Qin Daofei.

He gathered her in his arms, refusing to let her worry further.

"Don’t be afraid, I’ll hold up the sky for you."

Everyone watched Prince Xiang in silence, awaiting whatever misfortune he might bring.

Soon, Ye Lishang arrived.

At the same time, Prince Xiang’s men grew restless, demanding their master.

"Master, Prince Xiang’s men demand his return, claiming urgent palace business," Tang Li reported in a low voice.

Qin Daofei glanced at Ye Lishang. "See what’s going on."

"He has no pulse," Ye Lishang said after a quick check, recoiling in shock.

Linglong's face went paper-white.

"What now?" she clutched Qin Daofei’s sleeve. "You should run!"

"Ye Lishang, check again," Qin Daofei urged, patting her hand.

After a careful examination, Ye Lishang said, "His heart still beats, but there’s no pulse—likely a feigned death drug."

"I’ll fish the pond to see if the fish are truly dead," Fang Qing said, darting out the window.

Qin Daofei steadied himself and told Tang Li, "Tell Prince Xiang’s men he’s conversing with Linglong and refuses to leave."

Tang Li relayed this, but the prince’s men refused to believe it, insisting on seeing their master.

Unwilling to arouse suspicion, Tang Li did not resist too much, instead signaling those in the shadows along the way.

Whether the ruse would hold depended on fate.

At the main hall door, a servant of Prince Xiang called, "Your Highness, the palace has sent an urgent summons. Her Ladyship asks you to attend tonight—it's urgent!"

"Out! I’m speaking with Linglong. No interruptions!" came the prince's furious voice from within.

Then Linglong’s laughter rang out. "Your mother’s calling you home for dinner!"

"With Linglong’s fruit tea, who’d want to leave? No one in the palace can brew such flavor," the prince replied greedily.

The servant tried to speak again, but was silenced by the crash of a teacup inside.

"Get out!"

With no choice, the man slunk away.

Inside, everyone wiped cold sweat from their brows—for the "Prince Xiang" inside was actually a handsome man in black.

The real prince remained motionless in his chair.

"Have someone follow that man—don’t let him out of sight," Qin Daofei instructed.

When he finished, the man in black leaped out the window and vanished.

Linglong leaned weakly on Qin Daofei. Fang Qing returned with the pond fish, tossing them onto the table. "They aren’t dead, just unconscious."

"So Prince Xiang was given a feigned death drug," Ye Lishang confirmed, fiddling with the fish. "Give me an hour, and I’ll prepare the antidote and revive the fish."

"Half an hour. Any longer and we risk disaster," Qin Daofei replied.

Every second felt like agony as everyone watched Prince Xiang, fearing his men would burst in again.

Not long after, the young man who had left returned, bowing to Qin Daofei. "Master, word from the palace: Her Ladyship never summoned Prince Xiang tonight."

Her Ladyship was, of course, the prince's mother.

"As expected," Qin Daofei said, his eyes cold as he gazed at Prince Xiang.

"You mean Cheng Xiang faked his death to frame Carefree Manor?" Linglong asked.

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