Chapter 61: Concubine Tan and Her Mother-in-law Join Forces in Mischief?

Linglong was quick to react, reaching out to steady Tan Xiyin—then, without warning, she clamped her hand down, ruthlessly pinching the most sensitive part of Tan Xiyin’s chest.

A shrill scream erupted. This time, Tan Xiyin was truly wailing, no attempt to conceal her agony—a heart-wrenching, piercing cry.

All the while, Linglong gritted her teeth, pinching fiercely, but her tone was syrupy with concern, “Tan, dear concubine, you didn’t fall, did you?”

“Let go of me!” Tan Xiyin gasped, her face drained of color from the pain.

“You mustn’t act like this. Now that you’re a cripple, you should act the part!” Linglong refused to release her, forcing herself to suppress her disgust, determined to squeeze until something gave.

The pain was unbearable for Tan Xiyin. She shoved Linglong away with all her might, tumbling over in her wheelchair. Linglong lost her balance from the force and fell to the ground as well.

“What in the world are you doing?” Qin Daofei approached, instinctively helping Linglong up before turning to lift Tan Xiyin back into her wheelchair.

Before Tan Xiyin could speak, Linglong slammed her foot down and pointed at her, launching into a tirade, “Tan Xiyin! I tried to help you, but you pushed me! Look—my leg is bleeding!”

She hiked up her skirt—indeed, blood glistened on her leg.

Tan Xiyin was so furious she burst into tears. “Big Brother Daofei, she pinched me… she pinched…” She stammered, unable to bring herself to say Linglong had pinched her breast.

“Where did she pinch you?” Qin Daofei’s voice was icy.

Tan Xiyin glared at Linglong, swallowing her humiliation. She simply couldn’t say it aloud.

Linglong nearly burst out laughing but kept her composure, staring coldly at Tan Xiyin. “Go on, tell everyone—where did I pinch you?”

Tan Xiyin’s maid returned with a tray of osmanthus cakes, but seeing her mistress in tears and Linglong seething, she hurriedly asked, “What happened, my ladies?”

Linglong snorted, flicking her sleeve and accidentally knocking the cakes to the ground. She pointed at Tan Xiyin, indignant. “This vicious woman falsely accuses me of pinching her, but can’t say how. She slanders me over and over, and you all just stand by?”

Tan Xiyin was so angry she could barely breathe, but she still couldn’t bring herself to say what Linglong had done.

Linglong turned on Qin Daofei, “If you don’t give me justice today, I’ll turn your household upside down!”

“All right, enough. Xiyin hurt her leg—she’s in poor spirits. Must you quarrel with her?” Qin Daofei soothed Linglong, taking her hand and pulling her away. “Really, you two are like children.”

Linglong protested, intent on returning to argue, but Qin Daofei dragged her by the sleeve toward the front courtyard.

All the way, Linglong grumbled and cursed. Tan Xiyin could only watch them go, and once back in her room, she undid her clothing and saw, to her fury, Linglong’s fingerprints left all over her right breast.

Linglong, meanwhile, continued her tantrum as Qin Daofei finally lost his patience. “Care to explain why you pinched her there?”

Linglong flushed with embarrassment, but then, still feeling queasy, she planted her hands on Qin Daofei’s chest, squeezing him hard. “I thought her chest was a bit lacking and wanted to help. Disgusting, honestly.”

“You found it disgusting, yet you did it?” Qin Daofei’s head was pounding.

Linglong pouted. “She wanted to frame me. I was angry, so I struck first.”

“Are you done?” Qin Daofei looked down at her hands, still on his chest.

Linglong withdrew them. “After touching Tan Xiyin, I needed something to calm my nerves. I feel better now.”

She hid her hands behind her back, the picture of innocence.

Qin Daofei ground his teeth. “I ought to hang you up and give you a good beating. Then you’d behave.”

“You’d hit me?” Linglong’s eyes brimmed with tears.

Qin Daofei sighed. “Come, let’s visit the lantern fair. It’s bound to be beautiful tonight.”

“No, I’m an invalid. I need to rest!” Linglong huffed, pushing past him toward the house.

Qin Daofei remarked, “Mother is hosting your uncle’s family for dinner tonight…”

“Is your cousin—the one you were once engaged to—here too?” Linglong suddenly perked up.

Qin Daofei nodded, “Yes, she’s here.”

“Then let’s attend the dinner! I’d love to see what she looks like,” Linglong teased, undaunted.

Qin Daofei’s voice was neutral, “Are you sure about this?”

“Of course. The woman you planned to offer as a reward to all of Xiaoyao Manor—I’m curious how stunning she must be…”

Before Linglong could finish, Qin Daofei clapped his hand over her mouth and leaped onto the roof beam with her.

He set Linglong on the roof, pointing to a girl in yellow below. “That’s my cousin.”

“Master Qin, are you feeling shy about meeting your cousin?” Linglong smirked, cupping her face in her hands.

Qin Daofei tapped her forehead. “Why should I be embarrassed?”

Yet, despite his protest, his ears flushed a deep crimson.

Linglong nearly laughed herself off the roof. “So even you can be shy! Don’t tell me you have improper thoughts about your cousin—tsk, tsk, she’s what, eleven or twelve at most? You’re a beast!”

As Linglong critiqued his cousin with enthusiasm, she failed to notice Qin Daofei had silently vanished from behind her.

When she turned, he was gone. She stamped her foot in anger. “Qin Daofei, come out here!”

But Qin Daofei was clearly intent on tormenting her, and made no response. Linglong clung to the roof beam, utterly alone, her cries echoing unanswered.

As the Wang family drew nearer, Linglong composed herself, refusing to cry out in front of witnesses. Only when they’d entered the Songbai Residence did she resume her complaints in a low voice.

A servant boy below, hearing her, looked up from a safe distance. “Madam?” he called, puzzled as to why she was on the roof.

Overjoyed that someone had heard her, Linglong clung to the beam and called down, “Young man, could you fetch a ladder and help me down?”

Just then, Gale stepped out from behind a pillar, giving the servant a subtle gesture not to interfere. The servant, understanding that only the Manor Lord would dare leave Linglong up there, replied, “Madam, I’m new here and don’t know where the ladders are. I’ll go look.”

Linglong understood perfectly why the boy was running off. She clung to the beam and shouted, “Qin Daofei, just you wait! If I get down, I’ll tell your cousin you’re a beast… No, I’ll match you two up so you’ll destroy each other!”

Below, Gale couldn’t help but snicker.

“Still talking nonsense?” Qin Daofei called from the roof of another house, watching her with folded arms.

Linglong, hand trembling, pointed accusingly. “You beast! Just don’t show yourself!”

“Then I’ll go!” Qin Daofei responded with infuriating cheer.

Linglong’s anger boiled over. She wobbled to her feet, threatening, “If I fall and die, you’ll be a murderer!”

With that, she closed her eyes and tipped herself off the roof.

But Qin Daofei did not appear.

He didn’t appear!

Linglong was certain she was doomed—she’d dug her own grave this time. At her moment of utter despair, Qin Daofei swooped down from the opposite rooftop, catching her by the sash just as she was a hand’s breadth from the ground.

Staring at the earth so close beneath her, Linglong burst into tears.

She made no fuss, simply wept in silence, completely unlike her usual self.

Fearing he’d truly frightened her, Qin Daofei gathered her into his arms and pressed her to his chest, his voice anxious. “Will you still dare to make me angry next time?”

Normally, Linglong would either tease him or play coy, but today she said nothing at all, only crying quietly.

This unsettled Qin Daofei. He carried her back to their room, checked her carefully for injuries, then squatted before her, speaking gently, “Please, don’t say you don’t want me anymore. All right?”

Linglong finally stirred, but only to turn her face away.

Exasperated, Qin Daofei straightened her up and coaxed, “Are you really angry?”

No matter what he said, she ignored him. In the end, he could only stand beside her, keeping her company in awkward silence.

After sulking for a while, Linglong saw Qin Daofei truly was not going to comfort her further, and her anger flared anew—she wanted to throttle him.

Though his gaze was steady, Qin Daofei noticed her every little move. At last, he said softly, “If you keep sulking, the lantern festival will be over, the food at Yunwai Tower will be gone, you won’t even get a meal at the Zhu family’s, and I hear Nanny Xiahe’s footsteps coming.”

“Then why haven’t you taken me already?” Linglong glared at him fiercely.

Qin Daofei scratched his nose, grabbed her by the waist, and vaulted over the wall. Suddenly, Linglong remembered, “Where are Hua’er, Fangqing, and Effie? It’s Mid-Autumn—I can’t just leave them out!”

“They’ve gone to the festival long ago,” Qin Daofei replied.

Linglong instantly regretted it—she could have kicked herself.

“You people don’t care about me at all. You let Qin Daofei bully me as he pleases. Just wait, I’ll make you all pay!” she vowed silently.

Achoo! Hua’er sneezed.

Tang Li asked with concern, “Are you all right?”

“I’m sure my lady is cursing me—viciously!” Hua’er replied. As soon as she finished, Fangqing sneezed as well.

“I think so too,” Fangqing agreed, and the two exchanged a wry smile.

“Keep laughing, and I’ll marry you both to the village fool!” Linglong grumbled as Qin Daofei brought her to them.

Fangqing looked away, too reserved to joke in public. Hua’er, used to her mistress’s ways, laughed, “If Miss keeps running her mouth, the young master should put her on the roof beam again next time!”

“You don’t love me anymore, Hua’er—I’m heartbroken!” Linglong pushed Tang Li away and went to throw herself into Hua’er’s arms.

Hua’er rolled her eyes. “After all this fuss, aren’t you hungry?”

“Starving! I’m famished!” Linglong forgot her earlier grievances in her quest for food.

Once inside Yunwai Tower, Linglong thought she glimpsed Hu Hanzhi and Little Fish. She glanced at Effie, who seemed oblivious. Linglong mused, “If Effie didn’t notice, I must have imagined it.”

“Master Qin, Mid-Autumn crabs are at their plumpest, and we have fresh prawns from the South Sea—would you care for some drunken prawns?” the waiter eagerly recommended.

Qin Daofei frowned, while Linglong grinned mischievously.

Catching Linglong’s grin, Qin Daofei replied coolly, “Bring it on. Enough for all of us.”

“Master Qin, are you no longer afraid of crabs?” Linglong asked wickedly.

Everyone stared, unable to believe the famed Lord of Xiaoyao Manor could fear a mere crab.

Qin Daofei gave Linglong a dark look, as if he could kill with his eyes. But Linglong was fearless, laughing heartily.

The others all realized—Linglong’s audacity before Qin Daofei had its reasons. Wasn’t she as crabby as a crab herself?

“If you keep talking, you won’t get a single bite tonight,” Qin Daofei threatened, almost through gritted teeth.

“You’re so petty!” Linglong pouted.

By then, the waiter had brought out the drunken prawns—three large platters nestled on ice, exuding a delicate aroma of pear-blossom wine. The glistening prawns made Linglong’s mouth water.

“Want some?” Qin Daofei asked.

Linglong shook her head, but her eyes betrayed her, fixed hungrily on the prawns.

Qin Daofei, resigned, peeled a prawn and placed it in her mouth. Instantly, the fragrance of wine and the sweetness of prawn filled her senses.

She chewed with eyes half closed in bliss, her gaze toward Qin Daofei softening.

With him tending to Linglong, Hua’er was free to eat in peace. She thought her mistress and young master were a perfect match—one loved prawns but never peeled them herself, the other turned weak at the sight of crabs, while Linglong wielded crabs to bully the world.

Qin Daofei spent the entire meal peeling prawns for Linglong.

When the waiter brought steamed crabs, Qin Daofei’s eyes refused to even glance at the table. Linglong grinned and called out, “Could we have three more plates of drunken prawns and two of drunken crab?”

“Yes, madam!” The waiter hurried off.

Qin Daofei glared, “Why drunken crab?”

“Because drunken crabs are the fiercest—snapping their big claws, it’s so fun!” Linglong said, squinting with delight, gesturing for him to keep peeling.

Qin Daofei put the prawn down, fixing her with a cold stare.

“I’m curious, Master Qin, why are you afraid of crabs?” Fangqing voiced what everyone wondered.

They all looked expectantly at him. Qin Daofei cleared his throat, “It’s nothing. I just don’t like them.”

“Madam is as crabby as a crab—does the master dislike her too?” Gale, always bold, asked slyly.

Qin Daofei shot him a look sharp as ice. “I only dislike ugly things.”

There—the truth was out.

“So you think I’m ugly?” Linglong brandished a crab claw at him.

Qin Daofei’s face turned green.

He’d never told anyone, but his fear of crabs dated back to when he was a fair little boy in split pants, once pinched inappropriately by a large crab—a trauma that haunted him ever since.

Such a scar, he’d never let Linglong discover.

“Yes, ugly thing—now eat!” Qin Daofei quickly peeled another prawn and stuffed it into Linglong’s mouth, silencing her curiosity with food.

But Linglong wasn’t grateful. When the drunken crab arrived, she seized the largest one and menaced Qin Daofei with the same claws that had scarred his childhood.

Qin Daofei recoiled instinctively. “Feng Linglong, are you looking for death?” He tried to escape, but she grabbed his sleeve and dragged him back. “You can’t leave—you still have to peel my prawns!”

Linglong poked him with the crab claws. Qin Daofei’s face darkened; he seized her wrist and flung the crab aside.

Gale caught it, quickly snapped off the claws, and began devouring the roe.

Linglong was heartbroken. “That was the biggest crab—I picked it myself! You monsters!”

Qin Daofei glared at Gale. “Throw the claws away.”

“Er…” Gale clutched them protectively. “These are full of meat! If you won’t eat them, let us!”

For the first time, Qin Daofei felt his authority slip away.

The meal ended joyously, with Linglong in high spirits and Qin Daofei’s dignity in tatters.

Afterward, everyone naturally went their separate ways. Qin Daofei led Linglong off, while Hua’er was pushed toward Tang Li by Fangqing and Effie, who swiftly disappeared.

Hua’er tried to follow, but Tang Li caught her wrist. “They’re already gone—you won’t catch them.”

So Hua’er walked with Tang Li.

Gale watched Fangqing and Effie leave, then glanced at Qin Daofei and Linglong, and finally at Tang Li and Hua’er. Stamping his foot, he muttered, “Everyone has company but me—guess I’ll go drown my sorrows in wine!”

Qin Daofei and Linglong stood on the bridge, watching young couples light lanterns on the riverbank, making wishes.

Perhaps they were thinking of the same memory, for they both started to laugh.

Especially Linglong, who laughed and stomped her feet, her mirth tinged with rare embarrassment.

“Laugh all you want—may you choke on it!” Linglong snapped, stamping her foot.

Qin Daofei’s smile was more subdued, but for one who was usually so cold, it was a rare and genuine joy.

He drew Linglong close. “I realize now—you did quite a few foolish things back then.”

“Who didn’t?” Linglong muttered.

Six years ago, also during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Linglong had sent Hua’er to invite Qin Daofei to float lanterns with her. He refused, but Linglong was stubborn—she bribed everyone on the riverbank to shout his name, forcing him out of his house.

He’d stood on the bridge, coldly watching her. “Feng Linglong, are you courting death?”

“I’m not looking for trouble—I’m looking for you! Who would have thought a noble young master could speak so crudely?” Linglong fanned herself, feigning shock.

Qin Daofei was so angry his face went red. “Why did you call me here?”

“Can’t you see? I invited you to float lanterns!” Linglong pouted, stamping her foot.

He marched down in a fury, only to see a unique lantern drifting on the river, inscribed with “Qin Daofei loves Feng Linglong.”

Unable to bear the embarrassment, he snatched it up and stomped it to pieces.

But Linglong grinned and snapped her fingers. All the other young people released their lanterns at once—soon the river was filled with “Qin Daofei loves Feng Linglong.”

Qin Daofei became frantic, trying to destroy them all.

Linglong clapped her hands, laughing. “Master Qin, what are you doing?”

“Stop them at once!” he demanded, his face flushed.

“No—this is my wish. If the gods hear me, they’ll send you to me.”

“Feng Linglong, you’re asking for it!” Enraged, he cared nothing for her safety and tossed her into the river.

But Linglong did not surface. The onlookers screamed, but none dared jump in.

Qin Daofei waited, but when she didn’t reappear, he panicked and dove in to search for her.

Yet as soon as he entered the water, Linglong surfaced on the opposite bank, happily splashing in the shallows.

Qin Daofei searched in vain beneath the water, guilt gnawing at him. When he finally surfaced, he saw Linglong sitting on the bank, grinning.

He climbed out, not realizing a lantern had landed on his head. It bore, of course, the same inscription.

Linglong, shameless as ever, fluttered her lashes and teased, “Master Qin, such a public confession! I’m embarrassed!”

He reached up, snatched the lantern off, and hurled it at her. It was still lit; as Linglong flinched, the hot wax dripped onto her wet hair, instantly setting it aflame.

In a flash, Qin Daofei tackled her back into the water.

Her hair wasn’t too badly singed, but the right side was burnt to an ear-length bob.

Qin Daofei, who’d never laughed before her, finally couldn’t help himself—he doubled over, roaring with laughter.

Linglong joined in, completely oblivious to her own appearance.

The onlookers burst out laughing too, and for a moment, the riverside was filled with youthful joy.

Qin Daofei, still chuckling, tugged her hair. “Feng Linglong, that’s payback.”

Then he left.

Linglong watched him go, moon-eyed. “Hua’er, did you see? He laughed!”

“Miss, my ancestor, just look at yourself—how could he not?” Little Hua’er groaned, pushing her to the water to see her reflection.

Linglong screamed at the sight.

“If I can’t win him, I’m not Feng Linglong!” she declared, storming home.

Recalling those days, Linglong grew wistful.

What a brave girl she had been.

“Though you made a fool of yourself that year, at least your wish came true,” Qin Daofei said, holding her, amusement in his voice.

Linglong stomped his foot. “You’ve always been ruthless—first you nearly drowned me, then you burned my hair. You’ve shamed me inside and out.”

He smirked, “When have you ever kept your dignity for more than a day?”

“Good thing I have a thick skin, or you’d have tormented me to death years ago.”

In truth, she wanted to say she was glad she’d wised up—otherwise, she’d have been bullied for life. But for some reason, gazing at the bright moon, she left it unsaid.

Sometimes, people fear their words may tempt fate.

“I ought to thank you. If you hadn’t persisted, I might never have faced my own heart. Missing you would have been my greatest regret.”

Linglong nodded solemnly. “If you’re grateful, give me all your money. It’s wasted on you anyway.”

“Take it! I’m yours too!” Qin Daofei handed her his purse.

Linglong wrinkled her nose. “Who wants you? You’re too much to chew or swallow.”

“Why, if it isn’t Master Qin and the eldest Miss Feng!” an old woman passed by and, seeing them arm in arm, smiled kindly.

Linglong quickly pushed Qin Daofei away and greeted her properly, “Good evening, Granny!”

“My, the eldest Miss Feng has learned manners! Time truly changes people. Seeing you two so in love puts my mind at ease. Back then, we all said it would be a shame if your devotion didn’t win over Young Master Qin.”

Hearing this, Linglong waved her hands in protest.

Qin Daofei, however, grasped her hand and nodded to the old lady. “Thank you, madam.”

“Ah, to see you two together in my lifetime! I must go share the news with my old friends—the wager continues!” the old woman cackled as she left.

Linglong, disgruntled, pointed at her back. “Did you pay her to say that?”

“Do you think I’m as bored as you?” Qin Daofei replied mercilessly.

Linglong harrumphed and turned back to watching the river lanterns.

“There’s an old saying: if a couple receives a blessing from an elder on this bridge, they’ll be together forever,” Qin Daofei mused.

“Tan Xiyin told you that, didn’t she?” Linglong retorted.

“She did, but each year we came here, we never received such a blessing.” In those years, Qin Daofei had ignored Linglong, spending Mid-Autumns with Tan Xiyin instead, though he secretly hoped to meet Linglong on the bridge.

Perhaps if they’d come earlier, they’d have been blessed sooner.

“Hmph. What blessing does a mere concubine deserve?” Linglong sniffed haughtily.

Qin Daofei held her as they watched the river, now free of mischief, dotted with lanterns.

Once, Linglong had watched from under the willows as Qin Daofei and Tan Xiyin stood on the bridge, admiring the moon. Now, it was Tan Xiyin who watched from below as Linglong and Qin Daofei received the legendary blessing.

“Why… why?” Tan Xiyin clenched her fists, desperate to tear their smiling faces apart.

Her little maid stood silent.

After a long time, Tan Xiyin composed herself. “Push me home. Let’s give them a surprise of our own.”

The maid obeyed silently, wheeling her mistress toward Xiaoyao Manor.

When Linglong and Qin Daofei returned, the manor was silent.

The gatekeeper made a sign to Qin Daofei, who simply nodded, betraying nothing. The gatekeeper could only open the doors, revealing Qin Wang Xiangyu and her retinue waiting inside.

“Good heavens, your mother looks terrifying!” Linglong whispered, patting her chest.

Qin Daofei pulled Linglong behind him and bowed. “Mother, it’s late. Why aren’t you resting?”

“So you know it’s late? Do you know what day it is? You took… this woman out and didn’t join your mother for the festival?” Qin Wang Xiangyu trembled with rage.

Qin Daofei’s expression was cool. “Your words are odd, Mother. You’ve invited the entire Wang family here to celebrate. I thought it was your family gathering and didn’t want to intrude, so I took them out for dinner. Why speak so harshly?”

“Harsh? Has your uncle or aunt ever treated you badly? Have I ever wronged you?” Qin Wang Xiangyu pressed.

Linglong nodded in agreement.

“Why are you nodding?” snapped Madam Qin.

Linglong pointed at herself. “Are you asking me, madam?”

“Who else?” Qin Wang Xiangyu glared.

Linglong smiled. “Because I agree—you’ve all been so good to Master Qin, even offering your young daughter…”

“That’s enough!” Qin Wang Xiangyu and Qin Daofei spoke at once, one furious, the other cold.

Linglong shrugged. “Fine, it’s your family business.”

“As Linglong said, if not for your intentions to force my cousin on me, I wouldn’t have had to avoid home during the festival. You counted on me not daring to turn you out, but you misjudge my resolve. What I’ve said, I’ll do,” Qin Daofei retorted coolly.

Qin Wang Xiangyu sneered. “Don’t talk about resolve. Who was it, back in the day, who cursed Feng Linglong behind her back, vowing to become a eunuch if he ever liked her?”

The tense atmosphere cracked.

Qin Daofei scratched his brow in embarrassment.

Linglong burst out laughing, “So you wanted to become a eunuch, Master Qin?”

Qin Wang Xiangyu clutched her head in exasperation. “If you hurt me so, I may as well become a nun—then no one can interfere in your affairs with Feng Linglong.”

“When are you leaving, Mother? I’ll arrange an escort.” With that, Qin Daofei dragged Linglong away.

That night, Qin Wang Xiangyu wept bitterly.

But days passed and she made no move to leave, proving that Qin Daofei knew well how to handle his mother.

She spent her days in bed, hurling whatever was at hand whenever Qin Daofei visited, still full of energy despite her “illness.”

One day, Tan Xiyin, accompanied by her maid, rolled up in her wheelchair to attend Qin Wang Xiangyu.

Seeing her, the old lady’s pent-up frustration erupted.

“What are you doing here?” she snapped.

Tan Xiyin answered coolly, “You’re ill, mother-in-law. As a daughter-in-law, I’ve come to attend you.”

“You’re a sickly thing yourself! Get out. Just seeing you two gives me a headache!” Qin Wang Xiangyu blamed her for everything that had happened.

The Tan family had served the Qins for years; she’d always known Tan Xiyin was frail and barren, and tried to keep her from growing too close to Qin Daofei. In the end, though, the two were caught together, forcing her hand.

So she’d brought Feng Linglong, thinking the fiery Miss Feng would keep Tan Xiyin in check. But now she regretted it deeply.

She’d hoped the two women would destroy each other, leaving her free to pick a suitable wife to carry on the Qin line.

Ah, the regrets of the past!

“I know why you’re upset, madam, and I know Feng Linglong is favored now. But you don’t understand Daofei, nor the truth between them. All these years, he’s never touched me; nor, since Linglong’s return, has he touched her. So I think Daofei needs a woman,” Tan Xiyin said delicately.

Qin Wang Xiangyu understood at once, her eyes narrowing.

Nanny Xiahe signaled frantically for caution, but Qin Wang Xiangyu ignored her, her mind made up.

“If you say so… I have an idea!” she replied, her smile sly.

Tan Xiyin bowed her head. “I know a woman skilled in pleasing men, whom I met long ago. If you wish, I can introduce her.”

“Hmph! My son is lord of Xiaoyao Manor—why should he stoop to courtesans? Xiahe, fetch me the registry!”

“These are all respectable young ladies. The master is so picky, he may not want any even if they’re sent to his bed. Is this wise?” Xiahe advised.

Qin Wang Xiangyu cut her off. “I know what I’m doing. My son knows his own mind.”

Xiahe wanted to protest, but a glare silenced her.

“If you insist, madam…” Xiahe handed over the registry.

Qin Wang Xiangyu took it and ordered, “Send for this young lady—say I missed her dearly since last we met.”

“Yes, madam!”

As the servant hurried off, Xiahe felt uneasy, but seeing Madam Qin’s determination, she could only worry in silence.

Tan Xiyin watched coldly. When Qin Wang Xiangyu looked back, she adopted a delicate, demure air. “Now that you have a plan, I’ll take my leave.”

“Tan Xiyin, I won’t forget what you’ve done to my family. You should thank your brother—if not for him saving my son, you’d never have it as easy as Feng Linglong.” Qin Wang Xiangyu’s warning was cold.

Tan Xiyin’s frail shoulders trembled. She bit her lip. “I understand.”

But the moment her back was turned, her expression twisted with malice.

[End of excerpt.]