Chapter 8: Frightening the Concubine into Fainting, Infuriating the Mother-in-law

Qin Daofei gazed calmly at Linglong, who showed not a trace of remorse, and asked in a quiet voice, "Tang Li, check if Second Madam is injured."

Tang Li was Qin Daofei's bodyguard, his appearance dignified and proper—just his temperament... nearly as dull as Qin Daofei’s own.

Upon hearing Qin Daofei’s words, he hurried over to examine her, then reported, "Master, Second Madam has fainted from the fall."

"Are you sure she didn't faint from fright?" Linglong parted the carriage curtain, eager to witness the commotion.

Qin Daofei seized Linglong’s wrist, rose, and pressed her into a corner before instructing Tang Li, "Bring Second Madam aboard. We’re returning to the manor!"

When Tang Li lifted Tan Xiyin, who was supposed to be unconscious, she clutched her skirt tightly, never letting go.

Xiaoyao Manor.

Linglong stood outside the vermilion gates, her eyes fixed on the deep courtyard beyond, as if separated by a lifetime. Looking back, it felt as though she had been reborn.

Tang Li supported Qin Daofei as they walked ahead. Qin Daofei stepped through the gate, and seeing Linglong unmoving, gently pushed Tang Li aside and strode toward her.

Linglong’s eyes, dreamy and mysterious, seemed to pierce through time, seeing three years ago when Qin Daofei, walking along the corridor laid with countless red threads, passed her by and went straight to Tan Xiyin.

That was the first heavy blow Qin Daofei had ever dealt her.

"Well? Afraid to go in?" Qin Daofei approached, grasped Linglong’s wrist, and pulled her forward, making her stumble a step.

The gatekeeper, upon seeing Linglong, trembled in terror.

"Hey, why are you so afraid of me? I’m not a ghost," Linglong patted his shoulder, speaking with an air of earnest concern, then added with a triumphant grin, "Almost forgot, I’m a murderer!"

The gatekeeper dropped to his knees.

Seeing Linglong so familiar with the gatekeeper, Qin Daofei’s eyes darkened, though his expression remained unreadable. He said coolly, "You haven’t tasted the pond’s depths yet. Want to try it?"

Linglong’s crystalline eyes gained a chill from his words.

"Yes, I’ve been a murderer, set fire to a prison... I’d quite like to try sinking in a pond. At least there’s no scorching flames, nor savage jailers. How wonderful!" She shook off Qin Daofei’s hand and stepped lightly across the threshold, feigning cheerfulness.

For some reason, Qin Daofei sensed sorrow and fear in her stride.

"Stop right there!" At the moon-shaped gate, the dignified Madam Qin, Wang Xiangyu, supported by her attendant, fixed Linglong with a cold gaze.

Linglong halted, curtsied, and said, "Greetings, Madam Qin!"

"After killing a man, serving a prison term, escaping once, you return so polite and proper. Seems prison truly is a good place for repentance," Wang Xiangyu’s tone was exquisitely gentle, but every word was barbed.

Qin Daofei stood unhurriedly behind, offering no assistance.

Linglong had never expected him to help. She glanced at Xiaocui, Tan Xiyin’s maid, who had followed Qin Daofei to watch the spectacle, and smiled, "Thank you for the compliment, Madam. Judging by your radiant demeanor, perhaps Concubine Tan has given you a grandson?"

Three years ago, Linglong’s greatest ally in marrying into Xiaoyao Manor was this Madam, who knew Tan Xiyin could not bear children and sought to break them apart.

"You... Feng Linglong, I thought your unruly temper had softened, but you’ve grown even more insolent, mocking me for burning bridges?" Wang Xiangyu trembled with rage, her icy gaze passing over Linglong to address Qin Daofei, "Have you nothing to say, my son?"

"If she won’t learn, I’ll keep her by my side and teach her," Qin Daofei replied, his tone steady, devoid of joy or anger.

Yet his meaning was clear: Linglong must stay.

"Today, as long as I live, she will not enter the Qin family’s gates," Wang Xiangyu, enraged by Qin Daofei’s stance, blocked the entrance, glaring at them both.

Linglong chuckled, looking back at Qin Daofei with a mischievous smile. "Will you negotiate, or shall I handle it myself?"