Chapter 84: Mutual Schemes, Seeing Who Gains the Upper Hand

Linglong glanced sideways at Hua’er and said, “Didn’t you see me give birth that day? Don’t you know the child is mine?”

“Yes, yes, yes, it’s yours. But it’s the first time I’ve seen someone give birth so casually. You really are something!” Hua’er’s agreeable nature wasn’t so easily challenged.

Linglong bared her teeth, lifted Yixiao high with a smile, and giggled merrily.

After playing for a while, Linglong sat Yixiao on her lap and asked Hua’er, “Have you seen Tang Li?”

“Hmm, he brought us back,” Hua’er evaded the question.

Linglong smirked mischievously. “So, did he hold you and nibble on you?”

“Miss, what are you talking about? Tang gege and I are just friends. Could you please stop saying things like that?” Hua’er stomped her foot, fuming.

Linglong laughed. “Oh, come on! Didn’t all relationships start as friendships, right, Yixiao?”

“Don’t corrupt the child! I—there’s nothing like that between me and him!” Hua’er couldn’t argue with Linglong and angrily stood up. “I’m going to prepare the food, but I’m not sharing with you!”

Linglong feared being denied food the most. Hearing Hua’er’s words, she immediately grabbed her hand and pleaded, “Sister Hua’er, I was wrong. Please don’t treat me like this. I need to eat lots of delicious food—I’m starving!”

Hua’er couldn’t bear to really deny her, so she smiled and said, “Alright, alright, I’ll make you a bowl of beef noodles first!”

And so, Linglong was delighted.

After enjoying the beef noodles Hua’er made, Linglong strolled around the courtyard holding Yixiao. Ye Lishang emerged from the Second Prince’s chamber, saw Linglong playing with Yixiao, and harshly twisted Yixiao’s cheek.

“Waaah!”

Yixiao cried from the pain.

Linglong fiercely kicked Ye Lishang’s backside and shouted, “Ye Lishang, if you bully my daughter again, I’ll kill you!”

“Her life is mine to give. Do you have the right to say that?” Ye Lishang roared.

The Second Prince was about to leave but stopped upon hearing Ye Lishang’s words. He spoke softly, “You’re impressive—able to have a child already?”

“Pah!” Ye Lishang spat at the prince. “I meant if this little girl didn’t have me, she’d be dead. You beasts!”

The Second Prince scanned Ye Lishang coldly and said, “If you can make a woman stand up, I’d really admire you!”

*Pfft!*

Linglong spat blood in exasperation.

“Can you two not be disgusting? My Yixiao is still a child!”

The Second Prince blushed and gritted his teeth, then walked away. Ye Lishang grinned, “Feng Linglong, you embarrassed Chengjie the beast. I’m in a good mood, so I’ll check on this little girl’s health for you.”

“Please use a handkerchief!” Linglong grimaced at Ye Lishang’s presence.

Ye Lishang growled, “I’ll kill you, believe it or not!”

“Honestly, if it came to a fight, you might not win against me. So you’d better just check on my Yixiao nicely. Otherwise, I’ll feed you three pounds of Yin-Yang Harmonizing Powder and send you to Chengjie’s bed!” Linglong showed her true scrappy nature.

Ye Lishang was furious but still cowed. So, he angrily took out a handkerchief, covered Yixiao’s pudgy little hand, and took her pulse.

“When Qin Daofei returns, I’ll give you three pounds of Yin-Yang Harmonizing Powder too, so you can seduce him and let him kill you!” Ye Lishang cursed Linglong as he took the pulse.

Linglong grinned, “Great! I was worried I wouldn’t find the chance. Feed it to him so I can make him take responsibility!”

Ye Lishang collapsed laughing.

“You really are a woman!” he bit out.

“I am a woman, you know?” Linglong shrugged.

“Never noticed!” Ye Lishang said, then solemnly took the handkerchief off Yixiao’s hand and said, “Qin Yixiao, you’re blessed and lucky. Live well from now on, okay?”

“All done?” Linglong asked happily.

Ye Lishang said proudly, “If I’m involved, how could it be otherwise? But her constitution isn’t perfect. When she grows up, she’ll still have some issues. You have another ten or so years to find the Ice Lotus and the snake gall from the Extreme Cold Ice Mountain to nurture her. Feng Linglong, good luck!”

Ye Lishang made a cute cheering gesture and turned to leave.

Linglong grabbed Ye Lishang’s hair, yanked hard, and coldly said, “Remember this: my daughter’s name is Feng Yixiao, and she has nothing to do with the Qin family.”

“Qin Feng Linglong, you’ll be crushed by Qin Daofei your whole life. Don’t struggle!” Ye Lishang snatched back his hair and left.

Linglong, feeling vexed, hugged Yixiao and went to find Hua’er. Hua’er had already laid out a table full of food and wine. Seeing Linglong enter, she said, “Go invite the Second Prince and the others. I’ve prepared the meal!”

Linglong refused, “I’ve got a feud with Ye Lishang. I’m not going!”

Hua’er had no choice but to go alone.

At the table, only Linglong sat with Feng Yixiao; the others were all paired off. Looking at them, Linglong lost her appetite.

“Yiyi yayaya!” Feng Yixiao, seeing the feast, excitedly reached out to grab food.

Linglong tore off a chicken leg and gave it to Yixiao, who gnawed on it with her toothless gums, looking utterly adorable to everyone.

Linglong immediately felt balanced. “You have your lovers; I have my child—hmph!”

After several rounds of drinks, Jifeng raised his glass and said, “On behalf of Xiaoyao Manor, I thank the Second Prince, Doctor Gui, Lord Murong and his wife, and Miss Aifei for their great help in saving our master. Thank you!”

He raised his cup to drink.

Linglong hugged Yixiao and said, “Why don’t you thank me? I helped too. Aren’t you going to give me some silver as thanks?”

*Pfft!*

Jifeng spat out his drink.

With a sour face, he said, “Madam, can you not talk while I eat? It’s annoying!”

“Exactly! Feng Linglong, aren’t you the most beastly? You should be thanking us, yet you want Jifeng to thank you?”

Ye Lishang said.

Linglong bared her teeth, “So you’re saying I can become the head of Xiaoyao Manor?”

For some reason, at that moment, Jifeng didn’t want Linglong to be the head at all.

“Since that’s the case, when we return, divide the manor’s assets among yourselves. Take the valuable things and go. If anyone likes Concubine Tan, they can take her as a concubine. As for the old madam Qin, give her to Ye Lishang to serve his master. Old Ye has peculiar tastes and quite likes her!”

Tang Li’s face turned bright red. He dared not laugh but found it hilarious.

But laughing felt disrespectful to the master—a real dilemma.

Seeing Tang Li’s reddened face, Linglong smiled faintly, “Tang Li, you like old madam Qin too?”

Tang Li’s face twisted in discomfort. How had he offended her?

“Miss, if you’re joking, just wait till the master returns. He’ll fix you!” Hua’er teased, making Tang Li feel a rush of warmth.

Linglong pouted, hugging Yixiao high, “See? They say girls shouldn’t be kept too long after they grow up. I raised Hua’er with such effort, and now she sides only with Tang Li. Yixiao, if you ever love someone, side with him, not your mother—otherwise, I’ll break your legs!”

Not knowing what legs were, Yixiao simply found Linglong’s expression cute and giggled.

Her smile made everyone laugh, even the proud Aifei, who couldn’t help but scold, “This little brat will definitely be as mischievous as this old scoundrel in the future!”

While everyone gathered joyfully, far away in the Kingdom of Cangmo, Qin Daofei was desperately trying to prevent Princess Nuansi’er from warming his bed.

The princess wore a sheer peach-colored robe, half undone, reclining on Qin Daofei’s couch, smiling seductively.

Qin Daofei glanced at her coldly and said softly, “Princess, your clothes are not properly worn. I’ll have the maid help you. The desert nights are cold and damp; be careful not to catch a chill.”

“Where are you going, husband?” Nuansi’er caught his hand, not caring that he was indifferent, and wouldn’t let go.

“I’m practicing martial arts. As a martial artist, I must train daily. The desert days are too hot, so I can only practice at night. I find training under the moon is especially effective. Want to join me?”

Qin Daofei’s invitation was perfectly innocent.

Nuansi’er instinctively shook her head. Lately, whenever Qin Daofei trained her, he put her through such exertion that her bones felt shattered by day’s end.

But thinking of her father’s orders, she reluctantly grabbed his sleeve and asked, “Don’t you think I look good today?”

She struck a coquettish pose.

Qin Daofei frowned, scrutinized her, and said, “No. I can’t look anymore. The doctor told me we must wait a year before being intimate. If you keep this up and I can’t recover, what will I do?”

With that, Qin Daofei fled like a dog being chased.

Princess Nuansi’er stomped angrily, dressed quickly, and headed to the study.

In the study…

“Father, he’s never tempted by beauty. What should I do?” Nuansi’er lowered her head, dejected.

The Emperor of Cangmo frowned. “Qin Daofei seems fine on the surface, but upon reflection, the problems are many.”

“How so?” Nuansi’er asked.

The emperor sat down and glanced toward a hidden compartment. “The secret compartment in my study was a clever mechanism designed with the help of a master. Yet those who came to steal never triggered any trap and perfectly took all the letters. Most importantly, the thief was a woman close to Qin Daofei!”

“You suspect Qin Daofei colluded with them?” Nuansi’er shook her head. “Impossible. He’s never had a chance to be alone with those people. Even if he had the opportunity to investigate the study, would he know about the mechanisms? And if he did, would we be unaware?”

“Qin Daofei is head of Xiaoyao Manor; the Tower of Heaven there is the world’s greatest collection of mechanisms. It would be strange if he didn’t know about mechanisms,” the emperor said, still suspicious.

Nuansi’er questioned further, “But there’s another problem: Qin Daofei lost his memory. He remembers nothing of his past, let alone mechanisms. He has no reason to cooperate with them.”

“What about the woman in the painting?”

“I asked the master. He said it’s normal. Sometimes Qin Daofei recalls fragments and draws them. But he can’t remember his past fully; the pain is unbearable. So there’s no chance he remembers. I don’t think it’s him,” Nuansi’er insisted.

The emperor nodded. “I hope you’re right. We need to test him, see if he really doesn’t know our study’s secrets or remember his past.”

“Agreed. I’ll arrange it,” said Nuansi’er and left.

Neither noticed Qin Daofei clinging to a beam, gazing at the eastern sky with somber eyes, thinking, “I wonder if that crazy woman escaped.”

While Qin Daofei guarded against the temptress in Cangmo, Linglong was concerned about trouble during her absence from the capital—particularly from Concubine Tan.

“Hua’er, during my time away, did anyone cause you trouble?” Linglong lay on Hua’er’s lap, Feng Yixiao on Linglong’s legs. Hua’er fed Linglong grapes from the Western Regions; Linglong fed some to Yixiao. Seeing Hua’er hadn’t eaten, Yixiao stuffed a half-chewed grape into her mouth.

Linglong became jealous. “Mama didn’t eat; you have to feed me too!”

So Yixiao took the grape from her mouth and gave it to Linglong with a look that said, “Here, all for you. You’re so spoiled!”

Linglong was delighted.

Hua’er laughed and continued feeding Linglong. “Yes. She went once to Qingyun Charity Hall, said Miss killed the master and wanted to settle accounts with her. I told her Miss went to the frontier to find the master. If Concubine Tan dares to stand up, she should stand up like Miss—brave enough to go to the frontier instead of sitting in the capital complaining about loving the master!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk!”

“You didn’t cause her any harm, right?” Linglong worried, knowing how ruthless Concubine Tan was.

Hua’er shook her head. “She said she’d tear my mouth apart, but she couldn’t command the Xiaoyao Manor people. They… they all said…”

Hua’er hesitated, unable to finish.

Linglong pressed, “What is it? Speak!”

“They said I’m Tang Li’s woman, so they wouldn’t harm the Second Madam. Actually, they’re protecting Miss. Hmph, they just use me as a shield!” Hua’er blushed deeply.

Linglong smiled, “Oh, if you’re Li gege’s woman, naturally they won’t disrespect you.”

“But she wasn’t satisfied. She sent her maid to hit me, but before the maid reached me, Brother Hanzhi slapped her away. I rarely see Brother Hanzhi so angry. I’ve always wondered, how can a merchant be so skilled in martial arts?” Hua’er asked curiously.

Linglong shrugged. “Your master is a merchant too, but he’s skilled. You’re underestimating people. Hanzhi is impressive!”

“Miss, so are you helping your master or Brother Hanzhi?” Hua’er asked.

Linglong rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m helping Hanzhi. He saved my life. Why would I help that heartless beast Qin Daofei?”

“Miss, if you keep joking like this, when the master returns, he’ll surely punish you!” Hua’er stopped feeding Linglong grapes.

Seeing Hua’er angry, Linglong tried to please her. “Okay, okay, I’m on your master’s side. After all, your Miss is Princess Nuansi’er. Your master must be very happy now.”

“The master must be forced. You must believe he’ll return soon!”

Linglong didn’t know if Qin Daofei would return, but from news coming from Xiaoyao Manor, she knew Xiang Wang and Prince Yongle were locked in fierce rivalry in the capital.

Rumors spread that Xiang Wang was too ruthless, colluding with Cangmo to kill Qin’s master and seize Feng Linglong, the precious daughter of the Feng family. Feng Linglong had evidence of Xiang Wang’s collusion with Cangmo in letters stating that upon killing Qin Daofei, Xiang Wang would cede Suiye City to Cangmo after ascending the throne.

One day, the emperor summoned Xiang Wang.

He massaged his brow. “You do as you please. I never speak, but tell me, why are the rumors so wild?”

“These rumors are spread by Xiaoyao Manor’s people to sow discord between me and the emperor. I told the emperor my dealings with Cangmo were temporary to gain trust. They say if Cangmo kills Qin Daofei, but as long as the emperor lives forever, they have no chance. When my second brother returns, he’ll kill the Cangmo king, so I won’t have to fulfill the promise,” Xiang Wang said.

The emperor snorted coldly. “If your father passes, will you hand over Suiye City?”

“Never! I’d never sell even an inch of Hanzhi’s land!” Xiang Wang promised.

The emperor’s expression softened. “Be thoughtful in the future. Your handling of Xiaoyao Manor’s matters has been a mess. Explain it yourself.”

“Yes!” Xiang Wang sighed in relief.

Just as Xiang Wang seemed poised for success, Princess Qin Xiangyu stubbornly waited at the palace gate, kneeling daily to see the emperor. Though he never granted her audience, she persisted, demanding justice from Xiang Wang for Qin Daofei.

The emperor, annoyed, told Xiang Wang to handle it himself but not to offend Xiaoyao Manor.

Xiang Wang emerged, coldly staring at Qin Xiangyu. “Old hag, what does my son’s fate have to do with me? Xiaoyao Manor has eyes everywhere. Why don’t you go yourself?”

“Prince Xiang, you are noble royalty and may speak arrogantly to an old woman, but my son helped the emperor defeat the last prime minister and brought prosperity to Hanzhi. The emperor said my son is a hero of Hanzhi. Now the hero’s fate is unknown. Should the emperor not give me an explanation? Shouldn’t Prince Xiang answer for the rumors?” Qin Xiangyu said.

Xiang Wang’s anger flared. “Your son’s matters are none of mine. Believe street rumors if you want, but if you want to blame me, bring evidence. Without evidence, don’t blame me for being rude!”

“What, you want to kill me then? Do it thoroughly, like you killed my son! Don’t hold back!” Qin Xiangyu’s words drew a crowd.

The crowd, believing rumors, pointed fingers, recalling how Xiang Wang had forcefully tried to seize Linglong, condemning him heavily.

The next day at court, Prince Yongle pressed the issue against Xiang Wang.

“Your Highness is young but brutal—kidnapping, murder. Shouldn’t you be held accountable?”

“Who said I killed Qin Daofei?” Xiang Wang stared defiantly at Prince Yongle.

Prince Yongle, enraged, knelt and wept, “I was appointed prince by the emperor, second only to the emperor. The emperor said a prince without virtue can be admonished by his uncle. Does that promise mean nothing?”

“It does,” the emperor said, “Xiang, won’t you apologize to your uncle?”

Xiang Wang, arrogant as ever, apologized insincerely, frustrating Prince Yongle, who wanted to resign and farm.

The emperor, fearing public opinion, placated Prince Yongle.

Prince Yongle was determined to pin Xiang Wang down. The emperor finally scolded Xiang Wang, “Xiang, disrespecting your uncle is disrespecting me. You are confined for a month.”

Xiang Wang had no choice but to accept.

The emperor thought this confinement would quiet matters.

But the next day, rumors spread that Xiang Wang was imprisoned for killing Qin Daofei.

Everyone talked, wondering why Xiang Wang was only confined after murder. The public pressure peaked, and the plan to make Xiang Wang crown prince collapsed again.

Meanwhile, in Suiye City, the Second Prince showed the emperor’s decision on Xiang Wang to others, inciting anger. Xiang Wang had colluded with the enemy but faced no punishment.

“Now Prince Yongle has pushed him to the brink. We need to add more fuel!” the Second Prince said, turning to Linglong. “Give me the letters between him and the Cangmo king showing they planned to kill Qin Daofei and cede Suiye City. I want copies to distribute across the provinces and capital!”

Linglong sneered, “Send it in my name. If we play, we play differently!”

“Should we leak the news that Qin Daofei was kept by the Cangmo king? Tell the emperor what kind of gift his son gave to Cangmo?” Ye Lishang asked.

Linglong kicked him. “You’re giving the emperor a chance to crack down on Xiaoyao Manor!”

“I’m avenging you!” Ye Lishang grinned.

The Second Prince tapped his head. “If you want to eat, eat. If you want to play, play. You’re not fit to talk about state affairs!”

“What do you mean?” Ye Lishang asked.

Linglong grinned triumphantly, “The Second Prince means you’re an idiot!”

“Damn you!” Ye Lishang stormed off.

When the letters bearing Xiang Wang’s private seal fluttered like snow throughout the capital, Xiang Wang was still at his mansion, holding a bell and listening to a tune.

“Bell, wouldn’t it be nice if Linglong was as sensible as you?” Xiang Wang teased, cupping Linglong’s chin.

Linglong pouted, “Prince, Bell is Bell, and Linglong is Linglong. If Linglong became like Bell, would you still like her?”

“I would, as long as she’s like you, I want nothing else!” Xiang Wang said dreamily.

Knock, knock, knock!

“What is it?” Xiang Wang put down his cup, impatient.

A guard outside nervously said, “Prince, Miss Linglong seems to have returned to the capital!”

“She’s back?” Xiang Wang stood excitedly, pushing Bell aside, not seeing the hatred in her eyes.

The guard trembled, “She copied the letters between you and the Cangmo king and spread them all over the capital. Everyone has seen them!”

What!?

Xiang Wang stepped back uneasily, murmuring, “Has she really become so ruthless?”

“Should we arrest her?” the guard asked.

Xiang Wang was silent a moment, then lightly grasped his robe and said, “This time, we must arrest Linglong, dead or alive!”

The guard froze but quickly reacted, bowing. “I will see to it.”

After the guard left, Xiang Wang looked up at the deep blue sky. “Linglong, if I cannot have you alive, then I will hold your dead body. As long as I can speak, as long as you’re in my arms, I am happy.”

Hearing this, Bell trembled uncontrollably, sitting quietly like a toy Xiang Wang played with. Only she knew the depth of her hatred.

Another who bore great hatred for Xiang Wang was Liu Fengying.

After she slapped Linglong last time, Xiang Wang had her fingers cut off. She could never forget how the man who once tenderly held her had, because she struck Feng Linglong, cruelly severed her fingers.

So Liu Fengying waited for a chance to kill Xiang Wang.

But she wouldn’t act too soon—Xiang Wang had yet to leave an heir or ascend the throne.

So Liu Fengying came forward.

She knelt before Xiang Wang and said, “Prince, I’m willing to kill Feng Linglong for you!”

“You? What makes you capable?” Xiang Wang turned coldly to her. Since the last time she hit Linglong, he had never been kind to her.

Liu Fengying knelt properly and said coldly, “Your Highness, I married you to stand at the pinnacle of power. Only there would no one bully me. So I allied with Qin Daofei. He wanted me to spy if anyone in your mansion plotted against you. But I never told him anything about your household. Instead, I told you many things about Feng Linglong. Do you remember?”

“You’re Qin Daofei’s spy?” Xiang Wang narrowed his eyes.

Liu Fengying answered, “Yes, but I know the benefits of following you. You want Feng Linglong; I want the empress’s position. There’s no conflict between us. I’ll do my best to capture Feng Linglong alive for you. If I can’t, I’ll bring you her body. But I want your promise to make me empress. Once I get that, I won’t interfere in your matters with Feng Linglong.”

“Just because you’re Qin Daofei’s spy?” Xiang Wang sneered.

“Yes. Because I can announce to the world that killing Qin Daofei was my idea. I stole your seal, forged your handwriting on secret letters. I’m the traitor. Your men smuggled me out to meet Feng Linglong. Once she trusts me, I can capture her. If not, I’ll kill her so Qin Daofei can’t have her either.”

“You’re a traitor. How will you be empress then?” Xiang Wang asked coldly.

Liu Fengying smiled, “When you ascend, my family will be the pillar of the court. The pillar won’t be easily betrayed. Then Qin Daofei will truly be the traitor, while I am your loyal spy.”

“Hahaha, Liu Fengying, I underestimated you!” Xiang Wang laughed coldly.

Liu Fengying kept her cold smile. “Now, you and my family are inseparable. I’m not afraid you’ll go back on your word or still think of Feng Linglong. All I want is the empress’s position!”

“Deal!” Xiang Wang said lightly.

Liu Fengying stood and said, “Then please come to my family’s house. I want you to write a letter of commitment in front of my father. Once you do, I’ll admit all was my doing and go to Suiye City to find Feng Linglong!”

“Why are you sure Linglong is in Suiye City, not the capital?” Xiang Wang narrowed his eyes.

Liu Fengying looked toward the towering Tower of Heaven. “Because she has the whole Xiaoyao Manor behind her.”

Indeed, the entire Xiaoyao Manor!

Xiang Wang took Liu Fengying’s hand and left, not noticing Bell hiding in the corner.

Bell sneered at their departing backs, tidied her clothes, and quickly headed to her room.

At her door, Bell left a plum blossom mark on the window. Soon, a slender woman emerged from the shadows, looking at Bell silently.

Bell smiled. “Liu Fengying plans to take the blame for the murder of Qin Daofei for Xiang Wang. Once Liu Fengying takes the fall, she’ll go to Suiye City to approach Feng Linglong as Qin Daofei’s spy. I hope Liu Fengying never returns. If she dies in Suiye City, Liu family loses hope. With Xiang Wang’s temper, he’ll scheme against Liu family, and Liu family will retaliate. When dogs fight, none come out well!”

“Thank you!” The woman said, then left.

Bell called after her, “Miss, is Qin Daofei really dead?”

“Don’t worry. Our master is fine. He’ll be back soon,” the woman replied, then left.

She walked to a secluded courtyard in Xiang Wang’s mansion, wrote a secret letter on a desk, tied it to a pigeon’s leg, and released the bird.

Then she hummed a strange tune. Someone in the shadows kept time and recorded the message before taking it away.

Fifteen minutes before Liu Fengying confessed to treason, rumors flooded the capital’s streets: Xiang Wang intended to use his consort as scapegoat, and she would flee.

Xiang Wang and company knew nothing. After Liu Fengying was dragged to the market, confessed, black-clad men abducted her without a trace.

Xiang Wang thought he staged a great play, but the audience already knew the ending.

Seeing the crowd’s chatter, laughter, and disdain, Xiang Wang panicked and fled to his mansion to seclude himself.

The next day, news of Liu Fengying’s escape reached the palace. The emperor was furious, ordering the imperial guards to watch Xiang Wang’s mansion. Xiang Wang lived under soft imprisonment.

A prince born into favor had finally angered the emperor and became a prisoner.

As for Liu Fengying…

And Suiye City.

That day, Jifeng received a letter from the capital and laughed uncontrollably in the courtyard, patting his thigh. Aifei, fed up with his foolishness, kicked him sharply and coldly said, “If you’re going to act dumb, then get lost!”

“Don’t! Let me laugh a while longer!” Jifeng couldn’t stop laughing.

Except for the clueless Yixiao laughing along, everyone else thought he was mad.

After laughing, Jifeng gave the letter to Tang Li. Tang Li read it, patted his thigh, and said, “Beautiful!”

“Madam, this is a secret letter from the capital. Xiang Wang is exhausted from the flood of letters. Liu Fengying took the blame for him but was discovered by our men in Xiang Wang’s mansion and leaked the story in the capital. Xiang Wang lost face and was truly imprisoned. Liu Fengying came to Suiye City to die. A friend asked us to tell you she hopes Liu Fengying never returns. If Liu Fengying dies in Suiye City, the Liu family and Xiang Wang lose all shared interests. Xiang Wang will attack Liu family, and Liu family will strike back,” Tang Li handed the letter to Linglong.

Linglong didn’t take it but said calmly, “Then we prepare to welcome Liu Fengying.”

Two hours after the letter arrived, Liu Fengying “alone” entered Suiye City. She frantically grabbed passersby, asking, “Do you know where Xiaoyao Manor’s branch is?”

“Wasn’t the branch already wiped out by Xiang Wang’s men? What do you want with Xiaoyao Manor?” an old man asked warmly.

Liu Fengying bit her lip and said pitifully, “I’m a spy for Xiaoyao Manor. I was exposed and fled to Suiye City to find the branch, but I don’t know where they are!”

“Spy? Then you should know they’re guarding the garrison,” people laughed, thinking she was a hopeless spy.

“Garrison?” Liu Fengying couldn’t believe Xiaoyao Manor people openly lived in the garrison.

The man nodded. “Yes. Madam and Tang Li both live there. Any problem?”

“No, no, I’m going now. Thanks!” Liu Fengying hurried to the garrison.

After she left, the man sneered coldly, strolling the streets as if his earlier smile was a facade.

Liu Fengying stumbled to the garrison. Soldiers at the gate saw her panic and asked, “Are you alright?”

“Is Madam Feng Linglong of Xiaoyao Manor here?” Liu Fengying grabbed a young man’s arm.

He nodded, “Yes, Madam Qin lives here.”

“Please, tell her I’m Liu Fengying. She’ll see me!” Liu Fengying said, then collapsed on the steps.

The young man went inside and told Tang Li, “Brother Tang, a woman named Liu Fengying wants to see Madam!”

“Quite fast!” Tang Li said. Before he spoke further, Jifeng appeared.

Tang Li said softly, “Thank you, young man,” then headed to the gate.

“Xiang Wang’s consort, why come to Suiye City instead of staying in the capital? Xiaoyao Manor and Xiang Wang are at odds. This isn’t a good time for you to be here,” Tang Li looked down on Liu Fengying.

Liu Fengying crawled forward, grabbing Tang Li’s pant leg. “I want to see Feng Linglong. I have important matters!”

“You say your matters are important, but if I don’t sense it, no matter how important, it’s not to me. So tell me what’s important, then I’ll decide if you can see Madam Qin,” Tang Li stepped back slightly, freeing his leg.

Liu Fengying refused to give up and clung tighter. “Tang Li, only Linglong knows my true identity now. Qin Daofei is dead. I must see Feng Linglong.”

“Who told you our master is dead? You’re all dead, but my master isn’t!” Tang Li said coldly.

“What?” Liu Fengying stared in surprise. “Wasn’t Qin Daofei ambushed and killed in Great Demon City by Cangmo? The Cangmo king’s letters told Prince Xiang he was dead!”

[End of excerpt.]