Chapter 88: Master Qin Has Returned, and He Is Teasing Everyone the Moment He Sets Foot Inside

"Chengjie received news that King Xiang’s biological mother has been slicing flesh from her own body every day within the palace to treat the Emperor’s illness. She kept it hidden to avoid discovery, but a few days ago, the Emperor somehow found out. Deeply moved, the Emperor ordered King Xiang’s release." Ye Lishang’s lips curled into a sardonic smile, looking as if he found the whole situation entirely predictable.

"Ugh!" Linglong rolled her eyes and asked, "Can human flesh really cure illnesses?"

"Unless she was raised from childhood as a 'medicine person,' ordinary human flesh cannot serve as an medicinal ingredient. Yet, the Emperor happens to fall for this trick. Her move is incredibly sinister; we are likely in for serious trouble," Ye Lishang said, looking outside with a worried expression.

Before long, the Second Prince returned. He threw the imperial decree onto the table, his thin lips pressed tight, remaining silent. Seeing his distress, Ye Lishang walked over, took his hand, and asked, "What happened, Chengjie?"

"The Emperor has summoned me to return to the capital immediately, without a moment's delay," the Second Prince replied, clenching his fists tightly.

Ye Lishang was at a loss. He held the Second Prince's hand and said, "Let me go back with you."

"No, you stay in Suiye City. If Qin Daofei returns, we will need you to treat him." The Second Prince cast a deep, meaningful glance at Linglong. Linglong understood, but she did not show it.

The Second Prince gently patted Ye Lishang’s shoulder. "Go and pack my things. I have some words for Linglong."

"Alright!" Distracted by his worries, Ye Lishang failed to notice the undercurrents between the two.

After Ye Lishang left, the Second Prince gestured for Linglong to follow, and they stepped outside together.

"Once I leave, you certainly cannot continue to stay here. As soon as I am gone, King Xiang’s men will take over Suiye City. It will be very unsafe for you to remain. It seems bringing Qin Daofei back is imperative," the Second Prince said.

Linglong looked down at her shoes, remaining silent.

Seeing her silence, the Second Prince sighed slightly. "My return to the capital is fraught with danger. Ye Lishang... he is rather impulsive. If something happens to me, you must stop him. Do not let him act recklessly or return to the capital to save me. I would be most grateful for that."

"Second Prince, I have decided to go to the Great Demon City once more. I will bring Qin Daofei back. Everything has reached this point; if he does not return, we will likely all be killed by King Xiang, him included," Linglong said coldly.

The Second Prince smiled faintly. "I have one last straw to grasp at. In the deal between King Xiang and the Cangmo Kingdom, they were supposed to kill Qin Daofei, but Cangmo did not. Instead, they want to use Xiaoyao Manor to infiltrate the Central Plains and overthrow it. If that happens, King Xiang’s crimes will be even greater, but Xiaoyao Manor will also be in peril. If I return to the capital and Qin Daofei also leaves Cangmo to return to the Central Plains, then Xiaoyao Manor might be safe. But if he cannot get out, then either I die, or Xiaoyao Manor dies."

"I understand. I will definitely find a way to bring him back!" Linglong said firmly.

Unable to defy the imperial order, the Second Prince left Suiye City that very day. After he departed, Linglong and the others climbed over the wall of the garrison mansion. Not long after they left, King Xiang’s men came to ransack the place, only to find they had arrived too late.

The next day, in the underground chamber of Xiaoyao Manor, Linglong and Aifei were preparing to set off for the Great Demon City. Tang Li and Jifeng, unwilling to let them face the danger alone, insisted on joining them. As they stood in a stalemate, a sharp whistle sounded from outside.

Tang Li caught a note dropped through the mechanism slot. He opened it and his face lit up.

"Great Madam, we don't have to go!" Tang Li exclaimed.

Linglong looked at him, pleasantly surprised. "Qin Daofei is back?"

"Yes, the Manor Master just entered the city, but King Xiang’s men are already tracking him. Our people can't bring him back!" Before Tang Li finished speaking, Linglong stood up. "I’ll go!"

"If you appear alongside the Manor Master, I fear King Xiang’s men will hunt you both down like madmen," Jifeng stated the facts.

Linglong spread her hands and said calmly, "Besides me, who else can bring him back?"

"Here is what we do, Great Madam..." Tang Li whispered to Linglong, then asked cautiously, "Did you remember that, Great Madam?"

"Good, I have it!" Linglong replied, and Tang Li sent her out to the street.

On the street, Qin Daofei was already clashing with King Xiang’s men. Seeing the fight, Linglong clapped her hands and laughed, "Oh my, are you all in such a good mood? Are you dancing here?"

*Ugh...*

Though they had been separated for months, Qin Daofei instinctively frowned upon hearing Linglong’s voice. King Xiang’s men naturally recognized her. Seeing her, their eyes filled with greed, as if they were looking at heaps of silver.

"Yo, it seems King Xiang hasn't given up. He still wants to capture me, is that it?" Linglong laughed, unbothered.

Qin Daofei narrowed his eyes at her and asked coldly, "How did you know I was in Suiye City?"

"Your Xiaoyao Manor boasts of knowing everything under heaven. The moment you entered the city, someone told me. But, Son-in-law, instead of enjoying life in the Great Demon City, what are you doing here in Hanshi?" Linglong asked with a wicked grin.

Qin Daofei frowned and remained silent.

"Brothers, both of them are worth a fortune. We can't let them escape!" King Xiang’s men, seeing Linglong and Qin Daofei chatting as if no one else were around, gritted their teeth and prepared for a life-or-death struggle.

Linglong grabbed Qin Daofei’s sleeve. "I don't want to fight. Take me to the west side of the city!"

"Why?" Qin Daofei asked, brow furrowed.

Linglong rolled her eyes. "It seems your pig-brain still hasn't turned around. Fine, let's fight then!"

Linglong made her move, wielding her beloved mechanical snake. The attackers, unaware of the small snake’s lethality, exposed their vitals. The snake spat out countless hidden needles, striking several of them.

"I thought you were something special. It turns out you only know such base techniques," Qin Daofei said coldly.

*Hiss!*

Linglong stomped hard on Qin Daofei’s foot. He gasped, staring coldly at her without a word.

"Qin Daofei, let me tell you, don't you dare use the fact that you're still slightly useful to me to provoke me. If you push me too far, I’ll find someone to sleep with your mother and have your concubine give you a huge green hat!" Linglong was so angry that she began to speak without restraint.

Although Qin Daofei had forgotten the past, Linglong’s antics still enraged him.

"Woman, don't think I won't kill you!" Qin Daofei pointed his sword at her heart.

Linglong rolled her eyes, pursed her lips, and said coldly, "That depends on whether you can catch me!"

With those words, she leapt up and flew toward the west of the city. Seeing her flee, Qin Daofei quickly utilized his lightness skills to pursue her. The assassins also gave chase, but just as they took off, their ankles were snagged by ropes, pulling them down to the ground. They searched for the culprit, but the surroundings were empty. By the time they looked for Linglong and Qin Daofei again, both had vanished.

As for Linglong, after being chased to the west side by Qin Daofei, she hid in a dilapidated wooden shack. Qin Daofei cautiously followed her inside. No sooner had he entered than Linglong pounced from behind, shoving him against the wall. Catching him off guard, she triggered a mechanism, and a powerful force pushed them into a secret passage. Qin Daofei ended up on the bottom, with Linglong on top as they tumbled down.

"Are you looking for death?" Qin Daofei asked coldly.

Linglong nodded, smiling in an infuriating way. "That's right, I'm courting death. Are you going to beat me to death?" She even leaned her face forward, inviting him to strike.

Qin Daofei glanced at her coldly, but did not grant her wish. He pulled a luminous pearl from his robes, instantly lighting up the tunnel.

*Gulp!*

Linglong swallowed hard and asked fawningly, "Manor Master Qin, this pearl is quite exquisite, isn't it?"

"Thank you!" Qin Daofei said, holding the pearl aloft as he walked forward.

Linglong walked over, snatched the pearl from his hand, and said righteously, "This is my turf, so I should be the one leading the way!"

"Give the pearl back!" the Manor Master said, acting petty.

Linglong bared her teeth. "I'll lead the way, and maybe I'll return it to you when there's a chance later!" She made it sound as if returning a pearl were a monumental task.

"Give it back!" Qin Daofei reached out to grab it.

Linglong panicked, shoved the pearl into her bodice, and they were plunged back into darkness.

Qin Daofei was furious. "Don't think I won't search you!" If he remembered correctly, those people had clearly told him this woman was his wife. Since she was his wife, what was wrong with a little touching?

Linglong spread her limbs against the stone wall and grinned. "Go ahead and search!"

Qin Daofei reached out, first grabbing her arm. His hand hovered in front of her, but he didn't know where to start. Seeing his hesitation, Linglong burst into laughter.

"If Manor Master Qin isn't going to search, I'm going to head forward in the dark, alright?" Linglong had no intention of taking out the pearl.

Qin Daofei’s brows were tightly knitted. "Take out the pearl. The path ahead is getting darker. It doesn't matter if you fall to your death, but don't drag me down with you!"

"Then we'll just die together. Don't worry, I'll definitely drag you with me before I go. I won't let you live alone!" Linglong laughed like a brothel madam.

The sound of Qin Daofei grinding his teeth echoed loudly in the silent, dark tunnel. However, Linglong chose to selectively ignore him. She hummed a little tune while feeling her way along the stone wall.

*Ah! Siss! Ouch!*

During the journey, Linglong injured herself several times, which greatly frustrated Qin Daofei. He pinned her against the wall, grabbing her arms, and gritted his teeth. "Take out the pearl!"

"No!" Linglong was resolute.

Qin Daofei asked coldly, "Really not?"

"Whoever takes it out is a grandson!" Linglong said, not forgetting to insult him while she was busy swindling him. If you, Qin Daofei, aren't afraid of being a grandson, then go ahead and take it.

Qin Daofei was incensed. He grabbed both her wrists with his left hand, pinning them high above her head, and reached into her bodice with his right.

"Qin Daofei, my father said that whoever dares to touch me has to marry me. You've finally managed to get rid of me, don't be impulsive!" Linglong felt his fingers wandering across her chest and became so frightened she couldn't even speak properly.

Qin Daofei curled his lips into a wicked smile and reached further into her collar.

"Oh! You beast!" Linglong hadn't expected him to actually...

Upon reaching her, Qin Daofei’s first thought was... it felt quite nice!

Linglong was so angry she tried to knee him, but Qin Daofei caught her leg and continued to explore.

"Help! Qin Daofei is molesting me!" Linglong shrieked at the top of her lungs.

Qin Daofei calmly replied, "This is a secret passage. Even if you scream until your throat breaks, no one will come to save..."

Before he could finish, two figures appeared, holding torches, looking blankly at them.

"Um, Brother Li, the scenery here is quite nice. It should be even better ahead, shall we go take a look?"

"Ah, yes. I agree, the scenery there must be better than here. How strange, why is there no one here?" Tang Li said, spouting nonsense with a straight face.

Linglong looked down and saw Qin Daofei’s large hand in a very lewd position, covering her chest.

"You two, come back! Qin Daofei is molesting me, are you just going to ignore it?" Linglong was blushing with rage.

Jifeng bared his teeth, stuck a torch into a wall bracket, and muttered, "Strange, why is it so quiet? Too quiet. Brother Li, we didn't see anything, right? Let's go!"

"Let's go, let's go!" Tang Li and Jifeng left.

The torch they left behind illuminated Qin Daofei’s handsome face.

*Hmm!*

Qin Daofei released Linglong, feeling a bit awkward. Seeing her collar wide open, he thoughtfully straightened her clothes before speaking with a calm face and a trembling voice: "Give me back the pearl!"

"You've already touched me, and you still want the pearl? How about I give you my life instead?" Though Linglong’s words were sharp, only she knew her legs were turning to jelly.

"Do you have no shame?" Qin Daofei asked.

Linglong leaned in and pointed at her face. "I do, but since you molested me, my face is all but gone, so now I need compensation!"

"Give me the pearl!" Qin Daofei’s patience was wearing thin.

Linglong suddenly pouted, looking pitiful. "Today is my birthday!"

*Birthday?*

Qin Daofei snorted and ignored her, walking forward. Linglong was so happy she could have jumped. Sensing her joy, Qin Daofei turned back to glare at her. Linglong quickly assumed a resentful expression, all while dancing her fingers behind her back.

After walking for a while, the path ahead suddenly opened up.

"Manor Master, welcome back!" Tang Li and Jifeng stepped out, bowing in salute. Linglong walked behind them, deliberately ignoring them.

Jifeng grinned. "Great Madam?"

"Your Great Madam is dead!" Linglong rolled her eyes and walked away.

Jifeng rubbed his nose and escorted Qin Daofei to a room above ground. Once inside, Linglong was already comforting Feng Yixiao. Seeing Qin Daofei enter, she glanced at him without speaking. Everything was unfamiliar to Qin Daofei, save for that familiar face, so he walked over and looked at the child in her arms. "Your child?"

"None of your business!" Linglong said.

Qin Daofei paused and said calmly, "I need to confirm if it’s my child."

"She is my child, but she has nothing to do with you!" Linglong shoved the child into Hua’er’s arms and pushed them both into a room.

After they left, Linglong walked over and asked angrily, "How could you bear to leave your cozy nest?"

"I found out that the gentleman Warmhill mentioned arrived in Suiye City two days ago. I wanted to come and find him!" Qin Daofei told the truth.

Linglong paced around him and said coldly, "So, you sneaked out?"

"What else?" Qin Daofei said, as if it were obvious.

Linglong bared her teeth. "Qin Daofei, can you speak to me properly?"

"Is there any point in speaking properly to you?" Qin Daofei retorted.

Those familiar with their past couldn't help but smile bitterly. It was as if time had reversed—Qin Daofei was the same cold, sharp-tongued man, ready to counter every word Linglong said.

"Ye Lishang, come here!" Linglong could no longer control her rage. If this continued, she might actually bite him to death.

Ye Lishang stepped forward, laughing. "Haha, Qin Daofei, have you ever thought about how this woman will deal with you once you regain your memory?"

"Then take the poison worm out of my brain, and you'll know the result," Qin Daofei said, seemingly unafraid.

Linglong was seething.

"Speaking of which, this worm has been in your brain for so long. I don't know if it has changed. Let me check for you?" Ye Lishang reached out to take his pulse.

Linglong sat in the corner, feeling suffocated. For some reason, Qin Daofei couldn't stop looking at her. To him, she clearly wasn't the type of person he would like, but his memories and the way others acted suggested otherwise. His gaze was involuntarily drawn to her every move.

"I can try to extract it, but if I do, it might alert that gentleman. If that happens, the secret passages of Xiaoyao Manor in Suiye City might be discovered. That would be difficult to handle, wouldn't it?" Ye Lishang voiced his concern.

Linglong also looked at Qin Daofei.

"I want to lure him out!" Qin Daofei was obsessed with finding the man, but Linglong suddenly remembered Old Ye’s words. She rushed over and grabbed his hand, trembling slightly. "Qin Daofei, the situation in the capital is tense. Those who have helped us are in danger. Your deals with others have also expired. Everything requires you to be clear-headed to preside over the situation, so you cannot take risks!"

Linglong’s hands were very cold, and the chill made Qin Daofei reluctant to let go. He held her hands gently. "Why is finding that gentleman a risk?"

"Because I was also infected with a poison worm. After Old Ye extracted it, he said the person who cultivated it belonged to a family that had vanished from the martial arts world for years. They don't strike easily, but when they do, it means total annihilation. Suiye City is now controlled by King Xiang, so we will definitely have trouble acting here. We must return to the capital. Once there, neither you nor the Second Prince need to fear King Xiang. So, extract the worm after we return!"

Qin Daofei looked at Linglong, brow furrowed. "You also lost your memory?"

"I didn't lose my memory; I was drained of my vitality and became very weak. But Old Ye warned me repeatedly not to provoke that family. So, you must extract the worm while ensuring your safety." Linglong looked deeply at Qin Daofei, wondering if he still pined for his beautiful wife in the Great Demon City.

Qin Daofei looked at Linglong, then at Tang Li and the others. Everyone was looking at him with expectant eyes, waiting for his answer. Qin Daofei found it difficult to choose. "Let me think about it!"

"Alright, I won't force you, but you must think clearly!" Linglong’s solemnity made Qin Daofei frown. Perhaps this woman wasn't as attractive when she was being serious! Maybe she was only meant to be teasing and spouting nonsense.

Qin Daofei agreed to consider it. For his safety, Tang Li and Jifeng wouldn't let him go out. They were all crowded into three small rooms, and Qin Daofei kept seeing Linglong coddling the child.

She said it wasn't his child? Had she married someone else? Qin Daofei stared at Linglong and the child, lost in thought. Tang Li, seeing this, smiled and poured him a cup of tea. "Manor Master, it’s best not to believe everything the Great Madam says. That child..."

"Is it hers and someone else’s?" Qin Daofei interrupted.

Tang Li shook his head. "I don't know whose child it is, but it was definitely not born by the Great Madam. The child appeared out of nowhere; only the Manor Master and the Great Madam know the child's origin."

Not hers, and not his! For some reason, hearing this, Qin Daofei felt a huge weight lift off his chest.

"Have she and I really divorced?" he asked again.

Tang Li frowned, not knowing how to answer. Seeing Tang Li’s distress, Qin Daofei frowned too.

"I was in Suiye City when the Manor Master and the Great Madam were having conflicts, so I don't know the specifics. But one thing is certain: the Great Madam and the Manor Master have not divorced... However, if the Manor Master continues like this, given her temper, a divorce might be inevitable!" Tang Li said, laughing at his own words.

*Ugh...*

Qin Daofei rubbed his temples, feeling a growing curiosity about Linglong.

*Waaah!*

The child’s crying interrupted their conversation. He looked at Linglong, who was holding the child so tenderly, and similar images flashed through his mind—very intimate, but fleeting. So fleeting that he couldn't see the woman's face, yet he vaguely felt it was Linglong.

"Feng Yixiao, why are you crying like this?" Hua’er took the child to comfort her.

Linglong rubbed her temples. "This little ancestor can't stay put. She’s used to running wild outside every day. The fact that she’s lasted this long locked in the house is already a miracle!"

"You taught her that!" Aifei said coldly.

Linglong stomped her foot. "I’m locked in here too, can't get out, should I cry too?"

"It’s bad luck to cry on your birthday," Qin Daofei said, seemingly out of concern, but it was actually a probe.

*Ugh!*

Hua’er looked at Linglong. "Today is Miss’s birthday?"

"Yes, did you forget?" Linglong moved in small steps toward Hua’er, pinching her arm to force her to agree.

Hua’er winced. "Perhaps... I didn't remember correctly?"

"Right, everyone has been busy lately, so I won't blame you, dear!" Linglong pinched Hua’er’s face.

Seeing Hua’er being bullied, Tang Li quickly walked over, hid her behind him, and smiled. "Since it’s the Great Madam’s birthday, this subordinate wishes the Great Madam a happy birthday!"

Jifeng, always looking for trouble, asked with a malicious grin, "Great Madam’s birthday? Should this subordinate prepare a gift?"

*Hmm!*

Although Linglong wanted a gift, seeing Jifeng’s malicious look, she pretended to be magnanimous. "I, Feng Linglong, am not greedy for wealth. Besides, I'm already so old, it doesn't matter if I celebrate or not. Let's just leave it at that, shall we?"

Fang Qing smiled gently. "Yes, let’s leave it at that."

Linglong almost hugged Fang Qing in gratitude. That night, under Jifeng’s strong encouragement, everyone tacitly agreed to leave Linglong and Qin Daofei in the same room. Seeing only one bed, Linglong’s eyes widened, and she felt incredibly awkward.

"Well, you sleep, I have things to do!" Linglong started to get up, but Qin Daofei grabbed her wrist. "What? Busy even on your birthday? Aren't you going to celebrate properly?"

*Celebrate?*

"How, how do we celebrate?" Linglong backed away uneasily, trying to pry his fingers off her. But Qin Daofei’s grip was like a pair of iron pliers. Linglong was exhausted, while he remained unmoved.

"What exactly do you want?" Linglong panicked and tried to kick him.

Qin Daofei grabbed her foot with his other hand, threw her onto the bed, and pinned her down, looking down at her from above. "I don't want anything, just asking if you want a gift."

"Qin Daofei, let me tell you, I only took one pearl from you. To keep you from going bankrupt, I gave all my savings to others as a breach of contract fee. You don't thank me, and you're still obsessing over one pearl. Do you have to be so petty?" Thinking of her silver, Linglong’s heart ached, and soon, tears welled up.

For some reason, seeing her tears made Qin Daofei’s heart ache with reluctance. He gently lifted her chin. "Don't cry."

"I'll cry if I want to!" Linglong wiped her eyes, and the tears fell like beads from a broken string.

*Sigh!*

"I won't take the pearl back, so stop crying!" As soon as Qin Daofei finished, Linglong’s tears stopped instantly. She sniffed. "You’re really not taking it back?"

*Ugh...*

"It’s yours! Woman!" Qin Daofei gritted his teeth.

Linglong was happy. She patted the bed. "Since Manor Master Qin is so kind, I’ll let you sleep on the bed!"

"And you?" Qin Daofei asked, then looked stunned.

Linglong had definitely overthought it. She raised her foot to kick his stomach, but stopped herself. "I’m used to living in the wild; I can make do anywhere!"

With that, she got up to leave. Qin Daofei, as if possessed, grabbed her wrist and pulled her down. They rolled onto the bed together. Qin Daofei wrapped his arms around her waist. "Since we are husband and wife, sleeping together is nothing."

Linglong’s hair stood on end!

"Who the hell is your wife? We’ve already divorced. You’re a cast-aside husband, trying to take advantage of me? Do you have no shame?" She tried to get up, but his hand clamped onto her waist, and she couldn't break free.

Qin Daofei didn't like her using foul language. He pinched her slightly. "No more foul language!"

*Hiss!*

Linglong turned around, straddled his waist, and pinched his chin. "Manor Master Qin, don't force me to ravish you!"

For some reason, a memory flashed in Qin Daofei’s mind that overlapped with the present. Only, in that memory, Linglong was dressed in bright colors, her golden hairpin shimmering—not like now, with only one hairpin and a simple green dress. Moreover, that memory was becoming increasingly... erotic!

Qin Daofei took a breath, controlling his respiration. He hoisted her up, threw her back onto the bed, and sat by the edge to meditate, ignoring her.

Linglong cupped her face and smiled. She was the type to push her luck. Seeing him back down, she grew arrogant.

"Hey, Manor Master Qin, are you injured from the Great Demon City, or are you saving yourself for Warmhill?" She poked him with her foot.

Because Qin Daofei’s back was turned, she couldn't see his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard, emitting a dangerous, beastly aura. Seeing his back grow rigid, she got carried away. She leaned over, rested her head on his shoulder, and snuggled close. "Tell me?"

"Tell you what?" His Adam’s apple bobbed more frequently, but his tone was colder than ever.

Linglong laughed, twirling a lock of his hair against his ear. "Are you saving yourself for Princess Warmhill, or is your injury not healed yet?"

Qin Daofei grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms. He held her tight, looking down at her with dominance. "Whether my injury is healed, you can try and find out!"

He forced her hand to press against a certain part of him.

*Oh!*

Linglong shrank back in fear, cursing, "You beast!"

"A beast?" Qin Daofei looked at her coldly. If she dared to nod, he would dare to do something beastly to let her see the true face of a beast.

Linglong, living up to expectations, nodded. "Yes, you are a beast!"

Qin Daofei pinned her to the ground, with only one thought in mind: to properly, thoroughly discipline this little woman.

"Feng Linglong, you are really... courting death!" Qin Daofei said, his wicked hand climbing toward her collar.

*Hmm!*

Linglong covered her eyes with her hands, hating him. "Qin Daofei, what are you doing?"

"Aren't you looking forward to me doing something?" Qin Daofei smiled wickedly.

Seeing how charming he looked, Linglong swallowed hard and said pitifully, "When I returned from the Great Demon City, I was severely injured and almost died at the hands of Cangmo soldiers. Can you bear it?"

"I can!" Every cell in Qin Daofei’s body was screaming; of course, he could bear it.

Seeing his resolve, Linglong panicked, and tears fell again. Qin Daofei had been teased by her once; seeing her cry still made him uncomfortable, but he didn't intend to back down. He lifted her chin. "Stop acting, it doesn't work on me!"

*Wuu wuu wuu!*

Linglong stifled her sobs, burying her head in his chest. "Qin Daofei, you’re heartless. Do you know that to find you, I ran from the comfortable capital to the frontier, only to see you marry another woman? You didn't even give me an explanation, and now you want to bully me. I asked you to come back with me, but you wouldn't. Now, the mess of Xiaoyao Manor is all on my shoulders. I have to guard the manor for you, think of ways to save you, and guard against King Xiang capturing me. Is it easy for me? You come back without a single word of concern, but you want to bully me. You’re not human!"

"King Xiang... why would he capture you?" Qin Daofei reached out and gently stroked her hair.

Linglong cried even harder. "He has always liked me. To get me, he killed my father and Sister A-Liang. You said you would avenge me, but you stayed in Cangmo and refused to return. You’re a bastard!"

"Your father... is gone?" Qin Daofei felt a dull ache in his chest.

Linglong said bitterly, "Yes, my father is gone, the child is gone, and you don't want me anymore. I... *wuu wuu wuu*, what is the point of living?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Qin Daofei hugged her tightly. The heartache was now so obvious he could no longer ignore it.

*Wuu wuu!*

Linglong stopped talking and just sobbed in his arms until, eventually, she began to snore.

*Ugh!*

Qin Daofei picked her up, looked at her swollen, tear-stained eyes, and all his desire vanished, replaced by genuine heartbreak. He truly felt for her. He helplessly laid her on the bed, covered her with the quilt, and walked out. After he left, Linglong, who had been "asleep," opened her eyes, made a face, rolled around a few times, and truly drifted off to sleep.

Qin Daofei walked out and saw Tang Li standing guard in the hall.

"Manor Master?" Tang Li saw the water stains on Qin Daofei’s chest and was torn between laughter and tears.

Qin Daofei sat down. "Was Feng Linglong’s father really killed by King Xiang?"

"Yes, two years ago. Not long after, her unborn child was killed by the Manor Master’s concubine and King Xiang in collusion. The Great Madam was thrown into prison, and later, the prison caught fire for unknown reasons, and she disappeared. For two years, the Manor Master searched for her. Later, she returned on her own to seek revenge." Tang Li looked at Qin Daofei, hoping to see some change in his expression, but there was none.

He only frowned. "Then what is really going on between her and me?"

"I don't know the specifics. Once you accept the treatment from the Ghost Doctor, you will remember everything quickly. But one thing is certain: your feelings for the Great Madam are undoubtedly the deepest." Tang Li smiled.

Qin Daofei muttered, "I even suspect I’m ill, to actually... like such a crazy woman!"

"Since the Manor Master doesn't deny it, come back with us. Xiaoyao Manor is now at stake, and the Second Prince, who has always helped you, is also in danger. Once King Xiang becomes the Crown Prince, he will certainly strike at Xiaoyao Manor and the Second Prince. The burden on the Manor Master is heavy," Tang Li said.

Qin Daofei glanced at Linglong’s room. "In that case, I will return with you and see what kind of person I really am."

"That’s great!" Tang Li stood up, excited. "I’ll go prepare!"

Qin Daofei watched him, asking reluctantly, "Do I really like her?"

"The Manor Master’s own heart is the most truthful," Tang Li said with a smile.

True, Qin Daofei couldn't help but reflect. If not for that tiny spark in his heart, why would he care so much about this woman? He returned to the room and saw Linglong sprawled across the bed, sleeping without a care. He couldn't imagine how a woman who had suffered so many setbacks could remain so carefree.

"Old Feng, Sister A-Liang... Qin Daofei, that dead brat, doesn't want me anymore. Take him away!" Linglong mumbled in her sleep, a single crystal tear hanging from the corner of her eye—a tear that brazenly marched straight into Qin Daofei’s heart. He sat down and watched her quietly, not closing his eyes all night.

Early the next morning.

*Waa, Longlong! Longlong!*

Linglong jumped out of bed, fumbled for a head, and comforted it with her eyes closed, "Be good, Feng Yixiao, we can leave this ghost place soon, don't cry!"

"Take your claws off me!" Qin Daofei, being mistaken for Feng Yixiao, said coldly.

Linglong frowned, pinched his face hard, and muttered, "No wonder it feels like old tree bark; it’s not my Feng Yixiao."

Qin Daofei was amused. He swiped her hand away, stood up, and walked out of the room, only to see Hua’er pacing with Feng Yixiao, who was crying with snot bubbles.

"Let me hold her," Qin Daofei said.