Chapter 90: Challenging the Emperor in the Imperial Court, Returning to Scheme Against Linglong

After Qin Daofei and Tang Li departed, Tang Li produced the note Linglong had left for Qin Daofei before she vanished. "Master," he said, "the First Mistress instructed that upon your return, you should treat the Second Mistress better. She said there is someone else behind the Second Mistress and Prince Xiang, and you must ferret them out."

"How?" Qin Daofei asked.

Tang Li gestured for him to look at the note. Qin Daofei unfolded it, only to see two arrogant, crooked characters scrawled by Linglong: "Seduce her!"

Yes, that was exactly what Linglong meant.

Qin Daofei crumpled the note into a ball, vowing that the next time he saw Feng Linglong, he would shove it right into her face.

Upon returning to Xiaoyao Manor, Qin Daofei frowned at the vast estate, remaining silent. Back in the Great Demon City, he had heard Nuo Hier mention Xiaoyao Manor to the Emperor of Cangmo more than once. In their eyes, the manor was a massive treasure trove. Yet, the only thing Qin Daofei could truly remember—a memory he deeply disapproved of but which remained etched in his soul—was Feng Linglong.

"Fei'er! You frightened me to death, you child!" Qin Wang Xiangyu, seeing him standing alive and well at the gates, threw herself at him, clutching his sleeves and weeping.

Qin Daofei frowned and gently pushed her away. "My good woman, do we know each other?"

"This... Tang Li, what is the meaning of this? Didn't you say he wasn't injured? Didn't you say everything was fine?" Qin Wang Xiangyu clutched her chest and demanded harshly.

Tang Li scratched his head. "It’s true, Master isn't injured. He’s just forgotten the past."

"Has he forgotten Feng Linglong too?" Qin Wang Xiangyu blurted out.

Qin Daofei narrowed his eyes at her, finally understanding why Linglong had been unwilling to return with him.

"He has forgotten everything," Tang Li said firmly.

Qin Wang Xiangyu clasped her hands together. "Thank the heavens. If he’s forgotten, so be it—as long as he doesn't remember Feng Linglong!"

Qin Daofei gave her a look as if she were an idiot and walked inside.

That evening, Tan Xiyin prepared a feast to welcome him home. Qin Daofei did not refuse, but once he arrived, he felt as though he were dining with a group of strangers. It only made him miss Linglong all the more.

After dinner, Qin Daofei pushed Tan Xiyin through the garden. She gripped his hand, sighing, "Brother Daofei, these past six months you’ve been away, I have lived a life worse than death. Did you know that?"

"I did not," Qin Daofei answered bluntly. Mindful of the task Linglong had entrusted to him, he added in a calm voice, "Is the Feng Linglong my mother speaks of the same Linglong who saved me in the frontier?"

Tan Xiyin’s hand tightened slightly. She squeezed his hand firmly and asked, "Does Brother Daofei remember her?"

"I do not. But since she saved me, I am curious as to what kind of person she is," he replied coolly.

Tan Xiyin turned, pulled him down to sit, and said earnestly, "Brother Daofei, if we speak of affection, Feng Linglong is very fond of you. But that woman’s heart... well, never mind. Since you have forgotten the past, it would be unfair of me to speak ill of her. Let us wait until you have recovered, shall we?"

"It is fine. Tell me. While I was in the frontier, others warned me not to entangle myself with her. I have always wanted to know what she is truly like," Qin Daofei said, watching her calmly.

Tan Xiyin wiped away tears. "Brother Daofei, look at my legs. I was injured protecting you when Prince Xiang, consumed by jealousy, tried to kill you. Feng Linglong is a woman of loose morals and brought shame upon you, yet you were always forgiving. Your recent ordeal was orchestrated by Prince Xiang. He is so infatuated with her that he has lost all sense of right and wrong. In the future, you must stay far away from those two."

"Understood," Qin Daofei said calmly.

Satisfied with his obedience, Tan Xiyin smiled. "Are you tired, Brother Daofei? I have prepared a fragrant bath for you. Shall I serve you?"

"Tang Li told me that once I returned, I must go to a certain place with him so that the martial arts world knows I am not dead and that Xiaoyao Manor still stands. He said it was urgent, so I shall go with him first," Qin Daofei replied.

Tan Xiyin nodded. "Yes, for half a year, rumors have spread that you were dead, and everyone has been eyeing the manor. You should go handle them. Go on, I will leave the door unlocked for you. No matter how late, I will wait."

"Hmm," Qin Daofei said, rising. "I shall return as soon as I can."

"Good!" Tan Xiyin watched him go with a pleased, obedient smile.

Once he left the Miaoyin Pavilion, Qin Daofei looked up at the rafters. "Come out."

Jifeng dropped down, bowing. "Master, Ghost Doctor is waiting at the Qingyun Charitable Hall."

Led by Jifeng, Qin Daofei sped toward the hall.

At the Qingyun Charitable Hall, Ye Lishang sat slumped in a chair, tossing peanuts at Feng Yixiao. Feng Yixiao laughed so hard she began to hiccup. Linglong grabbed a pastry and hurled it at Ye Lishang. "Are you looking for death?"

"Yes, I am. If I die, let’s see who cures your man!" Ye Lishang laughed maliciously.

Linglong pouted. "Can’t I just go find Old Man Ye?"

"My master only knows how to chase after old ladies; he has no time for you!" Ye Lishang grinned, wearing an arrogant expression that screamed, *You’re doomed without me.*

Linglong pouted at him. "Is that true?"

"What’s true or false?" Ye Lishang asked, confused.

"I mean, is it true that Old Man Ye is a beast who only knows how to chase after old ladies?"

"Of course! Who in the capital doesn't know that?" Ye Lishang said dismissively.

"Oh!" Linglong smirked. "But I think he’s a good man. How can you talk about your master like that?"

Before Ye Lishang could retort, he felt a surge of murderous intent behind him.

"Ma... Master?" Ye Lishang didn't dare turn around, his small frame trembling.

*Tsk, tsk, tsk!*

Old Man Ye walked out with his hands behind his back. "Disciple, are you cold or ill? Shall Master treat you?"

With a flick of his wrist, Old Man Ye sent silver needles flying into the acupoints on Ye Lishang’s back. Unable to watch, Linglong covered her eyes. "It’s too bloody. I can’t bear it; I’ll wait inside."

*Ah!*

Ye Lishang’s face turned ghastly, and he cried, "Master, I was wrong!"

"Wrong?" Old Man Ye pulled the needles out, smiling. "I don't think you were wrong at all." He immediately jabbed him in another spot.

"Senior, please show mercy!" The Second Prince had arrived. He stepped forward, gently pushing Old Man Ye’s hand away, then used internal energy to force the needles out of Ye Lishang’s back, handing them back to the fuming master with a bow.

Old Man Ye favored the Second Prince, so he relented. "For the sake of your lover’s concern, I will spare you today. If you dare speak such truths again, I’ll turn you into a honeycomb!"

"Beast!" Ye Lishang muttered. Old Man Ye ignored him and went inside to play with Feng Yixiao.

Qin Daofei, the protagonist of the day, was the last to arrive. He walked into the hall behind Jifeng. Upon seeing him, Old Man Ye lunged, hanging off him and staring directly into his eyes. Qin Daofei rolled his eyes and tried to shake him off, but failing, he began to spar with the old man.

"It’s always like this," Ye Lishang complained. "He only likes to spar with Qin Daofei, teaching him martial arts while they fight. Is Qin Daofei his real son or something?"

"Do you want more pain?" the Second Prince said coldly. Ye Lishang shut his mouth.

As they watched the fight, Old Man Ye suddenly struck Qin Daofei’s back with a palm. Qin Daofei spat out a mouthful of black blood. Old Man Ye pressed his shoulders, forcing him to sit cross-legged. "Bring me the needles!"

Ye Lishang obeyed. After checking Qin Daofei’s head, Old Man Ye’s eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he plunged needles into his scalp.

*Ah!*

Qin Daofei writhed on the ground in agony. The sight terrified Feng Yixiao, who began to sob uncontrollably. Linglong, seeing his pain, grew anxious. "Old Man Ye, what is happening?"

"The treatment was delayed; the Gu-worm has hatched many smaller ones inside him. I’m not even sure if I’ve hit the mother-worm yet. He’s going to suffer for this," Old Man Ye said, pinning him down and continuing his acupuncture until Qin Daofei was covered in needles, unable even to struggle.

Though Linglong hated that he had forgotten her, seeing him in such agony pained her. She knelt beside him, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with her sleeve.

"Is the poison gone?" Qin Daofei asked weakly.

Old Man Ye countered, "Can you remember any of us?"

Qin Daofei shook his head. Everyone looked disappointed.

"That means we didn't catch the mother-worm. You’ve reached your limit for tonight. Take this pill to suppress the growth, and come back tomorrow night," Old Man Ye said, popping a pill into his mouth.

Before Qin Daofei could speak, Linglong grumbled, "Come back tomorrow night?"

"Heartbroken?" everyone asked in unison, save for Qin Daofei.

Linglong bristled. "I don't give a damn! I’m just worried he’ll be found out by that concubine. I was planning to have him fake amnesia to pry information from her!"

"That won't do. I must go to the palace tomorrow to report. If I’m not mistaken, my father will place me under house arrest. Qin Daofei must regain his memory within three days!" the Second Prince stated.

Qin Daofei said quietly, "Tan Xiyin has trouble moving. We will simply cut off her contact with the outside world so she doesn't know I’ve recovered."

"Qin Daofei, you are truly naive. Do you really think your concubine’s legs are crippled?" Linglong sneered.

Qin Daofei raised an eyebrow. "Fake?"

"Yes, Master!" Jifeng, fearing they would clash again, hurriedly answered for her.

The Second Prince said, "Our most urgent task is to pull Prince Xiang down before the Emperor declares him Crown Prince. As for Tan Xiyin and the mastermind, please, Lady Linglong, wait a little longer."

Linglong gave a bitter laugh. "I’ve waited this long; I don't mind waiting a bit longer."

That night, the attempt to remove the Gu failed. When he returned to Xiaoyao Manor, it was already midnight. He did not go to Tan Xiyin’s Miaoyin Pavilion; instead, guided by Jifeng, he went straight to the Linglong Pavilion.

The next day, Tan Xiyin went to the study and gently asked why he hadn't come to her room. Qin Daofei lied without batting an eye. "I returned too late and didn't want to disturb your rest. Jifeng said I used to live in Linglong Pavilion, so I rested there. If all is well tonight, I shall accompany you."

"Very well," Tan Xiyin played the role of the virtuous, gentle wife, not daring to push.

However, by noon, news arrived that the Second Prince had been placed under house arrest. Ye Lishang, red-eyed, came to the manor and gripped Qin Daofei’s hand. "The three of us grew up together. You must save him!"

Though Qin Daofei remembered neither the Second Prince nor Ye Lishang, he comforted him. "Don't worry, I will try to regain my memory tonight."

"Qin Daofei, you are the only one who can save him now!" Ye Lishang looked as helpless as a child.

Qin Daofei patted his shoulder. "I will do my best."

That night, Old Man Ye exhausted all his skills to save his son-in-law, but the result was the same—Qin Daofei still could not remember the past.

On the way back, Qin Daofei looked at Jifeng. "Contact our people in Prince Xiang’s estate. Have them report all his movements to me. Tell the people in the palace to inform the Second Prince to tell the Emperor about how I was used by the Cangmo Kingdom. I am going to confront the Emperor."

"Master? Have you remembered?" Jifeng asked, shaking him in excitement.

Qin Daofei glared at him coldly. "Did I say I remembered?"

"But... you seem exactly like your old self. The people in the palace and the Prince’s estate were all placed there by you. If you hadn't remembered, how could you give such orders?" Jifeng looked at him in bewilderment.

Qin Daofei looked up at the sky. "Do not say a word of this to Linglong!"

"Truly, you are the Master!" Jifeng muttered with a look of admiration.

That night, people came and went from Qin Daofei’s study, and he remained at his desk until dawn. When day broke, he told Jifeng, "Follow me to the palace."

"Where are you going, Brother Daofei?" Tan Xiyin, having been stood up twice, appeared again.

Qin Daofei frowned and paused. "The Cangmo Kingdom affair... I am the fuse. The Emperor has summoned me; can I refuse?"

"Then take care, Brother Daofei," she said gently.

Qin Daofei nodded. "I have just returned, and there is much to do. You need not tire yourself coming to see me every day. Once I am finished with this, I will visit you."

"Very well," she said, watching him go.

After he left, Tan Xiyin asked her maid, "Do you think he has recovered?"

"It doesn't seem so. If he had, his attitude toward the Second Mistress would not be like this," the maid explained.

Tan Xiyin looked at his retreating back, murmuring, "But I am always afraid he will remember."

"Has the Mistress considered that perhaps he has been faking it from the start?" the maid analyzed while pushing her chair.

"What do you mean?"

"The people around him are all close to the First Mistress. It is impossible they haven't told him about her. Yet, he acts as if he knows nothing of his past with Feng Linglong. That is unreasonable."

Tan Xiyin’s face turned pale. "Go, go back quickly!"

After they left, a figure in black appeared like a phantom behind them, watching their departure with a cold smirk.

Back in her room, Tan Xiyin had her maid tie a crimson silk scarf to the window. As soon as it was done, Tang Li appeared. Seeing the scarf, he approached with a rustic grin and untied it. "Second Mistress, this scarf is truly beautiful. Hua'er likes this kind, but I didn't know where to buy one. Since you’re using it to fix the window, I assume you don't like it anymore. Let me buy it from you!"

He tossed ten taels of silver on the table and ran off, not giving her a chance to speak.

Tan Xiyin was furious. "There is something fishy about this! Let us investigate!"

She took her maid out and, on the street, ran into Hua'er buying vegetables. Around her neck was the very scarf Tang Li had bought.

"Brother, don't get water on my scarf, it’s very precious," Hua'er said, acting as if she cherished it.

Tan Xiyin narrowed her eyes. "Let’s go to Prince Xiang’s estate!"

As they arrived at the gates, they ran into Linglong. Linglong stood there holding Feng Yixiao, a mocking smile on her face. Tan Xiyin glared at her. "Feng Linglong, what are you plotting?"

"What could I be plotting? Is the concubine overthinking things? Feng Yixiao, look at that woman over there—she’s a woman who can’t bear children. Remember her face and make sure you aren't sold off by her!" Linglong’s words were enough to make Tan Xiyin vomit blood.

Tan Xiyin gritted her teeth. "Feng Linglong, how did you survive the harsh environment of the desert?"

"I was almost dead, but Qin Daofei cried so hard, refusing to let me die. What could I do?" Linglong laughed, looking infuriatingly smug.

Tan Xiyin sneered. "If Brother Daofei remembered you, why wouldn't he bring you home instead of leaving you to wander?"

"Hmph, I don't care to return to your Xiaoyao Manor. Even if he doesn't remember me, he hasn't made you the legal wife yet, has he?" Linglong retorted, feigning anger.

Tan Xiyin smiled knowingly. "You haven't told him about your past?"

"Hmph, you’re the only one who treats him like a treasure. In my eyes, he’s nothing. I hope he never remembers me!" Linglong narrowed her eyes at Tan Xiyin. "However, Qin Daofei and Prince Xiang are at odds, yet you come here? Oh! Someone from Xiaoyao Manor, come quickly! Your Second Mistress is about to cuckold your Master!"

Linglong shouted at the top of her lungs. Tan Xiyin burst into tears. "Feng Linglong, what are you spouting? I was just passing by! I am not going to Prince Xiang’s estate! Let’s go!"

Fearing Linglong would attract a crowd, Tan Xiyin fled. They heard Linglong say to the guards, "I’m here to thank Prince Xiang for not touching my Qingyun Charitable Hall."

On the way back, Tan Xiyin ran into Qin Wang Xiangyu. "You are already crippled; is it interesting to humiliate yourself like this every day?"

"Mother, I was just worried for Brother Daofei!" Tan Xiyin knew Linglong could make everyone else play along, but not Qin Wang Xiangyu.

*So, this wasn't Linglong’s doing? What a hateful coincidence!*

Tan Xiyin didn't dare cross her and followed her home.

At the palace, Qin Daofei stood calmly before the Emperor.

"Qin Daofei, it has been many years," the Emperor said, his impression of the man still stuck on the youth he once knew.

"Indeed," Qin Daofei replied with a faint smile. "Your Majesty once said that Xiaoyao Manor is a martial arts sect and should keep its distance from the court. I have always remembered."

"Then why are you here today?" the Emperor asked coldly.

"If Your Majesty were not acting unfairly, I would not have come."

To call the Emperor unfair—Qin Daofei was truly talented. Instead of anger, the Emperor laughed. "Tell me, how have I been unfair?"

Qin Daofei’s smile was thin and cold. "What has the Second Prince done to deserve house arrest?"

The Emperor paused. "Our agreement included a clause that you would not associate with any prince. Do you think I was joking?"

"I never took it as a joke. The Second Prince saved my wife and my servant. I am merely repaying a debt. I believe Your Majesty knows full well what role Prince Xiang played in this, and that he has long coveted my wife. Yet, Your Majesty lets him do as he pleases. I am simply dissatisfied."

"That is a private grievance between you and Prince Xiang. Why should I care?" the Emperor replied.

Qin Daofei laughed. "So, Your Majesty does not mind if Prince Xiang steals another man’s wife?"

"What do you mean?" The Emperor was strangely wary of Qin Daofei.

In fact, Qin Daofei intended to list the crimes. He spoke slowly and clearly, "If Your Majesty admits it, then I shall sing your praises, letting the people of the world know what kind of Emperor you are, and what kind of successor you have chosen!"

"Qin Daofei, are you threatening me?" the Emperor roared.

"Yes. What will you do about it?"

"Guards..." Before the Emperor could finish, Qin Daofei laughed. "If Your Majesty does not care, neither do I. If I die, and the manor is razed, the rumors spread tomorrow will become reality."

"What have you done?" the Emperor narrowed his eyes.

"If Your Majesty is willing to listen calmly, we can talk."

The Emperor had no choice but to listen. "Speak then."

"Firstly, I have always respected Your Majesty. I never interfere in court, even when Prince Xiang steps on my head. I believe you have heard that I hold proof of Prince Xiang’s treason. You never asked, and I never said. But now, if you wish, I can present it. How you dispose of him is your business."

The Emperor was surprised. He thought Qin Daofei was just a hypocrite using the Second Prince as an excuse to handle Prince Xiang himself. But Qin Daofei wanted him to think exactly that.

The Emperor looked at him coldly. "I heard that in Cangmo, you married Princess Nuo Hier, and that she didn't kill you only to use your amnesia to infiltrate the Central Plains."

Qin Daofei took this in stride. "How much of these rumors do you believe?"

"I know Liu Fengying, out of jealousy, stole Prince Xiang’s seal to reach an agreement with Cangmo to kill you. That much I believe."

Qin Daofei smiled coldly. "So Your Majesty is willing to believe Prince Xiang’s one-sided story?" He pulled a stack of letters from his robes and handed them over. "I have all the correspondence between Prince Xiang and Cangmo. If Liu Fengying is talented enough to mimic his handwriting so perfectly, she is truly gifted. But I heard that when she left the capital, she forced Prince Xiang to sign an agreement with the Liu family. Whether the contents are shown to you depends on the Liu family."

The Emperor read the letters and looked coldly at Qin Daofei. "How did you steal these?"

"My amnesia was a ruse. I knew someone wanted me dead in the desert, so I played along. I monitored Nuo Hier and the Cangmo Emperor daily; I know all their secrets. Is it not easy to obtain a few letters? I only ask: is this his handwriting?"

"On the surface, it appears to be."

*Ha!* Qin Daofei laughed. "Your Majesty has many experts; surely identifying his handwriting is easy. I have witnesses and evidence. If you wish to see them, I will provide them all."

The Emperor remained silent.

"Very well. I will investigate Prince Xiang. Prepare your witnesses for a confrontation!"

"Certainly. I hope you have doctors ready; the news may be hard to stomach."

"But," the Emperor looked at him coldly, "you have interfered in royal affairs. Do not expect to go unpunished."

"Your Majesty, we obtained these witnesses by chance. I did not tell anyone until Prince Xiang pushed me to the brink. Are you going to punish Xiaoyao Manor for that?"

"I will investigate it myself!"

Qin Daofei did not rush him. "If Your Majesty insists I be buried with Prince Xiang, then a subject must obey. After all, I am just an insignificant man of the martial arts world." He turned to leave.

"Are you not concerned about the Second Prince?"

"What has his death to do with me? If the manor is gone, and this country falls, perhaps it is fitting that I be buried with it."

The Emperor gasped in rage. Once he was gone, he asked the eunuch, "Can the Second Prince die?"

"The Second Prince never participates in court strife. Protecting the Qin family was out of morality. You once said he had too much of a bandit’s spirit to be Emperor, but he is a fine general. If you move against him, the border tribes will invade—that would be unfortunate."

The Emperor seemed satisfied. "Can Qin Daofei die?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not say."

"I permit you to speak!"

"Even if you could destroy the manor, you cannot destroy the Master. He is a man of the world. If you dismantle his livelihood, how will you sleep soundly?"

*Thump!* The Emperor slammed his hand on the throne. "You mean he would kill me?"

The eunuch remained silent. The Emperor sat slumped, muttering to himself, "Yes, he would kill. That boy was immeasurable at ten; now that he is grown, his wolf-nature is untamable. Killing would be natural for him."

As Qin Daofei stepped out of the palace, he heard a rhythmic, melodic whistle above. To the uninitiated, it sounded like a bird, but to the scouts of Xiaoyao Manor, it meant: *Safe.*

Qin Daofei smiled to Jifeng. "Follow me to the Qingyun Charitable Hall!"

"Oh, a show to watch!" Jifeng grinned.

Qin Daofei glared. "I remember nothing. What show is there to watch?"

"The Master has learned to be bad from the Mistress!"

At the hall, Linglong and the others were comforting Ye Lishang, who had hidden in the back mountains, refusing to see anyone. Linglong, worried about his health, brought him snacks. He refused to eat, throwing a tantrum. "Feng Linglong, don't force me to dose you with the Yin-Yang Confluence Powder!"

"Drama queen!" Linglong ignored him and headed down.

Halfway down, she saw Qin Daofei standing on a rock, looking desolate. She kicked him. "What’s wrong?"

"I couldn't save the Second Prince! I negotiated with the Emperor for ages—it was useless." Qin Daofei grabbed his hair, squatting on the rock.

Linglong had never seen him so defeated. She crouched down to comfort him. "It’s not your fault. If you hadn't lost your memory, you would have found a way."

"Linglong, I heard from Tang Li that Prince Xiang is evil. He coveted you and killed your father and stepmother. I am powerless to deal with him now. Do you hate me?" he asked, gripping her arm.

Linglong didn't know how to answer. She hugged his arm, silent for a long time.

Qin Daofei pulled her into his arms. "I told the Emperor about the evidence I had. He accused me of interfering in royal politics and wants to destroy me. The manor is finished. If I cannot stop Prince Xiang, will you leave with him?"

"I will not. Either I perish with him, or I die with you. I will not go with him!" Seeing his despair, she hugged him. "Don't worry, I will stay with you!"

Qin Daofei pinched her waist. "Really? Even if I become a pauper?"

"I’d die with you; what is poverty?" she insisted.

Qin Daofei was moved. He hooked her chin. "You said we were divorced, but with feelings this deep, how could that be?"

"Yes, we were divorced," she said, looking away uncomfortably.

He forced her to look at him. "But I remember you. I remember you alone. I remember the feeling of kissing you, the image of holding you. I remember no one else. Though I am reluctant to admit I love you, those feelings do not lie. We love each other, don't we?"

Whether infected by his vulnerability or not, Linglong looked at him blankly. "Yes. I love you. I loved you from the moment I saw you."

Qin Daofei didn't give her another chance to speak; he pulled her in and kissed her deeply. Somehow, they ended up in a bamboo hut in the back mountains. Linglong didn't even know it existed, but she had no time to ponder, for she was being explored.

Qin Daofei’s hands and lips roamed over her. In her daze, he even asked, "I don't know if this is right..."

Linglong bit him in anger. "We’re at this point, and you ask if it’s right?"

"Then..." he whispered affectionately, "Linglong, I’m really coming in now?"

Linglong was frantic. "Qin Daofei, either do it fast or get out!"

...

In the end, the scene became indescribable. After being thoroughly exercised, Linglong was too exhausted to move a finger. Despite her fatigue, her mind was strangely clear. She hadn't expected that while he was still confused, she would be the one to invite him—it was so embarrassing to think about.

Qin Daofei held her, silent.

"Hey, about that... we were both just impulsive. It doesn't count, okay?" Linglong scrambled for a decent excuse to save face.