Chapter 422: Dog Couple

A small skiff glided silently across the lake like an arrow released from a bow.

Its speed suddenly slowed, drifting gently toward the black-canopied boat.

The two boats leaned against each other.

Chen Guanlou reached out and smiled at the other, "You've come all this way—why not board?"

Madam Pan smiled shyly, lifted her skirt, and stepped lightly onto the skiff, standing before Chen Guanlou and curtsying, "Greetings, Chen Tou! How forgetful of me—you're now Chen Yuli."

She covered her lips with her hand and laughed, bright and joyful, just as she had been back then—the widow of old. No more sorrow, no more hardship from life's grind; she was lovely as ever.

Chen Guanlou now wore his true face, no disguise. He seemed certain Madam Pan wouldn't scheme against him—even though she had once schemed against him so cruelly, nearly costing him his life.

"Why did you suddenly come to the capital? Did your boss give you a new task?" Chen Guanlou reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her temple, gripping her chin, his fingers caressing it, thick with intimacy.

Madam Pan leaned into him, tilting her head slightly, her eyes filled with stars—honest, bright, as if her past schemes had been nothing but a dream.

"I have no choice—I do whatever they tell me to."

"So this time, you plan to seduce me again?" Chen Guanlou chuckled softly, their heads close together, distant observers mistaking them for lovers entwined in whispered words.

Madam Pan's ears turned red. "Chen Yuli, don't humiliate me—I was forced back then."

"Giving me poison was also forced, hmm?" Chen Guanlou's expression was half-smiling, half-sardonic.

"I was coerced—I didn't want to! I tried to stop it, but it was useless." Madam Pan's eyes welled with tears, her face a picture of pitiful submission, tears clinging to her lashes without falling. Her teeth bit her thin lips, her whole body trembling slightly.

Chen Guanlou lightly touched her cheek, confirming she wore no disguise—this was a real face. He ignored the tears at her eyes; beautiful women were the best liars—he never forgot that.

He asked casually, "Where's that dwarf old villain who played your son? Why isn't he with you this time?"

"He's dead. I killed him." Madam Pan spoke the coldest words with the most pitiful expression and the most innocent tone.

"Dead?" Chen Guanlou was genuinely surprised. "Isn't that insubordination?"

"If he lived, how could you ever have peace? I know your mind—you have no ambition, you only want to be an ordinary man. If he returned alive, even if you kept your life, you'd never know another day of peace."

Madam Pan looked up at him, her gaze reverent. "I couldn't let him ruin your life. I couldn't let him reveal the truth. I killed him—with the poison I know best. Do you think I'm a wicked woman now?"

"Do you think you're a good woman?" Chen Guanlou shot back.

Madam Pan fell silent, unable to refute him—not at all.

She seemed wounded, her heart aching. "You're right—I am a wicked woman. After all these years, you must be stronger. Then kill me—end it once and for all."

"You haven't told me why you came to the capital."

"Of course—to carry out my boss's orders."

"Can you tell me what task?"

"I don't know the details. I was told to settle in the capital first—someone will contact me later with instructions."

Chen Guanlou hesitated, suspicious of Madam Pan's motives.

"Walking past my window—was that accidental?"

"Which window?" Madam Pan feigned weakness, collapsing against him. "I was walking down the street, you chased after me—I thought you meant to kill me. Will you kill me?"

"Will you kill me?"

"I can't kill you. I don't know what strange fortune you've had, but I know my poison won't work on you."

Chen Guanlou laughed. "If you could kill me, would you?"

"I don't know. Maybe." Madam Pan bit her lip lightly. "How long are you going to interrogate me? Will you let me go?"

"You still owe me a concubine." Chen Guanlou suddenly turned fierce.

"Do you want me to make good on it?"

Chen Guanlou's fingers twitched.

Want her? Want her? Want her?

He decisively lifted her and carried her into the cabin.

Dawn was breaking.

Madam Pan lay lazily in Chen Guanlou's arms, playing with a lock of his hair.

The river gates opened; the lake stirred. The once-quiet surface grew lively with boats—passenger vessels, cargo ships, pleasure barges from brothels, and official boats cleaning the water.

The small black-canopied boat looked utterly unremarkable, hidden among the crowd.

Shouts from the shore reached them, muffled and indistinct.

Madam Pan glanced outside at the sky, reluctantly saying, "I should go back."

Chen Guanlou held her close. "Have you ever thought of leaving this life? Become a true widow, then remarry."

"You still want me to be your concubine."

Chen Guanlou laughed. "You'd make a fine concubine."

Pfft!

Madam Pan's expression darkened. "No—I'd die if I did. If you miss me, leave a mark on that big willow tree on shore—you see it? I'll come if I see it."

"What a hassle! Is your boss—the one named Qi—also in the capital?"

"Don't ask me. I know nothing. The Grand Boss's affairs aren't for someone like me to know." Madam Pan clearly resisted the topic, fear flickering in her eyes.

Chen Guanlou suddenly asked, "Do you remember your family?"

"What?" Madam Pan blinked, stunned.

Chen Guanlou continued as if nothing had happened. "Weren't you kidnapped and sold?"

Madam Pan fell silent, dressed herself, leapt onto the skiff, and left without hesitation.

Chen Guanlou chuckled—normally, after such things, he'd be the one pulling up his pants and walking away. Today, he'd been left behind.

Heaven's retribution is fair!

He deserved it for his loose tongue.

Back on shore, he returned home first, changed clothes, then headed to Tianlaomiao for duty.

The weather was fine—sunrise early, little wind. Perfect weather—warm and pleasant in the sun.

Xie Changling applied for outdoor time and paid a hundred taels outright, no haggling.

Tea, snacks, books—all provided, except for pretty maidservants.

"Chen Yuli, you look refreshed this morning—something good happen?"

Xie Changling grinned the moment he saw him.

Chen Guanlou touched his face. "That obvious?"

Xie Changling nodded. "Very obvious."

Chen Guanlou smirked. "I was well attended last night—I'm bound to feel refreshed. It's the end of the year, Master Xie—when are you getting out?"