Chapter 142

Ding-dang-dang~…

The lively Dagan electronic beat echoed inside the pavilion.

Princess Changning, clad in a colorful skirt, danced the well-practiced Butterfly Step, while the fat-headed Kong Que shook its head and swayed, embodying the prosperity befitting the Great Dagan.

Duoduo sat on a spring bench playing music, while Meiqiu, who had spent the night mooching food and drink, squatted on a small table mimicking a shaman's dance, her glittering eyes brimming with post-meal bliss.

Yet not everyone in the vast mansion could get into the mood.

By the western pond, Linghu Qingmo leaned on the railing, gazing at the koi in the water, her cold, clear eyes lost in thought, replaying every moment of last night's provocation toward Physician Lin.

Bo-bo-bo~

Do you only know how to sleep?

I can give you gentle care too…

Jumping in front of your own red-faced confidante like that—aren't you just another mad green tea from Wu Wei Pavilion?

Oh no, oh no, my Dao heart is shattered…

…

In the midst of these chaotic thoughts, a white-robed figure leapt over the wall, stumbled on the corridor, then steadied himself by gripping a pillar and pressing his palm to his forehead.

"Hm? Xie Jinhuan?"

Seeing his exhausted state, Linghu Qingmo instantly tensed and rushed forward to support him.

"What happened? Did Physician Lin beat you? Hey?"

Before she finished speaking, the white-robed Young Master suddenly raised his hands to cradle her icy, beautiful face, his eyes gazing at her as if—drought-stricken land blessed with rain, never having seen a woman in eight lifetimes…

Linghu Qingmo trembled, raising her hand to electrocute this lecher—but noticed Xie Jinhuan was acting strangely, so she paused mid-motion.

"What's wrong with you? Did Physician Lin hang you up and whip you?"

She pulled open his robe to check for whip marks—and indeed, red scratches marred his neck, like cat scratches…

This flowerpot who only sleeps, gets jealous, and beats men!

…

Xie Jinhuan had merely chosen wrong a moment ago; now he saw Seeing Mo Mo, radiant and beautiful, as a glowing savior-goddess—he couldn't look away.

Seeing Seeing Mo Mo's eyes turn fierce, fixed on the Lin household, Xie Jinhuan quickly turned his face back, lowering his head to taste her lipstick.

"I'm fine, just a little… tired-tired-tired~~~…"

Zzzt—

Linghu Qingmo, caught off guard, immediately zapped him on the shoulder.

"You… you first say your safe word! Otherwise, I'm settling old and new debts together—Physician Lin beat you once, so I'll beat you again!"

Xie Jinhuan spoke softly, expression unchanged.

"We just confessed our hearts to each other last night—I know you were hurt…"

"Who confessed their heart to you?!" Linghu Qingmo's face flushed crimson. "You gave me that awful pill last night, clouding my mind—everything you said was nonsense under spell, I'm a Daoist disciple, devoted to upholding righteousness—how could I be bound by petty romantic feelings…"

But you said it yesterday, and yesterday's words stand…

Seeing Seeing Mo Mo's face suffused with shame, Xie Jinhuan didn't press further, instead gently steadied her shoulders.

"Understood. My fault—I won't repeat it."

"…"

Linghu Qingmo felt things couldn't be undone, but pretending to smooth it over brought some psychological comfort—she let out a cold sniff.

"First, give me your safe word. Otherwise, this isn't over."

Xie Jinhuan had only one chance—he couldn't waste it. He changed the subject, then spotted the landlord lady dancing wildly inside the pavilion, her flowers trembling.

Duoduo, seated by the window, had noticed him arrive long ago, but stayed silent until she saw him steal a kiss from Seeing Mo Mo—now she straightened her back, gesturing toward the white pipa, clearly inviting him in to play.

Linghu Qingmo's demeanor was like an icy master awaiting an apology—yet the cold Young Master beside her stared intently sideways. She frowned, turning to look behind her…

You're staring at another woman?!

The corridor erupted with murderous intent!

Xie Jinhuan snapped back to reality, gently holding her shoulders.

"I just… spaced out, spaced out, spaced out… Princess, let's go over there."

??

Linghu Qingmo felt her righteous young hero had become utterly shameless. She took a deep breath, switched to the humble heel-tap, then turned and walked away—clearly furious, refusing to speak to this lecher anymore…

Soon after, in the entertainment hall.

Dang-dang~

Dong-dong-dong~

Drums and zithers played in unison, producing a rhythmic melody.

Xie Jinhuan wrapped his arm around Seeing Mo Mo's waist, stepping forward and back, the white skirt swaying with graceful rhythm.

"One-one, two-two, three-three, four-four… spin~ yes…"

Linghu Qingmo's eyes widened like Meiqiu's, stiffly mimicking the steps, her gaze filled with shock—You actually know how to dance? Dare you get any wilder?

Duoduo, long accustomed, played beside them, her eyes sparkling—clearly eager to try this "Wife-Abandoned, Child-Left Dance" herself.

Princess Changning, dressed in a vivid palace gown, twirled Meiqiu by its wings atop the table, testing this top-tier dance partner herself—but with her friend present, she couldn't openly play, so she merely smiled and egged them on.

"Move your hands lower—put them on her ass. Why so polite? Qing Mo isn't a stranger…"

"Ling'er!"

Linghu Qingmo's face burned crimson—fearing Xie Jinhuan might actually obey, she shot him a cold glance—but they were half-embraced, faces inches apart, and she couldn't hold his icy spring-like gaze, so she looked away.

Tap-tap-tap…

As Xie Jinhuan and Seeing Mo Mo exchanged glances, to ease his girlfriend's tension, he casually spoke of official matters:

"What exactly happened at Tieji Ridge yesterday? Has the Imperial Astronomical Bureau clarified it?"

Princess Changning seriously admired Mo Mo's coyness:

"Judging from the layout of the square in Hongzhang County, the Mingshen Sect originally intended to strike when the He family opened the granaries and gave wine and meat to the quarry laborers as a reward, but you dug up Ye Shirong, forcing them to act early.

"The ghost cultivators were likely rushing over to act, but you moved too fast; you ran over the next day as well, both taking shortcuts, and accidentally collided. It wasn't a deliberate ambush...

"There is some evidence left at the mine suggesting the Mingshen Sect may have struck in Zhen'an and Lanhe counties. A large group of Immortal Officials has chased after them, but they have not yet found the right people..."

Linghu Qingmo, being more of a workaholic, was no longer cold upon hearing this, lifting her eyes:

"How is your body? Do you want us to go over there and take a look too?"

Xie Jinhuan had already settled a score with the Mingshen Sect that could not be undone; with a lead, he definitely had to kill them all clean. But today he had to go get the goods from Big Ice Tuozi, and also get money from Bu Hanying. Going on a business trip for a few days wasn't appropriate. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"The Immortal Officials are investigating. If we run over there and they've already finished, wouldn't that be a wasted trip? Let's see the situation tomorrow and then decide."

"Oh."

Linghu Qingmo didn't say much more. Forced to learn the eyebrow-flirting dance, she muttered secretly in her heart:

If Physician Lin saw me dancing like this with him, wouldn't he cry from anger?

He should cry from anger, for you threw a shoe at me to my face and went back to scratch Xie Jinhuan...

Since our relationship has been forced into the open, if you can hug me, why can't I?

After such a commotion for who knows how long, Princess Changning's interest had not waned. Outside, in the corridor, a maid's report came through:

"Your Highness Princess, Commissioner Yang has arrived. He says he has an urgent matter to see Young Master Xie."

Linghu Qingmo was startled and quickly stepped back, straightening her robes, returning to the appearance of the cold little Daoist nun.

Xie Jinhuan apologized to the three guests he had failed to entertain properly, then walked quickly into the covered walkway. When he turned the corner, he found the sly-looking Head Butler Hou knocking on Yang Dabiao:

"No matter how big the matter is, it's not bigger than the Princess's drinking party. The Princess is currently having Young Master Xie serve her. If you call the person out, who will the Princess have serve her?"

"Right, right, right..."

Seeing Butler Hou, Xie Jinhuan's killing intent surged, but as the landlady's lackey, he couldn't truly beat him. For now, he pretended not to see him and approached:

"Why has Brother Yang come over? Is there an urgent matter?"

Yang Dabiao was still wearing his patient's gown. At this moment, he pulled Xie Jinhuan aside:

"Monk Jibi said that Li Fu's guest, Du Mushan, has returned from outside, rushing over a thousand li, carrying a precious birdcage. Monk Jibi is still watching nearby and asked me to come back and report. I don't know what it means..."

Xie Jinhuan frowned, knowing Li Gongpu could no longer hold back and had already started planning his escape route.

Li Gongpu was already on the 'Ah Huan Must-Kill List'. If the opportunity came, he definitely had to be killed. But it was still unclear how Li Gongpu intended to curry favor with the Crown Prince. Currently, he could only first clarify the Crown Prince's movements and see when Li Gongpu would have a chance for private contact.

This matter needs to be asked of the landlady...

Thinking of this, Xie Jinhuan returned to the hall...

——

Si Fang Guan.

For the Empress's great birthday, many foreign envoys came to Luoyang. The Crown Prince, on behalf of the Emperor, received the envoys. These past few days, he has been taking the Qian envoys to visit the Military Equipment Bureau, the Textile Workshop, the Imperial Medicine Bureau, and other places, saying it was to let the small foreign nations learn and draw from them, but in reality, it was just to display the nation's power.

Tonight, the imperial court will hold a banquet to entertain the foreign envoys at Si Fang Guan, with the Crown Prince as the host.

Just past nightfall, preparations for the banquet had already begun inside Si Fang Guan. Guo Ziyan, the envoy from Northern Zhou, and his deputy stood on the corridor bridge, gazing at the vast city that seemed to have no end, their eyes like those admiring the future garden of Empress Dowager.

And the Great Qian Imperial Palace was like the most alluring autumn chrysanthemum in Empress Dowager's garden...

Inside a hall behind Si Fang Guan, Crown Prince Zhao Jinghuan, dressed in a bright yellow robe, sat beside the chess table, playing with a black stone between his fingers, observing the current game.

Heir Zhao De sat opposite, swinging a folding fan in a carefree manner, constantly praising:

"Brother is truly the Chess Saint of Great Qian. This game played is truly like a bachelor visiting a brothel..."

Zhao Jinghuan's fingers paused slightly, and he looked up in confusion: "Hmm?"

"Advancing step by step!"

Zhao De tapped with his folding fan: "Brother Crown Prince, you really have no sense of humor."

Zhao Jinghuan pondered slightly before understanding the meaning, nodding thoughtfully:

"I have learned from you. You didn't come over today just to play chess, did you?"

Zhao De shook his head: "Mainly to prevent Brother Crown Prince from being bored, secondly, my funds are tight, um..."

?

Zhao Jinghuan suppressed the urge to use the chessboard to crack his cousin's head, frowned and said:

"Two days ago, I just withdrew eight thousand taels of silver..."

Zhao De said helplessly: "Ling'er has entered the capital. A young lady always needs to buy some things. As her younger brother, I couldn't bear to let my sister suffer grievances. That eight thousand taels of silver..."

"All lost to the son of the Duke of Zhennation?"

Zhao De was stunned, looking left and right:

"Brother Crown Prince, you wouldn't want the matter of secretly monitoring court officials to be..."

?!

Zhao Jinghuan was famous for being kind to others and having the appearance of a benevolent ruler, but at this very moment, he also took a deep breath:

"The legitimate son of the Duke of Zhennation is the Crown Prince's study companion!"

"Oh..."

Zhao De suddenly understood: "I was just saying that. I even forgot this point... Brother Crown Prince, you know Ling'er's temper. I said I would set up a household. If I go back empty-handed, my father the King might just give birth to a shrewd and capable son to take the throne! Since ancient times, rebellions by feudal kings have been common. Brother Crown Prince, when you later inherit the great system..."

Pa—

Zhao Jinghuan slapped the chess table, making the chess pieces tremble, interrupting this lawless nonsense, then raised his hand and said:

"He Man, have someone go to the Father-in-Law's residence to withdraw eight thousand taels of silver and send it to the Heir."

"Ouch! You truly are my own brother. No need for Crown Prince to see me off; I'll go to the Father-in-Law's Mansion myself to fetch it. Farewell."

Zhao De finished speaking, turned his head, and strode away.

?

Zhao Jinghuan gazed at the carefully laid-out endgame, poised to bring him great satisfaction, for a long time without a word; clearly, he was so furious he had shut himself off.

The Crown Prince's Steward, He Man, a kinsman of the Empress, arrived suddenly close by not long after seeing Zhao De off, whispering in his ear.

Zhao Jinghuan frowned, glanced outwards, and his eyes showed considerable surprise:

"Li Gongpu... since he dares to come to the door, let him enter. Having served His Majesty for so many years, I truly wish to see how capable this man really is."

"Yes..."

——

Begging for monthly tickets!

One chapter remains, only half written; I estimate it will take several more hours. My apologies!

(End of this chapter)