Chapter 16: Killing Without Batting An Eye

The woman that the male lead had let off was Lin Qianzi, and was currently cutting a sorry figure trying to hide from the pursuit of Prince Lis people. However, it was clear that she had done her research on how to escape Prince Lis complex. After jumping out of the water, she slipped into a wooden hut that she had set up and changed back into the clothes of a woman.

Once she turned back into a woman, the pursuers lost their target and began to mill around aimlessly. Things were progressing smoothly, but she felt rather depressed. Wasnt that fiance of hers too violent? He had ordered a girl to be beaten to death. Although he had been born with a handsome appearance, he was pretending to be something he wasnt and that frightened her. Also, the woman she had been talking to must have been his concubine. She hadnt thought that she would be that beautiful. With such a beautiful concubine, would he even take a second look at her after marriage? Definitely not, she thought. After she finished changing into her female disguise, she returned home.

As she entered her courtyard, she was greeted by a snow white figure. Startled, she was about to leave when the white figure spoke, Younger cousin, are you still going to run?

Uh, older cousin, how did you know it was me? Lin Qianzi walked back, a sheepish smile on her face.

How could I possibly mistake you? I told you that its not a good idea to provoke Prince Li, but you still went anyway. How was it? Are you satisfied with your fiance? Based on looks, hes ranked amongst the top. Ji Zhangshu was almost sneering as he spoke. Hed adored his younger cousin for many years, and hadnt thought that his aunt would actually match her with that cold-hearted killer.

Distress showed on Lin Qianzis face before she threw herself into her older cousins arms, crying. Cousin, that man hes really scary. He killed someone without batting an eye, he actually beat a girl to death with staves. And, and the woman in his rear court is both beautiful and kind. He wont even take a look at me. What should I do, what should I do? I dont want to marry him, I dont want to.

Ji Zhangshu patted her head while his heart ached for her. He said tenderly, I know, Ill definitely help you.

Cousin, could you help me escape this marriage? I just want to hide for some time so I dont have to marry him anymore.

Her tears had soaked into his clothing, making Ji Zhangshu feel even more sorry for her. Helpless, he said, Alright, Ill do anything for you.

Lin Qianzi nodded in gratitude before continuing to hide and cry in Ji Zhangshus arms. When she thought about Prince Lis sharp gaze, she definitely felt uncomfortable all over.

Bai Xiangxiu was currently gardening outside her room. Recently, she had been planting things in the garden of her courtyard whenever she had the time. However, the weather was a little too cold, so she couldnt plant too many things. After she was tired of fiddling with plants, she went back to talk to the cactus Huoer. She then found a soft shoot growing out from Huoers body. Was it about to branch off?

Itchy, its really itchy Huoer wasnt used to the newly sprouted shoot, and kept complaining that it was itchy.

Just hang in there. Once it grows bigger, youll have a companion. Bai Xiangxiu felt that Huoers voice had matured a little, but it was still a little childs voice.

Enduring. Huoer is enduring. But Huoer wants to feel the breeze, wants sunlight. Huoer always acted cute towards Bai Xiangxiu. She had no other choice but to move it to the windowsill and open the window so Huoer could bask in the sunlight and the breeze. However, it was still cold out, so the moment she opened the window, the cold winds rushed in to bite her. Xiao Shi said, Ah, Mistress Xiu, you cant.You might catch a cold!

Its alright, keep the window open for now. Close it later. She went off to wash her hands after giving her orders.

These past few days had been rather tiring for her, so she just wanted to rest early. As a result, she was already in bed before the sun had set. Although, she hadnt taken off her clothes, she was just resting while trying to remember if the book had ever mentioned the female lead secretly spying on Prince Li, Long Heng. However, after the female lead left, wasnt it time for her to start her plans to escape marriage?

She remembered that today was the day the male and female leads marriage date was supposed to be decided. In the end, it would be March of the following year! But she would die in May of that year. She had to leave before May. Ruminating between plans and the novels progression, she grew a bit tired until Long Heng brought some people over.

Hed been a little happy when hed heard this woman protecting his reputation today. As an appropriate response to the provocation from his fiance, he thought of coming to her place to sit for a while. Of course, it wasnt as simple as just sitting. He had brought gifts and even wanted to sleep over for a night before leaving. The idea of bringing gifts had been suggested to him by a pageboy by his side. Although he had felt a little awkward, spending a bit of effort on his first woman was something he felt he should do.

Who would have expected that he would be greeted by such a startling sight the moment he walked in? Xiao Shi was sprawled on the desk, sleeping, while Bai Xiangxiu was snoozing on the bed, fully dressed. Although the floor was clean, the window had been left open. He couldnt help but frown at this carefree attitude. Although she was a concubine, she was also a master. Wasnt she treating her servant too casually?

With annoyance in his heart, he commanded, Close the window.

His pageboy was outside and hurriedly went to close the window. However, because he was too hurried, he didnt notice the cactus Huoer and was brutally pricked on his palm. Aiyah The servant didnt know that this thing had such fearsome thorns and actually shouted in his fright.

Since he got pricked, the pageboy instinctively smacked poor Huoer, who overbalanced and fell to the floor. The flower pot shattered into small pieces and it cried out in pain, Mistress, save me

What happened, whats the matter? Save who? Bai Xiangxiu woke up all of a sudden and ran out in a fright. She saw Huoer thrown to the ground and a twinge of pain ran through her heart as she ran over to grab it.

You, stop, that thing has thorns. Long Heng saw that she had run out with two white, bare feet, sprinting without hesitation towards that strange plant. Seeing that she was about to grab it with her hands without caring whether or not she would get hurt, he hurriedly called out to stop her.

She froze at his words, turning slowly on the spot to face him. Confusion clear in her eyes, she took one look at him before kneeling with a thump, Greetings to Your Highness.

Why is the male lead here? Mr. Plotline, can you get any more off track?!

Rise! Long Heng was a little speechless at this womans actions. However, upon seeing that she wasnt getting up but continuing to pick up the pieces of the flower pot, he couldnt help but suffer a blow, am I really not as important as a weird little plant? Thus, he said, That thing is so dangerous! Why not just throw it away!

You cant! Its also a life, you cant just kill it like that. Bai Xiangxiu grew agitated, and almost hugged the cactus protectively. Like a mother hen protecting her chicks, she stared at him guardedly.

Long Hengs miniscule amount of burgeoning affection for her was completely erased in an instant. With a toss of his sleeves, he said, Then just live with it for the rest of your life! Hadnt she just spoken up for him? Now shes actually looking at me like that for that little plant. This woman is rather gutsy.

He walked away resentfully, perplexing Bai Xiangxiu and Xiao Shi. Even a long while after hed left, they still thought they were dreaming.

Mistress Xiu, did His Highness come over just now? Was I seeing things?

Probably, not? What was up with the male lead? Or perhaps the story just hadnt mentioned these things? It was because Long Heng had come and gone so suddenly that Bai Xiangxiu simply thought that the male lead had come to cause trouble and neglected any other possibilities.

Long Heng was currently depressed. His fiancee had actually boldly snuck into the mansion to eavesdrop on some nonsense and had even jumped into the water in front of so many men. This had completely undermined his dignity. Then hed finally found a woman who would speak for him, but it was clear that he wasnt even as important as the plant she was raising.