Chapter Eight: Following the Husband Wherever He Goes

Liu Ling’er was visibly agitated, and Xiao Tao was so startled she hurriedly grabbed Liu Ling’er’s hand. “Miss, please don’t do anything rash! Even a miserable life is better than a good death!”

Rolling her eyes, Liu Ling’er retorted, “Who doesn’t want to live? Even ants cling to life, let alone people! But the thought of marrying that perverse Prince Xian tomorrow makes my chest tighten with dread. That bone-chilling feeling—it’s just terrifying.”

Xiao Tao’s face turned pale, but she still spoke sympathetically. “Miss, maybe all of this is fate. If you marry a rooster, you follow the rooster; if you marry a dog, you follow the dog. If you married a boar, at least you could raise a litter of piglets!”

Pfft! Liu Ling’er spat out her tea in laughter. “Xiao Tao, you’re too funny! I’ve heard of marrying a rooster or a dog, but marrying a boar to raise piglets? That’s a first! Looks like our Xiao Tao’s heart is fluttering—can’t wait to find her own ‘boar’ to marry!”

Xiao Tao’s cheeks flushed crimson. In these ancient times, how could a proper young woman withstand such teasing from Liu Ling’er, the notorious rogue? She bit her lip and gazed at Liu Ling’er with a pitiful look.

Seeing this, Liu Ling’er decided not to push her luck. Her expression shifted to one of feigned misery. “Xiao Tao, if I stay holed up in this room, I’ll go moldy. If I die tomorrow in Prince Xian’s manor, wouldn’t that be a waste? Just thinking about it is enough to drive me mad before tomorrow even arrives.”

Her words were a bit chilling, but the gullible Xiao Tao was still frightened. “Miss, what should we do? As long as it’s within my power, I’d brave fire and blade for you without hesitation.”

Honestly, Liu Ling’er was touched. She pinched Xiao Tao’s cheek. “It’s not as terrifying as you think. I just want to take the chance to go out for a stroll. If I don’t go out and see the world today, I won’t be able to die in peace tomorrow.”

At this, Xiao Tao’s face fell, wrinkling with distress, which only made Liu Ling’er fume. Was her little maid really so timid? How could she ever accomplish great things with her—assuming she survived tomorrow, that is.

Damn! It’s all that deformed, twisted, heartless Prince Xian’s fault! I’ll draw a circle and curse you!

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, Prince Xian was sitting with his eyes closed, deep in thought, when he suddenly sneezed several times in a row. He had no idea that somewhere in a secluded corner, the sly Liu Ling’er was crouched on the ground, biting her handkerchief and drawing circles, cursing him in silence.

After the sneezing fit, Bai Li Xian asked, “Ah Tie, what did you think of the eldest Miss Liu today?”

Tie Wula paused for a moment. “She’s a bit different from the rumors about a useless young lady. Though she has her faults, her spirit is lively, not at all like a demure noblewoman. Still, she’s neither scholarly nor martial—otherwise, she wouldn’t have gotten herself stuck on a tree branch trying to climb over a wall.”

Bai Li Xian chuckled softly. “Perhaps we don’t really know her yet. But I’m finding myself more and more intrigued by Miss Liu. What ordinary woman would dare speak such bold words?”

In his mind’s eye, Bai Li Xian recalled the confident look in Liu Ling’er’s eyes when she was tied up. There wasn’t a trace of impurity in that gaze—pure to the extreme. Perhaps, with her in the Prince’s manor, she might be of use in handling certain matters.

Tie Wula shuddered slightly. Just thinking of Liu Ling’er’s words about his ruined face and bird-like appearance made him want to laugh, but with his lord still in the carriage, he dared not. His suppressed mirth made the carriage jolt slightly before resuming its smooth journey.

Back in Liu Ling’er’s embroidery tower, Xiao Tao moved her ear from Liu Ling’er’s lips and asked with doubt, “Will this really work?”

Liu Ling’er put on a stern face. “Xiao Tao, what, you don’t trust your own mistress? Just do as I say—if anything goes wrong, I’ll take the blame. I promise you and your brother won’t be in any trouble.”

After hesitating for a while, Xiao Tao finally turned and left the tower to fetch the items Liu Ling’er had requested. An hour later, she returned, clutching the objects to her chest with utmost caution, her furtive demeanor amusing Liu Ling’er to no end.