strangulation

She was, after all, just a woman and a child.

Master Fang slammed down his teacup to cover up his laughter.

The two aides breathed a sigh of relief without showing any emotion.

Lin Xu, however, remained calm, raising one eyebrow as if he had anticipated everyone's expressions, and continued:

"Do you gentlemen not believe me? To be honest, I never believed in such superstitious things before, only that human effort could overcome fate. But many things in this world cannot be explained by the concept of 'luck' alone! Since I came to Laining, I have always felt unwell and have been feeling tired for days, which is something I have never experienced before! This is clearly because the Yin and Yang in Laining are out of balance, and the vital energy is difficult to gather. Staying here for a long time will inevitably lead to strange phenomena..."

Even the usually amiable Magistrate Sun couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment, and he forced a smile:

"I never expected that you, the magistrate's wife, would believe in this..."

Lin Xu wore an expression that said, "That's only natural," and instead stood up to look at the pen holder and paperweight on Dou Yanxun's desk.

She saw a faint smile on Dou Yanxun's lips, but didn't have time to think about it. She simply compared the mountain to Mount Lai and the dark blue paperweight to the moat, and whispered:

"...For example, this mountain range is surrounded by rivers. Although Laining seems to be nestled against the mountains and by the water, in reality, this evil energy has severed its auspicious dragon vein, creating an unusual phenomenon of disrupted fortune... It is clearly a blessed land, but it has been affected by evil energy, especially in this small county government office, where evil energy is entrenched, causing the fortune to be disordered. Living here for a long time will inevitably damage one's yang energy and lead to bad luck!"

At first, Master Ma remained silent, watching as the others showed barely concealed disdain for Lin Xu. But as she spoke more and more enthusiastically, Magistrate Sun and the two advisors gradually changed their expressions.

Even Master Fang, who had previously been unable to resist a mocking laugh, now had a sullen, bluish complexion.

Although Lin Xu's words seemed like nonsense, they clearly struck a nerve with everyone.

Everyone knows that the position of county magistrate in Laining changes frequently. Anyone who receives a transfer order to serve as county magistrate in Laining usually has to leave within a year.

To put it more recently, several previous county magistrates either suddenly fell seriously ill during their terms, were impeached by officials, or even secretly packed their belongings and left in the middle of the night. These were considered good outcomes, at least they managed to save their lives. But even further back, a young county magistrate lost his life here.

Although many years have passed, it has gradually been buried by the world and will no longer be remembered by people.

Master Ma couldn't help but feel his throat was extremely dry.

He glanced at Lin Xu suspiciously. She had skin as smooth as jade, a beautiful face, and light makeup... She looked like a naive and wealthy lady from a secluded family. But what exactly did she mean by the things she was talking about?

Dou Yanxun, who had been smiling without saying a word, slowly stood up. He took the paperweight and brush holder from Lin Xu, but gradually his smile faded, and he paced around the hall a few steps with his hands behind his back.

"Madam's words are quite interesting. But I wonder, if we follow Madam's suggestion to restore the name of this blessed land of Laining and extinguish the evil influence, what should we do?"

Lin Xu watched him approach, his tall figure casting a long, narrow shadow in the sunlight, causing her to squint her eyes.

"...I'm afraid we'll have to ask a master to come and analyze this for us. I am, after all, just a woman, and my understanding of feng shui and fortune is only superficial. I dare not speak recklessly."

Watching the couple's back-and-forth banter, Master Ma suddenly understood perfectly. Then, Magistrate Sun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Madam Magistrate, you are too modest."

After listening, Dou Yanxun looked at the two clerks with a serious expression and said:

"Even so, then please ask the two advisors to consult a master who is well-versed in this field when they have time, so that they can cleanse Laining of its filth and restore peace to the people. I will trouble you all today."

The group's minds raced, and they all lost interest. Master Fang even forgot about the household registration investigation that he had just been arguing about. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the meeting was about to end.

Several advisors and clerks bowed and took their leave, and the hall returned to its original tranquility.

Dou Yanxun's smile, which had been on his lips, gradually faded. He lowered his head slightly, waved his hand casually, and dismissed all the servants in the hall.

His face, which had been bright and clear just moments before, now gradually became solemn. His slender hand idly played with the celadon brush rest, remaining silent for a long time before turning to look at the slender figure standing in front of the bookshelf.

"Madam... is truly intelligent."

Lin Xu also responded with a gentle and light smile.

Her eyes seemed to shimmer with a sharp, gentle light, reflecting the glow of the sunset streaming in from the window. They were also clean and pure, so clear and innocent, as if she didn't understand what he was saying at all.

Dou Yanxun then smiled as well. He took a few steps closer to her, the hem of his pale blue robe fluttering with each stride, but his face suddenly filled with weariness:

"Using the pretense of feng shui, she implied that there were hidden forces in Laining manipulating the world. After saying this, she pretended to be innocent, making it impossible for others to find any evidence... Madam is truly adept at this. What a brilliant scheme to intimidate others."

Despite his words of praise, the weariness in his eyes flowed like a gentle stream without ceasing.

Lin Xu took a step back, and his thin back was pressed against the bookshelf.

The edges of the lacquered fabric had subtle geometric patterns, and since she was already dressed in thin clothes, those patterns and the sharp, hard wood were almost entirely imprinted on her back.

Lin Xu snorted and tried to dodge, but Dou Yanxun's hand blocked her way as he leaned down.

A sense of displeasure arose in her heart.

Why is he unhappy that she helped him with just a few words today?

Lin Xu watched as the distance between them gradually closed. His breath was warm, making the air around him seem thinner. He could only speak in a low voice:

"...It was clearly my husband who made me stay."

Dou Yanxun braced his right hand on the bookshelf, holding her slender shoulders in his arms, while his left hand held the pen holder that Lin Xu had just picked up, and pushed it in front of her in a moment.

The entire piece is made of celadon, carved into the shape of five peaks. The porcelain body is delicate, and the glaze has a faint bluish-green luster.

He pushed the writing brush mountain in front of her, pointing its sharpest point at her neck, at the most delicate and fragile part of her neck.

Lin Xu was startled.

She looked at Dou Yanxun's calm face in a panic.

Those dark eyes, usually filled with affection or mischief, were now as cold as winter ice, utterly black, devoid of any light, fixed intently on her—

Those eyes, which were usually enough to disturb her mind, were clearly not angry, yet they stared at her, giving Lin Xu an inexplicable feeling of being a caged beast.

She took a deep breath for a moment before meeting his eyes, which were half suspicious and half probing.

Dou Yanxun held the brush in his hand, and Lin Xu felt a slight chill on her skin, followed by a cold and slightly stinging sensation from her neck.

He let the cold, icy mountain peaks slowly traverse her skin.

With just a little pressure, a few red marks would be left on her snow-white skin.

Dou Yanxun narrowed his eyes, watching her neck rise and fall gently with her breath, trembling slightly.

Just moments ago she was laughing and talking about feng shui, appearing shallow and uneducated, but now her eyes are clear, yet she can't hide her panic. She's actually afraid.

He curled his lips into a half-smile, a growing slyness in his eyes.

His hand drew closer, and the chill, mixed with a hint of coldness, flowed through the icy porcelain and landed on her delicate skin.

She didn't move, and he wasn't in a hurry, as if he was waiting for her. Waiting for her to drop all her pretense, or for a pleading look to appear in her eyes, for her to yield and beg for mercy.

Dou Yanxun didn't actually know what he was expecting.

His gaze remained fixed on her face the entire time, unwavering.

Lin Xu closed her eyes with a slight tremor. A multitude of thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant.

Why did Dou Yanxun's expression suddenly change? Why was he treating me like this? Could it be that he would kill me?

—During this time, she secretly felt that the two of them had gradually developed a tacit understanding and were more harmonious with few disagreements.

He cruelly shattered the last glimmer of hope in her heart. Lin Xu felt both resentment and self-mockery, but her most frantic thought was how she could escape.

Dou Yanxun looked down at the person in front of her with her eyes tightly closed, her dark blue eyelashes trembling slightly, casting a long, narrow shadow under her eyes.

After a moment, she slowly raised her head and reached out to hold his hand.

When she opened her eyes again, the panic from before had completely vanished, leaving only a cold, lingering mist, like an endless sorrow.

"...We've been married for several months, does my husband still not believe me?"

Before he could answer, her cheeks seemed to drain of all color, and a single, clear tear fell, staining the fine hairs on her cheeks. Her voice was extremely low, like snow that was about to melt.

"My lord, are you angry with me for spouting nonsense about feng shui earlier? But I only wanted to take this opportunity to teach those people a lesson, so as to remove obstacles in your political affairs. If you don't like it, you can simply ignore it. After all, I overstepped my bounds today. Or, if you have any doubts, you can ask me, and I will tell you everything. Why did it have to come to this..."

Dou Yanxun gave a mocking smile.

He scrutinized Lin Xu's expression, then gently shook his head. His erection slowly moved upwards, leaving her neck where it had lingered for so long, and resting on her cheek. Wherever it passed, it left a fresh red mark.

"...Today, my wife effortlessly made those old scholars wary and lose face. I am overjoyed, so why would I be angry? I just think that my wife is exceptionally intelligent, and it is a real pity that she is with me."

Lin Xu listened quietly and finally understood that even now, he still couldn't fully trust her.

She was a bit too impulsive today. Although her few words of "womanly views" made those people wary, they also aroused Dou Yanxun's suspicion.

He has always been so suspicious that he can't easily trust anyone.

He then used irony to repeatedly test the waters.

She gently squeezed his hand back, slowly loosening his taut, pale fingers. She had to prove it to him again. She had to make him believe in her, trust her, and see her as the only person he could rely on.

Lin Xu leaned forward slightly, her soft yet icy lips slowly moving forward.

Before she could even touch his lips, Dou Yanxun bent down, and Lin Xu lost her balance. In her panic, she fumbled around, but then felt a warm sensation on her neck, which had been cold and trembling just moments before.

He was gently biting.

His burning lips slowly covered all the skin that had just been trodden by the sharp edge of the pen.