Chapter 228

Tao Tao scrutinized her closely, as if observing whether she was lying or harboring ulterior motives.

Left with no other choice, Xi Quan could only grit her teeth and kneel down, saying, "Princess, we're nothing, we were just chatting for a bit."

Tao Tao gave an "oh" and sat down at the stone table, looking at them with a half-smile: "This county princess is quite curious, why don't you tell me?"

Upon hearing this, the two immediately exchanged awkward glances, as if what they had just said was something shameful.

"What's wrong? Can't I listen?"

Her voice carried a hint of coldness and displeasure.

Xi Xin closed her eyes and said somewhat awkwardly, "He...he said I was beautiful, kind, liked me, and that I looked good wearing this begonia flower."

Speaking of crabapple blossoms, her gaze shifted to the delicate flower by her ear. Tao Tao stood up, walked over, plucked the flower from her ear, threw it on the ground, and trampled on it.

"You believe him just because he says he likes you? You're so trusting! What if he asks you to betray me? Will you blindly obey him just like this?!"

After being questioned, Xixin became even more terrified and anxious. She grabbed her thighs urgently with both hands and said excitedly, "That's not how it is, boss! Xixin would rather die than betray you!"

As she finished speaking, her eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face.

Xi Quan didn't dare to say another word throughout the entire process. In his eyes, wasn't love between men and women normal? Why make such a fuss?

"Xi Xin, do you know that I have always valued you highly and placed great hopes on you? You must not let me down."

Tao Tao stepped forward, reached out and helped her up, speaking earnestly and wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Why did she have to get involved with Xiquan? Liking Ji Xian, that江湖人 (jianghu person), would be far better than liking this thing.

"You can go down now."

Xi Quan was taken aback and got up to leave, but then heard a reprimanding voice.

She frowned. "I wasn't talking about you."

Xi Xin stopped sobbing, her eyes dimming slightly, and stood up, saying, "Yes, boss," before walking forward.

"Kneel down."

Tao Tao looked coldly at the stream.

When Xi Xin heard the sound, he turned around and saw Tao Tao kick him in the chest, knocking him to the ground. His heart clenched instantly.

Seeing the boss with this expression for the first time, I couldn't help but feel a little frightened and shocked.

Perhaps it's because Tao Tao has always been a harmless, lively, and adorable young lady in front of her, and even when facing the dead, she always appears dutiful and responsible. It seems like she has never been seen to have any major emotional fluctuations.

It seems the boss still has a temper.

Tao Tao's face was gloomy, and she looked at him with cold eyes. She raised her foot and kicked him hard in the injured area, using almost all her strength.

"Who do you think you are? You're so ugly, how dare you try to seduce the people around me?!"

"Don't think I don't know what you're up to. Trying to outsmart me? You're asking for trouble!"

If you want to sow discord, beat her up first. You just think Xixin is naive and brainless and want to deceive her.

Xi Xin didn't know what kind of person he was, but didn't she know what kind of person Xi Quan was, daring to trick the people around her in hopes of getting revenge?

Xi Quan screamed, clutching his chest, and collapsed to the ground, his face deathly pale, covered in cold sweat, unable to get up for a long time due to the pain.

He also felt that the wound, which had finally scabbed over, seemed to have burst open, and warm blood was flowing out of the wound.

But soon he got up from the ground, knelt down and begged for mercy, enduring the pain, and said, "County... County Princess, this servant had no other intention, please calm down, County Princess."

"It is because this servant lacks self-awareness, it is because this servant is lowly and unworthy of Miss Xixin, I am sorry."

The dull thuds of kowtowing echoed one after another, a sound that seemed utterly humiliating.

In truth, he felt deeply humiliated. None of the masters he worked for at Chu Feng Pavilion were as difficult to serve or as capricious as the county princess before him.

But deep down, she still felt fear, and was even more amazed that she had been able to so keenly perceive her hidden thoughts after only a slight contact with Asarum.

It seems that you really can't play any tricks on her, or she'll see right through you.

"Princess, please calm down. Don't upset yourself." Rong'er stepped forward with a cup of tea to comfort her.

Tao Tao's temper flared up quickly but subsided just as fast. She took a deep breath, sat back down on the stool, and calmly said, "What about the list of people who came in and out of Chu Feng Pavilion that I asked you to write down?"

Upon hearing this, Xi Quan quickly took it out from his pocket, which was stained with some blood from his wound, and respectfully presented it to her with both hands.

“This servant always carries it with him, in case the county magistrate needs it.”

Tao Tao took it, unfolded it, and examined it carefully before handing it to Rong'er, saying, "Keep it safe. When Leng Qiao returns, have him investigate it first."

"If you don't get one name right, I'll cut off one of your hands. If you don't get two right, the second cut will be on your neck. Be careful in your next life."

When she said these words, her eyes were curved and her tone was not very fierce, but it inexplicably exuded a cold aura.

This kind of person actually terrified and frightened him more.

A bead of cold sweat rolled down his forehead. Xi Quan's lips were bloodless, and he said in a trembling voice, "County... County Princess, could this servant... allow this servant to confirm this carefully?"

"Perhaps, perhaps there might be a small problem."

Upon hearing this, she raised an eyebrow and glanced at Rong'er, gesturing for her to give him the item.

Rong'er took it out from her bosom and handed it to him. Xi Quan hurriedly took it and carefully read the names in each line.

He knelt on the ground, noticing the gaze directed at him from above. He licked his dry lips uneasily and said after a short while, "This servant seems to have written something wrong here."

Upon hearing this, Tao Tao instantly revealed a smile full of sarcasm and mockery. "Rong'er, go and get a pen and ink, and let him write it down here."

"Yes, Your Highness." Rong'er quickly went to fetch the items.

Xi Quan sat on the stone bench with his pen in hand, staring at her cold gaze, unable to bring himself to use it. Rong'er stood quietly beside him, grinding ink.

Tao Tao seemed to notice as well. She rested her chin on her hand, yawned, and said lazily, "Don't be nervous. I'm always fair in my rewards and punishments. Just write it down. Think it through carefully and don't forget anything."

"This county magistrate has plenty of time."

As soon as she finished speaking, a cup of hot tea was placed beside Xiquan, along with a heartfelt greeting.

"Have a cup of tea to calm your nerves and clear your head. Once you've finished writing, I'll have the doctor come and check on your injuries again."

He nodded stiffly: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

After saying that, he took a deep breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, pondered for a while, and began to write carefully.