As the saying goes, one wave subsides only for another to rise.

Before Li Chang'an could resolve the conflict between the two, several uninvited guests entered the courtyard.

"Why are you making such a racket in broad daylight? This is the General's Mansion, not a place for you to throw a tantrum!"

Before the words were even finished, Zhuque and Cangyun stopped arguing and both looked towards the door.

Li Chang'an naturally followed suit and shifted his gaze along with the two of them.

Then the three of them saw Qin Xiashi walking in unhurriedly, holding Qin Yubao's hand with one hand and waving a silk handkerchief in the other, with her personal maid Xing'er following behind.

Upon seeing these people, Li Chang'an felt increasingly unwell and naturally had no energy left to engage in any pretense of politeness.

When Zhuque saw Qin Xiashi, she naturally felt that the other party was there to cause trouble. After all, during the time she stayed in the General's Mansion, every time this woman appeared, she was bound to cause some kind of trouble.

Therefore, she naturally had no good feelings towards this very restless and unruly concubine.

Compared to arguing with Cangyun, Zhuque felt that this woman who seemed to have ill intentions was more worthy of vigilance.

So she temporarily put away her arrogance and decided to call a truce. She then retreated to Li Chang'an's side and stared at Qin Xiashi with an unfriendly expression.

Of course, Qin Xia was not stupid. She naturally sensed the other party's hostility, so she turned her eyes and looked at Cang Yun.

Looking at this unfamiliar face, Madam Qin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, then said sarcastically, "Oh, it's only been a few days, and there's already a new face in Madam's courtyard? As expected of you, you're always so popular with men, no matter when or where..."

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an's expression immediately turned cold, and Zhuque beside him also instantly changed his expression.

What a sharp-tongued woman!

Zhuque had always hated this kind of petty behavior, so before Li Chang'an could even speak, she started to lash out.

"Aunt Qin, you truly have a silver tongue. But I advise you to tone it down. Otherwise, your sharp tongue might incur the jealousy of the heavens, and they might cut it off and offer it as a sacrifice. That would be too terrible!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiashi immediately turned ashen with anger.

Seeing this, Xing'er, who was standing beside her, immediately adopted the image of a loyal dog protecting its master, jumping out and barking at Zhuque: "How dare you speak to our aunt like that! Don't forget your place, don't forget this is the General's Mansion, at most you are just a servant, a lowly maid! What right do you have to interrupt when your mistress is speaking?"

What a sharp tongue!

Upon hearing this, Zhuque snorted coldly, and then began to wonder if he should teach this arrogant fellow a lesson.

Before she could make a move, a flash of cold light passed before her eyes.

The next second, Xing'er, who had been baring her teeth and claws, started choking herself with her hands, her face full of pain.

This scene truly terrified Qin Xia Shi. She looked at Xing'er's horrified expression with a face full of horror, feeling somewhat at a loss.

"What's wrong? Please don't scare me!"

As Qin Xia spoke, her voice trembling, she reached out and grabbed Xing'er's hand that was gripping her neck. Her eyes were wide open, like two copper bells, from she was terrified.

Xing'er's face turned bright red. Although she opened her mouth wide, she couldn't utter a single word. All you could see was her mouth opening and closing, making her look like a fish being pulled up and waiting to be slaughtered.

"What...what exactly did you do to him?"

This time, Qin Xia was completely desperate. She turned to look at Li Chang'an and the others, but a sense of fear involuntarily arose in her heart.

Then, she couldn't help but question herself inwardly why she had been so quick to speak.

If these people are truly angered, these defenseless women will only face certain death.

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an merely raised an eyebrow and glanced at Cangyun, while Zhuque shrugged, looking as if it were none of her business.

They didn't do anything!

Upon seeing this, Qin Xia thought they were going to abandon her to her death, so she shouted without regard for anything else, "You are going too far! If anything happens to Xing'er today, I will go to the emperor to file a complaint and I will never let you off the hook!"

Upon hearing this, a playful smile flashed in Li Chang'an's eyes.

To file a complaint with the emperor?

It's unbelievable that this woman, though not very capable, has such a big mouth.

Li Chang'an didn't believe she would do such a heroic thing for a maid.

Looking at Qin Xia's plump and round appearance, which was the result of a long-term life of luxury, Li Chang'an felt increasingly disgusted.

"Before you can file a complaint with the emperor, you have to endure all sorts of tortures, such as being beaten with a board and rolled on a bed of nails. If you have the guts, you can go ahead and file a complaint."

Suzaku also spoke up leisurely from the side, his words full of sarcasm.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiashi, who had been so aggressive, immediately deflated like a punctured balloon and dared not utter a word.

What she just said was just a moment of panic, meant to scare these people.

After all, she wasn't stupid. Even if she dared to risk her life to appeal to the emperor, considering that the current emperor was Li Chang'an's biological father, what were her chances of winning?

Moreover, she would never risk such a great deal for a mere maid.

However, what was said in jest was taken seriously by Xing'er. Qin Xia's bold words were taken seriously by the listener.

Although she couldn't speak at this moment, she was not affected in doing other things. So she reached out and grabbed Qin Xia's sleeve with a worried expression and kept shaking her head, afraid that her master would really do something foolish.

Looking at Xing'er's appearance, Li Chang'an felt that she was both pitiful and pathetic.

It's true what they say: those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly.

That's all.

Li Chang'an lowered his eyes, collected his thoughts, and then decided to lend a helping hand to this poor wretch.

Judging from Xing'er's appearance, she must have been silenced by someone pressing her acupoints, so she just couldn't speak, but there was nothing else seriously wrong with her.

But just as Li Chang'an was about to make a move, Cang Yun, who was standing to the side, took the initiative and flicked a small pebble at Xing'er.

"Cough cough cough..."

The pebble had just fallen from the pressure point on the other person's throat when everyone heard a violent coughing fit.

Then Xing'er was seen clutching her chest, her face turning purplish-red, as if she was about to cough up blood.

Faced with the sudden and strong reaction from those around her, Qin Xia was startled again.