Chapter 115 Deceiving Him
Golden silk gauze curtains, glass beads.
Unlike its previous elegant decor, Zhaoshan Residence is now magnificent.
This was all because Lin Xiaocong knew that Li Rong liked counting money.
The sun was shining brightly, and Li Rong sat on the veranda basking in the sun.
The hairband was wrapped around her hair, making her black hair look gentle and elegant.
A few harmless beads adorn the piece, adding a touch of liveliness.
After her failed attempt to drown herself, she was kept under even stricter surveillance.
The four of them, Qiu Hui and Qiu Kui, took turns staying together and were absolutely forbidden from going to dangerous places.
Even when she refused to eat, someone would force-feed her.
She no longer had the chance to die.
Lin Xiaocong learned that Li Rong had drowned herself in the lake after leaving the palace, and rode his horse back to his residence at breakneck speed.
Upon reaching the gate of the mansion, his emotions calmed down again.
The gentle and composed young master handed the reins to the gatekeeper.
Stepping into the mansion, one arrives at Zhaoshan Residence.
Upon seeing the girl on the veranda, he stepped forward and blocked the sunlight from her eyes.
He exuded the scent of medicinal herbs, a unique and gentle fragrance.
She noticed him return and turned to avoid him as she headed into the house.
Because she had been in the sun for too long, when she opened her eyes, all she saw was darkness. She almost fell over and instinctively raised her hand to grab it.
Qiu Hui took her hand.
She steadied herself and was about to catch her breath when she was suddenly picked up.
She struggled: "Let me go!"
Lin Xiaocong carried her back to the room, placed her on the bed, stood by the bed, and raised his hand to undo his waist belt: "Rongrong, you're disobedient."
Li Rong shrank back into the bed in fear: "Don't come any closer."
"My dear Rong'er, let's have a baby."
He needs someone who can bind her bloodline.
"You're dreaming!"
He threw his coat at her, and she threw a pillow at him: "It's daytime! You bastard!"
He dodged the pillow, paused in his undressing, and looked up at her: "Tonight, will you submit to me?"
Li Rong huddled in the corner, remaining silent.
He lowered his head and continued to undress.
She quickly replied, "Okay."
She won't give in to him even at night!
She's going to lie to him too!
His eyes lit up, he stopped undressing, sat down on the edge of the bed, and smiled as he reached out his hand to her.
"Then come over here and give me a hug, and I'll believe you."
She hesitated.
He raised his hand to continue unbuttoning his clothes.
She quickly climbed to his side.
He raised his eyelashes, looked at the little lamb who had eagerly come to his door, and triumphantly leaned in to kiss her.
He caught her off guard and flipped her over, pinning her beneath him.
"My dear Rong'er, it's been six days, eight hours, and two quarters since last time. Let me see if your injury has healed."
"You bastard, let me go, let me go!"
"It won't hurt this time, I'll be gentle."
"You shameless scoundrel, you beast in human clothing!"
He simply reached out and tore off her clothes, which were difficult to remove.
"Let me go, let me go, waaaaah..."
He grabbed her hands, leaving her powerless to resist.
He kissed her passionately.
The agonizing pain of tasting the marrow was agonizing for him.
He bit her earlobe, kissed her neck, and with a gentle suck, left a beautiful mark on her collarbone.
He forced her, yet he also gently pleased her.
He said plaintively, "Rongrong, I miss you."
"But my grandmother insisted that I cure the Crown Prince before she would agree not to interfere with us."
"I'm working hard to clear away the obstacles between us."
"How could you do something as dangerous as drowning me?"
He carelessly threw the dress off the bed.
She kept her knees up, not wanting him to come near.
He inserted his fingers behind her knees, grabbed her calves, and gently pulled them down, and she lost her last strength.
She tried to rub him with her legs to prevent him from getting closer.
A futile and ineffective resistance.
He assured her, "Rongrong, I'm very capable."
He gripped her waist, preventing her from escaping.
"I'm happy, or you can hit me."
"Waaaah, go away, go away!"
Her legs, which had been struggling frantically, gradually gave up the struggle.
The pinkish-white toes twisted and curled up, and after an unknown amount of time, they suddenly opened up again.
The curved shape of the toenails is beautiful.
The faded nail polish looked rather desolate.
The glass pendant hanging from the bed curtains resembled a child participating in a grand chorus, swaying innocently to the rhythm of the music and singing a clear and melodious ballad.
He teased her, saying, "My dear Rong'er, I missed you..."
"Waaaaah..."
Qiu Hui, who was guarding outside the door, ordered someone to prepare water.
An hour later, he released her waist.
Wild geese fly south in the sky, their formation neat and orderly.
In the center of Zhaoshan Residence, the servants came and went in an orderly fashion.
She didn't want him to carry her to the bathroom, so she wrapped herself in a blanket and pointed at him, saying, "Get out!"
He sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the damp sheets.
He looked thoughtful: "The book says that women act like this when they are happy."
Li Rong followed his gaze.
Her face flushed with embarrassment, and the tears she had finally managed to stop welled up again in anger.
She simply couldn't look him in the eye.
"Rongrong, if you're not happy, let's start over."
"Tell me when I did something wrong, whether it was too fast or too slow."
She threw the blanket she was wearing at his face and started hitting him, saying, "You shameless thing."
With a blanket on his head, he grabbed her, wrapped himself in the blanket, and got up to head to the bathroom.
She left a scratch on his face, but he wasn't angry.
He smiled and reminded her, "Don't let Qiu Hui and the others laugh at us."
When she saw a maid in the room, she quickly covered her naked body.
He laughed as he carried her to the bathroom, placed her in the water, and watched as she eagerly submerged herself.
He threw off the mattress, squatted down by the bathtub, rested his hands on the tub, chin on his hands, and looked at her with a smile.
"Rongrong, look, we are very happy."
She splashed water on him: "Get away!"
He got up with a loud bang.
She was caught off guard and was pricked in the eye, covering her face and screaming.
He smiled and took the bath towel, intending to help her take a bath.
She refused.
He grabbed her hand that was hitting him: "Rongrong, you can't try to kill yourself again."
"If there's a next time, I won't just make you worry, I'll make you suffer!"
With her eyelashes lowered, she humbly sank herself into the water.
She hadn't yet grasped the meaning behind his words.
He then asked, "Rongrong, were you happy just now?"
Li Rong turned her head away in shame, her lips pursed involuntarily: "Shameless!"
"If you're not happy, shall we try going somewhere else?"
"I heard it's fun in the water."
"The water ripples like feathers, tickling the heart."
She lay down on the edge of the bathtub, crying, "Please let me die!"
He raised his hand and rubbed her head: "If you die, I will never let you go alone."
He went to wash up by himself and called Qiu Hui in to help her wash up.
After washing up, I changed my clothes again.
He carried her out of the bathroom and placed her on the couch.
She lay down, leaving him no place to sit.
He casually sat down on the footstool, took the towel handed to him by the maid, and began to wipe her hair.
Qiuju entered at the opportune moment and reported, "Young master, news has come from the Li residence."
"They say the Fourth Sister went to the river to pick lotus flowers and fell into the water."
Feeling utterly hopeless, Li Rong suddenly sat up from the couch.
Lin Xiaocong looked at the few strands of hair on the towel, carefully picked them up, and placed them on the edge of the couch.
Li Rong asked worriedly, "Is she alright?"
Qiu Ju looked terrified: "I heard they almost couldn't be saved."
Li Rong quickly got off the bed and went to Qiu Ju's side: "Fourth Sister can swim, how could she have drowned!"
"Besides, where would you find lotus flowers at this time of year?"
"How did she come up with the idea of picking lotus flowers?"
"Who went with her?"
Qiuju shook her head: "This servant does not know."
"May I call a doctor?"
"The doctor examined him and said there shouldn't be any serious problems, otherwise he wouldn't have left it unreported."
Li Rong was eager to return home.
Qiuju saw through her thoughts and glanced at Lin Xiaocong.
She turned to look at Lin Xiaocong.
She had tried to leave the Marquis's mansion, but as Qiu Hui said, without Lin Xiaocong's permission, she couldn't even step out of the second gate.
Lin Xiaocong had already sat down on the couch.
He smiled gently: "Have you sisters been having bad luck with water lately?"
"How come your sister, who can swim, fell into the lake as soon as you jumped in?"
Li Rong looked at Lin Xiaocong, her chest rising and falling.
"It's you!!"
Lin Xiaocong said innocently, "Rongrong, if you are wrongly accusing me of doing this, there is nothing I can do."
Li Rong bit her lip in anger, finally understanding why he had said those things in the bathroom.
At the same time, I felt deeply powerless.
He said, "Rongrong, you said things you shouldn't have in front of your grandmother. There will only be punishment, not reward."
"You can't go home this time."
Li Rong's throat was sore and she was speechless.
Tears streamed down her face.
He got up and went to her, pulled her into his arms, and gently patted her back: "It's my fault that Rongrong was frightened."
She remained motionless.
He leaned close to her ear and said gently, "Rongrong, don't make things too ugly. Be good, okay?"
He kissed her earlobe and slightly pulled away from her.
He saw her pouting, aggrieved expression, lifted her chin, and kissed her lips.
She was very well-behaved this time.
Only the tears tasted a little salty.
Do you want to go home?
She nodded, and more tears streamed down her face with the movement.
"Tonight, be more proactive and try to please me, okay?"
She lifted her tear-streaked face and asked, sobbing, "Do you keep your word?"
He chuckled and explained why he had lied to her: "I generally don't choose the worst option, unless there's no other way."
She didn't understand and asked again, "Will you keep your word?"
He nodded: "I will never lie to Rongrong again."
She tilted her head and lowered her long eyelashes, clearly not believing it.
He further explained, "I don't usually like to use underhanded tactics."
Li Rong didn't want to talk to him.
He reached out and took her hand, pulling her to sit on the couch.
"Rongrong, I have a very good temper, and I'm gentle and kind. You'll like me more and more."
He propped one leg up on the couch and carefully dried her hair with a towel.
Bitter fruit cannot turn sweet because the fruiting period is too short.
Given more time, it will definitely get sweeter and sweeter.
As the comb glides down the black hair, occasionally encountering a knot, he gently smooths it out with his fingertips, and then smoothly combs it to the end.
Just like his control over this battle for affection.
It will definitely come to a successful conclusion.
*
"Those who hoard are easily broken."
Old Mrs. Lin of Rong'an Hall sat in the main seat.
She fiddled with the tourmaline bracelet in her hands.
“Mingxu has had it too easy growing up.”
She frowned: "This is not a good thing."
Sitting to her left, Madam Lin chuckled and sipped her tea, saying, "Mother, you didn't say that before."
“You once said that Mingxu was blessed with good fortune and was the pride of the Lin family.”
Her eyes held a hint of amusement: "Now he has defied your wishes and forcibly taken a commoner girl to your residence."
"You can't do anything about him, can you?"
Grandma Lin glanced at her.
She couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Now you finally understand how your daughter-in-law feels every time she sees him, right?"
"It's so infuriating, it's enough to make you furious!"
She took a sip of tea, put down her cup, and said, "Mother, I told you long ago, we should bring home a wife to keep him in check."
"You just let him run wild."
"Now it's all good, Mingyang is engaged, there's no way you can regret it now."
Grandma Lin said, "It's time to find him a wife."
Madam Lin's eyes lit up: "The previous three daughters-in-law were either chosen by you or by the Marquis. Let your daughter-in-law choose Mingxu's daughter-in-law."
"You chose it yourself, don't come back inside and start arguing about it!"
“Mother, look at what you’re saying. When I was young, I also served you morning and evening.”
"Don't bring up the past; it'll make you look bad."
Madam Lin didn't care; the way she entered the family wasn't exactly honorable.
But now she is the Lady of the Marquis's household, in charge of managing the household affairs, and has four outstanding sons to rely on.
Its flaws do not detract from its overall excellence.
"Mother, don't worry. Your daughter-in-law has no daughters, so she just wants a daughter-in-law who can be as caring as a daughter to be around her."
“Daughter-in-law, I have three more candidates in mind. I’ll host a banquet for you to meet them when I come home.”
"But now that Mingxu is frequently entering and leaving the Eastern Palace, it's difficult to transfer him out."
"How about we get engaged first?"
Grandma Lin held her tourmaline bracelet and said, "The Crown Prince needs him, so transferring him out won't work."
"The candidate will be chosen first, and the marriage will be arranged after the new emperor ascends the throne and grants a general amnesty."
"Okay!" Madam Lin smiled from ear to ear.
After explaining the matter, Old Madam Lin dismissed Madam Lin.
Then he instructed Granny Yue: "Go and choose them yourself. No matter their background, they must be beautiful and capable."
“Those who are enslaved may be freed and become free if they are able to gain Mingxu’s favor.”
“Those of good birth can be elevated to the rank of concubine.”
Granny Yue hesitated, "Should we greet the Seventh Young Master?"
"If an elder bestows a concubine upon you, what kind of greeting do you need to give him?"
Old Mrs. Lin muttered to herself, "He hasn't had much contact with women before. If he had more contact with them, he wouldn't be so fixated on Ms. Li."
She felt uneasy when she thought of her grandson's expression when he said "it will become sweet".
That woman from the Li family is willing to risk her life, so why would she want him?
"He's lost his mind!"
We can't let him get any deeper into this mess.
"Please invite Ms. Li over for dinner tonight."
Granny Yue accepted the order and went to arrange everything.
*
Those involved are often confused, while bystanders see things clearly.
Zhaoshan Residence Study Room.
Lin Xiaocong held the girl he liked, looking at the words on the folding fan, a hint of surprise in his smiling eyes.
"Rongrong, your handwriting is better than I expected."
May my body be as graceful as the moon, accompanying you on your journey across a thousand miles.
"The use of white space in the layout is also very appropriate."
"Rongrong studied it?"
Li Rong did not answer him.
He buried his face in her chest and took a deep breath: "Rongrong, don't be angry, okay?"
Li Rong calmly pushed him away and put down her pen.
"Don't rush, there's more."
Lin Xiaocong put her down and pulled out a bunch of fans from somewhere: "I'll tell you, you write."
Li Rong glanced at him.
Qiu Hui took the fan that Li Rong had just written on and put it aside to air it out.
Li Rong casually picked up a fan, opened it, and saw a painting on the fan surface.
The painting is beautiful.
She picked up her brush and dipped it in ink.
Lin Xiaocong glanced at the painting on the fan and said, "The reflection in the sea resembles floating snow, and the cascading water flows over the stream."
"What's hard?"
"The '映' in '影像' (image/reflection)."
Li Rong first wrote on a blank sheet of paper.
"That's right."
Then dip the brush in ink again and start writing on the fan.
After she finished writing, she glanced at him.
He smiled and praised her, "Rongrong has a pair of skillful hands."
She lowered her eyes.
The fennel was set aside to dry.
Li Rong opened another fan.
*
Fu Man, the head maid of Rong'an Hall, arrived at Zhaoshan Residence and was led to the study by another maid.
Fans were hanging everywhere in the study.
The man stood at the desk, while the woman sat.
He put his arm around her shoulder, holding her hand as he inscribed a title on the painting.
When Qiu Hui saw Fu Man arrive, she went up to talk to her.
Then he returned to his desk and whispered, "Young master, the old lady has invited the second young lady to Rong'an Hall for dinner tonight."
Li Rong was distracted, but Lin Xiaocong's hand was steady.
He looked serious, holding Li Rong's hand, his pen moving continuously.
As he finished writing, he took her hand, put down the pen, and released her hand, saying, "I understand."
Grandmother must have had bad intentions.
He didn't want Rongrong to go, so he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Shall I take you out to play?"
She glanced at him sideways and asked, "Can we go out?"
The distance was unexpectedly close.
His nose was only a finger's width away from hers.
Their breaths mingled as she turned her face.
He looked at her profile and said, "I will protect you. I'm not afraid that there will be any more rude and ignorant people like Gui Hou who will provoke you."
"Then I want to go home."
He was silent.
As expected.
She was calm.
He suddenly took her hand: "Come on, let's go back to your parents' home."
She suddenly looked up at him.
He looked at her with a gentle smile and lowered his eyes.
His eyes were only on her.
"Rongrong, you've mentioned it three times already. I always feel sorry for you."
Undeniably, he was beautiful.
Li Rong avoided his gaze.
But he's just a good-looking conman.
"What are you daydreaming about? Let's go."
He pulled her up and led her outside.
He was tall and had long legs, so she had to jog to keep up with him.
The maids in the study bowed to them.
Fu Man from Rong An Tang at the entrance bowed to them.
He led her into the corridor: "I was busy with palace affairs the past few days and was unable to visit. I cannot be so bold as to come empty-handed today."
"Rongrong, let's go pick out some gifts for our parents and siblings first."
Upon hearing his address, she flung his hand away, wiping away tears as she ran past him.
He followed closely behind her.
He thought that he would feel wronged at first, but he would feel better in a couple of days.
*
Li Rong was able to return home as she wished.
No one knows how Li Han, who was taking a nap at home, woke up in the river.
In the main hall of the Li residence.
Lin Xiaocong bowed to Li's parents and said, "It was Mingxu's oversight. We will send more people to protect you and your siblings tomorrow."
Mr. and Mrs. Li sat at the head of the table, their faces expressionless.
Madam Li said, "Young Master Lin, please do as you please."
Then he took Li Rong's hand and led her into the inner room.
Mr. Li slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Lin Xiaocong, yelling, "Waaaaah! Waaaaah!"
Lin Xiaocong bowed respectfully: "I have some unspeakable difficulties, but I can swear to heaven that I will definitely treat Rongrong well in the future."
Li's father cried out a few more times, and Li's mother threw a shoe at his head.
"What are you yelling about? Go out and chop some wood if you have nothing to do. You've scared the kids to tears!"
Li's father glared at Lin Xiaocong a few more times, then went out to chop firewood.
Only Li Han and her servant Lin Xiaocong remained in the main room.
Li Han opened the pastry box and exclaimed in surprise, "It really is pastry from Xingyuanlou!"
"Thank you, brother-in-law. These are all Han'er's favorite foods."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and sat down upon hearing the address "Second Brother-in-law".
"Rongrong said that Fourth Sister wants to learn horseback riding and archery?"
Li Han had already picked up the pastries and sat down opposite Lin Xiaocong: "Mmm!"
"I'll have someone take Fourth Sister to the Lin family's horse farm to pick out a ponies."
Li Han's eyes lit up instantly: "Is it for me?"
Lin Xiaocong picked up his teacup and said, "Hmm."
"Thank you, brother-in-law."
"You're too kind."
"I also want to learn kung fu, the kind that can be used to fight bad guys."
“You are the right age to learn. I’ll have Qiu Shi come over tomorrow to see if you are suited for this path.”
She sat down excitedly in the chair and swung her legs: "Thank you, brother-in-law!"
"You're much more reliable than my third brother-in-law and my eldest brother-in-law!"
"He's the best brother-in-law in the world!"
Lin Xiaocong lost himself.
He picked up his teacup and drank the tea, not noticing anything amiss.
Just as he was about to take a sip of tea, he suddenly leaned over and spat it out, choking in a moment of disarray.
"Cough cough cough!"
He put down the cup.
Qiu Chan quickly handed over the handkerchief.
Lin Xiaocong took the handkerchief, covered his mouth with it, and coughed for a long time before recovering.
Li Han looked puzzled.
"Granny Xiao taught me how to make tea today. She said that people from noble families like to add salt or other seasonings to their tea."
"I put a little bit in my second brother-in-law's cup."
"Second brother-in-law, don't you like it?"
Lin Xiaocong smiled and looked up at Li Han: "Really, you only put in a little bit?"
"Hmm, a little chili pepper, a little black pepper, a little red pepper, a little salt, a little sugar, and a little plum, dogwood, and ginger."
Lin Xiaocong: "Where does the bitterness come from?"
"Is tea bitter? Our family is used to drinking it."
"It's Coptis chinensis, Fourth Sister."
Caught red-handed, Li Han remained completely calm: "I didn't know, brother-in-law, maybe I took the wrong seasoning!"
She sincerely apologized: "I'm sorry, brother-in-law, I didn't mean it."
"It's okay, your second sister once said you're careless."
Li Han clenched her fist hidden in her sleeve. Was this a threat using her second sister?
She looked at the smiling man opposite her and suddenly flashed a bright smile.
"Brother-in-law, my second sister said that she likes you."
Lin Xiaocong was taken aback.
"But after she was arrested that day, she came back crying and said she hated you to death."
Did you make her angry?
Lin Xiaocong pondered these words.
Li Han: "Second Sister is very easy to coax."
How do I coax him?
She jumped off the chair and ran outside: "My second sister told me not to tell!"
Lin Xiaocong chuckled.
I'm in a better mood than ever before.
She likes him; she's just angry right now.
They can be appeased.
Inside the room, Li Rong looked at her mother and asked, "Mother, do you think I have the qualifications to lie?"
"I also want him to know what it feels like to be deceived!"
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