Chapter 116 Conquest
Li's mother watched as her daughter, desperate and resorting to any remedy she could find, became completely disoriented.
He hesitated before speaking, "Why don't you give it a try?"
"I...I tried!"
Li Rong frowned, her lips pursed, looking somewhat devastated, anxious, and angry: "I can't fool him!"
The worst thing is when the air suddenly goes quiet.
Li's mother suddenly smiled.
Li Rong looked at her mother and smiled, but the corners of her mouth were turned up in a long smirk.
He dared not seek death, yet he could do nothing about it.
He was even laughed at by his own mother.
"Wow!"
Li Rong cried terribly.
Li's mother quickly covered her mouth: "Keep your voice down, it was so hard to get your brother to sleep!"
Li Rong pulled her mother's hand away, tears welling up in her eyes: "Mother, why are you laughing at me!"
"Rongrong, do you want to hear the truth?"
Li Rong shook her head: "You're going to bring up those things you said about Third Sister back then."
"If it weren't for Third Sister's influence, then it would be fine."
"Now I understand the advantages and disadvantages of being a wife or a concubine."
"I absolutely refuse."
Li's mother became worried: "But now, our servants are his people, and the old woman who cooks in the kitchen is his people."
“Every day when my mother went out to buy groceries, someone followed her, claiming that she was ordered to protect her.”
"I can't even send a letter to your third sister."
A dead end.
Li's mother analyzed the current situation.
“Rongrong, he comes from a prominent family. Back when we were in Lijia Village, he was someone you would never have met in your entire life.”
"You might think he's shameless."
"But all the powerful and influential men in this world are shameless."
"Then the Zhou family was looking for a suitable match before, and when they saw that your third sister was of marriageable age and beautiful, they forcibly kept her in the mansion to be the concubine of Master Zhou."
"Where can you go to complain to me?"
Li Rong remained silent.
"You've encountered someone who comes from a high-class background, is resourceful, and shameless."
"He's shameless, but he can protect you."
"Have you ever heard of that Marquis Gui?"
"I heard that he was suspected of treason and his entire family was slaughtered."
“I think he can rescue you safely from a marquis.”
"They managed to rescue our whole family using a scheme, which shows they're quite capable."
"Now that things have come to this, you might as well have a proper talk with him again."
Li Rong looked at her mother and suddenly began to sob: "Mother, do you... do you want me to live with him like this?"
Li's mother quickly said, "It's not that I want to, it's that we have no other choice right now!"
"Imagine if you encountered a thug like the one who came to our house to cause trouble before."
"There's nothing you can do about it if he bullies you, isn't there?"
Li Rong disagreed: "My brother-in-law will chase the hooligans away!"
"Your brother-in-law is at the peak of his career and has been in the south for many months. How can he possibly be protecting us around our house every day?"
"If someone dares to bully you and is fearless enough to risk their life, what can you do?"
"Women are inherently weak, and you have had an exceptionally difficult life."
"At first I couldn't understand why, after the thugs who used to hang around our house, our neighborhood became so clean that there wasn't even a rat left."
"I only found out after asking the guard named Qiufeng a few questions."
"Young Master Lin has long since plowed away all the hooligans on this land."
"He's been plotting against you for a long time!!"
“Even if your father and I were to die before our swords, he would not let you go.”
"Now, what else can we do besides discuss it with him again?"
Li Rong felt powerless.
She lowered her head, tears streaming down her face.
Li's mother added, "I didn't send a message to your eldest sister."
Li Rong shook her head: "With my brother-in-law not home, my sister's life won't be easy either. Don't cause her any more trouble."
Li's mother analyzed the only way out: "Rongrong, we can only wait for your third sister to come."
"It's just a matter of time."
"She definitely has a way."
“When we leave the capital and move to another place, no one will know about this.”
Li Rong collapsed onto the bed, not crying loudly, only her shoulders trembling.
She seemed to suddenly remember the purpose of her return, and stood up to look at Li's mother: "How is Fourth Sister!"
"She's very resilient."
Li Rong threw herself back onto the bed: "Waaah, I'm not reconciled."
"Mother, Second Sister, people from Hezhou have arrived!" Li Han exclaimed in surprise, like a ray of light breaking through the darkness.
Li Rong jumped out of bed, tears still in her eyes, and rushed out the door.
*
The setting sun painted the horizon pink.
As she stepped outside, she immediately saw that upright gentleman, who never lifted a finger, killing a chicken.
With a swift and clean slit, the blood dripped into the bowl held by Qiu Chan.
He seemed to notice Li Rong's gaze and glanced to the side.
Seeing that it was Li Rong, he smiled gently: "Rongrong, let's have chicken tonight."
He shook the still-dripping chicken in his hand.
This caused a chorus of cicadas to cry out in pain: "Oh dear, young master, don't waste it! Chicken blood is very nourishing!"
He brandished the knife in his hand and said nonchalantly, "Just kill one more."
*
The person in charge of delivering the message was the captain of the boat that was traveling north, and he also brought some gifts such as food, clothing and daily necessities.
The boat captain directed his servants to move all the belongings into the courtyard before entering the gate.
Li's mother put on a veil and went out to greet them.
The boat captain stepped forward and respectfully presented the letter in his hand.
"The Third Madam inquires about the well-being of the Second Miss, Fourth Miss, and Uncle."
Li's mother took the letter and eagerly asked, "How is Aqu?"
"The Third Madam is well."
"Please come inside and have some tea."
The boat captain declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but I have important business to attend to and cannot delay."
"If there is any letter that needs to be brought back, please deliver it to the innkeeper of Shunlai Inn before 7 PM the day after tomorrow."
They exchanged a few more brief pleasantries.
The boat captain bowed and took his leave.
Li's mother called out, "Honey, take this with you."
"Madam, sir, please wait."
Mr. Li went forward to see him off.
The boatman reluctantly bowed, but out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of the young master slaughtering a chicken at the kitchen door. Although he was curious, he dared not offend him.
As they approached the courtyard gate, they suddenly heard Li Han, who was sitting on the threshold of the kitchen, clapping her hands and shouting.
"Wow, second brother-in-law, you're amazing! Even the young master of the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion can kill a chicken?"
The boat captain paused and looked at Lin Xiaocong.
The young master is exceptionally handsome and possesses an outstanding demeanor.
Only... the young master of the Marquis of Weiwu's mansion!
Such a sensitive identity.
It needs to be reported.
He politely bowed to Lin Xiaocong and said to Li's father, "Please wait."
They left with their people.
During this time, Li Rong clung tightly to her mother's clothes.
*
After the boatman left, Lin Xiaocong casually tossed aside the chicken in his hand and took out a handkerchief to carefully wipe his hands.
He smiled and said to Li Han, "The Marquis of Weiwu's mansion is all about martial arts. The brothers are even more skilled at killing on the battlefield, Fourth Sister."
Li Rong felt a chill run down her spine for no apparent reason.
*
Distance causes message delays.
Li Qu's letter, which was meant to reassure everyone, focused on reminding her family to handle the matter of Li Rong and Lin Xiaocong, and said nothing more.
The Li family was not without suspicion, but they never expected Lin Xiaocong to go to such lengths to forge documents and use his connections just to deceive Li Rong.
When their attempt to deceive him failed, they resorted to drugging him and forcibly taking his money.
Utterly shameless.
Li Rong clutched the letter, helplessly wiping away tears.
Li Han stepped forward and grasped Li Rong's hand: "Second sister, didn't you say that second brother-in-law and third brother-in-law have different stances and cannot be related?"
"The boat captain who knew my second brother-in-law's identity today will definitely tell my third brother-in-law."
"From Hezhou to the capital, it takes a month if things go smoothly, and two or three months if things go slowly."
"Take good care of yourself, everything will be alright."
Li Rong looked at Li Han, who was looking at her with concern, and hugged her younger sister tightly: "It's all my fault for being useless; I almost ruined you."
Li Rong was so strong that Li Han was almost suffocated.
She finally managed to break free from Li Rong's embrace, panting heavily.
"Second sister, you almost suffocated me."
Li Rong let go of her: "I'm sorry."
"It's okay, second sister. No matter what happens, I won't blame you. It's not your fault."
"Fourth Sister, although you like to coax people, you are still quite happy to be coaxed."
"If you're happy, just smile, hehe." Li Han made a face to tease Li Rong.
Li Rong stopped crying and started laughing.
Li Han cheered up: "Second sister, you look really ugly when you cry. You only look good when you smile."
"You're ugly because you're missing a tooth."
"Hmph, I hate it when people say I'm missing a tooth! Second sister, I'm not talking to you anymore!"
The two sisters started bickering, and the atmosphere in the room gradually improved.
At the dinner table, Lin Xiaocong quietly served food to Li Rong.
The meals of young noblemen are always a delight to behold.
Li's mother observed silently.
Li Han happily ate, commenting, "This is delicious, this is delicious too, and the jade steamed dumplings look beautiful."
"Second brother-in-law, the cook you hired for our family is so good!"
"I've gained weight!"
Lin Xiaocong smiled and said, "I'm glad Fourth Sister likes it."
"Second brother-in-law, do you like him?"
"not bad."
"Then brother-in-law, please bring your second sister back for meals more often. It'll be more lively with more people."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and said, "Okay."
Li Han looked at Li Rong happily.
I finally understand why my third sister wanted to leave her husband, yet she still spoke to him sweetly.
Li Rong wanted to stay overnight at the Li residence, but Lin Xiaocong naturally refused.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder; he had waited so long for her, and now that they were finally getting to experience something new, he was longing for her dearly.
"I still need to apologize to my grandmother. I'll come back for dinner with you another day."
Li Rong reluctantly left the Li residence with him.
Once in the carriage, he looked at the poor little girl sitting in the corner and went over to sit next to her.
She shrank back.
He picked up her fingers and played with them: "Did you scare Rongrong?"
Li Rong lowered her eyes and remained silent.
"Then I won't kill a chicken in front of Rongrong next time."
Let's be quiet for a while.
He pulled her into his arms and looked down at her: "Didn't you come back to see your family? Why are you still so gloomy?"
He lowered his head and kissed her, and she obediently let him kiss her.
He was pleasantly surprised.
He smiled and said, "Rongrong, how about you send a letter to Third Sister?"
Why write to Third Sister?
"Because I don't want things to get too ugly between you and your third sister."
He fiddled with the tabi cord at her waist.
"I don't want anyone to take you away from me."
"I'll go crazy."
"My dear Rong'er, don't leave me. Be good, okay?"
Li Rong lied to him, nodding, "Mm."
He took a box from a hidden compartment in the carriage and bit her ear.
"This is the punishment Rongrong gave me for lying to me last time."
She saw the objects in the box but couldn't understand them.
Until he lifted her skirt.
She glared at him, her face flushed red, whether from anger or something else, it was hard to tell.
He whispered something in her ear, then asked with a smile, "Which one do you choose?"
Li Rong was so angry that she burst into tears.
He said gently, "Li Rong, you can choose between refusing and regretting it."
*
The carriage moved at a snail's pace.
She bit her lip until it bled, refusing to make a sound.
Three months, just three more months, and my third sister will definitely come to save her.
From the Li residence in the west of the city to the Hou residence in the east of the city.
He has done all sorts of bad things.
She lay trembling on top of him, her body shaking.
She was already completely limp in his arms.
Seeing her tear-filled eyelashes, slightly red eyes, and coquettish whimpering, he finally dropped what he was holding and took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.
"The location you chose was wrong."
"This thing is not suitable for playing in a carriage."
tui!
Tomorrow he'll go and beat up the author of that erotic book.
The labeling is unclear.
It's making him very uncomfortable now.
The carriage stopped, and Qiu Chan announced, "Young master, we have arrived at the Marquis's residence."
Li Rong quickly straightened her clothes and lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.
Lin Xiaocong sat there, elbows propped on his knees, hands supporting his head, eyes closed, motionless as a mountain.
He didn't care when Li Rong got off the carriage.
After she left, he opened the carriage curtain, letting the lingering scent of intimacy fill the carriage.
Seeing that Lin Xiaocong hadn't gotten off the carriage for a while, Qiu Chan said, "Young Master, the Second Miss didn't wait for you and went into the manor on her own."
He speaks very loudly.
This drew the attention of the guards at the Marquis's residence.
Lin Xiaocong: "Take her to Zhaoshanju."
The cicadas didn't hear it at all.
Loudspeaker: "Young master, what's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"
"Did you have a fight with the second young lady?"
"Wasn't everything fine when you got on the bus?"
"Is your leg injured?"
"Shall we get a bench to carry you?"
"Or should we call it a sedan chair?"
"Young master, why don't you say anything?"
"Did the second young lady bite your tongue?"
"Young Master?"
Lin Xiaocong moved.
Qiu Chan breathed a sigh of relief: "You scared me to death, servant!"
"This servant will say that the crying I heard on the way was the Second Young Lady's."
"How did you get hurt?"
Lin Xiaocong dismounted from the carriage.
I wave to the cicadas in autumn.
The cicadas drew closer.
Lin Xiaocong pulled Qiu Chan's ear and removed the cotton from it.
"roll!!!"
Startled by the roar, the cicada grabbed its ear and ran away.
Lin Xiaocong stepped into the mansion.
The meticulous guards exchanged gossips with their eyes.
Lin Xiaocong could feel the thorns on Li Rong's body softening.
A gentle smile played on his lips.
Arriving at Zhaoshan Residence, my heart was filled with joy.
Even when she fainted, she refused to say a single kind word to beg him.
Today she begged him through tears.
I love it.
Stepping into Zhaoshan Residence, he immediately noticed the sweet fragrance in the air.
abnormal.
Upon entering the inner room, one sees a beautiful young woman kneeling on the floor.
The woman wore a bodice and a light veil over it, her dark hair parted to her chest, as she traversed mountains and valleys.
Lin Xiaocong kept walking, went inside and looked around, then went to the bathroom to search again.
Back inside, he sat on the couch, his gaze falling on the woman.
The woman turned to face him while kneeling and bowed deeply: "This humble woman, Hong'e, greets you, sir."
"On whose orders?"
"I come from Rong'an Hall."
"What did Grandmother say?"
Upon hearing this, the woman raised her bright, tearful face and pleaded, "I beg you, sir, for even a fleeting moment of kindness."
“If the matter is settled, the old lady is willing to pay off the gambling debts of my concubine’s gambling-addicted father.”
"Otherwise, I will be thrown out by my father."
Lin Xiaocong laughed: "If I were to take you in such a difficult position, wouldn't I become a hypocrite who takes advantage of someone's misfortune?"
The woman blushed slightly and said, "Young master, you are handsome and dashing. I am willing to serve you."
"There are so many willing toads, I really can't take care of them all."
"I'm in a good mood tonight. You choose whether to go back to Rong'an Hall or go see your gambling-addicted father."
"Young master~" The woman stood up, stepped forward, and pinched the hem of his robe. Her beautiful starry eyes looked up at him with reliance and longing, as if she were looking at a god.
"My lord, please have mercy on me."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
"I, I..."
Before she could finish speaking, he snatched back his robe and ran out in a panic, calling out, "Rongrong! Rongrong!"
"A toad wants to eat my swan meat."
"I'm scared!"
When Granny Yue, who was waiting for the results in the courtyard, heard Lin Xiaocong's words, she slapped him across the face.
*
Rong'an Hall.
The old lady sat on the tatami mat, looking at Li Rong who was sitting quietly opposite her, and said gently.
“I have already written to his father and also to Hezhou.”
Li Rong suddenly looked up at Old Mrs. Lin.
Grandma Lin smiled.
"Many hands make light work; there will always be someone who can take care of this wicked creature."
"I'm sorry to trouble you to stay at my residence for a few more days."
Li Rong quickly asked, "Was it sent directly to my third sister?"
“Mingxu’s aunt’s family had a daughter who married into the second branch of the Zhou family in Hezhou as a concubine.”
"We need to find someone to talk to first; sending a letter rashly may not get it to Madam Zhou."
Li Rong quickly said, "My third sister is pregnant, please speak gently, madam, so as not to worry my third sister."
"nature."
Li Rong felt relieved, and then asked, "How many days will it take to get to Hezhou?"
“A message sent by carrier pigeon takes only five days to arrive.”
Li Rong's eyes lit up: "So fast!"
It was faster than Fourth Sister said.
The next second she fell silent again: "Is it for real this time?"
Grandma Lin was filled with shame: "I am ashamed, this time it must be true."
Li Rong's excited mood calmed down.
She lost trust in all members of the family.
The old lady was very embarrassed when she saw this.
It was at this moment that Lin Xiaocong ran into Rong'an Hall.
"Rongrong, Rongrong! Help! There's a toad!"
Li Rong got off the bed: "What toad!"
Grandma Lin straightened up and called out, "Someone come here, someone come here."
Lin Xiaocong went to Li Rong's side, grabbed her hand and placed it against his heart: "There's a toad at Zhaoshan Residence!"
Grandma Lin breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Rong Antang had let that thing in.
"If there's a toad, just catch it and throw it away!" she said irritably.
Lin Xiaocong quickly refused: "Grandson wouldn't dare touch her. What if she snuggles into my arms and shouts 'molestation'? To prove my innocence, I would have no choice but to send her to her death. Wouldn't that be creating a blood feud?"
It took Grandma Lin two seconds to react.
She remained silent.
Lin Xiaocong explained to Li Rong, "As soon as I entered the door, she knelt down in the room... She came up and tugged at the hem of my robe, it was terrifying!"
He rubbed the back of her hand against his face and looked at her tenderly: "Rongrong, this swan meat of mine is only for you to eat."
"You must protect me and not let me get harmed."
Old Mrs. Lin: I'm still here!
Li Rong blushed and tried to pull her hand away, but he held on tightly.
Old Mrs. Lin: "What kind of behavior is this!"
"Rongrong, I'm not talking about you, I'm talking about him."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and looked at Grandma Lin: "Grandmother, it's getting late, so Rongrong and I won't disturb you any longer."
Grandma Lin quickly said, "Mingxu! From now on, Rongrong will live in the west wing of Rong'an Hall! She is a guest of our household!"
Lin Xiaocong bowed to the old lady Lin and said, "She is not a guest, she is the mother of my grandson's child."
“If your grandmother punishes me for my disobedience, I will go to the ancestral hall tomorrow to receive the punishment.”
"Please rest, Grandmother."
Old Mrs. Lin passed away.
As the two left Rong'an Hall, Granny Yue was leading the weeping woman into Rong'an Hall.
As they walked side by side, the woman looked at Li Rong with envy.
Li Rong's mind suddenly calmed down.
Upon returning to Zhaoshan Residence, the incense there had been changed.
The two washed up and went to bed.
Lin Xiaocong went to bed first and studied the book on the bed.
Li Rong dawdled as she sat down on the edge of the bed.
Lin Xiaocong smiled and patted the spot next to him: "Rongrong, come and read a book together."
Li Rong, with her back to him, said, "I heard from the cook in the kitchen that Granny Xiao said that Fourth Sister's early education was beyond that of her peers, but it was mostly theoretical and lacked practical experience."
"If I have the opportunity to attend classes at the Grand Girls' School, I can get to know more people."
Lin Xiaocong smiled and said, "The Lin family has a girls' school."
"Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, needlework, tea ceremony, weaving, etiquette, dance, music, and divination practice... all are taught."
"Can my fourth sister go to school?"
"Rongrong, you're being too polite. What's our relationship?"
Li Rong picked at her hands, thinking of her third sister who left home at the age of six and single-handedly supported the whole family.
Thinking of the envious look in that woman's eyes just now.
Thinking about my current situation.
I thought of how my fourth sister looked when she smiled, with her missing teeth.
Since she has already done this, the fourth sister should be different.
She lowered the bed curtains, climbed onto the bed, and sat down beside him.
"Fourth Sister also wants to learn horseback riding, archery, and martial arts."
Lin Xiaocong closed the book and sat up: "You can learn riding and archery."
"Martial arts skills depend on aptitude. Some people's physiques are not suitable. I'll have Qiu Shi take a look tomorrow."
After a moment of silence, she slowly raised her hand to pull on the sash of his undergarment.
As the ties came undone, tears streamed down her face.
She then raised her hand to untie her sash.
As his gaze fell upon his skin, his breathing became unusually rapid in the quiet, cramped space.
He couldn't resist reaching out to touch her waist: "Rongrong~"
He really doesn't like using underhanded tactics.
But the methods are too effective.
He leaned down and kissed her, tasting her tears.
"Will you continue to like me?"
He pulled her into his arms.
She did not resist; she was obedient and docile.
He kissed her, his desire intense.
He pressed his forehead against hers, coaxing her.
"My dear Rong'er, don't cry. I will definitely be good to you."
She said, "I'll trust you one more time."
He was deeply moved.
The thrill of conquest and the desires in his heart intertwined, making him restless.
He couldn't wait to pin the person down.
"Rongrong, stop biting your lip, your voice is beautiful."
Springtime beauty is overflowing in the golden tents.
The trials that were brewing in the darkness of night were just beginning to take shape.
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