Chapter Thirty-Two: Throw Her Down

Baili Xian watched as the expressions on Liu Ling’er’s face changed as swiftly as a magician performing a mask-changing act—now puzzled, now bewildered, then suddenly enlightened, and in the next moment, oddly mysterious. In short, she could truly turn on him faster than flipping the pages of a book.

As Liu Ling’er’s expressions flickered across her face like lanterns in a parade, Baili Xian couldn't help but grumble inwardly: Is this girl’s face cramping up? Could she be suffering from some sort of delirium, and is having an episode right now? Oh heavens! How terrifying!

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, and the more he looked, the more convinced he became. Just then, Tie Wula lifted the carriage curtain and announced, “Master, we’ve arrived at the Prince’s Manor.”

Baili Xian pointed at Liu Ling’er and said, “Throw her out. We’re going to that place to meet Young Master Wuyou.”

Throw me out? Are you kidding me? Where’s your sense of decorum? When have I ever offended you? Just because I said a couple of things to you? What a petty man! “Hmph! Who needs you to throw me out? I have legs of my own, I can get out myself.”

She prepared to step out of the carriage, only to discover that Tie Wula was blocking the doorway like a stone pillar. At first, Liu Ling’er suspected he was following some nasty order from that wretched prince to give her a hard time, perhaps to toss her from the carriage.

But in reality, Tie Wula was simply standing there dumbly, his face deathly pale, his handsome features tightly drawn in a scowl. Clearly, he had been frightened by something.

How odd. What could possibly scare the most showy guard at Baili Xian’s side? She’d seen him mercilessly beat up even the Left Chancellor’s son, without the slightest hesitation.

Moreover, Liu Ling’er could sense that Tie Wula’s martial skills were formidable—he was an outstanding fighter. For even him to be afraid, it must be something truly terrifying. It seemed Baili Xian had said they were going to meet Young Master Wuyou. Could it be that this Wuyou was even scarier than Baili Xian?

Baili Xian frowned, evidently displeased. “Spineless fool, go fetch Yin Wula instead.”

Tie Wula’s previously miserable face instantly brightened as if he’d tasted nectar, blossoming into a wide grin. In a flash, he was smiling. Liu Ling’er was sure this was the first time she’d seen Tie Wula smile.

Though they’d only spent a day together, Liu Ling’er had already guessed at Tie Wula’s stern and silent temperament. Now she could swear he was secretly gloating, likely pleased that Yin Wula was about to suffer in his stead.

Tie Wula, Yin Wula—could there also be a Jin Wula and a Tong Wula in the manor? Liu Ling’er thought to herself with wicked amusement. If so, goodness, wouldn’t the prince’s manor be like a high-end scrap yard?

The thought nearly made Liu Ling’er laugh out loud. Baili Xian, watching her lost in thought with a sly, indecent look on her face, wondered what sort of mischief she was imagining. Regardless, her demeanor was beginning to sour his mood.

He coughed twice, trying to sound stern, but Liu Ling’er was so engrossed in her thoughts she didn’t even notice. Baili Xian’s face darkened. “Liu Ling’er, must I personally ‘invite’ you out of the carriage?”

He deliberately stressed the word “invite.” Liu Ling’er wasn’t deaf—she heard it clearly, rolled her eyes at him, and muttered, “Petty man, not an ounce of dignity. I’m embarrassed on your behalf.”

After grumbling about Baili Xian, Liu Ling’er’s mood lightened considerably. She was curious about this Young Master Wuyou, but she certainly wasn’t bored enough to go see what he looked like. Even if he did have three heads and six arms, it had nothing to do with her.

She jumped from the carriage and had barely reached the gates of the Prince’s Manor when a man hurried out from within. He was dressed entirely in what looked like a layer of silver foil, almost reflective enough to blind with the sun. His almond-shaped eyes darted about, sending flirtatious glances everywhere. Luckily, she dodged quickly; otherwise, she’d have been struck by his gaze.

He had a perfectly oval face—Liu Ling’er thought such a face was wasted on a man. The first impression he gave was simply: flamboyant.

People say words like “flamboyant” are for women—like a coquettish vixen—but at this moment, Liu Ling’er thought it suited this man perfectly. He was nothing short of a male fox spirit! Unlike those men who are secretly flirtatious, this one was blatantly so. Blatant flirtation can be avoided, but secret depravity is hard to guard against. Still, Liu Ling’er didn’t find him bothersome.

Apparently, not everyone agreed. Judging by the goosebumps rising on the guards as he passed, his blatant flirtation was so potent it affected both men and women alike.

The man paused beside Liu Ling’er and bowed. “Yin Wula greets the Princess Consort.”

Clang! It was as if a great bell had struck her. Good grief! So this was Yin Wula? How could his personality be so different from Tie Wula’s? Liu Ling’er’s understanding was completely upended.

Despite his outrageously flamboyant appearance, Yin Wula moved with the demeanor of a true man. He bounded to the carriage, leapt up, and took his seat at the front. “Master, thank you for giving me this opportunity. Tie Wula doesn’t know what’s good for him—I’ll be sure to set him straight later. Rest assured, whatever you ask of me, I’ll see it done. If…”

Liu Ling’er halted, turning back to watch as Yin Wula, having opened his mouth, now rambled on and on with pointless chatter.

Inside the carriage, Baili Xian was clearly losing patience. “Yin Wula, if you don’t shut your mouth, I’ll have to teach you a lesson right now!”

Yin Wula promptly fell silent. With a flourish, he snapped the reins and set the carriage in motion. Yet before they had gone twenty meters, he began chattering again. Liu Ling’er could just make out the sound of another angry shout from inside the carriage: “Be quiet!!”