Chapter Thirty-Eight: How to Deal with Those Who Undermine You

At first, Bai Li Xian thought that as soon as Liu Ling’er entered and saw Young Master Wuyou’s face, she would drool over him as usual. However, to his great surprise, Liu Ling’er immediately turned the tables and mocked Wuyou as soon as she appeared. Watching Wuyou’s face darken, Bai Li Xian felt a surge of satisfaction, a pleasure as cool and refreshing as eating an ice pop on a sweltering summer day.

With that sharp tongue, Liu Ling’er made Wuyou want to strangle her on the spot. Yet, after scrutinizing her for a moment, he suddenly reached out and tore the human skin mask from her face, revealing Liu Ling’er’s true features before the crowd.

Her exquisite little face, tinged with a trace of menace, glared at Wuyou. Even one as accustomed to beauty as Young Master Wuyou was visibly shaken, his heart stirring ever so slightly.

Suddenly, he let out a sneer. “Heh! I see your brows are unbroken, so you must still be a maiden. What’s this? Bai Li Xian doesn’t fancy you? Why not come with me? I promise you’ll want for nothing—fine food, fine drink, anything your heart desires!”

Liu Ling’er rolled her eyes at Wuyou with all her might. “You must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed! Since I am married to him, in life I am his, and in death, his spirit. Besides, he’s more handsome than you, has a better demeanor than you, and in my eyes, you cannot compare to him.”

That was impressive—other readers were surely delighted! Bai Li Xian thought, Liu Ling’er truly gives me face in public. It seems I did not marry the wrong woman after all! Yet her next words made him realize he might have spoken too soon.

Liu Ling’er went on, “Besides, if I were to marry you instead, what would become of my dowry? I’d just be letting him take it for nothing.”

Bai Li Xian noticed she kept bringing up the dowry. Although the general’s household had indeed provided a generous one, he was hardly so unscrupulous as to seize it for himself. “Your dowry is right next to your room,” he replied.

“Fine, then I’ll move it out and sell it the moment I get back!” Liu Ling’er declared, thinking it would be less stressful to sell her dowry to buy medicine for Xiao Tao and the others.

Wuyou watched the bickering pair in amusement—who would pass up such free entertainment? Bai Li Xian’s face darkened. “What, are you short of money?”

Liu Ling’er sneered at him. “Isn’t it obvious? I’ve not a coin to my name. Poor me, can’t even afford two doses of herbal medicine. When I tried to get some silver from your steward, he wouldn’t budge without your token. So, Lord Xian, if I don’t sell my dowry, what am I to do, hmm?”

The veins on Bai Li Xian’s forehead throbbed. Her words clearly painted him as stingy and miserly, forcing her to sell her dowry for lack of pocket money. What irritated him more was that Steward Li Chao had become increasingly insolent—it was high time he dealt with him.

Whether or not Liu Ling’er was deliberately embarrassing him, Bai Li Xian no longer cared. He drew a golden token from his breast and placed it in her hand. “Take this token and fetch the money. If he dares refuse, have Iron Wula arrest him on the spot.”

At last, something reasonable. Liu Ling’er took the token, turning it over thoughtfully. “Are you sure this isn’t a fake? If I pawn it, how much would it fetch?”

“Liu Ling’er!” Bai Li Xian roared. If not for his mask, everyone would see how black his face had become.

But soon Bai Li Xian composed himself, stood, and gently lifted Liu Ling’er’s chin, gazing down at her. “My dear consort, are you truly determined to pawn my token? Well, no matter—Prince Xian’s household is vast and wealthy. Pawn it once, and I shall redeem it once.”

Danger and threat hung in the air. Sensing this, Liu Ling’er swiftly chose the better part of valor, grabbed Little Cui’s hand, and fled, abandoning her chicken dish and making straight for the door. Behind her, Wuyou watched Liu Ling’er’s retreat and burst into wild laughter.

After Liu Ling’er left, Bai Li Xian lost all interest in tea. He turned to Wuyou. “Let’s discuss our matters another time. I’ll take my leave.”

Wuyou taunted, “What’s this? Can’t restrain yourself in broad daylight? Still, your little wife is quite amusing. Bring her along next time—we’ll have some fun together.”

Rolling his eyes, Bai Li Xian rose and strode toward the exit of Moon Phoenix Pavilion. Though Silver Wula had been struck mute and looked utterly miserable, he dared not remove the mute point without his master’s order.

No sooner had Bai Li Xian stepped outside than he saw a noisy crowd gathered at the entrance, as if something interesting was afoot. From the stairs, he immediately spotted the crowd’s focus—his own troublesome wife. His face darkened, and he pushed through the throng.

Facing Liu Ling’er stood a man with swollen, bruised eyes and a lecherous air—clearly one who’d indulged all night in the Moon Phoenix Pavilion. This establishment, the finest brothel in the imperial capital, catered to the city’s elite—wealthy and noble, without exception.

This man, however, possessed no real merit save for his vices. Yet, he had a father named Prefect Wu and an aunt who was an imperial consort, making him a classic wastrel.

It was hardly Liu Ling’er’s fault—she’d been fleeing in a panic and hadn’t noticed the figure at the entrance, colliding with this degenerate. Still, Liu Ling’er was not one to make a scene; she apologized at once. But the moment this wastrel saw her face, he became intent on claiming her for himself.

The crowd thickened, eager to watch the spectacle unfold at the brothel’s door. Little Cui was terrified; if Liu Ling’er hadn’t been holding her, she’d likely have fainted.

Bai Li Xian made his way to Liu Ling’er’s side and asked, “What’s going on here?”

Liu Ling’er replied irritably, “Bai Li Xian, tell me, how should one deal with someone trying to steal your wife?”