Chapter Sixty: You Are Far Too Conscientious

Liu Ling'er stared in a daze, her infatuation so intense that her nose grew hot—she nearly had a nosebleed. Seeing Liu Ling'er so smitten, Baili Xian flicked her forehead with exasperation.

He leaned in close, his breath warm and tinged with the scent of the lake, whispering suggestively in her ear, "Little minx, have you had enough? I am your husband—when we're home, you can look as long as you please. But for now, could you rein in your obvious desires and go change your clothes? If you let your husband freeze, you'll be the one to blame."

Liu Ling'er's face flushed. She lowered her head and suddenly realized the curve of her chest was even more revealing than Baili Xian's. Startled, she clapped a hand over her chest.

Looking up at Baili Xian, she found him—unexpectedly—behaving like a gentleman, not even stealing a glance. As admiration rose within her, she quickly felt indignant: What is this supposed to mean? Do you find me unattractive? I have curves, a slender waist, and a shapely figure—are you looking down on me?

Achoo! As Liu Ling'er's thoughts ran wild, Xiaoshuang suddenly sneezed, snapping her back to reality.

Oh no! How could I be thinking such nonsense at a time like this? If Xiaoshuang catches cold, I'll be the culprit. Scooping the child into her arms, Liu Ling'er hurried toward the boudoir she used before her marriage.

Baili Xian touched his nose and immediately followed. His clothes were soaked, water sloshing in his shoes with every step. He had to find somewhere to get changed.

When she pushed open the door, Xiao Tao's face turned pale at the sight of Liu Ling'er drenched from head to toe. Her lips trembled. "Miss, you didn't try to end it all by jumping into the water again, did you?"

Then she saw Baili Xian—also soaked. Rumored to be a ruthless, eccentric killer, perhaps even the cause of her mistress's fall, Xiao Tao's imagination ran wild. She inhaled sharply, ready to scream.

But Baili Xian stepped forward and covered her mouth. "Go prepare hot water for your lady's bath—quickly, do you understand? And don't mention what happened here to anyone. Got it?"

Liu Ling'er rolled her eyes at the ceiling. If you hadn't said that, it would have been fine, but now Xiao Tao will surely think you did something to me! She hasn't seen your real face, and you're not wearing a mask.

As soon as he let go, Xiao Tao dashed off as if her life depended on it. See? I'm certain she thinks you're the villain and has gone to call for help.

To clear things up, Liu Ling'er quickly explained, "Xiao Tao, I'm really fine, so please don't call anyone else..."

But before she could finish, Xiao Tao shuddered, stumbled, and nearly fell. Glancing back at them in terror, her expression grew even more frantic, and she bolted from the courtyard like a whirlwind.

Now it was Baili Xian's turn to complain. He grumbled, "Liu Ling'er, are you simple or what? Explaining only makes you look guilty. If you'd said nothing, it would have been better! Now, I guarantee a whole crowd will be here any moment. Don't you remember it's your father's birthday today?"

Liu Ling'er froze. Right! If anyone sees us like this, how will I explain? Hastily stripping Xiaoshuang of her wet clothes and tucking her into the bed, Liu Ling'er shoved Baili Xian. "You're right, you should leave quickly—before there's a misunderstanding."

Baili Xian laughed in exasperation. "How considerate of you—throwing me out after I've served my purpose! If you want me gone, at least give me dry clothes. Or do you really mean to let me freeze to death?"

She realized he had a point. Things had gotten so chaotic she was losing her head. Hurriedly, Liu Ling'er opened the wardrobe, grabbed a set of clothes, and tossed them to Baili Xian. Without worrying about propriety, she began changing out of her wet things.

As she was nearly dressed, she glanced over and saw Baili Xian, who was even less shy than she. His wet clothes were already discarded. My, oh my—what a figure, what lines...

Really, Baili Xian, must you be so shameless—using my bedsheet to dry yourself? But since you once saved me, I’ll let it slide this time.

Liu Ling'er was almost finished dressing when Baili Xian started pulling on the dry clothes. Suddenly, footsteps grew louder in the corridor, and from the sound it was clearly a group.

She and Baili Xian exchanged a startled look and froze. No way—they're here already? Liu Ling'er cursed inwardly, "Xiao Tao, you really outdid yourself! Possessed by Liu Xiang or Bolt, perhaps? Did you have to run so fast to summon help?"

As Liu Ling'er and Baili Xian regained their senses, the door was flung open. Clever little Xiaoshuang, sensing danger, ducked her head under the covers and wriggled away, sending the pillow tumbling to the floor.

What a turncoat—she’d sold them out completely! Before Liu Ling'er could even think where to hide, she and Baili Xian found themselves exposed to the astonished gaze of the assembled crowd.