Gui Qinshao pretended not to hear.
“Miss, Lord Ling Ao is waiting right outside the main gate.” the maid outside said.
“What is she shouting about? Let him wait.” Gui Qinshao pursed her lips.
Tu Lingduo smiled, “Cousin, Ling Ao has been riding quite high lately. If you slight him like this, be careful lest some other woman snatches him away.”
Gui Qinshao said with pride and disdain, “Let them snatch him away. Who would even care?”
Ever since her father had rescued her from the Island of Chaotic Stones, she had completely fallen into darkness and pain, as if she had become an entirely different person.
But ever since the Dragon God Temple had washed away the latter half of her memories, she had seemingly come back to life in an instant.
That arrogant, overbearing Gui Qinshao had returned. Because all memories of her own weakness, her fear of death, had been erased, she once again had the confidence to be wilful.
As for in her memories, she was still brutally violated by Suo Lun. This did not seem to leave too deep a scar on her. In her view, her ability to marry a certain man, to allow him the favour of her presence, was entirely a tremendous honour and favour.
As for her lost innocence, so what? Had she not long since had a female sorcerer repair it?
Seeing Gui Qinshao’s undisguised pride, and that beautiful face that made even women jealous, what welled up in Tu Lingduo’s heart was not disdain, but envy.
It was truly wonderful to be a girl like Gui Qinshao, able to indulge in wilful superficiality without restraint, without needing to shoulder the heavy responsibility of revitalising her family like Tu Lingduo did.
Although the Tu Ling clan was the foremost military family, their prominence in the Raging Waves Kingdom far exceeding the Gui clan, only Tu Lingduo knew in her heart that her Tu Ling family would either advance or retreat. Once one or two generations produced unworthy descendants, they would completely degenerate into profligate nobles waiting to eat and die, losing all power.
The Gui clan was different. They had been feudal lords for generation after generation. So long as they were not as unfortunate as the Suo clan, blocking the kingdom’s strategy, it did not matter if they produced several generations of good-for-nothings in a row. As long as the Raging Waves Kingdom endured, their glory, splendour, wealth and rank would be preserved forever.
“Little Duo, I heard Suo Lun has returned.” Gui Qinshao asked.
“Yes.” Tu Lingduo said, “He has returned with over ten thousand troops.”
As she spoke these words, her tone was extremely calm, but her heart was clenched into a ball, and the scar upon her chest seemed to ache faintly.
Twice. She had already fallen into Suo Lun’s hands twice, and each time had nearly cost her life.
Because of the special relationship between her elder brother Tu Lingchen and Yan Nai’er, Tu Lingduo had been dispatched to Tianye City to carry out this mission.
This was her first time executing a mission alone. She had clearly held the winning hand, yet at the final moment, all her previous efforts were wasted. Not only had she allowed Suo Lun to escape, but he had also gained over ten thousand troops.
Although her father had said nothing, Tu Lingduo had seen the disappointment in his eyes.
Her failure this time had brought enormous losses to Prince Zhili. To make up for these losses, enormous costs had even been necessary.
And she, Tu Lingduo, was also temporarily recuperating at home, set aside on the shelf. The matter of dealing with Suo Lun had once again been handed over to Princess Zhining.
“Very well, let him in. It is embarrassing to have him standing at the main gate.” Gui Qinshao said.
A moment later, the dashing and imposing Ling Ao appeared before Tu Lingduo and Gui Qinshao, clad in brand new armour.
Tu Lingduo glanced at Ling Ao. This man’s appearance and bearing were truly one in ten thousand, no less than Suo Lun’s. And while Suo Lun leaned towards the feminine, the man before her was truly bursting with heroic vigour.
Speaking of which, she and Ling Ao also shared a slight connection.
Roughly two years ago, her father Tu Lingtuo had suddenly asked her what she thought of Ling Ao?
At that time, at the Royal City Academy, Ling Ao already faintly showed the makings of the foremost person. The moment her father spoke, Tu Lingduo knew what he meant.
After slight hesitation, she nodded and said, “Not bad.”
She knew that once these words “not bad” were spoken, it was very likely that her lifelong affair would be settled.
Because the Tu Ling family needed fresh blood. Of Tu Lingduo’s generation of several elder brothers, apart from Tu Lingchen, none were particularly outstanding. Therefore, Tu Lingtuo had always hoped to recruit an outstanding son-in-law to stabilise and strengthen the Tu Ling clan’s power.
Afterwards, Tu Lingtuo had gone to Gui Xingfu to vaguely broach this matter, because Ling Ao was strictly speaking Gui Xingfu’s adopted son, equivalent to the relationship between Suo Hanyi and Suo Long. Moreover, Ling Ao seemingly had an even more secretive background.
As a result, Gui Xingfu had said that Ling Ao was someone he intended to keep as a son-in-law. Otherwise, he would not have failed to give him the identity of an adopted son.
Thus, Tu Lingtuo’s plans could only be abandoned.
In this year’s graduation examination at the Royal City Academy, Tu Lingduo had seen Ling Ao’s results. His martial arts surpassed her own, and compared to Suo Hanyi back then, he was even more accomplished.
And in strategy, military arts, he excelled in every aspect.
He majored in knight martial arts, but what won him first place in the Five Kingdoms Tournament this time was swordsmanship.
Therefore, Ling Ao was almost the most outstanding talent to emerge from the Royal City Academy in over a dozen years.
After entering, Ling Ao nodded in greeting towards Tu Lingduo, then said, “Little Qin, come with me.”
With that, he directly walked outside.
…
Ling Ao brought Gui Qinshao to the top of Lingjue Tower, which was almost the highest place in the royal city.
“I do not like you living in the Tu Ling clan.” Ling Ao said.
“Why?” Gui Qinshao said, “No matter where I am, I am like a mistress. Even in the Tu Ling clan, my status is no lower than Tu Lingduo’s.”
Ling Ao did not explain, but said, “I have become Prince Zhili’s attendant. Everyone thinks I am riding high on success, but I do not like it at all. Where I wish to go is the army, or the Black Ice Bureau.”
Gui Qinshao said, “I still feel that it is better for you to remain by Prince Zhili’s side.”
Ling Ao said, “In a few days, I shall leave the royal city and follow Prince Zhili on a visit to the Flame Capital.”
Gui Qinshao said in surprise, “Suo Lun has returned. How can Prince Zhili still be leaving?”
Ling Ao said coldly, “Suo Lun? Is he even worth the Prince staying behind to oversee matters?”
Gui Qinshao said, “This time, is he doomed to die?”
Ling Ao said, “Do not ask about things you should not ask about.”
Gui Qinshao pursed her small lips, yet somewhat enjoyed Ling Ao’s attitude.
“Tu Lingduo is incompetent. Otherwise, Suo Lun could not have returned alive.” Ling Ao said, “You and Tu Lingduo are cousins. Is your relationship close?”
Gui Qinshao immediately frowned in displeasure. Was not Ling Ao here to curry favour and propose? Why was he speaking of Tu Lingduo?
“Hmph? What are you asking about her for?” Gui Qinshao said, “Are you disappointed that Father rejected Tu Lingtuo’s marriage proposal?”
“Why eat such pointless vinegar?” Ling Ao said, “Because there are some words that Princess Zhining is not convenient to speak herself, so coming to find you is most suitable. Suo Lun returned alive from Tu Lingduo’s hands. There is something suspicious about this. Tu Lingduo’s martial arts are a hundred times greater than Suo Lun’s. She should not have failed, and moreover, three times.”
“You mean, Tu Lingduo deliberately let him go?” Gui Qinshao asked in surprise.
Ling Ao said, “Suo Lun is quite skilled with women. Could some entanglement have arisen between these two? You played together when you were young. Did Tu Lingduo and Suo Lun have any interactions?”
Gui Qinshao closed her beautiful eyes and fell into recollection.
And only at this moment would Ling Ao gaze wholeheartedly at her breathtakingly beautiful face and incomparably proud figure.
Normally, when Gui Qinshao had her eyes open, he would rather not look at her, instead pretending not to care.
Gui Qinshao recalled for a long time, then said, “Yes. When we were young, Tu Lingduo was playing at my house, and that annoying Suo Lun was also there. You know, that scoundrel has loved provoking girls since he was small, so he was always taking advantage of Tu Lingduo. Once he touched Tu Lingduo’s bottom, and as a result she beat him half to death.”
Suo Lun, truly a fickle heart, had known how to take advantage of girls since he was small.
Gui Qinshao said, “In any case, Suo Lun was beaten quite miserably that time. He wanted revenge, so he came to find me…”
Ling Ao said, “Why do you not continue?”
Gui Qinshao hesitated slightly, then said, “He gave me a packet of medicine, saying to put it in the tea that Tu Lingduo drank. I… at that time I also did not like Tu Lingduo, so… so I agreed.”
Instantly, Ling Ao’s temples throbbed, and a wave of discomfort welled up.
He wished for everything of Gui Qinshao to belong to him, even childhood memories.
“Continue.” Ling Ao said with anger.
“Why are you being fierce with me? I was still young then, and did not understand things.” Gui Qinshao said angrily.
Ling Ao’s voice softened, “Very well, I do not blame you. Continue.”
Gui Qinshao said, “After Tu Lingduo drank the tea I brewed, she directly fainted. I was frightened in my heart, so I quickly ran away. After a good while, I could not resist my curiosity and ran over to look. And then… and then I discovered that Tu Lingduo had been stripped naked, and Suo Lun’s face was pressed against… her there. I was frightened in my heart, and quickly ran away again.”
“This beast, born to be a scourge.” Ling Ao said, “He was only seven or eight years old at the time?”
Gui Qinshao said, “Tu Lingduo was also only eight.”
After speaking, Gui Qinshao felt somewhat secretly pleased, yet somewhat nervous.
Because she was lying. At that time, her involvement in this matter was deeper than she had said. Not only had she drugged the tea that Tu Lingduo drank, but the idea of putting caterpillars where Tu Lingduo relieved herself had also been hers.
Moreover, although Suo Lun had been quite bad back then, he completely understood nothing of matters between men and women. At that time, he had pressed his face against Tu Lingduo’s there to look at the caterpillars, not to do any messy things. But in Gui Qinshao’s mouth, it became Suo Lun having done certain disgraceful things with Tu Lingduo when he was seven or eight.
She was deliberately throwing dirty water on Tu Lingduo. Although on the surface the two of them were as close as sisters, she did not like Tu Lingduo.
Gui Qinshao said, “Therefore, Suo Lun’s ability to return alive this time is very likely because Tu Lingduo secretly let him go.”
“I understand. What you have said is very important. I shall report it to the Princess.” Ling Ao said.
Gui Qinshao said coldly, “That vixen Zhining is also not clean with Suo Lun. Who knows how many times she has slept with him.”
“What nonsense are you speaking? Princess Zhining is pure and spotless. Do not speak such slander.” Ling Ao rebuked coldly.
Gui Qinshao seemed as if some wound had been pricked. Her pretty face changed colour, “What do you mean by those words? She is pure and spotless, so go find her. Why come to curry favour with me?”
With that, she twisted her proud figure and was about to leave.
“Wait…” Ling Ao said.
“What?” Gui Qinshao said coldly.
Ling Ao pulled out a ring from his bosom, knelt on one knee, and said, “You know I have no money. This ring was bought with all my savings, a platinum ore that I smelted and forged myself. Marry me, and I shall bring you glory for a lifetime. I do not like you living in the Tu Ling clan, because one day, I shall replace Tu Lingtuo and become the new War God of the Raging Waves Kingdom. I shall make it so that when everyone speaks of Gui Qinshao, they say Lady Ling, not the Tu Ling clan’s niece, nor the Gui clan’s daughter.”
Gui Qinshao’s heart warmed. Over these years, what she had valued most in Ling Ao was precisely this ambition and spirit.
Standing in place, she did not turn around, her heart inexplicably complex.
Ling Ao remained kneeling on one knee, awaiting her reply. Seeing her remain silent for so long, he directly said, “I shall only propose once. If you do not agree, I shall go and speak clearly with my adoptive father.”
Gui Qinshao said coldly, “Suo Lun bullied me. If you wish me to marry you, you may. When you kill him, I shall agree.”
Without another word, Ling Ao put away the ring, turned and left.
…
“How did it go?” Zhining asked.
Ling Ao said, “When Tu Lingduo was young, she was violated by Suo Lun.”
Zhining asked, “How old?”
“Eight.” Ling Ao said.
Zhining’s heart instantly skipped a beat, her entire body growing warm.
Ling Ao said, “Tu Lingduo has never told anyone about this matter. Only Gui Qinshao, Tu Lingduo, and Suo Lun know of it.”
Princess Zhining said, “Women most easily fall in love through abuse, and love through hatred.”
Then, Zhining smiled and asked, “You proposed to Gui Qinshao. How did it go?”
Ling Ao’s brows twitched, “She told me to kill Suo Lun.”
Zhining said, “Having you kill Suo Lun will likely not be easy. But indeed, he will not live long. This person is conceitedly clever, yet seeks his own death.”
…
Suo Lun and Yan Yan led over ten thousand troops, continuing their eastward march.
On this day, they were only one thousand seven hundred li from Tianshui City. The journey had been fairly smooth, without suffering any major attacks, despite countless pairs of eyes watching.
Yan Yan marched while training troops all along the way.
He even led troops in wiping out several barbarian nests, hunting and killing countless exotic beasts.
Suo Lun discovered that no matter how powerful or massive an exotic beast, before a large-scale army, it was of no use whatsoever.
And the recovered Yan Nai’er remained clad in military attire at all times, doing her utmost to command the army, training troops and fighting, completely in the role of Yan Yan’s deputy. She did not engage in any intimate whispering with Suo Lun at all.
And when meeting Suo Lun, she also did not show any intimacy, her expression always serious and earnest. Only occasionally, when her beautiful eyes glanced over, would she reveal a trace of happiness and tender foolishness.
“This journey has been too quiet. Our army has not suffered any attacks or harassment.” Yan Nai’er rode side by side with Suo Lun and said, “This is not normal.”
Suo Lun nodded. This journey had indeed been abnormally quiet.
Since marching eastward from Tianye City, he and Yan Yan had remained vigilant as if facing a great enemy, with strict defences. Yet the intercepting and ambushing they had imagined had not occurred.
Then, Suo Lun smiled and said, “Nai’er, when you speak with me, why do you never address me? You do not call my name, nor anything else. At most, it is a ‘hey.'”
Yan Nai’er turned her face away without answering. She did not know what to call him. Because they were not married, she could not call him husband. Calling him by name directly seemed distant. But anything intimate, she could not bring herself to say.
“How about this? Either call me dear husband, or call me Little Brother Suo Lun. How about that?” Suo Lun teased.
Yan Nai’er rode upon her horse, pretending to hear nothing. In any case, she wore a helmet, so no one could see that even the roots of her ears were red. She understood this bad man beside her all too well. She could not indulge him in the slightest, or else he would certainly climb up the pole.
Moreover, she was indeed somewhat distracted at this moment.
This journey had been too quiet, clearly violating her keen battlefield instincts.
If she were the enemy, even if she could not annihilate her own army midway, she would certainly harass and ambush them without cease, exhausting her army until they could not reach Tianshui City in time.
And just at this moment, suddenly three horses appeared ahead, one white and two black, drawing nearer and nearer!
Yan Yan raised his hand, and instantly over ten thousand troops halted in perfect unison.
These days, marching while training troops all along the way had already begun to show initial results. At the very least, orders were now followed and prohibitions respected.
These three riders quickly arrived before them. The one in the lead was a refined and otherworldly handsome man, Fang Qingshu.
As for those behind him, they were the punishment officers of the Dragon God Temple’s Inquisition, whose very name made people tremble with fear.
“Lord Suo Lun, please come with me to the Dragon God Temple.” Fang Qingshu said indifferently, “There are certain matters that require your explanation.”
The other shoe had finally dropped from upstairs. The enemy had finally acted, and struck straight at the vital point.
Once taken to the Inquisition, one would never come out again. Moreover, no one could refuse a summons from the Dragon God Temple’s Inquisition.