Volume One, Chapter 36: Xiangzhu Resists with a Hairpin—Who Dares Touch Me?

It was Nanny Fang who had attended to the Noble Consort’s pregnancy back then; verifying a woman’s purity was, to her, a simple matter.

What she herself could not fathom was why, even now, she was still concerned with preserving Zhao Jingdong’s reputation.

"Just state your purpose for coming here, and stop beating around the bush!" Ye Mu, seemingly touched upon a sore spot, said with a grim expression.

"Just buy it for yourself. Steward Jiang was truly thoughtful with his preparations last time; the cosmetics he bought for me will likely last another year or two. If you like it, just go ahead and buy it!" Xiyue repeatedly urged Bi Luo to purchase the box of rouge.

Zhuge Liang said that if the main lamp remained unextinguished for seven days, his life could be extended by a cycle. And a cycle meant twelve years.

"Besides, the Crown Prince likes her too, doesn't he?" Er Qing finished the sentence that Baguha had left hanging.

Stud poker is a game of psychology; card-switching is merely a legend. It relies on the speed of one's hands. As for supernatural abilities, Zhao Jingdong knew he lacked such talent.

What was going on here? Could it be that the Prince of Yan had grown addicted to living here and had no intention of leaving? Was he even planning to have his change of clothes brought over?

Nan Kang had originally been worried that something might happen to her, but upon hearing her words and seeing her expressionless face, he felt an immediate sense of regret, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes.

Zhao Long’s phone rang, and he answered it impatiently. At this hour, only one person would be calling him.

Ye Lin watched the two of them, noticing that they seemed to have something to say, yet they both appeared hesitant, stopping just short of speaking.

Zhu Daya first went to the wild boar cave to check on the volcanic crater. To his surprise, it had not stopped; it had merely ceased erupting and now resembled a lake of magma, slowly overflowing and cooling as it flowed down the terrace, significantly enlarging it. After observing this, he led the Wind Wolf and Lightning off to hunt.

Although his voice was not loud, Jin Yi and the others who were helping heard him clearly. Seeing that the old man had begun forging again, Jin Yi left the courtyard to report to Meng Qianjin.

However, what startled Xiao Kong and Jiang You was that some of those hands did not turn immediately, but struck directly at the ground where the two of them stood. Gaps instantly appeared on the ground, and the black hands vanished.

It seemed Li Shishi had already notified Xia Shuang of what she had encountered, and Xia Shuang had then informed Fang Tongtong. Knowing that phone calls were inconvenient, they must have come to his home.

"That guy was kicked to death by you long ago. Do you know why he is still lying on the ground?" Lin Wan'er said with a laugh.

In the midst of the previously silent scene, someone suddenly let out a laugh. In an instant, the entire First Pavilion erupted in chaos, as if the laughter were contagious, spreading throughout the building until the entire room was filled with the sound of mirth.

"It is best if there is no fighting. It is best that we arrive in peace, handle our affairs in peace, and depart in peace," Lin Wan'er quickly corrected.

Li Changkong remained calm and detached. Under such an assault, he maintained an air of leisure, appearing to have everything well in hand. He arched his eyebrows and spoke with a light smile.

A biting gale of wind rushed toward her. Zhong Yan instinctively dodged to the side, and Li Kuang’s fist grazed her shoulder as it passed.

He also knew that the commoners who had just cut off their queues were following him in revolt either because they were too poor to afford a meal or because they were incensed by the oppression of the Qing Court. None of them had ever held a blade to fight for their lives. Though their numbers were significant, they could not even be considered soldiers; they were far inferior to his five hundred clansmen, to say nothing of a proper army.