Chapter 397: As If the General’s Manor Is Unmanned
"I’m full, but you barely ate anything, Auntie," Ye Qianning said, jumping down from her chair.
"Just looking at that Xi Yan General was enough to make me lose my appetite. He’s built like a big black bear. But the young Crown Prince of Xi Yan is truly exquisite. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen such a handsome little boy. No wonder Xi Yan treasures him so." Peony had heard a few things about the Xi Yan Crown Prince.
"Yeah. They’re both crown princes, so why is there such a world of difference between Beili’s and theirs?" Ye Qianning clicked her tongue and shook her head. ’Sang Qi has such a short fuse.’
’A person like Xiliu Yuan wouldn’t get into a scuffle with anyone...’
’They’d just end up as a crumpled heap on their own.’
Peony sighed. "Ah, it’s really been hard on you. I hope things take a turn for the better in the future. The imperial family is truly no place to be. Come on, let’s head back to our courtyard. They must all be worried."
"Okay." Ye Qianning obediently took her hand.
"Does your face still hurt?" Peony asked, leading her out the door.
"It doesn’t hurt anymore."
"Now I finally understand why so many daughters from official families go in full of life and come out being carried. The rules are just made up by people. If they say it’s right, it’s right. If they say it’s wrong, it’s wrong. It’s all based on their whims..." Peony grumbled on the way.
Ye Qianning listened intently. A breeze blew past, carrying a sense of danger in the air.
"Our General made the right choice resigning from his post. Who cares what the rumors on the street say? If they’ve got the guts, they should go to the battlefield themselves..." Peony grew more indignant as she spoke, but her voice suddenly trailed off.
Her hand holding Ye Qianning’s tightened, and she instinctively pulled the girl behind her, her gaze fixed warily on the rockery. "Who’s there? Come out."
Ye Qianning thought, ’Looks like I don’t have to go looking for trouble. It’s come right to me.’
A hulking figure emerged from behind the rockery. Mo Geluo had a lecherous look on his face. "What a coincidence. I didn’t expect to run into a beauty while just strolling through the garden."
"So it’s the General from Xi Yan. Our General is not present, so I must ask the Xi Yan General not to wander about freely. Otherwise, people might mistake you for someone with ulterior motives." Peony offered a mocking smile, completely unafraid.
"Ulterior motives? HAHAHA! What is there for me to plot against that cripple, Xiang Minghou?"
"Watch your words, Xi Yan General. If you dare to disrespect our General again, don’t blame the General’s Residence for its lack of hospitality." Peony’s expression turned cold.
Ye Qianning’s little face also grew cold. ’Does he really think there’s no one in the General’s Residence?’
"Am I wrong? Hasn’t Xiang Minghou told you how he’s... no longer a man? HAHAHAHA! All those beauties as lovely as flowers, sleeping in empty rooms. It makes my heart ache just watching."
"Someone, show the Xi Yan General out," Peony commanded.
Servants immediately stepped forward from nearby. "Xi Yan General, please."
Mo Geluo’s tiger-like eyes glared. "Get lost."
"Please," the servant repeated, completely unafraid.
Mo Geluo, now furious, turned to stare at her and laughed in anger. "This temper of yours is exactly to my liking. Why don’t you come with me? I’ll take you back to Xi Yan to be my concubine. How about it?"
"Concubine? HAHAHAHA!" Peony laughed, enraged. As her laughter died down, she spat in his direction. "Take a good look at yourself! You’re not even worthy of carrying my shoes!"
"You bitch, you’re asking to die." Enraged, Mo Geluo lunged toward her like a gale of wind.
Peony fell back, shielding Ye Qianning, and the servants immediately rushed forward to protect them both.
Mo Geluo’s bear-paw of a fist shot toward the servant.
The servant squeezed his eyes shut in fear. The expected pain never came. When he cautiously opened his eyes, he saw that the fist had stopped just an inch from his face.
