Chapter 82: The Expert Donkey Slayer

Lin Wanwan deeply regretted provoking Su Jingluo; this woman was far too formidable. Whether she feigned weakness or pitifulness, Su Jingluo could tear her facade apart, leaving nothing intact.

“Your Highness… Princess, please heal my face. As long as you are willing to treat me, I will be deeply grateful. I promise never to disturb your lives again,” Lin Wanwan sobbed, abandoning her act of frailty and relinquishing any hope for Xiao Jingxuan’s affection. Her face was truly beyond repair, covered with pustules and pockmarks. Any lingering sympathy would be fleeting, never a lifetime of love.

“Very well. I like people who speak straightforwardly and act cleanly. Go on, bring me your reward,” Su Jingluo said, ceasing her verbal onslaught as Lin Wanwan wilted into obedience.

“Ah, is tomorrow alright? Do you need it now?” Lin Wanwan hadn’t expected Su Jingluo to take her polite offer seriously. With such a grand household, would the princess really covet her reward? Besides, as a concubine’s daughter, she possessed nothing of great value; the small sum she managed to save was barely enough for her own needs. She had thought returning to the capital with the support of Prince Jing would bring her security, but now even that hope was dashed.

“Of course. I never wait for tomorrow when I can seize an advantage today. Besides, this is what I deserve.” Who doesn’t know how to disgust others? When it comes to being appalling, Su Jingluo was the very embodiment of it—she could make you sick to your stomach.

Lin Wanwan bit her lip in humiliation, her gaze lingering on Xiao Jingxuan’s face. He had changed. In the past, no matter who bullied her, Xiao Jingxuan would risk everything for her. Now, he merely watched Su Jingluo with calm eyes. He saw none of Su Jingluo’s arrogance or domineering nature; instead, there was a hidden tenderness in his gaze.

“I’ll go now,” Lin Wanwan said, walking forlornly into the ink-black night.

Had she known Su Jingluo’s prowess, Song Yunmo wouldn’t have jumped in to help at the outset. Watching the drama was far easier than joining the fray.

“All right, cousin, I’m going to sleep. Your dear cousin is back—if I’m awake, help her out, but if I’m asleep, let her wait until tomorrow,” Su Jingluo glanced at Lin Feifei, whose face had broken into smile lines from watching the spectacle, and decided she didn’t want to linger here.

Song Yunmo watched Su Jingluo leave and tried to follow.

“I’m going to bed. Why are you following me?” Su Jingluo shot Song Yunmo a glare. Even a shadow couldn’t stick as closely as he did; perhaps he was the reincarnation of glue.

“Then I’ll go watch Yunbai study,” Song Yunmo blushed, grasping for an excuse.

“Song Yunmo, don’t come to the inner residence anymore. I’ll establish a private school; you can teach there instead.” After Lin Wanwan left, Song Yunmo’s towering presence became an eyesore to Xiao Jingxuan. He now regretted asking him to tutor Yunbai.

Song Yunmo looked to Su Jingluo for help, his eyes pleading: I just spoke up for you—can’t you show me a little kindness?

“What are you looking at? Xiao Jingxuan is right. Stay out of the back courtyard from now on; your mouth is too sharp,” Su Jingluo had no desire to provoke Song Yunmo. He was not only unreliable in appearance but his background made him troublesome. Too close a relationship would never be a good thing.

Seeing Su Jingluo’s disdain for Song Yunmo, the icy look on Xiao Jingxuan’s face eased considerably. He shoved Song Yunmo toward the door, driving him out.

“Little Luoluo, aren’t you just getting rid of me once I’m no longer useful?” Song Yunmo protested, as Xiao Jingxuan assigned two men to escort him out. Song Yunmo found Su Jingluo amusing—after several encounters, he realized she was a master of discarding people.

Xiao Jingxuan cast a sly glance at Su Jingluo, who responded with a roll of her eyes. What was he playing at? He was no better—just another scoundrel with his own dirt.

Su Jingluo walked ahead, Xiao Jingxuan following behind. Suddenly, Lin Feifei tugged at Xiao Jingxuan’s sleeve, looking up at him with an imploring expression.