Not waiting for Murong Qing Lianâs palm to fell on Su Meiâs face, a big hand grabbed Murong Qing Lianâs wrist tightly. Su Mei looked up. It turned out to be Wanyan Kang.
âTsk, tsk. Xi Qiâs people are very bold; daring to teach this highnessâs person on Bei Zhouâs territory. Very great, ah!â
On Wanyan Kangâs mouth hung a naughty smile, but his gaze swept sharply over Murong Qing Lianâs face.
âDonât know who gave you the right to beat this person!â
Wanyan Kangâs appearance was outside Su Meiâs expectations, but it was inside Murong Qi Qiâs expectations. Seeing Wanyan Kang being âa knight saving the beautyâ, Murong Qi Qi remained silent and continued to bandage Bai Yi Yue.
âIs she not my third big sisterâs maid? As long as she came from my Murong fu1, I can beat her!â
Murong Qing Lian gritted her teeth. Her right hand wanted to be free from Wanyan Kangâs âshacklesâ. However, unexpectedly, the other partyâs strength was great. It almost crushed her bones.
Seeing Murong Qing Lian like this, Wanyan Kang sneered. He threw her hand away, making Murong Qing Lian fall onto the ground.
âCousin-in-law, why does Murong fu have such a woman without brains? Is she really your sister who came from the same mother?â
âSheâs born by a concubine. Originally, concubine Liu was a maid at my motherâs side in charge of the rough work......,â Murong Qi Qi answered Wanyan Kang very cooperatively.
âSo, itâs like that!â
Wanyan Kang made an expression as if he had suddenly realized something.
âBorn by a concubine? No wonder she doesnât have any manners! Seeing cousin-in-lawâs every gesture, thatâs what a model of ladies should be like. This highness thought that every miss of Murong fu was like that. Ah, in the end, she came from a concubine. The person is already ugly, I didnât expect the brain also to be filled with poop. The true master hasnât spoken yet, but a little silly girl by a servant pretended to be the lady. Really donât know what kind of teaching that is!â
Only now did Murong Qi Qi truly gain an insight on Wanyan Kangâs âviciousnessâ. Although, she had a poisonous tongue, but she needed to take many things into consideration and also needed to maintain her image. So, she couldnât be unrestrained like him. This Wanyan Kang is really funny! How come thereâs such a weird prince in Bei Zhouâs imperial family!
âYou, you!â
Murong Qing Lian was so angry that her teeth grinded against each other and made âkekeâ sounds.
Because of her outstanding ability, she got Murong Taiâs favors at Murong fu. The servants also saw the wind and set the helm. They saw that she got the prime ministerâs love, so they all respected her. Never did they treat her differently because sheâs from the illegitimate line. Instead, it was Murong Qi Qi, the legitimate miss, who was bullied at the fu. Over time, Murong Qing Lian gradually forgot her origin.
Saw the wind and set the helm: to act pragmatically
Now, Wanyan Kang repeatedly saying âborn by a concubineâ, âillegitimateâ, âa little silly girl by a servantâ, made her feel embarrassed like never before. Her face also changed from red to pale, from pale to black. In front of this prince from another country, her pride was trampled on by his foot. Especially, that âuglyâ, made Murong Qing Lian so angry that tears rolled in her eyes.
Two number one beauties of the capital came from Murong family. Now, she had been nicknamed âlittle beautyâ. How come, she became âuglyâ from Wanyan Kangâs point of view?!
Hearing Wanyan Kang say that Murong Qing Lian was an âuglyâ thing, Murong Qi Qi couldnât help but think back to the first time she had met him. At that time, he had also called her âugly thingâ and pushed her away. This prince truly relied on his identity of being a member of the imperial family to do whatever he pleases, ah! However, such a personality is not bad!
Seeing the smile on Murong Qi Qi, Murong Qing Lian truly got angry. Wanyan Kang was the fifth prince of Bei Zhou, she couldnât afford to offend him. However, Murong Qi Qi, who she had been bullying for so many years; now, being laughed at by this rubbish, Murong Qing Lian had no way of accepting it.
âThird big sister, thereâs an outsider who is bullying your little sister like this, donât you need to help? After all, I was born by the same father. Heâs talking like this about Murong familyâs daughters, could he not also be talking about third big sister, you?â
Murong Qing Lian pointed the gun at her, Murong Qi Qi only smiled. She stuffed the New Lotus in Bai Yi Yueâs hand.
âYi Yue, take this medicine. Itâs inevitable that in the tournament, there will be bumps and scratches. Itâs not good for a girl to leave scars! If you used all, let people come get more!â
Bai Yi Yue was very touched by Murong Qi Qiâs treatment.
Now, their relationship was obviously that of competitors. Murong Qi Qi didnât care about that and also gave her such a valuable medicine. Immediately, Bai Yi Yue bowed at Murong Qi Qi.
âThanking princess! Like princess said, knives have no eyes. Princess also needs to be careful! When princess and Nan Lin wang2 marries, we, Bai fu, will certainly send a big gift to repay princessâs kindness of today!â
âYi Yue, you saying it like that, is like you donât take me as friend! Good friends donât need to be like that! When I was being bullied, Yi Yue didnât look down on me because Iâm a rubbish. You didnât look at me with different eyes. This is already very rare. Between you and me, thereâs no need to be so courteous!â
Seeing that Murong Qi Qi simply ignored her and also treated Bai Yi Yue, who isnât even her real sister, so well, Murong Qing Lian got furious.
âMurong Qi Qi, how come your elbow turns the wrong way?! Iâm your real little sister!â
Elbow turns the wrong way: favor an outsider instead of someone on oneâs own side.
âImpudent!â
Murong Qi Qi turned and snapped.
âBengong3 took into consideration that youâre bengongâs illegitimate sister. Thatâs why I didnât pursue the matter of you being disrespectful. Today, youâve slandered me like this. If it wasnât because your surname is still Murong, bengong wouldâve long not been so polite towards you!â
âMurong Qing Lian, listen well. From the point of view of relationship, bengong is your legitimate elder sister. Thereâs order between seniority, thereâs difference between legitimate and illegitimate! Youâre just an illegitimate daughter born by a concubine. Talking to me like this is already disrespectful. From the point of view of the law, bengong is princess Zhao Yang personally bestowed by the emperor. In front of bengong, you didnât use the honorific terms, also pointed your fingers at bengong and scolded bengong; all of these actions are very disrespectful!â
âBengong took into consideration that youâre young and didnât bother about it. If you continue to take advantage of that and me giving you face; then if you donât want face, bengong doesnât have such a little sister like you! As for those words fifth highness said just now, bengong felt that the lesson was well taught. You should listen well and remember them very well. Donât go outside the country and let Murong family lose face. Hereâs Bei Zhou. Thereâs no one who will protect you.â
Murong Qi Qiâs voice revealed a killing intent. The eyes looking at Murong Qing Lian were also cold. Looking at Murong Qi Qi, Murong Qing Lian suddenly shuddered. When did she begin to have such an aura? Since when did this rubbish dare to use such a tone to speak?
Looking at Wanyan Kang and Su Meiâs eyes once again, Murong Qing Lian immediately understood. No wonder this pair of master and servant dared to be so bold. The master seduced Nan Lin wang; the servant tempted the princeâs heart. Behind them, there are people. No wonder they were so full of confidence.
âMurong Qi Qi, you have capability. Are you not only relying on Feng Cangâs love? Youâre nothing but a lowly thing who seduces men. Even the maid at your side is very coquettish. She even hooked on a prince......â
âPa!â
Not waiting for Murong Qing Lian to finish, a slap fell on her face very hard. The slap was so hard, it made Murong Qing Lianâs head buzz and made her eyes see only stars.
âCough, cough!â
Murong Qing Lian opened her mouth. A tooth tainted with red blood was spat out. She raised her head. The one who slapped her was actually Longze Jing Tian. At this time, Longze Jing Tian was clenching his fists and glaring at her fiercely. That gaze looked like it wanted to kill her, making Murong Qing Lian freeze on spot.
âIâm sorry! Itâs our contestant who was disrespectful. Asking fifth prince and princess Zhao Yang not to get angry!â
Longze Jing Tian bowed at Wanyan Kang and Murong Qi Qi. Him taking action and slapping Murong Qing Lian was because he couldnât stand Murong Qing Lian slandering Murong Qi Qi like this; secondly, he was also saving Murong Qing Lian.
Just now, he saw very clearly. If Murong Qing Lian had said one more word, the sword in Wanyan Kangâs hand wouldâve definitely cut off her head. Although Murong Qing Lian indeed went overboard, but now itâs the critical period of the tournament. If they killed Murong Qing Lian now, then the strength of Xi Qi would decline.
This pagoda that drove away evil spirits was very strange. They didnât know what was above yet. One more person meant one more helper and also one more chance. So, no matter how Murong Qing Lian acted, Longze Jing Tian would protect her.
After all, this timeâs tournament of the four countries was very important to Longze Jing Tian. Although the voices wanting him to become crown prince of Xi Qi were the highest, but as long as Longze Yu didnât appoint a crown prince, then his heart wouldnât be at ease. So, he must further improve his reputation, making Longze Yu couldnât help but âcomply with the public opinionâ and pass the throne to him! Only when heâs at the highest place, having the empire in his grip, could he get what he wants. For example......the beauty in his heart!
âOh......â
How could Murong Qi Qi not know Longze Jing Tianâs thoughts. Heâs advancing by retreating. It looked like he punished Murong Qing Lian, but in fact he had saved her life and retained the strength of Xi Qi. Have to say, this Jing wang is not an easy person to deal with!
Advancing by retreating: compromising
âCount it as if you were lucky. Letâs go!â
Murong Qi Qi was too lazy to continue bother with these things. She stepped on the stone stairs to the second floor.
âDo you know why benwang4 slapped you?â
After the others left, Longze Jing Tian turned and looked sternly at Murong Qing Lian.
âAsking your highness to explain.â
The previously proud Murong Qing Lian was now with her head down humbly. She swallowed all the blood in her mouth into her stomach.
âBenwang needs to get the first place. Otherwise, benwang wouldâve let them killed you and wouldnât have saved you. Benwang thinks highly of you. Donât let benwang be disappointed. By then, donât end up with the head separated from the body......â
Murong Qing Lian heard the threat in Longze Jing Tianâs voice very well. She also knew that just now, Wanyan Kang had the intention to kill her. If she had continued to speak, today, she wouldâve definitely died here. Moreover, even if she had died, no one wouldâve held Wanyan Kang responsible. Then, she could only be a ghost, full of vengeance.
Itâs just, she was now being taught a lesson in public by Longze Jing Tian. Even if they got the first place, the face she lost wouldnât come back because of that. Murong Qi Qi is to blame for all of this! All of this were the good things that bitch Murong Qi Qi did!
âThanking wangye! Your subjectâs daughter will put in my utmost effort!â
Seeing Murong Qi Qiâs figure disappear up the stairs, Murong Qing Lian gritted her teeth. She picked up the fallen tooth and hid it close against her body. Murong Qi Qi, you and I canât exist together!
The second floor was very quiet. There were no people nor any sounds. The stairs to the third floor was located on the other side. At the top, in the middle, a glowing pearl was placed. It was very bright, making this floor very clear.
âIs there anybody here?â
Helan Lian Yi carefully looked around once. Here, there wasnât even a place for people to hide. Could the second level be so simple?
âYo, young master Helan, what you said is strange. Could it be that weâre not anybody?!â
Wanyan Kang laughed and it was Helan Lian Yi who had a face full of embarrassment after hearing those words.
âI didnât mean it like that. What I meant was that no one is hiding in this place. Donât know if there are any traps or hidden weapons.â
After experiencing the attack of Dong Luâs people on the first floor, Bei Zhou still had four people. Xi Qi also still had four people. Three people of Nan Feng had died. Now, they also had four people. Along with the six people of Dong Lu who begged for mercy before, the second floor of this pagoda had a total of eighteen people.
âWhether or not there are traps or hidden weapons, wonât we know if we try?â
Longze Jing Tian pushed forward an unlucky Dong Lu person who was standing in the front.
âAh......â
The miserable voice didnât completely finish speaking, as the whole body had already been divided into tens of pieces and fell onto the ground.
âAh!â
Bai Yi Yue closed her eyes and couldnât bear to watch such a scene. The others were truly stunned.
In the air, one after another golden threads appeared in front of everyone because they were now stained with blood. Wanyan Kang wanted to reach out and touch them, but has been stopped by Murong Qi Qi.
âBe careful. These are golden silk threads. Donât touch them!â
âGolden silk threads!â
After Murong Qi Qi said that, everyone was stunned again.
Golden silk thread, as the name suggest, was silk spat out by the golden silkworm. The silk was as sharp as blade. Fire couldnât burn the silk, sword couldnât cut the silk. Itâs very tough and also extremely sharp. That person of just now, was split into meat pieces because of these gold silk threads.
âToo shameless!â
Long Duo began to scold with his peculiar voice.
âDong Lu is truly too despicable. This time, they actually used such lowly means! Too shameless.â
Scolding wouldnât solve the problem. Li Yun Qing squatted on the ground. He looked carefully at those golden silk thread hanging in the air. He shook his head.
âNot able to cross over. The whole second floor is layered with golden silk threads.â
Hearing Li Yun Qing say that they couldnât cross over, Helan Lian Yi became anxious.
âThen what should we do? If we canât cross over, then wouldnât we be trapped in here?â
Originally, Murong Qing Lianâs mood was already not good. Now, hearing that, she got very angry. The next moment, she wrapped her soft sword around one of the heads of those Dong Luâs people.
âSay, who came up with such a bad idea! Why is your Dong Lu so despicable?! What more are there upstairs?!â
âI donât know, ah. I really donât know!â
This person shook his head very hard.
âItâs sir Jia Lan who came up with the problem. We only found out after we came in! What more are there upstairs, we truly donât know, ah!â
After Murong Qing Lian heard that, she got angry. She wanted to kill this person, but was stopped by Murong Qi Qi.
âMurong Qi Qi, what do you want?â
Murong Qing Lian glared at Murong Qi Qi.
âBefore, I already said. No one knows what is upstairs. Leaving them, we can only use them as test subjects. If you kill him, then there will be one less. Could it be that you want to personally go test the top floor?â
After Murong Qi Qi said that, Murong Qing Lian stopped. Indeed, these Dong Luâ s people were still useful. Thinking till here, Murong Qing Lian retrieved her soft sword. However, her heart still felt unhappy.
âYou saying so, could it be that you have a way to cross to the other side? If we canât cross, then everyone loses!â
âA way......,â Murong Qi Qi smirked. âOf course, I have a way! Itâs just, why should I tell you?!â
âYou!â
A breath choked in Murong Qing Lianâs throat. She couldnât spit it out and also couldnât swallow it. In the end, she still felt angry but swallowed it.
âDonât only know how to talk! If you have the ability, then cross over for all of us to see!â
âHehe!â
Murong Qi Qi chuckled and didnât bother anymore with Murong Qing Lian. Instead, she looked carefully at those golden silk threads in the air. The more she looked, the more the smile on her mouth got bigger. Are they not very much like the infrared rays of the future?!
In the past, she had tried them many times while on training. The most powerful one was when she had stolen the empressâ crown of the Qin palace from the underground treasury of the City Bank. She had passed through three lines of defense. In the end, the alarm didnât ring.
Now these, to her, these were just childâs play! Itâs just that the infrared rays had been replaced by golden silk threads. If sheâs not careful, it wouldnât be as simple as only being wounded on the surface. She needed to be very careful.
Seeing that Murong Qi Qi didnât say a word for half a day, Wanyan Kang couldnât hold it in anymore. He came to Murong Qi Qi.
âCousin-in-law, did you see any tricks to be used? How should we cross over, ah? Could it be that we use qinggong5? However, the roofs are also full of golden silk threads! Moreover, thereâs no place around that can be used as a foothold. Even qinggong wouldnât be easy to use, ah!â
âHush......â
Su Mei made a gesture for him to be silent.
âYour highness, is my miss not thinking of a way right now?! Could you please not be so noisy?! How come such a big man is acting like a sparrow? Chattering endlessly!â
âI say, Mei er6, could you not treat me in a more amiable manner?! Just now, I was like a hero saving the beauty, ah!â
âPei! Who wanted that?! This miss could also settle it!â
âMei er, women need to be more gentle! Look at how gentle and pleasant your miss is. You should learn more from her!â
Wanyan Kang leaned towards Su Mei and asked in a low voice: âSay, does cousin-in-law really have a way to cross over?â
âOf course!â
Su Mei raised her chin proudly.
âMy miss can do anything. In this world, thereâs nothing thatâs difficult for my miss!â
âContinue to brag! Even a feather of a chicken was blown to the sky by you! Not even afraid that if the leather broke, itâll be embarrassing!â
Murong Qi Lian couldnât understand why protective Su Mei is towards Murong Qi Qi and she whispered those words.
âWhat did you say?!â