Chapter 47: Jealousy Arises in the Presence of a Beauty

Jishi Hall, the night deepened.

Zhao Qingmei sat in front of the desk, looking at the letters sent from various places in Great Yan.

Among them were the schemes of the Demon Sect and also messages from important spies; all of which she needed to review and heed, and then she would have to provide further instructions.

Sometimes she did read books, but other times she needed to ‘approve these letters’.

“Tan Yun, it’s getting late, let’s close up shop,” Zhao Qingmei glanced at the sky and commanded.

“Understood.”

Tan Yun, who was playing with the little black pet, nodded and went to the door of Jishi Hall to close and lock it.

Just as Tan Yun was about to lock up, an embroidered shoe appeared at the doorstep.

“Woof… Woof.”

The little black pet barked twice at the intruder, then hid behind Tan Yun’s legs.

Tan Yun lifted her head to look; it was a young woman of delicate beauty and grace, with a hint of light sorrow between her brows. Her pallor evoked an instinctive tenderness in others.

This woman was none other than Miss Cao Ling’er of the Cao Family.

Tan Yun asked, “Miss, are you here for medicines or consultation? Our medical hall is about to close.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Cao Ling’er pursed her lips and said, “I’m not here for a consultation, nor to get medicines.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun’s face was filled with confusion. This was a medical hall; if she wasn’t here for consultation or medicines, then what was her purpose?

“My miss wishes to find Doctor An Jing.” Cao Ling’er didn’t speak, but a maid behind her did.

“Looking for my husband?”

Tan Yun paused for a moment, assessing Cao Ling’er and asked, “My husband isn’t in. What do you need him for?”

Not for medicines, not for consultation, but indeed here to find my husband?

Tan Yun’s heart pounded erratically; could it be…?

A trace of disappointment flickered in Cao Ling’er’s eyes, then she said, “My family name is Cao, and I am called Cao Ling’er. Doctor An Jing saved my life the other day, and now that my health has somewhat improved, I wanted to come and express my gratitude to Doctor An Jing.”

“Since Doctor An Jing isn’t here, then let’s forget it. I’ll come back when he is available,” said Cao Ling’er and prepared to leave with her maid.

“Miss Cao, please wait. Since you’re here, come in and have a cup of tea,” a voice came from behind Tan Yun, as Zhao Qingmei slowly stepped out.

“Who might this be?”

When Cao Ling’er saw the person who came out, her heart skipped, and even she couldn’t help but exclaim silently: such a stunningly beautiful woman.

“I am Doctor An’s wife,” Zhao Qingmei said with a light laugh.

Though Zhao Qingmei was smiling, Tan Yun, who knew her well, felt an unusual chill.

“So you are Doctor An Jing’s wife,” Cao Ling’er forced a smile.

Originally, there were rumors that An Jing had married a great beauty, and she had been skeptical, but seeing Zhao Qingmei today, she thought this was no mere beauty but an exquisitely lovely creature.

The maid behind Cao Ling’er was also stunned, unable to believe that the young doctor could have married such a beautiful, gentle, and intelligent lady, even more beautiful than her own miss.

“Please come in first, sister. My husband is out on a consultation and should return shortly,” the poise in Zhao Qingmei’s every frown and smile denoted the demeanor of a grand household. “Tan Yun, go prepare some tea.”

“Understood,” Tan Yun responded and briskly made her way to the inner hall.

“No, it’s alright. If Doctor An Jing isn’t here, I won’t impose any further,” said Cao Ling’er, feeling increasingly uneasy in Zhao Qingmei’s presence. She gave a bow and made her escape towards the distance.

Zhao Qingmei watched Cao Ling’er’s retreating figure, her smile gradually fading from her lips.

“Eh, where did Miss Cao go?”

Before long, Tan Yun came out with a tray of tea and realized she hadn’t seen Cao Ling’er at all.

“She has left,” said Zhao Qingmei indifferently.

“It seems Miss Cao is quite sensible.”

Tan Yun muttered to herself, then cautiously glanced at Zhao Qingmei.

Having grown up in the Demon Sect Main Hall since childhood and followed Zhao Qingmei closely, she might not have been her personal maid, but she knew Zhao Qingmei very well.

Especially that incident.

She remembered when they were eight or nine years old, there was a secret chamber next to the sect’s library for cultivation and rest. Zhao Qingmei, being a disciple of the Sect Hierarch, directly chose the largest chamber, and she wouldn’t let others enter even when she was away.

One follower ‘accidentally’ broke this rule. After going out on a mission, he never returned. Tan Yun remembered clearly how she followed behind Zhao Qingmei and saw with her own eyes Zhao Qingmei piercing through the follower’s heart with a sword.

When Zhao Qingmei killed that follower, her expression was calm and indifferent, nothing like an eight- or nine-year-old girl.

Murdering people like hemp, treating lives as nothing, this was vividly displayed in a young girl.

Since that time, no one else dared to enter Zhao Qingmei’s ‘private chamber.’ Not even to approach it. Every time Tan Yun saw Zhao Qingmei, she couldn’t help feeling a bit of fear in her heart.

Unlike the fear of Li Fuzhou, a strict teacher, this fear of Zhao Qingmei was etched into her very soul.

Zhao Qingmei was not the gentle, beautiful, and graceful woman that ignorant people like An Jing, Han Wenxin, and Zhou Xianming thought she was. Only Tan Yun knew clearly that she was a Sect Hierarch with an extremely strong possessive desire, heavy jealousy, and extremely brutal and ruthless methods.

“Son-in-law, oh son-in-law, you must not make any mistakes,” Tan Yun silently prayed for An Jing, “You must keep control of ‘yourself.’

“The Cao Family…….”

Zhao Qingmei picked up Tan Yun’s teacup and gently sipped her tea.

“This servant knows what to do.”

Tan Yun obsequiously said.

Zhao Qingmei glanced at Tan Yun, “What do you know? Now is a critical moment, and it’s not good to make a big move.”

Chilled by that gaze, Tan Yun immediately felt a shiver down her spine and cautiously lowered her head.

The Cao Family had unwittingly escaped disaster.

“Madam, what are you doing here?”

Just then, An Jing came back carrying a small medicine chest and noticed Tan Yun standing aside like she had done something wrong.

“Husband, you must be tired,” said Zhao Qingmei, blooming with a smile as she saw An Jing and gently took the medicine chest, “I’ll go and draw you a bath now.”

With that, Zhao Qingmei headed towards the back courtyard.

The wife is gentle as water.

As An Jing watched Zhao Qingmei’s graceful figure, he couldn’t help but be moved and looked at Tan Yun still standing there, “What are you dawdling for? Close up shop.”

“I know, son-in-law.”

Tan Yun stuck out her tongue and hurried to pick up the wooden sign.

“Also, there’s no need to keep the door open.”

“What about the third master?”

“If he hasn’t come back by this late hour, he probably won’t be coming back. He can stay overnight at the pleasure boat after the hour of Hai.”

“Son-in-law, how do you know one can stay overnight after the hour of Hai?”

“……”