Chapter 67

Women love surprises, and for Shiniang, staging a drama of punishing the wicked and protecting the country on her birthday was filled with fresh excitement.

People tend to group together, and Shiniang’s trouble-seeking personality might be genetic. Her father was a slightly plump man who always spoke with enthusiasm, and the prospect of serving the country seemed to invigorate him even more. Shiniang’s mother, on the other hand, was very calm, though her eyes sparkled with excitement. She maintained a dignified posture, exuding the air of a noblewoman. Since Ling Xiao was considered a foster son by Ling Lingfa, he called them his grandparents.

Ling Xiao was starting to believe what Ling Lingfa said—that Shiniang might indeed be a well-bred lady. Just the calm demeanor of his grandmother wasn’t something anyone could fake. The attitudes of Shiniang’s sisters also spoke volumes. Perhaps their lives were too mundane, but Ling Xiao felt that Shiniang was almost too excited to contain herself! Not only Shiniang, but her three sisters were equally excited. Who could be so eager for adventure? Certainly those who were well-off and had the time and energy to indulge in such thrilling entertainment. Just by looking at the worried and uncomfortable expressions of the three brothers-in-law, one could imagine their daily lives.

Speaking of the three brothers-in-law, they were all handsome and exuded a scholarly air, indicating they came from educated families. However, in such a dangerous situation, scholars couldn’t help but be nervous, making them seem less natural compared to the three sisters.

"Grandpa, Grandma, aunts and uncles, please sit down! The food will be ready soon," Ling Xiao said with a smile, greeting the elders. After all, Shiniang’s three sisters were only a few years older than him, but their seniority couldn’t be ignored. “Grandpa and Grandma are quite remarkable! To have three daughters at this age!” Ling Xiao thought maliciously.

The food was ready, and everyone took their seats.

Ling Lingfa stood up first, raised his glass, and said solemnly, "This time, I have no choice but to involve all of you in this mission. I will drink first as a sign of my apology." He drank the entire glass and refilled it.

"This glass is for my beloved wife. I’m truly sorry! To have to sacrifice your birthday for the Emperor. If we get through this safely today, I will make it up to you with a grand birthday gift." He drank again.

At this, Grandma couldn’t help but speak up, "Ah Fa! As a secret agent, protecting the country is your duty. For us, it’s our responsibility! We commoners usually live peaceful lives and rarely get the chance to be involved in such important national affairs. It’s only because of the country’s protection that we can live happily and safely. Now, the country needs us to put on a show. There’s no need to be so sentimental." Her words were righteous and made Ling Xiao look at her with new respect.

Ling Lingfa smiled and bowed, "Mother-in-law, you’re right. I thank you all again." He then instructed, "The Empress Wu Xiang is an unparalleled expert with extraordinary hearing. She might even hear our conversation on the road. When she leaves Huixian Yaxu, someone will signal me. During her journey, please don’t give anything away. Try to act as if it’s a real birthday party, the more natural, the better!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. Ling Xiao stood up and added, "If it really comes to a fight, remember to be ruthless! The woman Empress Wu Xiang is disguised as can’t fight. No matter how much you fight, she won’t retaliate. If you’re not ruthless, she might see through it!"

Ling Lingfa realized, "Xiao Ling is right. I overlooked that. Worried about her hurting everyone, I didn’t think of this. Since that’s the case, don’t hold back! Fight as if it’s real!"

Just then, a nightingale flew into the courtyard and landed in Ling Lingfa’s arms. Ling Xiao looked at it in surprise. Could a nightingale be used to send messages? Was he just ignorant, or were the rules of this world different?

Ling Lingfa pulled out a message tube from the nightingale’s leg, read it, and said, "Qin Cao has left Huixian Yaxu. She’s heading this way. Don’t discuss any sensitive topics now."

Everyone nodded, and the once lively table suddenly became unusually quiet.

"Everyone seems a bit nervous," Ling Xiao thought to himself.

Suddenly, Grandma looked up and said, "Xiao Ling, you’re not a kid anymore! Have you found a girl you like?"

Ling Xiao was taken aback and retracted his previous thoughts about everyone being nervous. "Hehe! I’m not in a hurry. There are plenty of beautiful girls around! Besides, the Emperor has promised to arrange a marriage for me! How could an ordinary girl match me?" He said, raising his head proudly.

Grandma was shocked and looked at Ling Lingfa in disbelief. Seeing him nod, she said with joy, "Good! Xiao Ling is great! He’s much better than your useless master! If it weren’t for his love for the leader, he wouldn’t have been able to marry my daughter just because of his reputation as a gynecologist! Humph!"

"Mom! Why bring that up?" Shiniang said, laughing, and placed a chicken wing in Grandma’s bowl.

Ling Lingfa was at a loss, thinking, "Why did this kid bring that up? Isn’t he just making things worse?"

"Have you set your sights on anyone? Which noble family’s daughter?" Grandma seemed to have a strange obsession with this.

Ling Xiao was thinking of an excuse when Ling Lingfa said, "This kid has big ambitions! He’s been courting Princess Feifeng lately!" He looked at Ling Xiao with a mischievous smile.

Grandma was delighted, "Princess Feifeng! The whole city knows she’s the Emperor’s favorite sister! Good for you! You’re better than your master!"

"Why are you bringing me into this again?" Ling Lingfa thought, furious.

Ling Xiao crossed his arms and emphasized, "Rumor! Absolute rumor! Although I’ve been visiting the brothel recently, it’s always with Wuqing, and my relationship with Princess Feifeng is purely platonic!"

"Oh! A purely platonic relationship!" everyone shouted in unison.

Ling Xiao lowered his head and ate, faster than ever before!

"Here, Father-in-law, have some chicken butt!" Ling Lingfa, amused by Ling Xiao’s embarrassment, changed the subject by offering a piece of chicken butt.

Grandpa took it with a laugh and suddenly said, "I just remembered, what were you doing at the brothel that day?"

"The brothel?" everyone shouted again.

Ling Xiao rubbed his ears, enjoying the rare spectacle.

"We agreed not to discuss sensitive topics!" Ling Lingfa cried inwardly but remained calm, "Let me explain..."

"Wait a moment," Shiniang placed her hand on Ling Lingfa’s chest and leaned forward, "Don’t lie. I can tell by your heartbeat."

Ling Lingfa looked up with a righteous expression, "Women in the brothel get sick too. As a gynecologist, it’s my duty to treat them!"

"Daughter, is his heartbeat faster?" Grandma asked, smirking.

Shiniang smiled, "It’s normal." But she thought, "Of course it’s not! I know it’s a lie, and his heartbeat is all over the place like a drumbeat. How could it be normal?"

Ling Lingfa laughed and was about to eat when Shiniang asked, "Did you have any relations with them besides treating them?"

Pfft! Ling Xiao sprayed rice all over the three brothers-in-law’s faces, but they were too focused on Ling Lingfa to care. Ling Xiao saw schadenfreude in their eyes!

"Here it comes! This is the real highlight of the night! Whether or not he had relations! The Empress Wu Xiang is nothing compared to this!" Ling Xiao watched Ling Lingfa with a serious face, inwardly shouting!

Shiniang’s head and hand were still on Ling Lingfa’s chest, her eyes glaring at him.

Ling Lingfa looked at the sky, took a deep breath, and said solemnly, "Besides my official duties, I would never do anything improper in that kind of place. I love my wife!" The last sentence was almost shouted.

"How about that? Daughter, did his heartbeat change?" Grandma asked, looking at Ling Xiao threateningly.

Shiniang raised her head, satisfied and happy, "You’re overreacting! Why shout so loud? Here, have a chicken wing!"

The table instantly returned to a lively atmosphere. Seeing Ling Lingfa’s relieved expression, Ling Xiao almost burst out laughing. "What kind of relationship could he have with a eunuch? Unless Empress Wu Xiang has the power to turn Ling Lingfa gay!"

The dinner was in full swing when the servants excitedly ran to the courtyard to light fireworks.

The fireworks added to the festive atmosphere. In the past two days, the capital had been on high alert. The Jinyiwei had arrested a hundred officials in a single day, and they were executed in the afternoon! Suddenly, the capital was filled with haunted houses! This was a nightmare for real estate agents, as people in this era were very superstitious. A house where someone died violently was considered a haunted house. Who would dare buy it? Or even go near it?

The fireworks helped ease the tense atmosphere in the capital. Watching the servants’ joyful faces, Ling Xiao slowly reined in his smile and focused on the door. He knew she was coming!

She was right behind the door, not emitting any powerful aura, but Ling Xiao felt a huge threat. This feeling was indescribable, perhaps from the Buffalo Horn Technique or the Crystal Sword Intent. Who knew?

"Wait a moment!" Shiniang suddenly stopped the lively atmosphere.

"What’s wrong?" Ling Lingfa asked. Ling Xiao was startled. Did Shiniang sense it? Women’s intuition was not to be underestimated!

Shiniang sniffed and said, "It smells so good! Husband, can you smell it?"

Ling Lingfa was taken aback, sniffed the air, and was about to say something when the door creaked open. Ling Xiao couldn’t help but think, honestly, it was quite eerie. It was already impressive that a weak woman could push open the heavy door, but what was this about it opening on its own?

Are you trying to announce, "The villain has arrived!"