“Big brother, you can’t do this! Although father’s decision to become a monk was not right, if you truly destroy this Gratitude Temple, how are you any different from him?” A woman’s pleading voice came from the roof.
“No! The master of Lin Yiu Flower Manor actually ran to this Gratitude Temple to become a monk. If this gets out, how can our Lin Yiu Mountain Manor’s century-old prestige remain? Today, I must destroy this worthless temple!” A man flew down from the roof, holding a torch, while another held a bottle.
Perhaps due to nervousness, a drop of liquid fell from the bottle.
Such a familiar smell! Lan Ling’er quickly closed the door, peeking through a small crack. The smell grew stronger, almost permeating the entire temple.
Is it gasoline?
No, this isn’t the 21st century; how could there be gasoline? It’s alcohol mixed with a substance that makes it smell like gasoline.
On her first night here, Lan Ling’er calmly walked out the door. How could she not die?
“Who goes there? State your name!” A man in black with disheveled hair and a jade pendant at his waist shouted at her.
“Your enemy!” Finally, she encountered someone with a fiery temper. Heaven was still kind!
“My enemy? The young master’s enemies are spread across the entire itinerant. What kind of neither-male-nor-female rascal are you?” he sneered.
“None of your business!” Lan Ling’er looked down and almost spat blood in embarrassment! The dim light made her realize she was dressed in men’s clothing with a woman’s hairstyle. How mortifying!
Their confrontation escalated as Lan Ling’er prevented the man from burning down the temple, eventually being rescued by Dong Fang Yu, leading to a heated exchange.
“Dongfang Yu, you despicable pig, why did you save me?” Ugh! How did I end up meeting this unlucky guy? Now I haven’t died again.
“Hey!”
“You ungrateful woman, I saved you again, yet you call me a pig! I want to strangle you!” Dongfang Yu’s face turned blue as he gripped Lan Ling’er’s arm tightly, glaring at her in anger. No one had ever been so ungrateful. He truly wanted to crush her.
“Ouch! Don’t hold my arm so hard! Why not put your hand on my shoulder and use your strength? That would resolve your anger!” If you want to strangle me, just do it!
“Damn girl!” Dongfang Yu pushed her down and turned away, fuming.
“If I had known, I wouldn’t have asked you to save me! Hey!” Lan Ling’er got up, rubbed her buttocks, and gently tugged at his sleeve.
“What?” He turned, pushing her hand away and roaring.
“Does the bite wound still hurt?” Despite her annoyance, she felt guilty for biting him.
“What do you think? You’re so vicious! I saved you, and you repay kindness with hatred!” Lan Ling’er’s soft tone calmed some of his anger.
“Stretch out your hand!” She grabbed his arm firmly.
“What for?” He hesitated, still timid after being bitten.
“Let me see your wound! It’s so deep! Was it me who bit you?”
“Carefully lifting his sleeve, her face slightly reddened as she muttered to herself.
“If not you, did I bite myself?” she wondered, perplexed by this little woman’s reckless behavior that was driving him crazy.
“Dawn is approaching. Go to the pharmacy and get some medicine later! I’ll bandage it for you first!” Lan Ling’er lowered her head without arguing and took out her handkerchief to wrap the wound.
“What? Afraid I’ll get rabies? Why should I go to the pharmacy? This wound is from your bite! You must treat it until it heals! Otherwise, I’ll make you feel guilty for life!” Surprisingly, she didn’t argue this time, making him doubt if this was the same Lan Ling’er from before.
“You’re the one with rabies! Treat your own hand. Do you want to cut it off and have me take it to the doctor?” After carefully bandaging the wound, Lan Ling’er shouted at Dongfang Yu.
“If you want to do that, I can consider letting you take an arm to the doctor!” This was the sharp-tongued, adorable person he knew.
“That’s your business. I’m not playing with you anymore! I have things to do and I’m leaving!” Lan Ling’er pushed Dongfang Yu aside and walked forward.
“Ouch! You damn woman, why did you touch my wound?” Dongfang Yu covered his injury and shouted at her retreating figure. Was it painful? Not really! He was just putting on a show.
“How is it? Is it very painful? I told you to move, but you wouldn’t! Let’s go! I’ll take you to see a doctor!”
If she had known that biting someone meant taking responsibility, she would have just kicked him. With a body as strong as his, a kick wouldn’t do much!
Tricked! Yihong, you’re clever, but you can’t outsmart me! I’ll show you that there are mountains beyond mountains and skies beyond skies!
Dongfang Yu looked at her, pulling her hand towards the pharmacy.
“What are you doing? Just go! Why are you holding my hand?” Lan Ling’er pushed his hand away, angry with furrowed eyebrows.
“With a cunning monkey like you, I’m afraid of nothing except you running away. Understand?” He smiled and held her hand, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Is biting worth such a fuss?
The sky was gloomy, with occasional thunder. Strong winds raised dust, and autumn leaves fell from the treetops. People hurried home.
“Hey! Dongfang Yu, you don’t need to come! I can go myself!” A storm was brewing. His wound was deep, and if it got wet, it could get infected, slowing healing. Sacrificing a little now was acceptable!
“If you run, who will I go after!” Although he believed her words, his tone remained sarcastic.
“I’ve always been principled! Even if you die in the wilderness, I’ll ensure you’re properly buried! There’s an inn here. Sit and wait. I’ll be right back!”
This despicable guy.
If she hadn’t injured him first, she would have torn him to pieces and left him for the dogs.
“Yihong!” Dongfang Yu pulled Lan Ling’er in front of him, looking serious.
“I want you to be my woman for a month!” he said coldly.
“What? Why should I be your woman? Just for a month! I’m not interested.” She had no feelings for those powerful people. “You should look elsewhere!”
“Stop right there! Yi Pinghong, you once sworn brotherhood with the current Crown Prince Dongfang Hong. What would happen if he found out you were disguised as a man when you became sworn brothers?”
“At most, he’d chop me down with a knife! What am I afraid of? I’m not someone who fears death!” Lan Ling’er thought, “Bring it on!”
“What about the children in your household? Unfortunately, your deception could lead to your whole family being executed, including the children!” He emphasized the severe consequences.
“What do you want?” She never expected him to investigate her so thoroughly and wondered what he was up to.
“Simple. Be my woman for a month! During that time, I won’t touch a single hair on your body. I just want you to help me perform a play for my parents.”
Once the play ends, I’ll give you ten thousand taels of gold, and you can live the life you want. How’s that?” He knew her weakness and was confident she would agree.
“Fine! After a month, I’ll leave, but you must never reveal my true identity to Dongfang Hong! Even if I die, the secret must die with you!” She couldn’t let the children suffer.
“Excellent! Shake on it!” Dongfang Yu took her hand, and they struck palms together.
“Wang Ye, this servant is truly Yi Pin Hong. If Wang Ye does not believe me, you can check at the Zui Xian Lou. I am indeed Yi Pin Hong!” She was confused. Wasn’t it Wang Ye who called her over and signed an agreement?
“The famous courtesan Yi Pin Hong from Zui Xian Lou? How did you end up here with me?” He had investigated thoroughly. Yi Pin Hong matched that girl’s conditions and liked dressing in men’s clothing.
