“I’m fine!” another voice responded. Lan Ling’er, clutching five skewers of tanghulu, tried to leave but was pulled back by her collar. Furious, she prepared to unleash her “Nine Yin White Bone Palm.”
“Woo… Mommy! It hurts!” she cried, covering her pained hand. Confused and frustrated, she wondered what she had done to deserve this.
“How dare you!” a voice bellowed as she turned around.
“Who are you? I don’t know you! If you’re sensible, leave! You little brat, daring to provoke me! Hmph! You haven’t even grown your hair! Go home and take care of yourself!” Another young man, notably handsome like Lee Joon-gi, taunted. “How bold! Someone, slap this person’s mouth!”
Since childhood, he had only faced severe criticism from his father, and today, no one had dared to speak to him like this, infuriating him further. He was ready to find someone to vent his anger on.
“Wait! Who are you? What gives you the right to slap my mouth?” It felt like a joke. Since crossing over, nothing had gone smoothly; today, he was stopped by a little brat. His luck seemed terrible lately. He thought it best to run away and pray to various deities to spare him from further bullying.
Lan Ling’er clenched her fists, taking slow steps backward, then suddenly stumbled back, hitting something hard.
“Oh my! Did I hit a stone?” She looked up with watery eyes to see a mountain-like man glaring at her.
“That, hehe, your muscles are well-developed!” she laughed, though tears threatened to spill: it hurt so much!
“Want to run? Someone, slap this person’s mouth!” the man behind her coldly laughed.
Lan Ling’er thought to herself, Be careful or you’ll be struck by lightning! Even if not killed, I’ll electrocute you stupid! She viciously cursed to herself.
You are so smart! Well, I’ll change the game and play with you until the end!
I have a die in my hand, and I’ll give you one chance. If you guess bigger than mine, I’ll let you go; but if you guess smaller, you’ll have to submit to me. Isn’t this fresh enough? He decided to change the game, knowing he could still overpower the kid in front of him. Dong Fang Yu had never failed to deal with anyone.
“Okay! To prove you’re not cheating, I’ll roll the die.”
“Sure!” He enjoyed challenging games and accepted this one.
“What if we both roll the highest?” she asked with a chuckle.
“Then you win!” He was not petty. Even if he lost, it would just mean one less target to vent on.
“To ensure a good man doesn’t fight a woman, I’ll go first!” Lan Ling’er laughed mischievously, confidently holding the die.
“Okay!”
“Watch carefully!” She shook the die in her hand, while her other hand slipped into her sleeve.
“Open!” Haha! I won! Lan Ling’er exclaimed, leaving those around her stunned.
“What are you looking at? Haven’t seen a gambling god? Hmph! I’m the embodiment of one!”
“You said if we both roll the highest, I win! I’ve rolled the highest, so no need to compare. I won! I’m leaving first! Oh, and here’s the die!” Lan Ling’er tossed the die back and quickly left the scene.
Chen said, “Since you won, why run? Are you cheating?”
Lan Ling’er sighed, “You understand me best, Dr. Chen. I did a little trick on the die. If I don’t run, I’d be a fool!”
“What? The die is all sixes! Catch this cheating brat!” Dong Fang Yu ordered coldly.
“Run quickly! It seems Lan Ling’er is truly in trouble…”
Why run? Isn’t she always thinking about dying? Perhaps, if Chu Ge knows she’s dead, he’ll find it pointless to fight a dead person. Yes, that’s decided!
Lan Ling’er turned and ran back, hoping the young prince would kill her.
“Your Highness! We can’t chase anymore. That young woman is faster than lightning, we’re out of energy!” the burly man gasped, leaning against a pillar.
“Damn useless servants! If you don’t catch that pretty boy today, I’ll have you all executed! Keep chasing!” Dong Fang Yu’s anger was evident. He had already been scolded by his father today and now defeated by a pretty boy.
“Your Highness, that guy… he’s come back by himself!” The man couldn’t believe his eyes.
What did you say?
He frowned, his expression showing displeasure, fists clenched, and his handsome face slightly pale.
“Haven’t the Prince heard me clearly? I want the Prince to pay for my tanghulu, just pay, and return ten pieces! Hand it over!” Lan Lingyun stretched out her right hand toward Dongfang Yu. She felt his rage but aimed to provoke him further.
Everyone gasped, cold sweat flowing down their bodies. This pretty boy is really bold!
“Dare to say that again!” He sneered, his furrowed brow slightly relaxing, seemingly curious about her.
What is he doing, laughing so slyly? Lan Lingyun laughed, “Pay me ten pieces of silver! If you have the guts, kill me right now; otherwise, I’ll definitely anger you!”
Dongfang Yu sneered again, observing her, his expression shifting as his fists slowly relaxed, a smile deepening at the corner of his mouth.
“Stop laughing! You don’t believe me? I’ll calculate an account with you! Your clothes got my tanghulu on them, but they can be washed and worn again.”
So, I ask, who would pick up the tanghulu you just stepped on and eat it without hesitation?” Lan Lingyun looked around, everyone lowered their heads, except the Prince who maintained his demeanor. Lan Lingyun smiled: “The answer is obvious: No one! This tanghulu might seem ordinary, but it represents the hard-earned money of the common people. Five strings cost twenty taels of silver each, totaling 100 taels. Your subordinates who chased me damaged common people’s belongings, estimated at about 350 taels of silver. When you put that sword on my shoulder, you owe me 50 taels for mental distress, 800 taels for intentional threat, and about 1000 taels for medical expenses. In total, that’s 350 + 100 + 50 + 800 + 1000 = 2300 taels. This shouldn’t be a big trouble for the Prince and would help calm your temper while doing something good for the people.” After saying this, Lan Lingyun took a deep breath: Really oxygen-deprived!
“What mental distress fee?” Although the price seemed somewhat outrageous, he could accept it. After all, he was the Prince of Ming, and this small amount was like a drop in the ocean to him, but what exactly was this mental distress fee?
“Well, it’s simple. When the Prince put that sword on my shoulder, I was so scared I almost became an idiot!” She spoke about mental distress as if it were meaningless.
“I see! Then fine, this Prince will give you 2300 taels of silver. A person with such eloquence would be a pity not to serve the imperial court! You will be my personal bodyguard, responsible for protecting me. How about that?” He sneered, believing he could take advantage of her and avenge his humiliation.
“Let go of me! You rely on your noble status to bully us common people. If you have the guts, go catch some bandits to prove that you are worthy of your position! Looks like you don’t have the courage!” This was a dangerous statement among royals.
“Yes, what you said makes sense! This prince will lead men to eliminate the Lifeng Mountain Stronghold tomorrow to demonstrate his might! But now, we must drink heartily!” He declared, ready to assert his power.
There would be plenty of time to torture this kid later. What did this little bit of sarcasm mean to him? Hmph, little brat, this prince will make you suffer!
“No, that’s not what I meant! I mean…” Now she had caused a disaster. Not only did she fail to die, but she also implicated that kid Liu Lifeng. This was worse than death!
“I understand what you mean. Let’s drink heartily today!” Dongfang Yu pulled her to the prince’s mansion, smiling. The servants behind him, including Hu Gongong, looked confused: What was wrong with the prince?
