Shen Zaixin laughed.
“Oh? You destroyed a demon’s nest? That really is a great achievement, deserving of a reward.”
He paused, then added, “However, is coming directly to me for a reward…?”
“I was just passing by,” Xiu Jiming said, shrugging.
“It’s easier this way. Did you expect me to travel all the way to Jianye in the Imperial Capital just to see the Emperor in person?”
Xiu Jiming stared at Shen Zaixin, putting extra emphasis on the word “Emperor.”
Shen Zaixin narrowed his eyes at him.
“Fine. I’ll make a trip to see His Majesty on behalf of the Bureau of Exorcism and demand a reward for you!”
Only then did Xiu Jiming nod in satisfaction.
“Is there anything in particular you want?”
Shen Zaixin asked.
Xiu Jiming shook his head.
“Forget about me. The Emperor might not give me what I want anyway. I am mainly asking for some rewards for my brothers. You decide what to give. If it’s not enough, I’ll come find you in private.”
Xiu Jiming gave Shen Zaixin a long, pointed look, his tone brimming with a sense of threat.
Shen Zaixin looked at him, speechless.
“I say, Old Xiu, we have known each other for many years. Can’t you give me a little face?”
Xiu Jiming shrugged.
“Does a man like you, Lord Shen, really need me to give you face?”
Shen Zaixin could only shake his head.
“Fine, fine. Leave the matter to me. Now then, you didn’t come here just to tell me about this, did you?”
Xiu Jiming smiled.
“Believe it or not, I really did just come here to ask for money. Anything else doesn’t concern you.”
The smile on Shen Zaixin’s face froze.
After a moment of thought, he looked at Lin Ling and said with a grin, “Since you are already in Longchuan, why doesn’t Little Ling’er come out and play with me? I know many fun places.”
Hearing this, Lin Ling quickly shook her head and frantically tugged on Xiu Jiming’s sleeve.
‘Why would I go out with someone like him? Jiming, you have to be rational! I didn’t sign up for this!’
Xiu Jiming raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, “Ling’er is still young. I am not comfortable letting her go out with a stranger.”
Lin Ling secretly gave him a thumbs-up.
Shen Zaixin felt a headache coming on.
“I am hardly a stranger,” he said bluntly.
“Lord Shen,” Xiu Jiming said coolly, “you have so many women already. You should stop thinking about such nonsense.”
Lin Ling let out a bored yawn.
They had taken a skylark to Longchuan early that morning, and the journey had left her a bit drained.
Even though she had been asleep on the skylark’s back the whole time, it was still very taxing!
Lin Ling placed her hands on her hips in dissatisfaction to protest.
She held up a slip of paper: “Are you two done arguing? I’m hungry!”
Seeing this, Shen Zaixin covered his mouth and chuckled.
To be honest, he was a little hungry himself.
“Alright then. It’s the perfect time to let you try the various delicacies of Longchuan County.”
Shen Zaixin lightly tapped his palm with his fan.
“Someone!”
—
“If you let your guard down and Lin Ling gets hurt, could you even handle it?”
Xiu Jiming asked, taking a sip of tea.
“Well?”
Shen Zaixin’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t answer.
“The harem is full of intrigue, where people kill without drawing blood. Ling’er would be alone in the palace, without power or influence, and her strength isn’t particularly outstanding.”
Xiu Jiming sighed, his fingers rhythmically tapping the table.
“Shi Chenxiao, do not forget. You are the ruler of this nation. Your father wronged the Fox Clan. Your family owes them a massive blood debt and an even greater favor. And you want to marry Lin Ling into the palace? Do you want the Yuzhou Fox Clan to go completely extinct?”
“I…”
The composure on Shen Zaixin’s face finally shattered.
He gripped the ribs of his fan until his knuckles turned white.
His expression shifted under the pearly light before he finally let out a sigh.
“Fine, fine. Since you’re so persistent, I won’t argue with you. You’ve really struck a nerve.”
Xiu Jiming took a sip of tea and sneered.
“What do you mean you ‘won’t argue’ with me? I never said I was going to do anything myself.”
“Pah,” Shen Zaixin said, looking at Xiu Jiming with disdain.
“The words of a virgin are no better than a fart.”
Xiu Jiming was about to snap back when Lin Ling was led back by a female guard.
The little fox happily returned to her seat.
She was about to speak, but seeing the two men sitting in silence, she tucked her smile away and obediently lowered her head to drink her tea.
She felt as though the two had engaged in another clash while she was gone.
‘Dammit. I knew I shouldn’t have gone to pee. I missed a good show!’
A moment later, various specialty dishes were brought out, none of which Lin Ling had ever seen before.
There was Steamed Dragon-Beard Fish, Eight-Treasure Spirit Porridge, and Yunzhou Fruitwood Roasted Duck, arriving one plate after another.
Lin Ling’s eyes lit up.
Her ears pricked up involuntarily, and the tip of her tail hidden behind her began to wag rapidly.
She couldn’t be bothered with her poise anymore.
After writing a quick note of thanks, she reached out with her chopsticks and precisely speared the largest poultry leg before taking a massive bite.
Her mouth was filled with the flavor of roasted meat and the scent of fruitwood.
If she hadn’t been unable to speak, she would have surely chattered away with a string of praises and forced the chef to come out and explain the recipe.