Having Your Child

Chapter Title: 020 With Your Child

In the corridor outside the door, Guan Shiyin stood on the steps, holding Fang Rulai in his arms, while Master Ke shook a sandalwood fan below. One looked nothing like a servant, the other radiated pure displeasure befitting a young master.

Guan Shiyin smiled, “No, it’s Axi’s little sister who’s unwell.” She was certainly not his young mistress.

Master Ke returned a noncommittal smile, “Oh? What’s wrong with Honghong then?” Even if she wasn’t a young mistress, she still carried his exclusive nickname.

Guan Shiyin stepped inside, “It’s nothing. She’s had this problem since childhood—whenever she’s uncomfortable, she wants to bite something.” You only know her nickname, and it’s probably fake; but I’ve known her for much longer.

Master Ke closed his fan and hurried after them, “Is that so? Then hurry up and let go—my sandalwood fan can be her chew toy. It’s made from the finest white sandalwood, fragrant and good for the teeth.”

Guan Shiyin sat at the table with Fang Rulai in his arms, casually waving his hand, “No need. She’s already bitten Axi’s hand.”

The finger, marked with bloody bite marks, passed before Master Ke’s eyes. His smile vanished, and he closed the door to sit down.

“Are you serious?”

“I’ve never lied to you.”

“She’s not good enough for you!”

“I don’t think so.”

“She’s a monk.”

“You can grant her secular status once you come to power.”

“What if I don’t?”

“Then let’s cut ties right now.”

“You!” Master Ke slammed the table in anger. “You’d give up over ten years of friendship and plans for a woman you’ve only known three days?”

“I…” Guan Shiyin started to speak, but was abruptly interrupted when Fang Rulai wriggled free from the quilt wrapping her.

“Don’t mind me! You two are the real match.” That passionate exchange from earlier was so heartfelt. Having made her point, Fang Rulai reached for Guan Shiyin’s arm around her waist, “Let go!”

Guan Shiyin bent low and pressed his lips to hers: Only now did he recall that last night she’d shared a hot spring bath with the man across the way. Did she think he was dead?

The forceful breath of a man pressed between her lips, and Fang Rulai swung her fists at Guan Shiyin’s chest: Pervert! Still playing the rogue? Asking for trouble!

Guan Shiyin caught both her hands, locked them behind her, and drew her closer, deepening the kiss: She’d caught the embroidered ball first; he offered himself after. Why shouldn’t he kiss her? How dare she refuse!? Why didn’t she refuse when she was held by that sickly man last night?

Shamed and furious, Fang Rulai bit down hard: Bastard, shameless rogue with no limits.

Blood filled her mouth, but Guan Shiyin didn’t loosen his grip in pain; instead his tongue pressed forward, letting the blood flow between them: He’d given himself to her—this blood belonged to her, too.

“Mm, ugh—” Forced to swallow blood, Fang Rulai couldn’t help but retch. She realized then she’d made a mistake going head-to-head with this two-faced pervert. His life philosophy was, “No limit to disgust, only more disgusting.” How could she ever win?

Defeat showed on Fang Rulai’s face, yet Guan Shiyin still wouldn’t let her go.

“What’s wrong? Is the baby troubling you again?” Guan Shiyin leaned in, concern in his voice.

“You!” Fang Rulai’s eyes nearly popped from her head. What baby! He wasn’t just two-faced; he had no face at all.

Opposite them, Master Ke, forced to witness the tongue-kissing spectacle, finally lost his composure.

“What? She already has your child?” Master Ke shot to his feet, chair clattering behind him.

Guan Shiyin and Fang Rulai stared back in shock, speaking in unison,

“Yes.”

“No.”

Afterward, they turned to stare at each other.

“Where did your ‘yes’ come from?” Fang Rulai felt her anger surge.

But Guan Shiyin’s temper was greater, “If you’d married me as agreed, you’d already be pregnant.”

Fang Rulai took a deep breath, but when she opened her mouth, she couldn’t hold back her fury, “I never agreed to marry you!”

Guan Shiyin wore a roguish grin, “I never gave you the right to have an opinion!”

“You!”

“So? Bite me, then?” He finally had the chance to return her earlier provocation, and the smugness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Fang Rulai was so angry she was practically panting, while Guan Shiyin watched her with leisurely admiration.

Seated opposite, Master Ke suddenly felt as if he were witnessing a lover’s quarrel between a married couple.

No! At least not now!

“Enough with your wolfish romance!” Master Ke tamped down his irritation, tapping the table with his fan. “Shiyin, our initial plan to infiltrate the temple has succeeded. Next, we need to expose its corruption to the authorities and the public. Any good ideas?”

Now addressed by his true name, Guan Shiyin’s playful expression vanished. “If I haven’t miscalculated, that madman Sanfeng will make a move tonight, once he’s sure you’re nothing more than a wealthy outsider with no backing. They’ll plot murder and theft, seeking revenge. To clear their names when the authorities get involved, they’ll cloak it with ‘fire attack.’”

“Fire attack? An excellent move,” Master Ke agreed. “One great blaze, all is settled. The authorities lack evidence, the people blame misfortune.”

“As for us, as long as we preserve the evidence and report it to the officials,” Guan Shiyin gave a sinister smile, “everything falls into place.”

Master Ke shook his head, “Still missing one step—who’ll report it?”

“I can’t go,” Guan Shiyin said. He had more important matters.

“Nor can I,” Master Ke replied. His identity forbade it.

So, both of them turned to Fang Rulai.

Fang Rulai glanced over indifferently, “I’m afraid of dying—don’t look at me.” A single land deed had already nearly gotten her killed multiple times. If she got further involved, she feared the little monks behind her would be endangered.

Guan Shiyin pinched her arms, “Only when this temple is completely ruined will you and your little monks be safe forever.”

Cut off the enemy to save your own? Fang Rulai’s eyes lit up, “Fine, I’m in! What’s the plan?”

The three huddled together, whispering urgently.

That night, the fire blazed just as they wished. Its ferocity was unmatched; the next morning, a certain temple-goer reported that three main halls, two side chambers, and a centuries-old locust tree were all destroyed.

Sanfeng the Daoist told the newly appointed Constable Wei, “Immeasurable Celestial! Pity for my fellow’s child. I only hoped to cultivate virtue and seek longevity for him, but fate was cruel—he perished in the flames. How will I answer to his parents?”

Sanfeng flicked his horsetail whisk, hiding the cold indifference in his eyes: The money was in hand, the family silenced; when his own death came, he’d answer then.

Constable Wei looked upright, “So, this was an unavoidable disaster?”

Sanfeng was about to affirm, when a bailiff hurried in from the courtyard. A whisper in Wei’s ear, and his expression changed instantly, “Men! Arrest this murderous, thieving traitor!”

This book was first published...