Chapter 20: Prosperity for Those Who Align with Bandits, Annihilation for Those Who Oppose Them

Ziling sat on the bed, holding the blanket, staring gloomily at the man standing before her.

She never imagined that one day she would fall into the pit she dug for herself and couldn't climb out.

She always felt that everyone was mocking her for trapping herself.

Gu Yunfeng felt a chill on the back of his head and glanced at the bronze mirror, only to see Ziling baring her teeth and claws at him.

Her expression was truly amusing.

He was dressed neatly and wanted to catch her in the act, but instead he saw her smiling brightly as if bathed in spring breeze.

This woman!

She really changed quickly.

"If you're in a good mood, at least restrain yourself a little. If the maidservants see it, who knows what rumors they'll spread," Gu Yunfeng said.

Ziling's smile froze, cracking bit by bit.

What a load of crap about being in a good mood!

Since meeting him, her mood had never been bright, only filled with gloom.

She was already frustrated enough, and now he was taking advantage of her, rubbing salt on the wound. Can't he be a decent person?

Ziling took a deep breath and smiled, "I can't control being in a good mood. Since I married you, you almost strangled me, and now you willingly come to my bed in just two days. If things continue like this, we'll be in harmony as husband and wife in no time."

Being kind to the enemy is being cruel to oneself.

If this bastard doesn't anger her to death, she'll make sure to leave him half-dead with anger.

Gu Yunfeng looked at Ziling, not seeing any anger, only scrutiny and speculation. "Are you subtly telling me that you've given up on the idea of divorce?"

Ziling felt like she was going to cough up blood, her heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys ached with anger.

How could this scoundrel be so infuriating!

It seemed that provoking him no longer worked...

With a shift in her gaze, Ziling smiled, "I have given up a bit, but my parents haven't. We cooperated quite pleasantly at the Duke's residence, and I hope that Mr. Gu will continue to support me when we return there today."

"That's easy," Gu Yunfeng readily agreed.

Ziling smiled faintly, "Then I'll thank you in advance."

After saying that, Ziling called out, "Qianqian," towards outside the room.

Qianqian was standing outside, leaning against a pillar in a daze. With the master around, she couldn't enter the young lady's room casually, and no one was willing to talk to her, the bandit maidservant. It was so boring.

When she heard Ziling calling her, Qianqian happily pushed the door open and entered, saying, "Young lady, are you up?"

"Bring me the whip."

Qianqian didn't think much about it. As soon as Ziling gave the order, she happily went to the study to fetch the whip.

Gu Yunfeng had a bad feeling in his heart.

Qianqian approached with the whip and, while handing it to Ziling, she asked, "Miss, why do you need the whip so early in the morning?"

"To whip him," Ziling said calmly.

Qianqian was stunned. Seeing Ziling reaching out to take the whip, she quickly stepped back and said, "Miss, you forgot that we have to return to the main house today. You can't whip Young Master."

"I know it's the return visit. That's why I want to whip him," Ziling replied.

"Why?" Qianqian asked, confused.

Ziling glanced at Gu Yunfeng and said, "I owe my father for raising me. By whipping him a few times, I can make my father happy."

Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

"Didn't Mother remind me to practice my aim? When Master Gu stands there later, don't move. I'll whip him a few times on the front and back of his chest. When we return, I'll pretend to casually pat your chest. You remember to gasp in surprise and express subtly that I whipped you. But don't show any sign of disgust, preferably joy," Ziling explained.

Qianqian and Gu Yunfeng were at a loss for words.

Was she trying to portray him, the newly arrived husband, as a masochist?

Qianqian stood there, unsure of what to do. The Miss's words seemed reasonable, but she still felt a bit sorry for the young master.

After giving a long list of instructions, Ziling patted Gu Yunfeng's chest and said, "I trust in your acting skills. You don't have to follow everything I said. Just improvise."

Gu Yunfeng fell silent for a moment and said, "In my opinion, if you directly beat me until I can't get out of bed, Father-in-law would be even happier."

Ziling looked at Gu Yunfeng, blinked, and said, "You convinced me. You make a valid point. Let's do it that way."

Gu Yunfeng sighed inwardly.

Ziling tried to grab the whip, but Qianqian held onto it tightly. Ziling said in annoyance, "You should eat less for breakfast in the future. You're so strong!"

"But I haven't had breakfast yet," Qianqian replied.

Ziling was speechless.

Ziling was helpless, as Qianqian snatched the whip from her and walked away without looking back.

Catching a glimpse of Gu Yunfeng sitting there with a gloomy expression and coughing twice, Ziling handed him a handkerchief and asked with concern, "Are you going to cough up blood again?"

A mouthful of old blood surged to Gu Yunfeng's throat. "Are you really planning to infuriate me to death?"

Ziling blinked and replied, "You were clearly brought back to life by my anger."

Gu Yunfeng: "...!!!"

He walked out, unable to speak to her. Whenever she opened her mouth, his blood would surge.

Ziling was in a good mood, soaring high.

After breakfast, Ziling and Gu Yunfeng went to Qihetang to greet the old lady. Knowing that today was the day Ziling returned to her maiden home, the old lady didn't say much.

Princess Nanting looked at Gu Yunfeng and said, "Yunfeng doesn't seem to be in good health. I think it's better for him to rest at home and prioritize his health. Let the young mistress go back on her own this time, and you can accompany her next time."

There won't be a next time for Gu Yunfeng to accompany her, Ziling thought to herself.

Gu Yunfeng said, "It's the first time my wife is returning to her maiden home. I should accompany her. Since I couldn't personally welcome her, it won't be appropriate if I don't accompany her on her return."

Madam San smiled and said, "It's the honeymoon period, a time of sweet harmony. How can you bear to be apart even for a moment? Sister-in-law is being overly concerned, giving others a chance to complain."

Princess Nanting wasn't angry either and said, "I was frightened by what happened last time. Yunfeng is young and impulsive. I can't help but remind him. If the master comes back and questions me, I can't bear the responsibility. If you insist, I won't forcefully stop you."

Gu Yunfeng and Ziling took their leave.

However, as soon as they reached the main gate of the Duke's residence, they saw the steward approaching and saying, "Young Master and Young Mistress, you've come at the right time. The shopkeeper from yesterday's debt collection has come again."

Ziling frowned.

Qianqian said, "Didn't we give them money? How dare they come again!"

Qianqian walked towards the main gate with an aggressive posture, and then they heard her laughter.

Not knowing what she found amusing, Ziling approached and saw that each steward had a swollen left eye, looking extremely miserable. It was evident that they had been beaten up.

Upon hearing Qianqian's laughter, they glared at her.

One of the stewards approached Gu Yunfeng and complained, "Master Gu, you have to help us. You cleared the debts for the Marquis's Manor, but the Marquis blames us for the disgraceful visit and had us beaten up."

Their bruised eyes were evidence of their ordeal.

Gu Yunfeng rubbed his forehead.

He had already cleared the debts, yet trouble still arose...

Qianqian stood with her hands on her hips and said, "You know that our Marquis doesn't appreciate your presence. Yet, you still dare to come. Aren't you asking for trouble? Haven't you heard the saying that those who cooperate with bandits prosper, while those who resist perish?"

Ziling remained silent.

Qianqian confidently delivered her words. She couldn't quite recall where she had heard them before.

"I advise you to go back and find a place to hide quickly. Otherwise, the other eye will also turn black. If you come back again, you'll lose your arms and legs," Qianqian continued.

The stewards were shocked and exclaimed, "You... You've gone too far, bullying us!"

Qianqian replied, "Our Marquis detests people who complain. Only those who lack abilities resort to complaining. If we had directly beaten you, you'd be picking up your teeth from the ground. The Marquis has been lenient with you, so be grateful. When he cools down, he'll still patronize your shops."

The stewards fell silent.

Let them off the hook!

Ziling remained silent.

Gu Yunfeng remained silent.

She couldn't imagine how those stewards, with their bruised eyes, could find contentment. Unless they had been beaten senseless.