Chapter 239: Leniency for Confession

Chapter 239: Leniency for Confession

After completing the transaction with the top leaders of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Zhao Ling planned to return home.

However, as he walked out of the sect's mountain gate, he encountered a luxurious carriage accompanied by a group of about 30 soldiers. The carriage stopped, and two servants carefully helped a frail boy, about five or six years old, descend.

The boy wore a splendid robe and seemed delicate, but when he saw Zhao Ling, his eyes lit up with joy. Bowing deeply, he greeted him, "Qinghe pays homage to his foster father. I never imagined meeting you here at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect..."

Zhao Ling glanced at the boy indifferently and shook his head.

"Prince Qinghe, I have made it clear before—I never agreed to be your adoptive father. After the incident, I personally explained this to your father and resigned from my position as Tiandou priest. I have no father-son relationship with you. Please do not bring shame upon yourself, Prince. At best, the relationship between us is that of an employer and employee. I promised to protect your life if it's in danger—nothing more."

Without waiting for a response, Zhao Ling turned and walked away, ignoring Xue Qinghe's respectful stance.

Once Zhao Ling had left, one of the servants muttered to Xue Qinghe, "Prince, look at this Demon Suppression Douluo. If not for his strength, no one would bother with him. After all, you're the Prince of the Tiandou Empire..."

"Silence!" Xue Qinghe snapped, his icy gaze making the servant shiver. "You will not speak disrespectfully of my adoptive father. He may disown me, but my father has decreed that I must always respect him as such."

The boy's imposing demeanor belied his tender age, reminding the servant of his high status.

"When we return, you will receive thirty lashes of the cane. If you speak out of turn again, I won't protect you."

The servant's face turned pale with regret. Thirty lashes would leave him bedridden for weeks. Why couldn't he keep his mouth shut?

When Zhao Ling returned home, he found the courtyard eerily quiet. There was no sign of his wives playing mahjong. Perplexed, he searched the house.

To his surprise, none of the women were present except for Tang Wutong, who was sound asleep in her room.

Scooping her up, Zhao Ling gently pinched her nose. "Tong'er, wake up," he urged softly.

Tang Wutong stirred, resting her head lazily against his chest. "What is it, husband? I'm so tired. I finally managed to fall asleep..."

Zhao Ling asked, "Where are your mother and grandmother? Why isn't anyone else home?"

Still half-asleep, Tang Wutong rubbed her eyes. "I don't know... maybe they went shopping?" She drifted off again before finishing her thought.

Shopping? Zhao Ling mused. It's possible. They've been cooped up at home playing mahjong every day.

But something felt off. Even the mahjong set he had meticulously crafted was missing. Had they taken it to play on the street?

Shaking his head, Zhao Ling decided not to overthink it. He tucked Tang Wutong back into bed, covering her with a blanket, and left the room.

By dinnertime, Zhao Ling still hadn't seen the four women return. When Tang Wutong woke up and joined him for dinner, she frowned.

"Could it be..." she murmured, "that my mother and grandmother ran away because I threatened to tell you they ignored you?"

Zhao Ling's sharp ears caught her words, and he turned to her, his expression serious.

"Tong'er, explain yourself. Be honest, and I might be lenient. If I find out you're hiding something, the consequences will be severe."

His intense gaze made Tang Wutong squirm uncomfortably. Feeling the pressure, she confessed everything.

"Husband, I just said that to scare them. I didn't think they'd actually run away! I have no idea where they went. I'm sorry."

Zhao Ling's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't a comforting one. Tang Wutong felt a shiver of guilt.

Timidly, she pleaded, "Husband, if you're going to punish me, can you at least let me rest for two days first? I'm still recovering..."

Zhao Ling gently stroked her head, his smile softening. "Silly girl, you've done nothing wrong. It's your mother and grandmother who are at fault."

Meanwhile, at Liu Erlong's home, she, Ah Yin, Arou, and Xiao Wu had settled in comfortably.

Feeling secure in the bustling Tiandou Imperial City, Liu Erlong assured the others, "With millions of people here, there's no way my husband could find us so quickly. Let's just relax for a while. Once his anger cools, we'll go back."

The four women treated this as a mini-vacation. Without the fear of Zhao Ling's "attention," they could enjoy some peace.

As for Tang Wutong, who might be dealing with Zhao Ling alone, the women dismissed their guilt. Better her than us, they thought.

However, just as they were feeling smug, a chill crept over them. Though none could explain why, they all felt an ominous foreboding.

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*(End of Chapter)*