Daily Survival After Inheriting a Harem (GL) - Chapter 15.1
“No, no!” Qiu Qi almost stomped her foot in exasperation. Her usual eloquence was utterly useless in this tense moment. “What I mean is, I didn’t take advantage of her. We didn’t do anything just now! Madam, do you understand what I mean?”
Qiu Qi could certainly say she was just looking at the soft thorn armor on Lu Ren, but wouldn’t that expose herself?
Pei Yuqing quietly watched Qiu Qi fumble with her explanation for a long time. Only when Qiu Qi finally closed her mouth did Pei Yuqing calmly respond, “My Lord needs not be anxious. I believe everything you say.”
You believe me? You believe nothing! You’re so duplicitous!
Lu Ren, who had caused this misunderstanding, stood by as if nothing had happened, watching the show and even adding fuel to the fire. “If My Lord likes it, you can come back any time you’re free to see it again. As long as you wish…”
She loosened her collar with one hand, feigning shyness. “You can inspect the goods anytime.”
“I—” Qiu Qi held her breath, unable to either spit it out or swallow it.
Now, arguing would only make things worse, but not explaining would mean giving up and waiting for death!
However, before Qiu Qi could come up with a suitable defense, Pei Yuqing proactively skipped this part.
“My Lord, have you received the goods? It’s time to go back.” She had simply waited outside for too long without Qiu Qi coming out, so she had come in to check.
Qiu Qi quickly nodded. “Got it, got it. We can go back now.”
She knew Pei Yuqing was also anxious to remove the ring, so any time they could save now was a bonus.
“That’s good then.” As Pei Yuqing turned around, her cool gaze subtly swept over Lu Ren. “I’ll wait for you outside. You two can come out after you’ve finished talking.”
These words carried such a proper principal wife’s demeanor, which translated to: Hurry up and cut ties with this vixen and come home to do what’s important.
Qiu Qi watched Pei Yuqing leave, on the verge of tears. She turned to Lu Ren. “Miss Lu, why did you deliberately make my Madam misunderstand our relationship?”
Lu Ren didn’t panic; instead, she lowered her head and chuckled softly. “There’s news that My Lord Beast God has now become very amiable and gentle, and… extremely doting on your wife. It seems the rumors are true. This humble Lu was merely curious and wanted to find out for herself.”
“Who spread the news so quickly?” Qiu Qi calculated. It had only been less than two days since she woke up, and yet the news of her personality change had spread to all humans?
“As merchants, we naturally want to get our hands on all news first.”
“You also do this kind of business?”
“Our Ruyi Workshop sells everything. If My Lord Beast God has any needs, feel free to place an order. As long as the money is in place, Lu Ren will surely satisfy it. For returning customers, I usually offer a discount. There’s no reason not to take advantage of a good deal.”
Qiu Qi thought that if Lu Ren were in modern times, she would definitely become a huge hit as a live streamer. Since she entered, the other person had only promoted three items, yet each one made her want to pull out her wallet.
“If I buy all three items together, can I get a discount?” Qiu Qi asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“Hehe,” Lu Ren chuckled again, her eyes showing interest. “My Lord Beast God’s current personality is truly interesting. However… considering our pleasant conversation, I’ll round down the price and give you a 2 gold discount.”
“That’s very generous!” Qiu Qi was overjoyed, not expecting the bargaining tips her elderly neighbor taught her to be so useful. 2 gold was equivalent to ten thousand yuan!
“Alright, I’ll buy them.”
••••
When Qiu Qi came out, Yan Wan had already disappeared, leaving only Pei Yuqing’s cold, rigid figure standing there. Her gaze was slightly raised, looking at something on the third floor of the tea house opposite.
Qiu Qi walked over and patted her shoulder. “Madam, are you thirsty? Do you want to go there for some tea?”
Pei Yuqing withdrew her gaze and looked down at Qiu Qi, who was completely oblivious. She sighed. “My Lord, let’s go back first. It’s not safe to linger outside for too long now.”
Qiu Qi thought about it and realized Pei Yuqing was right. She might take two steps and a big man with a knife would jump out to kill her.
“True, tea can be drunk anytime, but a life is only one.”
Qiu Qi actively took Pei Yuqing’s hand and started walking outside. But as soon as one foot stepped out the door, she keenly heard a strange sound. Her ears twitched, confirming the anomaly more carefully. Just as she was about to look up and warn Pei Yuqing to be careful, an arm had already circled her waist, and then she was pulled entirely into the other’s embrace.
“Run.” A very low voice fell from above her.
Qiu Qi was still worried if she had hit Pei Yuqing’s wound with that earlier bump, but the other person was already pulling her arm and sprinting away.
Seeing Pei Yuqing’s serious expression, Qiu Qi probably guessed what was happening.
Her jinxing mouth, whatever she said came true. Someone was indeed eager to kill her.
Arrows rained down from behind them like raindrops. Pedestrians on the street screamed, dodging in all directions. Qiu Qi followed Pei Yuqing for a long distance, but the arrows still pursued them relentlessly, as if they had eyes.
“Tracking agent,” Pei Yuqing blurted out, then seemed to remember something, her expression darkening.
To make a tracking agent, one must have a personal item of the target, such as inner garments stained with their scent, a comb, or body fluids.
Qiu Qi hadn’t left the house at all during this period, and her personal clothing was handled personally by Yan Wan, making the possibility of loss extremely low.
The most likely item to have been taken and used… was only the handkerchief she personally stuffed into the envoy’s mouth during his visit.
Thinking of this, Pei Yuqing secretly gritted her teeth, reflecting on her own overconfidence, which led her to overlook such a huge hidden threat.
Arrows coated with tracking agent wouldn’t stop without drawing bl00d. No matter how much they ran, it would be useless. Pei Yuqing simply stopped, turned around sharply, and raised her hand. A ball of light in her palm suddenly expanded, illuminating the secluded alley.
A tall, slender figure dropped from the high wall, landing lightly on his tiptoes. Looking at his face, it was indeed the envoy she had seen that day.
Pei Yuqing looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with heavy emotions. This envoy, who had cried and sobbed so much that day, his image of weakness deeply ingrained, turned out to be such a deeply hidden “capable one.”
“Miss Pei, please don’t waste your effort. I’ve already investigated your information. I heard you’re most skilled in water-element spiritual arts, and I happen to be most skilled in earth-element, which conveniently counters you.” The familiar envoy clapped his hands. There was no trace of the timidity and trembling from their first meeting on his face. He straightened his back, wearing the self-satisfied confidence of a petty victor. “Someone has offered a ten thousand gold bounty for the head of the Divine Beast Lord. How about we cooperate and easily claim the bounty? After it’s done, I’ll split it with you fifty-fifty?”
Pei Yuqing stood silently, saying nothing.