TSWPF -Chapter 143 Lodging a Complaint

Li Qingling shot Liu Zhimou a glance, the corner of her lips lifting slightly as she coolly relayed what Tong Wanrong had said to her. “Miss Tong said that a village girl like me would not only be of no help to your official career, but would even drag you down. For your own good, she advised me to leave you of my own accord.”

As if she hadn’t noticed how dark Liu Zhimou’s expression had become, she continued, “So tell me—should I listen to her?”

“How dare you?” Liu Zhimou barked, his face darkening. He reached out, pulled her into his arms, and held her tightly. “Li Qingling, if you dare to even think about leaving me, you’d better watch your backside.”

As he spoke, he gave a loud smack, landing a heavy slap on her butt.

“…Liu Zhimou!” Li Qingling cried out in embarrassment and anger. She had never been spanked in her life, and that slap left her face flushed red—no one could tell whether it was from anger or shame.

She hadn’t even settled accounts with him yet, and he already dared to hit her like that. Truly… truly…

She was so angry her mind went blank.

“Then do you still dare to talk about leaving me? Hm?” His voice was low and forceful. Just the thought of her leaving him felt like a knife carving into his heart, so painful he could hardly breathe. “In this lifetime, don’t even think about leaving me. Do you hear me?”

There was no way he would ever allow her to leave.

Hearing his domineering words, the corner of Li Qingling’s lips lifted slightly, but her mouth still mischievously said, “What if I don’t love you? Would you still keep me by your side then?”

At her words, Liu Zhimou suddenly fell silent. He had never considered that question before. Didn’t she love him?

As the thought crossed his mind, his arms tightened around her without him realizing it.

He had a very real feeling that he might truly lose her.

“Ah—pain…” Li Qingling sucked in a sharp breath and cried out. Was this little man trying to snap her waist in half?

He didn’t hear her at all, still lost in the world where he was being abandoned.

“Zhimou, loosen your grip a bit,” Li Qingling said, reaching up to pat his arm, signaling him to hold her less tightly.

He came back to himself, heard her words, and shook his head. “No.” His arms only tightened further.

No?

She almost laughed in anger. She slapped his arm hard and said loudly, “Are you trying to strangle me to death so you can marry that Miss Tong instead, hm?”

If he didn’t let go now, she wouldn’t be polite.

Only then did he realize he was holding her too tightly and hurting her.

Looking somewhat awkward, he loosened his grip slightly, but his hands still rested firmly on her waist, refusing to let go.

He took a deep breath, swallowed, then lowered his head. One hand lifted her chin, and their eyes met.

Li Qingling thought he was about to say something, so she stayed silent and waited.

But after a moment, he still didn’t speak—he just stared at her quietly.

Her eyes were starting to cross from staring so long. Helplessly, she asked, “What do you want to say?”

If you have something to say, just say it. Why keep it bottled up?

Liu Zhimou pressed his lips together and cleared his tight throat. “Ling’er, do you… do you love me?”

The moment the question left his mouth, he instinctively held his breath, watching her nervously.

He was truly afraid of hearing an answer he didn’t want.

If she really didn’t love him, would he let her go?

Just thinking about it made his heart conflicted.

He didn’t want to let her go, but he also feared that forcing her to stay would make her unhappy.

She was someone who loved to smile—he truly didn’t want to see the day when she lost that smile.

Li Qingling’s smile faded. She looked at Liu Zhimou for a long moment, noticing the tension in his eyes, before slowly speaking. “And what about you? Do you love me? I want the truth.”

As soon as she finished speaking, he unconsciously coughed lightly, his ears turning red.

As someone born and raised in ancient times, saying the word “love” out loud really was embarrassing for him.

Liu Zhimou almost wanted to wipe the cold sweat off his forehead.

“Love or not—such a simple question. Do you really need to think about it for so long?” Li Qingling said impatiently. She truly felt like shaking him hard and forcing him to answer.

“Mm…”

Afraid she might misunderstand, Liu Zhimou finally responded under her pressure, letting out a mosquito-like “mm.”

After that single sound, he was too embarrassed to meet her gaze. He slightly turned his head and looked toward the cabinet instead.

This little man was really shy…

But she liked it.

Li Qingling reached up and cupped his face, forcing him to look straight at her. She said seriously, “Me too.” She loved him as well. If she didn’t love him, how could she have agreed to marry him?

She really couldn’t bring herself to “make do” with marriage.

Her sudden confession stunned Liu Zhimou for a moment. Then he reacted, and a look of wild joy spread across his face.

“You… you…” He stammered several times, unable to get the rest of his words out.

He was just too happy—far too happy!

Even though he knew she was willing to marry him, he still couldn’t help feeling anxious and uncertain at times.

Now that he had heard her say it herself, his heart finally settled, as if he’d swallowed a reassurance pill.

“Are you dumbstruck?” Li Qingling teased, seeing how happy he was. The corners of her lips lifted along with his.

She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed his lips. “Alright, stop being silly. Let’s eat.”

Liu Zhimou touched his lips, then pulled her into a tight hug once more before speaking. “Ling’er, I have nothing to do with Miss Tong at all. Don’t take her attempts at sowing discord to heart.” His gaze darkened slightly. “I’ll handle this matter properly. Don’t worry.”

He had hardly any contact with Teacher Tong’s daughter, yet she ran off to say such things to Ling’er. That truly angered him.

It was time she learned what propriety and shame meant.

Li Qingling patted Liu Zhimou’s back twice and smiled. “We’ve known each other for so long—how could I believe her words?” If it were some couple who barely knew each other, hearing Tong Wanrong’s words might indeed cause doubts. But for them, that was simply impossible. “She is, after all, Teacher Tong’s daughter. When you deal with this, don’t go too far. It wouldn’t be good to offend Teacher Tong.”

Liu Zhimou still needed Teacher Tong’s guidance; he couldn’t afford to tear things apart completely.

“I know my limits. You don’t need to worry.”

Li Qingling gave a soft “mm,” added a few more reminders, and then carried the dishes into the main hall to eat.

…

The next day, after Teacher Tong finished guiding Liu Zhimou in his studies, Liu Zhimou smiled and said, “Teacher, yesterday Miss Tong went to the village to see my fiancée. My fiancée didn’t know her and ended up saying some rather unpleasant things. Here, this student apologizes on my fiancée’s behalf to Miss Tong. I hope, Teacher, that you can pass on my apology and ask Miss Tong to be magnanimous and forgive her.”

Teacher Tong froze for a moment, then smiled and nodded, saying he would go back and ask what had happened.

At that moment, looking at Liu Zhimou, he felt a bit awkward. After saying a few things related to coursework, he dismissed Liu Zhimou.

He stood up, his face heavy, and strode straight home.

As soon as he returned, he went directly to Tong Wanrong’s courtyard.

When Dongmei saw him, she hurried forward and greeted him, calling out, “Master.”

Inside, she was puzzled. Wasn’t the master teaching at the academy? Why did he have time to come back?

“Where is the young lady?” he asked.

“The young lady is resting. Please wait a moment, Master—I’ll go inform her.”

After receiving his approval, Dongmei turned and walked briskly inside.

She went to the bedside, gently nudged Tong Wanrong, and whispered, “Miss, the master is here.”

Tong Wanrong hadn’t been sleeping deeply. At Dongmei’s call, she opened her eyes.

“Father? Doesn’t he have class? Why did he come at this hour?” she asked in confusion as she got out of bed and let Dongmei help her dress.

If Father had come to see her at this time, there must be something going on.

After finishing dressing, Dongmei lowered her voice and added, “Miss, the master’s expression doesn’t look very good.”

Tong Wanrong’s heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition rising within her.

Could Father have found out what she did?

She clenched her fingers, forcing herself to calm down. After Dongmei finished fixing her hair, she stepped out of the room.

Smiling, she walked up to Teacher Tong. “Father, why are you here?” She looped her arm through his and led him into the room, then turned and told Dongmei to prepare tea.

While waiting outside, Teacher Tong had already suppressed his anger. He looked at Tong Wanrong, his gaze complicated.

He had always thought this daughter of his was quite clever. He never expected her to do something so foolish.

If others were to find out, what would happen to her reputation?

That look from her father made Tong Wanrong’s heart pound. She smiled a bit unnaturally. “Father, did you come to see me about something?”

“Where did you go yesterday?”

Her heart jumped again. Tong Wanrong glanced at Teacher Tong, but couldn’t read anything from his expression.

Did he already know about yesterday’s events and was questioning her because of that, or was he just testing her?

She twisted her handkerchief, quietly took a breath, and pretended to be calm. “I went shopping. What’s wrong?”

Teacher Tong now looked at her with disappointment. His daughter had grown up—grown enough to lie even to him.

“Is that so? Are you sure?” His face darkened, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “I’ll give you one more chance. Did you really go shopping? Hm?”

Don’t panic. Don’t panic. Father might not know about it yet. Tong Wanrong reassured herself several times before reluctantly nodding and saying yes.

At that, Teacher Tong no longer wanted to beat around the bush. His face filled with anger as he slammed his palm hard onto the table. “You still dare to lie to me? Huh? How much of your Admonitions for Women and the Four Books and Five Classics have you truly learned?” His heart was filled with disappointment. “You… are you trying to anger me to death?”