TSWPF -Chapter 327 Counterattack

Li Qingling, radiating an overwhelming aura, made Cui Cuicui’s heart involuntarily tremble. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, and forced a smile. “What’s wrong? Is the wife of the county magistrate not welcoming me? Huh?” It seemed she had underestimated her opponent—she had thought Li Qingling was young and easy to bully, but it turned out she was a formidable figure.

Li Qingling reined in her aura slightly, smiling with pursed lips at Cui Cuicui. “How could that be? I’m very happy that Madam Cui came.” She then gestured for Xichun to serve tea to Cui Cuicui.

“I wonder if Madam Cui likes Biluochun tea?”

“It’s okay.” Cui Cuicui took the cup and sipped slowly. After putting it down, she evaluated the tea to Li Qingling. Yet, between the lines, she was clearly criticizing how the tea had been brewed.

Li Qingling tilted her head, listening with an unchanged smile. When Cui Cuicui finished speaking, she finally chuckled. “It seems Madam Cui has great knowledge of tea. When I have the time, I must taste a cup brewed by you.”

Before meeting Cui Cuicui, she had thought her a composed and elegant woman, but now she realized she was… captivatingly seductive.

In the capital, noble families didn’t favor daughters-in-law who looked like this—they weren’t considered properly dignified. Women with such appearances were usually concubines.

From what Hu Juanjuan had said about the He family, Li Qingling knew that Cui Cuicui was highly capable. None of He Dianshi’s concubines had borne children, and only Cui Cuicui had given birth to two daughters. Truly, appearances could be deceiving!

Cui Cuicui lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile, her already glamorous face becoming even more alluring, her eyes seemingly drawing Li Qingling in.

Li Qingling took a sip of tea, hiding a cold smirk at the corner of her mouth. She wasn’t a man—why was Cui Cuicui trying to tempt her? Did she think this would make her heart flutter? Ridiculous…

Cui Cuicui’s beauty explained why He Dianshi cherished her so.

“Not many are allowed to have tea brewed by my own hands.”

Was that a subtle rejection, implying she wasn’t qualified to drink her tea?

Li Qingling raised an eyebrow, nonchalantly setting down her cup. She looked at Cui Cuicui and asked, “I wonder if I have the honor of tasting tea brewed by Madam Cui herself?”

“…”

Cui Cuicui hadn’t expected Li Qingling to ask directly. Was she genuinely unable to understand her words, or was she pretending?

Meeting Li Qingling’s clear apricot-colored eyes, Cui Cuicui paused, then let out a small laugh. “I’ve been busy recently and haven’t had much time to brew tea. If the wife of the county magistrate insists, I can make time to brew a pot just for you.”

If Li Qingling actually came to drink tea brewed by Cui Cuicui, the rumors outside He’s residence would fly immediately.

But Li Qingling liked to break the rules—she loved catching her off guard.

“All right, then, thank you in advance, Madam Cui.” Li Qingling smiled sweetly. “I’m almost too eager to taste the tea you’ve brewed for me. Just thinking about it makes me so touched.”

“…” How could someone have such thick skin? Cui Cuicui had been so clear, yet she still didn’t get it?

Cui Cuicui scrutinized Li Qingling’s expression, trying to see if she was being deliberate.

After a moment, seeing nothing, she slightly lowered her eyelids. Li Qingling was even harder to deal with than she had imagined, far more calculating. She… couldn’t take her lightly.

“Madam Cui doesn’t seem happy. You don’t want to brew tea for me, do you?” Li Qingling blinked, feigning a little grievance. “If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I won’t force you.”

Seeing Li Qingling’s expression as if she had been bullied, Cui Cuicui ground her teeth, itching to grab Li Qingling’s delicate face.

She forced a tight smile, her voice squeezed out through her teeth. “How could that be? No forcing—whenever the wife of the county magistrate wants tea, she can come to my home.”

After assessing Li Qingling’s background, she would deal with her slowly later. For now, she let her be audacious. “I heard you are from the capital. Is that… true?”

Li Qingling considered for a moment, then nodded slightly. If the prestige of the Liu family in the capital could make the He family wary, she didn’t mind admitting it.

Cui Cuicui smiled sweetly. “Did you buy a house in the capital?”

Li Qingling answered as if unaware of Cui Cuicui’s intentions, responding only to the questions asked.

“Have you heard of the Liu family of the General of the Nation in the capital?”

The Liu family of the General of the Nation? The county magistrate’s surname was Liu—could he be from the General’s family? How could this be? Why hadn’t her husband mentioned it? Perhaps even he couldn’t find out?

“Even if I were ignorant, I would know of the General of the Nation’s Liu family.” Cui Cuicui suppressed her shock, smiling at Li Qingling. “I remember the county magistrate’s surname is Liu, right? Could it be that the county magistrate comes from the General’s family?”

“Yes, there’s a slight connection—my grandfather was Liu Zhen, the General of the Nation.”

“…” Slight connection? That’s an understatement—the connection is massive!

Li Qingling was showing off, wasn’t she? Right? Right?

Cui Cuicui clenched her handkerchief tightly, nearly tearing it. She gritted her teeth, forcing out a smile. “I didn’t expect the county magistrate’s family background to be so impressive. I do wonder, though, why would the county magistrate come to Ninghua County? Isn’t the capital far better?”

Here, far from the center, why would he choose to come here?

Could it be that he offended the emperor and was sent here as punishment?

The more she thought, the more plausible it seemed.

Li Qingling glanced at her and replied casually, “He wanted to come himself. The emperor always wanted him to stay at the Hanlin Academy, but he refused. He wanted to do more for the people, so he chose Ninghua County.” She paused, “The emperor said he would always watch over him, letting him act freely and serve the people.”

Hearing this, Cui Cuicui’s heart skipped. If the emperor was constantly watching Liu Zhimou, then he would also be aware of everything in Ninghua County.

If that were true, her family would be in danger.

Swallowing hard, a cold sweat appeared on her back. Clearly, Liu Zhimou couldn’t be touched. If action was necessary, one would need to fully investigate his background first.

“I see. I trust that under the county magistrate’s leadership, the people of Ninghua County will live better and better.”

“One person’s efforts are limited; it requires everyone working together,” Li Qingling said with a smile. “I heard the He family has influence in Ninghua County. I hope you can cooperate with my lord’s work and make Ninghua County even better.”

“…”

Li Qingling actually dared to target their He family—how audacious.

Cui Cuicui snorted inwardly, maintaining her smile. “Of course. Our He family is also part of Ninghua County. If the county magistrate requires our help, we will support him wholeheartedly.”

Everyone could say pleasing words, but whether they followed through was another matter.

Li Qingling, seizing Cui Cuicui’s hand, said excitedly, “When my lord returns, I will tell him these words, so he knows He Dianshi is dedicated to the people.”

“…”

Goosebumps rose on Cui Cuicui. She yanked her hand back and pretended to smooth her hair. “It’s a minor matter; there’s no need to tell my lord.” She wanted no more quarrels with Li Qingling. Standing up, she said, “Madam of the county magistrate, I have matters to attend to at home. I’ll take my leave.”

Continuing to speak with Li Qingling would make her nauseous.

She had never met anyone so impudent as to grab someone’s hand out of excitement—so utterly undignified.

Li Qingling remained seated, unmoving, and instructed Nianxia to see Cui Cuicui out.

Cui Cuicui flicked her handkerchief and twisted her body as she left.

At the door, she happened to meet Liu Zhimou returning.

Seeing his handsome face, her eyes lit up. This… this was the county magistrate?

Nianxia greeted Liu Zhimou, confirming her suspicions.

Incredible—the county magistrate was so striking. Li Qingling really was lucky.

Cui Cuicui walked gracefully forward, her voice softened deliberately. “Greetings, my lord.” He Dianshi and the county magistrate were worlds apart.

Why was her luck so bad, never encountering a husband as handsome as Liu Zhimou?

“You are?”

Before Cui Cuicui could speak, Nianxia stepped in, introducing her. “My lord, this is Madam He Dianshi.” She added, “Madam has prepared the dishes you like; they’re ready to cook when you return.”

Damn Cui Cuicui, daring to seduce him in front of her—so shameless. She would report this to Madam Li.

Liu Zhimou’s lips curved slightly. Stepping over the threshold, he strode inside, completely ignoring Cui Cuicui.

Nianxia smiled. “Madam Cui, take care.” With that, she slammed the door shut.

Such an insolent person—she wished she could hit her once for every encounter.

Cui Cuicui tugged her handkerchief, glared at the closed door, and angrily instructed her maid to “return to the residence.”

Back home, seeing the plain-looking He Dianshi leisurely lying on the couch eating oranges, she thought of the dashing and handsome Liu Zhimou.

Fuming, she grabbed a teacup and threw it at He Dianshi.

He was used to this. Sidestepping, he avoided the cup. Once it landed on the couch, he sat up.

“Madam, what’s the matter now? Who upset you this time?” He felt terribly wronged—every time she was upset, he bore the brunt.

Who else’s wife would behave like this?