TSWPF -Chapter 335 Missing

At the same time, Li Qingfeng and the others were talking to Li Qingling about the Ma family’s four brothers.

They said they quite liked the four brothers; they weren’t the kind of people who made life difficult, and they were easy to get along with.

Li Qingling nodded with relief upon hearing this and said, “As long as you like them, it’s fine. You can keep in touch regularly.”

The more friends, the more options. It might not seem important now, but it would show its value in the future.

Li Qingfeng and the others nodded repeatedly, smiling broadly. They were very happy to have met some new little friends.

Li Qingling ruffled their heads and urged them to go take their afternoon nap.

After Liu Zhimou returned home, she told him about this matter after he finished lunch.

“The Ma family is fine; you can associate with them.” Although Ma Xiancheng looked honest, he was actually very shrewd and also quite upright, so it was safe to interact with him. “The He family isn’t suitable; keep your distance.”

The He, Zhao, Lin, and Wang families were in cahoots, controlling Ninghua County. If he wanted to open up a position in Ninghua County, he would need to take them down.

Ever since he had set foot on the land of Lianhua County, he was destined to be in opposition to those four families. There was no way they could become allies.

“I know. I’ll be careful, don’t worry.” After she had forcefully returned all the gifts sent by Cui Cuicui yesterday, Cui Cuicui probably hated her with a vengeance. There was no way she would try to please her again.

And if Cui Cuicui did try to make amends, Li Qingling would only become more vigilant, afraid that she might cause trouble.

“By the way, have you heard any rumors?”

“What rumors?” Liu Zhimou asked curiously. He had gone to the office early to sort the family records and hadn’t left, so he hadn’t heard anything.

At the mention of the rumors, Li Qingling felt frustrated. She huffed twice angrily and said, “People outside are spreading that I’m a she-tiger and that I’ve made you a henpecked husband.” She gave Liu Zhimou a sidelong glance. “Since when did you become henpecked? How come I didn’t know?”

Could it be that this man might actually become henpecked?

Liu Zhimou pulled Li Qingling into his arms, hugging her tightly. His chin brushed lightly against her head. “My wife is so gentle; how could she possibly be a she-tiger? Hmm?” The slight lift in his tone made Li Qingling’s ears tingle with warmth. “Don’t pay attention to what others say. I know exactly what kind of person my wife is.”

They didn’t live for others; there was no need to care too much about others’ opinions.

Li Qingling couldn’t help reaching up to rub her ears and muttered, still unconvinced: she hadn’t gone out yesterday, so how could such a rumor appear?

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou felt a little guilty and glanced away. He guessed what had happened.

He touched his nose, cleared his throat, and confessed to Li Qingling, “This… should be my fault.” He had dragged his wife into this.

“Huh?” Li Qingling looked up at him. “What happened?” How did it end up being your fault?

Liu Zhimou swallowed and recounted the events of yesterday. When he finished, he looked at Li Qingling nervously, afraid she would be angry.

Li Qingling stared at him for a long while, making him break out in a cold sweat, and then slowly said, “So the culprit is you!”

She had even considered sending someone to investigate which fool had spread the rumor, but unexpectedly, the culprit was her beloved husband.

“You’ve ruined my lifelong reputation. How are you going to make it up to me?”

“I’ll compensate you by giving myself to you.”

“…” That was surprisingly smooth. Li Qingling rolled her eyes and tugged at his cheek. “You already belong to me; how is that compensation? Try again.”

Already belonging to her?

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou’s eyes lit up, and his affection overflowed. He lowered his head to kiss her and smiled, saying, “Yes, I already belong to you, and… you belong to me too.”

Before Li Qingling could react, he directly covered her mouth with his own.

In the end, she was completely taken by him.

Li Qingling gave him a weak glance, ignored his flattering smile, and closed her eyes to rest.

When she woke up, it was evening. Li Qingling, sore and aching, got out of bed and called for Xichun.

She had been spoiled by someone; even during the day…

Blushing, she shook her head, put on her clothes, and got out of bed.

Xichun pushed open the door, smiling. “Do you want to eat?”

Li Qingling touched her stomach and nodded. Looking at the sky, she realized she had missed dinner again.

It was all that someone’s fault. If it weren’t for him… next time, she would have to be more resolute and not let him seduce her so easily.

“Has the master returned?”

“Not yet.” Xichun placed the three dishes and one soup on the table. “Madam, did you need to see the master?”

“Nothing.” Li Qingling shook her head and began eating.

After filling her stomach, she walked around the courtyard and returned to handle matters at home.

By the time she finished, it was already the hour of Hai (亥). She stood, stretched, and suddenly remembered something.

She shouted toward the door: “Xichun! Xichun…”

Her urgent voice startled Xichun, who quickly pushed the door open and asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Has the master returned?”

Xichun’s expression darkened. She shook her head. “Not yet. Recently, Nian Xia came back to tell me the master hasn’t returned.”

It was the first time the master had returned so late. Not just Madam, even they were worried.

Not back yet?

Li Qingling panicked. How could he still not be back so late? Was the office that busy?

“Madam, should we send someone to the office to check?”

“No, wait a little longer.” Li Qingling knew he wouldn’t be late for no reason. He must be handling something; she shouldn’t disturb him. “Bring a few buckets of hot water; I’ll take a bath first.”

Xichun complied and had hot water brought over.

After bathing, Li Qingling asked Xichun again. Hearing that Liu Zhimou still hadn’t returned, she couldn’t stay still.

She stepped out and went to see Mr. Luo.

Mr. Luo was about to sleep. When he heard the servant say Li Qingling had come, he got up, dressed, and went to meet her.

If it wasn’t an emergency, Li Qingling wouldn’t come this late.

“What’s the matter?” He noticed the urgency on her face and furrowed his brows. “Don’t panic; take your time explaining.”

Li Qingling took a few deep breaths before speaking. “Grandmaster, Zhimou hasn’t returned yet. Could something have happened to him?” Her heart raced, unable to find peace.

Mr. Luo told Li Qingling not to worry and had someone check the office.

Li Qingling nodded and calmed herself slightly.

Mr. Luo instructed the head of the guards to personally go to the office and check if Liu Zhimou was there. If he was, he would return after finishing his work.

The head of the guards acknowledged the order, instructed the other guards to protect Mr. Luo well, and then left.

About forty-five minutes later, the head of the guards returned, his expression serious. “The master is not at the office.”

Not at the office?

Li Qingling suddenly stood up. If he wasn’t at the office, where could he be?

“Could he have been delayed on the way?”

“No, I checked all the way there.”

Li Qingling clenched her fists to calm herself and considered all possible places Liu Zhimou might be.

Suddenly, she thought of Ma Xiancheng and had the head of guards check if he was at the Ma residence. If that failed, she would quietly investigate He Dianshi’s house.

The head of guards nodded and left immediately.

After he left, Li Qingling paced anxiously in place.

“What’s the rush? Sit down.” Mr. Luo looked at her and scolded, “Mo’er isn’t home. You are the pillar of the household. If you panic, what will the others do? Won’t everything fall into chaos?”

Li Qingling was startled by Mr. Luo’s words, then smiled bitterly.

She hadn’t faced such a situation in a long time and had overreacted.

Taking a deep breath, she sat back down and sighed. “Grandmaster is right. I overreacted.”

“If Mo’er wants to go further, he’ll encounter even more serious matters. What will you do then? Panic at the first sign of trouble?” Mr. Luo continued sternly. “As the lady of the house, you can panic in your heart, but it must not show on your face. The people below are watching you. If you panic, won’t they panic too? At critical moments like this, the only thing you can do is calm them, understand?”

Li Qingling exhaled deeply and nodded heavily. “I understand. I will correct myself. There won’t be a next time.”

Seeing that she had truly understood, Mr. Luo relaxed his expression slightly and offered a few comforting words.

“Grandmaster, is this like giving me a slap and then a date?”

Mr. Luo smiled. “You can think of it that way.”

“…”

Li Qingling gave a helpless smile, fell silent, and stared at the door, waiting for the head of guards to return.

Though Mr. Luo was anxious, he didn’t show it. He brought over a set of chess pieces and invited Li Qingling to play.

Thinking it would help distract herself, Li Qingling nodded.

After losing ten consecutive games, the head of guards returned.

Li Qingling stared at him. “What news?”

“Madam Hu said Ma Xiancheng isn’t at home either,” the head of guards replied. “I also checked He Dianshi’s house; he’s home, playing with his concubine.”

“Mo’er probably went out with Ma Xiancheng. You don’t need to worry; he’ll be fine.” Mr. Luo, having understood the situation, reassured Li Qingling.

Li Qingling nodded and asked the head of guards if Madam Hu had been informed to ease her mind.

After hearing that she had, Li Qingling finally relaxed slightly.

Seeing her exhausted, Mr. Luo urged her to return to rest and not worry too much; Liu Zhimou would be fine.

He had assigned a guard to protect Liu Zhimou. He guessed that Liu Zhimou had encountered something that delayed him from returning.

Li Qingling nodded. “Grandmaster, I’ll go back first. You should rest early too.”

Mr. Luo responded with a simple “Alright.”

Li Qingling returned to her room but couldn’t sleep, tossing and turning. At dawn, she wearily got up and asked Xichun if Liu Zhimou had returned.

Hearing that he hadn’t, her expression darkened. Before she could speak, Nian Xia hurriedly ran over. “Madam, two women are outside asking for you. They said… they want to see you.” Li Qingling noticed immediately that those two women were no good.