CHAPTER 248: CHAPTER 248: SHE HIT ME?

"In a couple of days, I plan to visit the farm and check if the first harvest is due soon. We’ll see how the yield is then."

Long Yue was helping Li Qingmu change his bandages. That very night after they returned, and after the Princely Heir Qi Jingyu had settled in, Duanmu Nan came over, checked his pulse to make sure he was alright, left some golden sore medicine, and left.

"Master is so great; this golden sore medicine works wonders."

Long Yue praised while applying the ointment.

Li Qingmu found his young wife adorable. Mr. Duanmu was only a few years older than him, and she was already calling him elder? How would he feel about that?

"I just like calling him elder!"

Long Yue was quickly becoming someone who could read Li Qingmu’s thoughts just by looking at him.

"Li Qingmu, hurry up and get better. Without you to spar with, I’m bored to death waving my fists and knives alone."

Little brother-in-law Cao Xiao was truly bored to death these days. His martial arts skills were so impressive that the neighborhood kids didn’t want to play with him. He was left with no one but Li Qingmu to practice swordplay with. But now that Li Qingmu was injured, he couldn’t even move around.

"Aren’t there a hundred private guards in the mansion? Train with them."

"Oh come on, Little Yue’er, back in Xinan, I trained with them every day till I couldn’t take it anymore!"

Cao Xiao looked utterly dejected and dispirited.

"Madam, the Chang Family is causing trouble again!"

"Again? Aren’t they tired of it?"

Long Yue rolled her eyes. If they weren’t, she surely was.

"Little Yue’er, I’ll go deal with them! Teach them a lesson!"

Ever since his father went back, Cao Xiao had been living comfortably without anyone urging him for morning practice. He’d sleep until he naturally woke up.

But this morning, he was startled awake by Chang Yao’s shouting. By the time he dressed and came out from the backyard, the person was already gone; he couldn’t even vent his frustration—frustrating!

And now the Chang Family was back? Were they asking for trouble?

Without waiting for Long Yue’s permission, Cao Xiao rushed out in a hurry.

"Let’s go out and check. My little brother-in-law is a bit hot-headed and quick-tempered; I’m afraid he might cause trouble!"

"Don’t worry, he knows his limits."

Despite the reassurances, Long Yue stepped out anyway.

Chang Lexi raised her proud little chin, disdainfully glanced at Wang Liu, who came out to ask questions, "Go in and announce it quickly, I want to see Pang Longyue!"

"My Madam is busy, no visitors!"

Huanhuan, who had nothing to do on regular days, helped Wang Liu with his tasks since she was strong and Wang Liu was weak and slim, with average strength. For heavier tasks, she would help out.

Huanhuan happened to drag over two brooms, and seeing Chang Lexi acting like a bully, stepped in front of Wang Liu, hands on hips.

Huanhuan was about 1.8 meters tall, quite robust. Standing there, she looked like a mountain of flesh. Chang Lexi saw Huanhuan and took a step back in fright.

She widened her eyes in terror.

Can anyone tell her, was this even a person?

"I... I came to see your Madam..."

Chang Lexi looked up at Huanhuan, her momentum weakened considerably, not daring to directly use Long Yue’s name. The intimidating presence of Huanhuan was evident.

"My Madam is attending to her lord and has no time for visitors!"

Huanhuan crossed her arms, her face stern.

"I... I have important matters to discuss with her, let her come out to see me!"

"What do you want to tell my Little Yue’er?"

Cao Xiao, dressed in a dark green narrow-sleeved robe with silver leaf edging, appeared cleanly and neatly before Chang Lexi.

Chang Lexi was slightly taken aback when she saw the man appear before her.

The man was strikingly handsome, his features finely and precisely chiseled like a work of art, his long brows touching his temples, his bright eyes like stars, his appearance very masculine and dashing.

When Chang Lexi looked at Cao Xiao, her heart seemed to skip a beat inadvertently.

Previously seeing Li Qingmu, this man was also handsome, too handsome, almost enchanting, making one feel unsafe. But this man? He was precisely handsome and made one feel assured.

Chang Lexi’s first impression of this man seemed quite favorable.

However, what Cao Xiao said next left her very annoyed!

"Hey, I’m asking you a question; are you mute? You, girl, look alright, but why do you seem so dumb?"

Li Qingmu’s words could be sharp and to the point, angering someone half to death. In contrast, Cao Xiao’s words were cheeky, and with his nonchalant posture, they were infuriating enough to make someone explode inwardly.

Chang Lexi blushed, feeling both ashamed and angry, "What a babbling mouth you have! Who are you calling dumb?"

"I’m talking about you. I asked you a question, and you’ve been silent. What else could it be if not dumb?"

"You, you..."

Chang Lexi pointed at Cao Xiao, trembling with anger.

After all, she was a noble maiden and a member of the imperial family. To be called "dumb" so outrightly?

This was intolerable!

"How dare you insult me, you scoundrel?"

Chang Lexi stomped her foot in anger, then hurled a punch in Cao Xiao’s direction.

Chang Lexi was a pampered lady, with parents doting on her and brothers caring for her, they’d never let her experience hardship or pain, so she knew no martial arts. This punch had no power.

Cao Xiao easily dodged it.

Seeing he evaded her, she grew even angrier and swung her small fists at him with frustration.

Cao Xiao found it amusing, especially teasing a girl with no martial arts. The sense of accomplishment and superiority filled him with joy, so he kept dodging with his arms crossed.

"You, you..."

Chang Lexi felt this man was truly detestable. Wasn’t this just making fun of her? In a fit of rage, she charged straight at Cao Xiao.

Cao Xiao instinctively dodged but quickly realized it was a mistake.

Chang Lexi’s momentum was too strong; without support, she’d fall.

Sure enough, he heard Chang Lexi’s terrified scream from behind as she fell forward.

With quick reflexes, Cao Xiao rolled and swiftly caught her, preventing her from hitting the ground.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Holding her, Cao Xiao belatedly asked, only to see her face had turned beet red.

"Ahhh, you scoundrel, you shameless scoundrel, how dare you take advantage of me? Smack!"

A slap landed on his cheek, hitting solidly, but Chang Lexi also realized her hand hurt. This man’s skin was really thick!

"A shao!"

When Long Yue came out, she saw Chang Lexi slap Cao Xiao, the critical point being they were still in each other’s arms...

Long Yue looked aghast: "A shao, what are you two doing?"

Cao Xiao seemed to be caught off guard, and before he could react, he swiftly jumped back upon Long Yue’s arrival and pointed at Chang Lexi, saying to Long Yue, "Little Yue’er, this woman hit me?"