The weather was cold, so Xiao Shan bought a carriage, padded it thickly, and drove it himself as they left town, with Ling Yao nestled comfortably in the warm blankets.
"A Shan, Bei Yue and Bei Shang will have forgotten me by the time they see me after such a long absence."
"No one would recognize you in your current state," Xiao Shan replied from the front.
"Qing He and Yu Liu are watching over me, don't worry. Just be your little self and enjoy the trip."
Being a child was quite good; she seemed much happier than before.
It was just that sometimes she was too lively and always played tricks on him.
"You really don't like the child I'm carrying," Ling Yao sighed.
But he was right; it would be better when her body grew a bit more. She just didn't know when she would have another growth spurt.
Last time she had suddenly become the appearance of an eight-year-old. How old would she be if she grew again?
Xiao Shan turned his head and said seriously, "It's not that I don't like it, it's just that between you and the child, I prefer you."
"I don't believe you. Kiss me, on the lips."
She started teasing him again. Xiao Shan turned back and focused on driving the carriage, ignoring her.
Alas, looking at that sturdy back and solid waist, she could only feast her eyes.
When would she finally grow up?
"A Shan, don't you desire women?"
Ling Yao's eyes lit up. She propped herself up on her arms and leaned forward. "Didn't you used to... in the carriage... I can still help you like that."
Xiao Shan stopped the carriage and, under Ling Yao's intense gaze, climbed into the carriage.
"Hurry and take it off... Ouch!" Ling Yao cried out.
Xiao Shan spanked her bottom several times.
"If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll spank you again."
Didn't she know how incongruous it was to say such things in that childish voice? He felt like she was driving him mad.
"Children should act like children. Don't learn bad habits."
Learn my mother's head!
Ling Yao was furious. She wasn't a real child. Fine! If he didn't want her as his wife, then when she grew up, she would let him only look but not touch, leaving him to glare in frustration!
Her bottom hurt so much!
Xiao Shan drove the carriage. After a long time, there was no more movement from inside. He was sure she was sulking.
Alas, when they reached the next town, he would buy her some new trinkets to appease her.
Upon reaching the next town, they found a bustling market in full swing.
Xiao Shan stopped the carriage in a less crowded spot, lifted the curtain, and saw the little one lying there motionlessly, still angry?
He leaned his head closer and saw that she had fallen asleep, her face squashed against the bedding, drool trickling from the corner of her mouth.
She truly was a child.
Xiao Shan turned her over, covered her with the blanket, and got out of the carriage. He glanced around and saw a curiosity shop across the street. He wondered what interesting items they might have. He decided to pick out a few things to give her later when she was bored on the road, so she wouldn't have time to tease him.
He didn't linger in the shop and casually picked out a few items before leaving.
However, when he got back into the carriage and lifted the curtain, the person inside was gone.
"Xue Niang?"
At first, Xiao Shan thought she was playing a trick and hiding to scare him. But when he circled the carriage and couldn't find her, he knew something had happened.
It's okay, it's okay. He was the best at investigation. Suppressing the sudden panic that welled up, he began to observe the people coming and going around him.
Ling Yao had indeed been abducted. She was now being carried into a building with her mouth and nose covered.
Dizzily thrown to the ground, she then saw a plump, middle-aged woman looking at her with shining eyes.
"What a beautiful little girl."
The woman pinched her chin and lifted her face. The strong scent of makeup made Ling Yao sneeze.
The woman nodded with satisfaction. "A top-quality one! Hong Cui Fang can finally surpass Bai Hua Lou!"
The woman stood up with extreme excitement and threw a bag of silver to the person in front of her.
"Clean up any loose ends. If anything goes wrong, you'll have to compensate tenfold."
The man who had brought her in took the silver and chuckled, "Madam, don't worry. She's from out of town and didn't even bring a follower. She's not from a wealthy family."
"Mm."
The woman glanced at Ling Yao's clothing. The fabric looked good, but it wasn't particularly ornate.
"How much was I sold for?" Ling Yao was curious about her own value.
The woman found it very peculiar. She waved the man away and then squatted down, looking at Ling Yao more and more as if she were a treasure.
The entire establishment, no, all the girls in Fengyang City combined, couldn't compare to the charm of this child's eyes.
If she were cultivated further, heavens, what man in the world wouldn't be captivated?
Moreover, this little girl was calm and composed – a rare commodity!
She was going to get rich.
Ling Yao was all too familiar with that look of being appraised for sale. This time, it seemed she would fetch a good price.
"Little girl, no matter how much you were sold for, from now on, all you have to do is beckon, and someone will bring you hundreds of times the money. Mama here will teach you all her most intimate skills."
"What skills?"
"Naturally, the skills to charm men." The woman winked, but her heavily made-up eyes couldn't hide the wrinkles at their corners.
"Can you charm men with strong willpower too?" Ling Yao asked shamelessly.
"Hahaha—" The woman burst into laughter.
She really liked this little girl.
"No matter their willpower, as long as they are men, none can resist."
Ling Yao expressed her disbelief.
Xiao Shan was a tough nut to crack.
Ling Yao had a general idea of where she was, but she wasn't afraid. Although she had no spiritual power now, she still retained one skill: soul-capturing, which was enough for self-preservation.
Now, she was just waiting for Xiao Shan to find her and, incidentally, to see what this woman would teach her.
Because Ling Yao didn't cry or resist at all, and the madam doted on her, she received good treatment. She was given a room and ate a good dinner.
It was just that the fragrance in the building was too strong, making her nose itch.
"When will you teach me the skills?" Ling Yao asked the madam.
She was afraid that with Xiao Shan's abilities, he would find her very quickly, and it would be a wasted trip if she didn't learn anything.
The madam was overjoyed. She had never met such an eager girl before. It was much better than those who were reluctant and put up a fight. This was so much better and less suffering.
"You're still young. We'll start tomorrow. First, we'll cultivate your skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. The more refined a man's taste..."
"I know these. Is there anything else?"
"You know them?" The madam wasn't angry at being interrupted and examined her closely again.
The girl was young, with flawless features and an innate nobility. In all her years, she had truly never seen such a presence.
Could she actually be a young lady from some noble family?
Skills like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were not something ordinary families could afford to cultivate.
"What about dancing?"
"I know that too." Ling Yao frowned. Was that all? Could these things really charm men?
Just then, someone outside called for the madam. She had no choice but to get up with a frown.
"We'll talk about it tomorrow. Stay here in the back courtyard honestly. Absolutely do not go to the front hall; there are many drunkards there."
As she walked to the door, she still felt a bit uneasy. She called for two cleaning women and instructed them.
"Keep a good watch here."
"Yes, Feng Mama."