Du Ling quickly led seven or eight men to Steward Li's residence.
Steward Li, his belly protruding, laughed like the Maitreya Buddha. "Ah, Constable Du, a rare visitor! What wind blows you here?"
"Get out of the way!" Du Ling ignored Steward Li's fawning smile and waved his hand. "Search!"
"Ah, Constable Du, what are you doing!"
Steward Li's face changed drastically, but Du Ling had already led his men into the backyard. The maids shrieked. Knowing his son's character, he felt a sense of dread.
A prodigal son! Has he caused trouble again!
Du Ling kicked open the door to Li Wanku's room. The man, who was being aggressive, turned back angrily with a woman beneath him. "Damn it, who is it!"
Before he could see clearly, he was kicked flying.
Qu Linglong, tears blurring her vision and her expression dazed, clutched her stomach and looked at the tall figure in front of her. She loosened her clenched teeth. Her clothes were torn to shreds, but a smile appeared on her lips. "You've come. You've come to save me..."
Du Ling quickly took off his outer coat and draped it over her. He looked coldly at the groaning man in the corner and ordered, "Throw this lawless scoundrel in jail!"
Damn beast, not even sparing a pregnant woman!
The constables behind him grabbed Li Wanku. At this moment, Steward Li, holding his belly, arrived late. Seeing the scene, he understood everything.
"Constable Du, let's talk reason. Any amount of money will do! My son is unruly and has caused trouble for you and the officials. Tell me, tell me a price!"
"Go to hell!"
A constable kicked Steward Li. "Having money makes you great! Open your dog eyes and see clearly! This is our Du Tou's sister! Truly, the Old Man of the South Pole eating arsenic – he's lived long enough!"
Ah? This, this, this... Steward Li was kicked down and rolled on the ground, unable to get up.
Du Ling's face turned red. He looked at the woman who kept burrowing into his arms, his hands awkwardly hanging at his sides.
His subordinate, understanding his plight, reminded him, "Boss, our sister is frightened. Hurry and take her back!"
Right, right! She's his sister!
Du Ling understood and picked her up, walking out.
Outside the main gate, Xue Niang and Su Mian waited anxiously. They finally saw someone emerge.
When Su Mian saw the person Du Ling was holding, her legs went weak. "Miss, Miss, don't scare me, don't scare me!"
"She's fine, just startled."
Du Ling said to Xue Niang, who was clearly also frightened.
Xue Niang and Su Mian finally relaxed. Then Du Ling took her to Shenshui Lane.
However, Qu Linglong was still lost in her thoughts, clinging to Du Ling's lapel and not letting go.
"Zhongliang... Zhongliang..."
"Who is she calling?" Xue Niang asked, confused. It sounded like her eldest brother's name.
"It's a dog that my miss used to keep," Su Mian said, holding back tears, trying to pry Qu Linglong's fingers off. "Miss, Miss, do you miss home? Let go quickly, don't ruin Constable Du's clothes."
After finally breaking free, Du Ling stood up with a cold face.
What was wrong with this maid and her mistress? He was handsome and talented, what kind of dog looked like this?
"Mrs. Xiao, I'll be going now."
Du Ling bid farewell to Xue Niang and stepped out. He saw people peeking out from the alley, residents of the area.
He cleared his throat and announced loudly, "The owner of this medical clinic is my sister, Constable Du Ling. Those who are blind, don't cross my path!"
After issuing a warning, Du Ling left Shenshui Lane.
Qu Linglong had recovered from her immense shock. Her elegant face was frighteningly pale. She clutched her swollen belly and remained silent.
She ignored the comfort of Xue Niang and Su Mian, her eyes as if covered by a layer of dust.
"I want to be quiet."
Finally, she lay down, clutching her belly, and closed her eyes in exhaustion.
Xue Niang and Su Mian retreated.
"Mrs. Xiao, thank you today." Su Mian was still dressed as a young servant, but her hat was nowhere to be seen, and her hair was disheveled, revealing her female identity.
She was loyal to Linglong, just like Qing He before.
"Su Mian, take good care of Linglong. Close the medical clinic for now. If you need money, I have some."
Su Mian waved her hands repeatedly. "No, no, we don't need it."
"Alright, then I'll come again tomorrow." Kuaishu Pavilion
Xue Niang thought that tomorrow she would buy some nourishing food for Linglong. She was pregnant and looked very tired. She wondered who the father of the child was.
Xue Niang left Shenshui Lane and went onto the street, thinking of finding a carriage to go home.
"Xue Niang, oh my, it's really you!"
Xue Niang heard the voice, looked around, and saw Xiao Cui standing at the alley entrance. She had a look of surprised encounter, her spirits seemed much better than before, and she was waving at her.
"Just in time, I bought a bag of potatoes. Help me lift it onto my back."
Xue Niang glanced at a large bag behind her and walked over.
"Xiao Cui, how have you been lately?"
"Mm, pretty good."
Xiao Cui lowered her head and grabbed the mouth of the bag.
Xue Niang bent down, grabbed the two sides of the bag, took a deep breath, and lifted it suddenly. To her surprise, the bag lifted easily, with no weight at all.
As she was stunned, a greasy hand appeared behind her, covering her mouth, and another arm wrapped around her waist, dragging her backward.
Xue Niang's eyes widened in terror as she looked at Xiao Cui in front of her straightening up, her eyes filled with apology and evasion.
In a flash, she knew who was behind her.
This alley was right behind her family's pork stall.
Xue Niang was dragged into a door in the middle of the alley. Her strength was not enough to break free from a man several times stronger than her.
Only after being dragged into the room did the man behind her release her.
Her mouth tasted greasy and fishy, and Xue Niang gagged.
"Heh heh, little lady, we meet again."
Butcher Zhang licked his lips, looking at the charming woman, his mind already conjuring images of ecstasy.
The touch just now was too wonderful. Her waist was slender, but unlike Xiao Cui, it wasn't all bone. It was soft like noodles. He wondered if she had no bones inside.
"Don't be afraid. As long as you have a good time with me today, I will never say a word, and your man will never know."
It would be best if she could come every few days. That hunter Xiao was a strong man. He must have tormented her a lot usually, leaving some marks. Would he even notice?
Xue Niang spat fiercely, "Disgusting creature!"
Butcher Zhang's fleshy face twitched, and the lust in his eyes intensified. "Mm, women with spirit are more flavorful. Today, I'll show you my prowess. I'm even more powerful than your man."
Xue Niang rapidly scanned her surroundings, only to find the room dirty. Besides basins of pig intestines soaking in water, there was nothing she could use for self-defense.
Why didn't she bring a dagger with her!
Xue Niang had just saved Qu Linglong, and now it was her turn. This time, she truly experienced Linglong's despair.
"Xiao Shan!"
She shouted towards Butcher Zhang's back. Taking advantage of his momentary distraction, she turned and ran. Just as she reached the doorway, her hair was grabbed and she was pulled back.
"Xiao Shan, Xiao Shan, save me, save me..."
"This voice is lovely. Scream louder later!" Butcher Zhang grinned, his face flushed with excitement, the lust in his eyes burning fiercely.