CHAPTER 58: CHAPTER 58: MUTUAL PROBING WITH THE LADY OF THE VILLAGE

The Lady of the Village’s eyes reddened, but she quickly suppressed the urge to cry, looking at Pei Shu’er with admiration.

"Please, make me a serving of sweet and sour ribs every day from now on and bring it to me."

The Big Master embraced the Lady of the Village with tenderness in his eyes.

"As long as Ling Niang, you like it, it’s all good."

Pei Shu’er repeatedly agreed, and as she withdrew, she glanced again at Ling Niang and the Big Master.

She felt the interaction between them was very strange.

Ling Niang would act coy toward the Big Master, but her eyes seemed eternally cold and distant.

Besides, Ling Niang was so beautiful, with a good temperament, likely a young Miss nurtured by a wealthy family.

Not someone who would normally be with a rough man like the Big Master.

It reminded her of that line mountain bandits loved to say in TV dramas.

"I’ll snatch you home and make you the Lady of the Village..."

Pei Shu’er: "..."

Could it truly be so melodramatic?

If it really were like this, then perhaps she could start with this Ling Niang.

After all, they needed a map to leave the mountain village.

Moreover, in this mountain village, only three leaders knew the routes; the others did not.

Otherwise, in this labyrinth-like range, they would have no certainty of where they were heading.

They had walked a stretch in the general direction, only to find cliffs, precipitous walls, swamps—essentially, no way out.

Pei Shu’er continued to drug everyone, adding a bit of addictive substance to the food.

That way, people would love to eat, eat more, and the more they ate, the deeper the poisoning.

Pei Shu’er delivered the sweet and sour ribs to Ling Niang, where the Big Master was absent, and two mountain bandits guarded outside.

Upon seeing it, Ling Niang noticed Pei Shu’er had also made sweet and sour fish, softening her demeanor slightly.

She ate slowly and gracefully, without a sound, as if watching her eat was like watching a piece of art.

Pei Shu’er recalled what she had learned from others regarding Ling Niang.

Ling Niang was the childhood sweetheart of the top scorer five years ago, with a harmonious and enviable relationship.

Her father was a middle official in the Ministry of Revenue, and due to his political stance—or lack of it—the entire family was exiled.

The Big Master at that time was merely a skilled little leader in exile.

On the road to exile, the Big Master fancied Ling Niang and killed her husband.

When the government officer sought punishment, he led some convicts in rebellion, capturing and torturing the officer who had overseen them.

He then established a mountain village, continually absorbing talent from passing exiles.

Consequently, Ling Niang had to submit to the Big Master because her old father was under his watch.

Years have now passed, and everyone believes Ling Niang must have already settled her heart.

After all, Ling Niang only stirred chaos for about half a year; after her father was threatened by being brought to the village by the Big Master, she became obedient.

Yet Pei Shu’er saw a chance.

And such a good opportunity today should not be missed.

Pei Shu’er probed, "Madam, judging by your taste, you seem like you’re from the south?"

Ling Niang shook her head, her voice gentle and soft.

"It’s because my mother and my husband are both from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang area."

Pei Shu’er knew; the husband was not the Big Master but that top scorer.

The two mountain bandits outside said nothing, not avoiding Ling Niang either.

Perhaps they were accustomed, and the Big Master probably knew, Ling Niang still held a place for her husband in her heart.

Pei Shu’er sighed, "The top scorer was knowledgeable and learned, a true scholar, but..."

At this, Pei Shu’er changed her tone, sighing, "Ah, how lamentable."

After saying this, Pei Shu’er observed Ling Niang’s micro-expressions.

She had studied psychology and micro-expressions when learning medicine, wishing to determine Ling Niang’s trustworthiness through them.

Ling Niang’s eyes reddened, and her lips trembled slightly; after a while, a faint smile appeared.

Her allure faded, making her seem much gentler and her gaze faraway.

"My husband wrote me 60 poems; he said he’d pen one each month for me, even on the road to exile, he didn’t forget his vow."

Having said this, she fell silent, merely staring at the sweet and sour ribs before her.

She forcibly held back her tears, leaving her eyes simply red-rimmed.

Pei Shu’er raised her eyebrows, noting Ling Niang’s longing for her husband.

Even after all these years, the feelings remained.

Pei Shu’er continued, "I know your husband was wonderful, but the Big Master treats you well too."

After saying this, Pei Shu’er watched Ling Niang’s expression with some anxiety.

Only to see Ling Niang’s mouth curve quickly into a sneer, a flash of icy, deeply resentful hatred in her eyes.

Then, it was swiftly suppressed, her eyelids drooping, speaking somewhat perfunctorily.

"Oh yes, very nice."

Pei Shu’er felt relieved.

This Ling Niang, she detested the Big Master.

Which, indeed, made sense.

Whose beloved was killed, and the perpetrator imprisoned her as a caged bird?

No matter how exquisite the food or luxurious the cage, it was never the sky she longed for.

Thus, Ling Niang hated the Big Master, rightly so.

Pei Shu’er thought the probing could go further. She suddenly leaned to Ling Niang, whispered, "Ling Niang, do you want to escape here?"

Ling Niang’s smile was one of despair, appearing formulaic yet rather poignant.

"I want to, I certainly want to; I desire to flee here day and night."

Subsequently, Ling Niang stood up, her eyes piercingly cold as she looked at Pei Shu’er, devoid of any allure.

"Are you one of Jiang Ye’s dogs sent to probe my thoughts? Haha, then you may relay this message back to him."

She never bothered to hide her desire to leave, and the Big Master knew she always wanted to.

But she understood; this place had peculiar terrain, guards aplenty, coupled with her father under the Big Master’s control.

It was a cage crafted explicitly for her.

She could not leave, for everyone here, besides the guidance of those three masters, there was no way to depart.

Pei Shu’er spoke, "Ling Niang, you needn’t be so wary. I am not of the Big Master’s people; I have relatives captured here, and I’m here to rescue them."

Ling Niang was initially stunned; then, recalling the "dwarf’s" past actions, she suddenly laughed.

"Your relatives must be Prince Zhan’s family then."

Pei Shu’er didn’t anticipate Ling Niang would be so perceptive; she was indeed an exceedingly wise woman.

Ling Niang grew closer to Pei Shu’er, no longer barbed.

She commented, "You’ve done this flawlessly, yet any action inevitably leaves traces; coupled with your intent to rescue, that’s how I discerned."

"But you’re lucky your identity couldn’t be linked to the War King’s family."

No wonder she was the top scorer’s wife!

Pei Shu’er observed Ling Niang, discovering her clear gaze devoid of any harm intended.

Only then did she slowly relax.

In truth, seeking Ling Niang today, she was prepared to abandon her current disguise if failing.

Regardless, she could reappear under a different guise later.

However, seeking Ling Niang was necessary anyway.