Chapter Eighteen: Dealing with Villains

Fenggu County Residence, Heaven-Class Room.

The moment one stepped inside, the scent of wealth assailed the senses. Antique vases, tables and chairs crafted from golden nanmu wood, a lotus brocade pond, a jade screen, bowls and plates of gold and silver inlaid with rubies. Even the thin silk curtains by the window were embroidered with golden threads. The carpet, crimson as its base and decorated with golden brocade serpents, was so luxurious that its origin was impossible to discern.

As soon as Qin Xiaomo entered, she called out to the attendant, “Hey, you there! Bring me your best wine and dishes—set the table full, price is no object!”

The attendant, delighted that another opportunity for profit had come, squinted his eyes with pleasure and replied, “Certainly, please make yourself comfortable.” He was about to leave when Qin Xiaomo stopped him.

“Wait! And bring me ten chicken drumsticks.”

“Such a hearty appetite, honored guest! Right away!” The attendant nodded and bowed out.

Red Mole, indignant, muttered, “Miss Qin, why are you so polite to this fellow? He’s no good. You didn’t even glance at the menu—don’t let him swindle you.”

Qin Xiaomo poured them all a cup of tea. “Patience, patience.”

Qian Mubai had been silent all along, but now he smiled softly and said, “Don’t be too ruthless.”

Qin Xiaomo burst into laughter—a tacit understanding, remarkable.

No sooner had she spoken than the wine and dishes began to arrive. When the last plate was set, the table that could seat eight was laden with a bounty of delicacies, rare and exquisite, and a large platter of chicken drumsticks. Coldface was truly famished; his eyes fixed on the feast, he no longer craved chicken drumsticks. His stomach growled, but seeing that no one had started, he drank tea to stave off his hunger.

Qin Xiaomo picked up her chopsticks and addressed the others, “Eat, everyone, don’t be shy, there’s plenty.” She casually handed a dragon fruit to White Dumpling, who joyfully took it and gnawed away.

Red Mole and Coldface, starving, devoured the food with little regard for manners, wolfing it down.

Qin Xiaomo turned to the attendant, “Our meeting today is fate. May I ask your name?”

“Honored guest, I dare not presume. My name is Wu De.”

“That suits your character,” Qin Xiaomo nodded.

“Not at all, not at all. Your presence graces our humble establishment, bringing us the highest honor,” the attendant replied with another round of flattery.

“Wu De, since fate has brought us together…” Qin Xiaomo raised her wine cup and glanced around the table, “the plate of chicken drumsticks is yours.”

Red Mole and Coldface exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of Qin Xiaomo’s intentions.

Wu De was momentarily stunned, then beamed, “Thank you, honored guest.” He stepped forward to take the plate.

“What are you doing?” Qin Xiaomo stopped him.

“You’ve bestowed it on me; I’ll take it to my room and savor it slowly.”

“Looking down on me?” Qin Xiaomo’s face suddenly grew cold.

“No, no, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Then finish it here.”

Wu De put the plate down, laughing awkwardly. “Honored guest, you’re making things difficult for me.”

“Difficult? You didn’t hesitate at all when collecting gold,” Qin Xiaomo said absently.

Wu De’s eyes darted nervously. “Honored guest, ten drumsticks is too much—I can’t finish them. Can’t you let me off with fewer?”

“Trying to bargain with me? Fine, you don’t have to eat the drumsticks. Go to the entrance where you just quarreled and kowtow three times to these two, admit your mistake. If they forgive you, the matter ends.”

Wu De suddenly understood—they were all in league. But the gold was already received, and he would never give it back. He couldn’t bear to part with it. “So you’re here to cause trouble! Honored guest, though you are a distinguished guest, our Fenggu County Residence isn’t easily bullied. If I call out, a dozen guards will rush up, and none of you will gain anything.”

He expected Qin Xiaomo to quake with fear after that, but she merely tapped her nails, drank water, and spoke leisurely, “Do you think they’ll punish us for you pocketing two taels of gold, or will they deal with you first?”

Wu De’s heart skipped a beat—“This isn’t good.” He steadied himself and asked, “So what do you want?”

Qin Xiaomo pointed at the plate of ten drumsticks. “Eat them all, and I’ll let you go.”

Wu De looked at the drumsticks, each as large as a palm, trapped between choices. Seeing no way out, he reluctantly picked up two and began stuffing them into his mouth. The first few were manageable; by the fourth, he was straining, by the fifth, eating was a struggle. As he forced down each bite, he vowed, “Just wait. When the city lord or old city lord returns, I’ll make sure to report you all. Otherwise, I won’t be called Wu De.”

By the sixth drumstick, Wu De was at his limit, ready to vomit. “I can’t, I really can’t eat anymore. If I do, I’ll burst. Please, honored guest, have mercy.”

“Then go downstairs and kowtow three times to them, admit your mistake, and the matter is settled.” Qin Xiaomo swirled her wine.

Wu De was so angry he nearly overturned the table, but with his weakness exposed, he had no choice but to endure. As he considered his options, a shout came from downstairs, “The old city lord is inspecting the County Residence, prepare to receive him!” Wu De brightened, tossed the drumsticks on the table, and revealed his true colors. “You lot, just wait. If I don't make you kneel and kowtow to me, calling me grandfather, this won’t be over!” He rushed out the door.

“Miss Qin, I know you’re standing up for us, but I fear you’ll be dragged into trouble,” Red Mole said apologetically.

“It’s all my fault, not my boss’s. I was greedy,” Coldface, tall and burly, hung his head in remorse.

“You two are with me now—your troubles are mine. If he bullies you, he bullies me too.” Qin Xiaomo patted Red Mole’s shoulder. At that moment, Qian Mubai watched Qin Xiaomo’s hand, his gaze intense.

From their perch on the second floor, they heard Wu De downstairs, crying and complaining, describing his grievances and how he was bullied.

Qin Xiaomo suddenly recalled her brash declaration at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion—claiming to be Qian Mubai’s wife. She turned to Qian Mubai. “So the sound insulation on the second floor is really bad?”

“Clear as day,” Qian Mubai replied, tipping a glass of fine wine down his throat.

Qin Xiaomo remembered her words and wished she could dig a three-bedroom apartment out of the ground with her toes.

“Did Miss Qin say something she shouldn’t have?” Red Mole was curious.

“Hey! Boss, it’s obviously about this handsome fellow here. Otherwise, why would they look so awkward?” Coldface was quick to point out the obvious.

“Hmm!” Red Mole scanned the room, pursed his lips, and nodded seriously.

Qin Xiaomo really wanted to smack them both with her shoe.

Just then, the door swung open. Six guards entered, three on each side. Last came an elderly man in splendid robes, white-bearded and dignified. He coughed twice upon entering to announce his presence.

“I don’t know how my humble establishment has offended you, honored guests, for you to humiliate my attendant,” the old city lord spoke with quiet authority.

“Your establishment bullies customers, humiliating my brothers at the door. All we did was offer your attendant some chicken drumsticks—where is the humiliation? You people are truly skilled at blaming the victim,” Qin Xiaomo replied with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

The old city lord eyed Wu De in confusion. Wu De quickly knelt and wailed, “Old city lord, they forced me to eat chicken drumsticks! If I didn’t, they’d hang me up and beat me to death. They threatened to burn down the residence. Their abuse of me is an abuse of you!”

“Outrageous! In Desert City, no one dares make trouble at Fenggu County Residence. Who are you? State your names, so when I have you killed, I’ll know where to send your bodies.”

Qian Mubai toyed with his wine cup, not even lifting his eyelids. “Mirror Void City, Qian Mubai.”

The old city lord was stunned, and with a thud, he dropped to his knees.