Emperor's Cunning Wife

What was the difference?

Feng Hong had an urge to beat him up.

Ning Lou leaned back after she sensed the murderous air coming Feng Hong. Did she say something wrong? She only repeated what Xu said to Jin Shou when they talk about tendencies. Xu also said something about neuro…something….Okay let's stop there; she didn't want to dig deeper in her memories anymore in case her mind would be exhausted.

"What I'm saying is that you can't control your illness since it's in the mind. No medicine or herbs can cure it, but if you consider staying with me I might be able to alleviate it." Ning Lou said biting her tongue at the end.

I wanted to believe in you but why is your voice sounded unsure, and why are you biting your tongue. Why do I feel you're full of nonsense?

"For the last time, I said I'm fine. Please leave." Feng Hong couldn't take anymore of Ning Lou's directness. He did not want to make his sisters worry, even though Ning Lou's words hit the mark, he felt that what he'd done so far was very shameful and shouldn't be brought to light.

"Feng Hong, you shouldn't really refuse, since I'm the only one who understands it."

Feng Hong remained silent.

Bayou clasped Brother Feng's sleeves holding her anger.

Her older sister was rational and so when a possible solution was offered whether Brother Feng has an illness or not, her mind swayed and her eyes swept towards Brother Feng. She should convince him.

"Brother Feng, no matter what's the case Baoyu and I will support you. We also wanted to understand what you're going through. Please let us know."

"Elder sister, why are you siding with that mister?" Baoyu spoke complaining how her elder sister was implying that Brother Feng had some issues in the mind.

"I'm only concerned for Brother Feng." The older sister defended.

Feng Hong heard her sister's persuasion and his lips trembled. Suddenly he recalled a memory. It was a sunny day at the market, and he accompanied Baoyu to buy salt. That was when those sudden urges started, on the way to the salt vendor's stall, he saw someone selling hair pins. He didn't know what came into him, and why he viewed that particular pin as something so beautifully blinding even though its craftsmanship was poor. His head was only saying that 'I need to possess it'. He tried to restrain himself from stealing, but his mind was like under a spell, the itch was too unbearable and by the time he knew it, the pin was already on his hand and then he felt an overwhelming satisfaction and p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e numbing his whole body. After that day, Bayou had found out about the pin that he acquired, feeling guilty, he couldn't confess and only replied that he got if for her. Baoyu's naive mind didn't think of anything and accepted it happily.

He decided to forget that day, only attributing it to his momentarily greediness, but what he thought was only fleeting turned to an irreversible habit, thus the cycle of urges, p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, and guilt was repeated.

"Your sister is right. It might be a pin, a tassel or someone's purse right now but how can you be so sure that you would be able to resist snatching jades or golden statues or anything of astronomical value in the future. There might even instances where you could offend a noble, a fugitive, or a criminal and when that happens..." Ning Lou stopped and looked at Feng Hong's two sisters obviously contemplating her words, even the hot tempered Baoyu looked worried. Ning Lou then continued targeting Feng Hong's soft spot, "…your two sisters might get implicated. Would be able to deal with the consequences?"

"Alright! I'll listen to you!" Feng Hong's sister complex proved to be true. Ning Lou only provided him a future scenario then he agreed immediately. If she did that on the first place, the deal would have been sealed already, but she could not since he remembered Jin Shou through him.

Ah! That guy! I wondered how much people he offended already.

Bayou was about to say something but her older sister whispered words of reassurance, and that's why she only grumble her complains before she locked herself in the bedroom.

"She got a fiery temper. This one hopes mister understands." The older sister apologized.

"What's there to apologize? She's still a child. It's her right to be spoiled. I don't mind at all rather I find her cute." Ning Lou smiled teasingly and shot the bedroom's door a glance.

The older sister also smiled relieved.

"Isn't it about time to say your name?" Feng Hong looked at him, finally sparing some time to examine his features. To be honest, he had a hard time believing this guy since he has shown no emotions at all. His face devoid of any changes to the point he suspect he was born with some rare illness such as his.

"It's Zhaopin Zhe." Ning Lou smiled without blinking. She was already accustomed to making up aliases, and felt 'Zhaopin Zhe' was quite suitable for this moment.

Feng Hong wrinkled his brows clearly trying to associate 'Zhaopin' among the officials of the Qin country but none came to his mind, so either this person's background was not that known, they were low-key, or he's a foreigner, but as of the moment he didn't see any of her conducts having semblance to the tribes outside Qin Country.

"What are you thinking about?" Ning Lou asked snapping his series of thoughts. He realized he was staring at the person so intensely so he looked elsewhere to cover his awkwardness.

Feng Hong coughed, "Nothing…"

"So, when will you le…" Feng Hong didn't manage to finish his words when Ning Lou tossed his sister a pouch and judging from the noise it was full of coins.

"Beauty, what's for dinner?" Ning Lou opened her fan and elegantly flirted with the older sister.

"Uhmm…This one hasn't decided yet. What would mister like?" The older sister replied, quite surprised with the amount in the pouch.

"Just anything would do, I'm not picky. But, it would be good to have wine while accompanying a beauty under the moonlight." Ning Lou leaned near her. Her suave moves fluttered the lady's heart.

"Zhaopin Zhe!" Feng Hong pronounced his alias with gritting.

"Big Brother Feng, why are you naggy?"

"Who's your big brother?!" Feng Hong's nose flared up too irritated at his nonsense.

Ning Lou grinned and rounds of laughter filled the small place.