"Qing Lin, what's going on? You can't even handle a small task properly? What if you burn someone?"
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Ding glanced at Qing Lin with a frown and instinctively scolded her in a low voice.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I'll pick it up right away!"
Qing Lin's face was pale, her whole body trembling with fear. What terrified her even more than the scolding was the thought of losing the only place willing to take her in, a place that allowed her to do menial tasks in exchange for a bite of food.
Though the Jia Ma Empire wasn't the friendliest, at least she wasn't being chased, cursed, or beaten like when she was out on the streets.
But now, the honorable young master seemed to have taken an interest in her. Qing Lin couldn't stop worrying about what would happen next. What if he found out about her dirty snake-human bloodline? Would he become furious and beat her to death?
Fear gripped her heart as these thoughts raced through her mind. Her frail, small body trembled uncontrollably.
As for escaping, Qing Lin didn't even dare to consider it. Her fate, even her "dirty" body, wasn't something she could control. If Xiao Ding and Xiao Li decided to hand her over to someone else, she would have no choice but to obey, and she couldn't even muster the courage to ask for mercy. If she really tried to escape, it would only lead to a tragic end.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, Qing Lin yelped in pain as a shard from the broken kettle pierced her slender fingers. Blood began to flow from the wound.
Meanwhile, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were still deep in conversation with Gu Changqing, discussing Qinglin's fate.
"Brother Changqing, you're truly a man of emotion. Since you like her, take the girl with you. Play with her as you wish. As for that Xuan-class technique you mentioned, that's too formal. We're all family here. How could my brother and I ask you for such a price?"
Xiao Ding waved dismissively, signaling Gu Changqing not to bring up the Xuan-class technique, generously offering Qinglin to him without further discussion.
"Haha, Xiao Ding is absolutely right! If Brother Changqing likes her, not only Qinglin, but any girl here who's willing, you can take with you. There's no need to mention the technique, just consider it our gift to you."
Xiao Li laughed heartily, encouraging Gu Changqing to enjoy himself freely without reservation.
"Haha, in that case, I'll gratefully accept your kindness, brothers."
Gu Changqing, with the swagger of a pampered young master, pulled out two scrolls containing Xuan-class techniques from his ring, one for Xiao Ding and one for Xiao Li. After some polite refusal, they eventually accepted his gifts.
Then, Gu Changqing glanced at Qinglin, who was still on the floor picking up the broken shards despite her bleeding hand, and said:
"Oh, the young girl's hand is injured. I'll take her to treat it first. Brother Xiao Ding, Brother Xiao Li, you two continue your conversation; I'll excuse myself."
With that, Gu Changqing pulled up the trembling, pale-faced Qinglin. In her eyes, there was nothing but despair.
"Xuelan, Liu Mei, help clean up the mess here. I'll take the girl downstairs."
"Oh, and Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, could you send someone to guide us to a room for treatment?"
His tone made it clear he was more interested in heading to the bedroom than actually treating Qing Lin's injuries.
"Hahaha, I understand! Ka Fu, escort Brother Changqing and Qinglin to the largest room we have!"
Xiao Li immediately turned to one of the women present, giving his orders.
"No need, Second Leader. I'll take Brother Changqing myself."
Xuelan hurriedly stood up, offering to accompany them.
She was genuinely worried that Gu Changqing would do something to Qing Lin. The girl was still so young and Xuelan didn't want to see her fall into his hands. So, she intended to stop him, offering herself in exchange. She didn't believe Gu Changqing would reject her.
"Hmm? What do you think, Changqing?"
Xiao Ding asked cautiously, unsure whether letting Xuelan join would spoil the young master's fun.
"Let her come with us."
Gu Changqing thought for a moment and then looked at Liu Mei with a mischievous grin.
"Liu Mei, you come too. Brother Xiao Ding, Brother Xiao Li, I'll leave the cleanup to you."
"Hahaha, don't worry about it, Brother Changqing! I'll send two more maids your way later. Have fun!"
Xiao Li chuckled to himself, thinking Gu Changqing was quite the playboy, taking three girls at once. But the more decadent Changqing behaved, the easier it would be to keep him under their influence.
"Hahaha!"
Gu Changqing laughed along with them as he led Qing Lin and the others downstairs.
Once inside the bedroom, Xuelan tried to speak, but before she could finish her sentence, SMACK!
Gu Changqing slapped her hard across the backside.
With cold eyes, he glared at her and said:
"A concubine has no right to meddle in her master's affairs. And my name is not something you're allowed to speak so casually. If you disobey again, I'll tie you up and hang you, bare, from the back of the Amethyst Winged Lion King!"
Dealing with women like Xuelan required a heavy hand. Only by showing his dominance could he make her submit completely.
As expected, Xuelan shivered at the thought of such punishment. Her initial defiance faded quickly, and she begged,
"Master, I didn't mean to question you, but Qing Lin is so young. And she's a snake-human hybrid. I swear to serve you with all my heart—just please, spare her for now. Perhaps you could wait a few more years..."
"Hmph, we'll see. Now get out!"
Gu Changqing dismissed her with a cold glance, exuding an air of authority.
"But Master, Qing Lin—"
Xuelan stammered, still trying to plead.
"Leave!"
Gu Changqing's voice was ice-cold, leaving no room for argument.
Xuelan and Liu Mei dared not go against his orders. Liu Mei, ever obedient, quickly retreated. In the spacious room, only Gu Changqing and the trembling Qinglin remained.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Gu Changqing gently took Qinglin's injured hand into his own, softly rubbing her palm. His voice was gentle, but his intentions were clear.
In truth, he was using his special combat qi, cultivated from his unique cultivation method, to heal her wound. Wherever his fingers passed, the injury on Qinglin's hand rapidly closed up.
"No… no, I'm not afraid."
Qing Lin's small, frail body shuddered as she stole a glance at Gu Changqing, then quickly lowered her head. Her wide green eyes were filled with fear and helplessness.
Her entire body trembled, but she dared not pull her hand away from his. Her voice was soft and quivering:
"Young Master Gu, I'm just a lowly snake-human hybrid. I'm filthy... I don't deserve to be touched by you. If you find me too dirty, please don't kill me. I beg you... just spare my life."