**Chapter 138: Don't Listen to the Old Man**
At noon, Zhao Ling, A Yin, and Liu Erlong were enjoying a sumptuous lunch in the hall. Liu Erlong, however, kept grinning from time to time, which piqued A Yin's curiosity.
"Sister Long'er, what's wrong with you? Are you sick?"
Liu Erlong's pretty face turned red instantly, and she glared fiercely at Zhao Ling with her beautiful eyes.
"You can only blame this bad guy! This isn't about a newborn baby. How could he... How could he..."
She stopped mid-sentence, finding it too embarrassing to continue, and puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"Puchi..." A Yin suddenly burst into laughter, immediately realizing someone had crossed the line.
Having experienced similar situations before, A Yin glanced at Zhao Ling and teased coquettishly, "Husband, can you be more careful? You actually took advantage of Sister Long'er in the courtyard. Aren't you afraid the servants might see you?"
"If you want to 'harm' Long'er in the future, just carry her back to your room so the servants don't get a free show."
Zhao Ling scratched his head awkwardly and agreed, "Yin'er, you're right. I'll pay more attention next time."
"No, that's not the issue we should be focusing on!" Liu Erlong protested, feeling increasingly aggrieved.
As the three continued chatting, the butler suddenly rushed into the hall and spoke urgently.
"Master, someone from the palace has come to invite you."
"The palace?" Zhao Ling frowned. He couldn't understand why Emperor Xue Ye wanted him there.
While he didn't know the reason, since the emperor had sent someone, he couldn't refuse. After all, Zhao Ling had been given a grand mansion, 5 million gold soul coins, and even the Tiandou Empire's national treasure. If he accepted benefits without showing courtesy, he risked being criticized for arrogance.
Zhao Ling put down his chopsticks and warned the two women.
"Yin'er, Long'er, stay home. Don't leave the mansion unless necessary. I'll go to the palace."
"Well... Husband, please be careful," A Yin said with a gentle smile.
Liu Erlong, however, pouted and didn't respond until Zhao Ling's teasing voice made her relent.
"Long'er, shouldn't you say goodbye to me? Otherwise, I won't go to the palace..."
Recognizing Zhao Ling's playful threat, Liu Erlong's angry expression quickly turned into a gentle smile. Sweetly, she replied, "Brother Ling, Long'er wishes you a safe journey."
Zhao Ling shook his head, dissatisfied, and walked over to Liu Erlong. Gently stroking her head, he said, "Long'er, I don't want you to call me Brother Ling anymore. You should call me 'hubby,' like Yin'er does."
"Tsk, no!" Liu Erlong refused flatly, curling her lips defiantly.
"If you want me to change what I call you, you'd better catch me first."
"Well then, I'll give you a good beating when I return tonight." Zhao Ling smirked wickedly and walked out of the mansion.
As Zhao Ling disappeared through the gate, A Yin gave Liu Erlong a thumbs-up.
"Sister Long'er, you're so brave. He only asked you to call him 'husband,' but you still dared to provoke him. You're finished."
"Haha, not that serious, right?" Liu Erlong laughed, dismissing A Yin's warning. She thought Sister Yin'er was exaggerating, trying to scare her.
"Not serious? Go ask Sister Saixi this afternoon. She should be awake by now," A Yin replied, her blue eyes gleaming mischievously.
Feeling uneasy, Liu Erlong quickly finished her meal and left the hall.
Watching her go, A Yin shook her head helplessly. "Ah, she didn't listen to the old man's advice. Now she'll suffer. But this is good for me—I can rest well today. How wonderful."
When Liu Erlong arrived at Bo Saixi's room, she knocked softly on the door for nearly three minutes. Finally, the knocking stirred Bo Saixi, who had been sleeping deeply.
Half-awake, Bo Saixi mumbled, "Hubby, go open the door..." before realizing Zhao Ling wasn't there. Struggling to open her eyes, she called out lazily, "The door's not locked. Come in."
Liu Erlong entered the room and saw Bo Saixi sprawled on the bed, looking utterly exhausted. She approached tentatively and asked, "Sister Saixi, are you okay? Would you like to get up and eat? Today's meal is quite rich."
Bo Saixi didn't respond. Instead, her gentle snoring grew louder.
"Sister Saixi? Sister Saixi..." Liu Erlong shook her gently until Bo Saixi stirred again.
"Long'er, don't disturb my sleep... I'm too tired... I just want to..." Before finishing, she fell back into a deep sleep.
Liu Erlong froze. This didn't seem right. Sister Saixi, a great Ultimate Douluo, had been completely subdued by Zhao Ling. What would happen to her?
Suddenly, Liu Erlong regretted not just calling Zhao Ling 'husband' earlier. Why had she provoked him?
"I need Sister Yin'er's help," she muttered.
But when Liu Erlong returned to the hall, no matter how much she begged, A Yin shook her head and refused.
"Sister Long'er, do you think I'm stupid? You provoked your husband today. I'm not taking the blame for you. Don't beg me. Just think of a way to please him tonight."
"If you can make him happy, maybe he'll forgive you. Otherwise, not even the gods can save you."
Having said her piece, A Yin, now satisfied with her meal, hummed a cheerful tune and strolled out of the courtyard, clearly pleased with herself.
To Liu Erlong, however, that cheerful tune sounded like a taunt, making her even more upset.
"Sister Yin'er, you're too much! Just because I didn't listen to your advice, you're gloating now? Damn it..."
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(End of Chapter)