The Peerless Beauty Stuck With Me

Chapter 1497 - 1496: North Island Has Many Villains

Wang Han couldn't wait to leave right now, to take the two most important people with him and escape to a place where Wang Lin couldn't find them. The thought of living a carefree, entertaining life brought him a secret joy."You think you can just use me to save those two people by your side, and then easily cast me aside once you've crossed the river? It's not that simple or easy!"

Tang Rao shattered Wang Han's beautiful fantasy, though this outcome was within her expectations.

Without tormenting Wang Han enough, how could Tang Rao let her go? It was simply wishful thinking.

"Tang Rao, when did you return? Why didn't you let us sisters know beforehand?"

The speaker was Qin Qing. The relationship between Qin Qing and Tang Rao had always been hot and cold. When Tang Rao was kind to Qin Qing, it was quite nice, but the cold times outnumbered the warm. Running into Tang Rao while alone in Zijing City, Qin Qing found herself in a dilemma whether to greet or not.

She was planning to take a detour behind the rockery, but Tang Rao's gaze pinned her down.

"Qin Qing, are you so reluctant to see me? It's been so long, yet now you know to take a detour?"

Tang Rao found it odd; before leaving, the women clung to him unwillingly, but upon his return, they were so cold. Had they all planned to treat him like this, or was it just Qin Qing's attitude?

As someone absent from home for long stretches, a man who never visits the harem, Tang Rao naturally lacked a sense of security.

Rarely did Tang Rao ask such naive questions, leading Qin Qing to suspect her ears deceived her. Otherwise, why would Tang Rao spend time on her?

"I just didn't want to interrupt your world of two."

These words spoken unwillingly, Qin Qing curtsied and didn't bother greeting the woman beside Tang Rao.

Any woman Tang Rao brought back was equal in status; none were superior. To survive in Zijing City, one must have the awareness to stand on par with the others. Anyone wishing to dominate would find neither the women nor Tang Rao's support.

"Tang Rao, is this one of your women? She looks rather ordinary, nothing remarkable, and you still want her?"

Wang Han's words sparked laughter from the two maids behind her.

Servants often follow their master's lead. If the master mocked the woman opposite, they would join in the ridicule. After doing this often, it became a habit.

Qin Qing was the granddaughter of the Grandmaster of North Island Arrays, pampered since childhood. Being called plain was something she had never encountered before, especially not from a newcomer daring to insult her in Tang Rao's presence. How could Qin Qing tolerate it?

"Who are you to speak in Zijing City? Even as Tang Rao's new woman, you should abide by our rules here. Without respect for us, you won't receive it in return!"

In front of Tang Rao, Qin Qing felt compelled to maintain some decorum, refraining from overly harsh words.

Yet, retreating two steps does not guarantee others will understand. Some, like Wang Han, would instead stride forward boldly upon being given an inch.

"What rules in Zijing City? As a newcomer, I truly don't know them. Tang Rao, do your rules prohibit saying your woman looks ugly?"

Wang Han's words were sharp indeed; earlier calling Qin Qing average, and now directly labeling her as ugly. This was tantamount to declaring open war on Qin Qing.

"There are no such rules."

In the battles among women, Tang Rao was often led by the nose. Without much thought, he answered Wang Han's query, only realizing the mistake upon speaking.

Wasn't this joining Wang Han in indirectly calling Qin Qing ugly?

One Wang Han wasn't enough, now even Tang Rao joined in!

Qin Qing could dismiss Wang Han as anyone, an outsider. Whatever Wang Han said could be ignored, but Tang Rao's seemingly casual words struck at her heart.

"Qin Qing, no, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to say there are no such rules in Zijing City. I never said you were ugly. You know perfectly well that you all hold the same place in my heart, right?"

As Tang Rao continued to explain, he became more confused, even a bit unnerved towards the end.

He truly didn't think Qin Qing was ugly.

Soon after taking in Qin Qing, it was to win over Old Master Qin. Many of his women joined him for similarly strategic reasons. Tang Rao was accustomed to a harem filled with these women, focusing on what they could bring him, without considering any real feelings towards them.

"It's alright. I know old loves can't compete with new flames. We embellish your harem's numbers; the ones by your side are your true loves, aren't they?"

With slightly reddened eyes, Qin Qing realized her standing with Tang Rao never crossed her mind despite the long time spent beside him. Nor did she ponder what qualified her to be by his side until Wang Han's arrival, who confidently berated her to wakefulness.

"You're all the same!"

With these final words, Qin Qing ran off, likely needing a good cry to regain her composure.

Tang Rao halted, eyeing Wang Han, finding neither embarrassment nor remorse on her face.

"Why did you speak to her like that?"

Tang Rao wanted to understand why. You'd think one would wait for steady footing to stir trouble, and Wang Han wasn't one to act on impulse. Her actions would certainly have reasons.

"Because I don't like her. I also told you, as long as you don't let me go, I'll continue troubling your women until chaos reigns in your harem!"

Wang Han was blunt, stating her intent clearly without any beating around the bush.

"You're that eager to leave? The world outside is dangerous, full of bad people on North Island. Without any backing, leaving Zijing City could lead to harm. If your father comes after me, what will I do?"

Tang Rao had all sorts of reasons, and Wang Han's father's disapproval alone was sufficient for multiple uses.

The mention of Wang Lin was Wang Han's least favorite topic. Each threat featuring her father compelled Wang Han to one day stop Tang Rao from ever uttering such words again.