QT: Against My Will

200 4.24 – Ready to fight – Dangerous Angels

(Past) Few days after Fei Lan’s first disappearance...

About to dispatch into war, Zhao Rong received a visit to his office from one of his shadow guards, “Dogs?”

“Yes. To increase security.” The guard bowed down, “That night, a robbery occurred in Hasan’s mansion.”

Zhao Rong grew suspicious, “Right after Tui family’s daughter kidnapping incident?” Was Hasan creating an alibi for himself, or did someone have some enmity with him?

The guard nodded, “We couldn’t gather any detailed information, only that everyone was put to sleep. Later, whenever we got near the building, those dogs would alarm the whole mansion.”

“Find out the culprit,” Zhao Rong got interested, “What type of dogs did they use?”

(Just a ‘cat’ named Kuro. It takes time to train dogs, you know?)

Giving out an order, Zhao Rong continued to listen to the shadow guard’s report about the situation in the capital city.

(Present) Few days after Fei Lan’s second disappearance...

.....

Zhao Rong was about to dispatch from war when the same guard appeared in his office-far away from the capital city. After reporting on other families, it was Hasan’s turn. Unable to find anything suspicious, the guard could only reveal what everyone knew.

“One of Hasan’s courtesans was kidnapped. Those dogs registered the kidnapper sooner, but Tian Shi thought it was a false alert, and dismissed the situation. The dog fights in the capital reduced. Many families stressing over their lives started to accommodate dogs, making it harder for our spies to take action. People started training dogs to recognize poison...”

“...” Would it create a revolt among citizens if he banned or killed all the dogs in the capital? Zhao Rong imagined what that charming girl with a demure smile would do if something happened to her dogs. She had a beautiful appeal, enough to attract every man present. Meeting her was pure coincidence. He just felt like visiting a gambling house, and to his surprise, he stumbled upon this lucky charm, “There’s going to be a banquet to welcome my arrival. Prepare a carriage for Tian Shi and her twin.”

For better prospects in finding a husband, her parents invested everything on Tian Shi’s older twin sister. While her sister was learning how to read and write, Tian Shi was outside in the fields. Zhao Rong was curious to find out who her twin sister was, for being able to take everything from Tian Shi. There’s something strange about Tian Shi, and he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

· · — · ???· — · ·

After braiding her hair to the side before a vanity desk, Bing Shi arranged the golden snake armlets on her arms. Dismissing the grim miasma behind her, she picked up a few gold bracelets and put them on both sides of her wrists. Standing up, she checked her sleeveless outfit that underlined her fine shape. The tight top with a high neck covered her upper body, leaving others guessing what treasure she hid underneath. The green gem chains around her long skirt shone upon the reflection of the light as she moved weightlessly across the room.

Ru Quan stared at the golden earrings, which accentuated the length of her captivating neck. “Bing Shi...” he began, his hand went through his blond flocks in frustration. They’ve been in a cold war for a day, and if it were not for Zhao Rong’s messenger, it would have lasted a lot longer. Ru Quan’s attempt to maintain things light already waning as he kept throwing oil to the fire, “If he touches even a strand of your hair...”

‘I was warned not to make Zhao Rong fall for me. I especially choose to be a courtesan to avoid such scenarios! Those types of men never cared about women. Moreover, don’t they hate sharing more than anything?’

Bing Shi put a leather bag across her body and tied a cloak around her neck while thinking of a motive behind Zhao Rong’s action. She’d send Kuro to check the situation, but her safety was more important, “...” She looked up at Ru Quan. If HQ didn’t want them to be together, it had to be because of her man’s tendencies to get overly possessive, “You’re going to do what?”

‘I’m going to end his entire bloodline.’ Ru Quan gritted his teeth, “I’m going to invite him for a cup of tea. Why a courtesan? Out of all things...You had to choose men catering? And not any man... but a crown prince?!”

“...” Bing Shi thought of Xuan Mu’s sudden change of personality after they became a thing and compared it to Ru Quan’s, who she believed to be a reasonable, mature man, after their heart to heart talk. That’s only when she was alone...

‘When I love someone, does it mean I have to accept every part of him? No way, wouldn’t that make me extra stupid?’

If killing was done for means of survival, no-one would think less of him. But Ru Quan... Woman or not, he didn’t care. Look at Bing Shi the wrong way during his presence, and he’d attack whoever with lethal force. The feral look reflected on his face when he shoved Edan’s head against the ground, gave others shudders. It looked like he couldn’t control himself. However, Ru Quan knew exactly what he was doing. Bing Shi’ll never forget the evil glint in his beady eyes. He had smelt of blood. Of danger.

‘Xuan Mu, what’s wrong with your extreme, alter egos?! ?’

Bing Shi’s fingers were tingling. She wanted to dissect his mind and look inside. She didn’t like how he injured her people, but she couldn’t deny the fact that sometimes, an iron fist was effective more than anything. She had a lot to learn from him. Everyone had been training harder since then, not noticing Ru Quan’s quiet reminder to Bing Shi.

‘Don’t give unnecessary attention to people if it’s not needed? Don’t get attached to anybody else besides him? Did he mean Edan? But she’s such an interesting individual.’

“BING SHI, answer me,” Ru Quan covered her sulking eyes, those lethal weapons, “Do you have to be a courtesan?!”