Volume One, Chapter 8: The Black Lion Startles the Prime Minister

Once inside the carriage, Meng Tingfeng was enveloped in a rich, lingering scent of sandalwood. The fragrance drifted through the air, gradually blending with the scent of the man sitting before her.

As the powerful Prime Minister of the current dynasty sat directly across from her, a sudden breeze caused the soaked Meng Tingfeng to shiver uncontrollably.

"Are you afraid of me?"

Shi Jing did not even glance at her, his attention focused on meticulously wiping his younger sister’s face. Yet, his simple question made Meng Tingfeng’s heart skip a beat. Rumor had it that Shi Jing was cold-blooded and ruthless. She offered a response that was half-truth, half-feigned:

"Lord Shi is known for his calm and gentle nature. Since you would never harm me, I have no reason to be afraid."

Gentle?

Shi Jing tilted his head slightly to meet the girl’s gaze. She immediately lowered her head, her long eyelashes fluttering incessantly. Remembering the events of the day, he had clearly not overlooked the suspicious coincidence.

"Miss Meng, you saved my sister today. Did you happen to see who caused her to fall?"

At this, cold sweat beaded on Meng Tingfeng's forehead, yet she remained composed. "Miss Shi simply lost her footing and fell into the water."

Shi Jing’s eyes deepened. His slender fingers tapped rhythmically against the small table in the carriage. *Thump. Thump. Thump.*

Meng Tingfeng felt as if she were sitting on needles. Even if everyone claimed Shi Zilu had simply slipped, Shi Jing would undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation. However, Liu Xiayang was no fool; if he dared to commit such an act, he would have taken precautions to cover his tracks. In the end, the truth remained murky. Liu Xiayang did not know how much she had witnessed and would surely try to probe her in the future. Shi Jing would do the same.

Today, she had managed to walk through the front door with the prestige of Shi Jing’s favor, but relying on a single act of gratitude was a waste. Meng Tingfeng would not let a rare powerhouse like Shi Jing slip through her fingers; she craved the authority he wielded. It was a dangerous game, but one she had to play.

Fortunately, Shi Jing did not press further. "Then I thank you for saving my sister’s life. Let this count as a favor the Shi residence owes you. If there is ever anything you need help with, Miss Meng, do not hesitate to come to me."

His ink-black eyes finally shifted away from her. Meng Tingfeng nodded, her expression unchanged, as if nothing had happened. Suddenly, the man leaned forward, his sandalwood scent and warm breath washing over her ear, causing her to catch her breath.

The icy, phoenix-like eyes so close to her own radiated a dangerous aura, fixed upon her like a viper that had just discovered its prey.

"However, Miss Meng may have whatever she desires. But if you harbor any ill intentions regarding my sister, I will ensure that you wish you were dead."

Meng Tingfeng met his cold gaze and smiled, curling her lips. "Lord Shi, what are you saying? If I hadn't saved Miss Shi today, I fear you would be at home preparing a coffin right now."

She looked at Shi Jing without a shred of fear. After all, many had seen her board his carriage at his personal invitation. While he did many things in the shadows, he would certainly not kill her in public out of mere anger. Furthermore, as the second young lady of the Meng household, he could not simply drag her off to prison like a common criminal. The girl held a faint, triumphant smile at the corner of her mouth, waiting calmly for his reaction.

Shi Jing paused and slowly sat back. She was the first person ever to speak to him in such a manner. He forcibly restrained himself from looking at her fragile, slender neck, fearing he might succumb to the urge to throttle her. Recalling the intelligence reports he had received on his way here, he curled his lips into a smile, appraising the fearless girl before him.

A slave-like servant? Meng Tingfeng? The second young lady of the Meng family? She had the nerve to board his carriage and the audacity to provoke him. This girl was not simple.

For the first time, Shi Jing felt a flicker of interest. "In that case, I really should thank you properly, Second Miss Meng."

"No need for thanks," the girl said, her eyes narrowing into slits like a little fox. "Instead of empty words, perhaps the Prime Minister should spend some time thinking about what you will give me as a gift!"

Shi Jing’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, twitched. He stopped looking at Meng Tingfeng and closed his eyes to rest. Truly… ignorance is bliss.

Meanwhile, at the front gate of the Meng residence, two servants held a massive mastiff named Black Lion, looking bored. One of them stood up from time to time to peer down the street, grumbling, "When is this Second Miss Meng finally arriving?"

The other, petting the head of the drooling beast, looked equally dissatisfied. "Who knows? I think Black Lion is getting hungry."

"But are we really going to let Black Lion bite someone?" He looked hesitantly at the massive, ferocious dog. "Black Lion actually has a good temper; he won't bite anyone without an order. If he does bite someone, will the Master order us to kill him?" They had raised the dog since it was a pup, and neither had the heart to see it harmed.

The other servant scolded, "Li Si, you are such a fool! The Young Master told us to unleash Black Lion—do you think he really meant for it to bite someone? He just wants to scare the Second Miss away."

Li Si realized it in an instant and clapped his hands. "Right! If Black Lion actually bit someone, we'd be in deep trouble. You're the sharp one, Zhang San!"

Zhang San squinted into the distance and quickly stood up. "She's here! Quick, quick, unleash the chain!"

The two scrambled to undo the iron chain from the mastiff. Zhang San gripped the fur on the dog's back, eyes locked on the person descending from the carriage. As the girl stepped down, his eyes lit up, and he patted the beast beside him. "Go! Black Lion, don't bite her, but bark! Scare her away!"

The moment the leash was released, the mastiff, which had been lying docilely at their feet, bared its fangs and charged forward with lightning speed.

Meng Tingfeng, standing by the carriage and waiting for Shi Jing to disembark, kept watch on her surroundings. The moment the black shadow lunged, she leaped onto the back of the tall, thin man beside her.

"Help! Help me!"

Shi Jing had just steadied himself on the ground when he was caught off guard by someone pouncing on his back. The girl gripped his neck so tightly he could barely breathe. His eyes turned red. "Let. Go."

Before he could pull her off, however, the massive black shadow collided with him.

"Woof! Woof woof!"

The mastiff, standing nearly as tall as an adult man, opened its drool-covered maw and tackled Shi Jing to the ground, barking incessantly at the two of them.

Li Si, who had been smiling just a moment ago, was stunned. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Zhang San, did someone else just get out of that carriage?"

Zhang San looked closely, his face turning deathly pale. He watched a servant running back toward them, gasping for air, shouting, "Take—take Black Lion—back—inside!"

Disaster! The two scrambled into Meng Lan’s study, falling to their knees. "Master, something terrible has happened! Black Lion has terrified the Prime Minister!"