Jasper

Yun Feiyue endured and endured again, feeling as though she were about to turn into a ninja turtle.

"Next!"

"Miss Feiyue, please, let me finish—"

"Take him away!" Yun Feiyue pressed her forehead, finding it hard to imagine she hadn’t resorted to violence.

"Ah, Miss Feiyue…" The cries of pain grew more distant.

The next candidate entered amidst the shouting. Hmm? A wheelchair… Was this person actually disabled?

The wheelchair rolled slowly across the bridge and stopped before Yun Feiyue. The man in the chair coughed, "Hello, cough, I am Liu… cough, Junior Minister… cough…" He sounded as if his lungs were about to give out. Good heavens.

Yun Feiyue offered a 'gentle' smile. "Sir, your illness seems quite severe. You should return home and rest. This kind of activity for the young is much too dangerous for you."

No sooner had she spoken than Yun Feiyue stood up, her hands trembling uncontrollably, perilously close to losing her restraint. Thankfully, the thought of Lady Murong’s cruelty gave her the patience to endure these people a little longer.

"Coward! Ruined face! Imbecile! Broken in body and mind!" Yun Feiyue muttered inwardly.

Dragging her disappointed self away from the selection arena, she vowed never again to believe in such open recruitments.

Just then, a clear male voice called out, "Sister Yue, please wait!"

Yun Feiyue turned her stiff neck slowly. Were these people testing her patience? Did they have no fear of death?

On the brink of losing her temper, her eyes suddenly brightened. The young man before her had fair, smooth skin with a rosy glow, a darling cherubic face, and large round eyes—altogether quite charming. A handsome youth!

Her expression lightened a bit, but— "Little brother, you look only seventeen or eighteen! That hardly suits the role of a father."

Gongsun Zifu nodded, grinning at Yun Feiyue. "Sister Yue, it’s me, Zifu! Gongsun Zifu!"

Gongsun Zifu? Gongsun Ziyan’s younger brother?! Yun Feiyue immediately recalled him—she hadn’t seen this fellow in three or four years, and he’d grown so tall she almost didn’t recognize him.

But what was he, Gongsun Ziyan’s brother, doing at the Yun household?

"I know who you are, Zifu. Is there something you need?"

Zifu produced a red invitation. "My sister asked me to give this to you. She said what happened last time was her fault, and she’s felt guilty ever since. She hopes for a chance to make amends. Tomorrow is the Grand Floral Banquet in the palace, and she wishes to reconcile under the Empress Dowager’s witness."

The Grand Floral Banquet? Yun Feiyue grinned. "I understand. Tell Gongsun Ziyan that I’ll be there." She would make sure to teach her a lesson.

Zifu nodded eagerly. "Yes! Sister Yue, you must come! This invitation is from the Empress Dowager herself! It wouldn’t be good not to attend. Also, I truly hope you and my sister can get along."

Expressionless, Yun Feiyue tossed the invitation aside. "Since it’s from the Empress Dowager, refusing would be defying her decree, wouldn’t it?"

Yun Feiyue was well aware that the Empress Dowager belonged to the Nangong family.

She also remembered the little spat she’d had with Nangong Zhishi upon returning to Chu Capital. Clearly, this Grand Floral Banquet was another trap.

Zifu’s smile faded, and he sighed inwardly. He’d always known his sister and Yun Feiyue could never truly reconcile, but still held onto a sliver of hope.

He stepped back, bowed to Yun Feiyue, and left.

Little Mumu tugged at Yun Feiyue’s skirt. "Feiyue, Mother, that brother’s last look at you seemed full of deep affection."

Yun Feiyue sighed. "Children shouldn’t use such words carelessly. Let’s first heal your mother’s wounded spirit from today."

Mumu nodded and followed close behind.

Passing through the apricot grove and the Flying Pavilion, Yun Feiyue wandered the Yun estate until she finally arrived at her destination: the Emerald Bamboo Grove.

Like a sea of jade, the verdant bamboo grew thick and lush. Amid the undulating melodies of a zither, one’s mind filled with enchanting scenes.

Yun Feiyue and Little Mumu stepped into the grove, heading toward a small wooden cabin.

The cabin was tranquil and simple, with an emerald teapot and a zither placed at the entrance. Seated at the ancient instrument was a man wearing a deep purple veil.

His long robe was embroidered with large, snow-white camellias. His slender fingers plucked the strings carelessly and yet produced exquisite music.

Hearing footsteps, he paused and looked up as they entered.

"Back again?" His voice was calm, as if Yun Feiyue often visited him.

Yun Feiyue nodded and sat across from him, picking up the teapot and pouring herself a cup of tea, which she drank in one gulp.

"I’m back. Mo Yu, let me introduce you—this is my son." She gestured to Little Mumu.

Mo Yu looked at the boy, his pupils contracting twice. "He…"

"He’s my son," Yun Feiyue repeated.

Mo Yu lowered his eyes, thinking for a moment before nodding. "I understand. I’ve been waiting for you—to hear your thanks." When Yun Feiyue had rescued him, he’d been gravely wounded, but soon after that, she’d run into trouble herself. They hadn’t met again since.

"You waited all this time just to hear me say thank you? What if I’d died? Would you have kept waiting?" Yun Feiyue shook her head, unable to comprehend.

"I’d wait until you returned," he replied, obsessive as ever.

His long, dark hair fell to his waist. Even with the veil covering half his face, his rare beauty and distinctive presence were unmistakable.

"Now that you’ve returned, I can leave. Thank you for saving my life. If the chance arises, I will repay you."

Yun Feiyue glanced at him—this man was as strange as ever.

"Today I ran into two people from your Mo family, and counting the one I met the day I returned, that makes three in all. Your clan gathering in Chu Capital must have some objective, right? As the Eyes of the Gods, what are you monitoring? I’m somewhat curious." Yun Feiyue tilted her head and smiled at Mo Yu.

He turned away, avoiding her gaze. "That’s Mo family business. The Hidden Mo Clan’s secrets are not to be pried into. It’s best you don’t ask; it won’t do you any good."

Yun Feiyue stepped forward. "I’m in a bad mood today and came here to relax, but you’re so eager to leave before I’ve even warmed my seat. Even if you must go, there’s no rush. I have to attend the palace’s Floral Banquet tomorrow and will likely be plotted against. I’m practically a cripple now, so I need a top-notch bodyguard. Since you insist on repaying me, I’ll give you a chance."

She had known at the time she rescued him that his martial skills were profound. In such dangerous times, she’d be a fool not to use him.

Mo Yu’s deep eyes lowered as he pondered, then he nodded. "Alright, I agree."