031 Mo Feiyuan, Just You Wait for Me

With a thunderous shout from Yun Hai, the townsfolk poured into the streets, lanterns in hand. Yun Hai brandished a stack of silver notes, prompting the crowd to scatter in search of Lord Shen Yin and Yun Feiyue.

In the distance, a pale green carriage rolled steadily forward, accompanied by a striking young man in a green robe, riding a fiery steed.

"Third Brother! Third Brother!" Yun Hai hurried over.

Yun Feng’s brows drew together. "Second Brother, what’s wrong?"

"Feiyue’s been taken!" Yun Hai pointed in the direction where Yun Feiyue had vanished. "Little Mumu’s gone too!"

Yun Feng’s expression turned icy. "What happened? Speak clearly!" Someone dared abduct a Yun in Chu City—they must have a death wish.

Yun Hai recounted the events, then eyed the carriage. "By the way, Third Brother, you always claimed to shun women. Who’s inside that carriage?"

From within, a voice rang out, clear as silver bells. "I am Jun Shaomo of the Jun family."

Yun Hai’s brows danced in silent mirth. Third Brother, there’s hope for you yet!

Yun Feng shot him a frosty look. "I’ll search for them. Go back and inform Father. And escort the Jun family’s young master home."

With that, he tugged the reins, and his horse reared and galloped toward the place where Yun Feiyue had disappeared.

Jun Shaomo pouted. "So quick to abandon me? Hmph! I’m coming too." She slipped from the carriage, mounted a horse, severed the harness, and raced after Yun Feng.

Yun Hai grumbled in discontent. These pairs—did any of them care about him? Fuming, he sprinted back to the Yun estate and relayed the news.

The old master stamped his foot in fury. "Find them at once! My precious granddaughter! My darling little Mumu! If you don’t bring them back tonight, none of you need return!"

Lady Murong paced anxiously, while Eldest Brother Yun Yi set out with the family’s guards.

All night, lanterns burned in the Yun household, and the city swarmed with searchers looking for any trace of Yun Feiyue. Notices offering generous rewards for information were posted across the city.

"Yun Hai, why isn’t your third brother back yet?" Lady Murong asked, glancing at him.

Yun Hai yawned, bleary from a sleepless night. "You mean Third Brother? He’s probably eloped with the Jun family’s young master by now."

"What?" Lady Murong rubbed her ears. "Say that again?"

Yun Hai straightened, feigning seriousness. "Ahem. They went to search for Feiyue."

Lady Murong pressed her hand to her chest in relief. "I got excited for nothing—I thought Yun Feng had finally come to his senses. But where in the world has my Feiyue gone!"

—

Mo Feiyuan set Yun Feiyue down beside the hot spring stones on Mount Chu, uncorked a jade-white vial, and sprinkled its contents into the water. The Jade Lotus Powder would soothe Yun Feiyue’s agitation when she bathed in it. His task done, he turned—only to find her gone.

At that moment, Yun Feiyue was sprawled atop the mountain’s peak, absently tossing stones into the abyss below. Her mood was foul, plagued by a restless urge to kill.

Her eyes flicked over—and spotted a familiar figure approaching: a round ball of flesh and a white-robed man.

"Mother!" Little Mumu waved his stubby arms.

Yun Feiyue narrowed her eyes. "Mumu?"

Little Mumu rolled nimbly before her, large eyes meeting hers.

After a long silence, she extended her hand. "Come here."

Little Mumu scrambled up her wide sleeve and onto her lap. "Mother, are you alright?"

Yun Feiyue gave a slight nod. "I’m fine. Come, let’s go for a stroll!" She pointed into the chasm below.

Little Mumu wiped sweat from his brow. "Mother, be good—really, you’d die if you fell!" Oh, his irritable mother was utterly unmanageable tonight!

The mention of death made Yun Feiyue nod in solemn agreement. She took two steps back, and upon turning, caught sight of Mo Feiyuan.

"Anyone who comes within three feet dies!" she declared, igniting a small flame at her fingertip.

Mo Feiyuan exchanged a helpless glance with Little Mumu.

With a whoosh, Yun Feiyue hurled a fireball, then sprang into the air, brandishing a whip of flame at Mo Feiyuan.

He swept a hand before him, conjuring a white barrier of light from his jade hand to block the attack. In the same instant, he appeared before her, seized her slender waist, and—for a moment—the aloof master blushed. But in the next instant, his composure returned.

Yun Feiyue struggled with all her strength, but it was useless; Mo Feiyuan held her fast.

"Let me go, you bastard!" she demanded, writhing in his grip, but his arms only tightened around her.

Holding her securely, Mo Feiyuan strode back to the hot spring—then, with a swift motion, tossed her into the water.

Yun Feiyue flailed as she fell—she couldn’t swim. Damn it! "Mo Feiyuan, just you wait!"

Her cries faded as she sank, leaving only two bubbles rising to the surface.

After swallowing a mouthful of water, Yun Feiyue found her head clearing a little.

Little Mumu crouched by the spring, peering anxiously at his drenched mother. "Ice Mountain Brother, what did you do to my mother?"

The so-called Ice Mountain frowned, then plunged into the spring with a splash.

In the warm depths, Yun Feiyue sensed someone approaching, then lost consciousness.

When she next stirred, voices drifted into her awareness.

"Ice Mountain Brother, Mother’s clothes are wet. Are you going to undress her, or should I?"

"…"

"Alright then, you do it. Mother says children shouldn’t brazenly watch adult women undress."

"…"

"Ice Mountain Brother, why aren’t you starting? My hands are getting sore from covering my eyes." Little Mumu peeked through his fingers, spying on Ice Mountain and Yun Feiyue.