044 Don't Touch My Beloved Scarlet Moon

In a short while, the sound of a child crying and the furious shouts of two adults echoed from within the Scarlet Blossom Pavilion.

"Waaah..."

"You little brat, who taught you that!"

"Idiot, don't you dare hit my son!"

Outside the window, a certain cold and aloof figure frowned ever so slightly, a trace of displeasure flickering across his frosty face.

"Are you sure you want to acknowledge them?" Mo Twelve watched Mo Feiyuan, who was clearly in a most unpleasant mood, with a beaming smile.

Mo Feiyuan forced himself to appear a bit more composed and replied coldly, "It's none of your concern."

"Don't be so heartless! We were once fellow disciples, after all. Isn't it great that I helped you take them in?" Mo Twelve's lips curled in an expectant smile. "I just adore women like her. Just thinking about it makes me feel restless—a graceful figure, a flawless face, and a fiery temper ready to ignite at any moment. Ah... my heart pounds just imagining it."

Mo Feiyuan gave Mo Twelve a frosty glare and drew his sword, slashing fiercely at him!

"Hey, hey, don't be so irritable. You used to be much more collected, didn't you?" Mo Twelve dodged the attack and darted into the Scarlet Blossom Pavilion.

Crash—the window shattered as Mo Twelve and Mo Feiyuan burst inside.

Yun Feiyue, Ye Qi, and little Mumu all froze on the spot.

"You two?"

Mo Twelve flashed a roguish smile, his eyes flicking toward Mo Feiyuan. "Sorry, I was just passing by the Scarlet Blossom Pavilion and happened to see someone peeping, so..."

Peeping? Mo Feiyuan?

Ye Qi was astonished. Yun Feiyue was thrown into confusion. Little Mumu clapped his hands.

"Iceberg Brother, do you really have your eye on my mother?" Little Mumu looked at Mo Feiyuan earnestly.

It was the first time Mo Feiyuan had ever felt so thoroughly disgraced—if word got out, his reputation for wisdom would be ruined. In truth, he hadn't meant to spy; he simply couldn't resist coming to take a look.

He explained seriously, "I took a wrong turn."

Instantly, the room fell silent.

"Then I’ll be leaving," Mo Feiyuan said, pretending as if nothing had happened, and headed for the door.

At the threshold, he suddenly sensed something amiss. His cold gaze swept over Ye Qi and Mo Twelve. "You two, out!"

Ye Qi naturally refused to comply; she hadn't yet gauged Yun Feiyue's abilities, so how could she leave so soon? "Tonight, I’ll sleep with Sister Yue. The two of us sisters need to bond."

Dark clouds gathered across Mo Feiyuan’s brow. His restraint vanished in an instant, his aloofness abandoned. Sword in hand, he leveled it at Ye Qi. "Don’t think I’m unaware of your true nature."

Mo Twelve, still smiling, reached out to grab Yun Feiyue’s hand, rubbing it shamelessly. "Sister Yun, I want to sleep with you too. Ye Qi can sleep on the left, I’ll take the right. Just think how wonderful it would be, all of us so close and affectionate."

"Out!" Little Mumu scrambled up onto Yun Feiyue’s shoulder and delivered a punch to Mo Twelve’s hand. "Don’t touch my Feiyue. Or else—war!"

Mo Twelve frowned slightly. Clearly, if he wanted to win over Yun Feiyue, he’d have to deal with Little Mumu first. But how to handle this little rascal? He cocked his head and glared fiercely at Little Mumu. "You, little brat—if you don’t behave, I’ll eat you up."

"Mo Twelve!" Mo Feiyuan’s blade of ice shot toward Mo Twelve’s head. The man was insane—was he really going to lay hands on his son?

Yun Feiyue was completely thrown by the chaos.

"Enough! All of you, out!" she commanded.

Mo Twelve looked at Yun Feiyue, disappointed. "Fine, beautiful sister, I’ll leave. Ye Qi, don’t let me catch you trying to take advantage of my fiancée again."

Ye Qi snorted coldly. "Don’t flatter yourself. Yun Feiyue isn’t anyone’s fiancée. She belongs to no one—fair game for all."

Crack, crack! Mo Feiyuan’s knuckles audibly popped as he clenched his fists. Who said his woman belonged to no one?

Mo Twelve and Ye Qi sensed the sudden shift in his demeanor. With a whoosh, the two figures vanished from the room.

Yun Feiyue eyed Mo Feiyuan with curiosity and teased him with a smile. "Why so angry when they’re both after me? Could it be you’ve really fallen for me? If you love me, why don’t you dare get close?"

As she spoke, she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tracing his cheek. "Why don’t you even dare to hug me? Or is it that you’re... incapable?"

No man, of any kind, can stand to be told he’s incapable—those words spark their urge to conquer.

Even the icy mask of Mo Feiyuan’s face showed cracks. He pulled her into his arms, pressing her body close, the cold radiating through her.

Yun Feiyue was startled—she hadn’t expected him to actually do it!

But as always, he lost his nerve at the critical moment. "I was only joking. It’s a dark and breezy night, perfect weather—why don’t we go outside and enjoy the scenery?"

"Don’t move," he said, his tone brooking no refusal. His large hand clamped down on her shoulder, radiating a chill that somehow felt safe.

Who knew what torment and upheaval this cold body had endured? There was not a trace of human warmth—only through his clothes could she smell the pure, fiery scent of his skin, something wholly unlike his outer demeanor. It made her want to peel back every layer and unravel his heart.

"Take this as payment for settling the Nangong family matter for you," he said, his voice low and heavy, issuing from his throat.

Payment? The last two words struck Yun Feiyue like a thunderclap—her fiery temper balked at such a notion.

Damn it, did he really take her for some tavern girl or courtesan? Payment in flesh?

"Well, I didn’t expect my body to be so valuable," Yun Feiyue grinned broadly, then bit down on Mo Feiyuan’s ear. "If it covers the Soul-Calming Jade, then it’s quite a price. How about we call it even for the previous two times you helped me? We’ll be square."

Her small tongue traced his earlobe, the jade-like curve of his ear tingling under her soft licks, the sensation making his bones melt. Suddenly, she bit down hard, the pain snapping him back to his senses.

Damn—was he really going to let this linger? He couldn’t...

He pushed her away. "I’m leaving."

He was gone in a flash, as quick to act as he was to speak.

“Tch...” Yun Feiyue huffed. So he was the kind to back down at the crucial moment. Wants to play with her? He’s still too green!

"Mother, you’re so amazing! Tell me, what does it feel like to be hugged?" Little Mumu piped up with a live interview.

"Want to know? I’m not telling you," Yun Feiyue teased, playing along.

"Waaah! Bad mama! Little Mumu wants to find a beautiful lady to hug too!"

"Haven’t you already got a dozen big-breasted maids?" Yun Feiyue said, exasperated.

"True, but, Mother, I’m tired of hugging the maids. No excitement left. Waaah..." Experience had taught Yun Feiyue that only after a good beating would this kid quiet down.

...

At dawn, a beam of sunlight spilled into the Scarlet Blossom Pavilion. Yun Feiyue rubbed her eyes and got out of bed.

"What’s all the commotion outside?" Glancing out the window, she saw people bustling to and fro.

Spring Blossom, while assisting Yun Feiyue with her morning routine, smiled and said, "Yesterday, the master said our young master lacked discipline. Today, they’re holding a master selection tournament for him."

Ah! The old man really was efficient! Mumu was old enough now to have a tutor. Still, "What sort of teacher can you get from a master selection tournament?"

Spring Blossom pressed her lips together with a mysterious smile. "Miss, you’re not aware. Young Master Yunhai is a champion at spreading news. The master selection contest is still in the preliminary stage—only those who pass the ability test can become our young master’s tutor. The official selection lasts seven days! No matter where you are on the Continent of Blades and Gold, you can reach our residence in that time."

While rinsing her mouth, Yun Feiyue muttered, "Who’d have thought our little Mumu would be so popular? So many people want to be his teacher."

"Indeed!" Spring Blossom’s smile was radiant.

Dressed and groomed, Yun Feiyue was about to head out when several guards stopped her at the door.

"Miss, please don’t go out!"

"Miss, the master ordered us to keep an eye on you."

...

From the guards, she learned that after Empress Dowager Nangong had been sent back, Prince Beichen Yi hadn’t lost his temper, but Old Master Yun had returned very late.

At dawn, Empress Dowager Nangong died unexpectedly.

"Dead? That can’t be..." Yun Feiyue refused to believe that the shrewd and capable Empress Dowager Nangong could die so easily. As the saying goes, misfortune lingers for a thousand years—how could she...

"Declared dead... It happened so suddenly. The master instructed you not to leave the house! There’s nothing we can do," the guard said helplessly.

"Her death has little to do with me, so why am I being kept inside?" Yun Feiyue was even more frustrated.

At most, the blame could fall on Lady Murong—she hadn’t lifted a hand herself.

"We don’t know either, miss. You’d better stay at home for now." The guard raised his sword, ready to use force if necessary.

Fine! How ruthless!

If she couldn’t go out, so be it! She’d stay home with her son and enjoy the spring... ah no, the spring scenery.