Mother, I have fallen in love.
Beichen Yi remained silent, but the faint smile still lingered on his lips as he nodded to Yun Feiyue. He then turned to look at Yun Tai Consort, bowing respectfully, “Consort, please rest well. Let Yi’er handle the rest. All things should be brought to a close now.”
Yun Tai Consort nodded deeply, understanding that Beichen Yi was about to make his move against Beichen Yu—and would show no mercy.
The sky was pitch-black, and scattered lights dotted the military camp. Beichen Yu returned wounded, and the elders of the camp hurried to support him.
“Your Highness, how is it?”
“It’s nothing. Begin the attack now!”
Before his words faded, two soldiers rushed in.
“Reporting—the formation sealing Chudu has been activated. We cannot enter!”
Beichen Yu hadn’t expected Beichen Yi to move so swiftly. While he was still pondering, another report came.
“Reporting—Beichen Yi is commanding the Imperial Guard atop Chudu’s city gate, launching fire arrows. Should we retreat or attack?”
Beichen Yu stepped outside, gazing up at the figures on Chudu’s wall—a round little child and a slender woman.
Xiao Mumu and Luo Yunhuang stood atop the gate.
Xiao Mumu yawned, sleepy-eyed. “Master, I just saw Beichen Yu return. What do we do now?”
Luo Yunhuang pinched his cheek. “Now, as your mother instructed, we pursue them. Drive them beyond Chudu’s border.”
Xiao Mumu suggested, “Better yet, annihilate them.”
“Go—”
The pair, one tall and one small, hurled toxins deep into the camp.
Without proper formation, Beichen Yu’s camp descended into chaos.
In the end, there was no choice—Beichen Yu could only retreat for now.
Retreat, rebellion!
Almost overnight, Beichen Yu became a traitor to Chu, driven to the border. The pursuit stretched over three hundred miles…
Only then was Chudu’s formation lifted.
Half a month passed.
Mo Feiyuan cradled Yun Feiyue, who held Xiao Mumu. The family basked in the sun, brimming with joy.
“Mo Feiyuan, isn’t the Mo family’s martial tournament about to start? Should I go?” She curled up.
Mo Feiyuan gently stroked her hair, his broad palm resting on her forehead, smiling softly.
“Go.”
“So heartless. Aren’t you afraid I’ll get beaten to death? Forget it, let’s talk about something else. I got some news today.”
Mo Feiyuan raised an eyebrow. “What news?”
“Bad news from Jingguo.”
Mo Feiyuan, “… ”
“So am I going or not?”
“After all this time, you’re still thinking about that?” Mo Feiyuan felt a pang of threat to his status.
Ye Qi is a man! Pretending to be a woman to trick girls.
Despite his internal outrage, Mo Feiyuan betrayed no emotion.
Yun Feiyue continued to coax, “Look, I’m already at the eighth level of martial arts. No matter where I go, I’m the one bullying others—no one can bully me, right?”
Mo Feiyuan, “… ” Could he answer her? Of course not.
Seeing his lack of response, Yun Feiyue snuggled against his chest, coquettish. “Husband, I’ll serve you well today.”
She reached back—lying atop him, her hand quickly found his skin.
The tingling sensation made Mo Feiyuan shudder.
The feeling below came instantly.
Behind Yun Feiyue’s hips, something hardened.
Damn, so easily teased.
Yun Feiyue grinned, “Hehe, I suddenly remembered something. I’ll leave first.”
She scooped up Xiao Mumu and headed out.
Mo Feiyuan dragged her back, embracing her tightly. “Wife, you started the fire, now you must put it out.”
“Bang—”
He pulled her in, shut the door.
Xiao Mumu sighed deeply outside.
His mother was truly a scatterbrain!
He sat at the door, waiting for them—not to eavesdrop! Xiao Mumu was the purest child in the world!
The ruckus inside was considerable.
Sometimes a cat’s mewl, sometimes a lion’s roar…
Xiao Mumu listened with rapt interest.
Until… much later.
The commotion finally ceased.
After a rest, they began talking again.
“Go to Jingguo?”
Mo Feiyuan nodded. “Go.”
Yun Feiyue smiled brilliantly. “Alright. Deal!”
“I’ll go too!”
Yun Feiyue, “… ”
She was just going to meet a guy, did he have to follow so closely? Really!
Yun Feiyue took a deep breath, opened the door, and saw Xiao Mumu standing adorably outside.
“Mother, what are you doing?”
“I’ll take a bath and then we’ll leave!”
Xiao Mumu nodded in agreement, a sly smile on his lips. Hmph, don’t think he doesn’t understand.
Someday, Xiao Mumu would find a girlfriend too.
Soon, after bidding farewell to the Yun family, Yun Feiyue and her group prepared to depart.
At that moment, Yun Feng was escorting Jun Shaomo home.
They happened to share the road.
At the fork, Yun Feng reluctantly bid Jun Shaomo farewell.
Their mutual reluctance tugged at Yun Feiyue’s heart.
“Third Brother, why not just accompany Miss Jun home?”
Yun Feng shook his head. “I can’t. There are still matters in the Yun family.”
Jun Shaomo nodded, understanding his situation.
“Take good care of yourself.”
Jun Shaomo smiled, her dimples full of parting sorrow.
After a heartfelt goodbye, Jun Shaomo left with her escort.
Yun Feiyue turned to Yun Feng, smiling, “Third Brother, why be so stubborn? If you care, why not chase after her?”
“It’s not the time.” After a moment, Yun Feng looked at her for a while before finally nodding, “Take good care of yourself.”
He was never a man of many words, and that was about as tender as he could get.
Yun Feiyue nodded, smiling.
“Of course, don’t worry.”
Yun Feng turned back.
Yun Feiyue headed toward Chu.
You Tong, Han Cheng, Luo Yunhuang, Yun Feiyue, Xiao Mumu, Mo Feiyuan—the group traveled together.
The weather was cold, with gusts of wind sweeping in.
Yun Feiyue yawned, falling asleep with her head on Mo Feiyuan’s lap.
She woke to the sound of fighting.
Curious, Yun Feiyue lifted the carriage curtain and frowned at the scuffle outside.
“What’s this?” All were dressed as Jingguo officials.
If she wasn’t mistaken, these men were from Jingguo’s official circles.
They were hunting down…
Yun Feiyue squinted—also officials of Jingguo.
Such blatant violence was rare.
“What are they doing?” Yun Feiyue asked casually.
You Tong stuck out his tongue—Jingguo was his and Han Cheng’s jurisdiction. “Jingguo is chaotic, split into factions. General Wei’s manor, Ye Qi’s faction, the Jing Emperor’s faction, and Ye Heng’s. Ye Heng’s holds the power. The Jing Emperor can no longer control the court.”
“Ye Qi’s faction is as strong as General Wei’s, but the manor won’t help anyone.”
Yun Feiyue remembered meeting General Wei’s wife at the Dragon Banquet, along with Ye Qi. The lady left the next day, a shrewd and beautiful woman.
“Is it true the Jing Emperor has died?” Yun Feiyue recalled Ye Qi mentioning the emperor’s grave illness.
Given the open violence, he must be dead.
Mo Feiyuan sat quietly, seemingly uninterested.
He sipped tea, watching the drama.
Until Yun Feiyue asked, “Hey, what are you doing?”
The fighters paused, turning to her.
“Hey, whose girl are you, talking to us like that?” They approached Yun Feiyue.
She smiled lightly, “I’m your granny, asking what you’re doing!”
Seeing she was a woman—and a pretty one—the men’s intentions soured. “Seeing what you shouldn’t, asking what you shouldn’t! You’re looking for trouble! We’ll let you have some fun before killing you.”
She was about to act, but the tea-drinking figure in the carriage moved first.
With a single gesture, the men were dead.
The official being pursued paled at the ease of the killings.
Yun Feiyue stepped out, scrutinizing him. “Who are you? Why were they after you?”
Though shocked, the man didn’t forget to thank her. “Thank you for saving my life!”
Yun Feiyue looked down at him. “How do you know I’d save you? Tell me what’s going on. If you explain well, I’ll let you go. If not, who knows what I’ll do?”
The man hurriedly knelt to her. “I serve the Seventh Princess.”
Ye Qi? Yun Feiyue was surprised. “How is Ye Qi?”
“You know the Seventh Princess?” The man was startled, afraid to speak.
Yun Feiyue nodded, reassuring him. “I do know her, we’ve met a few times. Don’t ask if we’re friends or enemies—I just know her.”
Until she confirmed his identity, she would not reveal her own position.
He hesitated, finally answering, “It’s not a secret. The Jing Emperor has passed, mourning sweeps the land. The Seventh Princess failed to seize power, Ye Heng dominates the court, and now the Seventh Princess has been captured.”
Yun Feiyue had always suspected Ye Qi would get into trouble, but hadn’t expected her to be caught.
“She reached the eighth level of martial arts, didn’t she?” Yun Feiyue eyed him skeptically.
If even an eighth-level martial artist couldn’t protect herself, Jingguo must be dangerous indeed.
He nodded. Ye Heng’s strength was overwhelming.
“Has the princess’s manor been destroyed?”
He bit his lip, unwilling to say without knowing Yun Feiyue’s identity.
She sighed, “Afraid I’ll do something to you? Tch…”
He looked at her helplessly. “I can’t say. My princess is in grave danger. You’ve helped me, I’ll remember the favor. Now, I must go seek aid for her.”
Yun Feiyue saw this was Jingguo territory, far from the palace.
“Does the princess have friends here?”
He nodded, leaving without another word.
A cold wind brushed her face, chilling her ears.
She exhaled, covering her ears.
An ill omen crept over her.
After a while, she muttered, “Isn’t that the direction of Chu?”
The man quickened his pace.
Yun Feiyue kindly warned, “Chu just went through war. If you’re not one of them, you can’t enter or leave. If you’re heading to Chu, forget it.”
He turned, astonished. “How do you know?”
“Because we’re from Chu.”
“Do you know Miss Yun?”
Eh? Yun Feiyue was surprised—was he looking for her?
“Yes, we’re quite familiar. I’m her sister-in-law.”
“Pfft…” Mo Feiyuan sprayed his tea, his cool image shattered, eyebrow twitching.
The man brightened instantly. “So, you’re Miss Jin! What luck! My princess sent me to find Miss Yun, who owes her a life. The princess said Miss Yun would surely help. Though I don’t know if the princess will survive until Miss Yun arrives, she asked that at least Miss Yun collect her remains.”
Yun Feiyue twitched at the corner of her mouth—why should she collect Ye Qi’s corpse? She was not her mother.
“I understand. I’ll help you rescue Ye Qi. Come with me. Don’t go to Chu.”
He looked at her distrustfully, thinking for a moment. “If Miss Jin can save my princess, that’s good.”
Yun Feiyue nodded coldly. “You doubt my ability?”
“No, not at all!” He wouldn’t dare.
Seeing her fierce demeanor, he could only accept it, muttering internally that Jin family girls were tough, even after marriage.
Yun Feiyue had no idea what he was thinking; if she did, she’d slap him.
He explained Ye Qi’s situation.
Ye Qi was imprisoned in Ye Heng’s underground palace, though the reason wasn’t clear. It sounded complicated, but Yun Feiyue didn’t care.
The important thing was rescuing Ye Qi.
“Mother, what do we do now?” Xiao Mumu looked at her adorably.
Yun Feiyue pondered, then shook her head. If she knew, she wouldn’t be so worried.
“I don’t know yet. We’ll figure it out. The important thing is reaching Jingguo’s capital.”
Mo Feiyuan issued an order, “Go to General Wei’s manor. I’ll handle this. Feiyue, you stay out of it.”
His tone brooked no argument.
He clearly didn’t want Yun Feiyue involved.
She nodded; in truth, she didn’t want to rescue anyone.
Since Mo Feiyuan volunteered, there was no need for her to go.
Surely Mo Feiyuan could handle Ye Heng!
“Alright, decided! By the way, do you know General Wei?” Yun Feiyue asked seriously.
Mo Feiyuan nodded, “A friend.”
“Then why won’t General Wei help Ye Qi? Does he want the throne himself?” She didn’t believe this, but his inaction was suspicious.
The Jing Emperor was dead; as the Protector General, he should quell the rebellion, but instead he seemed to be waiting for the spoils.
It was suspicious.
Mo Feiyuan shook his head. “That’s his business, not mine. As long as he doesn’t interfere with me, that’s enough.”
Yun Feiyue, finding his answer unsatisfying, turned to You Tong. “You oversee this area—you should know, right?”
You Tong nodded. “Of course. But we don’t interfere much. Our role is supervision. Unless a world-ending war erupts or the Ghost Path intervenes, we won’t act.”
Yun Feiyue, seeing no point in pressing further, dropped the subject.
The carriage rolled into General Wei’s manor.
Majestic, imposing, wild—the first impression.
Two stone lions flanked the gate, their obsidian eyes fierce.
Truly a general’s manor.
The gates were cast in black gold; without martial strength, one couldn’t even open them.
Yun Feiyue was amazed and admiring.
At that moment, General Wei himself greeted Mo Feiyuan.
He wore simple clothes, not the armor Yun Feiyue expected, but his brows exuded the steely bloodiness of a warrior.
Beside him was his beautiful wife, and next to her a little girl, lively and lovely as a violet daffodil.
Xiao Mumu immediately felt drawn.
He stepped forward. “Hey, little sister, what’s your name?”
“I’m Wei Ziyou. And you?”
“I’m Yun Qingmu! Call me big brother from now on!”
Wei Ziyou considered carefully, then nodded, “Alright, big brother.” Her voice was graceful and her appearance charming.
Chubby cheeks and sparkling eyes—Yun Feiyue immediately sensed she was Xiao Mumu’s type.
Few would guess Xiao Mumu liked this kind.
People only saw his flirtatious side.
His favorite type wasn’t necessarily his preferred type. Though he liked busty beauties, his heart yearned for a lovely little girl to enter his life.
Importantly, she seemed younger than him.
Wei Ziyou’s first impression fit his requirements.
“Big brother,” she said, a hint of childishness.
In truth, she was only two days younger than Xiao Mumu.
The group entered the manor, and the most animated conversation was between Wei Ziyou and Xiao Mumu.
He regaled her with tales of his heroics.
Wei Ziyou listened seriously, her eyes full of admiration.
Luo Yunhuang smirked, “Your son is flirting again.”
“He’s making a great contribution to the national birth plan! Love starts from childhood,” Yun Feiyue was unconcerned.
She settled herself.
A maid served tea. “Please enjoy.”
Luo Yunhuang snorted, “Just wait! You know, the second Miss Jun is also close to your son. What will you do then?”
Uh…
Yun Feiyue, “… ”
Is it even time to consider marriage?
“You’re overthinking. My Xiao Mumu is still young. Maybe in ten years we can talk about it.” She smiled at him.
Luo Yunhuang snorted, jealous. That brat, seeing a beauty, forgot his teacher and his mother.
“You’re ruining a good seedling. How did you raise him?”
Yun Feiyue sipped tea, pointing at Xiao Mumu, thoughtfully. “He mostly raised himself, I think?”
Luo Yunhuang, “… ” She dropped the subject.
Mother and son were both the same.
Mo Feiyuan discussed national affairs with General Wei, which didn’t interest Yun Feiyue. They talked about the recent martial exams and land prices on the Jinge Continent.
“Land prices on Jinge are rising too fast—Yun family and Qingwu Pavilion are speculating. So unscrupulous!” General Wei was furious.
“Pfft…” Yun Feiyue sprayed water.
When did the Yun family cooperate with Qingwu Pavilion? Yu Que?
Luo Yunhuang’s expression soured. “You can’t blame Qingwu Pavilion—it’s the trend.”
Yun Feiyue said nothing, knowing rising land prices burdened commoners. She hadn’t expected her family to be involved.
It sounded bad.
But if not for the founding of Chu, they wouldn’t need money so urgently.
Other businesses weren’t as lucrative.
As for why Yu Que cooperated—perhaps Qingwu Pavilion needed money too.
She thought it over; it seemed likely.
Mo Feiyuan expressed no opinion.
Sensing the mood, Lady Wei changed the subject, her voice warm as she addressed General Wei, “It’ll take time, no need to rush. Our guests must be tired—let’s arrange their rooms for rest and host a banquet tonight?”
General Wei cleared his head, nodding. “Yes, let’s do that.”
Mo Feiyuan felt a tinge of annoyance, though it barely showed.
Mention of Yun family displeased him.
“No need for a banquet. I have matters tonight. Actually, there’s another important reason for coming.”
General Wei nodded. “I assume you’re here on business—can you share?”
“Not now.” Mo Feiyuan rose and walked out.
General Wei was displeased but said nothing more, instructing his staff to accompany Mo Feiyuan.
Dawn approached. Yun Feiyue sat in the courtyard, gazing at the stars.
Xiao Mumu sat beside her.
“I wonder which is the star for going home,” Yun Feiyue mused, thinking of Earth—so many years had passed, and starlight always brought memories.
Xiao Mumu sighed. “So many stars, I wonder which is mine and Ziyou’s lucky star.”
Yun Feiyue’s mouth twitched. Spoiling the mood.
“Son, are you really in love?”
“Mother, I really am.”
…
Their voices, one bright, one childish, sounded amusing.
Xiao Mumu pondered the stars, then stood before Yun Feiyue, staring for a long time. “Mother, I want to tell you something.”
“Go on.” Yun Feiyue pouted.
“I’ll bring Ziyou back to Chu someday.”
“Pfft…” Yun Feiyue glanced at him. “You’ve only seen her once, is this necessary?”
“Mother, is it really okay to call your son crazy? I’ll be four tomorrow.”
Uh…
She wouldn’t admit she’d forgotten his birthday.
But hearing it from him, she felt guilty.
So he’d been here four years and nine months.
Time flies…
“What do you want for your birthday?”
“To spend time alone with Ziyou.” He barely hesitated.
He’d clearly thought it over.
Yun Feiyue nodded, saying nothing.
The brat obviously wanted her help with his ‘alone time.’
Why not want to spend time with his mother instead?
The more she thought, the more annoyed she grew.
Sons always grow up to belong to others. How frustrating…
Luo Yunhuang came out, carrying a bundle. “I’m leaving.”
Yun Feiyue looked at her curiously. “Where to?”
“Mo Feiyuan is going to Ye Heng’s underground palace—aren’t you worried?”
“Why should I be?” In her eyes, Mo Feiyuan was omnipotent. Surely he could handle Ye Heng.
Luo Yunhuang, “… ”
She headed out.
Yun Feiyue felt slightly guilty for her indifference and reluctantly stood. “Fine, I’ll go with you.”
Luo Yunhuang’s expression improved. “Tonight is the full moon—the fourteenth and fifteenth. Mo Feiyuan’s condition is unstable. You’ve noticed?”
Yun Feiyue had, but hadn’t thought much of it.
“He’s unstable, gets irritable, but he won’t hurt himself. When he’s irritable, he only hurts others.” She was certain Mo Feiyuan wouldn’t be injured.
Seeing Yun Feiyue’s nonchalance, Luo Yunhuang wondered why she bothered worrying.
Yun Feiyue noticed her anxiety and patted her shoulder. “Don’t stress. He absolutely won’t get hurt! If anything happens, come to me. He promised to bring Ye Qi back, and he will.”
Luo Yunhuang, “… ”
Yun Feiyue, “Since you’re so worried, I’ll go with you.”
Luo Yunhuang was speechless—her friend was truly heartless.
Xiao Mumu followed her, “Alright, I’ll go find Daddy with you.”
They snuck out in the dark toward Ye Heng’s underground palace.
Ye Heng, Jingguo’s chief eunuch, known as ‘Nine Thousand Years,’ vicious and cruel.
The underground palace was a prison; anyone opposing him was sent there for torture.
Few ever emerged.
It was said to rival hell, drenched in blood.
Of course, this was rumor; few had seen it.
But Yun Feiyue doubted the entrance.
“This dog hole—are you crawling through it?” She pointed at the entrance.
She couldn’t believe Mo Feiyuan entered through such a place.
Luo Yunhuang’s mouth twitched. “It’s bigger than a dog hole.”
Yun Feiyue nodded. “A big dog hole. Are you sure this is the entrance? What if we find a nest of dogs inside?”
A chilly wind blew, leaving Luo Yunhuang speechless.
Xiao Mumu examined the dog hole seriously, then looked away.
“It should be right, but something feels off. Let’s check for traps nearby.”
Everyone agreed.
They checked the stones around.
The place was simple; nothing suggested an underground palace.
“Yunhuang, how did you find this?”
Luo Yunhuang gestured for silence.
Yun Feiyue closed her mouth, hearing voices at the entrance.
Was it Mo Feiyuan coming out?
Uncertain, the three hid.
Soon, someone crawled out of the ‘entrance.’
“Finally out! Hahaha! Ye Heng, you bastard! I’m out at last!”
The man held a shovel.
Yun Feiyue’s mouth twitched.
Two or three more followed, holding digging tools—clearly escapees.
“Keep it down—we finally escaped. Don’t get caught again!” An old man with a goatee admonished.
“Right, right. Now what, Prime Minister?”
“Don’t call me that. What else? Find the Seventh Prince.”
“Wasn’t it the Seventh Princess?”
“Right, Seventh Princess.”
They talked as they walked away.
Yun Feiyue stepped out, realizing these were Jingguo officials.
They didn’t know Ye Qi had been captured.
She stopped them.
“Who are you?”
They resisted, brandishing shovels.
But Yun Feiyue settled them with a slap.
They collapsed in terror.
“No need to panic—I’m Ye Qi’s friend. She’s been imprisoned in the underground palace—you didn’t know?”
The old men were shocked. “The princess is in the palace?”
Yun Feiyue nodded. “She was captured. How did you not know?”
The goateed old man explained, “There are many levels, many prisoners—we wouldn’t know. We’re the ones Ye Heng can’t kill yet. Some die within days.”
“If the princess went in, she’ll likely die. Ye Heng, that old fox…”
He was furious.
Yun Feiyue saw his anger but said nothing, only nodded. “Can you guess which level she’s on?”
He shook his head; if he knew, he’d have brought her out.
“We could dig. After years inside, I know the layout—how deep each level is.”
Yun Feiyue refused decisively.
Digging would take forever; she was in a hurry.
“Are there many experts inside?”
“Experts?” He was confused.
“Many eighth-level martial artists?”
He was startled. Eighth-level martial artists were rare.
“The palace is mainly about terrain and formations—not so much experts. If you want to rescue the princess, I can guide you.”
He slipped back into the entrance.
Yun Feiyue wasn’t keen on the dog hole, but it seemed safer than the main gate.
“Yunhuang, you go first—I’ll keep watch.”
Without a word, Luo Yunhuang jumped in. Her decisiveness made Yun Feiyue feel obliged to follow.
She plunged in.
Inside, the scent of earth, then darkness.
After a long while, light appeared.
The underground palace’s light revealed a bloody scene.
Corpses piled like mountains, tongues hanging from beams still twitching, eyes gouged out—Yun Feiyue felt sick.
A loud clang shook the palace.
“An earthquake?” Yun Feiyue looked ahead.
The old man shook his head, experienced. “Of course not—someone triggered a formation. Best not go out or you’ll trigger one too, and die!”
———Extra———
Mini-theater:
One day, Xiao Mumu pointed at the stars with deep affection, “Xiao Youyou, you’re my lucky star.”
Wei Ziyou pouted, “I don’t want to be a lucky star.”
Xiao Mumu, “That way, wherever I go, on starry nights I’ll always see you.”
——
So, isn’t that adorable?