After they were done eating, everyone stood up from the table, the warmth of the al slowly fading as they prepared to head out. Mo Ying gave a few quiet instructions to the servants at the inn while Lin Xu helped the children get their cloaks on.
"I’ll go get the carriages ready," Fuhan said, dusting off his robe as he turned to leave.
Mo Ying nodded in approval. "Make sure the horses are well-fed before we set off," he reminded.
"Understood," Fuhan replied with a small grin before heading toward the courtyard.
Lin Xu was busy adjusting Mo Bao’s scarf when Yan i leaned closer, her voice dropping to a low whisper ant only for her friend. "Lin Xu," she began cautiously, "you’re really going back to the Mo residence... with Mo Ying?"
Lin Xu’s hand paused. She didn’t answer imdiately, her eyes flickering slightly.
Yan i hesitated, biting her lip before adding in a softer voice, "What about Su Feng?"
The mont that na left Yan i’s lips, Lin Xu’s expression darkened. The warmth drained from her face, replaced by a deep disgust that twisted her lips. She straightened slowly, a bitter chuckle escaping her throat.
"Su Feng..." she repeated the na as if it tasted foul. "Don’t ntion that man again, Yan i. I still can’t believe I almost trusted him, almost married that complete maniac."
Yan i blinked in surprise, glancing around to make sure no one overheard. "You sound like sothing happened," she whispered quickly. "What do you an, a maniac?"
Lin Xu’s eyes hardened, and for a mont, the faint shadow of her old pain flashed across her face. "Let’s just say," she said quietly, "that I was lucky to find out who he truly was before it was too late. If I hadn’t..." she trailed off, shaking her head as if to rid herself of the thought.
Yan i’s brows furrowed in worry. "Lin Xu..."
But Lin Xu forced a small smile. "Don’t worry about , Yan i. I even feel bad about dragging you into all of this."
"Oh, co on, we are in this together. I haven’t forgiven Mo Ying for leaving like that... there’s no way I’ll let you step your foot back into that house. I still haven’t forgotten how we were almost poisoned to death..."
"Nothing like that will ever dare to happen again."
The sudden voice made both Yan i and Lin Xu jump. They turned quickly and saw Mo Ying standing behind them, his face calm but serious.
Yan i clutched her chest. "Mo Ying! Can’t you at least make so noise when you walk? You almost gave a heart attack!"
Mo Ying raised a brow. "If I had, would you two have stopped talking about ?"
Yan i blinked, shocked. "W-we weren’t talking about you! We were just... talking in general!" she said quickly, trying to cover it up.
Lin Xu sighed, turning to face him. "You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that," she said, frowning.
"I didn’t sneak up," Mo Ying replied calmly. "You were talking loud enough for the whole inn to hear."
Yan i crossed her arms. "Well, even if you heard, we’re right. The last ti we were at that place, we were almost poisoned. You expect us to just go back like nothing happened?"
Mo Ying’s eyes softened slightly. "I know what happened before," he said in a steady voice. "But that won’t happen again. I promise. Anyone who tries will pay for it."
The way he said it made Yan i shiver a little. "You sound scary when you talk like that," she muttered.
Lin Xu looked at him closely. "So you already know who did it?" she asked.
Mo Ying’s expression darkened. "Yes," he said simply. "And I’ll deal with them myself."
There was silence for a mont. Lin Xu looked away, unsure what to say. Then she finally muttered, "I don’t care whoever wants dead, they can try, and I’ll always be one step ahead of them. But anyone," she faced Mo Ying, "I an anyone, who dares lay a finger on my children will pay with their lives, I swear on that."
Her words made Yan i, who was beside her, step back a little in fear. "L-Lin Xu, you’re saying scary things now."
anwhile, Mo Ying just kept a straight face and gave her a small nod.
Just then, Fuhan’s voice called from outside, "The carriages are ready!"
Mo Ying looked toward the door. "It’s ti to go," he said.
Lin Xu nodded and helped Yiling fix her cloak before taking the boys’ hands. Yan i followed behind, still mumbling under her breath, "Scary or not, he better keep that promise."
As they stepped out, they saw two carriages ready. Lin Xu had already helped the kids climb into one of them, but just as she was about to climb into the carriage, Mo Ying stepped forward and grabbed her by the waist. Before she could react, he lifted her up in a bridal carry.
She frowned hard and shoved at his chest. "What are you doing? Put down!"
He didn’t hurry. He carried her across and set her in front of the other carriage, one arm still around her waist. "I’ll ride in the other carriage with you," he said coolly. "You’re my wife."
Those words made her face go hot with anger. "My wife? Don’t be ridiculous!" she snapped, trying to pull free. "I never agreed to that!"
He tightened his hold a little, mocking calm. "You promised to co back with without complaining. That counts."
She kicked at him with one slipper and yelled, "Let go this instant, Mo Ying!"
They went back and forth, voices low but sharp. Passersby glanced over but kept walking. Yan i watched, awkward and a little nervous, while Fuhan stood by the carriage, pretending not to hear.
"You can’t just carry like so prize!" Lin Xu hissed. "I can get in myself."
"I can carry you wherever I want," Mo Ying replied, looking straight at her. "And I will."
Lin Xu huffed, folding her arms. She tried to be angry, to push him away, but her legs trembled from the ride and the walk. The children in the other carriage were already settled, Yiling tucked in with a small blanket, Mo Bao gripping his little wooden toy. Mo Yuan kept staring at the arguing adults with big eyes.
Yan i moved closer and said quickly, "I’ve got the kids. They’re fine. Don’t worry about them." Her voice was a little awkward, trying to cover the tension.
Lin Xu glanced at the children, then at Yan i. Her anger lted a fraction. She nodded once, curtly. "Fine," she said, voice low.
Mo Ying’s mouth curved into a small, satisfied smile. He eased her down into the other carriage and then climbed in himself, folding his legs without a word. Lin Xu sat stiffly, folding her hands in her lap, jaw clenched.
The driver cracked the whip. The carriage wheels turned, and they started to move. Lin Xu glared at Mo Ying from across the small space, but he only t her look and gave a soft, almost unreadable smile.
They rode in silence for a while. The road was bumpy, and the carriage rocked slowly. Lin Xu stared out the small window, but her thoughts were on the two girls from last night.
"Mo Ying," she asked after a mont, voice low, "what did you do with those girls? Are they alright?"
He gave a small, calm smile. "They’re fine. I’ll take you to them soon."
She rolled her eyes and muttered under her breath, "Acting mysterious, huh."
More silence. The rhythm of the horses filled the quiet. After a while, Lin Xu tried another question, one she’d been holding back. "What about Su Feng... what’s your problem with him? Why do you hate him?"
Mo Ying turned his head to look at her. His face grew serious, the smile gone. "Years ago," he said, "I gathered proof. Proof that a powerful family was stealing from the empire and helping rebels. I showed the proof. The court hanged them."
Lin Xu’s hand tightened on the cloth of her skirt. He kept going.
"The woman Su Feng loved was from that family. She was hanged too." He paused, watching her. "After that, Su Feng beca bitter. He blad . He wanted revenge."
Lin Xu blinked. "So he hated you because of that?"
"He did," Mo Ying said softly. "He never liked you. He used people, used you to hurt . He wanted to take the woman I loved, to make lose more. I found out what he planned. I stopped him. I beat him to it."
Lin Xu stared at him, trying to take it in. "So he didn’t like or my kids," she said slowly. "He only wanted to use us."
Mo Ying’s eyes were hard. "Yes. He only wanted to deceive you and get back at . He never cared for you."
Lin Xu felt a cold sort of anger at the thought. She looked away, the carriage rocking on. The road stretched on, and the city grew smaller behind them.
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