Chapter 9: Dining Together

“Nowadays, when the ladies of the capital mention the Shizi, they are both enamored and terrified, fearing that a few words from him might ruin their reputations, leaving them unable to find a good match. Has this woman grown the guts of a leopard? To actually pull on his sleeve—it is a stroke of pure fortune that she hasn’t been killed by his guards!”

“Are you still unsatisfied after obtaining this Shizi’s sleeve, young lady?! Could it be that you want something else from me?” On the other side, Ouyang Yingrui withdrew his gaze and let it fall upon the woman beside him. His tone was noticeably colder than before. He elegantly twirled a dagger in his hand, a mocking, enigmatic smile playing on his lips that he made no effort to hide.

“Monster!” Mo Xunyan felt that Ouyang Yingrui was even more monstrous than he had been the night before, and she couldn't help but spit out the two words.

Ouyang Yingrui suddenly laughed. This smile dazzled everyone present; his beautiful phoenix eyes brimmed with a hint of amusement, and his thin, well-defined lips curved slightly upward. It carried an inherent air of wickedness that blended seamlessly with his natural heroic spirit—ethereal as a demon, indescribably bewitching.

“Shizi, this humble one…” The woman swallowed hard, struggling to force out a few words. If not for Ouyang Yingrui’s two guards blocking her path, she likely would have lost control and rushed toward him.

“Imperial Uncle, why the dawdling? For committing an offense against a superior, just drag her out and behead her!” Just then, two people turned back on the stairs. Mo Xunyan had already seen the seventeen or eighteen-year-old one the night before, but the one who had just spoken was a young boy.

“Are you not leaving yet, young lady? Do you have several heads to spare for beheading?” Ouyang Yingrui’s voice had turned so cold it lacked any warmth. “Or is it that you are so infatuated that you don’t even want your life?!”

“Sister, let’s go!” Seeing that someone had ordered a beheading, Mo Junming tugged at Mo Xunyan.

“Junming?!” Just as the siblings were about to turn away, the man standing behind Ouyang Yingrui recognized Mo Junming at a glance.

“Brother Wuchen, a pleasure!” Mo Junming looked up, immediately smiling and cupping his hands toward the man, while whispering to Mo Xunyan, “This is the only son of the Right Prime Minister, Nanfeng Wuchen.”

Ouyang Yingrui glanced at the Mo siblings, then at Nanfeng Wuchen, the corner of his mouth curling as he lowered his voice, “Since you are acquaintances, why not join us?!” Having said that, he turned and walked upstairs. The boy glanced at the Mo siblings and followed him up.

Nanfeng Wuchen was stunned for a moment, then quickly walked over, his gentle smile making him appear exceptionally amiable. “Junming, what a coincidence! Why not dine with us? I shall introduce you to the Shizi and His Highness the Fifth Prince.”

“Brother Wuchen, thank you for your kind intentions, but my sister has just returned to the capital and does not understand the rules. I fear she might offend the Shizi and His Highness, so I had better take her elsewhere to dine.”

Although Mo Junming had a favorable impression of Nanfeng Wuchen and admired Ouyang Yingrui, the thought of the Fifth Prince—and his father’s mention of the hunting trip and the selection of a consort the previous night—made him reluctant.

“Junming, your sister is so young; she should be innocent and carefree. With me here, there is no need to worry. Haven’t you always wanted to meet the Shizi? The Shizi will be leaving the capital soon; there is no time like the present.”

“The Shizi is leaving the capital?” Mo Junming was taken aback.

“Yes, yesterday the Shizi requested an imperial decree to volunteer for border defense. I fear he will not return to the capital for three years.” Nanfeng Wuchen lowered his voice, “You know as well as I do that the Luo Kingdom has been eyeing the Li Kingdom like a tiger stalking its prey.”