Chapter 14: Mo Yuanyuan

“Miss, I truly couldn't find him. That day, I thought that by killing his wife and child, he would be overcome with grief and stay by their side constantly. Who could have known that after I left, when I went back the next day, he hadn't appeared, but instead, his wife and child had been given a grand burial.”

The person dressed in black robes knelt below with his head bowed; he was clearly the one who had killed Liu San's wife and child, as well as Old Mother Zhao, that day.

“He is just a street vendor, where would he get the money for a grand burial?! In this Maple City, where else could he hide? You say you can't find him? I say you aren't working hard enough to find him! Now get out! If you can't find him, start with his neighbors. I don't believe it's impossible to find him! If you still can't find him, you won't be working under me anymore.” Mo Yuanyuan slammed her hand on the table, causing the tea-filled cups to tremble and the liquid to overflow.

“Yes.” The man in black trembled along with the cups. Thinking of Mo Yuanyuan's methods, a chill ran through his heart. After accepting the order, he hurriedly retreated.

A servant stepped forward, intending to clean up the cups on the table, but Mo Yuanyuan beat him to it, picking up a cup and smashing it against his head.

The cup hit the floor with a crisp sound, and a bloody wound appeared on the servant's forehead.

The servant did not dare to complain, merely hurrying to clean up the shards of the cup.

“Yuanyuan, I could hear the noise from outside. Why are you losing your temper?” A male voice drifted in from outside, and a burly figure appeared at the doorway.

Mo Yuanyuan wiped the ferocious expression from her face, replacing it with one of grievance.

She rose to meet him and said aggrievedly, “Those people are incompetent in their duties. What is wrong with me losing my temper a little?”

The man chuckled twice, his large palm gently patting Mo Yuanyuan's shoulder. “Of course it's fine. Since they failed in their duties, punishment is only fitting. Don't be angry, Yuanyuan; it's not good for your health if you get worked up.”

“Mm, Father. I haven't seen Brother Mochen for a few days, so I want to go find him to play.” Mo Yuanyuan finally revealed a smile and began to act coquettishly.

“Oh dear, what kind of bewitching potion did that boy from the Hou family give you? You don't even care for your father anymore; you're in such a hurry to find him after only being apart for a few days. I haven't even had a chance to speak with you yet.” Mo Qin looked at Mo Yuanyuan, feeling a pang of bitterness in his heart.

“Father, isn't this so that I can build a good relationship with Brother Mochen? Don't tell me you don't like this excellent son-in-law?” Mo Yuanyuan said her thoughts with a coy manner.

“Sigh, go on then, go on. Truly, once a daughter grows up, she can no longer be kept.”

“Then goodbye, Father.” As her words fell, she ran out like a butterfly.

Watching her happy appearance, Mo Qin also revealed a loving smile.

The servants nearby did not dare to move an inch. They were not deceived by this superficial scene; they all knew how ruthless Mo Yuanyuan was in private. One only had to look at the servant whose head had been smashed to know.

***

Ji Family's Yi Court.

The Fourth Concubine sat at the table, picking up a pastry with one hand to put into her mouth while listening to Wei Cheng's report.

“Ji Ruoling has been quite normal lately. The few manservants she brought back haven't made any unusual moves either. It's just that she spends a long time locked in her room every day, sometimes even skipping lunch.”

“Is that all? No other abnormalities?” The Fourth Concubine narrowed her eyes, her hand pausing just before the pastry reached her mouth.

“No other abnormalities.”

“Go and see what she is doing while she stays in her room.”

“Yes.” Wei Cheng left like a gust of wind.

The Fourth Concubine looked at the exquisite pastry in her hand. With a surge of strength, the fragile pastry turned into crumbs.

Sweeping the crumbs away, she said, “Someone, send a plate of pastries to Ji Ruoling.”

“Yes, is it necessary to...” A woman dressed as a maid walked in and asked cautiously.

“No need.” The Fourth Concubine waved her hand, signaling her to clear the pastries from the table and take them away.

***

At the Yi Court, Ji Ruoling was, as usual, locked in her room clearing her meridians, immersed in her own world, completely unaware that someone was monitoring her.

After a long while, Ji Ruoling opened her eyes, a sharp glint flashing through her dark, bright pupils. She opened her door and then had Xiao Tao fetch water.

Xiao Tao efficiently poured hot water into the bathtub, and once it was ready, she closed the door and left.

Sitting in the bathtub, Ji Ruoling felt exceptionally joyful. After clearing her meridians just now, she could clearly feel a warm current flowing through her body, making her entire being feel much more relaxed.

She could sense that only a few meridians remained blocked. Soon, she would be able to practice martial arts. When that time came, she wouldn't have to fear Ji Qianxue bullying her anymore.

*Knock, knock.* The wooden door was tapped.

Ji Ruoling instinctively tensed her body. Ever since that one time, she hadn't dared to bathe facing the door, and she would even get nervous hearing Xiao Tao bringing clothes.

On the surface, she pretended not to remember what Lin Muxi had done, but in reality, she grew nervous every time she heard a knock at the door.

“Who is it?”

“Miss, it's me. I've come to deliver your clothes.”

It was Xiao He's voice.

Ji Ruoling breathed a sigh of relief and let her in.

Xiao He set the clothes down and then left.

After Xiao He left, a question suddenly occurred to Ji Ruoling: Why was it Xiao He delivering the clothes? Where was Xiao Tao?

She then thought of that time when Xiao Tao had asked Lin Muxi to give the clothes to Xiao He to bring over. Could this time be... like that as well?

At this thought, Ji Ruoling lost interest in her bath.

After dressing, she felt her face was still somewhat hot.

A quarter of an hour later, Ji Ruling had Xiao Tao come in to drain the water. She asked, “Why was it Xiao He delivering the clothes today?”

While draining the water, Xiao Tao replied, “The accountant said the Head of the House had something for Miss, so he asked me to go and register it. So I went, and then I had Xiao He bring the clothes in.”

“It didn't pass through anyone else's hands?” Ji Ruoling raised an eyebrow and asked.

“No, I gave them directly to Xiao He when I saw her.”

Once Xiao Tao left, Ji Ruoling sat by the table, propping her chin on her hand, thinking to herself that it was lucky they weren't given to Lin Muxi; otherwise, what if he had just pushed the door open and walked in?

But... why did her heart feel a bit strange?

Fifteen minutes later, Ji Ruoling was still dazing by the table until the knocking sounded again.

Ji Ruoling rose to open the door, only to see a scene full of spring-like beauty before her eyes.

Taking a step back to look, she realized it was a screen.

“Miss, please move aside so they can carry it in,” came Xiao Tao's voice.

“Oh.”

Two unfamiliar house servants carried the screen in, and Ji Ruoling found a suitable spot for them to set it down.

“What is this about?” Ji Ruoling asked Xiao Tao after the two servants had left.

“This is the item the Head of the House sent to Miss. It's so beautiful!” Xiao Tao glanced at the screen with envy and then went out.

Ji Ruoling glanced at the screen, thinking to herself that it was very timely. She had just been thinking about what to use as a shield so she wouldn't have to worry while bathing.

However, what did Ji Yi mean by sending so many things these past few days? Guilt?

A few days ago, he sent a dressing table, along with some clothes and jewelry, and now he was sending a screen. Thinking of his attitude that day, could it be that he felt he had treated her poorly all these years and was trying to compensate?

Regardless, since he had sent them, Ji Ruoling would simply accept them with a clear conscience.

After a while, the door was knocked upon again.