Beat yourself in the mouth.

Murong Shaofeng remained rooted in place, his eyes filled with pain, which caused Zhu Yan, who was hidden in the shadows, to grow concerned.

His high status was a barrier between him and the woman he loved, and it was the reason he had never dared to reveal his emotions in front of her. Though his love had permeated his very being, he couldn't express it, and only he knew the bitterness in his heart.

Turning around, Murong Shaofeng sank onto a chair, feeling as if Mu Yunxuan's words about being husband and wife had stabbed his heart, leaving him suffocating in pain.

"Momo, what should I do? How can I handle this?"

Murong Shaofeng gently rubbed his pained eyes, and the agony remained etched on his handsome face. Even the corners of his lips twitched slightly due to the pain.

The most agonizing part of love is not being able to have a do-over, and his heart ached all over again. She still held a special place in his heart, like a precious gem.

"Zhu Yan, go and have Momo's favorite hibiscus cake made, but don't make it too sweet."

Murong Shaofeng softly issued the order, fully aware that Zhu Yan could hear him.

"Yes, Your Highness. Does Your Highness plan to return to the other courtyard?"

"I won't be going back tonight. I'll stay in Mingyue Villa for now."

With a determined look in his eyes, Murong Shaofeng abruptly opened his eyes. He and Momo didn't have much time left to be together, and in a month, he had to return to the Star-Moon Country. He had to cherish every moment spent with her.

This time, the physical distance between them was vast, but as long as she was there, it felt like mere millimeters.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Yan glanced at his back before turning to leave.

Meanwhile, Mu Yunxuan hurriedly carried Su Zimo back to their room and gently placed her on the bed. Despite his anger, he couldn't bring himself to leave her side.

"You! You truly make your husband restless, even when you're asleep, you can still entice other men," Mu Yunxuan angrily muttered to himself.

"Not seeing you for a month, you've changed so much."

Jincheng's voice suddenly sounded, and Mu Yunxuan calmly adjusted the quilt for Su Zimo before rising from the bed.

Jincheng was already standing outside the door.

"Was someone captured?"

"Yes! Zi Void Daoist is also present. He said he has something to discuss with you, but he couldn't start here, so he had to bring it back to Cloud City. He's currently locked up in the dungeon," Jincheng casually reported, his slightly heavy eyes curious as they glanced at Mu Yunxuan. He craned his neck to get a glimpse of the woman on the bed, but Mu Yunxuan subtly blocked his line of sight, leaving Jincheng puzzled. Jincheng was not usually interested in women, especially not like this. Yet today, he had been looking at his wife multiple times, which left Mu Yunxuan perplexed.

Mu Yunxuan turned around and set up a barrier around Su Zimo's bed.

Then, he coldly said, "Go back."

Without exchanging any further words, the two of them disappeared in an instant.

In the woods near Mingyue Villa, a woman in red and a man in white patiently waited. Illuminated by the moonlight, they turned out to be Ji Rui and Ji Yu.

After a while, a dark figure landed in front of them.

"Miss, Gongzi, Bright Moon Villa is heavily guarded. There's no way to break through. It's filled with traps and mechanisms. The Twelve Evils guard it day and night without any negligence. It's difficult to enter Bright Moon Villa without using the main gate," the black-clothed masked man reported.

"Hmph! Such heavy security for a small Bright Moon Mountain Villa. There must be hidden secrets inside," Ji Rui's eyes glinted fiercely in the moonlight, resembling a venomous snake lurking in the grass.

"The paper produced in the paper factory is far superior to the Mu family's. These are finished products secretly obtained by our subordinates. Gongzi, please take a look."

The masked man in black presented a white piece of paper to Ji Yu.

Ji Yu glanced at it and surprise flashed in his sharp eyes.

"Just as expected, it's exquisite. No wonder the security is so tight."

"Brother, our Zhenguo Mansion is the second most influential family after Cloud City. If it's overtaken by the rising Mingyue Villa, how can we maintain our standing in the future?" Ji Rui's eyes turned vicious as she stared at the paper in her eldest brother's hand. She knew that once these finished products were revealed, they would cause a sensation in the four countries and create an uproar. She couldn't allow that to happen, especially since Mu Yunxuan was the man she had set her sights on. Ling Qiushui had already failed without her intervention, and with her family background and the support of Yuncheng, she was confident that her fate was intertwined with his.

"Good." Ji Yu reduced the white paper to ashes and gazed sharply in the direction of Mingyue Villa.

"On the day of the ring match with Hong'er, Mingyue Villa was concerned that Zhenguo Mansion would take clear action against them. As a result, they forced their father to sign a note in front of the emperor, prohibiting Zhenguo Mansion from intervening. Since they know what they can't do, we can use that note as a reason to enter and leave Bright Moon Mountain Villa smoothly," Ji Yu thought of a better, more trouble-free approach. He wanted to see what kind of waves this widow and orphan could create.

Rui'er comprehends her brother's intentions and plans to visit Bright Moon Mountain Villa early in the morning.

Ji Rui gazed at Mingyue Villa with a malicious expression, a wicked smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

"Miss, Gongzi, our people destroyed over twenty of their pools two nights ago. Shall we take action tonight?"

"Whenever we have the opportunity, we should seize it. With our collaboration with the Mu family's paper industry and other businesses, it would be best if Mingyue Villa's opening in a few days is marred by unfinished products. That would greatly impact the stores under our name."

Ji Yu regretted his decision to go on a practice trip as things had escalated beyond his control in just a month.

He and Ji Hong, along with Ji Rui, had always been the most exceptional talents of the Ji family, excelling in cultivation and alchemy.

"Yes, thirteen stores will open on the same day, engaging in the same industry as the Mu family and our Zhenguo Mansion. What intentions does the owner of Mingyue Villa hold? Even a fool can see that if she dares to challenge us by returning to the capital, she must pay a high price for it. We must seek retribution for the humiliation in the ring match that day, targeting Mingyue Villa one by one to settle this grudge."

Ji Rui spoke in a gloomy and vindictive manner, her contorted face appearing hideous in the moonlight.

"Poor Hong'er is still bedridden."

Ji Yu and Ji Rui shared the same concern.

"What other news do we have?" Ji Rui inquired.

"During this time, the Cloud City Holy Lord has occasionally been seen at Bright Moon Villa. It seems to have a strong connection with the villa. However, the guards of Bright Moon Xuan are strict, and our people cannot get close."

"What?" Ji Rui couldn't believe it. Mu Yunxuan, who had never shown interest in women, would personally visit Mingyue Villa?

What had she missed during the month she was away from the capital?

Originally, she heard the news that Ling Qiushui had become the Holy Lord Lady in Cloud City, prompting her and her eldest brother to rush back to the capital. However, they unexpectedly witnessed everything at the city gate, and she knew in her heart that Ling Qiushui's fate was sealed.

Ji Yu also frowned upon hearing this revelation.

"Since we can't enter Bright Moon Villa, we will boldly go in tomorrow and return tonight."

Ji Yu had a plan in mind.

"Very well, I'll make further arrangements after our visit tomorrow."

Ji Rui's gaze turned distant and gloomy, her lips pursed, her nose slightly wrinkled, and her face grew even more malicious.

"You go back and continue monitoring the situation. If there's any news, report immediately," Ji Yu instructed.

"Yes, Gongzi. I will withdraw," the subordinate replied.

The woods fell into silence instantly, and in the still night, only the sounds of frogs and cicadas filled the air.

A fiery red fox joyfully leaped on the treetops, eagerly heading towards Bright Moon Villa. It greedily picked a few flowers and nibbled on them, its smart amber eyes glimmering with cunning.

In the dungeons of Cloud City, the cells were made of cold iron, filled with deadly mechanisms. Escaping from here was more challenging than reaching the sky.

The iron door creaked open.

Zi Qiu Daoist and Ling Qiushui gazed silently outside.

The arduous escape had left Ling Qiushui in a more disheveled state.

Mu Yunxuan entered the dungeon accompanied by Zi Mo, Jin Cheng, and Mu Yunhan.

Mu Yunxuan's expression was icy, and his exceptionally handsome face exuded a cold charm, carrying a hint of enchantment within his aloofness.

But in Ling Qiushui's eyes, that beauty held a lethal poison.

"Yun Xuan..."

Ling Qiushui started to speak, but under Mu Yunxuan's piercing gaze, she swallowed her words and held her tongue.

Mu Yunxuan's eyes were frigid, and his once captivating face turned utterly indifferent. The chilling aura surrounding him and everyone around him gave off an icy and frosty presence that sent shivers down the spine.

"Zi Qiu Daoist, I heard you have something to say to me?"

Without even bothering with pleasantries, Mu Yunxuan asked coldly.

Zi Qiu Daoist maintained a calm expression and glanced at Mu Yunxuan with an emotionless gaze.

He asked lightly, "Is the Holy Lord seeking revenge for your grace?" "Oh..."

Mu Yunxuan's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

He naturally understood the Zi Qiu Daoist's implication, but compared to what their Mu family had done for the Wu Clan, that matter was insignificant.

"Isn't the Zi Qiu Daoist trying to hold himself accountable?"

His icy voice was unusually ruthless.

Zi Qiu Daoist involuntarily trembled. A few years ago, Mu Yunxuan was still an impetuous youth, but now, he had become domineering, making it impossible for people to meet his eyes directly.

"Do you know that the curse hasn't been completely lifted?"

A simple sentence sent Mu Yunxuan's heart sinking to the depths.

<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>