Chapter 122: Committing Mischief

On the table, the tea was devoid of any warmth, the amber liquid clear and bright. The reflection of plum blossoms on the pristine white porcelain cup danced gently with the water’s surface.

The three elder patriarchs each sighed deeply, none daring to speak.

Lifting the teacup and swirling it lightly, Yuwen Wei gazed intently at the tea and murmured to herself, “Could the foundation of the Swordmaster Sect truly be mightier than that of the Swordmaster Sect?”

“The Swordmaster Sect’s roots run equally deep. It’s not just them—within the real powers of the Immortal Morning Sect, there are also descendants of prominent families, and many clans harbor members of the Xiang family. One move could trigger a chain reaction. The head of the Swordmaster Sect would never risk everything for the sake of a dead man,” the second elder lamented, his expression laden with profound sorrow and unwillingness.

“The matters at Mu Family Village—those people have seen everything in secret. I fear the secret chamber in the back mountain has also fallen into their hands. I must go persuade Grandmother to leave,” Yuwen Wei said, addressing the three elders, calling Ye Yinchen “Grandmother” just as Mu Yuyan had.

“After we left, the secret chamber in the back mountain was blown up, and our benefactor went to Yunhuang Marsh. I suspect the Emperor’s hounds had not yet arrived then,” the fifth elder said gravely, his voice brimming with rancor.

Wu Shanshan was right; it was he who personally gathered the remains of the clan’s prodigy, Yuwen Ming. Each time he recalled that scene, he felt the urge to draw his sword and storm the imperial palace. This hatred had not faded with time; it had only intensified. To prevent a calamity that might wipe out the Yuwen family, the clan leader had ordered him to return to Dongling.

Lifting her eyes, Yuwen Wei met the fifth elder’s gaze filled with hatred. Calmly, she said, “As long as the green mountains remain, there will be firewood to burn. Do not go to the capital. Stay in Dongling and maintain our stronghold. I will first go to the Swordmaster Sect.”

“What will you do at the Swordmaster Sect?” the third elder anxiously seized Yuwen Wei’s hand, gripping it so tightly it seemed he might crush her bones, as if afraid she would fly away the moment he let go.

Withdrawing her hand, Yuwen Wei smiled brightly. “I heard Ling Yanfeng intends to marry Yuwen Ming’s eldest daughter. I must go see my sister.”

The third elder wanted to say, “You’re walking right into a trap!” but no words came out.

“It’s truly Ming’s child! Good! Good! Good!” the fifth elder repeated thrice, tears welling in his eyes. “Grandfather will accompany you!”

“No need. Ling Yanfeng is but a trivial figure, unworthy of your personal attention,” Yuwen Wei soothed the worried elders. “The Swordmaster Sect wouldn’t want Ning’s daughter-in-law to die on their grounds. Besides, I’m only going to see my sister. There’s no danger. If you went, it would be you who’d be in danger.”

The three elders found her reasoning sound and ceased to insist.

After a brief conversation, Yuwen Wei retired to her chambers to rest. Finding the bed empty, she went to the cleansing room and found Ning Mofei asleep beside the bath, half submerged in water. Assuming the maids were neglecting him out of spite, anger flared in her brow. Casting a cold glance at the two maids nodding off against the wall, she scolded, “He is asleep—why haven’t you escorted him back to his room?”

Startled, both maids dropped to their knees. One said, “Young Master forbade it,” the other added, “He said you ordered him to soak in cold water.”

Yuwen Wei’s gaze softened as it landed on Ning Mofei. She bent down and lifted him out of the water. After instructing the maids to escort him back, she washed up in the cleansing room before returning to her chamber. From behind the pink canopy, she heard Ning Mofei’s murmured words in his sleep: “Soaking in cold water didn’t help.” Her lips twitched involuntarily.

Sending the maids away, she climbed into bed and had just settled when the fool, as if sensing the scent of fish, turned and embraced her. She suspected he might be feigning sleep. The next moment, she nearly screamed: the fool was completely naked!

The maids, fearing to disturb the young master and aware that he had soaked too long, quickly dried him and laid him on the bed, covering him with a blanket.

Reluctant to undo the octopus-like embrace, Yuwen Wei muttered “monster” under her breath and turned her face into his neck, drifting into peaceful sleep.

Dawn’s sunlight filtered through the carved window lattice, casting neat patches of light across the pink canopy. Inside, Yuwen Wei slowly opened her eyes to see a handsome young man kneeling beside her.

Ning Mofei’s perfectly proportioned shoulders and waist gleamed with a jade-like luster in the morning light. His pale, slender fingers clutched the covers tightly, shielding his lower abdomen. His finely drawn face, like a master painter’s work, glowed with a flush of red, and his half-lowered lashes trembled as if he were peeking at her.

Seeing this pleasing sight early in the morning lifted her spirits. She turned slightly, propping her cheek on her palm with a gentle smile. “What mischief have you gotten into, Mofei? Need to be punished on your knees?”

The fingers clutching the sheet tightened, and Ning Mofei’s blush deepened. Under his thick lashes, a string of bright tears rolled down. Sniffling, he said, “If I tell you, you’ll laugh at me.”

Her hand slid beneath the covers and encountered dampness. Her own face flushed unusually, yet she feigned nonchalance. “That’s normal. Why would I laugh at you?”

“Really?” Ning Mofei’s face turned redder than a midsummer day. Tears still glistening, his expression blossomed into radiant sunshine.

Her heart stirred, Yuwen Wei hurriedly averted her gaze, lest she transform into a ravenous wolf and swallow this fool whole. He pressed down on her, leaning over, and murmured, “Yuwen Wei, I’m hungry.” Though casually spoken, it sent a flush through her body.

Pushing him away, she hopped off the bed, noticing a stain on her moon-white garment. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she shot the fool a sideways glance, hesitating to speak.

Ning Mofei quickly shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep, wearing an expression that said, “You’ll never catch me admitting anything.”

“You idiot, you must keep your childish body intact before foundation establishment,” Yuwen Wei said, cheeks flushed, regardless of whether he understood. She then went to the cleansing room to wash and changed into a fresh dress. Ordering the maids to care well for Ning Mofei, she set off alone to visit home.

Upon reunion, her mother Mu Qingxi’s cherubic face was taut, eyes rimmed with red veins, ignoring her daughter’s calls.

A lump formed in Yuwen Wei’s throat; she dismissed the maids and sighed softly, “Mother, why do you persist? A legitimate wife wouldn’t even care about her husband’s death, so why does a dismissed concubine like you cling so tightly?”

Holding back tears, Mu Qingxi said stubbornly and stiffly, “I know you despise me, Miss Yuwen. But Fourth Master was my enemy—I must avenge him!”

“Anyone can despise you, but not I,” Yuwen Wei said quietly, embracing her mother’s trembling frame. “Mother, don’t do anything foolish. I have my own plans regarding Father’s affairs. You mustn’t interfere. Forget Father, leave Mu Family Village, and find another man to marry.”

Tears long restrained spilled freely as Mu Qingxi shook her head in anguish, sobbing, “I cannot forget…”

In her previous life, it was her excessive devotion that led her down a path of self-destruction. Now, Yuwen Wei longed to shake her mother awake with a blunt strike: “When a person dies, it is like a lamp extinguished. Even if you weep yourself to death, Father won’t know. Trust me—forget him and start anew.”