Chapter 24: A Mysterious Origin
As if provoked by the words, flames seemed to ignite around Hua Linye. His foxy eyes tilted upward, a hint of crimson anger coloring their seductive depths.
âWen Nanxi, what nonsense are you spouting? How could I possibly harm our Wife Master!â
As Hua Linye spoke, flames materialized in his hands, hovering in the air, ready to battle Wen Nanxi at a momentâs notice. He made a mental note to keep the commotion to a minimum; he couldnât wake her. She was tired today and needed to rest well. Even though he had set up a sound barrier, he was still worried a loud fight would disturb her.
Wen Nanxi simply used his own ability to place another protective barrier around Su Muyaoâs room, ensuring her sleep would be undisturbed.
âThen what were you about to do just now while she was asleep?â
A blush crept up Hua Linyeâs face, and he couldnât help but explain, âI just wanted to hold her. I wasnât going to do anything.â
Even though he had felt an uncontrollable craving for her in that moment, he truly hadnât planned to take advantage of her while she slept. Was it so wrong to just want a little hug, a little nuzzle?
Then, it dawned on him. âWait, somethingâs not right with you, Wen Nanxi. In the past, you never reacted this strongly, no matter what we did to her. Why are you so displeased now that Iâm getting close to her? Donât you despise her, too?â
Wen Nanxiâs expression shuttered. âThe person she is now is different.â
Hua Linyeâs eyes flickered. âSo you also know sheâs not the same as before.â
Wen Nanxi studied Hua Linyeâs face carefully. âThe aura of the fire poison on you is much weaker. Did she soothe your berserk spiritual sea?â
Hua Linye knew Wen Nanxi was clever. The manâs origins were a mystery, and even they couldnât be sure of the full extent of his abilities. He had always been aloof and kept to himself, never showing his full strength. Now, it seemed he was finally revealing his sharp edges.
Hua Linye nodded. âThatâs right. She was able to suppress the fire poison for me and even get rid of some of it. I still find it unbelievable. She is so good to me, so how could I ever harm a single hair on her head? Wen Nanxi, the Wife Master we have now is not yours alone. I will protect her, too.â
Besides, when Su Muyao had soothed his mind, he had seen what she looked like in his sea of consciousness. That was all the proof he needed to know she wasnât the same person. Of course, he would never speak of such a thing to anyone.
Hearing Hua Linyeâs words, Wen Nanxi finally retracted his power. The two of them did not fight.
Hua Linye looked at Wen Nanxi with a probing gaze. âWen Nanxi, is there something else you know?â
He remembered that Wen Nanxi had been brought to the Beast Imperial City by Su Muyaoâs father and made one of her beastman husbands. No one knew what instructions the Su family head had given him, nor did anyone know where he had come from.
Wen Nanxi didnât answer the question, instead stating gravely, âMei Qingchen and Shen Ci’an have not returned. They possess secret arts to override the beastman husband contract, and they have connections in the Beast Imperial City. They might try to do something to our Wife Master. We must be prepared.â
At these words, a serious look appeared in Hua Linyeâs foxy eyes. He said, âThree assassins came to the forest today to try and kill her. They were Jiang Mochuanâs subordinates.â
Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Wen Nanxiâs gentle eyes, instantly replaced by a biting killing intent. âJiang Mochuan!â
A corner of Hua Linyeâs mouth curled into a cold sneer. âJiang Mochuan is the heir to the Jiang family and one of the most famous figures in the Beast Imperial City. Our lady once did many crazy things for him. As the saying goes, even a one-day couple shares a hundred days of grace. I never thought heâd be ruthless enough to send assassins after her.â
Then, Hua Linye suddenly smiled. âBut this is good. From now on, our lady will have nothing to do with him.â He recalled that when he had asked her to write the letters of release two days ago, she had readily agreed. He had even mentioned her beloved from the Imperial City, but her expression had been indifferent, as if she couldn’t care less. That was for the best.
Wen Nanxi said coolly, âSome of the assassins on the road to exile were his people, too. This is nothing strange. Heâs in the Beast Imperial City and canât reach us here. Those assassins are easy enough to deal with.â
Hua Linye caught the unspoken meaning in his words. âYouâre worried about Mei Qingchen and Shen Ci’an?â In name, those two were still her husbands. They had followed them to the tribe, and although they had since disappeared, they were surely still somewhere nearby. If they decided to act, it would be difficult to handle.
âCorrect.â
Hua Linye said, âThen weâll just have to be on guard. And weâll have our lady be on guard, too.â After a pause, he let out a self-deprecating laugh. âBut they are her beastman husbands. Itâs perfectly normal for them to approach her. Telling her to be on guard against them wouldnât be very convincing.â
He found himself wishing there were fewer and fewer beastmen by her side. This damnable possessiveness was getting out of control.
Inside his room, Xiao Jihan was meditating, trying to cultivate and improve his abilities. He could have shut out all his senses, but he found himself involuntarily listening to the sounds from outside.
After hearing their conversation, he sighed. He couldnât focus at all. An image of Su Muyao appeared in his mind. He remembered something she had said the night before.
âYou are good to me, and as your Wife Master, I want to be good to you, too. Care should be mutual. There’s no ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’.â
He had never heard such words before. Their deeply ingrained belief was that a beastman husband should take care of his Wife Master. A female, as the Wife Master, only needed to enjoy her life. There was even a saying: “A femaleâs place is far from the kitchen.” No female would ever willingly step into a kitchen for her husbands. Even if one were willing, she would be afraid of being laughed at.
And yet, she was willing to cook for them. The delicious food they had eaten over the past two days was unlike anything they had ever tasted. The sight of her in the cookhouse was completely different from the cruel person she used to be.
He wondered if this was just a new trick she had come up with.
Xiao Jihan closed his eyes and sighed again. He felt that ever since he had tasted her food, his heart had been in chaos, and he could no longer cultivate in peace.
âŚ
Su Muyao, of course, knew none of this. She slept soundly through the night.
When she woke up the next morning, Xiao Jihan was waiting at her door to help her wash up.
Su Muyao was a bit exasperated. She called Wen Nanxi and Hua Linye over as well. âFrom now on, I can get my own water and wash up by myself. You donât all have to attend to me like this.â
A faint pallor spread across Xiao Jihanâs breathtakingly beautiful face, and he reflexively lowered his head. âIâm sorry. It is my fault for not taking good care of you, Wife Master. Please, punish me!â
By custom, if Su Muyao was dissatisfied, she would torment all of them.
Su Muyao looked at his elegant figure, as graceful as a jade tree, and his aura, as pure and cold as snow. He should have been a noble, transcendent being, untouched by the dust of the mortal world. Now, he had been abused into submission. She sighed internally.
She felt there had been a huge misunderstanding and quickly explained, âNo, thatâs not it. You donât have to be like this. And you donât have to apologize. Iâm not going to punish you.â
Such a picturesque, otherworldly person, abused by her predecessor to the point of constantly apologizing. What a reckless waste of a beautiful person.
She softened her voice and continued, âThe truth is, Iâm just not used to it. You should all just do what you need to do.â
You donât have to revolve around me! she thought. Being watched while she washed her face and brushed her teeth was just too awkward.
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