Chapter 121
Chapter 121: But Little Sister’s Guess Was Not Without Reason
Madam Yun dabbed at the corner of her daughter’s lips with a handkerchief, her voice choked as she asked.
Seeing the redness in her mother’s eyes, Yun Wan Yao was momentarily stunned. Her muddled mind slowly cleared, and she began to recall what had happened before she fainted.
She remembered the carriage suddenly losing control. In her panic, she had cried out for help, and it was Pei Yu who saved her. After that, everything went blank.
Thinking of this man, Yun Wan Yao pressed her lips together, her gaze dimming slightly. She asked softly: “Mother, how long have I been asleep?”
“A whole day, Yao’er. You still haven’t told me where you feel unwell. That’s right, I must have the physician come check on you.”
Madam Yun turned to Hua Wu and said: “Hua Wu, go call the physician at once and tell him the young lady is awake. Also, have the kitchen prepare some food for her.”
“Yes, madam.”
Hua Wu hurried away.
Pei Yu stepped forward, leaning in with a look of deep concern: “Yao Mei Mei, you’re finally awake. If you had not woken soon, I would have been worried sick.”
Madam Yun: “……”
Yun Wan Ning: [As if. I’m certain my sister’s accident has your fingerprints all over it, and yet you have the gall to act concerned? And with my mother right here—do you think you can outdo her worry? You knowingly speak in such an inappropriate way when she’s engaged—are you trying to cause her trouble on purpose? Dog. Absolutely a dog.]
Still groggy from her long sleep, Yun Wan Yao froze for a moment at her little sister’s heart voice, then a flicker of shock passed through her eyes.
So, Little Sister meant the runaway carriage could very well have been Pei Yu’s doing? She hadn’t thought of that at all—she had simply assumed it was bad luck, that he happened to be there to rescue her.
But Little Sister’s guess was not without reason. She had secretly brought guards with her, yet when the carriage lost control, the guards never appeared. That was far from normal. They must have been lured away or knocked out—either way, it was deliberate, not an accident.
If this man dared to move against her, what was his aim?
One thing was certain—he had no wish to kill her, or he would not have appeared so precisely in time to save her and send her home.
Her thoughts shifted. Since his target was her, then she would use herself as bait. She wanted to see exactly what he intended to do.
“Thank you, Big Brother Pei, for your concern. I haven’t yet thanked you for saving my life. Great kindness needs no more words—if there’s ever anything you need my help with, just say the word. I will remember your favor for as long as I live.”
“Yao Mei Mei, you’re too serious. There’s no need for such formality between us.” His eyes held hers with a tenderness that seemed ready to spill over.
Yun Wan Yao lowered her gaze, avoiding his look. Her pure, refined features were touched with a hint of shyness.
To anyone unaware of the truth, the scene might have looked like a pair of lovers exchanging feelings.
Madam Yun pressed her lips together, her face clouded, her heart sinking.
Yun Wan Yao had already shared her thoughts with Yun Wan Chen, who had told Yun Wan Ye and Yun Zheng, but not Madam Yun. Nor had Madam Yun told her daughter about the dream she had of this man’s actions in the original storyline.
Thus, she did not realize Yun Wan Yao already knew what Pei Yu had done to her in that version of events—she thought her daughter’s feelings were simply gratitude, perhaps even attraction, toward her rescuer.
That would not do. Little Fourth’s heart voice had said plenty, and Yao’er could clearly hear her, yet was she not taking it to heart at all?
Madam Yun was angry, but for now she could only endure it.
Just then, faint voices came from outside the door.
“Woo… is A’Yao awake yet? This is all your fault—if you hadn’t left her alone yesterday, she wouldn’t have gotten into trouble.”
“Yes, yes, it’s my fault, all my fault. But Princess, could you stop crying? If someone overheard, they might think something terrible happened to Yun Wan Yao.”
[It’s the princess and Second Brother—she must have come to see my sister. Wait… no, the footsteps sound like there are three people. Is the other one her maid?]
Before Yun Wan Ning’s thought finished, three figures appeared at the door.
In front were Mo Zhao Zhao and Yun Wan Ye, and behind them was a tall man in dark purple robes, with a golden crown on his head, striking features, and an imposing bearing—Prince Qi, Mo Yuan Hao.
“Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qi, greetings, Princess.”
Pei Yu started in surprise, then quickly bowed.
Mo Zhao Zhao ignored him, rushing straight to the bed. Her eyes were wet with tears as she looked at Yun Wan Yao: “A’Yao, you’re awake? When did you wake? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Yun Wan Yao clasped her hand and smiled gently: “Don’t worry, Princess. I’m fine—just need some rest.”
“Really? A’Yao, it’s my fault for letting you return alone yesterday. I should have sent someone to escort you. I’m so sorry…” Her voice trembled and her eyes reddened again.
She had been terrified when she heard of A’Yao’s accident, so much so that she had rushed over without even changing clothes, meeting Mo Yuan Hao halfway.
Yun Wan Yao smiled lightly: “It’s not your fault. I was just unlucky. Luckily Big Brother Pei came along to save me.”
At that, Mo Zhao Zhao instinctively glanced at Pei Yu, realizing she had ignored him earlier when he greeted her. That seemed a bit rude for someone who had saved her friend. She was still wondering how to make amends when Mo Yuan Hao spoke.
He looked at Pei Yu, his tone flat: “Thank you, Young Master Pei, for saving Yao’er.”
Hearing him call Yun Wan Yao so intimately, Pei Yu’s eyes instantly flushed red, a dark fury swelling in his chest. He quickly lowered his head to hide it: “Your Highness is too kind.”
At that moment, Hua Wu returned with food, bringing the physician as well. After examining her, the physician confirmed Yun Wan Yao had no serious injuries.
Mo Zhao Zhao sighed in relief.
Madam Yun, holding Yun Wan Ning, tactfully left to give the Mo siblings privacy. Pei Yu, however, was dismissed by Mo Yuan Hao.
Though reluctant, Pei Yu could not afford to offend him. Swallowing his anger, he obeyed, though hatred toward Mo Yuan Hao burned in his heart.
“Yao Mei Mei, I’ll take my leave. I’ll come visit another day.”
“Alright, Big Brother Pei, take care.”
Mo Yuan Hao’s eyes darkened, his fist clenching.
Pei Yu bowed again: “Your Highness Prince Qi, Princess, I take my leave.”
Once outside, his gentle mask fell away, replaced by a twisted, vicious expression.
[Yoh, he couldn’t wait to bare his fangs. No wonder he’s so ruthless in the original plot. The man’s vicious and a good actor—hardly anyone would see through that façade. If Mo Yuan Hao weren’t the male lead with protagonist’s luck, he might actually lose. But alas, there’s no ‘if.’ As long as you go against Mo Yuan Hao, you’re doomed to a terrible end.]
Though Yun Wan Ning had been carried away, her mother’s courtyard was less than two li from Yun Wan Yao’s, so she could still eavesdrop with her spiritual power.
Madam Yun found it amusing—her little bun always loved meddling and poking into things. At least her spiritual power kept her from dying of boredom.
…
Outside Duke Ning Manor, Pei Yu rode slowly into a bluestone alley, frowning.
No—Su Qian Xue had said she would draw Mo Yuan Hao away today. Why, then, had he come to see Yao Mei Mei? Had he broken his promise to her for Yao Mei Mei’s sake? If so, she was useless to him. He would have to take matters into his own hands.
Whoosh!
An arrow whistled through the air. His horse screamed as it was struck, collapsing. Pei Yu leapt clear, scanning the rooftops to see a masked figure in black with a bow and a quiver of arrows.
“You are—?”
“To take your life.”
The man laughed coldly, then swung his bow like a weapon, attacking with deadly force.
Pei Yu scoffed: “With a mere bow, you think you can kill me?” But when their fight began, he realized the truth—his opponent’s inner power was vast, strikes swift and heavy, forcing him onto the defensive.
Who was this man?
Suddenly, a kick to the chest sent him staggering. He managed to catch himself with his sword in a wall crevice, but the black-clad man pursued, mocking him: “You haven’t offended me, but you’ve offended someone you shouldn’t.”
Could it be… him?
“You dare assault a court general in the capital—aren’t you afraid of the emperor’s wrath?” Pei Yu snapped.
The man sneered: “General? You’re just a piece of trash. If you have the skill, beat me—don’t hide behind the emperor’s name.”
With a powerful turn, he shattered Pei Yu’s new black-iron sword, then struck again. Pei Yu dodged one kick but not the second. Pain and darkness swallowed him as he collapsed.
The black-clad man landed lightly, ground his heel into Pei Yu’s face, and sneered: “Pathetic. I only used half my strength and you didn’t last the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”
One more kick broke a rib before he stepped away. “Take him back to the Pei clan. Don’t let him die—and you know what to tell them.”
“Yes.”
…
Inside the room, Mo Yuan Hao glanced at his sister: “Zhao Zhao, it’s late. Go back first. I have words for Yao’er.”