Chapter 1 Reborn Through Fire

The ruckus outside was unusual. Everyone was smiling happily. There were a handsome groom and a slender bride who was wearing a large red veil. The festive colors blinded everyone.

The sounds of laughter and firecrackers permeated the air with joy and happiness.

Except for her. She walked alone in the unbridled atmosphere.

Mo Xuetong stood at the corner of the room near the drapes. Her simple clothing could not hide the bloodthirsty hatred in her eyes. She looked at Mo Xuemin and Sima Lingyun. One was smiling coyly while the other smiled gently and warmly. They held hands as they walked toward her. She held a flint tightly in her hand and could not help but shake lightly.

The relationship the three of them shared was ridiculous!

Who could have thought that while one of them was her elder sister and the other her husband, but that she was the wife they wanted to kill with a bowl of poisoned wine!

They killed Mo Yu and Mother Xu. They had even killed Yu’er, whom she had named herself, who was still a child swaddled in blankets.

“Mo Xuetong, do you really think he will love you? You ugly creature, you already look like this. You might as well die. Why do you bother living and embarrassing yourself? Rest assured. I’ll take your place in the future. I’ll guard your mother’s dowry for you. You’d better die now!”…

The sadness and hopelessness brought by hatred tore apart Mo Xuetong’s heart!

Even if she fell to the depths of hell, she would be willing. She’ll take the adultress pair with her!

She looked at the adultress couple outside the red tent viciously. Mo Xuetong lit the tent up with deadly calmness! She hated them, how could she not! She wanted to drink their blood and eat their flesh!

One could not see her black pupils in her blood-colored eyes. Since heaven was so unfair, she’ll seek revenge for herself!

The red tent caught fire immediately. The guests ran in all directions frantically and the wedding hall descended into chaos. The groom, Sima Lingyun moved swiftly. He pulled Mo Xuemin, who was still clueless about what had happened, out of the tent.

However, she raised her legs a few times but was pressed down heavily to the ground. She looked down. The corner of her gown was tightly caught!

The fire grew stronger. Objects started falling from above. A beam swayed precariously above them. The wedding hall might collapse at any time. Sima Lingyun was flustered. He kicked viciously at Mo Xuetong who was holding his gown tightly. Mo Xuemin had tugged off her veil and ran outside frantically.

A massive beam fell from above Mo Xuetong as they tugged and pulled. It fell heavily on her and her head smashed onto the ground. Blood flowed from her head and blinded her eyes. The shrill screaming in her head did not allow her to think. She stared at Sima Lingyun through the blood. Her blood-stained smile was sharp and devoid of hope!

If she could live again, she would definitely have them pay their debts in blood. She would have the adultress pair live in hell forever. Even if she had to turn into a ghost, she was willing to use herself in exchange to take them both together with her to hell!

“Mo Xuemin, Sima Lingyun, I swear on my child and my soul. I will make you two experience a hundred thousand times the pain you’ve set on me!”

Her voice was like a curse that reverberated throughout the fiery scene long after…

Qingwei Gardens!

Mo Xuetong remained in the position in which she had woken up from. Her fists were clenched tightly and her body was rigid. The pain of the fire seemed to still be burning on her body. There was a searing pain in her heart. She almost could not breathe from the pain. Deep-set hatred tangled with the pain swirled through her thoughts. She could not make out whether she was dreaming or if she was awake!

She stared dazedly at the snowflakes hanging from the drapes. She only realized half a second later that they were drapes that she used to love. There were also green and red coral patterned accessories hung around her. The elegant falling flowers in the red and green color looked very elegant. The drapes swung in the breeze, looking even more beautiful!

She pushed away her blankets dazedly after a while. However, she saw her slender arms that had not yet finish developing. She pushed herself into a sitting position on the bed slowly. A child-like face appeared in the dressing table mirror not far away. It was a young girl…

Hold on. Drapes, slender arms, and a child-like face. Mo Xuetong looked at herself in the mirror with wide eyes. Her heart rate increased madly. She lifted her arms incredulously and then looked at her dazed features in the mirror. This was how she looked like when she was younger. The hairpin inlaid with gold and jade on her hair was the one Cousin Xuan had gifted her when she turned 13.

Could it be that she did not die and had gone back to when she was 13? Her fingers shook in her sleeves agitatedly. Then, she clenched her fingers tightly. The sharp pain immediately told her that everything before her was real.

Really, she had been reborn. She had gone back to before the tragedy had happened. Even though it was not the start, it was not the end either. There was still time…

She bit her lips tightly and forcefully tampered down the urge to jump and laugh madly! Tears filled her eyes.

Looking at the childish and pale face of the young girl in the mirror, she remembered that she had fallen into the river that year and had been comatose for two days. She had indeed only been 13 years old then!

An indescribable joy and sadness filled her heart. She bore down on the emotional upheaval in her heart and held her hands tightly together. However, she could not control her slight tremble.

Her first thought was that God was indeed fair. She had been reborn!

God must have seen her tragic circumstances and allowed her to seek her own revenge. She did not have to wait for the next life. She could seek revenge in this life! Auntie Fang, Mo Xuemin, Sima Lingyun. She would not trust the wrong people again!

This time, it’d be her turn to send them to hell!

“Miss, do you want some water? Does your head still hurt? You mustn’t scare your nursemaid again. How am I to live if something happens to you! How are you feeling now? Are you hurting anywhere…”

A middle-aged woman wearing a grey robe lifted the door curtains and entered. She paused for a moment when she saw Mo Xuetong sitting in bed dazedly. Then, there remained only pity on her face. She hurried forward and she reached out to tuck the blankets in and then touched Xuetong’s forehead out of habit before she relaxed and started nagging.

This nagging made Mo Xuetong feel warm and happy!

Mother Xu. It was her nursemaid, Mother Xu, who had stuck by her through thick and thin. When she saw the familiar haggard face, she could not help but cry, blurring her sight.

She took in Mother Xu’s familiar scent and the warm body beneath her hands. Mo Xuetong’s tears fell unceasingly. She recalled that incident.

It was her mother’s death anniversary the day before yesterday. She was praying beside the lake. She had picked time after dinner when there were fewer people to go since she was not at her own home. She had brought two maids, Mo Yu, and Mo Zhu, with her. She hoped that the river would be able to bring her yearning for her mother back to her home.

She had left her mother’s fan behind. Mo Yu had returned to retrieve. Mo Zhu retreated to behind her after preparing the incense table. She knelt quietly on the floor and started to pray. However, she did not know that trouble would descend from the skies! A rock had loosened from the fake mountain, crashing upon her. She got up hurriedly and wanted to run away, but her skirts had been tangled up with something and she fell into the river.

She had almost died that time! She had only regained consciousness after two days!

That’s right. She remembered clearly that there were not any things that could have tripped her nearby. The ground was empty around her and there was not even a blade of grass. However, she was tripped and landed in the water. The feeling as if there was something choking her at her throat so that she could not breathe felt so real. She dove into Mother Xu’s embrace and sobbed so hard she could not catch her breath.

“Miss, Miss. What’s wrong? Are you hurt? Let Mother Xu see!” Mother Xu thought she had been shocked by the incident when she saw her crying. She heart ached as she held Mo Xuetong and patted her back lightly. She coaxed her in a gentle voice, “It’s alright, Miss. Miss, it’s fine now. Mother Xu is here!”

She held Mother Xu tightly and cried even harder. She cried as if her heart and lungs were tearing. It was as if she wanted to cry out all hatred, anger, and fear. After this time, she would not cry again. In the future, those people would cry!

Those people would hurt several times over more than how she hurt now!

“Tong’er, what’s wrong? Who bullied my Tong’er!” There was a clear and familiar laugh at the door. She had not yet entered and the sound of her laughter could already be heard. The curtains outside were lifted highly by a person. Mdm Yu entered with a smile on her face.

She was about 30 and was beautiful. She wore a light coral pleated skirt and seemed especially young. When she entered, she sized up Mo Xuetong. When she saw that the girl was lying weakly against the bed, she went up to her bed and sat down, holding her hand affectionately.

“Aunt!” Mo Xuetong tampered down on the sharpness in her eyes and looked up tearily. She looked at Mdm Yu dazedly!

Through the hazy tears, she saw the coldness in the shrewd eyes. She did not look a little sad or worried at all!

“You look so pitiful. You’re so skinny! Your body is too weak. You have to rest more.” Mdm Yu quickly ordered Mo Zhu who came in with her. Her smile was kind, and she looked like an elder who doted on a younger family member. However, she did not mention anything about Mo Xuetong falling into the water!”

“Miss, lie down and rest. You tripped because you’re so weak. Look, madam was so worried after you fell into the river that she couldn’t sleep! You’re so lucky to have an aunt like madam to dote on you.” Mo Zhu walked up, wanting to help Mo Xuetong lie down.

She was a maid wearing a cotton floral dress. She was about 15 or 16 and was in the prime of her life. She looked weak as if a gust of wind would blow her away. She looked like a good servant who was worried about her mistress!

However, when one listened closely, they would hear that she was not speaking up for Mo Xuetong, but was praising Mdm Yu. Instead, she said that Mo Xuetong was weak and made her elder worry for her!

Mo Xuetong looked up and glanced at her. She laughed coldly in her heart.

Mo Zhu, how could she forget her…

She was ill right now, but Mo Zhu had not cared for her but went to Mdm Yu to court her affections instead. She was blaming Mo Xuetong for not knowing her place while leaving in someone else’s house, getting into trouble.

Now that she thought about it, it was obvious that someone had tripped her up by the lake. There was no one else but Mo Zhu there!

She took the handkerchief beside her pillow and wiped her tears. Then, she tilted her slightly pale face up. There was a deep confusion in her dark eyes as she looked at Mo Zhu. It was a cutting look that made one feel subconsciously cold. Mo Zhu shuddered under the gaze and retracted her hand subconsciously. She could not speak, pleasing words stuck at her throat. Yet, she did not dare to leave.

Mother Xu walked up and pushed her away, glaring at Mo Zhu unhappily. Then, she put thick lotus colored embroidered pillows behind Mo Xuetong and helped her lean into them carefully.

“Tong’er isn’t feeling well, why are you still letting her lean back. Hurry, it’s better to lie down. Don’t harm her because of this. It’s true that children with no mothers are pitiful. Even those serving them don’t do their best. Aunt will give you another two maids in a couple of days and change a few of the servants around here so we can get rid of the servants who don’t do anything.” Mdm Yu said so with a vicious smile when she saw that Mother Xu was defying her and had ignored her completely.

She had just awakened from her coma after falling into the lake. Her face was pale and haggard, making her look pitiful. After hiding the coldness in her eyes, she looked up weakly and said gratefully, “Aunt, Tong’er doesn’t want to sleep. If I sleep, I won’t be able to wake up! The doctor also said that I should not sleep too much after waking up from falling into water. Tong’er thanks auntie for her good intentions. Mother Xu and the others have worked hard to serve Tong’er. They were all left to Tong’er by mother. Tong’er does not dare to just switch servants.”

Was that a soft rejection?

Mdm Yu’s smile froze slightly. She looked at the girl carefully and only saw a gentle smile on the young face. It was no different from before except that her eyes were brighter than usual. It was a deep dark black.

Her statement was filled with a hidden sharpness. It did not seem like something the weak and cowardly Mo Xuetong would say. In the past, Mo Xuetong would not dare to contradict her so openly even if she did not agree. Could it be that something had happened to the girl when she fell into the lake? Mdm Yu could not help but look at Mo Xuetong suspiciously.

“Mo Zhu, why are you not serving Aunt tea?” Mo Xuetong pretended not to see Mdm Yu’s suspicious glance. She turned around and shouted at Mo Zhu. The endless darkness in her eyes needled on Mo Zhu like cold water

Mo Zhu heard what Mo Xuetong said and she looked up as if she was shocked. She saw Mo Xuetong lying against a large pillow, looking at her sideways with deep and dark eyes!

It was a look that seemed to see through her heart, and it made Mo Zhu afraid. She shuddered unconsciously and dared not say anything else. She turned away hurriedly and brought the tea over and gave it to Mdm Yu with a pale face. She only calmed down slightly when Mdm Yu gave her a calm look.

She stood behind Mdm Yu with her head and shoulders down. She was treating herself as Mdm Yu’s servant. She told herself that she did not have to fear because her madam was around!

Mdm Yu was focused on Mo Xuetong and could not be bothered with the thoughts of a maid. She had not noticed that Mo Zhu had stood behind her after serving her tea, going against the rules. Mo Xuetong glanced at Mo Zhu sideways without saying anything. She did not ask her to return.

Mdm Yu took the cup and took a sip. She then placed it on one side and held Mo Xuetong’s hand naturally. She patted it warmly and said gently, “Since you’re not willing, then Aunt cannot make decisions on your behalf as well. I haven’t seen you in tow days, and you’re looking so weak. Later, I’ll get someone to bring you ginseng to nourish your body. You can’t hurt your vital energy. You’re a girl, it’d be terrible if you hurt your vital energy.”

Ginseng? Mo Xuetong looked down. Her long lashes hid the cold in her eyes.

In her past life, Mdm Yu had sent her a rotten ginseng. Mother Xu saw that it could not be used and brought out a century-old ginseng she had kept for emergency situations. However, Mdm Yu found out about it and was greedy. She wanted the ginseng and pretended to be ill. She said she needed ginseng to regulate her body and had given her the best ginseng in their house.

Mdm Yu had not only gained a good reputation, she had also taken her ginseng. She had gained both reputation and goods.

“Thank you Aunt for your good will. It is just that Tong’er has never been fortunate. How can I use such a good thing? Only fortunate people can use it to extend their lifespan. If Aunt really wants to, she can help Tong’er send it to grandmother. Tong’er would naturally be happy once grandmother is well, and will recover then. I don’t dare to let anything happen here.” Mo Xuetong took her hand back calmly. She pinched the handkerchief in her hands, smiling gently and naively. She looked frightened and sad, and one could tell at a glance that she was a coward and easy to manipulate.

Mdm Yu heaved a sigh of relief! Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction and she thought that she was thinking too much. What could an abandoned orphan girl do?

“Miss, don’t say that. Madam is so good to you, she’d be sad if she hears that. How can you be unfortunate Miss. After all, you’re the granddaughter of a lord. Who would take you lightly? If anything happens to you in this house, they would be blamed by Madam.” Mother Xu could not hold back her anger when she saw Mdm Yu’s satisfaction. She pretended to persuade Mo Xuetong while using the lord’s manor to aggravate Mdm Yu.

Mdm Yu’s heart skipped a beat when she heard that. She felt that Mother Xu was threatening her when she brought up the lord’s manor…could it be that they’d discovered something?

Mdm Yu pretended to be even more gentle so she would not be discovered. She smiled warmly and dotingly at Mo Xuetong. “Tong’er how could you be an unfortunate person? You mustn’t say that of yourself!If there’s anything you feel like eating, let the servants know. If there’s anything you are unhappy about, you have to tell me. I won’t let my good niece suffer.”

Good niece? Mo Xuetong laughed coldly in her heart. However, her smile remained sweet. She looked up hesitantly and asked, biting her lips fearfully, “Aunt, can I really tell you everything I’m unhappy about?”

Mo Xuetong bit her lips, looking as if she was feeling awkward and as if there was something she wanted to say but could not.

“Tong’er, tell your Aunt. Did someone bully you? I’ll definitely help you.” Mdm Yu guaranteed once more.

“Mo Zhu, kneel down!” Mo Xuetong suddenly sat upright and pointed at Mo Zhu when she heard that. She shouted angrily, “Aunt, take Mo Zhu away. Tong’er cannot take her service.”

Mo Zhu was shocked as she had not expected to get into trouble. However, she did not kneel down since she had Mdm Yu on her side. She straightened her neck and said indignantly. “Miss, why had you asked me to kneel and said that you cannot take my service? What do I have to do with you falling into the lake? Why are you unleashing your anger on a servant who has nothing to do with the incident? Can you treat us so abominably just because maids are servants?”

Then, she covered her face and started to sob!

Mo Xuetong laughed coldly in her heart. She looked at everyone in the room. Everyone except Mother Xu hurried to help her when they saw her crying. No one in the room stopped her!

“You’ve plotted against your mistress. Should I not send you away…” Mo Xuetong suddenly coughed violently before she could finish her statement. She clutched her chest as if she was going to faint.

The room was thrown into chaos as nobody could be bothered with Mo Zhu. Only Mdm Yu stared viciously at Mo Zhu who quickly reacted. She fell with a thud on her knees in front of Mo Xuetong and stayed there as the physician came in to take Mo Xuetong’s pulse. After a fuss, Mo Xuetong finally recovered except that her face was much paler than before. She looked as if she was taking in less air than she was breathing out, looking especially weak.

After the physician left, Mo Xuetong took a sip of water from the blue ceramic cup in Mother Xu’s hands. Then, she said with a sorry and tearful expression to Mdm Yu, “Sorry for worrying you, Aunt. My body is not too good after falling into the lake.”

She breathed in and then turned her gaze to Mo Zhu who was kneeling on the floor and dared not speak. She did not know where she got her strength from and she suddenly grabbed the porcelain cup in Mother Xu’s hands and threw it at Mo Zhu. As she was weak, the cup fell about two or three steps in front of Mo Zhu and shattered.

The clear shattering sound shocked everyone.

“Aunt, Mo Zhu had plotted against her mistress…Tong’er fell into the lake because she pushed me. If Aunt doesn’t believe me, you can ask Cousin Xuan…Tong’er doesn’t know how she offended this maid. She…she wanted to kill me…”

Then, she could not help but cough again. She believed, 100 percent, that if she said that, Cousin Xuan would definitely be on her side! Cousin Xuan had once told her that he suspected that in her last life!

Mdm Yu was panicked when she saw Mo Xuetong coughing like that. She patted her back gently while glaring at Mo Zhu viciously. Mo Zhu had been so shocked by Mo Xuetong’s words, she was dazed. Mdm Yu said, “You slut, how dare you try to harm your mistress. Men, come and take her out. Give her 40 strokes of the cane!”

Mdm Yu was forced by Mo Xuetong to do this. Mo Xuetong was so angry, and she even implied that Qin Yuxuan had seen Mo Zhu plotting against Mo Xuetong. The fact was laid right before her eyes. Mdm Yu did not dare to protect Mo Zhu. If she did not do this right, she might even bring trouble to herself. How dare a servant plot to harm her mistress!

Mo Zhu saw Mo Xuetong coughing so hard she could not catch her breath and saw Mdm Yu’s gaze looking at her viciously. That was when she realized that things had changed. She was flustered and rushed to Mdm Yu, crying and screaming and kowtowing!

“Shut her mouth and drag her away.” Mdm Yu said coldly. She immediately decided that since Qin Yuxuan had seen the incident, she could not keep the trouble causing girl around!

Mo Xuetong laid across the embroidered pillow, clutching her chest that hurt from the coughing. She did not soften at all as she saw Mo Zhu being dragged out like a dead dog. She would seek revenge this time in her new life. Blood rushed up her throat as if the fire of her past life was reaching for the skies like that day when blood splashed on her face.

Mo Zhu had only taken 30 canes before she died. Mdm Yu got people to drag her out and then comforted Mo Xuetong with a few words. She saw Mo Xuetong looking weak, but her eyes were filled with tears of gratitude. That was when she relaxed and brought her people back to her house. She even told Mother Xu before she left to tell her if Mo Xuetong needed anything.

Mo Xuetong’s weak and tired eyes opened once more when Mdm Yu’s people left. She struggled to sit up.

“Mother, help me up. I have to write a letter.” Mo Xuetong said as she lifted her colorless face.

Cloud City was very far away, and nothing important usually happened there. The horse carriage that delivers letters only comes every five days. Today happened to be one of those days. If she did not send the letter today, she would have to wait five days. The people Auntie Fang sent would leave soon, she could not wait another five days!

She had to find a way to get back to the capital as soon as possible!

  Chapter 3 First Meeting at an Inn

After everything had been arranged, Mo Xuetong and her maid, Mo Lan, did not waste any time. They were afraid that the horse carriage at the inn would leave if they were late.

No matter what, in this life where she could relive her life, she had to mess up Auntie Fang’s plans before Auntie Fang dealt with her viciously.

Mo Xuetong and Mo Lan left the main doors of the Qin Manor. Mo Lan was Mo Xuetong’s main maid. Mdm Yu had treated Mo Xuetong very well on the surface. Upon hearing that she was leaving, she got people to prepare a nicer horse carriage. The two girls heaved a secret sigh of relief when they got onto the carriage.

The horse carriage sped towards the House of Carriage. It was the favorite clothing and accessories shop of girls in Cloud City. The most secret way to the inn was through the front doors of the shop and walking through it.

After passing through a narrow alley of the House of Treasures, was a door that only people of the Cloud City knew about. It was usually shut, but customers who knew the shopkeeper well would just have to ask and he would open it without any issue. Mo Lan was about to ask Mo Xuetong to wait there while she went to speak with the shopkeeper. However, she saw Mo Xuetong pushing the door. The door creaked open.

The inn was right across the door.

Mo Xuetong saw that the horse carriage at the inn across was already ready and was about to leave!

Without saying anything else, Mo Xuetong wore her scarf and hat and held onto Mo Lan as they walked out. She greeted the middle-aged man in front of the horse carriage and curtsied, saying, “Uncle Shi!”

The innkeeper of Cloud City used to work under Mo Huawen and was on rather good terms with him. He had a daughter about Mo Xuetong’s age and naturally recognized Mo Lan. When he saw Mo Xuetong holding on to Mo Lan appearing at the inn, he paused for a moment. He immediately knew that Mo Xuetong was hidden under the scarf and hat. He could not help but stop and ask curiously, “Third Young Miss Mo, where are you going?”

“Uncle Shi, please help me send a letter.” Mo Lan handed him the letter.

The middle-aged man took the letter and saw, written in clear handwriting, that it was to be sent to the Old Lord of General Manor. Since she was sending it to her mother’s family, he did not take additional notice. Mo Lan helped Mo Xuetong to press down her gold seal after giving him the letter. The middle-aged man waved at Mo Xuetong and then left on the horse carriage upon seeing that it was getting late.

Mo Lan helped Mo Xuetong return back through the door. She felt that Mo Xuetong’s palms were sweaty and knew that she was weak and they should not stay any longer. She said hurriedly, “Miss, wait here. I’ll get a horse carriage to come. You rest for a bit and we can get on the carriage immediately.”

Mo Xuetong released Mo Lan’s hands and steadied herself on the wall. She took off the scarf and hat and took a deep breath. She nodded. This was not a passageway, so she did not have to worry that someone would come. Even the staff at the shop could not come here. Furthermore, she was still dressed up as a maid and it was inappropriate for her to leave wearing the scarf and hat of a noble young lady.

Mo Lan saw that Mo Xuetong was still steady and released her, running toward the main street.

The door was open and the sunlight outside was strong. Mo Xuetong narrowed her eyes and reached out to close the door before she could relax and close her eyes to rest. Their journey here was hurried and she was weak, so she felt a little ill.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a gust of wind and something pushed the door open quickly. She reached out instinctively and there was a shout. He eyes sprung open and she saw a purple robe in her hand. She had caught a person when she reached out earlier!

Mo Xuetong quickly released her hand and backed a few steps away. However, she found that she was already pressing against the wall and had nowhere to run. She looked up in fear.

“What is it, you caught me and then released me. Won’t you regret it?” Said a slightly pleasant sounding voice that sounded cold and lazy. It was like rich wine that would make one drunk when they heard it.

The door opened slightly so she could see the man standing across her. Sunlight streamed through the door and the extremely handsome man turned his face to look at her.

The man was about 16 or 17. He had on a purple robe that was lined with black at the collar. There were cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread on his robe and the bottom of the robe was trimmed in gold. The large long robe seemed elegant on him. The top of the robe was slightly opened, revealing the black shirt he wore inside. The black and purple colors of his clothing were complementary and made him seem devilish and mysterious.

He wore a purple jade pin casually in his black hair. There was a gentle expression on his handsome face and he had an ambiguous smile. His phoenix eyes swept around and one could not help but feel their faces grow red and their hearts speed up, making one feel as if one was about to fall into the abyss. His handsomeness was exquisite and indescribable. One could only feel that he was filled with vast power. Even Mo Xuetong, who was characteristically frigid, could not help but blush slightly. Her heart beat wildly.

No woman could ignore the man’s charm!

When he saw that Mo Xuetong did not speak, he sized her up and seemed to have discovered an interesting plaything. He turned around to face Mo Xuetong and looked at her up and down. His lips curled up slightly and his eyes glinted. “They’ve sent a beautiful one this time. It’s just that it’s too small. Why don’t they feed them and make them more solid.” Then, he reached out as if to touch Mo Xuetong’s face.

If one judged the world by his appearance, then there weren’t many in the world who were worth looking at.

Mo Xuetong emerged from her shock. She turned her head around to avoid his touch. She said seriously, “Young sir, please have some self-respect!”

“If you have self-respect, then you wouldn’t reach out to pull my robe. Now, I rather like you. You shall be it, why are you objecting?” The man’s expression was still gentle and his voice like nectar. However, for some reason, Mo Xuetong felt that it was dangerous. It was obvious from the way that he was slowly approaching her, that he had ill intentions.

“Young sir, you are mistaken. I was resting here with my eyes closed and did not see you enter. I heard a sound and thought that I had encountered something dangerous. That was why I pulled you. I apologize if I’ve offended you.” Mo Xuetong had nowhere to back to. She took a deep breath and explained weakly.

She had never met the man in front of her. Even ordinary clothes could not hide his nobleness. A devilish smile appeared on his handsome face, making him seem gentle and seductive. However, while his voice was lazy and warm, it hid a coldness and power that struck fear in others.

Mo Xuetong groaned inwardly. She had hidden here while waiting for Mo Lan to get a carriage because she did not want to make trouble. However, she had not expected that she had still gotten into trouble. No wonder this door that had always been tightly shut had been open. It was because it had been left open deliberately for someone else. Had she known this, she should have gone with Mo Lan just now and leave this troublesome place.

“Something dangerous? Are you talking about me? You pulled on my robe the moment I entered and now you’re saying that I’m dangerous. Dare I ask what you’re trying to say?” A puff of heated air assaulted her ear. The man’s voice was so close to her. “What is it, are you playing hard to get?”

Mo Xuetong turned around as he moved closer to her suddenly. She happened to meet his passionate gaze. Their close distance, his seductive breathing, she could almost sense the piercing heat coming from him. Mo Xuetong’s calm face flushed. She stiffened and then hurriedly turned her head wanting to move to the side. However, she discovered that his palm was in front of her, blocking her way. It was as if she was being hugged by him.

Mo Xuetong felt that the situation was awkward. Her pale face flamed up.

She bit her lips and then calmed her beating heart. She looked up at his devilishly handsome face and said angrily, “Young sir, please move your hand and let me pass. Men and women don’t sit at the same table past the age of seven. Are you going to be so impolite?”

“Since men and women don’t sit at the same table after the age of seven, then why did you pull me just now?” The man mocked. He placed his hand in front of her. He had no intentions of letting go.

“Young sir, I already explained just now that it was an accident. Furthermore, this is a passageway. If young sir can pass through it, why can’t I?” Mo Xuetong was slightly angry. She cleared her throat and then said that to the young man straight.

The man was somewhat shocked by her rebuttal. Then, he laughed and said, “You seem like an innocent pretty girl. Why do you have such a temper?”

“What kind of temper has nothing to do with young sir. Please let go. Our young miss will come soon. If she sees you blocking me, she’ll wonder whether I did anything to you. She’ll definitely make things hard for me when we return to the manor.” Mo Xuetong looked down and said coldly. She was wearing the clothes of a maid right now. Furthermore, she did not wish to have anything to do with anyone else. She just wanted to get as far away as possible from him.

“You’re a maid?” The man looked at her up and down and said teasingly.

“Would I be here being tortured by you if I were not a maid?” Mo Xuetong said huffily.

“It’s such a pity that you’re a maid. Do you want to work for me? No one will make things difficult for you, and even I will dote on you. How about that?” He said that extremely gently as if they were the soft murmurings between lovers. Mo Xuetong’s face could not help but flame up again.

The warm air rolled over her earlobes like a warm breeze as if they were playing on her heartstrings. Mo Xuetong’s face was flushed. She was so angry that she could not release it right at that moment. She looked up with her lively eyes filled with annoyance. “Young sir, how could you be so impolite?”

“Is it? Could it be that I’m still considered impolite even though I’ve stooped to compromising? Do you mean to say that I’m not attractive to you at all!” The man’s eyes glinted and a light smile appeared on his lips. His eyes were so bright that it could even light up Mo Xuetong’s pale little face.

“This person is really…”

Mo Xuetong was speechless, so she did not say anything. She looked out and bit her lips. Then, she reached out and pushed away the hand blocking her without hesitation. Mo Lan had already been gone for some time and would return soon. If she greeted her as “miss” her identity would be revealed. This was the House of Treasures, and she could not guarantee that not a single person outside would not recognize her. When her mother was still alive, she had made friends with some of the other young ladies from noble families and there were only that many noble ladies and wives in Cloud City.

The man did not expect her to be so brave and to pull at him, disregarding social conventions. He paused and looked at the slender hand on his robe. It made the purple look like a tide of purple flowers left behind by fluttering butterflies, making it seem more alive and beautiful…

“Eighth brother. What are you doing? Come quickly.” A sudden warm and elegant voice sounded from deep inside the alley.