Болезненный юноша, путешествующий во времена династии Сун

Глава 22

After laughing for a while, Honglu and Tianxin, who lived next door, were so disturbed that they got up and put on their clothes. Only then did Chu Junfeng stagger back to his room.

"Young Master Mo, I've never seen you laugh like that before. You'd better not laugh like that again." Honglu said this the next morning.

"What's wrong? Can't I even smile when I'm happy?" Mo Xibei frowned in displeasure.

“Of course you can laugh if you’re happy, but the problem is, your laughter last night was very unpleasant to hear, it made me feel suffocated. You’ve always been the kind of person who does whatever you want. If you don’t want to leave now, no one will force you to leave at knifepoint. Why laugh so sadly?” Honglu was also dissatisfied, but she managed to control her voice because she remembered that Mo Xibei was her boss and breadwinner.

“I have to go,” Mo Xibei replied with only four words.

Only Tian Xin and Li Qingchen stood up to see them off.

“My young master was still hungover. Before going to bed yesterday, he told me to tell Young Master Mo to have a safe journey,” Tian Xin said.

"Then please also tell your young master that I wish him all his wishes come true and that he will achieve his goals soon." Mo Xibei nodded to Tian Xin.

"Qingchen originally wanted Boss Mo to stay a few more days, but since Boss Mo is in a hurry to go back, Qingchen can't keep him any longer. Hopefully, we can meet again someday." Li Qingchen kept smiling. He had only slept for a little over an hour that night, and his eyes were slightly dark. "In addition, Qingchen has a few words to give you."

"Please speak." Mo Xibei smiled. Her two meetings with Li Qingchen had been strange, as they were just casual acquaintances. She wondered what Li Qingchen wanted to say so solemnly.

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Two chapters a day, who can say I'm not a hardworking little bee? Haha

Volume One: Ten Years in the Martial World, Chapter Forty-Three: Leaving Isn't Easy

“Actually, it’s nothing,” Li Qingchen chuckled again before speaking, and seeing that Mo Xibei showed no displeasure, she said seriously, “Qingchen comes from a humble background. Although I’ve always considered myself aloof, I’ve still been doing nothing but business, welcoming and seeing off customers. I’m not bragging, but I’ve seen far too much of the coldness and indifference of the world. I can tell at a glance whether someone is sincere or not. I don’t know what Boss Mo is worried about. I just want to say that life is short, and it’s not easy to meet someone who truly cares for you.”

Mo Xibei was taken aback, then immediately understood. Over the years, she had worn men's clothing for convenience, and later for ease of use. The artificial Adam's apple she bought at a high price could fool many people, but not everyone could be fooled. However, since the other party had not said anything explicitly, she was too lazy to say anything else. She simply nodded and said, "Thank you, I will remember."

Because of the arrival of the Eastern Depot's large contingent in Henan Prefecture, coupled with the incident at the Murong Mansion yesterday and the search by the Imperial Guards on the streets, many households stayed indoors, and even restaurants and teahouses were deserted. Mo Xibei and Honglu originally planned to hire a carriage, but after asking several carriage companies, they all shook their heads and refused to go when they heard that it was outside the city.

“Otherwise, you’ll have to go through all that trouble. We can walk a bit further and then hire a car in the next town?” Mo Xibei asked Honglu.

"Walking back is fine, as long as we can walk." Honglu nodded without even thinking.

"His fiancée's fate is unknown, yet Young Master Mo is already in such a hurry to leave. How utterly heartless!" After walking two streets, Mo Xibei suddenly stopped. He saw someone carrying a cup of tea swaying as he walked out of a shop. The person was dressed in the colors of a military uniform and should be a commander of the Imperial Guard.

"I don't quite understand what you're saying, Commander." Mo Xibei had a vague feeling of unease. From yesterday until now, she had been thinking that the fire at the Murong family's residence had started strangely. However, since Murong Songtao had left earlier, there was no reason for him not to take care of his only daughter. Therefore, she hadn't been too worried about Lian Yun's safety. But now, this unfamiliar Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had said such a thing for no reason, which made her heart jump.

"I heard Miss Murong is the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world, haha, it's true! Her skin is so tender, you could squeeze water out of it if you pinched it." Seeing that Mo Xibei seemed unmoved, the commander said this in a lewd manner, and then started laughing. Many of the Imperial Guards who had been hiding in the teahouses and taverns on both sides of the road also appeared. Naturally, some of them came over and said obsequiously, "Lord Liu, that old man Murong only cares about escaping for his own life, he doesn't even care about his daughter. Yesterday, it seemed that little Murong was better than Xi Shi and Diao Chan. I wonder when it will be our turn to have some fun."

"What's the rush?" Commander Liu glared at her. "If she doesn't reveal the whereabouts of that thing, we'll let her enjoy herself for a day, and for a year. Are you worried that it won't be your turn?" He then turned to Mo Xibei. "Of course, if Miss Murong's fiancé is willing to reveal the whereabouts of the thing in exchange for this beautiful woman, then that's a different story."

"Young Master Mo!" Honglu quietly stepped forward and tugged at Mo Xibei's sleeve. Mo Xibei had been keeping his hands behind his back, so only she saw him clench and unclench his fists several times. Mo Xibei had always been very concerned about Murong Lianyun's affairs, and the words of this commander had clearly angered him. However, they both understood the principle that the rich should not fight against officials.

"Lord Liu, is it? I am but a fool. From what you are saying, it seems that Miss Murong has been captured. I wonder what evidence you have?" Mo Xibei took a breath and spoke with his usual calm and composed demeanor.

"Let me think... Oh right, Miss Murong has a small red mole on her left breast. I suppose Young Master Mo... no, Miss Murong was still a virgin yesterday. It seems Young Master Mo may not have seen it either, haha... What a pity, what a pity." As Lord Liu spoke, his words became increasingly lewd, and even his eyes became lewd and ferocious. He repeatedly glanced past Mo Xibei and at Honglu standing behind him.

Unexpectedly, Mo Xibei also smiled, very calmly and casually, and said only: "It seems that you are indeed quite lucky with women. I just wonder, is there anything else you want to do by standing here blocking my way today? If not, please move aside. It is not good to block the way like this."

"You—" Lord Liu was taken aback, an awkward smile plastered on his face, unsure of what to say. Logically, the hatred of having one's wife stolen is irreconcilable; even if a man doesn't love his wife, he absolutely cannot tolerate someone else taking her away. Moreover, he had heard beforehand that Mo Xibei had defeated Chu Junfeng in the arena before receiving Murong Songtao's personal consent to the marriage. Logically, he should cherish his fiancée dearly. Why, after all this time, did this man not show even a trace of anger?

"What? Lord Liu hasn't thought of something else yet? Shouldn't you go back and think about it first?" Mo Xibei was still smiling, as if she had encountered something extremely happy. Only Honglu sighed inwardly. Mo Xibei was definitely not a magnanimous person. Sometimes she was petty, but her anger was different from others. Generally speaking, if she didn't get angry about something that should have made her angry but instead laughed, it meant she was furious. The happier she laughed now, the more ruthless her revenge would be later. Seeing her laughing like this, it probably wouldn't be long before this commander was in trouble, perhaps even tonight.

"You—you don't want to save her?" Lord Liu finally found his voice, though he was somewhat exasperated.

"Save whom?" Mo Xibei looked at him, puzzled.

“Your fiancée,” said Lord Liu.

"You think you can just arrest her like that? Business is about inspection. Anyone can talk big, but if everyone says he arrested my fiancée, I won't be able to save her." Mo Xibei shook his head, looking like he didn't believe Lord Liu at all.

“Young Master Mo, there’s no need to provoke me,” Lord Liu said shrewdly, his lecherous demeanor vanishing as he sneered. “Miss Murong is a serious criminal and cannot be brought here. If you don’t believe me, just come and see for yourself. Don’t think I’m bluffing. The Eastern Depot’s punishment for disobedient women is to make them serve several men last night—that’s the lightest punishment. If she still refuses to talk, she’ll face even greater suffering later. The reason I’ve come to intercept you today but haven’t arrested you is because the Director of the Depot said that Young Master Mo is a renowned wealthy merchant with numerous businesses and a large family fortune. He also said that you’re not a member of the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world), and he instructed us to treat you with courtesy. However, the Director of the Depot also said that the matter in Henan Prefecture is not yet resolved. To avoid alarming your family, we ask that you stay a few more days.”

"Since the factory director is so kind, then I, Mo, will gladly accept." Mo Xibei did not hesitate and turned to Honglu, saying, "You also said that there are still many interesting things in Henan Prefecture that we haven't seen yet. Let's find an inn, stay for a few more days, and have some fun."

Honglu remained silent and followed Mo Xibei to a relatively large inn on the street. They booked a room and settled in. No one from the Eastern Depot followed them. Only then did Honglu realize that the entire city was probably filled with Eastern Depot spies. Since they couldn't escape, there was no need to waste people following them.

"Sister Honglu, I've dragged you into this mess." Mo Xibei suddenly said this after carefully checking the lunch that the waiter had brought in.

“Let’s not talk about being implicated.” Honglv shook her head. “If it weren’t for you, I would have jumped into Mochou Lake back then. These three years have actually been extra income for me. As you said, it’s not a loss.”

"Silly girl," Mo Xibei was amused by her and gently pushed her, saying, "You're not married yet. Actually, you're not young anymore. It's always because I've been holding you back and won't let you go that you haven't met anyone you like. If we survive this ordeal, you can pick anyone on the fourth floor as your dowry, find a good man, and start a family."

"I need to write this down. You have to sign and seal it. On this day of this month of the third year of Jiajing, you agree to let me choose one of the four floors as part of my dowry. You can't go back on your word." Honglu jumped up and ran out to find the Four Treasures of the Study.

"Come in. Now that you're here, don't stand outside." Mo Xibei said to the window as he watched Honglu run out.

Volume One: Ten Years in the Martial World, Chapter Forty-Four: What is the Truth?

"If Miss Murong really falls into the hands of the Eastern Depot, what do you plan to do?" The person did not go through the door, but simply pushed open the window and jumped into the room. However, even though he jumped in through the window, his clothes were still flowing and spotless.

"I don't know. I'm not a big fan of making plans. Things will work themselves out when they come to fruition," Mo Xibei said. "But you, weren't you still hungover? How come you know everything you should and shouldn't know?"

"Northwest, I've discovered that you're good in every way, except for your sharp tongue. You just have to tell me that I actually woke up a long time ago today, but I didn't want to see you leave, so I deliberately hid and then secretly followed you, which is why I overheard that conversation on the street?" Chu Junfeng sighed, his tone resentful.

"Tell me, how can you get someone who never tells the truth to tell the truth?" Mo Xibei suddenly asked.

"Oh, blackmail, bribery, coercion, intimidation, or even torture. Everyone has weaknesses. As long as you find those weaknesses, there's always a way." Chu Junfeng answered without hesitation.

"Then, what is Brother Chu's weakness?" Mo Xibei smiled, took a step closer, and stared directly into Chu Junfeng's eyes.

"Me?" Chu Junfeng touched his chin with his fingers, seemingly lost in thought. "You, my weakness is that I've discovered I like you."

A loud crash came from the doorway. Honglu, carrying a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, was about to enter when she was startled by Chu Junfeng's sudden confession. However, neither of the two people inside the room glanced at her, as if she didn't exist.

"Let's talk this out, don't do this." Chu Junfeng tried to raise his hand to push away the cold sword that had suddenly appeared and was already pressed against his neck. However, as soon as he moved his hand, Mo Xibei's sword actually went in a little further, tearing his skin and causing a trickle of blood to gush out.