Chapter 22: The Foul-Smelling Unlucky Wretch

Mo Liuli, inside the carriage, noticed that they had been stationary for a long time. She lifted the curtain and peeked out. "Why have we stopped?"

"A minor inconvenience. It’s nothing; it will be resolved soon. You should rest for a while; I’ll call you when we arrive." Xiao Junwang spoke without looking back, his eyes beneath his purple mask fixed firmly on the large sedan chair ahead.

Under normal circumstances, he would not fear such a petty character. However, with Mo Liuli in his company, things were far too inconvenient, and he truly could not afford any delays.

"Take a detour." With no intention of engaging in a dispute, Xiao Junwang chose to yield. He chose to go around! He feared that if he caused a scene, it would only bring more danger to Mo Liuli.

The coachman flicked the reins, cautiously steering the black horses to turn around.

Xiao Junwang desired peace, but the person in the sedan chair clearly did not share that sentiment. He was determined not to let him have his way. No sooner had the carriage turned than the large sedan chair blocked their path again. From within the luxurious, perfumed interior came a provocation.

"A beauty as exquisite as jade—how could one walk away after only a single glance? The carriage is crude and bumpy; why not ask the young lady to move to my sedan chair, and let me offer you a ride?" The young master’s smooth, cloying voice drifted out. The bustling street fell silent as merchants stopped in their tracks, watching the scene unfold from the sidelines.

They naturally recognized the emblem of the Divine Physician Feng, and they also recognized this luxurious sedan chair. Both parties were big figures they could not afford to offend! Most had caught that fleeting glimpse of Mo Liuli when she lifted the curtain. While admiring her beauty in their hearts, they secretly broke into a cold sweat for her.

In Wucheng, this young master was notorious; his favorite pastime was harassing beauties!

Hearing this, the corners of Xiao Junwang’s red lips tightened, then curled into a wicked, insolent smile. "Though the sedan is large, it may not be to her liking. We shan’t trouble you, Young Master. If you would kindly clear the way and stop blocking our departure, that would be enough."

Inside the carriage, Mo Liuli wore a miserable expression, feeling deeply frustrated. This was clearly a case of unwanted romantic trouble, and it was blocking their way! She was a pregnant woman, yet she could still attract such trouble; she truly admired herself. Once they reached the Divine Physician, she would need to treat not just the poison in her body, but also this "beauty trouble"!

"Who do you think you are? It is not your place to interrupt when the Young Master is speaking! Quickly, bring the lady from the carriage out! For the Young Master to take notice of her and invite her to ride with him is her great fortune!"

A common-looking, slouching sycophant suddenly stepped out from the crowd, pointing a finger at Xiao Junwang and ordering him about in a fawning manner. He then bowed obsequiously toward the sedan chair. "Young Master, I shall bring the young lady to you at once."

"Mmm..."

A smooth, languid acknowledgment drifted from the sedan chair. Upon receiving permission, the sycophant was as excited as if he had been injected with stimulants. He rubbed his palms together, scurrying toward Xiao Junwang’s carriage with a disgusting, jubilant cackle.

"Young Master, what shall we do..." The coachman looked at Xiao Junwang, feeling trapped, unsure whether to advance or retreat. He had assumed that with the Divine Physician Feng’s mark, no one would dare cause trouble, but now, an ignorant fool had truly arrived.

"Miss Mo, hold on tight!" Xiao Junwang snatched the reins. With a sharp flick, the black horses went wild, bolting toward the young master’s sedan chair. He sent the sycophant flying, and the sudden jolt tossed the unprepared coachman from his seat.

The panicked horses sparked a chorus of screams. The merchants and commoners scattered, fearing the horses would trample them.

The sedan bearers trembled, their faces ashen with terror at the sight of the maddened black horses. They wanted to run but dared not, their legs shaking as they held the sedan in place. They feared being trampled, but they feared the Young Master's wrath even more.

"Young Master, the... the carriage is going to crash into us!" the lead bearer stammered, his face drenched in a cold sweat. It wasn't that they were cowards; the black horse was truly terrifying—it seemed as if it were wreathed in flames, charging forward like a ball of fire.

Feeling the sedan shudder, the young master could no longer remain seated. He burst out of the sedan in a rage, leaping onto a stone lion standing nearby. The moment he vacated the sedan, it shattered from the force of his departure, and the six bearers were sent flying by his residual energy.

The black horses pulled the carriage directly over the fallen bearers.

Mo Liuli, jarred by the violent jolting, felt dizzy and nauseated. As soon as the carriage slowed, she lifted the curtain and began to retch.

"Beauty, didn't I tell you that the carriage is too bumpy for you?" The young master swooped over, snatching Mo Liuli into his arms just as Xiao Junwang brought the horses to a halt.

A few strands of his flowing hair drifted onto Mo Liuli’s face, and the overwhelming scent of perfume hit her nostrils, causing her to heave and vomit all over him.

The young master’s pink robe was stained with a large patch of filth. He could smell the stench emanating from his chest, and his previously smug expression froze in a grotesque, awkward mask—he looked as if he wanted to explode with rage but couldn't quite find the words.

The nearby crowd, having not yet dispersed, covered their mouths to hide their laughter, their shoulders shaking violently, though they dared not make a sound.

"Mother, that brother is so smelly!" A three-year-old child standing nearby pinched his nose and pointed at the young master, speaking with naive innocence.

Xiao Junwang had not expected Mo Liuli to vomit all over the man. Watching the young master’s bizarre expression, he felt a sense of delight, his lips curving into an even more wicked, unrestrained smile.

"Come back." With just this quiet command, Mo Liuli—who had already been planning her escape—leaped from the young master like a rabbit. She darted to the carriage in a few agile steps and scrambled inside to hide.

"Xiao, let’s go quickly!" Mo Liuli nervously lifted a corner of the curtain and whispered to Xiao Junwang with a grimace.

Her only answer was the arrogant thundering of hooves. From behind, a distant, muffled roar echoed: "You wait for me!!!"

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, the sycophants finally came to their senses and gathered around. "Young Master, shall we go and capture her for you?"

Those standing closer caught a whiff of the sour, foul odor and retreated a few steps, struggling to suppress the urge to hold their noses.

"Get lost, all of you!" the young master roared, his smooth tone replaced by a ferocious bellow. He tore off his outer robe in disgust and threw it aside, vanishing toward the city gate in a flash.

Having put some distance between them, Mo Liuli finally breathed a sigh of relief. She lifted the curtain to chat with Xiao Junwang.

She felt that talking to Xiao Junwang was incredibly comfortable; even if she was the only one speaking the entire journey while he listened, his occasional replies were enough.

"Xiao, do you think that man is so angry that he wants to jump off a building?"