Chapter 35: A Man, a Woman, and a Little Baby

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When Mo Liuli appeared soundlessly before Feng Xiyan, she gave her a vicious slap across the face.

“Feng Xiyan, no wonder Yuan Lie refuses to have you. You may look respectable enough, but the things that come out of your mouth are worse than the words of pigs and dogs! And it is not only him—even if you replaced him with any other normal man, none of them would want a woman as vicious as you!”

Killing intent flashed in Mo Liuli’s eyes as she mocked Feng Xiyan without mercy, as though she wished she could flay her alive with nothing but a glance.

While Feng Xiyan stood stunned with rage, Xiao Junwang seized the little one back. Still shaken, he held the child tightly and retreated, staring at Feng Xiyan with an expression he could not comprehend.

The Feng Xiyan he had once known was a benevolent physician praised throughout the common folk. She would never have done something so cruel as to harm an innocent person. Yet moments ago, the Divine Physician Feng had actually tried to kill his precious son with her own hands.

He found it impossible to accept.

“Ah! It is all because of you! You wretched woman! If it were not for you, Yuan Lie would never have treated me this way! It is all your fault! I will kill you!”

Feng Xiyan’s eyes reddened with madness. Her face twisted viciously as she stretched out her claws and lunged at Mo Liuli.

Qiu Xue finally lost control when he heard her insulting Mo Liuli. He thrust out one large hand and clamped it around her throat. The veins on his arm bulged, and his bones cracked like beans popping in a pan.

He squeezed Feng Xiyan’s throat with all his strength. Murderous intent seeped from beneath his cloak, making her eyes roll back from lack of air as her entire face turned pale and ashen.

Only when Feng Xiyan realized that Qiu Xue truly intended to kill her did fear finally come to her. She desperately clawed at his sleeve, opening her mouth to call for help, but not a sound came out. She could even see death approaching.

Seeing her in such a state, Mo Liuli sighed helplessly and stepped forward to plead for her.

“Let her go. I have been poisoned by gu, and she is the only one who can cure it.”

Knowing that Qiu Xue would not stop easily, she had been forced to reveal that she was afflicted by gu poison.

Qiu Xue turned to Mo Liuli, half convinced and half doubtful. He thought she might be lying to save Feng Xiyan, but her expression did not appear false. He then looked at Xiao Junwang and saw him nod as well. Only then, with great reluctance, did he loosen his hand.

“Gurgle~”

At that moment, the little one opened his round eyes and made a babyish sound. Everyone’s attention was drawn back from Feng Xiyan to him. He flashed an adorable smile, his bright little eyes blinking enticingly.

“Dragon Child, you have been naughty again!”

Xiao Junwang was the first to come back to himself. He smiled indulgently, touched the child’s cheek, and spoke in a low, gentle voice.

The warmth of the scene left Mo Liuli momentarily dazed. Her heart felt soft and unexpectedly full. She joined them, playing with the little one.

“Dragon Child… So that really was the name that appeared in my dream.”

A man, a woman, and a little child embraced one another in a happy, harmonious group, looking so much like a family that no one else could intrude.

…

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Qiu Xue looked desolate. He clenched his empty fist, then hoisted the gasping Feng Xiyan over his shoulder and walked away without looking back.

Seeing this, the henchmen belatedly scattered in all directions.

“So it really is her—the descendant of the Mo family whose name was infamous a few years ago…”

“Looks like the rumors were true. None of them seem like ordinary people, and they even have a little bastard with them…”

“That cloaked man is practically dripping with murderous resentment. We had better leave quickly! Besides, Second Young Master Feng has already stepped in to stop things…”

Amid the clustered crowd, rumors spread in every direction. Before long, someone recognized Mo Liuli. Treating her like a plague-bringer and savage beast, the people who had packed the street court dispersed until not a single one remained.

Feng Yi had naturally heard some of the rumors. He gazed thoughtfully at the family in the distance, with no intention of leaving. Feng Wujang, meanwhile, was caught in a painful tangle of emotions, half joyful and half sorrowful.

He was delighted to see Mo Liuli herself, but saddened that she had both a husband and a child. With the rumors confirmed, it meant he no longer had any chance.

“Liuli, it really is you. Liuli…”

From afar, a woman came running awkwardly, repeatedly calling her name and waving her hands. She was clearly overcome with emotion.

At first, Mo Liuli wondered who it was. Only when the woman drew closer did she recognize Madam Leng—the mother who had never truly treated her as a daughter.

Heh. Remembering the false mother from her memories, Mo Liuli laughed coldly inside.

Given the Mo family’s former prominence, the people of the Feng family naturally knew Madam Leng. Seeing her rush out as well, father and son no longer wished to intrude. They led their men away from the street court one after another.

“Liuli, you really have come back! Your mother heard someone say that you had returned, but she hardly dared believe it. I never imagined it would be true! How wonderful—how wonderful that you are back!”

Madam Leng excitedly looked Mo Liuli up and down. Seeing that she was unharmed, she moved forward eagerly, intending to embrace her.

“Heh…”

Mo Liuli gave a cold laugh. Without making a fuss, she avoided the woman’s embrace and pulled Xiao Junwang toward the other side. After glancing at the now-empty street court, she turned to Madam Leng and spoke in a distant tone.

“Madam, you must have mistaken me for someone else. I do not know you.”

“You… How could that be? Liuli, you are my own flesh and blood, my Liuli! I gave birth to you and raised you myself. How could I possibly mistake you?”

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Madam Leng refused to be deceived and emphasized her claim once more.

Ever since the family had fallen into ruin, the imperial clan had made things difficult for them at every turn, leaving them no chance to recover. On the surface, they had magnanimously refrained from punishing the Mo family, but in secret they had cut off every avenue of wealth and official advancement.

Madam Leng had once thought she could rely on her son in the future, but then news arrived that he had disappeared from the Martial Academy and could not be found. Her dream of rising in status through her son had been completely shattered.

At a glance, she could tell that Mo Liuli’s man possessed an extraordinary bearing and was either wealthy or noble. To her, that was an auspicious sign.

The master of the household could barely protect himself and was no longer dependable. If she could cling to her own daughter and son-in-law, how wonderful would that be?

As Madam Leng looked around, she noticed the little one in Xiao Junwang’s arms. Delighted, she rushed toward him.

“Baby! Such an adorable baby—he must be my little grandson! What a good boy. He looks exactly like Liuli did when she was little!”

Looking at the figure before her, visibly aged by many years, Mo Liuli hesitated. She had only just begun to move when a chill wind skimmed tightly past her ear, and the alarm of danger rang out.

Mo Liuli’s expression changed abruptly. She bent low and darted aside.

“Look out!”

Xiao Junwang sensed the danger even earlier than she did. Holding Dragon Child securely, he made a perilous sidestep. Before he had time to warn Mo Liuli’s mother, he looked up and saw that she had already fallen.

Madam Leng had pitched forward stiffly onto the ground. Her body lay utterly motionless, while her face still held the joyful smile she had worn while teasing her grandson.

“Protect Dragon Child!”

Cold winds attacked from every direction. Mo Liuli dodged wildly from side to side, barely able to protect herself, and hurriedly shouted a warning to Xiao Junwang.

Only then did they realize that the icy winds were being produced by embroidery needles. They came in an unbroken, densely packed storm, like torrential rain.

Xiao Junwang’s eyes turned cold. He held Dragon Child tightly against his chest, a pale blue radiance rising around his body as he rapidly moved closer to Mo Liuli.

“Come here!”

Seeing that Mo Liuli could hold out no longer and was about to be pierced by the nearly invisible objects, Xiao Junwang freed one hand and reached out to pull her toward him.

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