Jun Mo Xie finally managed to deal with Dugu Xiao Yi.
The little girl was clearly still fuming, her face red as a cherry, her tiny fists clenching and unclenching as if she was debating whether to punch him or stomp on his foot again. She kept shooting him looks, half indignant, half embarrassed, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on but refused to admit it.
Jun Mo Xie could only sigh inwardly. 'Women... truly mysterious and unpredictable creatures. One second, they're mad, the next they're blushing, and the next they're calling you a scoundrel.'
Just as Dugu Xiao Yi seemed ready to launch into another tantrum, a series of footsteps interrupted her momentum.
A guard stepped inside, his armor polished and his posture stiff as a board. He cupped his hands respectfully and announced. "Third Young Master, the Second Prince has requested an audience with you. He awaits you at Ni Cheng Pavilion."
Jun Mo Xie raised an eyebrow. The Second Prince? What does that ill brat want now?
Before he could even react, Dugu Xiao Yi snorted in an exaggerated tone. "Hmph!"
She crossed her arms. "Fine! Since someone is so important and busy, I won't waste my time here anymore!"
She stomped her foot, her face puffed up in a pout. "Go, go! Go meet your prince or whatever! I have better things to do!"
Jun Mo Xie smirked. "Oh? Weren't you the one who just said you didn't want to learn my knife techniques? Why do I feel like you're the one who doesn't want to leave?"
Dugu Xiao Yi's face turned even redder. "Y-You! Who would want to stay with a shameless rogue like you?!"
Jun Mo Xie chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Then why are you still here?"
Dugu Xiao Yi froze, her lips parting, but no words came out. After a moment, she let out an adorable little growl, turned on her heel, and stormed off. "Hmph! I don't have time for you!"
Jun Mo Xie watched her go, amused. But just as she was about to exit, she paused and peeked back at him from the doorway, her big eyes shimmering mischievously. "Oh, by the way…"
"Hm?"
She suddenly stuck out her tongue at him. "I bet the Second Prince is calling you to set up a political marriage. Maybe you'll get an old hag for a wife! Hahaha!"
Then, before he could respond, she dashed off like a little rabbit, laughing all the way down the hall.
Jun Mo Xie stood there, speechless for a moment. Then he exhaled and shook his head. 'This girl…'
At least she was finally gone.
He let out a long sigh of relief, rolling his shoulders as if he had just survived a battlefield.
'Now that the little troublemaker is out of the way, I can finally focus.'
Dugu Xiao Yi, meanwhile, had a smirk on her face as she made her way to find her seven brothers. They were all training hard under Jun Wu Yi's guidance, sweating and gritting their teeth as they pushed their limits. Seeing them, a hint of admiration flickered in her eyes—her brothers were strong, but she would catch up to them one day!
As for Jun Mo Xie, after taking a deep breath, he straightened his robe, adjusted his expression, and made his way toward the grand study.
He needed to find his grandfather.
Whatever the Second Prince wanted, it was better to be prepared.
Jun Mo Xie arrived at his grandfather's chambers, but—of course—Grandpa Jun was nowhere to be found.
'Hah… that old man, always running around doing who-knows-what. How am I supposed to throw responsibilities at him if he keeps disappearing like this?'
Clicking his tongue, Jun Mo Xie waved over two nearby guards. Dressed in sturdy armor with swords strapped to their waists, they instantly straightened their backs the moment they were called.
"You two," Jun Mo Xie said lazily, stuffing his hands into his sleeves. "You're coming with me."
The guards exchanged glances. "Third Young Master… where are we going?"
"To meet the Second Prince," Jun Mo Xie replied with a smirk. "Could be a friendly chat. It could be an elaborate trap. Who knows? Either way, I'd rather not walk in alone like an idiot."
The two guards stiffened. One of them gulped. The other subtly wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead.
"A-Affirmative, Young Master!"
Jun Mo Xie yawned and stretched, strolling toward the main hall when a crisp, cool voice stopped him mid-step.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He turned, already knowing who it was.
Guan Qing Han stood a few steps away, her figure poised with elegant sharpness, like an unsheathed blade. She wore a fitted white robe, her long black hair cascading like silk over her shoulders. Those icy eyes of hers studied him closely, calculating.
'Ah, my dear sister-in-law… My woman… My ice queen…'
Jun Mo Xie chuckled, shaking his head. "Why? Are you worried about me, dear sister-in-law?"
Guan Qing Han's brows furrowed slightly. "Answer the question."
Jun Mo Xie sighed dramatically. "Must you always be so serious? I'm just stepping out to meet the Second Prince. Nothing special."
Guan Qing Han's frown deepened. "The Second Prince? Alone?"
"Not alone. I have these two brave warriors with me." He patted the shoulders of the guards beside him.
The poor men looked like they would rather be anywhere else.
Guan Qing Han crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her sleeve. "You should be careful. You know he's not someone to be trusted."
Jun Mo Xie smirked and stepped a little closer. "Oh? Are you worried for me?"
Guan Qing Han's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm reminding you to be cautious. That's all."
"But if I don't return?" Jun Mo Xie's voice dropped a little, teasing. "Will you miss me?"
Guan Qing Han's gaze flickered, but she didn't step back.
"If you don't return," She said coolly, "I'll assume you finally got yourself into trouble too big to talk your way out of."
Jun Mo Xie grinned. "So cold. So heartless. What a cruel woman you are."
Guan Qing Han's ears turned slightly pink. She turned her head away. "Don't say nonsense."
Jun Mo Xie laughed and stepped back. "Fine, fine. I'll be careful. And I'll come back early. Anything else, dear sister-in-law?"
Guan Qing Han exhaled, then looked at him again, her gaze serious. "Don't be reckless."
Jun Mo Xie smiled, a rare softness in his eyes. "Reckless? Me? Never."
With that, he turned and walked away, his guards following behind.
As he disappeared from view, Guan Qing Han remained standing there for a long time, her fingers curled slightly at her sides.
Then she sighed.
'This man...'
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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