She shifted back. His crimson gaze narrowed. Most men would have been captivated by her golden eyes, her delicate features. But Mo Tian was not most men.
A low, humorless laugh escaped him. "I didn't realize the little witch was such a scared cat."
His smirk faded. He gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. When she struggled, his hold tightened, pinning her hands behind her leaning close.
"I don't like disobedient pets, little witch. Be obedient," Mo Tian said, his voice cold and dangerous.
"I am not your pet. I am not your property," Feng Ling hissed, gritting her teeth.
Mo Tian's smile was sharp. "We'll see."
He released her chin and turned away, pouring blood-red ceremonial wine into a goblet. He handed it to her, their fingers brushing.
Feng Ling knew this was the final step of the wedding ritual. No matter how much she despised it, she had no choice.
They crossed arms and drank. The moment the bitter liquid passed her lips, she stepped away from him, unwilling to linger even a second longer.
Mo Tian's lips curved into a chilling smirk—one that promised trouble. Without a single word, he turned on his heel and disappeared through the door, the heavy thud of it closing echoing in the tense silence.
The moment he was gone, Lian Huo rushed in."Princess, you're safe! I thought… I thought he might hurt you," she said, breathless with relief.
Feng Ling's gaze hardened, her tone cold and sharp. "Don't call me that. I despise the title. Princess will do."
Lian Huo blinked, startled, then nodded quickly. "Understood, Princess. Lan Xue went to get some dessert for you. She heard the Lord wouldn't return until morning… she thought you might need something to eat."
Feng Ling lowered herself onto the bed, silent. The wedding was over—but the true battle had only just begun.
She waited, fingers curling into the silk of her robes. Minutes dragged by. Then an hour. Still, Lan Xue had not returned.
The door slammed open.
Lan Xue staggered in, her cheeks streaked with tears, her eyes swollen and red. The sheer panic in her face made Feng Ling and Lian Huo rise to their feet instantly.
Feng Ling's heart plummeted. A cold, crushing weight wrapped around her chest as she rushed forward."Lan Xue—what happened? Who did this to you?" Her voice was low, urgent, and edged with dread.
Lan Xue choked on a sob, her breath hitching as hiccups took over. Lian Huo quickly poured water and pressed the cup into her hands.
Taking a shaky sip,Lan Xue's voice cracked. "Princess… I heard… back home… the palace—everyone—was slaughtered. No one survived."
Feng Ling froze.
The cup slipped from Lan Xue's hands, shattering on the floor.
"No… you're lying," Feng Ling whispered, her voice trembling. "That's not possible. Say you're lying, Lan Xue."
But Lan Xue's sobs only deepened. "It's true. I overheard the demon maids. After we left… they massacred everyone. Not even the bodies were left whole."
Feng Ling's knees buckled, and she collapsed to the ground, her hands gripping the cold floor.
Her mind refused to accept it. It couldn't be true… Her Father, Mother, Brother, and her sister little Zhengzheng couldn't possibly be dead.
Lan Xue's grief twisted into fury. "It must be the Demon Emperor. He dragged you here… only to butcher your family after. He never intended to leave anyone alive."
Lian Huo stood rooted in silence, her face drained of color.
Feng Ling felt as if her world had shattered. She staggered to her feet, her makeup streaked with tears, her face pale and twisted in anguish. No… it can't be… it can't be… she muttered, clenching her fists as rage surged through her veins.
Feng Ling stormed to the door and yanked it open—only to find ten demon guards in obsidian armor standing like a wall. They hadn't been there when she'd entered with Mo Tian.
"Empress, you must remain inside until His Majesty returns," the lead guard said, his voice low but unyielding.
Her golden eyes flared like molten fire. "Move." Her tone was sharp enough to cut. "If you block me… you'll die where you stand."
The guards stiffened but didnot step aside. "Your Majesty, please—don't make this harder."
Harder? A bitter laugh escaped her lips. He slaughtered her family… and expects her to sit here like a caged bird.
A violent gust of wind exploded from her as she raised her hand, weaving sharp incantation seals. Sparks of golden flame danced at her fingertips, forming into a spear of pure light. With a swift motion, she hurled it toward the nearest guard.
The guard was flung across the hall, crashing into the wall with a heavy thud.
The other guards immediately took to the air, their demonic wings spreading wide as they circled above her. They couldn't attack their master newly wedded wife—but they had to restrain her until she exhausted herself.
Lian Huo and Lan Xue didn't hesitate. They surged forward, spells forming at their fingertips, weaving ribbons of light and flame that lashed toward the demon guards. But unlike Feng Ling, the maids had no special status. They were fair game.
Against them, blades were drawn without hesitation.
Feng Ling's heart burned with a single thought—He did this. Mo Tian killed her family. He made sure she was trapped in his palace before revealing the truth. That devil!
Another spell surged from her palm, twisting into a storm of golden butterflies that exploded into a shockwave, scattering the guards mid-air.
Just then, a chilling voice echoed through the hall.
"That's enough."
The air stilled.
Mo Tian appeared at the entrance, his crimson eyes narrowed as he took in the chaotic scene. His aura pressed down like an invisible mountain, freezing everyone in place.
He strode forward, his expression cold and unhurried, until he stood before her. "What does the little witch think she's doing?" His voice was dangerously soft, yet it sent shivers down every spine present.
He strode forward, his expression cold and unhurried, until he stood before her. "What does the little witch think she's doing?" His voice was dangerously soft, yet it sent shivers down every spine present.
Feng Ling's breath quickened. Hatred boiled within her as she met his gaze. "Why did you kill my family?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury.
The servants around them dared not even breathe.
Behind Mo Tian, Yin Zhi stiffened at her words, but Mo Tian's cold gaze remained fixed on her. The sharpness in his eyes was enough to slice through steel.
Feng Ling didn't flinch. Her golden eyes gleamed with pure hatred—if looks could kill, Mo Tian would've turned to ash.
But to him, her defiance was amusing.
He suddenly laughed, a cold, mocking sound that echoed through the hall, silencing everyone.
Before anyone could react, Mo Tian moved in a flash. In one swift motion, he lifted Feng Ling onto his shoulder like she weighed nothing and strode back into the bridal chamber. The heavy doors slammed shut behind him with a thud.
"Your Highness!" Lian Huo and Lan Xue cried, trying to rush after them, but Yin Zhi stepped into their path.
"No one enters until the two masters are done talking," Yin Zhi said, his tone unyielding as steel.
Inside the room, Mo Tian released Feng Ling onto the floor. She staggered but quickly regained her balance, retreating a few steps as if facing a predator.
"Why did you kill my parents?!" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury. "You promised a marriage truce! I agreed to this farce—so why did you betray me and slaughter them the moment I left?!"
He deceived her. She had sacrificed everything, yet it was all for nothing. He used her. Played her. And now her family was gone… forever.
With a flick of her wrist, spell sigils lit up in the air. Feng Ling launched a barrage of silver light toward Mo Tian, her magic surging wildly. But in the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.
Where is he?
Before she could react, his cold breath brushed against her ear. Mo Tian had appeared behind her, pinning both her wrists in one firm grip.
"So what if I killed them?" he whispered, each word slicing into her like a blade. "Anyone who stands in my way… dies."
Feng Ling's golden eyes turned bloodshot, tears spilling down her cheeks. He killed them. He really killed them.