"Lie down! No moving! Or I'll beat you up!"
A tiny fist was raised menacingly.
The girl stood barely four feet tall, dressed in a frilly maid outfit, with bouncy pigtails and puffed cheeks. She looked like a walking doll—until you noticed the pair of massive breasts threatening to burst from her uniform.
Ye Xuan blinked. A mature-bodied loli? That's... cursed.
"Did you hear me? You're not allowed out of bed!" she barked, her voice high-pitched and whiny.
"I'm healed," Ye Xuan said calmly. "Stretching my legs won't kill me."
The girl wasn't buying it. Despite her small frame, she shoved him back down like a bulldozer.
"Seriously, I'm fine. Look—"He lifted his shirt.
The girl shrieked like she'd been electrocuted, sprang back, and slammed her hands over her eyes."Y-You pervert! You big meanie!"
And then... she started bawling.
Ye Xuan stared, dumbfounded. What just happened?
Before he could speak, rapid footsteps echoed from the hall.
"Mengmeng? What's going on?!"Mo Xian'er rushed in, her gaze locking onto the scene—Ye Xuan half-dressed, Mengmeng crying.
She froze. "...Explain."
"I tried to prove I'm healed. She freaked out."
Mo Xian'er gave Mengmeng a bonk on the head. "You little rascal! What's going on in that brain of yours? Apologize."
"No, no, it's okay," Ye Xuan said. "I should've warned her first."
Mengmeng sniffled. "Still... who lifts their shirt in front of a girl..."
She pouted, but a sly smile tugged at her lips.
Mo Xian'er ignored it and turned serious. "Your injuries. Truly gone?"
Ye Xuan stood up, rolled his shoulders. "Not even a bruise left."
"We moved you here to avoid bad omens—blood on the wedding bed is... unlucky. And for safety."She paused. "The assassin might strike again."
Ye Xuan nodded. "Makes sense. I'll stay here."
"You don't want... the bridal chamber?"
"What, share a bed and awkwardly stare at the ceiling all night?"
Mo Xian'er flushed and fell silent.
Ye Xuan changed the subject. "I'd like to visit the medical hall."
"Soon," she said. "After we catch the assassin. It's not safe yet."
His eyes sharpened. "Any leads?"
"No... Did you see their face?"
"Black outfit, covered head to toe. Just the eyes."
She clicked her tongue, frustrated.
Strange, Ye Xuan thought. The Mo family has power. And still no trace?
Two possibilities:
One, the enemy's too strong.
Two, someone inside is covering it up.
Judging by Mo Xian'er's reaction, it wasn't her.
Interesting.
"Rest for now," she said. "I'll send Mengmeng with you when it's safe."
"Got it."
She turned to leave.
When the door clicked shut, Mengmeng groaned."Ugh, that was the most awkward couple talk I've ever heard. You two are worse than strangers."
Ye Xuan laughed softly.
She's not wrong.
He wasn't planning on staying anyway. Once his old debts were settled, he'd be gone.
But first—he needed pills. And for pills, he needed herbs... and a furnace.
"Hey," he asked, "know where I can get a cauldron?"
"A cauldron? Like... an alchemy one? West-side antique market maybe? Want me to ask Miss?"
"No need. I'll check it myself."
"Okay! But I'm telling her anyway. I'll go with you when you're ready."
"Deal."
Meanwhile, outside—beneath a willow tree—
Mo Xian'er glanced at her attendant."Mengmeng... What do you think of Ye Xuan?"
Mengmeng didn't hesitate."He sucks."