CHAPTER 329: CHAPTER 314:

With one hand propping up the bed, and the other lifting her chin, he whispered seductively, "The night is long, the moon is dark, and the wind is high. Why don’t we discuss something else?"

Yun Ran: "???"

[Something else? What else? That smile just doesn’t promise anything good...]

Yun Ran pushed his face away with all her might using both hands, "I want to know how you can be so shameless!"

"What’s there to discuss? I can be even more shameless, want me to show you?"

Yun Ran: "..."

[Show me? Anyone who can say such a thing has no hope of recovering their lost integrity!]

Nangong Mo slightly raised an eyebrow, running away from home? No, he discarded it himself.

"Such a shy expression, seems like you’re really looking forward to what I can do?"

Realizing his devilish hand was gently caressing her face, Yun Ran suddenly came to her senses and slapped him, "Who’s shy? Who’s looking forward to anything? You shameless bastard!"

But her hand was caught by him, brought to his lips, and kissed gently. He raised his brow and smiled softly, "I’m not only shameless, I’m quite a beast too."

Yun Ran: "?!..."

And indeed, as he claimed, he was not only shameless but also quite a beast. The stars in the sky and the bright moon breeze could all vouch for it.

...

The next morning, after a night’s rest, everyone began preparing for the hunting activities.

As per the custom, the first day of hunting would start with an archery tournament to help everyone stretch out and get some practice in advance.

As the hunt begins, it will be a team competition.

On the venue, dozens of bullseye targets were lined up in succession. The strong bows and crossbows on the archery platform were particularly eye-catching, with the gilded horses and saddles awaiting the participants to ride in and showcase their skills in mounted archery.

Under the clear blue sky, the scene was stirring, tempting everyone to have a go.

The Crown Prince came forward to make a symbolic pre-event speech, and after a drumbeat, the archery competition officially began.

Young men in nomadic attire leaped onto horseback, drew their longbows, notched an arrow, took aim at the bullseye, and released the arrow while the horse galloped.

Some arrows flew askew and hit the ground, some barely reached the target, and occasionally, one or two hit the center of the bullseye.

Yun Ran wasn’t particularly interested in the archery competition but was rather eager about the mountain hunting grounds.

Just as she was about to slip away quietly to scout out the situation, a figure emerged from around the corner, directly blocking her path.

Yun Ran looked up, discreetly sizing up the person.

A handsome man. But nowhere near as good-looking as Nangong Mo.

Well-dressed, surely from the royal family.

His figure appeared slightly thin, his face bore a smile, yet the glint in his eyes carried a touch of insidious slyness.

His overall aura was rather gloomy and not very likable.

Yun Ran pretended not to know him, though she truly didn’t know him, planning to bypass him and head up the mountain.

But he called out to her, "Sister-in-law, hold on."

Apparently fearing Yun Ran might pretend not to hear, he quickly positioned himself in front of her as he spoke.

[Looks like he’s up to no good!]

Yun Ran raised an eyebrow slightly, expressionless, "What do you want?"

"Let me introduce myself. In terms of seniority, you should call me Third Brother."

[Third Prince?]

[Prince Rui?]

[A prince with considerable power in the court? I think his mother is a favored consort, and he seems to be at odds with the Crown Prince?]

[So what’s his intention? Trying to win Nangong Mo over to oppose the Crown Prince?]

Just as Yun Ran’s thoughts were swirling, he asked again, "Why don’t I see Ninth Brother? Isn’t he with you?"

"..."

Yun Ran couldn’t help but mentally roll her eyes: [Isn’t that a stupid question? Can Nangong Mo become invisible or something? Wouldn’t you see him if he were here?]

Just as she was about to make up some excuse to dismiss him, a cold voice carried by the wind rang out.

"Why? Do you want to see me?"

Upon hearing this familiar, cold, and arrogant tone, the corners of Yun Ran’s mouth curled up involuntarily. She turned and quickly walked toward Nangong Mo, "Master, why did you come out? Didn’t I say I’d be back soon?"

Unexpectedly, Prince Rui also followed closely behind, standing very near and upright, looking down at Nangong Mo sitting in the wheelchair.

"Ninth Brother, the capital is abuzz with rumors saying you’re devoted to one out of three thousand rivers, and you only dote on one lady. It seems to be true upon seeing you today."

"Your sister-in-law just stepped away for a moment and you came looking for her, quite inseparable indeed!"

Nangong Mo’s unrivaled handsome face was ice-cold, like a snow flower in an icy land, "Jealous?"

Just as Prince Rui was about to respond, Nangong Mo coldly added:

"You should know, some things can’t simply be envied."

Prince Rui’s expression stiffened, but his smile deepened; he glanced at Nangong Mo’s legs with a somewhat meaningful tone.

"They say when Heaven closes a door for you, it opens a window."

"Ninth Brother may have faced hardships, but you’ve endured them and now you enjoy a blessed union."

"With a beautiful companion by your side, even if you were to spend the rest of your life confined to this wheelchair, it provides some solace from desolate sorrow."

Listening to those words, Yun Ran felt particularly stung. She looked down at Nangong Mo, feeling a prick of pain in her heart.

He had experienced a tremendous upheaval, losing his sight and the use of his legs, plummeting from lofty heights into the dust. Surely many came to ridicule him then, trampling heartlessly upon his wounds and dignity.

During those times, what must have filled his heart? Bitterness, anger, despair?

Nangong Mo suddenly reached out and clasped her hand, the warmth in his palm pulling back Yun Ran’s drifting thoughts.

Yet he did not look at her, maintaining an expressionless gaze at Prince Rui, coolly curving his lips, "I found my life’s love with this incomplete body, unlike Prince Rui."

Prince Rui thought, of course I’m different! My body is perfectly intact! Unlike you, a cripple!

He was just about to jab at his sore spot and ask what made him different when Nangong Mo continued:

"Even if you were blind, bald, lame, or a fool, it’s unlikely you’d experience the same fortune as me, having met a match made in heaven."

Prince Rui: "??!!"

He couldn’t quite believe his ears for a moment!

He was momentarily confused about whether Nangong Mo was indirectly cursing him to go bald, become a fool or disabled, or if he was genuinely content in his crippled state finding beauty and delight.

Regardless, Prince Rui’s face looked somewhat displeased, but he maintained his preferred smile, akin to a sly fox.

"I never expected Ninth Brother to be such a romantic, valuing beauty above all."

"I heard that the white foxes of Qishan have the purest fur, unstained by any trace of other shades. Since you cherish beauty so much, why not hunt a few white foxes in the mountains for her, and have their pelts made into a fox fur cape?"

"I’m sure sister-in-law would be delighted with such a gift! Why not join me tomorrow, Ninth Brother, and hunt together in the mountains for a good competition?"