Ji Jinmo’s expression could no longer be described as ashen; it was practically pitch black.
The chilling aura emanating from him swept through with biting cold wind, as if the entire corridor had been instantly frozen by frost. “Seventh Prince, it seems you have no desire to leave the capital alive!”
Yu Chengxuan unfurled his fan and asked with a smile, “Is the Prince threatening me?” He then deliberately patted his chest, as if startled into cardiac arrest.
Under normal circumstances, Ji Jinmo would not have become angry. However, the mere thought of Yu Chengxuan daring to abduct his wife right before his eyes gave Ji Jinmo the urge to kill him.
To employ the most brutal methods, to make him writhe in agony until death.
Killing intent surged. Ji Jinmo did not utter another word, merely walking towards Yu Chengxuan with a cold expression.
Yu Chengxuan raised his hand slightly, placing the fan before his chest. He met Ji Jinmo’s gaze with a smile, but the hem of his robes fluttered violently without any wind.
“Or, how lively it is!”
A voice suddenly inserted itself, cutting off the confrontation between the two. Gui Lao ambled over from the other end of the corridor. He was drunk in broad daylight, his face ruddy and his gaze blurry. He shouted, “What, are you going to fight? Come on, old man will add some excitement for you!”
As he spoke, two shadowy beasts emerged from beneath his feet. The three-meter-tall behemoths roared and charged towards Ji Jinmo and Yu Chengxuan, their passage through the air sounding like the piercing shriek of a demon.
Yu Chengxuan’s pupils contracted in shock at the sight. He brandished his fan, tapped his foot on the ground, and retreated explosively.
Water droplets formed beneath Ji Jinmo’s feet, creating a trail of moisture on the ground. He stepped onto this water trail, like chasing clouds and riding waves. His movement was so swift it was difficult to capture, and he easily evaded the shadowy beasts’ attack. In the next instant, he appeared before Gui Lao, grabbed him by the neck, and forcefully flung him away.
Gui Lao’s body slammed heavily against the wall. His eyes rolled back, and he promptly fainted.
The moment he fainted, the shadow monsters vanished with a roar.
Yu Chengxuan did not remain. The instant the shadowy beasts disappeared, he bowed to Nan Shiying and Ji Jinmo once more, saying, “Farewell!”
When they looked again, he was nowhere to be seen.
Thirteen instantly appeared before Ji Jinmo and asked for instructions, “Master, should I pursue him?”
Ji Jinmo remained silent for a moment, then waved his hand at him.
Thirteen understood and, carrying Gui Lao, vanished from the spot.
Ji Jinmo walked to Nan Shiying’s side and looked down at her. Nan Shiying felt a prickling sensation on her scalp from his gaze. She subconsciously touched the little flower in her arms. The soft, fluffy sensation on her palm made Nan Shiying stiffen. She lowered her head stiffly and glanced at the little flower, which was still curled up in her arms, and was completely stunned.
Why was it still in her arms? Why hadn’t it left with its master?
Nan Shiying was filled with questions. She hadn't noticed it at all just now, no wonder… Feeling the chilling gaze fall upon her head, Nan Shiying suddenly looked up, her face plastered with a smile, her eyebrows curved. Without a word, she thrust the little flower into his arms, then shook her hands and glared fiercely at the innocent pet, “You’re so heavy, hurry and throw it out!”
Xiao Hua’s eyes widened. Its round eyes were filled with disbelief. *Although I’m a cat, you’re a real dog! Are you even human?!*
Ji Jinmo grabbed the fat flesh around Xiao Hua’s neck and dangled it. Xiao Hua felt dizzy from being swung, and its sharp claws quietly extended from its paw pads, executing a backward swipe.
Ji Jinmo suddenly tossed it upwards. Xiao Hua’s flailing claws failed to scratch Ji Jinmo’s face. It, or rather, the entire cat, was rapidly thrown into the air.
“Meow~”
Xiao Hua let out a sharp meow. Its fur stood on end, and its four paws paddled in the air, resembling a dog suddenly tossed into a pond.
Fortunately, it was agile. As it descended, its body flipped 180 degrees, its four limbs acting like springs to absorb the force of the high-altitude dive. The moment it landed, Xiao Hua charged towards Ji Jinmo like a swift arrow, its raised sharp claws glinting menacingly in the sunlight.
It let out an enraged roar, “Meow!!!”
*Die, you scoundrel!!!*
Nan Shiying, with quick hands, grabbed Xiao Hua’s little leg and, with a pull, hugged it close, forcefully pressing down its struggling head as it bared its teeth at Ji Jinmo.
Nan Shiying turned and smiled at Ji Jinmo, “Um, I’ll throw it out right now!”
Saying this, she carried Xiao Hua to the wall and, swinging her arm with all her might, flung it outwards, “Go!”
“Meow~”
*You bastard, you’ve gone too far!*
The sound echoed.
Nan Shiying clapped her hands and turned to walk away. Ji Jinmo paused for a second, then couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Outside the Prince’s Manor.
Yu Chengxuan caught the little flower as it fell from the sky. Feeling his master’s embrace, Xiao Hua tilted its head, its paws scratching his shoulders, meowing as if complaining or cursing.
“Alright, alright~”
Yu Chengxuan ruffled Xiao Hua’s little head, comforting it, “She did it to protect you. She just threw you out, she didn’t feed you to the tigers.”
Xiao Hua’s eyes suddenly widened. Its round eyes were filled with mist, its face brimming with disbelief. *Master, am I no longer your favorite little kitty? Listen to yourself, are you even speaking human words?!*
“Alright, let’s go eat Dongbo Tower’s pork knuckles.”
Xiao Hua instantly revived, “Meow~”
*I want to eat two!*
…
Nan Manor.
Madam Wang leaned sideways, her elbow resting on the armrest of the armchair, her fingers slightly curled, her index finger tapping her temple. Her eyes were half-closed as she looked down at the Nan Manor’s steward kneeling before her.
After Nan Fu’s death, although she had gained control of the estate, the steward she had promoted was still Liu Shi’s confidante. Now, Liu Shi had made a major blunder in organizing the inter-state wedding banquet. The young master of Marquis of Xunyang’s manor had been severely injured within the estate by an unknown assailant, and her daughter, whose fate was said to be incredibly auspicious, had been publicly reprimanded and ridiculed by Nan Shiying, and then mocked and scorned by that dissolute youth Wang Qiancheng, losing all face.
Although Yu Jin had been implicated in the scandal of disrespecting the Princess of Dali, His Majesty had only rewarded him with a beating and bestowed a marriage. Originally, she thought Yu Jin would never be able to return to officialdom, but unexpectedly, a misfortune turned into a good thing. His Majesty intended to appoint Yu Jin as the Prefect of Yuzhou Commandery.
For a time, the entire Nan Manor’s direction had shifted.