"It's fine, go see what they're saying. Wait here, I'll go change clothes," Su Zimo said, walking towards the room.
Tongzi and Xin'er were engrossed in their drawings, and Su Zimo smiled as she glanced at them.
She swiftly turned around and entered the back room to change clothes.
After a while, Su Zimo emerged, wearing a white dress embroidered with silver plum blossoms. The skirt gracefully showcased the blooming flowers, and her slender waist accentuated her delicate figure. Behind a silver mask, her watery glazed eyes sparkled like black flintstones, while her vermilion lips remained red and vibrant. Her hair was elegantly adorned with a silver jade purple moon hairpin, giving her an ethereal appearance like a fairy.
Su Zimo stepped out.
"Tongzi, stay with Xin'er. I'll head back now. Aunt Qinghe lives next door, so just call her if you need anything."
"Yes, owner," Tongzi respectfully nodded.
Su Xin raised her head, sweetly smiled at Su Zimo, then lowered her head to continue drawing.
In the main hall, the gentleman admired the decorations.
"Shui'er, Mingyue Villa is truly unique. Look at this ebony table, its style is exquisite and inherently noble. They even placed a layer of hollow tablecloth in the center, with a pot of violets on top, adding an elegant touch."
"You're right, Madame. Bright Moon Villa is equally exceptional," Ling Qiushui replied with a smile.
"But..." Ling Qiushui hesitated and stopped speaking, leaving the sentence unfinished.
"Shui'er, what were you about to say?" Madame asked.
"Madam, it's a bit improper for Shui Er to mention this, but I've heard that the owner of Bright Moon Mountain Villa has a close relationship with His Royal Highness, the Prince of Xingyue Kingdom. It's said that the design of this villa resembles the style of the prince's mansion," Ling Qiushui explained cautiously.
Jun Zixi looked puzzled. The last time she was here, it was to seek the prince's help for Bright Moon Villa. Could there be a deeper connection between the two?
Observing Jun Zixi's skeptical expression, Ling Qiushui spoke slowly, "I don't have all the details, but the purpose has been achieved. Ling Qiushui won't delve further into it. As long as Jun Zixi believes what she wants to believe."
"But, Madame, it's been almost half an incense stick's worth of time, and the owner of Bright Moon Estate still hasn't arrived. If she intended to come, she should have been here long ago," Ling Qiushui narrowed her eyes slightly, a trace of pride hidden within.
Su Zimo held her breath, attentively listening to Ling Qiushui's words. Under the mask, her expression remained calm. Throughout history, women's affairs were often fraught with conflicts. Ling Qiushui was a person with deep scheming, and her unintentional words revealed only a fraction of her true intentions.
Su Zimo lifted her foot and strode towards the main hall.
Both Jun Zixi and Ling Qiushui turned their attention to the door upon seeing the white figure.
Su Zimo, dressed in a white gown, not only maintained her poise and elegance, but also exuded a sense of refinement and luxury. Her beautiful figure was accentuated by the dress, and her entire being emanated a spirit of grace and enchantment.
Su Zimo glanced at Ling Qiushui, who had dressed up for the occasion in a swaying purple dress embroidered with vibrant peonies. Ling Qiushui appeared even more delicate and alluring.
Irony filled Su Zimo's heart. Ling Qiushui might possess beauty, but unfortunately, she was a dangerous femme fatale. At the auction, Su Zimo had mistaken her for a pure and innocent woman, but now she realized she had underestimated her.
As for the gentleman, she held a noble status and had a penchant for luxury. Today, she wore a crimson phoenix embroidered skirt, symbolizing her identity as a princess. The vibrant red complemented her slender and well-proportioned figure. The collar was trimmed with gold, accentuating her noble aura.
"Bright Moon Villa Master, you've displayed quite an audacious attitude by making Princess Ben wait for so long," Jun Zixi boldly declared, staring at Su Zimo.
Su Zimo furrowed her brows, ignoring Jun Zixi, and walked to her designated spot.
Every time she encountered this woman, it seemed like she was always met with a disdainful gaze.
However, upon reflection, she was originally a princess, and she had the qualifications to display such arrogance.
"I've heard about the reputation of the owner of this estate, but I didn't expect that after seeing her twice, there would be such a negative impression beneath that reputation," Su Zimo remarked casually, not even bothering to lift her gaze.
Qinglian brought her a cup of tea and silently stood by her side.
"What do you mean by that?" Jun Zixi snapped sharply. Su Zimo didn't pay her any respect and insulted her with her words, making Jun Zixi increasingly displeased with her.
"Do you want the estate owner to be straightforward?" Su Zimo placed the teacup down, effortlessly emanating an air of nonchalance with her every move.
Su Zimo was not one to be pushed around easily. The more Jun Zixi tried to provoke her, the more resolute she became. If Jun Zixi wanted to be difficult, Su Zimo could be even more difficult.
Just like now, while on her way here, Su Zimo had contemplated the situation. After all, they were Qi'er and their grandmother, and she didn't want to engage in too much conflict with them.
However, the words she had overheard at the door earlier completely changed her mindset. What should she do now?
"Owner, speaking like this is incredibly rude!" Ling Qiushui sneered, pleased with how things were unfolding. This was already going according to her plan. As long as Jun Zixi refused, Mu Yunxuan liked Su Zimo, and he wouldn't want to marry her back.
"Is it? They say hitting someone doesn't strike their face, and insulting someone doesn't expose their flaws. Respecting someone means looking at their essence, their character. I wonder if people who don't understand the importance of sincerity know where to extend courtesy and respect?" Su Zimo calmly toyed with the purple spirit space ring in her hand. Everyone has their limits when it comes to self-esteem, and Ling Qiushui was about to cross that line.
"Forget it, Shui'er. Is it necessary to explain etiquette to someone like her?" Jun Zixi looked at Su Zimo with smug satisfaction, unaware that she was treading on thin ice and would suffer a setback one day.
Hmph! Su Zimo cast a cold gaze at Jun Zixi. Who did Jun Zixi think she was? When had she ever displayed proper behavior? Su Zimo had seen all sorts of people throughout her six years in this world. She had learned firsthand the meaning of the saying "It's difficult to draw bones when drawing people," and she had come to understand that knowing someone's face didn't mean knowing their heart.
"I don't know the purpose of your visit to my Bright Moon Villa," Su Zimo stated, not wanting to waste any more time with them. After all, she didn't have the luxury of fighting with them here.
"Naturally, we came for a reason," Jun Zixi replied coldly. Who would cause a commotion without a purpose?
"Your Highness, please state your business," Su Zimo urged, getting straight to the point.
Jun Zixi's expression grew visibly angrier. "Your Highness, but it's not a pleasant matter to discuss."
"Stay away from my Xuan'er! My son will only marry a lady like Shui'er from my family. The position of the Holy Lord Lady of Cloud City belongs solely to Shui'er. He will never marry an unknown woman and bring back three oil bottles. I hope you remember what I said last time and ensure that no rumors spread from our Cloud City."
Su Zimo's grip on the arm of the chair tightened, and her eyes grew colder and colder.
How dare she call her child a burden? If it weren't for Su Zimo, who was still alive and looking at Jun Zixi's smug expression, the only difference between them was that Jun Zixi would always have someone on her side.
"Your Highness, the owner of this estate believes that she has not offended your Cloud City, yet she has been insulted by the princess without any reason on two occasions," Su Zimo's voice was cold and icy, making Jun Zixi and Ling Qiushui shiver involuntarily.
"Could it be that I have wrongly accused you? Xuan'er didn't return home all night, and he spent the entire day at Mingyue Villa yesterday. What else can you say?" Jun Zixi forced a gaze upon Su Zimo. This faceless woman dared to act superior in her presence.
"Then please take good care of your son. If he dares to step foot into Mingyue Villa and tarnish the reputation of my estate, don't blame me for being ruthless and unforgiving," Su Zimo warned coldly. She had never provoked Jun Zixi; it was Mu Yunxuan who had initiated the provocation.
In an instant, sparks flew from the eyes of the two women as they glared at each other in anger.
Ling Qiushui held the Silkworm Ice Moth in her hand and smiled strangely, but both women were too focused on each other to notice Ling Qiushui's peculiar expression.
"Madam, please calm your anger. For the sake of Shui'er, let Madam bear this anger. Shui'er is truly overwhelmed," Ling Qiushui got up and supported the furious Jun Zixi with a guilty expression.
Jun Zixi looked at Ling Qiushui and gently patted her hand, saying softly, "Shui'er, this is not your fault. Rest assured, I will make all the decisions for you." Jun Zixi took a deep breath, not expecting to face such anger today.
"Owner, owner... is something wrong?" Qinghe's urgent voice rose from outside.
Upon hearing this, Ling Qiushui waved her hand and calmly returned to her seat, maintaining her composure.
Su Zimo's face froze, and a sense of unease filled her heart.
"Oh!" Qinghe gasped, her voice filled with anxiety. "Owner, Xin'er is missing, and Tongzi has been knocked unconscious."