Chapter 22: Veiled Intentions and Silent Struggles
"Your Highness, Sister Nian is my elder sister. Are you asking me to sever ties with her? I'm sorry, but I can't do that," Huang Ning said, her voice trembling slightly as she glanced up at Di Chen.
"Ning Ning, that's not what I meant," Di Chen sighed, his expression softening.
"I just don't think she deserves your attention. You try to reach out, and she keeps pushing you away. It hurts me to see her treating you like this."
"Don't worry about me," Huang Ning forced a weak smile, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
"It's just a small thing compared to everything else I'm going through."
Di Chen's gaze sharpened with concern. "Ning Ning, tell me. What are you going through? I swear I'll avenge you."
"It's nothing. Really, don't trouble yourself over it," Huang Ning whispered, but her tears betrayed her, spilling down her cheeks in silent streams.
Di Chen's eyes darkened.
"Is it that woman? Is she the one making you suffer?" His voice grew louder, trembling with rage.
Huang Ning bit her lip, remaining silent, her hesitation confirming his suspicions.
"I'll deal with that wretch!" Di Chen seethed, turning sharply, ready to storm off.
"Your Highness, no! Please don't go!" Huang Ning rushed after him, her voice cracking as tears filled her eyes.
"I don't want her to think I'm tattling on her. She's still my sister!"
Di Chen paused, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "I can't stand by while you endure all this pain alone. She's bullying you because she knows you're too kind to fight back."
"Please," Huang Ning begged, clutching his sleeve. "I don't want her blaming me. I don't want to cause more trouble."
Di Chen exhaled slowly, softening at her distress. "Fine, I won't confront her now. But mark my words, she will pay for this—soon."
---
As Huang Nian made her way down a quiet path, she found her way blocked by a familiar figure. Her eyes narrowed as she looked up. "Jun Mo Xie, what do you want now?"
Jun Mo Xie smirked, his arms crossed lazily. "What do I want? Why, I'm here to block my wife's way, of course."
"Your wife?" Huang Nian scoffed, folding her arms. "You're blocking my way, not anyone else's."
"Ah, but you forget. You call me by a nickname, don't you? 'Mo Yesi'—isn't that what only a wife can call her husband?" His teasing grin deepened as he leaned closer.
'Maybe I should just let him call me that,' she mused, though quickly shook off the thought.
"Your cat is adorable," Mo Xie noted, glancing down at Little White, who was perched on Huang Nian's shoulder. "It must be your cultivation beast."
"You can tell?" Huang Nian raised an eyebrow, momentarily impressed.
'Master, your husband is quite handsome,' Little White chimed in through their mental link.
'Since when is he my husband?!' Huang Nian shot back, allowing Little White to read her mind—unaware that Jun Mo Xie was doing the same.
'Since you started liking him,' Little White teased.
Huang Nian shot the cat a glare and playfully flicked its ear. Jun Mo Xie chuckled at the scene.
"What's so funny?" Huang Nian demanded, her eyes narrowing at him.
"Oh, nothing," he replied, his smile never wavering. "Just remembering something amusing."
'Wait… can he read my mind too?!' Huang Nian thought, panic rising within her.
'Master, he doesn't seem weak at all. In fact, he must be incredibly powerful to read your thoughts,' Little White suggested.
'I need to stop letting you read my mind,' Huang Nian thought, quickly severing the connection with her cat.
'Master, you should invite your husband to your courtyard,' Little White pushed.
"Little White, enough!" Huang Nian hissed under her breath.
"Wifey, why don't you invite me to your home?" Jun Mo Xie said, the playful glint in his eyes growing brighter.
'Master, he read my mind!' Little White cried indignantly.
'What are you waiting for? Hurry and invite him to your courtyard!' Little White persisted.
Huang Nian let out a frustrated sigh. "Honestly, I can't tell who the master is between us," she muttered.
Jun Mo Xie raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Well? Are you going to invite me in, or not?"
"Fine," Huang Nian finally relented, her face warming slightly as she looked away. "Let's go."