C16 Secret Contact

For her now, living on is about honoring Hongxiang's wishes and making everyone pay the price. Romance isn't something she should get involved in.

Silence filled the room.

Mo Ruyan noticed something was off with Nan Yanwu and was about to say something when he saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"What's wrong?" Mo Ruyan stood up, walked over to Nan Yanwu, and slightly lowered his head, his thick brows furrowed.

Nan Yanwu stepped back, silently putting some distance between them.

"Did I do something wrong?" Mo Ruyan's voice held a hint of urgency.

"No." Nan Yanwu tried to keep her voice steady, but it carried a touch of coldness.

"Do you dislike me?" Mo Ruyan's eyes darkened.

"No..." Nan Yanwu couldn't help but smile through her tears.

"Then why are you crying?"

"...I'm not crying." Nan Yanwu took a deep breath and after a moment said, "Young Master Mo, you've overstepped."

Mo Ruyan gave a faint smile, with a hint of bitterness detectable in it.

Seeing him like this, Nan Yanwu felt a sudden pang in her heart. Had she done nothing, yet still caused him such pain?

"...I'm sorry." Nan Yanwu lowered her head, staring only at the tips of her embroidered shoes.

Mo Ruyan froze for a moment, then smiled and gently ruffled Nan Yanwu's hair, his voice soft and indulgent: "Silly."

"Ahem." Someone coughed a few times.

Mo Ruyan quickly withdrew his hand, and Nan Yanwu stepped back at the same time. Both turned to look toward the door.

"Princess, Young Master Mo, the king requests the princess return to the Glass Hall," Lvyu said with a slight bow.

"You go on ahead. I'll be there shortly," Nan Yanwu said, her face returning to its usual calm.

"Yes." Lvyu gave Mo Ruyan a meaningful look before turning to leave.

Once the footsteps faded, Nan Yanwu looked at Mo Ruyan beside her and asked, "Is everything alright, Young Master Mo?"

"I'll head back with the princess," Mo Ruyan said, seeing through Nan Yanwu's thoughts and responding decisively.

"Well... let's go then." Nan Yanwu, a bit embarrassed at being seen through, quickly walked away.

Mo Ruyan chuckled and followed in her footsteps.

In the long corridor, Nan Yanwu walked ahead while Mo Ruyan silently followed, maintaining a step's distance between them.

Suddenly, Nan Ying, Xiao Zhen, and Nan Yuvyi, accompanied by a group of servants, approached them.

Nan Ying looked displeased, Xiao Zhen's smile had faded, but Nan Yuvyi feigned urgency, unable to hide the delight in her eyes.

It seemed something was about to happen, and it was clear Nan Yuvyi was behind it.

Oh, Nan Yuvyi, I've tried to make you see reason, but if this is how you treat me, there's no need for me to hold back anymore.

"Here comes trouble," Mo Ruyan murmured, a warning for Nan Yanwu to stay alert.

As soon as Mo Ruyan spoke, Nan Ying and Xiao Zhen reached them.

"Father, Your Highness," Nan Yanwu greeted them with a bow, and Mo Ruyan followed suit. Nan Yanwu then asked, "Why are you here instead of enjoying the feast in the Glass Hall?"

"Sister, Yuvyi believes you wouldn't have an affair with Young Master Mo. Please explain to Father," Nan Yuvyi stepped forward, gripping Nan Yanwu's hand and secretly pinching her.

"An affair? Yuvyi, what nonsense are you spouting? Earlier in the Glass Hall, you questioned how I knew Young Master Mo, and now you're accusing me of an affair? Even if I know him, it's just a brief acquaintance. How can you make such claims? An affair from a single meeting? You're being ridiculous." Nan Yanwu withdrew her hand, maintaining her composure.

Nan Yanwu's words seemed to be directed at Nan Yuvyi, but they actually clarified her relationship with Mo Ruyan, subtly suggesting that Nan Yuvyi was spreading falsehoods.

"Nan Yanwu, how much longer will you keep denying it? Are you accusing Yuvyi of lying? Would your personal maid dare to falsely accuse you? Let your maid speak for herself!" Nan Ying demanded.

Upon hearing this, Lvyu stepped forward and knelt before Nan Yanwu. "Princess, I have no intention of betraying you, but you must understand that your actions are reckless. I cannot stand by and watch you make mistake after mistake! Just now, I was following the king's orders to bring you back to the banquet, and I saw... I saw you and Young Master Mo in a compromising situation! Please, Princess, heed my advice. You must not ruin your reputation!"

Nan Yanwu clenched her fists tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure.