Chapter 5746: Extra Story - Qiao Mu: What a Troublesome Little Life...
Mo Lian looked on with contentment, thinking: What a truly devoted sister-in-law, always worrying about her younger brothers. His Qiao Qiao was getting more adorable by the minute.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you may leave," Qiao Mu said.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Mo Kun replied, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. He then kicked the plump shopkeeper. "Go, take all these people you brought with you down there."
The motley crew of ruffians, looking dejected, scrambled after Prince Jianping's Heir. All along the way, one could hear the sounds of Prince Jianping's Heir's fists, interspersed with a string of pitiful cries.
Qiao Mu shook her head, exasperated. Mo Kun, that child, had grown quite a bit in recent years. Even his father, the Old Prince Jianping, had been praised by Old Prince Mo Liufeng a while back.
To think that even the Mo family's oddballs could be disciplined...
"Oh, the matter's resolved! Then we should go back and pack our things quickly!" Red-clothed exclaimed, flailing his silk sash dramatically.
The young flowers chorused their agreement, waving their hands at Qiao Mu. "Qiao Qiao, we're off now! Remember to pick us up when we leave for Sky-Null Star!"
Qiao Mu instinctively turned to glance at her husband. Sure enough, her Mo Lian had a dark expression, glaring at the Seven Flowers.
Fan Meng stepped forward, smiling as he bowed. "Empress, we'll take our leave now."
Qiao Mu nodded her small head, her face serious and devoid of extra expressions. Fan Meng turned and then bowed to Mo Lian. "Your Majesty, please take good care of us in the future."
Mo Lian: !!
These wild flowers and weeds are deliberately trying to annoy me! This guy actually had the nerve to walk up to him innocently and ask him to take care of them. Heh!
Duan Yue suppressed a laugh, quickly turning to look at Mo Lian's expression. Indeed, it was as dark as charcoal.
Feng Chen, meanwhile, nodded repeatedly, agreeing wholeheartedly. "Ah, go, go. Pack up properly, and don't forget anything. It's fine if the restaurant closes for a while..."
Mo Lian turned and glared at him.
Fan Meng smiled faintly, then led the chattering, excited group of handsome young flowers away, looking cheerful.
Seeing Mo Lian's phoenix eyes still fixed on him, Feng Chen couldn't help but give an awkward laugh. "He, I think they're quite sincere."
Mo Lian shot a fiery red bolt, and Feng Chen cried out, dodging. "Heavens, Mo Lian, how can you lay hands on your own brother?"
"I've been with you through thick and thin, through the Tower of Punishment, and the deep abyss; we're brothers who've faced life and death together! Ow~" someone cried out urgently, repeatedly dodging several fiery red flames.
"Qiao Qiao, look at him! Look at him! Mo Lian's hitting me again!" Feng Chen cried out pitifully.
"Stop hitting!" Qiao Qiao commanded, reaching into her sleeve.
Duan Yue's eyelids twitched, and he quickly intervened, holding the two back. He whispered, "Stop it! She's going to make us copy scriptures again!"
The trio: ...
"Ah! What a beautiful day!" Feng Chen suddenly opened a crimson paper umbrella, holding it over his head to block the sun.
Mo Lian also quickly stopped. His hand, which had been poised to strike, now hung awkwardly, so he reached out and patted Duan Yue's shoulder. "How about we go for a walk?"
"Right, since we're already out, let's just stroll around."
Qiao Mu stood up from the grand armchair, expressionless, and shook her head weakly. She looked up at the sky and let out a long sigh. "Oh, when will these chaotic days end?"
Mo Lian flashed to her side. Seeing her expression, he couldn't help but burst out laughing. "I think these chaotic days might never end..."
Feng Chen also couldn't help but laugh. "Who's causing chaos, huh? I'm not causing chaos."
"Mo Lian's the most chaotic one."
"Isn't he though?"
"Never mind," Qiao Qiao sighed, her face showing an expression of resignation. "I can still endure it."
The trio burst into laughter.
Changle Street had now returned to its former vibrant and prosperous self. People strolling along the street were all in high spirits, smiling. Displays of dazzling goods lined both sides of the street, making it impossible to take everything in at a glance.
A strange sight appeared on the street. Three exquisitely handsome men occasionally lingered at various stalls.
"Mo Lian, buy this, buy this! This fan is pretty."
"Mo Lian, buy that, buy that! This bracelet is quite nice, I can give it to my Qiao."
"Mo Lian..."
"Mo Lian..."
Damn it, Mo Lian isn't your moneybag! Why do you assume that when you go shopping, Mo Lian has to pay for everything?!
Many people at the stalls they visited couldn't help but wonder: Why does the name Mo Lian sound so familiar?
"Get out of the way! Quickly, get out of the way! Clear the path!"
Suddenly, shouts erupted from the crowd ahead. Many people quickly moved to the sides. Adult Qiao Qiao, who had been walking ahead of them, looking left and right, occasionally touching items on the street stalls, stopped when she heard the shouts from the opposite side.
Mo Lian and the other two were still at a stall, looking at a small, intricately painted umbrella. Yes, it was Feng Chen who had said he wanted to buy a few more umbrellas to use alternately... Hearing the shouts, they looked up and saw a shabbily dressed beggar, running and constantly looking back, stumbling and lunging towards Qiao Qiao.
The three quickly rushed forward.
Qiao Qiao, however, had already retreated several steps, appearing beside them in a flash.
The beggar suddenly lost his strength and fell heavily to the ground. A paper bag he was holding dropped, and two or three white steamed buns tumbled out. Two people chased after him, cursing furiously, and immediately tried to kick him.
But the beggar quickly scrambled a few steps forward, pouncing on the white steamed buns on the ground, and desperately shoved two into his mouth. The two pursuers were infuriated. One young man stepped forward and kicked the beggar twice. "You stinking beggar, are you so poor you'd steal my stuff?"
This person must be crazy. He had just bought the steamed buns, and in an instant, this beggar had lunged and snatched them away. Speaking of which, the strength the beggar suddenly displayed was quite good. He wondered if he used to be a cultivator. But anyone with even a little cultivation wouldn't be in such a pitiful state, would they?
The two wanted to continue beating the beggar, but they saw many onlookers gathering around, pointing at them. The beggar, his face covered in grime, was indistinguishable. He just lay there, picking up the steamed buns from the ground and biting into them fiercely.
Mo Lian couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, then reached out and took Qiao Qiao's hand. "Qiao Qiao, there's nothing to see. Let's go."
Qiao Mu nodded, glancing at the beggar, but said nothing more. She followed Mo Lian, about to leave. However, when the beggar heard Mo Lian's voice, his head suddenly moved. As if stimulated by something, he frantically tried to lunge towards the two.
A Troublesome Little Life
Ao Ye suddenly sprang forward and kicked the man. The beggar couldn't get close, sent tumbling a dozen steps away by Ao Ye's kick. Everyone hurriedly dodged, fearing to be touched by his dirt and stench.
Qiao Mu coldly curled her lips. "I know who he is," she suddenly said.
Mo Lian couldn't help but smile. "You see, he refused to be a proper person and insisted on being a dog. This kind of life is entirely his own choice."
Qiao Mu naturally felt no sympathy for the man, her eyes cold as she looked. "I never expected him to end up like this."
Who was this beggar? It was none other than Prince Zheng, Mo Xikang, whom Qiao Qiao had met not long ago. Qiao Qiao remembered seeing him last at Tianyun's headquarters. He was among a group of black-armored guards, willing to be Tianyun's lackey.
Although the corpse poison in his body was now cured, his cultivation had dwindled to only one or two tenths of what it once was. Qiao Mu had observed earlier that his remaining divine power probably couldn't be used frequently. His body was too broken. Although he was still alive, such a life, hah, was worse than death.
Mo Xikang's body twitched slightly. He used all his strength to try and crawl towards Mo Lian and Qiao Mu. He wanted to tell them he was wrong! He no longer wanted to cause trouble and court death. He wanted to go back. He wanted to continue being his Prince Zheng. Even if he lost all his cultivation, as long as he had the title of Prince Zheng, he could live a life of comfort without worries. He wouldn't have to endure exposure to the elements or live in fear, never knowing where his next meal would come from!
Every time he exhausted himself trying to crawl back to Prince Zheng's Mansion, he would look at the tightly shut vermilion gate and couldn't help but pound on it and shed tears. Those past days were so good; why hadn't he cherished them?
Ao Ye stepped forward to examine him. "Master, his tongue seems to have been cut out."
Mo Lian nodded, stating calmly, "Mm, probably by Tianyun's people." Tianyun was always ruthless and merciless with useless wastes. However, none of this concerned him and his wife anymore. Mo Xikang had reached his current state entirely due to his own self-destructive actions...
"Qiao Qiao, this is the bracelet I bought for you," Feng Chen said with a smile, handing the little one a flower-shaped string of beads.
Mo Lian said expressionlessly, "My husband paid for it."
"Qiao Qiao, Qiao Qiao, this fan is also pretty, take it," Duan Yue offered her a small sandalwood fan.
Mo Lian interjected again, "Still, your husband paid for it!"
The two glared at him furiously. Mo Lian gave them a look that implied, "Understand for yourselves," and took Qiao Qiao's hand, walking forward.
"Qiao Qiao, those two just glared at me! So mean."
Qiao Qiao merely sighed, looking up at the sky again: Men are all just childish imps.
"Mmm, mmm! Mmm mmm—" Mo Xikang struggled to crawl on the ground, trying to catch up. He desperately wanted to hug his younger brother's leg and pour out his remorse. He wanted others to know he truly regretted everything!
However, he couldn't crawl out of the crowd. He could only watch as their figures gradually disappeared from his sight...
Qiao Mu looked back, a faint scoff escaping her lips. "I wonder, does his expression suggest some regret?"
Only a fool wouldn't regret it! Ao Ye thought. Prince Zheng, Mo Xikang, really knew how to play. He had played himself all the way to rock bottom, and once he fell, he could never climb back out!
A Royal Gift
The next day, Dao Wuji's residence in the south of the city received a grand gift from His Majesty.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree politely announced, "By His Majesty's decree, thirteen beautiful ladies are bestowed upon Immortal Venerable Dao Wuji." With that, he quickly waved his hand, and the thirteen graceful women stepped forward, winking and swaying their bodies towards him.
Dao Wuji nearly cried at their ugliness. These thirteen couldn't be called beauties; they were all middle-aged women...
"You, you, don't come any closer! Don't come any closer! If you come closer, I'll scream!"
"Oh, darling, look at you! We are the beauties bestowed upon you by His Majesty!"
"Exactly, why scream? No one will hear you even if you scream yourself hoarse."
"Darling, a moment of spring night... is worth a thousand gold! Let's go quickly."
Dao Wuji screamed repeatedly, "I don't want them! I don't want them! I don't want wives! I don't want them!"
Little Taisui sat in the outer courtyard, listening to the cacophony of wailing and howling from inside. He couldn't help but shake his head. "You're truly spiteful. How many years has it been, and you're still holding a grudge!"
Mo Lian feigned ignorance. "What do you mean?"
Little Taisui rolled his eyes. "Didn't Dao Wuji once mock you for being henpecked, and Qiao Qiao beat him up for it?"
"He also boasted that he'd marry a hundred beautiful women when he returned to Divine State. And you remembered what he said, waiting until now to get revenge?"
Mo Lian looked innocent. "Do I look like someone who'd do something so trivial?"
"Yes!" Little Taisui gave him an incredibly certain look. "You're a thousand times more trivial than Qiao Qiao."
"Pah!" Mo Lian snorted, pointing inside. "Listen, listen."
"Elder Brother, Elder Brother, I was wrong, Elder Brother! Elder Brother, I'll go to Sky-Null Star with you. Elder Brother! Please take me to Sky-Null Star."
Mo Lian winked at Little Taisui. "See? It's settled!"
Little Taisui rolled his eyes repeatedly. "Dao Wuji is truly unlucky to have you as a friend."
"Me, spiteful? Someone's even putting up an image-recording array inside!"
"Who?"
Mo Lian gave him a look that said, "Figure it out yourself."
"Feng Chen?" Little Taisui exclaimed in surprise. "Wow, he's a hundred times more spiteful than you!"
"Naturally," Mo Lian stood up and brushed his sleeves. "As Qiao Qiao said, bachelors are all quite boring."
Little Taisui glared at him furiously!
"Ah, it looks like it's going to rain. I'm going back to the palace. Qiao Qiao's waiting for me to have dinner with her!"
"Get lost! Get lost! Get lost! Get lost!!"
"Pack your things. We leave tomorrow!"
"Get lost!!" What in the world am I supposed to pack?
Family Preparations
"Son, what are you doing?"
"Mother, there are too many spiritual bamboo shoots in the field. I'm digging some out to bring to Grandfather and Grandmother."
"Mother, Grandfather and Grandmother on Sky-Null Star have never met me. Will they like me?"
"Little Dumpling is so adorable, everyone will love you."
Mo Xiao, the little dumpling, grinned and bounced into Qiao Mu's arms, rubbing his head against her. "Then let's go quickly!"
(End)