“Who’s your husband? Don’t call me that!” Bai Yuqing nearly roared, realizing everyone was watching. Awkwardly, he added, “I… I don’t even know her. It’s not what you think…”
“Yuqing, I didn’t expect your skills to have improved after three years!” The woman observed Bai Yuqing’s reddening face. Dressed in men’s clothing, she appeared delicate and youthful, around sixteen or seventeen.
“Second Sister-in-law!” Bai Yuqing glared at me and pointed at the woman. “She’s been chasing me since the Chiyan Kingdom, and I don’t even know why!”
“Because you are my husband!” the woman replied earnestly.
“Little Sister!” Tang Liuli rushed to her, pulling off her hair tie. Her long hair cascaded down, revealing her feminine charm. Tang Liuli skillfully pinned her hair. “How did you come out alone? Weren’t you taking care of Mother in the Chiyan Kingdom?”
“Mother has many people taking care of her,” the woman replied, lowering her head while glancing around curiously. “Second Sister, why are you all here? Why are there so many people?”
“Xiaomeng!” Tang Yixiu’s voice startled her.
“Big… Big Brother…” She timidly turned around, not daring to look at him.
“Still so playful, how did you come to Yinri?” Tang Yixiu asked Bai Yuqing, “My little sister may have offended you. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“It’s nothing,” Bai Yuqing replied, unable to say much more given his politeness.
“Xiaomeng!” Tang Yingying smiled as she sized up Bai Yuqing, “You’ve taken a fancy to this man?”
“Yes!” Tang Xiaomeng’s eyes lit up, “From the moment I saw him in the Chiyan Kingdom, I swore to chase him and make him my husband!”
Bai Yuqing’s face, which had just regained some color, turned pale again.
“Good! How brave! Sister supports you!” Tang Yingying praised, patting her sister’s shoulder. “This man is not bad; fortunately, he’s not my type, or I would have snatched him too!”
“Hey! Little girl!” Bai Yuqing protested, “I’m not interested in you, stop chasing me!”
“But I’m interested in you!” Tang Xiaomeng hooked his arm, sweetly saying, “I believe one day you’ll discover my charm!”
Bai Yuqing stood stiffly, shaking off Tang Xiaomeng. “Tang Xiaomeng, you…”
“Husband, what’s wrong with you?” Tang Xiaomeng asked, puzzled by his expression.
“I’m going crazy!” Bai Yuqing exclaimed, rushing out like the wind. Just as Tang Xiaomeng was about to follow him, she was stopped.
“Xiaomeng! Stop!” Tang Yixiu’s stern gaze caused Tang Xiaomeng to hide behind her sisters. “What kind of girl are you chasing a man all day? Either stay obediently in Yinri or go back to Chiyan!”
“I don’t want to go back!” Tang Xiaomeng said timidly but quickly shut her mouth when glared at.
“Let’s all eat! Today is lively; who knows who might appear next?” I pulled Tang Xiaomeng over. “Come, sit at our table.”
“I…” Tang Xiaomeng’s gaze drifted outside.
“Don’t worry! Bai Yuqing won’t run away. Just eat well; I promise you’ll see him again.”
“Really?” Tang Xiaomeng looked at me seriously. “You’re Jiang Xiao’ai, right?”
“Ah, how do you know?” I replied, surprised.
“Because Bai Yuqing said if I could compare to you, he would marry me.” Tang Xiaomeng’s eyes dimmed. “It seems I have no hope.”
“That’s not what you think; I’m his second sister-in-law,” I quickly clarified, sensing her distress.
He said this because he wants to find a good wife. I think you’re great! I support you pursuing him; you will definitely succeed!”
“Really?” Tang Xiaomeng raised her head uncertainly.
“Don’t worry! What Sister Xiao Ai says is true,” Tang Liuli comforted her.
“Okay! Then I’ll believe you!” Tang Xiaomeng smiled.
“The young ladies of the Tang family are truly beautiful, especially extraordinary!” Lightning exclaimed while looking at the three sisters. “What a pity I have no chance with them!”
“You want…” He chuckled at Lightning, “I can introduce someone to you.”
“No, no!” Lightning waved his hand, “Just saying it casually, madam, please don’t take it seriously. Let’s hurry and eat.”
“Madam!” a servant entered, “The young master of Ink Island has arrived.”
“Young master… Mo Shen?” Tang Yingying looked surprised at the handsome figure with a cold temperament, recognizing him immediately.
“Young Master Mo!” Tang Yingying was the first to greet him, clearly having taken a liking to him.
“Miss Yingying…” Mo Shen expressed surprise, “Didn’t expect to meet again; the world is both big and small.”
“This is fate!” Tang Yingying laughed softly.
“Really didn’t expect you to come,” I said to Mo Shen. We had only met once, but his sister had died because of me. How could he be so calm facing me?
“This time I came…” Mo Shen looked somewhat embarrassed and after a while said, “I hope to ask you for something.”
“…” I looked at him, not understanding what he might need from me.
“Let’s discuss it after the meal.” Mo Shen glanced at the others and cupped his hands, “Apologies for the interruption, please continue eating.” He prepared to leave.
“Wait!” I called Mo Shen, asking him to sit at the table, “A guest is here, but you must eat first!”
“…” Mo Shen pursed his lips and sat down silently.
The room was lively, seemingly filled with everyone who could come. Just as I was about to pick up my soup bowl, I felt small hands by my leg. Looking down, it was Yangyang.
“Aunt Love, hug, hug…” Yangyang clapped his hands, his round eyes blinking, extremely cute.
“Okay! Aunt will hug!” I picked up Yangyang onto my lap, seeing him laugh happily.
“Hugging the bride, hugging the bride…” Yangyang called out excitedly, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
“Yangyang, be good! Come to mommy.” Hua Qiao wanted to take Yangyang away, but he completely ignored her, burrowing deeper into my arms.
Hua Qiao was helpless, “This child, really…”
“It’s fine! I love him!” I said, kissing Yangyang’s little face.
“Kissy, I want kissy too…” Yangyang said, causing Hua Qiao to blush, prompting everyone to hide their smiles.
“What do you want the ‘Immortal Ice Flower’ for?” he asked, now seemingly aware of the implications but still confused. “Why are you asking me about it? Most people only know it exists, but who would come looking for it?”
“I want to use it to save someone, and I hope you will show kindness for our acquaintance,” Moxi Hen replied, worry evident in his eyes. “When we were troubled, someone sent a letter saying that if we wanted the ‘Immortal Ice Flower’, we should find you at Yin Ri.”
“You believed a letter?”
“Of course not,” Moxi Hen said, glancing at me. After a pause, he continued, “The letter stated that you are the legendary ‘Thousand-Year Phantom Ice’, who once brought the fourth prince of the Water Moon Kingdom back to life with the ‘Immortal Ice Flower’. After thinking it over, I recalled everything from three years ago, and your behavior increased the letter’s credibility.”
Why would I come with only a glimmer of hope to save someone? Looking at the madam’s expression now, it seems it’s all true.
“…” Who revealed this information to Moxi Hen, and was it with good intentions or ulterior motives?
“Madam, please don’t worry. The letter was sent only to me; besides me, no one knows your identity,” Moxi Hen said, trying to comfort me.
“Little Ai…”
“Don’t be anxious!” Seeing her husbands worried, she comforted them, “According to Young Master Mo, the person who sent the letter may know my identity but won’t openly do anything to me. Telling Young Master Mo is likely for two reasons: one, good intentions, though that probability is low; two, to benefit from our conflict.”
“Exactly!” Xie Ying agreed, “Only one person could do this.”
“You mean Tian Mei?” Cold Proud Soul’s face darkened.
