Mo Xuetong looked at the branch in her hand dazedly. Could this also be called a flower?
The blossoms on the branch had been destroyed by Feng Yuran's twirling earlier. There were only the yellow stamen and a few ragged petals left on the branch. It looked pathetic.
Feng Yuran took a few steps forward and turned around unhappily when he could not hear footsteps following him from behind. He saw Mo Xuetong looking at the branch in her hand with a dazed look and followed her gaze onto the destroyed blossoms. He flushed despite being shameless usually. Fortunately, Mo Xuetong did not see or discover his odd behavior.
He approached her willfully and tugged the destroyed branch from her hand. He ignored her surprise and pulled down another branch from above him. This time, the branch was broken nicely and the blossoms on the branch were exquisite. It was perfect. He stuffed it into Mo Xuetong's hand impolitely again and said casually. "Throw it away if it's ugly. Take this one and follow me quickly. How can you be so insincere when you are repaying a debt."
Then, he turned and walked away with large strides.
Repayment... What had his bad mood to do with her? Nothing at all! But he had said it so righteously. How arrogant! However, looking at him, it seemed that she had no choice but to accompany him today. She looked at the plum blossom in her hands and then at Feng Yuran who was walking with large strides but at a slow speed. Mo Xuetong hurried a few steps and matched his pace. He was powerful and she could not afford to offend him!
When he heard the soft footsteps behind him, Feng Yuran smiled. It reached his eyes and he felt rather pleased.
The two walked together quietly. Mo Xuetong followed behind Feng Yuran, leaving a step between them. It was not too close nor too far. Mo Ye followed behind them. It counted as someone watching them so it was alright. However, Mo Xuetong felt uneasy, especially when she saw a few ladies with their maids looking at Feng Yuran's handsome face with dazed expressions as he walked past them. She did not even know when the plum blossom in her hand fell. She only knew that the whole situation was worse than what she imagined.
She had only been thinking about how not to offend Feng Yuran, but had not considered that the handsome man would be so troublesome. If rumors were to spread about them walking through the plum blossom forest together, she would be ostracised by the noble ladies. She had heard that there were many noble ladies who admired King Xuan.
She was shocked and sweat erupted on her forehead. She had just arrived in the capital and did not dare to make too many enemies. Mo Xuemin and Auntie Fang had ensured that the people in the capital were already biased against her. If something like this were to happen, then she would make many enemies.
"What's the matter? Are you ill? You are so weak, and yet you don't know to move more. I am in a good mood today and I shall walk with you. Treat it as my charity of the day!" Feng Yuran sensed Mo Xuetong's footstep growing more hesitant. He turned around with a smile, looking as if he was not going to ask for repayment for his kindness.
This person! Could he be any more shameless! Mo Xuetong gritted her teeth secretly. Her eyes flashed and she answered, "King Xuan, you are wise. I am indeed ill and have yet to recover. My body is weak..."
"Mo Xuetong, don't try to trick me with that. I will be very displeased." Feng Yuran's lips lifted. Even though he was smiling, his tone was cold. Mo Xuetong was forced to shut up. "Say what you truly mean. If you have nothing to say, then don't speak nonsense!"
This person was really weird. He was still smiling earlier but had grown angry in a flash. Even though Mo Xuetong was prepared, she still could not help but feel that King Xuan was too difficult to deal with! No one could hide anything from him. She looked as he swept his gaze upon the faces of the other noble ladies and his eyes grew cold and dark. Mo Xuetong knew that he already knew and was waiting for her to say something!
Could he be less sensitive? Mo Xuetong gritted her teeth. Anyway, since he had seen through her, then she might as well be more direct. They had gone against each other several times anyway. It was useless for her to pretend to be gentle and weak in front of him. She looked up and bit her lips, saying unhappily, "King Xuan, do you really not know?"
"So what if I really know or don't know?" Feng Yuran smiled with satisfaction when he saw her finally taking off her mask and revealing her kitten claws. His expression returned to one of laziness as he looked at her. He could not help but smile.
He was pleased with himself for making her angry!
"If you truly don't know, then I will ask you here if you can let me go. Otherwise, I will become the public enemy of all the ladies in this forest. I have only just arrived in the capital and there are many people I do not dare to offend. What if I offend someone I cannot afford to? It'd be too late to regret it then. If you truly do not know..." Mo Xuetong trailed off, turning around and pouting. She huffed lightly, certain that he knew.
She did not think that Feng Yuran was an arrogant and impolite man. He had taken one look and immediately understood what she meant. He was arrogant and yet sensitive. Beneath his charming smile, nobody could hide anything from him. How could a person like him only be wild and flirtatious?
Feng Yuran's mood was extremely good when he saw how Mo Xuetong looked at him helplessly and in an aggrieved manner. He gestured to her with satisfaction, asking her to approach him. Mo Xuetong approached hesitantly. He suddenly looped his arm around her slender waist. Before she could yell out in surprise, she heard Feng Yuran's lazy voice by her ear. "Aren't you afraid that people will find us if you shout? I don't mind."
Mo Xuetong sensed herself leaving the ground and bit her lips nervously. She scolded him in her heart. He did not mind. Of course he did not mind. She was suspended in the air but bit down on her surprised scream. She hugged Feng Yuran subconsciously and did not dare to yell out loud. Her slender body pressed tightly against his wide chest, her mind completely blank.
"Oh, you can't bear to let go? Men and women should keep a distance. Have you forgotten, Mo Xuetong?" A light and gentle laughter sounded by her ears. Mo Xuetong's hand shook and immediately released him. She backed away hurriedly and almost fell. Someone caught her arm and steadied her. She realized that they were at another pavilion. Feng Yuran was right in front of her, a vague smile on his handsome face as he looked at her teasingly.
He held her with his strong arms, looking at her with a smile and something she did not understand.
When he saw that she was still looking at him dazedly and unable to react, Feng Yuran released her arm and reached out to touch her dark hair. It was just a move but it shocked them both. Mo Xuetong backed away and hit the pillar. Feng Yuran also turned around and clenched his fist somewhat unnaturally and coughed.
"You..."
"You..." The atmosphere was awkward as the two spoke at the same time. Then, they both stopped. Mo Xuetong felt even more awkward then and she turned to another side. She realized that they were above the plum blossom forest. She looked around and grew confused.
"This is a pavilion in King Jin's old manor. I thought the scenery here was good and came to admire the blossoms especially. If you had not come and spoilt my mood, I would still have been here." Feng Yuran's lazy voice sounded beside her. When she turned around, Feng Yuran was lying on the couch lazily. He looked comfortable and seemed to be in a good mood.
He could admire his blossoms while she admired hers. How had she ruined his mood? Then why didn't all those people down there ruin his mood and why didn't he ask them to recompensate him! Mo Xuetong could only scold him secretly.
"Sit down!" Feng Yuran pointed at a stone stool by the railings. When he saw how Mo Xuetong was clearly angry but was forcing herself to calm down, Feng Yuran finally felt as if he had gotten his revenge. He could not help but turn his sights to the forest. The horse carriage had already disappeared. It seemed that she had no way to get home later!
"King Xuan, have I offended you?" Mo Xuetong was truly accepting of her fate now. She sat down on the stone stool and glared at Feng Yuran with clear eyes and furrowed brows.
"Of course." Feng Yuran laid there comfortably as he answered her.
"I wonder what I have done to offend the noble King Xuan, please tell me." Mo Xuetong bit her lips.
"You bit me!" Feng Yuran said to Mo Xuetong with a scolding look in his eyes.
Mo Xuetong was shocked and then she covered her lips in shock and could not say anything for that moment.
She had once bitten someone in her mother's bedroom back in Cloud City. It was a man dressed in black. It was Feng Yuran!
"That was me. So how was it? You had bitten me and warned me not to offend you. How could you forget in such a short period of time!" Feng Yuran said in a pleased manner. He did not know why he revealed the matter. He just wanted to scare the kitten.
"..." Mo Xuetong was speechless and held up her forehead with her hands. So much time had passed but the honorable King Xuan still remembered a small matter like that. He was... too petty! Furthermore, he was King Xuan, but he did not attend to official matters but instead dressed up like that and went into her mother's room and even held her hostage. It did not seem like something a prince would do!
Of course, Mo Xuetong would not ask about it in detail! She was certain that she did not dare!
"King Xuan, I..."
"I did you a favor in spite of this and saved you. Right?" Feng Yuran interrupted her and continued scolding her. He was going to hold her to her mistakes and also pull out all those debts that she owed him. Was he going to make her responsible for it and make her repay his kindness? Who was he, and who was she. King Xuan, who was famous throughout the capital seemed more like a child asking for candy right now.
"Yes!" Mo Xuetong had to admit to helplessly that she could not keep up with King Xuan's thoughts. She could only watch him silently and wait for him to say something.
"Is there anyone else who has been so kind to you?" Feng Yuran's eyes flashed and he suddenly changed the topic. The wide difference in topics startled Mo Xuetong.
This was considered to be "so so kind". Alright, even if he had once helped her "a little", he can't keep bringing it up! Of course, Mo Xuetong only dared to think that and did not dare to show her thoughts on her face at all. Since he wanted her to be grateful, then she felt that she had better do what he wanted. She did not want to make the prince unhappy.
"There's no one else who has been as kind to me as Your Highness. I will always remember the great kindness that you have shown me and will not forget it for the rest of my life." Mo Xuetong emphasized on "rest of my life". It sounded more as if she was gritting her teeth. That's right, didn't people say that one should not ask for returns for their act of kindness? Even if that was not true, shouldn't he at least imply that it was not necessary? Was there anyone like him who would force people to repay one's kindness so persistently.