Ivy Shen's words stunned the three men outside the door; Liam Willow's face was the first to turn ashen.
Lucian Vane pressed, 'But he's the top scholar—he's so much more elegant than us martial artists.'
'Hahaha, don't tease me. Honestly, what use is being a top scholar? Do you think I want him reciting poetry to me all day? Like I have time for that!' Her tone was thick with sarcasm.
'But...'
Oh, stop with the buts. I grew up on the streets, not in libraries. I don't get poetry, I get fighting and scheming. His poems go right over my head. And honestly, having a bookworm for a husband is just boring.' Ivy strode to the window and raised her voice: 'He's just a clueless nerd—doesn't understand a thing, like an idiot. And he never gets jealous, always acting like some saint. He can't fight, always dragging us down. I really don't want to bring him to the martial tournament. If he gets captured, should I save him or not? Either way, it's trouble. And he keeps calling me "wife"—it's so annoying.' She slumped onto a stool, rubbing her temples.
'Liam...' Liam Willow's legs buckled, and Caleb Miles hurried to steady him.
'Are you alright, Fourth?' Butterfly Rogue rushed to support him, worry etched on his face.
'I'm... I'm fine.' Liam Willow forced out the words, but his body was suddenly ice-cold.
'What about Butterfly Rogue?' Ivy's voice sounded again from inside. Butterfly Rogue perked up his ears to listen.
He's no better—other than light-footwork, his martial skills are terrible. Last time he tried to steal that jade, he got beaten black and blue. I'm a princess, I can't keep useless people around me. And he used to be a notorious flower-thief! If people found out, wouldn't they laugh at me?
'But he says he’s given up being a flower-thief.'
Given up? Ever heard the saying, a dog can’t change its ways? Who knows how many women he’s been with? That’s why I’ve never agreed to him—I worry he might have caught something and could infect me. No thanks. A flower-thief is always a flower-thief, even if he changes jobs.' Ivy's voice was sharp and full of sarcasm.
Her words finally cracked Butterfly Rogue’s usual playful mask; he realized she had always cared about his past.
Caleb Miles’s martial arts are pretty strong, though I don’t like him much. Still, he’s good.' Lucian Vane glanced worriedly at the door, sensing the pain of those outside. If it were him, he’d be heartbroken too.
Seeing this, Ivy looked worriedly out the window but steeled herself: 'So what if his martial arts are good? Don’t you know he’s Silver Consort’s nephew? For all I know, he could be her spy. And now that Silver Consort is here, I have to be careful. Think about it—who would go against their own aunt for a woman? Caleb’s background is suspicious. For all I know, he could be Song Zhijue’s mole. Lucian, besides you and Adrian Night, I don’t trust anyone.'
Don’t worry, Ivy. We’ll love you well. As for those useless or suspicious men, you don’t need to care about them—their life or death has nothing to do with you.' Lucian Vane played along, pulling her into his arms.
The three men outside could clearly see the two embracing inside.
Ugh, having them here is so annoying. I’m worried they’ll get into trouble and drag us down. Especially Caleb—what if he tells Silver Consort? Lucian, I’m so fed up. Why can’t they all just disappear? If they did, I wouldn’t feel so guilty.' Ivy’s words dripped with impatience and even disgust.
Enough, enough. Don’t worry about those irrelevant people,' Lucian Vane soothed.
Hearing this, the three men outside exchanged glances and silently walked away.
'I’m fine, really.' Liam Willow glanced back with a strained smile, then stumbled off toward his room.
After Liam left, Butterfly Rogue let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.
'Butterfly Rogue...'
Butterfly Rogue acted as if he didn’t hear Caleb Miles calling, instead gazing up at the sky with a wry smile. 'Sure, I was a flower-thief, but who could have guessed I’d meet her? If I’d known, I’d never have become one. After I met her, I gave it all up. But I guess she still minds...'
He can’t change his past, so now he works hard to make himself better. He knows he’s not good enough for her, so he keeps trying to improve, to be worthy. But no matter how hard he tries, she still marks him with that label he can’t shake off...
'What do you plan to do?' Caleb Miles asked, seeing Butterfly Rogue’s rare serious expression.
'Plan? What can I do? I’m diseased, right? I’m contagious, right?' He gave a bitter smile, blinking back tears.
'If I’m such a burden to her, I can only leave!' He always thought she was different, that she wouldn’t care about his past, but it turns out he was only fooling himself.
'Are you really willing to give up?' Caleb Miles couldn’t believe Butterfly Rogue would quit so easily.
'As long as it makes her happy, I’ll do anything.' With that, he leapt lightly and vanished into the night. No one knew where he’d go next.
With a spin, Butterfly Rogue landed gently just outside the little courtyard, gazing at the house with a heavy heart.
When Butterfly Rogue sets his heart on a woman, he’ll never give up—even if she never accepts him. From the moment he chose her, he’s kept telling himself so. Now that he’s made her hate him, he’ll just leave her sight, so she won’t see him. But no one can stop him from watching over her from afar, even if he can never get close...
With both of them gone, Caleb Miles sighed and sat on a stone bench. Does his identity really matter so much?
Don’t they know he’s never agreed with anything Silver Consort has done?
Ivy Shen, why is it that when I finally opened my heart, you just scorned and distrusted me? Am I really that hard to trust?
Moonlight spilled across the sky; tonight’s moon was rounder than yesterday’s. The Mid-Autumn Festival was near, but he’d probably never admire the moon with the woman he loved again. If she feared he’d bring her danger, all he could do was leave, so she’d feel safer, right?
He longed to tell her—when he chose to protect her, she became the most important person in his life, someone he’d give his life for. Ivy, what can I do to make you believe I’m sincere?
Right now, the little courtyard was steeped in sadness, but the Yue Lai Inn was bustling as ever.
'Master.' A man of about thirty bowed outside the top-grade room.
'Come in,' Silver Consort called. The man opened the door and entered.
'Mo Hei reporting to Master.' The man bowed again.
Opposite him stood a woman with her back turned, her long black hair cascading to her waist. She kept touching her hair, clearly pleased with its color.
'How’s the investigation?' Silver Consort asked absentmindedly, stroking her black hair. Absorbing all that inner energy had finally turned her white hair black again.
'Reporting, Master: I’ve learned the main details of Lila Vane’s death and the poisons used. I’m certain it was someone familiar—there were barely any signs of a fight. Only her brother, Lucian Vane, could freely enter Endless Gorge, and she was buried with a proper stone among their parents, so it must have been him. I checked: Lucian has been traveling with a white-robed man, who’s definitely not ordinary. He might be the demonic anomaly lost from the serpent world.'
Silver Consort turned, smiling at last. 'Not bad. Your efficiency keeps improving.'
'It’s all thanks to your guidance, Master,' Mo Hei replied quickly, not angling for praise.
'So, where are they now?'
'Reporting, Master: They’ve arrived at Mount Hua and are staying in a small courtyard. It seems they plan to join the martial tournament. Should I take care of the anomaly now?' Mo Hei asked for instructions.
'No need. If he wants to compete, let’s watch and see. I want to play with him myself—and take his head as a gift...' She didn’t finish, but inwardly added: The crown prince will be overjoyed.
'Understood.'
'Keep a close eye on that anomaly.'
'Understood.' With that, he opened the door and left.
Silver Consort turned to the moon and gave a cold, fierce smile. 'Don’t worry, Zhijue. I swear I’ll bring you this anomaly’s head. No one can stop you from becoming emperor—no one!' She clenched her fists, making her vow.
********* Divider **********
PS: Ivy Shen’s premonition was spot-on—terrifying events are about to unfold, and she won’t be able to control them. Plus, the tense showdown with Silver Consort is coming soon! Please keep supporting the story~~ (By the way, I’m dead tired these last three days, lol~~)