Chapter 178

The next morning, when Su Mo got up, Xuan Qing had already packed his things.

He hadn't brought much when he arrived, so there was nothing much to take when he left.

Su Mo stood before him, took the bag that Fei Yan had prepared in advance for him and handed it over, explaining, "One packet is the miss's medicine, and another is prepared for you."

Xuan Qing took the items, casually grabbed her hand and slipped something into it, saying, "I don't like owing anyone; that's settled."

Su Mo lowered her head to look at the object in his palm, but before she could see it clearly, his warm palm pressed against hers, pulling her fingers together with an irresistible force.

She was momentarily stunned.

Xuan Qing withdrew his hand, his eyes as calm as water looking at her, and said warmly, "Take care."

"Safe travels."

Only after his figure vanished completely from sight did Su Mo spread her palm, looking at the small, blood‑red crystal.

Mo Xiao and a few others nearby all looked at it simultaneously; the red crystal glowed with a scarlet sheen in the sunlight, dazzlingly brilliant.

The Tiger Beastmen's blood‑nourished crystal, it is said, stores a portion of the bearer's life force and combat power, and can turn danger into safety in a crisis.

Fei Yan furrowed his brows slightly; such an important item, and he just handed it out casually after saying, "I don't like owing anyone; that's settled"?

Some people's gentleness is always so silent; the Third Young Master's unspoken concerns are all hidden within this crystal.

Although she has always disliked Xuan Qing as a rival, now that he's truly gone, she feels oddly unadjusted.

Fei Yan hesitated, wondering whether to explain the crystal's purpose to Su Mo.

But he saw her clutch the crystal tightly and turn to walk back.

He watched her retreat and thought, Wife Master is so clever; perhaps she already guessed.

……

By the stove, Su Mo took a sip of water.

In a terribly dejected tone, Xiao Jiu said, "Host… I've already started missing him~ Are you truly not regretting, without any remorse?"

Su Mo replied silently, "I only make the right decision for the moment; there is no need to regret."

As for regret, everyone will have some in this life. What matters more is not dwelling on the past and not fearing the future.

Xiao Jiu pursed his lips, looking at the vacant Beast Husband slot in System Space, feeling a bit disappointed.

Just after Su Mo finished breakfast, she saw Huang Ming approaching with a book.

In recent days he has come almost daily, and each question drags on for ages; Su Mo admires his thirst for knowledge, but his relentless probing can be overwhelming…

And today, Huang Ming was followed by the little werewolf Feiyun.

Feiyun's eyes lit up uncontrollably the moment he saw Su Mo; his thoughts were written all over his face.

Yue Ying's face darkened as soon as he saw the little werewolf; they've been adults for so long, yet still not looking for a female master—what is he after?!

No way, tomorrow he'll go to the Fox Clan to find a match for that little wolf.

Ye Yuan and Cang Lan also have no good mood; who can keep a pleasant face when they see a rival? Now they don't even want to maintain any dignified composure.

Mo Xiao and Fei Yan were still relatively normal, but watching Huang Ming the Shaman Doctor babble nonstop gave them a real headache.

The most upset was Ye Yuan, who had planned to take Wife Master back to the underground palace today for some couple time; now an uninvited guest has arrived at home, and how can Wife Master get away?

So annoying!

I really want to take Wife Master and run away!

Wah wah wah, I want to cry!

But Wife Master doesn't like him shedding tears, so he'll hold them back…

Su Mo talked with Huang Ming for a while, and then Feiyun asked a few questions as well.

Feiyun said in one breath, "Miss Su, thank you."

"Miss Su, you really know so much!"

"You're amazing!"

Just missing the line, "I really like you!"

Ye Yuan and Cang Lan crouched in the corner, watching Feiyun beam at their Wife Master, gritting their teeth in anger.

Ye Yuan, while sniffling, whispered, "That's the third time! Wife Master has looked at that little werewolf three times…"

"Fourth time."

"Whew… fifth time!"

Cang Lan looked at him wordlessly; a true man shouldn't just start crying.

So annoying, soon Wife Master will have them pick up pearls again!

Cang Lan looked at the scattered round pearls, then casually picked up one from the ground, hurried over to Su Mo, and quietly slipped the pearl into her palm.

Su Mo pinched the tiny pearl between her fingertips, and instinctively turned her head toward the nearby spot where Ye Yuan sat, silently shedding pearls.

The Little Mermaid's tears stopped abruptly, then she sniffed and forced a grin uglier than crying, winking watery eyes at her.

Su Mo inexplicably felt like laughing.

【I was just saying a few words to someone; as for this jealousy, it's both heartbreaking and funny…】

Ye Yuan pursed his lips, looking at her with a pitiful expression, about to shed tears again.

Su Mo shot a killing glance at him; he could only choke back the tears again, his watery light‑blue pupils wide open, looking at her pitifully.

That pitiful look instantly melted Su Mo's heart.

【Fine, let's stop talking and go comfort my Little Mermaid~】

Su Mo brushed the person in front of her away with a few words.

Yue Ying, standing in the corner, exhaled in relief; it seems Ye Yuan's little fish tears were actually effective!

With the rival gone, the air feels fresh!

Silly Leopard is now quite resourceful; he picked up a pearl and secured Wife Master! Looks like he used to underestimate things too much!!!

Su Mo walked toward Ye Yuan, seeing his reddened eyes, she reached down and picked up a small pearl from the ground.

Helplessly she said: "Stop crying, if you keep crying our storeroom won't be able to hold it all~ All day you eat jealousy, I might as well soak you all in a vinegar vat!"

【This tearful trait is completely inherited; if we gave birth to a few little mermaids, wouldn't this household turn into an ocean of pearls???】

Ye Yuan sniffled: "I didn't, I didn't eat vinegar......"

Su Mo chuckled, pointing at the scattered pearls on the ground, she asked: "Then explain yourself?"

Ye Yuan looked at her aggrievedly: "I, I just don't like the wife master looking at that little werewolf; today the wife master has looked at me fewer times than at him......"

As he spoke, his tears streamed down, and more pearls were about to fall.

Su Mo quickly shoved a candy into his mouth, helplessly laughing as she coaxed: "Be good, stop crying, if you keep crying your abs will get smaller~"

Ye Yuan pouted, instantly wanting to cry more, but he still took a deep breath and held it back.

Abs are the wife master's favorite, they must not get smaller……

Su Mo looked at his adorable appearance, her mood extremely pleased.

Idly teasing the little mermaid is really fun!

Ye Yuan saw her smiling eyes, his heart suddenly fluttered, he blinked and said: "Wife master, I want to kiss."

The other day when it was his turn, she said she was tired and also told him to be a considerate beast husband for the wife master.

He thought the wife master made sense, so he held it in all night, then at dawn he soaked in the pool for a morning…… thinking he would serve her well next time.

But tonight still hasn't come to him…… and yet it's not him!

Really can't bear it any longer!

Su Mo hadn't even reacted when he reached out and grabbed her, trapping her in a secluded corner aside.

Shortly after, Ye Yuan's sweet-scented kiss fell upon her.

Cang Lan narrowed his eyes and walked over, directly flicking a small pearl onto the little fish's head.

The wife master is his tonight!

Don't even think about interfering with his group!

In the instant Ye Yuan felt pain, Su Mo blushed and ran away.

Ye Yuan's current attribute also leaves her guessing—one second he's obedient like something, the next he pounces like a wolf and tiger…… truly hard to defend against.

A kiss makes it seem like he wants to devour her, really overwhelming……

Su Mo stumbled into a sturdy embrace, then felt a scorching palm press against her waist.

As she lifted her gaze, she met Cang Lan's blazing eyes.

The dark glint in his eyes was clearly visible, he blushed and said: "Wife master, tonight is mine, shall we go back to the room now?"

Su Mo suddenly widened her eyes, are these guys all crazy!?

【What a joke, if I go in with him now I won't be able to leave all day! How are they being even more excessive than right after we got married!!!】

……

Su Mo later coaxed Cang Lan into going up the mountain to dig wild vegetables; this leopard may usually look silly, but at times…… he has plenty of strength and tactics.

So we still need to release his energy beforehand!

"Cang Lan, I want that flower~"

"Help me dig up that medicinal herb!"

"The one on the mountaintop too!"

Su Mo gave a series of commands, and Cang Lan circled the hilltop over and over.

When he brought those things to Su Mo's side, drenched in sweat, Su Mo felt it was about enough, so she brought everyone back.

Passing a hot spring on the way down, before Su Mo could react, the person beside her jumped in with a splash.

Right after, his clothes were all thrown to her feet.

Su Mo simply washed the wild fruit and sat nearby, openly enjoying the view.

【Our little leopard's physique is truly superb!】

【Tsk! I love his abs the most!!!】

【Should I get him a swimsuit…… Ah! This is such an important matter, how could I have forgotten, what a great opportunity……】

Before Su Mo could finish thinking, she felt a flash of light before her eyes, and when she came to, she was already in the hot spring pool.

She instinctively clung to the person in front of her.

Cang Lan steadily supported her.

Su Mo lowered her gaze and met his eyes, which were like a volcanic eruption; his Adam's apple moved, emotions surged in his depths, and his hoarse voice said: "Let's soak together."

……

Su Mo was pressed against the edge by him, the kiss leaving her unaware of heaven and earth.

In the spring water, she involuntarily followed his rises and falls, her heartbeat thunderous.

Perhaps because the setting is different today, she feels a bit nervous, but he is especially enthusiastic.

His fervor leaves her somewhat unable to cope.

In his relentless assault, she softly begged for mercy.

From her ears came Cang Lan's intermittent, repressed-panting complaint: "The wife master always says she's tired, but I've never actually made you tired……"

"……"

Su Mo, exhausted, thought: This is simply…… inverting black and white!

Is this something one person can do？！

Cang Lan simply doesn't give her a chance to dodge; it's rare that those few aren't around today, so he will definitely indulge himself no matter what!

The wife master has no idea just how much he likes her!

So today he just wants her to know his true feelings toward her.

Su Mo softly coaxed him several times, but it had no effect.

In the hazy white light of her fading consciousness, she vaguely heard his hoarse whisper: "Wife Master, I want you to have everything of mine…"

Later, Su Mo didn't even know how long he had entangled her; she only knew that by the time it ended, the clothes on the shore were already dry.

She had no strength to walk at all; he carried her all the way back, and she fell asleep leaning dazedly in his arms.

Cang Lan sent Su Mo back to her room; upon going downstairs, he saw Ye Yuan and Yue Ying looking at him with resentful eyes.

The silly leopard's methods are becoming increasingly formidable.

He left in the morning and didn't return until evening?!

Seeing all the trouble caused for the Wife Master…

Yue Ying was calculating the days in his mind; he still needed two days before he could reach him.

These days are really hard to endure!

Mo Xiao walked over, looked at Cang Lan, and said: "Let's go eat; I'll come up to check in a moment."

Cang Lan nodded and turned to leave.

Ye Yuan was about to follow when a voice came from the courtyard.

It was A Nuan and her Beast Husband who had come over.

A Nuan looked at Mo Xiao and said: "I'm looking for Su Mo."

"The Wife Master is tired today and has already rested; if you have anything to say, telling me is the same."

A Nuan was surprised for a moment, then smiled and said: "That's fine; I just came to settle the shop's recent money with her."

Mo Xiao greeted everyone to sit, and soon Fei Yan brought out tea from the kitchen.

A Nuan is extremely meticulous; her daily summaries up to the monthly ones are written very clearly, making them clear at a glance.

According to convention, today is also the day to settle her wages.

Mo Xiao then settled her wages according to the previous rate, and also gave her an extra portion.

"During the time the Wife Master was away from the North Wing, Miss A Nuan handled all the shop's affairs; this little token is nothing, please be sure to accept it."

A Nuan smiled and nodded, accepting it.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Mo Xiao, she then left with her Beast Husband.

In the courtyard, Ye Yuan frowned and said: "Her aura is somewhat different from before."

Yue Ying raised his eyebrows and said: "She's pregnant."

Ye Yuan startled, no wonder just now A Nuan's Beast Husband was more careful and attentive than before.

If his Wife Master…

Forget it; the Wife Master doesn't like having offspring, and they always take medicine, so the Wife Master won't get pregnant.

Speaking of which, the medicine they take is prepared by Xuan Qing.

I don't know what's going on; they had especially hoped the Third Young Master would leave, but now that he's suddenly gone, they feel somewhat unaccustomed.

Day after day passed in a cycle.

The days suddenly became calm and tranquil, stable as if nothing had ever happened.

From the Tiger Clan side, they send things over every few days; sometimes it's fresh trinkets girls like, most of the time it's rare medicinal herbs.

The ones delivering the goods are sometimes Bai Chi, sometimes Tian Huan.

Today it was Bai Chi who came over.

He stood in the courtyard for a long time without seeing Su Mo, and couldn't help asking: "Miss Su, are you not here today?"

Mo Xiao said calmly: "She went to find her mother with Fei Yan today; if you have anything, I can relay it."

Bai Chi gave an embarrassed laugh: "It's nothing, I just haven't seen her in a while and wanted to meet her."

Mo Xiao chuckled lightly, and didn't expose him.

If he's not mistaken, Bai Chi came six days ago, and General Tian Huan came three days ago.

With them coming every two or three days, is that considered 'not seen for a long time'?

Maybe they're afraid they won't see anyone, and it would be awkward to report back.

Mo Xiao slightly raised his eyebrows and said: "If General Bai Chi has no urgent matters, he can stay for dinner; the Wife Master will definitely return tonight."

"Oh! Then that would be troublesome!"

At this moment, Su Mo and Fei Yan were outside the small hill where Fu Ying lived.

They had prepared some food together, and were now sitting under the outdoor pavilion eating and chatting.

After sending Fei Yan away, Fu Ying asked: "Do we have any leads on how to break the contract?"

Su Mo shook her head: "Let's take it one step at a time."

Fu Ying nodded and chuckled: "Recently, Jiang Wu's side has been unusually stable; I feel these days are like stolen time."

She was severely injured last time; I suppose she's been adjusting her body. It should be soon—someone like her can't wait too long. Last time she suffered a big loss at my place; I'm afraid even in her midnight dreams she'd hate not being able to take revenge immediately.

After saying that, Su Mo lowered her head to glance at the totem on her wrist.

The medicinal herbs recently sent by the Tiger Clan, combined with Fu Ying's method, have proven quite effective, with their potency greatly increased.

Fu Ying reached out and took her hand: "No matter what, I'll be with you."

Su Mo smiled and reached out to pat the back of her hand.

In her mind, Xiao Jiu chimed "ding" and popped out: "Don't forget me!"

In the evening, Fei Yan and Su Mo descended the mountain; the sunset blazed on the horizon, and their two shadows sometimes overlapped, sometimes separated.

Not far along, they saw a figure not far off that was neither completely familiar nor entirely unfamiliar.