Chapter 148: then translation of chapter title

Mo Xiao firmly held the person in his arms.

A flash of cold light passed through his eyes, and he said coldly: "If Third Young Master needs any help, Mo Xiao can take care of it. There's no need to trouble my Wife Master."

His words were more like a declaration of sovereignty.

Xuan Qing, however, gave a light laugh and said in a calm tone: "What business do I have with Su Guniang? It wouldn't be proper to trouble others."

Mo Xiao tightened his grip on Su Mo's arm slightly, restraining his strength, and said lightly: "I am Mo's rightful husband; how could I be considered someone else?"

"Hmm." Xuan Qing went along with the flow: "Then I am Su Guniang's rightful fiancé, naturally not someone else either. It's only natural for her to do something for me. Snake Young Master said, isn't that the principle?"

Su Mo only felt that the person holding her had a lower aura, which was not a good thing.

She instinctively clenched Mo Xiao's collar.

【This Xuan Qing is truly my nemesis! Does he really have to deliberately anger Mo Xiao like that? Look at how that snake is going crazy over Miss—what good does it do him? This is outright retaliation from Chi Guoguo! Scholars are really petty!!!!】

Xiao Jiu silently ate melon seeds: "Tsk tsk tsk! If Third Young Master doesn't speak, fine; but once he opens his mouth, he's infuriating to death, what a sharp tongue! I just love watching this kind of show!"

Mo Xiao's expression flickered, a dark gleam surfaced in his eyes, and the nameless fire in his chest flared even more.

This Third Young Master appeared calm and indifferent, as if he didn't care at all for the Wife Master. But just now he clearly saw that when Xuan Qing lowered his gaze, dark currents churned in the depths of his eyes, and within that restraint lay a tolerance he himself hadn't even noticed.

Only toward someone one likes does such tolerance arise, especially for someone as aloof and self-possessed as Xuan Qing.

If there were no stirring of the heart, how could he allow others to act wantonly toward him?

He himself knew better than anyone how he had gradually, for the person in his arms, crossed his own limits.

Mo Xiao said in a cold voice: "Third Young Master's mouth is even more eloquent than a storyteller's. Too bad status isn't something you can win just with words. Your situation with the Wife Master is merely forced by circumstance. Soon the Wife Master will restore your freedom."

Having said that, he turned and strode away while holding the person.

Su Mo nestled in his arms, speechless in thought.

【Stinky Snake, why bother matching wits word for word with that scholar? I… I haven't done anything, so what is he angry about?】

Mo Xiao glanced at the person in his arms and let out a light snort.

She hasn't done anything yet?

If he hadn't arrived in time, she would have been tearing off someone's clothes—how is that "not doing anything"?!

Mo Xiao directly carried the person to his own bedroom, then said to Fei Yan who came out of the kitchen: "The Wife Master needs to apply medicine for me; you all eat first."

Su Mo lifted her head to glance at him and muttered softly: "I… I want to eat first…"

【What a joke, with him like this I dare not be alone with him in a room!】

Mo Xiao glanced at her, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Apply the medicine first, then eat."

Su Mo wanted to jump out of his arms, but she had no chance at all.

Mo Xiao held the person and flashed into the room, quickly shutting the door.

Outside, Fei Yan glanced sideways at Xuan Qing not far away.

Xuan Qing remained as cool and composed as ever, his expression tranquil without a ripple.

In the room.

After Mo Xiao set the person down, he immediately began to take off his clothes.

Seeing his posture, Su Mo panicked, turned, and tried to open the door to flee.

The person behind her instantly appeared before her, firmly pressing against the door.

She raised her hand to point at him, eyes wide, threatening: "If you use force on me, I—I will… expel you from the family register!"

"How?" Mo Xiao dangerously approached her, his deep eyes fixed on her, his long fingers slowly rubbing her soft, tender lips: "Divorce me?"

"No, no!"

Su Mo's mind sparked; she reached out and embraced the person before her, her whole body softly leaning in, and she whispered: "Xiao Xiao~ forced love isn't fun at all; let's not play that, okay?"

Mo Xiao watched the person rubbing against him incessantly in his arms; even his great anger had mostly dissipated.

He let out a helpless sigh and gently embraced the person before him.

"I didn't say I was going to do anything; why are you panicking, Wife Master?"

Su Mo blinked at him: "I'm hungry! I want to eat!"

"How come you have time to apply medicine for others but not for me? Can't you spend a moment alone with me?" Mo Xiao grabbed her wrist, looking at her with a hint of grievance.

Su Mo narrowed her eyes and smiled: "All right, then turn around."

"How? Face to face, would the Wife Master feel guilty?"

"... What do I have to feel guilty about!" Su Mo scooped a dab of ointment and smeared it haphazardly on him.

【What the heck is this weird yin-yang attitude?! Did I marry an ancestor back home?!】

【Just say I can't pick him as the Right Husband, and you already know to be fierce toward me! What a load of bull! If you dare be fierce at me again, I'll immediately…】

Mo Xiao's chest rose and fell unevenly; the fire that had just subsided flared up again at a touch.

He seized her wrist in one grip and lowered his head to kiss her.

He nearly forcefully and domineeringly seized every bit of air from her lips and teeth.

"Mo..."

The moment she opened her mouth, she gave him an opening.

He caught her tongue as she tried to dodge…

After a while, Mo Xiao released her.

Su Mo was held captive in his arms, panting rapidly.

Before she could react, he said, voice thick with desire and dissatisfaction: "Mo'er, don't you understand yet? I'm jealous of the Third Young Master."

He wanted to say it clearly, so she could face his emotions directly.

Su Mo leaned against his chest, frowning: "Why are you also learning from that fox? Always eating jealousy for no reason?"

【What's there to like about Xuan Qing's jealousy? I don't like him, and he doesn't like me either! It's as unrelated as can be~】

I'm not learning from Yue Ying; this is my nature. I like you, so even if you glance at him a little more, I become jealous to the point of madness.

But… if Mo truly likes him, I can also restrain my emotions and tolerate his presence. Jealousy is my instinct, yet letting you like whom you want is the rule I, as your Beast Husband, should follow.

Su Mo shook her head: "No, I don't like him; I'm just… scaring him! Once we break the engagement, I'll send him away!"

Really? His rank is above me, Wife Master, are you willing to let him go?

Although Mo Xiao doesn't want to admit it, Xuan Qing's excellence is obvious.

Not only is his combat power high, he is also a formidable rival.

If Xuan Qing has intentions, today's matter will become ordinary. If the Wife Master truly doesn't like him, Mo Xiao naturally still hopes he leaves as soon as possible.

Su Mo patiently soothed the person before her: "I like you, not because of your rank, so naturally I wouldn't like him just because his rank is higher~"

A dark glint flashed in Mo Xiao's eyes as he lowly asked: "Mo, when do you plan to send him back to the Tiger Clan?"

Su Mo thought: "As I said before, once his suspicion is cleared, we'll break the engagement and send him away."

Hmm.

Xiao Jiu silently ate melon and screamed: "This Stinky Snake, how shameless! He actually adopted a roundabout tactic, tricking the host into sending away his rival!"

All these schemers, seriously?!

Xiao Jiu couldn't take it anymore, jumping and shouting: "Host, tell him the Right Husband should be magnanimous! Being this petty, how can he be a Right Husband! Better to have him yield his position to Xuan Qing."

Su Mo: "Shut up, you trouble-maker, do you want to see my backyard catch fire?!"

Xiao Jiu: "Don't be fooled, he's not a good snake! He's a scheming snake!!!"

Su Mo narrowed her eyes: "Nonsense, he's my obedient snake~ just a bit jealous~"

Xiao Jiu speechlessly looked to the sky: "Done, done! You're going to be coaxed into a love-brain!"

Su Mo wore an indifferent expression: "I don't care; whoever puts thought into me is a good snake~"

Mo Xiao held her tighter, a deep, obscure light flashing in his eyes.

Then he coaxed Su Mo, kissing her for a while, using both soft and hard methods to torment her a bit before reluctantly letting go.

It had been some days since the wedding, Mo Xiao's desire hard to hide; if not for her being tormented too severely by Yue Ying yesterday, he would not let her leave at this moment no matter what.

He actually regrets a bit; he had seized the title of Right Husband at all costs, and if not for that identity, last night he would surely have abducted her back to his room to cherish her properly.

But having become the Right Husband, he must remind himself to restrain his behavior.

Xiao Jiu was completely speechless.

That snake's scheming is practically written on his face, yet the host chooses to turn a blind eye?!

Truly exasperating, the Third Young Master's icy-cold nature, plus facing these several rivals, when will he ever achieve his goal?

If they don't achieve their goal, how will his performance fare… This really is a matter of life and death!

Jin Tong on the mountain had originally been speaking with Lin Shan in the study, but suddenly he darted out like a gust of wind and then immersed himself in the icy spring.

Lin Shan followed over and saw a mysterious red mark appear on their master's neck…… then it trailed down, arm, chest……

This scene is rather shocking and absurd.

Jin Tong's temples throbbed, his desire to kill Su Mo firmed up even more!

Fortunately, that strange feeling abruptly ceased after a moment.

He took a deep breath and leapt up from the icy spring.

Lin Shan, unafraid of death, said: "You're ending this so quickly this time?"

Jin Tong's cold glare swept over him, he asked icily: "Courting death, who exactly are you doubting?!"

Lin Shan suddenly realized, flustered, he explained: "Master… I wasn't talking about you! I didn't mean to doubt your strength!"

But after saying that, he felt a bit like he was trying to hide something obvious…

……

At dinner, Su Mo said she would go to town tomorrow.

Seeing those eager eyes, Su Mo directly appointed Fei Yan and Ye Yuan to accompany her.

Yue Ying narrowed his eyes and said: "Perfect, I was planning to go to the Black Market tomorrow anyway; let's go together."

Ye Yuan laughed while picking up an octopus leg for Su Mo: "Wife Master, this is my specialty!"

Su Mo took a bite, then nodded: "Delicious!"

"Wife Master, eat more!" Ye Yuan heaped several octopus legs into her bowl.

Su Mo looked at the contents of her bowl: "……"

【Ye Yuan this little fish is still too naive; just because it's tasty doesn't mean you should only eat this…】

Ye Yuan startled, quickly and silently took back the several octopus legs from Su Mo's bowl.

Su Mo smiled, eyes narrowed, looking at him.

【What a thoughtful little fish~ My Ye Yuan is the most obedient!】

In an instant, several gazes shot over, sharp with envy.

Ye Yuan, meanwhile, was overjoyed, his excited gaze fixed on Su Mo.

The Wife Master praised him!

He knew he still held a special place in the Wife Master's heart.

Xuan Qing ate his meal calmly throughout, his icy demeanor making him seem out of place with the current atmosphere.

Fei Yan secretly observed him several times; frankly, to this day he still isn't sure whether this Third Young Master can also hear the Wife Master's inner voice.

This is truly an unfathomable opponent; just now Mo Xiao, in the room, was indirectly coaxing the Wife Master to send him away—certainly not gentlemanly—but for a rival like Xuan Qing, he also agrees to send him away as soon as possible.

At present, these few in the household are already enough for them to fight over until bloody; who would want another rival?

Having been praised, Ye Yuan was now brimming with affection, his starry eyes fixed on Su Mo.

Beside, Yue Ying really couldn't bear to watch, they kept exchanging glances,

He quietly gave Su Mo a chopstick of vegetables, speaking in a weird yin-yang tone: "Seafood may be good, but it's not as good as mountain delicacies; why not try my fresh, juicy rabbit meat?"

Su Mo took a bite, then narrowed her eyes and said: "Your rabbit meat cooking skill—you've truly learned my authentic teaching!"

Yue Ying smirked thick‑skinned: "You flatter me~"

Having said that, he again gave Su Mo a piece of rabbit meat.

Ye Yuan furtively glared at the smug fox, then looked at Su Mo with a wronged expression.

Su Mo lifted her gaze and saw him looking at her with teary eyes, as if little pearls were forming in his eyes.

【Really a little crybaby… don't… now I'm eating, I…… don't have time to pick up little pearls~】

She hurriedly gave Ye Yuan a piece of vegetables, feeding it to his lips: "Eat your rice."

Ye Yuan sniffed, lowered his head, and ate his rice heartily.

Su Mo exhaled in relief.

【Pure little mermaid, still easy to coax~ at least much easier to coax than those few!】

Ye Yuan ate his rice with even more vigor!

Yue Ying raised an eyebrow: "What pure little fish—only in the Wife Master lover's eyes does a Xi Shi appear; look at this stinky fish, how pure!"

Knowing that acting weak works before the Wife Master, he keeps doing it. They say the fox has eight hundred Schemer hearts; then this fish must also have six hundred, of which five hundred ninety-nine are used on the Wife Master!

A brief silence fell, only the clink of bowls and chopsticks filling the air.

Xuan Qing finished first, only hearing his calm voice say: "I'm done; I'll go back to the room first, and I'll come wash the dishes later."

Su Mo lifted her gaze, glanced at him, bent her brows and eyes in a nod: "Good."

When she withdrew her gaze, she saw those few all staring at her with resentful faces.

Especially Mo Xiao, his black eyes looked as if they wanted to devour someone.

Su Mo frowned, sweeping her gaze over everyone: "What are you looking at!"

【Absurd, I just greeted someone—do they have to overturn vinegar jars like this?! If they keep going like this, I'll have to take in ten more Beast Husbands just to get by! Let them soak in vinegar vats all day!】

Xiao Jiu shouted excitedly: "Host mighty! Host domineering! They should know that the authority of the head of the household is not to be challenged! As a wife master with beauty and soon to be wealthy, you indeed possess such power!"

Su Mo: "……"

As she lifted her gaze, she saw those few all looking at her with a dangerous gaze.

【They're practically trying to ascend to heaven!】

She widened her eyes, feigning fierceness: "Still, still looking?! You're full, right? If you're full, go wash the dishes!"

Cang Lan set down his bowl and chopsticks, respectfully saying: "I'll go wash the pot."

Yue Ying gritted his teeth: "Marry ten more?"

Can she stomach that?!

Suddenly he felt a pang of regret; he shouldn't have accepted it last night.

After the meal, Su Mo went to find A Nuan and asked about the shop.

A Nuan said the shop's goods were nearly all bought, and business has been good lately.

Upon hearing that Su Mo would bring new products to town tomorrow, she got excited like crazy.

At their parting, A Nuan brought up the Dragon Clan Minor General.

Su Mo then realized that, it seemed since she came down the mountain she hadn't seen that Minor General—but clearly that day on Jin Tong Mountain she had still seen him.

Su Mo frowned and asked: "Has he already returned to the Dragon Clan?"

A Nuan laughed and said: "Exactly, I also heard this morning from the Military Advisor. He and Mo Xiao and a few others rescued you, then hurried back to the Dragon Clan, saying there were matters to attend to in the clan."

'Oh.' Su Mo responded, but a doubt inevitably rose in her heart.

【It makes no sense not even having time to say goodbye—could something have happened?】