Inside the Eldest Prince’s bedchambers—
“Mother, what’s happened to Eldest Brother?” Mo Li asked, his brow furrowed.
He stared at Mo Huai, who lay silently on the bed with his eyes shut tight, his face pale and completely devoid of life.
At his side, his sister-in-law, Shuting, who had kept vigil for a day and a night, looked utterly exhausted.
“Yesterday, after you left for your marriage alliance with the Wolf Clan, the Black Snake Clan launched a surprise attack.
Your eldest brother was ambushed while protecting his men.
The blow nearly pierced his heart, and he hasn’t woken up since,” Canglan said with concern.
“Shuting, go get some rest.”
“Mother, Mo Huai…” Shuting said, worried.
Canglan nodded, reassuring her.
Then, she took a Xuan Crystal Stone, placed it on Mo Huai’s forehead, and channeled her spiritual power—
The Xuan Crystal Stone’s energy slowly spread throughout Mo Huai’s body, finally concentrating near his heart.
“COUGH, COUGH, COUGH…” Mo Huai suddenly began to cough.
In his slumber, he felt a powerful force snatching him back from the brink of death.
The pain racking his body slowly faded until, finally, he felt as if he were brimming with energy.
Seeing Mo Huai react, hope filled the eyes of all three.
“Water…
water…
COUGH, COUGH.” His throat was so dry he started coughing again.
“Water’s here, water’s here.” Hearing his voice, Shuting, who was nearby, brought him some water with tears in her eyes.
“Huai’er, how are you feeling?
Do you feel any discomfort?” Canglan asked worriedly.
After drinking some water and steadying himself, Mo Huai sat up.
“Mother, I’m fine…
Ah, Third Brother, you’re back.”
He said happily, seeing Mo Li at his side.
“Yes, Eldest Brother,” Mo Li replied.
“Weren’t my injuries very serious yesterday?
How is it that I feel perfectly fine today?
In fact, my whole body…
it feels like it’s full of power.”
He couldn’t believe he had recovered so quickly.
“It’s the Xuan Crystal Stone your third brother’s female brought back.
If not for her, I’m afraid you wouldn’t have woken up so soon,” Canglan said with emotion.
‘It seems the marriage alliance with the Wolf Clan was truly fated.’
“Xuan Crystal Stone?” Mo Huai asked in surprise when he heard the name.
He had heard an elder mention this type of gemstone before.
It was said that not only could it heal illnesses, but it could also enhance a person’s strength.
No wonder he had recovered so quickly.
Mo Huai stared at the Xuan Crystal Stone before him, lost in thought.
“Eldest Brother, I heard from Mother about what happened yesterday.
The Black Snake Clan’s sudden attack must have been premeditated.
We need to be prepared,” Mo Li warned.
“Indeed.
Although we won the battle yesterday after your brother was injured, we must remain on guard.
Your father the king and the others have already sent people to strengthen our defenses, so don’t worry,” Canglan said.
…
“Huai’er, you get some rest.
Shuting, you must be tired from taking care of Huai’er.
Go rest as well, don’t wear yourself out.
I’m going to see how the preparations for the evening banquet are coming along.”
“Yes, Mother,” Mo Huai and Shuting said in unison.
…
At that moment, Shu Ning, who was resting in a side hall, was still replaying the recent scene in her mind.
‘To think that a gemstone that seems so unremarkable to us in the Wolf Clan could have such a powerful function.’
‘It seems the encyclopedia was a little useful after all.’
‘I just wonder if this Xuan Crystal Stone is useful for the Wolf Clan, or for other species…’
“Agh!” Suddenly, Shu Ning smacked herself on the head as if she had just remembered something.
‘How could I have come all the way to the Jiao Clan just for a mere chainsaw?’
‘Once tonight is over, there will only be six days left before the mission fails.’
‘A chainsaw is completely worthless compared to my own life!’
‘Wouldn’t it have been better to stay in the Wolf Clan?
So many Beast Husbands, so many opportunities…’
‘But here, there’s only Mo Li.’
‘He despises me so much, how could he possibly be willing…?’
…
“System, System!
007!” Shu Ning shouted angrily.
After a moment, she still heard no reply from the system.
Not getting a response from the system, Shu Ning grew angrier the more she thought about it.
‘This system really is a scam artist.’
“Heh, you’ve finally figured it out.
You’re not that stupid after all.”
The system’s voice finally appeared.
“It’s just…
too late,” the system said, then vanished again.
“Are you that eager for me to die?!” Shu Ning was about to explode with rage.
‘If I fall for its tricks again, then I’m not Shu Ning!’
‘It seems that to survive on this continent, it’s best not to trust anyone lightly, including the system.’
‘But then again, I was the one who asked for the chainsaw in the first place.
I can only blame myself for not seeing the trick.’
“The banquet has begun.” Mo Li looked at Shu Ning’s displeased expression and asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine.
Let’s go.”
Shu Ning looked at Mo Li, who had appeared out of nowhere.
‘He doesn’t seem genuinely concerned about me,’ she thought, feeling even more troubled.
There were even more Jiao People at the banquet than before.
Most of them had come specifically to see Shu Ning.
They had all heard about Shu Ning bringing the Xuan Crystal Stones.
The combination of a “super ugly” female and the Xuan Crystal Stones—two things that seemed utterly mismatched—had attracted a lot of people.
Shu Ning felt a little nervous as she looked at the room full of handsome men and beautiful women.
“Here she comes, here she comes.” Hearing this, the crowd all turned to look in Shu Ning’s direction.
“Wow, she really is ugly…” the crowd murmured.
“How can the Third Prince stand it?”
“I know, right?
Did you hear?
She brought a pile of Xuan Crystal Stones.”
“I heard her Xuan Crystal Stones even healed the Eldest Prince!”
“Really?”
“It’s absolutely true.
My friend serves by the Eldest Prince’s side.
He saw it with his own eyes.”
…
Although the voices in the crowd weren’t loud, Shu Ning still heard them.
She was used to hearing people belittle her, but ‘what’s this about the Eldest Prince?’
Shu Ning followed behind Mo Li, unable to see his expression.
“Ningning, you’re here.”
Canglan greeted her.
Shu Ning responded with a smile and a nod.
“Allow me to introduce everyone.
This is our Mo Li’s female, which also makes her an honored guest of our Jiao Clan.
If anyone disrespects her, they are disrespecting me,” Canglan said, her tone heavy with emphasis.
She had also heard some of the whispers from the crowd just now.
As soon as she finished speaking, the Jiao People who had been speaking ill of Shu Ning in hushed tones looked embarrassed.
Among them were some females who had secret crushes on Mo Li, and their faces showed even greater mortification.
‘On what grounds?
She’s so ugly…
and the Queen actually approves of her!’
A few of the females who couldn’t stand it had already quietly left their seats.
At the banquet, some were dancing, some were playing music, and some were feasting…
Shu Ning was one of the feasters.
She looked at the fresh food before her—pure, natural, and pollution-free, with succulent-looking meat—and couldn’t help but dig in.
After running around all day, she was so famished her stomach felt like it was caving in.
She was completely oblivious to the gaze from beside her.
Mo Li quietly watched Shu Ning beside him, the corners of his lips turning up slightly in a silent smile.
Canglan watched Mo Li and Shu Ning and nodded in satisfaction.
“Sister-in-law.”
Suddenly, a male voice sounded from above Shu Ning.
She looked up at a male with extraordinary clothes and gray-blue hair.
He bore a slight resemblance to Mo Li, but his features were more mature and steady.
Standing beside him was an intelligent and beautiful female.
“I am Mo Li’s eldest brother, Mo Huai, and this is your sister-in-law, Shuting.
If not for you, I’m afraid I would still be lying in bed right now.
Thank you so much.
It was your Xuan Crystal Stone that healed my injuries.”
“You’re too kind, Eldest Prince.
It was nothing, really.
I’m happy I could help,” Shu Ning replied politely.
“Ningning, this is our Jiao Clan’s pearl powder.
It’s good for beautifying the skin.
I hope you’ll accept it,” Shuting said, opening a white seashell to reveal a fine powder inside.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.
I love it,” Shu Ning said with a smile, accepting the seashell.
She looked at the pearl powder in her hand, overjoyed.
‘With this pearl powder, I can finally do something about this ruined face of mine.’