Chapter 48: Laying Bare the Heart (Part One)

Returning to the room, Shen Qianmo instructed Meng Yuanheng to lie down on the bed. Meng Yuanheng complied obediently, reclining against the headboard as she directed, then pulled Shen Qianmo’s hand so she would sit at the bedside. He wrapped his arms around her waist, just about to draw her into his embrace, when a furry bundle suddenly shot out from her arms and landed on Meng Yuanheng’s shoulder, baring its teeth at him with unmistakable hostility.

Ever since Old Duan had died, Little Darling had quietly nestled in Shen Qianmo’s arms, hardly moving, so no one had noticed it before. Meng Yuanheng’s face darkened instantly. He grabbed the little fox from his shoulder, glowering at it angrily.

Watching the man and the fox glare at each other, Shen Qianmo couldn’t help but laugh. “Mo’er!” Meng Yuanheng looked at her with grievance. What was going on? He’d just managed to get rid of one rival, and now this creature was causing trouble. Was it really so hard for him and Mo’er to have a moment alone together?

Shen Qianmo patted his hand, signaling him to calm down. Just then, there was a knock at the door, and Sitongong’s voice came through. “Your servant Sitongong awaits orders outside.”

“Please come in, Mr. Sitongong,” Shen Qianmo called out.

Meng Yuanheng looked at her with obvious displeasure. What was this woman thinking? Wasn’t the fox enough trouble, now she had to call Sitongong in as well?

Shen Qianmo ignored him, inviting Sitongong in and showing him Little Darling in her arms.

Sitongong’s eyes went wide in disbelief. “Princess, is this... is this the Jade-Eyed Spirit Fox?”

“Yes,” Shen Qianmo nodded, “It’s said that the blood of the Jade-Eyed Spirit Fox can cure the cold poison in the Prince’s body. Do you know anything about this?”

Sitongong was so excited he could barely speak. “I know, I always knew, but the Jade-Eyed Spirit Fox is a rarity seen once in a thousand years. I have searched for seven years without a clue, never imagined... never imagined the Princess would find one. This is wonderful!”

So Old Duan’s words were true after all. Shen Qianmo was momentarily excited herself. She went to Meng Yuanheng’s bedside, held his hand, and said joyfully, “Ah Heng, it looks like your cold poison can be cured.”

He would no longer have to endure the agonizing pain every month, nor depend on a wheelchair, but could walk like a normal person, reclaiming the life of a proud, gallant young lord.

“Mo’er.” Meng Yuanheng gazed at Shen Qianmo’s radiant smile, deeply moved. He cared little whether his cold poison could be cured; what thrilled him was her thoughtfulness and care.

His Mo’er was so considerate for him—how could he not be overjoyed?

With the Jade-Eyed Spirit Fox in hand, Sitongong was suddenly energized. He hurriedly took his leave and began researching the antidote’s composition. The fox’s blood was the key ingredient, but other medicines were needed as well.

After midday, preparations were complete, everyone ready and waiting. Meng Yuanheng gave the order to return.

At dusk, the sun hung low where sea and sky met, the water shimmering as the breeze swept in. Shen Qianmo and Meng Yuanheng scattered Old Duan’s ashes over the sea, letting them drift on the wind—a symbol of Old Duan’s yearning for freedom.

“Old man, journey well,” Shen Qianmo silently wished.

Then, the two sat side by side on the deck, admiring the sunset over the sea.

“Ah Heng,” Shen Qianmo lazily leaned on Meng Yuanheng’s shoulder, her beautiful eyes half-closed, like a languid, elegant cat.

“Hm?” Meng Yuanheng looked at her, his smile gentle, unable to resist kissing her forehead.

“Tell me about what happened at Ghost Rage River seven years ago.”

“Mo’er wants to hear?”

“Yes.”

“Alright,” Meng Yuanheng began reminiscing, narrating softly.

“Seven years ago, the Northern Di army pressed straight toward Zhengyang Pass. My father led a force of a hundred thousand to reinforce it, sweeping through two cities in rapid succession. But when attacking the third city, Jingzhou, he fell victim to a plot by General He Yuanshan of Northern Di, suffering severe injuries. Upon hearing this, I requested to go to Jingzhou to assist. To save time, I brought only ten thousand Cloud Riders and a hundred or so Mo Sect brothers who volunteered to join me.

After meeting up with my father, I found him poisoned and unconscious, his life in danger. I ordered the news of his illness be kept secret and took his place in battle. That first day, I killed He Yuanshan with an arrow, forcing the Northern Di army to retreat dozens of miles. Eager to take my father back for treatment, I didn’t press the advantage but sought to return to the capital quickly.

The army marched to Ghost Rage River outside Jingzhou. There, a narrow valley made defense easy, attack hard, and my father’s health was too fragile for further travel. So I ordered the army to camp there for the night.

But disaster struck that night. A fire broke out suddenly, the only exit blocked, and a hundred thousand soldiers were burned alive, their bones left in the valley. My father died from rage and poison, and I too was afflicted with the same poison, though the Linglong Blood Jade I carried suppressed part of its effects, saving my life. A few surviving Mo Sect brothers fought desperately to rescue me from Ghost Rage River.”

Just recalling that day’s events made Meng Yuanheng tense and sorrowful. A hundred thousand soldiers—living souls—reduced overnight to charred bones, and those Mo Sect brothers who followed him to war, ending up with not even their remains left. Every time he thought of it, he felt the pain he’d endured over the years was insignificant.

He swore he would uncover the truth behind that tragedy and avenge his father, doing justice for the hundred thousand soldiers and Mo Sect brothers.

Shen Qianmo knew recounting this would hurt Meng Yuanheng, but she asked on purpose. She didn’t want him to bury his pain deep inside; those who never confide often suffer psychological harm.

She wrapped her arms around Meng Yuanheng’s waist, gently smoothing the furrow between his brows, and softly said, “Ah Heng, it’s all behind us now. From now on, you’ll have me beside you.” So, your pain—I’ll share it with you, she vowed silently.

Meng Yuanheng was deeply moved, his heart softened. His Mo’er was so understanding and gentle—how could he not love her?

“Mo’er, meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life.”

Shen Qianmo smiled tenderly. For her, wasn’t it the same?

“From what you just said, you and your father were poisoned by the same person. Could it be Yin Zhan?” Shen Qianmo mused.

“Yin Zhan claimed to be the mastermind, so he must be involved.” At the mention of Yin Zhan, Meng Yuanheng’s expression turned cold, anger flaring.

Seeing him lose control, Shen Qianmo patted his back and softly called, “Ah Heng.”

Meng Yuanheng recovered and continued, “But I doubt Yin Zhan alone could create such devastation.”

Shen Qianmo agreed. She recalled what Wuchen said before his death, which seemed to support Meng Yuanheng’s suspicion. Seeing he already had a plan, she said no more. Whatever he intended, she would stand by him.

“Speaking of which, Yin Zhan is rather infatuated—he’s never forgotten Yan’er all these years.” Shen Qianmo glanced at Meng Yuanheng meaningfully, speaking calmly.

Meng Yuanheng seemed to catch her implied meaning, hastily explaining, “Mo’er, you must believe me—Yan’er and I are like brother and sister, nothing more. Yan’er likes Yin Zhan. That day at Mo Manor’s peach grove, she argued with the elders and was upset with Yin Zhan’s ambiguous attitude, so she came to me in tears.”

“Oh? And you, do you like Yan’er?” Shen Qianmo asked seriously.

Meng Yuanheng shook his head hurriedly. “I only feel brotherly affection for Yan’er, nothing else.”

Seeing his eagerness to clear up any misunderstanding, Shen Qianmo smiled and told him, “Alright, I believe you. Ah Heng, I just hope we can always be honest with each other. Not like Yin Zhan and Yan’er—liking each other but never saying it, leading to lifelong regret.”

Meng Yuanheng understood, suddenly flashing a charming smile. “Then may I take it that Mo’er likes me?”

Shen Qianmo answered forthrightly, “Yes, I like you. But if you can’t meet my expectations, I can also stop liking you.”