“Where did Little Li Langjun go?”
“Not sure, maybe he’s off next door.”
“What on earth is he doing next door? Could it be…”
“Next door’s been bought by him too; soon this whole street will probably be a Li family reunion.”
“Oh right, I saw Tu Yan changing outfits earlier. She mentioned something about inviting Li Mo to see the lanterns tonight?”
Amidst the flurries of gossip, there were plenty of little birds secretly snooping around for Li Mo’s whereabouts.
Luo Ji was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, fanning the flames with quiet whispers and stoking the fire.
Li Mo had made a deal with her, after all. She’d given him quite a bit, but Wanchun Courtyard was her pride and joy, built over many years, and just like that, someone’d swooped in and taken away her man.
And that brat treated her like air!
Though her intentions weren’t exactly pure, she couldn’t help but think of how enriching it would be to have a rich, charming widow like her pull off a coup from the inner to the outer city.
That kid was infuriating!
What woman could stand being treated like that? Especially a woman like her! Now all she wanted was to see Li Mo in a fluster.
In fact, she didn’t even need to try too hard; every woman on the Hundred Flowers List was a stunning beauty. Though there were rankings, everyone had their unique charms. No one was willing to bow to anyone else.
So, this wasn’t even about who could attract a wealthy wife anymore.
This was simply women’s nature to compete and show off; it was a battle belonging to the Hundred Flowers List!
After a brief silence in the atmosphere, several of them had gone back to pretty themselves up, donning fresh outfits, while only Lan Tian was still enjoying her food with undivided attention.
“Hey, they seem to look even more beautiful?”
“To be precise, the fabric’s just gotten less…”
“Dang, Brother Li isn’t even here, and they’re still all decked out! Maybe they have a crush on me?”
The brothers were gazing at the blooming display of beauty before them, feeling like they were stuck in a dream.
An unforgettable moment indeed…
“Amitabha, my vow of celibacy has failed again today. This is the last time; it has to be the last time…”
Murong Xiao sighed dramatically to the heavens.
Xiao Qian suddenly felt a surge of energy, as a shadow resembling divine intent emerged behind him.
“Teacher, what are you doing out here? This is so bold! If someone spots you’re not divine, we’re done for.”
“Then how about we switch control of our bodies for a bit?” Qianxing Wuzun said, sounding eerily casual.
Xiao Qian was silent for a moment. “I’m worried about your consciousness recovery… not that I want to see…”
“Shhh… that little lady from the He Huan Sect…”
Xiao Qian’s neck turned instinctively, and he gasped.
Tu Yan from the He Huan Sect was truly a stunning enchantress.
The way she dressed was magnificent—where she should reveal, she simply half-covered, adding an air of mystery that perfectly showcased her figure.
“What a vixen.” Madame Shen scoffed lightly.
“Thanks for the compliment.”
Tu Yan smiled sweetly, laced with pure provocation:
“Oh, by the way, do you recall that Zhao family talent who plays a tune with an ancient flair?”
“What did you do to him?”
“He has a mole on his chest,” Tu Yan said, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
“You!”
Even Luo Ji, who had been stirring the pot, was caught off guard.
She hadn’t even made her move, yet the chaos was already spiraling out of control.
“Li Mo, if you dawdle any longer, it might just spiral out of hand…”
Luo Ji chuckled, peering out toward the door.
But lo and behold, Li Mo had now returned, looking utterly baffled at the scene.
“What’s going on here?”
“Jealousy in the air! You finally came back—what can I say? After all, you’re the boss here now.”
“Uh?”
Little Li was flabbergasted, how on earth was there drama when he wasn’t even around?
“Little Li Langjun, she disdains me and said she’d smear my reputation! Totally lacking decorum.”
Tu Yan looked all pitiful, like a flower begging for pity.
As she spoke, she attempted to hide behind Li Mo, a move that would make Madame Shen look like a shrew and stir the man’s protective instincts to maximum.
“?”
Tu Yan never saw this coming.
Before she could even reach him, the top envoy of the Hidden Dragon had activated his position control.
No protection whatsoever.
“You’re my golden patron; you have to stand for me…?”
Tu Yan silently reached out.
And get evaded by Li Mo even more silently.
“???”
Was this man’s heart made of ice?
When she looked up, all she saw was Li Mo’s eyes filled with wariness. The once bustling Wanchun Courtyard had turned eerily silent, the quiet was chilling.
The beauties had all lowered their proud heads, even the previously furious Madame Shen had extinguished her fire.
Because they all had seen the figure that entered with Li Mo.
In the past, their competitive spirit came from feeling their differences were minimal. To outsiders, it might have seemed like a tug-of-war with variable strengths and charms.
All were stunning; beauty was undeniably subjective.
However, sometimes the presence of a certain individual could align objective facts with subjective views…
Madame Shen was at a loss for words. She recalled a renowned beauty she had seen in the small town who was famous for her looks far and wide, but upon meeting her, one couldn’t help but feel insufficiently pretty—like calling her a celestial being.
Now, she felt that same peculiar and eerie sensation.
“Wow, I thought Cold Fairy would look just like she does in the ‘The Dominant Empress Is in Love with Me’ illustrations.”
Lan Tian approached with a skewer, almost like a starstruck fan.
“Why do you think so?”
Li Mo was dumbfounded.
“Because golden patron, you and Jiang Chen look practically identical! Why is that?” Lan Tian asked.
Suddenly, Li Mo remembered that Ouyang Shixiong had actually fussed about it for ages, losing several strands of hair, claiming he couldn’t recreate the essence of Ice Chunk.
Holy cow, could it be that he was the true artistic genius?!
“Then should I call you, golden mama?” Lan Tian tilted her head.
Ying Bing’s cold gaze softened a bit, “Tonight, you’re eating the dinner Li Mo cooks.”
“Ah? What about the other sisters?”
“They’ll be handled by yours truly in the kitchen.”
Ying Bing looked over the room full of springtime splendor.
Her stunning face wore a smile; her tone was as gentle as a spring breeze.
Li Mo: “!”
The other women exchanged glances, a bad feeling swelling within them.
Cold Fairy’s smile and tone were all normal, but paired with her utterly domineering beauty, somehow it sounded dreadfully oppressive.
