Chapter Fifty-Nine: I Am the Granddaughter-in-law of Marshal Hu

Hu Mo could swear to God—though in this world, there was hardly a God to swear to—that if he had known the Witch Princess was here, even if this place were piled high with endless jewels and countless beauties lay naked before him, he would have stayed far, far away, not coming near if his life depended on it. Of course, if Cang Ling were to do the same, he might have considered it.

As the saying goes, a wise man does not quarrel with a woman. Hu Mo had racked his brains to avoid this troublesome star, yet she clung to him relentlessly. If not for the purity and kindness within his heart, he might have already pinned this headstrong princess to the ground and settled things once and for all. Who told her to pester him day after day? Who told her to seek trouble where there was none? Did she really wish to conquer him so badly?

Especially now, just as he had shaken off a third wheel and was preparing to stroll and play through Flame City with Cang Ling, eating and drinking at leisure, fate saw fit to throw another difficult adversary his way.

Glancing at the group of guards behind Zhu Xinyue, Hu Mo immediately felt a headache coming on. Was he supposed to deal with all those men as well? That would be utter madness.

A man can die, but he cannot run! With the demeanor of someone walking to his own execution, Hu Mo stepped forward, offered a slight smile, and said, “Your Highness, while I am truly delighted to see you, this is purely a coincidence. How could a humble commoner like myself know your whereabouts?”

“What? What do you mean? Just a coincidence? I thought you held me in great esteem, that you sought me out for amusement, and now you claim it was mere chance? Do you bear a grudge against me? How dare you be so disrespectful! Guards, seize him at once!”

Zhu Xinyue rattled off “this princess” with such speed that Hu Mo’s head spun. One had to admit, when it came to fabricating charges, this little princess outdid him by a fair margin. Clearly, the words were hers, yet with a twist, the blame fell squarely on him. Where else in the world could one find such absurdity?

But Hu Mo knew well enough—Zhu Xinyue was determined to make his life difficult. Ever since he had offended her, this witch had made it her mission to trouble him, as though dead set on crossing swords with him for a lifetime.

The guards understood Zhu Xinyue’s meaning, especially Chen Hao, who, upon hearing the order, was the first to rush at Hu Mo, hand raised like a blade, chopping down with force.

If they were to seize him, of course they would show no mercy, and the degree of that ruthlessness was entirely at Chen Hao’s discretion. A savage grin twisted his face; that hand could easily snap Hu Mo’s bones.

Ever since Hu Mo had humiliated Zhu Xinyue in public, Chen Hao had harbored murderous intent. Although he couldn’t kill him, a vicious beating would at least vent some of his anger. After all, it was Zhu Xinyue’s command. If the Hu family had any complaints, Chen Hao could easily shift the blame.

Hu Mo narrowed his eyes, watching the man spring at him like a monkey. Only one word filled his mind—annoyance!

Just as he readied himself to kick Chen Hao away, the attacker suddenly shot backward as if blasted by fireworks. The height of his flight left the guards craning their necks.

Hu Mo glanced back and saw Cang Ling slowly lowering her delicate foot. Instantly, he understood why Chen Hao had gone flying.

“Forgive me, I used a bit too much force,” Cang Ling said, almost quoting herself from earlier. She seemed to enjoy shaking her foot, as though it had been a most satisfying kick.

Hu Mo was momentarily stunned. There was no denying the power of that kick—it far surpassed what he could have managed. Still, that kind of force depended on the recipient; with Chen Hao’s strength, being kicked ten miles wouldn’t kill him.

“Who are you? How dare you assault a princess? Do you wish your entire family to be executed?” Zhu Xinyue shouted, though a faint tremor in her voice betrayed her bluster.

For reasons unknown, Cang Ling gave Zhu Xinyue a sense of suffocating pressure—something she had never felt from anyone before. Normally, the mere threat of extermination would make anyone wet themselves in terror, yet this woman stood calm and silent—a silence that was terrifying in itself.

Hu Mo, for his part, could not calm down either. He could not fathom why the usually quiet Cang Ling would suddenly act, and from the look of things, she seemed to have set herself against Zhu Xinyue.

Zhu Xinyue was beside herself with rage, while Cang Ling remained icy and silent, as if fire had met ice. On the surface, Zhu Xinyue appeared brash, but in reality, fear had taken root in her heart.

Hu Mo was worried. Cang Ling was known for her mercurial moods; if she suddenly lost control and beat Zhu Xinyue, real trouble would ensue. He could not guarantee that Cang Ling would heed him, especially given her overwhelming power—she might send Zhu Xinyue flying before he could react.

“Family extermination, is it?” Cang Ling suddenly spoke, her tone tinged with amusement, yet sending chills down the spine.

Hu Mo edged closer to Zhu Xinyue, ready to shield her if necessary. It was all he could do.

“So what if it is? To assault a princess is a capital crime!” Zhu Xinyue shouted, summoning courage from who knows where. Hu Mo wanted nothing more than to knock her unconscious—if she wished for death, there was no need to be so eager about it.

Cang Ling’s gentle smile broke the suffocating tension. “If it’s family extermination you seek, you’ll have to wipe out the entire Hu family. My family is the Hu family—do you really think His Majesty the Emperor would execute the entire House of Hu?” she said, her words leaving Hu Mo dumbfounded.

“Nonsense! How can you be part of the Hu family? What connection do you have with them?” Zhu Xinyue suddenly grew agitated, as if deeply shocked.

“Is there any need to ask? I am the granddaughter-in-law of Grand Marshal Hu. If you wish to exterminate the family of the marshal’s granddaughter-in-law, isn’t that the same as wiping out the entire Hu family?” Cang Ling replied solemnly.

Hu Mo nearly spat blood. This was too much! This was being married off against his will! He howled in his heart, but his protest was ignored by Cang Ling, and he could only whimper in silent misery.

“Impossible! When did you marry? Why haven’t I heard of it?” Zhu Xinyue stared at Cang Ling, eyes wide with panic.

“Oh? Your Highness, must I report my marriage to you? Aren’t you being a little too nosy? Isn’t that right, my dear husband…” Cang Ling stood beside Hu Mo. The cloak between them did little to dampen the intoxicating scent that wafted his way as she spoke, especially when she called him “husband”—it made him go weak all over, male hormones surging uncontrollably.

“Yes, yes…” Hu Mo murmured, utterly dazed, nodding his head without thought. In that moment, reason abandoned him entirely.

“You hear that, Your Highness? If you have nothing further, my husband and I will take our leave. On such a fine day, a walk and a chat—truly the joys of life. Farewell!” Cang Ling took Hu Mo’s hand and walked past Zhu Xinyue.

Zhu Xinyue did not try to stop them; she merely stood there, stunned. She could not explain why, but an emptiness gripped her heart, a feeling so overwhelming it hurt—a pain that grew stronger with each pulse.

“Your Highness! What happened? Where are they? I’ll kill them—” Chen Hao stumbled back, bellowing in rage. He had lost all face, having soared through the sky for all to see, landing miles away. If not for his inner strength, he would have been crippled.

After hitting the ground, he staggered back, only to find Zhu Xinyue standing there in a daze. Instinct told him she must have been bullied. The thought stoked his fury, a murderous urge rising within him.

“Kill who? Kill yourself! Hmph!” Zhu Xinyue suddenly stamped her foot, ignored the guards, and dashed off in another direction. She didn’t know why, only that she wanted to cry—perhaps even to die.

Once around the corner, Cang Ling let go of Hu Mo’s hand. She returned to her usual quiet demeanor, so different from the sharp and dazzling presence she had projected moments before.

Hu Mo was at a loss for words, feeling as though everything had happened too quickly for him to process. For someone as innocent as he was, matters of love and marriage were a blank page—he was, in truth, a fool in these things.

Now, to be “married” so suddenly, he was filled with a jumble of emotions. On the one hand, marrying this woman was enough to drive anyone mad with joy. On the other, everything felt unreal, especially when Cang Ling released his hand—the unreality became overwhelming.

“Hey, what did you mean by what you said earlier? We… what marriage…” Hu Mo’s tongue suddenly tangled itself in knots.

“We didn’t say anything, you must be dreaming,” Cang Ling replied, her tone suddenly casual.

In that moment, Hu Mo felt like Chen Hao—kicked far, far away, drifting endlessly into the distance…