Pride Must Not Be Lost

Yun Feiyue raised her hand to block Lady Gongsun’s slap, but the force of the blow sent her stumbling back several steps, blood welling at the corner of her lips. Wiping it away, Yun Feiyue lifted her head to look at the furious Lady Gongsun, letting out a cold laugh.

“Lady Gongsun, your hand is truly ruthless! No wonder you were famous in your youth for your theatrics—crying, shouting, and threatening suicide.”

“You… you wretched girl, how dare you talk back!” Lady Gongsun raised her hand for another slap.

Mo Yu swiftly stepped between them, drawing his sword to intervene. The shadow guards on both sides surged forward, and the tension was palpable—a fight was imminent.

The Empress Dowager, realizing the gravity of the situation, hurriedly stood. “Everyone, stand down! Lady Gongsun, you are far too arrogant. The children are merely sparring—what business does an adult have getting involved?”

Lady Gongsun snorted, her arrogance unrestrained. “Am I wrong to discipline an unruly junior?”

Yun Feiyue smiled faintly. Discipline? She licked the blood from her lips, her tongue gliding over the cherry-red, sensual mouth, lending her an even more bewitching air. She gently lifted the soul-capturing bell at her waist, its intoxicating chime ringing out once more.

Lady Yun stood in front of Yun Feiyue, whispering, “Feiyue, endure for now within the palace. Your health… it’s not suited for frequent use of the soul-capturing bell.”

With her words, she stepped forward, fixing Lady Gongsun with a cold smile. “Lady Gongsun, you must be muddled by illness, unable to discern right from wrong. Today, if you dare lay another hand on my Feiyue, I will see to it that your Ziyan never leaves the imperial city.”

Lady Gongsun lifted her chin proudly. “The Gongsun family’s renown is unmatched. Who on the court dares disrespect us? The Yun family, with its wealth, is so brazen—if I hadn’t come today, would you have taken my Ziyan’s life?”

Lady Yun retorted, unwilling to concede, “When you arrived, the duel between the children was already over. Where is your logic? Now, you nearly harmed my Feiyue—I will not let it pass.”

As her words fell, Lady Yun swung her multicolored divine whip, striking directly at Gongsun Ziyan.

A scream echoed as Gongsun Ziyan was knocked to the ground.

Lady Gongsun trembled with rage. “You… you dare injure my Ziyan in front of everyone! Cough, cough…”

Her health had always been poor, and now her coughing worsened. Two maids quickly supported her.

The Empress Dowager, unwilling for the matter to escalate further, hastened to mediate. “Sisters, this is but a minor issue. Ziyan and Feiyue are unharmed. Let us let this matter rest.”

Lady Gongsun, knowing she could not best Lady Yun, could only endure for now. She nodded to the Empress Dowager, “Sister, I am letting this go for your sake. But there must never be such incidents again.”

Lady Yun ignored her, turning instead to Yun Feiyue, gently stroking her hair. “Feiyue, are you alright?”

“I’m fine! Very much so.” Yun Feiyue cast a cold glance at Lady Gongsun.

That look was like a blade, stabbing sharply into Lady Gongsun. The murderous intent flashed for only a moment, but it left Lady Gongsun uneasy.

Lady Gongsun went to Gongsun Ziyan, gave a few instructions, and then allowed the imperial physician to help Ziyan away.

Mo Yu approached Yun Feiyue, speaking quietly, “Your health…”

“It’s nothing. Living in the martial world, how could one not suffer wounds?” The enmity was set—whether Gongsun Ziyan or Lady Gongsun, she would make them suffer unbearable pain. For now, she would let them savor their remaining days.

“Empress Dowager, the flowers have fallen; there are none left to enjoy at the Hundred Flowers Banquet. In that case, Feiyue will take her leave.” Yun Feiyue nodded respectfully to the Southern Palace Empress Dowager and turned to depart.

Her demeanor was neither humble nor haughty, her eyes utterly indifferent, as if the events that had just transpired had nothing to do with her. Her fiery red robes fluttered in the wind, her long cloud sleeves swirling like a crimson cloud. Her waist-length hair danced in the breeze, each strand as lovely as blazing red lotus.

Holding Little Mumu’s hand, she gradually vanished from the palace.

“Mother, are you alright?”

“Don’t ask such nonsense. Do you think I wouldn’t be?” Yun Feiyue casually picked up Little Mumu and tossed him to Yun Dao.

Yun Dao caught the child, looking at Yun Feiyue, seeming to reassess her. He had thought her temperament would lead her to burn the palace down, yet she had restrained herself for the sake of the Yun family’s greater good.

Little Mumu looked at Yun Feiyue with a forlorn expression. “Mother, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.”

Yun Feiyue replied coldly, “Enough with the nonsense! Shut your little mouth—Little Mumu, you must not show your abilities in such places!”

Little Mumu nodded, watching his mother’s faintly smiling profile. He sighed inwardly—his mother was truly proud! Clearly thinking of everyone, yet pretending to be fierce.

Mo Yu followed Yun Feiyue, unable to resist asking, “Why?”

“Stop asking questions, like Little Mumu. When I’m in a bad mood, I don’t like to talk!”

Mo Yu fell silent, accompanying Yun Feiyue until they left the palace and boarded the carriage. Only then did she finally relax, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Her body could no longer bear it—Lady Gongsun’s slap had truly taken a toll on Yun Feiyue.

Mo Yu felt her pulse, finding it completely chaotic. He was astonished she had managed to walk from the palace to here.

Infusing her body with martial energy to help guide her meridians, he discovered that Yun Feiyue’s meridians were unlike those of ordinary people.

A powerful force lay within her, yet it could not be channeled.

“Injured, yet still pretending to be strong?” Mo Yu shook his head, unable to understand.

“You don’t get it. One can lose their head and bleed, but never their pride!” Yun Feiyue forced a smile. The truth was, her current situation made it impossible for others to know of her ailment.

“Three years ago, you…”

Before Mo Yu could finish, Yun Feiyue collapsed onto him.

Little Mumu rushed over. “Mother! Mother…”

Yun Feiyue’s fingers twitched, her mouth opened, “You rascal…” but she had no strength left to finish her words.

“This injury will require a period of recuperation,” Mo Yu murmured, gathering violet martial energy in his palm and channeling it into Yun Feiyue’s body.

The carriage rolled slowly toward the Yun residence, its interior silent as death.

“There shouldn’t be any major issue, but her old illness is beyond me…” Mo Yu sounded helpless.

Little Mumu clutched Yun Feiyue’s hand tightly, pouting, tears glistening in his eyes yet refusing to fall. His mother had told him—a true man never cries.

When the carriage reached the Yun residence gates, Mo Yu carried Yun Feiyue toward Feihua Pavilion. The steward and household members were thrown into chaos at the sight of Yun Feiyue unconscious.

Lady Murong was the first to arrive, seeing Yun Feiyue lying pale on the bed.

“What… what happened?”

Yun Dao recounted everything from the Hundred Flowers Banquet. Lady Murong bit her silver teeth, her face full of fury. “I will not let this matter rest with the Gongsun family! My Feiyue, oh, oh…”

The woman lying on the bed moved her pale lips, slowly raising her hand. Her fair palm rested on her forehead, butterfly-like lashes fluttering gently.

She spoke lazily, “I’m not dead yet! Wait until I die, then you can cry all you like!”

Lady Murong immediately wiped her tears, smiling at Yun Feiyue. “Feiyue, you’re finally awake. Mother was scared to death.”

Yun Feiyue tried to move, but found sitting up difficult and gave up. Her pale face, when she smiled, was like a single snowflake before the courtyard—cold and exquisitely beautiful. “It’s nothing, I’m fine. I just overexerted myself, I’m exhausted. Don’t worry!”

“Good, that’s good.” Lady Murong smiled, tucking Yun Feiyue in, then recalled the guest in the front hall. “Feiyue, someone is here for you. He looks quite distinguished, says he’s come to return something. I asked him to show it, but he insists on seeing you first. Do you want to meet him?”

Yun Feiyue looked at Lady Murong in puzzlement. “Who?”

Lady Murong pondered carefully but couldn’t recall. “His name… what was it?”

The maid, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling, took over. “Mo Xiangqing! A gentleman as refined as jade—none can compare!”