Chapter 92: Relentless Pursuit Please subscribe and support with monthly votes.

Jun Mo Li was not angry either; he smiled warmly like polished jade as he glanced back at him. His smile remained unchanged as he watched the royal carriage pass by, a flicker of cunning gleaming in his eyes.

Yu Jinglan, momentarily puzzled by Jun Mo Li’s smile, withdrew his grin after the carriage had gone. His deep eyes resembled an endless starry sky, unfathomable and profound. He exuded a kingly aura, embodying maturity, strength, composure, and the weariness of life in every detail.

Jun Mo Li watched Yu Jinglan’s carriage fade into the distance with an unchanging smile. He did not follow the main group back to the palace but instead crossed the street, weaving through the crowd, and entered a tavern opposite.

As the people saw the emperor’s dragon carriage depart, they rose from the ground, resumed walking along the street, each attending to their own affairs. The once quiet street buzzed with renewed prosperity and liveliness.

After entering the tavern, Jun Mo Li headed straight to the second floor. After climbing the stairs, he paused at the landing to survey the scene briefly, then took a few steps left and pushed open the door to a private room.

“Who’s there?” came a voice.

The moment Jun Mo Li stepped inside, a sword was pressed against his neck. Unfazed, he calmly stepped forward with his other foot and nodded approvingly at Han Shang.

Seeing Jun Mo Li, Han Shang was startled but immediately withdrew his sword and knelt on one knee. “Please forgive me, Your Highness!”

“Rise. You have protected your lord well; no crime in that,” Jun Mo Li said with a glance before walking toward An Ran.

An Ran sat quietly by the window, expression indifferent. A small table in front of her held several plates of tea snacks and a dish of fresh shrimp. In her arms was still the snow-white, adorable little fox. The window was only slightly ajar, but from her seat, she had a perfect view of the street, especially the direction from which people entered the city. Yet, standing on the street, it was hard to tell anyone sat by that window.

Jun Mo Li’s heart tightened painfully. Had she just been watching Yu Jinglan? The thought of An Ran smiling softly at Yu Jinglan stirred a complex turmoil inside him, his stomach churning with sourness. Had he not caught a glimpse of the little snow fox, he might never have known she had been there.

The people knelt on the street to greet the imperial procession; only she dared to sit so freely upstairs. Such a carefree and elegant person was impossible for him to ignore, let alone let go. Yet why had she just been watching someone other than him?

Jun Mo Li waved at Han Shang standing in the doorway. Han Shang immediately took the hint and left, leaving only Jun Mo Li, An Ran, and the spirited but mute little fox in the room.

“Perhaps the selection of the future Princess Consort of Li will be decided in the next few days!” Jun Mo Li sat beside An Ran, his voice faint, as if talking to himself, tinged with endless melancholy and sorrow. He now played up his miserable state as much as possible; otherwise, the cold and hardened heart of this little girl before him would never stir even slightly.

An Ran said nothing. She reached for a shrimp from the table, peeled it, and fed it to the little snow fox, repeating the action silently without a word. She simply did what she enjoyed, pretending not to notice Jun Mo Li, whose face was nearly contorted into tears.

“I don’t want any other woman to live here!” Jun Mo Li’s disappointment deepened as he saw her unmoved. If not for the formidable rival Yu Jinglan’s presence, her icy demeanor might have driven him to lose control long ago. Perhaps, like last time, he would have pouted and she might have come to his residence again!

It must be said, Jun Mo Li was a cunning fox, a scheming spirit who knew how and when to advance or retreat, always grasping the right measure. Had Yu Jinglan not appeared, he might never have taken the first step to confess to An Ran, continuing to freeload at her place day after day, leaving only at nightfall and returning the next day until he could no longer walk or left this world.

He fancied his thoughts noble—being a man near death, he could not ruin An Ran’s life for his own desires. As long as he could see her every day, he was content! For at that time, he had no rivals.

But with Yu Jinglan’s arrival, everything changed. An Ran’s relationship with him was extraordinary, and Yu Jinglan’s intentions toward An Ran were blatantly obvious. He could not stand idly by while she fell into such peril. He must keep her by his side and care for her. Yu Jinglan had thousands of beauties in his harem; he could not give An Ran happiness!

Thus, Jun Mo Li convinced himself that An Ran’s happiness must come from him alone. Yu Jinglan could step aside. He resolved to find a way to live on, no matter how long the road to survival might be.

“If you don’t want another woman living in your manor, then either refuse her or kill her—figure it out yourself!” An Ran’s cold, indifferent voice floated into Jun Mo Li’s ears after a pause, nonchalantly sealing the fate of the “future Princess Consort of Li.” In truth, who occupied that position was none of her concern; she simply could not bear to see Jun Mo Li so wronged and sorrowful.

Jun Mo Li’s heart lifted slightly. He looked at An Ran and said pitifully, “Even so, you must find a woman to live here! As long as someone lives with me for life and love, then such troublesome matters will never occur again!”

Life and love for a lifetime? Ha... He never expected Jun Mo Li to say such a thing. Could it be that he did not know who would be so fortunate in the future to share such a lifelong bond with him? Such words were easy to say but hard to realize!

“Your Highness’s idea is admirable, but the eldest Miss Lu of the Chancellor’s mansion is ill and cannot enter the palace. However, the Prince of Kun has already acted first. As for the most beautiful woman in Yue City, you have no chance. I wonder which young lady Your Highness has set your sights on? I, being kind-hearted, will give you the Heart-Linked Gu—this will surely fulfill your ‘life and love for a lifetime’ wish!” An Ran smiled lightly and looked toward Jun Mo Li with added interest.

The Heart-Linked Gu was a parasite she had studied and cultivated for a long time. As its name suggests, once introduced into two bodies—whether unloving or loving—the unloving would fall deeply in love, dying for the other; while those already in love would grow even closer, living only for each other, never betraying until death.

“I don’t need love controlled by such parasites. I only want true love in exchange for my sincere heart. Ran’er, would you be willing to live in the Manor of Li Wang?” Jun Mo Li had confessed to An Ran last night; she could not miss his meaning but had feigned ignorance. Now that he had brazenly made it clear, she could no longer pretend. Since evasion was impossible, she spoke plainly.

“I refuse!” An Ran answered with no trace of emotion. “Your Highness, since you know Yu Jinglan’s identity, you must also know mine. I believe you’ve heard of the An family’s rules. Even if I had feelings for you, I would never live in your Li Wang Manor.”

The head of the An family only accepted sons-in-law by invitation, so neither Yu Jinglan nor Jun Mo Li would be her choice. One was the exalted emperor of Ye Yue; for him to marry into the An family would be a laughingstock. As for Jun Mo Li, the beloved Prince of Xuan Yue who might ascend the dragon throne, she could not accept him either. Besides, her great enmity remained unresolved—she wanted no one.

Her words stabbed sharply into Jun Mo Li’s heart, tearing flesh and spilling blood, leaving him breathless with pain. She clearly had feelings for him—why then speak such cruel, hurtful words? Did she truly not wish to marry him?

Jun Mo Li felt deeply pained, but suddenly clarity dawned. If he had no chance, Yu Jinglan had even less. Rumor held that the heads of the An family, descended from the divine doctors of Ye Yue, could only accept worthy sons-in-law, never marry women. The emperor Yu Jinglan could never marry into the An family, so what of this short-lived carefree Prince of Li?

Jun Mo Li suddenly grasped An Ran’s hand firmly and said with resolve, “Ran’er, since you won’t marry me, how about I marry into your An family instead?”

Jun Mo Li’s somewhat surprised words shocked An Ran. She widened her eyes, unable to believe what she heard. He said what? The mighty War God, the Prince of Li, wanted to marry into her family?

In Ye Yue, men took pride in marrying into the An family, but in Xuan Yue, few men could endure the world’s gaze to marry in. Unless desperate, no man would humiliate himself as a son-in-law.

Therefore, though the likelihood of Jun Mo Li’s words becoming reality was slim, his courage to say them revealed his heart. Had it been another girl, her heart might have faltered long ago; none would remain as composed as she.

In her previous life, she lived only twenty years of youth—brief, yet she saw the depths of human hearts. Now, reborn, she thought she had seen through everything, but reality was far more complex. For a moment, she forgot to pull her hand back from Jun Mo Li’s grasp.

“Wuwu...” The little fox seemed to sense the atmosphere, jumping from An Ran’s arms onto Jun Mo Li’s broad shoulder. It nestled there, nodding vigorously toward An Ran, as if urging her, “Please say yes, please say yes...”

Jun Mo Li was overwhelmed with gratitude for this unexpected ally. He marveled at the fox’s intelligence, understanding even their words. If it became his long-term partner, he vowed to feed it delicacies every meal.

Seeing the little fox betray her and crawl all over Jun Mo Li, An Ran glanced down to see her hand still tightly held in his palm. Blushing faintly, she snatched it away abruptly and glared at the fox, “Traitor! You’re grounded for three days—no returning to An Ran’s residence!”

“Wuwu...” The little fox heard this and leapt back into An Ran’s arms, rubbing its head against her chest and clawing her clothes, shaking desperately.

Trouble! Disaster struck!

Jun Mo Li saw his ally desert him, a wave of loneliness washing over him. His hand hung suspended in the air, reluctant to withdraw. An Ran’s hand was cool and comfortable in his grasp. If he could, he wished never to let go.

“Ran’er, will you agree?” Jun Mo Li threw caution to the wind today. Having confessed last night, he would lay everything bare in the daylight. He vowed not to relent until he won this little girl’s heart. Regardless of who married whom, as long as they could be together, what difference did it make?

An Ran had never seen Jun Mo Li so shameless and helpless. She recalled his last visit when he sought treatment. She had shown him the door, and he left dejected, never mentioning his illness again. The decisive and resolute Jun Mo Li now seemed so needy and persistent.

She could endure others’ provocations, plots, and assassinations, but Jun Mo Li’s relentless pestering was a first. Even Yu Jinglan’s domineering devotion had never left her so flustered.

“Your Highness, you...” she started.

“Han Shang, let me in. I have urgent matters to discuss with the demon girl!”

“The lady and Your Highness are discussing important matters. Please wait a moment before entering!”

“If it’s truly urgent, step aside!”

“I cannot!”

“You...”

As An Ran grew embarrassed, unsure how to get rid of Jun Mo Li, voices rose outside between Han Shang and Lie Huo. From the tone, it seemed there really was something urgent!

Though Han Shang did not intend to eavesdrop, standing at the door, he overheard their conversation. The prince was engaged in a great matter of pursuing a wife—more important than any other concern in the lady’s life.

Though Han Shang had been assigned to An Ran by Jun Mo Li, he was loyal to Jun Mo Li and could not quickly accept a new lord. He could only do his utmost to help An Ran, even risking life and death. Yet he still regarded An Ran as his mistress, requiring time to adjust.

“Han Shang, let him in!” An Ran composed herself swiftly, resuming her usual cold, aloof expression as if nothing had happened, voice cool and steady.

“Yes, milady!” Han Shang glared at Lie Huo, wishing to kick him. Why now? Why here? Such timing was infuriating.

Lie Huo glared back at Han Shang. How could he be so obstructive? If he delayed the demon girl’s urgent matter, he’d pay dearly! In Lie Huo’s mind, An Ran was now his mistress, and he respected her deeply.

Lie Huo pushed open the door, bowed to Jun Mo Li, and eyed the two suspiciously before saying, “Milady, there’s been activity at the abandoned residence?”

What activity could there be in broad daylight?

An Ran’s gaze darkened as she considered carefully, then looked at Lie Huo and asked, “You just called me the demon girl. Why not now?”

Not just Lie Huo but even Jun Mo Li, who was sipping tea, was momentarily stunned. How did talk of the abandoned residence lead back to the “demon girl” moniker? Still, Lie Huo deserved a scolding.

“Jun Mo Li, that’s my tea!” An angry voice pierced the room before Lie Huo could react.

Jun Mo Li froze mid-sip, realizing no one had made tea for him—this was her tea!

He forced a dry chuckle, embarrassed but secretly delighted. Drinking her tea—did that mean they were... indirectly connected?

“Ran’er, though it’s your tea, must we be so clear-cut between us?” Jun Mo Li’s words were ambiguous, making Lie Huo’s already suspicious eyes widen. What had he missed during these days of daytime naps and nighttime cries?

“Your Highness, it’s better if we each have our own tea. Who knows if I have some contagious disease, or if you do? But I certainly won’t drink after you. Han Shang, bring two cups, please!” An Ran rolled her eyes at Jun Mo Li’s insinuations. Their relationship sounded even more confusing to outsiders now!

Soon Han Shang returned, placing two cups before them and exchanging a glance with Lie Huo before quietly leaving. No one listened to his counsel; he deserved the torment.

“Your Highness, to avoid illness for your sake, drink your own,” An Ran said, then looked at Lie Huo. “Now, tell me, what’s the situation? Did you see a ghost in broad daylight?”

Lie Huo’s heart leapt. Finally, his turn to speak, and he could skip the “demon girl” part. What a relief!

“Ran’er, I’m already poisoned by you. Only you are the antidote!”

“Pfft—” An Ran had just taken a sip of tea but hadn’t swallowed when Jun Mo Li’s sentimental words made her burst out laughing, spraying tea all over his face.

It was the first time in years she had lost composure, all thanks to Jun Mo Li, the instigator. He could just drink tea without all the nonsense!

“Master...” Lie Huo was struck dumb, goosebumps prickling him. How had the mighty Prince of Li turned into such a lovesick husband without Jiao Yang around? So sentimental! He deeply regretted not heeding Han Shang’s advice to wait a bit longer.

“Jun Mo Li, will you ever stop? If you keep babbling nonsense, do you believe I’ll throw you out of here?” An Ran wiped her mouth, voice suddenly icy and threatening, then turned back to Lie Huo.

Jun Mo Li, with tea dripping from his face and lips, stared blankly at An Ran, thinking: That was even more direct than drinking her tea. Had their relationship progressed another step?

An Ran paid no attention to his expression or thoughts, listening quietly as Lie Huo relayed the news.

“Milady, here’s the situation. It was discovered around midnight. I tracked the person and returned to An Ran’s residence to find you gone. Old man Yue said you had already left. I searched all morning to find you!”

Lie Huo had spent the night in terror. The man carried a sinister aura and possessed martial skills far beyond his own.

“He deliberately spared you to keep you alive!”

“Ah?”

“Master, the emperor has already chosen the Princess Consort of Li. You must return to the palace immediately!”

[Author’s note: Only 5,000 words updated in the past three days. Apologies to all lovely readers. I’ll update more after returning to school. Sending hugs!]