CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273: CONTRADICTIONS

"Young Master Song, could you take us back to town?" Duan Yunfei looked at Song Ting and asked.

Song Ting nodded, "Of course!"

He looked at Mu Jian and asked, "Master, will you return to town with us?"

"No!" Mu Jian picked up the water jug, poured some more water into a bowl, and said, "The town is noisy; how can it compare to the peace and quiet here?"

"In that case, Master, we’ll be on our way!"

Lan Ruo quickly said, "Grandfather, I’m going back too!"

Mu Jian waved his hand without lifting his head, "Go!"

Xuan Ying looked at Xuan Ming and said, "Brother, we’re leaving!"

"Mm!" Xuan Ying nodded with a smile.

"Let’s go!" Duan Yunfei pulled Shen Qinglan to her feet.

Shortly after they left the farmhouse, the two carriages parked in front of the farmhouse also slowly departed.

Knowing that Duan Yunfei was in a bad mood, Song Ting tactfully boarded one carriage with Lan Ruo. Lan Ruo was delighted, but Song Ting felt quite helpless.

"What are you hoping to find out by returning this time?" Shen Qinglan asked.

"I don’t know either!" Duan Yunfei replied with a bitter smile, "I want to ask many things, but my mind is so muddled right now, I don’t even know what to ask or where to start!"

As Shen Qinglan contemplated how to comfort him, she suddenly felt a tightness around her waist and was pulled into a warm embrace.

"You..."

"Just hold me!" he murmured softly, eyes closed.

The warm breath on her neck made her heartbeat quicken, and her face involuntarily flushed.

She didn’t know how long it took, but she finally relaxed and gently patted his back, silently offering comfort.

Duan Yunfei usually appeared so mature, mature to the point that she’d forget this person before her, no matter how composed, was simply an eighteen or nineteen-year-old youth.

————

Unlike the oppressive heat at the foot of the mountain, the gentle breeze at Yongning Manor was refreshingly cool.

"Master, I advise you to act sooner rather than later. Duan Yunfei’s followers have overheard my conversation with the manor owner."

On the back mountain, Elder Yan looked at Duan Yunfei and spoke softly.

Feng Wuya remained silent, merely looking at him with a stoic expression.

With an unflappable demeanor, Elder Yan said, "A swift decision solves complications swiftly; sooner or later, things will fall apart, so the manor owner urges you to act quickly for your own benefit."

Seeing his unchanged expression, Elder Yan said, "I’ve said my piece; it’s up to you now, Master!"

With that, he turned around and flew away with the wind.

"Master..."

Mo Liu stepped forward, seeming to want to say something but hesitated.

"Speak." Feng Wuya said coldly.

"Yes!" Mo Liu bowed and said, "The spies just reported that the Young Master is preparing to return to the manor. I suspect Qian San has already awakened."

"Awakened?"

Feng Wuya’s voice was almost a sigh, as he closed his eyes slightly.

The scenarios he dreaded and avoided now appeared inevitably before him.

Killing Duan Nian now might work, but he could also lose his life.

He wasn’t afraid of dying, but if he died, what would become of Duan Yunxia? What would happen to his child?

Also, though he always said Duan Nian must die, could he truly carry it out?

Recalling his childhood when Duan Nian always brought him fun toys every visit, and remembering how, ever since joining the manor, Duan Nian showed him nothing but protection and affection, even more than Duan Yunfei.

Feng Wuya couldn’t help but clench his fists.

Mo Liu felt pained seeing this, "Master, if you are unwilling, then don’t do it!"

Over the years following Feng Wuya, Mo Liu knew well that while his master seemed carefree, he bore an unseen pain.

Desiring revenge, yet fearing Duan Yunxia and Duan Yunfei’s hatred, even fearing Chu Wuqu’s disappointment.

Not wanting revenge, yet unable to surmount that internal hurdle, he wrestled between love and hate every day.

Mo Liu knew his master was not happy at all!