CHAPTER 156: CHAPTER

The guards walked Lin Xu back to her quarters.

She did not say anything the whole way.

Her eyes were lowered, her heart heavy.

She was relieved Mo Ying was alive

But she felt crushed that he did not trust her.

He did not defend her.

He did not even hold her hand.

When the guards left, Lin Xu sat on her bed, hugging her knees as her tears slowly fell.

A quiet knock came at the door.

Mother a small voice whispered.

It was Mo Yuen, peeking in with big worried eyes.

Behind him were Yiling and Mo Bao.

Mo Bao was holding a small plate of fruits with both hands, trying not to drop it.

Yan Mei walked in last, closing the door behind her.

The moment she saw Lin Xu’s red cheek, Yan Mei rushed forward.

Oh Lin Xu come here she whispered, pulling her into a soft hug.

Lin Xu’s tears fell again, her shoulders shaking.

Yan Mei stroked her back gently.

Do not cry. You did not do anything wrong. You hear me You did nothing wrong.

Mo Yuen ran to her other side and hugged her arm tightly.

Mother do not cry please do not cry

Mo Bao climbed onto the bed and put the fruit tray on her lap.

Mother eat it will make you feel better he said softly.

Yiling, who was usually calm, wiped her own eyes.

Today was hard but we are here. We will stay here with you.

Lin Xu slowly touched each of their heads, her tears falling again.

Thank you all of you I am okay she whispered, even though she was not okay at all.

Lin Xu stayed inside her room the whole day.

She washed up, took a long warm bath, and changed into clean clothes.

Her heart still hurt, but at least she felt calmer.

In the evening, she sat with Yan Mei and the children for dinner.

Only the five of them.

Mo Yuen sat close to her, feeding her vegetables he picked out himself.

Yiling poured her tea carefully.

Mo Bao made her laugh by trying to peel fruit and messing it up.

Yan Mei kept talking softly, telling small jokes, light stories, anything to distract Lin Xu from the pain.

For a moment

Just a moment

Lin Xu let herself breathe.

She held the children close and tried to forget everything that had happened in the past few days.

Meanwhile, inside his study

Mo Ying sat behind his desk.

He looked strangely calm, too calm, like he had not almost lost his life last night.

His face was serious as he read through documents.

San Na sat not too far from him, discussing house matters.

After a while, she suddenly asked:

General is the marriage with Lady Xu and Lady Chu still happening tomorrow

Mo Ying did not look up.

Yes he said simply.

San Na stared at him in shock.

Her voice rose before she could stop herself.

General at least postpone it You are still recovering Your body needs rest

Mo Ying’s eyes did not move from the paper.

There will be no delay. I will marry Lin Xu tomorrow. That is final.

San Na stood up, angry and confused.

How can you still marry her after what you saw After she was in the Crown Prince’s arms General are you not ashamed to take a girl like

She did not finish.

Mo Ying’s hand moved fast.

He grabbed a small wooden brush holder from his desk and threw it.

It flew past her face and hit the wall hard.

THUD

San Na froze in shock, her mouth hanging open.

Mo Ying slowly lifted his head.

His eyes were cold, colder than she had ever seen.

His voice came out deep and sharp:

Do not ever speak of Lin Xu like that again.

San Na swallowed hard, trembling.

Mo Ying continued, his jaw tight, his voice low but shaking with anger:

If you insult her one more time even once you will leave this house forever.

San Na’s legs weakened.

General I only meant

Mo Ying slammed his hand on the table.

Get out.

San Na flinched.

She bowed her head and hurried out of the study, almost tripping over her own dress.

San Na stepped outside the study, still shaking from fear and shame.

The moment the door closed behind her, she froze.

Grandma Mo was standing right there.

She did not say a single word

But the cold sharp look in her eyes said everything.

San Na lowered her head and hurried away, almost running down the hall.

Grandma Mo watched her leave, then turned her eyes to the study door.

Her face was dark with anger.

She did not call for a guard.

She did not knock.

She simply walked in.

At the same time, Fuhan bowed and moved quickly past her.

Mo Ying had just ordered him:

Go get Lin Xu.

Yes General Fuhan replied and ran off, leaving grandmother and grandson alone in the study.

The door closed softly behind her.

Grandma Mo glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the wooden brush holder Mo Ying had thrown earlier.

She walked over, bent down slowly, and picked it up.

She turned it in her hand, her lips pressing into a thin line.

What a strong throw she said coldly.

Tell me Mo Ying is this what a good husband does Throw things at a woman

Mo Ying took a slow breath.

Grandmother this is not about San Na

She cut him off sharply.

Oh but it is about her. You humiliated her. You scared her half to death. And for what For Lin Xu

Mo Ying’s eyes hardened.

Do not call her that woman.

Grandma Mo slammed the brush holder on the table.

And why not She ran into another man’s arms the moment you were hurt She left you to die

Mo Ying’s jaw tightened.

You do not know what happened.

Grandma Mo scoffed loudly.

Oh so now you are defending her again After everything we saw You nearly lost your life and she was lying in the Crown Prince’s bed

Mo Ying stood up from his chair slowly.

His voice was calm, dangerously calm.

I said you do not know what happened.

Grandma Mo stepped closer, pointing a finger at him.

What I know is that you have changed You yell at San Na you disrespect your elders you break rules you scare your staff all because of that girl

Mo Ying’s voice rose.

When she is being insulted I will protect her.

Grandma Mo laughed bitterly.

Protect her You did not even protect yourself You were on the edge of death Meanwhile she

Grandmother Mo Ying cut in loudly Lin Xu must have had a good reason for being there please just stop all this.

You believe her Grandma Mo snapped.

You believe whatever story she makes up more than what your own eyes saw

Mo Ying shot back instantly:

Yes

The room fell into a tense heavy silence.

Grandma Mo stared at him, stunned.

Slowly, her face twisted with anger and disbelief.

Mo Ying listen to yourself. You would rather fight your own grandmother than admit that girl is trouble

She is not trouble Mo Ying said firmly.

I know her.

Oh you know her Grandma Mo spat.

What heart The one that

Grandmother Mo Ying’s voice thundered across the room

I will not let you destroy her name.

Grandma Mo stepped forward, inches from his face.

And what about San Na She has served you for years. She honors you. She respects this house. She witnessed how Lin Xu embarrassed you. And you threw something at her head

She insulted Lin Xu Mo Ying snapped.

I will not tolerate that.

Grandma Mo shook her head slowly.

You have lost your mind because of her. You humiliate San Na you ignore your mother you argue with your sister you make enemies

I do not care Mo Ying shouted.

I will not abandon Lin Xu.

Grandma Mo’s chest rose and fell fast.

Her voice dropped low and cold:

You should leave that girl.

The room went silent.

Mo Ying’s breath stopped.

Grandma Mo stared at him with sharp unwavering eyes.

You heard me she said slowly.

Leave her. That girl will bring you nothing but shame and pain. Divorce her. End it now before it is too late.

Mo Ying’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.

I will not.

You must Grandma Mo yelled.

Or this family will fall apart.

Mo Ying’s fists tightened.

My decision is final. I am marrying her tomorrow.

Then you are a fool Grandma Mo said.

A blind fool throwing away your dignity for a girl.

The door slid open just as Grandma Mo’s last words cut harshly through the room.

You should leave that girl the old woman snapped.

Before Mo Ying could answer, another voice came from the doorway:

Then I will leave.

Both of them turned.

Lin Xu stood there, back straight, shoulders steady, her expression calm but firm.

Her eyes moved from Grandma Mo to Mo Ying.

I heard everything she said, her tone even and controlled.

If my presence causes this much trouble then I will return to Wu Village.

She stepped fully into the room, not shrinking back and not letting her voice waver.

I am no longer interested in this marriage.

Her gaze stayed locked on Mo Ying.