Chapter 5 A Touch of Jealousy: An Imperceptible Possessiveness
Because of their injuries, Mu Meng and Mu Qingheng stayed in the human realm for several days.
Mu Meng's injuries were not minor, not only from the blow to his back, but also from the excessive use of the Crimson Heart Pill, which depleted his own strength.
Fortunately, she was pregnant, so her recovery was much faster than others.
By the fourth day, Mu Meng could no longer lie in bed. By the fifth day, she felt that if she lay there any longer, mushrooms would grow on her body. While Mu Qingheng was in the room dealing with things, she secretly went to the yard to stretch her muscles.
Mu Meng ran to the outside of the study and glanced at Mu Qingheng through the window. He was sitting behind his desk, intently looking at something.
Today he changed into a dark blue robe, which made his face look even more like jade, and his long, delicate hand holding the pen looked like the finest jade porcelain.
His cultivation was profound, and the injuries he sustained in the Peach Blossom Formation healed faster than I did in the past few days.
Mu Meng smiled, her lips curling up. Being so close, it was impossible for her brother not to notice. Since he didn't say anything, he knew that her injuries were no longer serious and that he had tacitly allowed her to come out and play.
Mu Qingheng is the Crown Prince of the Celestial Clan, and is very busy with affairs. This small courtyard is her residence when she sometimes stays in the mortal realm. Mu Meng is not here for the first time and is very familiar with everything here.
She took out a jar of osmanthus wine that the two of them had stored there a few years ago and secretly poured a small half cup.
Since she had nothing else to do, she sipped her drink and pondered: Where did those two demons come from that day?
Over the years, the Emperor has remained vigilant and has been sending people to investigate the desolate tombs, but he has never heard of any demons being resurrected there.
However, the man in red on that day addressed her as "Your Highness" upon seeing her, which clearly indicated that he had some understanding of their Celestial Clan.
And they just so happened to appear in Yunze Realm… My brother is always very careful in his actions; the Celestial Clan will definitely keep the news of Yunze Realm's annihilation a secret until they have an explanation, so outsiders won't know. Those two clearly don't know; could they be here in Yunze to discuss something?
Is Yunze colluding with the demons...?
Mu Meng became increasingly agitated. He had originally planned to sip his wine sparingly, but for a moment he forgot and downed half a glass in one gulp.
She didn't need to think about these things; she had already told her brother everything. After listening, her brother didn't say much, only telling her not to worry and that he would handle everything.
But... there's one thing she's hiding.
Mu Meng rested her chin on her hands, a hint of guilt in her expression—she should have been most honest with her brother, and shouldn't have hidden anything from him, but there might still be a survivor in Yunze. After thinking it over, she ultimately decided not to say it.
Her brother was decisive and efficient; if he knew of such a person, he probably wouldn't have let him go. But the Azure Phoenix Feather was already in her brother's hands, and Yunze Realm could no longer threaten her. If there really was a survivor, she had questions to ask.
No matter how many facts are presented before her, she wants to hear Yun Zeren say it himself.
In this way, she could sever the last shred of affection. Then, she wouldn't have to let her brother solve everything. Since Yun Zejing had hurt her and her brother first, she would deal with that person herself.
...
Two days later, Mu Meng felt that her injuries had almost healed. She coaxed Mu Qingheng into taking her back after she had been pleading and making promises.
The two returned to the Celestial Clan just before Mu Qingheng's birthday celebration.
Mu Qingheng was made crown prince at a young age and was highly respected. Most of the guests who came to congratulate him had already arrived.
He said helplessly, "You really know how to find work for me. I wanted to find some peace and quiet in the human world, but now I'm busy again."
Mu Meng smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright. I'll help you out. I see that the Crown Prince of the Demon Clan has arrived as well. I'll go and greet him. You can take care of the other guests."
She loved seeing her brother respected and radiant. It would be too unfair to him to spend his birthday in a quiet courtyard in the mortal world because of her.
Mu Qingheng frowned slightly.
He said, "No need, you go and rest."
Oh...that's true. The Celestial Clan has always been on the closest terms with the Demon Clan. Now that the Crown Prince of the Demon Clan has come to offer his congratulations in person, it would be more appropriate for my brother to do so. Never mind, she'll go take care of someone else then.
Mu Meng walked around with the guests she could greet, collected many gifts prepared for her by various families, and happily headed towards her bedchamber.
Before I even went inside, I could hear voices coming from inside.
"Is your young prince feeling any better? Does he still have nightmares at night?"
"Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince Yue. The little princess has recovered. You even remembered that my princess often had nightmares at night. Thank you so much. Please rest assured, she has grown up now and her nightmares are much better."
Mu Meng curiously peeked his head out from the doorway.
"Mengmeng, is it your birthday or His Highness the Crown Prince's birthday? Why did you receive so many gifts?"
It turned out to be Yue Liutian, the prince of the demon race.
Yue Liutian wore a turquoise green outfit, a color that is extremely difficult to wear, but it suited him perfectly, making his face look even more handsome.
He sat at the stone table in the courtyard, on which were several plates of pastries. When Lingwei saw her return, she bowed and withdrew.
Yue Liutian is the crown prince of the demon race, a person of noble status, and an extremely important guest. Unexpectedly, instead of paying homage to his father, the emperor, he's come here instead.
Mu Meng wasn't particularly familiar with him, and with so many gifts in her arms, she could only manage a perfunctory curtsy: "Greetings, Crown Prince."
Speaking of gifts, Mu Meng was indeed a bit embarrassed and looked at him somewhat awkwardly: "They brought them all the way from so far away, I'm afraid it wouldn't be right if I didn't accept them."
Yue Liutian couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head and laughing: "You're the cutest. No wonder you receive so many gifts."
"I've brought you a gift too," he said with a smile, his tone light and cheerful. He looked at Mu Meng with a warm smile, appearing very approachable.
Mu Meng was slightly surprised. She walked over and put the things in her arms aside, then stared at Yue Liutian with her big, misty eyes.
Yue Liutian spoke gently and smiled, "Mengmeng, Qingheng must have been protecting you too much. Why are you so obedient? You are the owner here. I came uninvited. Aren't you angry?"
"How could that be? My brother, the Crown Prince, is not an outsider."
“Since we’re not strangers, let’s not be so formal,” Yue Liutian said, taking out a brocade box from his pocket and handing it to her. “If you accept my gift, you can call me Brother Yue from now on.”
Mu Meng glanced at the small box in front of him. Although it had not been opened yet, the spiritual energy emanating from it indicated that this gift was definitely not an ordinary item.
"Tai... um, Brother Yue, you're not kidding me, are you? This gift is so valuable, is it really for me? Or did you accidentally give me the wrong gift meant for you?"
Yue Liutian laughed and said, "Don't worry, I didn't take the wrong one. It's for you. Open it and take a look."
With his certainty, Mu Meng no longer had any doubts. She carefully untied the red string from the box and opened it.
The box contained the finest cloud silk brocade, with a breastplate placed in the very center.
This protective mirror is not as thick and heavy as ordinary protective mirrors; instead, it is as thin as a cicada's wing, but it is full of spiritual energy and made of excellent material.
Mu Meng stared blankly for a moment, then quickly and steadily closed the lid again, pushing it towards Yue Liutian: "Brother Yue, isn't this Heart-Protecting Mirror a treasure passed down through your demon race? How come..."
Why would I give this to her out of the blue? Even if it really were her birthday, she shouldn't accept such an expensive gift.
If someone gives it to her, what will happen to her son in the future?
Yue Liutian remained expressionless and pushed the box back: "I brought this all the way here, it wouldn't be right not to accept it."
This was using the words she had spoken when she entered the house to shut her up. Mu Meng repeatedly declined, but to no avail. Seeing Yue Liutian's serious expression, she hesitated for a while and came up with a compromise: she would keep it for now, and when his son was born, she, as his aunt, would send it back.
Thinking this, Mu Meng tied the red string back to its original position.
Although she wasn't familiar with Yue Liutian, she knew her brother was on good terms with him, so it seemed their friendship was truly deep. Mu Meng asked curiously, "Brother Yue, you brought me such a gift, what did you give your brother?"
It's bound to be another lavish gift.
Yue Liutian parted his lips slightly, intending to speak, but then his eyes shifted, and his smile appeared somewhat mischievous.
He teased her with a smile, "I'd like to give Qingheng a brother-in-law."
Sister/brother-in-law?
Mu Meng asked uncertainly, "Which sister? Is it...me?"
Such a big matter didn't warrant her direct identification, after all, her father and mother had three children, and she had an older sister.
Seeing her nervous appearance, Yue Liutian toned down his teasing intentions, but when he got serious, he found it difficult to speak.
He had no choice but to say indirectly, "I just met with the Heavenly Emperor and we talked about Princess Mu Luo. Unfortunately, it seems that the Heavenly Emperor is still angry and has no intention of releasing her from the Heavenly Prison."
"Moreover, even if Your Highness is released from prison, I'm afraid you won't be willing to marry someone else."
This was a heavy matter, and Mu Meng's eyes dimmed as she spoke. Yue Liutian, not wanting to upset her, gently advised, "Mengmeng, don't be sad. Give them some more time. Things will definitely get better in the future."
"Let's talk about our own business, Mengmeng. What do you think?"
"I……"
"misty."
Mu Meng had just started speaking when she heard Mu Qingheng calling her from behind. He had changed back into a white robe, and his demeanor and style were outstanding.
Originally, Yue Liutian was an exceptionally outstanding person, but his presence made him appear somewhat less impressive.
Mu Qingheng walked in with a peaceful smile on his face: "So that's why I couldn't find His Highness the Crown Prince. It turns out he's here with my little sister."
He sat down, exuding an undeniable aura of power.
Mu Meng glanced at her brother, and for some reason, a strange sense of guilt welled up inside her.
Yue Liutian's gaze swept over Mu Meng and Mu Qingheng, a hint of doubt in his mind.
He had always known that Mu Qingheng was intelligent and perceptive, and that he had kept Mengmeng in his heart for many years, secretly waiting for her to grow up. He couldn't possibly not know that.
Although Mu Qingheng had remained noncommittal, he believed that there should be no obstacles to his marriage proposal this time.
Looking back now, I realize I had oversimplified things.
Mu Qingheng slowly pushed the small box towards Yue Liutian: "I understand what you mean, but Mengmeng is still young. If you have anything to say, you can talk to me first, or to Father Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Yue Liutian realized the difficulty of the matter and smiled, saying, "I understand etiquette, but we should ask Mengmeng's opinion first."
"What if Mengmeng is unwilling?"
The Moon Flow Heavenly Dao said, "If Mengmeng is unwilling, then I will not pursue the matter further."
Mu Qingheng looked at Mu Meng, who was staring at him with a pair of large, clear eyes like black pearls, her gaze innocent yet trusting.
His expression softened unconsciously, and he looked back at Yue Liutian: "Mengmeng is still young, let's talk about this when she's older."
...
Yue Liutian was dismissed by his brother with a few words, but he insisted on leaving the Heart-Protecting Mirror behind. His brother initially refused, but then seemed to think of something and said that she would keep it for the time being.
Mu Meng thought the same way. After all, Brother Yue's gift was so sincere, it would feel wrong to refuse it. She could only stick to her initial plan and return the gift when she had the chance later.
However, she had originally planned to thank him properly when she saw him at the banquet, but upon hearing that the Demon Lord had urgently summoned him, he took his leave without attending the banquet.
Mu Qingheng's birthday celebration was a grand affair. Perhaps it was because of his greater military achievements in the past two years, but this year his father seemed to intend to make it even more elaborate.
The guests enjoyed themselves immensely, but Mu Qingheng, who didn't particularly like crowds, excused himself halfway through the banquet, saying he couldn't hold his liquor and went back to find some peace and quiet.
As soon as he left, Mu Meng also quietly slipped away. Her brother had been busy ever since he came back, and she hadn't yet given him the birthday gift she had prepared.
Mu Meng walked briskly to the outside of the hall. Before she could knock, she heard someone inside gently call out to her, "Mengmeng, there's no need to knock. Come in."
Mu Qingheng changed out of her heavy formal dress and into a light and thin garment. Her jet-black hair was tied with a headband, giving her a languid and carefree beauty.
He leaned against the small table, drinking tea, with several snacks already prepared beside him.
Mu Meng sat down happily to one side: "Brother, how did you know it was me?"
She glanced at the pastries on the table, her childlike smile deepening, and picked up a mille-feuille pastry to eat: "They even prepared something delicious for me."
Mu Qingheng smiled and placed the two plates of pastries that had been placed far away in front of Mu Meng without saying anything.
Mu Meng didn't come here just to eat snacks. After taking a couple of bites, she couldn't help but excitedly say, "Brother, now it's my turn to give you your birthday present!"
She was so cheerful, even though she was all alone, that she brought a lively and cheerful atmosphere to the otherwise quiet palace.
Mu Qingheng looked at her, his eyes slowly curving into a smile, but then he blinked and stiffened his expression.
He held the scissors in one hand, adjusted the candle, and gave a soft "hmm".
The candlelight flickered a few times, making the room even brighter than before.
Mu Meng happily took out an object from his bosom, but before he could show it to Mu Qingheng, he suddenly asked:
"Mengmeng, do you like the demon prince?"
The demon prince... Mu Meng thought for a moment: "I like him quite a bit. This brother is very nice, approachable, and down-to-earth."
Mu Qingheng's hand paused almost imperceptibly, then he continued to adjust the wick as if nothing had happened.
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