Chapter 82: All Royal Princesses Are Terrifying

The commotion around Hu Mo constantly tugged at the hearts of those nearby. When Hu Mo was slapped by Zhu Xinyue, the guards immediately rushed forward, ready to seize him.

Zhu Xinyue's almond eyes widened, and she shouted sharply, "What are you trying to do? Are you rebelling?"

Her rebuke left the guards dumbfounded. They had thought Hu Mo had angered Zhu Xinyue and intended to show their loyalty, perhaps earning a reward. Now, not only did they receive nothing, but were berated instead, leaving them with a sense of injustice and frustration.

Quickly, they retreated and dared not meddle any further. Zhu Xinyue's anger slowly faded. She reclined once more in the fur chair, took up her tea, and drank deeply. The wine, conversation, and tears from earlier had left her parched.

"Ah, thank goodness for your support, Sister Xinyue. Otherwise, I'd be skinned alive if not killed outright. I am truly grateful—thank you, beauty, for saving the hero," Hu Mo said earnestly, rubbing his arm and bowing with sincerity.

"Pfft—" Xinyue burst out laughing, spraying water that nearly landed on Hu Mo's face. If not for his quick reflexes, blocking with his sleeve, he would have been utterly embarrassed.

Zhu Xinyue hurried to apologize and help wipe off the water, the touch making Hu Mo's pale face turn slightly red, especially since most of the spill was on his lower half.

"Hmm? What's this? It's hard and long..." Zhu Xinyue looked at the rod-like shape rising between Hu Mo's legs, scratching her head in confusion and frowning.

Hu Mo was startled. He quickly summoned the power of water, calming himself until the troublesome part settled and returned to normal.

"Heh, it’s nothing, Sister Xinyue. You must have seen wrong. See? There’s nothing there," Hu Mo said, patting the spot nervously, for he noticed her gaze had grown rather mischievous.

"Oh, I must have been mistaken. I thought it was your... weapon, Brother Hu. Turns out I was wrong," Zhu Xinyue drawled, her voice lingering, making cold sweat bead on Hu Mo’s brow.

He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking this girl was truly something—her words nearly drove him mad.

"Yes, yes, you were mistaken. I'm just a weak scholar, what would I need a weapon for? Heh..." Hu Mo chuckled, carefully controlling the water power to suppress his restless inner fire.

Zhu Xinyue shot him a glance, secretly thinking, "He really knows how to talk. Weak scholar? If he's a weak scholar, then I'm the greatest warrior on the continent."

Hu Mo felt uneasy under her gaze and was about to speak when Cang Ling and several princesses emerged from within.

The princesses' faces were somewhat grim; Lin Nan was expressionless, and Cang Ling’s features were completely concealed behind her veil.

Zhu Xinyue, seeing her sisters' faces, guessed what had happened. She smiled and said, "Sisters, how was it? After seeing Sister Cang's beauty, do you have any thoughts? Should we share our impressions?"

Her words amused Hu Mo—a single sentence turned the princesses’ expressions even gloomier.

"You little brat, why didn't you warn us? We're devastated," the Sixth Princess complained, her lips pouting as high as an oil bottle could hang from them.

"Huh? Sixth Sister, that's unfair. I did warn you, but you didn’t believe me. Now you see, I was right. It took me a long time to realize there are always greater people out there," Zhu Xinyue replied, elongating her tone with a smile.

"You little brat, daring to mock us. Sisters, let's tear her mouth!" At the Sixth Princess's call, the princesses shouted and rushed to grab Zhu Xinyue.

Startled, Zhu Xinyue darted behind Hu Mo. He pitifully played the guardian, like a mother hen shielding her chick, as they engaged in a game of eagle and chicks.

"Oh, my! Found a man and now you dare act up with us? We mustn’t let this slide. Sisters, seize her man first!" The Sixth Princess cried, and the group lunged for Hu Mo, creating a truly dramatic scene.

All the other men watched wide-eyed, seeing Hu Mo beset by a flock of women. Their hearts filled with envy and frustration—why couldn’t they be so abused? Truly, it inspired jealousy and resentment!

"Alright, alright, seeing you torment my apprentice pains me. You've all seen enough; surely there are no further demands," Cang Ling said with a smile. At her words, the princesses immediately ceased their assault.

"Alas, we have nothing left to say. Little Sister was right," the Sixth Princess sighed. She had always considered herself quite beautiful, but after seeing Cang Ling's face, she was utterly defeated. That beauty was flawless, beyond worldly measure—a sentiment shared by all.

Lin Nan had remained behind Hu Mo, and after following Cang Ling back and forth several times, her mood had lightened considerably. This was Cang Ling’s intention; Lin Nan seemed to deliberately shut herself off, a first step for those with a primordial body to stray onto a dark path. Gradually, they become entirely self-centered, which eventually leads to mental collapse and frenzied slaughter.

After Cang Ling guided her around, the hostility in Lin Nan diminished. Having been teased by the girls, she was clearly embarrassed, her cheeks still tinged with a blush that made her look quite alluring.

"Come now, it's not a beauty contest. No need to take it so seriously," Zhu Xinyue said, soothing her sisters. They nodded, sighed softly, and lowered their heads—it would take time to overcome the shadow cast upon them.

Hu Mo straightened his tattered clothes and stood pitifully beside Cang Ling, perfectly embodying the image of a submissive young man.

"Taking advantage and still acting innocent—I’ll deal with you later!" Cang Ling whispered, giving him a sideways glance through her veil.

"You dare speak, when you were showing off yourself. I gained nothing, they took all the advantage!" Hu Mo replied sourly. Indeed, he had always been on the receiving end, never holding the initiative.

"As if I wouldn’t notice—the primal yang fire has already risen, and you claim nothing happened. Shall I help you make it more obvious?" Cang Ling’s voice carried a wicked undertone, making Hu Mo anxious.

It was true—those small hands had stirred a reaction in him. If not for the power of water suppressing it, he might have embarrassed himself. If Cang Ling stoked the fire, he would have nowhere to hide.

"No, please, I admit my mistake! Master, you are broad-minded, surely you won’t stoop to my level," Hu Mo said, glancing at Cang Ling’s ample bosom—the breadth was evident at a glance.

Cang Ling enjoyed his flattery, smiling in satisfaction and sparing him further trouble.

Zhu Xinyue and her sisters continued their playful scuffle until they were exhausted, slumping into their fur chairs. The gathering had been most lively during that “performance,” far more enjoyable than dealing with lecherous men.

Zhu Xinluo emerged leisurely from within, now dressed in red. Her rosy cheeks spoke of her satisfaction with the earlier feast.

Aside from Zhu Xinyue, the other princesses looked uneasy upon seeing Zhu Xinluo. They had always been influenced by Zhu Xinshui and held little fondness for Zhu Xinluo.

Still, in public, they maintained cordial relations—royalty valued appearances highly, and they were compelled to mind their manners.

"Heh, did you enjoy yourselves? Second Sister seldom brings you out to play, you must be stifled," Zhu Xinluo said with a smile.

Due to her reputation, most of her half-sisters kept their distance, while Zhu Xinshui cared for and guided them.

As Zhu Xinshui was strict, they respected her, though more out of reverence than fear. Compared to Zhu Xinluo, they preferred Zhu Xinshui.

"Eldest Sister, Second Sister usually teaches us music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, rarely bringing us to gatherings like this. We only get to attend thanks to your generosity once a year—we’re truly grateful!" The Sixth Princess replied with a smile. Though she acted silly most of the time, she was calm and collected when it mattered, unlike the Fourth and Fifth Princesses.

"Yes, it's wonderful. I’ve seen your paintings and heard your music—Second Sister puts in so much effort. It makes me, as the eldest, feel quite ashamed. Don’t overwork yourselves; come visit me in Phoenix Song Pavilion sometime, it’s always lively here," Zhu Xinluo said with a smile, her words carrying a hint of mischief that made the princesses frown and the atmosphere turn awkward.

The Sixth Princess’s expression shifted. She replied, "Thank you, Eldest Sister. If we have time, we’ll come play. It’s getting late, we should head home. Fourth Sister, Fifth Sister, let’s go."

She didn’t call for Zhu Xinyue, but exchanged a friendly glance with Hu Mo, as if conveying something. Hu Mo seemed to understand and nodded slightly; only then did the three princesses depart the hall.

"It seems not only Zhu Xinluo, but all the royal princesses are quite extraordinary!" Hu Mo sighed inwardly, recognizing just how clever and shrewd these women truly were.