While Mr. Dragon sorrowfully imagined the miserable life he would lead without Mu Wanwan in the future, Wanwan remained seated anxiously inside the restaurant.
Her thoughts were in turmoil.
After she, a cannon-fodder supporting character, transmigrated into the novel, she had changed parts of the original plot. However, Bai Shuiyao’s heroine halo clearly had not disappeared.
Although she had failed to ensnare Ao Qin, she had now attached herself to Ao Xue.
Ao Xue might not be as frightening as Ao Qin, but he was still one of the more talented dragons among the younger generation of the azure dragon tribe.
Although Mu Wanwan had advanced and become a second-rank cultivator, that would not be particularly useful.
Bai Shuiyao would not personally come and cause trouble for her. If she brought several second-rank guards with her, that alone would be enough to make Mu Wanwan suffer.
Mu Wanwan had already completely fallen out with Bai Shuiyao the last time they met.
Her current identity was awkward, and escaping was not an option. Mr. Dragon and the fluffball were still at home.
Besides, even if she fled, where could she possibly go?
It was not realistic.
Mu Wanwan irritably drank the tea before her.
She felt as though she had reached the edge of a cliff. There was no road ahead, while a crowd wielding knives chased her from behind.
It would be wonderful if Mr. Dragon were awake.
Thinking of the dragon lying on the bed, Mu Wanwan sighed helplessly.
In his present condition, Mr. Dragon could not even protect himself. She was already afraid that Ao Qin might come and cause trouble for them.
If Bai Shuiyao and Ao Qin came to their door at the same time…
Mu Wanwan’s face turned green at the thought.
She gripped the cup before her, completely uncertain about what she should do.
Should she ask Uncle Zong?
But she had already troubled him enough. Besides, Uncle Zong might not be capable of defeating Ao Xue.
While her thoughts remained tangled, two women entered the restaurant.
Their clothing appeared understated, but it was still visibly luxurious.
They wore their hair in the style of maids and veils over their faces, revealing only their beautiful eyes. Yet their voices carried unmistakable pride and disdain.
“Waiter, come here.”
Their tone was unpleasant, but the waiter showed no displeasure whatsoever.
He behaved even more respectfully than he had when he saw Ao Xue earlier.
“What instructions do the two honoured ladies have?”
The slightly older of the two maids spoke in a charming voice.
“Is Lord Ao Xue here?”
Hearing her mention Ao Xue’s name, Mu Wanwan immediately returned to her senses and listened carefully.
“He is.”
The waiter’s smile stiffened slightly.
Internally, he felt bitter.
Whether it was the mistress backing these two women or Ao Xue inside the private room upstairs, neither was someone he could afford to offend.
“Heh. Then is he… alone?”
The younger maid’s voice was soft and sounded remarkably gentle.
The waiter immediately realised that this was precisely the kind of deadly question he had feared.
His smile became rigid, and cold sweat poured from his forehead.
“Are you going to answer or not?”
The younger maid became impatient. She reached out and seized the waiter by the collar, behaving with complete arrogance.
“Don’t throw your weight around in my establishment. Let him go.”
A powerful voice rang out.
The innkeeper, who had been lazily sitting behind the counter and resting, finally spoke.
“Our restaurant serves customers with money and needs. Who cares about the nonsense happening in your women’s courtyard?”
The innkeeper was clearly a ruthless man. He showed the maids no respect whatsoever.
Mu Wanwan saw anger flash within their eyes, but they ultimately did not lose their tempers.
The older maid even laughed charmingly.
“Innkeeper, you’re as incapable of cherishing women as ever~”
The maids stopped making things difficult for the waiter.
Instead, one stretched out a delicate hand and gently stroked his chest, her behaviour completely different from before.
“Waiter, bring us sisters a pot of peach-blossom wine~”
The waiter answered while trembling.
This sort of romantic fortune was far beyond what he could endure.
The two maids rolled their eyes at the innkeeper’s back. They chose a seat inside the relatively empty hall, coincidentally settling slightly ahead of Mu Wanwan.
They lounged bonelessly in their chairs, their little fingers raised as they waited.
Mu Wanwan calmly continued drinking her tea while discreetly observing the sisters.
Based on what she had just heard, the mistress behind these two women was probably extremely powerful. Otherwise, they would not dare behave so arrogantly.
Mu Wanwan also secretly glanced at the innkeeper, who was recording the accounts.
The innkeeper himself was probably very strong as well. Otherwise, he could never have spoken to them so forcefully.
The two maids had mentioned Ao Xue, while the innkeeper had said that he did not care about the affairs inside their mistress’s courtyard…
A possibility suddenly flashed through Mu Wanwan’s mind.
Could Ao Xue already have a wife?
And could his wife’s background be extremely powerful?
If Ao Xue genuinely had a lawful wife, that would be wonderful.
Judging from the behaviour of her maids, she was probably not someone who could be easily provoked.
Then what did Mu Wanwan have to fear?
Bai Shuiyao had dared steal her husband. It would be strange if this wife did not kill her.
Mu Wanwan suppressed her rising excitement and forced herself to calm down, deciding to quietly observe what happened next.
She waited for more than half an hour.
To avoid attracting suspicion, she was even forced to order some expensive pastries before Ao Xue and Bai Shuiyao finally came downstairs.
More precisely, Ao Xue carried Bai Shuiyao downstairs.
Her face was somewhat pale. Her lips had been bitten open roughly, while bluish-purple handprints covered her neck.
She did not look well, yet she still struggled to smile at Ao Xue.
The moment the two maids at the neighbouring table saw them, they immediately shot to their feet and quickly blocked Ao Xue and Bai Shuiyao’s path.
Mu Wanwan drank her tea, unexpectedly feeling as though she were watching an entertaining performance.
Ao Xue frowned when he saw the maids obstructing him.
“Get lost.”
The older maid laughed.
“Master, Madam is still waiting for you at home. Which…”
Her gaze moved across Bai Shuiyao before she continued sweetly,
“…worthless little tramp have you taken an interest in this time?”
The maids showed Ao Xue no respect at all and directly called Bai Shuiyao a tramp.
Bai Shuiyao’s expression immediately became ugly with anger.
Mu Wanwan secretly felt delighted.
However, when she raised her eyes to look at the other customers, she discovered that almost everyone had somehow disappeared from the hall.
She felt somewhat uneasy but remained seated.
She was wearing a veiled hat rather than a simple face veil, and she had advanced in rank.
As long as she remained silent and sat far away, Bai Shuiyao probably would not recognise her, right?
“What is Jiu’er making a fuss about now?”
When Ao Xue heard the two maids mention his wife, helplessness flashed between his brows.
“Our madam isn’t making a fuss.”
The younger maid was sharp-tongued and articulate.
“She merely asked us to deliver a message. If Master genuinely likes this woman, then take her home as a lowly concubine and properly acknowledge her.”
“Otherwise, she’s merely some dubious servant who somehow managed to seduce you. What if she sells her body for a living? If word spreads, it will disgrace Madam.”
“After all, Madam is a princess of the nine-tailed fox tribe.”
The younger maid was only one step away from pointing directly at Bai Shuiyao’s nose and calling her a prostitute.
A princess of the nine-tailed fox tribe?
Mu Wanwan’s heart skipped a beat.
Even within the original body’s memories, there were a few faint impressions of that title.
The little princess of the nine-tailed fox tribe, the little mermaid princess of the merfolk tribe and the little princess of the elves were collectively known as the three greatest beauties within Mr. Dragon’s territory.
The original owner had heard of them when she was still young.
She had never expected the little nine-tailed fox princess to have married Ao Xue.
In that case, there was nothing strange about her maids behaving arrogantly.
But wasn’t the nine-tailed fox tribe the most skilled at charm techniques?
Why would Ao Xue ignore the peerless beauty waiting at home and come outside to pluck the wildflower that was Bai Shuiyao?
Before Mu Wanwan could think further, she heard Ao Xue speak.
“Then take her home.”
Having lost much of his interest after being interrupted by the two maids, he directly dropped Bai Shuiyao from his arms onto the floor.
“Tell Jiu’er I’ll return home for dinner tonight.”
After speaking, he ignored Bai Shuiyao’s quiet sobbing.
Scales flashed briefly across his face before he left.
“Lord Ao Xue!”
Bai Shuiyao called after the man who had only recently treated her roughly and intimately.
“What are you shouting for?”
The younger maid seized her by the collar and slapped her without the slightest politeness.
Mu Wanwan was somewhat stunned by the sudden turn of events, but she released a breath of relief.
She remained seated until the two maids had escorted Bai Shuiyao away. Only then did she pay her bill and leave.
While she was paying, the innkeeper gave her a long, meaningful look but said nothing.
Mu Wanwan felt lingering fear.
She understood that remaining behind had probably been far too risky.
However, she had obtained a great deal of information, so it had not been a complete loss.
She had initially been extremely worried.
But it now appeared that Bai Shuiyao had not yet made Ao Xue infatuated with her. With the little nine-tailed fox princess watching her, she would not be capable of causing much trouble for the time being.
However, Mu Wanwan did not intend to return home immediately.
Bai Shuiyao becoming involved with Ao Xue proved that her heroine halo still existed.
Perhaps at any moment, she could make Ao Qin completely lose his senses over her as well.
Mu Wanwan now possessed a little ability.
She could no longer sit helplessly and wait for disaster as she had the previous time.
Furthermore, there was something she found extremely strange.
The nine-tailed fox tribe held considerable status among the demon tribes.
As their little princess, even if Jiu’er had originally fallen for Ao Xue because she was blinded by love, why would she not kick this worthless man aside after marriage and find another?
This was not ancient China.
As long as someone possessed sufficient strength on this continent, why couldn’t they have as many men as they wanted?
Mu Wanwan instinctively felt that there was more to the situation.
She pressed down the brim of her veiled hat and headed towards Xianqing Pavilion.
Xianqing Pavilion specialised in selling information and operated throughout the continent.
There had even been one inside the county where the original owner once lived.
Mu Wanwan had never visited the branch inside the elven market before.
This time, however, she needed to go.
…
More than two hours later, Mu Wanwan emerged from Xianqing Pavilion.
She calmly completed her shopping and prepared to return home.
She had taken rather a long time today.
Hongye had already been waiting outside for quite a while before finally seeing her.
“Madam, you’re rather late today.”
Hongye greeted her.
“The vegetables and purses didn’t sell very well today.”
Mu Wanwan sighed.
She first placed the basket containing several newly purchased pieces of the cheapest cotton clothing onto the cart, then climbed onto the ox cart herself.
Hongye agreed.
“Business isn’t easy at the moment. The elves are quite skilled at cultivation.”
Following her words, Mu Wanwan said,
“Then let’s visit the human market next time.”
Hongye teased her.
“Madam, you’ve only just received a little monthly allowance. You shouldn’t spend too extravagantly.”
Mu Wanwan knew she was referring to the mid-grade spirit stones Fuliu had produced the last time.
She smiled and handed Hongye several silver coins.
“I’ll have to trouble you often in the future.”
Hongye accepted the silver.
“Thank you, Madam.”
She blinked and did not refuse.
The ox cart travelled steadily towards the dragon residence.
Sitting on the cart, Mu Wanwan’s mind remained filled with the information she had just purchased for two mid-grade spirit stones.
Fifteen years earlier, Jiu Qing, the little princess of the nine-tailed fox tribe, had fallen in love with Ao Xue at first sight during a banquet jointly hosted by the dragon and demon tribes.
At the time, both of them were merely third-rank cultivators.
Everyone believed Ao Xue was extraordinarily fortunate.
The nine-tailed fox tribe opposed their relationship, but they ultimately could not overcome Jiu Qing’s persistence and allowed the pair to remain together.
Ao Xue constantly behaved with humility, acting as though he could not understand what he had done to deserve her.
For a period after their marriage, the couple had been extremely loving.
Unfortunately, Jiu Qing’s talent far surpassed Ao Xue’s.
Within ten years of marriage, she advanced by two full ranks and became the youngest fifth-rank expert in the nine-tailed fox tribe.
Ao Xue had only just struggled his way to the fourth rank.
If two people genuinely loved each other and spoke openly, such a difference would not necessarily matter.
But Ao Xue was a dragon and had always looked down upon foxes, even those from the nine-tailed fox tribe.
However, because of Jiu Qing’s beauty, talent and status within her clan, he kept those feelings buried.
Five years earlier, Jiu Qing entered a secret realm left behind by a powerful demon elder alongside several seniors from her tribe.
They encountered danger.
Almost every senior from the tribe was killed, while Jiu Qing herself suffered severe injuries.
The nine-tailed fox tribe declined dramatically within only half a month.
Jiu Qing’s strength was damaged, she became afflicted with a curse, and her face was disfigured.
Afterward, Ao Xue gradually revealed his true nature.
For the first two or three years after her disfigurement, he continued suppressing himself.
However, after exhausting their entire fortune purchasing Jinjiang Grass for Jiu Qing and still failing to restore her appearance completely, he finally grew thoroughly tired of her.
He took a concubine.
Once there was a first, there was soon a second.
Afterward, his behaviour became increasingly unrestrained, and his reputation for promiscuity spread more widely.
The dragon clans had no objections.
Mr. Dragon had never known about such matters, nor would he have interfered with them.
Gradually, the situation developed into what it was today.
None of this was particularly secret.
However, because it concerned a fifth-rank expert, the information still cost two mid-grade spirit stones.
After hearing the entire story, Mu Wanwan could only sigh.
Jiu Qing had believed she had married for love.
How could she have known that the man she chose was such a scoundrel?
The fact that she had not separated from him even now was probably because she lacked the ability to do so.
After learning about Ao Xue’s wife, Mu Wanwan sympathised with her.
However, she also selfishly considered her own situation.
Jiu Qing had been disfigured because of a curse.
Over the years, she had gradually stopped purchasing Jinjiang Grass.
Mu Wanwan guessed that it was because Jinjiang Grass was far too expensive and scarce.
Even Jiu Qing could not use it indefinitely.
Although most of her curse had now been dispelled, her appearance had never completely recovered.
Perhaps she would need medicinal pills capable of eliminating curses.
Uncle Zong had said that the spiritual plants Mu Wanwan cultivated possessed a limited ability to dispel curses.
If the pills she refined had the same effect, perhaps she could use them to arrange a transaction with Jiu Qing.
Before Bai Shuiyao’s heroine halo took full effect, she could have Jiu Qing suppress her.
Moreover, a starving camel was still larger than a horse.
Even if Jiu Qing’s present life was difficult, killing a Bai Shuiyao who had not yet completely obtained her husband’s affection should still be effortless.
This was precisely why Mu Wanwan had spent spirit stones purchasing information about Ao Xue’s wife.
The only question now was whether she could truly refine pills containing curse-dispelling properties.
Mu Wanwan gripped her sleeve and looked at the increasingly close residence, her heart filled with the desire to become stronger as quickly as possible.
If she genuinely became an alchemy master, perhaps she could escape this restrained, suffocating existence in which she possessed no freedom.
…
While Mu Wanwan travelled back to the residence, Mr. Dragon had already begun panicking because she had been gone for too long.
Based on his previous experience, Madam generally returned before noon.
But it was already afternoon, and she was still absent.
Had she encountered danger outside?
Or had that wicked dragon Ao Qin gone to cause trouble for her?
No, that should not be possible.
Ao Qin was probably busy negotiating recently. How could he have time to care about her?
After all, in Ao Qin’s eyes, Madam was merely a tool intended to counteract bad fortune.
Of course, she was not merely a tool in Mr. Dragon’s eyes.
Mr. Dragon’s thoughts were completely tangled.
Countless possibilities flashed through his mind, and every single one filled him with unbearable worry.
He had assumed his half-dragon form and sat halfway upright on the bed.
His sharp gaze remained fixed on the door behind the fluffball.
Dragon pressure spread through the room, frightening the still-young Mengmeng so badly that it did not dare move.
That remained true even though Mr. Dragon’s fluffy ears were exposed and trembling continuously with worry, making the bird desperately want to rub against them.
Mr. Dragon had maintained this posture for a long time.
Because he had absorbed a considerable number of spirit stones today, he could temporarily remain awake.
He had only wanted to see Madam’s happy expression when she discovered the green-jade hairpin.
But she had still not returned.
Mr. Dragon was nearly unable to endure it.
His heart was filled with violent agitation, and his lips were pressed tightly together.
He desperately hoped that the courtyard gate would be pushed open in the very next moment.
—
**Author’s Note:**
Mr. Dragon, waiting desperately for his wife:
“Why hasn’t she returned yet? Did something happen to her? I’m so worried. What will I do if she’s in danger? Why am I so useless that I can’t even go and search for her? But what if I leave to find her and she returns while I’m gone? Wouldn’t she worry when she discovered I wasn’t here? Could she have abandoned me because she dislikes me? Waaah, Madam, please come home. Please return quickly. I’m so worried…” *Ten thousand more words of internal monologue have been omitted.*
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