Chapter 28: The Fall of the Mo Clan, the Rise of the Feng Clan

The Mo Liuli incident pushed the already declining Mo family to the brink of collapse on the Huanlan Continent. Second- and third-tier families, long coveting the status of the noble house, seized the opportunity to strike, inflicting various damages upon Mo Yuan.

The three great families of the Huanlan Continent—Mo, Qian, and Beimu—were reshuffled to Feng, Qian, and Beimu. The Mo family fell from the first tier to the third. Because the Mo family had brought shame upon the Imperial Clan through a fraudulent marriage, the fact that the royals did not exterminate them was already a significant act of mercy. The reason for this, perhaps, was known only to the Huanlan Emperor himself.

Ever since the day she was kicked by Mo Yuan, resulting in a miscarriage, Mo Ruyan had disappeared from the Mo estate alongside Concubine Qing. For Mo Yuan, who was struggling with a declining fortune and struggling to feed his dependents, this was a relief. Yet, he still felt a pang of regret for Mo Ruyan’s lost talent, and he still harbored a lingering, greedy fondness for Concubine Qing’s gentle nature.

The household had dismissed most of their servants, and they were now living a life of pure expenditure with no income. Mo Yuan was nearly at the point of raiding the private savings of the clan elders. The concubines and illegitimate children, long accustomed to a life of luxury, broke into wails and complaints the moment they moved into the cramped, impoverished courtyard house, and these complaints soon spiraled into trouble.

"It’s all that little wretch Mo Liuli’s fault! If not for her, would we have fallen to this state?"

"Exactly! It’s all her fault! Woe is me, look at this dilapidated shack—how are we supposed to live here?"

"And that little hussy, Luya! If she hadn't helped hide the truth, perhaps things wouldn't have ended this way! We should have sold her to a brothel long ago! Look at her, acting so high and mighty before!"

"Mother, Qin’er is so hungry. I want to eat the Peony Feast from the expensive pastry shop at the city gate..."

A crowd of them packed the courtyard, voices filled with resentment. The younger illegitimate daughters even tugged at their mothers’ sleeves, crying out in hunger. Mo Yuan, already harboring a smoldering rage, felt his temper snap. Looking at the chattering, miserable crowd, he realized for the first time that being the head of this family was a curse that would plague him for eight lifetimes. He felt as though every misfortune in the world had landed on his doorstep.

Madam Leng, who had remained silent and terrified, dodged the more ferocious concubines and illegitimate children, clinging tightly to Mo Yuan’s side. She feared that if she lagged behind, she would be beaten by them as an outlet for their frustration.

"Shut up! All of you, shut up!"

Mo Yuan could no longer bear the noise. His head buzzed as if it were about to explode. Taking advantage of the moment the elders had stepped out for air, he exerted his authority as the head of the house.

"Father, you should bring the second sister back," a gentle-looking illegitimate daughter suggested, seeing her chance to step forward. "She has been at the Magic Cultivation Academy for so many years, and her mentor dotes on her. She surely has a way for us to move back to the old mansion."

"Yes, yes! Father, the second sister is so capable and beautiful. If nothing else works, why don't you have her marry the current Prime Minister Xia as a concubine? Prime Minister Xia has long coveted her beauty! He is a favorite of the Emperor; if we rely on him, then..."

As one voice spoke, others followed. Mo Yuan’s mouth twitched, and he felt a suffocating pressure in his chest.

"Master! Perhaps we should invite Yu'er back? This time... oh, alas!" Madam Leng whispered to Mo Yuan, her eyes filled with even greater sorrow. Her own Liuli was no longer reliable, and she had caused the Mo family such ruin.

Mo Yuan’s brow furrowed, his head shaking slightly. Even if he entertained such thoughts, he dared not voice them. He was already a spineless head of the family, trampled upon by the elders; now, he feared being trampled by his second daughter as well. Quietly, he slipped out of the circle of people and fled toward the courtyard gate. It seemed he had to hasten his efforts to capture the rebellious Mo Liuli and hand her over to the Imperial Clan to pay for her crimes.

The Mo family fell, and the Feng family rose. The Feng family, once a third-tier house, not only replaced the Mo family as a great noble house but also moved into their confiscated ancestral mansion. Firecrackers rang out, and a three-day banquet was held. The Mo Residence was renamed the Feng Residence.

The courtyard where Mo Liuli once lived was now occupied by the second young master of the Feng family, Feng Wujiang. Feng Wujiang was one of the top martial arts geniuses on the continent, two years younger than Mo Liuli. A model among the youth, he was a fifth-level Mid-Yuan warrior. He attended the same academy as Mo Zichuan, though they were in different classes.

When Mo Liuli’s portrait was circulated, he had secretly kept one for himself. At first sight, he had fallen for her—for the holy, beautiful Mo Liuli in the portrait. From the painting, he saw a cold pride, an iron will, and an undeniable queenly aura. Though the outside world spread rumors of her being a fallen woman of loose morals, he did not believe them. In his eyes, Mo Liuli was perfect.

"Sister Liuli, I heard this was the courtyard you lived in. How wonderful!" In the room, Feng Wujiang held the portrait, pacing back and forth and speaking to himself. His tone betrayed his deep affection for her.

Standing on the garden wall, Xiao Junwang remained in his white robes, his face hidden behind a purple fox mask. The front courtyard was filled with the sounds of celebratory banquets; no one would come to the back garden at such a time. He had searched for a long time but found no news of Mo Liuli, not even a trace of Long'er’s presence. He had come here, thinking perhaps she might return to this garden.

"Young Master! Young Master, save me!"

From beneath the wall where Xiao Junwang stood, a mournful, desperate cry rang out. Luya, bruised and battered, stood below, looking up at him with tears streaming down her face, appearing utterly pitiful. Her clothes were thin and translucent, the kind worn by women in pleasure houses.

Xiao Junwang caught sight of her disheveled state and felt a pang of discomfort. He awkwardly turned his gaze away, not daring to look at her again.

"Young Master, save this servant! I do not want to return to the brothel. I want to follow you... to follow the Eldest Miss! I beg you, take me to serve her! I will be your beast of burden, anything!" Seeing Xiao Junwang remain silent, Luya cried even more bitterly, her eyes brimming with tears.

Her frantic sobbing startled Feng Wujiang in the courtyard. Hearing the noise, he immediately pushed open the door, still clutching Mo Liuli’s portrait. He looked out in pleasant surprise, hoping to see Mo Liuli, but he was met with two strangers.

Xiao Junwang stood proudly atop the wall, a noble aura radiating from him. Looking down, he saw the pitiful, beautiful Luya, and Feng Wujiang hesitated, feeling she looked familiar.

"Who are you? What are you doing in the Feng family’s garden?" Feng Wujiang tightened his grip on the portrait, asking cautiously. "If you have no business here, leave! If you don't go, I’ll call for the guards!"