Chapter 31: The Sleepy Little Babe

Page 1 of 3

After giving birth, Mo Liuli found countless fragmented images surging into her mind, adding a touch of color to her once-blank memories...

A woman clad in red robes stood proudly with her hands behind her back, leading an army of thousands before the towering walls.

“From this day forth, Gudi shall be divided into four territories, each governed by one of the four great guardians: Huanlan, Ge, Qianchi, and Yuanjian. From now on, you must love and support one another.”

“Grand Lord Moli is wise! Grand Lord Moli is mighty!”

The moment her order was issued, deafening cries rang throughout the valley.

“Grand Lord, are you truly going to divide the realm into four and entrust its governance to several guardians?” The chief general who had always followed the woman wore a worried expression as he stepped forward and asked in a lowered voice.

“My loyal general, there is no need to say more. I have never coveted the realm. It was only a matter of time before Gudi was placed in the hands of the four guardians. You have traveled and fought beside me for many years and are advanced in age. From now on, you may finally enjoy a life of peace and comfort.”

The woman named Moli waved her hand indifferently, thereby determining the future fate of the realm.

Amid a sea of petals filling the sky, Moli danced barefoot, stepping upon the petals as she spun round and round.

“Moli! Moli!”

Across the water, Ge shouted anxiously toward her. Unfortunately, Moli was utterly lost in her dance, her red sleeves fluttering through the air, and could not hear anything from the outside world.

At that moment, the sky suddenly changed. Countless bolts of lightning flashed into existence, forming an enormous web that bound Moli tightly within it. When Moli realized what was happening and tried to fight back, it was already too late. The immense current coursing through her body left her in agonizing torment.

“Ah!”

The shrill cry escaped her lips involuntarily, shattering the boundless beauty of the scene and turning it into desolation.

Even in her sleep, Mo Liuli could clearly feel the woman’s pain—searing and bone-deep.

“Hahaha! Moli! From now on, this realm will belong to us!”

A burst of laughter approached from the distance. Moli abruptly raised her head, only to see a face more familiar to her than any other. Her former trusted general and guardian had actually revealed such a vicious, mocking smile while she was trapped.

The pain in Moli’s eyes deepened, and faint flames began to kindle within them.

The image blurred and twisted, transforming into a great fire that seemed to burn the heavens. Amid the sea of flames, that graceful figure remained proud and unyielding.

“Those who betray and humiliate me today—I shall repay them a hundredfold, a thousandfold, a millionfold when the day comes!”

Heavenly fire consumed her body. Not even her bones remained, and her spirit was scattered completely. Fueled by the hatred filling her heart, Moli swore her furious oath. Blood and fire engulfed her entire world...

Awakened by Moli’s hatred, Mo Liuli jolted upright in terror, drenched in cold sweat. An endless, aching sorrow seized her heart, and bitterness spread through her.

“Moli...”

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

Qiu Xue, who had remained nearby because he could not bring himself to leave her unattended, heard the noise and hurriedly lifted the curtain to look inside.

“How are you? Feeling any better?”

Because of the propriety between men and women, he could only ask with concern from the other side of the curtain.

“Hm?”

Still immersed in her dream, Mo Liuli answered vaguely. Only then did she turn toward the voice. Seeing Qiu Xue gazing at her with his deep crimson eyes, she belatedly realized how discomposed she must look.

“It’s nothing. I only had a dream and feel a little tired.”

Mo Liuli answered cautiously, unable to resist stealing several more glances at Qiu Xue.

Judging by his appearance, he did resemble the chief general from her dream. The difference lay in their eyes. The general’s eyes had been bright and keen, an intelligent black, while Qiu Xue’s were a vivid blood-red.

Mo Liuli shook her head. The sudden flood of memories was difficult to accept. She could hardly believe that the woman in the dream had been herself.

“Alliance Leader! The young master is hungry and won’t stop crying...”

Hearing voices from inside the room, Xiaoyue hurried in carrying the infant, her face filled with panic and helplessness.

In the Blood Alliance, not a single new face had appeared in eight hundred years, let alone a rosy, bawling baby who still needed to be fed. The wet nurses had been dismissed immediately, and now that the child was crying for food, Xiaoyue had no idea what to do.

“Then take him away and feed him! Why bring him here?”

Qiu Xue was a vigorous young man, and despite having spent so long in the Blood Alliance, he knew nothing about caring for infants. He assumed that whatever adults could eat, a baby could eat as well, and scolded Xiaoyue sternly.

The infant’s cries were loud enough to make even him feel restless.

“But...”

Xiaoyue was on the verge of tears.

“Bring him in and give him to me.”

Mo Liuli lay back down and spoke to Xiaoyue outside the curtain. She at least knew that a hungry infant needed his mother’s milk.

Xiaoyue felt as though she had been granted a reprieve. She carried the baby straight into the inner chamber behind the curtain.

When Qiu Xue saw Mo Liuli begin to lift the covers, he froze. Then, as though remembering something, his face turned bright red. He quickly lowered the curtain, rose, and left the room.

The moment Qiu Xue stepped outside, various nourishing dishes prepared for a woman who had just given birth were brought into Mo Liuli’s room.

Mo Liuli had been worrying that, with an empty stomach, she would have no nourishment and might not produce enough milk for the little one. She had not expected a pot of perfectly simmered fish soup to be brought in. Her appetite immediately returned, and she drank it with great satisfaction.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

Strangely enough, the infant quieted the moment he was placed in Mo Liuli’s arms. Before she had even fed him, he broke into a smile, obediently closed his mouth, and fell asleep.

Mo Liuli carefully studied his tiny brows and eyes. The soft, rosy baby fat unique to infants was displayed to perfection on his face. His skin was fair and smooth as jade, his lips red as cherries, and his delicate features sharply defined. There was even a faintly imposing air about him. A red cinnabar mark adorned the center of his brow.

It seemed the women had taken excellent care of him. Not only had they washed him clean, they had dressed him beautifully as well. Delighted, Mo Liuli held the sleeping infant and quietly examined him.

“What a sleepy little thing. No wonder your mother thought you would be such a sleepyhead.”

With a tender smile, Mo Liuli kissed his cheek and whispered.

Seeing this gentle side of Mo Liuli, Xiaoyue felt as happy as though honey had been spread over her heart. The maids beneath the Blood Alliance had all said that Miss Mo, their mistress, was difficult—arrogant and aloof. She had even become pregnant while her relationship with the Alliance Leader remained unclear, causing the women who admired him to grow fiercely jealous and spread malicious rumors about Mo Liuli behind her back.

At first, Xiaoyue had not been fond of Mo Liuli either. She had thought her arrogance was feigned and her coldness an act. But after spending more time with her, Xiaoyue had come to like her.

Of all the masters she had served, Mo Liuli was the only female mistress who had never schemed or resorted to deceit.

“You may go. I’ll stay with him for a while.”

Mo Liuli gently dismissed the maidservants attending her. She lay down beside the infant and fell asleep with him, a sweet smile curling at the corners of her lips.

What a strange feeling. She had become a mother just like that.

But, little bundle, where was your father?

At the thought, Mo Liuli affectionately pinched the baby’s soft cheek.

A vague image formed in her mind: a man wearing a purple fox mask. Along with it came a name rising from the depths of her heart.

“Xiao...”

“Is it Xiao? Be good. Sleep well for now. When you get hungry, Mother will feed you. Tomorrow, Mother will give you a lovely name, all right? Or perhaps... I’ll give you a nickname first. Once we find your father, he can choose your proper name?”

Mo Liuli began murmuring to the air all by herself.

Page 3 of 3