Chapter Sixty-Two: Lingering Echoes (Fourth of Five Chapters Upon Release)

Tao Ming quickly pushed Su Nanxing away, and Softie slipped into her arms, pouting, "You two are always doing weird things behind my back!"

Su Nanxing sighed. "I told you, having kids really affects our quality of life!"

Tao Ming rolled her eyes. "And whose fault is that? You were so impatient!"

Softie looked utterly aggrieved. "You don't want me anymore?"

Tao Ming hurriedly hugged her, soothing, "Of course we want you! You're my precious little darling!"

Softie pursed her lips and looked at Su Nanxing. "Dad, do you not want me anymore?"

Su Nanxing's heart melted. "Daddy was just joking. Of course I want you, Softie."

Softie wrapped her arms around Tao Ming's neck. "Mom, can we get a new dad?"

Tao Ming laughed, her eyes bright. "Sure, sure!"

Su Nanxing quickly scooped up Softie. "I’ll buy you two giant golden surprise eggs!"

"Three!"

"Deal!"

Softie turned to Tao Ming. "Forget it, let's keep this dad for now."

Watching them clown around, Tao Ming pouted. "Honey, I want grilled eggplant with extra garlic."

...

Niaoniao hesitated for ages, then finally picked up a food box and walked toward the two-story house.

From afar, she saw the place brightly lit, figures moving in front of the building. As she got closer, she realized everyone who lived here was outside.

She immediately spotted the Seventh Prince and Mu Zhu deep in conversation. Not far away, a woman in strange clothes nestled in a man's arms before everyone, two girls chattering by her side, while three men gathered around a long object, noisily discussing who knows what.

Bracing herself, Niaoniao walked over to the Seventh Prince and bowed. "Young master, I made some food especially for you."

The Seventh Prince had drunk half a can of beer and was already a little tipsy, his reactions slowed. Hearing Niaoniao's voice, he noticed someone beside him. He replied, "Just leave it."

Niaoniao placed the food box beside him, but seeing him ignore her further, disappointment flooded her heart and a faint sheen of tears appeared in her eyes.

Tao Ming saw Niaoniao standing beside the Seventh Prince, biting her lip, flustered. She nudged Su Nanxing. "The Seventh Prince really is a blockhead—such a beauty right in front of him and he doesn’t even notice."

Su Nanxing’s gaze was fixed only on Tao Ming’s face. "That Niaoniao is no good."

"You know that?"

"I sensed it as soon as we entered the inn. Many people have died here, and their deaths were tragic."

Tao Ming shivered. "You're making me feel cold all over."

Su Nanxing picked her up and called to the two little ones, "Softie, Sticky, time for bed! We need to get up early tomorrow."

Softie protested, "I’m not sleepy yet."

Sticky, always alert, tugged Softie along behind the adults.

The Seventh Prince saw Tao Ming’s family heading upstairs and called out, "Don’t sleep in tomorrow!"

Su Nanxing didn’t look back. "Relax, I’m eager to take my wife and child to meet my parents."

Everyone: "..."

Only then did the Seventh Prince notice Niaoniao still standing nearby. He asked, "Is there something you need?"

Niaoniao, on the verge of tears, bowed and turned to leave. The Seventh Prince called her back. "It’s been ages since I heard you play. If you have nothing else to do, play a song for me."

Hearing this, Niaoniao returned, set up the qin stand and bench, placed her instrument on it, and cast the Seventh Prince a longing look before gently running her fingers over the strings. The music flowed like water into the night.

Hearing the melody, Long Lin Yi and Qin Sihuo exchanged glances and rose to return to their rooms.

Mu Zhu sat beside the Seventh Prince, bathed in Niaoniao’s gaze. Suddenly, he cried out, "Oh no, my stomach hurts!" and fled.

Only the Seventh Prince and Niaoniao remained. The Seventh Prince grew uneasy; after a while, he said, "We have to get up early tomorrow. I’ll rest now."

Niaoniao immediately stopped playing, her voice syrupy sweet. "Young master, let me help you wash up."

The Seventh Prince was about to refuse, but seeing tears well in Niaoniao’s eyes, his heart softened. "Very well."

Once inside, Niaoniao approached, helping him untie his belt, remove his outer robe, and assisted him with his nighttime routine.

Standing by the bed, the Seventh Prince instructed, "You may go."

Niaoniao bit her lip, stepped forward, about to press herself against him.

The Seventh Prince stepped back. "You should remember, I never indulge in women."

Niaoniao spoke with resentment. "Then why did the spies report you embracing the Saintess’s mother and refusing to let go?"

A storm clouded the Seventh Prince’s face, his tone colder. "Just do what you are supposed to."

Niaoniao’s lovely eyes glistened with tears. "Lying in a man’s arms before everyone—such behavior..."

The Seventh Prince cut her off. "You’re becoming more and more disrespectful. Go and accept your punishment."

Niaoniao began to undress herself. "Young master, I dare say I’m not inferior to her."

The Seventh Prince’s anger flared. "What is the meaning of this?"

He raised his voice toward the door. "Mu Zhu, come in!"

Niaoniao froze, Mu Zhu entered. "Master?"

Suppressing his fury, the Seventh Prince ordered, "Take her away. Five days of water punishment."

Mu Zhu shot Niaoniao a glance. "Yes."

Niaoniao lowered her head and followed Mu Zhu.

The Seventh Prince’s expression flickered. He thought he’d spoiled her too much—she dared meddle in her lord’s affairs. Time to train a new person to oversee the spies in Cloud Immortal City.

Mu Zhu led Niaoniao away from the house. When they were alone, he whispered, "Why put yourself through this?"

Niaoniao’s voice was tinged with bitterness. "I’m just unwilling."

Mu Zhu thought: What good will that do? Even as a concubine, it won’t be you.

Then Niaoniao asked, "Mu Zhu, do you know how the Seventh Prince has been with the Saintess’s mother these past days?"

Mu Zhu instantly became wary. "The Saintess and her mother have stayed mostly in the aviary, rarely appearing before others."

Niaoniao snorted. "Today she lay in a man’s arms before everyone. If the Seventh Prince is alone with her, she’ll surely seduce him."

Mu Zhu thought: The master would love nothing more!

But he replied, "That man is the Saintess’s father. It’s perfectly normal for her to be close to her own husband."

Niaoniao’s steps faltered. "The Saintess came from another world. How could her father be from the Wei River?"

Mu Zhu looked at her deeply. "I’ve never heard of that."

Soon they reached the deepest part of the inn. Mu Zhu opened a hidden door and led Niaoniao into the water dungeon. An attendant greeted them respectfully, "Master, your orders?"

Mu Zhu sealed Niaoniao’s cultivation and instructed, "Five days of water punishment."

The attendant produced iron chains, binding Niaoniao’s hands and feet, then lowered her into the punishment pool. The icy, pitch-black water instantly engulfed her alluring body; only a pale, beautiful face remained above the surface.

Mu Zhu left her with a curt, "Take care," and returned to report.

Meanwhile, Su Nanxing carried Tao Ming upstairs, gently laid her on the bed, removed her shoes and trousers, covered her with a cool blanket. Softie climbed onto the bed and poked Tao Ming’s cheek. "Shame, shame, Mom! You’re not a baby, and you still let people carry you!"

Tao Ming felt embarrassed herself; she wasn’t usually so delicate. She was just about to speak when she heard the music drifting in from outside. She listened, sighing, "Such talent. I can only play with cotton."

Su Nanxing patted her head, comforting, "But you can solve math Olympiad problems."

Tao Ming remembered his old line—‘Just a line of code’—and knew there was no hope for him.

Suddenly Softie spoke up. "Mom, that sound makes me feel really uncomfortable."