Chapter 241 – Your Mother Isn’t Coming Back

Chapter 241 - Your Mother Isn't Coming Back

Zhou Bbanban had a very long dream.

She dreamed that she was reborn into the body of a woman named Feng Xiyao.

This wasn't her first time being reborn into this woman's body—it happened countless times.

The first time, she was immediately sentenced to death by a tyrant named Mo Cangyan upon her rebirth.

In the second instance, her behavior differed greatly from the original owner, causing the tyrant to suspect her of being a monster. He imprisoned her, and during a prison fire, she perished in the flames.

The third time, she managed to evade the previous fates but was ultimately framed by the female lead and killed by the tyrant's sword...

Despite multiple rebirths, she could never escape her demise.

Fortunately, she successfully completed her mission on the final attempt, yet she couldn't recall how she accomplished it or how she returned.

"Who is Mo Cangyan?"

Zhou Bban couldn't figure out what exactly she had forgotten, only feeling a heavy weight on her chest, as if she had overlooked something crucial.

"Zhou Bban, get up quickly! Class is about to start!"

Before she could sort out her thoughts, a voice pulled her back to reality.

She grabbed her phone and took a look.

"Monday! Oh my, an early class!"

With no time to waste, she snatched up her phone and rushed out in a fluster.

"Zhang Luoyi, wait for me!"

...

In Great Xia.

Due to their previous collaboration with Murong to attempt conquering Great Xia, Great Qi was eradicated by Mo Cangyan's troops within the first year.

The following year, after the emperor of Country Zheng passed away, Shangguan Beiyuan, with Mo Cangyan's assistance, successfully ascended the throne and took Liu Nianci as his empress.

Five years later.

"A Princess cannot enter! The Emperor is in the middle of an audience!"

Despite the palace maids' efforts to stop her, the young Mo Fuyao deftly dodged them and dashed into the grand hall.

"Father Emperor!"

Spotting the majestic man seated on the dragon throne, she greeted him with a sweet cry before crawling up towards him.

The man, who had previously worn a cold expression with icy eyes, saw her and immediately softened. A gentle smile appeared on his face.

Mo Cangyan approached and lifted the struggling Mo Fuyao into his arms, gesturing for the palace maids behind him to withdraw.

Mo Fuyao wrapped her arms around her father emperor's neck, pouting in a pitiful manner.

"Father Emperor, I missed you so much that I ran over. You haven't visited me all day."

Mo Cangyan playfully pinched her delicate, fair cheek, his expression filled with indulgence.

"It was Father's fault."

The ministers below had long grown accustomed to such scenes; they fell silent for a moment before resuming their reports on events transpiring across the lands.

Qin Fang gazed at the princess's eyebrows and eyes that strikingly resembled Feng Xiyao's, a hint of sorrow flickering in his eyes.

…

The following day,

Upon learning that the little princess had been "bullied" at school, Consort Li hastily rushed to Fengchun Palace.

"Oh my, my little darling! Tell your godmother who dared to bully you," she exclaimed, her voice brimming with concern and urgency even before she arrived.

Upon hearing Consort Li's voice, Mo Fuyao leaped from her cushioned couch. As the consort entered, she extended her reddened hand, looking pitifully aggrieved.

"Stepmother, my hand hurts!"

Spotting the red mark on her palm, which was almost fading, Consort Li felt immense distress. She gently blew on the injured area while holding her hand.

"How could you people protect the Princess, allowing her to suffer such injustice? Do you wish to die?"

The palace maids inside promptly knelt down.

The little princess was the darling of the entire palace. Cherished by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor above, and adored and protected by Consort Li below, no one dared to offend her. Everyone treated her with kid gloves, fearful of even the slightest mishap.

With concern in her eyes, Consort Li continued blowing air onto her, then drew her into an embrace.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

The young palace maids were hesitant to speak, but Ru Yi pressed her lips together and stepped forward to explain.

"It's said that there was a conflict between the young master of Minister Xu's family and the Princess, leading to a fight between them."

Consort Li slammed her hand on the table. "What? The young master of Minister Xu's family dared to lay a hand on the Princess? He must have lost his mind!"

Ruyi: "Your Highness, it was the princess who initiated the conflict."

Consort Li snorted coldly. "Even then, he must have done something wrong for the princess to strike him. To retaliate is a grave offense!"

"..."

Recalling the sight of the young Xu heir's bruised and swollen face, Ruyi frowned.

Mo Fuyao tugged at Consort Li's sleeve. "Stepmother is right. It was Xu Ziheng's fault. He bullied his own younger half-brother and even made fun of him in class. I couldn't bear it and had to teach him a lesson."

Consort Li nodded. "Fuyao, you're so brave, knowing how to stand up against injustice. Next time, if he dares to speak up, just get someone else to deal with him. Don't do it yourself."

She gently caressed her small hand. "Otherwise, if you hurt your own hands, stepmother would be heartbroken!"

Mo Fuyao nodded. "Understood!"

Ruyi held back her words, wondering what kind of lessons this Consort Li was imparting!

Half of the princess's arrogant and fearless demeanor was a result of Consort Li's upbringing.

A mere little devil in disguise, innocent yet mischievous.

...

Aware that Mo Fuyao had stirred trouble again, Mo Cangyan pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

Not only was Xu Ziheng left with a swollen, bruised face, but one of his front teeth had been knocked out by Mo Fuyao's slap.

As the Xu family's sole legitimate son, he was cherished beyond measure. Upon learning of his son's plight at the hands of a princess, the Minister Xu rushed to the palace, weeping and wailing, seeking justice from the Emperor.

Upon hearing the incident, the Empress Dowager simply suggested consulting the imperial physicians and compensating the family accordingly, insisting that there was no need to escalate the matter and tarnish the princess's reputation.

Upon hearing her suggestion, Minister Xu was so enraged that his beard quivered and his eyes bulged. With the princess's ill-tempered and overbearing nature, what reputation could she possibly have?

Mo Fuyao was summoned to the Zijin Hall. Facing her father's cold gaze, she lowered her head, clenching her fists in distress, her voice soft and mellow.

"Father~"

Mo Cangyan looked at her coldly. "Mo Fuyao, do you know what you've done wrong?"

Mo Fuyao replied, "Father, I haven't done anything wrong! Xu Ziheng deserved to be hit!"

Her stubborn and arrogant demeanor was reminiscent of someone else, often leaving Mo Cangyan speechless with anger.

He took a deep breath. "Who taught you to hit people? Look at what you've done to Xu Ziheng."

Mo Fuyao pouted. "It's not my fault he couldn't stand steady and bumped into my foot and fist!"

"..."

Mo Cangyan was astonished. This was not something a five-year-old should say.

What kind of upbringing had Consort Li given this child?

"Someone, fetch Consort Li!"

Mo Fuyao lifted her head and shouted, "Father wants to punish my foster mother again. Does Father not want me anymore, wanting to have a younger brother from another concubine?"

Mo Cangyan frowned, suppressing his anger as he spoke in a stern voice.

"Who taught you to say such things? Do you know what you're talking about?"

Mo Fuyao could no longer hold back her tears; they fell relentlessly.

"I overheard it. Empress Grandmother said Father Emperor wants to have a younger brother with another concubine. Father Emperor doesn't want me anymore. He only wants a little brother."

"Well, I don't want Father Emperor either! I'm going to find Mother!"

The mention of Feng Xiyao reminded Mo Cangyan of Tian San's words.

Tian San had clearly said Feng Xiyao would return, yet after waiting for two, three years, she still hadn't shown up. It was now the fifth year, and she was nowhere to be seen.

All his anticipation had been worn down by repeated disappointment. Even he himself was unsure if Feng Xiyao would ever come back.

In his eyes, a hint of hurt flashed by, and his tone was filled with melancholy.

"Your mother... won't be coming back!"