Chapter 14: Returning to the Capital

Yuan Qian’er was riding in a carriage for the first time, and she was positively thrilled. Gazing at the luxurious decorations inside, she sighed, “His Majesty really is loaded—and so extravagant. He just sends an ordinary carriage to pick someone up, and it’s already this lavish. Do you think his personal carriage might be made of gold?”

Mo Yiran burst out laughing. Was she really this astonished by a carriage? Then he remembered that she came from a place very different from this one, and his surprise faded. He spoke to her indulgently. “Qian’er, you little money grubber. The most important thing about a carriage is comfort, not luxury. Once we reach the prince’s residence, I’ll have you ride in the most comfortable carriage there.”

“You have a carriage better than His Majesty’s? Wow! I knew you were a prince, but I never imagined you were even richer than His Majesty.” Yuan Qian’er stared at Mo Yiran with shining eyes, as if she were looking at a mountain of gold.

“I’m merely luckier than Bing Qinghua. Most of the good things were collected by my ‘Mad Mo’ men. By the way, Mad Mo is the name of my group of hidden guards—the men in black you saw when you first arrived.”

“Mad Mo? That’s such a domineering name! Where are your hidden guards? What about them while we’re returning to the capital?”

“They’re following us from the shadows. They’re flying.”

“Flying? I want to do that too! Tell one of them to take me along!” Hearing about the art of lightness, Yuan Qian’er was filled with admiration and eager to give it a try.

Mo Yiran grabbed her and pulled her down beside him. “Do you like the art of lightness? If you do, I’ll teach you when we return to the capital and have some free time. How does that sound? For now, sit properly. We’ll be reaching the capital soon.”

“I can learn it too? That’s wonderful! The art of lightness is the best aid for robbing people and playing tricks on them!” Yuan Qian’er’s wicked ideas began bubbling up again.

“You want to learn it just so you can rob and torment people? Are you planning to become a bandit queen? Training in the art of lightness is very arduous, so you’d better prepare yourself mentally.” Mo Yiran wondered whether, if Qian’er truly enjoyed robbing and tormenting people, he ought to find some victims for her to torment and rob.

Good grief, Yiran, have you lost your mind? Shouldn’t an ordinary person have seriously taught her to stay on the straight and narrow? You’re leading her astray!

“You’re the bandit queen!” Yuan Qian’er rolled her eyes at Mo Yiran and continued in a languid voice, “I want to learn the art of lightness because it’s convenient and makes going out much easier. Of course, if I ever run out of money, or if someone makes me unhappy, I certainly won’t mind robbing them or teaching them a lesson. As for the hard work, I’m not afraid of that. Without effort, how can there be any reward?”

“Silly girl, with me around, you never need to worry about running out of money. And if anyone dares to make you unhappy, I’ll bring him to you so you can vent your anger.” Mo Yiran gently stroked her hair. This little girl might seem carefree and unserious, but she understood that rewards came only after effort. He really hadn’t chosen the wrong person.

Yuan Qian’er was riding in a carriage for the first time, and she was positively thrilled. Gazing at the luxurious decorations inside, she sighed, “His Majesty really is loaded—and so extravagant. He just sends an ordinary carriage to pick someone up, and it’s already this lavish. Do you think his personal carriage might be made of gold?”

Mo Yiran burst out laughing. Was she really this astonished by a carriage? Then he remembered that she came from a place very different from this one, and his surprise faded. He spoke to her indulgently. “Qian’er, you little money grubber. The most important thing about a carriage is comfort, not luxury. Once we reach the prince’s residence, I’ll have you ride in the most comfortable carriage there.”

“You have a carriage better than His Majesty’s? Wow! I knew you were a prince, but I never imagined you were even richer than His Majesty.” Yuan Qian’er stared at Mo Yiran with shining eyes, as if she were looking at a mountain of gold.

“I’m merely luckier than Bing Qinghua. Most of the good things were collected by my ‘Mad Mo’ men. By the way, Mad Mo is the name of my group of hidden guards—the men in black you saw when you first arrived.”

“Mad Mo? That’s such a domineering name! Where are your hidden guards? What about them while we’re returning to the capital?”

“They’re following us from the shadows. They’re flying.”

“Flying? I want to do that too! Tell one of them to take me along!” Hearing about the art of lightness, Yuan Qian’er was filled with admiration and eager to give it a try.

Mo Yiran grabbed her and pulled her down beside him. “Do you like the art of lightness? If you do, I’ll teach you when we return to the capital and have some free time. How does that sound? For now, sit properly. We’ll be reaching the capital soon.”

“I can learn it too? That’s wonderful! The art of lightness is the best aid for robbing people and playing tricks on them!” Yuan Qian’er’s wicked ideas began bubbling up again.

“You want to learn it just so you can rob and torment people? Are you planning to become a bandit queen? Training in the art of lightness is very arduous, so you’d better prepare yourself mentally.” Mo Yiran wondered whether, if Qian’er truly enjoyed robbing and tormenting people, he ought to find some victims for her to torment and rob.

Good grief, Yiran, have you lost your mind? Shouldn’t an ordinary person have seriously taught her to stay on the straight and narrow? You’re leading her astray!

“You’re the bandit queen!” Yuan Qian’er rolled her eyes at Mo Yiran and continued in a languid voice, “I want to learn the art of lightness because it’s convenient and makes going out much easier. Of course, if I ever run out of money, or if someone makes me unhappy, I certainly won’t mind robbing them or teaching them a lesson. As for the hard work, I’m not afraid of that. Without effort, how can there be any reward?”

“Silly girl, with me around, you never need to worry about running out of money. And if anyone dares to make you unhappy, I’ll bring him to you so you can vent your anger.” Mo Yiran gently stroked her hair. This little girl might seem carefree and unserious, but she understood that rewards came only after effort. He really hadn’t chosen the wrong person.

As they chatted, they soon arrived at the gates of the capital. Hearing that Prince Mo had returned, the common people came out in droves to welcome him and watch the procession. When they saw the carriage approaching, they knelt and shouted in unison, “Welcome back, Your Highness!”

Hearing this, Mo Yiran spoke coldly from inside the carriage. “There is no need for such ceremony. Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

The carriage entered the city and slowly made its way toward the Prince of Mo’s residence. Along the road, welcome calls and words of praise rang out without end. Some particularly bold young women even shouted from the roadside, “Your Highness, you haven’t married yet. Why not consider me? I’d be happy to become your concubine!”

Their reckless behavior drew everyone’s attention. What happened next was even more astonishing: one after another, the young women who admired Mo Yiran began confessing their feelings.

“Your Highness, I’m eighteen and unmarried. I’d even be happy to serve as your maid!”

“Your Highness, please consider me! I can do anything. I have a good figure, and I’m beautiful too!”

“Your Highness, look at me!”