Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 117: Main Gate

Lin Xu stared at Mo Ying, who rested his back against the carriage seat, his eyes closed as if he was asleep. For a moment, she hesitated, unsure if he was listening, but then she spoke anyway.

"Mo Ying," she said softly, her voice a little shaky. "What do you plan to do about the black market pavilion? You’re the General, you can’t just stand by and watch innocent children being sold like animals."

There was no response. He didn’t move, didn’t even open his eyes. Lin Xu frowned and crossed her arms. "Are you ignoring me?" she asked, her tone rising slightly. "I’m talking to you."

Mo Ying slowly opened his eyes and let out a quiet sigh. His gaze met hers, calm and unreadable. After a short silence, he finally spoke.

"Lin Xu," he said in a low, steady voice, "those people you saw wearing masks... what did they look like to you? Peasants? Normal citizens?"

Lin Xu blinked, confused. "No," she said slowly. "They... they looked wealthy. Their clothes, their manner, everything about them screamed nobles."

Mo Ying nodded slightly. "Exactly," he said. "They’re not simple people. They’re aristocrats. Nobles from powerful families who see the black market as their playground."

Her eyes widened. "You mean... the nobles are behind it?"

Mo Ying leaned his head back again, his expression unreadable. "If the rich and powerful are the ones controlling it," he said quietly, "what makes you think the Emperor doesn’t already know?"

Lin Xu’s breath caught in her throat. She was aware of how powerful families were involved in dark businesses, but this was beyond evil. Children as slaves, it disgusted her. Maybe it was because she was a mother, and even imagining her own children in that situation made her chest ache.

Lin Xu’s face softened, her eyes pitiful as she looked at him.

Mo Ying saw her from the side but tried to ignore her. He shut his eyes tighter, pretending not to notice, but after a while, he sighed and opened them again.

"Fine," he said quietly.

Lin Xu blinked. "You’ll help?" she asked, her voice quick and hopeful.

Mo Ying nodded a little. "Not right away," he said.

Her face brightened. "Really? Then how?"

He looked at her, calm as ever. "Slow down first," he said.

Lin Xu frowned. "What do you mean?"

Mo Ying turned his head toward her, his eyes steady. "I’ll help," he said, "but only if you promise to marry me."

Lin Xu froze, her words caught in her throat as she stared at him.

Lin Xu froze when she heard his words. For a moment, she just stared at him, unsure if he was joking or serious. "What did you just say?" she asked, her voice rising.

Mo Ying turned his head lazily toward her, his face calm. "You heard me. I’ll only help you if you promise to marry me."

Her mouth fell open. "You’ve got to be kidding me."

He didn’t respond, just looked out the window like her reaction didn’t bother him.

Lin Xu frowned deeply, her voice sharper now. "Mo Ying, this isn’t funny. I’m talking about people being sold in that awful place, and you’re using it to... to bargain with me?"

Mo Ying gave a small sigh. "I’m not bargaining. I’m just telling you what I want."

She crossed her arms tightly. "You’re unbelievable! You think I’ll just say yes because you’re the great General Mo Ying?"

He glanced at her, his lips curving slightly. "You said it, not me."

Her eyes widened. "You—!" She groaned and turned away, glaring out the opposite window. "I knew you were impossible, but this... this is shameless!"

The carriage grew quiet for a moment. The only sound was the wheels turning on the rough road.

Then Mo Ying’s calm voice broke the silence. "Why are you pretending you have a choice, Lin Xu?"

She looked back at him, confused and annoyed. "What do you mean by that?"

He met her eyes. "Marrying me isn’t something you can refuse. The Emperor already gave the marriage decree. Whether you like it or not, the wedding will happen."

Her jaw tightened. "So that’s it? You think just because the Emperor said it, I’ll smile and obey?"

He shrugged slightly. "You don’t have to smile. But you will marry me."

Lin Xu clenched her fists. "You’re insufferable! FINE, I’ll only agree for five days. Five days, Mo Ying! If you don’t find a way to stop the Qing Lou Pavilion by then, I’ll find my own way and you can forget about this marriage."

Mo Ying didn’t argue. He just gave her a small, knowing smile. "Five days, then."

She glared at him. "Don’t look so sure of yourself."

He leaned back against the seat again, closing his eyes. "I don’t have to be sure," he said quietly. "I already know how this ends."

Lin Xu frowned and turned away, muttering under her breath, "Arrogant jerk."

After some time, the carriage finally slowed to a stop. Lin Xu looked out the window and saw the tall, familiar walls of the Mo residence. Just then, Mo Ying leaned slightly to the side and peeked through the small carriage window. His brows pulled together.

Outside, there were rows of servants standing neatly in front of the gate, and beside them was a large, grand carriage decorated with gold and red silk.

Mo Ying’s eyes narrowed. "What’s going on here?" he muttered.

He opened the carriage door slightly and called out to one of the servants nearby. "You there," he said.

The servant quickly turned around and bowed deeply. "General Mo! Welcome back, my lord."

"What’s all this about?" Mo Ying asked, his tone calm but sharp.

The servant hesitated before answering. "My lord, Miss Chu Ming has just arrived. The family went out to welcome her... but there was a small issue."

Mo Ying raised an eyebrow. "Issue?"

The servant swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. The First Lady, Young Miss San Na, refused to let Miss Chu Ming enter through the main gate. She said concubines must use the second gate. So, Miss Chu Ming entered through there instead."

Lin Xu, who had been sitting quietly, glanced up in surprise. Her eyes widened slightly not because of San Na’s boldness, but because of the name she’d just heard. Chu Ming.

Mo Ying, however, chuckled softly. A mischievous smile slowly spread across his face. "San Na actually did that?"

The servant nodded nervously. "Y-Yes, my lord."

Lin Xu lowered her gaze, her expression turning dull. She didn’t say anything, but Mo Ying noticed how her shoulders dropped slightly, her lips pressed together.

His eyes softened for a second before he turned to her with that same teasing smile. "What’s with the long face?" he asked casually. "Don’t tell me you’re jealous already?"

Lin Xu quickly looked away. "Don’t flatter yourself," she muttered.

Mo Ying smirked but didn’t argue. "Come on," he said as he stepped out of the carriage.

Lin Xu hesitated for a moment, then moved toward the door. Before she could step down, Mo Ying stretched his hand out toward her.

She looked at it, frowning. "I can get down by myself."

But before she could protest again, he caught her hand anyway and helped her down firm but gentle. Lin Xu blinked, a little flustered, then quickly pulled her hand away, frowning harder.

"You’re impossible," she muttered.

Mo Ying only smiled faintly, turning to the servant. "Bring me a horse," he ordered.

The servant hurried away and returned quickly with a strong brown horse.

Lin Xu blinked in confusion. "What do you need a horse for? We already arrived."

Mo Ying grinned slightly, adjusting his gloves. "To cause a little chaos," he said with a hint of mischief.

Lin Xu’s brows furrowed. "What are you—"

Before she could finish, he mounted the horse easily, then stretched his hand toward her again. "Come on," he said.

"I’m not getting on that thing with you," she said quickly, stepping back a little.

He raised a brow, leaning forward slightly. "Scared?"

She glared at him. "Of you? Never."

Something in her tone made him grin wider. "Then prove it."

For a moment, Lin Xu hesitated but her curiosity got the best of her. With a sigh, she finally reached out and took his hand.

The next second, he pulled her up easily, seating her in front of him. Their outfits matched both wearing dark robes with golden patterns, looking like a perfect pair.

Mo Ying leaned close to her ear, his voice low and playful. "Hold on tight."

Before Lin Xu could even ask what he was planning, Mo Ying kicked the horse’s side and the horse charged forward with full speed, heading straight toward the main gate of the Mo residence.

Gasps echoed around as the guards quickly scrambled to open the gates, dust rising in the air as the horse galloped through.

Lin Xu clutched onto his arm tightly, half panicked, half amazed, while Mo Ying’s smirk only deepened.

If Chu Ming, a concubine, entered through the second gate, then he was going to make sure his rightful wife, Lin Xu, entered through the main gate.