Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 179 -

With Fuhan’s help, Lin Xu carefully lifted Mo Ying from the ground. He didn’t wake. His hand only tightened faintly in her sleeve, as if afraid she might disappear.

They walked slowly through the silent camp.

The torches burned low.

The night breeze was cool.

When they reached the spare tent, Fuhan gently opened the flap for her. Lin Xu guided Mo Ying inside and helped him lie down on the bed.

He looked exhausted.

Pale.

His brows still faintly furrowed, even in sleep.

Fuhan bowed slightly.

"I’ll stand guard outside. Please... call me if you need anything."

Lin Xu nodded softly.

"Thank you."

The flap closed.

Silence filled the tent.

Only the faint sound of breathing remained.

Lin Xu knelt beside the bed and slowly removed Mo Ying’s outer robe. She moved gently, careful not to wake him. She placed his sword aside. Then she brushed the strands of hair away from his face.

He looked younger like this.

Less like a fearsome general.

More like a tired, wounded man.

A man who had been hurting for far too long.

Lin Xu sighed lightly.

"You really... don’t know how to take care of yourself, do you?"

She fetched a bowl of water and cloth from the stand nearby, dipping the fabric in the cool water. Carefully, she wiped the dirt and dried sweat from his forehead, his cheeks, his neck.

His breathing slowly steadied.

As if her presence calmed him.

His hand suddenly moved searching blindly.

Lin Xu paused.

Then gently took his hand.

He relaxed instantly.

Her heart trembled.

"...Idiot," she whispered softly.

She covered him with a blanket, tucking it around his shoulders. Then she sat beside the bed, watching him quietly.

****

The camp was quiet when the guards arrived.

"Your Highness, Noble Consort Su requests your presence."

Xuen Lu sighed. Of all people, it had to be her. Still, he followed them through the dark pathway until they reached the most elegant tent in the camp.

He stepped inside.

Noble Consort Su sat at a low table, tea steaming gently. Her smile was graceful and sharp.

"So slow, Your Highness. I thought you’d gotten lost."

Xuen Lu didn’t bother to hide his irritation.

"Since it was you, I had to take my sweet time."

She laughed softly.

"You still speak without a filter."

He didn’t sit.

"What do you want?"

Her smile faded slightly.

"I want Chu Ming released from prison. And I want this matter... settled quietly."

Xuen Lu’s expression turned cold.

"No."

She blinked once.

"No?"

He stepped closer.

"Chu Ming nearly killed two women. I don’t care that she is the emperor’s cousin and your little doppelganger. She will not escape punishment."

Silence filled the tent.

Then, calmly, Noble Consort Su placed her cup down.

"Then let us negotiate."

He said nothing but he also didn’t leave.

So she continued.

"If Chu Ming must face punishment, then so be it. I will not block it. But I want her life spared... and in return, I will support you."

His brows drew together.

"Support me how?"

Her tone lowered.

"You want the throne. You need allies. I can help you in the palace, with influence, with favors. All I ask is that Chu Ming does not die."

He hesitated.

Thinking.

And she noticed.

Her gaze sharpened.

"This is a rare opportunity, Crown Prince. Don’t hesitate because of... unnecessary emotions."

Lin Xu’s face flickered through his mind.

Her leaving.

Her distant smile.

Noble Consort Su saw it instantly.

"So that’s it."

He went still.

She leaned forward slightly.

"Would you really throw away a future emperor’s power... for a woman who doesn’t even love you?"

His jaw clenched.

She spoke gently but every word cut.

"I heard she left the general’s mansion. And I heard she did not leave alone.. she even has three children for him"

He didn’t respond which meant she was right.

Her smile deepened.

"She is with General Mo Ying now."

Her voice softened further almost sympathetic.

"I am a woman. I understand how difficult it is for us to let go of a man we once loved. Especially a man like General Mo."

"She even bared him children.. no matter how much I hate the emperor for all the cruelty he had caused me.. the fact that I bared his child, his daughter is enough to bind me to him for the rest of my life."

The wind rustled the tent flaps.

Her final words landed quietly.

"So tell me, Your Highness... are you really willing to miss this chance for a woman whose heart already belongs elsewhere?"

Xuen Lu said nothing.

But his silence...

Said everything.

....

After leaving Noble Consort Su’s tent, Xuen Lu returned to his own.

But when he entered...

Lin Xu wasn’t there.

He frowned.

"Where is Lady Lin?" he asked a maid.

The maid bowed.

"She left earlier, Your Highness. We don’t know where she went."

His chest tightened.

Without another word, he went back out to search for her.

The camp was quiet.

Lanterns burned softly.

Soldiers passed by.

But Lin Xu was nowhere.

Then he heard a voice.

"Your Highness."

Mo Lan walked toward him, a small smile on her lips.

"You seem to be looking for someone."

He didn’t bother hiding it.

"Lin Xu. Where is she?"

Mo Lan folded her arms.

"If you’re looking for her, you won’t find her out here."

He stared at her.

"What do you mean?"

"She’s with my brother," Mo Lan said calmly. "They’re alone together. In a tent."

His jaw tightened.

"Don’t joke with me."

She stepped closer but he suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Where."

Mo Lan winced in pain.

"I told you! Go see for yourself!"

He let go at once.

Then he walked.

Fast.

Soon he reached the tent she mentioned.

There were no guards outside.

No sound.

He hesitated for a moment...

Then opened the flap.

And stopped.

Inside, Lin Xu was asleep on the bed.

Mo Ying was beside her.

He had one arm wrapped around her, holding her close.

Their faces were close.

Their breathing calm.

Like they belonged there.

Xuen Lu said nothing.

He simply stared.

His chest hurt.

He slowly let the tent flap fall and turned away.

The night felt colder than before.

He walked back alone.

And didn’t look back.

---

Morning

Soft daylight slipped into the tent.

Lin Xu slowly opened her eyes.

The space beside her... was empty.

She sat up quickly.

Mo Ying was gone.

Before she could stand, the tent flap opened and several maids walked in carrying clothes and jewelry.

They bowed.

"Lady Lin, we will help you dress for the day."

She blinked in confusion.

"For... what?"

Before they could answer—

Mo Ying stepped inside.

He was already dressed in clean armor, hair tied neatly.

He looked calmer. Stronger. Nothing like the broken man from last night.

His eyes softened when he saw her awake.

"You’re up," he said.

Lin Xu nodded slowly. "Where did you—"

"Later," he said gently. "Get dressed first."

She frowned.

"I can’t wear all this. I’m joining the hunt today. I need—"

"No."

His voice cut in firmly.

"You’re not going."

Lin Xu stared at him.

"What do you mean I’m not going?"

Mo Ying crossed his arms.

"You, San Na, and Yan Mei are all forbidden from joining the hunt."

Her eyes widened.

"You can’t decide that for us!"

"I already did."

"That’s not fair—"

"It’s safe."

The maids were pretending not to exist.

Lin Xu glared at him.

"So you think you can just order me around?"

He raised a brow.

"Yes."

She opened her mouth—

And then closed it again.

She had no argument.

He looked far too calm.

She sighed heavily.

"...Fine."

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Good."

Right then, the tent flap flew open.

"Lin Xu!"

Yan Mei rushed in and hugged her tightly.

Lin Xu hugged her back, smiling. "You’re early."

Fuhan stood at the entrance, bowing politely.

Yan Mei pulled back, eyes wide.

"Have you heard the news?"

Lin Xu blinked.

"What news?"

Mo Ying looked at Fuhan.

Fuhan spoke calmly.

"His Highness has released Chu Ming from prison. The reason given is that her health is unstable and she requires treatment. She has also issued a formal apology for endangering your lives."

Lin Xu froze.

"...He released her?"

Yan Mei scoffed loudly.

"Unstable? She almost killed us! Are they blind?! She’s not just ill, she’s crazy."

Silence filled the tent for a moment.

Lin Xu lowered her gaze, thoughts drifting to the Crown Prince.

Why did he—

Why now?

Her chest felt strangely heavy.

Mo Ying watched her quietly... but said nothing.

The day had only just begun.

But everything already felt complicated.

Mo Ying frowned slightly, "She is the emperor’s fiancee and it’s understandable that she would try to pull some strings to get out of this mess... But the crown prince is strictly in charge of taking care of the crimes that occurs in these hunt... If he didn’t want to let her go then he’s law stands.. I wonder why he suddenly acted that way."

Mo Ying explained as Lin Xu just sighed.

"What on heart made you do such a thing Xuen Lu.."