Chapter Fifty-Nine: Racing Toward Divinity

Jiang Hu’s heart began to pound wildly, each beat threatening to burst from his chest. The beast within him surged forth from its cage, howling in frenzy. Was it truly possible? Did he really have hope? Was there truly hope for him and his master? All the feelings Jiang Hu had suppressed exploded at once, leaving him bewildered. His whole body trembled slightly, unable to believe whether any of this was real.

“Look at him, he’s willing to risk his life for you. If you marry him, he’ll surely cherish you above all else,” Lady Mo teased Mo Nian Nian as she spoke. “I’ve seen a lot in my time, and I can judge people well. Mo Hu, that child, certainly has feelings for you.”

“Mother, what are you thinking?” Mo Nian Nian replied, somewhat helpless.

Lady Mo continued to push, “You’re old enough now, and I’d hate for you to marry far away. Isn’t Mo Hu the best choice?”

“Your marriage should be settled soon. That one in the palace has been keeping an eye on you, always probing for news about you—tsk.” Lady Mo truly had no regard for the crown prince.

To speak plainly, talent, appearance, character, wit—he lacked all. Still so young, yet already ruined by wine and women. He wasn’t even married, but his back courtyard was filled with concubines. Lady Mo had heard the emperor wanted to betroth Mo Nian Nian to the crown prince, and she was furious.

Yet, he was the emperor, so Lady Mo couldn’t outright embarrass him. She could only try to find a husband for Mo Nian Nian herself. When the emperor asked, she could claim she had already arranged a suitable match.

Lady Mo searched everywhere, but found fault with everyone she considered. Either something didn’t satisfy her, or there was a troublesome family, with relatives who would surely make Nian Nian suffer if she married in. After all her searching, Lady Mo felt most pleased with Jiang Hu.

Nian Nian’s father had mentioned seeing her leave Jiang Hu’s room in the middle of the night several times. These two were in such a hurry.

Mo Nian Nian was quite exasperated. “Mother, you’re really imagining things. There’s nothing between us.”

Lady Mo gave her a knowing look. “Nian Nian, you don’t need to be embarrassed. Your father and I went through the same, we understand.”

“…Mother, I’m not getting married,” Mo Nian Nian said, her tone much firmer.

Lady Mo replied, “Not getting married? Then what, you’ll go on without a name or status?”

“I’ll say it again: nothing happened between us. I take care of him because he saved my life. I have no feelings for him whatsoever. Am I clear enough now?” Mo Nian Nian’s face was set, her words delivered one by one.

Inside and outside the room, everything fell still.

The joy on Jiang Hu’s face hadn’t even had a chance to bloom before it shattered, bit by bit. From heaven to hell—nothing could better describe it. He bowed his head in silence, his lips twisting into a mocking smile. He should have known better. What was he hoping for, really? How could his master possibly like him?

“Ah, you two… fine, if you really don’t like him, I’ll keep looking,” Lady Mo sighed.

“Mother, you don’t need to waste your efforts. I won’t marry,” Mo Nian Nian insisted.

The pair seemed determined to give her trouble; she already worried enough about the male lead, and now marriage? Marry? Was she mad? Marriage had never been on her list of considerations.

Lady Mo was shameless. “Alright, alright, as long as you’re happy, Nian Nian. Don’t marry if you don’t want to. With your father and me here, who’d dare say a word against you?”

Jiang Hu didn’t hear any of the words that followed; he turned and left. In a daze, utterly disordered, he touched the collar around his neck, his eyes flickering as he gradually grew resolute. His master didn’t like him now, but that didn’t matter.

He would pursue his deity with all he had.

…

Mo Nian Nian sat before the stool, nodding off again and again—she was really too sleepy. Why must she get up for breakfast? Wouldn’t it be better to sleep until she naturally woke and eat brunch instead? Unfortunately, the Mo couple, who usually indulged her, were unusually strict about this: whatever happened, she had to get up for breakfast, even if she went back to sleep afterwards.

Groggy, Mo Nian Nian sat with a thick nasal tone: “Bai Sha, just make a simple hairstyle for me, nothing complicated.”

Someone came up behind her and lifted her hair. A chilling cold brushed her neck, making Mo Nian Nian shudder.

The touch felt wrong.

It wasn’t Bai Sha’s hand. Mo Nian Nian snapped her eyes open and saw the reflection of the person behind her in the mirror.

She instantly relaxed. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Miss Bai Sha is ill. I’ve come to help you, master,” Jiang Hu said, head bowed as he tended to Mo Nian Nian’s long hair.

He stroked her hair lovingly, unable to let go. His eyes burned with a feverish light, bordering on madness.

Mo Nian Nian was so tired her eyes wouldn’t open. She spoke softly, “Do you know how? If not, find another maid.”

As she spoke, she drifted back to sleep.

Jiang Hu gazed at Mo Nian Nian without restraint, his eyes growing ever more intense and wild. The long-suppressed feelings twisted within him, dark and distorted. He stared at her for a long time before finally styling her hair into a simple bun.

Reluctantly, he woke her. “Master, it’s time for breakfast.”

Mo Nian Nian forced herself awake, rubbing her eyes. She looked at her bun in the mirror and was pleased. “Who knew you were so handy.”

Jiang Hu pressed his luck. “Serving my master is my duty. May I take care of everything for you?”

His eyes shone brightly, full of longing. Mo Nian Nian couldn’t find a reason to refuse and nodded in agreement.

Jiang Hu’s eyes grew even brighter. “Thank you, master.”

Mo Nian Nian was speechless.

He was happy to do chores? What an oddball.

After all this, Mo Nian Nian was fully awake. She stood up. “Let’s go eat—I’m hungry.”

Jiang Hu followed behind her, staring at her back with that burning, wild gaze. His fingertips gently rubbed together, savoring the lingering touch.

He raised his hand and took a deep breath, as if inhaling the fragrance that belonged to his master.

A scent indescribable, yet enough to make his blood boil.

Ever since Mo Nian Nian agreed to let Jiang Hu handle her daily needs, he had devoted himself to the task. Even before she woke each morning, he was waiting to serve her.

Jiang Hu was meticulous, more so than Bai Sha. From preparing for outings to matching clothes and picking jewelry, he oversaw everything.

If Mo Nian Nian weren’t a little shy, he’d probably even help her dress.

The word “delight”—Mo Nian Nian was honestly tired of using it.

Really, she could live like this forever. Being a slacker was truly wonderful.

Jiang Hu’s malice value continued to steadily drop.

Mo Nian Nian began to suspect he suffered from some mental affliction—he was genuinely happy to do as told, but if she denied him tasks, the malice value quietly crept back up.

A true masochist (little cutie), Mo Nian Nian couldn’t help but adore him.