Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 164 -

The sound of wheels rolled softly across the stone path.

Xuan Lu stepped into the carriage without looking back. The curtain fell, and the guards moved into place. From the upper room, Lin Xu stood by the window, watching.

She did not wave.

She only stood there, still and quiet, as the carriage waited below.

Before it could move, two small figures ran forward.

"Wait!"

Mo Bao reached the front of the carriage first, breathing hard. Mo Yuen followed closely behind him. They stood in the open space before the horses, looking up with bright, hopeful eyes.

"When will you come back?" Mo Bao asked loudly. "When can you play with us again?"

The carriage curtain lifted slightly.

Xuan Lu leaned out.

His face was calm, his smile gentle, the kind that did not explain anything.

"For now," he said slowly, "I can only take your mother."

The boys blinked.

Xuan Lu’s gaze softened, but his words stayed firm.

"Even I don’t know how long I will have that right," he continued. "So I cannot promise you anything."

Mo Yuen frowned. "Not even a little?"

Xuan Lu smiled again, smaller this time. "Not yet."

The curtain fell.

The driver cracked the reins, and the carriage moved forward, rolling past the two boys and out of the gate.

Mo Bao and Mo Yuen stood there, staring after it.

"...What does that mean?" Mo Bao asked.

Mo Yuen shook his head. "I don’t know."

From inside Lin Xu watched until the carriage disappeared from sight.

Only then did she turn away from the window.

Her fingers rose without thought, brushing lightly against her lips.

Once.

Then she stopped.

Did she enjoy it?

She didn’t know.

All she knew was that her head hurt.

She let out a slow breath and walked back into the room. Just days ago, she had barely escaped the grip of a general. Now the Crown Prince himself had stepped into her life, leaving words, orders, and confusion behind.

What did these men want from her?

Why her?

She pressed her fingers to her temple.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered.

A soft hum answered her.

White light gathered in the air in front of her, slowly forming into a small floating shape. Susu appeared, drifting lazily as always, its round body glowing faintly.

[Good day, Host.]

Lin Xu’s eyes darkened at once.

"You," she said coldly. "You dare show up?"

Susu tilted in the air. [Why would I not?]

"You gave me a stupid mission," Lin Xu snapped. "Do you know how much trouble it caused?"

[But Mo Ying lived, did he not?] Susu replied calmly.

Lin Xu clenched her jaw. "That was not the point."

Susu spun once, clearly pleased with itself.

[Still, the mission worked very well. It even brought you unexpected rewards.]

Lin Xu’s eyes narrowed. "What rewards?"

[The Crown Prince’s sudden interest, for one.]

Her face hardened. "Don’t speak nonsense."

[Oh?] Susu teased. [Then why is your heart beating faster?]

"Mind your business," Lin Xu said sharply.

Susu sighed, floating lower.

[If both men like you so much, then tell me, Host. If you had to choose—who would it be?]

Lin Xu said nothing.

She picked up a cup from the table and stared into it, her reflection unclear.

After a long moment, she spoke flatly, "You talk too much."

Susu watched her for a second, then sighed again.

[Fine. I did not come to argue.]

"Then why are you here?" Lin Xu asked.

The light around Susu brightened slightly.

[I have a new mission for you.]

Lin Xu did not respond, only waited.

[Mission: Go where the Crown Prince has ordered.]

Her eyes lifted.

[Reward: Truth Seeker Skill.]

Lin Xu’s fingers tightened slightly.

[Skill detail:] Susu continued. [By touching someone, you can force out any truth from them. Can be used once.]

The room fell quiet.

Lin Xu looked toward the window again, toward the road the carriage had taken.

"...So this is how it is," she said softly.

Susu floated closer.

[Will you accept the mission, Host?]

Lin Xu did not answer right away.

But her silence was already an answer.

Mo Residence

Back at the Mo residence, the study remained tightly shut.

Mo Ying was still inside.

He had not stepped out since the night before. The lamps were still lit, and scrolls were stacked high on the desk. One had barely been set down before another was pulled open. Ink stained his fingers. His eyes were tired, but he did not slow.

Breakfast had been refused.

Lunch had not been mentioned.

He buried himself in work as if it were the only thing keeping him standing.

Fuhan stood not far away, watching in silence. Several times, he opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but each time he closed it again. He knew his master well enough. Any word now would only earn him trouble.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside.

A servant’s voice followed.

"Young Miss Mo An requests an audience."

Mo Ying’s brush paused.

He hesitated for a brief moment, then said flatly, "Let her in."

The door opened.

Mo An walked in with light steps, dressed in her usual bright hanfu. Her expression was gentle, almost cheerful, a sharp contrast to the heavy air in the room. In her hands was a tray.

Fuhan frowned slightly.

There was no food on it.

At least, none that he could see.

Mo An stepped inside and bowed lightly. Mo Ying glanced at her, then at the tray, already assuming why she was there.

"I’m not hungry," he said, turning his attention back to the scroll in front of him.

Mo An smiled. "I didn’t bring food."

That made him pause.

He looked at her properly this time, one brow lifting. "Then what did you bring?"

Instead of answering, Mo An turned her head and looked at Fuhan.

"Fuhan," she said politely, "can you leave us for a moment? I want to talk to my brother."

Fuhan stiffened.

He glanced at Mo Ying, unsure.

Mo Ying waved a hand without looking up. "Go."

Fuhan bowed and left the room, closing the door behind him.

The study fell quiet.

Mo An placed the tray gently on the table.

Only then did she lift her eyes to her brother.

"Brother," she said softly, "i brought something that might interest"