Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 173 -

Lin Xu walked toward the fountain. From a distance, she could already see Mo Ying’s silhouette standing beneath the soft glow of moonlight.

She took a deep breath before moving closer. When her presence became known, Mo Ying turned around, their eyes meeting at once.

Lin Xu didn’t know what was wrong with her, but her heart began to race fast and unsteady. She hadn’t felt like this since the night they kissed on the bench at the Mo residence.

"It’s been a while, General," she said softly, forcing herself to stay calm. She couldn’t let him see how shaken she was.

"Hm," Mo Ying replied. "You seem to be doing well. After all, not just anyone gets invited to a royal banquet and brought here by the Crown Prince himself."

She frowned. "Straight to the point, I see. Mo Ying, I don’t know why you called me here, but I’m not here to argue. I think we’ve both moved past that."

"I didn’t call you here to argue," he said quietly. "I just wanted to talk. In private. How are the children?"

"They’re fine," Lin Xu replied. "They’re doing very well. And believe me, they don’t miss the Mo residence. Neither do I."

"They may not miss the residence," Mo Ying said, his voice low, "but they miss me."

The words caught in her throat. Lin Xu turned away.

"Even if they do, they can cope without you," she said. "They managed without a father for eight years, and then for another three. They’ll survive. We just have to accept it for what it is."

"Accept what?" Mo Ying asked, his voice rising slightly.

She turned back to him. "Accept that their father is married to someone else. He has his own family now. And he’s happy."

"Happy?" His voice cracked as he stepped closer, closing the distance between them. "You think I’m happy, Lin Xu?"

"Why are you asking me that?" she shot back. "You’re the one who left to chase your title. I didn’t send you to war. I didn’t tell you to marry San Na. So why are you trying to blame me?"

Her emotions finally broke through.

"I understand, you wanted to be a general. But you should’ve known that path required sacrifices. And part of that sacrifice was your happiness. Me. The children. You chose ambition over us, just like your father did."

Mo Ying stiffened.

"You hated your father for what he did to your mother," Lin Xu continued, her voice shaking. "He married her because of power and wen he finally got ht he acted he tossedher aside and brought in his mistress And now you’ve become the same kind of man. Mo Sheng will grow up with a father just like yours."

Her words struck him like a blow.

"But do you know what won’t repeat itself?" she said quietly. "I won’t be like Madame Mo, I won’t claim a man who isn’t mine."

She met his eyes one last time.

"In the end, the choice is yours to make. Me... or your title."

With that, Lin Xu turned around and walked away, not waiting for him to speak. Mo Ying remained where he was, silent and stunned.

Lin Xu returned to her tent, her chest tight and her steps heavy. Inside, she found the Crown Prince standing near the entrance, dismissing the servants around him.

Lin Xu returned to her tent, her steps slow, her chest still tight. Inside, the Crown Prince stood near the entrance, waving the servants away.

"Lin Xu," Xuan Lu said softly. "Are you alright?"

She paused, then nodded. "Yes... Your Highness. I’m fine."

He studied her for a moment, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t press. Instead, he spoke gently, changing the subject.

"Tomorrow, the imperial hunt will begin," he said. "It will last all morning. After that, I was thinking of taking you somewhere."

She looked up. "Somewhere?"

"The mountain lake," Xuan Lu replied. "It’s quiet. Clear water, no crowds. I thought you might like it."

Lin Xu smiled faintly and nodded. "That sounds nice."

He continued talking about the route they would take, the guards he would arrange, how the weather should be clear. Lin Xu listened quietly, responding only with small nods and soft smiles. Her thoughts drifted, her eyes unfocused.

Xuan Lu noticed.

"Lin Xu," he called gently. "Are you really alright?"

She blinked and looked at him again. "I am. Truly."

He sighed inwardly. He knew better, but he let it go.

After a brief silence, he spoke again. "Would you like to stay with Yan Mei tonight? It might be better than being alone.. I would be but with some things s I might not sle her tonight."

Her expression brightened immediately. "Yes," she said quickly, nodding. "I’d like that."

A small smile appeared on his face. "Good."

He stepped outside and summoned a maid. "Send someone to escort Miss Lin Xu to the princesses tent."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Lin Xu bowed lightly. "Thank you."

As she followed the maids out, Xuan Lu watched her leave, his gaze thoughtful.

The night was quiet but he knew her heart was still far away.

Meanwhile, after Lin Xu left, a eunuch hurried over and bowed.

"Your Highness," he said quietly, "His Majesty wishes to see you."

Xuan Lu sighed. "Now?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

He straightened his robe and followed.

—

The moment Xuan Lu stepped into the Emperor’s tent, something flew toward him.

He reacted instantly, turning aside. The object slammed into a pillar behind him with a dull thud.

Silence.

Xuan Lu lifted his gaze calmly. "Father."

"Close the tent," the Emperor snapped.

Xuan Lu turned. "All of you, leave."

The guards and maids bowed quickly and withdrew. The tent flap fell shut.

Only father and son remained.

The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, anger clear on his face.

"You’ve grown bold."

Xuan Lu’s voice stayed steady. "I spoke only the truth."

"The truth?" the Emperor barked. "You embarrassed Noble Consort Su in front of everyone."

"She was deliberately setting someone up," Xuan Lu replied. "I won’t pretend not to see it."

The Emperor turned sharply.

"And since when do you involve yourself so deeply for a lowly maiden?"

Xuan Lu’s jaw tightened. "Lin Xu is not a toy to be humiliated."

The Emperor laughed coldly.

"You defended her. You stood against my Consort. And now the entire court whispers that you are entangled with a woman of no status."

"Let them whisper," Xuan Lu said. "I did nothing improper."

"You are the Crown Prince," the Emperor snapped. "Your actions reflect on the throne."

Xuan Lu met his father’s eyes. "Then perhaps the throne should reflect justice."

The Emperor slammed his palm onto the table.

"Watch your tone."

A brief silence followed.

Then the Emperor spoke again, slower, sharper.

"You’ve already lost the last two royal hunts. Do you think I’ve forgotten?"

Xuan Lu said nothing.

"If you know what’s good for you," the Emperor continued, "you will win this year’s hunt. No excuses. No distractions."

He stepped closer.

"And keep your distance from that girl. I will not have you ruined by foolish attachments."

Xuan Lu clenched his fists.

"With respect, Father, I won’t abandon my principles just to please a Consort."

The Emperor stared at him for a long moment.

"Then you’d better succeed," he said coldly.

"Because if you fail again, I won’t be this patient."

Xuan Lu bowed stiffly.

"I understand."

"Leave," the Emperor ordered.

Xuan Lu turned and walked out of the tent, his expression calm but his hands were shaking.

Outside, the night air felt heavy.

And for the first time, he wondered how much longer he could keep standing between duty... and what he believed was right.

....

Noble Consort Su sat before her mirror, her fingers slowly tracing the edge of her sleeve.

A maid stepped forward cautiously.

"Your Highness... the rumors are spreading."

Noble Consort Su did not look up. "What rumors?"

Another maid lowered her voice.

"They say Miss Lin danced intimately with General Mo Ying tonight."

A third maid added quickly, "And after that, she returned to the Crown Prince’s side. Many are saying she is... favored by both men."

The mirror reflected Noble Consort Su’s smile stiffening.

"So," she said softly, "she plays with fire."

One maid hesitated, then whispered, "People are already gossiping that Your Highness was outshone."

The air went cold.

"Outshone?" Noble Consort Su repeated, finally lifting her eyes. "By a lowly woman with no backing?"

The maids immediately knelt.

"We wouldn’t dare think so, Your Highness."

Another maid spoke carefully, "But the nobles are saying she escaped humiliation... and that General Mo openly protected her."

Noble Consort Su laughed quietly.

"Protected her?"

"Yes," the maid continued, "some even say the Crown Prince plans to take her to the mountain lake tomorrow, during the hunt."

Silence fell.

Then Noble Consort Su rose slowly.

"So she believes standing between two men will keep her safe."

Her gaze turned sharp.

"Tell me... has anyone ever escaped my hand once I decided to act?"

The maids shook their heads in fear.

"No, Your Highness."

"Good," Noble Consort Su said softly. "Then let them talk."

She turned away from the mirror, her smile thin and cold.

"Since Miss Lin enjoys attention so much," she continued, "I will give her more than she can handle."

The maids exchanged uneasy glances.

"Prepare everything," Noble Consort Su ordered.

"This time... she won’t walk away so easily."

...