Surviving In Another World With My Three Cups!-Chapter 177 -

Mo Ying carried San Na back to their tent, her arms unconsciously wrapped around his neck as she leaned weakly against him. The camp grew quieter now, the flames of the torches settling into a calm glow.

The Mo family soon gathered outside the tent, whispers drifting in the air.

Grandma Mo spoke first, her worried voice trembling as she asked, "Is the child alright?"

Madame Mo wrung her hands. "She was injured... how frightening this must have been."

Mo Lan folded her arms, forcing a casual tone. "Honestly, I thought Mo Ying would be looking after Lin Xu instead. But it seems he truly cares for his wife."

Mo Ying didn’t respond. He simply continued tending to San Na’s wounds inside the tent, movements steady and careful. He spoke gently to her, "Hold still. It will sting for a moment."

San Na whispered softly, "...Thank you."

Outside, Grandma Mo turned slowly toward Mo Lan, her brows knitting. "You speak too freely. A life was nearly lost tonight."

Madame Mo quickly tried to smooth things over. "Lan’er didn’t mean harm. She was only surprised."

Grandma Mo sighed. "Surprised or not, watch your tongue."

Mo Lan pursed her lips but said nothing more.

Uncle Mo finally spoke up, voice low and thoughtful.

"This Chu Ming... to go so far as attempted murder she has crossed a line no one should ever cross. If the Crown Prince and Mo Ying had arrived a moment later... we would be mourning, not speaking like this."

"That’s enough, you guys should give ss na a little bit space ... it’s late, she’ll have her dinner here."

They all nodded as they slowly left the tent for the two of them.

The tent was quiet.

Only the soft sound of the night wind brushed against the canvas walls.

Mo Ying sat beside San Na, untying his boots. His voice was calm, but firm.

"What was that all about?"

San Na kept her eyes on her bandaged leg, fingers lightly touching the wrapped wound.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about."

He stared at her.

"You let go on purpose."

Silence.

San Na swallowed.

Her voice trembled when she finally spoke.

"...So what if I did?"

Mo Ying’s brows lowered.

"San Na."

She let out a shaky breath and laughed bitterly.

"I didn’t slip. I wasn’t scared. I just... let go."

Her fingers tightened on the blanket.

"I wanted to die."

The words hung heavy in the air.

Mo Ying was quiet.

San Na continued, voice soft and broken.

"If not for Lin Xu, I’d already be gone. And maybe that would’ve been better. No more pain. No more pretending I’m fine."

He spoke quietly.

"Don’t say that."

Her eyes flashed as she looked up at him.

"Why? Because I’m your wife? Because you feel responsible?"

Her voice grew sharper.

"Don’t act like you care more than you do."

Mo Ying’s jaw tensed.

"You think I don’t care?"

"You don’t have the right to lecture me," she shot back. "My life is mine."

They stared at each other in complete silence.

San Na’s voice softened again.

"I’m tired, Mo Ying. I’ve been tired for so long. Living feels heavier every day."

He didn’t respond.

She laughed weakly.

"And when I looked down into that pit, I thought... maybe it wouldn’t matter if I disappeared. No one would truly miss me."

Mo Ying’s voice came out rough.

"You’re wrong."

But she shook her head.

"No. I’m not."

Another pause.

Then she looked at him softly.

Her tone changed, softer... sadder.

"I think I finally understand now."

Mo Ying frowned slightly.

"Understand what?"

She held his gaze.

"Why you love her so much."

The tent fell silent again.

San Na exhaled slowly.

"When Lin Xu grabbed me... she didn’t hesitate. She didn’t think of herself first. She just reached for me like my life mattered."

Her eyes dimmed.

"And in that moment... I realized something."

Mo Ying didn’t speak.

San Na whispered,

"She’s the kind of woman a man can’t forget... even if he wants to."

Her voice cracked.

"And I... am not."

Mo Ying parted his lips, finally ready to speak.

"San Na—"

She lifted a hand gently.

"Please don’t."

He fell silent.

Her eyes lowered to the blanket.

"I don’t want comfort. I don’t want pity. I don’t even want you to explain anything."

Her voice trembled, but she forced herself to continue.

"Right now... I just want to be alone."

Mo Ying frowned.

"You’re still shaken. I should stay."

She gave a small, tired smile.

"That’s exactly why I don’t want you here."

He didn’t understand.

Her gaze drifted to the dim lantern-light.

"When you’re near me, I start hoping for things I shouldn’t. I start thinking maybe you’ll stay... not because you feel guilty... but because you want to."

Her voice softened.

"And that hurts even more."

Mo Ying’s breath tightened in his chest.

"You shouldn’t be alone after what happened."

She shook her head.

"I’ve been alone for a long time, Mo Ying. Tonight won’t change that."

He wanted to argue.

But when she finally looked at him, her eyes were calm.

"Please. Let me have this one night. Just one."

A long silence settled between them.

At last, Mo Ying stood as San Na lowered her gaze.

"...Good night, Mo Ying."

His voice was quiet when he replied.

"Rest well."

He stepped outside.

The tent flap fell closed behind him.

...

The temporary prison near Yan Mountain was cold and dim. A single oil lamp flickered against the cracked stone wall.

Chains rattled.

Chu Ming lifted her tear-streaked face when the guard opened the door.

"A-Aunt...?"

Noble Consort Su stepped inside slowly, sleeves trailing behind her. Her expression was calm. Too calm.

Chu Ming broke.

"Aunt! You finally cae... please— please save me! I’ll die here, I know I will..."

Before she could finish, a sharp crack echoed through the cell.

Noble Consort Su’s palm struck her across the face.

Chu Ming froze.

Her voice trembled.

"A-Aunt...?"

Noble Consort Su’s eyes were cold.

"You complete fool."

Tears spilled down Chu Ming’s cheeks.

"I— I only did it for us...."

Another slap.

This time, harder.

"You had one opportunity," Noble Consort Su hissed quietly. "One. And not only did you fail— you exposed yourself and dragged me down with you."

Chu Ming shook her head desperately.

"No! No... they don’t know it was your idea- I didn’t say anything- Aunt pleas- please believe me—"

Noble Consort Su scoffed softly.

"Do you think the Crown Prince is blind? Or Mo Ying? Do you think they cannot guess?"

Chu Ming fell to her knees.

"I don’t want to die. I don’t want to rot in this place. Aunt— help me. You’ve always helped me..."

Her voice cracked.

"You said Lin Xu was nothing. You said she would disappear."

Noble Consort Su’s eyes narrowed.

"And yet here she still stands. Alive. Favored. Protected."

Her voice lowered to a bitter whisper.

"That woman thinks herself clever. She plays the simple, harmless village girl... and everyone falls for it."

Her hand tightened into a fist.

"She acts innocent while turning others into fools."

Chu Ming sobbed.

"I only wanted to get rid of her! I didn’t mean for things to go wrong!"

"You didn’t think at all."

Noble Consort Su’s voice was like ice.

"You left witnesses. You acted in public. You panicked. Do you know what that makes you?"

Chu Ming lifted watery eyes.

"What...?"

"A liability."

Silence filled the cell.

Chu Ming’s breath caught.

"Aunt... no. No— don’t say that. I’m the emperor’s niece and I’ve always obeyed you. You said she was dangerous— so I—"

Noble Consort Su cut her off sharply.

"And you failed."

Chu Ming trembled.

"Please... don’t abandon me.... If you don’t find a way to let me out, I’ll surely drag you down with me.. I’ll expose all your evil deeds to my uncle."

For a moment, the older woman simply looked down at her.

Then she knelt slightly, her voice turning low almost gentle.

"You dare threaten me? Hahahaha.. Do you in your lousy mind think the emperor will ever believe you.. ah! You will stay quiet. You will take the blame. You will not mention my name. Not once. Not even in your dreams."

Chu Ming grabbed her sleeve desperately.

"And if I don’t...?"

Noble Consort Su leaned closer, whispering softly:

"Then you will wish you had died in that snake pit instead."

Chu Ming shook, choking on silent sobs.

Noble Consort Su slowly removed her sleeve from Chu Ming’s grip.

"Endure this. When the storm passes... I will see what can be done."

Chu Ming clung to that sentence like a drowning person clutching driftwood.

"You... you promise?"

A faint smile curved Noble Consort Su’s lips.

"I promise nothing."

She turned to leave.

Chu Ming’s voice broke behind her.

"Aunt! Don’t go! Don’t leave me alone.... Aunt—!"

The door closed.

The lamp flickered.

And Chu Ming’s cries echoed against the stone walls until her voice finally gave out.