Han Li, of course, had no idea about the conversation between the man in blue and the yellow-robed man. He was still congratulating himself on having escaped disaster. Though he felt some irritation at the man in blue's dismissive attitude, Han Li was well aware of the vast gap in their power. The relief of having avoided a confrontation left his entire body feeling lighter.
The encounter with the man in blue had shattered Han Li's composure. His previously calm state of mind was gone, replaced by a lingering unease. He sighed, stood up, and prepared to settle his bill and leave the tavern.
Just then, from the street outside, came the faint sound of hoofbeats—growing clearer as they approached.
Han Li's spirits lifted. He sat back down and directed his attention once more toward the street.
According to Sun Ergou's intelligence, those hoofbeats should belong to the eldest daughter of the Mo Residence—Mo Yuzhu—returning from outside the city.
He had heard that this young lady of the Mo household had never taken to needlework or domestic arts. Instead, she loved wielding spears and practicing martial techniques, and had learned a formidable set of skills from experts of the Jingzhao Society. Most astonishingly, she had developed an unusual passion for hunting—an activity considered proper only for men. Every few days, she would ride her horse into the forests outside the city for a day of sport. Naturally, this had attracted a following of young lords and aspiring heroes who pursued her on horseback, hoping to win her favor through proximity and shared adventure.
When Wu Jianming arrived, he had predictably joined this group as well.
When Han Li first learned of these details, he had grown curious about Mo Yuzhu. A woman of such strong character and independent spirit was rare indeed. He hoped she would not disappoint his expectations.
Now, a group of over a dozen riders on fine horses came galloping down the street. At the front rode a man and a woman. The man was handsome, with sharp brows and a tall, lean frame. The woman wore a fiery red hunting outfit and a purple cloak that concealed her features.
In the blink of an eye, the riders swept past the Xiang Family Tavern and reined up before the gates of the Mo Residence.
The muscular guards who had been standing at attention immediately stepped forward. One with a pockmarked face greeted them respectfully.
"Young Miss, Young Master Wu, you've returned! How was the hunt today?"
"Not bad! Tang Er, take the horses and prepare the game." The woman in the hunting outfit spoke in a clear, crisp voice. She reached up and removed her cloak, revealing a face of breathtaking beauty, then dismounted with a light, graceful leap.
"Yes, Young Miss!" The guard called Tang Er seemed unwilling to look directly at her stunning face. He hurriedly took the reins and led the horses toward a side entrance.
Though some distance from the main gates, Han Li still caught a clear profile view of her features. He involuntarily drew a sharp breath. Her skin was luminous and snow-white, her nose straight and delicate, her eyes dark and bright, and her lips full and inviting. "Sinking fish and falling geese" and "flowers hiding their heads in shame"—such phrases were written for women like this.
*"So this is Mo Yuzhu. No wonder she has all the young lords of Jiayuan City in a frenzy. 'A beauty to bring down a kingdom'—that is the only fitting description."* Han Li thought to himself.
The handsome young man and the other riders dismounted as well. Several attendants came forward to take their horses.
The young man walked up to Mo Yuzhu with a smile and spoke a few quiet words, which brought a flush of crimson to her cheeks. She gave his shoulder a light, playful tap, then shot him a shy glance before turning and hurrying through the gates with quick, delicate steps. The young man chuckled softly and followed with an air of easy grace.
*"So this is Wu Jianming? He certainly knows how to charm a woman, and he's not bad-looking either,"* Han Li thought, a tinge of sourness in his reflection. He was well aware of his own limitations in the looks department—no matter how hard he tried, he could never rival this man.
*"Moreover, it looks like Mo Yuzhu and this Young Master Wu are getting along quite well. Their feelings seem genuine."* He frowned slightly, realizing the matter might not be as straightforward as he had hoped.
*"Regardless, I must obtain that Warm-Sun Jade—and quickly. The yin poison in my body is no small matter. It could erupt at any time."* Han Li's expression grew troubled.
He took one last deep look at the Mo Residence, called for the waiter, paid his bill, and left the tavern, returning to the inn where he was staying.
After careful deliberation, Han Li decided on the most direct and effective approach. He would act without hesitation.
His plan was to slip into the Mo Residence at night and meet Madam Yan—the woman currently managing the Jingzhao Society on the surface. Using the token Doctor Mo had left him, he would expose the impostor and win the trust of the Mo household. As for how to obtain the jade, he would have to play it by ear.
Once his decision was made, Han Li wasted no more time deliberating. He sat quietly in his room with his eyes closed, conserving his energy for the night's operation.
However, throughout this period, Mo Yuzhu's stunning face kept surfacing in his mind, refusing to be dismissed no matter how hard he tried.
*"Have I fallen for this woman?"* The thought was uncomfortable.
But he quickly reassured himself. *"A woman this beautiful would naturally catch anyone's eye. That doesn't necessarily mean I've fallen for her."*
As someone who had already placed one foot on the path of cultivation, Han Li was still inexperienced in matters of romance, but he instinctively avoided entanglements of the heart.
At the third watch of the night, Han Li changed into a suit of pitch-black clothing and slipped out of the inn.
He moved silently across rooftops, avoiding the night patrols with ease, and soon arrived outside the Mo Residence.
He circled the perimeter once, then let out a soft laugh. His form dissolved like a wisp of smoke, and he passed through the guards' lines without being detected, entering the rear courtyard of the Mo Residence. Not a single guard noticed anything out of the ordinary.