Chapter 80: The Temptation from the Bald Man

“Muer must have been threatened into this; she isn't that kind of girl. Not long ago, we strolled beneath the flowers and talked late into the night by candlelight.” Tong Ge muttered softly, unwilling to believe.

Ye Yushu said nothing; he didn’t want to shatter Tong Ge’s illusions either. After all, Yan Muer had enjoyed moonlit walks with just about anyone. Take Dongfang Shuang, for example—who knows if she hadn’t done the same with him? Perhaps this whole wedding snatching was orchestrated by Yan Muer herself. You were all fooled by her!

“Then who is this?” Ye Yushu asked in confusion. Dongfang Shuang had only just advanced to Swordmaster, yet he’d been knocked out with a single punch.

“No idea,” came the reply.

Ye Yushu glanced at Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng, his uncle and aunt. He remembered seeing them only once as a child; they probably no longer recognized him. In Ye Yushu’s memory, uncle and aunt had betrayed the family and been struck from the ancestral records—a disgrace to the Ye clan. Every Ye child was taught to spit at their mention, to show their contempt.

With such relatives, Ye Yushu felt only shame. How could they have the face to live in this world? He truly wished no one would know of their connection.

“Who are you? Do you realize whom you’ve struck?” Ye Yushu had come today partly to humiliate them—such notions were ingrained from childhood.

Frankly, Ye Li didn’t even want to dignify such foolishness with an answer.

“My wife will hit whomever she pleases!” The words were barely out when Ye Kun’s voice rang out from the side. The taste of that line pleased Ye Li greatly—at least the little bald head knew what to say.

Ye Kun strode calmly onto the stage, Yan Muer following behind, though her stride was still rather alluring.

In Ye Kun’s heart, once you entered the Ye family, you were his to protect—and to tease, but never for outsiders to meddle with. Whatever these two girls’ intentions, right now, they were family. Who would side with outsiders over family?

For the first time, Ye Qin saw his brother show such resolve. Clearly, he cared about his sister-in-law and was standing up for her.

Yan Muer, meanwhile, was puzzled. She’d only gone off to the restroom—how had this old woman suddenly won everyone’s favor? She needed a plan.

Ye Ming and Dongmen Meng sat at the back, watching as if it were all just a play.

“Enough, I’ve returned. Let’s continue.” Ye Kun clasped his hands behind his back, his bald head gleaming brightly in the sunlight.

If Yuan Zhen and Feng Dian were still here, they’d be showering Kun with such flattery that he’d be carried to the heavens. Their absence was genuinely a pity.

Tong Ge had no interest in speaking with Ye Kun. Instead, he gazed deeply at Yan Muer and said, “Muer, I’m here. Let’s go home.”

“Husband~ This man is out of his mind, spouting nonsense.” Yan Muer didn’t know him, but couldn’t admit that—what if she slipped up?

Ye Li chose to listen quietly. Once she had leverage, things would get interesting. Playing games with her? He was still too green.

Sometimes, Ye Kun really couldn’t get used to Yan Muer’s coquettish ways. They could make any man feel protective, almost compelling trust.

“Talk properly,” Kun managed, goosebumps rising all over.

“Ying ying ying~” came the reply.

Ye Kun: “…”

Tong Ge and Ye Yushu were dumbfounded below the stage. Yan Muer in their memory had always been poised, her voice soft and gentle—never like this. If they saw her face now, no man could possibly withstand it.

“Muer, what’s wrong? Didn’t we promise to be together?” Tong Ge couldn’t accept this new Yan Muer; it was nothing like what he’d imagined.

Yan Muer now suspected these would-be kidnappers were in league with the old woman, all plotting against her. And this man, claiming they were meant to be—she wanted nothing more than to stuff his head into his own backside to shut him up.

Ye Kun asked instinctively, “You two were going to be together?”

Kun was a man himself; though he tried to appear unconcerned, who wouldn’t feel a touch of jealousy? He was no saint.

Hearing this, Yan Muer was delighted: the little bald head was jealous after all. So he did care for his wife.

“Sister, is that true?” Ye Li quickly fanned the flames. Luckily, she had no black marks in her past, but judging by this fox, the history was colorful—definitely an advantage.

Yan Muer knew the old woman was about to attack her, full of malicious intent. “Sister, how can you question your little sister’s loyalty to her husband? How could you~”

When it came to playing coy, Yan Muer was second to none—even Ye Li couldn’t stomach it. A solemn matter was slowly being twisted by her syrupy tones.

Hearing this, Tong Ge clenched his fists tightly. There had always been gossip about Yan Muer in Taijing, but he’d dismissed it as mere jealousy. Now, though, his anger blazed, his face flushing red.

Ye Yushu’s eyes filled with disdain. Why hadn’t the royal family ever pursued Yan Muer? Because the Sage had forbidden it. There was reason in the Sage’s decrees—this woman was scheming, and Ye Yushu had seen through her long ago. Look at her now, a complete transformation, probably trying to cling to someone for support. But what was there to gain from his uncle’s family? They could barely protect themselves.

Or perhaps…

She had a thing for bald men?

Was this the allure of a shaved head…?

Ye Kun asked mildly, “If your relationship wasn’t close, why would they come to steal the bride? Muer, can you explain?”

Yan Muer felt a headache coming on. She recalled that woman’s shrewd face—beautiful, but so calculating. Ending up in this situation was just bringing trouble upon herself. She’d stayed in Misty Forest all this time, and now…

It was so difficult.

“Husband, you know your Muer is pretty. No matter how devoted I am to you, I can’t avoid unwanted attention. I always shun such things so you won’t misunderstand me. But even so, there are still people who behave this way. There’s nothing I can do. If you choose to believe outsiders over me, then…” At this, Yan Muer even choked up, showing her helplessness.

Ye Li nearly retched. This fox couldn’t help boasting even while explaining herself—have some shame!

Ye Kun thought it over. Beautiful girls did tend to attract many suitors; that much was understandable. The explanation was acceptable.

“Li’er, do you have any past history I should know about?” Ye Kun decided to clear everything up today, to avoid surprises later.

Ye Li wanted to bop that little bald head. Calling her Li’er—she was old enough to be his grandmother, and then some.