Volume One, Chapter 47: Fainted? Wake Her Up with a Slap

A cold, forbidding aura radiated from Mu Shaozhou, his tone severe and unyielding.

"Are you trying to teach me how to do things?"

Xie Mengqi shrank back, intimidated by the force of his presence, hesitating for a few seconds before continuing, unwilling to back down.

"Your Highness, that’s not what I meant. I’m just worried you might be deceived..."

"Yu Mo isn’t that kind of person. She has no reason to lie to me. Whatever she wants, I can give her." As Mu Shaozhou spoke, he lowered his head, leaning close to Yu Mo’s ear, whispering in a voice meant for her alone.

"My heart, my body, my status, my power, even my life—I can give it all to you."

The warmth of his breath curled into her ear, tickling her. Yu Mo had never heard Mu Shaozhou speak to anyone in such a tone before. His voice was gentle, tinged with a teasing allure, stirring up waves in her heart.

A man who could be this gentle and masterful was precisely the kind she could never resist.

Yet the image of Mu Shaozhou’s reckless behavior at the Emerald Residence abruptly flashed through her mind, and any flicker of affection she felt for him vanished, replaced by nothing but distaste.

She instinctively tried to pull away, but his large hand wrapped around her, drawing her into his embrace. Mu Shaozhou lifted his gaze, the cold sharpness returning to his eyes.

"If I hear anyone slandering Yu Mo again, the Mu Group’s legal notice will arrive the next day. If you don’t mind, feel free to continue spreading rumors."

Xie Mengqi faltered beneath his glare, the urge to retreat overwhelming. Behind her, the whispers of the crowd reached her ears.

"Isn’t the most powerful law firm in the imperial capital under the Mu Group’s umbrella? With the top legal team protecting them, who would dare provoke the Mu Group?"

"I heard that the Xu Group and Zhu Jewelry, which just declared bankruptcy, ended up that way because they offended His Highness. I thought it was a rumor when I saw the news about Zhu Jewelry, but now it makes sense. Who else but the Mu Group could strike so swiftly?"

"Exactly! Of all the people to cross, His Highness is the last. Even in the Magic City, the Mu Group’s power is overwhelming. For small families like ours, we wouldn’t even be worth his personal attention—he could crush us like ants, just by lifting a foot."

Listening to these murmurs, Xie Mengqi’s fear and respect for His Highness only deepened. Though she resented Yu Mo’s good fortune, she dared not utter another word.

She fell silent, while the discussions behind her continued.

"His Highness dotes on Yu Mo so much, it’s hard to believe! He’s always been cold and indifferent—I never thought someone like him would be so devoted. I always imagined men of his stature were above personal feelings, that they’d never fall in love like ordinary people..."

"Right? If I could be cherished by His Highness, I’d willingly give up ten years of my life!"

"I think I’m starting to admire Yu Mo..."

Lin Hua listened to these hushed conversations, her expression unchanged, but inwardly she was seething, ready to tear Yu Mo apart. His Highness was so obsessed with Yu Mo that even having Xie Mengqi stir things up had failed.

Clearly, she would have to find an opportunity to teach Yu Mo a lesson herself.

Just as this thought crossed her mind, Yan Kejia’s voice sounded beside her. At the moment, all her attention was focused on Qin Xiang. She raised her delicately manicured hand, pointing at him sharply.

"Qin Xiang, tell us—why did you steal the ring?"

No matter how she turned it over in her mind, Yan Kejia could not fathom his motive for taking the ring.

Yu Mo’s gaze fell on Qin Xiang. Had he known this day would come, he never would have chosen to deceive her. From the moment he decided to lie to Yan Kejia, the day his falsehoods were exposed was inevitable. Qin Xiang should have foreseen this.

Suddenly, a large hand appeared before her, blocking her view. Mu Shaozhou’s hand gently shielded her eyes, then withdrew. If Yu Mo gazed at Qin Xiang any longer, he might not be able to resist dragging the man out himself.

Yu Mo glanced at Mu Shaozhou. This man’s need for control was overwhelming—she must never get entangled with him. Her own little pretty boy was much better: obedient and docile.

Mu Shaozhou’s gaze swept the room. His voice was cool and languid.

"Whoever slandered Yu Mo just now, step forward and apologize to her."

All eyes landed on Yan Kejia, Xie Mengqi, Wang Hui, and Lin Hua—the four who had accused Yu Mo of stealing the ring earlier.

Seeing none of them move, Mu Shaozhou spoke nonchalantly.

"You don’t have to apologize if you don’t want to. Just leave your names and family backgrounds, and you may go."

His words floated out as if it were nothing of consequence, but a chill ran down everyone’s spines. If His Highness truly marked someone, it wouldn’t just be the individual who suffered—their entire family would be implicated.

Mu Shaozhou continued, "I’ll give you ten seconds. Ten... nine... eight..."

Lin Hua was the first to step forward, addressing Yu Mo.

"Yu Mo, I’m sorry. I was too hasty just now. You won’t hold it against me, will you?"

Yu Mo had no patience for such insincere apologies. One sentence, and she was supposed to forgive them?

She remained silent.

Mu Shaozhou continued counting, "Six... five..."

Unable to withstand the pressure, Xie Mengqi stepped forward. No matter how unwilling she was, she had no choice but to force the words out.

"Yu Mo, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted you."

Yu Mo remained silent, her gaze shifting to Yan Kejia and Wang Hui.

The two of them also hurried to apologize.

As Mu Shaozhou finished counting, his frosty eyes fell on Yu Mo, waiting for her response.

Yu Mo frowned slightly. She knew it was wrong to bully others by relying on power, but the sense of satisfaction was undeniable.

She spoke.

"Each of you will slap yourself twenty times. No fewer."

Any less, and she wouldn’t feel her humiliation was avenged.

"Go ahead."

Mu Shaozhou’s expression remained unchanged as he addressed the four, his tone brooking no refusal.

Lin Hua bit her lip, on the verge of tears. She looked pitiful enough, her eyes already gleaming with tears, but inside she was close to screaming in rage.

That wretched Yu Mo—even after she’d apologized, it wasn’t enough. Now she was being forced to slap herself in front of everyone.

Didn’t the esteemed Miss Chu care about her dignity?

But under Mu Shaozhou’s authority, she had no right to refuse. Her body went limp and she collapsed to the floor, pretending to faint.

Someone immediately rushed forward to help her.

Mu Shaozhou issued a command, and no one dared approach.

"If she’s fainted, someone else can do the slapping for her."

Yu Mo could see Lin Hua was only pretending. Fortunately, Mu Shaozhou was not as easy to fool as Fu Yanting.

He wasn’t buying her act.

Yu Mo curved her lips, in quite a good mood.

Dai Ming had someone hold Lin Hua in place and began rolling up his sleeves.

Lin Hua "regained consciousness" with a groan and struggled to her feet. The person supporting her quickly withdrew.

Reluctantly, Lin Hua raised her hand and gave herself a light slap.

Yu Mo frowned. "Put ten times more force into it, or it doesn’t count."

Lin Hua’s eyes flashed with resistance, but she had no choice. She lifted her hand and slapped herself hard across the face.

"Smack!"

The crisp sound left no doubt about the force behind it.

Yu Mo was satisfied. "Continue."

She looked at the other three. "Use the same force."

"Smack! Smack! Smack!"

The four of them began slapping themselves, and for a while the private room echoed with the sharp sounds.

By the time twenty slaps were done, all four faces were red and swollen. Xie Mengqi had never suffered such humiliation, but dared not utter a word.

Mu Shaozhou’s large hand tightened around Yu Mo’s waist.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Almost."

"I’ll take you home," he said, guiding her toward the door.

"Wait a moment," Yu Mo replied, her gaze falling on Qin Xiang.

His matter had yet to be settled.