Chapter 870: The Death of Chen Ji (4)

Mo Yan refused to look up at him, suddenly reaching out and pushing the unguarded Xiao Ruiyuan aside, quickly standing up and trying to retreat back to her room.

Xiao Ruiyuan panicked and acted faster than his thoughts, grabbing her wrist tightly. "Yan'er..."

Mo Yan forcefully shook her wrist but couldn't break free from his grip. She couldn't help but turn her head and glared at Xiao Ruiyuan fiercely, "Let go!"

Xiao Ruiyuan refused to let go. Looking at her lips, which were swollen and even slightly broken, a deep regret flashed in his eyes. "Yan'er, I'm sorry!" he said, reaching out to pull the startled girl into his arms, intending to comfort her properly.

Mo Yan glared at him and stepped aside, not giving him a chance to come closer. "Go away. I'm angry now, and I don’t want to talk to you."

Whether people called her pretentious or melodramatic, this guy had forced a kiss on her despite her unwillingness, almost suffocating her. She even pleaded, but he still wouldn’t let her go. If this continues, what would happen when they’re married? She was determined to make him remember this lesson!

Xiao Ruiyuan misunderstood Mo Yan’s intentions, thinking that she truly despised him. His expression changed, and he almost slapped himself.

Noticing the regret and guilt in his eyes, Mo Yan’s anger subsided a bit. She still wasn’t willing to forgive him easily and spoke in a cold tone: "Go away. If there's nothing urgent, don’t come here in the middle of the night again. I don’t want to anger my father." She forcefully pulled her wrist from his grip and pushed him toward the door.

Seeing that Mo Yan was really upset, Xiao Ruiyuan suppressed the panic in his heart and tried his best to calm himself, quickly thinking of a way to get her forgiveness. Surprisingly, he thought of something.

"Yan'er, I have something important to tell you. Let me finish!" Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes lit up, and he tightened his grip on Mo Yan's wrist, a layer of sweat forming on his forehead.

Mo Yan, curious about what he could possibly have to say, stopped trying to push him away.

Xiao Ruiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and tentatively led the girl toward the sofa.

Mo Yan had just been trapped under the weight of the sofa, unable to move, so she was reluctant to go over. She looked at Xiao Ruiyuan warily and said, "Just stand here and talk."

Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes flashed with disappointment. He took a deep breath and said, "Chen Ji is dead. This morning, he was killed by his own daughter in the prison."

When the Chen family was captured, it was close to the New Year, and in order to avoid offending the gods, the authorities didn’t execute the Chen family members immediately. Later, after Du Shi was saved by Mo Yan and secretly sent back to her homeland by Xiao Ruiyuan, she could never return to the capital. The prison was left with only Chen Ji and his daughter.

Chen Ji had committed many heinous crimes, and he was supposed to be executed after the New Year. However, Emperor Hui'an suddenly changed his mind and decided to make the culprit who had poisoned Empress Chunyi suffer endless torment and humiliation before dying. So, Chen Ji was subjected to cruel tortures in the Ministry of Justice’s prison every day, until he couldn’t endure anymore. The Physician would save his life, and then the torture would continue...

Chen Ji was dead? Killed by Chen Shanshan?

Mo Yan was momentarily stunned, and Chen Ji’s somewhat blurry face appeared in her mind. She couldn’t believe that the man who had bad intentions toward her and her family was now dead, and worse, had been killed by his own daughter.

No matter what, the heartache had finally died, which was a good thing. Mo Yan snapped back to her senses and sneered, "Hmph, letting him live this long before dying is already letting him off easy!"

But why did Chen Shanshan kill her own father? Chen Ji had treated her well in the past; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken her along when they escaped.

As if sensing her confusion, Xiao Ruiyuan explained, "Someone hinted to that woman that as long as she killed her father with her own hands, she could leave alive."

So, Chen Shanshan, in order to survive, stripped off her filthy and stinky clothes and, without any strength to resist, suffocated Chen Ji, who had been tortured for months and had lost all his strength.

Mo Yan immediately realized whose work this was, and she felt a cold chill. Even in death, Chen Ji had to die at the hands of his own daughter, unable to rest in peace. This was a truly vicious move, and it showed how deeply Emperor Hui'an hated him.

"So what about Chen Shanshan? Will she really be let go?" Mo Yan didn’t think Emperor Hui'an was so kind. He hadn’t eradicated the entire Chen family because he had no family to wipe out, but who knew how many innocent people would die with him if he could?

Xiao Ruiyuan shook his head. "She’ll be sent to a northern mine."

Mo Yan’s face showed a trace of surprise. Was Emperor Hui'an really so kind? But even though Chen Shanshan was despicable, she was indeed innocent—she hadn't killed anyone, and her crime didn’t deserve death.

Xiao Ruiyuan noticed Mo Yan’s thoughts but didn’t say anything. That woman had nothing to do with Yan’er. Why should she know such dirty matters?

(End of chapter)  

 Chapter 869: The Death of Chen Ji (3)

Mo Yan's face flushed, and she poked his chest, saying fiercely, "Who are you calling father-in-law? We’re not even married yet! You can’t just say that!"

Looking at the girl's lively and charming appearance, Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze inadvertently fixated on her pink, slightly parted lips. The next moment, he didn't know where her finger had poked, but his body suddenly stiffened.

Mo Yan only felt a dizzying sensation, and when she regained her senses, her lips were covered by a pair of warm, soft ones.

Mo Yan’s eyes widened, her mind felt like it was filled with mush, completely stunned. In her two lifetimes, she had seen "pigs run," but never actually eaten "pork." No matter how she imagined it, she never expected the man she liked to act so recklessly, pinning her down and doing as he wished.

The increasing pain on her lips reminded her that this was not a dream or a fantasy, but something that was truly happening. Mo Yan felt a little nervous, a little scared, and helplessly pushed against the man, whose breathing was getting heavier and heavier. His breath sprayed across her neck, almost burning her.

"Stop... Xiao Brother, stop..." she cried, her voice carrying a pleading tone. Sensing her resistance, Xiao Ruiyuan regained some clarity. His rationality told him to stop immediately, but when he saw the girl’s delicate, helpless appearance and her soft moans, it felt like adding fuel to the fire in his burning heart, completely burning away his remaining sense. His heavy breathing mixed with a hoarse voice, "Yan'er... my Yan'er..."

Mo Yan felt like she couldn't breathe anymore. Her originally pale cheeks turned bright red, burning with heat.

Now, Mo Yan was really anxious. Fear had truly risen in her heart. Her arms were too weak to resist, so she kept kicking with her legs, her mouth producing helpless, pleading sounds, "Xiao Brother, no... don’t do this... let go of me..."

"Mm..." Xiao Ruiyuan felt a sharp pain on his tongue and suddenly snapped back to reality. When he opened his eyes, bloodshot and filled with alarm, he saw the woman beneath him, her eyes brimming with tears and her breath shallow. It felt like a thunderstrike, and he instantly froze. "Yan... Yan'er!"

(End of chapter) 

 Chapter 1682: Mysterious Smile

Meng Pei introduced, "Oh, this is the second young master of the He family, who owns a restaurant in Chenggu County." He then turned to Young Master He and said, "This is my son, Meng Yunzheng, the one I told you about."

Young Master He swallowed nervously. So this was the infamous young master of Chenggu County, Meng Yunzheng? With such a formidable figure suddenly added to their side, he felt that their chances of escaping had inexplicably improved.

As he approached Meng Yunzheng to initiate a conversation, he heard Shu Yu's surprised voice from the side, "Second Young Master He? The one who was brought to the Beast Camp to be fed to the wild beasts last night?"

She remembered that they heard the anguished cries of the young master from the cell next door last night. It was because they heard the horrifying screams of Young Master He being torn apart by the wild beasts that they couldn't bear it anymore, started shouting, cursing the bandits without reservation, hoping for a quick death.

So, he hadn't died after all.

Young Master He's eyes widened, looking at Shu Yu with shock. "A woman?!"

Shu Yu hadn't spoken earlier, and her disguise as a man had thrown off Young Master He's perception. Hearing her unaltered voice now, he was abruptly startled.

Given how dangerous it was here, how could she dare to come in? He had been terrified during the few days he spent here.

There were many questions he wanted to ask, but at the moment, nobody had the time to answer him.

Meng Yunzheng and the others were moving swiftly. He inquired about the reason for Meng Pei's presence in the Beast Camp.

As Meng Pei recounted the situation, he wasn't sure whether he was lucky or unlucky.

He briefly summarized the events of two days ago. He had followed Jiang Kuanyu and the others, tracking their fighting sounds and traces to a large mansion, then followed them to the room where the secret passage was.

However, when he arrived, Jiang Kuanyu and the others had already taken his unconscious younger brother into the secret passage.

By the time he got there, he only managed to catch a glimpse of the scene where the entrance to the secret passage was closing. He had no way of entering and didn't know where the mechanism was located.

As Meng Pei was trying to find the mechanism in the room, feeling restless, footsteps echoed from outside.

He immediately hid, then saw an injured man stumbling into the room.

Meng Pei recognized him. This man had likely engaged with his younger brother in the courtyard, was injured by his younger uncle, and fell to the ground. Jiang Kuanyu and the others had assumed he was dead.

When Meng Pei arrived, he had also seen him unconscious in an abandoned corridor with a large wound on his chest.

Since Jiang Kuanyu and the others were in a hurry, they naturally had no time to deal with the body. They assumed the bandits who were guarding the mansion would take care of it.

But no one had anticipated that this man was still alive.

Meng Pei watched as the man's fingers touched the underside of the table, then saw a wall move about a meter backward, revealing the entrance to a secret passage.

Meng Pei's heart leapt with joy. He was just about to approach, but the man heard his movements, abruptly turned around, and the two engaged in combat instantly. Meng Pei was skilled in combat, and while the man was adept too, his severe injuries worked against him. In just a couple of moves, he fell to the ground and was pierced through the heart by a sword.

Meng Pei coldly withdrew his sword, but just before the man passed away, he suddenly revealed a peculiar smile.

Initially, Meng Pei didn't understand the meaning behind that unsettling smile. At that moment, he didn't have the luxury to think about it. Seeing the man take his last breath, he hastily dealt with the situation and quickly returned to the room, then descended into the secret passage.

However, it was only once he was in the secret passage that Meng Pei finally understood the significance of that eerie smile.

 Chapter 1681: Father and Son Meeting

The bandit quickly regained his senses, his faces turning pale as they hurriedly intervened, "What are you doing? Are you looking to die? We should stay here until the chaos outside subsides before going out..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw a brown bear in the distance slap the room's door, crushing the people hiding inside.

The bandit widened his eyes, shivered, and hastily followed Meng Yunzheng and the others as they were about to leave, calling out, "Wait for me!"

The scene outside was too brutal, and the bandit stuck close to Meng Yunzheng.

Fortunately, the Beast Camp wasn't far, and once the wild beasts were released, they dashed out and fled in different directions, leaving the area unexpectedly safe.

Moreover, the people who were supposed to guard the entrance were nowhere to be seen, allowing them to pass unimpeded.

However, the Beast Camp was vast, containing numerous fierce beasts, all of considerable size, and the cages were crammed together.

Looking at these empty cages, the bandit trembled. They were in trouble; the black market was doomed.

Their leader would surely slaughter those who remained behind when he returned.

Meng Yunzheng carefully examined each cage, noticing that they had been opened, but the cage containing the python remained locked. Thus, within the large Beast Camp, all the other fierce beasts were let loose, except for the python coiled on a branch inside its cage.

The group quickened their pace and soon reached the innermost part of the Beast Camp.

However, throughout their journey, they hadn't come across a single person. Just as they began to speculate that the person who released the wild beasts might have left, a faint sound suddenly came from above.

Meng Yunzheng looked up and saw an unfamiliar man hanging from the ceiling beam.

Seeing their gaze, the man on the beam's face turned pale. Trembling, he suddenly shouted, "Uncle, run quickly, I'll hold them off!"

Saying that, he jumped directly from the beam and fiercely lunged at Shu Yu, who appeared to be the smallest.

Shu Yu thought, "..." This was the second time today that someone had pounced on her. She must be quite charming.

Meng Yunzheng's mouth twitched, and he blocked the man with a swift motion, twisting his arms behind his back.

The man winced in pain with every move, yet he persisted and attempted to kick Meng Yunzheng. Meng Yunzheng spun the man's arm, pushing him into a corner.

Then he raised his head to look at another person who had jumped down from the beam. The latter strode towards him and joyfully embraced him, exclaiming, "Ah Yun, you really came."

Although Meng Yunzheng had deliberately disguised himself and the lighting was dim here, as his dearest father, the moment he raised his head, he recognized his son.

The man pushed into the corner was about to continue his charge when he saw the two embracing and froze, his face filled with disbelief. He looked at the middle-aged man next to him and said, "Uncle? You know him?"

Meng Pei released Meng Yunzheng and coughed while holding his chest.

Meng Yunzheng quickly supported him and furrowed his brows, saying, "Father, are you injured?"

"Father?" The man in the corner wasn't the only one surprised; even the bandit were taken aback.

Hadn't they come in to rescue their uncle? Why was it suddenly about his father now?

Meng Pei ignored the astonishment of the two men and smiled at Meng Yunzheng, saying, "I'm fine, just a minor injury."

"Let me take a look."

Meng Pei pushed away his hand. "No rush, I've already applied medicine. Let's go out first and find your younger uncle."

Meng Yunzheng could only give up, and when the young man from the corner approached, he asked in confusion, "Who is this..."

 Chapter 1680: Suspecting Meng Pei's Involvement

Holding clothes, Xia Yi returned to Meng Xiaoshu's side. "Uncle Meng, I apologize, I need to change your clothes."

Meng Xiaoshu had regained some strength and was worried, "Outside... it's chaotic. Miss... you, too... dangerous."

"Right now, chaos outside gives us the chance to escape. Uncle Meng, don't worry, leave everything to me."

Meng Xiaoshu bit his lip, realizing he couldn't do much now but had to follow her lead and not hold them back.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Xia Yi had intended to remove the bloodied clothes from him, but some parts of the fabric were stuck to his wounds, which had scabbed over. Pulling them off would reopen the wounds and make the bleeding worse.

Xia Yi had to wrap the guard's clothes around Meng Xiaoshu's outfit. However, Meng Xiaoshu was well-built, and the guard was smaller, causing the clothes to be a bit tight.

But there was no other choice; there wasn't time to worry about that.

Once dressed, Xia Yi helped Meng Xiaoshu stand. "Let's go. Lean on me as much as you can. Don't think about anything else, just focus on staying conscious."

Meng Xiaoshu nodded in silence, "Okay."

He leaned on Xia Yi, relieved as he realized she could support him and walk without a problem.

Exiting the storeroom, locking the door behind them and taking the key, Meng Xiaoshu was taken aback by the bloody smell and screams that hit him as they stepped outside. Opening his eyes, he was confronted by a horrifying scene.

"What... what's going on here?"

Xia Yi had no idea, but she guessed it might be related to Meng Yunzheng. Yet, considering his personality, it seemed unlikely he would cause such chaos.

What Xia Yi didn't know was that Meng Yunzheng himself was also bewildered by the appearance of these wild beasts.

He and Shu Yu were trailing the bandits in a coordinated search. After investigating one area, they heard commotion from the adjacent beast camp. A wolf burst out, howling and running.

The bandits stood nearby, shocked by the sight of the charging wolf.

Swiftly, Meng Yunzheng pulled Shu Yu into a nearby room just in time, shutting the door to block the wolf's attack.

The wolf collided with the door before leaving when more people arrived.

Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu responded quickly. They couldn't believe the wild beasts escaped accidentally. The bandits claimed they were kept in separate cages to prevent them from killing each other. It was unlikely that so many beasts were accidentally released.

"Could it be Uncle Meng?" Shu Yu guessed.

Meng Yunzheng's eyes brightened, "Possibly." They were here not only to find Meng Xiaoshu but also Meng Pei.

Meng Yunzheng's father had entered earlier, but his whereabouts were unknown.

Considering the limited number of insiders in this black market, besides themselves and Xia Yi, Meng Pei was the most likely candidate.

"Let's go to the beast camp."

Making a quick decision, they headed to the camp to check if Meng Pei was there. If he was, they would talk to him before searching for Meng Xiaoshu.

With the distant roars of the beasts, they opened the door, ready to venture outside.

 Chapter 1679: Finding Meng Xiaoshu

Deciding not to wait any longer, Xia Yi immediately shifted her gaze away and ran towards the address Qiao Rou had given her.

Qiao Rou had mentioned that the person Jiang Kuanyu brought back a couple of days ago was being held in the leftmost warehouse.

She didn't understand why they would keep a person in a warehouse, but as long as he was there, it would do.

Xia Yi's steps were swift, and in no time, she arrived outside the warehouse. There was a guard at the entrance. When he saw her running over, he quickly drew the knife at his waist and pointed it at her. "Who are you?"

Xia Yi looked genuinely terrified, and her tears fell as she spoke. "It's so scary, big brother, it's so scary."

The guard frowned. "What's going on?"

"Over there, the fierce beasts are out, I don't know what's happening. Those beasts are attacking people and coming this way. Help me, big brother, please save me."

Saying this, Xia Yi ran to the side. The guard furrowed his brows. He had indeed heard screams in the distance. Now, hearing that it was beasts running amok, he couldn't help but move forward.

As he walked away, his back was turned to Xia Yi. Seizing the opportunity, she rushed forward and suddenly collided with him. She used her strength to push him towards the wall.

"Ugh..." The guard cried out in pain. Before he could react, he heard a series of fearful screams from Xia Yi. "They're coming! A wolf is coming from over there, help!"

The guard had just turned his head to look when he felt hands on his head. With a twist, he was dead on the spot.

Seeing this, Xia Yi let out a breath and stood up.

Fortunately, this area was relatively quiet; there were no beasts around, and no one was coming.

She found a key on the guard and quickly unlocked the door. After dragging the guard inside and locking the door behind her, she turned around and saw Uncle Meng tied to a pillar, covered in blood and barely conscious.

Xia Yi's expression tightened. She approached him and checked his pulse. Thankfully, his heartbeat was still there, and he was alive.

She sighed in relief, quickly untying him and laying him on the ground. Then, she pinched the acupoint on his face to wake him up.

"Uncle Meng?"

Meng Xiaoshu opened his swollen eyes. His eyelashes were matted with blood, which Xia Yi wiped away. Speaking softly, she said, "Uncle Meng, are you okay? Can you leave with me?"

Meng Xiaoshu felt as if there was a blurry figure swaying before his eyes, and the voice sounded both distant and close.

What made it seem unreal was that the person calling him seemed to be a girl?

He opened his mouth, his throat hurting intensely, and his voice came out hoarse, "You, you are..."

"I'm here on behalf of Young Master Meng Yunzheng. I'll take you out now. In a moment, you just need to exert a bit of strength. I'll support you while we leave to avoid raising suspicion."

Xia Yi was strong enough to carry Meng Xiaoshu, but she was playing a role of a helpless girl in the black market. If she were to carry a grown man effortlessly, it would certainly attract attention.

So, she woke up Meng Xiaoshu and made sure his feet touched the ground, carrying most of his weight herself.

Meng Xiaoshu's reaction was somewhat delayed. It took him a while to realize what Xia Yi had said.

He was stunned for a moment, disbelievingly asking, "Yunzheng? Is it... Yunzheng... who sent you?"

"Not only him, both him and Lu Xiangjun are outside. We just didn't know where you were held, so we had to split up. Let's get you out of here."

Xia Yi turned around and flipped the guard she had brought in earlier. She stripped him of his clothes.

 Chapter 245.2

Chang Suining finally said,

“If there comes a day when we meet again, and fate gives us the chance, I will repay her for the kindness of guiding me back.”

Chang Kuo’s eyes turned slightly red. He nodded slowly.

“If that’s the case, then if fate allows, we will surely meet again…”

As he nodded, however, he suddenly realized something was off.

“Wait a moment… so, Your Highness had already revealed your identity to Wu Jue long ago?”

He—wasn’t the only one? Not even the first?

Hadn’t Her Highness once told him in private that in her heart, he ranked first?

Chang Kuo’s gaze looked a little wounded.

“You were already leading troops away from the capital then.” Chang Suining sighed softly, glancing at him with a hint of helplessness. “And it was he who recognized me first.”

She didn’t mention the word “injury,” yet every word she spoke seemed filled with that very meaning.

Their eyes met.

Chang Kuo was silent: “…”

Wu Jue, who lived in Dayun Temple, could recognize her so early, yet he—who was with Her Highness day and night—had to wait for her to come find him for recognition?

Was that fulfilling his duty? Was that reasonable? Was that even human?

Chang Kuo lowered his head in shame. “This subordinate was foolish…”

“It’s not entirely your fault.” Chang Suining comforted him gently, right on cue. “There was a reason why Wu Jue could recognize me.”

She then told him the truth about the Heavenly Maiden Tower.

Chang Kuo was both shocked and relieved.

He thought so—how could he, the most trusted aide under Her Highness, lose to someone else for no reason!

Turns out that bald monk who made good mutton soup had peeked at the answers ahead of time!

Even now, he couldn’t help saying, “Your Highness, in truth, this subordinate already had a faint sense… but couldn’t put it into words.”

“I could feel that.” Chang Suining nodded. “Who made you the one who knows me best, the one most attuned to me? When I wasn’t ready to reveal myself, I worried every day that you would recognize me.”

Chang Kuo listened with great delight; his heart felt both soothed and proud.

However—there was one thing…

He hesitated slightly, then gave a few awkward laughs and rubbed his big hands together.

“Before I knew Your Highness’s identity… I might have said some arrogant or boastful things…”

Thinking of those past moments—his lies, his bragging, his oblivious boasting—Chang Kuo’s current emotions swayed violently between “I wish I could die on the spot” and “But I can’t bear to die yet.”

Chang Suining feigned ignorance, letting out a soft “ah.”

“Let’s not talk about that.”

Bringing up such things again would do no good. Some memories were better left untouched; otherwise, recalling them would be torture for everyone involved.

Chang Kuo chuckled dryly a few more times, wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, and felt as though he’d been granted amnesty.

Then, cautiously, he asked, “So, from now on…”

Chang Suining replied, “From now on, you’re still my father.”

Chang Kuo placed both hands on his thighs, sitting rigidly upright, visibly uneasy.

“Your Highness, that… that might not be appropriate…”

Him—becoming the father of Her Highness?

Then what about the late emperor?

Wasn’t that snatching away the imperial title itself?

Was that even proper?

Would his ancestors, buried beneath the family grave, still rest in peace after this?

If the punishment of exterminating nine generations reached the underworld—how would that even work? Would it drag the ancestors down too?

Thinking of all this, such fortune seemed beyond the realm of “ancestral blessings.”

The smoke rising from his ancestral tomb would no longer be green—it’d turn red, then purple…

At this rate, he feared the whole ancestral tomb might explode.

Chang Kuo grew genuinely worried that his family tomb couldn’t bear the pressure.

“How is it inappropriate?” Chang Suining’s eyes softened as she said, “Wu Jue told me, it was you who carried one of my bones back then, which allowed this formation to be set up.”

Her gaze fell to his injured leg. “I acknowledge you as my father, to care for you in your old age—what could be more fitting?”

Hearing this, Chang Kuo’s heart surged. He admitted it—he harbored a little vanity, enough to risk even his ancestral tomb exploding, just to savor this kind of honor.

Forgive me, ancestors—he truly wanted to experience what it felt like to live a life so enviable it made others jealous!

His heart was surging, though his words were cautious:

“Your Highness carries such an earth-shaking secret… You must be careful and discreet. Since that’s the case, this subordinate will dare to cooperate a little…”

Chang Suining smiled and nodded. “Good.”

After a pause, Chang Kuo asked again,

“Then… what does Your Highness plan to do about the Holy Emperor?”

“Our temperaments don’t match.” The young girl’s voice was calm. “No gratitude, no grievance. Just strangers walking separate paths.”

Resentment? Hardly.

Did the other owe her? In Chang Suining’s view, no.

There had once been the grace of giving life. Though later the Holy Emperor took much from her, she still didn’t owe her anything. Having repaid the grace of birth in full, she, too, was no longer indebted.

Since neither owed the other, there was no need for the “reconciliation” or “mother-daughter reunion” the Holy Emperor spoke of. Such things simply didn’t apply between them.

Chang Kuo could tell—hidden within that simple phrase “our temperaments don’t match” lay something irreconcilable, and need not be reconciled.

He said softly, “Then this subordinate will help you keep this secret.”

“If she’s in front of me, it might be too late to hide. She’s probably already guessed.”

Chang Suining looked out the window through a narrow slit in the shutters, where snow had piled up in the courtyard. A sparrow was pecking for food but was startled by falling snow and fluttered away.

Holding her warm teacup, her voice was gentle and unburdened.

“But it’s fine. She can no longer control me.”

Perhaps in the future, there would still be many shackles upon her—some from the Holy Emperor, some from others high above, and some from the chaos of the times.

But looking afar—like in Hezhou—under the collapse of the current order, countless people across the Dazheng realm were all like her, destined to be controlled by power and circumstance.

Yet she would never yield. Again and again, endlessly, she would save herself and the people of her Dazheng realm from the fires of suffering.

She had made that resolve, and it would never change.

And she would make herself strong enough to match it.

Chang Kuo followed the young girl’s gaze toward the snowy courtyard. After a long while, he asked,

“Then what are Your Highness’s plans next?”

Chang Suining turned back with a smile.

“Didn’t we agree? Once Hezhou is settled, we’ll go deal with Li Yi.”

Now that the first task was done, it was time to prepare for the second.

Chang Kuo smiled as well. “Good. Then once we finish with Hezhou, we’ll depart.”

Chang Suining nodded.

Looking at her youthful face, Chang Kuo couldn’t help but ask,

“Does Your Highness think this subordinate has grown old and useless?”

“Look across all of Da Sheng—how many can still wield Zhanxiu as you do? You can still swing the blade freely—how can that be called old?”

Chang Suining said, “When the day comes you can no longer lift your sword, then we’ll talk about age.”

Chang Kuo, who had been slightly dispirited, straightened his back unconsciously and smiled.

“But my hair is already turning white…”

“Teacher is nearly seventy, his head almost entirely white, yet he’s still being promoted.”

Chang Suining looked at him earnestly. “And even if one truly grows old—so what? Each year older means one more year of wisdom. You should focus on the strengths that come with age.”

Chang Kuo sat taller still.

“You’re right—an elder in the family is a treasure!”

“Exactly. Father probably doesn’t know—Prince Rong’s manor has its eye on you. To recruit your talent, Li Lu used all kinds of tricks on me and Brother.”

Chang Kuo’s expression turned serious.

“Such a thing happened?”

Chang Suining then told him everything in detail.

Chang Kuo frowned deeply.

“Seems Prince Rong’s manor isn’t so peaceable either… We’ll need to stay alert.”

The two talked for a long time in the room. During that time, Deputy General Jin sent food. They ate as they spoke, never pausing their conversation.

After the meal, as they set down their bowls and chopsticks, Chang Kuo suddenly recalled something.

“By the way… that Grand General Cui—does he also know the truth about the Heavenly Maiden Tower?”

He remembered that only Cui Jing could freely enter and leave that tower.

Chang Kuo asked, “Does Your Highness need to conceal your true identity from him?”

“…” Chang Suining was silent for a moment.

“There’s no need.”

Chang Kuo looked curious.

“He was the very first person who knows,” Chang Suining said.

Chang Kuo’s eyes widened in shock.

So in the end—he was the only one kept in the dark!

Just as he was about to ask further, footsteps sounded from outside. He immediately fell silent.

Soon, Deputy General Jin entered.

“General, the lady from the Grand Princess’s residence has come to see you.”

Chang Kuo’s heart skipped a beat—so that woman still hadn’t left!

(Author’s note: 5,000 words today, I’m serious about keeping up!)

(“Ancestor’s tomb exploding” joke sponsored by a reader from last chapter’s comments — and yes, I’m serious!)

Good night!

 Chapter 245.1: Worrying About the Ancestral Tomb

“Damn it, I just momentarily lost myself… how dare I raise my voice at Your Highness!”

So hateful—this woman was truly fated to clash with him!

“N-nothing…” Chang Kuo’s eyes were full of affection yet still respectful. “Just asking… how are the injuries? Any critical wounds?”

“Don’t worry.” Chang Suining smiled at him. “A mere Ge Zong, how could he possibly harm me?”

Chang Kuo felt a pang in his heart—just bragging, then.

But looking at the wounds all over her…

It had been a long time since he’d seen someone so fond of bragging.

It had been that way in the past, and it remained the same now.

The heavy snow blurred the view. Chang Kuo drew in a breath of icy air, gripping the reins and turning his face away. Large tears finally rolled down his cheeks.

Chang Suining tilted her head, looking at him. “What’s wrong?”

Chang Kuo said nothing, only letting his broad shoulders twitch slightly.

Chang Suining understood, sighing lightly toward the sky.

For a woman who had been strong all her life, rarely shedding a tear since childhood, it was remarkable that the people around her—one or two—were crying like babies.

She could understand the crying in the private chamber with Wu Jue, but now, in front of so many people…

It was different.

Chang Kuo’s bond with Ah Li was deeper than Wu Jue’s, though both were fatherly relationships.

He had carried these feelings for a long time, far longer than she could imagine. For her, the years after death felt like the blink of an eye, but for him, they had been real twelve years.

Twelve years of pain, just like his leg injury, every flare-up piercing to the bone. Even when he suppressed it in silence, it never left him.

So when the tears came, they could not be stopped.

All those pent-up emotions overwhelmed him, and he didn’t even realize he had cried all the way to the Prefect’s Mansion.

He never made a sound, only tears dropping one after another. Perhaps because of this, the tightness in his chest worsened. Combined with his recent fatigue and the end of the battle, his body finally gave out.

“Plop!”

As Chang Kuo dismounted outside the Prefect’s Mansion, he suddenly tilted and fell into the snow.

“General Chang!”

“Father!”

Everyone was shocked and rushed forward.

The Northern Di Princess, who had just dismounted behind, covered her mouth in surprise—what had happened?

Had he been startled by seeing her?

Even at his age, could he not handle such a little shock?

While they helped him, she hurried forward, nervously checking his breathing.

Thankfully, he was still conscious…

Chang Kuo sensed her action and, thinking she wanted him dead, rolled his eyes and fainted completely.

The Princess hurriedly urged, “Quick… get him inside!”

That night, both the Prefect’s Mansion and Hezhou were sleepless—except for the unconscious Chang Kuo.

He slept for two full days.

On the third day, when he woke, Deputy General Jin was by his side.

“General, you’re finally awake!”

He leaned forward to help Chang Kuo sit up.

Chang Kuo felt sore all over. As he tried to recall what had happened before fainting, his brow furrowed tighter.

After so many years without seeing him, and now he had fainted in front of this woman… surely someone had carried him back!

He clenched his newly weak fists in indignation.

“You’ve been unconscious for two full days…”

Hearing this, Chang Kuo’s face turned darker—two whole days!

“Why didn’t anyone wake me?”

Leaving him to sleep like that? Couldn’t they have tried something, like having a physician give a few injections, or at least dumping a bucket of ice water over him to wake him up? There were plenty of methods!

“You were completely unconscious at first, but later only asleep.” Deputy General Jin scratched his head, smiling apologetically. “Even I could hear your snores… You’ve been extremely tired lately. Two days of rest was probably good for you.”

Chang Kuo remained resentful. “So many urgent matters outside need my attention, and no one asked me?”

Deputy General Jin whispered, “It was the young lady’s order.”

“The young…” Chang Kuo stiffened.

“Suining gave the order…”

Ah… that explained it.

He checked his body for a moment and nodded slowly. “Hmm… after these two days’ rest, I feel much better.”

“….” A brief pause, then Deputy General Jin smiled knowingly. “I knew it. You simply needed rest, General!”

The phrase “rest” could have meant “discipline,” at least from a daughter’s perspective.

Then, the exhausted general began looking for his daughter.

Deputy General Jin quickly replied, “The young lady is currently with Madam Yun. I’ll have her sent here immediately!”

Hearing Madam Yun, Chang Kuo asked about the Yun family mother and son’s injuries.

“They were seriously injured… Madam Yun was also unconscious for a while and just woke this morning. The physician says that since they’ve woken, there’s no threat to their lives.” Deputy General Jin added, “Second Young Master can now get out of bed to handle the Prefect’s Mansion affairs.”

Chang Kuo finally relaxed. “That’s good.”

Thinking of Yun Hui’s heavy injuries, he couldn’t help but comment, “Youth really is wonderful.”

Unlike him—he was already old.

Chang Kuo suddenly felt a pang of melancholy. He had never feared aging, but seeing his old master still young and energetic while he himself was frail and partially disabled… he realized his ability to contribute was limited.

Lost in thought, he heard footsteps crunching in the snow outside.

“Father, you’re awake?”

Chang Suining entered with soldiers respectfully calling her “Young Lady.”

Deputy General Jin also hurriedly saluted. “Young Lady!”

Chang Suining smiled and nodded. “Thank you, General Jin, for your efforts these past two days.”

“Not at all!” Deputy General chuckled. “The young lady has been busy with the city’s affairs!”

Chang Kuo waved to his subordinates. “Alright, all of you stay outside. I need to… speak with Suining alone.”

They bowed and left.

Chang Kuo rose from the bed slowly, every movement deliberate.

He knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, his voice hoarse and trembling. “…I failed to welcome Your Highness properly.”

As he tried to move, Chang Suining reached to help but couldn’t.

He was like a mountain—unyielding and firm.

“What do you mean ‘failed to welcome properly’? Should I have gone to the underworld to greet you?”

Unable to move him, Chang Suining said firmly, “Sit up and speak.”

“Yes!” Chang Kuo lifted his head and sat, tears brimming.

Chang Suining teased, “If you faint from crying again, your reputation won’t survive. The soldiers might even start gossiping—crying day and night, can you out-cry Xu Zhengye?”

Chang Kuo forced the tears back.

Chang Suining pressed a hand to his shoulder, helped him sit by the bed, poured him some hot tea, and sat herself on a nearby stool.

“Thank you, Your Highness…” Chang Kuo’s heart calmed, and he grasped the tea cup. His expression was complex. “Your Highness, you…”

He had no idea how to even start.

Chang Suining understood. “I’ll speak. You just listen.”

The room was warm, a brazier glowing, incense burning. It kept the cold at bay.

She began recounting how she had woken from her springtime near-death in Hezhou’s Zhoujia Village.

“I failed to protect Ah Li… I feel guilty for not fulfilling Your Highness’s trust. Please punish me if you must.” Chang Kuo spoke with grief.

“Ah Li’s accident was both chance and human error. Zhou Ding and the Pei family have already paid their dues. By worldly standards, it’s over.” Chang Suining said, “If there’s karmic debt, it’s between her and me. It is not yours.”

“Wu Jue once said that my insistence on saving Ah Li disrupted her destined course, leaving her soul unstable and unable to form true bonds in this world.”

Chang Suining recalled her later discussion with Wu Jue: “So she remained weak and timid, never able to fully flourish, despite all the protection and love she received.”

Chang Kuo was stunned. Everything had a reason and a karmic order.

“I have secretly arranged a proper memorial for Ah Li with Wu Jue. All karmic debt between us has been repaid. In the next life, she should be reborn into a family with loving parents, able to live healthy and carefree.”

 Chapter 244.2: (continued): Reuniting

According to the deputy general, since the enemy only brought 30,000 troops, this battle was not impossible to fight!

Yet Xu Zhengye could not think so simply.

Thirty thousand troops was the standard garrison of Xuanzhou. Any more would suggest unauthorized troop accumulation. This woman’s actions seemed reckless, but she had never given others cause to find fault…

But that was likely only the surface. After managing Xuanzhou for so many years, could she really be as simple as she appeared?

Moreover, if he tore ties with her today, it would be tantamount to offending the entire Jiangnan West Circuit. Should they rise together against him, how could he respond?

Additionally, the banner she carried today did not claim to act for the court against him, but for Xuanzhou’s private interests. She did not aim to stop his greater plan. If he became her enemy now, it would contradict his proclaimed loyalty to the Li dynasty.

It would invite doubts about his loyalty and true intentions, leaving him unable to explain himself to loyal scholars, gentry, and officials.

This battle… he could not fight it.

A single misstep would undo all prior efforts.

Facing the Marchioness of Xuanzhou’s domineering words, the vice general, unable to restrain himself, cupped his fists and requested, “Great General…!”

This woman, relying on the Li family name and wielding some power, was utterly overbearing!

Xu Zhengye suppressed his resentment and frustration, raising his hand toward the Marchioness: “Today, I am willing to retreat for Your Highness and Xuanzhou back to Jiangning! I hope the Marchioness remembers this day, and understands my loyalty to the Li family!”

The Marchioness of Xuanzhou raised her chin slightly, neither confirming nor denying: “General Xu, see yourself out.”

Xu Zhengye, restraining himself, commanded, “Withdraw!”

Though some subordinates were dissatisfied, none dared to defy orders.

Turning his horse, Xu Zhengye’s face was as calm as still water, but his eyes were dark and menacing.

Today he had yielded for the sake of the larger plan. Tomorrow, when his ambitions succeeded, Xuanzhou would be the first prize he would seize.

The Xu army retreated like flowing water.

“Don’t worry, they won’t come again!” Li Tong turned to the Hezhou soldiers.

The soldiers finally seemed to regain consciousness, some shouting in celebration.

Chang Kuo ordered the army back to the city.

Behind the army, the city gates were wide open.

Soldiers tended to the aftermath, searching through snowdrifts and corpses for familiar comrades, tears streaming as they brought them home.

Tonight’s heavy snow could not allow fallen comrades to lose their way.

The city lights were bright, awaiting the triumphant soldiers. Fires scattered in the snow offered warm hues—joy from repelling the enemy, relief that the city was saved, and indescribable grief.

Chang Suining, on horseback, glanced back at the battlefield, as she had after countless battles before.

Starting a war was easy; repairing a city and mending hearts afterward was much harder.

Hezhou was both unfortunate and fortunate: unfortunate to be caught in someone else’s ambitious war, fortunate to still have the chance to heal and rebuild.

As Chang Suining looked at the battlefield, Chang Kuo’s gaze was on her.

A crisp, curious voice rang out: “Are you General Chang?”

Chang Kuo turned, thinking, “You are…”

The young girl in a fox-fur coat’s eyes sparkled: “My name is Li Tong!”

Chang Kuo’s voice came out softly, “Oh… so it’s you. You’ve grown!”

The girl was pleasing to the eye—probably because she did not resemble her mother.

Li Tong stared at him: “Have we met before?”

Chang Kuo looked ahead, pretending to think: “Seems so… perhaps somewhere… I can’t remember clearly!”

Li Tong grinned: “I know you—I often hear my mother speak of you!”

Chang Kuo barely raised his brows: “Is that so…”

“Tell me about it?”

Li Tong was about to continue, but a displeased voice called from nearby: “Li Tong, come here!”

She responded and rode over to the Marchioness of Xuanzhou.

Chang Kuo: “…!”

Why mention him and leave it hanging?

He glanced sideways at the Marchioness.

Chang Suining also rode over, following Li Tong to thank the Marchioness.

She had written a letter to the Marchioness, and with Xuanzhou bordering Hezhou, there was still time. Given the Marchioness’s authority over Xu Zhengye, she was the best choice to request troops.

This newly formed bond was now put to use. Though aided by her elder brother, she was grateful that the Marchioness personally sent troops.

“…Look at all your injuries. Stop talking for now. Say what you need later!” the Marchioness of Xuanzhou looked at Chang Suining with concern.

Seeing her like this, Li Tong sighed. She wanted to ask why Chang Suining risked the battlefield instead of staying in the city, but seeing the devastation, the question died on her lips.

Even without ties to Hezhou, Chang Suining had gone to such lengths to defend it.

Li Tong suddenly realized that some truly risk life and limb for others.

If before it was admiration, now she truly respected Chang Suining.

Rarely leaving Xuanzhou, Li Tong had never witnessed such selflessness firsthand—this was the first time she felt moved.

Snowflakes fell on her eyelashes, making her eyes sting. She removed her fox-fur coat and, without asking, wrapped it around Chang Suining.

Chang Suining said it would soil her coat, but Li Tong, eyes red, adjusted the hood tightly, smiling: “To be stained by a hero’s blood is its honor.”

The Marchioness of Xuanzhou commented: “The Chang family ancestors must be smoking incense from heaven.”

Though the family was of humble rural origin, to have such children, deserving of special recognition—even under her blind eye—was surely heavenly blessing.

Chang Kuo glanced at them talking and, like the Marchioness had done, called out: “Suining, come here!”

The Marchioness of Xuanzhou glanced, lightly snorting.

Chang Suining rode back: “What is it?”

Chang Kuo shivered: “…!”

Apologies—this reunion was for the elder Chang and the Marchioness…

Everyone longing for Xiao Cui, wait—there will be a proper moment for her later.

Today’s update: 4,300 words. Good night!

 Chapter 868: The Death of Chen Ji (2)

Mo Yan leaned into the man's embrace, feeling slightly constricted but reluctant to push him away. She allowed him to hold her. Her fingers absentmindedly played with the man's long, black hair, making her own fingers appear even more delicate, creating another temptation in the man's eyes.

In the next moment, the playful hand was gently caught in the man's large palm, his touch warm and dry.

"One day apart feels like three years," Xiao Ruiyuan thought, finally unable to resist the longing in his heart. After almost a month without seeing her, he had come to her. Now, holding the woman in his arms, the emptiness in his heart was finally filled.

Mo Yan didn't voice it, but she too had missed him, craving the warmth of his firm embrace as she quietly listened to the beating of his heart.

After a long while, they finally parted. Hand in hand, they walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Mo Yan studied his features closely, noticing that he seemed a bit thinner, and with concern asked, "Have you been busy lately? Did you forget to rest again?"

Being cared for was always a pleasant thing, especially when it came from a loved one. Xiao Ruiyuan's lips curled into a smile, and his deep voice sounded like fine wine. "Recently, the western regions have been unstable. His Majesty has ordered me to closely monitor the movements of the Qiuci Kingdom. It's been busier than usual."

Mo Yan's heart tightened with worry. "Could there be a war? Will you be sent to the frontier again?"

Xiao Ruiyuan gently stroked her brow, attempting to soothe her anxiety. "It's not necessarily going to escalate into war, and I likely won't be sent there. Don't worry, Yan'er."

Mo Yan felt a bit relieved but still had some doubts. "But Qiuci is a small kingdom. Since the establishment of the Great Chu, it has been a vassal, and for over two hundred years, it hasn't threatened the border. Why is this happening now?"

At this point, Mo Yan paused and glanced at Xiao Ruiyuan. Seeing that he was listening intently, without showing any sign that she shouldn't be discussing matters of state, she felt a small spark of happiness.

Unaware of her feelings, Xiao Ruiyuan continued explaining. "The King of Qiuci is critically ill, and several of the princes, encouraged by a powerful minister, are fighting for the throne. This minister intends to overthrow the royal family, so he's deliberately stirring up trouble at the border, hoping to use the Great Chu to eliminate the obstacles in the royal family."

Mo Yan hadn't expected such a complex situation and couldn't help asking, "Since His Majesty knows the minister's intentions, what does he plan to do?"

Xiao Ruiyuan smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with a commanding light. "Do nothing."

Mo Yan quickly understood and nodded. "That's the best approach. No matter who ends up with the throne in Qiuci, as long as it doesn't threaten the safety of our borders, it's fine."

Although Qiuci was a small kingdom, it was an important buffer, especially considering its proximity to a fierce nomadic tribe. If Qiuci were to fall, that tribe would inevitably pose a threat to the Great Chu's borders. Because of the fear of the Great Chu, the tribe had always refrained from large-scale invasions of Qiuci.

While small-scale skirmishes were manageable for Qiuci, when they couldn't handle them anymore, they would often sacrifice some of their food in exchange for temporary peace at the border.

Since the situation was not directly related to them, the two of them soon set aside the discussion about Qiuci.

Mo Yan then remembered that she hadn't yet shared the good news of her father's success in the imperial examination. She sat up straight, her face beaming with pride. "My father won the title of Huiyuan this time. Pretty impressive, right?"

Seeing her smug expression, Xiao Ruiyuan's gaze softened, and he replied with a smile, "father-in-law has always been exceptional."

The words "father-in-law" flowed so naturally and smoothly from his mouth, as if he had said them countless times before.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 867: The Death of Chen Ji (1)

Mo Yan had always expected her father to be listed among the successful candidates for the imperial exams, and she had imagined that his results would be near the top, but when she saw that he had actually been crowned the huiyuan (top scholar), she still felt a sense of disbelief.

The title of huiyuan was not the same as that of xiangyuan (provincial top scholar). While more than twenty provincial top scholars were crowned each year across the country, the huiyuan was as rare as the zhuangyuan (first-place scholar) – only one could be selected every three years. It was an extraordinary achievement.

Not just Mo Yan, but Xin'er and Sheng'er were also in a daze. Forget about shopping or visiting the Liu family, all thoughts of these were thrown out of their minds. Eagerly, they dragged their father to the carriage, brimming with excitement to return to Liuyang Village and share the good news with everyone.

Before long, news of Mo Qingze’s success as huiyuan spread, causing another stir in Liuyang Village. Villagers, busy with the spring planting or the construction of new houses and schools, immediately put down their tools and rushed to Mo’s household to offer their congratulations. Among them were also villagers from other villages who had come to help build the school.

If passing the provincial examination was akin to obtaining a pass to enter the official world, becoming the huiyuan was a sure thing — a solid entry into the officialdom. Although becoming huiyuan did not guarantee one would be crowned zhuangyuan after the palace exams, or even secure a spot among the top three, being in the second class was all but assured. With good fortune, one might even stay in the capital and be promoted by the imperial court.

Could the villagers not be excited at the thought of having an official emerge from their midst? Not to mention that in the future, if anyone in the village faced a legal issue or had to deal with officials, having someone in the government would mean they wouldn’t be at a disadvantage.

Of course, this was just one aspect; the more significant, invisible benefits were even greater. The village’s social standing would increase dramatically. Even if it remained poor and remote, outsiders wouldn’t dare to bully them, and villagers would be able to hold their heads high when they left.

Mo’s family’s celebration continued for an entire afternoon. Had it not been for the approaching nightfall and the late arrival of the news to the surrounding villages, they would have likely continued celebrating well into the evening. It wasn’t until the evening, when everyone began to tire and the reality of the day set in, that they finally retired to their rooms to rest.

Mo Yan, lying on her bed, suddenly felt as though she had forgotten something very important. After some thought, she realized she had forgotten to visit Liu’s family to check on her friend. She slapped her forehead in frustration, sitting up with an expression of regret.

Given that the construction site required everyone’s attention and there wasn’t much time for a visit, Mo Yan quickly put her concerns aside, wrote a letter to Liu Tinglan, and had it sent by Mao Mao that very night.

Just as she was about to turn off the lamp and lie down to sleep, there was a knock on the door to the small hall. The six beasts, who usually made noise when something was amiss, remained silent, so Mo Yan assumed it was a family member. She quickly threw on a thin coat and got up to answer the door.

To her surprise, as soon as she opened it, she was greeted by the tall and striking figure of Xiao Ruiyuan.

“What are you doing here?” Mo Yan’s face lit up with joy as she quickly stepped aside to let him in.

Xiao Ruiyuan stepped into the room. The light from the lantern illuminated his face, and his gaze, intense and scorching, swept from Mo Yan’s face down to her body.

Seeing her wearing only a loose outer robe, with a thin silk nightgown underneath, he felt a sudden dryness in his throat. He reached out and pulled the outer robe around her more tightly, his face stern as he said, "How can you be dressed like this? What if someone sees you?"

Mo Yan lowered her head and saw that her clothing wasn’t see-through, and nothing inappropriate was exposed. She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "Am I supposed to sleep in my clothes? Besides, who’s going to see me, except you, sneaking in at this hour?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruiyuan felt a strange, inexplicable happiness stir within him. After shutting the door behind him, he turned around and pulled her into his arms. Breathing in the fragrant scent of her, something inside him shifted, causing his embrace to tighten.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 866: The Announcement of the Civil Examination Results (4)

"..."  

Even Mo Qingze, with his strong temperament, felt uncomfortable with all the flattery. He could only force a smile and say, "There is always someone better in some areas, and others not as good in others. I still have many shortcomings, and I should strive to improve together with you all."

The six young men, who had passed the provincial examination and were confident about their prospects in the imperial exams, were no fools. They quickly realized that Mo Qingze was not fond of flattery, so their attitude became more natural, and the conversation flowed more easily.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Mo Qingze had a clearer understanding of their intentions. Though he wasn’t completely comfortable, he didn’t feel any strong aversion either. He was confident that his name would be on the list. Regardless of the outcome of the palace exam, he was certain to become an official. If he couldn’t even handle these minor encounters now, how could he navigate the complexities of the political world in the future?

Watching her father handle the situation with ease, Mo Yan felt a complex mixture of emotions. She knew that her father didn’t like, nor was he good at, socializing with strangers. But given the position they were in now, to avoid unnecessary trouble, he had no choice but to adapt.

This change was something she had hoped for, but she also didn’t want her father to feel burdened. For a moment, her heart was torn.

The situation at the Mo family's table had already attracted the attention of many. The six young men were perceptive and understood that the Mo family didn’t want to attract too much attention, so they politely excused themselves.

Mo Qingze didn’t insist on keeping them there and smiled as he watched them return to their seats.

"Dad, I didn’t expect you to be so popular. If you hadn’t lowered your voice, the whole tea house would probably have come over to take a look," Mo Yan said, trying to lighten the mood as she sat back down, suppressing her conflicted feelings with a smile.

Although these men had their own agendas, she could see genuine admiration in their eyes. If this were the previous life, these people would have been considered her father's fans—the type who admire him for his talent, not his appearance.

"You! All you do is tease your father!" Mo Qingze sighed helplessly, tapping his eldest daughter’s forehead.

"Dad, this is just the truth! I didn’t mean anything bad about you!" Xin’er, for the first time realizing how highly respected her father was, blushed with excitement. The respect they showed wasn’t like the simple admiration the villagers had for scholars.

"Yes, my foster father is the best!" Sheng’er said with wide eyes, her face full of admiration. She didn’t quite understand the difference between how scholars and commoners respected her foster father, but she was purely happy that he was being respected.

Seeing the joy on his daughters' faces, Mo Qingze couldn't help but smile. The feeling of being admired didn’t seem so bad after all.

The family of four continued to enjoy their tea and chat happily. Not long after, they heard someone outside shout, "The results are out!" At that moment, the people in the hall immediately rushed out, and within moments, half the crowd had disappeared, no longer as composed as before.

The results wouldn’t list everyone’s score; only the names of the top 100 successful candidates would be announced. If one’s name wasn’t on the list, it meant they had failed and would have to wait another three years for the next exam.

Mo Yan and her two younger sisters lost interest in their conversation and anxiously stared at the door, hoping the people looking at the list would disperse soon. However, to their surprise, the crowd didn’t thin out, but instead, they saw faces filled with disappointment, frustration, and even despair. Among them were some elderly scholars who had failed, a blow that was hard to recover from. Some might not live to see the next examination.

In just fifteen minutes, more than one or two people were seen walking away crying, or fainting from the emotional strain, being carried out by others. Witnessing such scenes, the three sisters gradually quieted down, feeling a knot in their hearts. They couldn’t help but feel bad for those who had failed.

"Yes! Yes! I did it! I passed! Finally, I passed! Haha—" A scholar, looking almost mad with excitement, rushed into the tea house, shouting at the top of his lungs to the first person he saw.

Those around him understood his joy, and while they weren’t overly concerned, those with manners would say a few words of congratulations. However, it only heightened the tension and unease in Mo Yan and the others.

As more people with hopeful expressions returned in disappointment, the atmosphere in the hall grew heavier. Finally, when the crowd outside had thinned, the Mo family, along with the remaining scholars, walked toward the notice board.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Mo Yan immediately spotted the large red notice on the high wall. With her sharp eyesight and the bold, clear characters on the board, she quickly saw the name at the top of the list, and her eyes immediately lit up.

It was clear to see the five bold characters: "Zhuangyuan —Mo Qingze!"

(End of Chapter)