Chapter 1615: Shu You Gives Birth

Grandma Lu shook her head, "They brought this upon themselves. Your mother is right. From now on, you must not associate with Xu Cai anymore."

"I understand, grandma."

The matter with Xu Cai is too distressing, and Grandma Lu doesn't want to talk about it further. She changes the topic and asks if they have visited Old Master Yu.

Lan Hua nods, "We went there yesterday afternoon, and Uncle Tang sent us many gifts."

Old Master Yu lives in the town, not far from Shishi Village. As matchmakers, Lan Hua and her husband went to express their gratitude and present gifts.

Moreover, since Yu Fenglin has no parents and hardly any close relatives, Old Master Yu played a significant role in their marriage.

Old Master Yu's wife is still bedridden, so he approached his sister to take care of the arrangements for the wedding feast and other matters. The servants from the house also assisted in getting everything done properly.

On the day they went to Lu's family to fetch the dowry and welcome the bride, the uncles and brothers who helped were all called upon by Old Master Yu.

The relationship between Yu Fenglin and the relatives from Old Master Yu's family grew closer over time.

However, they never met Old Master Yu's wife throughout this period. Old Master Yu mentioned that she was unwell and didn't want to see anyone.

Lan Hua felt it might be impolite not to visit, but since Old Master Yu said so, she didn't want to push it.

Hence, in her mind, Old Master Yu's wife remained a mysterious figure.

When Shu Yu heard this, she almost spit out the tea she was drinking.

Mysterious? Perhaps...?

"By the way, where is Sister Shu You? I want to talk to her about Yiren Pavilion."

Grandma Lu answered, "She's in her own courtyard. You can go there, and Zhao Xi is also there. I'll go to the kitchen to instruct them to prepare lunch here."

Lan Hua agreed and took Yu Fenglin to Shu You's courtyard.

However, after entering the courtyard, she quickly ran out with a pale face.

Shu Yu was about to return to her study when she saw Lan Hua's panicked look and hurriedly asked, "What's going on?"

"Sister Ah You is about to give birth. She's in labor."

Shu Yu was taken aback, "Already?!" Feeling anxious, she instinctively wanted to rush in.

But then she remembered something and turned to instruct Ying Xi, "Quick, go to the kitchen and boil water, find two midwives to help."

What else? What else should she do?

Shu Yu's mind was in chaos, even though she had witnessed Zhou Qiao giving birth before, she was unsure what else needed to be done now.

Ying Xi hurriedly complied and ran off.

Shu Yu stood there for a moment before pulling Lan Hua along and rushing back inside.

Yu Fenglin was standing in the courtyard. He wasn't familiar with the Lu family, so he left finding help to Lan Hua. Since he couldn't go in while they were giving birth, he simply stayed outside to keep watch.

As soon as Shu Yu entered, she anxiously asked, "How is she?"

Yu Fenglin also didn't know, he could only say, "Brother-in-law is inside assisting with the birth."

Just as he finished speaking, they heard Shu You's cries from inside.

Shu Yu's heart trembled, and she quickly went in.

Inside the room were Zhao Xi, the midwife, and the maidservant assisting Shu You. Zhao Xi was a doctor who understood Shu You's situation, so he personally oversaw the delivery.

At this moment, he was comforting Shu You while instructing her to adjust her breathing.

Shu Yu didn't dare disturb her and could only help the maidservants tidy up things around the room.

Before long, Grandma Lu arrived. She had been in the kitchen, but upon hearing Ying Xi's report, she rushed over immediately.

 Chapter 758: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (3)

Xiao Ruiyuan suddenly smiled and pulled the stunned girl before him into his arms. "I won't!" he said firmly.

Mo Yan found herself lost in his smile, unable to look away. It wasn’t until the mischievous howl of Xiao Hua, who had come back to watch the scene, broke the moment that she snapped out of it. Her cheeks flushed pink—not from embarrassment, but from anger at Xiao Hua’s antics.

She shot a glare at the tactless Xiao Hua, silently vowing to remember this.

Hmph! She had intended to help him in his pursuit of Da Bai, feeling sorry for how hard he’d been working at it. But now, seeing his foolish behavior, why should she bother? Let him remain single for life!

Xiao Hua, still rolling on the ground in laughter, completely missed the opportunity to impress Da Bai, yet again pushing his goal of winning her heart even further into the distance.

Still mindful of their surroundings in the Mo household, Xiao Ruiyuan reluctantly released Mo Yan after holding her for a moment. Yet as soon as she left his arms, an emptiness settled in his heart. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently brushed aside the strands of hair on her forehead. Then he brought up the proposal Chu Heng had mentioned the other night.

Mo Yan had initially planned to act reserved, but it wasn’t in her nature. She suggested instead, “The tenth day of the twelfth month is my father’s birthday. He’s planning a small gathering with family and friends to dispel the bad luck from his previous wrongful imprisonment. Coincidentally, you’re off that day, so why don’t you and your cousin come by under the pretense of offering birthday wishes?”

Her expression turned slightly troubled as she added, “My father doesn’t know about us and has already picked someone he sees as an ideal son-in-law. He’s even dropped hints to me, but I played dumb to brush him off. On his birthday, that person will likely show up, and there’s a chance my father will bring up the matter.”

She briefly explained Shen Ji’s background to Xiao Ruiyuan, giving him some context. She knew that compared to Xiao Ruiyuan, her father would likely favor Shen Ji. In terms of family background and personality, Shen Ji was undoubtedly the more suitable son-in-law in her father’s eyes.

Hearing that his future father-in-law had found him a rival—and a formidable one at that—Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression darkened. “Don’t worry, my cousin and I will definitely be there that day!”

It was rare for Mo Yan to see him this tense, as if preparing for a great battle. She couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re so nervous. Are you afraid he’ll outshine you?”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression turned solemn, and though he didn’t respond verbally, the pride in his gaze made it clear he didn’t see Shen Ji as a threat.

Mo Yan’s heart softened as she decided to subtly prepare her father for the truth. She worried that her father, shocked by the revelation, might not outright chase Xiao Ruiyuan away but would certainly not treat him kindly.

...

After enjoying tea with Mo Qingze, Xiao Ruiyuan joined him in the study for a few rounds of chess. They played until the last trace of daylight disappeared. Despite Mo Qingze’s insistence that he stay, Xiao Ruiyuan only stayed for dinner before reluctantly bidding farewell.

As much as he hated leaving, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t dare linger for fear that Mo Qingze might notice something amiss. Mounting his horse, he rode away without looking back, vanishing into the moonlit night.

The winter nights were long and quiet, with little to entertain, so most households turned in early. The Mo family was no exception. After sending Xiao Ruiyuan off, the family gathered around the fire to warm themselves before bedtime.

Just as they settled in, the urgent sound of bells came from the eaves. Li Yan quickly got up to answer the door. Moments later, she returned, followed by a visibly distressed Da Nier.

Before anyone could ask, Da Nier rushed forward and grabbed Mo Yan’s arm, blurting out anxiously, “Yan girl, come with me quickly! My mother is about to beat my brother to death!”

Everyone was stunned. Seeing Da Nier’s panic, it was clear something serious had happened. Mo Yan didn’t have time to ask why Tie Tou, who usually stayed at the shop overnight, would be home and in trouble. She hastily informed her father before hurrying out with Da Nier.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 757: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (2)

As soon as Mo Qingze heard that Mo Yan had found more mist tea, his anger dissipated somewhat, though he still maintained a façade. He turned to Xiao Ruiyuan and said, “That tea is excellent. Once Han Zhang finishes his tasks, join your uncle in the front hall for a tasting.” 

Xiao Ruiyuan eagerly agreed, cupping his hands in respect. “It would be my honor!”

Noticing that Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression remained composed, clearly unperturbed by the earlier outburst from his daughter, Mo Qingze slowly exhaled in relief. He shot a sharp glare at Mo Yan before nodding politely to Xiao Ruiyuan and leaving with his hands clasped behind his back.

The moment Mo Qingze was out of sight, Mo Yan shooed away the four beasts who had been sitting and watching the drama unfold. Turning to Xiao Ruiyuan, she immediately asked, “How do you have the time to visit today? Is there news of Chen Ji?”

Her question was partly a guess, but Xiao Ruiyuan confirmed it. “Anjiu, who has been tracking Chen Ji, sent word that Chen Ji was spotted in Bincheng, a thousand miles from the capital. The search is underway, and if nothing unexpected happens, we should have news within three days.”

Mo Yan, already aware from Xue Tuanzi that Chen Ji would be found, wasn’t particularly surprised by this update. However, thinking about the need to save Du Shi’s life, she clung to a sliver of hope and asked, “Once Chen Ji is captured, what will happen to his wife and daughter?”

She wasn’t sure if she could save Du Shi, but if Du Shi’s life could be spared, Mo Yan intended to arrange a stable future for her as repayment for the life debt.

Xiao Ruiyuan assumed she still harbored feelings for Du Shi as her mother and couldn’t bear to tell her the harsh truth: Emperor Hui'an had already decreed the execution of the entire Chen family. If not for Chen Ji being an orphan without extended relatives, the punishment might have extended to the ninth degree of kinship.

This hesitation on Xiao Ruiyuan’s face extinguished Mo Yan’s faint hope entirely. With a heavy heart, she asked, “Is there no way to spare Du Shi’s life?”

Xiao Ruiyuan hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. “Chen Ji participated in poisoning the late Empress, a crime that neither His Majesty nor my cousin would forgive. The Lin family narrowly escaped extermination, but only because Marquis Wenzhong sacrificed his life in exchange.”

Frustrated, Mo Yan paced back and forth before stopping abruptly. “What if I trade my title as a princess for her life?”

Xiao Ruiyuan was momentarily stunned but then considered it, albeit uncertainly. “Perhaps... it’s possible. I’ll ask my cousin about it. But... is it worth it?”

“It’s worth it!” Mo Yan replied without hesitation. Seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s furrowed brows, she guessed he misunderstood her intentions. She didn’t explain that saving Du Shi was crucial to preserving the blessings of her siblings. Instead, she decided to say nothing more.

Xiao Ruiyuan couldn’t understand Mo Yan’s reasoning, but he wouldn’t interfere with her decisions. As long as it was something she wanted to do, he would help her accomplish it. “Du Shi is indeed innocent. I’ll speak to my cousin, and as for His Majesty... considering your contributions to the kingdom, he might grant leniency. Once Chen Ji and his family are captured, I’ll accompany you to the palace.”

Mo Yan was deeply moved by Xiao Ruiyuan’s willingness to risk angering Emperor Hui'an and Chu Heng for her sake. However, guilt weighed on her as she hurried to stop him. “You shouldn’t get involved in this. No matter what, His Majesty owes me a promise. There’s no need for you to be put in a difficult position.”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s expression darkened, his deep voice carrying unmistakable displeasure. “What matters to you matters to me. You don’t want me to be troubled, but do you think I can stand by and watch you face His Majesty’s wrath alone?”

Mo Yan wasn’t afraid of his reaction. Instead, warmth filled her heart. She realized that continuing to argue would only upset him further. Knowing his determination, she understood that even if she tried to stop him, he would still act on her behalf.

With that thought in mind, Mo Yan stopped rejecting his goodwill and earnestly said, “When the time comes, we’ll go together. You’re not allowed to keep anything from me or take everything on yourself.”

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 1614: Getting Married One Month Later

The Xu family felt uneasy about the situation, but considering their daughter's disgraceful actions, they couldn't demand too high of a dowry. However, they still needed to show some sincerity; they couldn't give nothing, or it would be embarrassing for the Ge family.

But even the Xu family felt this way, Xu Cai was even more reluctant.

She believed she wasn't inferior to Lan Hua, so how could her dowry be lower? Xu Cai had inquired about Lan Hua's dowry, which amounted to a substantial thirty taels. That was quite an astonishing sum.

As the dowry in those days was given to the bride's parents, and since Li Shi was fond of her daughter, and their family was well-off, they left only five taels as a symbolic gesture, giving the rest as Lan Hua's dowry.

Back when Shu You first got married, Ruan Shi had asked her to bring the full dowry with her.

Li Shi considered herself generous and wouldn't want to be inferior to Ruan Shi. Xu Cai had heard about this and was envious; in most villages, the dowry might be up to five taels at most. But the Ge family ran a tofu shop and had some small business, so perhaps they could manage thirty taels?

At that time, Xu Cai felt that Ge Qifei loved her deeply, and her appetite was whetted by Lan Hua's thirty taels. She thought that she should have the same amount for her own marriage.

But she hadn't considered whether her family could afford the corresponding bride price.

So, when Xu Cai mentioned the dowry amount, both the Ge and Xu families thought she was crazy.

The Ge family immediately left, and Ge Qifei even flipped the table, scolding Xu Cai as a delusional fool, a pitiful woman with no prospects.

The first round of negotiations ended without success.

Later, Xu Cai's neighbors said that the Xu family had quarreled loudly that night, and Xu's father had slapped Xu Cai, causing her to cry for most of the night.

The next day, when the dowry was brought up again, it had been reduced from two taels to one.

The Ge family really didn't want this disgraceful woman to marry into their family, but the fact that they had caused a commotion in the sunflower field was handled personally by the village head of Shishi Village. If they backed out now, it would hurt Fan Zhong's face, and he might even report the matter to the County magistrate.

In the end, nobody asked for Xu Cai's opinion, and the dowry was set at one tael of silver. As for the three golden items, there was no need to even think about it.

Under these circumstances, it's easy to imagine the life Xu Cai and Ge Qifei would have after getting married.

When Lan Hua heard about this, she was truly shocked. Li Shi advised her to stay away from Xu Cai and not even speak to her.

Lan Hua merely nodded, but who would have thought that when she returned to the village, she would cross paths with a haggard-looking Xu Cai while sitting in the mule cart.

Lan Hua wanted to say something, but Xu Cai glared at her fiercely.

This person was unbelievable.

Lan Hua wasn't one to back down, so she glared back with disdain and pulled down the curtain.

From then on, the two completely went their separate ways.

Shu Yu asked, "Is the wedding date set?"

"Yes, my mother said it will be around mid-October."

Grandma Lu exclaimed, "Isn't that too soon? It's only September 10th now, just one month??"

Lan Hua smiled wryly, "Xu Cai is already Ge Qifei's woman. Both families are afraid that if they wait too long, she might become pregnant. Besides, this matter is a scandal for both families, and they don't want to make a big fuss. They don't need to prepare too much."

 Chapter 1613: The Two Families Prepare for the Marriage

Upon hearing Xu Cai's name, Grandma Lu and Shu Yu exchanged a glance.

"Is her situation resolved?"

Lan Hua was taken aback, "You both know?" She quickly realized that it was impossible for them not to know. The place where Xu Cai and Ge Qifei met secretly was in Lin's sunflower field, and it was Da Zhuang who personally caught them. On that day, both Shu Yu and Grandma Lu were in Shishi Village. Da Zhuang might have kept it a secret from others, but he would surely have told Sister Ah Yu.

She suddenly remembered that during the dowry delivery, Grandma Lu had asked about Xu Cai's whereabouts but was taken away by Third Aunt.

Afterward, she didn't bring up Xu Cai's name again.

She realized now that they had chosen not to tell her to avoid affecting her mood.

Thinking of this, Lan Hua forced a bitter smile. Xu Cai used to be her best friend, but now she silently got involved with her ex-fiancé.

Back when Ge's family broke off the engagement, they had even cursed Ge Qifei together.

Now, thinking back, while Lan Hua cursed, Xu Cai probably hated her to death in her heart.

Yu Fenglin patted her back and handed her a cup of tea, silently comforting her.

Lan Hua raised her head and smiled, "I'm fine."

It had all passed, and over these two years, she and Xu Cai had limited contact. Moreover, with the experience they gained and as they grew older, the distance between them had grown wider. When they occasionally met, they found themselves speechless.

Later, Xu Cai blatantly tried to sow discord between her and Shu Yu, making Lan Hua realize that their values and paths for the future were completely different from their childhood days.

It made her feel a bit uncomfortable, but not too seriously.

Now that Xu Cai's actions were mentioned again, Lan Hua couldn't help but sigh, "I found out about their situation during my return visit yesterday. It has become the talk of the village. My parents said that both Xu's family and Ge's family know about their meetings, and both families were originally planning for them to marry."

Even children wouldn't believe such a story.

If they were already planning to get married, why sneak into the sunflower field? Even if the engagement was fixed, the disheveled appearance of the two when they crawled out of the field was disgraceful.

Besides, a few days ago, there were rumors that Xu's family wanted to propose marriage to Da Qiang's family.

And now, they changed their minds in just a few days?

With Ge Qifei's character, most people in Shishi Village knew about it. He even pitifully squatted in front of Lu's family gate trying to meet Lan Hua. And then, he secretly had an affair with Lan Hua's friend? Xu Cai was equally shameless and foolish.

Regardless of what everyone knew, the two families had to cover things up.

At this point, unless they got married, it would be difficult for them to find new partners.

So, in a mixed mood of joy and helplessness, the two families began to discuss the marriage.

Little did they know that there would be a big disturbance on the day of their negotiations.

The Ge family was unwilling to give a large dowry. As Xu Cai was no longer a young maiden, they were already dissatisfied. Seeing that their son didn't seem too eager to marry, they wouldn't be willing to offer a substantial dowry. The Ge family even considered not giving a dowry at all, just quietly marrying them off without any grand celebration.

 Chapter 756: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (1)

Xiao Ruiyuan, burdened with numerous duties, rarely had time to visit the Mo household. However, he couldn't resist the deep yearning in his heart. After spending several nights completing his accumulated work, he finally carved out half a day and used a convenient excuse to make the trip to Mo's residence.

What he hadn't anticipated was overhearing his beloved expressing such... bold and uninhibited remarks to a wolf!

In Xiao Ruiyuan's mind, the woman he adored was refined and intelligent, exuding elegance and grace. Even occasional lapses in decorum were but expressions of her authentic self. Yet, today's experience completely overturned his perception, nearly making him doubt his ears.

These words would sound coarse even if uttered by a man, likely leaving an uncomfortable impression. But having spent years in military camps, Xiao Ruiyuan had seen and heard it all. Moreover, the speaker was the woman he cherished. Witnessing this candid and vibrant side of her, he found himself inexplicably delighted, his heart swelling with an indescribable joy.

This, perhaps, was the so-called "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder." To love someone meant to embrace them entirely—even their flaws.

While Xiao Ruiyuan was swept away by love's indulgence, Mo Qingze, encountering this shocking side of his daughter for the first time, felt anything but pleased. Closing his eyes, he longed to plug his ears and convince himself it was all an illusion. How could his daughter possibly say such humiliating things?

But no amount of self-delusion could erase the truth. Fearing she might utter even more shocking words in front of a guest, Mo Qingze barely resisted the urge to smack her on the head and instead gave a couple of heavy coughs.

Hearing the sound, Mo Yan whipped around and saw her dear father glaring at her with fiery eyes. Beside him stood a tall and graceful figure—the man she admired. Yet... why did his cold face and barely suppressed smile seem so incongruous?

Mo Yan's confusion lasted only a moment before the realization struck her like lightning. Understanding their expressions' true cause, she widened her eyes, wishing she could vanish into a hole and never come out again.

Humiliated! Completely humiliated!

Mo Yan was utterly crushed. Standing up, she tried to force a smile, but facing her father’s dark expression and Xiao Ruiyuan’s amused one, she found herself unable to muster even a semblance of a grin. Tears of frustration nearly welled up.

Xiao Ruiyuan, feeling her distress, quickly stifled his amusement. Stepping forward to rescue his beloved from the awkward situation, he said, “The County Princess is truly kind and virtuous, earning the trust of such noble beasts. Xiao cannot help but be in awe.”

On a normal day, hearing his daughter praised, Mo Qingze would have happily agreed. Yet now, the memory of her earlier behavior played vividly in his mind, making his pent-up frustration bubble to the surface. His face darkened further.

Afraid her father might harm his health out of anger, Mo Yan shot a sharp glare at the troublemaker. She rushed forward to soothe her father. “Father, we have a distinguished guest today. You should have sent Xin’er to fetch me instead of coming yourself. By the way, I recently found some wild tea that’s perfect for hosting Lord Xiao.”

The wild tea Mo Yan referred to was an exceptionally rare type of mist tea, seldom seen even in the imperial palace. She had stumbled upon it during a recent mountain excursion, growing on a cliff edge. There were only four bushes in total. Mo Yan transplanted two into her spatial pocket, and they soon bore fresh leaves.

After harvesting and roasting the tea within her spatial pocket, she kept a small portion for herself and gifted the rest to her father. A tea enthusiast, Mo Qingze treasured the mist tea dearly and rarely indulged in it.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 755: Sharing Money and Losing Face (4)

On the day the silver was distributed, nearly every member of the 35 households gathered at the Mo family’s residence early in the morning. After being informed they would receive enough silver to build three large tiled houses, they were so excited that many hadn’t slept well for two nights.

Seeing the villagers with dark circles under their eyes but full of energy, Mo Yan couldn’t help but laugh. After greeting them briefly, she had Tang Xin and the four supervisors begin distributing the silver.

Each household sent a representative to collect the money. Every time Mo Yan announced the amount a household would receive, gasps of astonishment echoed through the crowd.

Each representative would thank Mo Yan before carefully holding the gleaming silver and sharing the joy with their family members.

Watching the satisfied smiles on their faces and the children chattering around the adults, begging for candy, Mo Yan couldn’t help but smile. It was a joy that went beyond accumulating good karma.

After the silver was distributed, none of the 35 households had any objections to the amount they received. They trusted that the Mo family, who didn’t lack silver, wouldn’t embezzle even a single coin. Moreover, with the accounts double-checked by the four supervisors, there was no room for doubt.

Still, Mo Yan had them verify their amounts one last time and press their fingerprints in the "received" column next to their names. This measure prevented unnecessary disputes and was beneficial for everyone.

Once the villagers left, Mo Yan took the 19 taels her family received and handed 9 taels to Tang Xin. When Tang Xin tried to refuse, Mo Yan said firmly, “You’ve worked so hard these past few months; this silver is rightfully yours. You can’t decline it.”

Tang Xin was flustered, her face reddening as she protested, “Sister Yan, you’ve already been paying me monthly wages. It’s more than enough for my needs—how can I accept so much silver?”

Though the Mo family had technically purchased Tang Xin, meaning they weren’t obligated to give her any wages, they treated her and the Li family as their own. Tang Xin, along with the Lis, worked diligently and contributed significantly to the household. Mo Yan ensured that Tang Xin, Li Xiu, and Li Yan each received one tael of silver per month, while Li Zhong received three taels.

Since the greenhouse project began, Tang Xin had been working even harder, overseeing the fields while still handling household chores. The 9 taels, though substantial, were well-earned through her effort.

When Tang Xin continued to refuse, Mo Yan feigned annoyance. “You’ve been doing two jobs—why shouldn’t you get paid for both? Besides, this isn’t just for the past three months; it covers your wages for the upcoming winter months as well. If I hired an accountant, it would cost me more than 9 taels. By not accepting it, are you saying it’s too little?”

Tang Xin shook her head frantically. “No, Sister Yan! I have enough to eat and wear; I don’t need to spend money. I’m grateful you’ve taught me to read and given me this opportunity. No matter what, I can’t take this silver!”

Seeing her determination, Mo Yan sighed and relented. “Fine, consider it deposited with me. If you ever need silver, I’ll give it to you then.”

Mo Yan thought to herself that in four or five years, when Tang Xin got married, she could add it to her dowry. This way, she wouldn’t feel awkward about accepting it now.

Tang Xin nodded, relieved. “Alright, Sister Yan, you can hold onto it for me.” She had no intention of asking for the silver back while living in the Mo family, where she didn’t have to spend money at all.

That afternoon, after a nap, Mo Yan was tugged awake by Mao Tuan, who wanted her to play.

The little one was still a child and loved to play, so Mo Yan grabbed a bamboo ball and teased it in the yard. Soon, Xiao Hua, who usually scorned Mao Tuan as childish, couldn’t resist joining in. What started as a playful game turned into an intense two-beast battle for the ball.

The bamboo ball was fortunately well-made, and the animals were careful not to destroy it, or they would run out of toys.

Even Da Bai and the Golden Beast, who had been watching, couldn’t resist joining. (The Crimson Python was hibernating.) Through a draw, Mao Tuan and the Golden Beast teamed up, while Xiao Hua and Da Bai formed the other team, with Mo Yan acting as the referee.

She gave their teams “mighty” and “impressive” names: the Rocket Team and the Carrier Team.

The Golden Beast was the fastest, while Mao Tuan was the slowest, but their teamwork was flawless, making them a formidable duo.

In contrast, Xiao Hua and Da Bai, despite their long-standing friendship and shared species, lacked coordination. Xiao Hua harbored a crush on Da Bai and had spent over a year failing to make progress. Seizing this opportunity, it repeatedly tried to get close to Da Bai under the guise of playing.

However, Da Bai wasn’t one to be taken advantage of. Whenever Xiao Hua tried to sidle up, it would dart away swiftly. On one occasion, it even lost the ball to the Rocket Team due to Xiao Hua’s interference.

Frustrated by Xiao Hua’s antics, Da Bai finally lost patience and bit Xiao Hua’s leg—hard, with no restraint.

Xiao Hua limped to Mo Yan, its bloodied paw held out for sympathy. Instead of comforting it, Mo Yan burst out laughing and patted its head. “Haha, serves you right! If you’re serious about courting a girlfriend, pursue her properly. Taking advantage and acting like a scoundrel isn’t the way! You’re lucky Da Bai is kind—if it were someone else, they might bite off your little ding-ding and make you a eunuch wolf!”

Unbeknownst to her, two people stood behind her, staring in stunned silence, their faces dark with embarrassment... 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1612: Li Shi's Fear of Yu Fenglin

The next day, Shu Yu went to the city to check on the situation at Luji store.

Wei Ronghua showed her the accounts for the past few days and also reported on the recent business transactions.

At present, Luji's business has stabilized, and even though it wasn't as booming as the first day, the daily income was still decent.

On the day of the lucky draw, a family that was preparing for a wedding unexpectedly bought a lot of sunflower seeds to treat their guests. Many attendees at the wedding loved them and came to Luji to buy more.

While listening to Wei Ronghua, Shu Yu quickly went through the account book.

Wei Ronghua's capabilities were indeed impressive. He not only managed the store efficiently but also took the opportunity to teach Ren Yiping and An Letian.

Both apprentices were eager learners, absorbing the knowledge and becoming more competent.

Shu Yu closed the account book and said, "Good job, shopkeeper Wei. Keep a close eye on this side. If things go well, we can consider opening another store in the northern part of the city."

Wei Ronghua's eyes lit up. Naturally, he wished for Luji to grow stronger.

With everything at Luji in order, Shu Yu didn't stay long and quickly returned to the workshop. If she planned to open another branch, the current production volume was still not enough.

Thankfully, when she returned to the village a couple of days ago, many people expressed interest in growing sunflowers.

Shu Yu was considering expanding further, so she called the managers for a meeting.

Da Niu had not returned yet; as the elder brother-in-law, he and Er Niu went to the groom's family today.

Tomorrow, Lan Hua would return from her husband's home, so Da Niu wouldn't be able to come back for a few days.

However, now that the workshop managers had gained experience, they could handle things independently. Even if both Shu Yu and Da Niu were absent, the workshop's operation would not be a problem.

As for the request Da Zhuang made about buying nearby land, quite a few people responded, and the land prices indeed experienced a small increase, causing some worries for Da Zhuang and the others.

Shu Yu advised them to buy as soon as possible if they intended to, as it was highly likely that land prices in the area would continue to rise.

This area might even become like a sought-after location for school districts in the future.

For the past two days, Shu Yu had been staying at the estate and only returned to the county town when Da Niu came back.

As she arrived at her doorstep, she ran into Lan Hua and her husband.

After getting married, Lan Hua's whole demeanor had changed. Standing beside the tall and sturdy Yu Fenglin, she looked particularly delicate and shy.

Shu Yu clicked her tongue and led the two inside to see Grandma Lu.

Seeing them coming hand in hand, Grandma Lu was so happy that her eyes almost disappeared. While Lan Hua and her husband were having tea, Grandma Lu whispered to Shu Yu, "You can tell how well a person is doing after marriage. Although Fenglin seems fierce, he absolutely adores his wife."

Though spoken quietly, Lan Hua, who was close by, heard it loud and clear.

Her face instantly turned red, and her voice was barely audible, "Granny..."

Grandma Lu chuckled, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything to make you embarrassed. How was the return visit yesterday?"

Lan Hua nodded, "It went well. Dad and Fenglin got along well. As for Mom..." She hesitated for a moment and then confirmed, "Mom is also quite satisfied with Fenglin."

In truth, her mother was a bit afraid of Yu Fenglin. He didn't say or do much, but merely with a stern face, he silenced Li Shi, who wanted to give orders to him like she was the mother-in-law. It made her wish she could stay far away from him.

Lan Hua didn't want to talk about this matter, so she changed the topic, "By the way, during this visit, I heard about Xu Cai's situation..."

 Chapter 1611: Lan Hua's Marriage

Now it's all settled. Yu Fenglin is quite straightforward. When asked to give red envelopes, he does so, and when asked questions, he answers. The group of people assisting in welcoming the bride wanted to break through the crowd but hesitated upon seeing a bunch of children inside.

Grandma Lu couldn't stand it anymore and had Lu Erbai, the leader of the group, taken away.

Seeing this, others realized things were getting better and took a step back, opening the main gate.

Then, they saw Yu Fenglin with a serious and displeased expression. Everyone's heart skipped a beat, fearing they might have taken too long to block him or asked for too many red envelopes, which might have angered the groom.

That would be troublesome. If they ruin such a joyous occasion, they'll be in big trouble.

At this moment, Li Shi felt the urge to scold them. These people have no sense of propriety, especially Third Brother, who, despite being of a mature age, behaved like a child and dared to trouble a younger person.

However, as Yu Fenglin finally entered the house, he let out a long sigh, relieved that he had prepared enough red envelopes; otherwise, it wouldn't have been sufficient.

He still had a few small red envelopes left and decided to give one to each of them: Xiao Songle, Quanquan, Bao Ya, Lai Yuan, and the young children from Li Shi's family.

Seeing this, the corners of their mouths twitched as they finally recalled the rumors about Yu Fenglin's imposing stature and fierce expression.

It turns out he can wear the most ferocious expression while making the gentlest gestures.

The atmosphere became lively again, and everyone surrounded Yu Fenglin as they walked toward Lan Hua's room.

Shu Yu didn't join the commotion; she stayed by Grandma Lu's side, supporting her to avoid getting bumped into.

Inside, they seemed to talk for a long time, and finally, Lan Hua, wearing a red veil, was carried out on Yu Fenglin's back.

Sounds of celebration continued without pause, and firecrackers were lit at the entrance.

Amidst the crackling sounds, Lan Hua was carried outside and placed in the grand red sedan parked by the door.

Shu Yu heard a subtle sound beside her and turned her head to see Grandma Lu's eyes slightly red.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Grandma Lu wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. "Since Cuihua's wedding, seeing each of you getting married and leaving home, I can't help but feel uneasy. I'm afraid you'll be mistreated at your in-laws' homes or suffer silently."

"In the future, that won't happen. Lan Hua's in-laws are gone, and as long as Yu Fenglin treats her well, her days will be good. My sister is a good example; she spends more time at her parents' home than at her in-laws', and she even brought her husband back, making Zhao Xi seem like the one who married into our family."

"And Cuihua, as a couple with children, lives in the county, closer to me than her in-laws."

For her granddaughters, Grandma Lu would meet them whenever she wanted.

Thinking of this, Grandma Lu became happy.

However, at this moment, a loud cry came from behind. Shu Yu turned and saw Li Shi and Lu Dasong supporting each other, watching the sedan that had already gone far, crying in sorrow.

Shu Yu and Grandma Lu exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile.

The wedding of Lan Hua went smoothly. Except for Grandma Lu, Liang Shi, and Lu Sixing staying in Shishi Village to help, the others returned to the county after the midday banquet.

 Chapter 754: Sharing Money and Losing Face (3) 

To earn more silver, each household contributed two laborers. Many strong villagers deliberately chose the hardest and most strenuous tasks, as these earned the most work points. However, the distribution of such tasks sometimes caused discontent among others.

To address this, Tang Xin came up with a solution: she selected villagers willing and capable of taking on these tough tasks and arranged for them to rotate duties. This approach gained unanimous approval and successfully resolved the minor disputes among villagers.

The Mo family had provided 30 mu of land and contributed the most funds for purchasing greenhouse materials. Additionally, Tang Xin managed the greenhouse operations. As the Mo family didn’t provide direct labor, their work points were calculated based on an average of two laborers’ work points.

The Mo family wasn’t in dire need of silver, and their primary motivation for the greenhouse project was to accumulate good karma. Even so, they didn’t decline their share outright. Initially, Mo Yan suggested calculating only one laborer’s work points for her family. However, the other 35 households felt this was unfair, believing it would undervalue the Mo family’s contribution. They insisted on allocating two laborers’ work points, at the highest rate. Mo Yan declined this and finally agreed to the average work points.

Tang Xin’s record-keeping was meticulous. She documented each person’s daily tasks, the work points earned, and the total points accurately. The ledger for daily revenue and expenses was even simpler and free of errors.

Mo Yan cross-checked the total silver each household would receive based on their work points. She found only two minor mistakes, which she pointed out to Tang Xin. “The accounts are very well done. Correct these two errors and take them to the village chief. If they find no issues, the villagers can collect their silver at home.”

The distribution of 738 taels and 5 qian of silver meant that the household with the most work points earned 25 taels, while the lowest-earning household still received 19 taels. In just one month, the 35 households could save enough to build brick houses next year.

Mo Yan was delighted by this outcome. The more silver the villagers earned and the better their lives became, the more karma she would accumulate. Reaching the tenth level of her spatial ability sooner meant that Xue Tuanzi could finally come out. Every time she heard its wistful longing for the outside world, her heart ached. To compensate, she often had the five beasts play with it.

“Yes, I’ll go now!” Tang Xin replied cheerfully. After making the corrections, she brought the ledger to Yang Bao’s house.

Yang Bao took this matter seriously. He immediately sent his eldest grandson to summon the other three supervisors from the fields. This wasn’t about distrust of Tang Xin or the Mo family; rather, the involvement of dozens of households required careful handling to avoid any issues. Mistakes could lead to disputes, which might upset the Mo family and discourage them from continuing the vegetable project. After all, the Mo family didn’t lack silver—why should they endure grievances while doing good deeds?

Among the four supervisors, only Yang Bao could read. He read the ledger aloud while the others calculated mentally. However, as soon as they heard that over 700 taels of silver had been earned in just half a month, their excitement caused them to miscalculate repeatedly.

When Yang Bao announced that the first household would receive 21 taels of silver, the group nearly bit their tongues in disbelief. It seemed too good to be true.

Though Yang Bao was reading calmly, he was also thrilled. His family, with two strong sons, would receive 24 taels and 6 qian. This was more than his entire family could earn in three years.

By the time the accounts were fully reviewed, the four supervisors had regained their composure. Confirming there were no errors, they pressed their fingerprints at the bottom of the ledger. This act transferred responsibility to them if any discrepancies arose later.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 753: Sharing Money and Losing Face (2)

Mo Yan was in the small room next to the kitchen, warming herself by the fire and reading a book when Tang Xin came in holding two ledgers. "Sister Yan Yan, these are the accounts I just calculated. Please check if there are any mistakes."

"Alright, let me have a look." Mo Yan put down her book and took the ledgers. Her fingers brushed against Tang Xin’s hand, which felt icy cold. Frowning, she asked, "Why are your hands so cold? Haven’t you lit a fire?"

This girl was overly frugal with firewood and charcoal. Even when working at her desk during the day or sleeping at night, she hesitated to use the brazier. Mo Yan had scolded her about this several times, yet she still refused to listen. How could she endure such cold weather without falling ill?

"I-I forgot!" Tang Xin blushed and pulled her hand back awkwardly. Seeing Mo Yan’s skeptical expression, she quickly added, "I really forgot! My hands are always cold in winter. They don’t feel that cold to me, really!"

Mo Yan frowned even more deeply. She set the ledger aside and had Tang Xin sit down, then took her wrist to check her pulse.

Every time Mo Yan delivered medicinal herbs to Old Physician Du, she spent several hours learning from him. Thanks to her sharp mind and diligence, she had picked up some basic diagnostic skills in two months. While her understanding was still superficial, she could identify simple ailments, which impressed the physician , who often praised her natural aptitude and lamented that it would be a waste if she didn’t pursue medicine further.

After a while, Mo Yan let go of Tang Xin’s hand and said, “Your pulse shows signs of blood stasis and sensitivity to cold, clear symptoms of a cold constitution. If untreated, it will cause you problems later.”

Tang Xin, who trusted Mo Yan completely, paled and stammered, “S-Sister Yan Yan, is it serious?”

Seeing how frightened the young girl was, Mo Yan quickly reassured her. “Don’t worry, a cold constitution isn’t a major issue. You’re still young, so a couple of years of proper care should resolve it. But if left untreated, you might suffer from irregular menstruation, severe abdominal pain, and, in extreme cases, fertility issues.”

Tang Xin was almost twelve, old enough to understand matters related to a woman’s health. Hearing about potential menstrual difficulties, her face turned red with embarrassment. When Mo Yan mentioned fertility, her face burned even brighter, as though it could drip blood.

Despite her shyness, Tang Xin couldn’t ignore the implications for her future. She asked anxiously, “Sister Yan Yan, can it really be treated?”

“Yes, absolutely!” Mo Yan nodded firmly. “However, I’m not skilled enough to prescribe medicine yet. My master will need to check on you. I’ll take you to him in a few days.”

“Thank you, Sister Yan Yan!” Tang Xin said gratefully.

Mo Yan shook her head with a smile. “We’re family; there’s no need for thanks.”

Tang Xin smiled softly, saying nothing, but warmth spread in her heart.

Mo Yan picked up the ledgers and began reviewing them. The handwriting wasn’t elegant but was neat and clear, showing Tang Xin’s effort. Nodding in approval, Mo Yan continued reading.

One ledger recorded the work points of the villagers involved in the greenhouse vegetable project. The other documented daily expenses for the greenhouse and revenue from vegetable sales. After deducting the maintenance costs of the greenhouse, the remaining amount would be distributed among the villagers based on their work points.

Initially, they planned to settle accounts monthly. However, the villagers’ financial situations were tight, and once they saw the greenhouse project turning a profit, they were eager to see real money. Although they didn’t voice it, Mo Yan understood their feelings and decided to settle the accounts every half month instead. It was slightly more work but manageable.

The greenhouse vegetables hit the market on the fifth day of November. In the first half of the month, eleven days of sales generated 740 taels and 5 qian of silver. After deducting 2 taels for greenhouse repairs, 738 taels and 5 qian remained to be distributed among 36 households, including Mo’s.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1610: Shu Yu's Skills

The villagers of Shishi Village were envious when they saw it. Two carts full of dowry, no one in their village had so much dowry when they got married.

The Lu family has truly become prosperous. Look at the grand ceremony for the wedding.

Da Niu was distributing candies, and the village children followed, jumping and hopping, each grabbing a handful. The sweetness made their eyes squint.

After the carts had gone far away, everyone returned to the Lu family.

Finally, the Lu family could take a moment to rest. They had already tidied up everything at home and were waiting for the bride's departure tomorrow.

That evening, Li Shi talked to Lan Hua for a long time, repeatedly reminding her about various things. In the end, Grandma Lu couldn't bear it and said that Lan Hua needed to get enough rest to have a good complexion for the wedding.

Li Shi reluctantly went back to sleep.

Early the next morning, the Lu family woke up early.

Shu Yu and the people from the second branch of the Lu family lived in their own homes. The main house was for entertaining the bride's family, and despite having many rooms, it was still not enough.

As the sky was just getting light, Shu Yu brought her makeup kit to Lu Dasong's house.

She was a little sleepy, but she was responsible for Lan Hua's bridal makeup. During her time in Jiangyuan County, after exploring both inside and outside the city, she often went to the Yiren Pavilion to play with Lan Hua.

Coincidentally, Shu You was pregnant, so she spent less time in the shop, leaving Lan Hua as the only one responsible for makeup, putting a lot of pressure on her.

Although Meng Han was restless and couldn't sit still, she was quite interested in makeup, especially as she grew older and began to pay attention to her appearance. She would curiously watch Lan Hua doing makeup for others.

After becoming more familiar with the process, she occasionally helped Lan Hua, knowing the steps and preparing rouge and powder for her, saving her a lot of effort.

But now, seeing Shu Yu's makeup process, Meng Han was a bit flustered.

Because Shu Yu's process... was different from Lan Hua's.

She used more products, some of which Meng Han had never seen before.

Fortunately, Shu Yu didn't need much assistance, and she was quick. She quickly finished the makeup and started to do the hair.

Meng Han moved to the front of Lan Hua, her eyes widening in astonishment, "Sister Lan Hua, you look so beautiful, even more than those guests who went to Yiren Pavilion before."

Lan Hua smiled as she was being applied lipstick, not daring to open her mouth too wide. Her voice was soft, "Sister Ah Yu's skills are the best. Even Sister Ah You learned from her. My makeup skills are only superficial, of course, I can't compare."

Meng Han looked at Shu Yu with shining eyes, "Sister Shu Yu, can you do my makeup when I get married?"

Shu Yu, "...," her hand almost trembled.

She looked at Meng Han helplessly, "You're still far from getting married."

"It's not that far, it's only a few years."

"Okay, when you get married, I'll do your makeup."

Meng Han was delighted and content.

Outside, the atmosphere was getting lively. Shu Yu finished the makeup and went to eat something.

Yu's family arrived quickly, causing commotion outside the door. Lu Sanzhu and a group of younger ones were giving the groom's party a hard time, but this time it was different from when they welcomed Zhao Xi's party.

Back then, among the people helping Zhao Xi's groom's party, there were Meng Yunzheng and Xiang Weinan, both talented in both civil and military matters. The group of kids had no chance, and the door was soon opened.

 Chapter 1609: Li Shi's Frustration

As they talked, they walked towards the Lu family's house.

The people who were watching the sunflowers hadn't returned yet. When Shu Yu entered the house, she saw Li Shi and others busy with preparations.

Upon seeing Liang Shi, Li Shi became displeased and raised her hand, intending to call her over to help.

However, Liang Shi acted as if she didn't see and hurriedly walked towards the room to find the old lady.

Grandma Lu was in Lan Hua's bedroom and was somewhat puzzled, "Where's the girl from Xu's family? I thought she was in the room with you."

Lan Hua pursed her lips, feeling low in spirits after having a falling out with her good friend just a day before her wedding. The friend even spoke ill of Shu Yu, which made her uncomfortable.

She didn't know how to tell Grandma Lu, and that was when Liang Shi came in and, without saying a word, pulled Grandma Lu outside.

Grandma Lu looked annoyed, "What are you doing?"

Liang Shi led her to a corner and spoke in a hushed voice. She promised Shu Yu and Fan Zhongzheng not to spread the news outside, but it was fine to tell family members. Especially the matriarch; whenever something happened, Liang Shi would always tell her first.

So, she immediately recounted what had happened in the sunflower field.

Of course, she didn't dare to mention Shu Yu's deliberate action to divert people's attention; she didn't even tell Grandma Lu about Sanzhu.

Grandma Lu's face turned ugly upon hearing the story, "That girl from Xu's family... would actually do such a thing? Truly, truly shameless."

She was angry. On one hand, the girl was Lan Hua's good friend, but ended up getting involved with Lan Hua's former fiancé.

On the other hand, she wanted to sow discord between the two sisters in the Lu family, which was utterly despicable.

Liang Shi stood next to her and felt indignant as well, "Exactly, truly shameless. Fortunately, Lan Hua had a falling out with her; otherwise, it would have affected Lan Hua and the Lu girls' reputations."

Grandma Lu's mouth tightened, and she said to Liang Shi, "Don't tell Lan Hua about this for now. She's getting married tomorrow, and there's already a lot on her mind. Let's not add more worries for her. We'll talk about it after the wedding."

Liang Shi nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, mother, I know my place. I'm not the big sister-in-law."

"Yes, and don't tell your big sister-in-law either." She can be so startled and nervous sometimes that she can't think straight.

Just as they were talking, Li Shi suddenly walked over, feeling uneasy seeing the two of them acting mysteriously, "Mother, third sister-in-law, what are you whispering about here? Why all the secrets? It's Lan Hua's wedding day; what secret can't you talk about when you go back?"

Grandma Lu glared at her, "What's the matter? I need your permission to talk to someone?"

After saying that, she turned and left. Liang Shi raised her chin provocatively at Li Shi and followed suit.

Li Shi was infuriated, but kept telling herself not to get angry. It was a big day, and she shouldn't ruin it.

However, she couldn't hold back and went to her own mother and sister-in-law to vent a bit. However, everyone in Li's family knew her temperament and just placated her with a few words, leaving Li Shi feeling frustrated.

Thankfully, after a while, the people who had gone to see the sunflowers returned.

As it was getting late, they needed to hurry back to the county.

The Lu family became busy again, and firecrackers were set off. The groom's family slowly carried the dowry to the village entrance and displayed it for a while.

Two mule carts were parked at the village entrance, and one by one, the dowry items were placed on the carts and tied with red ribbons.

 Chapter 752: Sharing Money and Losing Face (1)

Chen Ji committed a crime punishable by death. If caught, there would be no other outcome but death. Mo Yan felt no sympathy for him, and even if he were executed before her eyes, she wouldn’t blink. However, his wife, Du Shi, was implicated and would also face execution—a fate she didn't deserve.

Whether innocent or not, Du Shi was, in this life, her mother. While Mo Yan had no feelings of affection for her, she could not deny the debt of life owed. Moreover, Xin’er knew of Du Shi's existence. Even if Xin’er harbored resentment toward Du Shi, she wouldn’t wish her death.

Mo Yan’s face shifted between emotions as she grappled with the situation. Xue Tuanzi, floating in mid-air, noticed her inner conflict and sighed. “Du Shi gave you life, and that is a debt you owe her in this lifetime. If she is captured and you have the chance to save her, you must. Only then will the blessings for you and your siblings remain intact.”

Hearing about potential misfortune, Mo Yan immediately became serious and firmly replied, “Then I’ll do my best to save her. After all, she has no blood on her hands. Saving her can be considered an act of accumulating virtue.”

She didn’t mind if her own fortune was affected, but she wouldn’t allow this matter to harm her siblings.

“Exactly. Do your best, Yan Yan. If you truly can’t save her, the heavens won’t hold you accountable. But you must put forth a genuine effort,” Xue Tuanzi said with a relieved sigh. It had been worried that Mo Yan would refuse, which would have led to far worse consequences than just diminished blessings.

Mo Yan smiled. Since she had decided to intervene, she would give it her all. Picking up Xue Tuanzi, she squeezed and kneaded it like dough, eliciting a series of protesting squeals that quickly dissipated her frustration over the matter.

...

It was now late November, the coldest time of the year, with heavy snow having fallen recently. Fortunately, the first phase of the winery's construction had been completed, sparing Mo Yan from enduring the freezing temperatures on the worksite. Instead, she spent her days at home, studying the medical notes left by Old Doctor Du and warming herself by the fire. Before she knew it, the days passed.

She no longer needed to oversee the vegetable garden personally. Half a month earlier, some of the greenhouse crops had already hit the market. Though limited to bok choy, spinach, and napa cabbage for now, fresh greens were a rarity during the harsh winter. Every day, they were snapped up quickly at the market.

With a larger planting area and ample manpower, they had set up two stalls in each of the city’s four main markets. Daily profits of sixty to seventy taels were easily achievable.

Mo Yan had given Tang Xin a few pointers on managing the business and then left it to her to handle. Fortunately, with Yang Bao and the others supervising, even if there were mistakes, they were caught and corrected quickly. Tang Xin was able to run things smoothly, and errors became rare over time.

As she needed to keep records, Tang Xin had learned many characters under Mo Yan’s guidance. Her accounting skills had also improved, and she no longer fumbled under pressure.

However, the Tang family, upon hearing that Tang Xin was managing such a lucrative business, saw it as an opportunity to exploit her. Several times, they ambushed her on secluded roads, demanding money. They shamelessly claimed it was to support her younger brother, Tang Bao, and that Tang Bao would protect her in the future if she faced any trouble.

Tang Xin cherished her current life and wouldn’t dream of embezzling money from the vegetable sales for the Tang family. She dismissed their harassment each time with scathing rebukes.

Even when her father, Tang Laoshi, came with Tang Bao in his arms to plead with her for financial support, she ruthlessly drove them away, declaring that since they had sold her off, she was no longer part of the Tang family. Her father and brother meant nothing to her now.

The Tang family’s actions were unjustified. Having sold Tang Xin, they had no grounds to demand money from her to support their son. The villagers sided with Tang Xin, praising her as a grateful girl who understood who truly treated her well. On several occasions, when the Tang family tried to block Tang Xin, passing villagers intervened and chased them off.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 751: Chen Ji Escapes, Yan Yan Faces Dilemmas (Part 4)

Chu Heng initially didn’t understand but soon realized that he rather envied his younger cousin for encountering a woman he trusted so deeply.

"Even if that’s the case, would you bear to put Miss Mo in a difficult position? It’s better to discuss the matter openly with Master Mo first. If he agrees, then you can send a matchmaker to propose. If he refuses to accept you as a son-in-law, barging in with a matchmaker could harm Miss Mo’s reputation. By then, if Master Mo resents you, your chances of marrying Miss Mo will be even slimmer."

Xiao Ruiyuan frowned and fell silent. His initial plan to bring a matchmaker directly to the Mo household and marry his beloved quickly now seemed unwise after his cousin’s reminder.

Not knowing what to do, Xiao Ruiyuan asked Chu Heng, "In your opinion, how should I proceed?"

Hearing this, Chu Heng felt a headache coming on but couldn’t bring himself to ignore his cousin’s hopeful gaze. Sighing, he reluctantly replied, "When I have a day off, I’ll accompany you. Master Mo may refuse, but he likely won’t embarrass you in my presence." 

"Thank you, Cousin!" Xiao Ruiyuan clasped his hands in gratitude, his tone noticeably softer.

To marry his beloved, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t mind facing embarrassment or difficulties, but his cousin’s thoughtfulness moved him deeply.

Seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s demeanor, which hinted at becoming a henpecked husband before marriage, Chu Heng’s eyes ached. He suddenly missed the indifferent, icy younger cousin he used to know.

Just then, a knock came from the study door. Chu Heng called out, "Enter," and a shadow guard rushed in, kneeling to report that the Chen family of three had escaped and their whereabouts were unknown.

Xiao Ruiyuan stood abruptly, not even pausing to question how the Chen family managed to escape despite heavy surveillance. With a stern face, he issued an order, "Find them! Search everywhere—leave no stone unturned!"

"Yes!" The shadow guard accepted the order and vanished as quietly as he had arrived, blending into the moonlight.

After the guard left, Xiao Ruiyuan bid Chu Heng farewell and hurried back to the Wei Yuan Marquis Mansion. Gathering twenty personal guards, he personally led them to the Chen residence. After half an hour of searching, they found a secret tunnel in the backyard well.

The tunnel, stretching several miles, led to an abandoned temple outside the city. Near the temple, traces indicated the Chen family had used this escape route to leave the capital.

Not far from the temple was the moat. If the Chen family had taken a boat downstream, they would already be far from the capital, heading south.

The meticulous construction of such a tunnel could not have been achieved in a year or two. Judging from the marks, it had been built over a decade. Even Xiao Ruiyuan had to admit Chen Ji’s cunning—he had prepared his escape route ten years earlier.

Aware of how dangerous Chen Ji was, Xiao Ruiyuan resolved to find him at all costs to eliminate the threat. After confirming with nearby boat owners that the Chen family had indeed fled via the moat, he divided his men into two groups—one to pursue downstream, and another to search along the riverbank. The Chen family couldn’t stay on the water forever; they would need to come ashore for supplies.

By the next morning, news of Grand Tutor Lin’s death and the confiscation of the Lin family’s assets had spread among the people. Discussions were as heated as during the previous examination scandal. Even major events like Prince Heng’s house arrest and the execution of Lin’s eldest son (and the imperial concubine) only received brief mention before fading from conversation.

Among the literati, many suspected Emperor Huian of persecuting loyal subjects, forcing Grand Tutor Lin to his death. However, this suspicion subsided considerably once news spread of the Grand Tutor’s posthumous title, Marquis Wen Zhong, and his grand burial with the rites of a Marquis.

Soon after, revelations surfaced that Lin’s eldest son and the imperial concubine had conspired to poison the late Empress and orchestrated the recent examination fraud. People finally understood why the Lin family had been punished and why Grand Tutor Lin had taken his own life—his family’s unfilial descendants had dragged him down.

Considering the heinous crimes committed by Lin’s eldest son and the imperial concubine, many admired Emperor Huian’s magnanimity in granting the Grand Tutor his final dignity as Marquis Wen Zhong.

What could have been a tumultuous uproar over the Grand Tutor’s death was thus quietly resolved.

After the Grand Tutor’s grand burial, the deposed Prince Chu Ye was sent back to the Prince Heng Residence. The plaque marking the residence as belonging to a prince had been removed by Emperor Huian. From then on, it was merely a luxurious prison.

The downfall of the Lin family and Prince Heng meant the two greatest threats to the Mo family were eliminated, allowing Mo Yan and her father to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

However, seven days had passed since Chen Ji’s escape, and the three of them seemed to have vanished without a trace despite relentless searching.

Mo Yan knew the longer it dragged on, the slimmer the chances of finding them. Unwilling to let Chen Ji get away, she felt helpless in locating his whereabouts.

That day, she couldn’t help but ask Xue Tuanzi again about Chen Ji’s whereabouts. Instead, Xue Tuanzi asked her a serious question: "Yan Yan, Chen Ji’s crimes are severe. If found, not only he but also his wife and daughter will die. Knowing this, do you still wish for him to be found?"

"Of course!" Mo Yan replied without hesitation. But just as she was about to question why Xue Tuanzi would ask such an obvious question, she realized its deeper meaning. Her face suddenly changed...

(End of Chapter)