Chapter 769: Du Shi Seeks Help After Being Released (2)

Chen Shanshan fumed with anger, her gaze fixed on the two embracing figures. She wished she could stab them with a thousand needles. 

It was ironic, really. If Chen Shanshan hadn’t been so delicate, unable to endure the long days of running and exhaustion, and had insisted on disembarking at Binhai City, a thousand miles away from the capital, she would never have been spotted by Xiao Ruiyuan’s shadow guards. This led to the Chen family’s capture at a civilian house, and the three of them were eventually taken in.

On the very day they were captured, they were thrown into the dungeon of the Ministry of Justice, awaiting their death sentences.

Chen Shanshan harbored resentment toward her biological father, Chen Ji, for his immoral actions that had dragged her into this mess. She also blamed Du Shi, considering her a bad omen, someone who had cursed her life. Du Shi had stomped on all of Chen Ji’s fatherly affection, not a single bit of which had reached her heart. To Chen Shanshan, Du Shi was a wolf-hearted, ungrateful woman.

Indeed, Chen Ji deserved to die. At least, before he passed, he came to realize the true nature of the daughter he had raised for over a decade. That could be considered part of the punishment for his misdeeds. However, as an ordinary father, it was perhaps the greatest tragedy to have raised such a heartless daughter.

After Du Shi’s crying subsided and she calmed down, Chen Ji, summoning all his strength, took her hand and said with difficulty, “Lan’er, I cannot escape death, but I hope you can live on…” 

Du Shi cried again, her tears flowing freely as she shook her head violently. “No, Brother Ji, we aren’t destined to live together. We may not grow old together, but to die together is also a kind of happiness. To die with you, Brother Ji, is my fortune. I only hope that in the next life, we can meet again—living as a simple couple, working the land and growing old peacefully together.”

Du Shi wasn’t unaware of Chen Ji’s wrongdoings, but to her, Chen Ji was her husband, the man who had given her years of happiness. No matter what he had done, she couldn’t blame him or distance herself from him.

Chen Ji was deeply moved. The thought he had been nurturing in his heart grew stronger. He held Du Shi’s hand tightly and said with increasing seriousness, “Lan’er, I want you to live. Live for me, carrying a part of me with you. Promise me, promise me you’ll live.”

Du Shi wept bitterly, her voice full of sorrow as she replied, “Brother Ji, we can’t escape. None of us can escape…”

But Chen Ji shook his head, speaking with firm certainty. “Lan’er, I may not escape, but you are innocent. If someone is willing to protect you, you will surely be able to leave.”

Du Shi, who had always trusted Chen Ji, believed him completely. Thinking that he must have made some powerful connections, she urgently asked, “Who? Who is it? If they can help me, why can’t they help you, Brother Ji?”

Chen Ji smiled bitterly, then said something that shocked Du Shi to her core. “Lan’er, do you remember your eldest daughter, whom you’ve missed for so many years? She... not long ago, was conferred the title of ‘jun’ by the emperor! She is close with the crown prince and holds some influence before the emperor. If she is willing to plead for you, you will definitely be able to leave.”

Du Shi, who had lived in the capital for many years, understood the significance of the title of 'jun.' She was stunned and instinctively shouted, “No—no way! How is this possible? How could Yan’er be a ‘jun’? How could she become a ‘jun’?”

She knew that her husband would not lie about such matters, but she still couldn’t believe it. When she had left the Mo family, how old was her daughter? Six or seven? She remembered how small and fragile she had been, growing up in such harsh conditions. At night, she often lay awake, fearing that her daughter wouldn’t survive.

Several unexpected reunions had brought her great joy, and she was overjoyed to find that her children were alive and well. The guilt she had carried for so long began to loosen.

Now, her husband was telling her that her daughter had become a ‘jun,’ a person with the power to save her. But how could she, in her current state, have the face to ask her daughter for forgiveness and risk her life to save her? 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 768: Du Shi Seeks Help After Being Released (1)

In the dark, damp, and cold dungeon of the Ministry of Justice, the air was thick with the stench of decay. Almost every cell housed one or two prisoners, dressed in tattered clothes. These prisoners cowered in the corners of their cells, their disheveled hair covering their faces. At the slightest sound or movement, they reacted like startled birds, their heads nearly shrinking into their chests in fear.

Compared to the cell Mo Qingze had previously occupied, the conditions here were undoubtedly much worse.

The dungeon of the Ministry of Justice was divided into different sections, depending on the severity of the crime. Those who hadn’t been sentenced or had committed minor offenses were placed in cells with slightly better conditions, while those who had committed heinous crimes and whose offenses were unforgivable found themselves in the worst cells. Once placed in these cells, the only way out was through death.

In the deepest part of the dungeon, in a cell facing away from the sun, four high walls blocked out the light year-round. There was only one iron door, which was always locked, with a small window about a foot square through which the food was passed each day.

At that moment, the Chen family of three was housed in this very cell.

Suddenly, the door to the cell was thrown open, and two prison guards dragged Chen Ji, who had just endured another round of brutal punishment. They threw him in as if he were a discarded item. With a loud clang, the iron door slammed shut again, plunging the cell into darkness once more. 

"Brother Ji, how are you, Brother Ji?" Du Shi, who had already grown accustomed to the darkness, crawled over to Chen Ji, who lay motionless on the floor. She shouted his name as tears flowed uncontrollably from her eyes.

Having been on the run for over ten days, eating and sleeping outdoors, and then dragged back to this dark and dreary prison, where she was only given a cold, hard bun to eat each day, Du Shi had aged years in just a short period. The once-smooth skin of hers had now become rough and weathered, transforming her into an old, dirty woman.

In the corner of the cell, Chen Shanshan coldly watched the scene, showing no intention of comforting her father. She seemed irritated by Du Shi’s constant crying and impatiently scolded, "He's not dead yet, you filthy woman, what are you crying for?"

Du Shi had long learned the harshness and cruelty of her stepdaughter. Pretending not to hear her insults, she continued calling out to Chen Ji, fearing that he might not survive this ordeal and die before her eyes. Though they would soon be sentenced to death, she couldn’t bear the thought of the man who had once treated her with such care dying before her.

The Chen family’s death sentence had not yet been passed, as bloodshed was considered unlucky close to the new year. However, Chen Ji knew full well that neither he nor his family could escape death. Every day, he was dragged to the torture chamber to undergo various forms of punishment, only to be thrown back into his cell. As the days went by, the time he spent unconscious after each beating grew longer.

Perhaps Du Shi’s calling had an effect, or perhaps Chen Ji’s will to live was strong. After some time, he finally regained consciousness. Hearing Du Shi’s anguished cries, he struggled to lift his right hand and weakly stroked her head, whispering, "Lan... Lan’er, don’t... don’t cry!"

"Brother Ji, you’re awake! You’re really awake!" Du Shi cried out in excitement as she rushed into his arms, sobbing.

Chen Shanshan looked on with disgust as the two comforted each other. Her heart was filled with revulsion and disappointment.

If neither of them survived, or if one of them died and the other committed suicide, she might have a chance to escape. She wouldn’t have to wait anxiously for her own death.

She was still young, with a bright future ahead of her. She hadn’t committed any crimes like murder or arson—why should she have to die with these two? She had done nothing wrong! She couldn’t accept it. She couldn’t accept dying like this!

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 767: Compatibility (4)

The young maid behind Liu Qingqing realized she had made a mistake and immediately became wary again, watching Mo Yan closely, afraid she might cause harm to her young lady.

Mo Yan feigned indifference and said, "Miss Liu, there is no need to be so polite. If it’s convenient, may I come in and speak?"

"If Miss Mo doesn’t mind the humble abode, it would be an honor for Qingqing!" Liu Qingqing’s expression didn’t change, and she maintained her politeness.

Mo Yan nodded slightly and didn’t wait for Liu Qingqing to formally invite her inside, walking in with an air of quiet pride.

Liu Qingqing furrowed her brows, stopping the maid, who looked ready to make a scene. She instructed her to go to the kitchen and prepare some tea.

The courtyard Liu Qingqing rented was small, consisting of a little hall, two rooms, and a kitchen. The door was closed, so the inside was hidden from view, but the hall itself was cozy and elegant, giving off a comfortable vibe.

After a quick glance around, Mo Yan felt a little more favorably towards Liu Qingqing.

Noticing that Mo Yan was studying the room in silence, Liu Qingqing couldn’t read her intentions and wisely refrained from speaking first.

Mo Yan had no intention of being direct, either. After surveying the hall, she asked a few unrelated questions.

Liu Qingqing responded carefully, though nothing she said revealed anything of substance, showing that she was a thoughtful and intelligent woman.

When Mo Yan realized she wouldn’t get any more information, she stopped beating around the bush and directly stated her purpose: "Tie Tou is my cousin. He’s honest and easily deceived, and Aunt Wu has always wanted to find him a decent and capable wife. Not long ago, someone who knew them saw the two of you together in the street. When Aunt Wu found out, she was against him marrying you. Now they’re at an impasse, neither side willing to compromise. All of this is because of you... What are your thoughts on this?"

More than a month ago, Aunt Wu had opened a new food stall in the East Market, and the middle-aged woman running it had been someone Aunt Wu had bought previously. This woman was the one who had seen Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing together on the street.

When Aunt Wu learned that her son had finally fallen for someone, she was overjoyed. She had tried asking him several times when he returned from the rice shop, but Tie Tou was hesitant and refused to speak plainly. This aroused Aunt Wu’s suspicions, and she pressured him into revealing the truth by suggesting an arranged engagement. This led to the intense confrontation between mother and son.

Hearing Mo Yan’s words, Liu Qingqing tightly clenched the handkerchief in her hand, and her expression grew bleak.

Seeing this, Mo Yan couldn’t quite explain how she felt. If one day she and Xiao Ruiyuan faced opposition, she wasn’t sure they would stay together. Just thinking about it made her heart ache. Moreover, the future for Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing seemed full of obstacles, and it was possible that neither would end up happy.

Liu Qingqing remained silent for a long time. Just as Mo Yan thought she would refuse to answer, she finally spoke, though her words came through her tears: "I... I’ve already expected this day. I should be thankful that Tie Tou’s family hasn’t come to make things difficult for me! Though I come from the brothel, my feelings for Tie Tou are genuine. If his family firmly opposes us, I... I can’t accept it, I can’t accept it..."

She had fallen into the world of pleasure for many years, but she had always remained true to herself. Finally free from it, she had hoped to live the rest of her life peacefully, only to meet that naive, simple man who had made her heart stir for the first time.

That man didn’t care about her past, and though he was clumsy with words, he truly cared for her, making her heart fall for his sincere smile. Even she couldn’t explain why, in just a few months, she couldn’t let go of this younger man who had shown her so much kindness.

She had once naïvely thought that perhaps Heaven had taken pity on her, offering her a bit of happiness to compensate for her difficult life. But fantasies were just that—fantasies. Who would want to accept a woman like her, who had come from the brothel?

She couldn’t accept it. How could she?

Mo Yan had never doubted Liu Qingqing’s sincerity. Hearing her despairing cry, Mo Yan’s heart also sank. She put aside the pride she had feigned earlier, gently patting Liu Qingqing’s trembling shoulder and offering comfort. "As long as you and Tie Tou are unwavering, you will find a way."

Most women faced hardships. If they were lucky enough to have loving parents, they might enjoy at least a decade of comfort. If they found a good in-laws family, life wouldn’t be too difficult. But for someone like Liu Qingqing, whose father never cared for her and whose mother had passed, her best hope was to become a concubine or marry a widower or an old bachelor who couldn’t find a wife. Otherwise, she might end up lonely for life.

Though Mo Yan hadn’t known Liu Qingqing for long, she could tell from her speech and demeanor that she was a capable, calm, and dignified woman. She was an excellent person.

Without a maternal family to rely on, Liu Qingqing would likely be entirely devoted to Tie Tou and his family. If she and Tie Tou could be together, she wouldn’t need to worry about the Wu family being taken advantage of.

But no matter how much Mo Yan wanted to help, Liu Qingqing’s past was a huge obstacle. The hardest part was how to get Aunt Wu to accept her. Mo Yan truly didn’t feel confident about it.

Mo Yan’s words were like a lifeline, filling Liu Qingqing with hope. She looked up, eyes filled with emotion, and asked, "Miss Mo, you... you don’t oppose us?"

Mo Yan smiled bitterly, "Whether I oppose or not doesn’t matter. What matters is whether Aunt Wu will accept you and the Wu family accept you."

Liu Qingqing calmed down and, to Mo Yan’s surprise, suddenly knelt before her: "Miss Mo, I, Liu Qingqing, am not a bad person. If I can marry Tie Tou, I will treat his mother like my own, and his sisters like my own. I hope you can help me."

Mo Yan’s expression changed, and she hurried to help her up. "What are you doing? Quickly, get up!"

Liu Qingqing, not wanting Mo Yan to think she was threatening her, obediently stood and pleaded, "Miss Mo, if you’re willing to help, I will be forever grateful and repay your kindness."

Mo Yan shook her head. "I will help you and Tie Tou. You don’t need to repay me. If Aunt Wu can accept you and allow you to be with Tie Tou, just be sure to be good to her in the future."

"Yes!" Liu Qingqing grasped Mo Yan’s hand tightly, nodding earnestly. 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 766: Compatibility (3) 

Tie Tou was so excited that he couldn’t form a coherent sentence, not knowing what to do. He instinctively rubbed his hands together, but in doing so, he aggravated his frostbite, making the already horrific wounds even worse. The pain caused him to grimace in agony.

Mo Yan couldn’t help but laugh, but after a moment, her expression became serious. "Tie Tou, have you thought about what will happen if you and Liu Qingqing actually end up together? How will the people in the village look at you both?"

Liu Qingqing had been to the old Mo family’s house in Liuyang village, so her background couldn’t be kept secret. Moreover, she didn’t have a maternal family, yet her behavior was very different from that of the typical village girls. Over time, people would surely start to suspect something.

Some relationships fade away not because of a lack of love, but because one cannot bear the weight of external pressure. Mo Yan was worried that gossip in the village would eventually harm these two, leading them to become a couple full of resentment, ending in separation.

She thought that Tie Tou would be caught off guard by this question, but his response shocked her. She could never forget the determined look in his eyes and the firm words he spoke.

"Yan girl, Tie Tou is just a rough man, I don’t understand all those high-minded theories, but I do know one thing. People live for themselves, for their families, not for the opinions of outsiders. What does it matter to me what others say or think? They can talk all they want. I live my own life, and it has nothing to do with them. I don’t care what they say!"

...

After learning Liu Qingqing’s location, Mo Yan drove her carriage straight there to avoid having to witness Tie Tou’s foolishness any longer.

Liu Qingqing’s rented place was in a somewhat remote area. Mo Yan drove around for a while before finally spotting the large copper-covered door Tie Tou had mentioned.

She knocked, and soon a twelve or thirteen-year-old maid opened the door slightly. This was the same maid who had been with Liu Qingqing when she came from the Misty Rain Pavilion.

The maid, who had seen her fair share of people in the Misty Rain Pavilion, noticed Mo Yan’s refined attire and sensed that she was someone of significance. Though still cautious, she spoke politely. "May I ask who you are looking for, miss?"

Mo Yan didn’t act arrogantly and spoke gently, "I’m looking for a young lady Liu Qingqing. I’ve been entrusted to find her."

Upon hearing that the visitor was looking for her young lady, the maid became more guarded. "May I ask who has sent you? My young lady is reclusive and does not like to meet strangers."

Mo Yan’s eyes glinted with meaning. "The kind of servant you have is often the reflection of the master you serve." The maid’s suspicious behavior showed that Liu Qingqing was even more formidable than Mo Yan had anticipated.

From Tie Tou’s straightforward nature, Mo Yan figured it might be better for him to have a strong woman managing their household, but if Liu Qingqing was too domineering, she could push his mother and sisters aside, and that would be problematic. Mo Yan hoped Liu Qingqing wasn’t that kind of person.

"You just tell your young lady that my surname is Mo. Whether she meets me or not is not for you to decide," Mo Yan said firmly.

"Mo?" The maid’s eyes flickered with doubt, and she sized Mo Yan up. She thought Mo Yan might be the younger sister of Liu Qingqing’s lover. Her attitude immediately shifted, and she quickly said, "Miss Mo, please wait. I’ll go and invite my young lady right away."

With that, the maid turned and hurried into the house, leaving the gate slightly open behind her.

Before long, Mo Yan saw a woman in a light purple waist-length coat, her appearance graceful and elegant, walking out with quick steps. It was Liu Qingqing, the same person Mo Yan had met once before.

Upon seeing Mo Yan, Liu Qingqing was slightly startled, then quickly smiled politely. "So it’s Miss Mo visiting. Qingqing is sorry for not greeting you earlier. Please don’t mind."

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 765: Compatibility (2)

"Old age, old age, my memory wasn’t this bad before," Li Zhong said helplessly, touching his white hair. At his age, there was no denying it.

"Grandpa Li’s energy and spirit are still good, you’re not old at all!" Mo Yan reassured him. 

Her words weren’t entirely just comforting. Compared to when they first met, Li Zhong’s health had improved significantly, thanks to the nourishing effects of Spirit Spring water and the crops from the space. He was in better shape than many men in their forties.

Li Zhong looked at Mo Yan with gratitude, saying, "I owe all of this to you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be living such a good life now."

Li Zhong had said this many times before. Mo Yan couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless, but she just smiled and didn’t try to convince him anymore, as she had done in the past, not to dwell on such matters.

The old and young chatted for a while, until they heard several customers arriving outside. Since Tie Tou and Wang Pangtou were too busy to attend to them, they were complaining. Mo Yan and Li Zhong stopped talking and hurried outside to greet them.

When the rush was over and things had settled down, Mo Yan called Tie Tou into the small room to talk.

Earlier, during her conversation with Li Zhong, he had casually mentioned that Tie Tou had been distracted lately and had made several mistakes in his calculations. After a harsh scolding from Li Zhong, things improved somewhat, but he still wasn’t as reliable as before.

Mo Yan knew the reason for this but couldn’t tell Li Zhong. Instead, she decided to talk to Tie Tou privately to see if she could help him resolve the issue and make sure he and Liu Qingqing could marry smoothly.

Seeing the painful frostbite on Tie Tou’s face and hands, Mo Yan finally understood why Aunt Wu was so heartbroken. She almost wanted to knock some sense into the man and ask him what he was thinking.

Did he really think that for the sake of love, it was okay to hurt the person who truly cared for him—his own mother? Was his stubbornness and lack of action going to get him anywhere? Would moping and waiting solve anything?

But then, thinking of Tie Tou’s simple and earnest nature, Mo Yan couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on. If left to him, he would probably think that by injuring himself, his mother, Aunt Wu, would feel pity and agree to his relationship with Liu Qingqing. He probably didn’t realize that by doing this, he was unknowingly hurting the person who truly cared about him.

"Tie Tou, where does Liu Qingqing live?"

Given that Tie Tou didn’t understand subtle hints, Mo Yan was direct and asked him plainly about Liu Qingqing’s residence.

Though Xue Tuanzi had mentioned that Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing had a destined connection, not all fates led to a good outcome, and not all outcomes were happy.

Mo Yan decided to meet the woman who had captured Tie Tou’s heart to see if she was truly worthy of his sincerity and if she was worth asking Wu Shi for leniency on their behalf.

"No, Yan girl, Tie Tou can’t tell you, can’t," Tie Tou refused, misunderstanding that Mo Yan was asking on Aunt Wu’s behalf. He planned to force Liu Qingqing to leave and wouldn’t reveal her location.

Mo Yan was frustrated and didn’t want to waste time arguing. She lowered her voice and said firmly, "If you don’t tell me, don’t ever think I’ll help you with Aunt Wu. If you can’t marry Liu Qingqing, don’t blame me for not helping you."

Tie Tou’s eyes widened in shock. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "Yan, Yan girl, you… you want to help me? Help me talk to my mother and get her to agree to me marrying Qingqing?"

He was already somewhat simple-minded, but now, with this realization, he seemed even more foolish.

Mo Yan couldn’t hold back her laughter and chuckled, "Of course, I’m serious. Do you think I have nothing better to do?"

"Okay, thank you, Yan girl! Thank you so much! Thank you..." Tie Tou’s voice trailed off in gratitude, overjoyed. 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 764: Compatibility (1)

The two of them had very little time together, and opportunities to meet were rare. However, Xiao Ruiyuan had official business to attend to and couldn’t stay with Mo Yan for long.

Although Mo Yan felt regretful, she wasn’t a young girl of fourteen or fifteen, who would demand that the person they liked stay by their side. So, the two of them went to Huixian Residence, ordered a few dishes, and had lunch together before parting ways—one heading to the government office to work, the other going to the rice shop to arrange some matters.

After a year of business, thanks to the high quality and variety of the rice, Mo Family’s fragrant rice shop had gained significant recognition within the capital. It had already attracted the attention of many middle and upper-class families, with daily sales exceeding three thousand jin. This meant that every other day, rice needed to be transported from Liuyang Village to the shop.

When Mo Yan arrived at the rice shop, Li Zhong, Tie Tou, and Wang Pangtou, who had been busy all morning, were having lunch in a small room.

Seeing her arrive at this hour, the three assumed she hadn’t eaten yet. Wang Pangtou immediately put down his bowl and was about to go to the kitchen to prepare more dishes, but Mo Yan stopped him, saying, "Sit down and eat. I’ve already had lunch."

Li Zhong laughed and said, "Pang Tou’s cooking is quite good. Yan girl, why not have some more?"

"It’s a shame. If I hadn’t just come from Huixian Residence, I would definitely try it!" Mo Yan smiled as she declined.

Li Zhong didn’t press further after hearing this.

Mo Yan allowed them to continue eating while she took the ledger and walked over to the counter outside to look it over.

The rice shop's business was booming, and the daily earnings were growing. By the end of the month, they could easily make seven or eight hundred taels of profit, far surpassing what Mo Yan had initially expected.

When the three in the small room finished eating, Mo Yan had also finished reviewing the ledger. She asked Li Zhong to stay in the small room while Tie Tou and Wang Pangtou went outside to handle the customers. 

Once the door to the small room was closed, Mo Yan’s expression became more serious as she spoke to Li Zhong, "Grandpa Li, there’s something I can’t handle personally, so I need to ask you for a favor."

Seeing her serious demeanor, Li Zhong also stopped smiling and said, "Yan girl, just tell me."

Mo Yan didn’t hesitate and explained what she needed: "Please go to the Ministry of Justice’s prison tomorrow, pick up someone, then find a reliable escort agency to send that person to my hometown. You don’t need to worry about anything else, and don’t tell anyone in the family about this."

By saving Du Shi, Mo Yan had done enough; she didn’t want to see her again, nor did she want Du Shi to know that it was her who saved her. As for her family, she was even less willing to mention it.

Li Zhong, hearing this, didn’t find it difficult and immediately agreed, "This is easy. Don’t worry, Yan girl, I’ll take care of it for you."

Though Li Zhong had his doubts, he wasn’t the type to ask unnecessary questions. He understood that Mo Yan trusted him because he was discreet and would never leak anything to her family.

"Thank you, Grandpa Li! The day after tomorrow is my father’s birthday. The shop can be looked after by Tie Tou and Pang Tou. You should take a couple of days off and rest at home."

With the rice shop’s business flourishing, there were inevitably people who grew envious. However, due to the influence of the Marquis Wu’s household and Mo Yan’s status as a county princess, no one dared to directly interfere with Mo Family’s fragrant rice shop. To prevent any backdoor scheming, Li Zhong and the others had been staying at the shop to keep watch.

This arrangement also saved them the trouble of running around, especially now that the cold weather made getting up early a struggle. Staying at the shop was much more convenient.

Hearing this, Li Zhong smacked his head and lamented, "If you hadn’t reminded me, I would’ve forgotten that the day after tomorrow is your father’s birthday! Alright, I’ll head back tomorrow afternoon."

Mo Yan smiled, "Grandpa Li, you’ve been so busy every day, it’s normal to forget." 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 763: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (4)

However, Mo Yan wasn’t focused on finding a way to help the Wu family mother and son. This was because the Chen family had already been arrested. Just a few days ago, they were escorted to the capital, awaiting their fate.

The day after the Chen family was escorted to the capital, Mo Yan submitted a petition to the palace, requesting an audience with the emperor. But she had yet to receive any news about being summoned by Emperor Hui’an. 

Mo Yan felt that Emperor Hui’an likely already knew the true reason behind her request to meet. The fact that he hadn’t summoned her was likely his way of refusing to forgive Du Shi. Without access to the palace, she could not plead for Du Shi in person and could only place her hope in Xiao Ruiyuan, hoping he could persuade Chu Heng. If that happened, she might have a chance to enter the palace and convince Emperor Hui’an to pardon Du Shi’s death sentence.

Days passed, and after seven or eight days, Mo Yan hadn’t received any news from either the palace or Xiao Ruiyuan. She began to feel more and more anxious. The longer the delay, the more she worried that the next news she would receive would be about the Chen family’s execution.

Mo Qingze, who had been quietly studying at home, noticed Mo Yan’s unease and couldn’t help but ask her several times.

Mo Yan, not daring to tell him the truth, made up vague excuses to avoid answering. She decided to keep the matter concerning Chen Ji’s actions a secret from her family. The plan to save Du Shi would also proceed in secrecy. If Emperor Hui’an pardoned Du Shi, Mo Yan intended to secretly arrange for Du Shi’s safety without letting anyone in the family know, as she didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble for them.

Fortunately, on the ninth day, Xiao Ruiyuan sent word through his secret agents that Chu Heng was willing to forgive Du Shi and would enter the palace to plead for her, as a way of repaying Mo Yan’s previous act of saving him.

Mo Yan felt a great weight lifted from her heart. With Chu Heng willing to show mercy, the possibility of Emperor Hui’an softening his stance increased significantly.

On the afternoon of the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, a young palace eunuch arrived at the Mo family home, delivering an imperial edict from Emperor Hui’an. Mo Yan was to enter the palace on the eighth day of the month, at the fifth watch, to meet the emperor.

Finally, she had received concrete news, and Mo Yan felt a sense of relief. The next morning, she prepared herself, dressing in her official robes, and set off for the palace to meet Emperor Hui’an.

Upon entering the palace gates, a palace eunuch was waiting to escort her. He led her directly to the imperial study, where she was greeted by Xiao Ruiyuan, who had been waiting for her.

After sending the eunuch away, Xiao Ruiyuan spoke as they walked inside, “The emperor has softened his stance. Once you enter, just tell him the truth about why you want to save Du Shi.”

“I understand,” Mo Yan replied with a smile, though in her heart, she knew she must never reveal the true reason for saving Du Shi.

Once inside, after the eunuch went in to announce her presence, Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan were allowed to enter.

Emperor Hui’an’s expression was solemn, and Mo Yan felt a sense of unease as she bowed to pay her respects and waited for him to speak.

After a long silence, Emperor Hui’an finally asked about Mo Yan’s reasons for wanting to save the criminal Du Shi. His tone was neutral, making it hard to discern what he truly thought.

Mo Yan quickly composed herself and bowed again before speaking with a solemn expression, “Chen Ji committed grave offenses that harmed his family. Both he and his relatives are beyond forgiveness. However, Du Shi is the biological mother of He Jia, and she gave birth to her. Even though she abandoned He Jia, we cannot deny the fact that she is her mother. The Da Chu dynasty upholds filial piety, and it is well-known that Your Majesty is deeply devoted to the Empress Dowager. He Jia also follows Your Majesty’s example and strives to be a filial daughter. She cannot bear to see Du Shi suffer a death sentence.”

After speaking, Mo Yan bowed deeply again and remained in that position for a long time.

None of her words were directly pleading for mercy, yet each sentence emphasized filial piety, subtly praising the emperor, ensuring no offense was caused.

Emperor Hui’an’s expression remained unchanged, but a trace of approval flashed in his eyes. He asked in a deep voice, “You know that Chen Ji is guilty of heinous crimes, and his family is also unforgivable. If I refuse to pardon Du Shi, what will you do?”

Mo Yan responded quickly, “Loyalty and filial piety have always been difficult to reconcile. If Your Majesty refuses to pardon Du Shi, He Jia will obey your decision. I will only find her a good burial place and offer daily prayers for her, wishing her peace and happiness in the afterlife, so as to fulfill the bond between mother and daughter.”

Emperor Hui’an, expecting Mo Yan to continue pleading with her past deeds or promises as leverage, was taken aback by her response. Was this her true intention, or was she just trying to deceive him?

In the span of a moment, the suspicious emperor began to doubt Mo Yan’s real motives.

Under the sharp gaze from the emperor, Mo Yan dared not look up. Her words were mostly to placate him, and if the emperor truly refused to pardon Du Shi, she would have no choice but to offer up that old promise in exchange.

No matter how important loyalty to the emperor was, her siblings were more important.

After a long silence, Emperor Hui’an’s voice finally softened, “You have a pure and filial heart. If I refuse to grant your wish, it would make me seem cruel and heartless. For the sake of your past contributions, I will pardon Du Shi’s death sentence.”

Mo Yan’s heart soared with joy, and she quickly dropped to her knees to express her gratitude, “Your Majesty is compassionate and has honored He Jia’s filial piety. He Jia thanks Your Majesty for your great mercy!”

Seeing the sincere happiness on Mo Yan’s face, Emperor Hui’an had initially thought that her plea for Du Shi was for another purpose. Now, however, it seemed she truly possessed a pure filial heart. Such a person would be useful.

Thinking this, Emperor Hui’an cast a subtle glance at Xiao Ruiyuan, who was watching Mo Yan’s knees with an intense gaze. The emperor’s expression softened slightly.

Mo Yan, unaware of the emperor’s thoughts, felt a quiet sense of relief. Little did she know that, in the future, her value would be exploited by the royal family, leading to much frustration and dissatisfaction.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 762: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (3)

After thinking for a while, Mo Yan asked Xue Tuanzi, “So now, do Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing still have a chance to be together?” 

“They will!” Xue Tuanzi answered without hesitation. “If you hadn’t helped the Wu family escape the Old Mo family, Tie Tou would never have married Liu Qingqing. He would have become disheartened, left home, worked for a courier company, been attacked by bandits, lost his legs, and died poor and lonely. Liu Qingqing would have ended up tragically, dying of depression due to missing Tie Tou. All in all, your good deed truly saved two lives. Now, do you still feel guilty?”

Mo Yan wiped away the cold sweat from her forehead and quickly shook her head.

Xue Tuanzi, feeling gratified, turned its eyes in a wise manner and said, “Ah, this child is teachable!”

Mo Yan’s mood brightened, and she spun around happily while holding Xue Tuanzi. However, her brows soon furrowed, and with a worried expression, she said, “Aunt Wu will never agree to Tie Tou marrying Liu Qingqing. If they really break up, will they end up on the path you mentioned?”

Xue Tuanzi shivered and regained its pure white form, replying, “Of course they will! However, if you help them and let them marry smoothly, there will be no issue!”

Mo Yan sighed at this, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! If one day Zhen’er falls for a girl from a brothel and wants to marry her as my sister-in-law, I would probably be unwilling. Aunt Wu’s thoughts are even more conservative. Convincing her to approve of Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing will be very difficult!”

Xue Tuanzi, however, reassured her, “It will be difficult, but not impossible! Besides, putting virtue aside, you can’t bear to see the Wu family fall apart, can you?”

Mo Yan thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes, I must help.”

Although Mo Yan knew the consequences, she could never sit idly by and watch the Wu family fall apart. But the question was, how should she help? That would require some careful thought.

After playing with Xue Tuanzi for a while, Mo Yan left the space and made her way home.

The rest of the Mo family had not yet gone to bed, clearly still concerned about the Wu family.

Mo Yan didn’t say much, only mentioning that Tie Tou had made a mistake and been punished. She didn’t elaborate.

The others sensed that the situation wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Seeing that Mo Yan wasn’t saying more, they didn’t press further and instead casually chatted before returning to their rooms to rest.

After taking a bath, Mo Yan lay on her bed and pondered how to handle the situation. Various solutions came to mind, but she pushed each one aside. After thinking for a while, she still felt that it was a difficult problem to solve. In the end, her mind wandered, and she drifted off to sleep.

The next few days were relatively quiet for the Wu family. However, Wu Shi was determined to make Tie Tou sever ties with Liu Qingqing, insisting that after the rice shop closed, he had to come home and sleep.

Tie Tou, being filial, even though he was unwilling in his heart, dared not make his mother sad. He began going to the rice shop early every morning and returned late at night, braving the cold. The freezing winds made his face, ears, and hands swell up, developing frostbite that was as swollen as steamed buns.

As a mother, Wu Shi couldn’t help but feel heartbroken seeing her son suffer. Despite her reluctance, she didn’t let him continue sleeping at the rice shop. She bought cotton and good fabric and worked late into the night, sewing thick cotton clothes, socks, and shoes for Tie Tou, even making several pairs of sleeves.

But Tie Tou, stubborn as ever, refused to wear the new cotton clothes and shoes. After a few days, his frostbite began to break open, bleeding and oozing pus. It was so painful that anyone who saw it could feel it.

Wu Shi could only buy the best ointment and secretly go to Tie Tou’s room every night to apply it while he was asleep.

At first, Tie Tou didn’t notice, but later, he figured it out and locked the door. Perhaps, unable to think of any other solution, he resorted to this clumsy method, hoping his mother would relent. Little did he know, this approach not only hurt him but also deeply wounded a mother’s heart. 

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1619: Meng Han Prepares to Leave

Meng Yunzheng saw that Meng Han had plans to leave, so he didn't say much.

After all, Meng Han was a young girl, and even though she followed the escort bureau, they were still concerned about her being alone.

With Meng Pei around, Meng Han felt relieved.

However...

Meng Yunzheng turned back and exchanged a serious look with Shu Yu, who was standing behind him.

Shu Yu walked forward and came to Meng Han's side, pulling her back to the room.

"Let's go, I'll help you pack. Your grandma has prepared many local specialties for you to take back. I'll bring them tomorrow for you to take with you."

"Okay." Meng Han obediently let her lead her into the room.

Once they left, Meng Yunzheng lowered his voice and said, "Dad, let's talk inside."

He had Xia Yan stay at the door while he discussed the current situation in Changjin Prefecture with Meng Pei.

Since Gongqiu was beheaded, Meng Yunzheng had no intention of getting involved in the court's power struggles, and as for Meng Pei, it was even less of an option. Now that he had proper work, his son had achieved scholarly success and got engaged, and he had also reunited with his brother, the court's affairs were too distant for him.

Even during the Emperor's feigned illness, Meng Yunzheng had only informed Meng Pei without involving him.

Thus, Meng Pei was unaware of the situation in Changjin Prefecture.

But this time, as he was returning to the old Meng family, who knew what kind of troubles he might encounter, so Meng Yunzheng reminded him.

Meng Pei was taken aback after hearing the situation and sighed deeply. "I understand. I'll be careful. If brother comes back from his long journey, I want to bring them all over to avoid any problems."

Meng Yunzheng felt helpless. "How do we avoid it? Uncle's family has significant assets, and our family's escort bureau is still operating there, with many escorts relying on it for a living. Moreover, we don't know when the chaos in Changjin Prefecture will erupt. Maybe it'll happen in two months, half a year, or even one or two years from now. Who can say for sure?"

Even if they managed to find an excuse to bring Uncle's family over, they couldn't possibly stay here for a year or more.

Meng Pei was anxious, "Then what should we do?"

"For now, we can only plan for a way out. If something happens, we'll be prepared and have a safe place to retreat to in advance."

Meng Pei thought it over and realized that he could only make plans after going to Changjin Prefecture.

Meng Yunzheng had not been with the Meng family for long, so apart from avoiding suspicion, he hadn't properly familiarized himself with the layout of the escort bureau. He didn't even know who the people in the bureau were and how to arrange things if something went wrong. He could only talk without any substantial details.

They decided on this plan for now, and Meng Yunzheng sent Meng Han to see grandmother Lu the next day. Meng Pei then began to arrange the travel details, while Meng Yunzheng sought out Zhao Xi, obtained some medicine, and handed it to Meng Han.

When Meng Han saw the words "sedative" and "poison" written on the medicine package, her heart trembled, and she looked at Meng Yunzheng with a puzzled expression. "Cousin, why are you giving me these?"

Meng Yunzheng calmly replied, "They're for self-defense."

Self-defense?

But holding these medicines made her feel like something big and dangerous was about to happen.

Meng Han felt that she didn't need them. "Cousin, I have good skills, and I can handle ordinary thugs. Even if I can't defeat them, I can still escape."

 Chapter 1618: Tao Shi Seriously Ill?

But now, the letter in Meng Han's hands, though also sent by the Tao Shi, carried a pessimistic tone.

After reading the letter, Meng Han was stunned and looked at her cousin, Shu Yu, in a flustered manner. "What should I do? Shu Yu, my mother is sick, seriously ill. I have to go back."

Although Meng Han disliked how Tao Shi favored her sister Tao Qin, she couldn't wish for any harm to her own mother. She was still young and felt overwhelmed by this situation.

Shu Yu grasped her hand firmly. "Calm down. Does the letter mention what illness she has?"

Meng Han handed the letter to her. "Take a look."

Shu Yu quickly scanned through the letter and finished reading it.

The letter sounded urgent, but Tao Shi didn't specify the illness, only mentioning that the doctor advised her to eat well and relax. Tao Shi also expressed her strong desire to see Meng Han and hoped she would return to see her one last time.

"One last time??" Shu Yu's mouth twitched. The letter was sent as an urgent delivery.

However, to be honest, Shu Yu couldn't tell if Tao Shi's words were true or false. Although she leaned towards them being false, it was still just her speculation. She didn't want to stop Meng Han from going back based on mere guesses.

Meng Han was visibly anxious as she handed the letter back to Shu Yu, letting out a sigh. "Don't panic. Your brother is still at home. If it's really serious, he should directly notify you to come back."

Meng Han was taken aback, feeling like she had caught a lifeline. "So my mother is okay?"

Shu Yu hesitated, "...what I mean is, even if she is sick, it shouldn't be too serious."

Meng Han listened to her and her confused mind began to clear a bit.

Yes, Shu Yu is right. If it's really that serious, then the letter would have been written by her brother.

She took a deep breath and looked at Shu Yu, "But I still have to go back."

Shu Yu nodded and glanced at the sky. "Ah Yun should be coming back soon. When he arrives, discuss it with him..."

Before Shu Yu could finish her sentence, the footsteps of Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng were heard outside the door.

The father and son entered together and saw their niece, who had been away for several days, returning. Meng Pei immediately smiled and asked, "Has Ah Han been having a good time in the city these days?"

Meng Yunzheng noticed Shu Yu's slight frown and Meng Han's tense expression, so he asked, "What happened?"

Meng Han took a few steps closer, her mind filled with the contents of the letter, and her voice choked with emotions, "Uncle, cousin, my mother sent an urgent letter, saying... she wants me to see her one last time. What should I do?"

Both Meng Pei and Meng Yunzheng felt their hearts skip a beat as they took the letter from Meng Han to read.

After a moment, Meng Yunzheng comforted her, "Rest well today, and tomorrow morning, I will contact the escort bureau to arrange for someone to take you back to the Changjin Prefecture."

Meng Han nodded repeatedly, "Okay, I'll listen to my cousin."

Meng Pei, on the other hand, rubbed his chin and said to the two of them, "I'll take Ah Han back."

"But, father, didn't you say you were going to escort a shipment to the south in two days?"

"It's alright. There's another batch of goods that need to be sent to Huajiang Prefecture. I'll talk to the leader of the escort and exchange my route with someone else. I'll go to Huajiang Prefecture instead. It's closer to Changjin Prefecture, and once I ensure the safety of that batch of goods, I can take Ah Han back separately. There shouldn't be any problem."

Chapter 1617: Little Named Huo Huo

The news of Shu You giving birth to a child quickly spread throughout the Lu family.

Unfortunately, old Doctor Zhao was not around. To ensure that Meng Yunzheng's plan wouldn't be exposed, he had to make a trip southwestward. Although it wasn't to Tai Fu, he was indeed not in Jiangyuan County anymore.

Zhao Xi named the child Zhao Ziyan, with the nickname Huo Huo, saying that the child had a fiery temperament from birth, which perfectly matched the name.

Shu Yu rolled her eyes when she heard it. She wondered why he gave him so many "fire" elements if he had a fiery temperament from the start.

However, despite her complaints, Shu Yu adored little Huo Huo.

The little guy had a loud voice, and when he was hungry or needed to pee, he cried loudly. Surprisingly, he could cry without shedding tears. When someone went to soothe him, he quickly stopped crying, changing emotions in an instant.

The first time Shu Yu held him, he accurately peed on her hand.

Shu You lay on the bed, eating and smiling, "It seems he really likes you, Aunt Yu."

Shu Yu's mouth twitched, "How do you see that he likes me?"

Zhao Xi said, "Because he has only peed on me and you." As a father, he was sure that his son liked them.

Shu Yu, "... Well, that makes sense."

In the evening, the news also reached the Meng family.

Meng Yunzheng and Zhao Xi were good friends, so when he saw that Zhao Xi now had a wife and child, he was delighted and gave Huo Huo a big red envelope.

Meng Han also wanted to hold the little guy, but she refrained from doing so as newborn babies had soft bones. She could only look at him with envy and then pulled Shu Yu aside to talk.

Shu Yu could tell that she seemed to be in a good mood.

"Sister Shu Yu, I told my cousin about the letter from home, asking me to return. He said he couldn't arrange it right away, but he will find someone to send me back to Changjin Prefecture after a while, and he will write to my brother about it."

She had a relieved expression, but she felt her cousin could actually arrange it if he wanted to. Perhaps he was just not willing to let her travel alone.

Shu Yu knew that Meng Yunzheng's concerns were similar to hers, probably not feeling at ease with the situation in Changjin Prefecture.

So she nodded, "Then just stay here comfortably. No rush, you can still come to the city to visit when you have the chance."

Meng Han also thought the same way. She had explored many places in the county during her time here, but she had only briefly visited the city of Dong'an Prefecture on her first day and hadn't been there since. She should take the opportunity to explore the city while she was still here. Otherwise, if someone asked about Dong'an Prefecture, she wouldn't know how to answer.

Meng Han acted quickly. After Shu Yu finished bathing Huo Huo, she followed her to the city.

Meng Han had her hands full with recording the journey, while Ying Xi accompanied her as they roamed around.

Shu Yu stayed in the city for three or four days, and Meng Han spent the same amount of time exploring the surroundings.

When they returned, they were both satisfied with their experience.

However, as soon as Shu Yu brought her back to the Meng family, they saw Niu Shi with a letter in hand.

When Meng Han saw it was from Changjin Prefecture, her face fell. She had a bad feeling about it.

As expected, the letter from Changjin Prefecture was urging her to return. This time, the tone was more commanding, asking her to come back soon. They scolded her for being an improper young girl, staying outside for so long, and causing neighbors to gossip.

Meng Han was furious after reading the letter and naturally became even more resistant to the idea of returning.

 Chapter 761: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (2)

Mo Yan didn’t know how Liu Qingqing and Tie Tou had met, but from what Tie Tou had said, the two of them had fallen in love with each other, with one saying “I won’t marry anyone but you” and the other “I won’t marry anyone but you.” Mo Yan couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t asked Liu Qingqing for help back then, Liu Qingqing might never have left Yanyu Tower, and perhaps she would never have met Tie Tou. Without that connection, the conflict between the Wu family’s mother and son might never have happened.

No one would want a daughter-in-law from a brothel. Aunt Wu’s reluctance wasn’t necessarily because she looked down on Liu Qingqing; it was more likely her concern that Tie Tou, marrying a woman with such a tarnished background, would face constant gossip and rumors that could break them both.

Rather than letting the two of them suffer in the future, it would be better to end things now, preventing a lifetime of regret.

The snowball-like figure in Mo Yan’s consciousness, Xue Tuanzi, who hated seeing its master unhappy, quickly comforted her: “Yan Yan, they were destined to meet. Even without your help, they would have crossed paths. Don’t blame yourself.”

Mo Yan, hearing this, wasn’t quite convinced: “You’re not just saying that to make me feel better, are you?”

Xue Tuanzi, feeling untrusted by its master, became very upset and retorted, “Believe it or not!”

Mo Yan, helpless, entered her space, picking up Xue Tuanzi (confirming that it had a rear end, or not), and sincerely apologized: “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted your words. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Xue Tuanzi’s adult-like voice always made Mo Yan forget that it had the temper of a child.

Xue Tuanzi, feeling satisfied with her apology, cast Mo Yan a proud glance, showing forgiveness.

Seeing Xue Tuanzi's adorable expression, Mo Yan’s fingers itched, and she finally gave in to her inner desire. Amidst Xue Tuanzi’s wary gaze, she gave it a couple of enthusiastic rubs.

Its soft, white, fluffy body, without a hint of fur, was softer than dough, and it felt heavenly under her touch!

“Ah, ah, ah—Stinky Yan Yan, stop it! Stop right now!” Xue Tuanzi shrieked in a high-pitched voice, but there was no real threat in its words.

Mo Yan indulged her hand cravings for a while longer before showing mercy and stopping, leaving Xue Tuanzi blushing from the excessive attention.

Xue Tuanzi was formed from her blood, so it should have been blood-colored. However, it claimed that its form was shaped by virtue, as white as snow, the purest color in the world. Rather than being born from her blood, it was more accurate to say that its virtue gave it a tangible form.

After the playful moment, Mo Yan hurriedly smoothed Xue Tuanzi’s fur to calm it down and distract it. “You said Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing were destined, but does that mean they are destined to be married?”

Xue Tuanzi, fully aware of its master’s thoughts, had originally not wanted to give in so easily. But after being pampered so much, it had grown attached to the attention and honestly responded, “They were destined to meet, but if you hadn’t helped the Wu family escape the Old Mo family, they wouldn’t have gotten married. How could they be destined to be husband and wife?”

Mo Yan suddenly understood, but then sighed dejectedly, “So, it’s still my fault, isn’t it?”

Xue Tuanzi rolled its eyes. “Where did you go wrong? Would you have just stood by and done nothing to help the Wu family because of this?”

Mo Yan froze, then shook her head, feeling both frustrated and enlightened. She had truly overthought it, running in circles. In the end, helping the Wu family escape the Old Mo family was the right thing to do. Whether or not Liu Qingqing had helped, the outcome would have been the same.

After a moment, she asked Xue Tuanzi again, “So, what about now? Can Tie Tou and Liu Qingqing still end up together?”

“They will!” Xue Tuanzi answered without hesitation. “If you hadn’t helped the Wu family escape the Old Mo family, Tie Tou would never have married Liu Qingqing. He would have become disheartened, left home, worked for a courier company, been attacked by bandits, lost his legs, and died poor and lonely. Liu Qingqing would have had a tragic end, dying of depression. All in all, by helping, you saved two lives. Now, do you still feel guilty?”

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 760: Capturing and Entering the Palace to Plead for Mercy (1)

The disappearance of Si Ni'er, who had been sold and whose whereabouts were unknown, was a deep pain in the hearts of everyone in the Wu family. It also temporarily eased the tension between Wu Shi and her son, Tie Tou.

As Mo Yan left the Wu house, her thoughts were tangled. The first time she heard Tie Tou mention “Qingqing,” she found the name familiar. When she connected it to the fact that the woman had also come from a brothel, she was almost certain of her identity. Yet, she couldn't let go of that last shred of doubt and asked in her mind, reaching out to the snowball-like figure in her consciousness: “Is the Qingqing that Tie Tou mentioned the same person who helped orchestrate the plan against the Old Mo family—Liu Qingqing?”

Soon, the voice of the snowball, sounding older than it was, echoed in her mind: “Who else could it be?”

It really was her!

Mo Yan rubbed her forehead, suddenly feeling that she had made a foolish decision.

To help Tie Tou and his siblings escape the Old Mo family, Mo Yan had once used a token given to her by Yan Junyu and visited the Yanyu Tower to find a woman to stage an act. After all, respectable women valued their reputations more than anything else, and no amount of money would persuade them to participate in such a ruse.

Yanyu Tower was a place that Yan Junyu had won in a bet years ago. On the surface, it looked like any ordinary brothel, but the women inside were stunningly beautiful and had been carefully trained as spies, gathering all kinds of information from their customers.

The women there would entertain the guests, and whether or not they spent the night with them was up to the individual woman, with Yanyu Tower not interfering as long as the women gathered the necessary information.

Liu Qingqing was a special case. She had been one of the original girls at Yanyu Tower before it was restructured. After the other girls were dismissed by the madam, she was left with nowhere to go. Having been deeply hurt by her family, she knew that even if she returned home, she would only be sold again.

Upon learning that she would no longer need to accompany clients, she had begged to stay, intending to earn some money and find a quiet place to live out the rest of her life.

Although Yanyu Tower was wary of keeping an “outsider,” they couldn’t resist Liu Qingqing’s pleas. Seeing her truly pitiful, they relented and gave her a new contract, with strict orders not to divulge any secrets of the tower. She was then allowed to remain, tasked with entertaining regular customers. Whether or not she spent the night with them was left to her discretion.

Having escaped the dark life of the brothel, Liu Qingqing refused to return to it. She spent her days playing the piano, dancing, and reciting poetry for the guests. With the protection of Yanyu Tower, her life was relatively comfortable, and over the years, she saved enough money to think about changing her life.

Because Liu Qingqing was intelligent and obedient, she had brought a lot of business to the tower, and learned many valuable secrets. The madam, reluctant to let her go, wanted to keep her for a few more years and even promised to find her a good family to marry after that.

However, Liu Qingqing had long abandoned the thought of marriage and was unmoved by the madam’s promises. When Mo Yan came to the Yanyu Tower, Liu Qingqing was in the middle of negotiating with the madam.

The madam, recognizing Mo Yan as a friend of her master, was very polite and, upon hearing Mo Yan’s request, eagerly gathered the girls together for her to choose from.

At that time, Liu Qingqing saw it as an opportunity to leave Yanyu Tower, and so she stepped forward. Her condition was that Mo Yan help her plead with the madam to release her contract and allow her to leave the brothel.

The madam, seeing that Liu Qingqing was determined to leave, knew it would be futile to force her to stay and that it might cause more trouble. Before Mo Yan could speak, the madam had already agreed, saying that once Liu Qingqing helped the guest resolve the matter, she would release her contract and set her free.

In the end, Liu Qingqing completed the task Mo Yan had entrusted to her and paid a hundred taels of silver to buy her freedom. She then left the brothel, accompanied by her maid.

(End of Chapter) 

 Chapter 759: Beauty Lies in the Eyes of the Beholder (4)

As they walked, Mo Yan asked why Tie Tou was home and why Wu Shi had become so angry. She soon learned that it all involved a woman.

The Wu family had built a large house, and the scent of meat often wafted from within. No longer wearing ragged clothes, it was obvious that the Wu family’s fortunes were improving. Many people in the village had noticed this and hoped to marry off their daughters to the Wu family, hoping to secure a better future for their own families. Likewise, the eligible bachelors in the area hoped to marry Da Nier, knowing that the Wu family would be a strong ally.

Even the original residents of Liuyang Village began considering distant relatives and friends, thinking it would be beneficial to establish ties with the prosperous Wu family through marriage.

The nearby villages had heard of the Wu family’s newfound wealth and were eager to gather information. They knew that Tie Tou, though simple, had no major flaws and had found a good job at the rice shop. His prospects seemed bright.

As for Da Nier, she was hardworking and docile, and almost every suitor in the area had tried to propose to her. Yet both Tie Tou and Da Nier had not easily accepted any of them. Wu Shi, though eager to see her children settled, wanted to be careful about who they married. She had suffered in the past and didn’t want her children to follow the same difficult path.

Wu Shi, especially concerned about Tie Tou and Da Nier, had always been determined to find suitable matches for them. However, even though she had always sought the best for her children, she had recently taken drastic action against Tie Tou, using a large wooden rod to strike him. Tie Tou, ever obedient and dutiful, had simply knelt and let his mother hit him without defending himself.

When Mo Yan arrived at the Wu house, she saw Wu Shi, exhausted and tearful, sitting on a chair holding the wooden rod. Her eyes were filled with anger and pain.

In the corner, Shi Tou held San Nier, both crying in fear. San Nier, though scared, was trying to comfort her younger brother, her face showing her deep fear.

Tie Tou was kneeling with his back to the door, and Mo Yan couldn’t see his expression. As she stepped into the hall, her first action was to try to ease the tension. "Aunt Wu, let’s talk calmly. Mother and son should be able to work things out. Look, San Nier and Shi Tou are scared!"

Wu Shi, lost in her determination to correct her son’s path, hadn’t noticed Mo Yan’s arrival. When she heard the voice, she turned to see Mo Yan standing there.

Seeing Mo Yan, Wu Shi suddenly seemed to find a vent for her frustration. Without caring for the family’s dignity, she grabbed Mo Yan’s hand and choked out, "If I had known… if I had known he was bewitched by such a woman, when the matchmaker came to propose, I would’ve accepted it right away. It would’ve been better than... better than that woman!"

From Da Nier’s vague words earlier, Mo Yan hadn’t known much about the woman Tie Tou liked, but now, hearing Wu Shi’s words, she was shocked. Was the woman married?

However, Wu Shi’s next words cleared up her confusion, and Mo Yan was even more taken aback by the woman’s identity:

"...There are so many good girls in the world. Why did he pick a woman who came out of a brothel? As a woman, I sympathize with her circumstances, but I will never accept such a woman as my daughter-in-law, never..."

Before Wu Shi could finish, Tie Tou suddenly lifted his head, loudly defending the woman. "Mother, Qingqing is a good girl! She’s not a filthy woman. It’s not her fault I fell for her. If you’re angry, blame me, not her! Qingqing is innocent!"

Mo Yan, who had known Tie Tou for so long, had never heard him speak so forcefully. It was clear that the woman from the brothel had deeply affected him.

As Mo Yan was thinking of a way to ease the tension between mother and son, Wu Shi suddenly stood up and swung the wooden rod at Tie Tou’s back with all her might.

The blow came so quickly that Mo Yan had no time to stop it.

The rod struck Tie Tou’s back with a dull thud. Pain flashed across his face, but he gritted his teeth and bore it, continuing to defend Qingqing. "Mother, Qingqing really is a good girl! Aside from her background, she’s a perfect match for me! You may not like her origins, but she didn’t choose them. You always say you regret letting Fourth Sister be sold, and you must have felt sorry for her. But Qingqing, when she was my age, was sold to a brothel by her family. How could a little girl have the power to resist? She didn’t have a choice. She never demeaned herself, and she even found a way to redeem herself to live a decent life. With all that, she’s not a bad girl! Mother, even if you don’t pity her, at least pity me! If I can’t marry her, I’d rather stay single for the rest of my life!"

Tie Tou spoke in one breath, his eyes locked onto his mother’s, showing a determination Mo Yan had never seen in him before. He wasn’t just making empty threats; he seemed ready to live his life alone if it meant not being with Qingqing.

With a loud thud, the wooden rod fell to the ground.

Wu Shi staggered back two steps, her eyes filled with tears as she collapsed into the chair. It was unclear whether she was crying for her lost Si Nier or for the words Tie Tou had just spoken.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 1616: Speed Beyond Imagination

As soon as Grandma Lu entered the courtyard, they suddenly heard the cry of a baby from inside.

Everyone who hurriedly rushed to the courtyard was stunned, looking at each other.

"She's giving birth??" It's too fast; she didn't even have time to catch her breath.

Inside, the midwife's voice was heard, "Is the hot water ready?"

"It's ready, it's ready." The maid behind Grandma Lu entered the courtyard with the hot water.

Next moment, Shu Yu came out of the Courtyard, and Grandma Lu grabbed her hand with excitement, her eyes bright. "Did your sister give birth? How is she? Is she okay?"

"She's fine, she's fine, Grandma. My sister gave birth to a little nephew for me." Shu Yu couldn't contain her smile.

"What do you mean 'gave birth for you'?" Grandma Lu scolded her with dissatisfaction but relaxed, "It's a boy? How can it be so fast?"

"I was also astonished." Shu Yu exclaimed, "My brother-in-law was helping my sister breathe, and then he asked her to push a few times, and the baby came out."

Compared to Zhou Qiao, Shu You's delivery was incredibly speedy.

Grandma Lu smiled, "It's better to be fast, your sister will suffer less. As long as the child is healthy, it's good. This is Zhao Xi's credit. For the last few months, he took your sister for walks every day and adjusted her diet. Otherwise, if the child was too fat, it wouldn't be easy to give birth."

Grandma Lu wanted to go inside and see, but she came in a hurry and got covered in dust in the kitchen, so it wasn't appropriate to enter.

Fortunately, after a while, the midwife came out carrying the baby, smiling, "Congratulations, congratulations, Lady Zhao has given birth to a little young master. Look at his handsome appearance, taking after his parents."

Grandma Lu went forward and looked at the baby wrapped in a blanket. The little face was wrinkled with closed eyes, and she couldn't see any handsome features.

But the midwife's words made her happy, and she immediately rewarded her with a string of copper coins.

The midwife's eyes lit up, and more sweet words came out. Earlier, Doctor Zhao had already given her money inside, and now the old lady gave her more; this family is indeed generous.

When it comes to washing after delivery, there will probably be more rewards.

Satisfied with what she saw, Grandma Lu asked the midwife to take the baby inside and not stay outside in the cold.

Then, she took Lan Hua and went to the neighboring courtyard to chat with Yu Fenglin.

With one happy event following another, the old lady's mood was truly excellent.

When Lu Erbai, and Ruan Shi received the news and rushed back, they stood in their daughter's courtyard, staring at the silent door, feeling puzzled.

Why was it so quiet? Did something happen?

Ruan Shi's face turned anxious, and she was about to go inside.

Zhao Xi happened to come out and hurriedly stopped them, whispering, "Dad, Mom, Ah You just fell asleep. Let's wait until she wakes up to see her."

Ruan Shi was taken aback, "Didn't Ah You start labor? Why is she sleeping again? Didn't she give birth?"

"...," Zhao Xi felt that his mother was incoherent with anxiety. He smiled and explained, "She has already given birth. It's a boy. Do you want to see? I'll bring the baby out."

Lu Erbai was surprised, "She has already given birth?"

They rushed back as soon as they received the news, and the servant who delivered the message said Ah You had just started labor. They hadn't been home for more than a quarter of an hour.

Is it really that fast to give birth?

Ruan Shi realized and immediately asked with joy, "So, Ah You didn't suffer much? She gave birth to a boy? How much does he weigh? Does he look like anyone..."