Chapter 1632: We Are prefect Government Officials from the Prefectural City

 Chapter 1631: Magistrate Xie's Calculations

Magistrate Xie nodded with a serious expression, "This matter is of great importance. In the past, I would have informed Magistrate Peng about it since it falls under his jurisdiction. He could have punished Master Qian and restrained him. However, I sent constable Jiang to Donggu County, but Magistrate Peng has been avoiding us. I have reasons to suspect that he may be shielding Qian Fangli, and these rumors might be under his instigation."

Shu Yu suppressed a smile; it seems constable Jiang is not entirely without temper. He clearly intends to report Magistrate Peng to settle the grudge of being rejected yesterday by the assistant twice in a row.

However, this is also good. Magistrate Xie has been in Jiangyuan County for quite some time, and the nearby county officials seem to not regard him highly due to seniority. People say that a new official is bound to have a burning flame within them, and Magistrate Xie's fire might have been a bit late in starting, but as long as it's effective, it's fine.

Magistrate Xie, looking as serious as ever, said, "So, I plan to go to the prefectural city and report this matter to the Prefect. The Prefect can handle it. Since this matter is somewhat related to you and also involves Master Qian's bribing of Zhang Qing, the two matters can be combined. That's why I specifically asked Lu Xiangjun to accompany me."

Shu Yu replied solemnly, "That is the right thing to do. The sunflower oil from the palace is supplied by our Lu family, and Master Qian's spreading of such rumors will also affect our Lu family."

"This matter should not be delayed. Shall we depart now?"

"Sure."

Magistrate Xie wasted no time and ordered the departure.

This time, not only did Shu Yu accompany them, but the couple from the Liang family, who were the victims, and Zhang Qing were also taken to the prefectural city.

They traveled at a fast pace and arrived in the prefectural city around midnight.

Magistrate Xie went to see the Prefect Magistrate first. Although Prefect Magistrate Fei was busy lately, he immediately sent people to investigate Donggu County after hearing Magistrate Xie's words.

The investigation team quickly brought back concrete evidence. Just as Magistrate Xie had said, the rumors had indeed spread in Donggu County, and Master Qian had indeed stolen the sunflower seeds and renovated the workshop.

With solid evidence in hand, Prefect Magistrate Fei held a trial the next day.

Master Qian had already completely let his guard down. It had been several days, and the constables from Jiangyuan County had not come to arrest him. He heard they were sent away by Magistrate Peng two days ago, so he assumed nothing would come of it.

Magistrate Qian thought he should send another gift to Magistrate Peng to secure his safety.

Unfortunately, too bad, so very unfortunate.

How did those few mu of sunflowers end up dead?

Magistrate Qian lay on a lounge chair, sipping tea while pondering where to get more sunflower seeds.

Just when he was sighing in despair and had no idea what to do, the steward ran in with a pale face.

"Master, master, it's not good, government officials are here."

Master Qian's hand holding the teapot trembled, and he accidentally spilled tea all over his clothes.

He stood up abruptly, frowning, and said, "So what if they've come? Why are you panicking? I..."

Before he could finish his sentence, he saw two government officials walking towards him with determined expressions, and they asked, "Are you Qian Fangli?"

"Yes, I am." Master Qian raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you constables under Magistrate Peng? I've never seen you before. You must be from Jiangyuan County, right? You've got some nerve."

 Chapter 820: Engagement and Land Reclamation (1)

The study was silent, with the three of them sitting around the tea table, facing each other. The fragrant aroma of tea lingered in the air, yet no one had the mood to savor the gradually cooling top-quality Yunwu tea at this moment.

Mo Yan nervously watched her father, unconsciously twisting her fingers. Even though she had been confident that she could persuade her father to agree to this marriage, the words were now spoken, and the prolonged silence without a firm response left her feeling anxious, like a suspect awaiting a final verdict in a courtroom.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s face betrayed no emotion, but the tight grip in his sleeves and his increasingly heavy breathing hinted that his inner turmoil was far from the calmness he projected.

After what seemed like an eternity, Mo Qingze finally raised his eyes, briefly glancing at Mo Yan before locking eyes with Xiao Ruiyuan. His gaze was sharp, carrying an unprecedented intensity. "Since you can't wait for three years, how can I believe that entrusting Yan'er to you is the right decision?"

Xiao Ruiyuan stood up, glanced at Mo Yan with deep affection in his eyes. Then, he turned his attention to Mo Qingze, speaking earnestly, "Uncle Mo, I will not make any promises to you here. But time will prove everything. I ask Uncle Mo for a chance to prove myself."

Mo Qingze fixed his heavy gaze on Xiao Ruiyuan. Seeing that Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t avert his eyes, he felt somewhat satisfied. At least, the words he spoke at this moment seemed genuine, not perfunctory.

"I admit you're a fine young man, and I believe in your character," Mo Qingze said with a slightly softer expression, continuing seriously, "But your personality and background... neither meet the criteria I have for choosing a son-in-law. Marriage is no trivial matter. Even if you both have feelings for each other, that doesn't guarantee you'll live a harmonious life together."

There were many couples in the world who loved each other deeply. In the beginning, their relationship was supported by affection; they admired each other’s strengths and tolerated each other’s flaws. However, marriage is never just about two people; it involves many external factors. Perhaps a casual remark from someone else could cause irreparable rifts between husband and wife.

As time went on, these small rifts could widen, eventually becoming a chasm that would completely separate the once-loving couple.

Both Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan were proud individuals. Especially Xiao Ruiyuan, who was quiet and introverted, preferring to let things fester in his heart rather than express them. Mo Yan, on the other hand, was strong-willed and couldn’t be like ordinary women who humbled themselves.

If the two ever had a conflict in the future, and because of their pride, they didn’t address the issue openly, their relationship could suffer a rift. If they didn’t resolve it promptly, it would only grow wider, and they might end up like strangers.

This was Mo Qingze’s biggest concern, which was why he preferred the gentle-tempered, similarly respectable Shen Ji. Even if there wasn’t love at first, over time, affection would develop. At worst, they could live respectfully as strangers, which was far better than being estranged later in life, full of resentment.

Outside the study, under the window, Xin’er and the others were sneaking around, listening attentively to the conversation inside.

Zhen’er scratched her head, frowning as she whispered, “Second Sister, I heard Father praising Big Brother Xiao, but the latter part of what he said... sounds like Father doesn’t want Big Brother Xiao to be our brother-in-law!” 

“I heard that too!” Xin’er nodded, thoughtfully adding, “Looks like things aren’t looking good. If Father really disagrees, we four should rush in and plead for Big Brother Xiao. No matter what, we’re familiar with him, and it’s better for him to be our brother-in-law than a stranger. Plus, Big Brother Xiao treats us so well. If he marries Big Sister, he’ll surely treat her well, too!”

(The End of This Chapter)

 Chapter 819: Together (4)

Given Xiao Ruiyuan’s military achievements, his status in the army, and his connection with Chu Heng, the likelihood of being executed for defying the imperial order was low. At most, he would lose his position and title.  

In the future, when Chu Heng ascended to power, Xiao Ruiyuan would have his own place, so he didn’t need to worry too much.

Mo Yan, on the other hand, had too many people to consider. If Emperor Hui’an targeted her, her concern for her family would make it impossible for her to defy his orders.

Even if Xue Tuanzi used the Dream Inducing Technique to subtly suggest to Emperor Hui’an in his dreams to abandon the marriage plan, it might not succeed. After all, Emperor Hui’an was a monarch with the pride of a ruler, and he wasn’t a fool. Using the technique on him could provoke him instead and might backfire. It would be best to avoid it unless absolutely necessary.

After discussing for a long time, the two still couldn’t come up with a perfect solution. For now, they could only take things one step at a time.

That evening, after dinner at the Mo family’s house, Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t leave as usual.

Mo Yan, holding a pot of freshly brewed Yunwu tea, said to Mo Qingze, “Father, I have something to discuss with you. Let’s go to the study.”

Seeing that Xiao Ruiyuan hadn’t left, Mo Qingze felt something was off. When he heard his daughter’s words, he vaguely guessed what was going on. He looked at Xiao Ruiyuan standing beside Mo Yan and nodded, getting up to walk toward the study.

“I’ll carry it!” Xiao Ruiyuan took the tea tray with one hand, while his other hand tightly held Mo Yan’s hand.

Mo Yan ignored the curious glances from others and held Xiao Ruiyuan’s hand in return, smiling as she looked up at him. “Let’s go!”

Watching the surprisingly harmonious figures of the two, the others were left in stunned silence. It wasn’t until they were out of sight that the twelve-year-old Xin’er, looking dazed, asked Tang Xin, “What’s going on with my sister... and Big Brother Xiao? How could she be holding hands with a man?”

Tang Xin rubbed her eyes, muttering, “I don’t know, I really don’t know!”

Zhen’er clapped his hands excitedly and said, “I know, I know! Big Brother Xiao must be going to be my sister’s husband!”    

“How do you know?” Xin’er and the others asked in unison. Even the youngest, Sheng’er, understood what a “brother-in-law” meant, and looked at Zhen’er in surprise.

Zhen’er grinned smugly, resting his arm on Yun Zhao’s shoulder. “Some people in the school secretly read romantic novels. I borrowed one and flipped through a few pages, and it said so...”

“Cough, cough...” Before Zhen’er could finish her sentence, Yun Zhao’s cough interrupted her. Seeing all eyes on him, Yun Zhao remained composed and said, “Don’t listen to him. Romantic novels aren’t allowed in the school. If the teacher finds out, we’d get a hand slap!”

Upon hearing this, Zhen’er quickly realized her mistake and hurriedly agreed, “Yes, yes! Romantic novels aren’t allowed in the school. I was just fooling around with you guys!”

Romantic novels were about love stories between talented men and beautiful women, and they were popular among students. However, the Zhizhi Hall was very strict. Most of the students were around ten years old and not mature enough, so the school prohibited them from bringing such books in, fearing they might be negatively influenced.

If the teacher found out, not only would they be punished, but their parents would also be notified. Once their parents knew, they would definitely be in big trouble.

“Really?” Xin’er was a little skeptical. “But you clearly said you’d read a romantic novel. How did you know Big Brother Xiao was going to be our brother-in-law, then?”

Mo Qingze was strict with Zhen’er and Yun Zhao and didn’t allow any romantic novels in the house.

Zhen’er quickly nodded, “Really, really. Otherwise, would I have said that? Big Brother Xiao wouldn’t have held my sister’s hand if he wasn’t planning to be our brother-in-law, right? And my sister wouldn’t have let him hold her hand if she didn’t want it!”

Before Xin’er could say anything else, Li Xiu intervened to save Zhen’er, “Alright, alright. The most important thing now is whether Big Brother Xiao can be your brother-in-law. Do you all want that?”

“Yes!” the four of them said in unison, their voices loud and clear. In their eyes, Big Brother Xiao might appear cold, but every time he came over, he brought them gifts they liked. That showed he was thoughtful. After all, a busy general wouldn’t put so much thought into such small gifts unless he truly cared.

A trace of a smile appeared in Li Xiu’s eyes, though her face still showed concern. “But it seems like Master Mo doesn’t like Lord Xiao. The last two times Lord Xiao came over, Master Mo seemed very indifferent.” 

The four little ones frowned when they heard this.

Zhen’er’s eyes lit up with an idea and she whispered, “How about we sneak outside the study and listen in? If Father doesn’t agree, we can go inside and plead with Big Brother Xiao!”

The other three brightened up and nodded in agreement. “Yes, let’s do that!”

The four little ones, like little mice, quietly sneaked to the window of the study, eager to listen to the conversation inside...

(The End of This Chapter)  

 Chapter 817: Together (2)

Mo Yan nodded and responded, "Don't worry, I won't!"

The man with the last name Du had his own problems, and she didn’t need to deliberately slander him. She planned to find a way to make Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu see his true colors and realize that Lan Jie wouldn’t find happiness marrying such a scumbag. Given how much Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu loved Lan Jie, they would probably rather risk their reputation than let their precious daughter marry someone like him.  

Having made up her mind, Mo Yan relaxed and chatted with Xue Tuanzi for a while, but soon began to feel very tired. The time was already past midnight, and with only a couple of hours until dawn, she knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep well outside. So, she decided to sleep in the space.

Inside the space, there was a small bed and bedding already set up, making it quite convenient. However, the space was so large and empty that Mo Yan always felt uneasy when sleeping there, so she rarely spent the night inside. But this time, she was too tired, and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep beside the pillow.

……

The next day, Mo Yan walked out of the small courtyard, feeling refreshed. Under her family’s surprised gaze, she prepared a hearty breakfast for the New Year.

After the family finished breakfast in a lively atmosphere, they, as usual, set off to visit the village and wish everyone a Happy New Year. However, this year, they tacitly "forgot" about the old Mo family. The villagers noticed that they walked straight past the old Mo family’s house, and no one dared to approach and say anything.

Although they didn’t visit the old Mo family, the recent events there had reached their ears. It was nothing more than Niu Shi not wanting to care for the paralyzed Hong Shi and refusing to spend money on her food and drink.

On New Year's Eve, Niu Shi had caused a scene again, deliberately scattering fire over a bowl and smashing it, which was considered an ill omen. Mo Yonglu had given her a harsh scolding.

Under the influence of Hong Shi’s instigation and Old Mo’s subtle hint, Mo Yongfu went to the Wu family and asked if the Tie Tou siblings could go to the old Mo family’s house for New Year's Eve dinner. The Tie Tou siblings refused to go, and the Wu Shi didn’t even open the door.

Mo Yongfu waited for half an hour in the cold wind but still didn’t see anyone. Eventually, unwillingly, he left.

As for Hong Shi, she couldn't help but curse Mo Yongxi, who had been sent to the mine to do hard labor, and vented her anger on the Mo family.

No one cared about the old Mo family’s affairs. Most villagers just treated it as a joke, and Mo Yan and her family certainly didn’t take it to heart.

Given Mo Yan County Princess's status and Mo Qingze’s position as a scholar, they could have stayed at home and waited for others to visit and offer their New Year's greetings. However, neither of them liked to stand on ceremony. New Year visits were meant to be lively, and if they acted all high and mighty, what fun would that be?

The villagers were mostly simple and kind-hearted. When they saw the father and daughter visiting them in person, they were somewhat uncomfortable, but mostly pleased, as it meant that the Mo family didn’t look down on them. They warmly received the pair.

The first day of the New Year passed with mutual greetings in the village. On the second and third days, there were no more visits, so the Mo family closed their gates, enjoying the sun in the courtyard and chatting, passing the time quickly.

But on the fourth day, the Mo family’s gate was knocked, and it was Xiao Ruiyuan, bringing New Year’s gifts and coming to pay his respects.

The fourth day of the New Year was somewhat special. If someone visited on this day and was not a relative, it meant that they were a man recognized as the family’s son-in-law.

Since Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan’s engagement had not yet been officially decided, Xiao Ruiyuan wasn’t supposed to come visiting on this day. However, he couldn’t wait any longer and wanted to test his future father-in-law’s attitude.

Mo Qingze seemed to have expected this and was not particularly surprised. His attitude toward Xiao Ruiyuan was neither overly warm nor cold, which made Mo Yan a bit nervous, fearing that the two might clash.

(The End of This Chapter)  

 Chapter 816: Together (1)

"Xue Tuanzi, Sister Lan is my best friend. I can't just watch her jump into a fire pit. No matter how serious the consequences are, I must stop her from marrying that man with the last name Du!"

Xue Tuanzi's warning did not make Mo Yan hesitate. Sister Lan was her best friend. If she didn't know, it would be one thing, but now that she knew that the man with the last name Du couldn't give Sister Lan happiness, if she didn't stop this marriage, she would never have peace of mind for the rest of her life.

"Yan Yan, don't do anything reckless!" Xue Tuanzi said, its tone full of regret for having told Mo Yan about it. "That is her destiny. If you help her change her fate, you will change the fates of others as well. If this leads to karmic retribution, the consequences will fall upon you!"

Mo Yan smiled proudly. "Perhaps there is the 'heavenly path' you speak of, but the existence of all things is the very foundation of the heavenly path! Humans are part of all things, and an individual’s fate is unpredictable. As you said, it is not fixed! You say changing Sister Lan’s fate will change the fates of others, but perhaps that is their true destiny? Just like in the previous life, Brother Xiao was schemed against to death, and the crown prince died from poisoning in the end. In this life, they are all living well, and even the impending turmoil in the Great Chu can be altered! You said before, because of my existence, I changed the fate of the Great Chu from collapsing and almost being destroyed by foreign forces. This shows that fate can be changed! As for punishment, perhaps there will be some, just like how I changed the fates of Brother Xiao and the crown prince and earned the resentment of Prince Heng and the Lin family, almost being killed by them. But in the end, I triumphed. Since I can overcome the consequences of altering fate, how can I not help Sister Lan and change her tragic fate?"

In this world, some people are born with a silver spoon and live without worry; others come from humble beginnings and struggle at the edge of survival. That is their fate! The one born with a silver spoon, if they indulge in luxury and fail to improve, will eventually squander all the wealth left by their ancestors. The one born poor, if they strive hard and persist, will one day rise above their circumstances, and that is also fate.

One thing is clear: a person's fate is in their own hands. While the existence of others may influence one's fate, the person who truly decides their destiny is themselves.

Xue Tuanzi stared blankly at its master, seriously reflecting on her words, and realized there was no rebuttal. Yes, ultimately, fate is in one's own hands. Just like how it was sealed, that was its fate. It was unwilling, so it found Yan Yan and broke the seal—this too was its fate.

Yan Yan wants to help Miss Liu change her fate and stop the marriage between the Liu and Du families, but the choice is in the hands of the Liu family. If Miss Liu or her family doesn't want to call off the engagement, no matter how much Yan Yan does, it will be in vain.

Since changing fate is in accordance with the heavenly path, even if karmic retribution arises, the one changing the fate must bear the consequences. How can it involve Yan Yan?

With this realization, Xue Tuanzi suddenly felt enlightened, and its mind became clear.

"Yan Yan, I was mistaken!" Xue Tuanzi sincerely admitted.

It had always thought that fate could be changed and the heavenly path could not be reversed, but never considered that the heavenly path is based on the existence of all things. A person's inherent fate is fate, and changing one's fate is also fate. Whether it’s one or the other, both are acknowledged by the heavenly path! However, some who change their fate accumulate karmic retribution and ultimately suffer the consequences, which is the punishment of the heavenly path; others who change their fate accumulate blessings, and that is the heavenly path's gift!

Mo Yan gently rubbed Xue Tuanzi's soft belly, smiling without saying a word. The troubling thoughts that had weighed on her heart for so long vanished the moment she spoke those words.

"Yan Yan, I don't oppose you helping Miss Liu change her fate, but be sure not to incur karmic retribution. It’s best to go with the flow!" Xue Tuanzi reminded, worried that its master might act impulsively and use improper methods.

(The End of This Chapter)   

 Chapter 815: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (4)

Mo Yan was indeed exhausted, so she didn't say much and simply greeted her father before heading to her room. However, as she lay on her bed, she couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, with Xiao Shiyi’s words echoing in her mind, disturbing her thoughts. 

Unable to sleep, Mo Yan decided to get up and enter her space. She found Xue Tuanzi, who was busy harvesting crops, and, looking anxious, asked, "In this life, will I be able to be with Xiao Ruiyuan?"

This time, Xue Tuanzi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, it calmly finished harvesting the crops and sowing seeds before replying to Mo Yan, whose anxiety was palpable: "Natural disasters are irreversible, but man-made calamities can be avoided! A person’s fate isn’t fixed, and neither is their romantic destiny. Even if I tell you now that you and Xiao Ruiyuan can marry, if you don't cherish it, there will be unnecessary obstacles along the way. Whether these obstacles affect anything else, no one can know. It all depends on how you handle it!"

This was the first time Xue Tuanzi had spoken such philosophical words, and Mo Yan, after hearing them, fell into deep thought.

She believed that her feelings for Xiao Ruiyuan were genuine. Although they didn’t know each other completely, they could clearly sense their mutual affection. They were already at the point where marriage was a serious consideration.

When her father had first learned about her relationship with Xiao Ruiyuan, he had only said that he would wait and see. Mo Yan, still not having reached the age of fifteen and not wanting to marry so soon, had quietly accepted this stance. Looking back, if they had settled the matter back then, tonight’s events might not have happened.

Xue Tuanzi continued, "Things that belong to you should be held tightly in your hands. Since you’ve already accepted that young man, you should try to persuade your father to approve of the marriage. It’s not as if you have to marry immediately. After the engagement, your father will have plenty of time to assess the young man’s character. If he’s not suitable, you can always find someone else!"

Mo Yan had listened seriously up until this point, but upon hearing the last part, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Xue Tuanzi. "You make it sound easy, but this isn’t a time or place where you can simply break off an engagement. If it were that simple, I would have already encouraged Sister Lan to break off her engagement with the Du family!"

At that moment, Mo Yan suddenly remembered something and quickly grabbed Xue Tuanzi, asking eagerly, "Will that young man from the Du family be Sister Lan’s future? Will Sister Lan be happy?"

Xue Tuanzi, unprepared for the sudden question, was so startled that its heart (if it had one) almost jumped out of its chest. It angrily shouted, "Bad Yan Yan, stinky Yan Yan, you scared me to death!"

Mo Yan hurriedly patted Xue Tuanzi’s round belly, trying to calm it down. "It’s my fault, it’s my fault, please don’t be angry!"

"Hmph! You can’t even manage your own affairs and still have time to meddle in others’ matters!" Xue Tuanzi turned away, grumbling in frustration. However, it did acknowledge that it valued Mo Yan’s loyal and loving nature.

Mo Yan had made up her mind about her own situation, but she didn’t intend to share her decision with Xue Tuanzi just yet. Instead, she asked about her good friend’s future again: "Just tell me, if that Du family young man is really Sister Lan’s fate, I will accept it."

In her heart, she didn’t want her best friend to end up with someone as lacking in character as the Du young man. If she could, she would have torn that engagement apart.

Xue Tuanzi, however, fell silent after hearing Mo Yan’s question, and for the first time, it didn’t answer.

Mo Yan’s heart sank with an uneasy feeling as she looked at Xue Tuanzi and asked in a low voice, "Sister Lan won’t be happy, will she?"

"Mm, that Du guy isn’t a good person. Your Sister Lan will eventually be discarded by him and will climb to a higher branch," Xue Tuanzi knew that if it didn’t speak the truth, Mo Yan would only worry more, so it decided to stop hiding.

Hearing this, Mo Yan took a deep breath, her eyes filled with fury. Even though the tragedy hadn’t occurred yet, just the thought of it made her unable to bear it. She couldn’t stand the idea of her best friend being abandoned. She wanted to castrate that Du person right now and make sure he could never be a man again! How could someone so driven by greed and selfishness be worthy of Sister Lan?

Seeing Mo Yan’s strong reaction, Xue Tuanzi seriously reminded her, "This isn’t your life. Even though Miss Liu is your best friend, you must not interfere with this matter, or the consequences will be something you can’t bear."

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 814: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (3)

The horse, not understanding Mo Yan's words but sensing the kindness she radiated, let out a cheerful snort toward her.

Mo Yan was left with a black line across her forehead. She took out a handkerchief to silently wipe the saliva from her face, mentally crossing out most of the promises of food she had made earlier.

Xiao Ruiyuan patted his playful horse and turned to Mo Yan, saying, "Rest well when you get home. I’ll handle that matter. Don't worry."

"I will, and so should you!" Mo Yan smiled slightly, obediently agreeing. She had felt uneasy about Emperor Hui'an's intention to arrange a marriage for Xiao Ruiyuan during the New Year banquet, fearing something might go wrong. But after their conversation in the carriage, her worries had eased.

Before Xiao Ruiyuan could respond, Xiao Shiyi behind him couldn’t wait to speak: "If the marriage between the master and the princess is settled soon, there wouldn’t be so many troubles. Those who came to test the waters before the New Year nearly wore out the doors of the Marquis' house. The steward has even complained to me several times, saying he would rather go to the estate to do the hardest labor than deal with those people."

"Shut up!" Xiao Ruiyuan snapped, his expression stern. "When we get back, you’ll take ten lashes. Remember this lesson well!"

"Yes, master," Xiao Shiyi immediately accepted the punishment without a word. Then, he shifted his tone, speaking in a somewhat aggrieved manner: "Master, I’m willing to accept the punishment, but what I said was true. Aren’t you also tired of dealing with those people? If the marriage were settled, wouldn’t they stop interfering?"

"Another ten lashes, go stand under that big tree and wait for them. Don’t come near!" Xiao Ruiyuan, with a dark expression, gave a direct order to get rid of Xiao Shiyi. He then turned to Mo Yan, who seemed lost in thought, and said, "Don't take his words to heart, Yan’er. Those troubles are not our fault."

Mo Yan sighed and gave a wry smile, replying, "What Xiao Shiyi said isn’t wrong. If our marriage were settled sooner, these troubles wouldn’t have arisen."

Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes flashed, and he comforted her, saying, "I can handle these things. You’ll be fifteen soon, and three years will pass quickly."

Mo Yan fell silent, not responding. Three years seemed short, but no one could predict if there would be any changes in the meantime.

Xue Tuanzi had once told her that they shared a karmic bond, and Mo Yan had sensed a trace of regret in the tone when Xue Tuanzi spoke of their past lives. She didn’t know about the other lifetimes, but in the first one, they had met, though one died and the other was left to wander, unable to truly know or fall in love with each other.

In this life, they had found each other and fallen in love, but who could say that no further changes awaited them? Today, Emperor Hui'an’s words and actions had already rung an alarm bell for them, and Mo Yan knew she had to be cautious...

The sound of the carriage wheels gradually faded away, and only then did Xiao Ruiyuan mount his horse, ready to leave.

"Master, you can’t leave me! I know I was wrong!" Xiao Shiyi, standing under the tree, cried out with a mournful face, knowing he couldn’t move without Xiao Ruiyuan’s orders.

"Today, you finally showed some intelligence. You don’t need to receive the twenty military lashes," Xiao Ruiyuan said, his voice carrying a rare hint of joy, even though he didn’t look back.

Xiao Shiyi initially didn’t grasp the meaning, but once he understood, he jumped three feet into the air in joy. He hurriedly mounted his horse and chased after Xiao Ruiyuan.

After such a rare success, how could he not go back and show off, especially with the twenty lashes spared?

...

When Mo Yan returned home, the only one waiting for her in the small study was Mo Qingze, who was reading while waiting. Everyone else had been sent back to their rooms to rest.

Seeing the fatigue on his daughter’s face, Mo Qingze asked a few simple questions before urging her and Li Zhong to go rest, reminding them to sleep in tomorrow and that it was fine to visit the village for New Year’s greetings a bit later.

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 813: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (2)

This resentment, which he had thought would remain hidden deep inside, proved he had overestimated his own patience. With so few people close to him, over the years, he had come to regard his two cousins as brothers. He could not tolerate anyone plotting against them for any reason, and this was his bottom line—something he would never allow anyone to cross.

"Heng'er, no... Father did not..." Emperor Hui'an looked at Chu Heng’s distant and indifferent gaze, feeling a sharp pang in his heart.

He had always known that his son did not respect him as much as he appeared to, and he had a sense of where the problem lay. But when everything was laid bare before him, even as an emperor, he could not accept it.

Indeed, the decision to bring Imperial Concubine Lin into the palace was made with ulterior motives, but if he had known that it would lead to the tragic death of his first wife, he would never have done it. But there was no turning back—his Empress would never return, and his most beloved son now resented him in his heart. All of this bitter wine was of his own brewing, and he could only drink it, one mouthful at a time.

The flash of pain on Emperor Hui'an’s face was clear to Chu Heng, who, after seeing it, tightened his fists, releasing them again, his agitation and frustration only deepening. Speaking out his feelings wasn’t much more relieving than keeping them bottled up.

It felt as though he was running away from something; he did not want to hear any more explanations from his father. He just wanted to dismiss the emperor's unrealistic thoughts. Forcing himself to look away, he said in a cold, firm tone, "Father, I pretend I never heard about Miss Mo being taken as a concubine. As for your worries, I won’t let them come to pass! If it comes to that, I’d rather forfeit my position as crown prince than act like a villain who would betray family and steal someone else’s love!"

After saying this, Chu Heng turned sharply, as if to escape, leaving the suffocating and frustrating place in haste. As for whether Emperor Hui'an would stubbornly push Miss Mo on him, he had said all that needed to be said—he could no longer control the outcome. One thing was for sure: he would never compete with his cousin for a woman.

In the spacious imperial study, Emperor Hui'an was left alone, gazing at the back of his son, who had left without a glance. He slumped back onto the dragon chair, feeling as though he had aged several years in an instant...

The carriage entered the boundary of Liuyang Village and stopped. Xiao Ruiyuan had to get off here; otherwise, if he were taken to the Mo family’s house, seeing his future father-in-law would surely destroy the small amount of goodwill he had painstakingly built up.

Mo Yan also got off the carriage and looked around. Not seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s mount, she asked in confusion, "Are you going to walk back?"

Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze softened as he gently shook his head. He then took a short flute from his waist and played a brief melody.

Not long after, Mo Yan heard the sound of hooves approaching from behind. Soon, a tall horse appeared in front of them, followed by a person on horseback. Xiao Shiyi dismounted, greeted Mo Yan respectfully, and stood behind his master as usual.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s horse was lively. Upon seeing its owner, it happily neighed and affectionately rubbed its neck against its master’s shoulder, giving Mo Yan a charming look.

If the horse hadn’t been trained so strictly by Xiao Ruiyuan to resist outside distractions, it would have rushed toward Mo Yan the first time it saw her, as animals are far more sensitive to spiritual energy than humans.

Of course, it was too dark for Mo Yan to notice the horse's gaze, so it might as well have been directed at the air. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop Mo Yan from liking the horse, and she reached out to pat its neck, praising it, "What a good horse! Next time you come to my house, I’ll bring you something good to eat."

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 812: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (1)

"Father, you have your own considerations, and I have mine. As for taking Miss Mo as a concubine, I cannot comply!" Chu Heng said coldly, rejecting the idea without hesitation.

He never imagined that his father would make such an absurd request, asking him to take his cousin’s beloved woman as a concubine. Not to mention that he had no feelings for the woman his cousin liked, but even if he did, he would never commit such an act of stealing someone else's love.

To him, brotherly love was far more important than any woman!

Emperor Hui'an's expression darkened further, anger subtly rising in him. "I’ve had people calculate this matter. Although the girl’s fate is marked by solitude and misfortune, once she overcomes her life’s greatest calamity, she will be blessed with fortune and will bring prosperity to her husband and children. Now that she has passed through her calamity, she is indeed blessed. I know you do not believe me, but without her, could you still be sitting here defying me? If it were not for her, how would you have survived those multiple life-threatening incidents, such as when Hanzhang was in danger? If she hadn’t helped, you wouldn’t be alive today!"

Seeing Chu Heng silently pursing his lips without offering any rebuttal, Emperor Hui'an's expression softened a little. He continued, "That girl has a kind heart and is also clever. If you were to take her as your concubine, she would surely support you wholeheartedly and become your assistant. Your heir's court would have room for her, so what harm would there be in having one more? As for Hanzhang, I will find him a good marriage, so you need not worry about that."

Chu Heng clenched his fists tightly, his lowered gaze flashing with deep sarcasm, but he refrained from speaking.

Emperor Hui'an thought that his son was moved by his words, and a look of relief appeared on his face. "Heng’er, you are the most trusted crown prince of mine. The kingdom of Great Chu will eventually be entrusted to you. I am giving you the best, and you will not disappoint me, will you?"

"Heh!" Chu Heng chuckled softly, raising his head to look at Emperor Hui'an. His eyes were bloodshot, but there was not the slightest trace of a smile. "Only now do I realize that, in your eyes, women are merely tools to be used! You treat Imperial Concubine Lin this way, and what about Mother? Is that how you treat her as well?"

The last sentence was almost bitten out of him. Chu Heng had never come to terms with the death of Empress Chunyi. Even though the culprit had been executed, the wound of losing his mother at a young age could never be healed. Over the years, he had harbored resentment for Imperial Concubine Lin and her father, Lord Lin, but how could he not feel resentment toward his own father as well?

If it weren’t for the secret that Emperor Hui'an held through Lin Taishi, Imperial Concubine Lin would never have entered the palace and plotted the death of Empress Chunyi. This matter had always been a thorn in Chu Heng’s heart. Every time he thought of his biological mother, the pain would resurface.

What Emperor Hui'an had said earlier was like a spark, igniting the deep-seated resentment hidden within Chu Heng’s heart. In front of his father, he ruthlessly voiced his accusations.

Emperor Hui'an had not expected Chu Heng to suddenly bring up Empress Chunyi and question him in such a tone. He was momentarily stunned, unable to speak a word.

Chu Heng had already convinced himself that his father had used Imperial Concubine Lin for the throne and indirectly caused the death of Empress Chunyi. He no longer expected an admission from him. He coldly said, "I may not be a saint, but I also disdain using a woman for personal gain! You claim it's for my own good, but in reality, you are afraid of Hanzhang. You’re worried that I won’t be able to control him and that he will harbor other intentions. That's why you want me to take Miss Mo as a concubine, trying to bind him down!"

Looking at the aging man before him, Chu Heng couldn’t articulate his feelings. He could not deny the good his father had done for him, nor could he deny the true father-son bond between them. But some things had been etched into his heart, and he couldn’t bring himself to fully trust and love this man.

[End of Chapter] 

  Chapter 811: A Brief Moment of Tender Intentions (3)

Li Zhong had already learned from Li Xiu about the relationship between Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan when Xiao Ruiyuan personally came to deliver New Year's gifts. Although nothing was formally settled, it seemed almost certain. Now, seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s actions, Li Zhong felt uneasy but didn’t know how to convince him to stop.

While he was torn, the carriage door made a soft sound and closed from the inside.

Li Zhong: "..."

Tonight was New Year's Eve, a night for family reunions, with lights from countless homes dispelling the darkness of the night, warming the hearts of all.

The sound of horse hooves echoed down the empty streets, and from the houses on either side, the laughter of people staying up for the night could be faintly heard.

Li Zhong drove the carriage toward the city gate and realized it had already closed. He then remembered the city's curfew, and the gates had been closed early.

A guard, woken from his sleep, rubbed his eyes and approached. Seeing it was just an ordinary carriage, he was about to yell, but suddenly, something flew out of the window and landed right in the guard's arms.

The guard clumsily caught it and, with the lantern light from the city gate, clearly saw that it was a token, a token that allowed free passage within the capital. He immediately became alert, saluted the carriage, and apologized, calling over a few colleagues to open the heavy city gates.

Li Zhong hurriedly drove the carriage out of the city, secretly sighing in relief as he heard the gate close behind them. Without that token, they wouldn’t have been able to leave the city tonight. All the inns in the city were closed, and without the key to the rice shop, he would have had no choice but to freeze on the streets all night.

Thinking of this, he was somewhat grateful that Xiao Ruiyuan was in the carriage. But when he thought about a lone man and a woman alone in the carriage together, Li Zhong couldn’t put his mind at ease. He slowed the pace of the carriage, listening carefully to any sounds from inside. He wanted to be alert in case anything was amiss.

After listening for a long time and hearing nothing, it was as though no one was inside. He thought the uninvited guest was just resting against the wall of the carriage, but little did he know, at the moment the door closed, Xiao Ruiyuan had without hesitation lifted the blanket, pulled the sleeping woman into his arms, and held her closely.

The two embraced tightly, sleeping together. How could there be any noise?

Before falling asleep, Mo Yan had removed her fur coat and wore only her outer clothes and cotton jacket, which was warm enough for her to sleep. But not long after, she felt as if she were in a furnace. Her body grew increasingly hot, and she had difficulty breathing, as though something was constricting her chest.

Mo Yan had a nightmare, where she was tightly wrapped by a terrifying giant python. Despite her lack of fear toward the snake, she couldn’t breathe because it was constricting her so tightly.

She struggled with her hands and feet, trying to break free, not even thinking about the fact that snakes were cold-blooded creatures. She just wanted to escape the python’s grip.

Xiao Ruiyuan, who had been lightly sleeping, woke as soon as she struggled. "Yan’er, what’s wrong?"

It was so dark in the carriage that he couldn’t see her face. He thought she had drunk too much at the banquet and was feeling unwell from the carriage’s bumps.

Hearing his familiar voice, Mo Yan woke with a start, her mind still foggy, unable to distinguish between dream and reality.

A warm, rough hand pressed against her forehead, instantly snapping Mo Yan back to clarity. She gasped in surprise and was about to push the hand away when she was pulled into a firm embrace. The familiar voice sounded again. "Yan’er, you’re sweating a lot. Do you feel unwell?"

In the dark, Mo Yan opened her mouth in surprise. "How are you here?"

Even though he couldn’t see, Xiao Ruiyuan could imagine her expression. He smiled faintly, not replying, but his arms tightened around her.

Mo Yan seemed to understand something, quietly snuggling into his wide embrace and smiling gently.

Still not reassured, Xiao Ruiyuan reached up to check Mo Yan’s forehead again, feeling only sweat with no signs of fever. He relaxed and said, "Yan’er, was it a nightmare?"

Mo Yan nodded, frustrated. "I dreamed that I was entangled by a giant python, and it was squeezing so tightly that I could hardly breathe."

Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t realize it was because he had held her too tightly. He tried to comfort her, "Perhaps it’s because you drank tonight. If you’re tired, just lie down and sleep more. I’ll stay here and keep watch."

"No, it’s fine. Just talking like this is good." Mo Yan had slept for a while and was no longer that sleepy.

"Alright!" Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze softened. He adjusted his position slightly, ensuring Mo Yan was more comfortable leaning against him.

While the warm, affectionate atmosphere in the dark carriage felt peaceful, the scene in the brilliantly lit imperial study was much more somber.

"Heng’er, your father is doing this for your own good... Anyway, this matter is decided. All you need to do is wait," Emperor Hui’an said with a stern face, leaving no room for debate as he spoke to the troubled Chu Heng.

[End of Chapter] 

 Chapter 810: A Brief Moment of Tender Intentions (2)

Yan Junyu unexpectedly moved closer, his eyes fixed on Mo Yan as he spoke to Xiao Ruiyuan. The alcohol made his appearance even more charming, causing the light from the grand hall to pale in comparison. The young palace maids in attendance turned red, and even the eunuchs stared in disbelief.  

Clearly, Yan Junyu had drunk too much. If not, he wouldn’t have been so reckless in his words. Though he was aware that some things should not be said, he still blurted them out in front of Xiao Ruiyuan.

“Shut up!”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s face darkened instantly. He used a subtle force to push Yan Junyu back into his seat. If not for the situation, he would have thrown him into the icy palace pond to sober up.

Not one to fear, Yan Junyu leaned in again, his words becoming even more outrageous. “If I had known this girl would look like this today, I should have kept her by my side as a maid two years ago. Alas, it’s too late. Everything is too late.”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s temples twitched, not wanting to argue with a drunkard. He immediately struck Yan Junyu on the back of the neck with a swift motion.

Yan Junyu, caught off guard, tilted his head and closed his eyes, collapsing onto Xiao Ruiyuan’s shoulder.

Disgusted, Xiao Ruiyuan pushed him away but didn’t throw him to the ground. Instead, he had the palace eunuchs help support Yan Junyu.

Though Yan Junyu had a well-proportioned figure and didn’t appear heavy, his weight was still considerable. The eunuchs behind him struggled to hold him up, and it wasn’t long before they began to wobble. Unfortunately, the feast was still ongoing, and there was no way to move Yan Junyu elsewhere for a rest.

By the time the feast ended at the late hours of the evening, everyone forced themselves to stay alert and followed Emperor Hui’an to the Taihe Hall.

As the midnight bell rang, signaling the start of the new year, Mo Yan, along with the civil and military officials, knelt before the Taihe Hall to welcome Emperor Hui’an, dressed in a new dragon robe, as he entered the hall to perform the solemn ancestral rites.

As the incense burned, Emperor Hui’an personally threw the auspicious and prayerful words he had written into the fire, praying for the stability and prosperity of the nation in the coming year.

By the time Mo Yan stepped out of the palace gates, it was already past midnight. Most of the carriages had long since left, leaving only a few behind, waiting for their masters.

The first to notice Mo Yan was Da Hongzao, who excitedly neighed. Even though it tried to suppress its sound, the clear cry was more distinct in the quiet of the palace gates.

Li Zhong, who had been dozing off at the driver’s seat, suddenly awoke and saw Mo Yan walking toward him. He hurriedly got out of the carriage to meet her.

Sensing the smell of alcohol on Mo Yan and seeing her face no longer as clear as usual, Li Zhong became concerned. "Miss Yan, are you feeling dizzy or unwell?"

Mo Yan wasn’t truly drunk, but the lingering effects of the alcohol combined with exhaustion had taken their toll. She shook her head, rejecting Li Zhong’s offer of support. She walked steadily toward the carriage, intending to sleep all the way back. Having stayed up most of the night, she was exhausted.

Li Zhong didn’t press further. He watched as Mo Yan pulled out a thin blanket from the carriage’s secret compartment, spread it over herself, and lay down. He was about to close the carriage door when a tall figure appeared before it.

Xiao Ruiyuan looked at the sleeping figure inside the carriage, and his cold expression softened immediately. In Li Zhong’s surprised gaze, he gracefully entered the carriage without causing any disturbance, making sure not to wake Mo Yan from her slumber.

Ignoring the words that Li Zhong seemed ready to say, Xiao Ruiyuan relaxed against the side of the carriage and slowly closed his eyes. The year-end duties had kept him busy, and he had worked into the night just yesterday. In the past ten days, he had barely had a chance to rest properly.

[End of Chapter]