Chapter 970: A Visitor from the Cui Family in Chang’an (3)

Upon hearing this, Yan Junyu finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Princess of Chang’an didn’t know there was a Liu Yang Village, he could always return here to hide whenever trouble arose, couldn’t he?

In his heart, he gave himself a thumbs-up for his own cunning. Then, like a limp ragdoll, Young Master Yan collapsed back into his lounge chair. Spotting Cui Ping’an passing by not far off, he slyly remarked, “That guy’s been staying at the Mo residence longer than me—haven’t you ever thought about him?”

Xiao Ruiyuan, following his gaze, replied coolly, “No rush—one by one.”

Hearing this, Yan Junyu finally felt at ease.

At dinner, Yan Junyu announced that he was going to leave.

If it were anyone else, Mo Yan would surely have said a few words of persuasion. But for someone as shameless as Yan Junyu, she figured that if she tried to persuade him, he’d just use it as an excuse to stay on. So she decisively said, “Safe travels,” which shattered his hopeful heart into pieces in an instant.

After dinner, Mo Yan called Xiao Ruiyuan outside and asked him how he had managed to convince Yan Junyu.

Xiao Ruiyuan thought it necessary to explain why this fellow had come to hide here—information that might come in handy should he ever dare to overstay his welcome at the Mo residence again. So he decisively told Mo Yan everything he knew.

Yan Junyu had come to Liu Yang Village to hide from one person—and that person was none other than the Princess of Chang’an!

Who is the Princess of Chang’an? She is the famously notorious “female tyrant” of the capital! After her father perished heroically on the battlefield and her mother committed suicide in grief, the one-year-old Princess of Chang’an was taken into the palace by the Empress Dowager, who personally raised her.

The Empress Dowager has always been magnanimous toward her juniors, and she felt an extra measure of pity and remorse for the Princess of Chang’an. As a result, the Empress Dowager doted on her—one might even call it overindulgence.

Under the Empress Dowager’s indulgence, the Princess of Chang’an grew increasingly willful and domineering. Now that she’s old enough to leave the palace, she often rides through the streets with a large riding whip in hand.

Her horsemanship is excellent—she never lets her horse injure anyone. But when someone rides poorly and recklessly creates chaos on the street, it catches the Princess’s eye, and she is sure to administer a severe lesson with her whip. This often includes noble young men—regardless of who their parents are, none are spared her blows.

After numerous such incidents, the Princess of Chang’an’s reputation in the capital grew immensely. Almost everyone knew of her, and those pampered brats who had been whipped in secret even nicknamed her “the female tyrant.”

Unlike Mo Yongxi’s earlier willful and domineering behavior, the Princess of Chang’an is actually quite sensible—she only punishes others when she catches them erring, though her methods can be rather violent, which many find objectionable.

But so what? Not only was she indulged by the most esteemed woman in the realm—the Empress Dowager—but even Emperor Hui’an adored his niece, the Princess of Chang’an, even more so than he did the most favored Princess Ruining by a considerable margin.

Thus, the Princess of Chang’an and Princess Ruining are at odds with each other. Whenever they meet, their encounters invariably turn into bouts of sharp verbal sparring. And if one of them happens to be in a foul mood, it isn’t uncommon for them to take out their frustrations on each other. Yet whenever their disputes escalate in front of the palace’s two towering figures, the Princess of Chang’an always emerges victorious—such is the extent of her favored status!

Yan Junyu is the Empress Dowager’s most cherished grandnephew. When he was young, he was taken into the palace by the Empress Dowager for a while, and that’s how he came to know the Princess of Chang’an. However, Yan Junyu is seven years older than the Princess of Chang’an, and they never really got along as children.

But children are unpredictable. During those mischievous years, a young Yan Junyu often tormented the little Princess of Chang’an. Whether it was catching tiny insects and tossing them onto her small bed, or sneaking up on her while she slept and rudely poking her face until she woke up crying hysterically—he wouldn’t stop until he got his way.

Ever since the Princess of Chang’an could remember, she had often heard the Empress Dowager recount how Yan Junyu bullied her. That left a deep impression on her, and as she grew older, she completely clashed with Yan Junyu. Every time Yan Junyu went into the palace to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, he couldn’t escape a round of biting sarcasm from the Princess of Chang’an—and receiving a whipping became all too common.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 969: A Visitor from the Cui Family in Chang’an (2)

Mo Yan had no interest in talking to him anymore and didn’t plan on revealing Da Ni-er’s feelings. Before leaving, she only gave him a reminder: “Next time you see any young ladies or married women from the village coming by, just stay away from them.”

This guy was just too good-looking. It wasn’t only Da Ni-er who had fallen for him—even the young women and married ladies from the village often dropped by. Most of them were probably just admiring his beauty and not necessarily harboring romantic feelings, but given enough time, who could guarantee there wouldn’t be another Da Ni-er? It was best to take precautions.

Yan Junyu only needed a second to understand her implication. A devilish grin spread across his face. “So even you, little girl, think this lord is peerlessly handsome? Not bad, not bad. You’ve got good taste. If you kicked that Han Zhang brat to the curb and threw yourself into my arms, I wouldn’t even mind that you’re already engaged.”

Oh please. You wouldn’t mind? I’m the one who minds!

Mo Yan almost burst out cursing. This shameless flirt was unbelievable—trying to steal someone else's fiancée right to her face! She really wanted to throw two pigs at him. Unfortunately, while she had plenty of pigs in her space, she didn’t have the guts to actually do it.

She had no interest in entertaining this lunatic, so with a roll of her eyes, she went back to her room to write a letter. She had decided to inform Xiao Ruiyuan about Yan Junyu shamelessly overstaying his welcome at her house and ask him to think of a way to get this guy out. If he stayed any longer, she was genuinely afraid Da Ni-er might change her mind and insist on following him even as a concubine.

After the Lin family had been eliminated, Xiao Ruiyuan had withdrawn most of the secret guards protecting the Mo family. Initially, he had left two of them, but once Mo Yan discovered their presence, she firmly insisted he pull them out.

Though Xiao Ruiyuan was reluctant, he didn’t want to upset her. And since she had the formidable Five Beasts by her side now, he finally withdrew the last of the guards.

With recent developments in the Kingdom of Kucha’s war, he’d been too busy to spare time, and it had already been over ten days since he last visited the Mo family—so he had no idea that Yan Junyu had taken up residence in Liu Yang Village.

As soon as Xiao Ruiyuan received her letter and read its contents, he mentally shredded Yan Junyu into pieces. He rushed to finish his official duties before sunset, then rode a fast horse straight to the Mo residence.

“If you don’t return to the capital soon, I guarantee you’ll be seeing the Princess of Chang’an by tomorrow.”

Yan Junyu had been lounging in a deck chair in the courtyard, relaxing in the breeze, when those words hit his ears. At the mention of “Princess of Chang’an,” he leapt up in shock and turned to see who had spoken.

Seeing Xiao Ruiyuan standing behind him with a cold expression and unfriendly eyes, Yan Junyu actually sighed in relief, then clutched his chest in mock distress and grumbled, “You could’ve just come without mentioning that crazy girl. I’m fragile, you know—I can’t handle that kind of scare.”

Xiao Ruiyuan snorted coldly without a word.

He had long seen through Yan Junyu’s feelings for Mo Yan. But since the two of them were friends, and he was already engaged to Mo Yan, he had chosen to turn a blind eye and didn’t interfere with their normal interactions.

But this time? Yan Junyu had the gall to openly live at his fiancée’s house and even refused to leave. That, Xiao Ruiyuan could not tolerate.

Seeing his face, Yan Junyu knew his time at the Mo residence had come to an end. In his heart, he cursed Xiao Ruiyuan up and down, but outwardly, he put on a pitiful look and pleaded, “Han Zhang, we’re brothers, right? Just don’t let that crazy girl know where I’ve been. If she finds out I stayed at Mo’s house for days, she’ll probably tear the whole place apart.”

This pitiful act made Xiao Ruiyuan sick to his stomach, but he had to admit—Yan Junyu had a point. The Princess of Chang’an did not have the best temper.

“So long as you leave with me tonight, I won’t tell her where you were.”

 Chapter 968: A Visitor from the Cui Family in Chang’an (1)

Liking someone you’re not supposed to like—Mo Yan didn’t know whose fault that was, nor did she know how to comfort Da Ni-er, who had fallen into such a painful one-sided love. How could she help her climb out of that pit that was Yan Junyu and find true happiness that belonged to her?

The only consolation was that Da Ni-er could still see reality clearly. She wouldn’t lose her head and do something that would hurt herself. With time, maybe those unanswered feelings would slowly fade away. One day, she would meet someone who could truly make her happy.

When she returned home, Yan Junyu was already back. He was behind the kitchen, hugging half a watermelon with no concern for appearances, scooping out mouthfuls of it with a spoon while bossing Cui Ping’an around as the latter struggled to clean the large deer he had hunted.

The deer really was huge. The scrawny Cui Ping’an was having a hard time handling it and wanted nothing more than to chuck it right into Yan Junyu’s smug face. But he couldn’t beat Yan Junyu in a fight, couldn’t win in a war of words, and was miles below him in status. All he could do was miserably suffer the bullying.

Maybe their personalities just didn’t mesh. Ever since Yan Junyu arrived, he had taken a disliking to Cui Ping’an and nitpicked at everything. Cui Ping’an wasn’t his match and was almost driven to tears by a few sharp jabs.

After a few days, Cui Ping’an had basically become Yan Junyu’s little sidekick. While he didn’t have to serve his food and clean up after him, he still couldn’t refuse any task Yan Junyu gave him.

Mo Yan had never interfered in their squabbles before. But this time, seeing the way Yan Junyu was lazily bullying Cui Ping’an, she couldn’t help but speak up for him: “Do your own tasks. It’s not like you’re missing any limbs.”

But Yan Junyu picked up on the fire behind her words. He mentally reviewed everything he’d done lately and found nothing that should’ve made her angry. He was only more confused. “What’s with you today, girl? Did you eat too many chili peppers? Why are you so fiery?”

Mo Yan choked on her words. Looking at Yan Junyu’s baffled expression, she suddenly snapped back to her senses. This man had no idea about anything. Even if he knew, could she really expect him to return Da Ni-er’s feelings? No matter how close she was with Da Ni-er, she couldn’t force someone into love.

Besides, this wasn’t someone she could pressure.

“I didn’t eat anything spicy. I just don’t like seeing you bully people all the time. And honestly, what’s so amusing about picking on a kid?”

A kid?

Yan Junyu’s gaze shifted to the equally speechless Cui Ping’an, and the corner of his mouth twitched. “Pretty sure he’s older than you. I happen to find bullying him quite entertaining. Otherwise, how boring would life be?”

“Boring?” Mo Yan gave him a side glance, already regretting starting this. Her tone chilled as she issued her eviction notice again, “I suppose someone like you, raised among the pleasures of high society, just can’t stand how plain things are here. Since you’re so bored, why not go back to where the fun is?”

So he wouldn’t keep showing up in front of Da Ni-er and stirring her feelings.

If Yan Junyu knew what she was thinking, he would’ve cried injustice on the spot. Every time it was Da Ni-er who showed up in front of him—not the other way around. He never sought her out. And even when they ran into each other, he was on his best behavior out of respect for Mo Yan—just a polite nod and hello, never once flirtatious. He couldn’t have been more proper.

But of course, Yan Junyu didn’t know that. He just assumed Mo Yan was fed up with him staying at her place and was trying to kick him out. He quickly tried to salvage the situation with a thick-skinned grin: “Liuyang Village is amazing. There’s no place more beautiful or peaceful than here, and no host more generous or pleasant than you. I’m really enjoying my stay. I was thinking of staying a few more months.”

A few more months would take them to the New Year. By then, even if he didn’t want to return, he’d have no choice.

 Chapter 967: Revealing the Hidden Trouble (4)

Da Ni-er had gone through this kind of situation many times and had gotten used to it. Just like before, she once again told Wu shi that she didn’t want to get married just yet.

But this time, Wu shi didn’t let it go. For the first time, she showed displeasure over her daughter’s marriage prospects. “Da Ni-er, that family is a good match. Even if I tried to find fault with them, I couldn’t. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?”

“Mother, I…” Da Ni-er began to speak, but Wu shi cut her off. “Don’t try to brush me off with the excuse that you don’t want to get married yet. You’re my daughter—do you think I don’t know you? You’ve been sensible since you were young and never gave me any trouble. I remember when you were seven, you went up the mountain to chop firewood and accidentally cut your leg. You came home bleeding the whole way, and I was scared out of my wits. But you still comforted me, saying it didn’t hurt… You couldn’t bear to let me worry. Even if you didn’t want to marry, if I told you to, you would’ve obediently gone through with it.

“But now there’s a suitable family, and instead of agreeing, you’re willing to let me worry. That means there’s something else going on. Even if you don’t say it, I can guess… Is there someone in your heart?”

No one knew a daughter better than her mother. Wu shi had long noticed Da Ni-er’s strange behavior. She hadn’t asked earlier, thinking that as her daughter got older, she’d naturally have thoughts of her own, and she didn’t want to interfere too much. But now that Da Ni-er’s stubbornness was threatening her future happiness, Wu shi had no choice but to bring the matter into the open.

Da Ni-er stared at Wu shi in shock. Clearly, she hadn’t expected her mother to see through her so easily. Her mind went blank. She wanted to come up with an excuse to cover it up, but when she met her mother’s worried gaze, she couldn’t say a single word.

Wu shi raised her hand and gently caressed her daughter’s gradually paling face, speaking softly, “Tell me who he is, will you? Only if you tell me can I help you. If you don’t say anything, I’ll have to choose a suitable match for you myself. You’re already nineteen—you can’t delay any longer.”

Da Ni-er’s tears began to fall without warning. “Mother, it hurts so much inside. I don’t know what to do… I really don’t know…”

What good would it do to tell her mother? Could her mother really marry her off to that man? No. Even as a concubine, that man probably wouldn’t spare her a glance. Her mother would never allow her to be a concubine either. To live her whole life under someone else, and for her own child to call another woman “mother”? She couldn’t do that.

It would be better to simply hold onto these feelings silently, and slowly forget about him.

When the day came that she could forget and let go, only then would she be able to accept her mother’s arrangement and marry someone suitable. Only then would she not betray her feelings—or her future husband.

Wu shi’s tears fell uncontrollably as she held her daughter, who was sobbing in her arms. “Da Ni-er, please, just tell me who he is. As long as he’s a good man and truly cares for you, I won’t object.”

But Da Ni-er could only shake her head, unable to speak a word. She knew there was no possibility. Saying it out loud would only make her mother worry even more.

Just then, Mo Yan walked in and was startled by the sight of mother and daughter crying together. For a moment, she thought something terrible had happened.

Seeing Mo Yan, Wu shi’s eyes lit up and she quickly said, “Yan girl, come help me talk some sense into this silly girl. She has someone in her heart but keeps hiding it from me, and now refuses to marry anyone I suggest. If this goes on, her future will be ruined.”

Mo Yan had come for this exact matter and felt relieved to find that Wu shi already knew. But now even Wu shi couldn’t get the identity of the man out of her—how could she?

Still, the current situation left no room for delay. When a girl fell in love, it was all too easy to lose her head. If she made a mistake and did something foolish, it would be too late for regrets.

With that thought, Mo Yan made up her mind—it was best to get to the bottom of this now.

Wu shi was thinking the same thing. She was afraid her daughter might do something irreversible, so she was determined to get to the truth today.

Da Ni-er ultimately couldn’t resist their joint persuasion. Maybe she also felt that sharing it with the two people she trusted most might help her figure out what to do. So, she cast aside her shame and finally revealed the man who had captured her heart—a man no one could’ve expected.

“Mother… Yan girl… You both know him. It’s Young Master Yan. I know I’m not worthy of him, but I really tried. I just can’t control my feelings!”

Mo Yan could hardly believe her ears. But seeing Da Ni-er’s bashful expression, and hearing her clearly say the words “Young Master Yan,” she had no choice but to believe it.

Disaster… That guy really is a walking disaster!

“No wonder… No wonder Sister Da Ni-er has been visiting my house so often lately. So that’s what this was all about…” Mo Yan murmured under her breath, her gaze toward Da Ni-er turning complicated.

The Marquis of Wu’an’s household was the Empress Dowager’s natal family—one of the most elite aristocratic families in the capital. Even without the Empress Dowager, just the Marquis’s influence in court was enough that no one dared look down on them.

Yan Junyu might seem carefree and dismissive of status, but as the heir of the Marquis household, his marriage wasn’t something he could decide for himself. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have hidden away in Liuyang Village.

Mo Yan was certain—Yan Junyu had no romantic interest in Da Ni-er. Even if he did, the gap in their status was too great. There was almost no possibility of them being together. Unless… one day, Da Ni-er, like her, could earn herself a new identity.

Only then might there be the faintest sliver of a chance.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 966: Revealing the Cause of Trouble (3)

“Don’t, Sister Da Ni-er, don’t be like this. I’ll talk to her for you,” Mo Yan said quickly. “But… something like this is still better if you explain it to Aunt Wu yourself.”

Seeing how agitated Da Ni-er had become, Mo Yan had a feeling something wasn’t quite right, though she couldn’t figure out exactly what. For now, she could only agree temporarily to calm her down.

Da Ni-er also seemed to realize she’d overreacted. She tried hard to compose herself, forcing out a bitter smile. “Lately, matchmakers have been showing up at our house all the time. Sometimes when my mother isn’t home, they pull me aside and start talking. It’s just not proper. After hearing it too often, I get so irritated. I’ve talked to my mother several times, but she just thinks I’m being shy and still lets them go on matchmaking. I really had no choice but to come ask you for help. Yan girl, just speak to my mother for me and ask her to send those matchmakers away. Later on, when I’m ready to get married, I’ll definitely listen to my mother—whoever she wants me to marry, I’ll marry!”

By the end, Da Ni-er’s eyes were red, and she had to hold back tears.

Seeing this, a flash of insight suddenly struck Mo Yan, and her heart gave a jolt as a bold guess came to mind: Could it be… Sister Da Ni-er has someone she likes?

Logically speaking, at this age, most girls would follow their parents’ arrangements, shyly getting married and starting a family. But Da Ni-er, with such a gentle temperament, was unusually resistant to marriage talks. She even went so far as to ask Mo Yan to intervene with Wu shi. Aside from having someone in her heart and being unwilling to marry another, Mo Yan couldn’t think of any other reason.

Though there wasn’t a concept of "free love" here, if a man and woman liked each other privately, they would usually tell their parents. If the families didn’t object, the man’s side would then formally send matchmakers to propose marriage. That would still count as a proper union under parental consent and matchmaker arrangements.

If Da Ni-er truly had someone in her heart but hadn’t told Wu shi, then either the two families were at odds, or their social status didn’t match—making the union impossible even if spoken aloud. Mo Yan knew well that the Wu family had a simple circle and hadn’t made any enemies, which left only one reason: a mismatch in status.

Thinking back on all of Da Ni-er’s odd behavior today, the more Mo Yan thought about it, the more likely this seemed. She looked at Da Ni-er, wanting to ask directly, but she knew her personality too well. Though she seemed gentle, she could be quite stubborn. If she didn’t say anything from the start, she wouldn’t admit it even if asked.

With that, Mo Yan decided to keep this matter in mind and planned to ask Wu shi about it when she came back from the market later that afternoon. It wasn’t that she wanted to snoop into someone’s private matters—she just didn’t want to see Da Ni-er hurt by someone with bad intentions.

Da Ni-er noticed Mo Yan looking at her thoughtfully without speaking, and her heart began to panic. She clearly feared Mo Yan might have figured something out.

Just as she was about to speak up and probe a little, Mo Yan suddenly said, “Sister Da Ni-er, don’t worry. I’ll talk to Aunt Wu when she gets back this afternoon. She cares about you deeply and would never force you into anything. But Sister Da Ni-er, you should also know—no matter what kind of man you choose to marry in the future, your mother only wants you to be happy. I hope you can figure things out soon.”

Hearing Mo Yan’s heartfelt words, Da Ni-er’s eyes reddened once again. It wasn’t that she didn’t care about her mother’s worry—but she truly couldn’t accept anyone else until she forgot that person. For now, she could only let down her mother’s good intentions.

…

That afternoon, not long after Wu shi returned home, a matchmaker came by again. This time, Wu shi was very pleased with the man’s family background. Once the matchmaker left, she pulled Da Ni-er into the room to ask for her opinion.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 965: Revealing the Cause of Trouble (2)

Da Ni-er thought Mo Yan had seen through something and shook her head in slight panic. “N-no, there's nothing. What could I be hiding? You're just overthinking things, girl.”

Seeing her reaction only made Mo Yan more certain that Sister Da Ni-er was keeping something in her heart. But since she clearly didn’t want to talk about it, Mo Yan didn’t press—she just looked at her seriously and said, “Sister Da Ni-er, we’re blood relatives. Our bond is naturally closer than others. If something’s bothering you, you can tell me. Even if I can’t help you fix it, just saying it out loud might make you feel a little better.”

A wave of emotion surged in Da Ni-er’s heart, and she had to force herself not to spill her secret. “Yan girl, I really am fine. But there is something… I’d like to trouble you with a favor.”

As she spoke, a trace of faint worry crossed Da Ni-er’s face—it was clear this matter was troubling her greatly.

Mo Yan immediately said, “Sister Da Ni-er, whatever it is, just tell me. If I can help, I definitely will.”

Da Ni-er seemed a little embarrassed and hesitated for a moment before saying, “My mother’s worried about my marriage and hired three matchmakers to look for suitable families. But Yan girl, I’m not ready to get married yet. Could you talk to my mother and ask her not to worry about this anymore?”

There was already someone in her heart. She knew it was just wishful thinking, yet she couldn’t help it. She knew that person lived with her cousin, and she found herself constantly looking for excuses to visit—just hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

She couldn’t convince herself to get married to someone else while harboring feelings for another. It just wouldn’t be fair. Maybe one day, when she could completely let go, she’d follow her mother’s wishes and marry a man from a suitable family and live a quiet, steady life. But right now—she really couldn’t.

Mo Yan hadn’t expected this to be the issue, and for a moment, didn’t dare to agree too readily. Seeing the pleading look on Da Ni-er’s face, she asked seriously, “Sister Da Ni-er, can you tell me why? Is it really just because you’re not ready to marry?”

It wasn’t unreasonable for Mo Yan to question it. Da Ni-er was already nineteen—at that age, it was rare for a woman to remain unmarried. In the past, the Wu family hadn’t been well off, and with them not separated from the old Mo family, families with better means had overlooked her. But now the Wu family earned thirty to forty taels of silver a month—several hundred taels a year—which put them on par with many modestly wealthy households in town.

Though her age was a little older, it wasn’t to the point where finding a good match would be difficult. The matchmakers Wu shi hired came by often, which showed there were plenty of suitable matches. With the Wu family's current situation, it was no longer others choosing Da Ni-er—it was her turn to choose.

But if this kept being delayed, and Da Ni-er passed twenty, even with the Wu family's wealth, it might be hard to find someone truly ideal. Even if some men didn’t mind her age, their family background might not match the Wu family’s. And who knew if they were only interested in her family’s money?

Mo Yan understood this logic, and she didn’t believe Da Ni-er didn’t as well.

Of course Da Ni-er understood. And Wu shi, as her mother, understood it even better. That’s why she’d gone ahead and hired three matchmakers to help find a match—hoping to settle the matter this year so Da Ni-er could marry in the spring. That way, it wouldn’t overlap with Tie Tou’s wedding, and both events could proceed without clashing.

Hearing Mo Yan’s question, Da Ni-er held back the ache in her heart, and with some emotional strain, said, “Yan girl, I really don’t want to just marry like this. My mother always listens to you. If you could speak to her for me, I know she’d consider it. I’m begging you.”

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 964: Revealing the Cause of Trouble (1)

For some unknown reason, Yan Junyu came out alone this time, not even bringing along his personal attendant, Guan Yu. Over the past few days, this little lord—once accustomed to having everything handed to him—had managed to take care of himself without needing anyone to attend to him.

Young Master Yan is deeply fascinated by the Mo family’s orchard, medicinal garden, rice fields, and even Liuyang Village and Yuhua Mountain. Every day, aside from eating and sleeping, he spends his time wandering among these places, or sneaking off to the school when he gets the chance to tell the children eerie ghost stories to scare them—finding no boredom in it at all.

That day, after having breakfast, Yan Junyu, as usual, called out to Xiaohua, ordering it to take him on an adventure into the mountains. At this time of year, the mountains yield plenty of good finds—not just game, but also some rare wild fruits and precious green plants that could delight him for hours.

“Young Master, are you heading into the mountains again?” Da Ni-er asked, carrying a bamboo dustpan, as she happened to meet Yan Junyu just as he was about to set out. A trace of shyness appeared on her face, and her eyes shone a bit brighter than usual.

Ever since Tietou and Liu Qingqing got engaged, Da Ni-er—who was no longer young—had her marriage arranged by Wu shi. Wu shi had introduced Da Ni-er to three matchmakers in succession, and now, given her age, it was deemed inappropriate for her to be in the public eye. After consulting with Mo Yan, she even hired a woman to assist her.

Since the Wu family had not bought any land, Da Ni-er stayed at home to look after her younger siblings, doing housework and even picking up needlework once again. She would occasionally visit the Mo family to seek advice from Li Xiu, and lately her visits had become especially frequent, often coinciding with encounters with Yan Junyu.

“Mm, good morning, Miss Wu.” Yan Junyu, unaware of the girl's odd mood, courteously greeted her on behalf of Mo Yan.

That simple greeting caused a faint blush to quietly appear on Da Ni-er's face, adding a touch of charm to her otherwise ordinary complexion. “There are plenty of snakes, insects, rats, and ants in the mountains—some of which are poisonous. Young Master, please be careful not to let them bite you.”

Upon hearing her, Yan Junyu instinctively reached for the object hanging from his waist, his expression softening considerably. “Thank you, Miss Wu, for the reminder. With this fragrant sachet, those creatures wouldn’t dare come near me.”

Da Ni-er did not miss the man's small gesture, and an unbearable sourness suddenly welled up inside her as she self-mockingly said, “It’s just that this little girl is meddling too much.”

Yan Junyu gave Da Ni-er a puzzled look, not understanding why she was suddenly displaying such an emotion.

However, he had only met Da Ni-er a few times and was unlikely to interact with her much in the future. He didn't have the leisure to ponder over the feelings of an insignificant woman. So, he nodded at her, pinched the ears of the ever-alert Xiaohua to urge it, and said, “It's getting late; come along with me into the mountains.”

Xiaohua impatiently shook its head, breaking free from Yan Junyu's grasp. Immediately, with a long howl, it took off at a gallop toward the back of the mountain.

“Xiaohua, slow down a bit; you’re leaving me behind!” Yan Junyu, carrying his heavy bow and arrows on his back, shouted breathlessly as he chased after it. In no time, the man and his beast vanished into the dense jungle.

Da Ni-er quietly watched as the man's imposing figure disappeared, until not a trace of sound could be heard, and the starlight in her eyes gradually dimmed.

At that moment, Mo Yan opened the door and stepped out. Seeing Da Ni-er standing with her back turned at the doorway, she asked in confusion, “Sister Da Ni-er, why aren’t you coming inside?”

As if awakened from a dream, Da Ni-er quickly turned around, handing the bamboo dustpan to Mo Yan and said, “My mother fried some scorched leaves last night, so I brought some over for you all to taste. It just so happens that I don't need to come inside then.”

Da Ni-er's smile was too forced, and Mo Yan could tell immediately. Taking the bamboo dustpan, she asked with concern, “Sister Da Ni-er, do you have something on your mind?”

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 963: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (4)

No one else fared much better, especially Cui Ping’an, who—under Xin’er’s deadly glare—simply poured soy sauce over three bowls of white rice and ate them all. While everyone admired his courage, they silently mourned for his stomach. His intestines were probably dyed the color of soy sauce by now.

With only a few dishes on the table, Mo Yan forced herself to eat a single bowl of rice, then hurried back to her courtyard. She slipped into her space and chugged three full cups of spiritual spring water before her stomach finally started to feel better.

After chatting idly with Xue Tuanzi for a bit and feeling her stomach had settled, she exited the space and lay down for a half-hour nap. Not long after she got up, Xin’er came over and told her Yan Junyu had arrived.

Mo Yan was a bit puzzled. The fruits in the orchard weren’t ripe yet, and the rice in the paddies wouldn’t be ready until next month. She couldn’t think of any reason why Yan Junyu would show up at a time like this.

But after meeting him and hearing him vent a stomach full of complaints, she finally understood—he was here for comfort.

“In the eyes of elders, it's perfectly normal for a man to marry and a woman to wed when the time comes. Since Young Lord Yan has long reached the age for marriage and starting a family, how could your grandfather not urge you?” Mo Yan was speechless after hearing the whole story.

In most households, if a man was being pushed to marry or set up on blind dates, he’d at least feel some mix of excitement and nerves. But this guy? He acted like the idea was worse than snakes and scorpions. He’d even argued with his grandfather over it and stormed out of the house in a huff!

Yan Junyu stared deeply at Mo Yan and said in a melancholy tone, “If I marry, it must be a woman I truly like. Not just any random ‘cat or dog’ can become my wife, the future mistress of the Duke of Wu’an’s household.”

Cat or dog? Mo Yan silently rolled her eyes and muttered, “Even if you wanted to marry a cat or dog, don’t you think the cat or dog should be willing, too?”

Yan Junyu snapped open his jade-ribbed fan with a snap, swept back the hair hanging by his ear, and said smugly, “I’m more handsome than Pan An, graceful as a jade tree in the wind. I’ve got wealth and status. I do the choosing—who would dare reject me?”

Mo Yan couldn’t be bothered to argue with this kind of nonsense. She asked directly, “You didn’t come all the way here just to tell me this, did you?”

“Of course not!” Yan Junyu waved his fan righteously. “I don’t want to go home and listen to the old man nagging me. I’m staying at your place for a while to clear my head. As the host, you’re responsible for looking after me.”

“No way,” Mo Yan refused without hesitation. “My father’s not home. It’s not appropriate for a grown man like you to stay here.”

Well, that was only part of it. More importantly, if someone found out she’d blatantly taken in another man, the vinegar jar would definitely tip over.

Yan Junyu frowned. “There’s already a man staying at your place. Why can’t I?”

Mo Yan hadn’t expected he’d even looked into that. She deliberately made things difficult. “He’s a hired laborer. He works during the day, eats here, and sleeps in the mill at night. If Young Lord Yan is willing to lower yourself and sleep in the mill, chop wood and carry water during the day, then I suppose you can stay.”

Of course, Yan Junyu knew Mo Yan was trying to drive him away. He’d originally thought to pressure her with his status, but remembering that she was a County Princess, he had to abandon the idea. Instead, he tried to appeal to sentiment. “You’ve really become shrewd. We’ve known each other for years—can you really bring yourself to make me sleep in a mill and do hard labor?”

Mo Yan waved him off with a totally unbothered expression. “You’re not some delicate little wife. Why wouldn’t I be okay with it? You have two choices—leave, or work and stay in the mill. There’s no third option.”

Seeing how serious she was, with no room for negotiation, Yan Junyu was so frustrated he ground his teeth. “Fine! I’ll sleep in the mill—but don’t expect me to do your chores!”

Mo Yan was surprised he actually agreed. For a moment, she couldn’t find another excuse to refuse, so she reluctantly gave in. “Whatever makes you happy.”

Yan Junyu felt a flicker of triumph, but it faded fast. The idea of a noble young lord like him living in a shabby mill didn’t feel all that victorious. But what could he do? He was being willful and just had to come here.

The Mo family’s mill was spacious, but the only vacant room was the one Cui Ping’an stayed in. Yan Junyu flatly refused to share, so Mo Yan had to clean out one of the rooms behind the schoolhouse—originally prepared for the instructors—and let him stay there.

These rooms were better than the mill in layout, though a bit cramped. Still, they were perfectly livable. Yan Junyu had grown up in the Marquis of Wu’an’s estate, used to the finest food and lodging, so naturally this was beneath him. But with six fierce beasts eyeing him like prey, there was no way he dared sneak around Mo Yan’s courtyard at night.

And so, Yan Junyu ended up living behind the schoolhouse. On the day classes officially started, he even decided to play guest teacher and gave the kids a lesson.

Unfortunately, the way his mind worked was… unique. Even when he spoke the right moral principles, he somehow managed to twist them into odd arguments—but they were still technically correct, which made it hard for anyone to call him out.

The two instructors were worried that the children might be too impressionable and actually be misled by him. From then on, they didn’t dare let him into the classroom while lessons were in session.

One day, on a whim, Yan Junyu wanted to experience the joy of teaching again—but no matter how hard he knocked, the tightly shut schoolhouse doors wouldn’t open. He realized then, dejectedly, that he was officially unwelcome.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 962: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (3)

Mo Yan hadn’t really wanted to take on the responsibility, but someone had to manage the schoolhouse’s day-to-day upkeep, so she agreed and handed the task over to Tang Xin.

Today was just registration—classes wouldn’t officially start until the day after tomorrow. After enrolling their children, the villagers gradually took them home. Mo Yan stayed behind to help the two instructors tidy things up when Li Xiu came over. After greeting the teachers, she turned to Mo Yan and said, “Xin’er’s cooking today. She told me to come get you so you can go back and give it a proper taste test.”

Mo Yan couldn’t help but laugh. “What dishes did she make? Hopefully she didn’t try to pass off cold tomatoes again.”

That girl had come home the other day after playing outside, clearly triggered by something, and suddenly declared she wanted to learn how to cook. Mo Yan didn’t believe girls had to learn to cook, but since the girl was interested, there was no reason to stop her, so she gave her two days of earnest instruction.

Who would’ve thought the girl would think she had mastered it already? Two nights ago, she insisted on cooking a full meal herself. The result? The rice was half-cooked, the stir-fried meat still had streaks of blood, and no one in the family had much of an appetite after that.

In the end, Xin’er had to make porridge with the undercooked rice and whipped up a plate of cold tomatoes so everyone could at least have something to eat.

Li Xiu clearly remembered that ordeal too and chuckled, her eyes crinkling. “She did better this time. The food’s all properly cooked. If not, I wouldn’t dare come calling you to try it.”

In the village, girls Xin’er’s age were already juggling housework and chores inside and out. Xin’er, however, mostly did embroidery and rarely helped with household tasks. Cooking was something learned through time and patience, and no one had the heart to discourage her.

With Li Xiu’s help, the four of them quickly packed everything up and moved it into the schoolhouse. Mo Yan had originally wanted to invite the two instructors home for dinner, but considering the food had been made by her inexperienced sister, she worried the teachers might end up with upset stomachs from a “culinary disaster.” She abandoned the idea and bid them farewell before returning home with Li Xiu.

As soon as she got back, Xin’er greeted her joyfully, carefully setting down four dishes and a soup on the table. She beamed and urged, “Sister, Aunt Li, hurry up and sit down! Try my cooking—I promise it won’t disappoint you this time!”

Mo Yan smiled and nodded, just about to praise her when Cui Ping’an couldn’t help but blurt out, “These dishes are so black they look like they were soaked in ink. Are you sure we won’t get sick from eating them?”

Xin’er’s cheerful face instantly darkened. “Hmph! If you don’t want to eat, then go cook for yourself!”

Rubbing his growling stomach, Cui Ping’an glanced again at the dark-colored dishes on the table. In the end, he didn’t dare say another word.

Mo Yan watched the scene unfold with a smile but said nothing. She picked up a piece of something unidentifiable, tasted it, and realized it was a slice of potato. The presentation might’ve been lacking, but hey, it was still a potato, right?

Under her sister’s hopeful gaze, Mo Yan gave a very forced compliment: “Not bad. It tastes quite good. With a bit more practice, I’m sure Xin’er will be able to cook meals that are truly fragrant, flavorful, and beautiful.”

Xin’er beamed at the praise, her eyes squinting with delight. She shot a smug look at Cui Ping’an and happily dug into her rice.

Well… the meat wasn’t exactly tender, the soy sauce in the potato chicken was a bit heavy, and the garlic stir-fried greens were salty—but at least everything was cooked. No one was going to get food poisoning.

With that comforting thought, Xin’er blinked away the sting in her eyes and scarfed down two full bowls of rice. Not because the dishes were particularly delicious, but because she didn’t have the courage to pick up a second bite from any of the dishes. So she filled herself up on the only success of the meal—well-cooked plain white rice—as a small consolation.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 961: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (2)

This sort of thing was nothing new to the two instructors—it was an unspoken custom of the profession. After thanking the villagers, they accepted the gifts. As for those who brought nothing or simply forgot, they didn’t show the slightest displeasure. It was, after all, a matter of personal choice, and forcing it would only make it awkward.

Seeing the teachers accept the gifts, the villagers actually felt relieved rather than regretful. After successfully enrolling their children, they happily sent them into the bright, spacious schoolhouse and headed home with smiles.

Mo Yan, who had been pulled in to help, fully understood the villagers’ mindset. In her past life, many parents would give teachers gifts during holidays in hopes that their children would receive a little extra attention. Originally, it wasn’t a big deal, but over time, the practice became corrupted—some teachers with poor morals began using it to line their own pockets, leading to scandals.

However, after spending a few days with these two teachers, Mo Yan had developed a basic understanding of their characters. They were very disciplined in maintaining their moral integrity and would never resort to exploiting students for money.

When it came time to recruit instructors, the village elders had unanimously agreed that a teacher’s character was the most important quality. If a teacher wasn't upright, how could they possibly raise good students?

Mo Yan noticed that close to a hundred children had come to register, most between the ages of six and ten. Very few were older than ten. She gave it some thought and quickly understood why.

Children over ten were already considered half a laborer—they could contribute to household income through farm work, so most families wouldn’t consider sending them to school.

Another reason was that most families simply couldn’t afford to send two children to school at the same time. Though the tuition wasn’t high—just 500 wen a year—the cost of brushes, ink, paper, and books was steep. Even a conservative estimate would put those yearly expenses at three to five taels of silver.

If two children attended school, the cost would be close to ten taels a year. For the many poor families in these villages, even saving five taels a year was difficult, let alone ten. That kind of money was an astronomical figure in their eyes.

Families of modest means would never dare send two children to study. Even sending one child likely required careful consideration and a difficult decision.

Parents weren’t naive—they knew that studying didn’t guarantee their child would become a xiucai or juren, let alone rise to the ranks of officials and bring glory to the family. Most just hoped their children would learn to read and write, and maybe get a job as a clerk in the city. That alone would spare them from a lifetime of backbreaking farm work.

Furthermore, many believed that having a scholar in the family brought a touch of refinement. Even if the son didn’t succeed, perhaps his presence would influence the grandchildren. Who knew—maybe, in time, a star of literature might rise from their household?

Both instructors were highly responsible. While Mo Yan handled the registration and fee collection, they chatted casually with the children. Though it appeared to be idle talk, a few simple questions were enough for them to grasp each child’s personality and thinking patterns. This gave them a foundation to teach each child in the most suitable way.

It took the three of them an entire morning to sort out the registrations. After tallying the numbers, they found a total of 123 children from several villages had enrolled, and all the tuition fees were paid—amounting to 61 taels and 5 qian of silver.

After covering the instructors’ pay, the remaining money would be enough to maintain the schoolhouse throughout the year.

When the registration day was first set, the village elders had unanimously requested that Mo Yan manage the tuition funds. First, because the Mo family didn’t lack money and wouldn’t be tempted to embezzle; second, because the Mo family had shouldered the bulk of the costs to build the schoolhouse—letting Mo Yan handle the money was something no one could object to.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 960: The School Opens and Another Freeloader Arrives (1)

Setting aside whatever storm the Zhao family might stir up after Zhao Fengnian “successfully” rescued Fan Meijiao, Mo Yan temporarily let go of the matter after assigning her two birds to keep an eye on the Zhao household. She turned her focus to other affairs.

On the morning of the sixth day of the seventh lunar month, a string of loud firecrackers echoed through the skies above Liuyang Village—the newly built school had officially opened its doors for student registration. This was not only a joyous occasion for Liuyang Village but also for several surrounding villages. All the villagers willing to let their children study set aside their farm work and brought their kids to the school bright and early to sign up.

At that moment, a long queue had already formed at the registration booth.

The two newly hired instructors were overwhelmed with the crowd, so they invited Mo Yan, who was literate and well-versed in writing, to help out.

“Junzhu, this should’ve been the task of Old Master Zeng and me, but we’ve troubled you instead. I, Surnamed Shan, sincerely thank you,” the instructor surnamed Shan said gratefully during a short break while drinking water.

Mo Yan, busy recording the names of children and collecting tuition fees, took a moment to stretch her sore wrists and smiled. “I’m happy to contribute to the school, Master Shan. No need to be so formal! The villagers just call me ‘Yan girl,’ so please call me that too. Calling me ‘Junzhu’ feels a bit awkward.”

“Haha, alright then. I’ll just call you ‘Yan girl’ from now on.” Master Shan, not a stuffy man by nature, saw she wasn’t being polite for the sake of it and readily agreed.

After exchanging a few more light words, Master Shan noticed the other instructor was struggling and quickly excused himself to help.

Watching both instructors patiently speaking to each child despite the intense summer heat without the slightest trace of impatience, Mo Yan nodded to herself, thinking that these two teachers were indeed the right choice.

Just a few days prior, the two instructors had moved into the small courtyards built behind the school specifically for them. One was surnamed Zeng, the other Shan.

Master Zeng was over sixty, with decades of experience in teaching and a particularly effective method of introducing children to their studies. Master Shan, just past his thirties, had failed the imperial exam last fall and remained in the capital city studying while also teaching nearby children. He was open-minded, humorous, and had a unique teaching style that made him well-liked by students.

Both were recruited through Mo Qingze’s effort. After touring Liuyang Village and finding themselves pleased with the environment, they agreed to stay. Learning that the school would provide free housing, they even brought their families with them.

Master Zeng had both a son and a daughter, who had already married and started families of their own. This time, he brought only his wife and a young grandson. Since classes hadn’t officially started, he’d been taking strolls around the village with them, and over a few days, he had grown even more fond of the lush scenery and the village’s honest folk.

Master Shan, not originally from the capital, had lost his wife to childbirth when she delivered their daughter. Over the years, for various reasons, he had never remarried and raised his daughter on his own. They had previously rented a place in the city, but everything there came with a price. Most of his annual stipend went into rent, and what little was left often went to buying books. Life was financially tight. Now that his daughter was twelve and only a few years away from marriage, he still hadn’t managed to prepare a proper dowry.

Though the salary the school offered wasn’t higher than what he earned in the city, the free housing and food were a great benefit. This meant he could finally start saving. Very satisfied with the arrangement, he decisively brought his daughter, Shan Zhen, along.

With villagers still lining up at the table, Mo Yan glanced up, then refocused on her task, accepting the registration fees and recording children’s names in the register.

To leave a good impression on the teachers, the villagers wore the best clothes they usually only brought out during the New Year. They had also dressed their children in new outfits. Many carried baskets of eggs, live chickens, or even heavy strips of pork—gifts intended for the two instructors.

(End of Chapter)

 Chapter 959: A Clean Sweep (4)

Hearing the two thugs’ voices fade into the distance, Fan Meijiao struggled to sit up. Her bound hands and feet kept writhing as she desperately tried to break free from the ropes.

She refused to be violated, refused to suffer in her uncle Zhao Fengnian’s stead. She had to save herself—she had to escape. She wanted to marry into the Mu family, to become their esteemed second wife who could command maids and servants, not be sold off to some impoverished, remote mountain village to be the wife of multiple men.

But the ropes were as thick as her thumb and tied so tightly that there was no way she could break them. The cellar was completely empty—there was nothing sharp she could use to cut herself free.

After nearly half an hour of struggling, her wrists and ankles were rubbed raw by the ropes, but they didn’t loosen in the slightest. Gasping for breath, her eyes beneath the blindfold were filled with despair and hatred...

News of the trouble in the Zhao family and Fan Meijiao’s situation quickly reached Mo Yan’s ears. She rewarded Lian’er, who brought her the news, with millet and wore a cold smile on her face.

Had she directly ordered those dozen bandits to sneak into the Zhao residence and ruin Fan Meijiao’s reputation, there was no guarantee they’d succeed. And even if they did, she risked exposure. With Fan Meijiao’s personality, things could easily spiral into mutual destruction—absolutely not worth the risk.

Fortunately, Mo Yan had learned of Zhao Fengnian’s past misdeeds and his suspicious nature. So, she took advantage of Fan Meijiao’s trip to the temple for prayer and gave the bandits a powder that could startle horses into madness. After causing a distraction and shaking off the Zhao family guards, the men kidnapped Fan Meijiao and were ordered to keep everything strictly confidential.

As expected, Zhao Fengnian and his mother panicked and imagined the worst on their own. This way, even if Fan Meijiao were eventually released, they wouldn’t suspect Mo Yan. With things progressing smoothly, her next plans could continue as scheduled.

Moreover, just as she anticipated, the Zhao family did everything they could to protect Fan Meijiao’s reputation—at least the Mu family believed them. As long as they kept up the act until Fan Meijiao was married into the Mu family, everything would be fine.

Given Fan Meijiao’s selfish nature, once she realized she’d suffered all this because of her beloved uncle, she would likely grow distant from the Zhao family. And without their backing, her days in the Mu family would certainly be miserable.

In short, everything Fan Meijiao had done to her, Mo Yan would return—bit by bit, double in full. Fan Meijiao would never have a peaceful day for the rest of her life.

“Yanyan, when do you plan to let that woman go?” Xue Tuanzi fluttered in front of Mo Yan, asking curiously.

After feeding the bird the last grain of millet, Mo Yan patted her hands as if dusting them off. “Not until I’ve tormented that hateful woman enough to vent the resentment in my heart.”

Xue Tuanzi rolled its eyes. That answer… was basically no answer at all.

“There’s definitely a difference!” Mo Yan pinched Xue Tuanzi’s snail-eye stalks, tying them into a knot and untying them again. “She dared to treat me like that—she should’ve been prepared for the consequences. As for the Zhao mother and son, they’re no good either. Let them stay in fear. Once Fan Meijiao marries that Second Master Mu, the real show is just beginning.”

“Tsk tsk, Yanyan, you’re really ruthless—but I like it, haha!” Xue Tuanzi shook its body, its snail eyes wobbling with glee, clearly in a good mood.

Ruthless? Mo Yan scoffed. What was her ruthlessness compared to that of the Zhao mother and son? They may not have killed anyone outright, but they enabled their relatives to harm the villagers, causing countless families to fall apart and lives to be destroyed. If she hadn’t known, that’d be one thing—but knowing now, how could she let them continue living in luxury, trampling on the tears and blood of the innocent?

Sensing Mo Yan’s thoughts, Xue Tuanzi’s eyes sparkled as it said, “Eradicating evil for the people builds up merit. There are a lot of bad folks in this world. Yanyan, go for it—I believe in you!”

Mo Yan shot it a glance, too lazy to argue with this bird who was always full of ideas. Eliminating evil still had to be within her means. If she provoked someone she couldn’t handle and they retaliated, she might be fine with her secret space—but what about her family?

Under Mo Yan’s subtle guidance, Fan Meijiao suffered greatly in the cellar. Although the men didn’t violate her physically, her body had been seen completely, even down to a small red mole in her most private place.

All this physical information would become key evidence later—used to ruin Fan Meijiao’s reputation in the Mu family and brand her as a promiscuous woman from which she’d never recover. Of course, to ensure she wasn’t cast out and still made it into the Mu family, Mo Yan would reveal at the right time that the Second Master of the Mu family was impotent.

That way, the couple would each hold something over the other—let them live their “loving” life together!

Three days passed in a flash. On Mo Yan’s orders, the people who kidnapped Fan Meijiao finally sent a message to the Zhao family, demanding Zhao Fengnian personally come to rescue his niece.

Zhao Fengnian was sure the culprits were targeting him—there was no way he’d risk his own life. But Fan Meijiao still needed to be saved. If word got out that he had abandoned her, the Zhao family’s reputation would take a hit.

So he had his guards disguise themselves and follow him in secret, while he took two attendants and went to the meeting point arranged by the “kidnappers,” preparing to catch them all in one go.

However, the “kidnappers” caught wind of his plan. In a panic, they fled—leaving Fan Meijiao behind. Thus, Fan Meijiao was successfully rescued. As for the kidnappers? Not a single one was caught!

(End of Chapter)