After speaking, she stepped forward and placed the letter in front of Chen Mo.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Madam Gan, hiding in the darkness, felt her heart pounding,

but fortunately, Xia Zhining stopped in front of the desk and didn't come around to the back.

Chen Mo picked up the letter and opened it.

The letter contained multiple handwritings.

Apparently, Wu Mi, Han Anniang, and others each wrote a sentence, all asking about his well-being and expressing words of concern.

Chen Mo felt warmth in his heart.

What moved him was Zhiqing's mention that the Yimei Clothing Shop had finished making his new clothes.

She also said the clothes were too revealing and shameful, claiming she'd never wear them.

Chen Mo smiled to himself: "When I return, whether you wear them is up to me."

"Hiss..." Suddenly, Chen Mo gasped, unsure if Madam Gan had done it intentionally or accidentally nudged him, making his spirit tremble slightly.

"What's wrong with you?" Xia Zhining raised an eyebrow.

"It's just that your sister mentioned some new clothes have been sampled, yet she said she'd never wear them even if it killed her to show me," Chen Mo said.

Xia Zhining hadn't seen the samples and didn't know how revealing her sister had described them, so she didn't understand the meaning behind Chen Mo's expression.

Worried about being exposed, Chen Mo immediately put on a lewd expression and said, "Zhining, come over and grind ink for me. I need to reply to Mi'Er and the others."

"Ask Sun Meng to grind it for you. It's broad daylight, don't even think about it," Xia Zhining said, embarrassed and annoyed.

Sun Meng was waiting outside and knew she was inside, so if they messed around in the study, she'd be too embarrassed to face him later when leaving.

After speaking, she quickly left the study.

Not long after Xia Zhining departed, Madam Gan crawled out from under the desk, blushing as she clutched her chest, panting heavily, her forehead dotted with fine sweat, all from holding her breath.

"I... must leave too," Madam Gan said.

She was quite startled earlier, thinking she'd find some time in the evening instead.

But Chen Mo suddenly embraced her and placed her on the desk, his voice low: "After provoking me, you think you can just leave?"

...

On the other side.

Leaving the study, Xia Zhining felt something was off.

In the past, he would never care whether she was willing or not, always being persistent, yet this time he didn't.

Has he changed?

Xia Zhining pondered.

However, she had no intention of returning.

Just then, she encountered the maid sent to look after Madam Gan.

Xia Zhining called out to her: "What is Madam Gan doing?"

"Reporting to General, this servant doesn't know either."

Publicly, Xia Zhining held the title of Deputy General in the Chen Army.

"Aren't you attending to her?"

"Madam left earlier, saying she wanted to clear her head alone, and hasn't returned yet."

"Not returned yet?"

Xia Zhining immediately sensed something unusual.

Moreover, recalling a familiar scent she smelled earlier in the study.

And Sun Meng's reaction...

Xia Zhining quickly headed toward the study, but didn't get too close.

Because she knew her skills; if too close, she'd definitely be discovered.

She leaped onto a pavilion roof opposite the study, gazing toward it.

Unfortunately, with the study's doors and windows tightly shut, she couldn't see anything.

This only deepened her suspicions.

Almost two quarters of an hour later.

Seeing Madam Gan emerge from the study with a flushed face, E Mei's eyebrows furrowed deeply.

Planning to tease Chen Mo with a few words, she suddenly remembered her sister's advice at home, deciding that confronting Madam Gan would be more effective.

...

Thanks to Xia Zhining's confrontation,

for the next five to six days, until Madam Gan and others departed for Linzhou, she didn't go to Chen Mo.

Notably, before Chu Shou and Chu Ze left, Chen Mo personally "scattered" their techniques.

As for Madam Gan not visiting,

Chen Mo didn't mind.

Though Chen Mo had a fondness for women, he was clear about who to get emotionally involved with and who for mere physical attraction, he knew where to draw the line.

...

November 23rd.

Yuan County city gates.

Chen Mo personally received Yue Ruyan and Jiang Li.

"At your service, Duke An," Jiang Li said, cupping his hands toward Chen Mo, then smiled: "I've long heard of Duke An's great name, and it's truly my honor to meet you in person today. You are indeed graceful and extraordinary..."

Such flattery would make anyone happy.

"This is General Jiang Li under Lord Yang's tent," Yue Ruyan introduced Chen Mo.

"General Jiang, I've heard from General Yue about you in the letters. The success in Fengzhou owes much to you," said Chen Mo, cupping his hands back in thanks and continuing, "Once the matters are settled, I will ensure to request Your Majesty to award you."

"Duke An, you're too polite. We are allies, and it's our duty as loyal servants to crush traitors and cleanse the court. Furthermore, in Fengzhou, I contributed little; it's all thanks to General Yue..."

Jiang Li then poured praise on Yue Ruyan.

Yue Ruyan quickly responded with polite words.

Chen Mo chuckled and said, "I learned of your arrival ahead of time, so I've arranged a banquet to welcome you, General Jiang, please."

"Duke An, after you."

...

The highest prestige restaurant in Yuan County.

In the private room.

King Anping was also present.

Although Chen Mo had seized his troops, King Anping accepted his fate, yet as Yan State was his territory, he had nowhere else to go, thus awaiting Chen Mo's decisions post-military matters.

Originally, King Anping didn't want to attend this welcoming banquet.

However, Chen Mo personally invited him, and he didn't dare to slight him.

Besides King Anping, there was another person.

"Let me introduce you to General Jiang. This is King Anping, and this was the former first aide under Prince Huai's tent, Diwu Fusheng," Chen Mo gestured toward King Anping and Chu Ji.

Back then, after Diwu Fusheng retreated with the remnants to Yan State, he was quickly surrounded by King Anping's troops.

Diwu Fusheng was naturally no match for King Anping, resulting in his capture.

King Anping didn't execute Diwu Fusheng, instead handed him over to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo had dealings with Diwu Fusheng before and recognized his talents, seeing that they surpassed Liu Ji's and planned to recruit him.

Unexpectedly, Diwu Fusheng was quite loyal to Prince Huai,

making Chen Mo even keener on recruiting him.

Of course, this willingness stemmed from Diwu Fusheng being a strategist, not a military general.

Had he been a general, Chen Mo would have shown no mercy if persuasion failed.

So, he sent Liu Ji to persuade him.

Unexpectedly, Liu Ji succeeded, convincing Diwu Fusheng to surrender.

During their time under Prince Huai's service, Liu Ji and Diwu Fusheng were adversaries, frequently opposing each other.

Yet, this animosity made Liu Ji the most familiar with Diwu Fusheng.

He knew what Diwu Fusheng desired.

Some people crave wealth.

Some crave fame and fortune.

Some crave beauty.

Diwu Fusheng, however, desired the illustrious reputation of aiding someone in a monumental imperial endeavor, as his ancestors did.

He aspired to be a loyal and virtuous minister.

Thus, he was initially reluctant to betray Prince Huai and join Chen Mo, but Liu Ji succeeded in persuading him.

After mutual introductions, they engaged in pleasantries, establishing rapport.

Saying things like our ancestors were acquaintances and the like.

During drinks and pleasantries, Chen Mo brought up the matter of supporting the King.

Yang Xian differed from King Anping.

Chen Mo couldn't treat him as he did King Anping, seizing the Vine Armor Army and dismissing Jiang Li. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

So, he discussed it with Jiang Li.

Hearing this, Jiang Li immediately stood up and expressed, "Before setting out, Lord Yang instructed me to follow your commands, Duke An, and act accordingly. Wherever you point, I will go, without acting on my own accord."

Chen Mo was very pleased with Jiang Li's response, yet he was courteous in his words.