"I will follow Prince’s orders." Wu Changlin said.

"I plan to appoint you as the Prefect of River Sea, overseeing the civil and military administration of one region in River Sea." Chen Mo said.

"Oversee one region... civil and military administration, Prince, this..." Wu Changlin slightly widened his eyes.

It should be known that Chen Mo has long implemented internal reforms, separating civil and military administration. A Prefect only manages the region’s internal affairs, while the army is delegated to the Capital Captain. What does this mean now?

"Listen to me, my brother-in-law." Chen Mo, with his hands behind his back, facing outside the hall, said: "I plan to reopen two ports in River Sea and establish the Maritime Trade Bureau, for which you will be responsible.

If you don’t know how to proceed, you can seek help from the Nangong Family. If they don’t cooperate, use the excuse of their unauthorized construction in Chaoping County to seal Nangong Family’s port."

Wu Changlin slightly widened his eyes. It should be known that the Nangong Family is allied with Chen Mo through marriage, yet Chen Mo intends to take action against them.

Although it’s only if they don’t cooperate that action will be taken, his mind is already unsettled, indicating that Chen Mo is dissatisfied with the Nangong Family.

"Just as well, I’m planning to visit Linzhou tomorrow, and passing through River Sea also requires going through Linzhou. You’ll accompany me on this journey, and once we reach Xiangyang, you can also visit your nephew." Chen Mo turned and patted Wu Changlin’s shoulder, saying, "Remember to bring the Fish Scale Guard."

"What about General Nangong?" Wu Changlin was referring to Nangong Xian, the father of Nangong Ru.

"He will come with us. He oversees two ports in Cangzhou. You will lead eight thousand Fish Scale Guards, and he two thousand." Chen Mo said.

This arrangement is made because the situation in Cangzhou is not as complex as in River Sea.

Moreover, since Nangong Xian is a member of the Nangong Family, it’s important to avoid suspicion.

"Understood." Wu Changlin responded.

...

The night before leaving the capital, the Empress Dowager seemed to have caught wind, inviting Chen Mo into the palace, but Chen Mo declined.

An insider is an insider, a lover is a lover; Chen Mo distinguishes clearly.

This departure from the capital might not return until August or September, leaving Yue Ruyan in Celestial River, making it appropriate to spend this evening with Yue Ruyan.

In the chamber.

Tonight, Chen Mo didn’t seek the company of Xia Zhining. After finishing dinner, once the door was closed, Chen Mo embraced Yue Ruyan tightly, lowered his head to capture her lips, greedily exploring her mouth.

Before dinner, Yue Ruyan had somewhat anticipated this evening’s events, so she had bathed in advance and donned a form-fitting white gown.

Yue Ruyan’s skin color is wheatish, darker than Xia Zhining’s. Wearing the white gown brightens her complexion, making her swan-like neck appear especially long and fair. She also wore the gemstone necklace Chen Mo had previously used, which complemented her fair skin and the deep-seated charm alluringly.

As they kissed, Chen Mo’s hands were restless, covering one-half of Yue Ruyan’s hip, causing her body to shiver and her heart to race.

Chen Mo didn’t keep kissing Yue Ruyan’s lips for too long; his lips soon shifted from hers down, from chin to neck.

"It tickles..." Yue Ruyan felt ticklish, raised her delicate head, and instinctively circled Chen Mo’s neck with her hands, biting her lips lightly, pouting slightly.

"Zhining hasn’t cultivated for over two months, if Miss Nalan’s method proves effective, once the domestic situation stabilizes, Ruyan, you should also give me a child." Chen Mo said.

Yue Ruyan said nothing more, only uttered the word "Okay."

She doesn’t mind giving Chen Mo a child; she’s actually willing. With her capabilities, she can assist Chen Mo greatly, so delayed childbirth is okay, but if Chen Mo wishes for her to bear a child now, she’s willing.

Chen Mo tightened his embrace around her waist, holding her closely. Yet, her upper body arched backward, causing Yue Ruyan to bite her lip firmly.

He seemed like a greedy child.

Yue Ruyan’s pretty face revealed two rosy streaks, appearing especially noticeable under the interior candlelight. Her eyes became alluringly fluid, gracefully raising her neck, encircling Chen Mo’s head, which turned into holding his neck.

After a while, Yue Ruyan’s eyes became silky, slightly squinting, and emitted a soft, enchanting hum.

To Chen Mo’s ears, it sounded like a catalyst, further arousing greed, deeply ingrained with madness and fervor.

Chen Mo’s left arm wrapped around Yue Ruyan’s slender waist through the armpit, holding her back; his right hand lifted her skirt, constantly caressing her long, powerful legs.

"Uh..."

Yue Ruyan’s mouth slightly opened, already moved, and she couldn’t help but say, "Go to the bed."

"What should you call me?" Chen Mo lifted his head, shifted to kiss Yue Ruyan’s lip corner.

"Husband, go to the bed." Yue Ruyan said with coquettish eyes like silk.

She didn’t understand what Chen Mo had done to her, feeling that tonight her body seemed more...

The ambiguous and romantic atmosphere in the chamber peaked.

Chen Mo pinched her chin gently, lifted it up: "You are stationed at Celestial River, tonight your husband must reward you well."

The first cultivation round, how could it be taken to bed.

Chen Mo lifted Yue Ruyan’s pert hips, and she understandingly lifted her feet, arms tightly encircling Chen Mo’s neck, like a sloth hung on Chen Mo.

The two kissed passionately while staggering to a table.

Chen Mo gently placed her on the table, not eagerly peeling her shell to taste delicacy, but propping his hands beside her head, gazing affectionately into her eyes, silent for a long time.

"What’s wrong?"

Yue Ruyan wasn’t shy from being stared at and avoided looking away, instead locking eyes with Chen Mo.

She was just puzzled; wasn’t he already starting cultivation earlier?

"Ruyan, you are so beautiful."

Chen Mo gently caressed her face; the night is still long. Chen Mo plans to savor slowly.

This time, Yue Ruyan’s face flushed red, finally shyly looking away. Suddenly hearing such a sincere word caught her unprepared, and she felt embarrassed.

"Still haven’t seen enough..." Yue Ruyan raised her hands to cover her face.

"A lifetime won’t be enough."

Chen Mo gently removed Yue Ruyan’s hands from covering her face, leaned down to carefully savor the delicacy before him.

The cheeks flushed like drunkenness, delicate earlobes, luscious lips...

Yue Ruyan tightly held Chen Mo’s neck, heart swelling with love. For some reason, she felt tonight’s Chen Mo seemed to love her more.

As Yue Ruyan’s brows slightly furrowed, Chen Mo also explained the matters she needed to pay attention to while stationed in the capital.

"Other matters can be discussed, but military affairs must not be interfered with by outsiders." Military authority, Chen Mo must firmly grasp.

Yue Ruyan nodded; she naturally understood.

Before marrying Chen Mo, Yue Ruyan was the "Sect Leader" of the Yuezhi Clan, managing Longyou meticulously. Besides military administration, she has some skills in civil administration too.

Chen Mo said no more, and began cultivating.

...

The next day, at dawn.

Several carriages were parked outside Prince Wei’s Mansion, the street lined with Armored Warriors.

At the doorway, Chen Mo embraced Yue Ruyan briefly, then boarded the carriage with Xia Zhining and Nalan Yiren.

Sun Meng led the Personal Guard Battalion at the front, escorting the convoy slowly towards the city gate.

Given Chen Mo’s current status, even if not heading out for major events, officials voluntarily arrived early at the city gate to see him off.

At the city gate, wearing official attire, Geng Songfu stood on one side of the cobblestone street, saw Chen Mo’s convoy approaching, tidied his attire, stepped forward and saluted, saying: "Lower official Geng Songfu, here to see Prince Wei off."

Then followed Zuo Lianglun and other civil and military officials.

Chen Mo stepped off the carriage, nodded at them without much conversation, and then exited the city.

Outside the city, Nangong Xian, Wu Changlin, and their accompanying Fish Scale Guard had been waiting in formation for quite some time, and once Chen Mo’s convoy passed by, they immediately followed.