Chapter 696: Chapter 690–691: The Warmth of Home (Part 2)

Guo Ning patted Lin Zhong on the shoulder from behind, as if he understood his thoughts, and said with a light chuckle, "Brother Lin, so many people are calling out to King Wei, how could King Wei notice you? Besides, with so many people around, King Wei doesn’t know you, and it’s impossible for him to stop for just you.

If we really want to thank King Wei, we can go directly to the Prince Wei’s Mansion to visit later."

Lin Zhong was taken aback, feeling doubtful, "Will that work?"

"Don’t forget, we are disciples of King Wei." Guo Ning smiled.

Lin Zhong paused, then laughed, rubbing the back of his head, saying, "Yes, how could I forget that? Guo, you are indeed wise."

...

The city was crowded with people, so naturally, Chen Mo couldn’t engage in intimate chit-chat with Wu Mi and the others at the city gate. He asked Xia Zhining to tell them to wait at the mansion.

After learning this, Wu Mi and the others did not take the main street but went through a side street back to Prince Wei’s Mansion. Chen Mo rode his horse slowly to not disappoint the commoners, so even though Wu Mi and the others took a detour, they still arrived at the mansion before Chen Mo.

Seizing the time before Chen Mo arrived, they organized everyone to welcome him outside the mansion.

Seeing Chen Mo dismount, Wu Mi’s heart fluttered. She gracefully walked forward, curtsied, and softly said, "Prince, you have returned."

"Father...Prince." Little Chen Jia, standing next to Wu Mi and held by a maid, was taught by the maid to tenderly call out to Father Prince. At this time, little Chen Jia spoke quite clearly.

Chen Mo approached, took Chen Jia from the maid’s hands, looked at the bright-eyed, delicate child, and with an emotion rising from deep within, he softly asked, "Jia’Er, did you miss Father Prince?"

The long separations made Chen Jia not respond immediately. Instead, he first looked at the maid who was with him, then at his mother Wu Mi, and seeing their encouraging eyes, he softly said, "Yes."

"Good Jia’Er." Chen Mo pinched his little face, playfully teasing him.

This was his son, how could he not love him.

Seeing the playful interaction between father and son about to be over, Han Anniang brought Chen Zhong to Chen Mo. Her matured, gentle face was flushed with joy, and she said, "Prince, you have returned. Zhong’Er, quickly call Father Prince."

"Father Prince." Chen Zhong’s voice was also tender and soft.

Chen Mo gave Chen Jia back to Wu Mi to hold and took Chen Zhong from Han Anniang’s hands. Holding one, and taking Han Anniang’s slender and delicate hand with the other, he gently squeezed it and softly said, "Anniang, how have you been these days at home, did you miss me?"

Han Anniang blushed and said, "I missed you every day, Zhong’Er too."

"Is that so, Zhong’Er." Chen Mo laughed.

Chen Zhong nodded his little head.

"Just like your brother, you’re both good sons of Father Prince." Chen Mo gave a loud kiss on Chen Zhong’s little face, but little Chen Zhong showed disdain, immediately raising his hand to wipe the saliva off his face, causing the women nearby to giggle.

"You little rascal, even your mother doesn’t mind, yet you dislike it." Chen Mo chuckled, not taking it to heart.

"Father Prince, Father Prince..."

As two childish voices echoed, a black and a white little toddler ran to Chen Mo’s side, each holding onto one of Chen Mo’s legs.

They were precisely Chen Nuo and Chen You, who were over two years old.

The two have completely inherited their mother Xia Zhiqing’s beauty, and at just two years old, they were like little elves.

Chen Mo had to hand Chen Zhong back to Han Anniang, bend down, and scoop the pair of dragon-phoenix twins into his arms, one in each hand.

Chen You came out of Xia Zhiqing’s belly before Chen Nuo, being the eldest daughter, then came Chen Nuo, and Chen Jia, and finally Chen Zhong.

However, because Wu Mi was Chen Mo’s legitimate wife, the legitimate son was Chen Jia.

"Nu’Er and Youyou are truly blessed with intelligence, just like Zhiqing." Chen Mo gazed at Xia Zhiqing walking forward, staring at him dazedly, and smiled.

Xia Zhiqing pursed her lips, her brows concealing a smile of uncertainty, whether from shyness or joy.

The other young women without children, watching Chen Mo’s interaction with his children, felt a bit envious, and their desire to have children increased significantly.

After they had almost finished their greetings, Yi Shiyin, Liang Xue, and Nangong Ru finally got a chance to catch up with Chen Mo.

"Alright, standing outside all this time isn’t appropriate, let’s go inside and chat slowly." Chen Mo felt slightly overwhelmed, experiencing for the first time the troubles of having too many women. If they kept chatting outside the mansion, there would be no going inside today.

Chen Mo led a group of chirping girls and children, heading towards the mansion. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Sun Meng and the others, being very perceptive, stayed outside.

...

Backyard hall.

Chen Mo warmly greeted Song Min, Yi Shiyin, Nangong Ru, Liang Xue, Ning Wan, Xiao Yunxi, Chu Juan, and Xiao Ya and gave each of them a light kiss on the cheek before taking a seat.

Afterward, Chen Mo furrowed his brows and said, "If I remember correctly, the daughter of the Marquis of Hongdu County from Shu Residence should have already arrived at the mansion. Where is she?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the women frowned, and Wu Mi spoke, "Prince, earlier I sent a maid to inform Qingqing Sister. The maid reported back that Qingqing Sister was unwell and couldn’t come to greet us."

Seeing the expressions of the women, Chen Mo nodded. With outsiders present, he didn’t inquire too deeply, instead smiling and saying, "In the mansion, you should call me ’Husband.’ It feels more intimate this way."

The women nodded in agreement.

"By the way, let me introduce to you. This is the Saintess of Poison King Valley, Nalan Yiren, Miss Nalan, whom I mentioned to you in the letter. She will be staying in the mansion for some time." Chen Mo introduced Nalan Yiren to the women.

The beautiful women had long noticed Nalan Yiren since her black robe and unsightly half-face mask were hard to overlook.

"Hello." Nalan Yiren glanced at the women, all dressed in imperial dresses with fair skin as white as snow, none of them unattractive. She then cast a side glance at Chen Mo, marveling at his enjoying such abundant fortunes.

Hearing the unique and first-time smoky voice made the women feel a bit surprised and curious about Nalan Yiren.

"Mi’Er, Miss Nalan is very skilled in poison techniques and medical skills. You can consult her often if you have the chance." Chen Mo smiled.

Wu Mi nodded to Nalan Yiren and said, "Then during this time, I’ll trouble you, Miss Nalan."

"Princess Consort is too kind." Nalan Yiren, hearing Chen Mo mention Wu Mi, that she was conversely proficient in medicine as a disciple of renowned doctors, thought it would be nice for mutual exchange.

In the entire hall, only Nalan Yiren was an outsider, so she shortly excused herself, citing some fatigue.

Wu Mi promptly asked someone to take Nalan Yiren to rest.

After Nalan Yiren left, Wu Mi softly spoke, "Husband, this Miss Nalan?"

Chen Mo knew what she wanted to ask, and said, "I made a deal with her, helping her find her enemy who killed her family, and in return, she gives me some elixirs for extending youth and beauty."

Saying this, Chen Mo handed a porcelain bottle to Wu Mi, asking her to check if there was any problem with the elixirs inside.

While in the Celestial River, Chen Mo hadn’t dared to let Yue Ruyan or Xia Zhining take them, fearing issues, as he lacked the ability for verification.

Although he had imperial physicians from the palace check it and said there were no issues, Chen Mo thought to let Wu Mi confirm it for peace of mind.

As Wu Mi was examining the bottle, the women’s eyes sparkled, particularly Ning Wan and Xiao Yunxi.

Compared to Wu Mi and the others, the two women were already in their thirties, feeling anxious about their fading beauty.

Next was Han Anniang, who was also approaching her thirties.

If there really were elixirs to enhance beauty and delay aging, how could they not be tempted?

"How is it?" Seeing Wu Mi put down the porcelain bottle, Chen Mo asked.

Wu Mi did not give an immediate answer but said, "Based on the aroma and color of the elixir, there’s no apparent issue. However, it requires further examination and some time."

"No rush, take your time." Chen Mo wasn’t in a hurry.