Chapter 717: Chapter 711, Chapter 712: Chu Ran and Xu Ying Visit (Part 2)

When they learned that Chen Mo had stayed overnight in Yang Qingqing’s room, all the women suddenly understood.

If Yang Qingqing herself were not present, Yi Shiyin would definitely have clung to Chen Mo’s arm, laughing and saying, "I knew my husband always has a way."

After finishing breakfast, seeing Yang Qingqing find an excuse to leave, Wu Mi said, "Husband, the elixir you gave me earlier, I’ve studied it these past few days, and there’s no problem with it."

What Wu Mi was referring to was the bottle of elixirs Chen Mo gave her that day he returned, which could delay aging and enhance beauty.

It took this long to reach a conclusion because

Wu Mi, to be cautious, identified all of the elixir’s components. Most were flower essences, and the rest were precious herbs with mild properties.

Therefore, even if the elixir didn’t have beauty-enhancing effects, consuming it wouldn’t be harmful.

Although Chen Mo’s request for Wu Mi to do this could be considered somewhat distrustful, given his current situation, being careful is never wrong.

Chen Mo said softly, "Mi’Er, you’ve worked hard."

"It wasn’t hard; rather, studying this elixir taught me many things," replied Wu Mi.

"Did you seek guidance from Miss Nalan in medical skills during this time?"

"I went to see her once, but there were so many poisonous insects and snakes in the room, it scared me a bit..." Wu Mi, being someone who studies medicine, could handle toxins and bugs better than other women, but even she had a limit. What Nalan Yiren kept there clearly exceeded her threshold.

Chen Mo could understand this, as even he felt a bit creeped out last time he went there.

"Maybe you could invite her to your courtyard or the cool room to chat," Chen Mo suggested.

Wu Mi smiled upon hearing this, "I’ve been a bit close-minded."

"Husband, can we take this elixir now?" Xiao Yunxi couldn’t help but ask, as she was older and quite concerned about the elixir.

Chen Mo thought for a moment, then gazed at Ning Wan and said, "Wan’Er, Qing Dance has been toiling over outside businesses lately, working hard; I’m planning to reward her with a Youthful Appearance Pill. Can you give it to her for me?"

Ning Wan was taken aback, realizing that her husband was still unsure about the elixir and intended to use Qing Dance as a test.

Ning Wan nodded.

Wu Mi chuckled, "In that case, sisters, let’s just wait a bit longer."

Xiao Yunxi understood, agreeing that it was better to be safe.

At that moment, a maid’s playful voice came from outside, "Prince, General Sun wishes to see you outside."

"Take him to the study; I’ll come over shortly," Chen Mo said.

"Yes."

...

In the study.

"Prince, Old General Xiao has sent a letter. The warfare in Nanping County is going smoothly, and the rebel Chu Feng has been captured alive and is being escorted back to the capital," reported Sun Meng as he handed the letter to Chen Mo.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo was initially stunned and took a while to remember who Chu Feng was.

After all, Chen Mo had dismissed Nanping County’s King Chu Feng as just a minor clown at the time, not paying much attention.

As it turns out, things went exactly as he expected. With Xiao Jing and Zhao Liang personally leading 5,000 Xianzhen Guards, it was like a walk in the park, as described in Xiao Jing’s letter, almost like a field training exercise in Nanping County.

Chen Mo immediately wrote to Geng Songfu in the capital, instructing that once Chu Feng was escorted there, he should be executed immediately.

Chen Mo wanted to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys and properly intimidate the petty scoundrels of the world.

...

Time passed day by day.

It quickly arrived at the afternoon of July 4th, and tomorrow was the big day of the imperial exam.

During this period, Chen Mo had been living quite leisurely and carefree.

Most days, he practiced martial arts, took time during breaks to play with the kids, and in the evenings, discussed the arts of the bedchamber with his wives and concubines.

The weather was overcast, and the afternoon was somewhat cool.

In the back garden of the Prince’s Mansion, there were vibrant greens and reds, jewels shining with beauty.

Ning Wan was talking to Chen Mo about the preparations for the opening of the first Linhuai Money Shop in Xiangyang.

"Chairman Qin suggests that tomorrow, with the festive atmosphere of the imperial exam day and many people out in the streets, would be the perfect timing for the money shop’s opening. He also hopes that if you agree, husband, you could take some time to cut the ribbon tomorrow," Ning Wan said, her face elegantly beautiful, glowing like a sunset.

Chen Mo was accompanying four children on horseback riding; this time, it was not him acting as the horse, but Yang Qingqing’s pet, Dabai the white tiger.

The saying goes that young calves are not afraid of tigers. The children had no concept of how fearsome a tiger could be, and under Chen Mo’s influence, the formidable-looking White Tiger Dabai had become like a husky, being treated like a playful pet by the kids.

Upon hearing Ning Wan’s words, Chen Mo smiled and said, "Let’s do it tomorrow."

Although Chen Mo was hosting tomorrow’s imperial exam, he could still find time to attend the money shop’s opening ceremony.

"Gee-up, gee-up..."

Amidst the cheerful sounds of children’s laughter, the maidens, Wu Mi, Han Anniang, and Xia Zhiqing originally opposed letting the children ride on the tiger. But after Chen Mo’s persuasion, although they agreed, they still worried and kept their eyes on the kids at all times, afraid that the white tiger might get fierce and harm the children.

However, now seeing the white tiger being more docile than a house dog, they gradually relaxed.

For Dabai, the children on its back were scarier than Chen Mo.

It’s known that childrened one or two years old have no sense of right and wrong, and even when parents are sleeping, they dare to climb on faces, doing whatever they want - to such toddlers dabai, covered in fur, they were not going to miss this opportunity to yank and pull.

Even if Dabai felt pain, it didn’t dare to roar, for fear of scaring the little ancestors on its back and then angering Chen Mo, who might skin it alive, it could only glance pitifully at its master.

Luckily, although young children understand little, adults still possessed some sense of nurturing decorum.

And Wu Mi and others were quite concerned with the matter of children’s education.

Upon discovering that the little rascals were tugging and pulling Dabai unjustifiably, they instantly reprimanded them.

They told them that such behavior was wrong.

Although the kids were still a bit confused after hearing that, they did restrain themselves somewhat.

"This beast has been away from the mountains for too long, having been domesticated, both its fierceness and wildness have diminished significantly."

Xia Zhiqing stepped forward and stroked Dabai’s head. Dabai dared not show any dissatisfaction but instead rubbed its head against Xia Zhiqing’s arm.

Then she cast a glance at Yang Qingqing and said, "Qingqing, how old is this beast?"

Yang Qingqing thought for a moment and said softly, "Almost five years old."

"Five years? When considering our human years, it’s already an adult."

"Dabai is considered an adult at three," Yang Qingqing added.

"Is it male or female?" Xiaolu approached, her big, lively eyes sparkling, as she even leaned in to look under Dabai.

This made Han Anniang blush and quickly pulled Xiaolu back a bit.

"It’s a female tiger," Yang Qingqing said while stroking Dabai’s fur.

Meanwhile, as everyone was chatting, a maid approached the back garden with a smile, announcing, "Prince, Princess Zhaoqing and Empress Xu are here, saying they wish to have a chat with Madam."

"Looking for Yunxi?" Chen Mo was surprised.

Xiao Yunxi arched her eyebrows, saying, "They aren’t looking for me; clearly, the intention is other than what it seems. Husband, ever since you returned, you haven’t visited Copper Sparrow Garden; they’re surely impatient, here to seek you out."

"Such bold courage. We haven’t gone to see them, yet they dare to come to us," Xia Zhining snorted coldly.

Whether it’s Princess Zhaoqing or Empress Xu, in the end, they’re merely outer concubines with no status and yet dare to come knocking.

Before Chen Mo could respond, Xia Zhining autonomously said, "Go and send them away."

"Zhi Ning." Xia Zhiqing lightly glared at her sister.

Wu Mi said, "Since they’re here to talk to Yunxi, have them taken to Yunxi’s courtyard then."

Xiao Yunxi immediately understood and said, "I’m on my way."

Before leaving, she looked back at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo: "..."

"Since they’ve come, you should go take a look too, husband," Wu Mi spoke again.