Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 383: I, Chen Mo, Am Innocent and Above Reproach
It’s been almost ten days since Madam Hui and the others left.
During this time, Xiao Yunxi has been in torment, not only enduring the daily exhaustion of taking care of the child but also the anxiety brought by all kinds of wild thoughts, fearing that she and the child might encounter some misfortune one day.
Ever since Xiao Yunxi realized that Madam Hui and the others were able to leave through... a transaction made with Chen Mo, she hasn’t been able to sleep.
Because of this, Xiao Yunxi has been thinking even more deeply.
Madam Xiao, Madam Gan, they only sacrificed themselves, but they didn’t leave the child behind.
...
...
Is staying with the child part of the deal?
The reason for thinking this is because Madam Hui is the greatest beneficiary, and she had motives before at Fengnan Port.
If herself and Zheng’Er were no longer around, then Madam Hui’s eldest son, Chu Shou, as the elder son of the Prince, would likely be established as the Crown Prince.
And as the saying goes, "blood is thicker than water", although Xiao Yunxi doesn’t believe Chu Juan bears ill intentions, after all, she is Madam Hui’s biological daughter and now Chen Mo’s woman. For the sake of her elder brother becoming the Crown Prince, she would likely whisper words in Chen Mo’s ear, suggesting he find a solution for her and Zheng’Er...
Therefore, Xiao Yunxi feels she cannot wait any longer; she must take action.
As long as Zheng’Er can be safe, sacrificing herself means nothing.
Moreover, after Madam Hui and the others return, there’s no telling what bad things they would say about her in front of the Prince.
Perhaps in the Prince’s heart, she is already lost.
So why not take advantage of it?
Once the thought occurred, it never dissipated, only grew stronger.
She told the guards outside to inform Chen Mo that she wanted to see him.
For this reason, she bathed in advance, changed into a new summer dress she hadn’t worn before, and tried her best to make herself look young and beautiful.
She coaxed the child to sleep early.
Quietly waiting for Chen Mo to arrive.
Half an hour later, footsteps and the respectful voices of the maid outside were heard.
"Marquis..." the maids said respectfully.
"Is Princess Consort Huai inside?"
"Replying to the Marquis, Princess Consort Huai has always been inside."
"Hmm, I see, you all can leave now."
"Yes."
...
Inside the room, hearing Chen Mo’s voice, Xiao Yunxi took a deep breath. Unsure if it was due to nervousness or shyness, or perhaps something else, her cheeks turned red.
However, not wanting Chen Mo to know she had been waiting for him, Xiao Yunxi quickly picked up a book, pretending to read.
Chen Mo walked into Xiao Yunxi’s room quite naturally, first glancing at the cradle in the outer room where the Young Prince was sleeping, and then proceeded to the inner room.
Inside the room, bamboo curtains hung down from the windows, with sunlight filtering sparsely through them onto the long table, reflecting brightly off the patterned teapot placed on top.
Xiao Yunxi was dressed in a well-fitted light yellow gown, with golden threads wrapped around the hem, her hair bun elegantly perched, and her face, both noble and stunning, appeared particularly flawless in the sunlight, exuding a sacred and regal aura, especially her rosy lips, gleaming under the light.
After all, she was the Main Consort; Chen Mo thought even Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, and Madam Gan combined couldn’t compare to her.
No matter when or in what situation, she gave the impression of being nobly born.
To be fair, this kind of aura, none of Chen Mo’s other women could match.
"Did the Princess Consort seek me?" Based on his experience, Chen Mo could naturally tell that Xiao Yunxi had prepared and dressed up in advance.
Seeing the young man’s unabashed gaze upon her, without even basic courtesy, Princess Consort Huai, whose attention wasn’t on the book, put it down, suppressed her dissatisfaction, and forced a smile: "Chen Marquis is here, please don’t stand on ceremony, sit."
Chen Mo: "..."
It’s his place, so he certainly wouldn’t stand on ceremony, and sat down directly opposite Xiao Yunxi, with only a long table separating them.
Xiao Yunxi thought to herself: "You really aren’t standing on ceremony."
Xiao Yunxi lightly pursed her thin lips and poured Chen Mo a cup of tea: "Please have some tea."
But Chen Mo didn’t move: "If the Princess Consort has something to say, please say it."
"Is the Marquis afraid that I might have poisoned the tea, and won’t even drink the tea I poured? Rest assured, I am watched by your people every day, I couldn’t get my hands on any poison." Speaking, Xiao Yunxi poured herself a cup and took a sip.
"Since the Princess Consort doesn’t wish to speak, then I shall take my leave." Chen Mo wasn’t in the mood to linger.
At this, Chen Mo heard the sound of teeth gritting.
Xiao Yunxi’s hand under the table clenched tightly, then she relaxed and said: "Did Madam Hui and the others leave after making some deal with you, Marquis?"
Seeing this, Xiao Yunxi had no choice but to ask directly.
"Indeed." Chen Mo nodded, not denying it.
Xiao Yunxi continued: "Madam Hui, Madam Xiao, Madam Gan all gave themselves to you, Madam Hui even gave Chu Juan to you as part of the deal, isn’t that the requirement of the transaction?"
But as soon as she said it, Chen Mo frowned, scolding, "What kind of person does the Princess Consort take me for? I am innocent with the three madams, and truly in love with the Commandery Princess, I ask the Princess Consort to be cautious with her words."
Xiao Yunxi: "..."
What a statement, "innocent".
"Does the Marquis not often go to see them and even spend the night several times? Do you dare say you are innocent with them and haven’t done anything?" Xiao Yunxi said.
"I have no regrets or guilty conscience." Chen Mo replied in this manner.
This statement of no regret truly left Xiao Yunxi speechless, unsure how to respond for a moment.
Finally, choosing to reveal her cards directly, she said: "What will it take, Marquis, for you to allow me and Zheng’Er to leave? Whatever I can offer, I’ll agree to it all."
"I’m sorry, the Princess Consort and Young Master cannot leave." Chen Mo said.
Xiao Yunxi’s heart skipped a beat: "Why... why not?"
"I am a man of my word. Before this, I already promised the three madams that I wouldn’t let the Princess Consort and Young Master leave, and I cannot break my promise." Chen Mo said.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi immediately thought that her previous speculations were correct.
Since they don’t plan to let her and Zheng’Er leave, then one day, they might be made to disappear quietly.
Thinking of these things, Xiao Yunxi’s face turned slightly pale, saying coldly: "They are truly ruthless."
"What have they given you? Whatever they can offer, I can give as well, and more, as long as you let us leave." Xiao Yunxi gritted her teeth and said.
"I’ve already said I won’t break my promise, why doesn’t the Princess Consort understand?" Chen Mo frowned and said.
Xiao Yunxi heard the implication—so long as she doesn’t intend to leave, everything else can be discussed.
"Ugh..." Xiao Yunxi took a deep breath inside.
