Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 408: Why Does the Room Smell So Sour?
"Why does this room have such a sour smell?"
Chen Mo ignored Xia Zhining’s words and closed the door.
At first, Xia Zhiqing didn’t catch the meaning behind Chen Mo’s words and seriously sniffed the air, puzzled, "No, there isn’t."
"How could there not be? Such a strong sour smell, it’s like someone spilled vinegar." His gaze swept around the room and then lingered on Xia Zhining.
At this, Xia Zhiqing understood and covered her mouth, laughing softly.
This annoyed Xia Zhining; she didn’t know if it was the embarrassment of having her feelings understood or if she was angry, but her face flushed red as she said, "Who’s jealous of you? It’s so late, what are you doing here? My sister and I are going to sleep, we don’t have time to entertain you."
Xia Zhining was dressed in a black dress with her hair tied at the back. The dress was not the usual palace skirt or ru skirt, and at the hem, it was slit, revealing a glimpse of white leg through the opening. The dress, tautly wrapped around her shapely hips, drew out graceful curves, and her lips held a slight hint of melancholy.
"I missed you both." Chen Mo pulled Xia Zhining into his arms, caressing her cheek, and smiled, "Haven’t seen you for a few months, Zhining has become even more beautiful."
Though her heart was deeply infatuated with the familiar scent on Chen Mo, to the point of intoxication the moment she was in his embrace, her hands still pushed against him, and she huffed coldly, "Don’t touch me. Don’t sweet-talk me."
Chen Mo knew that Tsundere Ning was at it again, ignored her mouth-disconnecting with her heart, directly lifted her up by the waist, and walked towards Xia Zhiqing, who was sitting by the bed.
"Bastard, let me go..." Although her mouth said this, Xia Zhining’s hands instinctively wrapped around Chen Mo’s neck, her feet kicking in his arms, and as her embroidered shoes slipped off, a pair of small feet wrapped in white silk socks was exposed.
"Stop fooling around."
Chen Mo placed Xia Zhining on the bed, took off her silk socks, revealing her exquisite and delicate jade feet, which he held in his hands, playing with them carefully. Then he looked at Xia Zhiqing and said, "Zhiqing, I’ve kept you waiting."
Xia Zhining’s face was red with embarrassment, though she didn’t want to admit it, she was indeed moved by Chen Mo’s antics, whispered a sound as she leaned back, exposing her beautifully curving neck, biting her lip shyly as she closed her eyes, no longer resisting Chen Mo’s actions.
Xia Zhiqing’s face also turned slightly red, but this was not the first or second time, so her reaction wasn’t significant. She shook her head and said, "Husband, did you go to Ms. Mi’s place?"
"I went. Then I visited An Niang and Xiaolu; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come over so late." Chen Mo replied honestly.
"That’s good." Xia Zhiqing sighed in relief, worried that others might say she’s flaunting her pregnancy, wanting to compare with Wu Mi.
Seeing Chen Mo release her sister’s small feet, Xia Zhining also leaned into Chen Mo’s embrace.
Chen Mo held her delicate shoulders, one hand caressing her large belly, and asked, "Have you thought of a name for the child?"
"I’ve thought of a nickname, but the formal name should still be decided by you, husband." Xia Zhiqing savored this time of affection, snuggling like a kitten into Chen Mo’s embrace, softly saying, "If it’s a girl, let’s call her Youyou; if it’s a boy, let’s call him Sijun."
"Why name the boy Sijun?"
"Because they say boys resemble their fathers and girls resemble their mothers. This way, if you’re not around, husband, when I see Sijun, I’ll feel that you’ve never left," Xia Zhiqing said softly.
Chen Mo paused slightly, his expression also freezing, and he cupped Xia Zhiqing’s face in his hands, bowing his head towards her.
Xia Zhiqing met him with open, loving eyes.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Suddenly, Xia Zhiqing said, "Why does the taste... seem strange?"
Chen Mo’s face stiffened, quickly saying, "Maybe it’s because I didn’t rinse my mouth after dinner."
Xia Zhiqing didn’t doubt him, and said, "Husband, I’m pregnant and can’t serve you tonight."
"It’s okay." Chen Mo stroked Xia Zhiqing’s hair and continued, "Since the girl’s nickname is Youyou, if it’s a girl, let’s call her Chen You. If it’s a boy, how about Chen Nuo?"
"Chen Nuo, as in a promise?" Xia Zhiqing asked.
"Yes."
"As you wish, husband."
"Then it’s decided." Chen Mo wasn’t good at coming up with names, so he settled on them, not wanting to think further.
"Husband, it’s getting late, time to rest." Xia Zhiqing said this but got out of bed.
Under Chen Mo’s puzzled gaze, Xia Zhiqing knelt on the carpet and said, "Before resting, let me help Zhining for a bit."
A pregnant woman should supplement her nutrition as well.
Xia Zhining: "..."
Seeing Chen Mo’s gaze, Xia Zhining glared at him slightly.
With her older sister working, how could the younger sister remain idle? Chen Mo pulled Xia Zhining into his arms and discussed geography with her.
...
With too many women to care for in one night, Chen Mo stayed at Xia Zhiqing’s place tonight.
Meanwhile, in Ning Wan’s room.
Ning Wan sat by the bed, remained there until early morning, and seeing no activity outside, she felt a sigh of relief mixed with some disappointment and irritation.
With her thoughts tangled, she went to the dressing table, looking into the copper mirror under faint candlelight, seeing the beautiful and graceful face, gently touching her still youthful cheek, feeling a sense of secret delight, but soon spat at herself quietly.
With Xiao Yunxi and Chu Juan’s arrival, Ning Wan finally let go of that shadow in her heart caused by Liang Xue.
Because in her view, the relationship between Chu Juan and Xiao Yunxi was akin to hers and Liang Xue’s.
Now, with Xiao Yunxi and Chu Juan both becoming Chen Mo’s women, and it being known openly, what did she have to be embarrassed about?
Wasn’t Xiao Yunxi’s status and position higher than hers?
Ultimately, with someone in a similar situation as her, Ning Wan’s tolerance or her baseline had also lowered.
...
Elsewhere.
Xiao Yunxi also didn’t sleep.
It wasn’t because she was used to Chen Mo’s affection that she couldn’t sleep without him holding her.
But in a foreign place, confronted with that feeling of loneliness and unfamiliarity, it surged whenever night fell silent.
At such times, she greatly wished Chen Mo were by her side.
...
The next day.
After finishing the morning cultivation absorbing the Solar Purple Qi, Chen Mo received a letter from Zuo Lianglun delivered from Yu State.
It reported the current situation in Yu State and mentioned the situation in Longyou.
Three of the Seven Western Rong Countries had already withdrawn their troops, Zuo Lianglun stated that the external threat in Longyou might soon be resolved.
At that time, more troops would need to be stationed at the border area between Yu State and Longyou.
Finally, Zuo Lianglun brought up the pottery bomb issue.
He asked if there was a need to increase the production.
And at that moment, Chen Mo suddenly thought of a weapon.
That was the cannon, similar to the Red Coat Cannon of the Ming Dynasty.
