Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 507: Madam Xiao: Father, Do You Even Care If Your Daughter Lives
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao’s face immediately showed a look of embarrassment, her gaze evasive. Although she was no longer a young girl, hearing such things, especially from her father, would make any woman feel ashamed.
It wasn’t just that Chen Mo had touched her; her whole body had been at his disposal...
Biting her rose-colored lips lightly, Madam Xiao said, flustered, "Father, why are you asking about this?"
Seeing his daughter’s reaction, Father Xiao had his answer in his heart but still said, "This matter is very important, it concerns the future of our Xiao family."
Currently, the Xiao family has pledged allegiance to Chen Mo. If Madam Xiao had been intimate with Chen Mo, Father Xiao could use this point to establish a firm foothold in Chen Mo’s domain.
"Father... are you trying to..." Madam Xiao’s expression changed, evidently guessing a bit.
Father Xiao did not speak but nodded his head.
Indeed, if Madam Xiao had been with Chen Mo, Father Xiao intended to let this news out once he reached Huai State. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
With Chen Mo being the lord of the Four States, even if there was no official status, since his daughter had been with him, the powers in Huai State ought to give the Xiao family some respect.
This was akin to using tiger skin to intimidate others.
Of course, this approach greatly damaged Madam Xiao’s reputation.
However, for Father Xiao, as long as it was beneficial to the family, sacrificing a woman’s reputation was nothing, even if it was his daughter.
"Father, do you not want your daughter to continue living..." Madam Xiao was quite humiliated and angry, but afraid of being overheard by the clan members, she lowered her voice.
Although during the time she was captured by the Chen Army, there were many rumors outside about her being toyed with by Chen Mo, these rumors were unsubstantiated.
But if the Xiao family acknowledged it, the significance would be different.
"Father has no choice; you must consider the family’s future. Besides, this is also for your own good. Perhaps, after the news spreads, the Pingting Marquis’s Mansion, for the sake of face, will let you in. Even if you can’t enter, being an outside companion would be good. Moreover, your second uncle was previously captured by the Chen Army; who knows how he fares now," Father Xiao said.
"And... aren’t you afraid of angering him?" Madam Xiao asked.
"Even if he gets angry, it’s not a capital crime. Besides, in the recent battle of Yi County, our Xiao family also made contributions. If blame is to be laid, at worst, the situation would be slightly worse than now, but it’s a gamble," Father Xiao said.
Madam Xiao: "..."
...
Fengzhou.
Madam Hui and Madam Gan slightly opened their mouths in surprise when they learned that Madam Xiao had been taken away by the Xiao family to pledge allegiance to Chen Mo.
Because the three wives had previously competed for the position of Crown Prince, their relations were not good, with pleasantries only on the surface.
Upon hearing the news, Madam Hui even inwardly scolded Madam Xiao for being indiscreet, calling her a wanton woman.
But as she scolded her, she felt a tinge of envy and jealousy.
The reason being that she saw the lesser woman, Madam Xiao, manage to escape the sea of suffering, to fly out of the cage, while she herself remained confined here.
Ever since learning of Li Mingfan and Li Mingzhong’s betrayal, Prince Huai no longer trusted the Li Family and had imposed restrictions on Madam Hui, preventing her from meeting outsiders.
In Madam Hui’s mind, she considered herself superior to Madam Xiao and Madam Gan.
Madam Gan, too, felt a sense of envy, maybe even a little regret.
Once her son was established as the Crown Prince, the Gan family became too tied to Prince Huai. Even if the Gan family wanted to ally with the Chen Army, the Chen Army might not trust them.
Thinking of Madam Xiao going to Huai State, the northern battles having settled, and that person soon returning, Madam Xiao would meet him again...
This made Madam Gan recall her time at Wuguan, causing her face to flush.
She, indeed, had thoughts too.
After a while, she secretly spat at herself, mumbling in her heart about being shameless.
...
A few days later.
Linzhou, Copper Sparrow Garden.
"If enemies can go, so can I."
In the side room, Princess Zhaoqing looked at the military Government Gazette in her hands, and her heart couldn’t help but feel passionate and somewhat proud.
Although she didn’t like battles and killings, she was patriotic, holding respect for those who defended the nation.
Her view of Chen Mo had changed quite a bit.
Xiao Yunxi tended a coal fire, saw Princess Zhaoqing’s changing expression, raised her eyebrow slightly, and smiled, "I heard he’s already on his way back."
Princess Zhaoqing’s body trembled slightly, understanding what Xiao Yunxi meant by her words.
...
On the other side, Pingting Marquis’s Mansion.
In the warm pavilion at the backyard.
Wu Mi was leaning on her side on a soft couch, dressed in a loose jacket and skirt, talking with her sisters in the mansion. Since December began, her body had become heavier, making movement increasingly inconvenient.
But her figure displayed more of a mature charm, conveying a sense of voluptuous allure.
Her hands held a golden-yellow silk book, which was a Holy Decree delivered to the mansion today. Because Chen Mo had expelled foreign invaders and recovered the North, the Emperor conferred the title of Duke An of the First-class Duke on Chen Mo.
Besides the title’s elevation, he was also granted the privilege of entering court without bowing and wearing a sword in the hall.
"It’s due to husband’s great contributions. Besides the Holy Decree, the Court also generously gave some agate and jade this time," Nangong Ru said, looking fondly at the agate bracelet on her wrist.
"Indeed, they’re top-quality jade, quite pricey in the market," Ning Wan said, holding a piece of jade, recognizing its value given her family’s merchant background.
"These agate and jade weren’t given just for husband’s merits," Xia Zhiqing, having just finished her conversation with Han Anniang, interjected, "I heard the Court is attacking Xiliang."
"Xiliang, isn’t that our ally?" Yi Shiyin asked curiously.
"Precisely because they’re an ally, the Court gave these agate and jade," Xia Zhiqing said.
"Zhiqing-sis speaks correctly. These jades sent were indeed goods from Xiliang," Wu Mi observed.
"???"
Yi Shiyin admitted she didn’t quite understand.
Nor did Han Anniang.
Not until Wu Mi mentioned that these agates and jades were practically apologetic gifts did the two women begin to comprehend.
"Where’s Sister Juan?" At this point, Liang Xue, who seldom spoke, looked around and asked.
"She seems to be in low spirits, has stayed in her room all day without coming out," Yi Shiyin replied.
"Low spirits?" Han Anniang was puzzled, "What happened to her?"
"In the morning, news came from the Inspector of Huai State that our forces had defeated the Huai Army in Yi County, killing the Huai Army general Chu Ce, and capturing several deputy generals," Xia Zhiqing said.
Upon these words, the warm pavilion fell silent, and after a moment, they started different conversations.
Even Han Anniang now understood that after this significant defeat of the Huai Army, Prince Huai was at a dead end.
No matter what, Prince Huai was Chu Juan’s father.
Thinking about the dismal future for her father, it’s no wonder Chu Juan was feeling down.
