Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 516: Find a Way to Win His Favor

Chen Mo smiled and shook Wu Mi’s hand firmly, his heart warm, and affectionately said, "I miss you too."

Outside, Chen Mo did not display excessive intimacy, and after saying a few words to Wu Mi, he turned his gaze to Han Anniang and the other women, smiling, "I made you worry."

All the women returned his smile, Yi Shiyin didn’t care about the glances from others and went forward, holding Chen Mo’s arm, her lively big eyes darting over Yue Ruyan beside Chen Mo, she softly said, "Husband, this should be sister Ruyan, right?"

As Yi Shiyin’s words fell, for a moment all the women’s eyes focused on Yue Ruyan, who was clad in battle armor.

Regarding Yue Ruyan, all the women had heard about her.

They wanted to see what kind of person this Upper Three Grades female general was.

In the male-dominated Great Song Dynasty, even if noble like Empresses and Princess Consorts, they were shackled by etiquette, bound by various constraints, while a person like Yue Ruyan was actually quite admired by women.

Back in Pingting County, Xia Zhining actually dreamed of becoming someone like Yue Ruyan.

Previously in Longyou, facing tens of thousands of Jin Xia troops, Yue Ruyan was not this flustered, but under the scrutiny of the women, she felt extremely uneasy and shy, as if the feeling of a girl visiting the boyfriend’s family for the first time, her gaze evasive.

And her reaction was indirectly admitting her identity.

Finally it was Xiao Yunxi who helped Yue Ruyan out of the predicament, saying, "It’s cold outside, don’t catch a chill, let’s talk when we’re back at the mansion."

Back when Xiao Yunxi first met the women, although not like Yue Ruyan, she shared the same sentiments, having experienced the same feelings, she couldn’t help but want to lend Yue Ruyan a small help.

As Xiao Yunxi spoke, the women quickly suppressed their excitement at seeing Chen Mo, all agreeing to talk back at the mansion.

Some words were indeed not suitable to be said in front of outsiders.

Yue Ruyan cast a grateful glance at Xiao Yunxi.

Xiao Yunxi took the opportunity to invite, "Ruyan, why don’t you ride back in my carriage."

"Ah, back to the mansion? No need, my mother is still behind, I..." Although Yue Ruyan was still quite young, a maiden, she understood the proprieties, having not officially entered the family, how would it be proper to go to the boyfriend’s mansion.

Before she finished speaking, Chen Mo said, "Go ahead, I’ll find someone to take care of your mother and the others."

"Well... alright then." Yue Ruyan seldom showed a bit of a girlish demeanor.

Xia Zhiqing then took her sister onto her own carriage, because her sister followed her husband with the troops, she had a lot to ask.

"You all go back first, I’ll be off to the government office with Lord Wei," Chen Mo released Wu Mi’s hand, speaking softly.

Wu Mi nodded, "Then husband, come back early, I’ll have the servants prepare the banquet."

"Okay."

After entering the city, the two groups separated, the women took carriages back to Marquis Pingting’s Mansion, while Chen Mo went to the government office with a group of officials.

On the way, Chen Mo instructed Sun Meng to settle Lady Yue and the others.

...

Copper Sparrow Garden.

In a guest room of a villa, Madam Xiao sat on a Luohan bed covered with soft bedding, conversing with the visiting second aunt, who was the wife of his uncle Xiao Yi, Peng Clan.

"Does Tian Niu know Duke An has returned?" Peng Clan asked.

Madam Xiao’s real name was Xiao Tian, her nickname Tian Niu.

Only the elders of the family would call her this, making it seem close.

"I heard from the maids in the garden before," Madam Xiao replied, dressed in luxurious attire, her delicately powdered face radiant, seemingly remembering something, clenching her legs together slightly.

"Good to know," Peng Clan pondered for a while, speaking softly, "Your uncle’s idea is, while Duke An still remembers you, find a way to earn his favor, then when Duke An is pleased, the Xiao Family will be secure."

Having been in Xiangyang for some days, Peng Clan knew what Copper Sparrow Garden was, all of Chen Mo’s mistresses were kept there, since Chen Mo arranged for Xiao Tian there, it showed he still cared for her.

Chen Mo had a lot of women around him, compared to other women, Xiao Tian didn’t actually have advantages in various aspects, thus she should seize the opportunity while Chen Mo still cared for her.

Hearing Peng Clan speak so bluntly, Madam Xiao’s pretty face flushed, red lips slightly parted, her shiny white teeth glimmering, "I... what can I do, those wanton acts, I... I can’t do them."

Previously in Wuguan, it was always Chen Mo who took the initiative to find her, herself being "forced."

Regardless of how outsiders viewed her, due to a sense of female shame, Madam Xiao still wanted to maintain her dignity.

Peng Clan thought for a moment, "Then let your uncle invite Duke An to a banquet, when he is full and satisfied, Tian Niu you can appear, wouldn’t that work."

It is said that after food and drink come lust.

Madam Xiao wasn’t ugly, rather she was beautiful, though married, but as long as she took the initiative, since Chen Mo had made moves before, Peng Clan didn’t believe he could resist.

...

Separated by a courtyard, the Former Empress’s villa.

Upon learning that Chen Mo had returned victorious to the city, Xu Ying immediately instructed the maids to prepare hot water for a bath.

When the maids went to fetch hot water, Xu Ying even took out the palace outfit she had custom-made by craftsmen in the city some time ago from the box.

This palace outfit was made according to the specifications of the Empress.

Xu Ying knew Chen Mo liked the feeling of defying rank like this.

But while soaking in hot water, Xu Ying’s enthusiasm faded a bit, there were so many women at Marquis Pingting’s Mansion, Chen Mo just returned, surely he would first attend to them, as for her, kept outside, she was surely queued behind.

Xu Ying gazed at the fruits in the water, raising her hand to support them, thinking, what if he preferred those kept outside.

After washing, she quickly went to the kitchen to make some snacks and then called the maids to send them to Chen Mo.

...

In the government office, Chen Mo sat at the head, listening to Wei Linchun’s report on events in the city during his time in Xiangyang.

After listening to the report, Chen Mo nodded, affirming his work, and then instructed him to draft a letter requesting the Emperor’s exemption of taxes for Gao... Cangyou and other states and the restoration of the imperial examinations.

Wei Linchun was shocked, the imperial examination was an important route for selecting talents, Duke An having reclaimed the North now wanted the court to restore the imperial examinations to select officials, its underlying purpose...

The thought of it alone made Wei Linchun’s breath acute, after agreeing, he then spoke about Xiliang.

"Currently, the court is attacking Xiliang, the Qiang Race being our allies, should we..."

Chen Mo understood Wei Linchun’s meaning, and said, "Xiliang is too far from us, we can’t offer much help, moreover the Qiang Race didn’t help us much anyway, even if we sit back and do nothing, no one can say anything. It would be better to use this matter to urge the court to reinstate the imperial examinations, that is the real issue."

"Duke An is wise," Wei Linchun complimented Chen Mo slightly.