Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 517: Ru Yan, Why Are You Dressed as a Woman?

Chapter 517: Chapter 517: Ru Yan, Why Are You Dressed as a Woman?

After discussing official matters with Wei Linchun at the Government Office, Chen Mo did not stay long and rose to leave.

Outside the Government Office, Xu Ying’s maid, Qing Huan, was stopped by Sun Meng. She held a food box, constantly tiptoeing and craning her neck to look into the Government Office.

"General Sun, can’t you make an exception?" Qing Huan bit her thin lips, her pure eyes pleadingly looking at Sun Meng.

Qing Huan was not unattractive, she could be considered a little beauty. However, facing her plea, Sun Meng maintained a solemn expression and said, "It’s my duty, Miss Qing Huan, there’s no need to say more."

Qing Huan was Xu Ying’s maid, and if it were just an ordinary maid, Sun Meng would have rebuked her already.

Seeing this, Qing Huan tightened her robe, enduring the howling cold wind as she waited.

Fortunately, the wait was not long this time. A tall and slender figure walked out from the Government Office.

Sun Meng quickly saluted, "Marquis."

Although Chen Mo had already been promoted to Duke, Sun Meng was accustomed to calling him Marquis and had not yet changed his old habits.

"And who might this be?" Chen Mo looked at Qing Huan, puzzled.

Sun Meng was about to speak.

Qing Huan quickly said, "Duke An, the servant is Qing Huan. This is a walnut pastry made by the lady herself, who instructed me to personally deliver it to you. Also, the lady recently learned a Butterfly Dance and wishes to perform it for the Duke."

Chen Mo was taken aback and asked, "Your lady is?"

"Xu Ying," Qing Huan replied.

Upon hearing this, the image of Xu Ying immediately surfaced in Chen Mo’s mind.

Chen Mo truly was being inattentive. Perhaps the aura of Xu Ying as Empress had faded too long ago, so he was aware that this was an invitation for a rendezvous, yet his interest was not strong. Additionally, having just returned, it would be improper not to first go home but to head straight to Copper Sparrow Garden.

"Please thank your lady for me. It’s getting late, and I have matters to attend to. I will visit her another day."

Having said this, he motioned for Sun Meng to accept the walnut pastry Qing Huan brought.

Without further words with Qing Huan, Chen Mo mounted his horse and headed towards Pingting Marquis’s Mansion.

...

At this moment, Pingting Marquis’s Mansion was undergoing the change of the plaque to "Duke An’s Mansion."

When the Holy Decree arrived, Wu Mi had instructed the people below to prepare it, and today it was finally ready after much rush and effort.

Seeing Chen Mo return, the servants hurriedly saluted and then rushed to inform the ladies.

"You should return and rest early. You’ve been with me for so long, which must be tiring. Go accompany your wife and children and pass my regards to them."

Taking the food box from Sun Meng, as Chen Mo was heading towards the mansion, he remembered something and turned back to Sun Meng.

Upon hearing this, Sun Meng felt tremendously honored, knowing that the Marquis cared not only for him but also for his family.

At that moment, Sun Meng felt a newfound willingness to lay down his life for Chen Mo.

Sun Meng respectfully bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, Marquis. It’s my duty, and I’m not weary."

"Go on now," Chen Mo patted Sun Meng’s shoulder and smiled.

"Yes, sir."

...

As soon as he stepped onto the corridor leading to the rear courtyard, a group of women, including Wu Mi and Han Anniang, came forward to welcome him.

Chen Mo hurriedly approached, handing the food box to a nearby maid. With one hand supporting Wu Mi and the other supporting Han Anniang, he said, "I am not that picky, no need to welcome me."

"Hearing that my husband has returned, the child seemed to have heard as well and kicked my belly. It’s only a few steps," Wu Mi said, stroking her pregnant belly.

Han Anniang’s eyes flickered with envy towards Wu Mi. Such words were beyond her imagination.

"You..." Chen Mo gently squeezed Wu Mi’s small hand, thinking her insight was overwhelmingly astute.

"Husband, what’s inside this box?" Yi Shiyin curiously asked, looking at the food box in the maid’s hands.

Chen Mo said, "These are walnut pastries sent by Xu Ying."

Just as he spoke, Xia Zhining immediately cut in, "Indeed from the Imperial Palace, you’ve just returned, and she’s already working her charms."

"Zhi Ning," Xia Zhiqing softly said, linking arms with Xia Zhining.

Yi Shiyin was momentarily stunned but soon her smile deepened. Even the most dignified lady knew to please her husband at such times.

Wu Mi also raised her brows, but her disposition was gentle, so she did not mind, saying, "Husband, I’ve already ordered the servants to prepare hot water, and the meals in the kitchen are ready. Once you finish bathing, you can begin eating."

Chen Mo nodded, saying, "After all, it’s a token of her regard. Save a piece for me, and you can share and eat the rest."

...

While Chen Mo was bathing, Sun Meng had returned to his own residence.

During his time in Pingting County, Sun Meng married. With his wife and concubines, his family was complete with sons and daughters.

Later, due to the events in Qingzhou, he brought his family to Xiangyang.

Upon returning home, he saw several trays placed on the table in the living room.

His wife and concubines, knowing of Sun Meng’s return, came over with their children.

Despite having been apart for so long, the children were not distant; instead, they rushed into his arms at once.

Holding his youngest son, who reached only his waist, Sun Meng asked his wife, "What are these?"

"Don’t you know, sir?" Sun Meng’s wife asked in confusion.

Sun Meng shook his head.

"These are brocades and gold and silver jewelry sent by the Marquis Mansion’s main wife. She said it was to reward me and my sisters for your achievements in driving out enemies in the north while protecting the Marquis," Sun Meng’s wife replied.

Sun Meng was stunned, and after a moment of silence, he muttered to himself, "Truly a member of a prominent family."

At this moment, Sun Meng’s loyalty to Chen Mo increased even further.

Yet it was not over.

After he bathed and dined with his family.

A servant reported that someone from the Marquis Mansion had arrived.

Sun Meng personally went to greet them.

The visitors brought a food box containing a steaming braised fish.

Sun Meng immediately recognized it as a Spirit Fish.

His wife also knew that it was a gift from the Marquis to her husband. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"The Marquis treats me like a reborn parent..." Sun Meng said with a slight choke.

...

And this fish, Chen Mo not only bestowed upon Sun Meng but also to all the meritorious generals returning from the north.

This method of winning hearts had long been mastered by Chen Mo.

Chen Mo sat on a pearwood chair, holding his son Chen Nuo. To his right was Wu Mi, and further along was Yi Shiyin. To his left was Han Anniang, and next was Xia Zhiqing and the others.

Chen Mo scanned the women seated around the round table and then noticed something amiss: "Where’s Ru Yan?"

"I’ve already sent someone to call her," Wu Mi said softly.

Just as she finished speaking, a figure walked in from outside the hall.

Chen Mo was slightly stunned for a moment.

Because Yue Ruyan was wearing a light blue long dress, her hair styled in a girl’s bun, and beneath her willow-leaf brows, her gaze was no longer cold but filled with panic and unease.

Chen Mo smiled and asked, "Ru Yan, why have you adorned yourself in a maiden’s attire?"