Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 534: Loyal to the Great Song and Duke An
Linzhou.
In the chamber of Yue Ruyan at the Duke An’s Mansion.
On a soft couch, Yue Ruyan weakly pushed Chen Mo away with her delicate hand. Her snow-white face was flushed with a deep rosy hue, and her forehead was beaded with fine sweat. Her hair clung to her cheeks, and she gave Chen Mo a light glare before taking the handkerchief he handed over to wipe away the sweat on her forehead and such.
At this moment, Chen Mo reached out and wrapped his arms around Yue Ruyan’s slender yet strong waist, inhaling the fragrance from her hair, causing his heart to flutter slightly.
Yue Ruyan’s delicate, frost-like face immediately showed an expression of panic. She hurriedly said, "Stop, I’m not doing this anymore."
After speaking, she started to push him away.
Heaven knows how she got through these days; in the past ten days, she hardly left the room. Fortunately, he had not been as diligent lately, coming only at night, but even as a Third-Grade Martial Artist, she couldn’t take it anymore.
However, her cultivation also improved considerably. These days of "cultivation" were comparable to more than a year of arduous training.
Chen Mo kissed her cheek: "I’m not doing anything, just hugging."
As he spoke, Chen Mo opened the system panel.
[Name: Chen Mo]
[Age: 23]
[Cultivation Technique: Purple Sun Transformation Skill (Great Success 92935/100000)]
[Realm: Divine Power (Third Grade)]
[Power: 2513]
[Skills: Great Sun Qi Slash (Intermediate 98329/6000000), Sun-Shooting Arrow (Basic 678925/1000000), Cloud Traveling Step (Advanced 8972/10000), Divine Burning Technique (Basic 43680/100000), Snake Swallowing Technique (Perfected, Tier Break upon reaching First Grade), Esoteric Dual Refining Technique (Small Success 79/100)]
In these days, Chen Mo figured out that the reason for the gradual decrease in Secret Technique cultivation experience and its restoration after a period of rest was related to his energy.
The more vigorous the energy, the more experience gained.
And as time goes on, energy decreases, and the experience gained naturally decreases.
That’s why recently, Chen Mo didn’t seek out Yue Ruyan during the day.
Seeing that Chen Mo truly stopped making advances, Yue Ruyan relaxed and said, "I... need to return to the army for drills. Fooling around with you all day, I’m left listless."
"Hmm." Chen Mo gently stroked Yue Ruyan’s hair and then softly said, "This morning, word came from the Inspector that although Jin Xia’s Western Army retreated from Yu State, they still left an unknown number of troops in Longyou and have not fully withdrawn from the Great Song."
Yue Ruyan frowned and said, "It seems Wanyan Xiaji has not given up on invading our Great Song."
As she spoke, the cold voice of Xia Zhining resounded from outside the room, "Done with your antics?"
The words carried a hint of resentment and jealousy.
Truly, a new generation surpasses the old.
In these days, she had been completely neglected.
"It’s her." Yue Ruyan was immediately a bit flustered. After all, Xia Zhining coming over was different from a maid, and from the tone of this voice, Yue Ruyan feared Xia Zhining had come to compete out of jealousy.
Chen Mo naturally wasn’t afraid; instead, he chuckled softly: "Is it Zhining? Do you want to come in?"
"Hmph..."
Xia Zhining lightly spat, then said with a flushed face, "It’s Chen Cultivator who wants to see you."
"Chen Cultivator?"
Chen Mo was taken aback, realizing Chen Cultivator had come to discuss the imperial examination with him.
"Ruyan, you rest first, I have something to tend to outside."
Saying that, Chen Mo dressed properly and went outside.
Xia Zhining leaned against the wall, teasingly looking at Chen Mo: "You decided to come out."
"Smack..."
Chen Mo walked up and gave her firm buttocks a gentle pat, instantly causing ripples to rise, saying: "Why are you jealous of her? Previously in the north, you were the one monopolizing me."
Hearing this, Xia Zhining immediately lifted her foot and lightly stomped on Chen Mo’s foot, then left in a huff.
Chen Mo chuckled softly and proceeded to the front hall.
At this moment, Chen Cultivator was seated on a pearwood chair, waiting patiently with a cup of tea.
Just then, Sun Meng from outside announced, "Duke An has arrived."
Chen Cultivator set down his tea, picked up the cane placed beside him, quickly stood up, raised his eyes to the young man in the Profound Robe, a worried look appearing in his eyes, and said bluntly: "Duke An, are you aware of the court’s edict to resume the imperial examination?"
Chen Mo nodded before sitting down again. A maid brought him hot tea, and he said, "It was expected."
Chen Cultivator also sat down and said: "Did the court give Duke An any prior indication?"
Chen Mo shook his head.
"Ah?" Chen Cultivator was taken aback, then grew anxious, saying: "What should we do? The court resumes the examination, but the location is set in Luonan, without informing each state. In this way, are we not to look on helplessly?"
Previously, Chen Cultivator thought Chen Mo’s relations with the court were rather favorable. After all, from County Marquis to General of Pingxi, then to Grand Commandant, First-class Duke step by step, if relations weren’t good, why would Lu Sheng elevate him like this.
Thus, when the court resumed the examination, they would undoubtedly let Chen Mo oversee it as well.
But now it seems, there was none.
Chen Mo was momentarily stunned: "Who said we have to look on helplessly? We will proceed with the examination as usual. I have already informed Lord Zuo and Lord Geng to come to Xiangyang. By then, you and those two, along with some Great Scholars from Linzhou, will hastily develop the examination questions."
"Ah?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Cultivator was startled, saying: "But the court has not ordered us to hold the examination. If we host it privately, isn’t that grossly disrespectful?"
Chen Mo initially wanted to say, I need you, then I acknowledge the court of Luonan; I don’t need you, then what is the court?
First, it doesn’t pay me stipends.
Second, it doesn’t supply me with military provisions.
Third, it doesn’t provide disaster relief.
Even if disrespecting it, Chen Mo doesn’t feel any guilt in his heart.
I will hold the examination; would Lu Sheng dare to send troops to punish me?
As for facing public criticism?
Chen Mo had been criticized before. Previously, as a member of the Celestial Master Army, then becoming regular, capturing Ning Wan, seizing King Chong’s daughter-in-law, then to Xiao Yunxi, Former Empress, and so on, which incident wasn’t criticized?
As for "righteousness"?
Come on.
The truth is in the hands of the majority.
Now, the hearts of the people in the entire North are with him.
Moreover, hosting the examination is a good thing for scholars.
He couldn’t guarantee the South, but certainly, scholars throughout the North would thank him and clear his name.
By then, if criticized, there would be people to defend him.
However, thinking of this, Chen Mo wasn’t sure if Chen Cultivator was like Xun Yu of the Three Kingdoms, in the Cao Camp but loyal to the Han.
Thinking it over, Chen Mo said: "Duke Chen might not know, nowadays, all of this world’s Dukes have the hearts of wolves, especially Prince Huai and King Chong, who dare to rebel against the court. This time, the court didn’t inform each state, primarily not to benefit Prince Huai, King Chong, and others harboring rebellious intentions.
Second, the examination selects talents across the realm, selecting individuals for the court to assist Great Song. However, the court is currently controlled by Lu Sheng, who for his own ambitions, set the provincial examination only in Luonan. I must thwart his plan and select those truly loyal to Great Song for the Emperor. I believe, once the Emperor knows, he will understand the good intentions behind my actions."
