Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 548: Xu Ying: I Miss Duke An

"The Duke An has arrived..."

Xu Ying’s heart stirred slightly. Like her, demoted to servitude and without status in this Copper Sparrow Garden, she wanted to keep Chen Mo interested in her to gain his favor. Her strategy was to increase her presence in front of him.

If he hadn’t come to the Copper Sparrow Garden, Xu Ying wouldn’t have had any way to increase her presence.

But since he came, Xu Ying had to find every way possible to make the first move.

"Has she gone to Madam Xiao?" Xu Ying asked.

"The Duke An has gone to Princess Zhaoqing," the maid said.

"Sister-in-law..."

Xu Ying whispered softly. Chu Ran was once her elder brother’s wife, and naturally, she should address her as sister-in-law.

Although her elder brother is no longer around, and there was no consummation between Chu Ran and him, both were bestowed by the Emperor to Chen Mo. They were once a family, so it’s inevitable to feel a bit odd...

However, it seems that person likes it this way.

If she were to go over now, he’s likely not to forget even if he wants to.

"Come in and do my makeup," Xu Ying said coolly, gathering her thoughts.

"Understood."

Then the door opened, and the maid walked in slowly.

.....

The sky was dim, and the light gradually faded.

Inside Chu Ran’s chamber.

Inside the drapery, the fragrance of cosmetics mixed with steam created an enchanting atmosphere, intoxicating the surroundings.

The doors and windows in the chamber were tightly closed. As the sky darkened, the indoor light became quite dim, showing a disarray of clothes lying under the couch.

Chen Mo rested his head on Chu Ran’s snow-white thighs, enjoying her slender fingers gently pressing on the acupuncture points on his head, causing his eyes to narrow into slits.

As for Chu Ran, her face was flushed, her head turned aside, trying hard not to look at the end of the bed, but her eyes couldn’t help stealing glances.

Though she was no longer the Princess Consort Huai, she was, after all, the legitimate daughter of the Xiao family, with a recognized status in Duke An’s Mansion, unlike her servitude status. Yet here she was, willingly lowering herself...

"In a few days, I have to go to Huai State. Would you like to accompany me? Your father is also in Huai State," Chen Mo said.

Xiao Yunxi glanced at Chen Mo and muttered, "Sure."

Ever since she was captured at Wuguan and came to Linzhou, it had been nearly two years since she saw her parents. She did miss them, wanting to visit the Xiao family and see Zheng’Er.

Chen Mo’s gaze shifted downward, seeing Xiao Yunxi’s scattered long hair cascading down, covering her face, making him reach out to tuck her hair back, revealing her radiant, glowing visage.

At this moment, Xiao Yunxi seemed to murmur softly, knowing Chen Mo was watching her, her eyelashes trembling slightly. When she looked at Chen Mo, her radiant face showed a trace of embarrassment and annoyance, her face turning rosier. Her heart and body felt a peculiar sensation, yet she did not retaliate against Chen Mo...

"Previously, it was mentioned in a letter that your father has a chronic ailment and hasn’t recovered. Yet, I was unaware, and asked him to come out of retirement to guard Huai State for me, which weighs heavily on my conscience. This time when we go to Huai State, you should help me pick out some gifts he likes. I must sincerely thank him.

Additionally, when you, Yunxi, entered the mansion, your parents were not in Xiangyang and couldn’t witness it. After dealing with the affairs in Fengzhou during this trip to Huai State, let’s take a journey down to Jiangnan to visit your family and relatives," Chen Mo said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunxi looked up, her beautiful eyes under the curved E Mei arches showing a trace of emotion.

After all, she was just a concubine of the Duke An’s Mansion. When she was with Chen Mo, she was no longer a maiden, and she had a child.

Considering Chen Mo’s current status, his willingness to accompany her to the Jiangnan Xiao family means he is giving her significant face, and likewise, honoring the Xiao family, demonstrating to the noble families in Jiangnan that even though her brother is no longer around, the Xiao family still holds a crucial place in Chen Mo’s heart.

Among them, Chu Ran listened inwardly, feeling a peculiar emotion. This man treated his consort fairly well. If she served well, perhaps she could also become his consort in the future...

Amidst her thoughts, a soft voice rang out from outside the room: "Is the Duke An here?"

Chu Ran was startled, then surprised, recognizing the voice as Xu Ying.

She came to her courtyard looking for Chen Mo, obviously aware of something.

Chu Ran’s face turned scarlet. Being known by someone familiar about her embarrassing situation was undeniably awkward and embarrassing.

While Chu Ran was formulating excuses to muddle through Xu Ying, Chen Mo spoke up: "Is it the Empress?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Chu Ran: "???"

Xiao Yunxi gave Chen Mo a flirtatious glance, then hurriedly sat up.

Outside the room, upon hearing Chen Mo’s title, Xu Ying felt a thrill in her heart: "Duke An, may I come in?"

"No," Chu Ran hurriedly whispered to Chen Mo, urging him not to let Xu Ying in.

But Chen Mo ignored Chu Ran’s plea and said, "Empress, do come in."

"I apologize for the intrusion."

Although the door was closed, it was not bolted, and Xu Ying pushed the door open and walked in.

The air inside the room was not as fresh as outside, accompanied by a blend of fragrance from cosmetics and floral scents from a bath.

After closing the door, Xu Ying slowly walked in.

Entering the inner room, she walked past a screen and saw a bath barrel that had not been removed, with water long since cold.

Looking towards the inner side, the drapery had already been pulled up, with Chen Mo half-sitting on the bed, Chu Ran huddled under the covers like a turtle, while Xiao Yunxi had already dressed and was frantically stowing her handkerchief into her sleeve.

"Empress, I am a bit indisposed and cannot rise to greet you," Chen Mo said with a light laugh.

"No matter," Xu Ying walked straight over, her gaze falling on Xiao Yunxi, "This should be the noble lady of the Xiao family, am I right?"

Xiao Yunxi was about to get off the couch but was held back by Chen Mo, forcing her to respond while still on it: "I greet the Empress."

Xiao Yunxi held an official decree of appointment.

Chu Ran: "..."

Why do you call her Empress, like that man...

"No need for formalities." Xu Ying raised her hand slightly, unceremoniously sitting on the couch, and glanced around, "Where is Prince Zhaoqing?"

"Right here."

Chen Mo lifted the quilt slightly, revealing Chu Ran’s retracted head.

Chu Ran’s face was flushed red, too embarrassed to greet Xu Ying.

"What brings the Empress here?" Xiao Yunxi asked, hoping that after witnessing this scene, Xu Ying would feel some shame and leave.

But Xu Ying got straight to the point, saying, "They say living within the Copper Sparrow Garden with Prince Zhaoqing, yet never having spoken to the Prince, while the Duke An is here, I also somewhat miss Duke An, hence I came by. Madam doesn’t mind, does she?"

With that, Xu Ying turned her gaze to Xiao Yunxi.

Xiao Yunxi: "..."

Such openness, indeed.

Chu Ran, hearing this, dared not lift her head even more.