Not sure if Chen Mo was too tormenting, but Xia Zhining's consciousness gradually became a bit blurred. Under Chen Mo's "persuasive words," Xia Zhining had no choice but to agree, shyly and teasingly saying, "You talk about it yourself, I just... can't say it."

This bastard is indeed right; he robbed her sister's purity, so it's only right he should take responsibility.

Besides, they are twins. If they married different men, it indeed feels strange, a kind of betrayal.

And given Chen Mo's conditions, dismissing those grudges against them, he is indeed worthy of the sister.

Most importantly, she wants to stay with her sister forever, not to be separated.

Of course, that doesn't mean she wants to help this bastard convince her sister.

If she opened her mouth, then that would make her that...

Although she agreed, she wouldn't help this bastard out.

"Don't worry, leave it to me." Chen Mo embraced the beauty a little tighter.

Xia Zhining furrowed her delicate brows, for she found that this bastard seemed to be getting more enthusiastic. Her clear, cold face blushed like the rosy clouds, like a snow lotus bathing in the sunlight. Under her gently curved eyebrows, her beautiful eyes were filled with shyness and annoyance, while the tip of her delicate nose let out a faint hum. Her hands hung down from the bluestone, and if it weren't for Chen Mo's hold, she might have slumped into the water by now.

This bastard often doesn't know how to cherish people at these times, not knowing...

Yet that unspeakable feeling made Xia Zhining somewhat indulge.

"Rest assured, I know your concerns. My care and responsibility are solely for your sister; it's you that I love." Chen Mo turned her around, looking at her elegant, straight nose and full, tender red lips, speaking softly:

"Zhining's skin is fairer than snow, and her tender body is like soft jade with a warm fragrance, making one fall deeply in love, wanting to hold you like this without parting for even a moment."

"Hm, you bastard only knows how to say coaxing words, I... don't believe you." Xia Zhining snorted softly, responding casually, but revealing a touch of a small woman's coy anger, undoubtedly making the young man even more affectionate.

Xia Zhining's heart was filled with shy annoyance, and she whispered: "You... you..."

Because at this moment, she was lifted by the young man and placed on the bluestone, scaring her into quickly hugging Chen Mo's neck.

"What about me?" Chen Mo tasted the corner of the beauty's lips with affection.

Feeling the young man's love, Xia Zhining's heart trembled inexplicably, and a thought arose in her heart. This bastard just lusts after her body? Look at how obsessed he is.

She said, "You've written 'Guan Ju' for my sister, and even 'Peach Blossom' for your concubine... but nothing for me."

Women are like this, always comparing.

Holding that slender waist, Chen Mo inhaled her intoxicating aroma and whispered, "Inspiration doesn't come at will, once I have time, I'll write one for you."

But Xia Zhining wanted it now, snorting coldly: "Not at will? Isn't it you who wrote poems and had my sister compose music to them, probably to enchant her, just casually treating me, I know you're just saying things to make me happy.

If my sister asked you to write, you probably would instantly come up with a poem, right?"

Chen Mo: "..."

Why did Lin Daiyu suddenly come to life?

However, at such a time, he hardly had thoughts for poetry.

But seeing the atmosphere getting a bit cold, Chen Mo said, "Then you have to give me some time to think.

Like this, you..."

With the last sentence, Chen Mo whispered into the beauty's ear.

Xia Zhining's beautiful eyes widened in an instant, angrily saying: "You... you're too much."

This is worse than making her lower her head...

He wasn't even hesitant of dirtiness.

Her long, clear eyes showed a trace of annoyance.

Seeing she was really angry, Chen Mo quickly changed his tune: "Just kidding with you, don't take it seriously."

"This joke isn't funny at all..." Xia Zhining didn't think it was a joke, feeling this bastard just wanted to belittle her, saying so only after seeing she was angry.

In the end, Xia Zhining lowered her head once more.

As Chen Mo took advantage of this time, he finally found a relatively suitable poem among those he had learned, saying:

"Zhining, listen carefully."

"In the north there is a beauty, peerless and independent."

"One glance enraptures a city, another glance enraptures a nation."

"Wouldn't you know the fall of cities and nations, A beauty is hard to find again."

The meaning of this poem was quite obvious, coupled with the current situation, Xia Zhining wouldn't think too deeply about it, only feeling the young man was praising her beauty excessively this way.

This is much better than that 'Guan Ju.'

Xia Zhining's heart welled with subtle feelings, her long, clear eyes showed a hint of shyness, feeling very satisfied.

Then she actively inched forward her lips, gave a soft kiss on Chen Mo's lip line, bit her cherry lips with her pearls, and trembled: "That's your reward."

Chen Mo: "..."

Repaying kindness with grievance, right?

...

Pingting County, in the mountain stronghold.

After Han Anniang finished washing up, she returned to her room, changed into a nightgown, and then got some medicinal clay to apply on her face.

This medicinal clay was said to beautify and rejuvenate the skin, recommended to her by a woman in the mountain stronghold. This woman was formerly an official's wife who fled here and now was with Wei Qing.

Then she lay on the pillow and followed the Cultivation Technique taught by Yi Shiyin, closing her eyes to focus and regulate her breathing.

With more interactions, Han Anniang had broadened her horizons significantly. Rather than worrying about whether Uncle would despise her in the future, she decided to improve herself instead.

And a woman's greatest asset is her looks. She knew her skin couldn't compare to those of the wealthy ladies, so she began to take care of it.

She didn't aspire for beauty, only hoped to delay aging a little.

After lying down for a moment and calculating the time, Han Anniang went to wash off the medicinal clay from her face. Just as she was preparing to extinguish the light and lie down, the door to the next room opened and closed. Footsteps came to her door, and then the door was pushed open.

Han Anniang was slightly startled and turned to look. Yi Shiyin, wearing only a dudou and underpants, a gauzy robe draped over her shoulders and a pillow in her arms, walked in and closed the door.

"Xiaolu, why are you here?" Han Anniang said.

Yi Shiyin placed the pillow on Han Anniang's bed, then sat down at the bedside, her eyes flickering, "It's nothing, I couldn't sleep tonight, I wanted to sleep with you, and chat a bit."

Now Yi Shiyin would occasionally come to the mountain stronghold; it was Chen Mo's suggestion for her to come and keep Han Anniang company when she had time.

"Oh."

Hearing this, Han Anniang nodded. The two had become very familiar by now, showing no discontent, she said, "Xiaolu, you sleep on the inside, I'll sleep outside."

"Mm-hmm." Yi Shiyin obediently rolled over to the inner side.

Han Anniang lay on the outer side and took a nearby thin blanket to cover Yi Shiyin's waist, softly saying, "Xiaolu, you wanted to talk to me about Uncle, right?"

Yi Shiyin shook her head, saying, "I want to know about my husband and your affairs?"

"Ah..." Han Anniang was startled; her expression became unnatural, her face alternating red and pale, saying, "I...what about my Uncle?"

"Sister-in-law, I've heard..." Yi Shiyin lay on her side, looking at Han Anniang. The other was wearing a nightgown from neck to ankle, covering everything except for alluring contours.

But her gaze instinctively glanced at Han Anniang's bosom, her face slightly reddened, and her heart exclaimed a surprise, able to surpass hers... by a lot.

Yi Shiyin blinked, softly saying, "Sister-in-law, don't be shy, I understand; appreciate you taking care of my husband."

After all, Han Anniang's matter couldn't be hidden in the village.

With Yi Shiyin's frequent visits to the mountain stronghold, she learned about it.

Even matters regarding the Emperor and the late emperor's concubines are discussed among the folk, not to mention the situation between Chen Mo and Han Anniang.

Respect is respect, but gossiping is inevitable.

Han Anniang's body stiffened slightly, she couldn't help but raise her hands to cover her face, feeling utterly embarrassed.

But inside, there was a sense of relief as if the many reins binding her had snapped one.

"Wow, sister-in-law, your face is so hot, are you shy?" Yi Shiyin poked Han Anniang's face with her finger, curious eyes sparkling, then suddenly reached out to hug Han Anniang tightly, her leg crossing over her:

"Wow, sister-in-law, hugging you feels so good."

Han Anniang's body was tense, feeling like it was much more than being held down and bullied by Uncle when embraced by a younger woman.

Gently pushing Xiaolu away, she bit her cherry lips and said, "Xiaolu, don't...mess around..."

And then added, "Xiaolu, aren't you angry with me?"

After all, now Yi Shiyin was Chen Mo's concubine with a recognized status, whereas she herself was not.

"Angry?" Yi Shiyin asked in puzzlement, "Why would I be angry? I'm more than happy, actually. Upon finding this out, I felt much closer to you, sister-in-law. No longer so restrained, and I won't need to hide anything with my husband from you."

Han Anniang: "..."

Is her heart really that big?

"And from now on, I can serve our husband with you." Yi Shiyin continued.

"Uh..."

Han Anniang opened her mouth, amazed by Xiaolu's boldness, but was too shy to say "yay," simply nodding lightly, "Let's... sleep early."

...

On the other side.

Government Office.

Xia Zhiqing couldn't sleep at all. Ever since her sister left over a month ago, what she thought about most every day wasn't actually her sister, but that person. Sometimes, staring at the Guan Ju gifted by him, she'd fall into a daze, then start worrying about him, wondering if he was alright.

Xia Zhiqing didn't understand what was happening to her.

Last time, she even subtly inquired from Chunhong about any news of that person.

What she didn't know was that ever since entrusting her innocence to that person, a seed had been planted in her heart.

This seed will gradually root and sprout over time.

She felt hot, sweating a lot, but upon removing her thin pants, she realized it didn't seem to be sweat...

She just lay on the bed like that, one hand resting on her forehead, the other on her navel, staring blankly at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting far away.

After an unknown period, she suddenly sat up, went to her dressing table, and took out a jade hairpin and a pearl necklace from the drawer, wearing them.

These belonged... to her.

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