Although Xia Zhiqing was the most talented woman in Qingzhou, when it came to feelings, she was like a blank sheet of paper. She had never seen such a scene before, and that face of Wen Ning was so red it seemed you could squeeze water out of it, full of vibrant beauty, indescribably beautiful.

Feeling the heartbeat of the young man in her hand, Xia Zhiqing's heart began to beat faster too. Deep within her beautiful eyes, a hint of embarrassment and anger surged: "You... you stop talking."

"No, I have to say it. After I came back, I originally didn't want to see you, but I missed you like crazy, I couldn't eat or drink, and I couldn't help writing poems for you." Chen Mo grasped Xia Zhiqing's soft hands with one hand, gently stroking her face with his thumb, tenderly and with affection.

Xia Zhiqing extended her jade hand and gently pushed him away, but her heart was in turmoil, and she didn't dare to look up at the young man.

"I sent you gifts repeatedly, but I never received any response from you. I originally thought it was just my wishful thinking, being self-indulgent, but then you responded by cooking for me."

Chen Mo paused slightly, pinching Xia Zhiqing's crystal-clear chin, making her look up at him, and then said, "From that, I understood, understood that you were not indifferent, so I asked for gifts from you.

This was also a test for me. If you acted like you didn't see it, maybe I still wouldn't come to see you, but you gave me a Peace Talisman with my name on it, so I came to see you."

Chen Mo stared into Xia Zhiqing's eyes and said, "I know you have me in your heart; otherwise, you wouldn't have worn the bracelet I gave you."

"No, it's not." Xia Zhiqing was still quibbling, but at this moment she was completely at Chen Mo's mercy.

"Zhiqing, just face your heart, if you want to refuse, then push me away..."

After saying that, he bowed his head and kissed her.

Chen Mo held the back of Xia Zhiqing's head, like a beast charging forward, greedily taking.

Xia Zhiqing's eyes opened wide, her clear and bright eyes filled with embarrassment and anger. She wanted to push the young man away, but her hands wouldn't obey, going from fists at the boy's waist to embracing him.

After a long time, Chen Mo released the breathless beauty, then wrapped his arms around her slender waist and said softly, "I knew you had me in your heart."

"Don't... talk nonsense."

"Zhiqing, be with me, I want to take responsibility for you." Chen Mo gently pushed Xia Zhiqing's shoulders, making her lie down on the ground. A carpet cushioned the floor, so it didn't feel cold.

Seeing the young man about to press down, Xia Zhiqing hurriedly raised her hand to block his chest and said, "We... we can't."

"Why not?" Chen Mo asked.

The beauty's originally charming eyes lost their luster and she pursed her soft lips, remaining silent.

Chen Mo removed Xia Zhiqing's hand, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "I know you're worried about your sister, and I know I wronged you at first, but Zhiqing, trust me, I will make it up to you. Actually, the hatred between me and your sister has already been resolved."

In this regard, Xia Zhiqing believed him, because Zhi Ning had once said she did not want revenge.

"Zhiqing, you belong to me, your purity is mine. Do you really want to marry another? Call me selfish or shameless if you want, but from now on, I will not let you go," Chen Mo declared dominantly.

"You... you mustn't say that." A wave of indescribable shame surged in Xia Zhiqing's heart as she spoke in a rush.

"Zhiqing, I'm serious, be my woman. The world is so chaotic now; you need someone to look after you." Chen Mo fell silent for a moment, then spoke softly.

Xia Zhiqing hesitated, her beautiful eyes slightly dazed.

Chen Mo whispered in Xia Zhiqing's ear, "Let me make it up to you. You know your sister's nature; she's bound to cause trouble, and you are both so beautiful. If you have no support and something happens, it could be disastrous.

Stay by my side, I'll take good care of you both."

As if he had spoken directly to her heart, Xia Zhiqing's mind was a tangled mess.

At that moment, feeling the young man's obsession, Xia Zhiqing knew escape was unlikely. She silently lamented this entanglement. Although this person was a bit of a scoundrel, he truly was someone worthy of trusting. She gently protested, "Not... here, Zhi Ning will be back soon."

"Don't worry, I sent her to guide the soldiers in drilling formations, she won't be back for a while." Chen Mo whispered.

Xia Zhiqing no longer resisted and wrapped her arms around Chen Mo's neck.

Outside, the cold wind howled and small snowflakes swirled, the air was chilling, but inside it felt like summer.

After a little over half an Hour, Chen Mo embraced the soft and delicate Xia Zhiqing, calming his emotions, and wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, speaking softly, "Zhiqing, have you missed me these days?"

At that moment, Xia Zhiqing's eyes were slightly open, her cheeks flushed like peach blossoms, and a rosy hue spread down her slender neck. She didn't have her sister's proud nature and, after a moment's hesitation, nodded slightly.

Chen Mo lowered his head and kissed the corner of Xia Zhiqing's lips, speaking gently, "Zhiqing, it is this moment I feel I truly have you."

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhiqing's heart was touched at its softest point, and her gaze momentarily dazed like water, shyly saying, "You... stop talking."

"I still like the way you called me a bad person earlier."

Xia Zhiqing, embarrassed and annoyed, said nothing.

But under Chen Mo's insistence, Xia Zhiqing still whispered "bad person" into Chen Mo's ear.

The previously gentle voice of Wen Ning, upon being spoken, actually surprised Xia Zhiqing with its slightly coquettish tone.

"Zhiqing truly is irresistible," Chen Mo said gently, looking at the beauty whose face was even brighter and more enchanting than before.

Xia Zhiqing was startled, terrified that this bad person would come again, and hurriedly said, "It's already very late, Zhi Ning is surely coming back, you should go."

Xia Zhiqing still needed time to tidy up the room.

Chen Mo, knowing it was about time, reluctantly uttered a few sweet words and got up.

Xia Zhiqing also knelt and got up, helping Chen Mo with his clothes.

Chen Mo was stunned; after all, his older sister knows how to care, while Zhi Ning has never proactively served him in dressing.

Chen Mo naturally lent Xia Zhiqing a hand.

After tidying up their clothes, Chen Mo turned to bring a cup of tea that had already cooled, handing it to Xia Zhiqing, and gently said, "Thirsty? Moisturize your throat."

"Thank you." Hearing the young man's attentive words, Xia Zhiqing expressed her gratitude, taking the cup and bringing it to her lips.

Elegant, gentle, polite—who wouldn't love a woman like this?

Chen Mo indulged himself again with a kiss on the corner of Xia Zhiqing's lips: "Next time, don't give away the things I gift you to others."

"Mm." Xia Zhiqing softly murmured, then pursed her pink lips, unable to resist asking, "The pearl necklace you gave to Zhi Ning..."

"It was originally prepared for you, who told you to provoke me then." Chen Mo pinched her cheek.

"I knew it." Hearing the young man's words, Xia Zhiqing regretted.

"Alright, next time I'll prepare an even more beautiful pearl necklace for you."

"Hurry up and go; don't let anyone get suspicious." Xia Zhiqing said bashfully.

...

Leaving the room, Chen Mo was so pleased he hummed a tune. These two sisters were finally his, remaining only for them to break that thin layer of window paper between them.

Passing through the corridor, a figure suddenly emerged from behind a pillar.

Zhi Ning crossed her arms and looked at Chen Mo with a cold expression: "You seem quite pleased, don't you?"

"Not at all." Chen Mo walked forward, pulled Zhi Ning over, and hugged her, softly saying, "I'm doing this for you."

"Stop it." Zhi Ning symbolically resisted a few times, then quietly said, "Didn't expect my sister to be completely under your control too."

"Jealous?" Chen Mo kissed Zhi Ning's forehead.

"Humph." A cold snort came from Zhi Ning's nostrils before she said, "When will I be the one to break it?"

Chen Mo's eyes twinkled and said, "Let's go through it twice more; breaking it the first time seems too rushed."

"Lucky for you, you bastard." Zhi Ning pushed Chen Mo away, intending to return.

Yet Chen Mo pulled her toward the study: "Don't rush, give your sister some time to tidy up; I have something to tell you."

Zhi Ning followed Chen Mo to the study.

But when Chen Mo closed the study door, Zhi Ning realized she had fallen for his trick.

This bastard indeed is just a bastard.

Just bullied my sister, now wants to bully me too.

...

On December 26th and 27th, Chen Mo repeatedly sent Zhi Ning away and found Xia Zhiqing alone, spending half an hour in the winter days.

Meanwhile, in Xia Lin.

Chen Mo dispatched people to deliver 25,000 coins and 25,000 stones of grain, which arrived at Xia Lin City today.

After Cui Shuang checked the count, he informed Yang Minggui and Xu Mu.

Learning that the actual amount received was half less than expected, Yang Minggui's brow furrowed instantly. He wasn't a fool; Ping Court had consecutive abundant harvests twice, and he also knew Ping Court's prosperity rather than unable to provide fifty thousand coins and fifty thousand stones of grain.

"Military Advisor, what do you make of this?" Yang Minggui asked.

Anyone could ponder it for a moment, and it would be clear. Xu Mu didn't think twice, saying, "Commander, clearly, Chen Mo has expressed dissatisfaction, indicating the Commander's demands have reached his limit of tolerance. If the Commander continues to ask for money and grain, he surely won't give anymore."

"He dares." Having listened to Xu Mu's analysis, Yang Minggui immediately shouted, angrily mocking, "Does he really think now that he's the Commander, he can be on equal terms with me? Let me tell him, I'll eat off him for a lifetime."

Xu Mu slightly furrowed his brow, saying, "Commander, the Celestial King Hall is crucial, best not to clash with him, especially as we're all colleagues within the Celestial Master Army; it would be a bad look if the Celestial Master found out."

"I am obviously aware of that." Yang Minggui coldly snorted, "I'll deal with him once I break into the Upper Three Grades. By then, even the Celestial Master must show some respect. When the time comes, even if I kill him, he'll die in vain."

"Commander, Chen Mo counts as a talent; keeping him around is still beneficial for you." Xu Mu said.

"That depends on whether he knows what's good for him then."

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