Before the sky was fully bright, Xiaoling got up early. As Yi Shiyin's personal maid, she had to wake up earlier than Yi Shiyin, urge the kitchen to prepare breakfast, and then, after washing up, take the toiletries to wake her mistress.

However, as the sun rose, and the morning light dispersed the morning mist, Xiaoling did not see Yi Shiyin in the room.

Just as she put down her things and went out to look for her in the pavilion, she noticed movement in the guest room opposite.

As a side note, Han Anniang and Song Min had already left the Yi Family Courtyard and returned to their mountain stronghold.

In the guest room, Xia Zhining who had gotten up early, couldn't hold back when she thought about what happened last night. She kicked Chen Mo off the bed, having slept on her stomach all night.

With Chen Mo unprepared and Xia Zhining showing no mercy, this kick was indeed slightly painful for Chen Mo.

Chen Mo naturally woke up, rubbing the kicked area, climbed back onto the bed still slightly sleepy, and said: "Zhining, what's gotten into you so early in the morning?"

"What's gotten into me?" Feeling the abnormal sensation from the grinding stone, Xia Zhining was filled with anger and kicked again: "Who started it last night, you shameless, vulgar scoundrel..."

That feeling was as if she was about to be torn apart.

Chen Mo grabbed Xia Zhining's small foot and hugged her leg, lying on his side, saying: "You didn't refuse last night either, so stop making a fuss, I'm really sleepy..."

Hearing this, Xia Zhining's face flushed red. She had been troubled by this scoundrel last night until she was dizzy, her mind a mess. She didn't really hear what the scoundrel said, was she not refusing?

But she didn't consent either.

Seeing Xia Zhining looking like she was about to explode, Chen Mo quickly took her into his arms and gently patted her jade-like back, saying: "Zhining, I wronged you last night, I will definitely make it up to you in the future, be good."

"As if." Xia Zhining pushed him away, having heard similar words from this scoundrel more than once.

During their noisy quarrel, Xia Zhiqing and Yi Shiyin also woke up. Seeing Xia Zhining, their minds drifted to the events of last night, and they couldn't help lowering their heads.

Xia Zhiqing couldn't help but say: "Mo Lang, you... went too far last night, Zhining was crying."

"Who cried, I didn't cry." Xia Zhining tried to maintain her dignity, but at this moment, in front of the two other girls, she had no dignity to speak of, powerless. She could only punch and kick Chen Mo while saying: "It's all your fault, scoundrel."

"Alright." Chen Mo was really sleepy and didn't have extra words to comfort, so he said: "Zhining, be good, in the future let Zhiqing and Xiaolu experience it too."

The saying goes not worried about scarcity but worried about inequality.

Ahem, that might not be the right way to put it.

But hearing this, Xia Zhining quieted down quite a bit.

Indeed, such embarrassing matters couldn't just happen to her.

Yi Shiyin blushed and said nothing, while Xia Zhiqing shook her head vigorously.

Chen Mo didn't say much, observing the quiet, he could finally have a good sleep.

In the guest room, Yi Shiyin was afraid of being discovered by those below, so she couldn't stay for long.

She quickly dressed and headed out of the room.

Xiaoling slowly approached the guest room, originally intending to peek in, only to be surprised as a girl in a green dress dashed out recklessly, almost bumping into her.

Xiaoling looked closely, and it turned out that the one emerging from the room was Yi Shiyin.

Xiaoling froze: "Miss, is it really you? How come you're from..."

Saying this, Xiaoling seemed to realize something, her eyes widened, just as she was about to continue speaking, Yi Shiyin covered her mouth and deliberately put on a stern face:

"Xiaoling, you didn't see anything, right?"

Xiaoling: "???"

"If you let others know about this, I'll... I'll sell you." Yi Shiyin threatened.

Though such words from Yi Shiyin's mouth held little real threat, they still startled Xiaoling.

As a maid, her owner could dispose of her at will.

Yi Shiyin felt she might've gone overboard with her words, so she said: "Xiaoling, be good, in the future... when I am alone with my husband, I'll call you to help."

"Ah..." Xiaoling froze at the words, then her face reddened as she pretended modesty: "Miss, I... can't do that."

"You don't want to? Then forget it."

No, it can't be forgotten.

Seeing her mistress retracting her invitation, she quickly said: "I want to, want to, I'll listen to Miss."

...

February 15.

Chen Mo received a letter from Xia Lin.

Originally thinking it was Yang Minggui asking him for money and food again, only after reading did he realize that the Celestial King Hall was about to be completed soon, hence inviting him to Xia Lin to observe.

Chen Mo handed the letter for Geng Songfu and others to see.

Geng Songfu said: "Marshal Chen, the observation is just a guise, I'm afraid Yang Minggui has other intentions."

"County Magistrate Geng is right. Since Marshal Chen only gave Xia Lin half the resources last time, our relationship with Xia Lin has deteriorated quite a bit, Red Copper has been cut off as well. Now inviting Marshal Chen to observe, there must be ulterior motives." Zhao Daoxian said.

"That's right, Marshal Chen, in my opinion, we should be cautious." Sun Meng also added.

The people under Chen Mo all advised him against going.

If Yang Minggui wanted to harm Chen Mo on his own turf, first, it would be incredibly difficult, and second, since they were in the same faction, with so many eyes watching, even if he made a move, it couldn't be covered up. He wouldn't be able to silence them.

But if they went to Xia Lin, on someone else's territory, the situation would be different.

"If I don't go, what excuse should I use to refuse?"

Chen Mo looked at the letter in his hand. At least from the letter, there was no sign of danger, and it specifically mentioned allowing him to bring his army.

"This is simple. Marshal Chen can simply claim to be unwell and refuse." Zhao Daoxian suggested.

In the dead of winter, falling ill is not uncommon; it's quite frequent.

"That excuse is too clumsy. How about claiming that Yu State's army has been found near Quanyang County, approaching Qingzhou, necessitating preparations for a potential attack from them," suggested Geng Songfu after thinking it over.

Listening to their suggestions, Chen Mo stood up, looked outside, and smiled, "No, I want to go."

"Marshal Chen, please reconsider," Geng Songfu immediately urged him to reconsider.

"I know what you're worried about," Chen Mo turned around and said, "I can't wait for him to make a move on me. It's a good opportunity to take back what I've given away."

"Zhang River, Su Wen, Li Yunzhang."

"Present."

"Zhang River, order a thousand of the Divine Brave Guard; Su Wen, order two thousand of the Divine Martial Guard; Li Yunzhang, order five thousand of the Xianzhen Guard to accompany me to Xia Lin tomorrow." Chen Mo said decisively.

"Yes."

...

The Capital, Celestial River.

During today's morning assembly, Prime Minister Xu Guozhong suggested moving the capital to Luonan, which led to a heated debate among the civil and military officials.

Among these officials, everyone had different agendas. The opposition, who were against relocating the capital, secretly rejoiced. The Loyalist Army was pressuring the Heaven-Suppressing Gate, and as soon as it fell, they could advance and attack Celestial River. They saw that Xu Guozhong was a spent force, only moving the capital to Luonan to temporarily avoid the edge, and naturally, they couldn't agree.

They spoke of the numerous disadvantages of relocating the capital.

The first issue was that it shook the very foundation of the nation.

However, Xu Guozhong, holding complete power now, was merely going through the motions by bringing it up at this morning's assembly.

So, no matter how the opposition opposed, it did not change Xu Guozhong's mind; instead, it revealed a number of his opponents.

By the time the capital is relocated, these opponents will meet various untimely ends.

The decision to relocate the capital was made and would be executed in the spring.

...

Yu State, Longmen County.

Liang Song, well-informed, though not aware of what happened during today's morning assembly, knew exactly what transpired in Hedong and West River.

Particularly the imperial decree issued by the Court last month, which had a significant impact.

The Celestial Master Army, which had ravaged the Northern Land, harming the locals, was inexplicably pardoned, elevated to the official army, while those who defended their homes were now branded as rebels.

This was utterly ridiculous.

"This Xu Guozhong is nothing but a cancer to the Great Song Dynasty. Even cutting him into pieces would not be excessive," Liang Song held his teacup, took a sip, and set it down heavily. The bottom clattered against the table with a dull thud.

"Master, the young lady is here," Shi Meng entered and informed Liang Song in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, the sternness on Liang Song's face faded.

Soon, Liang Xue, adorned in gold and silver, entered the room. She did a small twirl in front of Liang Song, flicked the pearl hairpin in her bun, and asked with a smile, "Father, how do you like my jewelry?"

Though there was a familial bond, enough to prevent a complete fallout after the incident the other day, Liang Song still cared for Liang Xue. However, he had been genuinely upset that day.

Liang Song glanced at her and said, "How would your father know anything about this? Let your... stepmother have a look."

"I won't ask her to look," Liang Xue pouted, then approached and gently clung to Liang Song's arm, pouting childishly, "Please, Father, just take a look for me."

Liang Xue's wedding would be in April. She was trying on the jewelry she would wear on her wedding day. As the legitimate daughter of the Liang Family, she couldn't afford to lose face; she must look beautiful while maintaining her dignity.

As for the fiancé, she couldn't say she liked him; they hadn't met, but she had seen his painting. His features were refined, and since he was chosen by King Chong as the heirs' consort, she didn't dislike him.

Of course, even if she did dislike him, the outcome couldn't be changed.

As a child of a noble family, she had no choice in her marriage.

Moreover, Liang Xue was acutely aware of one thing.

Since she enjoyed the privileges and riches brought by the family, she must fulfill her obligations to it.

Liang Song examined her closely and then frowned slightly, "A bit too flashy. You're the Heir's Consort and soon to be Princess Consort Chong. You should focus on elegance and grace, not gaudiness. Only lowly concubines concern themselves with allure and seduction because they must rely on their charms to keep their husband's favor. But you don't need to."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.