Chapter 696: Slapping Mo Qingze's Face at High School (1)

Understanding why snow ball was reluctant to speak, Mo Yan tickled the spirit tool fiercely until it was too exhausted to laugh or cry. Only then did she release it, feeling a bit of sympathy for its plight. Nonetheless, she agreed with snow ball’s approach. Relying on external help for everything without improving oneself would create a strong dependency, something she didn’t want to become.

However, given the complexity of the issue, snow ball did reveal some crucial information. It indirectly confirmed the accuracy of her and Xiao Ruiyuan’s previous speculations. The Lin family’s leverage was indeed related to Emperor Huian’s fight for the throne, which made addressing this issue from that angle much easier.

From snow ball, Mo Yan learned that while the other members of the Lin family were not very impressive, Lin Taishi, the veteran mentor of three emperors, was still quite wise. However, his direct descendants were underwhelming—a useless legitimate son and a similarly mediocre illegitimate son.

Having devoted himself to the royal family for many years, Lin Taishi neglected the upbringing of his descendants. As he grew older, he found himself increasingly powerless to guide and discipline them. Thus, he turned a blind eye to their misdeeds. When his legitimate son and granddaughter conspired to kill Empress Chunyi, he used this leverage to threaten Emperor Huian, hoping to protect them.

Mo Yan speculated that Lin Taishi probably hoped Prince Heng would ascend to the throne, allowing the Lin family to avoid annihilation. However, he likely did not anticipate the emergence of someone like her, causing Prince Heng to be severely injured and unable to claim the throne, shattering the Lin family’s last hope. Such a heavy blow must have been unbearable for the Lin family, and they probably harbored intense hatred towards her, the “culprit.”

Given that the Lin family had previously shown interest in harming her, Mo Yan didn’t believe they were unaware or uninvolved. Although the Lin family had managed to bide their time and seek opportunities to deal with her slowly, her recent appointment as Marquis of the County was like rubbing salt into their wounds. Even if Lin Taishi could endure it, his descendants might be plotting against her, aiming to eliminate her in one fell swoop.

The next morning, Yan Junyu personally arrived with a full cart of congratulatory gifts. Before the gifts could be unloaded, news of his visit reached the nobility in the capital, and those who had no direct connection to the Mo family sent their own congratulatory gifts as well.

Carriage after carriage formed a long line at the Mo family’s doorstep, causing another sensation in the village. Villagers, forgetting about breakfast, flocked to watch the commotion.

Mo Qingze, now sober, looked at the carts of gifts and didn’t know whether to accept them or return them. Eventually, reassured by Yan Junyu’s casual remark that these gifts were merely ceremonial and didn’t need to be recorded or reciprocated, he reluctantly accepted them.

As the gifts were moved into the Mo household, more carriages continued to arrive. The villagers, initially amazed, became numb, mentally calculating the value of the gifts and how long they could sustain their own needs. After a bit of calculation, they found it impossible to determine the total value.

Before long, gifts from the Liu and Han families also arrived. Master Liu was busy with teaching and couldn’t come in person, so Madam Liu and Liu Tinglan were also delayed. Their gifts were sent by the carriage driver.

Han Zhiyun, having participated in the autumn imperial examinations and preparing for next year’s spring examinations, had recently completed some pressing matters. With rare free time, he brought his family along with congratulatory gifts to visit the Mo family.

  Chapter 695: Expanding Speculations (4)

Mo Yan was pleased with Wu Shi’s idea, but knew that implementing it wouldn’t be easy. She said, “The idea is feasible, but you need reliable people to help. Otherwise, with just you and Big Sister Da Ni’er, handling three stalls will be too much.”

Running a food stall isn’t difficult, but making the food delicious is another matter. Many stalls imitate the recipes, but their taste doesn’t compare. The quality of ingredients plays a role, but so do the sauce, seasonings, and cooking techniques.

Wu Shi was thrilled that Mo Yan agreed, but she couldn’t think of suitable candidates at the moment and asked for Mo Yan’s opinion.

Mo Yan considered it carefully and decided not to look for someone from the village. While the business was good, it was a small-scale operation, and hiring someone would only mean paying wages, not sharing profits.

If someone from the village was hired and disputes arose over money, relationships could become strained, and there would be complications. Furthermore, there was no guarantee that such a person wouldn’t take the skills learned and start their own business.

The best option was to hire someone from outside. However, Wu Shi’s younger children were too young to help, and Mo Yan’s family was too busy to spare anyone. Thus, the person had to be recruited from elsewhere.

Seeing their difficulty in finding a suitable candidate, Li Xiu couldn’t help but suggest, “Why not buy a person from a slave trader? As long as you hold their deed, they can’t rebel.”

“Buy a person?” Mo Yan was taken aback. She still thought of human trafficking as illegal, so the idea hadn’t occurred to her.

Now, hearing Li Xiu’s suggestion, she found it reasonable and quickly asked snow ball in the space, “In my previous life, human trafficking was illegal and involved karma. Is it the same here?”

snow ball’s voice soon echoed in her mind: “It depends. If you buy someone to save them, it would be considered merit rather than karma.”

Mo Yan was relieved to hear that and told the still-hesitant Wu Shi, “Then let’s go ahead and buy someone. It’s much easier than finding someone.”

Wu Shi, seeing Mo Yan’s agreement, naturally didn’t oppose and took on the task of purchasing someone herself, insisting that Mo Yan not spend any money.

Wu Shi could still afford to support one more person, so Mo Yan didn’t insist. She only reminded Wu Shi to ensure that the person they bought was willing to sell themselves, to avoid affecting the Wu family’s good fortune.

Wu Shi agreed readily.

---

During dinner, Mo Qingze still hadn’t woken up, so Mo Yan fed him a bowl of diluted spiritual spring water. She asked Li Xiu to keep the food warm and then went to the storeroom to retrieve the five beast tokens granted by the emperor. She brought them to her room and entered the space with the five beasts.

The five beast tokens were made of pure gold, each the size of an adult’s palm, with a small hole at the top for threading. Below the hole was a gemstone, each of a different color. The front had a raised “Imperial” character, indicating that the tokens were imperial gifts. The rest of the token was decorated with cloud patterns. Overall, the tokens were exquisitely crafted.

Mo Yan spent half an hour making five colored strings that matched the gemstones and attached the tokens to the five beasts.

Xiao Hua, being silver-white, was suited to the fresh green gemstone token; Da Bai, with darker fur on his neck, wore the bright red gemstone token; Mao Tuan, with black and yellow fur, looked striking with the blue gemstone token; Huang Jin, being entirely golden, matched the black gemstone token well. The remaining purple gemstone token was given to Chi Mang.

With the tokens, the five beasts could now move freely among people even if Mo Yan wasn’t around.

They were a bit unaccustomed to the new golden adornments. Xiao Hua, in particular, seemed displeased and scratched at the token. Mo Yan thought it might not like it and was about to remove it, intending to put it back on only when necessary.

However, Xiao Hua dashed to the spiritual spring, howling at its reflection in the water with an air of vanity, provoking several exasperated looks from the others!

The five beasts frolicked in the space while Mo Yan read through the handwritten notes from physician Du, familiarizing herself with the medicinal properties of the herbs. She also discussed the Lin family issue with snow ball, determined to understand the enmity between Emperor Hui’an and the Lin family.

Mo Yan expected snow ball to quickly provide answers, but surprisingly, it remained tight-lipped, only telling Mo Yan to explore on her own.

Frustrated, Mo Yan grabbed snow ball and relentlessly tickled it, “Why won’t you say anything? If you don’t tell me, I won’t stop!”

“Don’t… ah… Bad Yan Yan, you’re so mean… haha… stop, stop, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!” snow ball, shaking with a mix of laughter and tears, finally begged for mercy.

Mo Yan showed no signs of softening, intensifying her tickling, “So, are you going to tell me or not?”

“No, no, ah, woo woo… hahahaha… stop, stop, I’ll tell you!” snow ball, its eyes spinning from the tickling, finally gave in to its master’s “tyranny.”

Facing such a ruthless owner, even a spirit tool couldn’t take it! 

 Chapter 1545: Hao Dingshan's Identity in the Xiao Family

  Shu Yu's mind was in chaos. What exactly was Hao Dingshan here for?

  On one hand, he was inquiring about Meng Yunzheng, and on the other hand, he went to Dongqing Temple to find someone.

  Could it be that he was really looking for Xiao Shi, and he knew that she was hidden by them, so he had set his eyes on Meng Yunzheng?

  No, it didn't make sense. If that was the case, they should have been keeping an eye on her too, as Meng Yunzheng had never met Xiao Shi before.

  She had a feeling that these two incidents might not be related.

  Seeing Shu Yu remaining silent, Xiao Shi asked softly, "Ah Yu, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing," Shu Yu raised her head, "How about this, Sister-in-law should stay at the inn for now. According to your original plan, seek help from the government office if anything happens. By then, exposure won't be a concern."

  Xiao Shi nodded, "Alright."

  "I'll go to Dongqing Temple later to find out the specific situation, and I'll be back in the evening."

  "Are you going alone? Isn't it dangerous?" Xiao Shi asked with concern.

  Shu Yu thought for a moment, "Indeed, to be safe, I'll need a helper. Before leaving the city, I'll visit the government office first."

  The Prefect was a confidant of the current emperor, and he was well aware of the secret struggles between the emperor and the third prince of the Xiao family. After the emperor dealt with the Shu family, he immediately placed this person in Dong'an Prefecture to maintain control.

  Now, two years had passed, and everything was fine. Even the black market had retreated from Dong'an Prefecture.

  Unexpectedly, people from the Xiao family suddenly appeared, which would definitely trouble the Prefect.

  Although Shu Yu had met the Prefect once, they were not familiar with each other.

  However, when Meng Yunzheng was in the city, he had cooperated with the Prefect before, and both of them knew they were on the same side.

  But during peaceful times, there was no need to establish contact with each other to avoid unnecessary attention.

  Now that the Xiao family's people had shown up, it was time to reconsider this matter.

  Shu Yu asked Xiao Shi, "What is this Hao Dingshan's position in the Xiao family?"

  Xiao Shi replied, "He is one of the subordinates working under my eldest uncle. He has some martial arts skills, but they aren't very impressive. I've met him a few times, but I don't know him well. Based on my father's opinion, this person is good at flattery and fawning over others. At the very least, he can make my eldest uncle happy, so my uncle entrusts many matters to him."

  Shu Yu's lips twitched. Even the old master of the Xiao family could be influenced by flattery.

  But...

  "Since your eldest uncle entrusts him with many tasks, does that mean he's capable?" Shu Yu asked.

  Xiao Shi looked strange, "Not really. He can accomplish some tasks, but for others, he tends to shift the blame to someone else. This person knows his own limits and only takes on things he's confident about. If he's not sure, he'll find a scapegoat to take the fall while he acts as the assistant."

  Shu Yu understood; he was someone who liked to take advantage of situations.

  "I see. I'll be careful," Shu Yu assured Xiao Shi, and after chatting for a while, she prepared to leave.

  Xiao Shi worriedly said, "Ah Yu, take care."

  "Yes, I'll be on my way."

  Shu Yu left the inn with Ying Xi and went back to her shop.

  The shop was still bustling with activity. She informed Wei Ronghua that she had some things to do and then went to the government office to find Prefect Magistrate Fei.

  When Prefect Magistrate Fei heard that the Xiao family's people had come to Dong'an Prefecture, his expression indeed changed.

  Shu Yu didn't mention anything about Xiao Shi's situation. The fewer people who knew she was alive, the better. So she only mentioned what she had accidentally seen.

 Chapter 1544: The Person Mentioned by Kong Zhiyou is the Same One

  When Xiao Shi heard the description of the person, she felt that he might be looking for her.

  Otherwise, how could it be so coincidental? She was afraid that the person would recklessly barge into the backyard, which could lead to trouble for Dongqing Temple.

  Although Dongqing Temple was taking care of her on behalf of Shu Yu, they didn't know her true identity. The nuns at Dongqing Temple were secluded from the secular world, and although the place was crowded, there was still a possibility that someone from the Xiao family could sneak in.

  In her nervousness, Xiao Shi decided to leave the mountain first.

  She had thought about going to Shu Yu for help, but Dongqing Temple was some distance from Jiangyuan County, and she couldn't guarantee a safe journey. After some consideration, she chose to stay in the city.

  Xiao Shi had heard that the Prefect of Dong'an Prefecture was favored by the current emperor and had a close relationship with her husband.

  In the city, if any major issue arose, she could seek help from the Prefect magistrate.

  So she found an inn not far from the government office to stay.

  Once the room was ready, Xiao Shi asked Lu Tong to check the surroundings for anything unusual, so they could be prepared.

  Unexpectedly, as soon as Lu Tong went out, she ran into Shu Yu, who was also out shopping.

  Xiao Shi was extremely uneasy now. "Shu Yu, do you think there's no news from my husband because the Xiao family knows I'm alive, and something has happened in the capital?"

  Shu Yu's fingers tightened. She hadn't expected the Xiao family's people to be in Dong'an Prefecture.

  Something was strange. Besides the black market, what else could be important for them to come here? Did they really know that Xiao Shi was alive?

  No, wait...

  Shu Yu shook her head. "Don't worry too much. You said when you saw that person on the mountain, he ran away immediately. If he was really looking for you, seeing someone suddenly appear on the mountain, even if he couldn't see your face, he should have been suspicious, at least enough to come forward and verify if you were the person he was looking for. So why would he run upon seeing someone?"

  Xiao Shi thought about it and agreed, "True, but he was indeed searching for someone in secret."

  "Maybe he wasn't looking for you specifically. It's possible he was looking for a man?" Shu Yu suggested. "Or perhaps, finding someone was just a cover for his true intentions?"

  Xiao Shi felt a bit relieved hearing this.

  "What should we do now? He's definitely from the Xiao family, and if I return to Dongqing Temple right now, he might recognize me."

  Shu Yu pondered for a moment, "How about this? Describe his appearance to me, and I'll go to Dongqing Temple. It's not a secret that I am a disciple of Dongqing Temple, so occasionally visiting the mountain wouldn't be suspicious."

  Xiao Shi nodded and described the person, "His name is Hao Dingshan, around forty years old, not particularly tall, quite thin. He was dressed like... deliberately disguised as a servant of some household. He has a big nose and short eyebrows. He..."

  Shu Yu's expression became odd as she listened. A big nose, short eyebrows, around forty years old? Why did this description feel so familiar?

  "Wait a minute." Shu Yu raised her hand, "You said this Hao Dingshan, is he about the same height as that guard standing next to you?"

  She pointed at one of the guards next to Xiao Shi.

  Xiao Shi looked over and hesitated, "Yes, he's about the same height. How do you know?"

  Shu Yu rubbed her forehead. So this Hao Dingshan was the same person mentioned by Kong Zhiyou, the mysterious man who plotted with Chen Ji to inquire about Meng Yunzheng's itinerary?

 Chapter 1543: Filled with Good Feelings for the Shop

  After returning to the backyard with Ying Xi, Shu Yu went out to buy some things.

  However, just as they turned around a corner, a person suddenly appeared in front of them and urgently said in a low voice, "Lu Xiangjun, something happened."

  Shu Yu raised her head and saw a stranger's face. But as an expert in disguise, she immediately noticed that the person had altered their appearance intentionally.

  After looking more closely, she recognized the person—it was Lu Tong, the maidservant who should be protecting Xiao Shi at Dongqing Temple.

  Her heart skipped a beat when she heard there was trouble. Xiao Shi was entrusted to her by Xiang Weinan, and if anything happened to her, she wouldn't be able to face anyone.

  "Did Madam send you?" Shu Yu asked.

  Lu Tong nodded, "Yes, she's at the Yuelai Inn over there."

  Shu Yu felt slightly relieved knowing that Xiao Shi was still safe. She said, "Let's go to the Yuelai Inn."

  Lu Tong led Shu Yu to the inn's back entrance, being cautious to avoid being noticed.

  They went upstairs to the end of the second floor, where Xiao Shi was staying.

  Lu Tong knocked on the door, and a guard inside asked, "Who's there?"

  "It's me, Madam," Lu Tong replied.

  The door opened slightly, and when they saw Lu Tong, the guards behind the door quickly opened it fully.

  Once Shu Yu entered the room, she found several guards protecting Xiao Shi.

  Surprised, Shu Yu asked, "What happened? Why did you leave Dongqing Temple?"

  Xiao Shi greeted her with delight, "Ah Yu, I didn't expect to see you in the city."

  Xiao Shi seemed nervous and didn't waste time on pleasantries. She took Shu Yu's hand and sat her down, then said, "Ah Yu, I might have been recognized."

  "Recognized?" Shu Yu's expression turned serious, "Tell me everything, what happened exactly?"

  Xiao Shi steadied herself and began recounting, "This morning, as usual, I went for a walk on the back mountain of the temple. As you know, that area is like a private domain of the temple, and unless someone climbs up from the steep slope, no one should be there. But not long after I left, I saw a person standing not too far away, behaving quite suspiciously."

  The person turned their head when they heard some noise and saw Xiao Shi. Luckily, Xiao Shi had become cautious after experiencing drastic changes in her life and always wore a veil. Even when she was out in the temple's courtyard, she would hide her face to avoid revealing her identity.

  Fortunately, she was so cautious that the person didn't recognize her.

  But Xiao Shi saw the person's face through the gap in her veil. With just a quick glance, she knew who it was, and her heart trembled.

  Feeling guilty, the person fled upon being discovered.

  Xiao Shi didn't dare to stay in the back mountain any longer and returned to the temple. However, she couldn't shake off her unease and sent Lu Tong to investigate.

  Lu Tong went out and inquired. She returned soon and said that the person seemed to be searching for someone in the temple but got caught by a Taoist nun and was currently being confronted.

 Chapter 694: Expanding Speculations (3)

Mo Yan understood the situation at the start but was confused by the latter part. She grasped her younger brother's chubby little hand and asked, “How is this good for her, and how is it good for our family?”

Zhen’er rolled his eyes at her in an “are you clueless?” manner and said, “With her current condition, she won’t be able to come to our house to cause trouble or badmouth us anymore. She also won’t be dragged down by Mo Yongxi. Being old and stuck in jail, suffering in prison—it’s said to be very harsh. If she ends up there, she might not even make it out alive. So, her stroke might actually have saved her life.”

Mo Yan thought about it and felt that her younger brother’s analysis was quite accurate. She couldn’t help but pinch his round, chubby face and praised, “Going to school has really made a difference; you’re understanding the duality of situations. This reasoning is quite impressive, even surpassing your sister. Very good, really good!”

Zhen’er, who was used to being treated as a little man, was about to get angry when his sister publicly pinched his face. But hearing her praise, he was torn between showing his anger or feeling proud.

Seeing this, Mo Yan found it even more amusing and couldn’t resist pinching him a couple more times. As Zhen’er gave her a look of protest, she burst into laughter.

The others also stifled their laughter, while the youngest, Sheng’er, felt sorry for her older brother. She hurried to him, puffing air on his face and soothingly said, “Don’t cry, older brother. Sheng’er will blow on it to make it feel better!”

Zhen’er, who usually liked this quiet and sensible younger sister, was deeply touched by her comfort. He hugged Sheng’er tightly and said, “Sheng’er, you’re the best. From now on, whatever good things I get, I’ll give them all to you, and I’ll protect you for life. If anyone dares to bully you, I’ll beat them up to avenge you.”

Zhen’er knew that Yun Zhao and Yun Sheng had been forced out of their home by their stepmother and harbored a strong dislike for that cruel woman. He also knew that Yun Zhao studied hard to pass the imperial exams and return to seek revenge. Therefore, he worked hard as well, hoping to help the siblings in the future.

Mo Yan watched the two little ones embracing each other affectionately and felt a hint of amusement: childhood sweethearts—how adorable!

In the evening, Wu Shi, returning from her market stall with her eldest daughter and siblings, brought a basket of eggs to congratulate Mo Yan’s family. She took Mo Yan’s hand, excitedly saying, “Yan… oh, I should call you Lady Jia now. Lady Jia has finally risen to prominence, and your future is bright!”

Mo Yan, knowing Emperor Hui’an’s intentions, was reluctant to hear the title “Lady Jia.” Seeing Wu Shi’s enthusiasm, she quickly replied, “Titles and honors are irrelevant. I’m just Mo Yan, the ‘Yan girl’ in Aunt Wu’s eyes. That will never change!”

Wu Shi noticed her unchanged attitude and smiled with relief, though she said, “This title was bestowed by the Emperor. In public, you should still carry yourself with grace to avoid being bullied.”

Mo Yan understood her good intentions and didn’t want to discuss titles further. She nodded in agreement and had Li Xiu bring fruits and pastries for the family.

Wu Shi didn’t refuse. After giving a piece of pastry to each of the three children, she told them not to eat too much to avoid spoiling their dinner.

“By the way, Yan girl, I need your advice on something!” Wu Shi cleaned the crumbs off Shi Tou’s face and suddenly remembered another matter, quickly addressing Mo Yan.

Mo Yan smiled and asked, “Is it about the snack stall business?”

Wu Shi nodded vigorously, “Yes, yes. The business at the stall is getting better and better. People even come from the East and West markets to buy. I’m thinking about setting up two more stalls to expand into the East and West markets.”

 Chapter 693: Expanding Speculations (2)

Even if Emperor Hui'an tolerates the Lin family, the Lin family can only continue down their dark path. Otherwise, when Chu Heng ascends to the throne, the Lin family will inevitably face destruction.

Moreover, Emperor Hui'an constantly seeks toap eliminate the Lin family and has dragged her into this dangerous whirlpool.

All these matters are merely their speculations and may not be entirely accurate. To deal with the Lin family, they need to address the root of the problem. Mo Yan is unwilling to clean up the mess for those who plot against her, even if that person is the ruler of a nation. She must find a way to make up for it from another source.

Xiao Ruiyuan shared these speculations only with Mo Yan, keeping them from Chu Heng. Otherwise, given Chu Heng's hatred toward the Lin family and Lin Guifei, he might act impulsively and cause irreparable damage.

Seeing that time was running out, Xiao Ruiyuan had to return to the Jing Mountain villa. He was tasked with protecting Chu Heng and could not stay out for too long. He had come this time after receiving news from Yan Junyu, worried that Mo Yan might be overthinking things, so he came specially.

Suppressing his urge to embrace her, Xiao Ruiyuan’s deep voice carried a hint of reluctance as he said, “Yan’er, once my cousin’s health improves, we will be able to see each other more often! If anything happens on your end, I may not be able to keep an eye on it. Please be careful and remember to have the secret guards send me word.”

Though they had managed to meet, they had spent less than an hour alone together. The reluctance Mo Yan felt was evident, but she kept it from showing to avoid making their parting even more difficult. “You don’t need to worry about me. Whether it’s the Lin family or prince Heng, whether it’s underhanded schemes or open confrontations, I can handle it. But your situation is far more dangerous; you need to be even more cautious.”

Mo Yan’s concern was very comforting to Xiao Ruiyuan. Unable to resist any longer, he gently pulled her into his embrace, holding her for a long while without speaking.

Mo Yan leaned against him, closing her eyes to feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Her previously troubled mind surprisingly found peace.

After Xiao Ruiyuan left, Mo Yan returned home with her siblings and soon learned about Mo Hongshi’s stroke from the shock.

Seeing the worry on Li Xiu and others' faces, Mo Yan couldn’t help but frown. “Why are you all looking at me like that? It’s not me who had a stroke.”

The others smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed. Li Yan sighed in relief and made a face. “We heard that Hong shi had a stroke because she learned that you had filed a complaint against Mo Yongxi. She was worried you might feel guilty.”

Mo Yan twitched her eye, feeling speechless. “Hong shi’s stroke might be due to her worry about Mo Yongxi, but more likely it’s her fear of being exposed. This is a consequence of her own actions and those of her daughter. Why should I feel guilty? Do you all think I’m that saintly?”

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone nodded in agreement, including the younger ones like Xin’er and Zhen’er.

“They’ve done so many bad things to our family before, but elder sister always let them go. Isn’t that what you called a saintly heart? Now that you’ve finally been harsh with them, Hong shi ends up having a stroke. Aunt Li and the others are worried you might revert to your saintly ways!” Zhen’er said with his big, dark eyes wide open.

Mo Yan: “…”

She wanted to explain that it wasn’t saintliness but about establishing a reputation for kindness, planning for the future. However, looking at the innocence in Zhen’er’s eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to teach too much about the ways of the world.

Seeing that Mo Yan had no rebuttal, Zhen’er took her hand and comforted her in an adult-like manner, “Sister, don’t be sad. You’ve done very well this time! Although Mo Hongshi is now paralyzed and looks miserable, it’s actually the best outcome for both our family and her.”

 Chapter 1542: Wei Ronghua's Record

  Upon hearing Shu Yu's words, the crowd suddenly understood.

  It's really impressive. When others sell things, they have to gradually expand from a small shop. But Lu Xiangjun, on the other hand, had her products sold out directly as soon as they were available, even without opening the shop.

  "Lu Xiangjun, what about the surprise mentioned in the catchy rhyme on the opening day? What kind of lottery is it?" Someone asked, and everyone else became enthusiastic.

  Compared to knowing the glorious history of Lu 's shop, they were more interested in things related to them, like the lottery. For ordinary people, it was an irresistible temptation.

  Seeing everyone eagerly looking at her, Shu Yu could only helplessly say, "Well, you'll have to wait until the opening day to find out. If I reveal it now, it won't be a surprise anymore."

  "Can't you give us a little hint?"

  Shu Yu shook her head.

  The crowd felt disappointed, but they knew it was just over ten days away, so they could wait a bit longer.

  As they were talking, Ying Xi and Wei Fangfang came over with a bucket of tea and poured a bowl for each person waiting nearby.

  "It's hot today, and you've been waiting here. Have some tea to quench your thirst."

  Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

  They did feel a bit thirsty.

  The tea was ordinary, not too strong in flavor, but it had a slight sweetness aftertaste compared to plain water. After everyone drank, they felt refreshed and had a great impression of this shop that hadn't even opened yet.

  They were just passersby, and the shop's items hadn't even been put on the shelves, nor had they been sold yet, but they were served tea as guests. If they were to enter in the future as customers, their treatment would certainly be no worse.

  At the very least, they wouldn't encounter those shopkeepers who looked down on customers.

  After serving the tea, Shu Yu saw that Ying Xi was now free, so she asked her to take over Wei Ronghua's position in recording, while she walked aside to talk to him.

  "shopkeeper Wei, you've made quite a scene."

  Wei Ronghua heard that there was no blame in her words, so he relaxed and smiled, "I heard about the catchy rhyme. It's everywhere on the streets. If there wasn't someone pushing it, it wouldn't have become so popular. I thought that since the shop owner created such a stir, it's natural to make it even more lively."

  Shu Yu took a sip of tea, "You're right."

  "Last night, after coming to the shop and meeting Yi Ping, I felt that it's important to leave a deep impression. Just the catchy rhyme is not enough; the process of recruiting workers also needs to be grand."

  Especially since the catchy rhyme mentioned the capital and the palace. Although these two places were eye-catching, they would also give people the impression that sunflower seeds and sunflower oil were luxurious items that ordinary people couldn't afford.

  Once people had that kind of thought, even if there was a lottery, many would be hesitant to come and see.

  So Wei Ronghua wanted to use the worker recruitment event as an opportunity to let everyone know that the sunflower oil was indeed a bit more expensive as cooking oil compared to other products, but the sunflower seeds were reasonably priced and affordable for ordinary families.

  Shu Yu nodded, it seemed that the introduction from Master Miao had been accurate; Wei Ronghua did have ideas and capabilities.

  "Alright then, shopkeeper Wei, I'll leave the worker recruitment to you."

  She had come to take a look and discuss the lottery on the opening day.

  Right now, Wei Ronghua was busy, so she would take care of the matter herself.

 Chapter 1541: Xiao Shi's Departure from Dongqing Temple

  Shu Yu watched from behind for a while before walking up to the front.

  Seeing her approach, Wei Ronghua was surprised and quickly stood up.

  Shu Yu waved her hand, "shopkeeper Wei, continue with your work. We can talk later."

  Wei Ronghua sat back down halfway and continued recording the information of the applicants who came to register for the job.

  Shu Yu walked up and looked at a few pieces of paper nearby.

  The records on them not only had names and ages but also some simple information, such as work experience, home address, literacy level, and appearance.

  After all, as a shop assistant in the front, appearance was also important. If someone had an amiable appearance, it would be the best. At the very least, they should look decent and presentable.

  Wei Ronghua's markings were quite interesting. If someone had a prominent characteristic, he would draw a circle.

  Shu Yu flipped through the papers and found that there were quite a few people registered.

  This was only the registration from the morning, and there was still another day and a half left. She estimated that the list would be quite long by the end.

  The problem was, they only needed one assistant.

  Shu Yu chuckled; it seemed like they were crossing a single log bridge amidst a thousand troops.

  Not to mention that she had entrusted everything to Wei Ronghua, so she wouldn't interfere. Now that she put down the papers in her hand, she planned to see if there was anything else she could help with.

  But just as she raised her head, she saw someone in front of the shop's steps asking her, "Excuse me, are you Miss Lu Xiangjun?"

  Was she recognized?

  Shu Yu nodded, "Yes, I am."

  The people around became excited upon hearing this, "Then, are you the owner of this shop?"

  Someone hurriedly asked, "Miss Lu Xiangjun, we heard about that catchy rhyme. Is it true that your shop's sunflower seeds and sunflower oil are actually sold in the capital city and the palace?"

  Shu Yu stood by the door and nodded, "Of course, false advertising is not something I'd dare to do. Besides, it involves supplying the palace. If I lied, I could be caught and punished. Indeed, the products have been tested and approved by the imperial doctors and food experts. They are safe and healthy. I also have the Emperor's personal inscription praising the sunflower oil. You will see it all on the day of the grand opening."

  Hearing her affirmative response, the crowd couldn't help but whisper to each other. Even if the Emperor hadn't tried it, the concubines and noblewomen in the palace probably have, right? Moreover, there was the Emperor's personal inscription; if he hadn't tried it, how could he know if it was good and how could he give praise?

  "Miss Lu Xiangjun, these things are so good. Why didn't you open a shop in the city earlier?"

  Shu Yu helplessly said, "I wanted to, but both the sunflower seeds and sunflower oil were new products at first and not available elsewhere. When they appeared in Jiangyuan County, the former county magistrate had to report any new products to the court. As a result, people from the palace and the capital came directly to buy them. The workshop was small at first, and the output was low. It couldn't even supply the small shops in the county, let alone the big shops in the capital."

  Chapter 692: Expanding Speculations (1)

At the end of September, the weather had taken on the chill of early winter. The leaves on the fruit trees had turned yellow, with only a few green tips remaining, unable to withstand the cold frost of the night.

The warm sunlight bathed Mo Yan, but despite her warm clothing, she felt cold all over.

No wonder the high-yield rice was such an achievement; the Emperor had not only bestowed the title of County Princess upon her but also intended to use her as a shield against the Lin family. It was truly a poisoned “pie.” What was even more laughable was that this “pie” was given by her own contributions. Now she was forced to accept it, with no strength left to resist.

Royal favors were indeed not to be touched lightly!

Mo Yan looked up at Xiao Ruiyuan, whose eyes were filled with concern. After a long moment of searching for her voice, she finally spoke, “As a ruler of a nation, he can’t handle his own subjects, so he’s using me as bait to draw the Lin family’s fire. Does he really think I alone can deal with the Lin family?”

Xiao Ruiyuan, unsure how to comfort her, took her somewhat cold hand into his own and said with firm determination, “Yan’er, no matter what his plans are, I, Xiao Ruiyuan, will protect you!”

The warmth of his hand seemed to reach Mo Yan’s heart. She gently nodded and after a moment’s thought said, “If he is so wary of the Lin family but hasn’t acted against them, it must mean they have something on him. We need to find out what this leverage is. If we can remove it, the Lin family will no longer be a threat!”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes showed admiration as he considered her insight. He shared his own unconfirmed suspicion, “The late Emperor had nine sons. Since the current Emperor was neither the legitimate nor the eldest son, born of a lower-ranking consort, had the Crown Prince not died young, the other princes might have contended for power and lost favor with the late Emperor. He might not have been recognized as a legitimate heir, let alone inherit the throne. It’s possible that Lin Taishi, as the mentor of three successive emperors and trusted by the late Emperor, might have some incriminating evidence.”

When the current Emperor ascended, Xiao Ruiyuan was not yet born. This was information he had recently uncovered, but he had not found any valuable leads.

Yet, his intuition told him that the Emperor’s rise to the throne as a non-legitimate son was not as simple as it seemed, otherwise, the princes who had contested for the throne would not have all met untimely ends within a year of his accession.

These matters were not secret, but neither were they widely known. This was the first time Mo Yan had heard of it and found Xiao Ruiyuan’s guess likely correct.

She took a deep breath and murmured, “If your guess is right and the Lin family holds such leverage, it’s hard to say whether it’s a blessing or a curse.”

Without this leverage, the Emperor would not have been wary of the Lin family, and Lin Guifei would not have been favored and poisoned Empress Chunyi, leaving Chu Heng to live in misery for over twenty years.

The Emperor’s fear of the Lin family forcing him to act might have led him to avoid avenging Empress Chunyi or dealing with the Lin family. Ultimately, the most innocent were Empress Chunyi and Chu Heng, who became the victims in the power struggle between the Emperor and the Lin family.

Xiao Ruiyuan coldly smiled, “The second and third generations of the Lin family are insignificant. Without Lin Taishi’s support, the Lin family would have long been reduced to nothing. If not for the burden of the family, Lin Taishi would not have been pushed out of the court, becoming a thorn in the Emperor’s side!”

Thus, even if descendants of a once-powerful family fail to establish themselves, their significance fades away in the course of history.

Mo Yan agreed deeply. Since the day Lin Guifei entered the palace, someone in the Lin family must have had improper thoughts. Whether Lin Taishi was involved or not, a single bad apple can spoil the whole pot. Even if Lin Taishi wanted to keep himself untainted, it would be impossible.

 Chapter 691: Xiao Ruiyuan's Schemes (4)

Mo Yan snapped out of her daze and looked up, meeting Xiao Ruiyuan’s smiling eyes. His slightly upturned lips captivated her, leaving her mind blank and her heart fluttering.

Seeing this, Mo Qingze’s face darkened. Despite the impulse to scold his daughter for her obvious infatuation, he forced a stiff smile and said to Xiao Ruiyuan, “My daughter must be too tired. She may have been impolite in front of Lord Xiao. Please don’t take it to heart.”

At this point, Mo Qingze was still trying to defend his daughter and salvage her reputation, showing just how much he cared.

Xiao Ruiyuan, noticing Mo Yan's flushed face at being called "Lord Xiao," smiled even more broadly. His voice was deep and pleasant as he said, “Your daughter is straightforward and charming. There’s no need to be concerned.”

“Ha ha, Lord Xiao is truly a person of genuine character. This friend of yours, Ziyu, I am determined to establish a connection with!” Mo Qingze laughed heartily, his admiration for Xiao Ruiyuan growing. The more he looked, the more pleasing Xiao Ruiyuan seemed.

Little did Mo Qingze know that this seemingly agreeable person would soon transform into a predator who would whisk away his beloved daughter, making him regret the decision to “invite the wolf into the house.”

“Friend?” Xiao Ruiyuan’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, though his expression remained increasingly gentle, filled with respect for his elder. “As the elder, you are revered, and I admire your talents. If you don’t mind my humble abilities, perhaps we can establish an uncle-nephew relationship, and you can guide me.”

Mo Qingze’s eyes revealed a hint of disappointment. While he had read a few more books and gained some knowledge, the person before him was truly talented and ambitious. He knew the offer of guidance was merely a polite gesture.

Nonetheless, Xiao Ruiyuan’s proposal to call him “uncle” was a sign of respect. After all, he was much older. 

With this in mind, Mo Qingze’s face brightened again, and he smiled, “Guidance is too much to ask for, but if you have any questions, feel free to come by anytime. It will be a great pleasure to discuss things with you, ha ha!”

“Then I thank Uncle Mo!” Xiao Ruiyuan eagerly accepted the offer. Even the transition from “Master Mo” to “Uncle Mo” was seamless and without strain.

Mo Yan, witnessing this historically significant moment, was stunned. She realized that her previous attempts to deceive the villagers paled in comparison to the skillful manipulation she was witnessing.

If Xiao Ruiyuan were not so reserved, she could almost imagine him as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, swaying a long fox tail…

With Mo Qingze around, Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan couldn’t find an opportunity to be alone. It wasn’t until lunchtime when Mo Yan brought out a jar of fine grape wine that Mo Qingze, in high spirits, insisted on having a few more drinks with Xiao Ruiyuan.

The wine was of high vintage and had a strong aftereffect. Mo Qingze, who had a low tolerance for alcohol, began to feel dizzy after a few cups. However, with a distinguished guest present, he didn’t want to retreat to his room alone, so he forced himself to drink a few more.

Xiao Ruiyuan, with a much better tolerance for alcohol, noticed that Mo Qingze was slurring his words and was concerned for his health. He quickly pretended to be drunk and declined any more drinks.

Mo Qingze, not one to push, put down his cup upon hearing this and urged Xiao Ruiyuan to eat more. After forcing himself to eat a little, he ended up leaning on the table and falling asleep.

Mo Yan, wearing an apron and bringing out dessert soup, saw Xiao Ruiyuan helping her father to stand. She quickly set down the soup and supported her father from the other side, glaring at Xiao Ruiyuan, “My father has a low tolerance for alcohol. Why didn’t you stop him? Now he’ll sleep until midnight, which is bad for his health!”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s face showed genuine remorse as he apologized sincerely, “It is my fault. It won’t happen again.”

He offered no excuses for his future father-in-law’s low alcohol tolerance and didn’t seem to mind Mo Yan’s direct rebuke.

Mo Yan huffed and eyed him, “Do you dare say you weren’t doing it on purpose? Don’t think my father is easily fooled. When he figures out your little scheme, don’t blame me for not helping you!”

“I understand!” Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze grew deeper, his voice like rich, aged wine. “But I miss you.”

Because he missed her and wanted to be alone with her, he took a risk of offending his future father-in-law, using a little trick to create a brief opportunity for them to be alone.

Mo Yan, who had intended to tease him further, found her words disappearing at the sound of “I miss you.” Her gaze remained locked on his deep eyes, and she heard only the heartfelt sentiment of his confession.

Unaware of the carefully planned maneuver to create this moment alone, Mo Qingze slept soundly, his daughter having fed him a bowl of hangover soup, cleaned his face, and covered him with a blanket.

After closing the door softly, Mo Yan joined Xiao Ruiyuan in the front courtyard for dinner.

Xiao Ruiyuan, having eaten little, was still hungry. With him being the honored guest, Mo Yan and the others had refrained from eating. Now that Mo Qingze was asleep, Mo Yan naturally invited others to join Xiao Ruiyuan, including the reluctant Xiao Shiyi, who was dragged out of the kitchen.

Li Xiu, her niece, and Tang Xin were unwilling to join the table, and Mo Yan, fearing they might feel uncomfortable, didn’t press them. With Zhen’er present and the five beasts occasionally lightening the mood, the dinner table was lively and enjoyable.

Mo Yan remained preoccupied with the second imperial edict from the Emperor. After sending the children to nap, she eagerly led Xiao Ruiyuan to the vine-covered courtyard to discuss his views on the matter.

It turned out their thoughts aligned, and both believed the Emperor’s actions had deeper implications… 

 Chapter 1540: Wei Ronghua Recruiting Workers

  Shu Yu could only temporarily put aside this matter, especially since Chen Ji's death was connected to that mysterious person. If it were Shu Yu herself, for the sake of safety, she would probably leave Jiangyuan County temporarily to hide.

  As a witness, Shu Yu was delayed for a day. The next day, she set off again to head to the capital city.

  The shop in Fufu Lane in the capital city had already been renovated, and to Shu Yu's surprise, it was surrounded by a lively crowd.

  When they were about twenty meters away, the carriage stopped.

  She exchanged a glance with Ying Xi and walked a few steps forward, grabbing a bystander and asking, "What's going on here? Why are there so many people?"

  "Heh, don't you know? The popular rhyme in the streets and alleys recently is that a shop in Fufu Lane will open for business on the first day of September. It's this one in front." The person pointed ahead and explained.

  Shu Yu smiled. It seemed that the use of popular rhymes was indeed effective; it had yielded results in just a few days.

  The person continued, "The shop is about to open, and the shopkeeper needs to hire suitable assistants. They spread the news yesterday afternoon, and anyone interested can apply. The application period ends in two days, and they'll start selecting people. If someone is a good fit, they'll earn quite a decent wage."

  Shu Yu was surprised. Two days ago was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and as far as she knew, Wei Ronghua would return to the city after the festival.

  From Donggu County to settling down and packing up, wouldn't he need at least a whole day? Yet, he had already started preparations yesterday afternoon?

  Ying Xi whispered, "Miss, this shopkeeper Wei is really diligent in recruiting workers."

  Shu Yu nodded, "Let's go in through the back door."

  The front was crowded with people, and it would be quite difficult to get in from there.

  Ying Xi led the carriage, and they went back to the previous intersection, then circled around to the back.

  When Shu Yu opened the door, the people inside noticed the commotion. Wei Fangfang, on guard, stared in their direction.

  Upon seeing Shu Yu, she immediately smiled, "Miss Lu, you're here."

  "Miss Wei is here too?"

  Wei Fangfang put down the stick she had picked up in a hurry earlier and clapped her hands, saying, "My father came here for work, so I came to help."

  Shu Yu walked in with a smile, "Then I must pay you for your work."

  Wei Fangfang quickly waved her hand, "No need, I didn't really do much. I just accompanied my father and occasionally poured him a cup of water."

  In fact, she had originally come to see if they needed someone to sweep and clean, but when she entered, she found everything already clean and didn't need her help. So she hurriedly went to the backyard to boil some water and bring it to the people waiting outside to apply. After all, it was hot at noon.

  Hearing this, Shu Yu became even more pleased with Wei Ronghua. He had good abilities, and his daughter was considerate in every way.

  She rolled up her sleeves, "Is the water ready? Let me help."

  Wei Fangfang was taken aback, "No, no need. I can handle it myself."

  The water was already boiled, and as she was about to go out to get a tray, she heard some commotion at the back door. She instinctively picked up the nearby stick and was on guard. Before she could even call for her father, the door was pushed open.

  Seeing her nervousness, Shu Yu had no choice but to let it be and asked Ying Xi to help instead, while she herself went to the front of the shop.

  Even before entering the shop, she could hear the lively and noisy chatter.

  Wei Ronghua was currently in the process of registering and inquiring with his assistants who had come early to the city. He was doing it in an orderly manner.

 Chapter 1539: Understanding the Truth

Shu Yu took the child from her arms, sat opposite the old lady, and while playing with Xiao Zaozao, she recounted what had happened in the courtroom.

Grandma Lu sighed upon hearing the story, "The Chen family is really causing trouble. That Chen Ji is scheming cunningly. Even though he might be well-read and a scholar, his character is truly despicable. Qiuju also brought this upon herself; if she hadn't gotten involved with Chen Xiucai, she would still be Miss Kong's maid. To send her away, they should've sought Miss Kong's consent."

"But the result is, she's not Miss Kong's maid anymore but Chen Xiucai's concubine. They can decide anything they want without considering others' opinions," Grandma Lu shook her head with regret. Then she asked, "How is Miss Kong now?"

Grandma Lu didn't know about the conflicts between Kong Zhiyou and Ding Yuehua; she only knew that when her granddaughter became an adult, she sent gifts to them. Though they didn't seem very familiar, they were still acquainted, so she naturally paid some attention to the matter.

This was the first time she had heard that Kong Zhiyou had suffered a miscarriage at six months due to being harmed. The Chen family seemed more like a wolf's den than the fierce households in their village. They protected the culprit Qiujun without any sense of justice.

If such a thing happened to her, the old lady would have definitely fought her own husband.

Shu Yu shook her head, "I'm not sure, but now, there's only Chen Ji in the Chen family. Without his father suppressing him, he probably won't dare to do anything. Miss Kong has the backing of the Kong family, which is bigger and more influential than the Chen family. After this ordeal, they won't suffer any further losses."

Grandma Lu thought about it and agreed. After expressing her thoughts on the event, she changed the topic.

In the afternoon, Meng Yunzheng came over. His actions were swift, and he had already understood the intentions of the woman in Liufang Lane.

As expected, it was related to Chen Ji.

"Chen Ji deliberately got close to that woman, praising his son's intelligence and saying that if he studies and becomes literate, he will definitely pass the imperial examination. Later, he said he was eager to recruit talents and really wanted to take him as a student. However, though he has a scholar's status, his performance in the previous exams was mediocre, so he was afraid of misleading others by accepting him."

Chen Ji led that woman to think about Meng Yunzheng, explaining how Meng Yunzheng had a talent for tutoring and would be the best choice to teach her son. Besides, they lived in the same neighborhood, and it would be inappropriate to charge her.

The woman was tempted, but she also knew that Meng Yunzheng, though he appeared gentle, was not easy to deal with.

So, Chen Ji gave her another idea: to have her son directly stay at Meng Yunzheng's doorstep.

Chen Ji acted like he was concerned about the boy's apprenticeship progress and often came over to inquire, providing advice on the matter.

Both the woman and the child were no match for Chen Ji. Most likely, they were easily manipulated and told him everything.

In other words, Chen Ji secretly placed a child by Meng Yunzheng's side who wouldn't arouse any suspicion, and the other party had no idea, being fully utilized.

However, now that Chen Ji was dead and died in such a manner, the woman became suspicious of him. She no longer trusted his words and was probably not going to let her son stay at Meng's home anymore.

Nevertheless, even after understanding the truth, there were still no clues about the mysterious person.

Chapter 690: Xiao Ruiyuan's Schemes (3)

Mo Qingze looked at Yang Bao with confusion. Shouldn't matters like these be discussed privately within the family? The village head seemed to be overstepping his bounds.

Yang Bao, showing an awkward expression, rubbed his hands nervously before finally saying, “If Master Mo plans to hold a celebratory banquet, I hope you can invite a few village heads from neighboring villages.”

Mo Qingze, thinking Yang Bao wanted to use this opportunity to show off Liuyang Village’s prestige, shook his head and said, “Yan’er being appointed as County Princess is indeed a great honor from the Emperor. As her father, I am naturally proud and delighted! However, as you know, our Mo family’s foundation is shallow. With such a sudden and generous reward, it’s inevitable that some might view it with envy. It’s not a good time to draw attention, so…”

Yang Bao hadn’t considered this angle. Realizing his oversight, he felt a pang of guilt and said, “I didn’t think of that. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Mo Qingze smiled warmly, “It’s the village head who shouldn’t mind. After this period of excitement passes, we will hold a banquet for friends and acquaintances to celebrate. If you have time, do come and have a drink. As for the other village heads, if they wish to come and offer their congratulations, the Mo family would be very welcoming!”

Yang Bao’s eyes lit up with understanding. He responded eagerly, “Good, good, good! I will definitely come to the banquet. Please let me know if there’s anything specific you need. After all, it’s for the benefit of our village.”

“Specific needs?” Mo Qingze wondered what suggestions he might have, as making Liuyang Village look good in front of other village heads didn’t seem to require any particular advice.

Yang Bao, still smiling, didn’t notice Mo Qingze’s confusion and continued to be cheerful.

The Mo household’s festivities continued until the afternoon. As the sunlight reached the center of the front hall, everyone realized how much time had passed.

Filled with a variety of delicious fruits and pastries, the guests were not hungry but decided it was time to leave to avoid overstaying their welcome. Each person who left the Mo household carried a packet of pastries wrapped in oil paper, leaving with joy.

Despite the second imperial edict causing some distress for Mo Yan, it was considered a great event by others. As there were no candies at home, they had to make do with pastries instead.

Once the last congratulatory guest had departed, Mo Yan quickly closed the gate and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. Managing the enthusiastic villagers had been mentally and exhausting.

When Mo Yan returned to the front hall, she was startled to see the two men sitting opposite each other, chatting and laughing. It struck her that something was off.

Xiao Ruiyuan had visited before, and although her father had been friendly, it had been out of courtesy, mixed with a sense of gratitude. Now, it seemed that the two men, who had previously been unfamiliar, had discovered a common topic and broken through the barrier between them, becoming quite close.

One was a middle-aged man, well-read and gentle, while the other was in his prime, experienced yet reserved. They seemed like polar opposites but were conversing with ease. Was this what they called complementarity?

If this continued, the two would soon become good friends, which was generally a good thing, but Mo Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that something was strange.

“Yan’er, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and greet Lord Xiao!” Mo Qingze, unaware of his daughter’s concerns about the relationship between him and the so-called Lord Xiao, called out when he saw her lost in thought at the door.

Chapter 689: Xiao Ruiyuan's Schemes (2)

Mo Yan politely declined a few times before allowing him to go. She then asked Li Xiu and others to bring out various fruits and snacks to entertain the villagers.

The villagers, unable to see what they had hoped for, felt a bit disappointed. However, when they enjoyed the delicious snacks and fruits on the table and saw that Mo Yan continued to treat them with the same friendliness, without showing any airs of a County Princess, their disappointment quickly vanished. They eagerly asked about the reason for the two imperial rewards issued by Emperor Hui'an.

Mo Yan was at a loss. While she could easily fabricate an excuse for the high-yield rice, explaining the mission to rescue people with the five beasts was more challenging. To preserve her dignity and that of her sister Xin'er p, she could not reveal that it was to save her beloved. Instead, she came up with a story on the spot, claiming that they had gone to Phoenix Mountain to collect rare medicinal herbs. During their trip, they accidentally entered a hunting ground and, by chance, rescued several princes and nobles who were surrounded by wild beasts.

The explanation was full of "coincidences" and felt like a fabricated story, but it was coherent enough that no one could find any flaws in it.

The villagers did not doubt her story at all. They marveled at Mo Yan’s good fortune, believing she was blessed by the gods. Not only had she tamed the feared five beasts, but she also won the favor of the monarch and received such generous rewards due to her contributions with the five beasts and the high-yield rice. Such fortune was beyond ordinary people!

Xiao Ruiyuan, sitting quietly nearby while sipping tea and observing Mo Yan’s every move, suddenly found the tea to be more bitter than usual. How much longer would he have to wait to stand by her side openly, to declare to everyone that she was his and he was hers, so she would no longer have to furrow her brow and hide their relationship?

Mo Qingze, who was also watching, had a completely different reaction. He observed his daughter’s calm demeanor as she deftly impressed everyone in the room and wondered if she had used similar tactics on him in the past.

Before Mo Qingze could delve into such thoughts, Yang Bao, looking excited, approached and patted him on the back with such force that it nearly knocked the wind out of him.

“Ha ha, Master Mo, you have truly raised a wonderful daughter. She has brought glory to our Liuyang Village!” Yang Bao laughed heartily, his face filled with deep wrinkles, clearly expressing genuine joy. 

Having a County Princess from his jurisdiction was indeed something to be happy about. Regardless of the actual benefits, it would make dealing with official matters much easier in the future. He could walk with his head held high among other village heads.

Moreover, with the praise of “pure and untainted, virtuous and benevolent” from the Emperor, the village girls would benefit as well, as it would enhance their reputation and make marriages much easier in the future.

“My daughter has always been excellent!” Mo Qingze smiled, his eyes gleaming with pride.

When others praised him, Mo Qingze would typically be modest, but when it came to praising his children, he would accept it all and add a few words of agreement, emphasizing how outstanding his children were.

Yang Bao, clearly aware of this, continued to praise Xin'er and Zhen’er, and then tentatively asked, “Since Yan’er has received consecutive rewards and is newly appointed as a County Princess, it’s truly a joyous occasion. Does Master Mo plan to hold a celebratory banquet?” 

 Chapter 1538: All the Information on the Papers Is Wrong

Shu Yu had a rough idea now. Although Kong Zhiyou's description was quite vague, it was better than nothing.

After Kong Zhiyou finished speaking, she felt a huge burden lifted off her heart, "In any case, the rest is up to you. From now on, I have nothing to do with this matter."

"Alright."

Only then did Kong Zhiyou feel relieved and got off the carriage. Standing beside the carriage, she hesitated for a moment and finally said two words, "Thank you."

Shu Yu thought she wouldn't say those two words, so she smiled, "Goodbye."

Kong Zhiyou left, and only after she returned to her family's side did Meng Yunzheng get back into the carriage.

"What happened? Why did you chat for so long?" he asked.

Shu Yu gave him the two pieces of paper and recounted what happened.

Meng Yunzheng frowned, and Shu Yu found his expression peculiar, "What's wrong?"

"...I've just figured something out," Meng Yunzheng said.

Shu Yu was surprised, "What is it?"

Meng Yunzheng explained, "Chen Ji must have bribed or deceived someone. A few days ago, there was an aunt in Liufang Lane who wanted her son to study with me, asking me to be his teacher. She saw that I occasionally taught Quan Quan and Xiao Song, so she wanted me to take her son along as well."

However, Meng Yunzheng was preparing for the imperial examinations. Teaching the two kids from his family was a way to relax in his spare time, and he didn't demand much from them. Just cultivating a habit of learning and literacy was enough.

This was different from formally accepting students. Therefore, he rejected the aunt and told her to find teacher Wen instead.

However, the aunt refused to accept his refusal and had her son waiting at the door of his house.

The child was only five years old, and he would cry whenever Xia Yan drove him away, saying that his mother would beat him when he went back.

Meng Yunzheng was not a devout believer and wouldn't change his principles just because the child was pitiful. He went to look for the aunt, but she avoided him. He didn't have so much time to waste on this.

Besides, the child would just sit at the entrance of Meng's house. Since Meng's house was in Liufang Lane, even if the child didn't sit at his door, he would still play nearby, and there was no danger.

Meng Yunzheng's reputation was very good among the neighbors, and they all knew about his character. They understood and supported him, helping to persuade the aunt. However, she avoided them as well.

Meng Yunzheng occasionally went out, either on foot or by carriage, and the child would follow him until the entrance of the lane but not dare to follow any further.

Instead, Meng Han would often encounter him when she went out. Feeling sorry for him, Meng Han would lie to him, saying that Meng Yunzheng was not home and had gone here and there. She had indeed managed to coax the child back home a few times.

Shu Yu raised the two pieces of paper in her hand, "So, the information on these papers... is all wrong?"

Meng Yunzheng smiled and nodded, "Yes, some parts are occasionally correct, but most of it was casually made up by Meng Han. The times I left and returned home are partly true and partly false."

Shu Yu, "..."

For a moment, she didn't know whether to sympathize with Chen Ji or not.

Meng Yunzheng put away the papers, "I'll go back later and talk to that aunt, see if her actions are related to Chen Ji."

"Okay."

The carriage continued on its way, and when it arrived at Liufang Lane, it stopped. After Meng Yunzheng got off the carriage, Shu Yu continued on home.

Although Grandma Lu knew she was just going to give testimony, she was still worried. She held Xiao Zaozao in the front hall, waiting for her return.

When she saw Shu Yu safely come back, she hurriedly got up and asked, "Is the case settled? What exactly happened?"