Chapter 289: Mother and Daughter

 Chapter 455: Preparing for the Winery (1)

The new food stall quickly caught the attention of not only the other stall owners but also the regular customers who came for breakfast. With the first customer having bought several items, curious onlookers started to gather, willing to spend a little to try something new since it wasn’t expensive.

The stall gradually became lively. Many passersby, seeing the crowd, came closer to check it out. They saw others eating the pancake-like food with great enjoyment and were drawn in by the delicious aroma coming from the strange-looking skillet. Unable to resist, they took out their money to buy one and satisfy their curiosity.

Almost everyone who tried the jianbing guozi and egg rolls loved them. They not only ate them themselves but often bought one or two to take home for their families.

As more people gathered, even with Mo Yan and Mo Dani assisting, Wu shi was kept extremely busy. It wasn’t until an hour later, when the crowd thinned, that things began to slow down.

Despite the hectic pace, no one complained of being tired. Mo Yan held the heavy money bag, knowing they had done well based on the amount of batter, spicy soup, and various ingredients they had almost run out of.

As a few more customers came by, Mo Yan used the remaining batter and ingredients to make the last jianbing guozi. The three of them then took a break before packing up and loading everything onto the cart.

Wu shi, leaning against the cart wall and gently massaging her sore right arm, looked at the bustling street. “If I had known business would be this good, I would have prepared more. We could have sold until the afternoon and made even more money.”

Mo Yan, untying her money bag, replied, “Aunt, there’s always more money to make. From now on, the stall will rely on you. I won’t be coming over again, so it’ll just be you and Dani working. It’s better to finish early and rest rather than overwork yourselves.”

Wu shi waved her hand and laughed, “It’s just busy in the morning. After that, it’s not so hard. We farm folk know real hard work is in the fields. This is just using our arms, no big deal.”

Mo Dani nodded eagerly, hoping to stay busy so they could save money quickly for her brother’s marriage.

Understanding their determination, Mo Yan dropped the subject.

Back home, Mo Yan poured the heavy bag of money onto the table. The clinking sound of coins was especially pleasing to hear.

Wu shi and her daughter enthusiastically began counting the coins, with other family members joining in to help. With so many hands, it took less than a quarter of an hour to count everything. The final tally was astonishing.

“Am I dreaming?” Wu shi asked in disbelief, pinching her leg to ensure she was awake. After counting again, the result was the same: eleven strings of coins.

A string held a hundred coins, equivalent to one tael of silver. Eleven strings meant one tael and one qian of silver, plus over twenty loose coins. In less than a morning’s work, they had earned more than one tael of silver.

“Mom, you’re not dreaming. We really made money!” Mo Dani, equally excited, said. It was the first time she had seen so much money, and she had contributed to earning it.

--- 

Wu shi’s successful first day of business brought joy and motivation to the family. However, this chapter is a turning point, where the attention shifts to a larger venture: preparing to establish a winery. How they transition from a small food stall to setting up a winery will be crucial, involving strategic planning, resource management, and possibly new challenges.

 Chapter 454: The Stall Opens (2)

After a discussion, Wu shi decided to set up a stall in the South Market.

Having chosen the location, Mo Yan took Wu shi to the yamen that same day. They paid three taels of silver for taxes and management fees and received a small wooden plaque without any issues.

Feeling the small wooden plaque, which was only half a palm in size, Wu shi couldn't help but feel distressed. They hadn’t earned a single penny yet, and three taels of silver were already spent. She became increasingly uneasy, especially since the money came from Mo Yan. "If the business doesn’t go well, wouldn’t this money be wasted?" she worried.

“It won’t happen, Aunt. The pancakes you make are already delicious. Business will be good, don’t worry!” Mo Yan comforted her cheerfully, not considering the possibility of poor business at all.

“Alright, that’s good.” Perhaps influenced by Mo Yan's confidence, or realizing that worrying was futile, Wu shi’s expression improved, and she decided to stop worrying about it.

Guided by the yamen officer, they found their spot in the South Market. The location wasn't too remote and was spacious enough, making them both very satisfied.

Noticing it was already afternoon, they saw nearby stalls selling buns and wontons still had customers. Wu shi, eager to start, urged Mo Yan to head back, wanting to open the stall the next day.

Seeing her urgency as if delaying the opening would make the money fly away, Mo Yan found it amusing but agreed. After buying the necessary oil, salt, and condiments, they drove back home.

Wu shi, anxious to earn money, planned to open the stall the next day. Once home, she prepared all the ingredients and utensils. Before dawn the next day, she and her daughter, Mo Dani, knocked on Mo Yan’s door.

Originally, Mo Yan didn’t intend to get involved in the stall business, but she decided to accompany them on the first day to see how things went.

Their horse, Hong Zao, was fast. In less than half an hour, they reached their destination. By then, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and only a few people were setting up their stalls. After unloading and arranging their things, and lighting the charcoal under the iron skillet, the sun had fully risen, and more people were starting to walk the streets.

Seeing other stalls already attracting customers, Mo Yan started adding ingredients to the spicy soup on the stove and told Wu shi, "Aunt, you should start cooking too. If we don’t, people won’t know what we’re selling."

Nervous but determined, Wu shi followed Mo Yan's advice. She brushed a layer of oil onto the skillet, poured a ladle of mung bean batter, and spread it thinly with a spatula. Once the batter began to solidify, she cracked an egg on top, spreading it evenly.

The golden egg mixture combined with the light green batter looked attractive, and the faint fragrance wafting in the air was very appetizing.

Once the egg had set, Wu shi flipped the pancake and was about to brush on sweet and spicy sauce when a rough voice interrupted, “What’s this? Looks like a soft pancake.”

Startled, Mo Wu looked up to see a burly middle-aged man with a small boy in tow. Both were staring intently at the pancake.

Realizing they might be her first customers, Wu shi suppressed her nervousness and warmly introduced, “This is a traditional family recipe called ‘Jianbing Guozi.’ It’s much tastier than regular soft pancakes because it has more ingredients.”

The man’s eyes lit up at this, seeing the array of ingredients on the side. “Make me one. If it’s good, I’ll take a few more.”

Delighted, Wu shi responded, “Just a moment, it’ll be ready soon.”

The man nodded and watched with his son. When Wu shi was about to sprinkle some scallions, he said, “No scallions. Add more spicy sauce.”

Wu shi complied, adding a small spoonful of spicy sauce.

Mo Yan then approached and asked, “Do you want any vegetables? We have cured meat, braised meat, sausages, chicken, and more. You can choose, but the price varies with the ingredients.”

The man was intrigued but before he could speak, his son chimed in, “Braised meat! Daddy likes braised meat.”

Laughing, the man agreed, “Let’s go with my son’s choice. Add more braised meat.”

Wu shi placed two pieces of half-cooked vegetables on the pancake, added half a fried dough stick, and then layered on three thin slices of braised meat. She rolled the pancake, cut it in half, wrapped it in oiled paper, and handed it to the man.

The freshly made Jianbing Guozi was still hot. The man couldn’t resist the enticing aroma, blowing on it a few times before taking a big bite.

His eyes lit up instantly. The pancake was crispy, the mung bean’s mild fragrance combined with the egg’s richness was delicious, and the savory sauce and braised meat made it even better. He eagerly took another bite, enjoying it more with each mouthful.

Seeing his father eating so happily, the little boy tried a bite too, but the spiciness made him cry out. Yet, the taste was so good that he couldn’t bear to spit it out, ultimately eating it all, making the man laugh heartily.

Satisfied with the Jianbing Guozi, the man ordered six more with different fillings, intending to take them home for his family to try.

Receiving forty copper coins, Mo Yan and her companions were thrilled, especially Wu shi and her daughter, who wanted to savor every copper coin. This was their first earnings from their new business venture! 

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  **Chapter 181: Disappearance**

Admiration? 

Such pure and sacred words.

Ming Jin gave a faint, ambiguous smile and coaxed gently, "If you want to marry into the Ming family, you don't need to seek my mother's approval. As long as I like you, that's enough, do you understand?"

Feng Min's eyes trembled, and a sudden surge of hope rose within her as she lifted her gaze to the face so close to hers.

At that moment, his hand slid lower, settling on her waist, then suddenly pulling her toward him.

The action made Feng Min nervous and flustered. Instinctively, she tried to pull away. "Your Highness…"

But Ming Jin held her tightly, pinning her down, his other hand expertly untying her belt. "Don’t be afraid. As long as you become mine, do you think I’d ever leave you?"

The words hit her like a thunderclap, and she truly understood what he intended to do.

He actually meant to…

In a place like this?!

If she had been nervous and shy before, now she was terrified.

"No, Your Highness, this... this isn’t right!"

His hand had already ventured inside her clothes, the familiar, practiced motion showing no respect for her at all, as if she were nothing more than a courtesan from a brothel.

But she wasn’t!

She was a noble young lady, raised with etiquette and discipline by her grandmother, the matriarch of their family. She had her own dignity and honor. Even though she desired to marry into Marquis Ying’s family, even though she knew he wasn’t a righteous man, she never thought of submitting in this way!

On the contrary, it was precisely because she sought to marry into such a powerful family that she could not lose her purity before marriage!

And here... if anyone found out, not only would she never marry into the Ming family, she might not even survive!

Given her grandmother’s way of handling things, she would likely be given a length of white silk to end her own life...

This wasn’t what she wanted!

Confusion filled her mind, and as she was just a young girl with little experience, shame and fear overwhelmed her, leaving her completely panicked.

When Ming Jin ripped her skirt open, Feng Min’s mind blanked, and she screamed, struggling wildly, accidentally scratching his neck.

Ming Jin, losing all patience, slapped her face with a sharp "smack."

"You came to me willingly, and now you're pretending to be a saint!" he sneered.

Feng Min shook her head in desperation. "Your Highness, it’s not like that..."

Seeing her eyes darting away, as though she found it hard to speak, Ming Jin’s gaze darkened suddenly, and he seized her neck. "What? Did you hear some rumors about me... is that it?"

Feng Min, terrified by the sudden dark look on his face and the grip tightening around her neck, shook her head, struggling to speak. "I... I don’t know what rumors you mean..."

"What else could it be?!"

With a twisted expression, Ming Jin threw her down onto the ground.

"I’ll prove it to you right now!"

To prove his point, he had taken a double dose of medicine before coming here. The feverish heat now coursing through him nearly consumed the last bits of his rationality.

Feng Min, trapped beneath him, could feel her life at risk. Instinctively, she began to scream for help.

"Shout! Shout louder! It’s better if everyone hears it!" Ming Jin sneered, his eyes gleaming with a sickly excitement. "I would love for them all to see!"

Tears slid down Feng Min’s cheeks as she struggled, pleading with him for mercy.

Just as she neared the brink of despair, someone hurriedly approached from the woods, the dry, fiery leaves crunching underfoot.

…

As the autumn sun sank in the west, the crimson maple leaves stretched far and wide, painting the sky in a deep scarlet.

As the evening wind scattered the burning clouds, the night quickly followed, swallowing the last vestiges of sunset, and the world was plunged into darkness.

That night, Dayun Temple was far from peaceful.

But this unrest didn’t reach the solemn and quiet Tower. In the middle of the night, Chang Suining, who hadn’t slept, opened the window and, by chance, her gaze landed on the stone table in the tower courtyard.

In the intermingling light of starlight and lanterns, she seemed to see the figure of the young man sitting quietly in the darkness.

She blinked, and the figure disappeared.

Chang Suining regained her focus and looked out toward the tower’s edge.

The situation in Bingzhou was urgent, and there could be sudden changes at any moment. Not a second could be wasted. Given that he needed to leave secretly from the capital, tonight was indeed a good time to depart.

She began to think about which city gate he would exit, and which road he would take after leaving the city.

The map of the empire was etched in her mind. The cities and official roads leading from the capital to Bingzhou appeared vividly before her, along with the image of the young man riding his horse, crossing mountains and rivers.

Chang Suining rested her chin on the window ledge, lost in thought for a long time.

A group of riders was moving swiftly through the night.

At this moment, the man dressed in black robes suddenly slowed his horse and reined it in.

Cui Yuanxiang, following closely behind, also stopped his horse, instinctively reaching for the sword at his waist, warily scanning the surroundings. However, he noticed that his lord, the Commander, had turned his head and was quietly gazing off into the distance.

Cui Yuanxiang followed his gaze and silently put his half-drawn sword back into its sheath.

So they had passed by Dayun Temple. No wonder.

Cui Yuanxiang, ever observant, suggested, "My Lord, since we’ve already passed by, why not stop by the temple and light an incense? Every time I leave home, my mother always lights incense for me."

After saying this, Cui Yuanxiang couldn’t help but feel a bit proud of himself.

Not to brag, but wasn’t he really good at reading his superior’s thoughts? And this reason was perfect!

Cui Jing actually considered it for a moment before saying, "It’s too late, the temple gates are closed, and it would be inappropriate to disturb the monks."

Cui Yuanxiang thought for a moment and said, "Then we could climb the wall and go in. The people guarding the temple are all our own people!"

Cui Jing: "…"

He wasn’t the type to engage in such secretive acts. Moreover, he had urgent matters to attend to. Since he was leaving the capital in secret, it would be unwise to complicate things.

If it were merely to secretly meet her, that would be childish. He wasn’t someone who could act in such a frivolous manner. How could he be worthy of seeing her, let alone leading the Xuanzhe army for her?

Cui Jing held the reins with one hand and placed his other hand on the sword at his waist.

There were two chestnuts in the scabbard.

He gazed into the distance at Dayun Temple, where the highest tower, the Tower, could be seen, its faint light flickering like stars.

After a moment, the young man spurred his horse forward, riding through the starlight, leaving only a breeze in his wake.

The night wind brushed through the trees, rustling the leaves and carrying the sound into the tower’s window.

Inside the tower, the young girl had stood for a long time. Eventually, she looked up at the stars and then closed the window.

…

After three days of prayer, the next day would mark the day that Chang Suining would leave the tower.

As she stepped out of  Tower, she felt as though she were a long-imprisoned spirit, almost revealing her true form within the tower. Fortunately, the "Demon-Repelling Mirror" had been broken just in time, preventing her from being exposed.

Ming Luo glanced to the side and saw the young girl, dressed in an autumn yellow robe, stretch and yawn in the morning light like a cat released from a cage.

Soon, two figures waiting outside the tower ran up to her.

"Sister!"

"Lady!"

"Brother?" Chang Suining was somewhat surprised. "When did you arrive?"

"I arrived the day before yesterday afternoon," Chang Sui'an explained, "I didn’t want to disturb your prayers, so I kept it from you… Ning Ning, how have you been these past few days in the tower? Have you been eating and sleeping well? Is the praying exhausting?"

Seeing his sister, Chang Sui'an couldn't stop talking.

Before he could finish his questions, Cui Lang arrived with a pot in hand, followed by Yao Xia, Wei Miaoqing, and more than ten other young ladies. They crowded around her, calling out, "Sister Chang, your merits are boundless," and "Lady Chang, you’ve worked so hard."

Chang Suining estimated that even when the National Master of Tianjing returned from his three-year seclusion, his reception might not have been as grand as hers.

The girls surrounded Chang Suining, leaving Chang Sui'an and Cui Lang standing awkwardly, unable to get close.

"Lady Chang probably hasn't had breakfast yet. Why don't we all have the morning meal together?" one suggested.

"Yes, yes, let's all go!" Wei Miaoqing eagerly grabbed Chang Suining's arm with a proud smile. "We should go to my place. Yesterday, I had the kitchen at the temple borrowed, and I made some chrysanthemum cakes."

Unlike Yao Xia and the others, who only knew how to flatter with sweet words, she was the one taking actual action!

"Even if there are chrysanthemum cakes… Miss Wei shouldn’t monopolize Lady Chang," one noblewoman muttered, displeased.

Her words were quickly echoed by others.

After all, there was only one Lady Chang. Everyone had come a long way just to meet her. How could they let Wei Miaoqing take her away all for herself?

Lady Chang was everyone's Lady Chang!

Wei Miaoqing seemed to lack the grace to share with others. If she didn’t change her ways, they might not share any more news of Lady Chang with her in the future!

Seeing Wei Miaoqing being reprimanded, Cui Lang couldn’t help but feel it was absurd. "…Why are they still arguing?"

"Enough, enough, everyone be quiet!" Chang Sui'an quickly stepped forward, raising his hand to stop the noise. "Ning Ning isn’t going anywhere. We’re going to Master Wu Jue’s place for the vegetarian meal! It’s his specific request!"

The noble ladies sighed in defeat.

How could even a monk like Master Wu Jue be involved in this?

Fortunately, Chang Suining promised that once they returned to the capital, she would invite them to the Chang residence, which helped settle the situation.

Though reluctant, the young ladies had no choice but to disperse.

On their way out, they gathered around Wei Miaoqing, trying to reason with her and guide her with some constructive advice.

Meanwhile, after parting ways with the Chang siblings and Cui Lang, they headed toward Master Wu Jue’s private chamber.

Chang Suining knew well that this so-called meal was merely an excuse. Master Wu Jue wanted to meet "her."

But what would happen after they met? What would they talk about?

These were questions Chang Suining had pondered countless times during the past few days in the tower. Now, they had finally come to a head.

In her hand, she tightly grasped the stone ring, its surface weathered and chipped, her emotions swirling with uncertainty.

At that moment, a group of imperial guards quickly passed by.

Chang Suining noticed that this was the third such group she had seen on this journey, and it appeared they were heading in the same direction.

"Brother, has something happened at the temple?" she asked cautiously.

Chang Sui'an nodded, gazing in the direction the guards had gone. "I heard that a young lady went missing yesterday, and they still haven’t found her."

Missing?

Chang Suining immediately asked with a serious expression, "Which family does she belong to?"

---

[End of Chapter]

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 453: The Stall Opens (1)

When Mo Yan returned home and saw Wu shi there, she thoroughly washed the iron skillet inside and out, asking her to light some charcoal to test its usability.

Wu shi, infatuated with the iron skillet, ran her hands over it lovingly before starting to chop vegetables and prepare dough for pancakes. She was adept at household chores and worked quickly. In no time, she made enough pancakes with fried dough sticks and egg rolls for everyone to taste, even faster than expected.

Mo Yan devoured an entire pancake in one go and praised repeatedly, “Not bad, not bad. The pancakes made with this skillet have a better texture than those made with the regular cooking pot, and they taste even more fragrant. We just need to be careful with the heat to avoid burning the pancakes. This is much more convenient than using the cooking pot.”

“Yes, I agree,” Xin’er said loudly, also enjoying the taste. She picked up another egg roll pancake and started eating happily. Li Xiu and the others echoed their sentiments, finding it tastier than before.

Seeing this, Wu shi felt more confident about selling pancakes at the stall. Looking at the still-burning charcoal, she said reluctantly, “The skillet is great, but charcoal costs money. If we used firewood, we could save that expense.”

Mo Yan sighed and replied, “We could set up the cooking area to use firewood, but it’s not as convenient as charcoal. The ash from burning wood is also hard to clean up. A gust of wind could blow it everywhere, causing trouble for nearby stalls.”

Charcoal was different. Once the charcoal was placed inside and the opening sealed, the small vents allowed for air circulation, maximizing heat efficiency without spreading ash everywhere. This avoided potential disputes with nearby stalls.

Realizing the logic, Wu shi let go of her reluctance and discussed the stall's location. Mo Yan, already having a plan, said, “Aunt, where do you want to set up the stall? I think the South Market and West Market are the best options.”

The four markets in the north, south, east, and west all had designated areas for breakfast stalls, managed by the government. To set up a stall, one needed to register at the yamen, pay a certain amount of tax and management fees, and receive a designated spot and a wooden plaque. This plaque functioned like a business license. Only those with the plaque could legally set up stalls; otherwise, it was considered “illegal operation,” leading to fines or worse, punishment, and jail time.

Wu shi asked, puzzled, “Yan'er, isn’t the East Market known for its wealth? Why not set up there?”

Mo Yan explained with a smile, “Most of the residents in the East Market are wealthy. Because of this, they have high standards and usually have their meals prepared by personal chefs at home. Only a few commoners eat outside, and they are not many. Setting up a stall in the South Market and West Market, where there are more people, would be better.”

“Oh, I see!” Understanding this, Wu shi smiled wryly, “I didn’t realize setting up a stall had so many considerations. It seems that no matter what we do, we have to consider all aspects. It’s not easy to do it well!”

Mo Yan nodded in agreement. Regardless of the size of the business, the first thing to consider was market demand. With unique ingredients from their space and new, fresh food items not available elsewhere, they needn’t worry about business. Even if others tried to imitate, they couldn’t replicate the essence, ensuring their business wouldn’t be significantly affected.

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  **Chapter 180: Turning Waste into Treasure with New Ideas**

Chang Sui'an raised his hand to salute, "Prince Lu."

At the Mid-Autumn Flower Feast, the heir had suddenly proposed marriage to his sister in front of everyone, leaving Chang Sui'an with mixed feelings whenever he faced him.

The young man, still appearing too thin despite wearing a fur cloak, raised his hand in return. "Young Master Chang..." He seemed like he wanted to say something to Chang Sui'an, but after glancing at the people inside the Spirit Hall, he probably decided it wasn’t the right time to speak. Instead, he gestured politely and said, "Young Master Chang, Young Master Cui, please come in."

Cui Lang merely nodded and raised his hand slightly, not intending to engage in conversation with him.

Anyone who tried to vie for his teacher with his elder brother was considered an enemy.

As they prayed in the hall, Chang Sui'an noticed that Li Lu kept looking at him.

He was puzzled. 

When they left the hall, Cui Lang immediately pulled him aside.

After pulling him away, Cui Lang couldn’t resist gossiping, "This Prince Rong’s heir may seem gentle and harmless, but deep down, he might not be. Just look at what he did at the Lotus Flower banquet when he proposed to your sister — he’s full of lies. Don’t believe him, brother Sui'an."

Chang Sui'an looked at Cui Lang seriously. "Lies? What do you mean?"

Cui Lang, looking confident, continued, "Think about it, his body is so weak, he's always sick, and with just a breeze, he might fall over. Not only is he incapable of protecting anyone, but who knows, he might even die any day. Whoever marries him will be preparing to be a widow! If he truly liked my teacher, he wouldn't be asking to marry her!"

Chang Sui'an’s expression became complicated.

Although it was a harsh statement, there seemed to be some truth to it…?

Cui Lang said with conviction, "So, whatever he says about liking her, it’s all lies!"

Chang Sui'an, deep in thought, asked, "If he is lying, then what is his purpose?"

Cui Lang was momentarily speechless. "His purpose...?" 

How would he know? 

He had only come up with the idea to discredit the Prince’s heir on the spot—of course, as part of his plan to remove a potential rival for his elder brother. 

But seeing Chang Sui'an’s serious pondering, he shrugged and said mysteriously, "It’s hard to say."

Cui Lang's offhand comment, however, made Chang Sui'an keep the matter in mind.

With his father absent, Chang Sui'an knew he wasn’t particularly smart, so he reminded himself to stay vigilant, to always listen carefully and think more than others, so he could protect the Chang family and his sister as best as he could.

The next morning, while picking chrysanthemums in the back mountains, he ran into the Prince’s heir again. This time, he paid closer attention.

The young man, still wearing his cloak, walked over to him and politely invited, "I have something I’d like to discuss with you privately, Young Master Chang. Would it be convenient?"

Chang Sui'an thought for a moment and nodded.

The two of them left the crowd and walked to a quiet riverside to talk.

Li Lu bowed slightly and said with a look of regret, "A month ago, during the Mid-Autumn Lotus Flower banquet, I had a bit too much to drink and rashly mentioned my proposal to your sister. After reflecting, I realize that was inappropriate..."

"These past days, I haven’t had the opportunity or the face to apologize to her in person. I wonder if you could convey my apology to her, Young Master Chang?"

His words were sincere, and his expression of guilt didn’t seem fake.

Chang Sui'an returned the bow and said, "Rest assured, Prince Lu, I will convey your words."

He didn’t say anything like "It’s not a big deal, don’t worry," to show politeness or grace. 

In his view, his sister’s matters, big or small, should be decided by her, whether to accept this apology or not.

Li Lu bowed again. "Thank you, Young Master Chang."

Looking at the polite young man, who showed no sign of royal arrogance, Chang Sui'an hesitated for a moment and couldn’t help but ask, "Actually, I have a question for you, Prince Lu…"

Before the heir could respond, Chang Sui'an asked directly, "Was your proposal to my sister really because you liked her?"

Li Lu froze for a moment.

Chang Sui'an, with wide, innocent eyes, stared at him.

Given his usual clumsiness and impulsiveness, it made sense for him to ask exactly what he was thinking, right?

His clumsiness was his best disguise.

Just like Jiantong’s face blending in with the crowd or his sister’s "broken brain," he too could make use of his own awkwardness.

The young man suddenly felt he had found a new strategy—turning waste into treasure.

After all, there was no harm in asking. If he could uncover something, that would be a win, right?

With this thought, Chang Sui'an looked at the Prince’s heir with an even more naïve and clear gaze.

Li Lu couldn’t help but smile. "Naturally, it’s because I like her."

When he spoke of the young woman, there was a trace of absent-mindedness in his eyes, barely noticeable but still present. "I think, no one could fail to like your sister."

Chang Sui'an nodded in agreement, saying, "That’s true… my sister is indeed wonderful."

He then added, "And you, Prince Lu, are also quite good."

He paused, then added, "Especially your taste!"

Li Lu laughed in surprise and nodded. "Yes, my taste is indeed excellent."

Chang Sui'an scratched his head awkwardly. "But people say, matters of the heart can’t be forced…"

Li Lu seemed ashamed. "Exactly. I was too muddled... The mistake I made was trying to force things."

Seeing him so remorseful, Chang Sui'an comforted him, "It’s fine. After all, it didn’t work out! Fortunately, nothing too serious happened!"

"..."

Li Lu couldn’t help but laugh again. "Young Master Chang, you really are just like your sister, so straightforward and honest."

Chang Sui'an smiled somewhat awkwardly and said, “My younger sister speaks much more eloquently than I do... My father often says that I can’t spit out ivory from a dog’s mouth.”

The atmosphere remained light, or rather, most people felt at ease when they were around Chang Sui'an.

Li Lu then engaged in casual conversation with Chang Sui'an, and naturally, they discussed his enrollment in the Xuanzhe Army: "I’ve heard that Young Master Chang has successfully joined the vanguard unit of the elite forces of the Xuanzhe Army. Such a heroic young man, truly admirable and enviable."

Li Lu looked at the young man before him, his tone filled with both admiration and longing. “In time, Young Master Chang will surely become a pillar of talent, just like General Chang.”

At this point, he gave a wry smile, feeling a bit downhearted. “Right now, the country is in turmoil, and I also have the desire to serve the state, but alas, my weak body and poor health are unfit for great responsibilities... I truly feel ashamed to be a son of the Li family.”

Chang Sui'an replied, “Everyone has their strengths. The son of Prince Rong need not be discouraged. My father always says that while I have strength, it's all earned by using my brain!”

Li Lu smiled and put aside his moment of melancholy.

He then asked, “I wonder what Young Master Chang plans next? I’ve heard that General Cui will lead the army to the northern border to fortify the defenses. Will Young Master Chang be accompanying him?”

Chang Sui'an hesitated as he spoke. "That has not been decided yet... My father is not in the capital right now, and I can’t bear to leave my sister alone at home. I intend to discuss it with her before making any plans."

Li Lu looked across the river to the green mountains. “Many times, the future and the desire to be with family are hard to balance.”

Chang Sui'an thought about the situation of Li Lu, who had to stay alone in the capital, unable to reunite with his family, and he felt sympathy for him.

But there were some matters he couldn't comment on, so Chang Sui'an wisely held back and didn’t speak further.

After a moment of silence, Li Lu brought up another topic, asking about his family.

“I heard that General Chang led his troops to Huainan before the Chongyang Festival... Now the two sides must have engaged in battle, but I wonder how the situation is.”

Chang Sui'an shook his head. “I haven’t received any news yet. We’ll have to wait for a report from the battlefield.”

He was always concerned about his father’s health and the ongoing battle, but with the war making it difficult for news to travel between the two places, he had no way of learning about his father's condition in a timely manner.

Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Li Lu thoughtfully said, “A few months ago, when Prince Huainan celebrated his birthday, my father sent people to offer congratulations. Due to some turmoil in Yangzhou, the envoy hasn’t returned yet and is temporarily staying at the Huainan Wangfu. Once they return to the capital, I will inform Young Master Chang if there is any news about General Chang.”

Chang Sui'an bowed. “Then I must thank you, Your Highness.”

Prince Huainan, Li Tong, was the father of Li Yi, the general leading the troops. Since Huainan was close to Yangzhou, and before the main forces arrived, Prince Huainan had been in charge of coordinating the situation. The people sent by the son of Prince Rong were staying at the Huainan Wangfu, so they would definitely know more detailed and up-to-date information.

To Chang Sui'an, learning about his father’s specific situation was far better than relying on the sparse military reports.

The river breeze blew from the opposite bank, and the thin young man smiled. “It’s no trouble at all, don’t mention it.”

Chang Sui'an, not being foolish, could sense Li Lu’s goodwill. He did not engage in deep conversation but quietly kept this in mind, planning to tell his sister about it the next day.

The two of them chatted by the river for quite a while. Occasionally, they could hear the laughter of young men and women picking chrysanthemums nearby.

Today was a rare sunny day, and in the back mountains, there were not only chrysanthemums of all colors but also maple forests that were red as fire. Such an expansive, beautiful view naturally drew people to linger. The youths, who had been cooped up for days, were in no rush to leave.

"Miss, what are you looking for?" asked the maid holding a bunch of green chrysanthemums as she looked around at the girl beside her.

Changsun Xuan did not answer her maid directly. She only expressed some confusion, saying, “Don’t we need to pick chrysanthemums to offer during the prayers at the Heavenly Maiden Pagoda?”

The maid realized, “You’re looking for the Chang family’s young lady.”

Changsun Xuan did not deny it. “I thought she would come to pick chrysanthemums as well.”

The maid lowered her voice and asked in puzzlement, “But I heard that the Chang family’s young lady is no longer on the list of candidates for the Crown Princess... Why are you still paying attention to her?”

Since they were no longer rivals, there was no need to keep an eye on her.

“What do you know?” Changsun Xuan bent down to pick another freshly blooming green chrysanthemum, her mood light. “It’s precisely because she’s no longer a rival that there’s a better chance of becoming friends.”

The maid was shocked. “Ah?”

So the young lady wasn’t wary of her rival, but was thinking of making friends instead?

Changsun Xuan stood up with a smile.

Her father had said that after they returned to the capital, the matter of the Crown Princess would soon be settled.

After tomorrow’s prayers, they should be able to return to the capital.

The current situation was still unstable, for example, one of her mother’s distant relatives had joined Xu Zhengye’s rebellion in Yangzhou, which was a potential threat.

But since the empress’s ascension, the Changsun family’s troubles had never ceased. Her father had told her that she just needed to focus on what she had to do.

She was confident that in the coming days, she would be able to fulfill her role as Crown Princess, becoming both a support and a pride to the Changsun family. Despite being a woman, she would shine alongside her father and brothers.

At this point, she suddenly became curious. What would the young lady she hoped to become friends with want to do most?

Her intuition told her that the girl who could attract her attention must also know exactly what she wanted.

For example, at the Lotus Banquet, the girl had rejected both the son of Prince Rong and General Cui, which showed her firm will, undisturbed by external matters.

This curiosity made Changsun Xuan sigh inwardly.

Really, she wanted to rush over and befriend her, to hear her secrets and thoughts.

At that moment, an orange-and-black butterfly flitted in front of Changsun Xuan’s eyes.

It was a dead-leaf butterfly.

Her gaze instinctively followed the butterfly as it flew toward the fiery red maple forest.

Changsun Xuan, holding a green chrysanthemum in one hand and lifting her skirt with the other, casually said, "Let’s go, let’s check out the area ahead."

There was a stream flowing through the maple forest, and in the creek, which was floating with maple leaves, the reflections of two blurred figures could be seen.

"...For the past month, I have been deeply worried about Your Highness's injury. I sent people to your residence several times with messages, but I never received a reply," the girl said softly.

It was only when she saw him at the royal tomb this time that she felt relieved.

Ming Jin raised an eyebrow. "You sent me letters several times?"

Feng Min nodded slightly, looking up at him. "Your Highness... surely you didn’t not see my letters?"

Ming Jin dismissed it with a nonchalant expression. "I suppose when I was recovering, my mother had the messengers stopped."

His mother was always like that.

Feng Min gently bit her lip and lowered her head. "Has the madam... perhaps grown less fond of me now? Is it because of my grandmother’s matter?"

Ming Jin leaned closer to her, lowering his voice and asking, "Why would you want her to like you?"

He suddenly came so close that his breath brushed her ear. Feng Min’s face turned warm, and her voice became even softer. "I... I do care..."

It seemed that Ming Jin hadn’t heard her words—or rather, he didn’t care about what she said. He raised his hand and ran his fingers through her hair. "Hmm, this hairpin looks somewhat familiar..."

Feng Min replied, "This is the pair you gave me before..."

She had purposely worn it to meet him.

But, had he really forgotten?

Before she could think more, she felt the hand that had landed in her hair slowly move down to her warm face.

The voice at her ear asked, "You want to enter my Lord's household, don't you?"

Feng Min’s heart pounded loudly. Faced with such a direct question, she didn’t know how to respond.

She wanted to preserve her modesty as a young lady, but she also feared missing the opportunity. She gently nodded, mustering the courage to whisper, "I... I have always truly admired you, Your Highness."

---

(End of this chapter)

Next Chapter▶▶

  **Chapter 262: The Cute Little Rocking Horse**

The children's efficiency was still quite high.

Before dinner, they had not only assembled the little rocking horse, but had also pushed Suisui around on it for several laps.

The flexible wheels and steady wooden horse gave off a refreshing feeling, as well as a sense of care and attention to detail.

Furthermore, Feng Xuancang, thinking about Suisui's safety, had made a simple safety belt out of deer leather.

Of course, they didn’t really have a concept of safety belts yet, but Feng Xuancang thought that his little sister was still young. If she sat alone on the rocking horse and lost her balance, it could be dangerous.

So, he drilled three holes into the rocking horse and attached two deer leather straps to it.

When Suisui sat on the rocking horse, if she was afraid of falling, she could tighten the straps around her.

The deer leather was soft and long enough.

Although it didn’t guarantee complete safety, at least if she fell, the straps would offer some cushioning.

Suisui was so impressed by Feng Xuancang's thoughtfulness that she exclaimed, "Third Brother, you're amazing!"

Suisui had a deer leather bag, which she had carried when going to the study before.

Now, seeing the deer leather safety belt, she was truly surprised and touched by how much her third brother cared for her.

After praising him, her eyes reddened.

As soon as Suisui's eyes reddened, the young masters began to feel sorry for her.

Feng Xuanyu even hurriedly searched for a handkerchief, fearing that his sister might burst into tears.

Feng Xuancang gently comforted the children, not wanting them to feel too upset.

Fortunately, Suisui didn’t cry in the end. She obediently allowed her brothers to help her, and after sitting on the rocking horse, she went around for two more laps.

Feng Xuanyu found it fun and wanted to climb on too.

He was young, so Feng Xuancang and the others were accommodating of him.

Thus, Feng Xuanyu climbed on, and Feng Xuanyan also squeezed up.

However, it was too tiring to pull three children at once, so Feng Xuancang casually lifted Feng Xuanyu off.

Feng Xuanyu was unhappy but understood that with too many people, his third brother couldn’t pull them all.

In the end, he jumped down and began to push from behind.

The rocking horse had a guardrail at the back, which allowed the children to lean on it when they got tired. However, since it was made of wood, it was a bit hard.

Still, it was convenient for Feng Xuanyu to push it from behind.

But feeling the wood in his hands, Feng Xuanyu wasn’t satisfied. "Next time, we should sew a cushion for this, so it’s softer."

It was hard and would hurt Suisui if she bumped into it.

It was fine for them to sit on it—they were tougher and could handle it—but his little sister couldn’t.

Hearing this, Feng Xuancang realized that he hadn’t thought of everything and immediately nodded in agreement.

Aunt Xiang showed up just in time, saying that her stitching skills were good. She would measure the size and sew a cushion for them later.

Prince Qi, who had been worried, finally relaxed when he heard Aunt Xiang’s promise, and sat back down, smiling.

The children played for a while, and soon it was time for dinner.

Dinner was once again very abundant.

Suisui had egg dumplings with purple rice porridge.

It’s said that this purple rice is a tribute.

It was a gift from today’s Emperor Uncle, and although there wasn’t much of it, Father said he wanted to let them have a taste, so he had the kitchen cook some.

In truth, Suisui couldn’t really tell the difference.

But since Father said it was good, it must be something special.

So, she made sure to eat more.

The children’s appetite was about the same—a small bowl of porridge was already the limit. Moreover, Suisui had also eaten three egg dumplings.

By the end, she was almost stuffed.

Fortunately, there was entertainment after dinner, so they could move around and digest a bit.

After dinner, Qi Wangfei quietly called Feng Xuanbo over and whispered a few words to him: “Tonight, go back and spend some time with your mother.”

The princess didn’t say much more.

Feng Xuanbo didn’t understand, but he knew that unless something unusual happened, his mother wouldn’t ask him to return and spend time with her.

As the sons grew older, they would move to the eastern courtyard, separated from their parents.

It was a normal part of growing up for children to live independently.

Feng Xuanbo, being smart, didn’t ask further questions. Qi Wangfei was actually worried that Concubine Ren might feel uneasy about the Empress Dowager’s gift, so she wanted her son to accompany her and ease her mind.

After sending Feng Xuanbo off, Qi Wangfei sighed, “Time passes so quickly. Tomorrow is already the end of the month, and Zhege’er and the others should be returning soon.”

At the end of each month, the Imperial Academy and other prestigious schools would give students a day off.

The scholars could return home for a bit of rest.

They might change clothes, bring back some money, or pick up books, for example.

After a month of hard study, it was a rare opportunity to relax.

Upon hearing the mention of their eldest son, Prince Qi nodded in delight: “Tomorrow, have the estate send some good things back. Zhe’er likes Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, so have the kitchen prepare it early in the morning. Let it cook so it’s rich in flavor. Also, have someone tidy up their rooms and add some flowers since the blooms are looking good.”

Though Prince Qi talked at length about his eldest son, he didn’t forget about his second son, who would also be returning tomorrow.

Thinking about the second son, Prince Qi frowned slightly.

He still didn’t understand. Although he wasn’t the sharpest, he wasn’t foolish either. But Concubine Ren, with all her scheming, he couldn’t figure out why they had such a dim-witted child.

If it weren’t for his face, which almost looked like a copy of his own, Prince Qi might even have suspected that the midwife had made a mistake.

But after some thought, Prince Qi sighed and added, “Yu’er likes lamb chops. Make sure to arrange that for him too.”

They were all his sons, and he loved them all, so he didn’t want to favor one over the other and cause any discomfort.

The children only got one day to return home every month.

Qi Wangfei smiled and agreed.

Later, when the children grew tired, Qi Wangfei had Feng Xuanrui and the others go back to the eastern courtyard to rest.

Feng Xuanbo said he missed his mother and wanted to return to the back courtyard.

When Feng Xuanbin heard this, he also felt the urge.

Qi Wangfei naturally didn’t stop them. It was perfectly normal for young children to miss their birth mother.

When Feng Xuanrui saw that both his brothers were staying, he couldn’t help but approach Prince Qi: “Father, I miss you too. Can I stay as well?”

Prince Qi: ...

He wasn’t particularly eager to have him stay.

However, since the youngest was still small, Prince Qi couldn’t bear to turn him away, so he reluctantly allowed him to stay.

Feng Xuanrui cheered in excitement.

Feng Xuanjie watched enviously but didn’t dare to say anything.

It was Feng Xuancang who noticed and whispered to him: “If you miss your mother, just tell Father, he will agree.”

Hearing this from his third brother, Feng Xuanjie shook his head: “I’d rather not. Mother’s been feeling unwell lately and probably went to bed early. If I go back, I might trouble her.”

Feng Xuancang thought for a moment, recalling that when he had seen Lady Wen a few days ago, her complexion had indeed looked poor. He nodded: “Alright then, you can come with me to the eastern courtyard. Tonight, it will just be the two of us brothers.”

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 452: No One Inquires (3)

Mo Yan felt helpless about this but didn't force it. There were too many people at the lantern festival, and any accident could easily lead to chaos. If something happened, there wouldn’t be time to cry over it. After all, not everyone was as lucky as she was.

That year’s Lantern Festival at the Mo family was warm and peaceful. They hung two red lanterns at the door, happily ate sweet dumplings, and sat around a cozy brazier, chatting and snacking, enjoying a harmonious time together.

On the morning of the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Mo Yan, along with her siblings, sent Mo Qingze to the academy. Apart from a lot of rice, flour, eggs, vegetables, and meat, there were also a few jars of high-alcohol wine in the cart.

Although Mo Yan repeatedly told her father to keep the wine for himself to drink slowly, Mo Qingze had already decided to give some of it to his teachers and invite his close classmates to drink. He wanted as many people as possible to know that the wine was unique to their family. If they liked it, there might be unexpected gains once the winery was established.

Unaware that her scholarly father had become "worldly," Mo Yan diligently helped him organize the items and cooked a table full of delicious dishes for him before returning to Liuyang Village with her four younger siblings. Just as they reached the entrance of Liuyang Village, Mo Yan unexpectedly saw some villagers heading into the village, discussing something in low voices. She vaguely heard the words "Mo family" and "Wang Dali."

When she got home and asked Li Xiu, Mo Yan remembered that today was the day Wang Dali was expelled from the village. Wang Dali refused to leave and tried to break into the house to plead, but fortunately, Yang Bao was there. He called people to stop him in time. Since the leaders were not present, it was unclear what chaos might have ensued.

Wang Dali, unwilling to give up, lay at the Mo family's doorstep, refusing to leave. But Yang Bao, who had been the village head for a long time, had seen such shameless people before. He immediately called some strong young men to carry Wang Dali out of the village. Finally, Yang Bao warned that if Wang Dali dared to sneak back, his family would be expelled from the village as well.

A strong man expelled from the village wouldn't starve as long as he was diligent, but if he had to drag his whole family along, it would be uncertain. Understanding the seriousness, Wang Dali didn't dare to stay any longer. He took a tattered bundle and left in disgrace under the villagers' watchful eyes.

"Humph, he deserves to be kicked out. Without that troublemaker, our family will have a much more peaceful life," Zhen'er said, feeling relieved and showing his disdain for Wang Dali.

Mo Yan patted his head and advised, "No one likes a greedy person. But if you don't discipline yourself strictly, you might unknowingly become like that one day."

Zhen'er shook his head vigorously, "No, no, Zhen'er will reflect on himself daily and will never become so detestable!"

Amused by his serious expression, Mo Yan pulled Yun Zhao over and told them earnestly, "In a few days, you will go to the academy. Eldest sister doesn't expect you to be extremely smart or knowledgeable, but I hope you understand the principles of being a person and live an upright life."

Zhen'er and Yun Zhao looked at each other and then solemnly nodded at Mo Yan's hopeful face, remembering her words deeply.

The academy they were going to was a private school called Zhizhitang, established twenty years ago by two scholars and ten talented but unsuccessful examinees. Although it was a private school, none of its students had failed to pass the scholar examination, making it very famous in the capital.

Without Han Zhiyun's close relationship with the head of Zhizhitang and his efforts in speaking on their behalf, Zhen'er and Yun Zhao wouldn't have been able to get in. Mo Yan was very grateful to Han Zhiyun, the uncle they had acknowledged along the way, and gave him many good things during the New Year visit.

On the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, Mo Yan personally drove Zhen'er and Yun Zhao to Zhizhitang. After giving them some careful instructions, she reluctantly left. Initially planning to go straight home, she remembered the iron skillet halfway and turned to the blacksmith's shop. It was indeed ready.

Seeing the newly made iron skillet exactly as she had imagined, Mo Yan was very satisfied. She paid the blacksmith thirty extra coins and happily brought the somewhat heavy skillet home...