Chapter 645: Reckless Response (2)

Mo Yan took the letter, puzzled, and asked, "How did your master know this day would come?"

The two dark guards shook their heads simultaneously. They were also ranked and assigned different tasks, rarely working on the same mission together, so the information they obtained varied. Without their master’s orders, they couldn’t casually share information, especially on confidential tasks where the fewer people knew, the better.

Seeing this, Mo Yan stopped asking and returned to her room with the thick envelope. After spending nearly half an hour carefully reading through all the information about Chen Ji, she was stunned. After a long while, she cursed vehemently, "Damn it, that Chen guy is courting death!"

It turned out that Chen Ji had brought back the deadly Heart-Eating Poison from beyond the border and offered it to the Lin family. Knowing full well that the Lin family intended to poison Empress Chunyi, he still participated in the plot, devising a scheme to kill her indirectly. This level of audacity and cruelty was beyond ordinary.

Although his machinations were eventually discovered by Emperor Hui'an, leading to Consort Lin being imprisoned in the Cold Palace, the plot succeeded, earning him the trust of the Lin family head and gradually integrating him into the power center of the Lin family.

Not only did he partake in the murder of Empress Chunyi, but over the years, he also handled many of the Lin family’s unsavory affairs. Even if he didn’t personally kill anyone, his hands were stained with the blood of innocent people.

If the heavens had eyes, a hundred lightning strikes wouldn’t be enough to wash away his sins. Such a person deserved to be obliterated, never to be reincarnated!

The Lin family wasn’t just backed by Consort Lin and their nephew, Prince Heng. The current family head was a three-dynasty elder and the emperor’s teacher, with many students and connections in the court. Such deep-rooted influence meant that any move against them would have widespread repercussions. Thus, when Emperor Hui'an learned of their deeds, he only sidelined the family and imprisoned Consort Lin.

Even though the Lin family was now very low-key, seemingly withdrawn from the center of Da Chu’s power, Emperor Hui'an likely would have acted against them long ago if they were truly harmless. The fact that he didn’t, despite knowing they poisoned his empress and nearly killed his beloved son, showed how formidable they were.

No wonder Chen Shanshan was so arrogant and domineering; her father had secured such a powerful backer, making her feel like a true noble lady. However, Chen Ji was indeed capable and ruthless. Today’s events might incite his revenge. If he retaliated openly using the Lin family’s influence, Mo Yan wasn’t afraid; but if he resorted to underhanded tactics, she might not be able to handle it.

As long as the Lin family existed, Chen Ji would remain untouchable. If Emperor Hui'an couldn’t eradicate the Lin family, once Chu Heng ascended the throne, he would likely target them first, avenging his mother’s death.

Based on Chu Heng’s decisive actions at Phoenix Mountain, he was undoubtedly ruthless. The Lin family would face dire consequences under his rule. However, Emperor Hui'an was not yet fifty and still robust. Who knew when Chu Heng would take the throne? By then, it might be too late to deal with the Lin family and Chen Ji.

Realizing the intricacies, Mo Yan became increasingly frustrated. A wild idea suddenly popped into her head: Should she strike first and kill Chen Ji?

Startled by her own violent thought, she quickly shook her head to dismiss it.

  Chapter 644: Reckless Response (1)

Listening to Mo Yan’s words, Xin'er gradually calmed down. She thoughtfully raised her head, seeing the peace in her sister’s eyes. She knew that her sister would do as she said, slowly letting go of her resentment towards that woman and striving to live a good life in the future.

Her sister was right. That woman gave her life, raised her, and once truly loved her. Just for that, she should be grateful. Besides, because of her, she has a kind father, a wonderful sister, and a lovely brother. What right does she have to hold a grudge?

Even if she was young and didn’t understand what that woman went through, she later learned from others and witnessed some things herself. She knew how harsh the second wife was, forcing that woman and almost driving their family to the brink of despair.

Strictly speaking, her father should hate that woman the most for making him lose face, but he never spoke ill of her in front of them. Once, when he was drunk, he held their hands, crying and apologizing, saying it was his fault that their mother left and that they were without a mother's love... Now, her sister's words finally made her understand that while it was wrong for that woman to abandon them and run away, it wasn’t entirely her fault.

The gloominess in Xin’er’s expression gradually faded, replaced by a bright smile. "Sister, I know what to do now! Our good days have just begun. If we keep holding onto the past and resenting those who hurt us, how can we be happy? Don’t worry, even if I can’t forgive now, I will learn to let go, treat that woman as a stranger, and live our lives while she enjoys her riches. It’ll be like she doesn’t exist!"

Seeing her sister truly come to terms with it, Mo Yan felt relieved yet slightly pained. Her sister had always been kind and understanding. Despite years of hopelessness, she remained pure and untainted by the world. However, growing up often came with pain. She hoped her sister could grow up safe and happy under her and their father's protection, eventually finding a loving husband to continue her happiness.

This incident seemed to deepen the bond between the sisters. They were not only siblings but also confidants. The events of that day would be etched in their memories forever, never fading.

The sisters tacitly agreed to hide what happened at the cloth shop from their father and brother. Since that person had a life she desired and a happy family, she was merely a passerby in their lives, no longer worth discussing. Therefore, there was no need to trouble their father and brother with this.

However, Mo Yan remained wary of Chen Ji. His ostentatious display suggested some power. A commoner who climbed up the ranks in just over a decade must have had some skills. She needed to understand him thoroughly to feel at ease.

After dinner, once night fell, Mo Yan returned to her courtyard and found the two dark guards Xiao Ruiyuan initially sent in a corner. She hoped they could help investigate Chen Ji.

As soon as she made her request, one of the dark guards took out a thick letter from his waist and respectfully handed it to Mo Yan. "Miss, the master instructed that if you ever asked about someone named Chen, we should give this to you."

 Chapter 1494: Shu Yu's Catchy Rhyme

After considering it, Wang Kang Fu agreed to take charge of the instant noodle workshop.

But don't underestimate Wang Kang Fu just because he was a chef; he had received some education before his family's fortune declined.

Although he didn't pass any examinations, he had graduated from a proper school and writing an article was not a difficult task for him.

However, at this moment, with everyone staring at Wang Kang Fu, he couldn't help but lean back a bit.

After a moment of silence, he touched his plump face and said, "Alright, let me think."

He looked rather distressed. He never thought that even after giving up studying and becoming a supervisor at the workshop, he would still have to come up with an on-the-spot article like this.

He didn't make everyone wait too long and spoke after pondering for a while,

"On Jiangyuan Road

The sunflower seed from Lu's Store

Remarkable taste and fragrant

A rare delight

In September

With the cool autumn breeze

Invite three to five good friends

Then..."

As Wang Kang Fu spoke, he became more enthusiastic, but when he finished, the scene fell silent.

He blinked and looked at everyone present.

Everyone: "..."

Wang Kang Fu: "..."

After a long while, Wang Kang Fu angrily said, "What's with those expressions? Can't you say something?"

Luo Chun pursed his lips and turned to the others, saying, "Why don't we think of something ourselves?"

"Alright."

"Alright."

Wang Kang Fu almost fainted from anger, but Da Niu quickly comforted him, "Manager Wang, don't be angry. The problem is that this article is too difficult for everyone to understand. Even those of us who have read books find it hard to comprehend, let alone those who haven't. We need something easy to understand. Shu Yu, don't you agree?"

He turned his head, only to find Shu Yu seemed a bit absent-minded.

It seemed like she hadn't said a word since earlier.

Da Niu asked again, "Shu Yu?"

"Yes, I was listening." She had heard what both Da Zhuang and Wang Kang Fu said.

But... never mind, she wouldn't voice her opinion.

Da Niu nodded, "Alright, let's continue thinking."

Just as everyone was about to resume the discussion, Shu Yu suddenly spoke up, "I have a verse. Listen and see."

Everyone's attention immediately focused on her, and someone eagerly said, "Tell us, Boss."

Shu Yu paused, cleared her throat, and began.

"Lu Store's sunflower seeds are the best

Delicious, crispy, and unique

The capital's fruit preserves are delighted for it

The excellent quality and affordable price are highly praised

The sunflower seed oil sold in the palace is safe and healthy to use

On the first day of September

The store in Taohong Lane opens with good luck and great popularity

WeWlcome to come and taste

Surprise prizes await you."

After she finished, there was silence among the crowd.

After a moment, someone couldn't help but exclaim, "Great, this is it!"

"I also think it works. It flows smoothly, and you can understand it at once."

"Exactly, especially the part that lets people know our sunflower seeds are delighted by the fruit preserves from the capital, and the sunflower seed oil is bought by the palace. That's crucial."

"I don't think there's anything better. Even children can remember it after hearing it twice."

"Great!"

Everyone agreed, and some of them even started murmuring it to themselves.

And believe it or not, they could actually remember it after saying it twice.

Shu Yu smiled, "Then let's use this one. I'll write it down."

Without hesitation, Da Niu handed her a pen and paper. After a moment of contemplation, Shu Yu quickly wrote down the verse.

Everyone looked at it and read it again, finding it more and more catchy.

Chapter 1493: Several Supervisors of the Workshop

In no time, Da Niu brought in several supervisors.

There was Luo Chun, in charge of the sunflower seed workshop, Ruan Dalai, in charge of the oil pressing workshop, and Wang Kang Fu, in charge of the instant noodle workshop.

Also, there was Da Zhuang, the older brother of Da Qiang, who was cultivating ten Mu of sunflowers. He had been looking for work in the city and was quite familiar with the place. Shu Yu had asked for his opinion and later arranged for him to promote instant noodles in the capital.

After she returned from Changjin Prefecture last time, she saw several stores selling instant noodles, all thanks to Da Zhuang.

Since he was at the workshop today, Da Niu brought him along as well.

There weren't many people, but after this period of experience, everyone was in good spirits.

They probably heard from Da Niu that they were here to discuss opening a store in the city, so as soon as they entered, they sat down, took a few sips of water, and got straight to the point.

"I think the idea of a catchy rhyme is good, but the problem is how to come up with one."

"Da Zhuang, you've spent a lot of time in the city, are there any popular catchy rhymes there?"

"Da Zhuang, you've seen a lot and are familiar with the city. Can you try to come up with one?"

Da Zhuang felt a bit embarrassed being stared at by everyone, even though he usually had thick skin.

He scratched his head, "How would I know how to do that?"

Da Niu laughed, "It's alright, give it a try. If it doesn't work, we'll think of something else."

"Then... should I really give it a try?"

"Go ahead."

Da Zhuang cleared his throat and thought for a moment before starting, "sunflower seeds are good, sunflower seeds are wonderful, our sunflower seeds are the most delicious, fragrant, and cheap. Everyone, come and have a look..."

"Stop, stop, stop." Luo Chun quickly interrupted him, "This isn't a catchy rhyme; it sounds more like hawking."

Da Zhuang: "..." Thinking about it carefully, it seemed like he was right.

Mainly because when he used to work in the capital, he also ran a small stall. Although the business wasn't great, calling out like that had become a habit.

He sighed, "Then you guys try."

Ruan Dalai spoke up, "I think coming up with a catchy rhyme requires some level of education, just like writing an article."

So, everyone turned their gaze to Wang Kang Fu. Although all the supervisors were trying hard to learn to read and write, they could only understand deeds and accounts. Writing articles required formal education, which they didn't have.

Except... for Wang Kang Fu.

Wang Kang Fu was in his forties, the oldest among them.

He used to be a chef and was particularly skilled in kneading and making pastries. He also had a lot of ideas. However, his previous restaurant changed its business model, and they wanted to reduce his wages as a pastry chef.

Unhappy with that, he left in a huff.

Later, he came across instant noodles and liked them a lot. He wanted to know how they were made.

After inquiring around, he was discovered, and Da Niu suspected that he wanted to steal the recipe. But after a conversation, they found out he was a skilled pastry chef. After discussing it with Shu Yu, they hired him and paid him the same wages he had as a chef in the restaurant's kitchen.

Wang Kang Fu was quite happy, and Shu Yu said that he could continue researching other types of noodles as long as they could be mass-produced and sold, like instant noodles.

Shu Yu knew that in the modern world, there were not only instant noodles but also other types of noodles and pasta that could be cooked by soaking in water.

  Chapter 643: Ruthless Yan Yan Resolves Her Heartache (4)

Mo Yan knew the clothes she wore were precious but didn't realize they were brocade, something money couldn't buy. Seeing Chen Ji so easily threatened and visibly wary puzzled her. She had no idea that escaping this trouble was thanks to the brocade she wore. Otherwise, she would have had to prepare a substantial gift to thank Yan Junyu properly for the brocade.

In the end, the sisters left the cloth shop with Chen Ji looking sullen, Du Shi wanting to say something but stopping, and Chen Shanshan shouting in frustration. They calmly left and drove away in their carriage.

Once out of the city, Mo Yan loosened the reins and climbed into the carriage. The horse, Da Hongzao, instinctively sought out the flat parts of the road. When encountering another carriage, it cleverly gave way to avoid collisions, ensuring the two occupants inside remained undisturbed.

Inside the carriage, Xin’er leaned against the wall, silently watching the scenery outside. Normally, she would be clinging to her sister's arm, chattering away by now.

Mo Yan sighed quietly, gently took Xiner’s hand, and met her conflicted gaze. She said softly, "Ask whatever you want. If your sister knows, she'll tell you."

Xin’er bit her lip, hesitant to speak. After a long pause, she finally asked, "Is she...that woman?"

Mo Yan lightly tapped her forehead, disapproving. "What do you mean by 'that woman'? No matter what, she gave birth to you and raised you. Calling her 'mother' is only right!"

"No!" Xin’er suddenly stood up, hitting her head on the ceiling but not caring. She shouted at Mo Yan, "She’s not my mother. I don't have such a mother, and I will never acknowledge her!"

Mo Yan was taken aback by Xin'er's intense reaction. She quickly pulled her down, rubbing her sore head, and said tenderly, "Okay, okay, she's not. Don’t get upset, I won't talk about it anymore."

Xin’er stared blankly at her sister. That gentle gaze, that indulgence, she had seen it all her life. No matter how hard times were, no matter how people mocked or insulted them, as long as she saw that gaze, all her grievances and bitterness vanished. She remained a content and happy girl.

"Sister—" Xin’er ’s eyes reddened, and she threw herself into Mo Yan’s arms, hugging her tightly and crying uncontrollably. "I don't have a mother, and I don't need one. I just want you, father, and brother. We’ll always be together, always together, sob..."

Hearing her sister's sobs, Mo Yan's heart ached sharply, like being pricked by needles. She hugged Xin’er tightly, soothing her shoulders repeatedly, wishing she could bear all her pain. "Yes, father, brother, you, and me. We’ll always be together, forever! We also have Zhao’er and Sheng’er. They’re our family too. We’ll be happy and live joyfully, always."

"Sister—sob—" Xin’er cried even harder, her small body trembling as if she wanted to shed all her sadness and grievances at once.

The sisters held each other tightly, absorbing each other’s warmth until Xin'er's crying subsided and her emotions stabilized.

Xin’er ’s almond eyes were swollen and red from crying, and her tender cheeks were dry and red from the salty tears.

Mo Yan took out a clean handkerchief, wetted it with spring water from her water bag, and carefully wiped Xiner’s face until her eyes were no longer red and her face was smooth and tender again.

Feeling her face cool and her eyes no longer sore, Xiner quickly took the handkerchief and water bag and earnestly wiped Mo Yan’s face. Once Mo Yan’s face was clean and refreshed, the sisters smiled at each other and hugged again, their spirits brighter than ever.

Mo Yan gently patted Xiner’s back, her soft voice carrying a strange peace. "Xin’er, you can blame her and refuse to acknowledge her. Sister won’t force you. But one thing, you must not hate her..."

Before Xin’er could argue, Mo Yan continued, "She carried you for ten months, endured the pain of childbirth to bring you safely and healthily into this world, allowing you, me, father, and Zhen’er to become a close family! Without her, who knows where the three of us would be or if we’d ever meet. Just for these reasons, you can't hate her!"

Even though her soul had once been split in two, making her essentially two separate beings, Du Shi had given birth and raised "her," which couldn’t be denied now that they were one again. She couldn’t hate Du Shi like the former “her.”

Kicking Chen Ji in the cloth shop stemmed from "her" deep hatred for him. "She" still hated that man and that woman. But Mo Yan vowed to dissolve that hatred, letting it no longer affect her life.

Living with hatred, how could one talk about happiness? She didn't want to be influenced by "her" and didn't want Xin’er to live with hatred for Du Shi. It wouldn’t benefit her future at all.

  Chapter 642: Ruthless Yan Yan Resolves Her Heartache (3)

As Du Shi spoke, she abruptly stopped, her expression of blame quickly replaced by panic, which she hurriedly masked, her face once again showing reproach. 

Mo Yan observed Du Shi’s changing expressions and assumed she was afraid of having the sisters' true identities exposed, fearing it would lead the man to abandon her and end her life of luxury. With an even stronger look of contempt, Mo Yan said coldly, "So, we should just stand there and let them hit us? Or do you think we deserve to be beaten by your husband and daughter, no matter if we did anything wrong or not?"

When she emphasized “husband and daughter,” Du Shi's face stiffened, and the mockery on Mo Yan's face became even more apparent.

These words stabbed Du Shi in the heart like a knife. Her already pale face turned even paler, and tears began to fall. "No, it’s not like that, I didn’t mean..."

At that moment, Mo Yan had no interest in listening to Du Shi's excuses. Seeing her sister staring blankly at Du Shi, not knowing what she was thinking, Mo Yan felt a tightening in her chest. She quickly grabbed her sister's hand and said warmly, "Xine'r, it's getting late. Let's go home first. We can come back to shop next time."

Xin'er snapped out of her daze, her gaze shifting from Du Shi to her sister's face, her eyes filled with curiosity and confusion, which made Mo Yan’s heart race with anxiety.

After a long pause, Xin'er finally gave her sister a sweet smile and nodded. "Alright, let's go back now. We can ask Aunt Wu which colors she likes next time we come."

Mo Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that the shop assistant was too frightened to call for help, she decided not to bother him and prepared to leave with Xin’er.

"Stop, stop right there!" Chen Ji's voice trembled with pain but still carried an unmistakable murderous intent. "How dare you assault someone in broad daylight? Do you have no regard for the law?"

Was he planning to use the law against her since he couldn't fight back? Mo Yan sneered and turned to face the venomous Chen Ji, her expression suddenly brightening into a radiant smile as she spoke chillingly, "Want to report me to the authorities? Let’s see if I end up in jail first, or if you die before that!"

This threat was not made lightly. Given that the man had murderous intentions towards her and her sister, why shouldn't she strike first? With the five beasts around, dealing with Chen Ji quietly would not be difficult.

Chen Ji was taken aback by Mo Yan's audacity and her murderous intent towards him. She was either incredibly foolish or had strong backing. These two didn't seem foolish, so could they really have someone powerful behind them?

He scrutinized the sisters suspiciously and noticed the brocade they were wearing was the same as what he had seen on the young lady of the Lin family. Brocade was reserved for royalty, with only a few elite families receiving it as a royal gift each year. These families were all influential and powerful.

Even the Lin family, for whom he worked, had not received such royal favor since falling out of the emperor's grace. If not for the secret support from Prince Heng, the Lin family would not have had access to such luxurious items.

But now, these two brats were wearing such precious brocade! If not a royal gift, then they must be backed by someone even the Lin family couldn't afford to offend. Either way, it made him wary. Not only could he not seek revenge, but his entire family might fall into the hands of these two.

Realizing this, Chen Ji's face grew even darker, and his earlier schemes died on the spot.

Chapter 1492: How to Promote

However, no matter what, the number of these seeds won't be very large. Otherwise, the village would have started investigating by now, and Shu Yu would have known about it.

The other party has only planted three to four acres, which should be their limit.

If they were planting sunflowers just for ornamental purposes, it wouldn't matter. But if they wanted to do it on a large scale like her, they would have to reserve some seeds from these three to four acres for the next planting.

To make a big profit, they would need to harvest two crops, assuming the sunflowers grow well and yield good results.

Although sunflowers are easy to grow, they still require proper cultivation. It's not something that can be done carelessly.

Therefore, Shu Yu still has plenty of time.

She looked up and asked Da Niu, "How is the renovation of the store in the city coming along?"

"It's almost done. Once we finish up the final touches, we can open for business," Da Niu replied.

Shu Yu planned to expand her business. The store she had in the county was just a small beginning. The sunflower seeds business was doing okay, but there weren't many customers for sunflower oil, especially considering the price.

So, her next target is the city. However, at the beginning, there weren't many sunflowers planted, and the workshop's production was limited. Unfortunately, all of it was taken by the stores in the capital and the palace. The amount she kept for herself was just enough for consumption in the county.

Now that the production has increased, it's time to establish a reputation for Lu's sunflower Seeds and Sunflower Oil in the capital.

Before other people put their sunflower seeds and sunflower oil on the shelves, she needs to occupy the market first. She wants everyone in the city, whether commoners or officials, to be her target customers. Distributing flyers... Well, it works for those who can read, but it won't have any effect on those who can't.

Da Niu was troubled. He had no experience in this matter, and his face flushed red as he couldn't come up with any good ideas for promotion.

Shu Yu chuckled and said, "When I opened the clothing store, we used that method and distributed flyers in other stores. But that was because we had specific target customers, and the number wasn't large, just one referral leading to another. But our sunflower seeds and sunflower oil are different. They are targeted at the entire capital, both ordinary folks and high-ranking officials. Distributing flyers... It's alright for those who can read, but it won't work for those who can't."

Shu Yu also thought about it. The store in the capital needs a grand opening.

The two of them sat quietly in the office.

After a while, Shu Yu raised her eyebrows, "Why don't we come up with a catchy rhyme or nursery rhyme and have the children all over the streets of the capital sing it?"

Da Niu's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea! Even those who can't read will get to know about it. We can buy some candies for the children, and they'll sing it all day long. Once they've memorized it, they'll continue singing it for a long time."

Shu Yu smiled, "That's what I had in mind too. But we should still distribute flyers as a double approach."

"Okay!" Da Niu immediately nodded, and then frowned, "But how should we come up with the catchy rhyme or nursery rhyme?"

"How about gathering all the supervisors and discussing it together, pooling our ideas? Or, if that doesn't work, find some literate scholars to write it for us."

Da Niu felt this plan could work, "I'll go gather them right away."

He hurriedly left the room, and Shu Yu sat in her seat, preparing for the store's opening.

Chapter 1491: Young Master Wu Delivers News

Shu Yu's carriage quickly approached the workshop's entrance, but just as it was about to arrive, she saw Da Niu standing in another direction of the gate, seeing off a young man she didn't recognize.

Shu Yu got off the carriage and waited for him at the gate.

Da Niu returned, but his expression didn't look very good, with a slight frown on his face, not even noticing Shu Yu approaching.

It was only when she stood in front of him that he suddenly stopped in his tracks and said, "Ah Yu?"

"Who was that?" Shu Yu asked.

"The young master of the Wu family." Da Niu led her inside while explaining.

The Wu family?

As far as Shu Yu knew, the only Wu family she was familiar with was Sister Ding Yuehua's maternal family.

Uncertain, she asked, "You mean the Wu family in Donggu County that trades livestock and bought alfalfa from us before?"

Da Niu nodded. "Yes, that's the one."

"Why would the young master of the Wu family come to find you? They deal with mules and horses, so we shouldn't have any business dealings with them, right?"

As she spoke, a hint of concern flashed across Da Niu's face.

After they entered the "office" in the workshop, Da Niu closed the door and sat across from Shu Yu, lowering his voice slightly. "Young Master Wu brought us some news. He said someone in Donggu County has planted sunflowers."

Although the Wu family and Shu Yu had some contact when they first started selling alfalfa, their impression of each other was good. So even though they had no business dealings, the Wu family still shared any valuable information with the Lu family.

Da Niu continued, "The other party is a wealthy landlord in Donggu County. They've just planted the sunflowers not long ago, and they haven't grown as tall as ours, but the Wu family saw the sunflowers at the early stage and compared them. They confirmed it's sunflower."

Shu Yu narrowed her eyes slightly, not feeling surprised at all.

Sunflowers were a new crop, and not only were they edible, but they could also be used for oil extraction. Even if they just had the flowers, some people would want to try growing them.

Moreover, everyone knew that this thing could bring substantial profits, so the number of people interested in it would surely increase in the future.

However, ordinary folks wouldn't know how to grow it as it wasn't a staple crop. Unless, like the villagers from Shishi Village, they negotiated a purchase agreement with Shu Yu and had a safety net, they wouldn't dare to try growing it.

So, Shu Yu had never thought that her family would be the only ones growing sunflowers forever.

To be honest, she thought she would hear about the first person starting to grow them much earlier. According to her estimation, it should have happened sooner.

She asked Da Niu, "How much land did the other party plant?"

Da Niu replied, "Young Master Wu said it's about three to four mu, not much."

Shu Yu nodded; this was normal. Only her side had sunflower seeds.

Her sunflower field was always guarded, especially when it was about to mature and be harvested. Even the people from the workshop were dispatched to patrol and guard it. Anyone trying to steal some sunflower seeds to grow them would find it difficult.

Apart from her own cultivation, there was also the villagers from Shishi Village.

But the villagers from Shishi Village had a contractual agreement with her, so they wouldn't sell the sunflowers to anyone else, and they wouldn't dare to. However, it was a village, and apart from Da Qiang, who had grown around ten mu, the rest were only planting one or two mu.

Even though they patrolled the area nearby, it was impossible to keep an eye on all the scattered plots. It was normal for some to be stolen.

Or, it might be possible for them to sell a few.

  Chapter 641: Ruthless Yan Yan Resolves Her Heartache (2)

Although Chen Ji had been informed that the Mo family had perished during their escape, the sudden appearance of those he believed dead and the severe injury to his only daughter intensified his murderous intent. He could find no reason to spare these two eyesores before him.

The shop assistant, witnessing this dramatic turn of events, was stunned and thought to himself: it's over!

Seeing Chen Ji approaching with murderous intent, Mo Yan, not wanting to implicate the innocent shop assistant, pushed him aside. Before Chen Ji’s slap could land, she mocked him and kicked him again, this time aiming for his knee, which was even more vulnerable than the stomach.

With a cracking sound, his kneecap shattered.

Recently, Mo Yan had been subjected to intense training by Snowball, along with the five beasts in her space. Although she didn't suffer as severely as the five beasts, she endured considerable pain. However, the results were remarkable; not only had her strength increased significantly, but her reflexes had also become sharper, making it difficult for ordinary people to avoid her sudden attacks.

Chen Ji’s raised right hand fell back as he crashed to the ground, his anger-flushed face turning pale instantly. He bit down hard to suppress a scream, unlike his daughter, who had screamed in agony.

Mo Yan pulled out a pristine white handkerchief and, under Chen Ji’s venomous gaze, wiped her shoe disdainfully, as if it were contaminated.

This wasn’t an act; she was genuinely disgusted. Especially seeing the affectionate family trio of these three people, the deep-seated resentment in her soul erupted uncontrollably, prompting her to severely injure the father and daughter.

Mo Yan understood that this surge of resentment did not belong to her but to the other half of her soul. That “other self” harbored deep hatred not only towards her irresponsible mother but also towards the man who “abducted” her mother and destroyed their family’s happiness.

“She” could never forget the harm and ridicule her family endured after her mother eloped with this man. She could never forget her younger siblings being called “bastards” and crying their way home countless times. She could never forget the many cold nights when her siblings, shivering like ice blocks, would ask her why other children had mothers while they did not...

If “she” were present today and saw this affectionate family scene, she might have wanted to kill this entire family trio.

Du Shi, witnessing the scene before her, nearly fainted. Weak-kneed, she collapsed in front of Chen Ji, her still-beautiful face now covered in tears of intense concern. “Brother Ji, how are you? Are you alright?”

Chen Ji struggled to stand, but the piercing pain from his knee prevented him from moving. Seeing Du Shi’s tears, a complicated look flashed in his eyes. For the first time, he did not comfort her but instead, through gritted teeth, ordered the frightened maids, “Help me up!”

The maids, realizing what he wanted, glanced fearfully at Mo Yan. Seeing that she had no intention of stopping them, they nervously helped Chen Ji into a sitting position. Two of the more quick-witted ones fetched a chair, and with his permission, another rushed to find a doctor.

Chen Ji’s coldness left Du Shi panicked. She stood helplessly until she saw her stepdaughter, bent over in pain but smirking at her. Overwhelmed with anger, Du Shi rushed at Mo Yan, intending to scold her loudly. However, under Mo Yan’s piercing gaze, her voice involuntarily dropped to a murmur, “Why did you do it? Why did you hurt him so badly? Do you even know who he is…”

 Chapter 640: Ruthless Yan Yan Resolves Her Heartache (1)

It is not uncommon to find people who look alike in the world, and Chen Ji, having traveled extensively, had seen many. However, when he encountered someone whose features seemed carved from the same mold as his own family, he couldn't help but be suspicious.

Moreover, the older one among the two, with facial features that bore a striking resemblance to his wife, combined with the coincidental ages, made it hard for him to believe that this was mere coincidence.

Realizing this, Chen Ji's face darkened, and his gaze towards the Mo sisters turned venomous.

Mo Yan felt as if she were being targeted by a venomous snake, a chill running through her body as she clearly sensed the source of the man's hostility.

Beside her, Xin'er, scared, unconsciously gripped her sister's hand. She couldn’t understand why a man who seemed so gentle would have such a terrifying and intimidating look.

Mo Yan squeezed her sister’s hand in silent comfort. Once Xin'er began to calm down, Mo Yan addressed the shop assistant, saying, “Weren’t you supposed to take us to the private room? Why haven’t you led us there yet?”

The shop assistant, troubled by the presence of Chen Ji’s group and the intense pressure coming from Mo Yan, was about to politely ask Chen Ji and his party to leave to clear the way. However, before he could do so, Chen Shanshan stormed forward, pushing him aside and pointing angrily at Mo Yan. “You shameless woman, blocking my way and daring to ignore me—where did you get the gall?”

“You, be quiet!” Xin'er, who had always prioritized her sister, stepped forward boldly despite her fear. She retorted, “You are dressed in fine clothes, behaving like a noble lady, yet your language is filled with filth. Even the roughest country women wouldn’t speak as you do. It’s better to let others see what the daughters of wealthy families are really like!”

At first, Chen Shanshan didn’t take the young Xin'er seriously, but her sharp rebuke made her furious. She raised her right hand high and slapped Xin'er ’s face with force. “You little vixen, you’re asking for death!”

Mo Yan’s face darkened. Amid Du Shi’s exclamations and Chen Ji’s furious roar, she kicked Chen Shanshan in the stomach. Though the kick seemed light, it sent Chen Shanshan flying half a yard away, landing right at the feet of the stunned couple.

“Ah—” Chen Shanshan’s scream, like that of a pig being slaughtered, echoed through the fabric store.

Chen Ji’s face turned ashen. He hurriedly bent down to pick up his daughter. “Shanshan, Shanshan, how are you? Quickly, find a doctor!”

Du Shi, hearing this, urgently sent her maid to get a doctor and anxiously fussed over Chen Shanshan, her caring demeanor at odds with the typical behavior of a stepmother towards a stepdaughter.

“Ah—It hurts so much, Father, I’m going to die from the pain! You… you need to kill her… no, find someone to sell her to the lowest brothel. I want to see her trampled by a thousand people. Go, go avenge me, avenge me!”

Chen Shanshan, drenched in sweat and clutching Chen Ji’s clothes, howled in pain while demanding revenge, her words far from the decorum expected of a refined young lady.

“Shanshan, the doctor is coming soon, hold on and don’t speak! Don’t worry, I will definitely avenge you!” Chen Ji gently comforted his daughter, handing her over to the maids before striding towards Mo Yan, his eyes betraying no concealment of his murderous intent.

Seven or eight years ago, when Chen Ji had just returned to his hometown and learned that his beloved woman had married someone else, he had developed murderous thoughts towards the Mo family, though he was stopped by Du Shi. Recently, when Du Shi had brought up the matter of the child again, his murderous intent had resurfaced. He had sent people to Mo Village, only to find out that the Mo family had perished during their escape.

Chapter 1490: Sturdy Xiao Zao Zao

The carriage wasn't moving fast as it carried Grandma Lu who had recently recovered from an illness. Shu Yu instructed the driver to take it slow.

The weather wasn't too hot these days, so Shu Yu opened the curtains to let Grandma Lu enjoy the scenery outside.

"When we find your grand aunt, I'll bring her here to see how much this place has changed in the past thirty or forty years." Perhaps due to her anticipation, Grandma Lu didn't hesitate to mention grand aunt Fang.

Shu Yu smiled and replied, "Of course, once we find grand aunt, you can go around everywhere with her. With the carriage at home, you can visit the places you've been to before, the ones you haven't been to, and the ones you wish to go to. Life will be enjoyable and fulfilling."

Although they didn't know if they would find grand aunt Fang, Grandma Lu held hope, which was better than having no expectations at all.

Her eyes sparkled as she heard Shu Yu's description. "That sounds wonderful."

As the grandmother and granddaughter talked, the carriage arrived at the estate.

The sunflowers had just grown to half a person's height, looking lush green. Although they hadn't blossomed into golden flowers yet, they still looked beautiful.

Grandma Lu felt delighted. In the past, they only had a few mu of land, and they had to sell some to raise money after Lu Erbai injured his leg. Now, in just a short time, this whole piece of land belonged to them, and it looked so auspicious.

The carriage stopped outside the estate, and Grandma Lu couldn't take her eyes off the flower field, not wanting to look away.

But suddenly, Zhou Qiao's surprised voice came from inside the estate, "Grandma? Why are you here?"

Grandma Lu turned around, and the first thing she saw was the child in her arms.

She stepped forward and took the child from Zhou Qiao's arms, saying, "Oh, little Zao Zao, let Grandma hold you."

Xiao Zao Zao opened her eyes wide and drooled as soon as her mouth opened.

She found it amusing and giggled.

Xiao Zao Zao jostled her a little and said, "This little girl is really... sturdy."

Xiao Zao Zao was almost six months old now, and she was not only heavy to hold but also had sturdy limbs.

Grandma Lu had taken care of many children, but none of them had limbs as robust as this little girl.

In the past, when the family was poor, there wasn't much breast milk, and the children were thin. But Xiao Zao Zao was different. Zhou Qiao had a good postpartum recovery, ate well, and had sufficient breast milk. Moreover, with Da Niu finding a nurse early on, the little girl had become chubby.

Xiao Zao Zao was easy to handle at this age. She was curious about everything, and as long as she could see the outside world, it didn't matter who held her.

After playing with her for a while, Shu Yu was chased away by Xiao. "Alright, Ah Yu, don't you have work at the workshop? Go and busy yourself. I'll stay here and chat with your sister-in-law and look after little Zao Zao."

"Alright then." Shu Yu let go of Xiao Zao Zao's hand. Seeing Grandma Lu carrying the child to the side to look at the doorway, she went to Zhou Qiao and said in a low voice, "Grandma fell ill yesterday. Since she's better today, I brought her out to relax. Please take care of her and remind her to rest later."

Zhou Qiao didn't know Grandma Lu had been sick, but upon hearing this, she nodded quickly. "Don't worry, I'm here."

There were servants in the estate, and there was also Hua Xian. There was no need to worry.

Shu Yu simply reminded Zhou Qiao and quickly bid farewell.

As the carriage left, the commotion attracted Xiao Zao Zao's attention. She reached out her hands and tried to pounce forward, and Grandma Lu almost couldn't hold her. Zhou Qiao took the opportunity to take the child back, coaxing her to look at the flower field.

 Chapter 1489: Going Out for a Change of Scenery

Grandma Lu's illness caused a scare among the Lu family members. Despite being reluctant, the third household couple still handed over the money to Lu Erbai, pretending not to care. Others also contributed as much as they could.

Lu Erbai entrusted all the money to Meng Pei, asking him to contact more people for information.

However, Shu Yu privately gave Meng Pei some extra money. She knew that finding people was not an easy task, and being generous with money might yield better results.

With the matter of Grandma Lu settled, Shu Yu's plan to visit the workshop had to be postponed. She would have to go there the next day.

Early the next morning, before leaving, she went to see Grandma Lu in her courtyard. To her surprise, Grandma Lu's spirits were quite good. Not only had her fever subsided, but her complexion also improved significantly.

As the weather was cool, without rain, Grandma Lu was doing tai chi with Hua Xian in the courtyard.

Zhao Xi had taught her tai chi as a way to exercise.

Seeing Shu Yu, Grandma Lu stopped and smiled, "You kids, you all come to see me before going out. I told you I'm fine, and as you can see, my complexion is much better. Zhao Xi checked my pulse and said I'm completely healed."

She was quite pleased with herself. Most young people took longer to recover from a fever, but she bounced back quickly with the help of the herbal medicine.

"Grandma, as long as you're alright, that's all that matters. I'm going to the workshop now," Shu Yu said.

"Go ahead," replied Grandma Lu as she turned her attention back to tai chi.

However, after walking a few steps, Shu Yu stopped and returned to Grandma Lu's side. With a smile, she asked, "Grandma, do you want to come with me to the village?"

Grandma Lu's eyes lit up instinctively.

Shu Yu thought to herself, just as she expected, Grandma Lu also wanted to go out for a change of scenery.

In reality, Grandma Lu mostly stayed at home or went to Yiren Pavilion or Liufang Lane. Occasionally, she would visit Lu Sanzhu and Lu Sixing families, but it was quite far from her place, so she didn't go there often.

However, she had never experienced activities like sightseeing, going for a walk, or hiking.

Shu Yu felt it was necessary to take her out to relax and change the environment.

"Do you think it will delay your work?" Grandma Lu hesitated, but it was evident that she wanted to go.

"No, Sister-in-law and Xiao Zao Zao are at the village. You can chat with them and walk around the fields. I'll finish my work, and we can come back together," Shu Yu assured her.

Grandma Lu found the plan feasible and nodded, "Alright, wait for me. I'll change my clothes."

She quickly turned and went back into her house, excitedly calling for Hua Xian.

When Grandma Lu came out, she was dressed in old clothes she had pulled out from the bottom of the chest, and she had a bamboo hat on her head.

Shu Yu blinked, "Grandma, what's with the outfit?"

"It's for sun protection since I might be working in the fields. I need something to shield me from the sun," Grandma Lu explained, pulling on her clothes with excitement.

Shu Yu had a moment of realization; Grandma Lu used to be accustomed to working in the fields. Now that she no longer farmed, she seemed excited about the possibility of going back to the fields. Perhaps, it was one of the reasons for her loneliness?

Shu Yu didn't say much and just smiled as she put her arm around Grandma Lu's and led her outside.

Chapter 639: Dangerous Encounter (4)

Fortunately, Han Zhiyun had a small residence near the examination hall and invited Mo Qingze to stay with him. Since it was only for one night, there was no real inconvenience, and Mo Qingze accepted his friend's kind offer.

Han Zhiyun made all the arrangements meticulously, leaving no room for complaint. Mo Yan's thoughtful preparations for Han Zhiyun’s meals made him very pleased. He praised Mo Yan as a good niece and admired her filial piety, expressing envy and admiration towards his friend.

Seeing that there was nothing more for her and her sister to do, Mo Yan and Xin'er left Han Zhiyun’s residence and took the carriage to Zhizhi Hall to visit Zhen’er and Yun Zhao. After delivering the freshly made food and seasonal clothing, the sisters went to the market to buy daily necessities like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.

Passing by a fabric store, Mo Yan suddenly remembered that in a few days, the Wu family would be moving into their new home. It would be very appropriate to buy some practical fabric for quilts and pillowcases as a housewarming gift.

With this in mind, Mo Yan and Xiner entered the store.

The fabric store was quite spacious and decorated in high quality, but since it was afternoon, it was somewhat deserted.

The shop assistant noticed that although the two sisters were unfamiliar faces and had no maid accompanying them, their clothing was made from materials that even their store couldn’t offer. He assumed they were wealthy young ladies who rarely went out and had come out for a change. He promptly greeted them with enthusiasm, saying, “Ladies, we have some elegant rooms for selection. Please follow me.”

Mo Yan raised an eyebrow at the assistant’s warm reception, understanding that it was due to their high-quality clothing. The fabrics they used for their clothes were gifts from Xiao Ruiyuan, Yan Junyu, and the Han family, so it was surprising to see such special treatment.

Seeing Xin'er nervously twisting her fingers, Mo Yan held her hand and nodded to the assistant, saying, “Thank you for your trouble.”

The assistant, pleased, led them inside.

As they followed the assistant, a group of people came around a corner of the hallway, backlit and very imposing. Mo Yan vaguely saw that the group consisted of a man, a woman, and a young girl. From their clothing and voices, they appeared to be a family of three, accompanied by several maids and servants, giving off an air of authority.

The young girl in a bright red dress stood between the middle-aged couple, clinging to the man's arm and acting coquettishly. The middle-aged man patted the girl's head, seemingly agreeing to her request, which caused the girl to cheer. The middle-aged woman next to him wore a loving smile, clearly doting on the girl.

From a distance, Mo Yan would have felt happy for this seemingly harmonious family. However, as the group drew closer and Mo Yan finally saw their faces, she felt a sense of discomfort. Especially when she saw Xin'er staring in shock at the middle-aged woman, Mo Yan wished she could immediately pull her away.

The first to notice the Mo sisters was Du Shi. Her gentle smile froze, and a clear look of panic flashed in her almond-shaped eyes, which were much like Xin'er's. She wanted to pretend not to recognize them and just pass by, but she couldn’t help but keep staring at them. When she saw the older sister calmly pulling the younger sister away, a sharp pain surged in her heart, making her instinctively cover her chest.

“Ugh, it’s you country bumpkins again? How annoying!” Chen Shanshan turned her head and saw the Mo sisters stepping aside, and she sneered with sharp and acrid words.

Noticing Du Shi’s change in expression, Chen Ji, who had been conversing with her, looked over when he heard his daughter’s outburst. His gaze turned cold and piercing as he saw Xin'er, who resembled his wife.

 Chapter 638: Dangerous Encounter (3)

The fact that Emperor Huian personally dispatched a hundred guards to escort Mo Yan back to the capital clearly conveyed to everyone that this young lady had the emperor's backing. Anyone who dared to harm her would be slapping the emperor's face.

The princes and nobles, not wanting to incur the emperor’s displeasure, were reluctant to offend Chu Heng. They had already learned of Chu Heng’s ruthlessness from the Beast Attack on Phoenix Mountain. So they kept their distance, waiting to see if any of their peers would take action.

This situation made Mo Yan’s home particularly peaceful. However, the hidden guards surrounding Mo Yan’s residence increased significantly, including those sent by Xiao Ruiyuan, arranged by Yan Junyu, and ordered by Chu Heng.

Unaware of these developments, Mo Yan resumed communication with Xiao Ruiyuan but did not hear any mention of these issues. Seeing that nothing adverse had occurred in the past ten days, her initially anxious heart gradually settled down.

…

On the fourteenth of September, the Mo family rose early. After breakfast, Mo Yan washed her hands and carefully prepared food for her father to take to the examination, leaving nothing to chance.

The imperial exams of Da Chu began on the fifteenth of September and ended on the twenty-first, lasting seven days. During this period, candidates would be confined in a small room measuring one zhang long and half a zhang wide, where they would take their exams, eat, and take care of their needs. Apart from providing clean water and arranging for someone to empty the latrines daily, the examination hall did not offer any other provisions.

With the weather now cool, Mo Yan prepared convenient foods like green dumplings and sushi, which could be easily heated on a small stove and used directly.

In addition, she prepared a nutritious mix of eight treasures rice. This rice, produced in her space, was delicious whether cooked as porridge or rice, making it an ideal choice for the exam room as it required no additional dishes.

Also crucial was the spiritual spring water. Now that the space had reached Level 7, the spiritual spring water had two additional miraculous effects: detoxification and disease treatment. Regardless of how severe the poison was, as long as it didn’t entirely cut off life, the spiritual spring water could cleanse the body of toxins, though the time required varied with the poison’s severity.

On the other hand, the disease treatment function was less potent. For ordinary illnesses, a few doses would suffice, but for life-threatening diseases, the spiritual spring water could only help prolong life, not cure it completely. After all, aging and illness are natural laws that cannot be defied. If the spiritual spring water dared to snatch people from Yama's hands, the rules of heaven and earth would likely not permit it.

Although no one would bring clean water into the exam room, candidates with better conditions would prepare ginseng soup in advance to avoid collapsing in the exam room.

If a candidate were to be carried out midway, even if they could retake the exam in three years, it would be a severe blow. After all, how many times does one get a chance in a lifetime? Who could guarantee they wouldn’t collapse again? Such incidents happened every year, and every examination hall had them. No one could guarantee they wouldn’t be the next.

Mo Yan hoped her father would pass the exam in one go but did not want to add pressure to his already tense situation. She could only do her best to ensure he had a good mood and health for the exam, but unfortunately, none of this could prevent the machinations of small-minded people.

Knowing that Han Zhiyun would also be participating in the autumn exams, Mo Yan prepared a similar package for him. After noon, all the items were loaded onto the carriage. Mo Yan carefully checked to ensure nothing was left behind before setting off with Xiner, accompanying her father to the capital.

The examination hall was quite far from Changshan Academy. Staying in a rented house nearby was clearly unsuitable. Mo Yan originally planned to rent a room in an inn near the examination hall but found that all the rooms had already been booked by other candidates. 

  Chapter 637: Dangerous Encounter (2)

Whether true or just boasting, Yang Bao felt reassured, “Uncle knows you’re capable. This time, we’ll just have to rely on your good fortune!”

The two reached an agreement, and soon they worked out the details. After Mo Yan left, Yang Bao immediately went to visit several original residents of Liuyang Village. Unfortunately, only one household was willing to participate, and they would only commit one mu of land for the project.

In contrast, the newcomers who had fled to the village were much more proactive and daring. Over ten households expressed their willingness to join Mo Yan in growing greenhouse vegetables and promptly signed up with Yang Bao.

These villagers, besides their boldness and adventurous spirit, also shared Yang Bao’s belief that Mo Yan, protected by divine beings, was certain to achieve great success with the greenhouse vegetables and make a significant profit.

After leaving Yang Bao’s house, Mo Yan visited the families she had good relations with to discuss the greenhouse vegetable plan.

Lin Da, Cai Shi, and others, who had previously helped Mo Yan sell vegetables, were naturally aware of how ordinary vegetables could become highly sought after in winter. It was impossible not to be tempted. They also trusted that Mo Yan wouldn’t undertake something without confidence and were almost all willing to participate.

By the end of September, after final confirmations, nearly thirty households in the village had agreed to grow greenhouse vegetables, accounting for about one-third of the entire village—a lot more than Mo Yan had anticipated.

She spent an entire evening meticulously listing all the details regarding the greenhouse vegetables, including how to build the greenhouses, how to divide the work during planting, how to exchange daily labor points for benefits, and how to handle potential disputes and solutions. Everything was clearly outlined. Following these guidelines should prevent major issues.

Mo Yan explained these details to Tang Xin, deciding to let her try her hand this year. If Tang Xin proved capable, Mo Yan could completely hand over the greenhouse vegetable project next year.

With the greenhouse vegetables project arranged, Mo Yan focused most of her energy on the construction site, leading a busy yet fulfilling life. Thankfully, with Xue Tuanzi managing the space efficiently, she didn’t need to worry about it. This alleviated her nighttime workload, and she no longer had to suffer from backaches and pains.

Additionally, she kept an eye on Chu Heng’s condition. She sent plenty of spiritual spring water and fresh fruits and vegetables to Huixian Residence, ensuring that Chu Heng’s recovery at the Jing Mountain villa was going well. In less than half a month, he would be able to open the windows for fresh air.

After the Heart-eating Poison was expelled, Chu Heng’s body became exceptionally weak. Not only was he unable to get out of bed, but he was also extremely sensitive to any breeze, which could lead to colds and other health issues, posing a serious threat to his life.

Thus, those genuinely concerned for Chu Heng couldn’t afford to be careless. Emperor Huian even issued an edict to suspend all of Xiao Ruiyuan’s duties temporarily, directing him to focus solely on the security of the Jing Mountain villa to prevent any demonic forces from appearing and harming Chu Heng.

Some individuals, especially princes and nobles who had been incapacitated or denied high positions by Chu Heng, wished to see him suffer. They planned to exploit his weakness to create turmoil and find ways to harm him. However, their plans were suppressed by Xiao Ruiyuan and Emperor Huian, who even summoned these princes to the palace and gave them a severe reprimanding.

The emperor’s implication was clear: if anything happened to the crown prince, the responsibility would fall on them. Even if another heir were to be named, it would not be any of them. Thus, the princes and nobles abandoned their schemes against Chu Heng and redirected their resentment towards those who helped him.

Although publicly, Chu Heng was saved by a ghost doctor, those who knew the truth quickly discovered that Mo Yan was the key. The princes and nobles, resentful that Mo Yan had thwarted their plans and allowed the relatively harmless Chu Heng to escape a deadly fate, and thereby solidified his position as the crown prince, were determined not to let her go.