Chapter 1629: Avoiding and Ignoring

Ying Dong and Dazhuang watched as Master Qian returned home feeling relieved, and they immediately split up to take action.

Dazhuang continued to spread the rumors, while Ying Dong stationed himself near the city gate, waiting for the officials from Jiangyuan County.

He didn't have to wait long before he saw two constables galloping over on fast horses.

The leading constable was indeed the one Jiangyuan Constable that Shu Yu had suspected.

Ying Dong smiled; Jiangyuan Constable was a cautious person who tended to overthink things and blow small events out of proportion.

If he heard the rumors on the street, he would definitely treat it as a major matter.

After entering the city, the two constables slowed down and headed straight to the county yamen.

Ying Dong squatted inconspicuously in a corner near the county yamen, eating something while occasionally glancing over.

Some time had passed, indicating that their negotiation with the county yamen did not go smoothly.

The county magistrate of Donggu County had received Master Qian's benefits in advance, so he either avoided them or found excuses to dismiss the constables.

This county magistrate didn't think highly of Magistrate Xie, who had just arrived in Jiangyuan County at the beginning of the year.

Finally, after half an hour, Jiangyuan Constable and his companion walked out of the county yamen with furious expressions on their faces.

They stood at the door, looking grim.

Ying Dong couldn't help but get closer, and he overheard Jiangyuan Constable gnashing his teeth in anger, "We waited for so long, and in the end, we were just dismissed by an assistant. County Magistrate Peng is so arrogant."

Well, an assistant was fine, but the assistant claimed that he couldn't make decisions and didn't have the qualifications to invite Master Qian.

The constable behind him was also discontented, "magistrate Peng must be looking down on us because our County magistrate just arrived and has no foundation."

Jiangyuan Constable took a deep breath, "I suspect magus Peng received benefits from Master Qian; otherwise, why would he protect him so much?"

Although that was what they said, not only in Donggu County but also in Jiangyuan County, wealthy and influential people would establish good relations with the county yamen first. They were prepared for this before they came.

But no matter what, they had to maintain a good image. Inviting Master Qian for a visit was only appropriate. However, magistrate Peng didn't even give them the time of day.

"Magistrate Peng is not only disrespecting our County Magistrate, but he is also disregarding Lady Lu?"

Jiangyuan Constable glanced at him, "Lady Lu has some reputation in Jiangyuan County, but in Donggu County, not so much."

Look at County Princess Zhang; she was the savior of the Empress Dowager before. When she returned, she was once highly regarded. But now, she couldn't even get help and was almost forgotten.

Lady Lu's title was even less significant than County Princess Zhang, and with Magistrate Xiang's strong presence gone, Magistrate Peng, a seventh-ranked county magistrate, might have some backing and had no reason to take her seriously.

"What do we do now?"

Jiangyuan Constable had a headache, "We can't just go back like this; it's not a solution." Most importantly, they hadn't even seen Magistrate Peng.

After pausing for a moment, Jiangyuan Constable looked up at the county yamen gate and gritted his teeth, "It's getting late; let's stay in Donggu County for the night and try again tomorrow."

"Alright."

The two quickly found a place nearby to stay.

Ying Dong knew what to do next.

  Chapter 801: The First Intimate Contact (3)

"Yan Yan, I think you're just shy, haha!" Xue Tuanzi teased unceremoniously from the space, "That guy just kissed you, and you're already so shy. You really have no guts! Aren't people in your time more open-minded? This kind of thing should be common, right?"

"Shut up!" Mo Yan's face turned hot, and she instantly disappeared from the bed, entering the space. She grabbed Xue Tuanzi, who was trying to escape. "No more peeking from now on!"

Just thinking about how this guy would witness even more intimate moments in the future made Mo Yan feel both shy and angry. She wanted to cover his eyes with a cloth so that he couldn’t see anything.

Xue Tuanzi was stubborn. "I’m not wrong. You can’t let go! Besides, I was just looking openly, not peeking! But... hehe, Yan Yan, you weren't pure just now. You actually wanted to get even closer to that guy, haha!"

"You—! Shut up!" Mo Yan’s anger grew, and her face turned from pale to red, then from red to black. In her excitement, her grip on Xue Tuanzi tightened, making him cry out in pain. "Help! Help! Yan Yan’s going to kill me! She’s going to kill me—"

Mo Yan’s ears were assaulted by the sharp voice of Xue Tuanzi. It was amazing how such a small body could produce such explosive sounds.

Her mouth was just too annoying. She was completely defeated by this little troublemaker. But there was one thing Mo Yan couldn’t deny: what he said was true. When Xiao Ruiyuan showed affection, she indeed felt a little uneasy.

It wasn’t just the fact that it was her first intimate act with a man. More than that, she had always believed that the man she liked was like an ice block—cold inside and out. This gave her the illusion that he had conservative thoughts, didn’t understand romance, and had strong self-control. Even if he liked her, he would never cross the line.

But everything that happened tonight completely overturned her view of him. Even someone as cold as him could have a passionate side, one that came out when he lost control.

Sensing his master’s thoughts, Xue Tuanzi chuckled mischievously and said meaningfully, "Men are like that. If they see a girl they like and don’t feel anything, either they’re castrated or... well, you know what I mean! Yan Yan, you should be happy. This shows how charming you are—enough to make an ice block burn with fire!"

Mo Yan was about to throw him out for saying more nonsense when she suddenly remembered something important. She looked him up and down, finally focusing on his slippery lower half. "Are you male or female?"

Xue Tuanzi blushed, and his snail-like eyes squinted together as he awkwardly replied, "I haven’t fully taken form, so how can I know if I’m male or female?"

Mo Yan raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You mean you can't figure out your own gender?"

"I can, but... it’s not accurate," Xue Tuanzi explained, sounding conflicted. "You see, the physiological differences between men and women aren’t that big. Sometimes, when I want to take the form of a male, but after transforming, I could end up as a female body."

Mo Yan poked his soft belly and gave him a sinister warning, "You better pray that you turn into a female. Otherwise, if you peek at things you shouldn’t, I’ll turn you into a eunuch!"

Hearing this, Xue Tuanzi trembled and quickly curled up his body, looking pitiful as he begged, "Yan Yan, good Yan Yan, I won’t do it again, really! If you’re having babies with that guy, I’ll close my eyes. I swear, I won’t peek, really!"

Mo Yan shot him a sharp look. She was satisfied with his answer, but this little guy was cunning, and she knew not to trust his words. "Forget it, I think I’ll just cut out your two eyes. Then you won’t be able to see anything, and it won’t affect you at all!"

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 1628: The Calm Master Qian

As Shu Yu said, it was too late at the county yamen to proceed with the trial, but the suspects still had a place to be detained. Zhang Qing was taken into custody by the official, and Shu Yu returned home directly.

The next day, as expected, Magistrate Xie was the first to question the theft case involving Zhang Qing. Shu Yu got up early, dressed neatly, and had the Liang couple prepared and accompanied by the officials to the county yamen.

This was the second time Shu Yu had participated in a case, so she was already familiar with the process.

Magistrate Xie quickly understood the cause and process of the case. In fact, it wasn't a significant matter, just an ordinary theft case. If it were in the past, it would have been easily resolved by having Zhang Qing compensate the Liang couple for their losses.

Otherwise, involving the wealthy and influential Master Qian, even if he faced some punishment, it would be merely a drizzle for him. Afterward, he could seek revenge, and it would be the ordinary farmers, the Liang couple, who would suffer.

Although Magistrate Xie adhered to the doctrine of the mean, he wasn't evil-hearted. He believed in getting to the bottom of the case to serve justice to the people. However, if pursuing justice brought more trouble to the victims, he would advise them to stop. That had always been his way of handling things.

But this time was different; Shu Yu was watching, and she clearly intended to confront Master Qian. Magistrate Xie would undoubtedly stand on her side.

As a result, he sent Zhang Qing back into custody and decided to reschedule the case. He promptly wrote a document and sent it to Donggu County yamen, summoning Master Qian.

It seemed a bit grandiose, but Magistrate Xie felt that Lady Lu seemed excited.

Meanwhile, Donggu County was not peaceful. Master Qian had indeed bribed Zhang Qing to steal the sunflower seeds, but this time he was more impatient.

The last time, Zhang Qing had delivered the seeds within a day, but this time, it had been two or three days, and he was nowhere to be seen. Master Qian sent someone to Jiangyuan County to investigate, but instead, the person brought back news of Zhang Qing's arrest, leaving him shocked and almost spitting out water.

It was said that Lady Lu had personally reported the matter to the authorities. Master Qian's mind was in a mess as he paced around the room, unable to calm down. However, his subordinates quickly calmed him down.

"Master, there's no need to worry. So what if Lady Lu reported it? Can her influence extend to Donggu County? This is not a major case. You can just send some good tea to the magistrate of Donggu County; you have a good relationship with him. He will surely help you intervene. If worst comes to worst, we can go to Zhang's family and offer them some money, and Zhang Qing will admit to all the crimes. It's just a theft case; money can easily solve it."

Master Qian agreed. He was just frightening himself; what kind of person was Lady Lu anyway?

He heard that she had a good relationship with County Magistrate Xiang from Jiangyuan County before, but now that Magistrate Xiang had left, she was just a simple peasant girl. Could everyone be so willing to support her?

Moreover, Zhang Qing had stolen someone else's sunflower field, not hers.

Feeling relieved, Master Qian had his servants prepare the best tea and directly went to the county yamen.

When he came out, his face showed no signs of worry.

Not far away, Dazhuang and Ying Dong exchanged glances. "It seems Master's guess was correct."

They had arrived the day before and not only found Master Qian's workshop but also sneaked in to see the installation of the oil-pressing tools.

Thus, they spread the rumor that Master Qian was planning to produce sunflower oil.

 Chapter 1627: You Are the Sufferers

Shu Yu looked puzzled and glanced at Lu Dasong standing behind her.

As Shu Yu's uncle, Lu Dasong was the most concerned about this matter, so he came to the county.

At this moment, he couldn't help but rub his head and chuckled softly as he whispered to her, "The shoe print on his clothes was indeed left by Zhang Qing's father during the chaos, but as for his hair..." It was Zhao Xi who intentionally pulled it out on the way back.

Even though Lu Dasong didn't make the last part clear, Shu Yu understood what happened.

She couldn't help but feel speechless and rubbed her forehead.

"Uncle, thank you for your trouble."

"Oh, it's nothing. But are you really planning to report this to the officials?"

Shu Yu nodded, "What about Zhang Qing?"

"He's at the shadow wall."

Shu Yu followed Lu Dasong to the shadow wall, where Zhang Qing was not alone; there was also a middle-aged couple in their forties.

These two were villagers who cultivated the two acres of sunflower field at the village entrance.

Shu Yu remembered their surname was Liang, and their ancestors were related to Liang Wangsheng's family.

She greeted the two of them first, "Thank you, Aunt and Uncle Liang, for making the trip."

Liang Aunt was straightforward, "What's there to thank us for? We should be the ones feeling sorry. This scoundrel stole the sunflower seeds from our land, and now we have to trouble you, Madam, to help us seek justice."

If it weren't for Shu Yu, even if they caught Zhang Qing, they would have only given him a beating.

As for the wealthy master from Donggu County that Zhang Qing mentioned, they didn't dare to provoke him at all. They were frustrated knowing that they couldn't do anything to someone they knew clearly.

In the past, the village chief wouldn't have bothered with this, leaving them to solve it themselves.

But who were the Zhang family? The family that could raise a rascal, Zhang Qing must be ruthless too. They couldn't even get compensation themselves.

Fortunately, with Shu Yu stepping in, ever since she became the village lord, the people in the village had been more united.

Shu Yu smiled; she did this not only for them but also for herself.

"Aunt and Uncle Liang, you don't need to be polite. It's late today; you can stay at my place for the night. I'll have someone arrange a room for you. Rest early after dinner. As for Zhang Qing, I'll take him to the county yamen to report the case. At this hour, the county magistrate won't be holding court until tomorrow. You can gather your strength and the official will come to invite you then."

The Liang couple, who were originally full of fervor, began to feel anxious upon hearing they needed to appear in court.

"We... we need to see the county magistrate?"

Shu Yu reassured them, "Don't worry, I will accompany you tomorrow. Just tell the truth when the magistrate asks questions, leave the rest to me."

The two looked at each other.

Shu Yu continued, "Don't worry, I've had dealings with the county magistrate before, and he's mild-mannered. Besides, you are the victims, there's nothing to fear."

Hearing this, the couple felt a bit relieved. Indeed, they were the sufferers in this case.

Shu Yu had someone take them inside to rest.

Once they left, she looked at Zhang Qing, securely bound, a short and bruised figure. It seemed he had been beaten when he was in Shishi Village.

Well, no wonder. If he hadn't been beaten, how could he have confessed everything so clearly and exposed all of Master Qian's secrets?

At this moment, Zhang Qing looked up and saw her cold gaze, which made him shiver, "You, don't come closer."

Shu Yu looked down at him from a higher position and said to Ying Xi behind her, "Let's go to the yamen."

 Chapter 1626: Be a Better Person in the Future

Zhao Xi felt an inexplicable sympathy for the Qian family. It seems that old Master Qian couldn't think straight.

The first time he stole, one could let it pass, but now he's attempting a second time.

Could it be because last time Shu Yu didn't confront him, he thought she didn't have any background and wouldn't dare to challenge him, so he took advantage of the situation?

He didn't consider that last time Shu Yu was busy with opening the store and had a lot on her plate, plus there wasn't much evidence, so she let him go. But now, since she's free and has the evidence, anyone with self-respect wouldn't let this opportunity slip.

Fortunately, Shu Yu not only has self-respect but also has a strong sense of it.

Zhao Xi shook his head, silently turned around, and went back to the main hall, carrying all the gifts Shu Yu had bought.

As soon as Shu Yu turned around, she saw him with a bunch of bags. "What are you doing?"

"Aren't these gifts for our little Huohuo?" Zhao Xi replied.

Shu Yu remained silent. So, he took them happily.

Seeing Zhao Xi about to walk out with the gifts almost blocking his view, Shu Yu stepped forward and took each gift from him.

Zhao Xi frowned. "Aren't these for little Huohuo?" This second aunt's actions aren't up to par.

Shu Yu said, "They are for my nephew, but giving gifts should be done in person to show sincerity. I'll take these myself. Since brother-in-law is free now, he can go to Shishi Village and bring Zhang Qing over for me."

Zhao Xi stared, "Who said I'm free? I still need to take care of your sister during her postpartum period and look after our well-behaved son. I'm quite busy. Besides, why should I bring Zhang Qing over?"

"Of course, we need to present him at the county yamen. I can't go directly to the city, right? The proper procedures have to be followed."

"What procedures?"

Shu Yu had already walked away with the gifts. What procedures? Naturally, it meant bringing Zhang Qing to report the theft.

Since Master Qian was the mastermind, the county magistrate would send someone to negotiate with the magistrate of Donggu County.

Once they reached Donggu County and heard the rumors she had instructed Dazhuang to spread... then it wouldn't be something the magistrates of two counties could handle; it would be handed over to the prefectural government.

The process would naturally follow through like this.

Zhang Qing was currently under the watch of Fan Zhong and others in Shishi Village.

But his home in Dayan Village wasn't far away. Once Zhang's family hears the news, they will undoubtedly cause a commotion. Shu Yu didn't want to deal with such a chaotic scene, and Zhao Xi seemed to be spending his time at home holding their son and chatting with his wife.

Shu Yu was giving him a chance to go out and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside. Isn't that considerate?

"Oh, don't forget to bring the victim along," Shu Yu said before disappearing around the corner.

Zhao Xi stood there for a moment, exhaled heavily, and looked up at the sky. Truly... an inadequate sister-in-law.

While he thought about it, he still obediently went back to change his clothes and headed to Shishi Village.

Zhao Xi didn't return until evening, and he had a very poor expression. There was a clear footprint on his beige clothes, and a strand of hair had fallen loose, making him look disheveled.

Shu Yu asked him in a low voice, "Did you get beaten?"

Zhao Xi snorted coldly. "Be a better person and treat your brother-in-law better in the future."

After saying that, he left, and Shu Yu frowned. This shouldn't have happened. Shishi Village has so many people, and Fan Zhong is there too. Can it be that Zhang Qing's family couldn't be stopped?

Could it be that many people from Dayan Village came?

Impossible, Zhang Qing is just a small-time crook.

 Chapter 1625: Your Idea... Is Too Dirty

Zhao Xi pointed at himself, "What inspiration?"

Shu Yu pondered for a moment and said to Dazhuang, "I remember when we went to Donggu County last time, Young Master Wu told me that Master Qian's workshop was being quietly transformed. The Qian family used to be in the tea business, but now they plan to turn the tea workshop into a sunflower seed workshop. It's been over a month, so it should be almost done. You should go to Donggu County later to confirm."

Dazhuang nodded repeatedly, "Alright."

"If it's confirmed, then spread the news secretly, say..." Shu Yu smiled, "The Qian family in Donggu County is about to produce sunflower oil for the palace."

Zhao Xi, "..."

Dazhuang, "..."

Ignoring their astonished expressions, Shu Yu grinned, "What are you looking at? It's a great idea. The Qian family hasn't even grown sunflowers yet, but I'll promote it for them several months in advance, saving them the effort of finding a market later."

Zhao Xi chuckled, yes, you are promoting it for them, but the problem is that your statement could easily put the Qian family in hot water.

Who would dare to be so audacious? Talking about royal palace purchases without any basis.

The Lu family's promotion mentioned the palace purchases boldly because it was based on facts.

But would the Qian family dare to say such things? They would be charged with a serious offense.

Zhao Xi couldn't help but give Shu Yu a thumbs-up, "Your idea... is too dirty."

Shu Yu glared fiercely at him, "How is my idea any different from yours?"

Zhao Xi twitched his lips.

Of course, there's a difference! He fabricated the charges, which might sound intimidating, but they were baseless and unreliable speculations. Shu Yu, on the other hand, intends to make the charges stick.

The Qian family might not admit it, but they indeed had someone stealing sunflower seeds.

They might claim it was for decorative purposes, but their tea workshop had long been transformed into a sunflower seed oil production workshop.

See, there's evidence!!

And with the support of the local magistrate, even if they can't prove the Qian family's guilt, they will undoubtedly face serious consequences.

Shu Yu didn't bother with Zhao Xi and turned to Dazhuang, "Do you have any questions?"

Dazhuang's eyes gleamed with excitement, "No problem, Master. I'll take care of this matter. I'll leave right away."

"Wait." Shu Yu said, "I'll have Yingdong accompany you. Donggu County is the Qian family's territory, and Yingdong is skillful and adaptable. You can cooperate with each other."

Dazhuang quickly nodded and went to call Yingdong.

Yingdong was now the steward of the Lu family. He was literate and smart, and the Lu family found him very reliable.

Shu Yu explained the matter to him, and Yingdong immediately agreed.

Shu Yu then said to both of them, "Only a few of us know about this. Don't spread it outside. Once you get to Donggu County, just spread the rumors subtly; there's no need to make a big fuss. As long as the rumor exists, and coupled with Zhang Qing being caught stealing sunflower seeds, I can sue him."

"Understood."

"Yeah... and disguise yourselves."

Under Shu Yu's arrangement, Dazhuang and Yingdong quickly changed into inconspicuous attire and then left the Lu family on fast horses.

Watching their receding figures, Shu Yu touched her chin and chuckled, "This time, I'll make the Qian family suffer losses, and it just so happens that I can clear my family's name and promote the truth."

 Chapter 1624: Making it a Big Deal

"Making it big? And also implicating a close relationship with you? This won't be easy."

The group fell silent for a moment, frowning and contemplating the situation.

On the side, Ying Xi was holding Little Huohuo, her body stiff and on the verge of cramping, hoping they would finish talking soon, or she might not be able to bear it.

Shu Yu noticed her sweating and couldn't help but smile, "Come on, let me hold him."

"It's, it's fine. I'm just practicing."

Shu Yu: "..."

Zhao Xi: "..." Isn't the maid by Shu Yu's side surprisingly honest?

Nevertheless, Shu Yu took the child, and strangely enough, he fell asleep while Ying Xi was holding him without moving.

Curious, Shu Yu thought for a moment and decided to let Ying Xi take Little Huohuo back to the room, so they wouldn't accidentally wake him with their conversation.

Once Ying Xi left, Shu Yu raised his head and looked at the two, "Do you have a solution?"

Dazhuang's forehead started sweating, unable to come up with a good idea.

Zhao Xi pondered for a while and suddenly turned to Dazhuang, "Did Zhang Qing steal the same piece of land twice, or were they different pieces? How was the yield of those two pieces?"

Dazhuang hurriedly replied, "It was the same piece of land. Those two mu are the farthest from the village, making them the best target. The yield from those two pieces wasn't great, at least lower than the other sunflower fields in the village."

"That's it," Zhao Xi clapped his hands, looking excited.

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow, "What's on your mind? Have you thought of something?"

Zhao Xi grinned, "I do have an idea. Listen and see if you find it feasible."

"Go ahead."

In a hushed voice, Zhao Xi said, "Since we want to make a big deal out of this, let's focus on the fact that your sunflower oil is supplied to the palace. We can start from there. We can suspect that Master Qian has malicious intentions and is trying to harm someone in the palace by tampering with the sunflowers. The two stolen mu had lower yields because of his meddling. Although this method might be circuitous, it shows his wicked intentions. Why else would other sunflower fields in Shishi Village be fine, while those two mu had issues?"

As Zhao Xi spoke, he felt more and more confident, "Although there's no evidence, just having suspicions will be enough to get the government office's attention. Your sunflower oil is sold not only to the palace but also to the common people. If people learn that there might be something wrong with the raw materials for the sunflower oil, what will they think? This approach will not only damage Master Qian but also tarnish your workshop's reputation. It's a self-defeating plan. Your loss will be greater than Master Qian."

Zhao Xi concluded, "How about it? Is it feasible?"

Dazhuang thought it could work but also felt something was off and didn't speak up.

Shu Yu, however, shook his head, "It won't work."

"Why?"

"Your idea gave me some inspiration, though," Shu Yu smiled.

 Chapter 1623: It's Master Qian Again

Shu Yu's hand paused, "Master Qian from Donggu County?"

"Yes," Dazhuang nodded, "Zhang Qing is easily intimidated. After the village chief interrogated him, he confessed directly. Master Qian gave him money to steal the sunflower seeds. It's not the first time; he did it last time too. Zhang Qing said that Master Qian had tried to plant the stolen seeds, but they didn't grow well. Recently, there have been many rainy days, and the batch of sunflowers they planted was on the verge of dying. So, he had this idea again."

Dazhuang was particularly upset when he mentioned the sunflowers being ruined. He knew how good sunflowers were to grow. They didn't demand much from the environment, and they had a good harvest when planted on land originally used for growing crops.

But somehow, Master Qian managed to kill the crops on several mu of land. Obviously, he had no idea how to grow sunflowers.

And yet, he didn't bother to learn but instead had people steal seeds at a critical moment. Although the sunflowers had started to bear fruit, they hadn't fully matured, so what was the point of stealing seeds?

Not only couldn't he grow them, but he also damaged their sunflowers in the process.

Such a person who didn't cherish crops was truly despicable.

Shu Yu sneered. Of course, he couldn't grow them. The land was too damp, with no nearby sunlight. Planting them during the hottest and sunniest time of the year would undoubtedly harm the sunflower sprouts. Who could withstand such torment?

What was even more infuriating was...

"He stole from me once before, and now he's back for more. Does he think I'm an easy target to fleece?!"

Zhao Xi stroked his chin and said, "Master Qian is from Donggu County after all, and he doesn't know much about you. Although you're the village Lord, you come from a farming background. In his eyes, there's probably not much to worry about."

Dazhuang was indignant, "Boss, we can't let him off easily this time. What do you suggest we do?"

"Report to the authorities."

Dazhuang immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll go to the county yamen and report it."

As he turned to leave, Shu Yu stopped him, "Wait."

Dazhuang was puzzled, "What's wrong?"

Shu Yu frowned, "Reporting to the county yamen won't be enough. The person is from Donggu County, and if we want to catch him, we have to negotiate with the Donggu County Magistrate. Wu Fengyuan once told me that Master Qian's family used to be in the tea business, so they should have good connections with the Donggu County Magistrate. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so daring. The Donggu County Magistrate may not give me face in this matter."

Zhao Xi nodded, "Moreover, although he had someone like Zhang Qing steal the seeds, the fields in Shishi Village belong to the villagers. I only has a purchasing agreement with them. In essence, this is a lawsuit between Master Qian and the villagers of Shishi Village."

If the Donggu County Magistrate sided with Master Qian, he could easily downplay the issue. He could treat it as an ordinary theft case, and at most, Master Qian would pay a small fine.

Upon hearing this, Dazhuang's expression changed, "That's too light a punishment for Master Qian."

Shu Yu narrowed her eyes, "Exactly. That's why we can't report it to the county yamen. It's better to go to the prefecture yamen. However, theft cases in the county town may not be enough to catch the Prefect's attention. We need to make a big fuss about this matter and make it closely related to me. Only then can I have a reason to get involved in this case."

 Chapter 1622: The Side Effects of an Affair

Hearing this, Shu Yu was completely baffled. Affair could have such side effects?? She thought Xu Cai and Ge Qifei's matter had already ended and had nothing to do with them. She didn't expect it to lead to catching a thief.

She took a sip of water and asked Dazhuang to continue.

Dazhuang sighed, "This person sneaked into the sunflower field early in the morning before it was bright. At that time, many people hadn't left their homes."

Moreover, the person chose the farthest sunflower field from Shishi Village, which was merely two mu in size. In the past, they might have succeeded.

But during this time of constant patrolling by the villagers, even at dawn, there were one or two households that were awake and couldn't sleep, specifically patrolling around the sunflower fields, not missing any subtle movements.

When they heard a noise coming from the sunflower field, they immediately alerted the people around them and went in together to catch the adulterers.

As a result, they didn't catch the adulterers, but they caught a thief.

Dazhuang said, "The person is from Dayan Village, named Zhang Qing."

Dayan Village? Isn't that Zhang Shu's village? It's not far from Shishi Village.

"What's Dayan Village?" A voice suddenly came from outside the door, and Shu Yu looked up to see Zhao Xi.

At this moment, he was holding Little Huohuo, who had already woken up, in his arms and seemed excited, saying, "I heard Ah Yu bought many things for our Little Huohuo. Where are they?"

Shu Yu pointed to the bags on the table, and Zhao Xi naturally handed Little Huohuo to Ying Xi's arms and went to unpack the gifts himself.

Ying Xi seemed stiff, looking at Shu Yu for help.

Shu Yu rubbed her forehead, "Brother-in-law, hold your child."

"I'm busy, can't you see? Ying Xi, you need to practice more. You're not young anymore. Maybe soon your Miss will arrange a marriage for you. Then, when you have a child, you won't be so flustered."

"I don't plan to get married."

"But your Miss will get married eventually. When she has a child, won't you have to help take care of it? My Little Huohuo will serve as your practice."

"You really are a good father."

"Thanks for the compliment."

While talking, Zhao Xi had already unpacked one package and took out a pair of tiger-head shoes, examining them repeatedly, "These shoes are a bit too big; Xiaohuo can't wear them now."

Shu Yu's expression turned unpleasant, "Brother-in-law, we have important matters to discuss."

Zhao Xi suddenly realized, putting down the tiger-head shoes in his hand, "Right, I just heard Dayan Village mentioned. What's up with Dayan Village?"

He thought Shu Yu and Dazhuang were discussing something about Shu You. Since Shu You had just given birth, who knew if the Zhang family would create more trouble after hearing about it. Even if Zhang Shu had already passed away, the other Zhang family members weren't good people either.

Shu Yu rolled her eyes inwardly. She didn't bother to look at Zhao Xi and asked Dazhuang, "Who is Zhang Qing, and why did he steal the sunflower seeds?"

Zhao Xi was taken aback. Huh? It Wasn't related to Ah You's matter?

Dazhuang explained, "Zhang Qing is a layabout in the village. He stole the sunflower seeds under someone's orders, and that person..." He paused and slowly said, "It's the person from Donggu County."

 Chapter 1621: Someone Enters the Sunflower Field to Steal Sunflower Seeds

As the group moved further away, until they were completely out of sight, Shu Yu let out a sigh of relief. She hoped that when chaos erupts at the Changjin Prefecture, it wouldn't affect Meng's family in Chenggu County.

"Let's go," Meng Yunzheng turned to her and said. The others who came to bid farewell, including Lan Hua, also turned back.

Shu Yu first went to the town's Lu shop and then bought some things for Xiaohuo outside. Actually, the Lu family didn't lack anything, as they had prepared everything for the child even before birth.

But Shu Yu couldn't resist bringing back some cute little things she saw.

By the time she returned to Fenghuai Street, both she and Yingxi were carrying multiple bags that couldn't fit all the items.

In the front hall, just as she was about to rest after putting down the things, Yingdong hurriedly walked in with Dazhuang.

Shu Yu was taken aback by Dazhuang's serious and angry expression and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Master, someone entered the sunflower field and stole sunflower seeds," Dazhuang revealed, leaving Shu Yu stunned. After a moment, she narrowed her eyes slightly, "They were caught? But they're being detained in Shishi Village. The village chief wants me to decide how to deal with the person."

"First, tell me the details. Who are these people? Whose field did they steal from? Did they confess to anything?" Shu Yu asked.

Dazhuang then quickly recounted the whole incident. In fact, it all started with Xu Cai and Ge Qifei's affair. Last time, when Shu Yu went to Shishi Village, she saw people stealing and planting sunflowers, which made her suspect that someone might be selling or stealing sunflower seeds.

Dazhuang knew about this incident because he worked in the workshop.

So, he told Daqiang to keep an eye on their own sunflower field. He also warned other villagers.

However, they had limited resources, and the fields were spread out, so they couldn't watch over them properly even if they wanted to.

After Xu Cai's incident, the villagers of Shishi Village felt very unlucky, especially those who had sunflower fields. They were worried that their fields would become a place for secret affairs. Even if it was just an affair, what if someone accidentally damaged the sunflowers? It happened to Daqiang's field, and the Lin family was very upset. However, the Xu and Ge families agreed to compensate for the loss.

But that was because they caught the two people involved. What if they hadn't been caught? They would have suffered a loss for nothing.

So, the villagers who planted sunflowers became extra vigilant. They would patrol the fields diligently and even come to check at night.

As for those who didn't plant sunflowers, they couldn't help but gossip about the matter. When they passed by the sunflower fields, they would recall the incident and... slow down their pace, sneak a peek inside, wishing to poke a hole in the dense sunflower stalks just to see if there were any lovebirds inside.

They had a valid reason to linger there - they were planning to plant sunflowers soon, so it was necessary to observe the sunflower's characteristics and growth rate in advance.

As a result, the entire Shishi Village was almost on patrol duty, and those sunflower fields became a hot spot, frequently watched by people.

And this constant scrutiny had led to the discovery of this incident.

 Chapter 1620: Meng Yunzheng Personally Delivers Weapons

Meng Yunzheng fell silent for a moment and glanced at her.

"How did you end up being kidnapped by the 'flower boys' back then? Why did I have to rescue you?"

Meng Han sighed, not wanting to dwell on the past, and quietly packed the medicine packages on the table.

Meng Yunzheng nodded in satisfaction and took out a dagger. "Keep this dagger with you."

Meng Han's eyes twitched even more. Did her cousin really not trust her at all? She had learned her lesson and promised not to get kidnapped by the 'flower boys' again, she swore!

"This dagger is a gift from me. I heard that you wanted one for a long time, but your parents wouldn't allow it because you're a girl. During your time in Jiangyuan County, I didn't have anything to give you. This dagger is exquisitely crafted and sharp, suitable for a girl like you."

Upon hearing this, Meng Han's eyes lit up, and she eagerly accepted the dagger. "A gift for me?"

"Yes, the dagger is compact. If you don't want your parents to find it, you can tie it to your leg. Just walk naturally, and most people won't notice."

Meng Han nodded enthusiastically, "I'll tie it on now. I'll get used to it on the way back, and it won't be a problem."

She happily examined the dagger and discreetly tested its sharpness. Wow, with a single swipe, it shaved off a corner of the table!

Meng Han instinctively looked towards Meng Yunzheng, who glanced at the table without saying a word. Then, he turned and took out a soft sword.

Meng Han blinked, another weapon, and it's for her again?

Meng Yunzheng spoke, "Since I've given you a gift, I can't leave out Meng Qi. Although I haven't interacted with him much and our relationship isn't close, I am still his older brother. Please give this soft sword to him on my behalf."

Meng Han swallowed nervously. Her cousin was quite generous.

"You know, I think you could have given my brother some study materials, and my dad would be very happy." After all, Meng Yunzheng's uncle had always hoped his son would pass the imperial examination and break the curse of having no literary talent in the Meng family.

Meng Yunzheng extended the sword forward. "Since it's a gift for your brother, it should cater to his preferences. Besides, even for scholars, practicing martial arts for strength and health has its benefits. The imperial examination also requires physical and mental stamina. If Uncle finds out I gave him the sword, he shouldn't object."

Meng Han couldn't help but wonder if Tao Shi would disagree. She might think that Meng Yunzheng was up to no good, trying to encourage Meng Qi to abandon his studies for martial arts.

But Meng Han didn't think too much about it. She just envied her brother and wanted a soft sword herself. However, carrying a soft sword might easily arouse suspicion.

Oh well, she'd stick with the dagger.

Meng Yunzheng rarely talked to Meng Han so much, and she suddenly felt that her cousin wasn't as intimidating as she thought.

Seeing how reluctant he was to part with her and how he kept reminding her to be safe and even gave her gifts, it was evident that he cared for her deeply.

The next day, Meng Han set off early with Meng Pei and the escort team.

She had her own carriage, and it was filled to the brim with the things she had accumulated during her time in Jiangyuan County.

Thinking about leaving this relaxing and pleasant place, Meng Han felt reluctant. She leaned against the window and waved to her cousin's friends, bidding them farewell.

She had never experienced this before, nor did she expect that one day when she left a place, so many friends would come to see her off.

 Chapter 800: The First Intimate Contact (2)

The moment he bit her, both of them froze, holding each other tightly. 

The wet sensation lingered, and it quickly crawled over her ear, spreading rapidly to her face, sending a strange tingling sensation through her body. Mo Yan's heart jolted violently, as though it was about to leap out of her chest.

Xiao Ruiyuan was also shocked by his own abrupt action. Deep within him, a surge of desire seemed to have been unleashed, rapidly escalating his body temperature, craving more.

He struggled to suppress this intense yearning, his deep eyes tinged with traces of ominous red, as if he wanted to pull the woman in his arms deeper, as if to merge her with himself.

The heat from his breath became more intense, burning into Mo Yan’s heart. Feeling the increasing warmth through his thick clothing, it seemed as though he might burn her.

Mo Yan, like she’d been electrocuted, tried to push him away, but she couldn’t budge him. Panic surged through her, and she struggled even harder.

Having lived two lifetimes, Mo Yan had never experienced such close contact with a man. Even if she didn’t know much, she could sense how dangerous Xiao Ruiyuan was at this moment, which made her anxious and scared. All she wanted was to run far away.

“Don’t move! Yan’er, don’t be afraid. It’ll be over soon... soon…” Seeing her struggles, Xiao Ruiyuan’s body, already in turmoil, grew even more agonized. He desperately tried to control the overwhelming heat surging inside him, fearing he might do something even worse and frighten the woman in his arms.

Mo Yan heard his words and tensed further, not daring to move an inch.

It was unclear how long it took, but the heated air gradually returned to normal, and both of them, still holding each other, finally regained their composure, instinctively pulling apart.

They looked at each other in silence, neither having the courage to speak first. The atmosphere between them was thick with both awkwardness and unspoken tension.

Just then, a childish voice rang out: “Big sis, Xiao gege, what are you two doing here?”

Mo Yan was startled and quickly took a couple of steps back. Seeing Zhen’er standing nearby, she tried to act calm. “I was just talking to Xiao… Xiao gege. We didn’t do anything.”

“Oh, then big sis should go back quickly. Father’s looking for you!” Zhen’er, sensing the odd atmosphere, gave a confused look at Mo Yan’s slightly unnatural expression and then at Xiao Ruiyuan’s stern face. Did they have a fight? But when he arrived, he didn’t hear any arguing!

Afraid that Zhen’er would mention this to their father, Mo Yan hurriedly stepped forward, ruffled her younger brother’s hair, and said, “I’ll go find Father right away. You make sure to take good care of Xiao gege for Father, okay?”

“Mmhm, I understand, big sis. You hurry up and go, don’t keep Father waiting!” Zhen’er was delighted to be treated like an adult, happily agreeing to Mo Yan’s instructions.

“Zhen’er is the best!” Mo Yan praised him generously, pinching his chubby cheek before hurriedly turning to find her father, her pace almost resembling a retreat.

Watching Mo Yan’s back as she disappeared around the corner, Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes were filled with deep regret.

After discussing matters with her father, Mo Yan locked herself in her room, not emerging until Xiao Ruiyuan had left.

Xiao Ruiyuan left the Mo family home with a heart full of regret and unease. Once back home, the first thing he did was write a letter—a very sincere apology—which Mao Tuan delivered to Mo Yan's family in Liuyang Village that night.

After reading the letter, Mo Yan touched the jade bangle on her wrist, buried her face deep in the blanket, and rolled restlessly on the large bed. She couldn’t quite put into words how she felt, but one thing was certain: she wasn’t angry. It was just that the ambiguous kiss—if one could even call it that—had come too suddenly, leaving her unsure of how to respond. She could only flee in panic.

[End of Chapter]     

 Chapter 799: The First Intimate Contact (1)  

The black cloud leopard was faster than the golden beast, but its strength was inferior. After a fierce battle that lasted half an hour, the black cloud leopard was covered in wounds, and its remaining stamina was far from enough to match the golden beast.

However, it refused to give up. It barely held on. After another short while, it finally couldn’t hold out any longer and was defeated by the golden beast. This time, it admitted defeat without a word but still refused to lower its proud head and submit to the golden beast.

Although the golden beast was displeased, it didn’t force the black cloud leopard to submit for Mo Yan’s sake. The territory that had been occupied by the black cloud leopard was now marked by the golden beast again, reclaiming what belonged to it. Since it likely wouldn’t return often, it wasn’t going to let other beasts take advantage of it.

Under the guidance of the black cloud leopard, the group ventured deeper into its territory and gathered a large number of precious medicinal herbs. Mo Yan collected two of each kind, throwing them into her space where Xue Tuanzi planted them in the medicinal field.

Along the way, the golden beast and the black cloud leopard either ignored each other or bellowed at one another, almost ready to fight at any moment. Mo Yan couldn’t help but shake her head, secretly regretting listening to Xue Tuanzi’s suggestion to tame the black cloud leopard. It seemed there would be no peace at home from now on.

What Mo Yan didn’t know was that even if she hadn’t tamed the black cloud leopard, it still wouldn’t have “left her alone.” The black cloud leopard and the golden beast were mortal enemies, and it was either one overpowering the other. With the golden beast’s increased strength, it quickly overwhelmed the black cloud leopard. How could the latter remain indifferent? Besides, as another high-level beast from Yuhua Mountain, it didn’t think it was beneath itself to follow a human, especially since it could increase its power.

The black cloud leopard had already devised a plan. After increasing its strength, it would face the golden beast again and take it down a notch.

With examples of the five beasts and others, Mo Qingze and the others quickly accepted the fact that they had another beast in the family.

However, during dinner, seeing the five beasts all sitting next to Mo Yan, waiting to be fed, they couldn’t help but wonder how much meat this would consume. How much would they eat in a day? In a month? The thought made them hesitant, afraid they might just throw these beasts back into the mountains if they kept calculating.

After dinner, Xiao Ruiyuan stayed for a while at the Mo family’s residence before taking his leave. Before leaving, he, unnoticed by the others, seemingly conjured up a jade bangle of deep green, placing it on Mo Yan’s wrist without a word.

Mo Yan felt a cool sensation on her wrist and looked down to see a hint of green. With a glance, she immediately recognized that this jade bangle was no ordinary piece of jewelry. “For me? This is too precious!” she said.

Although she said so, Mo Yan didn’t remove it, a gentle smile on her face, her expression both pleased and slightly shy.

Seeing that she had accepted it, Xiao Ruiyuan’s lips curved into a faint smile. Unconsciously, his rough thumb caressed her delicate wrist. “The Xiao family has a piece of heirloom jade. Every wife of the Xiao family receives a bangle made from this jade.”

Upon hearing this, Mo Yan’s cheeks flushed slightly. She pouted in protest, “Since it’s an heirloom of the Xiao family, why give it to me?”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze darkened, and without a word, he pulled Mo Yan tightly into his embrace. His hot breath brushed her neck and shoulders as his low voice, full of suppressed emotion, asked, “You know… you know, don’t you?”

“Know what?” Mo Yan allowed herself to be held, feigning ignorance. “I don’t know anything!”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s attention, however, was drawn to her soft earlobe. Hearing her teasing words, almost as if by instinct, he took a gentle bite at her ear, a playful yet punishing gesture.

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 798: Entering the Mountain Together and Catching a Beast (3)

Catch the black cloud leopard? Mo Yan was left speechless, replying in her mind: The black cloud leopard is strong and aloof, how could it be tamed just like that?

Xue Tuanzi, frustrated, responded, “How do you know it can’t be tamed if you don’t try?”

Mo Yan was at a loss for words: It's an arch-nemesis of the golden beast. Even if I could tame it, I’d be too afraid. They’ll be fighting every day, and I’ll be scared to death.

This wasn’t an exaggeration. Even Da Bai and Xiao Hua sometimes had fierce fights, which could be quite terrifying. They still held back, never truly going for the kill. The golden beast and black cloud leopard were natural enemies, and their battles would likely be far more dangerous.

Xue Tuanzi, still unconvinced, argued, “Didn’t you have a saying in the world you lived in: ‘Love and hate go hand in hand’? How do you know these two aren’t the same?” It didn’t matter to Xue Tuanzi whether the two beasts got along or not. Finally, it had come across a wild beast that was at least somewhat tolerable, and it didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

Upon hearing "love and hate," Mo Yan’s eye twitched. She reluctantly agreed to give it a try, if only to stop Xue Tuanzi from nagging her.

After calming the golden beast, Mo Yan stepped forward and spoke to Xiao Ruiyuan and Physician Du, “Master, Xiao Ge, this is a rare black cloud leopard. I’ve met it before, and it won’t attack us.”

Seeing their skeptical expressions, Mo Yan continued, “The thousand-year-old ginseng I found earlier was actually located with the help of the black cloud leopard. Without it, finding a ginseng in such a vast mountain would have been nearly impossible.”

“What? That thousand-year-old ginseng was found with its help?” Physician Du exclaimed, looking at the black cloud leopard in surprise.

Xiao Ruiyuan was equally stunned. He raised an eyebrow at the black cloud leopard, reining in his hostility but still remaining cautious.

Mo Yan smiled and nodded, “Perhaps the environment here is good, and the black cloud leopard is very spiritual. It seems like it can understand human speech. Let me go talk to it and see if we can pass through its territory.”

“No!” Xiao Ruiyuan quickly grabbed Mo Yan’s wrist, refusing to let her take any risks, even if the beast was spiritual.

“Indeed, girl, we can find other medicinal herbs elsewhere. You cannot take this risk,” Physician Du advised, worried that his disciple might impulsively try to negotiate with a wild beast that could be dangerous.

“Master, Xiao Ge, the black cloud leopard won’t hurt anyone. If it refuses to let us gather herbs in its territory, we can leave and try somewhere else.” Mo Yan explained helplessly.

After saving the golden beast, she understood that these powerful creatures, living deep in the mountains for countless years, couldn’t come down easily, nor could they harm others without consequence. Otherwise, they would be punished by the heavens. After all, besides the golden beast and black cloud leopard, there were other large beasts in the mountains, whose ancestors were spirit beasts. However, she couldn’t explain this to Xiao Ruiyuan and Physician Du.

Seeing Mo Yan’s determination, Xiao Ruiyuan and Physician Du hesitated. They had already seen that the black cloud leopard was only angered by the golden beast’s provocation and hadn’t attacked, showing no hostility toward them. They had begun to believe that it wouldn’t harm them after all.

Still, they were reluctant to let Mo Yan approach.

Mo Yan, feeling helpless, spoke to Xue Tuanzi in the space, “Maybe we should just give up this time and come back to ask the black cloud leopard next time?”

“No!” Xue Tuanzi firmly rejected her. “Who knows how long we’ll have to wait for next time? Even if it’s just a year, I’ll be bored in the space for a whole year. That’s absolutely unacceptable!”

So, you’re not trying to get me a helper, you’re just bored out of your mind?

Mo Yan couldn’t help but feel speechless. At the same time, she felt pity for Xue Tuanzi’s loneliness. If she had been trapped in space for thousands or even tens of thousands of years, she would have gone crazy by now.

Mo Yan abandoned the idea of waiting for next time and, while Xiao Ruiyuan and Physician Du weren’t looking, ran directly to the black cloud leopard. She got straight to the point, “I know you have a lot of food here. You've been living in these mountains for so many years, and you must want to see the world outside. If you're willing, come with me!”

Mo Yan said this only to stop Xue Tuanzi from nagging. She didn’t hold much hope. But as soon as her words left her mouth, she saw the black cloud leopard nodding—yes, it was nodding at her!

Mo Yan: “……”

Not only was Mo Yan stunned, but even Xiao Ruiyuan and Physician Du were equally amazed. They looked at Mo Yan and then at the four beasts, suddenly feeling a strong sense of pride: It must be because Yan’er (the disciple) is so great that so many wild beasts like her.

The black cloud leopard, unfazed by the humans’ astonished expressions, walked gracefully toward the four beasts. It intentionally stood side by side with its mortal enemy, the golden beast.

The golden beast, a gentle and warm-hearted creature, wasn’t one to hold grudges, but it didn’t mean it didn’t remember past offenses. The moment the black cloud leopard stood beside it, the golden beast pounced.

The black cloud leopard, already prepared, turned into a streak of black lightning and swiftly dodged. It had always been known for its speed, and having consumed black ganoderma and other spiritual herbs, even without Xue Tuanzi’s training, its speed was still faster than the golden beast’s. It easily evaded the attack.

“Roar!” The golden beast let out a long howl, pushing off the ground and lunging again.

This time, the black cloud leopard didn’t dodge. Instead, it turned and extended its sharp claws, meeting the golden beast’s attack head-on.

The golden beast, quick and agile, twisted its body to avoid the strike and opened its mouth to bite at the black cloud leopard’s neck.

As the battle between the two beasts grew fiercer, with each move potentially lethal, Mo Yan remained motionless. Physician Du, puzzled, asked, “Girl, why aren’t you stopping them?”

Mo Yan gave a wry smile, “They have a history. There was always going to be a fight between them. I can’t stop it!”

Meanwhile, Xue Tuanzi in the space was fueling the fire, encouraging the golden beast even further. It had no intention of stopping the fight between the two beasts.

[End of Chapter]   

 Chapter 797: Entering the Mountain Together and Catching a Beast (2)

There weren’t many medicinal herbs on the mountain in winter, but those they did find were exactly what Physician Du needed. Every time they found one, Physician Du would be delighted.

Not every medicinal herb was familiar to Mo Yan, so Physician Du would explain each herb’s growth habits, medicinal effects, and properties while they dug them up. For some herbs, his knowledge wasn’t entirely comprehensive, and he encouraged Mo Yan to explore them further herself.

Mo Yan studied earnestly, remembering each detail in her mind as Physician Du introduced each herb. As a result, she stayed closely behind Physician Du, entirely focused on the herbs, leaving Xiao Ruiyuan—who had followed them—ignored for the most part.

Although he hadn’t spoken much with Mo Yan and was constantly in the company of a third person, Xiao Ruiyuan was content just to see her. He didn’t show any impatience and occasionally asked Physician Du questions about the herbs.

In military camps, if there was a shortage of medicinal herbs or if someone was injured without access to proper treatment, they would have to search the wild for remedies. As a result, people in the military often knew a bit about pharmacology and could identify some healing herbs for wounds and bleeding.

Xiao Ruiyuan was very respectful towards Physician Du, and the old physician, sensing his connection to his disciple, shared his knowledge openly and without hesitation.

The climate in the deep mountains varied, and the further they ventured, the more abundant the medicinal herbs became. On this trip, Physician Du gathered a lot and couldn’t help but smile broadly, his old face glowing with satisfaction.

At noon, the trio didn’t rush to descend but ate a simple meal with the food and water they had brought. Afterward, they continued into the deeper part of the mountain. However, Mo Yan couldn’t shake the feeling that the surroundings seemed familiar, as though she had been there before. It wasn’t until she asked the Four Beasts that she learned this was the territory of the "Big Black Cat" they had encountered before.

It was then that Mo Yan learned for the first time that the "Big Black Cat" was actually a black cloud leopard, a bitter enemy of the golden beast. The golden beast’s injuries from their first encounter had been inflicted by the black cloud leopard.

"This place is vast. We should look elsewhere and avoid unnecessary risks," Physician Du said, concerned that the wild beast might attack, so he decided not to go any deeper.

"Master, we’ll follow your advice," Mo Yan agreed. She patted the golden beast, which had been eager to challenge the black cloud leopard, urging it to stay calm.

With the golden beast’s current strength, it would likely win against the black cloud leopard, but injury would be unavoidable. Moreover, the black cloud leopard had given her a lot of ginseng, which, although an exchange, had still benefited her more. She didn’t want to see the black cloud leopard hurt.

Xiao Ruiyuan had no objections, so he remained silent.

Just as they were about to head back with their gathered herbs, a sudden commotion in the nearby forest caught their attention. Birds scattered in all directions as if they had been frightened by something. The golden beast turned, let out a deafening roar at the forest, both a display of power and a challenge.

In response, the black cloud leopard’s sharp, piercing cry rang out from the forest, a sound that, while not as powerful as the golden beast’s, was shrill and penetrated the ears of everyone present.

Xiao Ruiyuan stepped forward, placing himself between Mo Yan and Physician Du to shield them, his expression serious as he stared toward the source of the sound.

Soon, a pitch-black, sleek-furred black cloud leopard emerged from the forest, its size much smaller than the golden beast’s. It stopped about five zhang away and coldly scrutinized the three people and four beasts.

When its gaze shifted to the golden beast, its sharp eyes slightly narrowed, and it let out an even more piercing cry.

“Ah, I didn’t expect a black cloud leopard to be hiding here. Its bloodline is purer than the little gold’s, but unfortunately, it can’t evolve into a spirit beast,” Xue Tuanzi commented with interest from within the space. “Yan Yan, why don’t you just take this one too? I’ll make sure to train it to be even better than the golden beast.”

[End of Chapter]