Chapter 813: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (2)

This resentment, which he had thought would remain hidden deep inside, proved he had overestimated his own patience. With so few people close to him, over the years, he had come to regard his two cousins as brothers. He could not tolerate anyone plotting against them for any reason, and this was his bottom line—something he would never allow anyone to cross.

"Heng'er, no... Father did not..." Emperor Hui'an looked at Chu Heng’s distant and indifferent gaze, feeling a sharp pang in his heart.

He had always known that his son did not respect him as much as he appeared to, and he had a sense of where the problem lay. But when everything was laid bare before him, even as an emperor, he could not accept it.

Indeed, the decision to bring Imperial Concubine Lin into the palace was made with ulterior motives, but if he had known that it would lead to the tragic death of his first wife, he would never have done it. But there was no turning back—his Empress would never return, and his most beloved son now resented him in his heart. All of this bitter wine was of his own brewing, and he could only drink it, one mouthful at a time.

The flash of pain on Emperor Hui'an’s face was clear to Chu Heng, who, after seeing it, tightened his fists, releasing them again, his agitation and frustration only deepening. Speaking out his feelings wasn’t much more relieving than keeping them bottled up.

It felt as though he was running away from something; he did not want to hear any more explanations from his father. He just wanted to dismiss the emperor's unrealistic thoughts. Forcing himself to look away, he said in a cold, firm tone, "Father, I pretend I never heard about Miss Mo being taken as a concubine. As for your worries, I won’t let them come to pass! If it comes to that, I’d rather forfeit my position as crown prince than act like a villain who would betray family and steal someone else’s love!"

After saying this, Chu Heng turned sharply, as if to escape, leaving the suffocating and frustrating place in haste. As for whether Emperor Hui'an would stubbornly push Miss Mo on him, he had said all that needed to be said—he could no longer control the outcome. One thing was for sure: he would never compete with his cousin for a woman.

In the spacious imperial study, Emperor Hui'an was left alone, gazing at the back of his son, who had left without a glance. He slumped back onto the dragon chair, feeling as though he had aged several years in an instant...

The carriage entered the boundary of Liuyang Village and stopped. Xiao Ruiyuan had to get off here; otherwise, if he were taken to the Mo family’s house, seeing his future father-in-law would surely destroy the small amount of goodwill he had painstakingly built up.

Mo Yan also got off the carriage and looked around. Not seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s mount, she asked in confusion, "Are you going to walk back?"

Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze softened as he gently shook his head. He then took a short flute from his waist and played a brief melody.

Not long after, Mo Yan heard the sound of hooves approaching from behind. Soon, a tall horse appeared in front of them, followed by a person on horseback. Xiao Shiyi dismounted, greeted Mo Yan respectfully, and stood behind his master as usual.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s horse was lively. Upon seeing its owner, it happily neighed and affectionately rubbed its neck against its master’s shoulder, giving Mo Yan a charming look.

If the horse hadn’t been trained so strictly by Xiao Ruiyuan to resist outside distractions, it would have rushed toward Mo Yan the first time it saw her, as animals are far more sensitive to spiritual energy than humans.

Of course, it was too dark for Mo Yan to notice the horse's gaze, so it might as well have been directed at the air. Nevertheless, it didn’t stop Mo Yan from liking the horse, and she reached out to pat its neck, praising it, "What a good horse! Next time you come to my house, I’ll bring you something good to eat."

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 812: Father and Son's Rift and Anger (1)

"Father, you have your own considerations, and I have mine. As for taking Miss Mo as a concubine, I cannot comply!" Chu Heng said coldly, rejecting the idea without hesitation.

He never imagined that his father would make such an absurd request, asking him to take his cousin’s beloved woman as a concubine. Not to mention that he had no feelings for the woman his cousin liked, but even if he did, he would never commit such an act of stealing someone else's love.

To him, brotherly love was far more important than any woman!

Emperor Hui'an's expression darkened further, anger subtly rising in him. "I’ve had people calculate this matter. Although the girl’s fate is marked by solitude and misfortune, once she overcomes her life’s greatest calamity, she will be blessed with fortune and will bring prosperity to her husband and children. Now that she has passed through her calamity, she is indeed blessed. I know you do not believe me, but without her, could you still be sitting here defying me? If it were not for her, how would you have survived those multiple life-threatening incidents, such as when Hanzhang was in danger? If she hadn’t helped, you wouldn’t be alive today!"

Seeing Chu Heng silently pursing his lips without offering any rebuttal, Emperor Hui'an's expression softened a little. He continued, "That girl has a kind heart and is also clever. If you were to take her as your concubine, she would surely support you wholeheartedly and become your assistant. Your heir's court would have room for her, so what harm would there be in having one more? As for Hanzhang, I will find him a good marriage, so you need not worry about that."

Chu Heng clenched his fists tightly, his lowered gaze flashing with deep sarcasm, but he refrained from speaking.

Emperor Hui'an thought that his son was moved by his words, and a look of relief appeared on his face. "Heng’er, you are the most trusted crown prince of mine. The kingdom of Great Chu will eventually be entrusted to you. I am giving you the best, and you will not disappoint me, will you?"

"Heh!" Chu Heng chuckled softly, raising his head to look at Emperor Hui'an. His eyes were bloodshot, but there was not the slightest trace of a smile. "Only now do I realize that, in your eyes, women are merely tools to be used! You treat Imperial Concubine Lin this way, and what about Mother? Is that how you treat her as well?"

The last sentence was almost bitten out of him. Chu Heng had never come to terms with the death of Empress Chunyi. Even though the culprit had been executed, the wound of losing his mother at a young age could never be healed. Over the years, he had harbored resentment for Imperial Concubine Lin and her father, Lord Lin, but how could he not feel resentment toward his own father as well?

If it weren’t for the secret that Emperor Hui'an held through Lin Taishi, Imperial Concubine Lin would never have entered the palace and plotted the death of Empress Chunyi. This matter had always been a thorn in Chu Heng’s heart. Every time he thought of his biological mother, the pain would resurface.

What Emperor Hui'an had said earlier was like a spark, igniting the deep-seated resentment hidden within Chu Heng’s heart. In front of his father, he ruthlessly voiced his accusations.

Emperor Hui'an had not expected Chu Heng to suddenly bring up Empress Chunyi and question him in such a tone. He was momentarily stunned, unable to speak a word.

Chu Heng had already convinced himself that his father had used Imperial Concubine Lin for the throne and indirectly caused the death of Empress Chunyi. He no longer expected an admission from him. He coldly said, "I may not be a saint, but I also disdain using a woman for personal gain! You claim it's for my own good, but in reality, you are afraid of Hanzhang. You’re worried that I won’t be able to control him and that he will harbor other intentions. That's why you want me to take Miss Mo as a concubine, trying to bind him down!"

Looking at the aging man before him, Chu Heng couldn’t articulate his feelings. He could not deny the good his father had done for him, nor could he deny the true father-son bond between them. But some things had been etched into his heart, and he couldn’t bring himself to fully trust and love this man.

[End of Chapter] 

  Chapter 811: A Brief Moment of Tender Intentions (3)

Li Zhong had already learned from Li Xiu about the relationship between Xiao Ruiyuan and Mo Yan when Xiao Ruiyuan personally came to deliver New Year's gifts. Although nothing was formally settled, it seemed almost certain. Now, seeing Xiao Ruiyuan’s actions, Li Zhong felt uneasy but didn’t know how to convince him to stop.

While he was torn, the carriage door made a soft sound and closed from the inside.

Li Zhong: "..."

Tonight was New Year's Eve, a night for family reunions, with lights from countless homes dispelling the darkness of the night, warming the hearts of all.

The sound of horse hooves echoed down the empty streets, and from the houses on either side, the laughter of people staying up for the night could be faintly heard.

Li Zhong drove the carriage toward the city gate and realized it had already closed. He then remembered the city's curfew, and the gates had been closed early.

A guard, woken from his sleep, rubbed his eyes and approached. Seeing it was just an ordinary carriage, he was about to yell, but suddenly, something flew out of the window and landed right in the guard's arms.

The guard clumsily caught it and, with the lantern light from the city gate, clearly saw that it was a token, a token that allowed free passage within the capital. He immediately became alert, saluted the carriage, and apologized, calling over a few colleagues to open the heavy city gates.

Li Zhong hurriedly drove the carriage out of the city, secretly sighing in relief as he heard the gate close behind them. Without that token, they wouldn’t have been able to leave the city tonight. All the inns in the city were closed, and without the key to the rice shop, he would have had no choice but to freeze on the streets all night.

Thinking of this, he was somewhat grateful that Xiao Ruiyuan was in the carriage. But when he thought about a lone man and a woman alone in the carriage together, Li Zhong couldn’t put his mind at ease. He slowed the pace of the carriage, listening carefully to any sounds from inside. He wanted to be alert in case anything was amiss.

After listening for a long time and hearing nothing, it was as though no one was inside. He thought the uninvited guest was just resting against the wall of the carriage, but little did he know, at the moment the door closed, Xiao Ruiyuan had without hesitation lifted the blanket, pulled the sleeping woman into his arms, and held her closely.

The two embraced tightly, sleeping together. How could there be any noise?

Before falling asleep, Mo Yan had removed her fur coat and wore only her outer clothes and cotton jacket, which was warm enough for her to sleep. But not long after, she felt as if she were in a furnace. Her body grew increasingly hot, and she had difficulty breathing, as though something was constricting her chest.

Mo Yan had a nightmare, where she was tightly wrapped by a terrifying giant python. Despite her lack of fear toward the snake, she couldn’t breathe because it was constricting her so tightly.

She struggled with her hands and feet, trying to break free, not even thinking about the fact that snakes were cold-blooded creatures. She just wanted to escape the python’s grip.

Xiao Ruiyuan, who had been lightly sleeping, woke as soon as she struggled. "Yan’er, what’s wrong?"

It was so dark in the carriage that he couldn’t see her face. He thought she had drunk too much at the banquet and was feeling unwell from the carriage’s bumps.

Hearing his familiar voice, Mo Yan woke with a start, her mind still foggy, unable to distinguish between dream and reality.

A warm, rough hand pressed against her forehead, instantly snapping Mo Yan back to clarity. She gasped in surprise and was about to push the hand away when she was pulled into a firm embrace. The familiar voice sounded again. "Yan’er, you’re sweating a lot. Do you feel unwell?"

In the dark, Mo Yan opened her mouth in surprise. "How are you here?"

Even though he couldn’t see, Xiao Ruiyuan could imagine her expression. He smiled faintly, not replying, but his arms tightened around her.

Mo Yan seemed to understand something, quietly snuggling into his wide embrace and smiling gently.

Still not reassured, Xiao Ruiyuan reached up to check Mo Yan’s forehead again, feeling only sweat with no signs of fever. He relaxed and said, "Yan’er, was it a nightmare?"

Mo Yan nodded, frustrated. "I dreamed that I was entangled by a giant python, and it was squeezing so tightly that I could hardly breathe."

Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t realize it was because he had held her too tightly. He tried to comfort her, "Perhaps it’s because you drank tonight. If you’re tired, just lie down and sleep more. I’ll stay here and keep watch."

"No, it’s fine. Just talking like this is good." Mo Yan had slept for a while and was no longer that sleepy.

"Alright!" Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze softened. He adjusted his position slightly, ensuring Mo Yan was more comfortable leaning against him.

While the warm, affectionate atmosphere in the dark carriage felt peaceful, the scene in the brilliantly lit imperial study was much more somber.

"Heng’er, your father is doing this for your own good... Anyway, this matter is decided. All you need to do is wait," Emperor Hui’an said with a stern face, leaving no room for debate as he spoke to the troubled Chu Heng.

[End of Chapter] 

 Chapter 810: A Brief Moment of Tender Intentions (2)

Yan Junyu unexpectedly moved closer, his eyes fixed on Mo Yan as he spoke to Xiao Ruiyuan. The alcohol made his appearance even more charming, causing the light from the grand hall to pale in comparison. The young palace maids in attendance turned red, and even the eunuchs stared in disbelief.  

Clearly, Yan Junyu had drunk too much. If not, he wouldn’t have been so reckless in his words. Though he was aware that some things should not be said, he still blurted them out in front of Xiao Ruiyuan.

“Shut up!”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s face darkened instantly. He used a subtle force to push Yan Junyu back into his seat. If not for the situation, he would have thrown him into the icy palace pond to sober up.

Not one to fear, Yan Junyu leaned in again, his words becoming even more outrageous. “If I had known this girl would look like this today, I should have kept her by my side as a maid two years ago. Alas, it’s too late. Everything is too late.”

Xiao Ruiyuan’s temples twitched, not wanting to argue with a drunkard. He immediately struck Yan Junyu on the back of the neck with a swift motion.

Yan Junyu, caught off guard, tilted his head and closed his eyes, collapsing onto Xiao Ruiyuan’s shoulder.

Disgusted, Xiao Ruiyuan pushed him away but didn’t throw him to the ground. Instead, he had the palace eunuchs help support Yan Junyu.

Though Yan Junyu had a well-proportioned figure and didn’t appear heavy, his weight was still considerable. The eunuchs behind him struggled to hold him up, and it wasn’t long before they began to wobble. Unfortunately, the feast was still ongoing, and there was no way to move Yan Junyu elsewhere for a rest.

By the time the feast ended at the late hours of the evening, everyone forced themselves to stay alert and followed Emperor Hui’an to the Taihe Hall.

As the midnight bell rang, signaling the start of the new year, Mo Yan, along with the civil and military officials, knelt before the Taihe Hall to welcome Emperor Hui’an, dressed in a new dragon robe, as he entered the hall to perform the solemn ancestral rites.

As the incense burned, Emperor Hui’an personally threw the auspicious and prayerful words he had written into the fire, praying for the stability and prosperity of the nation in the coming year.

By the time Mo Yan stepped out of the palace gates, it was already past midnight. Most of the carriages had long since left, leaving only a few behind, waiting for their masters.

The first to notice Mo Yan was Da Hongzao, who excitedly neighed. Even though it tried to suppress its sound, the clear cry was more distinct in the quiet of the palace gates.

Li Zhong, who had been dozing off at the driver’s seat, suddenly awoke and saw Mo Yan walking toward him. He hurriedly got out of the carriage to meet her.

Sensing the smell of alcohol on Mo Yan and seeing her face no longer as clear as usual, Li Zhong became concerned. "Miss Yan, are you feeling dizzy or unwell?"

Mo Yan wasn’t truly drunk, but the lingering effects of the alcohol combined with exhaustion had taken their toll. She shook her head, rejecting Li Zhong’s offer of support. She walked steadily toward the carriage, intending to sleep all the way back. Having stayed up most of the night, she was exhausted.

Li Zhong didn’t press further. He watched as Mo Yan pulled out a thin blanket from the carriage’s secret compartment, spread it over herself, and lay down. He was about to close the carriage door when a tall figure appeared before it.

Xiao Ruiyuan looked at the sleeping figure inside the carriage, and his cold expression softened immediately. In Li Zhong’s surprised gaze, he gracefully entered the carriage without causing any disturbance, making sure not to wake Mo Yan from her slumber.

Ignoring the words that Li Zhong seemed ready to say, Xiao Ruiyuan relaxed against the side of the carriage and slowly closed his eyes. The year-end duties had kept him busy, and he had worked into the night just yesterday. In the past ten days, he had barely had a chance to rest properly.

[End of Chapter] 

  Chapter 809: A Brief Moment of Tender Intentions (1)

As everyone in the hall secretly calculated their own interests, they couldn't help but feel a mix of shock and admiration for Xiao Ruiyuan's boldness. After all, not everyone had the courage to reject the goodwill of a ruler. However, his rejection only proved his high favor with the emperor, and his future prospects were bound to be bright.

Mo Yan stared at Xiao Ruiyuan, who appeared completely serious, her heart consumed by his words. She never expected to hear the most beautiful confession of love in such a setting.

In the past, she had hesitated about accepting his feelings, mainly because in an era where multiple wives and concubines were allowed, she feared he would find it difficult to give her a lifetime of loyalty and love.

But now, their relationship was solidified, and their feelings deepened. He had never uttered such words before, and she had never pressured him for such a promise. Tonight, the promise she longed to hear had finally come.

Xiao Ruiyuan, seemingly aware of her emotions, shifted his gaze to her face. In their eyes, a deep desire for the purest form of love could be seen.

"Haha, I didn’t realize Xiao Aiqing was such a man of sentiment!" Emperor Hui’an chuckled. "Very well, if you meet a woman you admire, my promise today still stands. I will grant you a marriage!"

The benevolent monarch did not appear angry after his proposal was rejected, though a flicker of dark emotion briefly flashed in his eyes, betraying his true feelings.

Xiao Ruiyuan respectfully cupped his hands and thanked the emperor, but inwardly, he did not feel completely at ease.

He knew that Emperor Hui’an, aware of his affection for Mo Yan, would not have proposed the marriage so casually. There had to be some deeper meaning behind the offer.

He glanced toward the front row where Chu Heng was seated, the distance between them being seven or eight seats away.

Not only did Xiao Ruiyuan sense something was amiss, but both Yan Junyu and Chu Heng also realized that things weren’t as simple as they seemed. Both of them shared the same unease as they tried to understand the emperor's intentions.

Both knew how deeply Xiao Ruiyuan cared for Mo Yan, and if the two lovers were to be kept apart, they could not bear to imagine the consequences.

The brief marriage discussion passed, and the hall returned to its previous lively atmosphere. The officials raised their cups and exchanged toasts, reminiscing about the past. Meanwhile, the dancers in the hall lost their earlier grace and liveliness, but who would care about the dancers' thoughts?

As the night wore on, some lower-ranking officials, whose alcohol tolerance was poor, became drunk and made harmless, laughable mistakes. Since it was a joyful occasion, no one spoke out in reprimand. 

Mo Yan, as the County Princess, had quite a few women come to toast her, especially after Emperor Hui’an had specifically inquired about her. With more people approaching her for a drink, she could hardly escape the constant toasts. Fortunately, her tolerance had been built up by the various fruit wines available in the space, so she wasn’t easily drunk.

Even so, the sheer number of toasts made it inevitable that her face, once pale and delicate, now appeared flushed, as if painted with the brightest rouge. The radiance added a layer of charm to her already ethereal beauty, making it hard for anyone to take their eyes off her.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s gaze never left her. His alcohol tolerance was good, and with his status, he didn’t need to appease anyone. He had no obligation to drink every cup offered to him, yet his expression remained calm and his eyes clear.

However, when he saw the frown on her delicate brow, her fragile appearance making her seem vulnerable, he suddenly felt as though he was the one intoxicated. Why else would he have such an overwhelming desire to keep her hidden away from everyone’s prying eyes?

But someone had already noticed.

"Tsk, tsk. I thought she was just a young girl, but after drinking, she suddenly looks all grown up. If only I had some ink, I’d paint this moment and hang it in my room to admire!"

[End of Chapter]   

  Chapter 808: A Marriage Granted, Never to Part (4)

If this were any other year, being teased like this would have been fine. However, with the woman he loved present, Xiao Ruiyuan could not afford to let her misunderstand him. Even though she appeared indifferent, he could not tolerate anyone else interfering in their relationship.

His words were skillfully phrased. Except for those who knew about his feelings for Mo Yan, everyone else took it at face value, thinking he had no such intentions. They were left with a sense of regret.

If Xiao Ruiyuan truly had his eye on one of the dancers, it would show he had finally woken up to his desires. They could then push forward and try to marry off their eligible daughters to him. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful outcome?

Emperor Hui’an’s gaze sharpened slightly, his eyes briefly scanning Mo Yan, who was still admiring the performance, before shifting back to Xiao Ruiyuan. He spoke kindly, “Next year you’ll be twenty-four, it’s time for you to marry! Why don’t I take it upon myself today to grant you a wife of both talent and virtue, thus fulfilling a long-held wish of mine!”

As soon as he said this, not only did Xiao Ruiyuan’s brow twitch, but even Mo Yan, who had been pretending to watch the dance, could no longer keep up the act. She nervously fixed her gaze on him, fearing that if he responded poorly, Emperor Hui’an might indeed grant him a noble, talented woman. She understood very well that she was far from being the kind of woman the emperor spoke of.

The officials and their wives, whose daughters were of marriageable age, were equally excited, eagerly looking at Emperor Hui’an, hoping he would immediately issue the decree, thus granting them the opportunity to marry off their daughters to the general.

Xiao Ruiyuan understood Emperor Hui’an far better than Mo Yan did. This marriage offer wasn’t so much a request for his opinion, but rather the emperor had already made up his mind. That so-called noble, talented woman would certainly not be someone he liked.

Knowing full well about his feelings for Mo Yan, Emperor Hui’an still brought up the marriage proposal, and Xiao Ruiyuan quickly realized the emperor’s intentions. He thought fast, contemplating how to respond. He could name the woman he truly admired, but doing so would only open the door to suspicion. Mo Yan might face unwanted gossip, so he could not name her publicly.

With this in mind, Xiao Ruiyuan stood up and addressed Emperor Hui’an with a firm voice, “I swore before my late mother’s grave that I would only marry the woman I truly love, and I will never break that vow. If I ever find her, I will ask His Majesty for this grace.”

These words were not just for Emperor Hui’an; they were also for the person he intended to marry. He never wanted his mother’s tragedy to repeat itself for the woman he loved.

The officials were stunned, watching Xiao Ruiyuan with disbelief. They found it hard to understand his desire to remain faithful to one woman for life. After all, men weren’t like women, who were expected to be devoted to one man. Having multiple wives was the norm. How could a man, especially one as accomplished as Xiao Ruiyuan, dedicate himself to only one woman?

The wives, on the other hand, were deeply shaken. They had thought that the young and indifferent General Xiao, who had earned fame early, was like many self-important men who saw women as tools for their ambitions. They never expected him to offer a woman the kind of lifelong love that all women dream of. How many men in the world could make such a commitment?

No one doubted that Xiao Ruiyuan’s words were true, and if he ever broke his vow, he could be punished severely. His declaration of loyalty struck a chord with the wives, weaving a beautiful dream for them. Though they couldn’t make that dream a reality for themselves, they hoped their daughters might one day meet a husband like him.

Despite their differing thoughts, one thing remained consistent among the officials and their wives: they would continue trying to marry their daughters to Xiao Ruiyuan. No matter how many times he rejected them, he was still unmarried. One day, they might be able to bring their daughters before him, and perhaps he would take an interest in them.

[End of Chapter]   

  Chapter 807: A Marriage Granted, Never to Part (3)

However, both of the seafood dishes were made from dried ingredients, so the flavor wasn’t as fresh and delicate as it could have been. Fortunately, the royal kitchen's culinary skills were top-notch, so the dishes were still palatable.

The atmosphere at the New Year’s banquet was lively, with the clinking of cups and the sound of chatter filling the hall. It didn’t take long for a performance of song and dance to begin. The dancers, with their graceful figures, had practiced diligently for this day to make others smile. Each of them performed with great focus, determined to give their best show.

This was Mo Yan’s first time witnessing the ancient style of song and dance, and she watched with much more concentration than the others. The dancers truly had excellent skills. Their movements were elegant, and each one was beautiful in her own way, making Mo Yan feel a sense of sympathy for them.

Seeing Mo Yan so focused, Xiao Ruiyuan couldn’t help but shift his gaze to the dancers, though after a few glances, he lost interest.

Just as Xiao Ruiyuan was about to return his attention to Mo Yan, a teasing voice rang out in the hall: “It’s rare that General Xiao appreciates dance. Have you taken a liking to one of the dancers? Haha, if that’s the case, why not ask His Majesty for a favor and take her home?”

The voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the sounds of the hall. Everyone turned to look at Xiao Ruiyuan, seeing him indeed watching the dancers. Though they were slightly surprised, many of them shared knowing smiles.

After all, men, no matter how uninterested in women, still had moments when they sought comfort, and these dancers certainly had their appeal. It wasn’t strange that General Xiao might be moved.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s face darkened, and he was about to respond when Emperor Hui'an’s laughter rang out: “Oh? General Xiao, which dancer has caught your eye? You’re not getting any younger, it’s time for you to have someone by your side. If you fancy someone, just say the word. Once the banquet is over, you can take her home.”

As soon as Emperor Hui'an spoke, the entire hall fell silent. Even the twenty or so dancers, whose graceful movements had been perfect moments before, suddenly faltered.

These dancers came from the palace music troupe. Although they held a higher status than common dancers, they were still considered low-born, lower in rank than even palace maids. The best of them were chosen by the emperor and elevated to be by his side, but many others spent their later years as concubines to ministers or teaching dance in the palace. The worst fate was when they reached a certain age and were released from the palace.

Despite their position, these dancers had heard of Xiao Ruiyuan’s reputation. They knew he had never married and had no woman in his life. Now, hearing that Emperor Hui'an was willing to grant them to such a prestigious general, even if it was just as a concubine, they were thrilled. It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they couldn’t help but be excited.

Xiao Ruiyuan quickly glanced at Mo Yan, worried she might be upset, only to realize that her attention was entirely on the dancers, and she hadn’t even looked at him.

A wave of indescribable frustration washed over him. The temperature around him seemed to drop, and with a cold expression, he stood up. He shot a few sharp, icy glares at the talkative minister and then clasped his hands in a salute to Emperor Hui'an, saying, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. However, none of these dancers have caught my eye. I must apologize for disappointing Your Majesty’s goodwill and ask that you impose a punishment.”

[End of Chapter] 

  Chapter 806: A Marriage Granted, Never to Part (2)

Yan Junyu thoughtfully looked at Mo Yan, who was eating with gusto. Suddenly, he understood why Xiao Ruiyuan had forced himself to eat something he didn’t like, and he realized where he had gone wrong.  

In the end, he would never do what his friend did for a woman—forcing himself to eat something he didn’t enjoy or do something he didn’t like... Perhaps this outcome was already destined.

As the hour of Xu approached, dozens of palace maids and eunuchs weaved through the hall with trays of delicacies. This was Mo Yan’s first time attending the royal New Year’s feast, and she was full of curiosity about the dishes. However, in order to prevent the food from cooling, the lids on the trays were tightly covered, and she couldn’t see the dishes. She could only try to identify the ingredients by the aroma wafting from them.

When Emperor Hui'an raised the first cup of wine and toasted with the civil and military officials, the banquet officially began!

Aside from a few extra dishes on Emperor Hui'an and the Empress Dowager’s table, the number of dishes on the other tables was the same, twelve in total.

The palace maids standing by lifted the lids from the trays, and Mo Yan finally saw the royal cuisine. Each dish was small in portion, but like the pastries, they were exquisitely made. Coincidentally, every vegetable on the table came from Liuyang Village.

Not to mention that these vegetables were impossible to find elsewhere in winter, the invigorating fragrance they released could only come from crops watered with spiritual spring water.

Thanks to the large deal made with the royal family, this had become a selling point for several vegetable stalls at the market. Business was booming, and within less than an hour, all the vegetables were sold out.

Liuyang Village’s greenhouse vegetables had gained a strong reputation in the capital, even attracting merchants from nearby provinces who were eager to buy and transport them to their regions.

Though the area dedicated to greenhouse vegetable farming looked large, it was only enough to supply the capital. Even if the merchants were just testing the market, they still needed a considerable amount of produce.

Yang Bao and the others dared not make a decision without consulting Mo Yan. Without hesitation, she refused.

First, there weren’t enough vegetables to allow for a trial sale. Second, she was deliberately keeping the merchants intrigued. After all, she planned to expand the greenhouses next year, and by then, the crops would be more than enough for the capital. She intended to sell them outside the capital, and those merchants would be perfect for expanding the market.

With Mo Yan’s efforts, the merchants signed a preliminary agreement for the winter supply of greenhouse vegetables from Liuyang Village. The agreement stated that once the vegetables were ready next year, they would be sold first to those merchants. If other traders in their regions were interested, Liuyang Village would only sell to those who had signed agreements this year.

The agreement did not stipulate how much produce the merchants had to purchase, so with almost no risk involved, all the merchants signed. To make a profit, the merchants would work hard to open up their local markets, leading to a mutually beneficial collaboration with Liuyang Village.

After the agreement was signed, the villagers, who had been worried that Mo Yan wouldn’t participate in greenhouse vegetable farming next year, could finally relax. They believed that it was Mo Yan’s good fortune that had allowed them to grow such fine vegetables and become wealthy. Without her, none of them would have dared to venture into greenhouse farming, fearing the risk of bankruptcy.

Many who had tasted the greenhouse vegetables from Liuyang Village at the banquet now understood why they were so good. Even if they didn’t know where the vegetables came from, seeing that even the emperor was eating them made them feel a sense of pride in their meals.

Indeed, these dishes were from the imperial kitchen. Aside from the vegetables, the other ingredients were rare delicacies that were hard to find in ordinary households. Two of the dishes even contained seafood—one with prawns, the other with jellyfish. Mo Yan, who had rarely seen shrimp since her arrival, was quite surprised.

[End of Chapter]  

  Chapter 805: A Marriage Granted, Never to Part (1)

Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t like sweet pastries. No, he didn’t eat pastries at all! Whether sweet, savory, or of any other flavor, no matter how delicious or delicate, in his more than twenty years of life, he had never touched one.

Faced with the determined gazes of the onlookers, Xiao Ruiyuan stopped Yan Junyu, who was about to speak, and, too lazy to explain, simply extended his long fingers. As they wished, he picked up a piece of the sweet pastry that the sixteenth prince had sent over and took a bite, his eyes, however, fixed on Mo Yan.

Mo Yan, too, happened to look up at Xiao Ruiyuan. She wasn’t very familiar with his tastes and couldn’t recall whether he had ever eaten sweets when visiting her home. She wasn’t sure if he liked sweet pastries.

Now, seeing him eat one, she assumed he must like them. After all, who could force him to eat something he didn’t want? Mo Yan absentmindedly touched the jade bracelet on her wrist as thoughts of various sweet pastry recipes began to form in her mind. She didn’t notice that Xiao Ruiyuan, with a furrowed brow, was forcing himself to swallow the pastry.

The sweet and fragrant taste of the pastry was overwhelming. Just a small bite had completely ruined Xiao Ruiyuan’s appetite, and his throat felt uncomfortably sticky from the sweetness. He poured himself a cup of tea and, with a calm face, ate three more pieces of pastry, despite the disapproving looks from Yan Junyu and Chu Heng. He even gave a lukewarm compliment, saying, "Not bad."

The pastries at the New Year’s feast were mostly rushed out of the imperial kitchen overnight, so naturally, they weren’t as refined as usual. On the surface, they looked as delicate as ever, but the taste didn’t necessarily surpass those made by the pastry chefs in the minister's households.

This was something everyone in the hall was aware of. Therefore, at every year’s feast, the pastries were more for show, and no one would seriously taste them. While the ministers were fine with this, most of the ladies had a natural fondness for sweets.

However, in such a public setting, to avoid appearing greedy, the ladies rarely ate the pastries. Moreover, eating pastries often made them thirsty, which led to drinking more water. Drinking too much water meant frequent trips to the restroom, a very inappropriate behavior at such a grand event!

Thus, the pastries at large banquets, such as the New Year’s feast, were usually just for decoration. They were placed on the table during the event and then taken back down afterward, most likely eaten by the kitchen staff themselves.

Seeing Xiao Ruiyuan eating with gusto, many of the ministers and ladies who hadn’t had a chance to eat something to stave off their hunger suddenly felt hungry. The sixteenth prince was one of them.

He swallowed his saliva, decisively took a piece of pastry from the plate of the fifteenth prince, who was sitting next to him, and took a bite along with some warm tea. He nodded, impressed, and thought the taste wasn’t bad at all.

Most young children enjoyed sweets, and this was no exception.

Once someone started, others who had been holding back their hunger also began to help themselves to the pastries. But, to their misfortune, they found the pastries far too sweet, making their throats uncomfortable. The texture also wasn’t as delicate as the pastries from home. Soon, the entire hall was filled with the sound of people pouring water.

This only further confirmed to everyone that General Xiao’s taste was indeed unique!

Curious, Mo Yan also picked up a pastry and took a bite. However, her pastry was savory with pepper and salt, and the taste was just right—not too strong, not too weak. Though it wasn’t as good as the ones she made herself, she never liked to waste food. The pastries provided a nice way to pass the time, so she nibbled on them, unconsciously finishing three pieces.

Xiao Ruiyuan, who had been paying attention to Mo Yan the entire time, let out a barely noticeable smile. Suddenly, he didn’t think the pastry was so bad after all, and he ignored the slight discomfort in his throat.

[End of Chapter]  

  Chapter 804: The New Year's Feast (2)

“It’s good to hear that Lord Yan liked it. I’ll send over a batch of fresh ones in a few days,” Mo Yan smiled and agreed readily.

This time, the Mo family’s New Year gifts to various families included not only fruits and vegetables that couldn’t be found in winter, but also various kinds of fruit wines. These were abundant in her space, and sending them out would be quite presentable.

Although she was speaking to Yan Junyu, Mo Yan’s attention was focused on the approaching Xiao Ruiyuan. Catching sight of his still cold expression, she unexpectedly recalled the sudden kiss from the night before, and her face involuntarily flushed slightly.

Fortunately, the sky had darkened, and the palace lanterns along the path were dim, so no one noticed her reaction.

Xiao Ruiyuan’s dark eyes were fixed intently on Mo Yan, leaving no room for anything else. Seeing her gaze briefly falter, the corner of his lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. His deep voice, smooth and relaxed, spoke of someone in a good mood, “Lady Hejia, may I accompany you?”

The moment these words left his mouth, everyone who wasn’t in the know was taken aback, eyes wide in surprise.

Xiao Ruiyuan was young but clever, with impressive military achievements. Not only was he favored by Emperor Hui’an, but he was also the right-hand man to the crown prince, making him arguably the most promising young man in all of Da Chu.

Moreover, his flawless appearance had charmed countless young women, and many noble families hoped to marry their daughters to him.

While there had been attempts to win his favor, every woman who dared approach him was swiftly dismissed by his secret guards before even getting close.

Those who tried to test the waters were either politely received at his house only to leave in frustration after being served endless tea or were outright refused entry. Over time, it became clear that Xiao Ruiyuan wasn’t interested in women. Though they were reluctant to accept it, most people understood this fact. After all, it was not uncommon for men to delay marriage for several years, but for women, that wasn’t an option.

But now, what were they seeing? The normally indifferent General Xiao, who had never shown interest in women, was actively inviting Lady Hejia to walk with him. No one could believe it wasn’t significant.

Mo Yan hadn’t expected such an invitation from Xiao Ruiyuan. Sensing the meaningful glances directed her way, she felt a little uncomfortable but didn’t decline. Instead, she responded politely, “It would be an honor to accompany Lord Xiao and Lord Yan.”

Her distant tone caused Xiao Ruiyuan to frown, but considering her reputation, he nodded slightly without saying more and stepped forward to stand between Mo Yan and Yan Junyu, maintaining a respectful distance of about an arm's length.

Yan Junyu raised an eyebrow, casting a meaningful glance at Xiao Ruiyuan. But when their eyes met, he received two warning looks and, unwillingly, pouted and withdrew his gaze.

Thus, the striking and distinguished trio—Xiao Ruiyuan, Mo Yan, and Yan Junyu—captured the attention of many as they calmly entered the Qinghe Hall where the New Year’s feast was held.

Qinghe Hall was specially designed for large imperial banquets, and it was where the New Year’s feast was held every year. In addition to dining with the emperor, there were always performances to entertain the guests. The hall was quite spacious, only slightly smaller than the grandest Taihe Hall.

Many people were already gathered inside, mostly lower-ranked ministers and their wives. Once a young eunuch made them aware of Mo Yan’s identity, the ministers and their wives immediately approached to offer their greetings as soon as the trio entered.

None of the three were fond of such formalities, but since they were part of the occasion, they had no choice but to endure and respond politely.

Fortunately, not long after, the sound of the young eunuch’s loud announcements echoed from outside. Everyone turned in unison to see Emperor Hui’an and Crown Prince Chu Heng supporting the Empress Dowager into the hall. Behind them, a large procession of imperial consorts, princesses, and princes followed.

Everyone immediately knelt to welcome the three most esteemed individuals in Da Chu. After Emperor Hui’an ascended the dragon throne and gave the decree to "rise," everyone stood and took their seats.

The seating arrangement inside the hall was divided into two sections. The royal family and high-ranking ministers sat to the left, while princesses, county princesses, and noble ladies with imperial titles sat to the right. The higher the rank, the closer to the front the seats were. Each seat had a long table about three feet long and two feet wide, already set with exquisite tea snacks.

Mo Yan, Xiao Ruiyuan, and Yan Junyu were of equal rank and sat directly opposite each other, separated by a distance of about four paces. A simple glance upward allowed them to clearly see what the others were doing.

The New Year’s feast hadn’t officially started, and no one was allowed to speak freely. Mo Yan, feeling a little bored, began to study the delicate pastries on the table. She guessed the ingredients based on their shapes, speculated about the techniques used, and pondered the appropriate level of heat. It turned out to be quite a rewarding exercise.

After Xiao Ruiyuan seated himself, his gaze never left Mo Yan. Seeing her intently studying the pastries, he frowned, thinking she must be hungry. He turned to Yan Junyu and asked in a low voice, “How long until we start?”

Yan Junyu, however, thought that Xiao Ruiyuan was the one who was hungry. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed his gaze was fixed on Mo Yan. Realizing the situation, he smirked and said, “If you’re concerned, why not have your little eunuch pass along a word? Those pastries are meant for eating, after all.”

Yan Junyu’s voice wasn’t particularly low, and at least the nearby tables heard it. The person speaking wasn’t just anyone—it was the sixteenth prince.

The sixteenth prince, not expecting his father to hear, was a little embarrassed. He explained, “General Xiao must be hungry but isn’t eating the savory pastries. I thought he might not like the salty ones, so I took it upon myself to send him this plate of sweet pastries.”

At these words, everyone’s gaze shifted to the plate of sweet pastries that had been sent to Xiao Ruiyuan, and many people’s faces revealed expressions of understanding, as if they had just uncovered some important news.

So it turned out that this iron-blooded general had such peculiar tastes!

[End of Chapter]  

 Chapter 803: The New Year's Feast (1)

At a quarter past the hour of You, an inconspicuous carriage stopped at the palace gate. At this time, several carriages had already gathered there, and more continued to arrive, each with ministers dressed in official attire, accompanied by their wives disembarking.

Of course, all these ladies carried imperial titles; without them, no matter how high their husband's rank, they wouldn't be allowed to enter the palace. As for the ministers' children, unless granted special permission, they had no right to attend the New Year’s feast.

Thus, when the young and unfamiliar Mo Yan appeared, many ministers and their wives, who hadn’t yet entered the palace, were quite surprised and speculated about her identity. However, being well-mannered, no one stared at Mo Yan outright, though they were curious.

A few ministers had seen Mo Yan during the court hearings. Although she held no real power, her title still warranted respect, and they approached her with their wives to pay their respects. “This humble official (and wife) greets Lady Hejia, the county princess!”

Mo Yan didn’t recognize them, but upon seeing their official robes adorned with the cloud-and-swallow pattern of a fourth-rank official, she courteously returned half a bow. “There is no need for such formalities, my lord and lady!”

There was no other county princess in the entire Da Chu. Even though people knew Mo Yan’s humble origins, no one dared to look down on her. After all, she had caught the eye of the crown prince and had been personally bestowed the title of county princess by the emperor himself.

Everyone quickly realized her identity, and no one dared to act carelessly. They all approached to offer their greetings.

Mo Yan smiled and returned their courtesies with grace, neither acting arrogantly due to her title nor feeling self-conscious. She held herself with dignified poise, making no mistake in her manners. Those who had hoped to see her falter were secretly taken aback.

She had practiced these rituals in advance because, if she made a mistake, it would be she who would be ridiculed. Others would not excuse her for coming from a farming family without knowing proper etiquette.

After the ministers and their wives departed, Mo Yan let out a quiet sigh of relief and turned to Li Zhong, the coachman who had brought her to the palace. “Grandfather Li, the palace banquet won’t end until the hour of Zi, which will take quite some time. If you find it boring, you can take the jujubes and stroll around the streets for a bit!”

The palace banquet began at the hour of Xu and wouldn’t end until the hour of Zi, meaning there was still at least three hours to wait. Mo Yan had forgotten that tonight was New Year’s Eve, and every household would be staying up to celebrate. The streets were extremely quiet, offering nothing to explore.

Li Zhong didn’t point that out and instead gestured to the coachmen who were gathered in small groups chatting nearby. He smiled and said, “You’re not the only one here, Grandfather Li. Go talk with them, and the time will pass quickly. You can leave with peace of mind!”

Mo Yan saw this and quickly reached into the carriage to pull out a bulging bundle. “Grandfather Li, in case you get bored, I’ve prepared some snacks for you. You can share some with them later; there’s plenty!”

“Ah, you’re so thoughtful, Yan girl. With this, I won’t feel bored at all!” Li Zhong joyfully accepted the bundle. Even before opening it, the scent of roasted pine nuts, mixed with peanuts, melon seeds, and ginkgo nuts, wafted through the air.

Mo Yan smiled and reminded him to keep warm and avoid the wind, then turned and entered the palace gates. Just as she did, a young eunuch approached to lead the way, and Xiao Ruiyuan and Yan Junyu entered.

Yan Junyu, with his sharp features, spotted Mo Yan ahead of them and nudged Xiao Ruiyuan with his elbow, raising his eyebrows as he said, “I didn’t expect to run into that girl here. We should go greet her.”

With that, he strode forward confidently and casually greeted Mo Yan, “Little girl, the New Year’s gift you sent the other day was greatly appreciated by the old man. Next time, send more so he doesn’t keep bringing it up in my ear. It’s driving me crazy!”

Yan Junyu’s tone was very natural, and his casual, carefree mannerisms led no one to suspect anything between the two. After all, that was his usual demeanor, and he was well-acquainted with the crown prince. It was not unusual for them to exchange New Year’s gifts, especially considering that their gifts had even caught the attention of the Marquis of Wu'an.

[End of Chapter]    

 Chapter 1630: The Plan is Going Smoothly

The next day, the two constables, Jiang and his partner, went to the county government again, but they still didn't see Magistrate Peng.

Jiang was so angry this time that he almost cursed someone and even impulsively thought of going to the Qian family to arrest people himself.

Once again, they were forcefully "invited" to leave, and Jiang cursed under his breath before turning to leave. "Let's go back to the county town."

With a stern face, he walked towards the inn where they were staying—the horses were still there.

As they reached the inn's entrance, they suddenly heard someone say, "I heard that our Qian family in Donggu County will soon be able to produce sunflower oil for the palace."

Jiang's steps halted, and he turned around to look at the person who spoke.

What did he just say?

He hurriedly stopped the person who was about to walk inside and asked, "The Qian family you mentioned just now, which Qian family is it?"

"Of course, it's the Qian Fangli in the western part of the city."

Qian Fangli? Wasn't that the Master Qian they were supposed to bring back this time?

Jiang squinted his eyes, they really had the audacity to do this in the name of the palace.

Do they think they can act recklessly because they have Magistrate Peng backing them?

Already full of anger, Jiang's emotions surged suddenly, and a fierce look appeared in his eyes.

He turned to the other constable and said, "You go and take the horse to the city gate, I'll wander around nearby, and we'll meet at the city gate later."

"Okay."

Jiang entered the inn and found the two people who spoke earlier, asking them where they heard the news.

Then he went to the small stall they mentioned and indeed heard the same thing.

After visiting a few more places, although the rumor wasn't widespread, it was true that the Qian Fangli family would soon produce sunflower oil for the palace.

Jiang sneered, the Qian family really had no regard for their own safety to dare spread such words.

He quickly returned to the city gate, pulled on the reins, mounted the horse, and immediately returned to Jiangyuan County with the other constable.

Ying Dong and Dazhuang came out from a corner, smiling. "It's done, let's go back too."

When they returned to Jiangyuan County, it was already late. They immediately reported everything that happened in Donggu County to Shu Yu in detail.

Listening quietly, Shu Yu nodded and said, "Since Constable Jiang and the others didn't come back yesterday, I knew things were almost settled."

If Magistrate Peng had obediently handed over Master Qian, Shu Yu would have been somewhat troubled.

Now, Constable Jiang's grudge, which was originally just a routine job without personal feelings, would be exaggerated when reporting the events in Donggu County.

Magistrate Xie is not one to take on matters he can avoid, and given the rumors circulating in the palace, he would definitely report it.

As expected, early the next morning, as soon as Shu Yu got up, Ying Xi hurried over, saying that Magistrate Xie was waiting at the door and had urgent matters to discuss.

Shu Yu raised an eyebrow. Magistrate Xie was already so anxious that he didn't even bother to send someone to invite her in. Instead, he waited directly at the door?

Shu Yu quickly got ready, took two steamed buns, eating them on the way, and rinsed her mouth with the water pouch Ying Xi handed over when she arrived at the door.

Magistrate Xie was inside the carriage, and he invited Shu Yu to get on. He then recounted the events that happened in Donggu County.

Shu Yu was shocked, "Is Master Qian out of his mind? How dare he use such rebellious words to gain momentum for himself? Truly... ignorant and fearless."