Chapter 85 He should hit the road now.

Upon hearing this, Ye Wanqiu slightly furrowed her brow and said, "Qing Shuang, we can’t speak like this anymore. He helped us out twice and even dared to offend Consort Yu. Without him, Fanqiu wouldn’t have survived until now."

Ye Wanqiu looked at Fanqiu, who had just woken up and started eating, and spoke with inexplicable emotions.

Fanqiu seemed to understand Ye Wanqiu’s words, raised its eyes, meowed, and attempted to roll over, but being too plump, it couldn’t turn.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed, Fanqiu meowed again, bit its food bowl, and disappeared from Ye Wanqiu and Qing Shuang’s sight.

"Pfft..." Qing Shuang couldn’t hold it in, letting out a laugh. Then remembering Ye Wanqiu was talking to her, she managed to suppress her chuckle, nodded, and consented.

Ye Wanqiu gave Qing Shuang a stern look and then said, "Don’t just stand there, come over and help me choose. We don’t want the strong-smelling ones, but those that can make people feel relaxed and even help martial artists meditate..."

"Yes..." Qing Shuang was briefly stunned and nodded.

To achieve Ye Wanqiu’s request,

a single kind of incense wouldn’t suffice.

It requires a mixture of several to achieve the desired effect.

It seems it will be a long night before they can sleep.

...

When Chen Mo returned to Weiyang Palace,

it was already very late.

He intended to retrieve the Jade Bamboo Liquid for cultivation when Cai’Er suddenly stopped him, saying the lady had something for him.

Chen Mo was startled.

Xiao Yunxi was still awake.

Chen Mo nodded and walked toward the bedchamber.

As he approached the chamber, Chen Mo could hear pleasing melodies emanating from within.

Chen Mo was not well-versed in musical instruments,

so he couldn’t figure out what was producing the sound.

However, it definitely wasn’t a guzheng, pipa, or erhu.

As these instruments were too distinct to be mistaken.

With a bit of curiosity, Chen Mo entered the inner hall.

The inner hall was filled with sandalwood incense, and Xiao Yunxi, wearing a light red dress, stood by the window, playing a bamboo flute.

Chen Mo hadn’t expected her to possess such artistic talent.

Perhaps sensing his arrival, Xiao Yunxi turned around.

The neckline of her red dress was quite low, but even so, Xiao Yunxi protected herself well, with her generous curves wrapped in a bodice.

Her face was like warm jade, her brows graceful as willow, and her majestic phoenix eyes bore a gentle, autumn water-like glow. Her skin was like snow, and her black hair was styled in a high beautiful bun.

Xiao Yunxi put down the flute, her vivid red lips slightly curled under the candlelight—what a stunning woman.

"You’re here." Xiao Yunxi beckoned, and Cai’Er stepped back and left.

Chen Mo was taken aback.

Why does the atmosphere feel a bit odd?

He nodded and then bowed in greeting, "Does the lady have a task for me?"

"Oh..." Xiao Yunxi raised an eyebrow and then said, "The Ministry of Internal Affairs recently brought in some fruit, and Weiyang Palace received some. I thought you might not have tried it, so I asked Cai’Er to call you to have a taste."

Saying this, Xiao Yunxi pointed to a fruit basket on the long table.

Inside were strawberries, each the size of a duck egg, piled into a small mountain.

Bright red and enticing to taste.

They were clearly carefully selected.

Chen Mo paused, possibly remembering the simulated shared intimacy or perhaps from these days of interaction, understanding what kind of woman Xiao Yunxi was.

Chen Mo wasn’t as reserved as before, nodding, he took a strawberry from the fruit basket and bit into its tip.

"How is it?" Xiao Yunxi eagerly asked.

"Not bad, my favorite fruit is strawberries, sweet and sour." Chen Mo replied.

"If you like them, then eat more." Xiao Yunxi kneeled down in front of the long table and said.

"Thank you, My Lady."

With Xiao Yunxi kneeling, Chen Mo didn’t dare to remain standing and kneeled down as well, looking at Xiao Yunxi’s delicately white jade-like face, he said, "My Lady, forgive my impertinence."

"Why?"

"I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but I feel like you’ve become much younger, like a sixteen-year-old girl, beautiful and enchanting." Chen Mo complimented.

Similar words had been said by Cai’Er before, but for Xiao Yunxi, they weren’t as pleasing as coming from Chen Mo, bringing a faint blush to her face, she smiled and said, "You do know how to flatter."

"My Lady, I’m only speaking the truth." Chen Mo exaggerated further.

Women beautify themselves for admirers, especially with Chen Mo’s words, Xiao Yunxi’s smile grew with satisfaction, she said, "Thanks to your Jade Bamboo Liquid, I’ve regained my youth."

The reason Xiao Yunxi played the flute,

was because after washing up at night, she applied some Jade Bamboo Liquid to her face, and feeling a significant difference, her mood brightened considerably, thus she felt like playing a tune.

Specifically playing it for Chen Mo...

Though he was unaware of this.

"What do you mean, My Lady? You’ve always been youthful, like a young girl." Chen Mo easily complimented.

Xiao Yunxi laughed heartily, "You deserve a reward!"

Then, she picked up a strawberry from the basket, intending to feed it directly to Chen Mo.

Just then, Chen Mo’s ears perked up, as if he sensed something, and he called out to the outside, "Who is it?"

With the Ancient Heavy Pupils, Chen Mo’s other senses were also enhanced considerably.

He stood up and walked towards outside.

Xiao Yunxi retracted her hand, got up with a serious expression, and walked out as well.

"What’s wrong?" Cai’Er had heard the shout from inside and quickly inquired as Chen Mo walked out.

Knowing it wasn’t Cai’Er, Chen Mo asked, "Did someone come by just now?"

Cai’Er shook her head, "I’ve been waiting outside the hall and didn’t see anyone."

"Really?" Chen Mo’s eyes glanced towards a dark spot, and activating the Ancient Heavy Pupils, the darkness turned as bright as day, and he saw a shadow flicker past.

That direction was where Wang Ying resided.

"What’s happened?" Xiao Yunxi also came out.

"Reporting to My Lady, I seemed to sense someone peeping outside earlier, so I came out to check. I saw a shadow flicking away in that direction." Chen Mo, of course, didn’t directly accuse Wang Ying but thought he’d drop some hints.

Xiao Yunxi furrowed her brows, "Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?"

"Reporting to My Lady, I guarantee there was no mistake. I really did sense someone suspicious earlier. I learned the Harmonize with the Light and Dust method at Shenxiao Temple, and My Lady should know this Heart Method improves sensory perception." Chen Mo explained slowly.

Hearing this, Xiao Yunxi said, "Recently, the palace has been a bit unsettling. Some time ago, there was even a Nan Zhou remnant incident, whatever it was this time. It seems we need to bolster security. You may leave for now."

"Yes." Chen Mo’s eyes narrowed, realizing Xiao Yunxi didn’t suspect Wang Ying, or perhaps she was unwilling to, given Wang Ying had served her diligently for over ten years.

However, a streak of murderous intent flashed in Chen Mo’s eyes.

It’s time for him to act.