Chapter 140 Treat my chest first

Chen Mo mainly instructed Ye Wanqiu on some matters and then gave her some silver taels.

Chen Mo wrapped his arms around Ye Wanqiu’s waist, his gaze fixed on the beaded curtain, constantly on alert in case someone entered. Then, he gently threaded his fingers through her hair, stroking it lightly before burying his face in her locks, whispering softly:

"Wanqiu, while I’m away from the Imperial Palace, you should stay in Jingru Palace and not go out. It’s not safe outside."

Feeling Chen Mo’s concern, Ye Wanqiu’s face lit up with a happy smile, and she replied, "Don’t worry, I haven’t left the palace in quite a while, and I certainly won’t go out now. But you..."

Ye Wanqiu grasped Chen Mo’s hand on her abdomen, holding it tenderly before continuing, "Wars always cost blood; you must be extra careful. Don’t charge ahead recklessly. Stay back and watch out for hidden attacks..."

Ye Wanqiu talked on and on, summarizing in a word that Chen Mo should stay safe and cautious.

"The task of suppressing the Rebel Army doesn’t need you alone."

"I’m still waiting to marry you, so I’m not going to die in Nanyang." Chen Mo teased.

Ye Wanqiu playfully retorted, "I... I’m not going to marry you."

"Too late now; you’re already mine."

Chen Mo pinched Ye Wanqiu’s delicate nose.

Ye Wanqiu blushed deeply and pinched Chen Mo’s waist.

Chen Mo leaned in to kiss her but was gently pushed away by Ye Wanqiu, who then said, "Wait, I have something for you."

With that, Ye Wanqiu rose and searched under her pillow, retrieving a Peace Talisman she’d made overnight, which she handed to Chen Mo.

The Peace Talisman had "Chen Mo" stitched in Great Song characters by Ye Wanqiu herself. She then willingly sat back into Chen Mo’s arms, her lips slightly parted:

"This is a Peace Talisman I sewed for you with Cyan Horizon thread. It’s a pity there wasn’t time to have it blessed by a master, but I hope... it will keep you safe."

Cyan Horizon thread originates from a place called Cyan Horizon, symbolizing safety.

"It certainly will. I will carry it with me." Chen Mo said.

Ye Wanqiu’s cheeks blushed with a light hue, her eyes slowly squinting, her lashes trembling as she leaned towards Chen Mo.

This gesture...

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow, clearly understanding the signal.

He gently lowered his head and enveloped her lips.

Their lips met, cool and soft, with a hint of sweetness.

Before Chen Mo could deepen the kiss, he felt as though the other was prying his teeth apart.

Surprised, Chen Mo then smiled with his eyes, passively savoring her lips.

Gradually, Chen Mo was stirred by Ye Wanqiu’s teasing.

Chen Mo caressed Ye Wanqiu’s hair and whispered near her ear, "Wanqiu, I want to teach you how to play an instrument."

"What is it?"

"It’s..."

...

...

As he left Jingru Palace, Chen Mo unconsciously adjusted his trousers, then headed toward Fengyang Pavilion.

In Zhao Fujin’s bedchamber, Zhao Jiang Ning had arrived early, wearing a loose dress, chatting with Zhao Fujin who was meditating.

Of course, Zhao Jiang Ning was doing most of the talking while Zhao Fujin listened.

"Fujin, I’ve heard that there’s a rebellion in Nanyang, that there’ll be war again."

"Huangfu Hao is the chief commander; he’s a Second-Grade Martial Artist and has had years of military experience, so I believe he can quickly quell the rebellion."

"What surprised me is that he, too, is going, as a Deputy General no less."

"And to tell you, ever since Chen Hong treated me a few times, I’ve felt much more comfortable overall."

"It’s the fifth quarter of the hour; why hasn’t Chen Hong arrived yet?"

"..."

After a long pause, Zhao Fujin sighed deeply, ceased her meditation, and selectively responded to some of what Zhao Jiang Ning had said.

The sisters chatted idly for a few more minutes before a sound was heard outside the bedchamber.

Ling’Er came in to report that Chen Hong had arrived.

"Let him in." Zhao Fujin went to the dressing table, made a few quick adjustments, and then spoke to Ling’Er.

Soon enough...

The beaded curtain swayed as Chen Mo entered.

Due to spending a little extra time at Jingru Palace, Chen Mo quickly performed a simple courtesy before diving straight to the point, "Prince De Ning, shall we begin?"

"In such a hurry?" Zhao Fujin interjected.

"I must lead the troops to Nanyang by noon. Time waits for no one." Chen Mo explained.

Shocked, Zhao Fujin asked, "When did this happen? Why must you go too?"

"I volunteered and requested the Empress personally." Chen Mo replied.

"Does that mean you won’t be able to come by and treat me for quite some time?"

Zhao Jiang Ning’s expression changed as she spoke.

"My apologies, Prince De Ning." Chen Mo said apologetically.

"Are you insane?" Zhao Fujin snapped, then continued, "Do you have any idea how dangerous Nanyang is? Why are you going?

Mother didn’t let me go, but she’s allowing you. I’m going to find her and have her stop this."

"It’s too late; I’m likely already on the roster. If I don’t go, I’ll be treated as a deserter. Prince, you should know the severe consequences of being a deserter." Chen Mo spoke calmly.

Zhao Fujin frowned, concern shadowing her face, "Why do you have to go to Nanyang?"

"To build a career." Chen Mo replied.

Zhao Fujin: "..."

"Well, Prince, there’s no turning back once the bowstring is drawn. Let’s treat Prince De Ning first."

Chen Mo handed the gourd he was holding to Zhao Jiang Ning.

Zhao Jiang Ning received the gourd. She didn’t drink immediately but hesitated, lips slightly apart as if to speak.

"What’s the matter?" Chen Mo asked.

"N-... nothing."

Zhao Jiang Ning opened the gourd and slowly drank a few sips.

Then Chen Mo asked her to get on the bed in preparation to massage her legs.

As Zhao Jiang Ning lay down, her expression became conflicted.

Upon hearing about Chen Mo’s mission to Nanyang, Zhao Fujin’s previously cheerful mood turned chaotic. After contemplating briefly, she said, "Better a deserter than dead; I will ask Father to pardon your punishment."

"Yes." Zhao Jiang Ning, lying on the bed, hastily added.

"My mind is made up."

"You... you stubborn fool." Zhao Fujin, in frustration, stomped her foot, said she wouldn’t speak to him, and left the bedchamber.

With conflicted feelings, Zhao Jiang Ning’s gaze dimmed. She hesitated, then asked, "Do you... really have to go?"

"Yes." Chen Mo nodded before saying, "Prince De Ning, I shall start."

Having said that, he reached for Zhao Jiang Ning’s leg.

"W-wait."

Zhao Jiang Ning suddenly stopped Chen Mo, her face flushed.

"What is it?"

Zhao Jiang Ning turned around, back to Chen Mo, and seemingly used all her strength to say with a voice almost too quiet to hear, "You... you treat... treat my heart first?"

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"What?"

"Treat... my heart first."

Saying it again, Zhao Jiang Ning’s face flushed crimson as she raised her hands to cover her face.