Chapter 214 - 213 Treacherous Chen Hong

Listening to Yi Yao’s words, Zhihua was lost in thought for a while, and finally looked out the window and said, "Yaoyao, when you’re ready to talk to your mother, let me know in advance so I can also prepare."

Yi Yao hugged Zhihua’s arm and nodded with a smile, "I knew mother treats me the best."

Zhihua petted Yi Yao’s head, but in her heart, she was saying, "Yaoyao, don’t blame me, I’m doing this for your own good."

...

Jingru Palace.

Ye Wanqiu stood by the window, gazing at the sky that had already darkened, her mind occupied with unknown thoughts.

She had also received news from Nanyang.

There were rumors circulating that Gao Fen’s death in battle was related to Chen Hong.

It was because Chen Hong did not promptly join forces with Gao Fen or provide timely support, leading to Gao Fen’s death.

This made Ye Wanqiu deeply worried.

After all, Gao Fen’s father, Gao Qiu, had a great influence in the Imperial Court, and he was aligned with Prime Minister Cai Si. If they believed this, it would definitely be detrimental to Chen Hong.

Yet, Ye Wanqiu couldn’t do anything to help him.

"Wanqiu, hurry over, Qing Shuang is tired, and we’re short one person. Come join us," Consort Yu’s voice echoed in Ye Wanqiu’s ears.

"Coming," Ye Wanqiu replied.

In recent days, Consort Yu would come every day to play cards with Ye Wanqiu. Sometimes they played late into the night, and Consort Yu would stay over in Ye Wanqiu’s chamber, sharing the same bed.

Because of this, their relationship gradually warmed, and the barriers between them slowly diminished.

Though they hadn’t reached the closeness of sisters, they could now share their thoughts and feelings.

Ye Wanqiu stretched her hand out the window, looking at the full moon in the sky, her expressive eyes seemingly seeing Chen Mo.

"Are you thinking of me?"

...

...

In the backyard of the Luo Mansion in Celestial River City.

"My lord, I can’t go on anymore, it’s Miaozhen’s turn," Luo Zhen said, clutching Chen Mo’s neck, her long nails leaving marks on his back.

She felt as if she had been to heaven and also seen hell.

At the moment, she was drenched in fragrant sweat, feeling completely drained, only wanting to sleep. Even uttering these few words seemed to take a great effort.

Hearing this, Xu Miaozhen, lying on the bedside, blushed.

Her gaze met Chen Mo’s eyes, and Xu Miaozhen quickly averted her eyes.

Chen Mo loosened his grip on Luo Zhen and took Xu Miaozhen’s small hand, pulling her into his embrace.

"Are you still afraid of me?" Chen Mo asked, grasping Xu Miaozhen’s chin to face him directly.

Xu Miaozhen was too nervous to speak.

Chen Mo touched her lips; compared to Luo Zhen, Xu Miaozhen’s lips were fuller, no, not thick, but lush, her lips vividly red, clearly painted with some rouge, looking like a little woman who had suffered much grievance, her eyes glistening with a watery sheen.

A rather plain ruqun accentuated her narrow shoulders and rounded hips.

Chen Mo could hardly restrain himself and bent down to savor the beauty’s lips.

The candlelight also extinguished at that moment.

In the windless and fireless courtyard, it was utterly silent, seemingly devoid of any sound, yet faint murmurs seemed to whisper from the shadows.

...

...

An official pulled from another county was assigned to Celestial River City.

To be the County Magistrate of Celestial River City.

But soon he discovered that all the grassroots officials in Celestial River City were affiliated with Chen Hong.

The County Magistrate’s name was Wang Ya, and he had great ambitions. After arriving in Celestial River City, he wanted to exercise his skills, but now, what skills could he exercise?

All grassroots officials were under Chen Hong’s control.

Meaning whatever he wanted to do, he couldn’t bypass Chen Hong.

He even thought, if Chen Hong was dissatisfied with his initiatives, he couldn’t mobilize anyone.

In short, his power was completely undermined.

He was a County Magistrate in name only.

Having no alternative, he resorted to engaging with the citizens.

But even the people of Celestial River City supported Chen Hong.

"He’s won over both the army and the people, reaching so far, isn’t he afraid of overreaching?"

Wang Ya’s expression fluctuated.

...

In the backyard of the Luo Mansion.

Chen Mo lay on Luo Zhen’s lap, enjoying her massage, while holding Xu Miaozhen’s hands, gently playing with them.

Honestly, Xu Miaozhen’s hands were not as beautiful as Luo Zhen’s, and they even had calluses, but this didn’t affect Chen Mo’s fondness for her in the slightest.

"Come here, sweetheart, give me a kiss."

On a hot day, with no battles looming, Chen Mo, steeped in tenderness, suddenly felt an urge for midday intimacy. He immediately pulled Xu Miaozhen towards him with a firm grasp on her hand.

Xu Miaozhen instantly fell onto Chen Mo.

Her face reddened in a deep blush.

Chen Mo kissed her lips and was about to peel away the metaphorical shell when...

Xiao Cui approached, saying, "My lord, Lord Wang has arrived."

"Wang Ya?" Chen Mo frowned.

Xiao Cui nodded.

"You two leave first," Chen Mo instructed Luo Zhen and Xu Miaozhen.

After they left, Chen Mo said to Xiao Cui, "Bring him over."

"Yes."

...

Soon, a rather scholarly, frail young man appeared before Chen Mo.

"Oh, Lord Wang, what wind brings you here?" Chen Mo lay in a wicker chair made by a carpenter, looking at Wang Ya without any intention of standing up.

Wang Ya slightly frowned, then smiled, "General Chen, I have heard of the General’s renowned reputation even when I was in Nan County. Now that I’m in Celestial River City and learned the General is also here, it’s only fitting to come and pay my respects and witness the General’s magnificence."

"Not at all, Lord Wang, you’re too kind." Chen Mo finally stood up and instructed Xiao Cui, "Offer him a seat."

"Thank you, General Chen," Wang Ya said, bowing to Chen Mo.

The two chatted for a while.

Seeing Wang Ya constantly beating around the bush, Chen Mo furrowed his brows.

He’s no man of the bureaucratic world, he can’t handle this.

He straightforwardly asked about his purpose.

Then Wang Ya brought up the matter of official appointments.

"Oh, so that’s what you mean, Lord Wang." Chen Mo appeared to have a sudden realization, then instead promoted Fu Bi, saying, "Lord Wang, you might not know, but Fu Bi is a pillar of talent. It’s thanks to him that Celestial River City stabilized so quickly. With him as your assistant, Lord Wang, you’ll definitely achieve twice the results with half the effort."

Wang Ya frowned, thinking, ’Is this what I’m talking about?’ He then said, "General Chen, that’s not what I mean. The appointment of local officials is made by the Imperial Court, and Fu Bi’s position as County Magistrate is somewhat irregular."

Wang Ya was one of Cai Si’s men.

In reality, everyone stationed in Nanyang was the result of several factions within the Imperial Court "competing." Otherwise, someone without connections couldn’t have come to Nanyang as an official.

Chen Mo also frowned, realizing this guy intended to challenge him.

Doesn’t he know that my words imply it’s better to turn a blind eye?

Chen Mo smiled, "Lord Wang, rest assured, I have already submitted a memorial to the Imperial Court. An official document should arrive shortly."