How could Chen Mo not understand, right now Yunxi was expressing to him, come quickly to coax me, come quickly to coax me.
"Yunxi, you donāt know how much Iāve missed you, how could I ever forget you? After I dealt with the matters at hand, didnāt I come to find you at the first possible moment? Besides, after I entered the Capital City, there were countless pairs of eyes watching me, and shaking them off was not easy..."
While saying that, Chen Mo hugged her again.
Although Xiao Yunxi was still avoiding him, her evasive moves were not as swift as before, and Chen Mo managed to hold her tightly in his arms.
At thirty, like wolves; at forty, like tigers.
Xiao Yunxi, already having little resistance to Chen Mo, felt her body go completely weak as he embraced her after days of separation. Instantly, she leaned into his embrace, but her words were still hardened:
"I knew my age withers my beauty, and you would despise me, wishing to be far away from me."
"How could I?" Chen Mo lowered his head and kissed Xiao Yunxiās forehead, his large hand skillfully stroking her perky backside: "Yunxi, do you know how much Iāve missed you these days?"
Chen Mo looked at her tenderly, gazing into Xiao Yunxiās beautiful eyes filled with spring waters, softly saying, "Yunxi, youāre truly beautiful."
...
Chen Moās techniques were superb, and Xiao Yunxi was like a little lamb before him, quickly falling into his embrace, playfully saying, "Smooth talker."
Chen Mo knew she was no longer angry.
Xiao QingāEr, witnessing the scene, also realized that the Empress Dowager, who was sulking just moments ago, had already fallen into this manās arms.
Not wanting that embarrassing event from that night to happen,
Xiao QingāEr bowed slightly: "Your... Your Majesty, I... Iāll take my leave now."
"QingāEr, wait." Xiao Yunxi called out to her, then said to Chen Mo: "QingāEr has been drinking tea made with Zither Heart Grass for you these days, you should care for her a bit more."
Xiao QingāErās eyes widened immediately.
They promised not to tell a fourth person!
"Zither Heart Grass..." Chen Mo murmured, recalling that in the Great Song Plants, this herb was recorded, and its effects...
Chen Moās gaze involuntarily swept over Xiao QingāErās body, softly saying: "Doesnāt seem to have changed..."
Xiao Yunxi whispered in his ear about the reason.
"This is easy, no need to find CaiāEr, I can help you," Chen Mo said, looking eager to assist.
Xiao QingāEr, flustered, hurriedly retreated, trembling as she said, "No... No need."
Chen Mo, hugging Xiao Yunxiās waist, walked towards Xiao QingāEr, saying, "No need to be polite, itās just a small help."
After speaking, he hugged Xiao QingāEr with the other hand.
Embracing both, the feeling was indescribable.
"Y-you let me go..."
Xiao QingāEr was still a bit stiff, the manās heated breath on her, making her heart panic.
"Iāll let you go in a moment."
Chen Mo embraced the two women into the bedchamber.
Xiao QingāEr verbally said to let her go, but soon she was dizzied into whatever Chen Mo was doing.
The drapes fell low, and the soft couch began to sway, accompanied by creaking sounds, lasting for about half an hour before it quieted down.
...
Under the same night sky, at the Xiao Family.
"Chen Mo spent almost the entire day at the mansion, meeting some guests and such..." Li Yang reported all observed at the Chen Mansion to Xiao Yunqi.
The identities of those guests were also mentioned.
They were all insignificant officials, originally the few people Chen Mo brought to the Capital City, nothing unusual.
Xiao Yunqi squinted slightly: "He didnāt notice anything about you, did he?"
Li Yang shook her head, saying: "My skills, Master, do you still not trust them..."
"Iām not questioning your skills, but after you sneaked into the Chen Mansion, whether the surrounding environment turned any odd, making him suspicious," Xiao Yunqi said.
Li Yang shook her head again: "I found a suitable spot inside, didnāt move again, and used the Turtle Breathing Skill to conceal my breathing."
After hearing this, Xiao Yunqi nodded: "Thus, it seems he really is here to ask for grain.
You donāt need to watch him anymore."
"Understood."
"How is the preparation of food going?" Xiao Yunqi summoned the steward to inquire.
"Reporting Master, it was prepared long ago, just waiting for your approval to deliver it to his camp at the first moment," said the steward.
"Then send it over by tomorrow morning."
"Understood."
...
...
The next morning, winter sunlight spread over the window.
The brass furnace in the inner hall had extinguished, and the room felt a bit chilly.
Yet Chen Mo did not feel cold, lying in the center of the bed, wrapped well in the quilt, under the dim light, Yunxi and QingāEr each held one of his arms, still fast asleep.
Chen Mo had also indulged in last nightās warmth, accidentally staying overnight in the Weiyang Palace.
Giving each of the womenās faces a kiss, Chen Mo was ready to slip away.
However, this slight motion still woke the two women, Xiao Yunxiās eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes: "Are you... leaving?"
Chen Mo leaned down for another kiss on her sweet lips, saying: "Too many eyes are on me, if others discover Iām not in the mansion, it will cause trouble."
Xiao Yunxi knew that once Chen Mo left, it would likely be a long time before they could meet again, saying: "Oh, I forgot to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Iāve disagreed with father about ceding land for peace, even threatened not to recognize him, yet father is still persistent. If he truly goes that far, I... I hope you can... stop him..." This was something she had pondered over before deciding.
Chen Mo gazed at her deeply, then nodded.
Xiao Yunxi continued: "After all, he is my father, should it come to that, I hope he survives."
"Silly girl." Chen Mo lightly tapped Xiao Yunxiās nose, saying: "How could I harm my father-in-law?"
Xiao Yunxi gave him a glance.
"Alright, Iām leaving now," Chen Mo said.
"Wait a moment." Xiao Yunxi stopped him again.
Chen Mo turned back.
With a charming look, Xiao Yunxi said: "I... Iām still not satisfied."
"..."
"You little demon, watch how Iāll handle you."
"Hehe... come on..."
"..."
...
At the Xiao Mansion.
"Master, the Wu Family sent a banquet invitation, inviting you to gather at the Witch Mansion tonight, to discuss matters concerning Chen Mo and Miss XināEr, Your Majesty will also be present then." The Xiao Mansion steward held the invitation sent by the Wu Family, approaching Xiao Yunqi.
Xiao Yunqi was accompanying his wife in breakfast, without taking the invitation, said: "Seems they realized we have already delivered grain to Chen Mo, planning to use this opportunity to settle the matter before Chen Mo leaves, for which they even brought in Your Majesty."
The steward stood quietly listening on the side.
"Chen Mo has refused several times, yet this old fellow persistently refuses to give up." Xiao Yunqi stood up and took the invitation from the stewardās hand, saying: "Fine, if we continue to decline, this old fellow might seriously get mad, letās discuss this tonight."
The steward nodded, then said: "Master, should we prepare something, in case the Wu Family causes trouble."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunqi laughed: "With the Wu Familyās power in the Capital City, this old fellow wouldnāt dare, and he doesnāt have any army, no need to worry much."
Of course, saying that, Xiao Yunqi still prepared to bring some people just in case.
...
As the sky gradually darkened.
Chen Mo dressed neatly, adorned with gold and jade, in the demeanor of a graceful young gentleman, accompanied by Li Weiqiu and Zhang Lie, heading towards the Witch Mansion.
Although the banquet primarily invited Chen Mo and Xiao Yunqi,
Wu Lu also invited quite a number of officials, seemingly wanting them to witness something.
The host personally stood outside the mansion to welcome the guests.
"Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works Lord Li has arrived."
"Lord of the Ministry of Justice Lord Wang..."
Wu Lu stood at the doorway with hands clasped in respect: "Brother Li, Brother Wang, please, come in, please!"
"Your Majesty arrives." At this moment, a rather sharp voice reached everyoneās ears.
The guests turned to look in the direction of the voice, spotting on the street not far away, a Dragon Chariot slowly making its way over.