The Imperial Physician arrived quickly, but strangely, found no signs of illness on Chen Mo.

Still, since he’d been invited by An Yang Gong, the Imperial Physician prescribed some medicines for Chen Mo, all of which were for health maintenance and conditioning.

After lunch, Chen Mo left the Xiao Mansion. As he was leaving, a maid accidentally bumped into him, leaving him with a small note in his hand.

Once he was out of the sight of the Xiao Mansion, Chen Mo opened the note to take a look.

It was in Xiao Yunxi’s handwriting.

Just seven words: "I’m sorry, be careful."

Chen Mo understood the meaning behind these seven words.

He didn’t blame her in his heart.

Returning to his own mansion, he tidied up a bit, took some small gifts, and headed to the Qi Mansion.

Since Quan Qiyang wanted to follow Chen Mo’s lead, he needed to complete his work at the Imperial City Department first. He had invited Chen Mo to a dinner party via invitation, but he hadn’t expected Chen Mo would come in the afternoon, so he was still busy at the Imperial City Department and not at the Qi Mansion.

Being informed that Quan Qiyang wasn’t there, Chen Mo did not leave, saying he would wait inside the mansion.

The people at the mansion, knowing it was Chen Mo, dared not drive him away. They quickly split into two groups: one went to the Imperial City Department to inform Quan Qiyang, and the other returned to the rear courtyard to inform the master’s cousin.

Indeed, Consort Yu’s current identity in the Qi Mansion was that of Quan Qiyang’s cousin.

...

Qi Mansion rear garden.

Consort Yu was discontent; ever since she was brought out of the Imperial Palace by her brother after that military coup, she had returned to her playful nature from years ago, living a leisurely and carefree life every day.

Until yesterday, when she went to the market with her maid to buy some rouge and unexpectedly met Consort Jing on the street, discovering that she was now a lady of the Chen Mansion, everything changed.

Her identity was at constant risk of being exposed.

Furthermore, after confirming that Chen Mo was indeed Chen Hong, Consort Yu felt even more uneasy.

After all, that night she was kissed and held by him and even warned.

She feared Chen Mo might use this incident to threaten her.

On the other side, her brother also invited him to the mansion as a guest tonight.

Thus, she certainly had to attend.

Thinking of seeing Chen Mo at night, Consort Yu felt a wave of nervousness.

After all, the current Chen Mo was not the little eunuch in the palace back then.

Even the Empress had become his concubine; one can only imagine his current status.

Just then, her personal maid hurried over and said, "Miss, General Chen Mo is here."

The maid, her face flushed, did not have many thoughts like Consort Yu, nor did she know Consort Yu’s true identity. Having just seen Chen Mo’s handsome face, the maid was smitten, her heart pounding like a deer.

"What?" Consort Yu’s face changed. She quickly said, "Cousin isn’t home now; tell him to come back in the evening."

The maid said, "General Chen Mo said he would wait in the mansion for the master to arrive. The butler has already gone to the Imperial City Department to report to the master."

The maid came to find Consort Yu.

It was because Quan Qiyang was not yet married. Now that Quan Qiyang was not in the mansion, Consort Yu, as his "cousin", was the mistress of the mansion. Naturally, the maid had to inform her of this news.

As for whether or not to attend to the guest, that was Consort Yu’s own decision.

Chen Mo probably already knew about her situation. Anyway, they would meet in the evening. If she avoided seeing him now, he might misunderstand and think she had issues with him, which wouldn’t be good.

Consort Yu thought for a while, gritting her teeth, she said, "Xing’Er, invite him to the drawing room and prepare some fine tea..."

The personal maid Xing’Er nodded: "Understood."

...

Qi Mansion drawing room.

Consort Yu invited Chen Mo to sit, but as a guest, Chen Mo casually found a spot and knelt down, while the maid laid out tea, snacks, and fruit in front of him on the long table.

Consort Yu did not sit in the main seat either. She sat across from Chen Mo and then dismissed the maid.

Once the sound of footsteps had faded away, Consort Yu finally spoke: "Chen Hong, it’s been a long time."

Consort Yu wore an ornate Nichang dress wrapped in silk, and her kneeling position subtly revealed the white undergarments beneath, her exposed skin softly blurred, with a slightly regal expression on her pretty face.

"Chen Hong is already dead; I am now called Chen Mo." Chen Mo sipped his tea and said with a light smile, "Lady Yu Fei, it’s been a while."

"General Chen Mo indeed has a knack for playing everyone for fools."

"Not at all, Lady Yu Fei recognized me immediately, didn’t she?"

"It’s quite surprising your audacity to clandestinely meet with the Supreme Emperor’s soon-to-be concubine and even dare to take Consort Jing out of the palace during the chaos and keep her at your mansion." Consort Yu said, unsure if she was mocking or praising.

"Lady Yu Fei, you are no less impressive." Chen Mo chuckled lightly, his face untroubled.

"Aren’t you afraid?" Consort Yu took a deep breath, staring straight into Chen Mo’s eyes.

"What about you, Lady Yu Fei?" Chen Mo countered.

"I’m asking you now." Consort Yu snapped, her spoiled nature cultivated in the palace not completely eradicated.

"If I was afraid, I wouldn’t have done it." Chen Mo put down his teacup, his eyes turned cold. The next moment, he appeared in front of Consort Yu, crouched, lifted her delicate chin through the long table, and said coolly: "Besides, mind your tone when speaking to me, this is not the palace, and you are no longer Lady Yu Fei.

If you don’t want to speak properly, then I’ll change my method and make you speak properly."

Consort Yu was startled: "What do you want to do?"

"You said it." Chen Mo’s gaze moved downward. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"You...you shameless..." Consort Yu broke free, covering her chest with her hands.

"It’s not like I haven’t seen it before." Chen Mo said.

Hearing this, Consort Yu was infuriated, recalling that night, she repeated firmly: "What exactly do you want?"

"Nothing serious, just preventing some unnecessary trouble, making her forget what happened yesterday and never mention it again." Chen Mo stated.

"You came to silence me."

"You could say that." Chen Mo nodded, then continued: "Lady Yu Fei, you wouldn’t want your identity exposed, would you?"

"Fine, I agree with you, but you also can’t tell others about my matter."

"I came for this outcome." Chen Mo nodded.

"Then...then stay away from me." Watching Chen Mo’s face so close, despite being handsome, Consort Yu felt flustered.

Chen Mo smiled: "Lady Yu Fei, it seems you have forgotten one more thing."

Consort Yu paused: "What is it?"

"Lady Yu Fei, you still owe me hundreds of hours of massage, when do you plan to return it?" Chen Mo leaned forward: "Or do you intend to default?"

Consort Yu: "..."

If Chen Mo hadn’t mentioned it, she would have forgotten about it.

She blushed, saying: "Of course, I won’t default."

"Then start repaying."

"Now?"

"What else? My shoulders ache badly now."