Seeing this, Jiang Ruoqing also unleashed her full strength.

However, the difference in strength was evident, and with the small space of the room, no matter how Jiang Ruoqing tried, she was no match for Chen Mo. In a moment, Chen Mo had locked her arms and legs and pinned her beneath him.

"Do you submit?" Chen Mo playfully bit Jiang Ruoqing’s cheek and asked.

"No!" She stubbornly replied.

Just then, the sound of the door creaking was heard.

Then came the voice: "Master, you... how come... the lord..."

Both turned to look at the door, only to see Yi Yao standing there in a cotton robe, staring at them blankly.

Yi Yao was about to rest when she suddenly heard some noises. When she followed the sound, she realized it was coming from the master’s room. Thinking something had happened, she quickly came to check, only to witness this scene.

Did they really need to make such a commotion for whatever they were doing?

"Yaoyao? Why... why are you here, get up," Jiang Ruoqing patted Chen Mo’s chest.

After Chen Mo got up, Jiang Ruoqing also stood up, composed herself, and approached Yi Yao:

"Yaoyao, it’s not what it looks like, he was bullying me..."

"Master, I understand." Yi Yao didn’t listen to Jiang Ruoqing’s explanation. They had already been honest with each other, so why keep hiding? She then smiled and said, "Master, you two continue. It seems I’ve come at a bad time."

After speaking, she closed the door, ready to leave.

But Chen Mo somehow appeared in front of her, pulled her into the room, and locked the door, saying, "No, you came just in time."

Chen Mo wrapped an arm around each of them and sat on the bed, settling both on his lap.

Yi Yao, even though she felt weaker upon touching Chen Mo, maintained her composure as a delicate lady, playfully retorting, "Having Master to serve you is enough; I’ll take my leave now."

Though her words suggested she was leaving, Yi Yao showed no intention of actually leaving.

Jiang Ruoqing: "?"

This obedient disciple sold her out so quickly.

Jiang Ruoqing glared fiercely at Chen Mo, evidently blaming him for everything.

Chen Mo squinted slightly, then smiled meaningfully, "Your master doesn’t listen to me anymore, Yaoyao, help me, hold her down."

"Yaoyao, don’t listen to him. Help your master, I am now a First Grade Martial Artist, the two of us together might... Yaoyao, what are you doing..."

Saying this, Jiang Ruoqing suddenly noticed her obedient disciple reaching to undo her own collar.

This startled Jiang Ruoqing.

How could it be that in such a short time, her obedient disciple ended up teaming with this despicable man to bully her?

Jiang Ruoqing wanted to resist but found her cultivation had already been sealed by Chen Mo.

"Yaoyao, you..."

"Sister Ruoqing, just give in to the lord."

"... woo woo..."

...

Due to increasing chaos, a letter that originally could have arrived in two days was delayed to three days before it reached Xiao Yunqi.

Finding out that Chen Mo intended to lead troops back to the capital, specifying twenty thousand soldiers, took Xiao Yunqi by surprise.

Why stick to his own plans for deployment, does he have to come to the capital to discuss in detail?

Xiao Yunqi summoned his advisors, as well as those who had dealings with Chen Mo, such as Li Yang, Xiao Teng, and Feng Ji.

"What do you all think about this matter?" Xiao Yunqi placed the letter before them.

Each took a look, passing it around. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Feng Ji spoke first, "Since Chen Mo arrived in Nanyang to take office, he has been recruiting soldiers and buying grain, winning people’s support. The once-struggling Nanyang County has gradually come back to life in less than two months.

Now that he is coming back around the time of negotiations, could he be wanting the lord to abandon the idea of negotiations?"

With Feng Ji’s words, Xiao Yunqi pondered.

There was indeed such a possibility.

Recently, many ministers had been expressing to him the idea of abandoning the negotiations and using all forces to prevent the Desolate Kingdom from invading.

Many of these ministers were his people.

Chen Mo’s sudden return could very well be to persuade him to abandon negotiations and instead focus on defense against the Desolate Kingdom.

"Hmph, Chen Mo was nurtured by the Xiao Family. His current status is entirely due to Father’s support. No matter how strong, he is merely a dog of the Xiao Family. And as a dog, he must have the awareness to obey," Xiao Teng stated.

He had also learned from Xiao Yunqi about Chen Mo being Chen Hong.

Also, he knew Chen Mo had practiced the Child Fire version of the Feather Nirvana Heart Scripture.

Life and death were all under the control of the Xiao Family. What qualification does he have to persuade Father?

Hearing Xiao Teng’s words, Li Yang and Feng Ji’s expressions subtly changed.

"Teng’er, you must not speak like that." Xiao Yunqi frowned, then said, "Even if he returns to advise peace talks, it’s of no consequence. I have ways to convince him.

But his greater intention is likely to discuss detailed deployments. After all, he mentioned it clearly in the letter.

If there were any ill intentions, he wouldn’t have been so explicit. Also, with just those people, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish much.

Since he wants to return, let him come back."

"Understood."

...

When Chen Mo received Xiao Yunqi’s reply, it was already the one hundred and fifty-third day of the great turmoil.

Chen Mo immediately called the ladies, informing them of the return to the capital.

"Where’s Wanqiu?" As most had arrived except for Ye Wanqiu, Chen Mo inquired promptly.

"Wanqiu went to the Qi Mansion," Luo Zhen said:

"Recently, General Qi’s cousin often visits the mansion and has become close to Wanqiu. Today she invited Wanqiu to the Qi Mansion."

Chen Mo nodded, "Chun Lan, please call Wanqiu back."

"Understood."

Once all the ladies gathered.

Chen Mo informed them of his temporary departure.

During his absence, the matters of the mansion would be entrusted to Yaoyao and Ruoqing.

As for security, Ruoqing and Xiao Jiu were present.

With thousands of troops in Nanyang City, security was not a concern.

After detailing major and minor issues, Chen Mo instructed Dai Xishan to assemble the troops and prepare to set off at dawn.

...

This time, Quan Qiyang would accompany the journey to the capital.

So, he intended to discuss some matters with his sister before leaving.

Quan Qiyang moved swiftly, heading directly to Qi Nichang’s courtyard.

During the winter, few were outside strolling.

Reaching the door, Quan Qiyang knocked, and after responding, he entered.

Inside, Qi Nichang sat by the stove, embroidering a sachet.

Upon hearing the sound, she said without looking up, "Brother, you’re back."

Quan Qiyang nodded, about to approach when he suddenly noticed a string of glazed beads on the floor, clearly valuable. Upon closer inspection, the words "Mo Lang!" on one of the beads caught his eye.

Quan Qiyang’s face abruptly changed.

Mo Lang, Mo Lang; it was clearly an intimate title.

And there was no one in the mansion whose name included "Mo."

Suddenly, Quan Qiyang thought of Chen Mo.

These past days, his sister had visited the Chen Mansion.

Could it be that the lord, seeing his sister’s beauty, took the opportunity to dishonor her?

It wasn’t surprising that Quan Qiyang would think this way.

After all, even Consort Jing had become his woman now.

In his heart, the most important person was his sister. If Chen Mo had dishonored her, he would definitely confront him.

No, that’s not right.

Quan Qiyang reconsidered. If his sister had been dishonored, why would she engrave "Mo Lang" on a glazed bead?

Could it be mutual affection?

After all, Chen Mo was charming, powerful, and immensely attractive, winning over the girls easily.

If his sister fell for him, it wouldn’t be surprising either.

If that’s the case...

"Sister, what are you doing?" He tucked the sachet into his sleeve and walked over.

"A sachet," Qi Nichang replied.

The sudden interest in embroidering a sachet arose from a suggestion by Ye Wanqiu.

Feeling guilty for never gifting anything to her brother, Qi Nichang decided to make one for him as well.

"Sister, why the sudden interest in embroidery?" Quan Qiyang asked.

"It’s a secret." Qi Nichang playfully stuck out her tongue at Quan Qiyang, then thought to herself, "I plan to give it to the most important person in my heart."