Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 549: A True Man Should Be Thus

Inside the room, the lights were turned on, casting shadows on the carved bed through the screen.

Chen Mo reached out to caress Xu Ying’s slender shoulder, approaching those faint red lips, capturing their softness, and savoring the sweet, refreshing breath.

Chu Ran clutched the corner of the blanket, sneaking a glance with the corner of her eye, her face flushed red with a mix of anger. This man addressed Xu Ying as Empress, yet now he acts in such a manner, as if considering himself the Emperor.

After all, only the Emperor can touch the Empress.

"By the way, did Prince He abdicate voluntarily?"

As Chen Mo spoke, he leaned into Xu Ying’s collar.

Prince He, formerly Emperor Xuanhe Chu Nan, was given the title after abdicating to the current Emperor.

But Chen Mo’s words were merely an attempt to make conversation.

This abdication was certainly not voluntary; it was forced by Lu Sheng.

Xu Ying naturally understood this too, knowing Chen Mo mentioned it deliberately to provoke her. Her cheeks were already burning like fire, and she was moved to some extent.

"As they say, ’A new Emperor brings new ministers.’ Lu Sheng overthrew... my father and naturally wanted to replace the Court’s officials. Replacing the Emperor was the quickest solution..."

Xu Ying glanced at Xiao Yunxi, evidently guessing what the beauty had just done. After getting on the bed, she sat with bent knees, letting her cascading black hair fall.

Chen Mo lay on the bed, quietly staring at the patterns on the carved soft couch, lost in thought.

He never expected that Xu Ying, once an Empress, would humble herself voluntarily even without his request.

Xiao Yunxi wasn’t much better, her gaze was still a bit dazed, having just...

Now with Xu Ying, wouldn’t that mean she had also...

Just the thought made her feel weak, her small feet crossing under her skirt, her toes clenching tightly.

With Xu Ying like this, Xiao Yunxi knew the ensuing absurdity would be inevitable.

And indeed, what happened next was just as she imagined.

...

It wasn’t clear how much time passed, only that it was pitch black outside.

Copper Sparrow Garden is not Duke An’s Mansion.

Chu Ran’s bed was naturally not custom-made, the space was small. Chen Mo watched the three women occupy the whole space from the head to the foot of the bed, gently stroking Chu Ran’s slender shoulder, feeling her delicate body slightly trembling, a feeling of indescribable pleasure rising in his heart.

If it were in the height of imperial power more than twenty years ago, these three women beside him would be the highest-ranking females in the entire world.

Most importantly, all three women were voluptuous and tender, as fair as snow.

This is what a true man deserves.

After a brief moment of indulgence, Chen Mo said softly, "Alright, it’s late. You all rest first, I’ll head back."

Chu Ran and Xu Ying were too tired to speak, while Xiao Yunxi, being a Middle-Grade Martial Artist, climbed up to help Chen Mo dress before accompanying him back to the mansion.

After all, she didn’t live at Copper Sparrow Garden.

...

The Second Year of Yong’an, late March.

This day was the last of March, with bright spring sunshine, wheat seedlings holding onto the last drops. Vegetation sprouted fresh green, the refreshing earthy scent truly invigorating.

Even the willows by the riverside port were lush and verdant, their tender green branches drooping into the river.

Elder Wu of the Wu Family, Elder Xiao of the Xiao Family, the Captain of Huai Prefecture, the County Magistrate of Huainan County, the County Magistrate’s Assistant, and a group of clerks, from the military side, Captain of the Central Camp of Xianzhen Guard Zhao Liang, Captain of the Central Camp of Fish Scale Guard Nangong Xian, among others, stood on the shore, gazing at the river in the distance, with expressions of anticipation.

The Prefect of Huai Prefecture Geng Songfu being in Linzhou, the Captain of Huai Prefecture was the highest official in this state, so he led the group to greet them.

At this moment, on the second level of a building boat on the Huai River, Xiao Yunxi walked into the room with a flushed face, looking at Yue Ruyan and Chen Mo, who were still cultivating on the soft couch, and said with a slight pout, "You should come out of seclusion; we’re almost at the shore."

This time, Chen Mo also brought Yue Ruyan to Huai State, the reason being that cultivation could not be delayed even when traveling.

The other reason was to let her meet some people.

Yue Ruyan’s long hair was loose, her delicate body covered in fragrant sweat, embraced with Chen Mo. With a slight hum, she leaned her delicate head on his shoulder, her red lips slightly open, exhaling a fragrant orchid breath.

Chen Mo rose, spreading his arms, and Xiao Yunxi immediately understood. Despite her embarrassment, she stepped forward to help Chen Mo dress.

Enjoying the attentive service of the beauty was something Chen Mo accepted with peace of mind, a hint of a smile appearing on his face as he said, "Alright, we’ve finally arrived at Huai State. It’s been a long time since I last came back."

Once they were fully dressed, seeing that Yue Ruyan was also ready, the three walked out of the room one after the other to the bow of the ship. Sun Meng approached, respectfully addressing Chen Mo, "Duke An, the people of Huai State are already waiting at the port."

Chen Mo lightly acknowledged with a soft "Good."

As the ship docked, Sun Meng led the Personal Guard Battalion ashore first to prepare the entourage. Then, accompanied by numerous Personal Soldiers, Chen Mo disembarked. Today was sunny, the warm spring sun shining down, providing a most comfortable warmth.

As for Yue Ruyan and Xiao Yunxi, being both female attendants and Chen Mo’s inner circle, it was not appropriate for them to disembark together.

"Duke An." The Captain of Huai Prefecture, Wu Yanqing, and Xiao Jing hastily took a few steps forward with their respective entourages to greet him.

Zhao Liang, Nangong Xian, Deng Tian, Luo Hai, Liu Ji, and other military personnel were a beat slower.

Chen Mo wore a warm and enthusiastic smile, nodding at the Captain of Huai Prefecture, then turning to Wu Yanqing, "Elder Wu, it has truly been a long time, thank you for your efforts."

With others present, Chen Mo naturally couldn’t address him directly as his father-in-law.

Standing beside Wu Yanqing was Xiao Jing, who showed a trace of sentiment. This was their first meeting, and he said, "Subordinate Xiao Jing greets Duke An."

"Elder Xiao, greetings." Chen Mo cupped his hands toward Xiao Jing, then added to both Xiao Jing and Wu Yanqing, "You both are of an advanced age, yet you still guard Huai State for me, diligently and with full devotion, which greatly moves me. Your personal welcome this time is truly humbling."

Xiao Jing carefully observed the young man before him. Though he had heard of Chen Mo’s youthful valor, he had never seen him in person. There was some skepticism, but observing him up close now, he found the rumors not unfounded. He said, "This time, Duke An’s northern campaign against Jin Xia glorified our Great Song’s prestige, though taxing in labor."

Chen Mo nodded slightly and replied, "Without the stability provided by Elder Xiao and Elder Wu guarding the rear, the military campaign would not have proceeded so smoothly."

"I dare not take the credit," they both waved their hands quickly, after which Wu Yanqing said, "Duke An, you overpraise us. The merit for the battle of Yi County belongs to Mr. Liu Ji and Generals Li Mingfan and Li Mingzhong. My brother Xiao and I merely lent a helping hand, doing what little we could."

"Duke An, a reception banquet has been prepared for you at a restaurant in the city," the Captain of Huai Prefecture finally chimed in.

Chen Mo dropped the formalities, saying, "Let’s go inside."