Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 551: Known Only as Duke An, Unaware of the Emperor of Huainan
Upon hearing this, Wu Yanqing was initially stunned, but then his excitement was beyond words. At this moment, he was even happier than Chen Mo was back then.
It should be known that Wu Mi is Chen Mo’s legitimate wife, so the child born to the legitimate wife, especially a boy, is highly likely to be Chen Mo’s successor in the future.
Given Chen Mo’s current status and position in the Great Song Dynasty, he is among the most prominent, and his ambitions are well-known throughout the world.
If successful, then the son born to Wu Mi would become the Crown Prince.
The Wu Family, as foreign relatives, could also gain significant benefits from this.
"Congratulations to Duke An on having a noble son," Wu Yanqing said joyfully.
"Same to you."
Chen Mo looked at the smiling, kind-faced elder and said, "This time, as your son-in-law, I have eradicated the Eastern Army of the Jin Xia Barbarians, severing an arm of Jin Xia. Jin Xia has suffered a great defeat and needs to replenish its forces, so they should be unable to invade the Great Song again in the short term.
However, the domestic situation is now complex. After Prince Huai aligned with King Chong, they certainly won’t sit idly by. After Lu Sheng annexed Xiliang, his forces will surely expand once again. At that time, both sides will inevitably have designs on the prosperous and fertile lands of Jiangnan, Huai State, Fengzhou, and so forth. Therefore, the lands south of Feng and Huai States will need you, dear father-in-law, to oversee them."
Through last year’s tax revenue, Chen Mo knew how affluent Huai State was. The combined taxes of Qing, Yu, and Lin Three States could barely compare to those of Huai State.
Now that he himself controlled the entire North, he had already posed a threat to many people. At this time, surely some people would not allow him to develop peacefully.
"I will certainly live up to your trust, dear son-in-law," Wu Yanqing said solemnly, his expression serious.
Before this, he might not have been so attentive, but knowing now that Mi’Er had borne Chen Mo’s son, Wu Yanqing’s thoughts changed.
Protecting Feng and Huai States means preserving the foundation for his grandson and ensuring the prosperity of the Wu Family. How could he not be dedicated?
Afterward, Chen Mo talked with Wu Yanqing about the journey north and the casualties of the Jiangdong Army, concluding with a statement that the Jiangdong Army should be returned to Wu Yanqing.
Wu Yanqing said, "They are all good sons of Jiangdong and the Great Song. They did not disgrace our Jiangdong and died honorably. Although the Jin Xia Barbarians have been driven off, this is only temporary. Jin Xia’s desire to annihilate our Great Song remains, and the domestic situation is extremely complex. You, dear son-in-law, need people at this time, so let them stay in Linzhou to serve you."
"This... how could I accept this."
"Duke An, please do not refuse."
"Well... all right then." Chen Mo never actually intended to return the Jiangdong Army; he only mentioned it as a polite gesture.
Having just mentioned Jia’Er, Wu Yanqing was too embarrassed to demand their return.
"How is my elder brother faring in the Fish Scale Guard?" Chen Mo brought up Wu Changlin.
"Changlin has grown a lot during this time, and it is all thanks to you, dear son-in-law, for giving him this opportunity..."
...
On the other side.
In the rear hall of the residence arranged for Chen Mo in Huainan County, Xiao Jing saw Xiao Yunxi.
Since the day the Celestial Master Army attacked Huai State, Xiao Yunxi, who was still the Princess Consort Huai, had gone to Jiangnan to seek refuge. It had been nearly three years since father and daughter had met.
During this time, so many things happened, from the destruction of the Celestial Master Army, to Huai State being occupied by Chen Mo, to Xiao Yunxi being captured, and the Xiao Family serving Chen Mo. It made the father and daughter feel as though far more than three years had passed.
Before meeting, both felt there were too many words to say to each other.
But now that they were meeting in person, neither spoke first, both choking up with emotion.
"Father, I haven’t seen you for these years, how have you been?" Eventually, it was Xiao Yunxi who spoke first, with reddened eyes, saluting Xiao Jing.
"I am well. It is you who have suffered." Having reached this point, becoming Chen Mo’s concubine, Xiao Jing knew how much bitterness was involved.
"It’s not suffering; my husband treats me... very well." As she said this, Xiao Yunxi invited Xiao Jing to sit and instructed the servants to make tea.
Xiao Jing gazed deeply at Xiao Yunxi, believing her words.
A person’s well-being often shows on their face.
Last time, when his daughter returned to Jiangnan to seek refuge, Xiao Jing noticed a trace of melancholy in her, though she had worn makeup, her overall state was not good.
But this time it was different; her complexion was rosy, her vigor had significantly improved, and most importantly, his daughter seemed to have gained... quite a bit of weight.
After sitting down, Xiao Jing hesitated for a moment and still asked, "Yunxi, are you pregnant?"
Xiao Yunxi was taken aback, then shook her head, embarrassed, "Not for a while yet."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jing raised an eyebrow, "Not for a while? Does Duke An... not want you to bear him children, or does he find Zheng’Er troublesome?"
What prompted Xiao Jing to say this was because last time his daughter changed Zheng’Er’s surname and later sent Zheng’Er to Jiangnan, which might have made Xiao Jing feel that Chen Mo was displeased with Zheng’Er.
"Father, what are you talking about?" Xiao Yunxi said with a bit of annoyed embarrassment, "You know that the cultivation technique I practice prevents pregnancy, and after giving birth to Zheng’Er, I resumed cultivation, only stopping last year. Now I’m nurturing my body, and even if I want to conceive, I can’t..."
The more she spoke, the softer Xiao Yunxi’s voice became.
"That’s good." Xiao Jing breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "Yunxi, when it comes to children, you must pay more attention, it’s your future assurance and the assurance of the Xiao Family as well."
His daughter had already married once, had a child, and was over thirty years old. If she did not conceive soon, with age, it would not only become harder to conceive but also when she lost her youthful allure.
As the saying goes, one kiss from an old couple can make nightmares last for several nights.
This is no joke.
"Father, if you keep talking like this, I won’t talk to you anymore..." Xiao Yunxi became anxious.
Seeing this, Xiao Jing had to change the subject, inquiring about Chen Mo’s legitimate wife, Wu Mi, and whether she was jealous.
"She’s quite nice and treats me well. After I stopped cultivating, she personally formulated the medicine to help me recuperate." Xiao Yunxi said.
Xiao Jing nodded, then said, "I heard she is already pregnant; has she given birth?"
"She gave birth last month, to a boy named Chen Jia."
Xiao Jing immediately showed an expression of envy, "That old man really fathered a good daughter."
Xiao Yunxi did not respond, lest the topic turn back to her.
Xiao Jing’s expression darkened a bit; he put away thoughts he shouldn’t have, and asked again, "I heard Duke An recently took the Patriarch of the Longyou Yue Family as his concubine?"
Xiao Yunxi nodded, "Yes, she also came to Huai State with us this time."
Xiao Jing’s gaze was deep as he looked into the distance. After recapturing the North, focusing on the civil service exams, and now incorporating the Yuezhi of Longyou into his fold. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
With the North, Longyou, Jiangdong, Jiangnan, and if Fengzhou is gained, half the world would be in Chen Mo’s hands.
Over time, the people of these lands might only know Duke An, and forget the Emperor of Huainan.
