Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 556

A head fell to the ground, blood splattering the public trial platform.

The commoners stared at the severed head of Zhu Gui, initially silent, for they could scarcely believe that Chen Mo had truly ordered Zhu Gui to be beheaded. Once they confirmed it was real, they erupted into cheers.

Some were so overwhelmed with emotion that they kneeled on the ground, repeatedly bowing their heads and crying: "My son, you can finally rest in peace. Duke An has avenged you, Zhu Gui is dead."

"Mother..."

"Thank you, Duke An, you are my greatest benefactor."

"Justice."

Below the public trial platform, all the commoners kneeled down, bowing to Chen Mo.

From a distant high building, Yue Ruyan and Xiao Yunxi watched the scene, their expressions filled with shock, which gradually turned to a deep red. In their eyes as they gazed at Chen Mo, strands of admiration and adoration began to appear.

After Zhu Gui was beheaded, next was his son.

He had also committed no small number of evil deeds.

This time, the commoners didn’t remain silent. As soon as Zhu Gui’s son was brought onto the platform, they shouted things like "Kill him, he deserves to die."

Chen Mo fulfilled the commoners’ wishes and killed him.

Afterwards, there were also the steward of the Zhu family, the county magistrate, the minister, and the chief clerk from the government office.

Those deserving death were all beheaded.

The innocent were set free.

...

When the public trial finally ended, the sky had begun to darken.

Yet none of the commoners left the scene.

Chen Mo clapped his hands, and immediately four Xianzhen Guard Soldiers brought up two large chests.

Then Sun Meng brought a bucket of kerosene, pouring it over one of the chests, and handed Chen Mo a torch.

Holding the torch, Chen Mo pointed to the chest doused with kerosene, saying: "In this chest are the contracts of those who sold their children or were sold into servitude, the IOUs from borrowing high-interest loans from the Zhu family, and the recorded slave documents from the government office."

Saying this, Chen Mo let go of the torch, which fell onto the kerosene-drenched chest. In an instant, flames engulfed the chest, the fire growing more intense. Chen Mo then declared, "From now on, you are free."

The commoners were utterly astonished, and soon their bodies began to quiver with excitement.

But it wasn’t over; Chen Mo soon pointed to the second large chest, and Sun Meng came over to open it.

Chen Mo said: "In this chest are the land deeds you sold to the Zhu family. From now on, they all return to you. Anyone whose land was forcibly taken by the Zhu family can come to the government office to reclaim their land.

Right now, the people in the government office are all mine, so you can rest assured."

The downfall of the Zhu family made the commoners trust in Chen Mo’s character, resulting in another round of bowing and chanting "Justice."

...

Afterwards, Chen Mo no longer participated and returned to his resting place.

"Husband is back; your throat must be dry, have some water."

This entire level of the building was reserved by Chen Mo. As he came upstairs, Xiao Yunxi and Yue Ruyan hurried to greet him, Xiao Yunxi carrying a pot of tea in her hand.

"Indeed, my throat is a bit dry." Having spoken all afternoon without much pause, Chen Mo readily took the teapot from Xiao Yunxi’s hands and drank.

"... Drink slowly." When it came to not calling him husband, Yue Ruyan was just like Xia Zhining; even though her eyes were full of unconcealed affection, Yue Ruyan was still shy about it.

Chen Mo handed the teapot back to Xiao Yunxi, then took Yue Ruyan’s delicate hand in his, a smile softening his once stern face, and spoke gently: "I’m a bit tired, let’s rest."

"I... I haven’t bathed yet." Yue Ruyan said.

"No matter, we’ll bathe together after cultivation," Chen Mo replied, releasing her hand and embracing her slender waist.

Yue Ruyan knew she couldn’t refuse, and she wasn’t particularly averse to the idea, so a shy blush spread across her serene face as she softly agreed with a "Mm."

"Then... you two talk, I’ll go prepare hot water for you." Xiao Yunxi quickly made her exit.

But just as she lifted her foot, a hot hand encircled her waist, and in the next moment, a mighty force pulled her into a warm embrace: "Don’t go, you’ll be the substitute."

Yue Ruyan’s face turned crimson red, clearly understanding what being a substitute meant.

Xiao Yunxi’s lovely cheeks burned even hotter, and her voice trembled slightly: "Husband, no, I’m feeling a bit dizzy, not quite well."

"It’s alright. Fighting... will cure it," Chen Mo murmured.

Xiao Yunxi: "???

She didn’t quite understand, but, judging by Chen Mo’s lascivious eyes, she gathered some idea, her cheeks so red they seemed about to drip.

She hadn’t yet... joined Yue Ruyan...

As soon as they entered the room, Chen Mo gently caressed Yue Ruyan’s supple shoulders, leaned in to those lips untouched by rouge, and kissed deeply while leading her towards the bed.

Meanwhile, the overlooked Xiao Yunxi could only pout in mild annoyance, close the doors and windows tightly, and quickly follow them.

Chen Mo’s skills were practiced, and he was always empathetic.

By the time Xiao Yunxi approached, Yue Ruyan was already lying on the bed, her upper garments open. She glanced at herself and judged that their bosoms matched in ample allure.

"I’m hungry." Chen Mo leaned in.

Xiao Yunxi, her face flushed, watched the young man revel.

Afraid that Yue Ruyan might notice, she quickly turned her head away.

"By doing this, aren’t you afraid of angering those noble clans and resulting in them uniting against you?"

As part of a noble clan herself, Xiao Yunxi couldn’t comprehend Chen Mo’s actions in Fengzhou.

"Not afraid," Chen Mo mumbled in reply.

After all, Fengzhou wasn’t his stronghold. Chen Mo wasn’t afraid of their uprising.

Plus, he had plenty of soldiers at his command.

It was better to seize this chance to sweep Fengzhou clean.

In reality, if Huai State and Linzhou hadn’t involved too many noble clans, and if Chen Mo weren’t as strong and influential as he is now, he would have wanted to hold a public trial in Huai State back then.

Of course, now it was impossible to do so.

Thus Fengzhou couldn’t be like Huai State.

"True, now that all the commoners in Fengzhou support you, with the people’s heart on your side, there’s no need to fear them," Xiao Yunxi thought of it from a different perspective.

Chen Mo sat up, his bright eyes turning to Xiao Yunxi, "Come here."

Xiao Yunxi was stunned, wasn’t she supposed to be the substitute, and now she’s up so soon?

Embarrassed, she couldn’t voice such a mortifying question, so obediently, she walked over.

Chen Mo picked her up in one swift motion...

Yue Ruyan’s body stiffened suddenly, her face flush with red, finding herself as a cushion under Xiao Yunxi. But before she could speak, a moan swept up from her throat unbidden.

With Xiao Yunxi also there, she could only press her thin lips tightly and immerse herself in cultivation.

Chen Mo cradled Xiao Yunxi’s head, his lips meeting hers.

The kiss was deep, tender, and intricate.

Initially shy, Xiao Yunxi became emotionally engaged, wrapping her arms around Chen Mo’s back.