Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 568: Strolling Through Jiangnan

After finishing breakfast, Yue Ruyan, feeling idle, proactively suggested sparring with Chen Mo.

Yes, a proper sparring session.

In the courtyard, the two sparred back and forth with clinking sounds, while Xiao Yunxi, slightly weaker in skill, stood by watching in a daze.

Chen Mo only used thirty percent of his strength; his purpose wasn’t to defeat Yue Ruyan but to hone her skills.

In the short term, when cultivation can’t be improved, only by refining martial arts can one become stronger.

Yue Ruyan doesn’t have a plug-in like Chen Mo’s; she must practice step by step.

The warm sun hung high in the sky, and Xiao Yunxi raised her hand to shield the sunlight. Seeing the two had stopped to rest, she said, "Husband, Sister Ruyan, it’s quite a waste for you to stay at the house all the time now that you’ve finally come to Jiangnan. It’s already morning; the shops and vendors in Qinhuai City have started doing business. Let me take you to the city for some sightseeing."

Chen Mo’s sole purpose in coming to Jiangnan was to visit Xiao Yunxi’s elders, and with the task complete, there’s indeed nothing else to do during the day. Naturally, he nods at the invitation: "Sure, I just thought about exploring Jiangnan."

"I’ll go change my clothes," said Yue Ruyan.

Chen Mo and Xiao Yunxi waited outside.

Soon, Yue Ruyan changed and came out.

The outfit Yue Ruyan wore was the same one that surprised Chen Mo when she entered Duke An’s Mansion.

A white long-sleeved short shirt, buckled up unlike before, not exposing her waist or collarbone.

The lower body was a pair of black loose pants, decorated with mythical beasts embroidered in gold thread, enhancing her mysterious and noble aura, paired with black short boots.

A white veil covered her face.

Chen Mo paused: "Ruyan, why are you wearing a veil?"

"Yesterday when I entered the city, I saw many women entering the gates wearing veils. Isn’t this the local custom? When in Rome, do as the Romans do," Yue Ruyan replied.

"That’s for unmarried girls, who cover their faces to show they are virtuous," Xiao Yunxi laughed.

Due to Jiangnan’s rich literary culture, even noble families and commoners tend to be open. Unmarried girls wear veils when going out; if they encounter a man they fancy, they can reveal their face to him, expressing affection, and he will understand.

Like yesterday when Chen Mo entered the city, many girls without veils showed him their faces, similarly expressing affection towards Chen Mo.

Upon hearing this, Yue Ruyan was about to take the veil off, looking a bit embarrassed.

"No worries, it’s not a rule that only unmarried girls can wear veils. There’s nothing to fear," Chen Mo laughed.

Yue Ruyan thought for a moment and decided to keep it on to avoid causing unnecessary trouble for Chen Mo.

It’s not out of vanity. In Longyou, if she went out alone without a guard, people would approach her, wanting to get to know her.

"Then... I’ll wear a veil too." Seeing Yue Ruyan put her veil on, Xiao Yunxi decided not to stand out.

As they just left the courtyard, a soft voice echoed in the hallway.

"Brother Mo, Aunt, Ms. Ruyan, are you... going out?"

Hearing the voice, Chen Mo looked to see a pure young girl approaching.

She wore a bright pink long dress paired with a pale yellow cardigan, displaying her gentle gracefulness as her light skirt swayed elegantly with her steps. On her feet were light green embroidered shoes, emphasizing her freshness.

She stopped at a half-zhang from Chen Mo, her clear, water-like eyes gazing at him.

Her beautiful face, skin smooth as jade, harbored a beauty that needed no further words.

Seeing Chen Mo also looking at her, the girl shyly bowed her head, her slender hands hesitantly tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, gazing at her toes, lightly biting her rosy lips.

Unlike Xiaolu’s outgoing vivacity, the girl was introverted and serene.

"Xiaoya, we’re planning to stroll around the streets; would you like to join us?" Xiao Yunxi invited.

Xiao Ya smiled with her eyes bent, glanced at Chen Mo: "Brother Mo, may I... may I join you all?"

"Of course, the more the merrier." Not being unromantic enough to ask why Xiao Ya was here, Chen Mo remarked with a smile.

Xiao Ya’s eyes brightened slightly, she softly said, "Then I’ll trouble Brother Mo to look after me."

After saying so, she bowed slightly to Chen Mo in a gesture.

She was asked by her mother to get closer to Brother Mo; she also wanted to, but without support, she’d feel embarrassed to approach.

Luckily, Brother Mo didn’t ask why she came, letting her feel at ease.

...

The four of them left the Xiao Family’s ancestral house together.

"Marquis, Madam..." Sun Meng, along with accompanying personal soldiers, had been waiting outside the mansion since dawn. Seeing Chen Mo come out, he quickly stepped forward to salute, nodding at Xiao Yunxi and Yue Ruyan before looking at the young girl wearing a light yellow veil behind them with some confusion.

Despite all three women wearing veils, Sun Meng could distinguish which were the madams.

Chen Mo didn’t clarify much to Sun Meng; given time, the latter would naturally understand Xiao Ya’s identity.

Learning the four desired to go shopping, Sun Meng promptly arranged for the personal soldiers to accompany them.

Chen Mo asked Sun Meng to keep a low profile, since they were just going for fun and only needed one team to follow from behind.

On the streets, Xiao Yunxi and Yue Ruyan walked on either side of Chen Mo, while Xiao Ya was slightly behind, feeling a bit lonely watching the trio from behind.

However, her quick-witted nature led her to catch up with Xiao Yunxi, clinging to her arm softly: "Auntie, where are we going to play?"

Their closeness eased any potential awkwardness from Xiao Ya suddenly joining them.

"I haven’t decided yet; we’re just exploring the city. I haven’t returned in a while. Xiaoya, do you know any fun places in the city?"

"Not sure about fun, but there’s a shop selling delicious Peach Blossom Cake in the west of the city. Although it’s June, I’m not sure if it’s still available." Despite living in Qinhuai City, Xiao Ya didn’t often go out.

"Let’s check it out," Chen Mo suggested.

All four headed towards the west side of the city, followed by Sun Meng and a team of personal soldiers.

Peach Blossom Cake is a treat made by grinding peach blossoms into a paste, mixed with flour, and the store’s secret recipe.

Even though it’s June, the shop owner always picks plenty of peach blossoms during bloom and stores them in their ice cellar, selling them in limited quantities, enough to last a year.

The business was generally satisfactory.

Their taste was indeed excellent, but they were also pricey. Just four pieces of Peach Blossom Cake cost one tael of silver.

Even in affluent Jiangnan, not everyone was that wealthy.

For large families like the Xiao Family, it’s just a trifling expense. They bought several portions for the personal soldiers to carry.