Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 569: Xiao Ya’s Heart Is Moved

"The taste is indeed quite good, sweet but not overly so, and it’s not dry either." Yue Ruyan gently lifted her veil, took a small bite, and commented.

"Husband, you should try some too." Xiao Yunxi picked up a piece and brought it to Chen Mo’s mouth in a very intimate manner.

This made Xiao Ya, who had also picked up a piece of Peach Blossom Cake intending to offer it to Chen Mo, retract her hand in embarrassment and shyness. She stole a glance at Chen Mo and the other two, and after realizing no one noticed her, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, with her veil on, no one could see the faint blush on her face.

Although not all families in Jiangnan are wealthy, Jiangnan has been rich for a thousand years. Besides the noble families with long heritages, there are also many wealthy merchants who are as rich as a country.

The living standard of the local people is much better compared to other places. Every household has food to eat, and people in Jiangnan City can maintain a basic living standard and even eat meat from time to time.

Qinhuai City doesn’t have the chaotic, rough buildings like those in Longyou, nor is it as rigid and solemn as Celestial River and Luonan. Small bridges and flowing waters, pavilions, and towers line the way, with hardly any repetition.

A small river runs through the city, with boatmen making a living by steering boats along it. The little boats move slowly, and spending half a day on one is enough to see half of Qinhuai City.

Most of those who take the boats are young gentlemen and scholars, who go with a few friends or invite girls from the brothel to chat about everything, including love and romance.

"Come quickly, the Qin Family’s rice store is giving out rice again. Whether you’re from Qinhuai or elsewhere, you can get half a pound of rice." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Let’s go and have a look."

"The Qin Family is really kind recently. They gave out rice twice before and now they’re doing it again."

"It’s not just the Qin Family. Previously, the patriarchs of the He Family and the Song Family also personally went out to help the poor."

"..."

"Qinhuai really is something. Not only is there not a single beggar to be seen, but there are so many benevolent people." Chen Mo naturally heard these discussions and remarked with slight surprise.

In today’s troubled times, no matter how prosperous and stable a place is, there are usually beggars. But in Qinhuai City, you can’t see a single one.

Xiao Yunxi said, "There used to be beggars in the city, but the local gentry couldn’t bear the sight of them, so they drove them out."

Chen Mo: "..."

"As for giving out rice and helping the poor, I’ve never seen these families being so generous before." As she spoke, Xiao Yunxi looked at Xiao Ya, evidently not as informed about the recent affairs in the city as Xiao Ya was.

"I heard from the old madam that after the news of Brother Mo’s public trial in Fengzhou reached Yangzhou, many of the large families in Jiangnan were afraid that Brother Mo would come to settle accounts in the autumn, so they have recently all started doing good deeds." Xiao Ya said softly, taking out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

Chen Mo didn’t know what to say.

Honestly speaking, for now, he wouldn’t dare hold a public trial in Jiangnan.

Fengzhou was just dealing with some small noble families. Even if they resisted, it wouldn’t make much of a stir.

But Jiangnan is different; it’s very deep. If he dared to hold a public trial in Jiangnan, it would be like cutting himself with a knife.

The four of them strolled from the west of the city to the east, had a hearty meal at a restaurant in the west at noon, rested a bit, and continued their stroll.

Coming from the west to the south of the city, Xiao Yunxi picked out some fine brocade for Chen Mo to make a robe.

They ate candied hawthorn and made sugar figures by hand.

They watched as a performer broke a stone on his chest, saw someone swallowed a sword, and observed a barefoot walk across a mountain of knives and fire, retrieving Copper Coins from a boiling pot of oil.

They purchased various foods and clothes, with the personal soldiers behind them carrying large and small packages.

Xiao Yunxi and Yue Ruyan had long since removed their veils.

After all, upon seeing something delicious, they simply had to buy it and taste it, and wearing a veil would be inconvenient.

As evening approached, the four of them prepared to head back home.

Suddenly, Xiao Yunxi stopped in front of a vendor, picked up a pair of exquisite earrings, and came over to Chen Mo, displaying a girlish smile: "Husband, do they look nice?"

For someone like Xiao Yunxi, who has worn many expensive and exquisite pieces of jewelry, the jewelry sold by street vendors surely couldn’t compare to what she owns. The reason she took a liking to these inexpensive earrings was purely a spontaneous whim, matching the atmosphere of the moment, prompting her to want to buy them.

Of course, Chen Mo wouldn’t disappoint her. Not only did he say they looked nice, but he also personally put them on for Xiao Yunxi.

Then, Chen Mo chose a pretty bracelet for Yue Ruyan at the same vendor.

Watching the three of them laughing and talking over the jewelry, Xiao Ya couldn’t help feeling a bit lost. The whole day, she felt like an outsider who hadn’t really blended in.

While she was feeling a bit dejected, a shadow suddenly darkened her view.

She looked up and saw Chen Mo waving a hairpin in front of her. Seeing her look over, Chen Mo smiled and asked, "Do you like it?"

"Ah?"

"I think this hairpin looks quite nice and suits you. If you like it, I’d like to give it to you."

"To... me?" Xiao Ya was stunned, then her heart started racing, and she couldn’t help letting her imagination run wild. Men usually give women hairpins to express affection, so does that mean...

Xiao Ya’s face instantly turned red, and she murmured like a mosquito, "I like it."

"Then let Brother Mo help you put it on."

Chen Mo steadied Xiao Ya’s bun, removed her original hairpin, and replaced it with the one he just bought.

Chen Mo was a head taller than Xiao Ya. Standing in front of her, Xiao Ya inhaled his masculine scent, feeling him putting the hairpin in her hair. Suddenly, she felt a wave of happiness and security.

The previous sense of loss was swept away, and her eyes involuntarily filled with a bit of moisture.

Small details that Chen Mo might have inadvertently or casually done while they were shopping during the day suddenly magnified in Xiao Ya’s eyes.

For example, at lunch when Chen Mo gave her a piece of meat and told her to eat slowly.

Or when eating the sugar figure, he warned her to be careful not to let it melt and drip onto her clothes.

"Looks like my taste isn’t bad. It’s really pretty." Chen Mo stepped back, glanced at his handiwork, and handed the old hairpin back to Xiao Ya.

Xiao Ya took it, too shy to utter a single word.

On their way back, it was already getting dark.

They even caught a show of firework forging.

While watching, Xiao Ya noticed Xiao Yunxi wasn’t standing close next to Chen Mo and didn’t move over to remind her; instead, she positioned herself beside him.

Xiao Yunxi noticed, paused for a moment, then just smiled.

Upon returning to Xiao Mansion, Xiao Ya suddenly handed the hairpin she had been holding back to Chen Mo: "Brother Mo, for... you."

After saying that, without waiting for Chen Mo to respond, Xiao Ya quickly ran off with a flushed face and lowered head.

"This time, Xiao Ya really won’t marry anyone but you," Xiao Yunxi said insightfully.

After just a stroll on Celestial Street, Chen Mo had already captured the girl’s heart.

Chen Mo touched his nose without saying a word.

When they returned to the other courtyard, the steward of Xiao Mansion approached: "Duke An, earlier today, Miss Zhihua from the Flower Fragrance Building sent someone over with an invitation letter for you."