Chapter 743: Chapter 738, Chapter 739:
Not only Chen Mo, even Wu Mi and Han Anniang were somewhat surprised at this moment, because they were not particularly close, and they thought that Nalan Yiren’s personality should be very aloof. Now she actively invited Chen Mo to go out.
Xiao Yunxi heard this and glanced at Nalan Yiren strangely, feeling something was off.
Today, Nalan Yiren’s attire was also very normal, a simple blue plaid dress looking very modest. Yet, for someone knowledgeable, they could immediately tell the fabric was extremely expensive. Her jet-black hair was simply tied into a ponytail, and her exposed skin had a sickly white hue. Her waist was tied with two small bamboo cages, with poisonous insects faintly visible inside.
Her slender figure and charming physique gave a sense that her appearance was not lacking.
Seemingly noticing the strange looks from everyone, Nalan Yiren said, "I’ve been in Xiangyang for months but haven’t properly strolled around the city. I’m leaving tomorrow, so I can’t just come here for nothing."
That unique smoky voice carried some magnetism.
Hearing this, the surprise on the women’s faces lessened considerably. Plus, having taken her Youthful Appearance Pill recently, Wu Mi said, "Husband, if you have no other matters, accompany Miss Nalan for a walk."
Chen Mo nodded: "I thought Miss Nalan didn’t want to go out, so I haven’t disturbed her. Now it seems I wasn’t thorough enough. Since Miss Nalan wants a proper stroll, I shall naturally fulfill my local host duty."
Saying this, he called for the servants to prepare a carriage, but was waved off by Nalan Yiren: "Just a casual stroll, no need for fanfare, besides riding a carriage isn’t ideal for shopping."
The implied meaning was naturally to walk instead.
Chen Mo nodded: "Then let’s go."
Nalan Yiren, however, stopped and pointed at the Python Robe that Chen Mo was wearing.
"Then Miss Nalan, please wait a moment." Chen Mo understood, wearing a Python Robe while shopping would indeed draw attention.
...
At the Prince’s Mansion’s front gate.
Seeing Chen Mo come out, Sun Meng approached to arrange personal soldiers to follow, but Chen Mo shook his head and waved him away.
"Here," at that moment, Nalan Yiren took out a half-face mask and handed it to Chen Mo.
Chen Mo: "Hmm?"
"If you go out with just that face, before long the streets will be surrounded by citizens," Nalan Yiren said lightly.
Chen Mo paused, with over two hundred thousand residents in Xiangyang, at least ninety percent recognize him and are his "fans." Thinking about the throngs on the street while entering the city without guards was quite daunting.
"You’ve thought this through," Chen Mo accepted the half-face mask, its material seemed rough, uneven, but felt cool and delicate to the touch, curiously asking: "What’s this mask made of?"
"From a unique shrub in our Baiyue, made from its bark, impervious to water and fire," Nalan Yiren replied.
Chen Mo nodded and put it on.
Upon this, he noticed his half-face mask was for the right side, while Nalan Yiren wore one for the left side.
"It was originally one complete mask, but wearing it like that was uncomfortable, so I split it into two pieces," Nalan Yiren said.
Chen Mo: "..."
...
On the streets of Xiangyang, traders and merchants led mules and horses through the marketplace, a cacophony of various accents rising and falling.
Chen Mo walked ahead, smilingly discussing the local circumstances.
Both wore partial masks, drawing some attention but avoiding a spectacle.
Nalan Yiren followed behind, walking and observing, completely indifferent to others’ gazes, her focus solely on surrounding structures.
The poisonous snake in the bamboo cage at her waist poked its head out, curiously observing its surroundings, but was soon flicked back by Nalan Yiren.
They walked down a street; Chen Mo continuously shared local insights, but Nalan Yiren barely responded, instead stopping frequently to make purchases—she was indeed here for a leisurely outing.
Seeing this, Chen Mo paused his remarks to play the role of the payer.
Fortunately, Nalan Yiren bought only small items which were easy to carry, avoiding cumbersome big bags.
The afternoon sun was mercilessly scorching, but given their prowess, neither feared such exposure.
Nalan Yiren munched on some rice cakes she had bought, saying: "Over these days, I’ve finished reading your Three Kingdoms stories. Quite fascinating, though I dislike books that stop abruptly when I’m deeply engaged. After the Battle of Yiling, did Cao Cao unify the world?"
"..."
Quite unexpected, being urged for updates in person.
Chen Mo halted, glanced at Nalan Yiren: "After the Battle of Yiling, Shu Kingdom never recovered, and Liu Bei later fell ill at White Emperor City."
"Further regrettably, Cao Cao didn’t unify the world. It was the Sima Clan that ended the Three Kingdoms with a united realm."
"Ah?" Nalan Yiren was slightly taken aback, puzzlingly staring at Chen Mo: "Why? Don’t you want to be Emperor?"
Chen Mo curiously replied: "What does my desire to be Emperor have to do with whether Cao Cao unified the world?"
"Isn’t Cao Cao’s character based on you?" Nalan Yiren was more puzzled, saying: "Cao Cao was made King Wei, and you are King Wei. Cao Cao was fond of other people’s wives, and you too are fond of other people’s wives..."
Reviewing the previous Three Kingdoms stories, Nalan Yiren felt Chen Mo wrote Cao Cao as if portraying himself.
Since the protagonist was himself, the logical ending would be for Cao Cao to unite the world and become Emperor.
Chen Mo wore a dark expression: "Cao Cao is Cao Cao, I am myself, why are you equating me with Cao Cao? Moreover, didn’t you realize from the stories that Shu Han is actually the protagonist?"
"Since Shu Han is the hero, why did you depict Liu Bei and his brothers so tragically?"
