Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 867: Chapter 872-873: Conquering Zhao Yushu (Part 2)

"Don’t act rashly. Killing him and escaping to Boli Kingdom is easy, but when the time comes, where will the money and food for the nearly ten thousand warriors in Boli Kingdom come from? Moreover, he is Chen Mo’s brother-in-law. If the Wu Clan whispers in Chen Mo’s ear, they might send the Navy to attack us at Boli Kingdom. With our current strength, we are simply no match for them."

Nangong Jin, with a stern face, continued, "The current priority is to find the traitor in the team, and then transport goods along both open and covert routes to ensure supplies to Boli Kingdom. Once we understand what the fairy means by the blessed person and acquire the Immortal Fruit, today’s humiliation and anger can be avenged in the future.

Endure the storm for a moment, do you understand?"

Zhang Feng snorted twice in anger, clearly moved by Nangong Jin’s persuasion.

...

Celestial River.

Under Liang Ji’s arrangement, Zhao Ruhai and his wife Lv Clan met their daughter.

Before this, they learned through Peng Yi.

This Princess Consort Lan was actually the former Empress Dowager, taken as a concubine by Emperor of Da Wei.

This made them reflect on the rumors they heard about the Emperor of Da Wei on their way to the Capital.

It was said he was lecherous and loved other men’s wives.

Combining this with Princess Consort Lan’s recent words, the couple realized.

The so-called tarnished reputation was just an excuse; in fact, he had a fancy for their daughter, the former Empress.

The reason for this intricate maneuver was akin to a harlot trying to erect a memorial.

The real intention was to make their daughter voluntarily offer herself.

This realization deeply embarrassed Zhao Ruhai, but it also stirred up a feeling of excitement.

The Emperor of Da Wei was no longer the former Emperor.

This was a truly powerful Emperor, with authority, people, and wealth.

Being his woman, even as a small concubine, would certainly be far better than being the former Empress.

Furthermore, since Princess Consort Lan had come personally to speak, they dared not refuse.

Before Zhao Yushu arrived, the couple had already made up their minds.

In the Government Office.

"Father, Mother." Upon seeing Zhao Ruhai and Lv Clan, Zhao Yushu’s eyes turned red and tears welled up uncontrollably. She rushed into Lv Clan’s arms, her tear-stained face pitiable.

Lv Clan, deeply worried for her daughter, couldn’t hold back her tears upon seeing Zhao Yushu’s thin and haggard state, crying out, "My child."

"Don’t cry, Yushu. Your father and I know everything. If we had known earlier, we shouldn’t have agreed to this marriage. It’s all my fault for causing you so much suffering." Lv Clan tenderly stroked Zhao Yushu’s emaciated face and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears.

"Mother." Zhao Yushu looked up at Lv Clan, and then hugged her tightly again.

Even though Lv Clan was just a woman, not strong, hugging her made Zhao Yushu feel a special sense of security and an unprecedented warmth.

Lv Clan gently patted Zhao Yushu’s back, allowing her to sob silently.

After the mother and daughter had embraced for a while and emotions had stabilized, Zhao Yushu released Lv Clan, saying, "I don’t blame you and father. Let bygones be bygones."

Zhao Yushu felt she had to live her life well.

If she were to die, her parents would be devastated.

She asked, "Father, Mother, where is my brother? Didn’t he come?"

Lv Clan did not speak, looking at Zhao Ruhai.

Zhao Ruhai sighed and said, "Your brother? Recently, we arranged a betrothal with Landlord Chai’s daughter. That girl, whom your mother and I have observed, is not only pretty but clever. However, Landlord Chai is an utter opportunist..."

"Father, is Landlord Chai causing trouble for my brother?"

"Alas, you’ll find out when you go back, Yushu, so your father won’t hide it from you. Shortly after the engagement, Landlord Chai somehow learned that you would no longer be in the palace and intended to cancel the betrothal. However, since there were many witnesses at the engagement, he couldn’t outright reject it but instead made exorbitant demands for the bride price... two hundred thousand coins and a hundred acres of good land for marrying his daughter to your brother."

Saying this, Zhao Ruhai looked at Zhao Yushu expectantly, "Yushu, it’s not that your father doesn’t care about you, but your brother insists on marrying her. You must have saved some silver during your years in the palace; help your brother, and when you return, he will also remember your kindness and stand by you in the future."

These words rendered Zhao Yushu completely silent.

After a long pause, she bit her lip and said, "How can Landlord Chai be like this?"

Then Zhao Yushu asked, "Father, how much silver do we have at home now?"

"There are two thousand coins left; if we sell the house and those few mulberry fields, we might gather about four thousand coins." Lv Clan took over the conversation.

"That’s still far from the twenty thousand coins, and I don’t have much money on hand either." She did have some money and some expensive jewelry that, if sold, could fetch twenty or thirty thousand coins, but even combined with the family’s resources, it was still less than half of the required amount.

"That’s right, so your father and I discussed that if we really can’t gather enough money, we won’t proceed with this marriage. Given Landlord Chai’s opportunism, his daughter might also be affected. If she really marries over, it might not be a good thing. Moreover, it might serve as an opportunity for your brother to abandon this idea and seek another marriage," Lv Clan said.

"This... could also be good."

Although Zhao Yushu wanted to help, she truly felt powerless.

Zhao Ruhai, his eyes flickering, then spoke on other matters, pretending to inadvertently mention a concern.

Essentially, Zhao Yushu, when entering the palace as Empress, although without authority, was an Empress nonetheless.

During the time the Zhao Family used this status to develop, they offended some people.

Now that the Zhao Family had fallen, Zhao Ruhai was worried about whether these people might seek revenge.

"This..." Zhao Yushu furrowed her E Mei brows slightly.

The reason Lu Sheng supported Chu Yi’s accession was because he saw Chu Yi was without backing and could be easily controlled.

Therefore, during their puppet tenure, it was assured that external ministers would not be allowed to approach them, and ministers themselves dared not be close.

Once Chen Mo took power, the situation hadn’t improved much.

The few ministers from the Royalist Faction were merely powerless scholars without influence in court.

And now, with the establishment of the new dynasty, it was even less mentionable.

Seeing that Zhao Yushu could not offer help, she could only suggest moving.

Moving to a place where homes are cheap and few known people exist.

Zhao Ruhai agreed.

But soon, Lv Clan brought up another problem.

In summary, after talking, Zhao Yushu realized that the Zhao Family, without support, even if continuing forward, would face extremely difficult times.

While Zhao Yushu was feeling uncertain about the future, Zhao Ruhai lightly patted her shoulder, saying, "Yushu, don’t overthink. No matter how tough, can life be worse than it was before? Grit your teeth, and we’ll get through it."

"That’s right, Yushu. Today we’ll rest in the Capital for the night, tomorrow we’ll head back." Lv Clan said.

Looking at her parents, whose hair was already graying, Zhao Yushu felt deep sorrow, and she recalled what Liang Ji had told her.

Thinking about her identity again, the former Empress Dowager becoming the new dynasty’s Princess Consort Lan.

Perhaps...

...

Emperor’s bedroom.

Chen Mo and his family were having dinner together, a true reunion where no one was absent.

The delicacies were plentiful.

Hot and cold dishes, soups, cakes, fruit wines... everything was there and nothing was missing.

Wu Mi looked at Chen Mo, who was feeding their youngest daughter and softly said, "Your Majesty, shall we invite the State Preceptor to join us for the meal?"

"I sent someone to invite him; he refused to come," Chen Mo replied.

"Then it’s the wrong person who went to invite him," Xiao Yunxi laughed.