Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 869: Chapter 874-875: Zhao Yushu Seeks Help from Liang Ji (Part 2)

"How was it, did it taste good?"

"It was okay."

Chen Mo smiled and stopped talking, lifting pieces of the whole Spirit Fish from the dish and feeding them into Nalan Yiren’s mouth.

After she finished eating, he used a handkerchief to wipe away the shiny oil from her lips.

"Do you want to eat some more?" Chen Mo softly asked.

"I’ll do it myself..."

Nalan Yiren started forming seals with her hands, and the commotion in the medicine furnace calmed down.

She gently exhaled and slowly concluded, saying, "Alright, next we add various poisons and simmer for forty-nine days, and it will be done."

"You’ve worked hard." Chen Mo reached out and held Nalan Yiren’s slender hand.

This time, after a few breaths, Nalan Yiren finally withdrew her hand, without saying anything, picking up chopsticks to eat the dishes Chen Mo brought.

Chen Mo also remained silent, sitting quietly beside her, watching her eat.

Nalan Yiren didn’t speak either, she quite enjoyed this atmosphere, so much that even the rice she was eating seemed particularly delicious now.

After finishing the meal, Chen Mo invited Nalan Yiren to take a walk in the back garden.

"A date..."

This thought flashed through Nalan Yiren’s mind.

Previously, her anger over Chen Mo kissing her was because it felt too fast and disrespectful, skipping even the step of dating.

She hesitated, thinking she should bathe and tidy up before going.

But would that be too obvious? Would it make him overthink?

In the end, she decided to take the walk and shower afterward.

She softly replied, "Mm."

...

Lanxiang Palace.

Liang Ji had just finished bathing and changed into a dark purple nightdress, her long hair let loose, seated on the soft chaise. Her face, showing graceful beauty, reflected a maternal glow as she softly hummed a tune to coax Xiaochen Qin to sleep.

Originally, the plan was for Xiao Yunxi to adopt Chen Qin to Liang Ji later on.

But now, Liang Ji wasn’t willing.

This was her own son by birth, why adopt him?

Since Chen Mo had already conferred her the title of Princess Consort Lan, and the world was stable now, he decided to publicly announce that Chen Qin was Liang Ji’s biological son.

"Lady, the Zhao... Noble has arrived."

Having just lulled Xiaochen Qin to sleep, a female official quickly entered the hall and softly informed Liang Ji.

Seeing Zhao Yushu hadn’t left the palace, Liang Ji’s graceful brows slightly raised, her rosy lips gently parting to say warmly, "Summon."

Saying this, she handed Xiaochen Qin to the female official, asking her to take him away.

Shortly after, a tall lady in a blue palace skirt gracefully stepped into the hall.

"Greetings to Lady Lanfei." Zhao Yushu, though momentarily silent, finally greeted Liang Ji, who had been called Empress Dowager just a month ago by Yushu. Now, she had become the Princess Consort Lan of the Emperor of Da Wei, while Yushu was left with no status, becoming just a common civilian.

Liang Ji, with eyes as clear as water, gazed at Zhao Yushu, raising her hand, "No need for formalities."

Speaking, she feigned surprise and asked, "Yushu, didn’t your parents enter the capital today? Why are you still in the palace?"

"Well..." Zhao Yushu lowered her eyes evasively, finding it hard to express.

"All of you may leave." Liang Ji waved a delicate hand, dismissing the servants around her, then patted the soft chaise, "Yushu, come sit, speak slowly."

"Yes."

Zhao Yushu answered, walked over, but did not sit on the same chaise as Liang Ji, instead sitting on a round stool below her. Her full hips outlined a tempting curve, tightly stretching the skirt.

Zhao Yushu’s lips lightly parted, "Lady Lanfei, could you lend me some money?"

"How much?" Liang Ji asked.

Zhao Yushu raised a hand, opening five fingers, "Fifty thousand taels."

"Fifty thousand!"

Liang Ji showed a surprise, although her dowry was several million taels when she entered the palace, fifty thousand was merely a small sum. That was more than ten years ago now, her dowry had long been used to support the Imperial Family of the previous dynasty, she couldn’t spare fifty thousand now, had to ask her family.

However, if the family knew she wanted fifty thousand taels to lend to Zhao Yushu, they likely wouldn’t give it.

The Liang Family was also struggling.

When they supported King Chong and Prince Huai before, they invested a huge sum.

Later, when Lu Sheng teamed up with King Chong and Prince Huai to take military action against Chen Mo, they again wagered another huge sum.

In the end, Chen Mo took power, although due to Liang Ji and the Liang family’s influence, Chen Mo didn’t punish the Liang Family. But since they survived the crisis, how could they not make a gesture? Thus they took out another significant amount.

Fifty thousand taels isn’t too much or too little, if used for necessary purposes, it wouldn’t be an issue, but to lend it to someone...

Liang Ji asked, "Why do you need so much money?"

Zhao Yushu’s teeth bit into her lip, after a moment of struggle, she spoke about her younger brother’s marriage.

"That’s it?"

With an unconcerned tone, Liang Ji assured Zhao Yushu, "Yushu, considering our past relationship, I can ask His Majesty to grant them a marriage, then that Landlord Chai would naturally not make things difficult for your Zhao Family."

Hearing this, Zhao Yushu was taken aback, then her eyes brightened, truthfully she wasn’t sure if Liang Ji would help when she mentioned it. Now it seemed she gained extra benefits.

"Thank you, Lady Lanfei." Zhao Yushu hurriedly thanked.

"No need to rush your thanks," Liang Ji said. "Although His Majesty’s granting of marriage can solve this issue, it only addresses the moment, not a lifetime. After marriage, whether your brother and she can live together long-term, His Majesty can’t guarantee, since it’s a family matter."

Upon hearing Liang Ji’s words, Zhao Yushu’s joy slightly paused.

Indeed, ultimately they are responsible, His Majesty’s marriage grant could give Zhao Family face, but it can’t solve the underlying problems.

Seeing Zhao Yushu remaining silent, Liang Ji pondered and offered, "Yushu, there are plenty of fish in the sea, why insist on Chai Family? You could find a girl from another family, I will still ask His Majesty to grant their marriage when you settle."

Zhao Yushu let out a few bitter laughs, "Forget it, Lady Lanfei, could you help me with another matter?"

"Tell me about it," Liang Ji didn’t immediately agree.

Zhao Yushu spoke about the current issues facing Zhao Family, if Liang Ji agreed to help, the Zhao Family would find support, leveraging Liang Ji’s prestige, thus those people wouldn’t dare offend the Zhao Family.

"I can help you..."

Just as Liang Ji began speaking, Zhao Yushu’s eyes brightened, but Liang Ji’s subsequent words dimmed that brightness, "But still, I can only help temporarily, not long-term. Don’t expect the Zhao Family to leverage my name recklessly afterward, I won’t consent. Ultimately, the Zhao Family caused these issues because your father once exploited your name to stir up trouble."

Zhao Yushu: "..."

Liang Ji stood up, came before Zhao Yushu, bent slightly, held her slender hand, soothingly said, "I can give you a clear path."

"A clear path?" Zhao Yushu’s eyes flickered slightly.

...

Back garden.

Chen Mo and Nalan Yiren strolled along the path in the back garden, without attendants following them, their steps were leisurely as Chen Mo began sharing stories of his past with Nalan Yiren.

He portrayed his life history as even more tragic than Nalan Yiren’s.

The reason for sharing this was to foster Nalan Yiren’s empathy and strengthen their emotional connection.

Upon reaching a point, Chen Mo halted and turned his head towards Nalan Yiren, softly asking, "By the way, you haven’t told me about your grandfather’s stories, would you share them?"

Nalan Yiren hesitated, but seeing as Chen Mo had already shared his past with her, she felt obliged to reciprocate and began to speak.

Chen Mo listened silently without interrupting.

Nalan Yiren indeed had deep feelings for her grandfather, not long into her storytelling, her eyes reddened, missing him, and her mood grew sorrowful.

At this moment, Chen Mo reached out, held Nalan Yiren’s slender hand, then gently drew her into his embrace, offering comfort.