Chapter 576: 662
Don’t think Zhao Jiangning didn’t notice Chen Mo and Xiao Yunxi whispering to each other; she just chose not to mention it at the moment.
"Just chatting about some private matters, asking about that girl from Jiangnan," Chen Mo made up casually.
Zhao Jiangning pursed her lips, somewhat skeptical.
Walking along the main path of the harem, palace maids frequently passed by. Seeing Zhao Jiangning holding Chen Mo’s arm, their cheeks flushed red, murmuring to themselves how bold the two were, while respectfully saying out loud, "Greetings to Prince Zhen Nan, and Prince De Ning."
Zhao Jiangning nodded but didn’t let go of Chen Mo’s arm. People’s courage increases with their status and identity. Now that Chen Mo was Prince Zhen Nan, standing at the pinnacle of the Great Song Court Hall, she, as his consort, naturally felt a bit more arrogant.
Moreover, since everyone knew about her and Chen Mo’s relationship, what was wrong with holding his arm in public?
Perhaps it was also because of all the grievances and hardships she suffered since childhood; now she just wanted to seek happiness in her own way.
"Do you believe they’ll say you’re shameless behind your back?" Chen Mo waved his hand, dismissing the palace maids, laughing lightly. The palace is still quite conservative.
"Let them say it; after all, it’s their mouths, and I can’t control it. There’s even talk about you and the Empress Dowager... having an affair," Zhao Jiangning said, pretending to inadvertently.
After speaking, she glanced at Chen Mo’s eyes, always watching for his reaction.
Chen Mo’s gaze paused slightly, then he laughed, "How can rumors be true? Jiangning, you don’t believe it, do you?"
Unless caught red-handed, he wouldn’t discuss this matter with anyone, not even with his own woman.
Zhao Jiangning caught this subtle change and said, "It’s fine if you don’t admit it; I’m not bothered, nor am I angry with you. After all, the Empress Dowager also needs someone to rely on..."
As she spoke, she leaned close to Chen Mo’s ear and whispered, asking if he would like her and the Empress Dowager to serve him together in bed...
Upon hearing this, a surge arose in Chen Mo’s lower abdomen, almost blurting it out. Luckily, he realized in time that this was her provocation and immediately lifted his hand, opening her collar and putting his hand in to warm her:
"You little devil, daring to tease even me."
Noticing Chen Mo’s actions, Zhao Jiangning blushed a little, surprised at his boldness, but having not seen him for over a month, she somewhat missed him, her eyes holding a different meaning:
"Don’t... don’t do it here."
Chen Mo: "..."
He glanced around, knowing some palaces in the harem were empty, wrapped his arm around Zhao Jiangning’s waist, flew over the high wall, and landed on the other side.
This courtyard was empty; Chen Mo sensed no one was there.
Chen Mo originally wanted to take her inside, but Zhao Jiangning turned around and untied Chen Mo’s belt with her hands.
Chen Mo blinked. Goodness, right across the wall, there were palace maids and eunuchs passing by...
Are you that eager?
But as a man, he didn’t decline.
He pressed Zhao Jiangning’s head...
...
...
Two palace maids were walking along East Hua Avenue when suddenly one stopped and softly asked, "Zhu’er, did you hear something?"
"What sound?"
"It sounds like a woman crying." The palace maid pointed at the wall, "It seems to be coming from the other side."
Zhu’er shook her head, saying, "This is Qian’an Palace. Since Consort Liu was sentenced to death by the Late Emperor, no one has moved in."
"Consort Liu? Is she the one who was found pregnant with a royal heir and then sentenced to death by the Late Emperor?" The palace maid shivered.
Zhu’er nodded abruptly. Another sobbing sound came, and the two women exchanged glances, their faces suddenly changing, and screamed ’ghost’ before fleeing in panic.
Two intervals later, Chen Mo felt comfortable all over, tidied his robes, and after Zhao Jiangning finished straightening up, he wrapped his arm around her and climbed over the wall again.
Zhao Jiangning still had sweat on her forehead, her legs a bit weak. After so long without intimacy, her head was still a bit dizzy, she pouted, "It’s all your fault. We almost got caught."
"How is it my fault? You were the one who couldn’t keep quiet."
"You... bullied me. How could I... endure..."
With one word after another, the two walked farther and farther.
...
After leaving the palace, Chen Mo asked Zhao Jiangning to go home first; he still had to visit the Princess’s Mansion.
He went to the Princess’s Mansion mainly to see how she was progressing in cultivating "Spear Emerges Like a Dragon" and to meet Wei Ying, whom she kept thinking about.
Zhao Qianyi’s progress was a bit slow. It had been over a month, and she had only reached the beginner level of "Spear Emerges Like a Dragon." Since Chen Mo hadn’t seen anyone else practice it, comparing it with himself showed it was quite slow.
But Zhao Qianyi was satisfied, even though she was just a beginner, she could feel this move had already surpassed the Celestial Tier martial arts categories, with power beyond it.
Zhao Qianyi cared much about all the common people. She even talked to Chen Mo about the current situation, asking when he planned to send troops to quell the domestic rebellion.
Chen Mo replied he would wait until Huangfu Hao led the troops back, and after a period of rest, they could start preparing.
Zhao Qianyi glanced at Chen Mo a few times, "Are you planning to lead the army personally again this time?"
Chen Mo nodded. It was a great opportunity to test the strength of his Foundation Establishment.
Seeing this, Zhao Qianyi sighed and said, "For those in power, they should oversee everything from behind the scenes. Why go out and fight yourself? Life can’t always be smooth sailing; success can come ten times, a hundred, but a single mistake can lead to total defeat.
How many great men all over the world, having smooth lives, ended up stumbling over small matters? If you keep this up, sooner or later, the women in your household will end up as widows."
Chen Mo: "..."
Zhao Qianyi continued, "Take Xiao Yunqi for example, in his youth, he fought everywhere, didn’t he retreat to the background later on?"
Chen Mo understood her concerns, knowing it was for his own good. Not everything needed his personal involvement.
He said, "But if I don’t go, who should lead the troops? I don’t have many First Grade Martial Artists under me."
Zhao Qianyi rolled her eyes at Chen Mo, "Has this palace been guarding the Tiger Pass for over ten years for nothing?"
Chen Mo touched his nose, not arguing with her, and earnestly said, "Alright, this time I’ll let you go, and I’ll support you from behind."
"It’s good that you can listen," Zhao Qianyi smiled faintly.
...
After leaving the Princess’s Mansion, Chen Mo summoned Quan Qiyang, instructing him to send the people from Mo Bingtai to Jizhou, to gather information on the main leaders of the Yellow Turban Bandits for him.
Even before the troops move, intelligence must be gathered.
And not to worry him about money matters. With the treasure from Nan Zhou, Chen Mo was soon going to receive money from the Wan Kingdom; he’s truly not short of money, so he told Quan Qiyang to use whatever money could buy.
Quan Qiyang respectfully agreed.
Before leaving, rather unexpectedly, he said to Chen Mo, "Prince, come and visit the mansion when you have time. My sister returned from Nanyang."
ps: Adding a Chapter from yesterday.
