Since her marriage, Sister-in-law Leng Xue still frequented her shop. Father and Mother treated her equally and had no complaints. In fact, Leng Xue was excellent at handling the mother-in-law relationship; she often chatted and laughed with Mother, keeping her very happy.
Seeing how hard Mother had worked for the family over the years, Father directly handed over the household management rights to Leng Xue. It seemed both parents were very satisfied with her, and Mo Lixia was happy they had such a good daughter-in-law.
The New Year required many preparations. Leng Xue handled everything these past few days. Since becoming a "Young Miss," Lixia rarely had to worry about these chores, unlike when they lived in the mountains where she did everything herself. Now, she had much more leisure time.
Mo Chen had recently become obsessed with martial arts and often went to the manor's drill grounds to practice with Zhanchen. The boy learned quickly. For the past few days, he woke up early every morning, stood in the horse stance for four hours, and then went straight to the pharmacy after lunch.
Lixia basically left the pharmaceutical production to Mo Chen and Chu Yao now. The boy picked it up very fast.
It wasn't until New Year's Eve that the whole family finally relaxed. After the reunion dinner, they gathered in the main hall, sitting around the stove eating hotpot to keep vigil for the year (Shousui).
Mo Wushang sat at the head. Seeing his wife and children all present, he said a few heartwarming words before they started eating.
"Ah, Master, this lotus root sandwich is delicious..." Mo Chen, despite his young age, loved spicy food. He was huffing from the heat but couldn't stop eating.
Seeing him like this, Leng Xue couldn't help but burst out laughing, which made everyone else laugh too.
"Mo Chen, you've grown a lot taller since you arrived. At this age, you need to eat more," Madam Mo said, patting his head.
"Li'er, how did you make this hotpot base? It's really good. Usually, our hotpots are quite bland."
"Many people like spicy food. This kind of hotpot is perfect for it; the spiciness makes it addictive."
"True."
"By the way, we have to stay up all night. Li'er, do you want to embroider the screen with Mother and me to pass the time?"
"What screen?"
"It's the 'Silver Rabbit disturbing the Spring Night' made with rabbit fur. Mother likes it."
"Oh... ah, no, no thanks." Cutting and sewing clothes was fine, but embroidery... Lixia really didn't have the patience.
The women talked about women's things, and the men talked about men's things. It was lively. A'Mu sat on a small couch, hugging a pile of snacks and eating happily. Lixia looked at her relatives around her, feeling a warmth in her heart and an indescribable sense of peace.
While the family ate hotpot and chatted, firecrackers popped outside, signaling celebration. Inside, the stove burned brightly, warming every corner. Outside, snowflakes began to drift down sporadically.
After the hotpot, the family gathered in the hall. Mother and Leng Xue discussed the rabbits on the screen. Mo Chen and Zhanchen played chess. Father concentrated on practicing calligraphy at a desk. Lixia lay on a soft couch, hugging A'Mu and reading a medical book. eventually, she dozed off. It was so comfortable. She was eventually woken up by the arguing voices of her brother and Mo Chen.
Father had already written several pages of calligraphy, and the women had nearly finished the embroidery. The room was still warm, but outside, snow had covered the ground.
Lixia stretched, watched her mother for a while, helped Mo Chen make a chess move, and finally went to her father. Seeing his skilled large script, her hands itched. She picked up a brush and wrote a piece in Ouyang style next to him. In her previous life, when she was a shut-in, her grandfather had made her practice it, saying calligraphy was good for the temperament.
In contrast to the warmth of the Mo family, the magnificent and luxurious Imperial Palace was bustling with busy eunuchs and maids.
In the Great Hall, the Emperor sat on the throne in bright yellow robes, looking down at the dancing beauties below, observing the two brothers who appeared harmonious but were divided at heart. Prince Liang had arrived in the Capital with his eldest son two days ago. Today was the Royal Banquet. The only person absent was the Empress Dowager, who was said to be... ill.
Hearing this news, those present were likely secretly pleased. The Empress Dowager had no children of her own—well, she used to, but they died. The Emperor, Prince Rong, and even Prince Liang had all been plotted against by that old woman in their youth. She had done too many evil deeds; eventually, one has to pay...
The Emperor quietly placed food in the Empress's bowl. The Empress sat upright, looking straight ahead, showing neither happiness nor displeasure. The Emperor didn't mind and continued his attentive behavior.
Sitting a step lower, Concubine Dai looked at the couple with a sneer in her heart. She regretted agreeing to Prince Qi's plan to enter this deep palace. Her life had been ruined by these two men!
As the dance ended, Prince Liang laughed loudly. "This younger brother hasn't been in the Capital for years, but I know the popular dance tunes. Compared to today's dance, they are a hundred times better. Royal Brother's taste in choosing women is far superior to his taste in choosing dances."
Prince Liang's remark made the Emperor and Empress frown. Yi Junlan (Prince Kang) gripped his wheelchair, veins popping on his hands.
"My brother cannot appreciate my women. People are different, after all. If aspirations differ, everything looks repulsive! Isn't that right, Brother?" The Emperor retorted.
"Royal Brother is mistaken. I believe that since our youth, my preferences have been very similar to yours."
Everyone in the hall understood Prince Liang's implication. Except for Prince Su and Concubine Dai, who gloated internally, everyone else was displeased with Prince Liang's bold behavior.
"I don't think so," the Emperor said. "I recall my taste being miles apart from yours. I remember when you were in your prime, your manor had quite a few... male beauties!"
Prince Rong laughed loudly. "Brother Liang, that's not right. In our youth, you didn't like playing with us. Prince Qi's preference for keeping young boys was quite similar to yours... Sigh, it's a pity Prince Qi dared to commit such treasonous acts of usurpation. It chilled our hearts... Brother, knowing you share Prince Qi's tastes, do not follow in his footsteps."
Provoked by Prince Rong, Prince Liang's eyes shot cold stars, his eyebrows knit like brushed paint. He looked disgruntled, his face flushing red, veins on his arms visible. He huffed, "Naturally, I won't be as stupid as Prince Qi!"
"I know you are a smart man," the Emperor said.
Prince Liang sneered, downed a cup of wine, and said, "I will return tomorrow. I've caused Royal Brother much trouble these few days. It's the New Year; I must go back to check my old nest. I heard someone attacked it a few nights ago and nearly burned down my manor. Even my favorite concubine wasn't spared." He looked around meaningfully. "I wonder which bird-brain is so eager for my death."
Prince Rong drank his wine, not responding. Liu Jing, who was there to observe, ate and drank heartily as if it concerned him not at all.
The Emperor laughed loudly. "That thief is truly hateful, causing you such unhappiness. You should go back and check, lest your wife be overwhelmed. Tomorrow, I will send men to escort you."
"No need. My soldiers are seasoned from years of exposure; they are far better than the soft recruits of the Capital. I won't trouble Royal Brother."
In the hall, Empress Feng Nuoyan watched these royals fight to the death for political power with disdain. Just for that dragon chair, they hurt her son, of whom she was so proud, and took away the Yi Yunying she had loved so madly when they first met.
She knew how much youth and blood her son had sacrificed for the Great Yu. The young Crown Prince Lan, full of ambition, vowed to unify the world and give the people peace. But all his ambitions, her hopes, her pride—all ruined by these filthy people. Dragged into this power struggle, how could she not hate?
Yi Junlan didn't interject a single word from beginning to end. He ate his vegetables and drank his wine leisurely, maintaining vigilance while pretending to be aloof.
Prince Su, sitting below, glanced at him impatiently. Clearly at an age where he should be spirited, Junlan always acted with such deep, controlling calmness. Seeing him like that lit a fire in Prince Su's heart; he wanted to hit someone.
"I heard Royal Brother was poisoned with cold toxin? Why drink so much today? Aren't you afraid of hurting your body?"
Yi Junlan put down his cup without looking at him. "Cold toxin makes the body cold. Divine Doctor Baili said drinking some wine to warm the body is good." He turned to Prince Su and smiled. "Who knows? Maybe drinking this wine will cure the cold toxin... perhaps even my legs will heal?"
Prince Su didn't believe wine could cure illness. He raised his cup. "Then I hope Royal Brother recovers quickly. If you wait until Father Emperor is old and senile, it might be too late." He laughed and drank.
Yi Junlan didn't get angry. He ate a bite of food and said, "Don't worry. I will definitely live longer than you, and these legs will definitely walk more roads than you."
"Heh, that makes me look forward to it! ...How about a bet?"
"What do you want to bet?" Yi Junlan frowned.
Prince Su smiled smugly. "Let's bet on who will eventually walk up to that place." He gestured with his chin toward the Emperor's throne.
Yi Junlan didn't answer immediately. He elegantly drank another cup of wine. Prince Su thought he was afraid and grinned silently. "What? Royal Brother used to charge forward on the battlefield. Why today..."
Yi Junlan's dark eyes fixed on Prince Su. "I just feel there is no need to bet on that."
"Why? I find it quite interesting."
"That position belongs to me originally. Or does my younger brother intend to learn from Prince Qi?"
"Hmph. Although the throne is passed to the eldest legitimate son... given your current physical condition... I'm afraid... Father only has two sons, you and me." Prince Su glanced disdainfully at the wheelchair.
"My body is not a problem. Thank you for your concern."
"It is my duty. It concerns the state of Great Yu. I am worrying for the people!"
"You worry too much. Excessive worry ages you quickly." Yi Junlan's dark eyes glanced at Prince Su's crotch, and his lips curled into a smile.
"Hmph..."
Prince Su frowned and drank. No matter what he said, Yi Junlan maintained that indifferent expression. It was infuriating. Wasn't he supposed to be capable? Why look like this now? And yet, that old man (the Emperor) still favored him. Was Prince Su not his biological son? Why?
As Yi Junlan left, he passed by Liu Jing and slipped something into his sleeve. Both acted as if nothing happened and went their separate ways.
After the banquet, the Emperor went to the Imperial Study instead of the Empress's palace.
The Head Eunuch sighed outside the door. This huge palace had only two women. The Emperor's heart belonged to the Empress, but Concubine Dai had driven a wedge between them. Concubine Dai loved the Emperor, but because she used underhanded means to ruin the Emperor and Empress's relationship, the Emperor hated her. When would this end?
In her palace, Empress Feng Nuoyan removed her heavy, magnificent robes and ornaments, changing into simple lavender clothes and pinning her hair with a jade hairpin. Without the heavy makeup, she looked softer and younger, more like a beauty in her early thirties than her forties.
A breeze flickered the candles. Mother and son drank warm tea in Fengqian Palace.
"Lan'er, how is your health lately? Still feeling very cold?"
"Mother, it is much better. Do not worry."
"You are my son; how can I not worry? You need to clean up your manor. How could someone succeed so easily?"
"Prince Kang's Manor isn't a fortress. If someone is determined, it's hard to prevent... I've already dealt with it."
"By the way, an island nation sent a tribute of high-quality red fox fur. I asked your father for it and made you a cloak... Nanny Yan, bring it."
"Yes."
"Mother, I have caused you trouble."
"What are you saying? Mother has only one small wish: for you to get well soon. Sigh... By the way, have you looked for the expert who saved you two years ago? Doctor Baili said someone who could piece together the bone fragments in your knees must have medical skills higher than his. Maybe he can cure you?"
"Mother? Actually, that person... has been found. But..."
"But what? He refuses to treat you?"
Yi Junlan shook his head helplessly at his mother's questioning. "It was I who didn't let her treat me."
The Empress frowned. "Why?"
"Mother, don't ask. Son... doesn't want to say." Yi Junlan was confused himself; how could he explain it?
The Empress knew her son was independent. Seeing his expression, she thought for a moment and then asked with delight, "Lan'er, do you have someone you like?"
Yi Junlan froze, lowered his eyes to hide his expression, and after a long time, softly spat out, "No."
"Lying? You are my son; don't I know you?"
"Mother, it is late. I won't keep you up." Yi Junlan signaled, and Gu Qing instantly appeared.
"Your Highness?"
"Push me back."
"Yes."
"Lan'er? You... really won't tell Mother?" The Empress asked expectantly from behind.
"Mother, rest well." Holding the cloak she made, he left the palace.
"When you figure it out, you must tell me!"
Yi Junlan didn't look back.
"Sigh. Nanny Yan, do you think Lan'er has finally opened his heart?"
"Your Majesty, this slave doesn't know. But I saw the Prince blushing just now."
"Really?" The Empress laughed. "That child is shy. I wonder which family's girl it is? ...Could it be the expert who saved him? Oh my, Nanny Yan, do you think the expert is a man or a woman?"
"Your Majesty, you stumped me. How would I know?" Nanny Yan hadn't seen the Empress this happy in a long time. "Judging by the Prince's reaction, it's likely a girl."
"A girl would be good. If it's a man... Lan'er didn't want to say, could it be because the person is a man? Is that why he's conflicted?" The Empress worried. Her son hadn't had a woman in twenty years. Did he have different preferences?
"Your Majesty worries too much," Nanny Yan said.
Eventually, the Empress relaxed. "Fine, I'll wait for him to tell me. Let's sleep."
After lying in bed for a while and hearing silence outside, the Empress opened a secret mechanism on her bed. A crack appeared, and she dropped down into a tunnel, landing on a bed in a spacious, bright secret chamber with a hot spring.
As she sat up, a stone door opposite her opened, and the Emperor walked in with a joyous face.
"Yan Yan? You sought me out voluntarily today. I am very happy." He hugged her.
"I have business with you. Be serious," she glared.
"When am I not serious?"
"Every time."
"Yan Yan, I missed you. You give me the cold shoulder during the day and won't let me stay overnight. I am the Emperor, yet I have only one woman and can't even be intimate. Won't the subjects laugh?"
"They already laugh," she retorted.
"Hmph. You dislike me clinging to you? Go find your little beauty, Concubine Dai. Or take more young concubines; I won't stop you."
"Yan Yan, you know only you are in my heart. I never liked Dai Xin'er."
"Hmph. I came to talk about Lan'er."
"Lan'er? Is he sick again?"
"He is sick." The Empress nodded gravely.
The Emperor worried instantly. "I'll send for Doctor Baili. What happened?"
"It's not the cold toxin. It's likely lovesickness. And... it might be for a man."
The Emperor was confused.
"Yi Yunying, I tell you, I only have this one son. He's in this state because of you. Now he finally likes someone, and we don't know the gender. Lan'er is over twenty and has no official wife. Your other son has a manor full of beauties."
"Didn't you say Lan'er should choose his own wife? I blocked all the ministers' petitions for him. Why blame me now?" The Emperor lost his majesty. "Do you know which family's young lady it is?"
"If I knew, would I be asking you? I only know it's the person who saved him two years ago. I'm worried it's a man."
"A man is absolutely out of the question. Lan'er must inherit the throne."
"So what do we do?"
The Emperor held her, his hands wandering. "Don't worry, Yan Yan. I'll ask him. Also, I've found a girl for Lan'er. She's perfect."
"Who?"
"General Mo's newly returned daughter, Mo Lixia. She saved me when I was injured on a mission. If not for her, I would have died... Yan Yan?"
"You old lecher, your death is none of my business." Though she said that, she was relieved.
"I heard Miss Mo's reputation isn't good. She's said to be unrefined."
"I spread those rumors," the Emperor laughed. "Such a good girl can't be snatched by others. I'm saving her for Lan'er. She knows medicine, has patience, and can treat Lan'er. Maybe she can cure him. What do you think?"
"You calculate everything. Have you asked if Lan'er likes her? Or if she is willing? My greatest wish was a couple for a lifetime... Hmph, I didn't achieve it, but my son can. I won't allow him to be promiscuous."
"Yan Yan... alright, don't be angry. I only made that one mistake. Won't you forgive me? Are you lonely? I'm ready anytime."
"Get away, shameless!"
"When have I ever had shame in front of you?"
Prince Kang's Manor.
Yi Junlan took the medicine Doctor Baili prepared, but he felt colder recently.
Liu Jing received Junlan's note and called Jiang Yinghan.
"I want Prince Liang to have a one-way trip," Junlan said calmly while drinking warm wine.
"Ha... I was waiting for you to say that. Zhanchen and I have already set up the ambush," Liu Jing laughed.
"Be cautious. His son is more vicious than he is," Jiang Yinghan added, fanning himself despite the snow.
"Don't worry. We have an insider. We'll use strategy... take him alive?" Jiang asked.
"No," Junlan said.
"Strategy is good," Liu Jing said. "My Royal Uncle and Father cared too much about reputation, 'brothers shouldn't kill each other.' But the people hate Prince Liang. If we had just killed him earlier, the Great Yu would be peaceful."
"Tell me the plan."
"We plan to strike at Wu Ren Po (No Man's Slope) in his fief..."
"I think just killing him quietly is a waste. Let's kill two birds with one stone. Prime Minister Beiye and Prince Liang are too close. What if Beiye grew resentful?" Junlan suggested.
Jiang Yinghan snapped his fan shut. "Brilliant. Frame him."
"Done. I'm on it," Liu Jing said, heading out. "Wait, it's New Year's. If I do this, I want a reward."
"One estate for each of you when it's done."
"I want to pick!" Liu Jing shouted. "I want the horse ranch in the north of the city!"
"Cheapskate, asking for your dowry from us," Jiang teased.
After they left, Yi Junlan leaned against the window. The wind howled. He felt empty. A'Mu hadn't visited in days. What was she doing?
He sighed, drank his wine, and wrote on paper: "Cold wind and drifting snow, leaning alone. Wine enters the sorrowful gut, turning into thoughts of lovesickness."
He wondered what attracted him to her so instantly. Love was hard to understand. Some people were just destined to appear in your life and never fade.
Mo Lixia, sleeping soundly, had no idea someone was drinking away lovesickness for her.
New Year's Day.
After receiving red envelopes, the Mo family went their separate ways. Lixia gave her maids huge red envelopes (100 taels each), which shocked them, then went back to sleep.
Zhanchen, Leng Xue, and Mo Chen went to the Temple Fair.
At the fair, the group met up with Liu Jing, Jiang Yinghan, Yang Yu Xi (Yang Yufu's brother) and his wife, and Yufu.
"Where is Li'er?" Mutong asked.
"Sleeping. She stayed up all night."
The fair was bustling with snacks and toys. The women shopped happily, buying hairpins and sugar figures, while the men carried their bags.
Liu Jing, seeing Mo Chen following the women, pulled him away. "Kid, why follow the women? Come, Brother Jing will show you something fun." He took him to see fire breathers and jugglers.
Later, while eating hot tofu, the group chatted. Mutong hesitated to eat because of her diet, but Jiang Yinghan encouraged her, saying she had slimmed down and her dimples were showing. Mutong blushed.
Suddenly, Prince Su and the Beiye siblings arrived.
"Brother Jing, eating such lowly food?" Prince Su sneered.
"Royal Brother, accompanying Miss Beiye? You've been together so long, why haven't you asked for a marriage decree? It's bad for her reputation," Liu Jing mocked, implying they were already intimate.
Beiye Yinman turned pale. Prince Su tried to comfort her, but she walked away, using this to pressure him.
Later, Mo Chen spotted the thief who had stolen from him before ("A'Heng"). He chased him into an alley but got lost and was tripped by the thief into the mud.
"Haha... so ugly," A'Heng mocked and stepped on Mo Chen's butt. "Hmph, follow me again and I'll drop you."
Liu Jing and Zhanchen watched but didn't interfere.
"Good show," Liu Jing grinned. "Boys should fight to get tough."
Mo Chen returned to the group, lying that he fell by himself.
New Year's Day 2.
Lixia slept until dark. The next day, Leng Xue came to visit.
"Li'er, about those... bras and panties you gave me. Can I sell them?"
"Of course. It's handiwork. If you launch it first in the noble circle, you'll make a fortune before others copy it."
"If I make money, I'll give you half."
"You're the best, Sister-in-law. Just keep supplying me with them."
While the women made bras in the inner court, Lixia worked on incense and toothbrushes (using pig bristles).
Prince Liang's Death.
Prince Liang and his son arrived at their desolate fief. They stopped at an inn near Wu Ren Po.
Prince Liang was cautious, having a soldier test the food with silver needles. The waiter ("Xiao Er") was friendly.
After leaving, the soldiers began feeling dizzy and weak.
"We've been drugged!"
"Wait, we tested the food!"
"Xiao Er" appeared with a mask. "We are an honest shop. We just want some pocket money."
Hundreds of black-clad men rushed out. Prince Liang's son, Yi Mingji, grabbed a horse and fled with his father.
"Xiao Er" (the ambush leader) let them go. "The sword was poisoned. He won't live past tonight."
Indeed, Prince Liang died. His son escaped back to the manor, believing Prime Minister Beiye had betrayed them because the "bandits" dropped a token belonging to Beiye.
The Aftermath in the Capital.
Everyone discussed Prince Liang's death.
In the palace, the Emperor paced. "You ordered Prince Liang's death?"
"Yes," Yi Junlan admitted while playing chess.
"Sigh... too rash. But fine, he's dead. His son is coming to the Capital to return the body."
"I know."
Lixia's Illness.
Lixia was busy making products for her new shop. She sent her new guard, Tian Mai (a stone-faced man with high efficiency), to hunt wild boars for bristles.
She mobilized all her maids to make incense, paste, and toothbrushes.
One day, she went to the mountains to pick wild plum blossoms in the cold wind. She came back sweaty and tired. Despite Xiqiu's warnings, she took a bath and washed her hair.
She fell asleep in the tub. The maids woke her up, but she had already caught a chill.
That night, she developed a high fever. A'Mu, realizing she was unresponsive, ran to wake Xiqiu and then raided the pharmacy for herbs.
Mo Chen rushed over and diagnosed her with wind-cold fever. The whole family—Father, Mother, Leng Xue—gathered anxiously.
Lixia had a long dream about her modern family, saying goodbye. She woke up to see her ancient family with disheveled hair, caring for her.
"I'm sick?" Her voice was hoarse.
"Mother stayed up all night for you."
"Sorry to make you worry."
"We are family."
After she fell asleep again, Mo Wushang carried the sleepy Mo Chen back to his room.