Chongzhou, the Imperial Palace.
In the quiet and majestic study, a man in a bright yellow dragon robe sat before a desk piled high with thick memorial scrolls.
A eunuch, hunched over, grinding ink with a delicate, almost feminine hand, reported the latest news from below.
He kept his head respectfully bowed the entire time, not daring to look around.
After he finished his report, a profound silence fell upon the vast study.
After a long pause, a soft chuckle finally broke the stillness: "Heh, a woman?"
The man at the desk casually tossed a memorial aside. "I've chosen so many women for him over the years, and he didn't fancy a single one. Who would have thought, after disappearing for a few years, he'd bring back a woman himself, and with a child too?"
Though his tone was light, the eunuch, who had served him for many years, could still detect the underlying anger.
He lowered his head even further, not daring to speak.
The Emperor rubbed his temples. "Never mind. A woman he fancies must be no ordinary person. Cao Zhuang, send more people to thoroughly investigate that woman's background."
"Yes."
Cao Zhuang put down the inkstone and responded respectfully.
The same matter was being discussed in different parts of Chongzhou.
Everyone was curious about the identity of this woman who could make the usually reclusive Regent personally escort her into his manor.
In just one day, whether openly or covertly, curiosity about Li Yue Shu seemed to have become a topic of discussion for everyone.
Meanwhile, Li Yue Shu, at the center of this whirlwind, was completely unaware. She was following Yan Bo towards Ru Mo Ju.
As they reached the entrance, Li Yue Shu's eyes fell upon the plaque. The seal on it bore a resemblance to the Regent's manor plaque, but it was subtly different.
She asked curiously, "Yan Bo, was this also inscribed by the Emperor?"
The calligraphy seemed similar to the manor's plaque, but the brushstrokes were entirely different. This "Ru Mo Ju" clearly possessed a touch more feminine grace.
Yan Bo smiled kindly, glanced at the plaque, and shook his head. "This inscription is by the Empress."
Li Yue Shu was slightly surprised and waited for him to elaborate, but Yan Bo simply instructed people to move her belongings inside.
Li Yue Shu could only follow.
Ru Mo Ju was vast, and every detail of its decoration exuded refinement and elegance.
In her more than two years in this world, Li Yue Shu had never seen such luxurious and exquisite decor.
It seemed Qin Mo Yuan, the Regent, was indeed wealthy. Perhaps the ten taels of gold he owed her would be repaid soon!
Li Yue Shu thought gleefully as she began unpacking the children's belongings.
The manor had many guest rooms, and the children were arranged in separate courtyards.
The three elder children had no objections, but Shen Zhi Yu was reluctant to be separated from his mother.
Li Yue Shu didn't mind, but for some reason, after Qin Mo Yuan spoke to him, the little one voluntarily offered to sleep alone upon his return.
Thus, the spacious Ru Mo Ju was inhabited only by Li Yue Shu and Mother Mo.
Looking at the somewhat empty Ru Mo Ju, Qin Mo Yuan suddenly had a new plan in mind.
When Li Yue Shu saw him, he was stroking his chin, deep in thought.
She brushed off her sleeves and walked over. "You're here just in time. I need to talk to you about something."
Li Yue Shu clapped the dust off her hands and produced a piece of paper from her spatial storage. "Since we've arrived in Chongzhou, let's settle this!"
Upon seeing the familiar yet unfamiliar IOU, Qin Mo Yuan's almost buried memories suddenly resurfaced, and his smile involuntarily froze on his face.
He opened his mouth, but meeting Li Yue Shu's earnest expression, he found himself unable to utter a single word.
"Yan Bo!" Qin Mo Yuan's voice was filled with helplessness. "Go to the treasury and withdraw ten taels of gold."
Yan Bo glanced at Qin Mo Yuan, then at Li Yue Shu, and instantly understood.
He hadn't expected His Highness to grasp the principle of spending money on a woman. How fortunate!
With this thought, he quickly fetched ten taels of gold from the treasury and personally handed it to Li Yue Shu. "Miss, take this and spend it leisurely. If it's not enough, our manor still has more!"
Li Yue Shu's hand paused as she took the money.
Had this butler uncle misunderstood something?
She looked at Qin Mo Yuan, who, however, offered a gentle smile. "It's getting late. I've asked the kitchen to prepare some of your favorite dishes. Let's go to the front hall for dinner."
When they arrived, Shen Yi Min and the others were already waiting.
Li Yue Shu surveyed the room and asked, "Where are Zhou Chen and the others?"
Yan Bo quickly stepped forward to reply, "Your servant has made all the arrangements. They are already eating."
Hearing this, Li Yue Shu didn't ask further. She walked directly to Shen Zhi Yu and sat beside him, with Qin Mo Yuan taking the empty seat next to her.
The dishes on the table were exquisite, and their taste was excellent. For everyone who had mostly eaten dried rations along the way, it was undoubtedly a feast.
After a satisfying meal, Li Yue Shu was wiping Shen Zhi Yu's mouth.
Qin Mo Yuan watched her actions and spoke proactively, "Ah Shu, you and the children might have to temporarily stay in the manor for these few days."
Li Yue Shu paused and looked up. "Why?"
She had her own matters to attend to in Chongzhou and had already asked Hong Dai to help purchase a residence. Naturally, there was no reason for her to stay in the manor indefinitely.
Qin Mo Yuan knew she would ask and stated frankly, "From the moment you entered the manor, the eyes watching me have also been watching you."
"If you are within the manor, no one will know any news about you without my permission. But once you step outside the gates, I cannot guarantee anything."
Although these were pre-prepared words, they were also the truth.
The world said he held absolute power in Chen Nan Kingdom, but in the small region of Chongzhou alone, those who wished him dead could form an army.
Every time he went out, a group of tails would invariably follow him.
Li Yue Shu was not a naive fool. She could naturally guess the undercurrents hidden beneath Chongzhou's dazzling prosperity.
After a long period of hesitation, she finally agreed to stay, but with a condition. "Then let Zhou Chen and the others go first. They can also deliver a message to Hong Dai for me."
She had already noticed that after learning of Qin Mo Yuan's identity, they had been acting very reserved.
It seemed that when she trained them later, she would also need to work on their psychological resilience.
Qin Mo Yuan's objective had always been solely Li Yue Shu. Naturally, he would not detain Zhou Chen and the others. He immediately instructed Xing He, who had just returned from completing a task, to arrange for their departure from the manor.
Xing He's legs were still a bit weak. Upon hearing that he had to do another task, he almost collapsed onto the ground.
His master said he lacked perception and needed more work to improve, but he clearly showed diligence and effort. Why did his master still punish him?
He couldn't figure it out!
He felt so wronged!
So hungry…
Xing He wanted to cry, but he feared his master would punish him more severely. He could only swallow his tears and turn to arrange for Zhou Chen and the others to leave the manor.
Chai Yang stood silently in a corner, watching Xing He work himself to exhaustion, and shook his head in silent lament.
This fool would probably never understand his mistake even after the young lady accepted his master.
Compared to Xing He's grievances, Qin Mo Yuan's mood was excellent.
He bent down and scooped Shen Zhi Yu into his arms.