Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 496: The Li Family Seeks Alliance

The banquet hall in the backyard of the Shuofei County Government Office.

Upon hearing Zuo Lianglun’s words, a trace of panic appeared in Yue Ruyan’s long eyes, fleeting, as she coldly said, "Is the Marquis willing to take us in?"

"General Yue, please sit, let’s talk while we eat." Zuo Lianglun teased.

Yue Ruyan furrowed her brow and sat boldly behind the table as if she were a man, producing a crisp metallic sound as her armor leaves clashed.

"The Marquis said that past events were a misunderstanding, and he specially ordered me to apologize to General Yue on his behalf. The Marquis also said that General Yue first led the army to resist the Seven Western Rong Countries, repelling foreign invasions and defending the dignity of our Great Song. Later, you resisted Jin Xia, swore never to surrender, standing strong and firm, a heroine admired by all.

Now, hearing that General Yue is fond of someone, it’s truly an honor for that person. Since General Yue is willing to entrust her life to him, he will never let the lady down in this lifetime. When he returns victorious, he will surely welcome General Yue into his household with a grand eight-lift sedan chair." Zuo Lianglun conveyed Chen Mo’s words. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Upon hearing this, Yue Ruyan’s delicate body hidden in the armor trembled slightly. She involuntarily clenched the wine cup on the table, her fingers exerting a little more force.

In fact, when she agreed with Zuo Lianglun earlier, Yue Ruyan still held a small hope that Zuo Lianglun was acting on his own and that Chen Mo, as the young Marquis, and master of the Four States, would not resort to ’coercion’ at this time, subsequently rejecting Zuo Lianglun’s proposal.

Or perhaps Chen Mo would politely refuse, saying something like, "I am already married, how could I wrong General Yue," and then she could take Chen Mo’s polite refusal as genuine and resolve the matter smoothly.

But Chen Mo didn’t offer even a token gesture of politeness, completely extinguishing her hope.

Zuo Lianglun naturally sensed the subtle change in Yue Ruyan and deliberately said, "Congratulations to General Yue on your wish coming true."

But Yue Ruyan showed no sign of joy. Although Chen Mo’s name was well-known, and his power, status, and reputation among the people were indeed enviable, his private conduct was not admirable.

Greedy, lustful, deceitful, fond of married women...

Yue Ruyan took a sip of wine and said, "Personal matters can be discussed later. Lord Zuo, how do you plan to fend off the Jin Xia army coming from Longyou?"

"This matter is beyond my jurisdiction. General Yue should ask General Li. Let’s continue our conversation about personal matters." Zuo Lianglun said with a smile.

...

Huai State.

Yi County.

"I was puzzled as to why Prince Huai’s sudden military attack on Huai State couldn’t capture the small Yi County. Li Mingzhong and Li Mingfan, being Prince Huai’s relatives, why would they suddenly defect? Turns out it was you, old fellow, behind it."

Once Xiao Jing was ready, he immediately arrived in Huai State and met with Geng Songfu. Under Geng Songfu’s arrangement, he reached Yi County.

At the time, Geng Songfu promised him a surprise, and he wondered what it was.

He didn’t expect it to be Wu Yanqing.

Both of them had once served in the court in their youth and had even visited a brothel together, counted as like-minded fellows.

After each inherited the position of Patriarch, they lost contact.

They hadn’t seen each other for decades.

Xiao Jing took a good long look at Wu Yanqing before speaking.

Although Wu Yanqing had long known Xiao Jing would come, he was still momentarily stunned when they met, then laughed heartily, shook Xiao Jing’s hand, and celebrated together.

After some pleasantries, there was a bit of awkwardness between them.

Because now, their daughters belong to the same man.

It was Wu Yanqing who broke the awkwardness with a laugh, saying, "Brother Xiao, it’s been decades since we last met. Today we should drink heartily."

"Drink to our heart’s content." Xiao Jing, tacitly agreeing not to mention it, laughed too.

"Someone, bring the wine." Wu Yanqing called out loudly.

As they drank one bowl after another, they inevitably discussed Chen Mo.

Xiao Jing wiped the wine from his beard and said, "Brother Wu, you truly have an eye for talent. To recognize the latent dragon that is the Grand Commandant at a glance and even broke the Jiangdong tradition of not marrying out daughters by betrothing yours to him."

Wu Yanqing put down his wine bowl. He had been compelled by circumstances regarding this marriage, but now, it indeed seemed a good match. He laughed, "What Jiangdong no daughters marry out, it’s all rumors. There’s no such rule. Brother Xiao did the same."

Xiao Jing sighed, "It’s different for me. My daughter is a second wife, merely a concubine of the Grand Commandant."

"Brother Xiao, you’re mistaken. With the Marquis’s current status, there’s little difference between a wife and a concubine. And with the success in the northern battles, the Marquis will likely be granted a Dukedom, and his household’s standing will naturally rise."

There is, of course, a significant difference between wives and concubines. Wu Yanqing’s words were merely flattering.

"Alas, enough on that, let’s drink." Xiao Jing poured more wine into his bowl, then raised it. "Given our connection, our families should stay in close contact."

"Come, cheers."

As the two clinked bowls, Liu Ji entered with a smile and said, "The two elder Patriarchs are drinking together."

"And who might this be?" Xiao Jing, having stayed in Jiangnan, had no contact with Liu Ji.

"Brother Xiao, let me introduce you. This is Liu Ji. The recent victory in Yi County was thanks to his strategy." Wu Yanqing laughed.

"So, you are Liu Ji..."

Although Xiao Jing hadn’t met Liu Ji, Xiao Quan had and had mentioned him.

"Elder Xiao Patriarch." Liu Ji bowed to Xiao Jing.

Xiao Jing nodded.

"You’ve come just in time, Mr. Liu. Brother Xiao has just arrived from Jiangnan. Let’s drink together." Wu Yanqing smiled.

Liu Ji bowed again to Wu Yanqing, "Elder Wu Patriarch, I have urgent matters to report."

"Oh." Wu Yanqing showed interest.

"The Li Family have sent someone." Liu Ji said.

Wu Yanqing was taken aback, "Which Li Family?"

"The family of Li Mingfan." Liu Ji replied.

Wu Yanqing arched an eyebrow, "What do they want?"

"The Li Family plans to defect to the Marquis and act as his insider. They also informed us that Chu Ce has returned from Longyou, and may soon attack Huai State." Liu Ji said.

"Is it credible?"

"We can make contact to find out."

...

Linzhou.

Xiangyang.

Outside Pingting Marquis’s Mansion.

A man dressed in ordinary attire tried to enter the Marquis Mansion but was stopped by the guards.

"Halt, who goes there?" the Marquis’s guard said.

"I am a relative of your Marquis, I have urgent business with the Princess." the man said.

"There is no Princess in the Marquis Mansion, move along." the guard said.

"How is it possible there is no Princess, the daughter of Prince Huai, Princess Chu Juan?" the man pressed on.

"Ah, you want to see the Ninth Madam." the guard muttered, then his expression changed, quickly drawing his saber at the man, "You’re one of Prince Huai’s men."

Knowing the Ninth Madam was Prince Huai’s daughter, the guard realized the man must be associated with Prince Huai.

The guard immediately became vigilant.