Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Yi Shiyin wasn't aware of the ambiguous relationship between Han Anniang and her own husband, so she followed Chen Mo's lead in calling Han Anniang "sister-in-law."

While speaking, she pulled out a bracelet from her bosom and gave it to Han Anniang.

Having been kept inside her boudoir most of her life, Yi Shiyin naturally didn't understand the ways of the world. Xiaoling had taught her that this was a customary gift for elders when first meeting them.

This bracelet was carved from upper-grade jade and had benefits if worn for a long time, unlike ordinary items.

Han Anniang declined politely a few times before accepting it, her affection for Yi Shiyin growing even stronger.

Everyone in the village knew about Chen Mo taking a concubine, so when Han Anniang mingled with the village women, they inevitably discussed it. Her closest friend, from the Zhang River family, mentioned that girls of such high status usually had bad tempers and were hard to get along with.

But now that she met Yi Shiyin, Han Anniang didn't think this was the case.

"She is Song Min, Xiaolu, you can just call her Min'Er," said Chen Mo.

"Min'Er, hello. I am Yi Shiyin; you can just call me Xiaolu." After saying this, Yi Shiyin took out a pair of earrings and gave them to Song Min.

Yi Shiyin had taken the time to find out who was in Chen Mo's family.

"Thank you... Sister Xiaolu." The little girl seemed a bit reserved at their first meeting.

But it wasn't long before she grew fond of this sister, who was as ethereal as a fairy.

Lunch was prepared by Han Anniang and Yi Shiyin together, with Song Min assisting on the side.

Seeing that Yi Shiyin was not the type of pampered young lady who wouldn't lift a finger, Han Anniang grew even more fond of her.

Han Anniang sincerely cared for Chen Mo, so she had standards for the woman marrying him.

As a village girl, her views were very traditional, so in her eyes, a good woman should be family-oriented, able to cook, serve her husband, and be thoughtful and faithful.

On their first meeting, Yi Shiyin already fit the bill.

While Chen Mo was out for a moment, Han Anniang returned to her room and took out two silver bracelets from the wardrobe.

One silver bracelet was given to her by her mother-in-law, Chen Mo's mother, at her wedding.

The other was given to her by her mother-in-law on her deathbed, saying it should be given to Chen Mo's wife when he marries.

Han Anniang had kept these bracelets well-hidden, even during the toughest times, never considering selling them.

Having acknowledged Yi Shiyin in her heart, she wanted to give the silver bracelets to her.

But just as she was about to walk out the door, she put the silver bracelets back.

"Xiaolu is only an uncle's concubine. If I give the bracelets to Xiaolu now, what about when the uncle marries? Mother-in-law wanted me to give the bracelets to the uncle's wife..."

This was Han Anniang's current thought, and after hesitating for a long time, she put the bracelets back in the wardrobe.

Lunchtime.

A dish of pickled vegetables, a pot of venison, a bowl of boiled tofu, and a bowl of wild vegetables.

The four sat around the square table, with Han Anniang and Yi Shiyin seated on either side of Chen Mo, and Song Min opposite him.

During the meal preparation, Yi Shiyin had wondered why there was so much meat, but upon seeing her husband devour the pot of venison, she understood and was somewhat taken aback.

Was her husband's appetite really that big?

No wonder he frowned at the breakfast Xiaoling brought.

It seems that in the future, she should have Xiaoling prepare more food.

Yi Shiyin, truly a rich family's daughter, was pampered from a young age. Her skin was smooth, her face shaped like an egg, her eyes lively and bright, with rosy cheeks and a lively youthful aura about her, her skin fairer than snow, her features perfectly painted.

Though Han Anniang's skin had lightened considerably with Chen Mo's care, her attire was still akin to a rural villager. When the two sat together, their differences were apparent.

As for Song Min, there's no need to mention her; her body only recently recovered, looking somewhat fresh.

This is the advantage of being naturally endowed; even if born beautiful, a woman from a poor family who isn't well maintained will soon wither.

Wealth allows a woman's prime to last longer.

Chen Mo ate about five pounds of meat per meal, having abandoned the desire for taste, purely for cultivation reasons.

In front of his family, Chen Mo let go, and in no time, he was eating with his face shining with oil.

"Uncle, eat slower."

"Husband, don't choke."

Han Anniang and Yi Shiyin spoke almost simultaneously, and both stood up with handkerchiefs to wipe Chen Mo's mouth. The two women exchanged a glance and were momentarily stunned.

Song Min took small bites of rice and blinked as she watched this scene.

Han Anniang, realizing her position, hurriedly withdrew her hand and sat back down, her face flushed, watching Yi Shiyin wipe her uncle's mouth, remembering the past.

That was something she used to do.

Although she accepted Yi Shiyin, Han Anniang still felt a sense of melancholy in her heart.

After lunch, Chen Mo took Yi Shiyin for a walk around the village.

As a city girl who seldom ventured out, Yi Shiyin was curious about everything in the mountains, chasing after butterflies and dragonflies.

Arriving in the village, Chen Mo showed her the lime factory, the gunpowder factory...

Yi Shiyin wasn't interested in these; her enthusiasm was purely because of the workers' constant address of "Madam," which delighted her.

Regrettably, she didn't have any copper coins or broken silver on her; otherwise, she would have rewarded all those who addressed her as madam.

Reaching the riverbank, Yi Shiyin removed her shoes, lifted her skirt, and waded into the water, playing with a radiant smile, momentarily forgetting the pain in her legs.

Seeing Chen Mo not coming down to the riverbank, Yi Shiyin scooped up a ladle of water and poured it towards Chen Mo.

Yi Shiyin seemed tireless, as Chen Mo spent the afternoon playing with her in the village.

Returning to the mountain cottage in the evening, they didn't rest for a moment.

"Wow, fireflies!"

"Xiaolu, slow down, don't fall."

"Husband, look, look!"

Xiaolu ran into the forest and then came in front of Chen Mo with her hands cupped, revealing a small gap through which twinkling lights could be seen.

"So beautiful..." Xiaolu's smile hadn't stopped since noon.

Chen Mo seemed to have found the joy of childhood in her. He bent slightly and asked with a smile, "Do you want me to make you a lantern with fireflies?"

"No." Xiaolu shook her head and said, "Husband, I read in a book that fireflies usually live only three to fifteen days. They're beautiful, but after a dozen nights of glowing dances, they pass away."

Xiaolu opened her hands, letting the fireflies fly away: "They should live a brilliant life."

Chen Mo was taken aback and looked at the dotted lights among the forest, his gaze shifted towards the foot of the mountain. From here, he could see Pingting County in the distance, and his gaze naturally softened a lot.

There, it was a place of myriad lights.

"Uncle, Xiaolu, time for dinner," Han Anniang called from a distance.

"Sister-in-law, coming."

"Husband, let's go back," Yi Shiyin replied sweetly, then took Chen Mo's hand and headed home.

They went indoors.

The small house was filled with the glow of fire.

Song Min came up with dishes and chopsticks, while Han Anniang brought a basin of warm water for them to wash their hands.

Such a warm scene made Chen Mo's smile even richer.

A person always has a few people they must protect in this life.

...

After having dinner, Yi Shiyin stayed overnight in the mountain cottage.

After washing and getting ready for bed, Yi Shiyin hugged Chen Mo and whispered, "Husband, it was so fun outside the city, I haven't had enough."

"Then stay a few more days in the mountain cottage." Chen Mo kissed Yi Shiyin's forehead.

With Xiaolu's lively and extroverted personality, she was always confined in the boudoir before, restraining her nature, but now she was free to show her true self.

"Okay." Yi Shiyin snuggled into Chen Mo's embrace, then looked up with a flushed face at Chen Mo: "Husband, I've thought..."

Chen Mo: "..."

...

In the next room.

Han Anniang wore a close-fitting garment, with a light blanket over her abdomen. Since lying down, she couldn't sleep, tossing and turning, closing her eyes, her mind filled with her uncle's handsome face and strong physique...

Just as Han Anniang was about to open the window to feel the breeze, a vague and indistinct sound of competition wafted in through the window with the night wind, reaching her ears.

Han Anniang was first stunned, then listened for a moment before letting out a light gasp, a blush quickly creeping up her cheeks.

Calling out so loudly?

Thinking about Yi Shiyin's petite frame, wouldn't it be...

...

Three days later.

Chen Mo finally experienced what it means to be clingy.

Xiaolu was like a pendant, wanting to cling to Chen Mo at every moment, even when he was handling affairs at the government office, Xiaolu was glued to his side.

Of course, Xiaolu was also considerate; when Chen Mo was handling affairs, she never disturbed him, just sat beside him, leaning on the table, with her cheeks resting in her hands, her eyes filled with admiration looking at Chen Mo.

She did nothing, feeling that just looking at Chen Mo was enough.

When others came to see Chen Mo, she would retreat voluntarily, and once they left, she would come up again, clinging but not pestering.

With Xiaolu around, Chen Mo had no extra energy to look for the Xia Sisters.

Geng Songfu was indeed a capable person; in recent days he also helped Chen Mo find a flaw in the army.

The ancients said, the key to winning battles lies in the selection of soldiers. Soldiers' bravery lies in strict military discipline. Soldiers' combat skills lie in proper command. Soldiers' combat strength lies in the trust in their leaders. Soldiers' morality lies in their education.

Adequate military supplies depend on swift victories, and army injuries depend on excessive combat.

Among these, selection of recruits, strict military discipline, combat skills, leaders' trust, and soldiers' morality, Chen Mo did quite well.

But there's a shortcoming: the knowledge of the generals, the managerial knowledge in troops.

Take Zhang River, Han Wu, and even Martial Artists Lu Yuan and Su Wen; who among them has ever led troops in combat? Once the top-level command is lost, they will be immediately at a loss.

According to Geng Songfu's suggestion, it would be best to establish a military training class to teach these army management levels combat knowledge, theoretical knowledge of commanding troops, and how to use terrain for battle.

This point is indeed a weakness, and it has to be addressed without delay.