Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

At this moment, Xia Zhining realized she had stepped into a trap.

The bustling peace of Pingting County had made her forget that the other party was still a rebel, while they were the family of the Governor of Qingzhou. Her father sacrificed himself for the country, loyal to the nation, proving his honorable nature. As his daughter, if she joined forces with rebels to attack the Court, wouldn't it be a desecration of her father's legacy?

A hundred years later, what face would she have to meet her father underground?

"Have you already agreed to him?" Seeing her sister fall silent, Xia Zhiqing asked.

Xia Zhining nodded slightly, then angrily stormed out of the room, saying, "I'm going to settle accounts with that bastard."

She had realized she was tricked by the other party.

Formal Hall.

Chen Mo was discussing dispatching troops with Geng Songfu.

Since he didn't plan to obtain food supplies from Yuan Youchun's side, he had to now prepare for the deployment of troops on August 1st.

The amount of food supplies was related to the strength of the army.

Currently, Chen Mo's troops, the Divine Brave Guard, the Divine Martial Guard, and the reserve team all together amount to over five thousand men.

Chen Mo planned to dispatch two thousand troops, including eight hundred from the Divine Brave Guard and twelve hundred from the Divine Martial Guard.

Yuan Youchun's side was unaware of the exact number of troops he had; when attacking Pingting County initially, Chen Mo reported a number of less than a thousand. Dispatching two thousand now was already cooperating actively.

Meanwhile, as the army moves first, intelligence is crucial—spies can now be sent to investigate around Quanyang County.

Regarding this, Zhang River had something to say because he had done business with the Zhu Family in Quanyang County previously, and only stopped when Chen Mo took a concubine. It could be said they were quite familiar with Quanyang County.

Speaking of the Zhu Family, Geng Songfu asked if the Zhu Family could be developed into internal support, which would make the attack on Quanyang County much easier.

Chen Mo said, "Zhu Yongzhi already ran away with his family; when someone came to attend the concubine-taking last time, he made his farewell."

For a Zhu Family that had been engaged in private salt trading for decades, their information would be more sensitive than his. Their grasp of the situation was extremely acute—how could they choose to stay?

"Miss Xia, the County Magistrate is discussing matters with the County Magistrate Geng; you must not go over."

Suddenly, Sun Meng's voice rang out, stopping Xia Zhining.

"Get out of the way." Xia Zhining shouted angrily.

"Let her come over." Chen Mo said.

"Miss Xia, please." Sun Meng let Xia Zhining pass.

"Zhining, quickly come over and greet Uncle Geng." Chen Mo said in the tone of Xia Zhining's man, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea, and said to Geng Songfu, "I wonder if County Magistrate Geng still recognizes her?"

"Oh?" Geng Songfu was startled, looking up.

Xia Zhining originally wanted to question Chen Mo, but seeing familiar faces, she was still very proper and greeted respectfully, "Uncle... Uncle Geng."

"Who is this young lady?" Geng Songfu examined Xia Zhining closely, her brows and eyes appeared familiar, yet he couldn't specifically recall who she was. When he first saw Xia Zhining, she was only a few years old.

"Uncle Geng, it's me, Xia Zhining, my father is Xia Liangqing, I'm his second daughter." Xia Zhining mentioned her father's name, her words choking slightly.

"You... you are Brother Liangqing's beloved daughter?!"

Upon hearing this, Geng Songfu was momentarily stunned; no wonder her brows and eyes seemed so familiar. Upon learning that Xia Liangqing died sacrificing, he felt sorrow for quite some time. Such an act was deeply admired by scholars.

However, in his heart, since Nanyang fell, it seemed unlikely that Xia Liangqing's family could escape misfortune, yet unexpectedly, they were still alive.

Soon after, Geng Songfu felt delighted; it's a joy that the daughter of his friend and peer is still in the world, but the happiness didn't last long before he let out a sigh, "The world changes too quickly—in the past, when I was demoted and passed through Nanyang, Brother Liangqing and I shared drinks and conversation. How could I foresee the present..."

"When my father was alive, he often mentioned you, Uncle Geng, saying you were a man of unwavering integrity, not fearing power, and a rare pure stream in the court." Xia Zhining said.

"Don't just stand, sit and talk." Chen Mo pulled Xia Zhining to sit down beside him.

Xia Zhining gave Chen Mo a glare.

"Alas, the Holy Emperor is deceived, the Court is corrupt. Even if I possess an iron will, what use is it?" Geng Songfu said, "But, niece Zhining, why are you in Pingting County? If I recall correctly, you should have a twin sister, where is she?"

"My sister is in the back garden. As for why we are in Pingting County, that is quite a long story." As she said this, Xia Zhining glanced at Chen Mo.

Geng Songfu glanced at both of them, and from Chen Mo's tone earlier, he had already some understanding.

With Xia Zhining's beauty and residing in the government office's back garden, how could it not be the classic 'golden house for the beloved'?

Certainly, he didn't concern himself with how the couple met, but with his current understanding of Chen Mo, if the sisters followed Chen Mo, it would be a good home.

Knowing they had matters to discuss, Geng Songfu gave them space and withdrew.

After Geng Songfu left, Chen Mo sipped his tea and then offered it to Xia Zhining, saying, "You've come in a rush, what's the matter?"

Xia Zhining ignored Chen Mo's gesture, pushing him away. Fortunately, Chen Mo was steady, preventing any spillage, she stared at him and said, "I knew you couldn't hold anything good inside that deceitful brain of yours. You're a rebel, while the Xia Family is loyal to the Court. You want me to fight beside you, turning me into a rebel like you, so that even if I wanted to leave, I couldn't—suiting your intentions perfectly."

"Exactly."

Chen Mo laid down his teacup, then pulled her into his embrace, holding tightly, he said, "I don't want to let you go from my side, yet I can't break my promises, so I resorted to this scheme. But my intent was never to harm you; it's only because I'm so captivated by you. I can't imagine how I'd live without you..."

Hearing such nauseating words, Xia Zhining, who was initially struggling fiercely, gradually weakened in her resistance, and that tingling sensation wrapped around her again.

A moment later, she suppressed the chaotic and complex thoughts and said angrily, "Do you think I will believe your nonsense?"

"Alas." Chen Mo sighed heavily, saying, "I didn't expect that at this point, you still don't believe me. I'm doing all this for your own good."

"You harm me like this and still say it's for my good?"

"Of course, your father was loyal to the court, but how did the court treat your father? Qingzhou had long sounded the alarm, isolated and helpless, yet the court did not offer aid, and the Southern Kings did not send troops to assist. Otherwise, how could your father have died?

Moreover, you said you wanted to lead troops into battle. I've done my utmost to fulfill your wishes, but you doubt me. If you side with the court, would they ever allow you to lead troops?

Secondly, in the eyes of the court, you and your father are as if you no longer exist in this world. I've never disclosed your identity in the county. Even if you follow me to battle, the enemy wouldn't recognize you. So, how could I harm you in any way?

Lastly, do you know how attractive you are to the upper echelons of the Celestial Master Army? Do you realize how much you could help them? But I've been protecting you even while under tremendous pressure. Yet, in the end, you repeatedly refuse to trust me."

Chen Mo released Xia Zhining, poured himself a cup of tea, drank it in one gulp, then gave a self-mocking smile and said, "I'm a bloody fool myself, to fall for an enemy. Enough, since you don't believe me, you can leave. Go with your sister and leave Pingting County. I won't hold you back."

With that, he stood up and said, "Considering our past relationship, let me warn you one last time. It's best to leave after autumn. The routes to the south are filled with spies of the Celestial Master Army. If you fall into their hands, you should understand the consequences."

Afterwards, he instructed Sun Meng not to stop them if they wanted to leave.

Sun Meng understood.

Chen Mo left without looking back.

It was getting late, almost time to close the office.

Xia Zhining stared blankly at Chen Mo's departing figure.

His words were like heavy hammers, striking in her mind, echoing for a long time without fading.

Involuntarily, Xia Zhining felt her eyes well up, wanting to cry. Every word from the young man seemed heartfelt, filled with emotion.

She suddenly regretted it, regretting why she had spoken such words.

He was willing to let her leave.

Yet Xia Zhining couldn't feel any happiness.

Their debt wasn't even settled, yet he was willing to let them leave. It was evident how disappointed he was in her.

Perhaps what he said was true.

He really did care for her.

He cared not for the hundred lashings but for her.

He merely wanted to keep her by his side in this way.

Now that he's disappointed in her, such a means no longer needs to exist.

Her heart was in turmoil.

Upon returning to the chamber, Xia Zhining could no longer hold it in and cried.

Xia Zhiqing was stunned upon seeing this.

Enduring her soreness, she wrapped herself in a blanket and got up from the bed. She walked up to Xia Zhining and urgently asked, "Zhining, what happened? Did he bully you again?"

"No." Xia Zhining shook her head, and surprisingly began to reflect on herself, "Sister, I... I think I misunderstood him."

Xia Zhiqing was taken aback.

Xia Zhining continued, "Sister, I... I don't want revenge anymore."

Xia Zhiqing was even more astonished.

"Sister, we can leave now. He's agreed to let... us go," Xia Zhining said.

Xia Zhiqing was stunned again.

In just a few words, Xia Zhiqing wanted to ask, Who am I? Where am I? What happened?

Xia Zhiqing quickly inquired about what had happened, but Xia Zhining didn't want to say.

Should she tell her sister that he's interested not in her, but in me?

Turns out, sister, you're just the substitute?

Perhaps, in sister's eyes, such a thing is unimaginable, unbelievable.

Besides, she was not comfortable speaking it out loud.

"Sister, don't ask anymore. Just know that we can leave now." After finishing, Xia Zhining sat down at the edge of the bed, hugging her knees, lost in thought.

Xia Zhiqing: "..."

ps: Today's update is finished, and there will be a chapter update at midnight as well, trying to catch up this month.