Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Seeing the gaze of all the surrounding people turn toward him, Lv Tong immediately ordered someone to report to Wu Changlin, while leading others forward to greet: "Lv Tong pays respects to the Marquis."

Lv Tong bowed to Chen Mo, then continued, "The Marquis has traveled far, enduring the hardships of travel. My master specially ordered me to greet the Marquis, to take the Marquis to rest, and arrange for the Marquis to meet the young lady tomorrow."

"No rush."

Chen Mo dismounted and waved his hand at Lv Tong, saying, "This journey has been hurried, and many wedding items have yet to be prepared. I've heard that Yongkang is as bustling and prosperous as the Capital. Since we've landed, let's go into the city for some shopping."

"No need for formality, Marquis. Come and rest with us," Lv Tong said.

"That won't do. I've come from afar, and I can't forsake politeness."

With that, Chen Mo glanced at Sun Meng.

Sun Meng understood, immediately leading a hundred or so personal soldiers into the city to procure wedding supplies.

Lv Tong hurriedly sent people to follow.

What Sun Meng did next left Lv Tong dumbfounded.

Sun Meng told people that their Marquis had come to Jiangdong to marry the Wu family's little sister.

Sun Meng even threw copper coins on the bustling street, letting the citizens share in the joy, announcing to everyone: "Fathers and elders, Young Clan Leader Wu sent Lv Tong as a matchmaker to Yu State, inviting our Marquis to marry the Wu family's daughter here."

This statement instantly stirred up waves.

The citizens, seeing this display, immediately believed it, and within no time, the news spread through every street and alley, everyone knew.

Lv Tong's heart panicked like ants on a hot pot, yet he couldn't explain to the public, explaining would reveal the secret. So, after sending Chen Mo and his entourage to a resting place, he hurried off to see Wu Changlin.

...

At the resting government posthouse.

The slow-reacting Sun Meng finally noticed something peculiar, saying to Chen Mo, "Marquis, something's off. As the overlord of Jiangdong, the news of the Marquis marrying the Wu family should be known by the Jiangdong citizens, especially those in Yongkang. Out of courtesy, the Wu family should have announced such a joyous event.

But when we were purchasing gifts earlier, those citizens seemed to be hearing about it for the first time."

Chen Mo clasped his hands behind his back, looking out the window, eyes slightly narrowed: "It seems there truly is something strange."

He turned back to Sun Meng, saying, "Prepare, we're going somewhere."

Prior to arrival, Chen Mo had thoroughly understood Jiangdong Wu's family.

Furthermore, Chen Mo had long planned against Jiangdong. When Wu Changlin came to establish friendly relations, the commerce between Linzhou and Jiangdong allowed Chen Mo to send spies to Jiangdong.

Therefore, the reaction of the Jiangdong citizens today was entirely within Chen Mo's expectation.

...

The Ye Family.

One of the top families in Jiangdong, being the maternal family of Lady Wu, the Ye family's influence in Jiangdong is second only to the Wu family.

Chen Mo presented his visiting card to the Ye family.

Ye Xibao is Lady Wu's uncle, and once served as Assistant Minister, retiring as Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, having long ceased to engage with outside affairs.

When the steward delivered a visiting card to him, saying it was from the Marquis of Pingting County, Chen Mo, Ye Xibao couldn't help but be surprised.

He had never met the Marquis of Pingting County, Chen Mo, but the name was very familiar.

Not engaging with external affairs doesn't mean being completely unaware, and this young talent, stirring up the world outside, was widely known.

Conquering Yu State, imprisoning the Prefect of Yuzhou, Liang Song, issuing a proclamation against the Longyou Yuezhi Clan, launching surprise attacks on Linzhou, signing a non-aggression treaty with Prince Huai...

Which of these matters is not a major affair?

But isn't Chen Mo in Yu State?

Presenting a visiting card, has he come to Jiangdong?

"Has Chen Mo come to Jiangdong?" Ye Xibao subconsciously said.

The steward didn't quite understand.

"Please invite him in quickly," Ye Xibao said.

"Yes."

...

"This way, please." The steward led Chen Mo and Sun Meng to the reception hall.

A well-dressed Ye Xibao hurriedly came, announcing from afar: "Ye Xibao, old and humble, pays respect to the Marquis of Pingting County."

Chen Mo gave a polite bow to Ye Xibao, stepped forward to support the white-haired elder, and said, "Ye Shaobao, no need for formality."

With that, the two entered the reception hall, one after the other.

After taking a seat, Chen Mo signaled to Sun Meng with a glance.

Sun Meng immediately stepped forward and presented the prepared gift to Ye Xibao with both hands.

This was a scroll bound in red cloth.

Chen Mo said from the side, "This is a calligraphy scroll from Mr. Yu Wenshan. I heard from my wife that Ye Shaobao's calligraphy has the charm of Mr. Yu Wenshan. I happened to acquire an authentic work by Mr. Yu Wenshan, so I'm presenting it to Ye Shaobao as a gesture of respect from a junior."

Yu Wenshan, a great literary scholar of the previous dynasty, known for his ethereal calligraphy, worth a thousand gold per word, prompting later generations to imitate him, is a respected figure in the calligraphy world.

Ye Xibao had just opened the red cloth, intending to look at the scroll, but hearing Chen Mo's words, he was immediately surprised.

It's known that he previously had no interaction with Chen Mo, how did Chen Mo know his calligraphy had Yu Wenshan's charm?

He hadn't sent any letters or the like to Chen Mo.

The crucial point is that he had sourced an authentic work by Yu Wenshan to gift him, which clearly required considerable effort.

With astonishment suppressed, Ye Xibao didn't look at the scroll, trusting in Chen Mo's identity; since he claimed it's authentic, it couldn't be false.

Suddenly arriving in Jiangdong and gifting him Yu Wenshan's scroll.

The crucial point is having no previous dealings with him, making Ye Xibao truly puzzled about Chen Mo's purpose in visiting, only able to respectfully inquire the purpose of Chen Mo's visit to Jiangdong.

Chen Mo feigned great surprise: "What, Shaobao, don't you know such a major event?"

"This?" Chen Mo's bewildered rhetorical question puzzled Ye Xibao even further.

"Young Clan Leader Wu dispatched Lv Tong to Yu to propose marriage, offering his little sister to the Marquis as a spouse, forming an alliance," Sun Meng interjected, smiling.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Ye Xibao was even more perplexed.

But having served in the Court for many years, he was an experienced person, quickly congratulating Chen Mo, though feeling slightly miffed, lamenting Wu Changlin's disregard by not informing him of such joyous events.

Chen Mo reciprocated the congratulations, saying they would soon be even closer as family.

"Oh?" Ye Xibao was once again surprised.

"I forgot to tell Shaobao, just now I mentioned my wife, who is Xia Zhiqing, the eldest daughter of former Prefect of Qingzhou, Xia Liangqing. My father-in-law was once your subordinate, and you have often enlightened him.

As a teacher of enlightenment, this time visiting Jiangdong, my wife specially instructed me to pay a visit to Shaobao. The calligraphy of Mr. Yu Wenshan is actually a gift my wife entrusted me to deliver to Shaobao." Chen Mo said slowly.

Chen Mo's words in Ye Xibao's ears were astonishments upon astonishments, without stop.