Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Wu Yu is from the Wu Family's direct lineage and is also the Navy Commander, personally appointed by Wu Yanqing.

Especially this time, Wu Yu claims that the incident on the river was his instigation, although it wasn't actually him, it's like having mud on one's pants—whether or not it's feces, people will say it is, and it's hard to clear one's name.

It depends on whether those involved will seriously pursue this leverage.

Now, Chen Mo is making the Wu Family send troops, clearly using this leverage.

From this point, it's apparent that Chen Mo has never been a good person—he's quite scheming.

After repeated reminders from Wu Yanqing, Wu Changlin finally realized this, cursing Chen Mo inwardly but feeling helpless against him, he said, "Father, what should we do now?"

"What else can we do? We've reached this point all thanks to your brilliant deeds." Wu Yanqing scolded Wu Changlin, then continued, "Mi'Er has already married him; the Wu Family and he are already on the same boat. Now that such things have happened, we can only follow the instructions in his letter."

Saying this, Wu Yanqing turned his gaze to Lv Tong, instructing him to quickly bring ten thousand troops to Fengling Port to join Chen Mo.

"Master, should we bring our own provisions, or have... son-in-law provide them?" Lv Tong asked.

"The soldiers are sent out already; it doesn't make a difference to bring these provisions along. Draw three months' worth of grain and supplies from Yongkang's granary." Wu Yanqing sighed heavily and turned his back, feeling considerably forlorn.

"Understood." Lv Tong withdrew.

Seeing his father's unpleasant expression, Wu Changlin feared bad luck and was about to leave when Wu Yanqing kept him.

"Son, anything you need to instruct me further?" Wu Changlin asked, head lowered.

Wu Yanqing turned around, placed his hand on Wu Changlin's shoulder, speaking earnestly, "Changlin, I'm already old, and this burden of the Wu Family will ultimately fall on your shoulders. Initially, I appointed Wu Yu as Navy Commander to assist you in the future, but now... alas, life is unpredictable...

Chen Mo, so young, is already an Upper Third-Grade Martial Artist. Reports say a purple sun appears behind him, indicating he possesses a more superior cultivation technique than our Wu Family's. He must have opportunities; who knows, he might really make his mark.

The Wu Family is now part of the world's power struggles; either we don't get involved, or if we do, we must do well. Chen Mo wants to attack Huai State. Should Huai State's garrison retreat, they would have two options: fall back to Guanzhong or head to Jiangnan. Jiangnan is Princess Consort Huai's maternal home, so retreating there is more likely. Changlin, take five thousand troops and ambush the essential waterway from Huai State to Jiangnan, waiting for an opportunity."

Wu Changlin, after hearing everything, was shocked, "Father, why didn't you tell Lv Tong this?"

Wu Yanqing's hand lightly squeezed Wu Changlin's shoulder, then patted him lightly, smiling, "If they do retreat to Jiangnan, use this achievement to foster goodwill with Chen Mo. Mi'Er is your own sister; considering this relationship, he won't bear a grudge."

Wu Changlin seemed puzzled.

"Go on." Wu Yanqing gently pushed him away.

...

At Fengling Port, in the cabin.

Chen Mo and Wu Mi were having dinner.

Wu Mi, in a light white gauze dress, sat opposite Chen Mo, separated by a long table. Her neck and collarbone were elegantly exposed, and her long hair was gathered with a hairband, with a strand falling on her chest.

In the past, when alone with Chen Mo, Wu Mi would always look at him, but now she bowed her head, lightly biting her lips with the chopsticks, eating for nearly a quarter of an hour, yet her bowl of rice remained mostly untouched.

Chen Mo already felt a bit full, set down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up the slightly cooled tea, drank two sips, and glanced over, "No appetite?"

Wu Mi ultimately was not someone who was overly shy; she raised her head to look at Chen Mo, "Husband, second brother..."

Wu Mi knew her second brother wanted to kill her husband, which shouldn't be easily forgiven, but after all, they were family for over ten years—second brother once held her in his arms as a child, and now, with such happenings, familial ties made her somewhat concerned.

"Mi'Er, I understand." Chen Mo stood up, sat next to Wu Mi, embraced her waist, and smiled, "We are husband and wife, and Wu Yu is my second brother too. I believe he was misled by Liu Ji, so I spared his life. However, although spared from death, he couldn't escape punishment; I crippled his cultivation and sent him back to the Wu Family."

"That's fitting." Wu Mi breathed a sigh of relief; she didn't want her husband stained with family blood.

"Eat quickly, or the rice will get cold." Chen Mo patted Wu Mi's head gently, thinking silently that whether the Wu Family would execute Wu Yu was none of his concern.

"Okay, okay."

Wu Mi quickly finished the rice in her bowl; though she ate with elegance and grace, she did not eat with small bites and slow savoring like Liang Xue, Xia Zhiqing, or Yi Shiyin.

After taking a sip of tea, Wu Mi took out a handkerchief, wiped her mouth, then discussed with Chen Mo, "Husband, could you agree to one thing?"

"You tell me what it is first." Chen Mo wouldn't agree blindly.

"I want to open a medical clinic in Yu State, offering free consultations, treating illnesses, and saving people. Of course, as your wife, I'll fulfill the duties of a wife, supporting and educating the children, adhering to loyalty. I just don't want to spend all my time in the rear courtyard, doing embroidery, sipping tea, chatting..." Wu Mi divulged her heartfelt desires to Chen Mo.

She wanted to be a doctor.

"I can agree to that..."

"Really?"

"But you must agree to one thing as well."

"Please tell me, husband."

"You can only open a women's clinic, treating female patients, and if possible, using a curtain diagnosis method would be best."

Chen Mo wasn't overly "conservative," but the current society was not the same as the world he came from.

In the Great Song, distinctions between genders were still highly regarded; Chen Mo didn't want rumors about himself.

Wu Mi understood that Chen Mo had made a considerable concession, and nodded, "Husband treats me so well."

"You are my lawfully wedded wife; if I don't treat you well, who will?" Chen Mo replied with a smile.

Whether Chen Mo "spared" Wu Yu's life or his concession, when the maid brought hot water, Wu Mi personally helped Chen Mo wash his feet.

After grooming, Chen Mo carried Wu Mi to the bed; as she was about to disrobe, Chen Mo held her jade hand, then pushed her onto the bed, leaned over to give her lips a gentle kiss, and whispered smilingly, "Wear your clothes tonight."

Wu Mi gazed into Chen Mo's eyes, her face getting flushed.

ps: Modifications made; Wu Yu calls Wu Changlin a clan brother, so he's not Wu Mi's second uncle, but second brother.