Troubled times: Start practicing spiritual practice by taking care of your sister-in-law.

Chapter 582: Xia Zhining: Oh, there is a new sister
August 5, the second year of Yong'an.

Outside the city of Xiangyang, pedestrians and merchants were shoulder to shoulder, and scholars were chatting and laughing with each other. They lined up and walked towards the city. Some vendors even set up their stalls outside the city. It was very lively.

The guards at the city gate strictly check people entering the city.

The provincial examination is approaching.

This was the first time that the "Chen Mo regime" held an imperial examination. The four states attached great importance to it and would not allow any mistakes to be made.

The Song Dynasty did not ban swords and guns, but it did ban armor, so it was not uncommon for ordinary people to carry swords and guns, and this was also the case in the four states.

But as time entered August, the government offices in the four states all issued bans, prohibiting outsiders from bringing swords into the city during the provincial examinations.

Anyone carrying a sword or a saber must immediately turn around and leave, and anyone who does not leave will have their weapons confiscated.

This move also made the literati and officials who came to Xiangyang to take the imperial examination feel that Duke Anguo valued them, and their sense of belonging and admiration for Chen Mo doubled.

Many of them came to Xiangyang for the first time. After entering the city, they saw the prosperous and bustling markets, the faces of the people were full of smiles, and the strong breath of life. From these, it can be seen that under the rule of Duke Anguo, the administration was clean and honest, and he knew how to manage his subordinates.

No one dislikes a peaceful scene. Xiangyang like this makes them linger, and they are determined in their hearts that if their names are on the list, they must be good officials, follow in the footsteps of Duke Anguo, serve Duke Anguo, and rule for the people.

As more and more candidates came to Xiangyang City, local officials were very resourceful and held a poetry conference, offering some rewards for writing poems on topics such as Xiangyang's scenery, people's livelihood, public security, and prosperity.

After a few days, many excellent poems and songs emerged, and some were even made into music for people to sing.

This behavior of the government also attracted imitation among the people. Some restaurants and brothels also held so-called poetry conferences in order to attract customers.

For example, if you write a poem, no matter it is good or bad, you can drink a bowl of wine for free.

If it is extremely good, there are other rewards.

In order to curry favor with Chen Mo, some gentry even organized an activity where anyone who wrote a poem praising Duke Anguo would be rewarded.

As a result, Chen Mo's "positive image" has become more deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Nowadays, when people talk about Chen Mo in private, they all say good things about him, and almost no one says anything bad about him.

In short, the craze for the imperial examination mobilized the entire population of Xiangyang.

"Tuk-tuk."

"Give way."

At the city gate, a team of soldiers came jogging from a street not far away and cleared the road.

"What happened?" The people in the city all looked confused.

Then they saw officials and clerks in the city rushing to the city gate in groups and stopping, as if they were waiting for someone.

Fortunately, their doubts were answered not long after.

On the official road not far outside the city, a long line of carriages and horses, as well as soldiers in distinctive armor, suddenly appeared.

As soon as this group of people appeared, they attracted the attention of people outside the city. Everyone stood on tiptoe and looked up.

"That seems to be the personal soldiers of Duke Anguo!"

"They are the personal soldiers of Duke Anguo."

"That's right, it must be Duke Anguo who has returned. Lord Wei and the others are here to welcome him."

"."

Soon, the news of Duke Anguo's return spread. From one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, everyone in Xiangyang, from top to bottom, knew that Duke Anguo had returned.

The happiest people were undoubtedly the scholars who came to take part in the provincial examination.

It is not surprising that most of the scholars who were able to participate in the imperial examinations held by the "Chen Mo regime" were admirers of Chen Mo, and many of them had never actually seen Chen Mo. Now that their "idol" is back, they naturally want to see the true appearance of Duke Anguo.

The wealthy candidates, with their servants and page boys, occupied the high places along the avenue leading into the city, or in restaurants and pavilions, set out a table for wine, and waited for Chen Mo to enter the city.

Ordinary candidates, on the other hand, squeezed into the crowd on both sides of the street with their friends, and watched with their legs crossed.

And Chen Mo did not disappoint them.

After the cavalry in front entered the city, they dispersed in a bow shape. The personal soldiers behind surrounded Chen Mo, who was sitting on a tall horse, and slowly entered the city.

After entering the city, both sides of the street were crowded with people. When they saw Duke Anguo, there was a deafening cheer all around.

"It's the Duke of Anguo."

"Is he the Duke of Anguo? He looks so young."

"Of course not. Duke Anguo is only twenty-three this year."

"Duke Anguo!"

"Duke Anguo!"

"Duke Anguo!"

Someone shouted, and then all the scholars in the crowd followed suit. This enthusiastic atmosphere soon infected all the people, and they also started shouting.

This scared the constables and brave guards who were maintaining law and order, for they were afraid that some of them would rush forward excitedly and cause a stampede.

Chen Mo was riding on a horse with a faint smile on his face. Everyone has vanity. Looking at the scene of people welcoming him, Chen Mo couldn't help feeling a little proud.

In the carriage at the back, Yue Ruyan, Xiao Yunxi, and Xiao Ya were in the same compartment.

Xiao Ya heard the cheers outside and lifted the curtain of the car window. Seeing the crowded scene outside, she couldn't help but say in surprise: "Brother Mo is so loved by the people."

Yue Ruyan and Xiao Yunxi were also a little surprised. They had seen similar scenes before, but today it seemed particularly lively.

Xiao Yunxi smiled and said, "My husband has a very good reputation among the people."

Xiao Ya gently lifted the curtain a little, looked at the scene outside, her face flushed, and thought to herself: "Brother Mo will be my husband from now on."

In the carriage at the back, Zhihua also lifted the curtain a little and looked at the scene outside, a little stunned: "Is this the place ruled by the Duke of Anguo?"

Looking at the smiling people, Zhihua's eyes darkened slightly, and she said softly: "The people living here are so lucky."

……

"Your humble servant greets the Duke of Anguo." Wei Linchun came forward to greet him with a group of officials from the yamen.

Chen Mo also saw Chen Xiu, Geng Songfu, Zuo Lianglun and others.

"Everyone, get up." Chen Mo knew that they all had something to tell him, so he said, "I just got back and I'm a little tired. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

"Let's go back home." Chen Mo said to Sun Meng.

The carriage headed towards the direction of Duke Anguo's Mansion.

When he rode his horse to the middle of the street, Chen Mo stopped his horse, bowed to the people on both sides, and said, "Welcome to Xiangyang to take part in the provincial examination. I wish you all work hard and get your names on the list of successful candidates."

"Duke Anguo!"

"Duke Anguo!"

"Duke Anguo!"

After receiving Chen Mo's encouragement, the scholars in the crowd shouted even more excitedly.

Chen Mo smiled, did not stop, and drove towards the Anguo Mansion.

After leaving the busy streets, Sun Meng rode forward and whispered, "My Lord, are you bringing Miss Zhihua back home as well?"

Chen Mo was stunned for a moment, then said, "Send him to Tongque Garden and keep him under strict guard."

"promise."

Sun Meng nodded, turned his horse around, and told his men to make arrangements.

...in the carriage.

Xiao Yunxi once again told Xiao Ya who were the people in the mansion and their identities.

And every time she heard it, Xiao Ya would feel a little nervous.

“Xiaoya, don’t be afraid. The sisters in the mansion are all easy to get along with, except…” Xiao Yunxi paused after saying this.

"Only what?" Xiao Ya asked quickly.

"There is only one named Xia Zhining. She is jealous and hostile to everyone except her sister. She may say some sarcastic words, but she is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, so it's not difficult to get along with her." Xiao Yunxi said.

"Xia Zhining" Xiao Ya nodded and remembered the name.

Xiao Yunxi added: "Xiaoya, although I know you well and know you would never do such a thing, I still want to remind you just in case. You can offend anyone in the mansion, but you must not offend your sister Anniang."

At home, when she met Wu Mi, she would never call her sister, but when she met Han Anniang, she would always call her Sister Anniang.

"Why?" Xiao Ya was a little curious.

"This is a long story. Once you enter the mansion, you will slowly understand it." Xiao Yunxi said.

"Oh."

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Duke of Anguo's Mansion.

When the servants and guards of the mansion saw the carriage stop, they hurried forward to unload the things on the carriage and move them into the mansion.

Chen Mo reminded: "These boxes are the new wife's dowry. Don't move them to the warehouse. Find an empty room and put them separately."

"promise."

Chen Mo got off the horse, found a familiar maid and asked, "Where are the ladies?"

"Master, the weather is hot and the ladies are waiting for you in the newly built cool room." Chen Mo glanced at the big sun above his head and nodded.

He has said it more than once that he will come back by himself in the future and there will be no need for a group of people to wait outside.

He turned around and saw the three women getting off the carriage.

Chen Mo smiled and said, "Come in, we're home."

Chen Mo and the three girls, led by a maid, walked towards the cool room.

There is a small hill in the Anguo Mansion, and this hill is in a very shady place all the year round. The so-called newly built cool room is a space opened up inside the hill.

At this moment, Wu Mi was sitting in the cool room, playing chess with Xia Zhiqing.

This chess game is a little gadget that Chen Mo made in his spare time, and it is very easy to play.

Except for the first day, no one was a match for Chen Mo.

In the end, Chen Mo couldn't beat anyone.

Among all the girls, Wu Mi and Xia Zhiqing are the best at chess, followed by Nangong Ru and Liang Xue.

Wu Mi's maid was holding little Chen Jia, and Xia Zhining, who was also taking care of a baby, was watching the fight.

Han Anniang and Ning Wan sat together, looking at the account book of Fuze Restaurant from last month.

Song Min and Xiao Lu are playing with Xiao Chen again.

Liang Xue and Nangong Ru sat on a bamboo rattan chair, looking at the compiled "Three Kingdoms Stories".

Chu Juan followed Xiao Lu's maid Xiao Ling to learn needlework and sew a robe for Chen Mo.

Their respective maids were waiting by the side, awaiting orders.

At this moment, a maid came in and said to Wu Mi respectfully, "Madam, the master is here."

Hearing this, all the women stopped what they were doing, stood up and prepared to go and greet him.

But Chen Mo took the lead and walked in: "Mi'er."

"My husband is back." Wu Mi walked forward, helped Chen Mo take off his robe, then took the clothes handed to her by the maid and put them on Chen Mo.

For a moment, Chen Mo felt much cooler.

"Husband."

"Brother Mo."

"Husband, I heard that you were assassinated in Jiangnan. Are you okay?"

For a moment, the whole cool room was filled with the sounds of sweet voices.

This made Xiao Ya, who came in later, feel very restrained and nervous.

While Chen Mo was responding to them one by one, Wu Mi walked up to Xiao Ya and asked, "Who is this sister?"

"Hurry up and call Sister Mi." Xiao Yunxi reminded from the side.

"Sister Mi, I'm Xiao Ya." Xiao Ya looked like a frightened rabbit, with a white oval face and a charming aura.

When Wu Mi heard and saw this, he immediately knew that there was a new person in the mansion. After saying a few polite words, he hurriedly asked the servants to prepare a room for Xiao Ya.

"This is Sister Anniang." After greeting Wu Mi, Xiao Yunxi brought Xiao Ya to Han Anniang.

Before Han Anniang had children, she would feel a little jealous when she saw a new person in the mansion. But after she had Chen Zhong, she no longer cared about it. She greeted Xiao Ya with a smile and asked for her nickname.

"Then I will call you Xiaoya from now on." Han Anniang said with a smile.

Xiao Ya nodded slightly.

"This is Yi Shiyan, you can just call her Sister Xiaolu." Xiao Yunxi said.

"Sister Xiaolu."

"This is Sister Zhiqing."

"Hello, Sister Zhiqing." When Xiao Ya said this, Xia Zhining beside her suddenly glared at Chen Mo and said coldly, "Oh, your trip to Jiangnan was not in vain. There's a new person in your mansion."

After she finished speaking, Xiao Ya felt extremely embarrassed.

"Zhi Ning." Xia Zhiqing pulled Xia Zhi Ning's hand, glared at her, and then said to Xiao Ya: "Xiao Ya, this is my sister Zhi Ning, you can just call her Sister Zhi Ning. She is just like that, don't take it to heart."

Xiao Ya forced a smile and called her "Sister Zhining".

When we first met, I was deeply impressed by Xia Zhining.

If the child hadn't been there, Chen Mo would have gone up and spanked her. In front of the child, Chen Mo could only endure it and gave Xia Zhining a look that showed he had been waiting for the whole night.

Afterwards, Xiao Yunxi introduced Liang Xue, Nangong Ru and others to Xiao Ya one by one, and even introduced the maids in the house to Xiao Ya.

When Xiao Yaguan Xiaolu's maid Xiao Ling also called her "Sister Xiao Ling", the cool room suddenly became quiet, and then all the girls started laughing with their hands covering their mouths.

Xiao Ling's face turned red, but she secretly glanced at Chen Mo from the corner of her eye, obviously she was also looking forward to it.

Chen Mo let the sisters chat while he played with the children.

The child was too young and had a vague memory. He became a little shy after not seeing them for just a few months. It was only when Wu Mi and the others pointed at him that he called them daddy.

Little Chen Nuo and little Chen You can already speak clearly.

Chen Mo held little Chen Jia in his arms. Seeing that the girls had calmed down a bit, he asked with a smile, "During the time I was away, was there anything interesting and new in Xiangyang?"

"Yes, yes." After Chen Mo finished speaking, Xiaolu was the first to speak up. She smiled and said, "Husband, there is a poem praising you in the city recently.

It says, "Mo Gong is a handsome young man, he raises his cup and looks up at the sky, as bright as a jade tree in the wind."

(End of this chapter)