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

Chapter 640: The Warmth of Home

In midsummer, even though the temperature in Linzhou is not very high, it is still a bit hot if you stand under the sun. There should be very few pedestrians on the streets of ordinary towns, and they all hide under the eaves and big trees to enjoy the shade. However, Xiangyang, which is now as prosperous as the capital, is still crowded with people.

Today, Xiangyang's population has reached a terrifying two million, making it the most populous city in the Song Dynasty. Wei Linchun has even begun to consider building the market town outside the city to attract merchants to build residential areas outside the city. The city is already close to saturation and cannot accommodate so many people.

Especially when the court announced in April that the palace examination would be held in Xiangyang in July and that the King of Wei would come in person, more and more people flocked to Xiangyang City. Some successful candidates even came to Xiangyang with their families.

As there was a commotion from the crowd ahead on the street, many people who were not waiting on the street but staying in pubs, restaurants and houses, leaned out of the windows or went up to the balconies, wanting to catch a glimpse of the heroic figure of the King of Wei.

The third floor of Fuze Restaurant.

"Brother Guo, I'm coming, I'm coming." At this moment, Lin Zhong is no longer the taciturn boy from Mawang Village, Jing County, Fengzhou, but the magistrate of Lu'an County, Cangzhou, and a little fan of Wei Wang Chen Mo.

Although he passed the imperial examination, he failed the provincial examination. Just when he was planning to take the exam again the following year in frustration, he received an appointment document from the court.

That's right, Chen Mo had said long ago that even if he passed the provincial examination, he could still become an official. But when Lin Zhong learned that he had failed the metropolitan examination while his good friend Guo Ning had won the top spot, he couldn't help feeling disappointed and envious. So he made up his mind not to become an official this time, but to fight for the next imperial examination.

But he never expected that just when he made up his mind, he received the appointment document from the court, as well as flattering words from the person who delivered the document.

"The King of Wei, the Prime Minister, and Mr. Chen from the Ministry of Rites are all very optimistic about Master Lin. As long as Master Lin works hard in Lu'an County, the King of Wei will definitely transfer Master Lin to the capital in a few years."

If others heard this, they would definitely take it as a compliment, but Lin Zhong believed it.

With the financial support of his cousin Ma Fu, he took his cousin, brother-in-law Wang Chong'er, and his wife Wang to Cangzhou to take up his post.

After staying in Xiangyang for two days, intending to say goodbye to his good friend Guo Ning, Lin Zhong learned that King Wei would arrive in Xiangyang soon. So he stayed in Xiangyang for a few more days, intending to thank King Wei in person.

After all, without the King of Wei, there would be no Lin Zhong today. He also learned from his brother-in-law that the last time the King of Wei went to Fengzhou for a public trial, he also allocated land to his family.

Guo Ning, Lin Zhong and others stretched their necks and looked at the city gate from afar.

……

Knowing that the people in the city had spontaneously organized a team to welcome him in the city, Chen Mo naturally would not let the people down. He rode a horse, wearing a dragon robe, and drove into Xiangyang City with a smile on his face.

The moment Chen Mo entered the city, deafening cheers suddenly rang out in the city, shouting for the King of Wei.

"Your Highness." Wei Linchun, the prefect of Linzhou, took a few quick steps, a look of excitement and respect on his face, and saluted Chen Mo.

Chen Mo had a very prosperous smile on his face and said, "Master Wei, congratulations on your promotion."

"Your Highness, what are you saying? I rely on you, Your Highness." Wei Linchun said respectfully.

Chen Mo smiled.

Shao Jinneng, who was standing next to Wei Linchun, said excitedly, "This humble general greets His Majesty."

Chen Mo nodded and said, "I'm sorry to bother you two while I'm away from Xiangyang."

"This is all the duty of our humble subordinates." Wei Linchun and Shao Jinneng said in unison.

"Chief Engineer Bai." At this time, Chen Mo saw Bai Quanmin, the chief engineer who manufactured the compound bow, standing behind the welcoming official.

Bai Quanmin didn't expect that King Wei would still remember a small figure like him. He was immediately overjoyed and walked forward happily to salute Chen Mo.

There were many people around, so Chen Mo did not directly ask about the production of the compound bow. He just asked him to come to his house for a lesson later.

Bai Quanmin nodded to show that he understood.

"Your Highness, you must have been exhausted from the long journey. Why don't you go back home first?" Sun Meng interrupted, ending the conversation.

And this, of course, was not Sun Meng's own decision.

Chen Mo glared at Sun Meng with "dissatisfaction", then looked at everyone and said, "Well, when the king comes to the yamen tomorrow, we can talk slowly."

Wei Linchun and the others nodded and said with a smile, "Your Highness, please come in."

Shao Jin was able to say: "Your Majesty, the Princess and the others are here too."

As he spoke, Shao Jinneng pointed in a direction. Chen Mo looked in the direction he knew and saw several carriages and familiar maids standing on the carriages.

After Chen Mo turned around and said something to Xia Zhining, he went towards the direction of Prince Wei's Palace while chatting with her, surrounded by his personal guards.

At this moment, the people in the city saw Chen Mo coming in, and they stepped forward to squeeze into the street and looked at the young man in the python robe. If it weren't for the Cavalry Guards maintaining order, there would have been a stampede.

Facing the enthusiasm of the people, Chen Mo responded with a smile, but did not stop his horse. He knew that once he stopped, the street would probably be blocked by the people.

Lin Zhong finally came down from the upstairs and squeezed to the front of the crowd, shouting "King of Wei", but seeing Chen Mo just passing by him without hearing his call, Lin Zhong was immediately disappointed, feeling as if he was being ignored, and for a moment he doubted whether the compliments from the person who delivered the document were true.

Guo Ning patted Lin Zhong on the shoulder from behind, as if he knew what he was thinking, and chuckled, "Brother Lin, so many people are calling out to the King of Wei, how can you make the King of Wei notice you? Besides, there are so many people around, and the King of Wei doesn't know you, it's impossible for him to stop just because of you.

We really want to thank the King of Wei. We can just go to the King of Wei’s mansion to visit him later.”

Lin Zhong was stunned and doubted: "Will this work?"

"Don't forget, we are disciples of King Wei." Guo Ning said with a smile.

Lin Zhong was startled, then he smiled and touched the back of his head, saying, "Yeah, how could I have forgotten this? Brother Guo is really smart."

……

The city was crowded, so Chen Mo naturally couldn't chat intimately with Wu Mi and the others at the city gate, so he asked Xia Zhining to tell them to go back to the house and wait.

After Wu Mi and the others learned about this, they did not take the main street, but took a detour to the side street to return to the Prince of Wei's Mansion. In order not to disappoint the people, Chen Mo rode his horse slowly, so even though Wu Mi and the others took a detour, they still arrived at the mansion before Chen Mo and the others.

While Chen Mo had not arrived yet, the ladies had already been organized to greet him outside the mansion.

Seeing Chen Mo coming over and getting off the horse, Wu Mi's heart was shaken. She walked forward slowly, bowed, and called softly, "Your Majesty is back."

"Father." Chen Jia, who was held by a maid and standing next to Wu Mi, was taught by the maid to call him "Father" in a baby voice. At this time, little Chen Jia's speech was already quite clear.

Chen Mo approached and took Chen Jia from the maid's arms. He looked at the delicate and graceful child with his bright eyes. A surge of emotion from the depths of his heart made him whisper, "Jia'er, do you miss your father?"

As they were apart for so long, Chen Jia didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked at the maid who brought him, and then at his mother Wu Mi. Seeing their encouraging eyes, he said in a soft voice, "I do."

"Jia'er is so good." Chen Mo pinched his little face and teased him. This is his son, how could he not love him.

Seeing that the father and son had almost finished playing, Han Anniang carried Chen Zhong to Chen Mo. Her mature, beautiful, and gentle face flushed with joy and said, "My Lord, you are back. Zhong'er, call me father."

"Father." Chen Zhong also spoke in a baby voice.

Chen Mo gave Chen Jia to Wu Mi to hold, and took Chen Zhong from Han Anniang's arms. He held Chen Jia in one hand and held Han Anniang's delicate hand in the other. He squeezed it gently and whispered, "Anniang, how have you been at home during this time? Do you miss me?"

Han Anniang blushed and said, "I think about it every day, and so does Chong'er."

"Really, Chong'er?" Chen Mo smiled.

Chen nodded his little head.

"Like your brother, you are a good son of our father." Chen Mo gave Chen Zhong a kiss on his little face, but little Chen Zhong looked down on him. He immediately raised his hand to wipe the saliva off his face, causing the girls next to him to laugh.

"Good boy, your mother doesn't dislike it, but you do." Chen Mo smiled and didn't take it to heart.

"Father, father."

The moment two childish voices rang out, two little kids, one black and one white, ran in front of Chen Mo, and one of them hugged one of Chen Mo's legs.

They were Chen Nuo and Chen You, who were already over two years old.

The two of them completely inherited the beauty of their mother Xia Zhiqing. They are only two years old, but they look like little elves.

Chen Mo could only hand Chen Zhong over to Han Anniang, then bent down and held the twins, one in each hand.

Chen You came out of Xia Zhiqing's belly before Chen Nuo, and was the eldest daughter. Then came the second daughter, Chen Nuo, the third daughter, Chen Jia, and the fourth daughter, Chen Chong.

But because Wu Mi was Chen Mo's legal wife, the legitimate son was Chen Jia.

"Nuo'er and Youyou are so smart, just like Zhiqing." Chen Mo looked at Xia Zhiqing who walked towards him and stared at him infatuatedly, and smiled.

Xia Zhiqing pursed her lips, with a hint of a smile in her eyes that was unclear whether it was shyness or joy.

The other girls who didn't have children felt envious when they saw the interaction between Chen Mo and his children, and their desire to have children increased.

After they had almost finished talking, Yi Shiyan, Liang Xue, Nangong Ru and others finally had the opportunity to greet Chen Mo and reminisce about the past.

"Okay, it's not nice to stand outside all the time. Let's go in and talk slowly." Chen Mo felt a bit overwhelmed. It was the first time he felt the many troubles of a woman. If he continued to reminisce about the past outside the mansion like this, he would forget about going in today.

Chen Mo led a group of young girls and children and walked towards the mansion.

Sun Meng and others were tactful enough to stay outside.

……

Backyard lobby.

Chen Mo greeted Song Min, Yi Shiyan, Nangong Ru, Liang Xue, Ning Wan, Xiao Yunxi, Chu Juan, and Xiao Ya warmly one by one, and kissed their cheeks before sitting down.

Afterwards, Chen Mo frowned and said, "If I remember correctly, the daughter of the Marquis of Hongdu County in Shu Prefecture should have arrived at the mansion. Where is she?"

After hearing this, all the ladies frowned. Wu Mi said, "Your Majesty, I just asked my maid to inform Sister Qingqing. The maid replied that Sister Qingqing was not feeling well and could not come to greet you."

Chen Mo looked at the expressions of the girls and nodded. Since there were outsiders present, he did not ask too much, but smiled and said, "When we get to your house, you should call me husband. This will make it more intimate."

The girls nodded.

"By the way, let me introduce you. This is the saint of the Poison King Valley, Nalan Yiren, Miss Nalan. I told you in the letter that she has been living in your mansion during this period of time." Chen Mo introduced Nalan Yiren to the girls.

The beauties had already noticed Nalan Yiren. After all, it was hard not to notice her as she was wearing a black robe and an ugly half-face mask.

"Hello." Nalan Yiren glanced at the women. All the beauties sitting there were wearing long palace skirts. Their skin was as white as snow, and none of them was ugly. Then she glanced at Chen Mo and sighed that he was really enjoying the blessing of having many wives.

Listening to this unique smoky voice that they had heard for the first time, the beauties felt a little surprised again and became a little curious about Nalan Yiren.

"Mi'er, Miss Nalan is very proficient in poison and medical skills. You can ask her for advice when you have nothing to do." Chen Mo said with a smile.

Wu Mi nodded to Nalan Yiren and said, "I'll trouble Miss Nalan for your time."

"You are too polite, Princess." Nalan Yiren heard Chen Mo mention Wu Mi, saying that Wu Mi had superb medical skills and was a disciple of a famous doctor, so they could ask each other for advice.

Nalan Yiren was the only outsider in the entire hall, so she soon made the excuse of feeling sleepy.

Wu Mi quickly asked someone to take Nalan Yiren downstairs to rest.

After Nalan Yiren left, Wu Mi asked softly, "My husband, this Miss Nalan?"

Chen Mo knew what she wanted to ask, and said, "I made a deal with her. I helped her find the enemy who killed her grandfather, and then she gave me some pills that can delay aging and beautify my skin."

As he spoke, Chen Mo handed Wu Mi a porcelain bottle and asked her to check if there was anything wrong with the pill inside.

When in Tianchuan, Chen Mo never dared to let Yue Ruyan and Xia Zhining eat, for fear that there would be any problems. After all, he didn't have the ability to test it.

He did ask the imperial physician in the palace to take a look, and the physician said there was nothing wrong, but Chen Mo wanted to wait for Wu Mi's confirmation before he felt relieved.

When Wu Mi was examining them, the girls' eyes were already shining, especially Ning Wan and Xiao Yunxi.

Compared to Wu Mi and the others, the two girls were already in their thirties and were panicking about their looks fading away.

The second is Han Anniang, who has also entered her thirties.

If there really is a pill that can beautify the skin and delay aging, how can they not be tempted?

"How is it?" Chen Mo asked when he saw Wu Mi put down the porcelain bottle.

Wu Mi did not give an answer on the spot, but said: "From the smell of the medicine and the color of the pill, there is no problem. The rest needs further inspection, which will take some time."

"No rush, take your time." Chen Mo was not in a hurry.

(End of this chapter)