Su Zimo raised her gaze, carrying herself with grace and elegance in every move she made.
As Jun Lin Tian looked at the beautiful Su Zimo, his hands involuntarily clenched.
"Third Prince, watching a show comes at a price," Su Zimo said coldly. She didn't want Jun Lin Tian to join in on the fun.
Observing Su Zimo's current state, Jun Lin Tian made up his mind that he must have her.
"I can afford that price, and congratulations, Mo'er. Your Thirteen Shops will open soon. I wish you a prosperous business," Jun Lin Tian said with a hint of mockery.
"Yun Xuan, let's go," Su Zimo didn't want to exchange another word with Jun Lin Tian. Since she sent him the letter of annulment, he had done nothing except throw a tantrum. This was not like Jun Lin Tian at all.
As they walked away, Jun Lin Tian had a cold smile on his face.
"Third Prince, are you just going to let things be with Miss Su like this? Let Muyun Xuan reap the benefits, along with three children?"
Jun Lin Tian turned around, "King Yu?" How did he end up here? And why did he bring up his and Su Zimo's marriage again? Su Zimo was too excited that day and didn't take the annulment letter with her, but now she had given him one. That infuriating woman was both loved and hated.
"Third Prince, comparing the Su Zimo of six years ago to the one now is like comparing heaven and earth!" King Yu's tone was cold, looking at Jun Lin Tian as if he were looking at a coward.
Jun Lin Tian's eyes flickered for a moment, then he said in a deep voice, "What do you want to say, King Yu?"
"Haha!" King Yu laughed and approached Jun Lin Tian.
"Talking with a clever person is truly effortless," King Yu furrowed his brows, his eyes flashing with calculation.
"Seeing your expression, Third Prince, do you still have feelings for Su Zimo?"
Caught in his actions, Jun Lin Tian's face instantly turned cold.
"Third Prince, how about we make a deal?"
Muyun Zeyu's eyes swept over Jun Lin Tian, sharp and calculating.
"A deal?"
Jun Lin Tian's lips twitched slightly as his thoughts quickly turned.
"Fine! King Yu, let's discuss it at my mansion."
"Good! The Third Prince is indeed straightforward..."
In Mingyue Villa, Qingfeng quietly informed Mingyue Xuan about what happened between Jun Lin Tian and Muyun Zeyu. Muyun Xuan didn't say anything, but he asked Qingfeng to keep an eye on Jun Lin Tian and King Yu. Then he returned to the study with Su Zimo, accompanying her while looking at the account books. Recently, he shamelessly moved the accounting office into Su Zimo's study.
After Su Zimo finished reviewing the account books and closed them, Muyun Xuan stood up and walked behind her, embracing her.
"Mo'er, let's set a date for our wedding! I want the whole world to know that you are my wife, Muyun Xuan."
Suddenly, Su Zimo's body slightly stiffened. She didn't expect Muyun Xuan to say such words.
"Muyun Xuan, do you really know what you want?"
A wedding, those two words were so full of anticipation, especially for her. Since having children, she hadn't anticipated those words.
"Mo'er, if until now I, Muyun Xuan, still don't know what I want, then I wouldn't have said such irresponsible words."
Muyun Xuan gently toyed with her earlobe with his lips. With him holding her in his arms, his heart felt content and reassured.
"Muyun Xuan, do you really understand what marriage is?" Su Zimo's heart was pounding.
"Mo'er, I used to be clueless about these things, but now, after truly becoming a part of your and our children's lives, I've come to realize that a marriage isn't just a formality or a grand declaration of love. It's about responsibility. No matter how many doubts or arguments we have, because we are husband and wife, we will accept and tolerate each other. We will never be apart. I am ready to commit to a lifetime with you."
Ghost marriage was just a ceremony between the two of them, but he wanted to have another wedding ceremony. He wanted Mo'er to experience being married to him, just like any other woman, and he wanted her to feel his love.
Hearing Muyun Xuan's words, a warm and tender feeling washed over Su Zimo.
It was rare for Muyun Xuan to understand all of this. She had thought that he was like other idle playboys who couldn't stand being denied.
Indeed, marriage was more than just love. It was a responsibility, acceptance, and understanding. It was about living a grounded life. That was the essence of marriage.
To have these thoughts in his heart was truly rare. His heartfelt words deeply touched her.
"Moye, why aren't you speaking?" Mu Yunxuan grew anxious when he received no response. He longed to hear Moye's voice firsthand.
"Mu Yunxuan, give me some time. There are many matters at hand. After the ghost marriage, we can be considered a married couple. The public engagement is just a formality," Su Zimo said.
Although Su Zimo was moved by his sincere words, she still wanted to wait. Today, she encountered Jun Lintian, and it was evident from his expression that he had ulterior motives. Now, with the addition of King Yu, she focused not only on running her business but also on gathering information about noble families and royal families from various countries. King Yu's visit to the Haoyue Kingdom was definitely not a simple matter. Su Zimo's master had once mentioned that the appearance of the Eight Profound Artifacts would attract the attention and scramble of various countries. Now that Jiyu had confirmed that they possessed the Eight Profound Artifacts, how could King Yu let go of such a big opportunity?
"Does this mean Moye acknowledges our marital relationship?" Mu Yunxuan hugged Su Zimo excitedly.
A flock of crows flew over Su Zimo's head. Although she didn't admit it verbally, she had long accepted it in her heart. Otherwise, would she have tacitly allowed him to enter and leave the Mingyue Villa as he pleased? Couldn't Mu Yunxuan see through it?
"Mu Yunxuan, you're hugging too tightly. I can't breathe," Su Zimo said.
"Moye, I'm just too excited," Mu Yunxuan loosened his grip slightly but still didn't let go of Su Zimo.
Su Zimo raised her eyes, and the two of them shared a deep gaze. Su Zimo had a shy expression, resembling a woman in love.
Mu Yunxuan was even more excited and somewhat at a loss...
Ji Rui was sent directly to the nunnery while in the palace.
Ji Yuxuan and his father returned to the Duke Zhen State Residence.
Entering the hall, Ji Yaotian sat on a soft couch as if he were about to collapse.
"Father, are you alright?" Ji Yuxuan looked at his father with concern.
"I'm fine, just getting old and tired," Ji Yaotian waved his hand, but his eyes were pensive.
"The day after tomorrow is the opening day of Su Zimo's thirteen shops. Are you really going to let her shops open smoothly? Are you going to let your sister suffer for a whole year in vain?" Ji Yaotian's emotions were filled with excitement. He had never felt so helpless in his entire life, being suppressed by a woman to the point where he couldn't breathe.
"Father, there is nothing we can do at the moment. If last night's incident hadn't happened, Yuxuan would have been ready to deal with Su Zimo. But now, Su Zimo will definitely be more cautious. Not only her, but even Mu Yunxuan will secretly send people to watch over their shops. As soon as we make a move, Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan will notice our actions, and the Emperor will not spare us then."
Ji Yuxuan sat down on a chair, deep in thought.
"Are we just going to watch Su Zimo's shops open smoothly? Giving her a chance to do whatever she wants on the opening day?" Ji Yaotian was unwilling. If Su Zimo's shops opened successfully in the Haoyue Capital, it would greatly affect the Ji family's business.
"Father, that Su Zimo is too cunning. Even the purchase of the shops was secretly handled by He Yunting. If we had known that the shops were going to be bought by the Mingyue Villa, we could have made some moves in secret. However, Su Zimo had already taken these aspects into consideration. By the time all the shops were finalized, the people returned to the Haoyue Kingdom, catching us off guard. Now, we can find a way to intervene in Su Zimo's business. With thirteen shops, Su Zimo can't possibly manage everything perfectly. There will be moments of negligence," Ji Yuxuan made up his mind. To compete with a woman like Su Zimo, he had to remain calm; otherwise, Ji Yuxuan would once again be defeated by that woman.
"Ji Yuxuan made up his mind that in order to compete with a woman like Su Zimo, he had to remain calm and composed. He didn't want to be defeated by her again. Furthermore, the Eight Profound Artifacts must be in the hands of Su Zimo and her son. When he returned to the Heavenly Gate, he mentioned Su Qi's bow and arrows, which turned out to be the legendary Daye Divine Bow. No wonder it was so powerful, instantly killing a Blood Demon Beast with a single arrow. And the Eight Profound Artifacts happened to be the rightful owners of the Daye Divine Bow. That's how Su Zimo knows Bai Qingjun.
"Even so, we shouldn't let her shops open smoothly. We should create some trouble for her on the opening day," Ji Yaotian couldn't suppress his anger. The Ji family had suffered at the hands of Su Zimo multiple times.
"Father, rest assured! I will take care of this matter," Ji Yuxuan assured his father. He wouldn't miss such a good opportunity. Now that he couldn't go to the Alchemy Pavilion, he had plenty of time to deal with Su Zimo.
In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the grand opening of Su Zimo's thirteen shops. The weather was perfect, with clear skies and a bustling crowd on the streets. Today marked the opening of the new shops of the Mingyue Villa, which mainly sold daily necessities. Furthermore, all the shops offered a buy-one-get-one-free promotion. Three days ago, Su Zimo had instructed Heyun Ting to spread the word, and now, everyone in the Haoyue Capital headed straight to the shops they wanted to buy from.
Su Zimo's status had skyrocketed. She was not only the wife of the Lord of Yun City but also the object of admiration for many women. A woman who could do business and venture into the world with three children alone—everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of her. At a time like this, how many people would remember that she was once a useless person, a joke of being rejected in public by Jun Lintian?
For the opening of the new shops, Su Zimo had prepared colorful cloth balls, tied them together to form arches, and hung them at the entrance of each shop. The sides of the entrance were adorned with various shapes of flowers, which added a vibrant atmosphere and attracted more people.
Su Zimo didn't send invitations to anyone. It didn't matter if others didn't come; her focus was on the common people. Su Zimo initially thought that only ordinary people would come, but to her surprise, many important figures suddenly appeared. Even the Haoyue Emperor himself came and was currently observing the various types of paper on the shelves.
If the Haoyue Emperor came, it was only natural for Murong Zeyu, Jun Lintian, Murong Xingchen, Ji Yuxuan, and others to come as well. The Mingyue Paper Company was managed by Shiyu, who was entertaining the guests. With experienced staff, they quickly adapted to their roles, which reassured Su Zimo.
With the opening of the new shops, those who had business dealings with Su Zimo naturally came to congratulate and offer gifts. Su Zimo had already arranged Qinghe and Qinglian to receive the gifts in the neighboring shop and take note of the senders' names for future reciprocal gifts."
"Hey, look, the Lord of Mingyue Manor is here!"
A voice rang out in the crowd.
They saw her wearing a purple dress, adorned with a set of purple glass phoenix tassels, exuding an elegant and extraordinary aura. She seemed ethereal, with flawless skin and a calm demeanor. Her beautiful eyes carried a hint of coldness, yet within that aloofness, there was a captivating charm that enticed and fascinated. She truly embodied the favor and adoration of millions.
Standing beside her was Muyun Xuan, who possessed an imposing and stunning presence. They were truly a perfect match!
Observing the identical appearances of Su Li and Su Qi, who were exquisitely dressed in white robes and had delicate faces, one couldn't help but be amazed.
"Look, she's so beautiful!"
"Indeed, who can deny that?"
"She's not only beautiful but also capable. No wonder the Lord of Yun City dotes on her. I heard that today he bestowed himself and the entire city to her as gifts."
"Of course, think about it. With Yun City as her backing, she naturally deserves such respect."
"An entire city, such grand generosity! There must be enough gold, silver, and jewels inside to last several lifetimes!"
"Absolutely, Su Zimo is truly fortunate!"
The crowd's discussions grew louder and louder.
Su Zimo listened to it all without any reaction.
"Sorry for the interruption!" Liu Shiyu greeted a paper shop owner next to him and walked toward the entrance.
"Lord of the Manor, you've arrived?"
"Yes, thank you for your hard work," Su Zimo nodded.
Hearing Liu Shiyu's voice, Emperor Haoyue put down the paper in his hand and smiled as he looked at Su Zimo. Although this woman possessed cunning, she had brought many benefits to the Haoyue Kingdom. It seemed that their treasury was going to be filled with even more silver this year.
"Lord of Mingyue, congratulations on the opening of your manor," Emperor Haoyue said cheerfully. Despite now wearing a black robe instead of the dragon robe, he still exuded dignity and nobility.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. With the golden words from Your Majesty, Zimo's business will surely prosper," Su Zimo replied with a smile. She was always clear about gratitude and grudges. If someone had shown her kindness, she would never forget it. At this moment, she naturally wouldn't confront Emperor Haoyue.
Just as Su Zimo and Emperor Haoyue were chatting, a loud shout suddenly came from the entrance.
"Yuwang of Xingyue Kingdom has arrived, bringing a golden plaque to congratulate Mingyue Manor on its prosperity and success!"
Murong Shaofeng furrowed his brows. What did Yuwang want to do? And why did he make such a grand appearance?
"Oh, the prince of Xingyue Kingdom has also come to offer his congratulations. Both the imperial families of Xingyue and Haoyue have sent gifts. For a business person, this is indeed a great honor!"
"Yes, I didn't expect the prince from a foreign kingdom to also send a congratulatory gift!"
"Yes, Yuwang is quite handsome!"
Many young girls couldn't help but fixate their gazes on Murong Zeyu, secretly falling for him...
"Yuwang pays respects to Emperor Haoyue!"
Murong Zeyu bowed to Emperor Haoyue.
"Oh, I didn't expect Yuwang of Xingyue Kingdom to arrive in Haoyue Kingdom. It's not long until the grand celebration in Qing Kingdom, so this timing is perfect."
"Replying to Emperor Haoyue, I have come for the grand celebration in Qing Kingdom. Our emperor has sent me and the Crown Prince here."
"Great! It seems that this year's grand celebration in Qing Kingdom will be quite lively!" Emperor Haoyue laughed.
"Envoy from Lixia Kingdom has arrived!" Another loud announcement echoed through the hall.
Upon hearing the name Lixia Kingdom, Su Zimo's face instantly revealed a trace of unusual emotion.
Earlier in the morning, Jindie had sensed her mother's presence from Nalan Yi. When Jindie told her, she speculated that her mother had some connection to the royal family of Lixia Kingdom, but she hadn't had the chance to investigate further.
Everyone turned their attention to the entrance, where a white-clad girl arrived, accompanied by four men. The girl was exceptionally beautiful, dressed in a white gown, exuding elegance and delicate beauty like a porcelain doll. Her big eyes spun around, radiating a glimmer of wisdom, until they finally landed on Su Zimo's face.
The girl named Nalan Lixin introduced herself, "Are you the owner of Mingyue Manor?"
Her bright eyes glanced at Su Zimo, and the resemblance was striking.
"What business do you have?" Su Zimo felt a slight resistance for some reason.
"Oh! My name is Nalan Lixin, the daughter of Nalan Rong, the Royal Prince of Lixia Kingdom. I heard that the Manor's business thrives all over the country, and I happened to be in Haoyue Kingdom, so I came here on behalf of my father to present a congratulatory gift, wishing prosperity to Mingyue Manor," Nalan Lixin said, clasping her hands behind her back, while her big eyes continued to scan the surroundings.
When she saw Murong Shaofeng, her clear eyes suddenly lit up.
"Thank you, Princess Nalan!" Su Zimo said coldly.
Su Qi and Su Li naturally noticed the change in their mother's attitude. Why didn't their mother like this Nalan Lixin? What could be the reason?
Based on her intuition, Muyun Xuan also sensed Su Zimo's emotions.
"Mo'er...!"
"Let's talk about it later!" Su Zimo knew what he wanted to ask.
"The Dark Night Pavilion sends a pair of Mandarin Duck Knots, wishing prosperity and abundant wealth to Mingyue Villa!"
"The Dark Night Pavilion?" Su Zimo: "..."
"The Dark Night Pavilion?" Mu Yunxuan was astonished! Has such a Dark Night Pavilion emerged in the martial world?
Not only Mu Yunxuan, but everyone present looked at the masked man with suspicion. His identity was dubious, as only his eyes were visible beneath the mask. He strode confidently toward Su Zimo.
Murong Shaofeng silently observed the approaching figure, wondering about the sudden appearance of this Dark Night Pavilion. What was going on?
"I have long heard of the famous Lord of Mingyue. Congratulations to the Lord of Mingyue and best wishes on the grand opening of Mingyue Villa."
As soon as the man spoke, his hoarse and suppressed voice made people inadvertently give him an extra glance.
Mu Yunxuan stared deeply at him, speculating on the man's identity. When did this Dark Night Pavilion emerge? How did he not receive any information about it? And why did he send a pair of Mandarin Duck Knots to Mo'er? Mandarin Duck Knots were only exchanged between lovers.
"Thank you, Pavilion Master!" Su Zimo's expression remained indifferent. She had grown accustomed to the sudden appearance of unidentified people today. Her adaptability was exceptionally strong.
"Haha..." The man's dark and hoarse laughter sounded somewhat unpleasant. "Lord of Mingyue, you are too polite. The reason I came here is to get closer to the Lord of Mingyue and do business."
Su Zimo glanced at him indifferently. "Pavilion Master must have made a mistake. Our villa has never conducted business with individuals of unknown identity."
Even in front of the entire Moonlight Capital, Su Zimo still didn't give any face.
There was a momentary vacancy in the black eyes beneath the man's mask.
"Lord of Mingyue, you're just joking. Who would turn away a potential business opportunity? There's no reason to reject business with our legitimate Dark Night Pavilion."
"Today is our villa's opening day, and I don't want to spoil everyone's mood. We can discuss this matter later."
Su Zimo's face turned slightly cold, and a trace of impatience flickered in her eyes.
The Pavilion Master of the Dark Night Pavilion knew better than to continue speaking. He wasn't in a hurry anyway. His purpose was to let the world know about the existence of the Dark Night Pavilion.
As the crowd observed this scene, a stifled atmosphere filled the room. But before anyone could catch their breath, a loud shout came from the entrance.
"The Heavenly Gate presents a cold iron treasure knife, wishing..."
The person speaking suddenly stopped and turned to look at Su Zimo.
Two masked men entered with a brocade box.
The room fell silent, and you could hear a pin drop.
After a moment, people began whispering to each other.
Su Zimo coldly watched the two men. Heavenly Gate had no connection with their Mingyue Villa, but today, they unexpectedly remembered their existence. It was indeed thought-provoking.
Mu Yunxuan glared at the newcomers, wondering why members of the Heavenly Gate had come. Could they have discovered something? But it didn't seem like it. Mu Yunxuan's mind was instantly filled with thoughts, and he became more vigilant, paying closer attention to Su Zimo's surroundings.
"A knife? Why would they bring a knife? It's so inauspicious!"
"Yes! Sending a knife when others are opening their shops is..."
The two black-clad individuals who came to deliver the dagger looked at Su Zimo with confusion. She genuinely had no idea what was going on with receiving such a gift. "Please convey my thanks to the leader of Tianmen on behalf of our mansion. The mansion's mistress really likes his gift," Su Zimo said. She had no intention of offending or befriending the various martial arts sects present. She never believed that the world was filled with righteousness, as everyone seemed to be killing each other for their own interests.
Upon hearing Su Zimo's words, the people present were momentarily stunned. While others would lift an eyelid for rare treasures given as gifts, Su Zimo expressed her fondness for a dagger sent by Tianmen. People couldn't fathom what was going through Su Zimo's mind. Little did they know, Su Zimo didn't fear the influence of Tianmen.
As the crowd murmured, Su Zimo paid no attention to the gossip. The nature of the gift was not important; what mattered was the message it conveyed. Tianmen? She had taken note of them.
At that moment, Su Zimo noticed Shao Yu walking in. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Wasn't Shao Yu at the pill shop? Why would he come here? Could something have happened over there? It was understandable for Su Zimo to speculate since today was an unusual day.
"Lì'er, go and check the other shops. I will go to the pill shop," Su Zimo commanded. "Yes, Mother," Su Li acknowledged with a gesture towards Yue Tongzi, and the two of them quickly disappeared into the crowd.
At the same time, Mu Yunxuan discreetly signaled his shadow guards, who promptly followed Su Li to protect him. Shao Yu gave Su Zimo a meaningful glance, and she immediately understood. She turned to look at Emperor Haoyue.
"Your Majesty, there are other matters at the pill shop. I shall take my leave ahead," Su Zimo said. Emperor Haoyue glanced at Shao Yu, a hint of doubt crossing his mind. The momentary eye contact between the two had caught his attention. Could something have happened at the pill shop?
"Madam, please don't mind me. However, I've heard that all the pills under the name of Moonlit Manor are of the highest quality ninth-grade level and above. Today, I happen to have some free time, so I'd like to accompany the Manor's Mistress to take a look," Emperor Haoyue addressed Su Zimo as Manor's Mistress, giving her some face.
Since Emperor Haoyue had spoken, Su Zimo naturally couldn't refuse. "Your Majesty, please."
With the Emperor's presence, the others followed suit. Suddenly, the influential figures in the paper shop vanished, but it did not dampen the shoppers' spirits. The business at the paper shop was thriving.
Su Zimo, leading the group, attracted a lot of attention. As soon as they arrived at the Moonlit Pill Shop on Shiyu Street, they heard loud and angry voices. "What kind of pills are you selling? They killed my son! Your so-called 'buy one, get one free' is nothing but deception! Give me back my son's life!"
Upon hearing this, Su Zimo's eyes slightly darkened, and a coldness flashed deep within them. While she didn't want to cause trouble, she absolutely wouldn't allow anyone to bully her or step over her.
The crowd was also taken aback. Someone was causing a scene here? However, they had no idea of the person's identity. Today was supposed to be an auspicious day for the Moonlit Manor's grand opening. Anyone causing trouble at such a critical moment must have a screw loose. In the entire world, there was probably nothing that could escape Mu Yunxuan's gaze.