"Great! With my daughter's words, it seems that the economy of our Li Xia Kingdom is going to soar." Nalan Wenhao's deep voice was hearty and energetic.
Mu Yunxuan looked embarrassed, "Does Lord Father-in-law no longer want to cooperate with our Mu family?"
He admitted that Mo Er's paper-making technique was indeed much superior to their Mu family's, but now they were all family. It seemed like Lord Father-in-law was showing some disdain.
"Son-in-law, don't overthink it. My daughter and you are already family. Doing business with my daughter is also doing business with your Mu family, isn't it?" Situ Ruoyan chuckled as she looked at Mu Yunxuan. In fact, she had no objections to her son-in-law.
"Mother-in-law is right." They say that the mother-in-law loves her son-in-law, and he loved hearing those words.
"You guys talk, we'll go ahead." Nalan Wenhao stood up.
"Luo'er, Qi'er, take your little uncle to play as well."
Su Zimo didn't want her two sons to hear what they were going to discuss next. Otherwise, knowing Qi'er's temper, he would cause trouble.
Su Qi knew that his mother wanted to send him away, but he had ways to come back and eavesdrop.
He readily agreed, "Sure! Mother, little uncle, let's go out and play."
Su Qi grinned cunningly and took Nalan Yi and Su Li with him.
"As for this deity, there's no need to avoid, right?" Looking at everyone being sent away by Su Zimo, Mo Wuyan casually asked.
After spending half a day getting to know each other, he learned that Su Zimo was truly remarkable. In the past two years, she had managed to develop Mingyue Trading Company into its current scale. Nowadays, almost everyone knew about Mingyue Trading Company. However, who could have imagined that the mastermind behind Mingyue Trading Company was a woman? After listening to the reports from his subordinates, he found it unbelievable and had wanted to visit Mingyue Mountain Villa early on. Luckily, he happened to meet Su Zimo who had just returned.
"It's better for the Palace Master to avoid for now. After all, the matters we are about to discuss are highly confidential." He Yunting looked at Mo Wuyan without any courtesy.
One less person who knew meant one less chance of victory.
He Yunting felt that the Demon Palace Princess was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.
Mo Wuyan glanced at He Yunting indifferently. He should be He Yunting, the steward of Mingyue Mountain Villa. This person had gained Su Zimo's trust and had a mysterious identity. Whatever he said should be in accordance with Su Zimo's wishes.
Mo Wuyan remained silent and looked at Su Zimo.
"Yunting's thoughts align with mine," Su Zimo said coldly.
"Hehe!" Mo Wuyan chuckled lightly and indifferently, "Then today, this deity will stay and listen."
Mo Wuyan initially wanted to avoid, but looking at Su Zimo's indifferent expression, he suddenly didn't feel like avoiding anymore.
"Qingfeng, speak up!" Mu Yunxuan disregarded Mo Wuyan. Before long, many things would come to light, and time would reveal what kind of person Mo Wuyan was.
"Yes, Holy Master," Qingfeng responded, "Holy Master, I have found the location of the Tianmen Gate. It is inside the Fumo Mountain, a hundred miles away from the capital city."
"Lord Zhuang, Qinglian also discovered the same location. Moreover, the Gatekeeper of the Tianmen Gate has sent people to infiltrate the capital city of Haoyue Kingdom, intending to seize the eight profound artifacts opportunistically."
Qinglian had gathered more information than Qingfeng.
Qingfeng admired Qinglian with a glance.
"It seems that Yang Qingqing has set her sights on the Xuan Bingxuelian in my hands." Su Zimo's beautiful face carried a cold smile.
"Qinglian, Qingfeng, for now, don't worry about the Tianmen Gate. It will take them a lot of time to infiltrate the capital city. Instead, investigate the details of the Ghost Palace."
Su Zimo wouldn't forget the incident that occurred in the palace.
The Ghost Palace had appeared so suddenly, and everything was connected to Jun Yuerong's accident. The Ghost Palace had gradually revealed itself, but unfortunately, Jun Yuerong was only faking her death, which forced Su Zimo to be more cautious.
Qingfeng and Qinglian exchanged a glance and nodded before leaving.
"While the Tianmen Gate avoids revealing their connection with the Mountain Villa, the Ghost Palace doesn't seem to care. Last night, a large number of Ghost Palace members infiltrated the vicinity of Mingyue Mountain Villa, preparing for an opportune move," He Yunting said sarcastically, leaning back on his chair.
Su Qi used the Phantom God Technique to eavesdrop outside the window. After hearing the important information, he quickly disappeared.
"Only when they make a move can we catch their tail. Instruct Liuyue not to clean up for now and see how long they can endure."
A hint of calculation flashed in Su Zimo's eyes. If they dared to plot against her son, they must be prepared to bear the consequences.
"Alright!" He Yunting nodded in agreement.
"By the way, Mo Mo, Mo Niang has been acting strange recently. She's always absent-minded. When you came back, go and check on her. Mo Niang didn't go to the medicine shop today," Su Zi Mo said.
"Oh, I see! I'll go and check on her right away," Mo Wu Ya replied.
Su Zi Mo looked at Mo Wu Ya and asked, "Tell me, how can I help you?"
"It seems that you still remember," Mo Wu Ya smiled and said, "With the Zun Yu in your hands, after you make a contract with it, you can open the Time Gates of the Demon City. You can make the Demon City forever stay at its peak and become a mirage of the Demon City."
"It sounds simple when you say it, but this matter is of great importance. I must consult my master before making a decision," Su Zi Mo said, with a hint of doubt in her heart. When her master gave her the Zun Yu, he didn't mention anything about making the Demon City stay at its peak forever. Why would Mo Wu Ya want to do that?
Su Zi Mo carefully observed Mo Wu Ya. Compared to the Mo Wu Ya of last night, this Mo Wu Ya gave her a different feeling. The Mo Wu Ya from last night seemed more wicked.
On the other hand, this Mo Wu Ya gave off a gloomy vibe, and that wickedness wasn't as prominent.
"I'll give you an answer in two days," Su Zi Mo said, her gaze fixed on Mo Wu Ya for a few seconds.
Upon hearing this, Mo Wu Ya's smile widened. "Then I'll come back in two days."
Mo Wu Ya stood up, smiled meaningfully, and disappeared in a puff of smoke, no longer in his original place.
Su Zi Mo frowned. She compared this Mo Wu Ya with the Mo Wu Ya from last night and felt that they were completely different. The Mo Wu Ya from last night was even more sinister.
Without voicing her suspicions, Su Zi Mo said, "I'll go and check on Mo Niang first." She stood up and walked outside.
The weather was warm and clear, and Su Zi Mo walked through the garden as if taking a stroll.
The gardens on both sides of the path were filled with exotic flowers and plants. It was spring, and the gentle breeze carried a fragrant scent, making the whole garden elegant and tranquil. The path was paved with beautiful colorful pebbles, pleasing to the eyes and providing a foot massage at the same time.
Su Zi Mo loved this kind of atmosphere. In one's life, there would be many setbacks, but she was good at letting go of unstable emotions and occasionally enjoying the beauty around her.
This place was built with the money she earned through hard work, brick by brick, carrying her dream of having a stable life. Now, that dream had finally come true.
Mo Niang was also a respected figure in Mingyue Villa and was considered family by Su Zi Mo. Her residence was not far from Mu Yunxuan's.
Xiao Yue Xuan was the name of the courtyard where Mo Niang lived. Su Zi Mo saw that the gate was open and walked in. It was still filled with the vibrant colors of spring, with beautiful flowers and plants blooming everywhere. Su Zi Mo couldn't help but smile.
She looked around and saw Mo Niang sitting dejectedly under the octagonal pavilion in the courtyard, staring into the distance.
Su Zi Mo frowned slightly and walked over.
"Mo Niang."
Mo Niang turned around and saw Su Zi Mo. She quickly composed herself.
Even though Mo Niang was fast, Su Zi Mo still noticed something unusual on her face.
"Mo Mo, you're back," Mo Niang had a loving smile on her face as she looked at Su Zi Mo, but there was a hint of bitterness in her smile.
"Mo Niang, you seem to have something on your mind," Su Zi Mo said, sitting on the stone bench opposite Mo Niang, which was cushioned and very comfortable.
"Mo Mo, Mo Niang is all alone. How could there be anything on my mind? It's just that Mo Niang hasn't been feeling well these past few days," Mo Niang held Su Zi Mo's hand and smiled.
Feeling the slightly cool touch of her hand, Su Zi Mo didn't believe Mo Niang's words at all. Moreover, Mo Niang's words lacked conviction.
"Mo Niang, we are like family. There's nothing we can't talk about," Su Zi Mo said, sighing inwardly.
"Mo Mo, Mo Niang is really fine. By the way, have you resolved the matters with the Mu family and the Demon Palace?" Mo Niang changed the subject, and Su Zi Mo could only sigh inwardly.
"Don't worry, Mo Niang. Everything has been resolved. It was just a misunderstanding. Mo Wu Ya came to Mingyue Villa just now," Su Zi Mo reassured her.
"That's good to hear! The City Lord of Yun Cheng is a good person, free from the vices of the royal families. Now that you've found a good family, Mo Niang can rest assured," Mo Niang said, her face still wearing a loving smile.
Mo Niang looked at Su Zi Mo with a loving expression, treating her as her own daughter. Over the past couple of years, she had been by Su Zi Mo's side, enduring hardships together. Finally, their efforts had paid off, and Mingyue Villa was rapidly growing stronger.
"You all praise him, but I don't see anything special about him," Su Zi Mo said, blushing and smiling coyly.
"Master, the Crown Prince has arrived," Qing Lian reported as she entered.
Su Zi Mo turned around and instructed Qing He, "Good! Qing He, take the Crown Prince to the main hall. I'll join you shortly."
"Yes, Master," Qing He replied and left.
Su Zi Mo turned her head and caught a glimpse of pain in Mo Niang's eyes. It was a fleeting moment, but Su Zi Mo noticed it.
Strange, Mo Niang's reaction was peculiar.
Su Zi Mo discreetly observed Mo Niang, as if she sensed a significant change in Mo Niang's emotions when the Crown Prince was mentioned.
Concealing her own emotions, Su Zi Mo casually asked, "Mo Niang, what do you think of the Crown Prince's character?"
Su Zi Mo's seemingly casual question was accompanied by a scrutinizing gaze fixed on Mo Niang.
"Why would you suddenly want to ask about this, Mo Mo?" Mo Niang's face appeared uneasy, her eyes evading contact, and her tone cautious.
"Mo Niang, you know that Sister has met the Crown Prince several times. Judging from her expression, it seems like she has feelings for him," Su Zi Mo said. This was the best reason to probe Mo Niang's true thoughts. Mo Niang's identity was suspicious; she claimed to be an orphan, but Su Zi Mo never believed that. She never considered Mo Niang as an orphan. However, Mo Niang refused to talk about it, and Su Zi Mo didn't press further. Mo Niang had a bigger heart than her; she always liked helping those children without parents. Now, there were probably more than fifty children in Mo's residence. Mo Niang would always find time to take care of them and had even hired alchemists and cultivation instructors for them.
"Purple Nian?" Mo Niang exclaimed, a scene from the street flashing through her mind.
"Purple Nian is gentle and virtuous. If the Crown Prince is interested, it could be a good match," Mo Niang sincerely expressed. She had some understanding of Purple Nian; she was a good child, gentle on the outside but firm on the inside. It was a pity... Mo Niang quickly halted her train of thought.
"Mo Mo, you also deserve to find a good home. However..." Su Zi Mo hesitated, reluctant to continue.
Seeing Su Zi Mo's dilemma, Mo Niang furrowed her brows and asked, "Mo Er, do you have any concerns?"
"Mo Niang, in the past, people would gaze longingly for kings and princes, their eyes yearning until they turned blind, but the green silk turned white, and they never reunited. Mo Er hopes that Sister won't end up as a miserable woman in the palace," Su Zi Mo said.
"Mo Er, you're right. Beautiful women in the harem often have unfortunate fates. It's understandable that you would have such concerns," Mo Niang replied.
"Mo Niang, we'll have to see what Sister and the Crown Prince think about this. If you're not feeling well, then rest properly. Little Yue and Tian Hen are taking care of the pill tower, so I can be at ease once you're in good health," Su Zi Mo said, smiling warmly without any trace of suspicion on her face.
"Mo Er, rest assured. Mo Niang will be fine. You go ahead and take care of your matters. Don't worry about me," Mo Niang assured her.
"In that case, I'll take my leave." Su Zi Mo smiled, got up, and as she turned around, a flicker of puzzlement flashed across her face.
Mo Niang watched Su Zi Mo's departing figure and breathed a sigh of relief. Su Zi Mo was perceptive, and she hoped that Su Zi Mo didn't suspect anything. She didn't want to disturb the peace in the royal family again. As long as her son was healthy and able to ascend the throne smoothly, it didn't matter if she was by his side or not.
"Your Highness, why do you have the time to visit?" Su Zi Mo greeted with a friendly tone as soon as she entered the main hall.
Today, Jun Shao Chen was wearing a simple yet luxurious white robe, looking astute and capable, radiating an air of nobility.
Coincidentally, Mu Yun Xuan was also present since He Yun Ting had gone out for something.
"I wanted to inquire about the progress regarding your Ghost Palace. You know that I rarely involve myself in political affairs, but this time, I truly want to uncover the truth about the Ghost Palace and find out what happened to Princess Yue Rong. Also, there's a farewell banquet tonight, and the envoys from the four countries are preparing to return. My father asked me to come and inform you and Yun Xuan, and to let you both attend. It's also a good opportunity to inform the Crown Prince of Xing Yue Country and the Queen of Li Xia Country, Nalan He, and Wang Hou," Jun Shao Chen explained.
"Since Your Highness personally invited, it would be impolite for me not to attend," Su Zi Mo replied with a smile.
"Hehe! It's an honor for me that the Villa Master is willing to grace us with your presence," Jun Shao Chen laughed softly, displaying no airs of a Crown Prince. Compared to Yan Ping An, Su Zi Mo found Shao Feng and Jun Shao Chen more pleasing to the eye.
"By the way, where is Purple Nian?" Jun Shao Chen asked, his smile fading.
Mu Yun Xuan and Su Zi Mo exchanged a quick glance. It seemed that Jun Shao Chen had a hidden agenda.
"Sister is accompanying King Father and Queen Mother to the paper mill. She might come back a bit later," Su Zi Mo replied.
A tinge of disappointment flickered in Jun Shao Chen's eyes.
Su Zi Mo could see the unspoken sentiments between Sister and Jun Shao Chen.
"In that case, Villa Master, please bring Purple Nian along to the banquet," Jun Shao Chen said after a moment of contemplation.
"Since Your Highness personally requested, Sister will definitely come," Su Zi Mo responded.
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
Upon hearing that Su Zi Nian would also be attending, Jun Shao Chen's smile suddenly grew wider.
"Your Highness, take care. If there's any news about the Ghost Palace, Zi Mo will inform you right away," Su Zi Mo said.
"Thank you, Villa Master!" Jun Shao Chen got up, glanced at Mu Yun Xuan, and then left.
Mu Yun Xuan stood up and walked over to Su Zi Mo. "Mo Er, it seems like Shao Chen has developed an interest in Zi Nian."
"That's something I'm worried about too. After all, he is the Crown Prince..." Su Zi Mo replied.
"Mo Er, don't overthink it. Fate is not something that can be influenced by status," Mu Yun Xuan said, looking deeply into her eyes. As her sister, Mo Er hoped for her happiness.
"The men here are all polygamous. They never consider a woman's feelings. Even in families that are slightly well-off, having multiple wives and concubines is common. I have only one sister, and I don't ask for anything else except that the person she marries can be with her for a lifetime," Su Zi Mo expressed her strong views, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Mo Er, don't think too much. Look," Mu Yun Xuan said, performing a magic trick and producing a brocade box.
"What's inside?" Su Zi Mo was captivated by the exquisite box, expecting something good.
"Originally, the Southern Sun Jade was our token between us, but I gave it to Xin Er. The Mu family also has another token, the Moon Sun Jade, forged at the pinnacle of eternal sun and moon," Mu Yun Xuan explained. He opened the brocade box, revealing two white jades lying peacefully inside. Within the milky white jades, there were flashes of white light. One was in the shape of the sun, and the other was in the shape of the moon. The Moon Sun Jade was adorned with red cords and fragments of jade, forming two bracelets. Su Zi Mo had heard about this treasure before—it was a priceless item with a poignant and enviable love story.
"It seems that there's no treasure the Mu family cannot obtain," Su Zi Mo smiled and remarked.
Mu Yun Xuan smiled and remained silent, gently taking out the bracelets.
"Mo Er, would you be willing to wear the Moon Sun Jade with me?" Mu Yun Xuan asked, his gaze fixed on Su Zi Mo's expression. By wearing the Moon Sun Jade, he would know Mo Er's whereabouts, and if she was in danger, he would sense it in time.
"In consideration of your sincerity, I'll reluctantly wear it!" Su Zi Mo raised her eyes and smiled softly. Every person, every stage of life, after experiencing different things, would have different dreams. But the only constant was the loving heart. The pair of Moon Sun Jade bracelets had absorbed the epic love of the world, and she hoped that by wearing them, they would bring her the blessings of a perfect love.
"Mo Er, thank you!" Mu Yun Xuan's handsome face was filled with excitement.
He took Su Zi Mo's hand and gently pricked their fingers. Drops of blood fell onto the Moon Sun Jade bracelets. Instantly, the jades levitated, and the moon-shaped bracelet automatically fastened around Su Zi Mo's wrist, while the sun-shaped one clasped onto Mu Yun Xuan's hand. However, two small red dots appeared within the Moon Sun Jade.
"Mo Er, thank you!" Mu Yun Xuan excitedly pulled Su Zi Mo into his embrace.
The two of them embraced warmly, and Su Zi Mo's heart was filled with gratitude. In her heart, there was now hope and confidence.
"Mu Yun Xuan, I don't believe in heaven, I don't believe in earth, I only believe in you," Su Zi Mo declared. At that moment, Mu Yun Xuan felt like the happiest man in the world.
Outside the palace, Muren Shao Feng watched the embracing couple with a heartache. He felt as if he couldn't breathe anymore. However, seeing his beloved in the arms of another man, he couldn't even discern what he was feeling.
Nalan Li Xin stood not far behind Muren Shao Feng, observing his pained figure. Deep in her heart, she made a silent resolution.
"Muren Shao Feng, I, Nalan Li Xin, vow to make you a man who can reciprocate the love of other women."
In the palace of the Witch Clan, a mysterious palace painted entirely in black, except for a lush garden of black flowers and vines surrounding a black crystal ball. In front of the crystal ball stood a seductive woman dressed in a crimson gown.
This was the forbidden place of the Witch Clan. In the center, a sacrificial altar was set up, adorned with mysterious tools, all made of black wood.
On the uneven stone walls, there were carvings of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise, while four four-tiered candle holders surrounded them.
The dark hall was no longer as gloomy with the flickering candles illuminating it.
Beside the stone walls, there were decorations of skulls, goat heads, and ox heads. The entire palace had a suppressive and terrifying atmosphere, yet it exuded an enigmatic and unfathomable aura.
Next to the woman in the red gown stood an old woman wearing a black cloak, her face hidden from view. She held a staff made of a skull, with two red gem-like eyes embedded in the eye sockets.