Girls naturally develop earlier than boys, usually starting around the age of ten, and they develop quickly. After a few months of not seeing each other, Chen Mo noticed that Song Min had grown significantly taller, and with the improved living conditions, her skin had become more delicate.

The wind was strong outside, and it was cold. The four of them walked into the house, where the food was already prepared on the table. However, Han Anniang obviously wanted Chen Mo to eat something warm, so she said, "Uncle, have a seat for a moment, I'll go heat up the dishes."

"Sister Han, let me help you." Song Min picked up two plates of food and headed towards the kitchen to assist Han Anniang.

Yi Shiyin didn't go to the kitchen; instead, she spoke to Chen Mo with some excitement, "Husband, I am now a martial artist."

"I noticed." When Chen Mo first saw Yi Shiyin, he spotted the number "33" on her forehead and muttered to himself. He raised his hand and playfully flicked Yi Shiyin's delicate nose, "Xiaolu is really amazing."

This was not just polite talk; it was true. She was only sixteen now, and when he was sixteen, he was still an ordinary person.

Yi Shiyin was no longer shy, only blushing slightly, and she rather enjoyed this intimacy from Chen Mo.

She even actively leaned against Chen Mo, and naturally, Chen Mo did not resist, only saying, "I've been traveling, eating wind and sleeping outdoors for a few days, I'm dirty."

"I don't mind," Yi Shiyin said, hugging Chen Mo's right arm.

Chen Mo smiled as he held Yi Shiyin's small hand, playing with her slender fingers, and said, "Xiaolu, in the days I was away, did anything major happen in Qingzhou?"

Yi Shiyin thought for a moment and said, "I heard that there was a riot in Xia Lin in October. The Celestial King Hall being built was set on fire by laborers. If it hadn't rained in time, it would have burned down completely. Because of this, Yang Minggui killed many people, and even last month he was still catching people everywhere for forced labor."

Chen Mo raised his eyebrows lightly. He had heard about this from Geng Songfu. At that time, Yang Minggui had asked Geng Songfu to gather a thousand laborers from Pingting County and Qingtian County to be sent over, and in the end, Geng Songfu managed it by paying ten thousand coins.

At the same time, Chen Mo was feeling puzzled.

The main force of the Celestial Master Army had crossed the river, and the future focus would not be in Qingzhou. So why was Yang Minggui spending so much manpower and resources to build the Celestial King Hall in Xia Lin?

After all, if the Celestial Master Army continued to move south in the future, Yang Minggui certainly couldn't pretend to be sick and stay in Xia Lin forever. Putting in so much effort and not being able to live there for long, what's the point?

"Anything else?" Chen Mo asked.

Yi Shiyin thought for a moment and began speaking again.

Seeing that she was only repeating what Geng Songfu had said, Chen Mo stopped asking.

But while he was silent, Yi Shiyin continued to speak nonstop.

Her questions were all about Chen Mo, more about his safety, such as whether he got injured in the battle, whether he was tired, and so on.

Chen Mo directly pulled Yi Shiyin into his embrace, letting her sit on his lap.

Yi Shiyin was petite, and sitting in Chen Mo's embrace, she looked like a large doll being held by Chen Mo.

Yi Shiyi's delicate body trembled slightly, her heart shy and annoyed, with misty eyes full of moisture as she twisted in Chen Mo's arms.

"Xiaolu, don't move around," Chen Mo felt his temper rising, and once she settled down, he began talking to her about the affairs of Yu State.

But Yi Shiyin wasn't listening seriously; she just felt... tingling and numb, her body becoming a bit hot. Unable to resist, she clamped her legs together, feeling a unique impulse.

Her cheeks were rosy like clouds, and the flush extended all the way to her earlobes, white tinged with red, and looking moist and dewy.

Chen Mo hadn't realized that Xiaolu already knew about his and his sister-in-law's affairs, so he suppressed his internal fire and didn't act rashly. In the middle of their conversation, footsteps suddenly sounded, and Han Anniang's voice came, "Uncle, the food is hot, and you can eat now."

Han Anniang came in holding the food and paused slightly when she saw the two of them.

Yi Shiyin, aware of her shyness, quickly stood up and quietly sat down beside them.

Han Anniang served food to Chen Mo and attentively brought him chopsticks, then sat down on his left side, while Song Min sat opposite him.

Like Xiaolu, Han Anniang also asked Chen Mo whether he was injured. She didn't understand military matters but knew that the battlefield was extremely dangerous. Dalan... Chen Da was seriously injured on the battlefield and didn't last long after returning home.

Chen Da's comrades also died on the battlefield.

As they spoke, both she and Yi Shiyin kept putting food into Chen Mo's bowl.

While eating, Song Min saw this and stood up too, picking a piece of meat and placing it in Chen Mo's bowl.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry, I'm in great health, and the enemy can't hurt me." As he spoke, Chen Mo patted his chest to reassure them.

If Yi Shiyin and Song Min weren't there, Han Anniang would definitely have insisted on removing Chen Mo's clothes to check for wounds. But now, she could only desist.

"All this fighting and killing, who knows when it will end? Uncle, right now we have a pretty good life. Can't we just stay safely in the county from now on?"

Han Anniang, in the end, was just a rural woman who hadn't read much, with a narrow view, only wanting to live a peaceful life with the person she loved, not wanting to fight and kill, worrying about her lover.

But she didn't understand that for long-term stability, force was necessary.

Throughout history, times of chaos were always resolved through warfare.

"Sister-in-law, I want that too, but right now it's not feasible..." Chen Mo tried to explain their current situation in the simplest terms possible.

Hearing this, Han Anniang looked somewhat downcast. She knew she couldn't help much or offer any opinions, so she could only silently lower her head and continue eating.

After dinner.

The kitchen.

Song Min and Han Anniang were washing dishes, the clinking of pots and pans mingling with Song Min's laughter.

Ever since Chen Mo returned, the little girl had been much more lively and joyful.

Han Anniang responded absentmindedly, then said, "Min'Er, go help your Brother Mo fill the bathtub with hot water; I'll take care of the kitchen."

"Got it." Song Min walked out of the kitchen.

Shortly after Song Min left, Chen Mo came in. Whether it was because Han Anniang was too focused on washing dishes or lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Chen Mo coming in.

It wasn't until she felt someone hugging her from behind that Han Anniang was startled, causing the bowl in her hand to drop into the wooden basin below with a clatter but fortunately it didn't break.

"Sister-in-law, it's me." Chen Mo blew a warm breath on Han Anniang's neck.

Han Anniang trembled and sighed in relief, her fair face blushing like a light cloud gracing the mountains, while feeling the presence behind her... she instinctively twisted her body, finding she couldn't resist, and said, "Uncle, don't fool around."

"Doesn't Sister-in-law miss me?" Chen Mo held onto his sister-in-law's slender waist, feeling the smooth white skin and the softness like a millstone, and couldn't help but nibble on Han Anniang's earlobe.

Han Anniang felt a wave of softness all over her body, emitting a soft hum from her red lips, and stretched out her pale arms backward to push Chen Mo away: "I do, but I'm washing dishes, can we wait a little later?"

Chen Mo didn't really mean to tease her and said, "I noticed Sister-in-law seemed a bit unhappy just now?"

"I...I'm not."

"I know Sister-in-law feels she can't help me, but do you know, it's precisely because of you that I have the motivation to move forward. So, as long as I become strong, strong enough, I can protect you and give you a safe and reassuring life. So, Sister-in-law, don't feel useless. You, Xiaolu, even Min'Er are my spiritual support now.

Your unhappiness makes me feel like everything I'm doing is in vain," Chen Mo said gently.

Hearing this, Han Anniang felt her body tremble, her cheeks flushed, soft in Chen Mo's embrace, never imagining she had such a significant impact on him, while a wave of shyness sprouted in her heart.

"Uncle." Han Anniang turned her head, her plump cheeks filled with deep tenderness.

Chen Mo released her waist, cupping her face and inhaling the scent like orchids and musk, saying softly, "Sister-in-law really makes me intoxicated at all times."

Han Anniang's earlobes blushed shamefully.

The two kissed, the long separation prompting Chen Mo to lift Han Anniang onto the stove, greedily capturing everything about her.

"Sister Han... ah..."

Song Min walked in, initially wanting to tell Han Anniang the hot water was ready, but couldn't find Brother Mo, and instead inadvertently saw such an embarrassing scene.

Only to see Chen Mo hunched over Han Anniang's clothing, like a hungry child.

Han Anniang saw Song Min and quickly pushed Chen Mo back, almost falling onto the floor herself, but Chen Mo was quick and caught her securely.

Han Anniang turned her back, hurriedly tidying her clothes, and after a while, she turned back and asked, "Min'Er, what's up?"

"Sister Han, Brother Mo, the hot water is ready."

With that, Song Min quickly left the kitchen.

"Uncle, it's all your fault." Han Anniang scolded Chen Mo as she saw Song Min leave.

Chen Mo, shameless, didn't even blush, caressing Han Anniang's cheek with affection, said, "Sister-in-law, remember to leave the door open for me."

Han Anniang's cheeks were crimson like blood, shamed and angry she replied, "Tonight you... you should be with Xiaolu."

"I know, I'll come find you later."

"Mm."

Han Anniang softly agreed, considering it as consent.

...

By law, Yi Shiyin being the first concubine taken made Chen Mo, upon returning, have to accompany her first.

After the bath, Chen Mo went to his room.

Ever since Yi Shiyin moved into the stronghold, she had been staying in Chen Mo's room.

Yi Shiyin had already changed into a light and transparent blue gauze dress, having already made the bed, waiting while sitting on it, probably thinking she had been too tender and wanted a change.

When Chen Mo came in, he deliberately crossed his legs, the fair beauty of his feet adorned with light-colored embroidered shoes, swaying with the toes, appearing exceptionally charming under the dim light.

Noticing Chen Mo's gaze, Yi Shiyin intentionally lifted her hand, placing a finger under her chin, then gently traced downwards, to her collar, undoing a button, and called out sweetly, "Husband."

She thought Chen Mo would jump at her, but he burst out laughing: "Xiaolu, where did you learn that? It's too funny."

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