"The Prince has always been oblivious to matters of the heart, keeping his distance from all women. Now that he's finally come to his senses, it's a cause for great celebration. Surely, if the Empress were aware, she would be very pleased."

Mo Mei easily wriggled free from Long Xuanmo's embrace and sat down at the table's edge, maintaining a three-step distance from him, "Prince, I have something to tell you."

Suddenly bereft of her soft, warm fragrance, Long Xuanmo felt a pang of melancholy in his heart. Especially as Ah Jiu had reverted to her distant and indifferent demeanor, his gaze involuntarily darkened.

However, upon the thought that Ah Jiu was still alive, that he could still see and touch her, and particularly the fact that he had just kissed her—albeit briefly and lightly—without her resistance, he deemed it a significant step forward. It was enough to prove that his relationship with Ah Jiu was slowly drawing closer.

This was a good sign. As long as he continued in this gentle, gradual way, subtly blending into Ah Jiu's life and making his way into her heart, he believed that one day, Ah Jiu would open her heart to him and care for him alone.

With this thought in mind, Long Xuanmo took a seat across from Mo Mei, poured a cup of warm medicinal tea, and offered it to her.

Mo Mei paused, noticing Long Xuanmo, with a cup in his left hand and a smile on his face, looking at her with clear, calm eyes. She sighed softly, took the cup from him intending to set it on the table beside her. Upon seeing Long Xuanmo's demeanor, however, she took a small sip instead, "Thank you."

Long Xuanmo appeared composed on the surface but was secretly delighted inside. He poured himself a cup of the medicinal tea and savored it elegantly, finding it sweeter than honey that evening.

"Ah Jiu, speak frankly if there's something on your mind."

"Regarding this epidemic, could the Prince attribute the merit to Old Hai and Uncle Luo instead of getting Uncle Xiao involved?"

Long Xuanmo raised an eyebrow, his gaze becoming slightly puzzled as he looked at Mo Mei.

"The Xiao family has always harbored intentions of using Uncle Xiao. If they learn of the contributions he's made, they will undoubtedly cling to him ceaselessly, perhaps even moving heaven and earth to transfer Uncle Xiao back to the Capital, all to secure greater benefits."

Mo Mei's words were not without evidence; the birdies had informed her that the Xiao family had already been working to get Uncle Xiao back to the Capital. They believed that Uncle Xiao had significant ties to Long Xuanmo and wanted to use him for their benefit, whilst concurrently plotting against Long Xuanmo.

The Xiao family deemed their actions secret, little did they know that Long Xuanmo had been well aware of them all along, "If Xiao Hongtao is willing, he could expose the Xiao family's misdeeds and leave the family on the back of his achievements during this epidemic. I could aid him in secret, helping him establish his own house."

"That's not possible," Mo Mei shook her head. "The common people are unaware of the Xiao family's repugnant schemes. Should Uncle Xiao rashly propose leaving the family to start his own, not only would the Emperor disapprove, but the public would also accuse him of being ungrateful and disloyal.

After all, Old Master Xiao is his biological father, and Uncle Xiao would end up being labeled as faithless and unfilial, condemned by society;

Furthermore, these past years, the Xiao family clan has lived on the support of the Xiao family in the Capital. The Patriarch and the Elders surely wouldn't agree to Uncle Xiao's departure and might even threaten to expel his entire family from the clan to coerce him;

Without the family and clan members' support, life would become exceedingly difficult for Uncle Xiao's family, akin to rootless duckweed, let alone the chance to distinguish themselves."

Not to mention those prominent families, even in these rural areas where Mo Mei lived, the concept of clan was very strong.

The Clan Leader and the Elders held significant authority. Sometimes, even the village head and the Lizheng had to comply with their wishes. If their opinions differed, they would openly reject the village head's and Lizheng's decisions. Naturally, provided it did not concern the survival of the clan, they generally would not embarrass the village head or Lizheng.

Moreover, only inclusion in the family register indicated that you belonged to the clan. If someone wronged you, the clan would stand up for you; otherwise, you were only obligated to contribute without any rights to enjoy privileges. In death, no one would speak a word on your behalf, save for the occasional sympathetic soul.

This was why she had never taken action against the Xiao family before, but after hearing from Sister Jin about the Xiao family's situation, she came up with a better plan. Once the opportunity arose, not only could Uncle Xiao and his family break away from the Xiao family, but they also wouldn't leave behind any cause for censure.

Long Xuanmo was naturally aware of the affairs within large clans; he just didn't want to see Ah Jiu troubled by Xiao Hongtao. Since Ah Jiu disagreed, he dropped the subject as well.

"I will do as Ah Jiu wishes."

"Also, before Aunt Xiao gives birth to my brother and goes through her confinement period, could the Prince find some tasks for the Yang family, especially Old Lady Xiao, to keep them busy? It would prevent them from disturbing Uncle Xiao and Aunt Xiao. If Aunt Xiao doesn't rest well during her confinement, she might develop lingering health issues."

If it hadn't been absolutely necessary, Yang Mengchen wouldn't have wanted to trouble Long Xuanmo.

"No problem," Long Xuanmo agreed with a nod, his gaze on Yang Mengchen deep and unfathomable like the sea: "So, how will Ah Jiu thank me?" His hand clutching the teacup unconsciously tightened, betraying his inner tension and unrest.

Yang Mengchen looked at Long Xuanmo with a composed gaze, her expression clear and tranquil like water, while inwardly she sneered: This Long Xuanmo is clearly taking advantage of the situation.

The bitterness and loss in Long Xuanmo's heart were substantial, but his face showed no sign of it: "Winter is approaching. Ah Jiu, why don't you sew me two sets of new clothes and socks?" His grip on the teacup unintentionally tightened further, revealing the anxiety and trepidation he felt within.

After a moment of silence, Yang Mengchen lightly nodded her head; she was planning to sew winter clothes for her family anyway, so two more sets for Long Xuanmo wouldn't make much difference.

Long Xuanmo secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Heaven knows how afraid he had been that Ah Jiu would refuse. Fortunately, Ah Jiu was kind-hearted, and it was exactly because of her kindness that he had no intention of letting go: "I will have two Hidden Guards reassigned here in a few days."

Such a major incident had occurred, and yet Qing Qing and Mo Mei hadn't reported to him immediately—it was unforgivable!

Worse yet, the families of Old Hai and Uncle Luo had colluded to suppress the news, preventing him from being at Ah Jiu's side when she needed him.

"No need," understanding why Long Xuanmo wanted to replace the two of them, Yang Mengchen smiled and said: "Qing Qing and Mo Mei are both quite good, and we get along with them harmoniously. If the Prince assigns new people, we wouldn't be accustomed to them."

Long Xuanmo pondered deeply for a while before nodding: "They can stay, but in the future, if anything happens, Ah Jiu must let them inform me."

Yang Mengchen outwardly agreed, but inwardly, she thought otherwise.

Listening to the conversation from outside the room, Qing Qing's emotions plummeted to the depths and then soared high into the clouds, in a roller-coaster of feelings.

Ms. Yang and the Yang family treated him with extraordinary care, like a member of their own family, giving him a sense of warmth he had never experienced before. He cherished his current life and naturally didn't want to leave. Thankfully, the Prince hadn't gone against Ms. Yang's wishes, so he could continue to stay. This was wonderful news!

Meanwhile, Mo Yun and the others glared at Qing Qing with envy and jealousy—they too wanted to stay by Ms. Yang's side.

"Regarding the Prince, who actually poisoned Yingtong?"

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