Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 442: Copper Sparrow Garden

After all, the Emperor has no power; naturally, as the dependent, neither does the Empress.

Therefore, in Xu Ying’s view now, only being the wife of a man like her father is truly glorious.

Originally, she thought coming to Chen Mo’s side was better than staying in the Music Bureau, and she had no expectations for life, just thinking about survival.

But now, a small desire has grown in Xu Ying’s heart.

Different from Xu Ying, Princess Zhaoqing only wants a simple and peaceful life.

As the daughter of the late Emperor, a Princess of Great Song.

During the time when royal power still prevailed, from her birth, she experienced the feeling of being high above, cherished in people’s hearts, protected so meticulously that even a sneeze could cause heads of many palace maids and eunuchs to roll. As a child, she possessed the power over life and death of others.

But what followed was the endless struggles, both overt and covert, within the palace.

From childhood, people around her continuously left her.

Among them were even her brothers and sisters.

And the ones who killed these brothers and sisters were, in fact, other brothers, sisters, and even her father.

She had grown weary of this silent slaughter.

Later, she married the eldest son of Chancellor Xu, who was a scholarly man, thinking she finally no longer had to endure those heart-stopping days. But unexpectedly, Chancellor Xu seized power, and the life full of intrigue and hidden dangers began to play out once again in the Prime Minister’s Mansion.

Thinking of this, she sighed.

Chen Mo also seemed like a person fond of killing, and she never expected that after falling from grace, she’d end up in the hands of such a rough military commander.

She instinctively held tightly to the hairpin her late husband had given her, as if it were a lifeline.

She still remembered the first time she heard the name Chen Mo, when the Yu State Army suffered heavy casualties, and a youthful general from the Celestial Master Thieves captured Liang Song alive...

Just then, a guard who had gone to deliver a message returned: "Who are Xu Ying, Chu Ran?"

Chu Ran is Princess Zhaoqing’s name.

Currently, both women are guilty detainees, so addressing them directly as Empress Xu and the Princess is out of the question.

Lu Sheng’s personal soldiers pointed to the corresponding carriage.

Having understood, the guard nodded and said, "The Marquis is occupied and cannot meet them for now. However, the Marquis has long arranged a place for them to live in the future. Follow me."

The guard led Xu Ying and the others into Xiangyang City, arriving in front of a residence.

"Copper Sparrow Garden." Lu Sheng’s personal soldier muttered as he looked at the plaque on the gate, then cupped his hand in greeting to the guard, saying, "Now that the people are delivered, we will return and report."

...

Elsewhere, Chen Mo, who was reviewing the Four Guard Armies, heard the guard’s report and initially wanted to see if the former Empress and Princess Zhaoqing were attractive.

After all, he belonged to the Yan Faction, and even if they had status, he wouldn’t involve himself unless they were beautiful.

But at that moment, Sun Meng reported the latest situation in Longyou and the fact that the King of Dongyou’s royal capital had been occupied by Jin Xia.

Having been in the military for four years, he immediately realized that Jin Xia might be coming for Great Song.

He promptly gathered the generals and officials in Xiangyang City to discuss the matter.

The troops under Chen Mo’s command were mainly guarding three directions:

The troops in Huai State, guarding Prince Huai in Fengzhou.

The troops in Shuofei County, Yu State, guarding Longyou.

The troops stationed in Celestial Water Town, Yu State.

The troops in Celestial Water Town had retreated from Qingzhou, originally defending against the Huai Army attacking Qingzhou.

After Huai State was conquered by Chen Mo, and Prince Huai was forced to retreat from Qingzhou, the troops stationed in Celestial Water Town had no defensive necessity, but had not yet been mobilized.

With the invasion of Dongyou Kingdom by Jin Xia, Chen Mo planned to deploy half of the troops from Celestial Water Town to Shuofei County.

However, Wei Linchun’s words enlightened Chen Mo.

If Jin Xia truly wanted to attack Great Song, invading Youzhou from the north was obviously faster and more convenient. Why would they abandon the main path to advance from the west through Dongyou Kingdom?

It was precisely this remark that made Chen Mo realize that Youzhou seemed to lack a border army.

If Jin Xia attacks Great Song, the north would be an open gateway.

This realization made Chen Mo aware of the gravity of the situation; he planned to send a squad of Brave Cavalry Guard to explore the situation in Youzhou.

...

After the discussion ended, it was already dark.

It was then that Sun Meng reported that the former Empress and Princess Zhaoqing had settled in Copper Sparrow Garden, and as per Chen Mo’s request, maids were individually assigned to serve Xu Ying and Chu Ran.

The reason they weren’t housed in the Marquis Mansion was partly because the current mansion was not specifically constructed for the Marquis, but rather a residence bought and remodeled. Thus far, the rooms inside were almost fully occupied, and Xu Ying and the others couldn’t be accommodated in the Marquis Mansion due to lack of space.

Additionally, they were merely bestowed female musicians from the palace, not Chen Mo’s women, while the women in the Marquis Mansion’s back courtyard, aside from Song Min, all held distinguished titles.

Thirdly, as they were bestowed women, more might be sent later, and it was impossible for Chen Mo to let every new woman live in the Marquis Mansion.

Therefore, he decided to arrange a courtyard for these women.

He borrowed the name of Copper Sparrow Platform, calling it Copper Sparrow Garden.

In Chen Mo’s view, regardless of whether women were sent by others or captives from war, they would be settled at Copper Sparrow Garden to form his own private dance troupe.

"Marquis, are you returning to the mansion or heading to Copper Sparrow Garden?" Sun Meng asked.

"Return to the mansion."

Due to the former Empress’s presence, there was already some discontent in the household; rushing to see her upon arrival would seem impatient, prompting Zhi Ning’s sarcastic quips.

Outside the Marquis Mansion’s gate.

Xia Zhining, dressed in black robes, leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, eyes scanning left and right. Seeing Chen Mo return, she exhaled a sigh of relief but didn’t speak immediately due to outsiders being present.

Seeing Xia Zhining at the gate, Chen Mo turned to Sun Meng and said, "Alright, you may leave."

"Understood."

Once Sun Meng left, with no outsiders present, Xia Zhining pouted and sneered, "Oh, our Marquis Chen has returned. I thought you might spend the night at Copper Sparrow Garden."

Her information network was swift, knowing Xu Ying and the others had arrived in Xiangyang today.

Chen Mo approached and embraced Xia Zhining’s shapely figure lightly, inhaling the scent mixed with cosmetics, and laughed, "Zhi Ning, have you waited long?"

"Don’t start." Xia Zhining gently pushed back, then promptly asked, "Are the Empress Xu and Princess Zhaoqing attractive?"

"I’ve been busy with military affairs all day, without any time to check."

Chen Mo gently held the lady’s shoulder and said, "Even if they are attractive, can they compare to your beauty, Zhi Ning? Come, let me give you a kiss."

With that, he didn’t wait for Xia Zhining’s consent and pressed his lips against hers, his hand on her shoulder slid down...

ps: Previously under review, in the naughty chamber.