Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 559: Journey to Jiangnan

Jiangnan, since ancient times, has been a land of fish and rice, a prosperous region, and also one of the most culturally rich areas. In the Great Song Dynasty, a quarter of the officials in the court came from Jiangnan, where the atmosphere of scholarship and study flourished.

The Xiao Family has been around since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty, flourishing to this day, wielding absolute influence in Jiangnan.

Apart from the literati, whenever people talk about Jiangnan, they will definitely mention the beauties of Jiangnan.

Beside the stove, people seem like the moon, their fair wrists enveloped in frost and snow.

Lakeside women, Jiangnan flowers, peerless Yue women washing silk in spring.

Small bridges and flowing water, lotus flowers for ten miles, dazzling everywhere, melodies of silk and bamboo fill the ears.

The most prominent of Jiangnan beauties’ temperament is found in Yangzhou, also known for its "thin horses," and even those legendary fairy beauties of folklore often resemble the image of Yangzhou.

The Xiao Family is in Yangzhou, Jiangnan.

As June had just begun, a building ship approached the port of Qinhuai City in Huai State. On the Qinhuai River, there were endless moored pleasure boats, official ships, and cargo ships. Every moment, ships would return laden with goods or deliver Jiangnan’s popular textiles and tea to various places.

The clear river water was crystal clear, like a bright mirror, reflecting the beauty of Jiangnan. Ships glided slowly across the water, leaving behind ripples.

Along the shore, countless willow branches danced lightly in the wind, while vendors and workers moved back and forth.

"It’s here, it’s here..."

On the dock, soldiers gathered. They were the Fish Scale Guards stationed in Yangzhou, clearing a large space.

Acting Patriarch of the Xiao Family, Xiao Quan, uncles and elder cousins of Xiao Yunxi from the Xiao Family, patriarchs of other noble families in Jiangnan, and the County Magistrate and clerks of Qinhuai City stood at the dock, eagerly looking at the building ship bearing the Chen Army Flag.

"I see Yunxi, standing at the bow of the ship, and next to her should be Duke An."

"Outside, you cannot call her Yunxi, she must be addressed as Lady Qin."

"Right, right, I forgot that Yunxi had been bestowed the title of Lady of Imperial Decree by His Majesty."

"..."

"Hurry, prepare." After Xiao Jing left, acting patriarch Xiao Quan quickly ordered preparations.

As the building ship approached, the shore suddenly resonated with melodious ceremonial music and the sound of drums and gongs.

Jiangnan is already populous, and this display attracted a large crowd of onlookers, scholars, and literary figures, prompting the Fish Scale Guards to become cautious, preventing the appearance of any assassins.

On the deck of the building ship, Chen Mo wore a white brocade robe with gold patterns, a warm jade hanging at his waist, holding a folding fan, exuding the grace of a jade-like gentleman, unparalleled in the world.

Chen Mo smiled, "It seems the Xiao Family’s information is quite astute; they’ve sent people to greet us so early."

Xiao Yunxi and Yue Ruyan accompanied Chen Mo on either side; the former’s expression was poised and serene, but her eyes betrayed a deep longing, saying, "When we set sail from Huai State, I sent a letter back home."

Upon saying this, Xiao Yunxi felt a mountain-like pressure fill her heart.

Although she is now the woman of the youngest Duke in the world, Chen Mo has given her the rightful title and treatment.

But the process of becoming Chen Mo’s woman was something she found difficult to speak of.

After all, when she divorced Prince Huai, there was much gossip in the streets, saying things like she was unfaithful, shameless, and lacked upbringing.

She didn’t know how her family viewed her.

Just then, she felt her slender hand being held by a warm and strong hand; she turned her head to see that it was Chen Mo.

"Relax." Chen Mo gently patted the back of her hand, his expression calm, and said, "With me here, there’s nothing to fear, don’t worry about anything else."

"Mm." Xiao Yunxi also clasped Chen Mo’s hand in return, softly replying.

Standing by, Yue Ruyan, for some reason, felt a pang of jealousy and coldly remarked, "We’re about to dock, don’t be so affectionate."

...

Soon, the building ship docked.

The commoners blocked by the soldiers became even more excited than the Xiao family upon learning that the person on the ship was Duke An.

Especially those literary figures.

They knew that ever since Chen Mo recaptured the North and uttered the phrase "If the enemy can come, so can we," and proposed to resume the imperial examinations, these scholars were instantly captivated by Chen Mo’s charisma, admiring him immensely.

Originally, they thought they would have to wait for the provincial exam or even the metropolitan exam to meet Chen Mo, but unexpectedly, he had come to Jiangnan now.

Their eyes glowed with excitement, more so than when they see a beauty, eager to see what Duke An actually looked like.

As the ship’s gangway was lowered, Chen Mo, accompanied by the two women, a maid, and personal soldiers, disembarked.

Led by Xiao Quan, the Xiao Clan members and representatives of various noble families immediately stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Xiao Quan of the Xiao Family..."

"He Court, County Magistrate of Qinhuai County..."

"Qin Hao, Patriarch of the Qin Family in Yangzhou..."

"Liu Yan, Patriarch of the Liu Family..."

"We greet Duke An."

"..."

"At ease." Chen Mo raised his hand slightly.

Qin Hao, the patriarch of the Qin Family, immediately stepped forward and said, "This humble one has long heard of Duke An’s famed name, and your prestige is admired endlessly like the flowing river, as unstoppable as the flood of the Qinhuai River. This humble one has specially arranged a banquet at Xiangmanlou and hopes Duke An will honor us with your presence."

Xiao Quan, just about to speak: "..."

Other patriarchs: "..."

After a brief silence, other patriarchs also started inviting him, hoping Chen Mo would honor them with his presence at their banquets.

This was an excellent opportunity to curry favor with Chen Mo, one that none of them wanted to miss.

Chen Mo pressed his lips and said, "My trip to Jiangnan this time is to accompany Yunxi back home to visit her family and pay respects to the elders of the Xiao Family. It is a private matter, so there’s no need for such formality."

Chen Mo politely declined.

The heads of various noble families: "..."

Qin Hao, with a quick glance, then clasped his hands toward an elder behind Xiao Quan and said, "Brother Xiao, my son has long admired your daughter, and has spoken of it to me many times. As the saying goes, there is no time like the present; today I visit the Xiao Family to propose marriage on behalf of my son."

"Young Master Xiao, I suddenly remembered there’s something I need to discuss with you."

"Young Master Xiao..."

Other patriarchs also followed suit.

Xiao Quan: "..."

Ultimately, a large group of people headed towards the Xiao Family.

The Xiao Family had arranged carriages and palanquins for transportation.

But Yue Ruyan mumbled something about the beautiful scenery of Qinhuai City, prompting Chen Mo to suggest walking to the Xiao Family, taking in the sights of the city along the way.

Fortunately, the Xiao Family’s residence was not far from the dock. However, for safety considerations, the road was cleared, with soldiers on either side serving as a barrier, allowing only the commoners to walk on the sides.

"Duke An..."

"Duke An..."

"..."

Yet Chen Mo was unaware of the admiration the people of Jiangnan had for him. On the streets, the commoners, as if energized, fervently shouted for Duke An.

The patriarchs of the major noble families were quite astonished.

It’s worth noting that in previous generations, emperors of the Great Song had visited Jiangnan for pleasure, yet the common people never cheered like they did today. Even the influential Xiao Family had never enjoyed such recognition. They could see that this joy came from the people’s hearts.