Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 567: Five, Six, Seven: Xiao Ya to Serve at His Side

Chapter 567: Five, Six, Seven: Xiao Ya to Serve at His Side

After everyone was seated, Lady Xu looked Chen Mo up and down with a smile and said, "Duke An, are you accustomed to living at the mansion?"

The Xiao Family is a prestigious noble family, with ancestral homes that can rival the Imperial Palace, whereas Chen Mo hadn’t conducted large constructions over the years. The Anfu Mansion he resided in was at most just an ordinary mansion, incomparable to the Xiao Family’s estates.

Chen Mo smiled lightly and replied, "This mansion has an excellent location and pleasant scenery; I’m quite accustomed to it."

"In that case, Duke An, since you’ve managed to visit, do stay for a while. Jiangnan is very scenic, and in a few days, there will be a temple fair in Qinhuai City—perfect for Yunxi to accompany you and have a look," Lady Xu said with a smile.

Chen Mo nodded. He wasn’t busy during this period. The provincial exam was in August, over a month away, so since he was in Jiangnan, it was indeed time for some tourism.

If Linzhou could be considered a small city, then Yangzhou was a top-tier metropolis of the era—prosperous, bustling, filled with lights and revelry that captivate the heart.

Lady Xu’s smile deepened, and after exchanging some pleasantries with Chen Mo, she gave Xiao Qing a meaningful glance.

Xiao Qing lightly coughed.

As the grandson and father of Xiao Ya, Xiao Yingcheng offered Chen Mo a toast with tea as a substitute for wine, then joined the conversation and said, "My daughter, Xiao Ya, has admired Duke An ever since learning about your venture north to repel enemies and uphold the prestige of our Great Song. After the family banquet last night, she has fallen for Duke An at first sight and hopes to serve by your side in the future."

Sitting next to Xiao Yunxi, secretly glancing at Chen Mo, Xiao Ya turned red as the topic shifted. Blushing like the evening glow, her spirited eyes filled with shyness. She hugged Xiao Yunxi’s arm, burying her small head into her embrace, and murmured, "Aunt."

"Xiaoya is shy," Xiao Yunxi said, holding Xiao Ya in her arms and gently stroking her hair with a teasing tone.

"Aunt..." Xiao Ya nudged her head in Xiao Yunxi’s embrace.

Chen Mo pondered for a moment and said, "Cousin Yingcheng, might this matter be somewhat inappropriate? I already have a wife at home, who holds a mandate from the Court, from the Wu Family’s legitimate line. As for Xiao Ya... how did this come about?"

Though knowing the Xiao Family intended to marry Xiao Ya to him as a concubine, the matter needed to be discussed openly first.

Xiao Yingcheng waved his hand and said, "It’s not about marrying a wife; whether you take her as a concubine or simply have her to serve tea, make beds, and fold quilts by your side, as long as she can serve Duke An, that would suffice."

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow lightly and said, "Wouldn’t this be a grievance for Xiao Ya?"

Burying her head in Xiao Yunxi’s embrace, Xiao Ya became even more embarrassed hearing this—he... he actually considered her feelings.

"Being able to be by Duke An’s side is her honor, and she’s also of age to find a husband. In this world, what man can compare to your grace, Duke An?" At this point, Xiao Yingcheng’s wife spoke up.

Their lineage, though direct, didn’t hold significant status within the family—unlike those chosen from the primary and secondary lines for Vassal Princess Consort or Imperial Concubines. They could only marry into other noble families or officials.

Now that they finally had such an opportunity, they weren’t going to let it slip.

"Sister-in-law, you’re joking," Chen Mo said.

Xiao Yunxi persuaded, "Husband, if I were to become pregnant someday, I would need someone to help care for me. Since Xiaoya admires you wholeheartedly and both brother and sister-in-law agree, why not take her in?"

Lady Xu also looked at Chen Mo and softly said, "Xiaoya is a girl I’ve watched grow up. She’s smart and caring, quite considerate. You should take her in."

However, Chen Mo remained silent for a while, turning to the embarrassed Xiao Ya nestled in Xiao Yunxi’s arms and asked, "Xiaoya, is this truly what you want?"

Both Lady Xu and Xiao Qing watched the young man closely, a bit surprised, as in such marriage matters, it’s rare for a young girl to have a say.

Yet, the young lady felt an unusual stirring in her heart upon hearing these words.

Indeed, just as Xiao Yingcheng said, Xiao Ya had indeed fallen for Chen Mo at first sight last night.

For a girl who seldom left the inner quarters and was just beginning to feel the pangs of young love, seeing Chen Mo the previous night, surrounded by the elders of the Xiao Family who flattered, praised, fawned, and courted him, made a significant impact—it made her feel that Chen Mo was impressive and admired.

He was like a flame in the winter, drawing everyone near, and Xiao Ya was no exception.

Moreover, Chen Mo’s appearance wasn’t bad. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

That first glance, though not all-consuming love, at least made her willing to follow Chen Mo.

She looked up at Chen Mo for a fleeting moment, her cheeks turning so red they seemed to drip water, softly saying, "I...will listen to my parents."

Saying this, she undoubtedly expressed acceptance.

It was at this moment that Chen Mo finally took a good look at Xiao Ya.

Her face was exquisite, like morning dew—crystalline, smooth skin as fine as jade, seemingly soft to the touch, making one want to reach out gently.

Most importantly, just as Xiao Yunxi had mentioned the previous night, her appearance did indeed bear some resemblance to Xiao Yunxi.

After a bit of hesitation, Chen Mo looked to Xiao Yingcheng and said, "Cousin Yingcheng, Xiao Ya is still young, and her thoughts too naive. Perhaps in the future, her views might change."

Xiao Yingcheng was taken aback by the rejection, becoming a bit anxious and said, "Duke An, Xiao Ya is not young; she came of age last year. Moreover, she’s straightforward. Once she decides on you, Duke An, she won’t have other thoughts."

Xiao Yunxi, perceiving Chen Mo’s hesitance, knowing he didn’t want to agree too quickly to expose his fondness for beauty, softly advised, "Mother, brother, sister-in-law, perhaps we can do this: let Xiao Ya come back with me to Linzhou, stay at the Anfu Mansion for a while to understand my husband. If her feelings don’t change, then she stays; if they do, I can bring her back."

Chen Mo: "..."

Oh dear.

Sending an unmarried girl to Anfu Mansion—what’s white would turn to black, but if her thoughts changed and they took her back, Xiao Ya might have trouble getting married afterward.

Thinking this, Chen Mo found the suggestion agreeable.

Xiao Yingcheng, seeing this, also quickly agreed.

As long as Xiao Ya entered Anfu Mansion, she wouldn’t be able to back out.

Xiao Yingcheng’s wife looked at Xiao Ya and said, "Xiaoya, once in Anfu Mansion, don’t call him Duke An anymore, call him Brother Mo."

Xiao Ya’s face turned crimson, her mind a tangled mess. Without thinking, she nodded in agreement.

She peered up at Chen Mo and caught him looking at her. The moment their eyes met, her heart trembled, and she buried her face back into Xiao Yunxi’s embrace, her body inexplicably heating up.