Chapter 17: A Visit from the Mother-in-Law

Li Qingyun was unaware that her mother-in-law was already on her way; she was busy organizing the things she had brought back. She placed two quilts inside the kang cabinet: a four-pound one for autumn, and an eight-pound one for winter. The fabric and balls of yarn were also put away in the cabinet, to be used when she found the time. The milk powder for both of them went into the cupboard in the room, ready to be taken out and mixed when needed. Erbao's milk powder and bottle were kept separately on the table, together with the thermos, so they could be used at any moment. She chose the simplest medium-sized Pigeon bottle for him, removing all the markings so it looked just like any other.

Every scholar of Southern Jin believed their state was the true orthodox Confucian realm. The forced transfer of orthodoxy to Great Jing, instigated by Kong Ban Sheng and backed by military threats, had always been a thorn in their side.

Once each person was emitting a pungent odor, they began to move deeper into the valley. Zhao Li jumped off the truck, walked to their vehicle, opened the door and sat inside. The man called Pan Ye tried to stop him, but Zhang Qiling pulled him back.

"I know what you're thinking. Rest assured, these ten are just like you; I trust them all deeply," Xu Que said.

In the past, battles were decided by the clash of cold steel, with commanders and soldiers fighting face-to-face on the field.

The Southwest Base was vast, roads were rough, communication inconvenient, so the bases seemed somewhat ‘independent’. The Sichuan-Chongqing Base people arrived first, said nothing, and ordered a table full of explosively spicy nine-grid hot pot.

"Dammit, this is a conspiracy, a blatant conspiracy." Even if General Kan Anning were slow to catch on, he understood now.

A new batch of courtesans had arrived next door at Drunken Spring Pavilion. Merchants in the capital needed the Zhou family’s influence, so they invited him to join the festivities.

What kind of person could kill their own grandfather? Ruthless, cruel, utterly heartless.

"Shut up!" She dragged him into the police car, slammed the door with a bang, showing not a hint of fear at his threats.

Leng Ruoshuang realized she could not escape today—she couldn't win a fight, couldn't outrun them, and even suicide would not grant her wish. Thinking of what awaited her, she shuddered in fear.

The sky grew heavier, the snow thickened, yet the cavalry pressed onward, though at a slower pace. With the situation ahead unclear, they dared not advance rashly, lest they alert the enemy.

Mu Xuncheng, do you hate me so much? You won't even give me a proper chance to confess. After what happened between us, is it so unbearable for you? You won’t even let me mention it.

By the time she spoke again, Nalan Yanran’s face was streaked with tears. She had lived her first half in luxury and ease, never imagining her days would become so turbulent, nor that her beloved family would depart from her ahead of time.

Upon hearing the news, Mu Yunxin bounced straight to Rong Chuchu, her eyes fixed excitedly on Rong Chuchu’s belly, sparkling with anticipation.

Fang Xiao was deeply curious: now that the Dragon Blade had been strengthened to five stars, what would it evolve into next?

Everyone knew the princes were Su Ruoshui’s strongest support; now that all the princes had been taken from the capital, it struck Su Ruoshui with a sense of utter helplessness.

The ghost emperor’s smile had vanished long ago. He stared at Fang Xiao, his ghostly eyes flickering, lost in inscrutable thought.

Mu Yunxin happily saw him out, breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling as though the stone pressing on her heart had finally been lifted.

"I too intend to settle the matter of the heir soon," Lan Shikang said, looking at Xie Zhengzhong. "Tomorrow I shall have the palace ceremonial office prepare everything. As soon as Dan Niang gives birth to the imperial child, the ceremony will be held at once, so we aren’t caught unprepared. Scholar Xie, do you find this arrangement suitable?"

The third option was the most fitting: Bai Chengcheng would continue mass-producing the new form of life. After all, on the Perseus battlefield, fragments of soul energy and fungal materials were flowing to the Silver Union like a river.