C551: It’s hard to grow up.

Mo Jiuye bid farewell to his two elder brothers and set off for Xi Ling Village with He Zhiran.

Upon returning home, he naturally had to explain the situation clearly to his family again.

As Mo Jiuye had expected, none of his family members objected to his decision.

Especially Mo Qing, who had served the imperial court for most of his life. Although he was disappointed by the injustice the Mo Family had suffered, his heart had never ceased longing to serve the imperial court.

Originally, he thought it would be good if the family could remain together harmoniously, as titles and wealth were ultimately vain pursuits.

But after the birth of Zhu, his heart began to waver.

Being from an older generation, he felt that the descendants of the Mo Family, especially his eldest grandson, should not remain obscure.

Now, with Mo Jiuye agreeing to become the King of Defending the West for Nan Yu, not only would the title be hereditary, but he would also receive a fief.

For Mo Qing, this was the best of both worlds.

Their family could continue living together harmoniously in the northwest, while Zhu's future title was also secured.

Similarly, although Madam He did not have as many thoughts as Mo Qing, she simply wished for her beloved grandson to follow in his father's footsteps, which was also a considerable honor.

The sisters-in-law were even happier. On one hand, they were delighted that the Mo Family had been cleared of the charges, allowing them to visit their parents in the capital openly in the future. On the other hand, it was due to the small vanity women tend to have.

If Mo Jiuye had not been granted a royal title, even though the Mo Family's charges were cleared, they would have returned to their maiden homes as commoners.

With so many nephews and nieces in their families, who had always been envious of them, their commoner status would have been grounds for mockery.

But now, all their worries were resolved.

In short, He Zhiran's reminder for Mo Jiuye to make this decision pleased everyone in the Mo Family.

After a long conversation with his family, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran returned to their own courtyard.

Madam He and He Ziming had already learned of their return.

Madam He was both happy and angry - happy that her daughter and son-in-law had returned safely, but angry at He Zhiran's sudden departure.

He Ziming was also eager to see them and learn about the situation in the capital, most importantly, his father's decision.

Madam He had already planned to scold He Zhiran upon her return.

However, when Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran appeared before her, Madam He immediately lost her composure, her initial anger dissipating completely.

She pulled He Zhiran and looked her over, tears flowing uncontrollably.

"You child, you've really grown wings and become headstrong, not even listening to your mother. That dangerous capital, what could a woman like you do there..."

After being away from the northwest for a month, hearing her mother nag at her suddenly filled He Zhiran with a sense of warmth.

Although her mother nagged a bit, she truly loved her daughter.

This maternal affection was something He Zhiran could only long for in her previous life but never attain.

"Mother, look, I've returned safe and sound," He Zhiran said, spinning around to prove she was unharmed.

Madam He could only helplessly accept it, for this was her precious daughter!

"You ungrateful child, making your mother worry for so long."

As she spoke, she pointed at the two little ones sleeping on the bed.

"You even had the heart to leave these two little babies behind to run off. Didn't you miss them?"

How could she not miss them?

He Zhiran didn't know how many times she had reminisced about her two precious babies with Mo Jiuye.

If not for Madam He holding her back earlier, she would have rushed over to embrace the two little ones she had longed for day and night.

Now, taking advantage of Madam He's words, He Zhiran quickly walked over to the bed.

As people say, newborn babies grow quickly, changing appearance daily.

This saying was not exaggerated.

Zhu and Mingzhu's little faces had become much rounder since she had left home, their skin a healthy, rosy hue.

Ever since his birth, Zhu had always worn a serious expression, rarely smiling.

Mingzhu, on the other hand, was the opposite of her brother, her every emotion written on her face.

At this moment, Zhu seemed to be having some kind of dream, his little brows furrowed tightly, looking like a miniature adult, melting the hearts of his parents, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran...

Not to be outdone, Mingzhu suddenly smiled when her parents' gazes fell upon her face, revealing two shallow dimples on her chubby cheeks.

This utterly charmed Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran.

Eagerly, Mo Jiuye wiped his large hand on his clothes before gently picking up Mingzhu.

Naturally, He Zhiran would not show favoritism, and seeing her husband hold their daughter, she also picked up Zhu.

Perhaps sensing the long-missed yet familiar embrace, the two little ones opened their eyes as soon as they were picked up.

Both babies had large, black grape-like eyes, currently gazing at the faces before them.

Ordinarily, after waking up, the fussy Mingzhu would have cried a few times before settling. This time, however, she remained unusually quiet, staring at her father's face for a moment before her little lips curved into a smile, even emitting a series of giggles that melted one's heart.

Zhu maintained his usual seriousness, but his clear, watery eyes revealed his fondness for his mother.

Madam He was delighted to witness this scene.

"Look at these two little rascals, not the slightest bit unfamiliar with their parents after a month apart. Blood ties truly surpass all..."

As she spoke, she deliberately feigned displeasure.

"Your maternal grandmother holds you every day, yet you've never been so affectionate with me."

He Ziming chimed in, "Indeed, I play with Mingzhu every day, but she only rewards me with a smile when she's particularly happy.

I never expected the little one to smile so freely in her own father's arms."

Seeing He Ziming say this, Madam He immediately changed the subject.

"You can't be envious of such things. If you want a child to smile at you like that, go have one yourself."

Upon hearing this, He Ziming immediately blushed deeply and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say.

Based on He Zhiran's understanding of her mother, for her to say such a thing, she must no longer oppose the relationship between He Ziming and Lan Er.

As the younger sister, she naturally had to inquire about her brother's marriage matters.

"How are things progressing between Elder Brother and Lan Er?"

This was a question He Ziming felt too embarrassed to answer.

He Zhiran also understood that although she appeared to be asking He Ziming, she was actually waiting for her mother to respond.

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C552: Your mother doesn’t just praise people.

Madam He glanced at He Ziming and said:

"Your mother is not one to stubbornly cling to her views. From my recent observations, Lan Er is indeed an admirable girl.

Just as you said, she is not only beautiful but also well-read and sensible.

By any measure, her conduct and demeanor are no less impressive than those of the great ladies of the capital.

Most importantly, this girl is also diligent and perceptive, handling everything with great capability.

Since your elder brother has decided to resign from his post, I believe there is no need for us to have too many requirements regarding her family background when it comes to his marriage.

Your elder brother fancies her, and the girl is satisfactory in every aspect, so as her mother-in-law, I have no reason to object."

In fact, even before He Zhiran returned, Madam He had already told He Ziming that she had no objection to this marriage. As long as his father agreed, their wedding could be scheduled.

After all, He Ziming was no longer a young man, and his peers already had several children.

However, when she expressed her stance to He Ziming previously, she did not go into such detail or solely mention Lan Er's strengths.

He Ziming never expected his mother to have such a positive impression of Lan Er.

"Mother, do you really think Lan Er is that good?"

What Madam He had just said was her true thoughts.

"Of course. Your mother does not casually praise just anyone."

At this moment, He Ziming felt immensely fortunate. He had initially thought that even if his mother agreed to his relationship with Lan Er, it would only be because she could not dissuade him.

Now, he only wanted to share this good news with Lan Er and did not bother asking about the situation with his sister and brother-in-law in the capital.

Madam He was also considerate. After her daughter and son-in-law had been away for so long, they could finally reunite with their two little ones. She left together with He Ziming.

Although she was also concerned about the situation in the capital, there was no harm in asking about it later.

On the third day after Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran returned home, the imperial edict arrived. Unsurprisingly, its contents were in accordance with Mo Jiuye's requests.

Although Mo Jiuye had agreed to Nan Yu's suggestion that the Mo family return to court service, he hoped that the title of King of Defending the West would be given to his eldest brother, Mo Qing. If the old man was unwilling, there were still many other elder brothers in the family.

However, when he and his brothers raised this matter, they were met with almost unanimous opposition.

Mo Qing was the first to object to becoming the King of Defending the West. Apart from his advanced age, his legs were not in the best condition. Although it did not affect walking, he could not fight in battles anymore.

Moreover, the King of Defending the West would be responsible for managing all affairs within his fief. Apart from Mo Jiuye, he felt that none of his other sons, including himself, had the capability for such a role.

His other elder brothers shared the same sentiment. They were all well aware that this title was obtained through Mo Jiuye's efforts, and they had no ambitions for it. Furthermore, as their father had said, they indeed lacked Mo Jiuye's capabilities.

Undoubtedly, the position of King of Defending the West belonged to Mo Jiuye alone.

Mo Jiuye did not decline either, for in order to develop his fief, he would need his wife's assistance, and taking this title would make it easier for him to protect the secret of her spatial abilities.

The moment he received the imperial edict, Mo Jiuye became the second holder of a non-imperial surname to be granted a royal title in the history of the Da Shun Dynasty.

Along with the edict came two military tallies.

The men of the Mo family were not unfamiliar with these tallies, as they had used them before when commanding the armies.

They also understood that Emperor Shunwu had given them two tallies because, as stated in the edict, Mo Jiuye had been appointed as the King of Defending the West, responsible for guarding the western borders of Da Shun, while the Mo family would also dispatch someone to take charge of the southern borders.

One tally was for commanding the troops in the west, while the other was for commanding the troops in the south.

Of course, it was up to Mo Jiuye, as the King of Defending the West, to allocate these tallies.

The imperial troops dispatched to support the western borders were already on their way. Since the messenger carrying the edict traveled by swift horse, he arrived much faster than the main army.

Therefore, the Mo family needed to reach the western borders first and lead the soldiers stationed there to defend against the enemy before the main imperial army arrived in another two or three days.

Additionally, a portion of the imperial army was heading to the southern borders to await the commander dispatched by the Mo family.

Furthermore, Emperor Shunwu symbolically awarded the Mo family some items as compensation.

The gifts appeared rather meager, but Mo Jiuye did not pick on them. No one understood better than him that the imperial treasury had been emptied by his wife's spatial abilities. It was already difficult for Emperor Shunwu to provide these gifts as rewards.

These items were likely confiscated from the villainous Xue. If it were not for Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran's earlier consideration to leave some wealth for Nan Yu, the Emperor might not have been able to offer even these gifts.

Although the Mo family had been exiled to the northwest, they had experienced all manner of luxuries when they were in the capital.

How could such insignificant items hold any value for them, especially since their living conditions in the northwest were no worse, and perhaps even better, than in the capital? Let alone these trifling items, even more precious rarities would not catch their eye.

While they did not value these gifts, none of the Mo family members showed any disdain in front of the imperial messenger.

Not only that, when receiving the edict, Mo Jiuye specifically instructed all the male members of the family present to make an appearance. This was to serve as the best evidence for Emperor Shunwu that the Mo men were all alive and well.

Indeed, the imperial messenger was an elderly man from Emperor Shunwu's inner circle, and he was familiar with the Mo family men.

When he saw so many of them appear before him, he initially felt a sense of disbelief.

To confirm that this was not an illusion, he even vigorously rubbed his eyes in front of the Mo family.

Mo Jiuye saw no need to provide further explanations. His sole purpose was to ensure that the messenger reported what he had witnessed to Emperor Shunwu. Any additional details, he felt, would be unnecessary.

The messenger was also a perceptive individual. Since the Mo family was unwilling to explain, he would simply report what he had seen.

Considering the messenger's long journey, Madam Mo instructed the household to prepare a sumptuous banquet to host him.

As an imperial attendant and a confidant of Emperor Shunwu, what exquisite delicacies had he not tasted in the palace?

Yet, he was won over by the Mo family's lavish feast and voluntarily divulged Emperor Shunwu's secret.

Apparently, Emperor Shunwu was indeed in poor health. Over the past year or so, he had frequently experienced numbness in his limbs and uncontrollable drooling.

After examination, the imperial physicians diagnosed these as precursors to a stroke. Had it not been for medication and treatment, he might have already become partially paralyzed.

Only a few people, including the messenger himself, knew about this.

Emperor Shunwu had issued an edict, forbidding anyone from revealing even a hint of this, or they would be charged with the crime of deceiving the emperor.

If not for this, he would not have attempted to groom the fourth prince, leading to the incident where the empress' faction was accused of treason.