Chapter Thirty-Eight: A Man's Pride

  After nightfall, Mo Mo felt inexplicably tense. The palace staff had dispersed early, leaving only Chen Yu and a personal maid behind.

  In the evening, Mo Mo, who was restless and anxious, waited until after dinner but did not see the person she had been longing for. She went to bed with a worried heart and slept till dawn. After washing up and dressing, she came to Su Manran's bedroom.

  "Mother, did you sleep well last night?" The clever one sat down beside Su Manran and glanced at Xing Chen. "Did the Emperor sleep soundly last night?"

  "Alright, Mo Er will keep your mother company for a while, I'll go to the study." Xing Chen pointed at the plate of shelled walnuts in front of Su Man and said to Mo Mo "Make sure your mother finishes this, the imperial physician says that walnuts are good for her headaches." Then he turned around, his expression cold once again, restoring the majesty of the emperor.

  Watching Xing Yuchen walk away, Mo Mo seized the opportunity to ask Su Manran, "Was there anything different about Xing Yuchen last night compared to usual?" Su Manran thought for half a day before responding, "No." This left Mo Mo greatly disappointed.

  "Mother, I want to leave for a while." Mo Mo didn't dare look into Su Manran's eyes, which were filled with sorrow.

  "Where are you going? For how long?" Su Man asked softly, as if by doing so, Mo would not leave.

  "A month, then." Momo snuggled into Su Manran's arms, who gently massaged her arm. In the past, whenever she had a request, Momo would always massage Su Manran's arm.

  She heard her barely audible "uh-huh", and Mo's suspended heart fell back into his own body. It was a bit strange, why did Sumen agree so readily this time? Mo turned it over in his mind, then spoke again, "Mother, what do you think of Hanlin?"

  "Han Lin? That guard?" Gently stroking Mo Mo's head, Su Man continued "Looks good, treats you well, and has a good personality. It's just that..."

  "What is it?" Mo raised his head and saw Su Man's slender, beautiful neck. He couldn't help but think of the night he first met Li Siyang, whose neck was also smooth and delicate. Thinking of this, Mo's mouth curved slightly, and he couldn't help but laugh out loud, his fingertips still seeming to retain a faintly cool sensation.

  "What are you laughing at?" Su Man was laughed at inexplicably. He pulled out Mo Mo from his arms and looked at her slightly red face, saying "Mo Er, Han Lin is good, but..." seemingly finding it hard to continue.

  "Girl, I've said it." Shaking Sumen's arm. Learning from the official servant to make a good appearance. Waiting for the next text.

  "It's just...the style isn't very good..." He could finally say it out loud. Su Man let out a long sigh.

  "Huh?" Mo Mo was taken aback. Thinking carefully, Su Manran's words were indeed reasonable. Every time Han Lin saw her, he would stick to her, regardless of whether others were present or not. It was hard to find a reason to refute her. Just as she was thinking, Su Manran continued, "You know what you did in Loulan, and so does your mother. But your mother wants to advise you: your marriage is not something I can control, let alone you yourself. Since you are already the princess of the royal family, don't think about marrying him. If you really love him, taking him as a concubine isn't impossible either."

  The two words "male concubine" came out of Su Manran's mouth, leaving Mo Mu speechless. Not to mention that this is a relatively conservative dynasty, if the princess takes a male concubine, she will be labeled as "debauched and unscrupulous".

  Mo's mouth was half open. Her silly appearance made Su Manran burst out laughing. "How could you not recognize your mother?" She pulled Mo back into her arms again. Su Manran's voice passed through her body, shaking Mo's ears. "Mother has never given you anything in this life. Mother is useless and still had to let you suffer by pretending to be a boy to take my place. But now it's all good. I am the empress of a country and he loves me dearly. You can have as many male concubines as you want."

  This is even more speechless...

  "Uh... mother, after Mo Er leaves, let Han Lin take my place to fulfill his filial piety and stay in the palace." Mo Mo wants Han Lin to uncover Xing Chen's conspiracy and also find out if Li Wu Ye has escaped.

  "It's good, now take care of him, knowing it's hard outside, don't let him go." Su Manran smiled and nodded. After some haggling, Mo Mo finally made Su Manran give up the idea of sending a guard team to follow and protect him. He stayed in the Empress's palace for a while before excusing himself to pack his luggage and return to his own palace.

  Told Hanlin her own thoughts, Mo quietly waited for his answer.

  "Mo Mo, you're leaving the palace without bringing me along? Chen Yu can stay in the palace too." Han Lin said with a reluctant face.

  "Mother knows about our relationship, it's more convenient for you to talk. Mother is not familiar with Chen Yu, besides, he's just a blockhead, what can you expect from him? Alright?" Mo Mo patted Han Lin's shoulder and made the official expression: sparkling eyes. But Han Lin didn't buy it, turning his head to one side, "Who knows if you'll still want me when you come back, that Xiao Ran...hmm!" Mo Mo understood in her heart, so he was worried about this matter.

  "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Besides, I don't even know him." Momo stretched out his hand from behind and hugged Hanlin who was sitting down, resting his chin on the top of his head and gently swaying it back and forth. "I promise to go quickly and come back quickly. Moreover, I also want to know who I really am... The person in that painting, as well as Guan Ye's illusionary realm, all indicate that I have existed for a very long time... All of this, I..."

  "Alright, alright, you go ahead. I'll make sure to complete the task." Han Lin pulled Mo Mo onto his lap and was about to lean in for a kiss when Chen Yu's voice suddenly rang out, "Master, let's leave now. We can make it to an inn before nightfall."

  Han Lin glared at Chen Yu, who was standing at the door with a expressionless face. "You really know how to pick your timing!" she exclaimed, but only received a disdainful look from Chen Yu. Han Lin, who had been wanting to have it out with him for a long time, suddenly stood up, forgetting about Momo on her leg. Before she could even let out a cry of pain, Chen Yu swept in and helped her back onto the bed.

  "Wow, so fast!" Momo thought to himself: I haven't even finished humming yet, and you've already pulled me up. Just as he was about to praise him a couple of sentences, he heard Chen Yu say "If the master is hurt in any way, I'll make sure you die a terrible death!"

  Han Lin was amazed at Chen Yu's kung fu, but when he heard his threatening words, he turned into a rage. "How Mo Mo is, that's my business! I'm her husband, and what's with this Xiao Ran, Mo Mo doesn't even know him. You'd better get out of here!" Han Lin's furious face startled Mo Mo: A beauty is still beautiful when she gets angry. Her eyebrows were upside down, her eyes were wide open, and a faint blush appeared on her pale face...

  While admiring the beautiful woman's anger, Chen Yu also threw out harsh words: "Xiao Gongzi is a decent person and won't compete with you, this immoral person. But I won't let you deceive our master's eyes, if you dare to move against our master, I'll scratch that enchanting face of yours! Let's see how you'll seduce our master in the future!"

  "What's wrong with me?! Am I a demon?! Is it because I've been letting you have your way and giving you face that you think you can start a dye workshop?! Hmph, today I'll let you know what it means to be the greatest under heaven!" With that, Han Lin lifted the hem of his long robe and was about to attack.

  "Enough!" he bellowed, successfully stopping Chen Yu from saying what was on his lips and intercepting Han Lin's aggressive stance. "Chen Yu, let's go now."

  A man's ego is truly terrifying!!

  Just as I was about to leave with the luggage I had prepared earlier, a voice came from behind - Han Lin's "Momo". That wronged look in his eyes is simply the male version of an official concubine, when did his expression become so popular?