As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Yunzhao raised his hand to stop him.

"The morning court session is over. You will have a meal with your brother. We will not discuss state affairs."

Mo Yunhan frowned.

Mo Yunzhao, however, laughed and joked.

"The weather is fine and sunny today. All the flowers in your backyard must be in bloom. That Golden Mountain tree was a gift from the Empress Dowager. I'd like to go and see how you're taking care of it."

Mo Yunhan's expression changed slightly, and he raised his eyes to ask directly, "What does Your Majesty want to say?"

Mo Yunzhao gently shook his head, his face showing a touch of the elder brother's authority. "You have been intelligent since childhood, unmatched by anyone. How could you not guess what I am saying?"

“You are my imperial brother, the most honorable Ninth Prince of the Great Zhou. Whatever woman you want, just say the word, and I will surely give it to you. Why do you insist on stealing someone else’s wife?”

"This matter has spread throughout the entire capital. I can hear it, the Empress Dowager can hear it, and even my father, who is diligently worshipping Buddha in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, can hear it. Tell me, how do you intend to handle this?"

Mo Yunhan's well-defined fingers gripped the porcelain-white spoon, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

"Is it because of these rumors that Your Majesty disagrees with the weapon reform in the Southern Territory?"

Mo Yunzhao slammed the jade chopsticks in his hand onto the table in anger.

"Don't bring up anything else with me. I never pry into your private affairs, but this time you've gone too far. I'll just ask you, what are your plans for that little girl from the Yun family?"

After finishing the last mouthful of porridge, Mo Yunhan elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth.

"I will not marry her. Your subject takes his leave."

He got up and walked outside.

"Ninth Prince!" Mo Yunzhao stared at his retreating figure with a deep look in his eyes. "You know I can't stop the Empress Dowager."

Mo Yunhan paused slightly, said nothing, and strode away.

...

Jiang Qingwan refined the pills all night and didn't wake up until the afternoon.

Although the pills refined in the furnace are of near-perfect quality, they lack spiritual energy.

However, producing three pills at once is extremely easy.

She ate one, put the other two into her purse, and then left her bedroom.

After looking around, I still couldn't see Lian'er and Li Dou.

Just as she was wondering what was going on, she saw the two of them rush in and cautiously close the courtyard gate.

What are you doing?