Chapter 129: Are You Planning to Show Your Skills at Dinner?

Chapter 129: Are You Planning to Show Your Skills at Dinner?

"He Zhiran, we're all family. There's no need for such formalities," she replied, gently holding onto Mother Mo's hand in reassurance.

Mo Jiuya had chosen to disclose the situation to Mother Mo because he knew his mother's personality well.

Mother Mo was a seasoned woman who had weathered many storms; her mindset was not as straightforward as most women's.

If he were vague about Mo Chuhan's plight, he might not be able to handle her reactions at all.

That was why Mo Jiuya decided to be completely honest with her. Though it would sadden her, it was better than letting her worry endlessly.

Moreover, Mo Jiuya recounted the story he and He Zhiran had agreed upon, hinting to his mother how she should present the matter to others.

No further explanation was needed; Mother Mo intuitively understood his intentions.

While Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran comforted Mother Mo, inside the tent, Eighth Sister helped Mo Chuhan lie down on his original spot.

Her eyes were still brimming with tears.

"Dear husband, do you know that when I first heard about your supposed death, if it wasn't for the thought of honoring our mother on your behalf, I wouldn't have been able to carry on living...," she sobbed.

With that, Sister Eight threw herself into Mo Chuhan's embrace and wept bitterly.

"Dear husband, do you have any idea how much I've missed you... Waaaah..."

Mo Chuhan raised his hand to hold his beloved wife tightly in his arms, gently stroking her slightly brittle hair. "It's I who has wronged you. As long as I'm still alive, I will make it up to you in every way possible..."

Sister Eight rubbed her face affectionately against his chest.

"You must stay alive, even if it means I have to die first. I can't bear the pain of losing you again."

"Alright, I promise you, I'll live my life to the fullest."

...

For everyone in the Mo family, this was bound to be a sleepless night.

When everyone woke up, they all had noticeable dark circles under their eyes.

He Zhiran and Mo Jiuya emerged from their tent and first went to find Peng Wang.

They believed it was necessary to formally inform Peng Wang about Mo Chuhan's situation.

Peng Wang had anticipated their visit and, after waking up, didn't hurry the group to continue their journey but waited in place instead.

Mo Jiuya pulled He Zhiran to sit beside him.

"Brother Peng, as you saw last night, my Eighth Elder Brother is very much alive."

"For your Mo family, this is undoubtedly a tremendous piece of good news that calls for celebration." As Peng Wang spoke, he glanced at He Zhiran.

"Sister-in-law, it's been a long time since I've tasted your cooking. Are you going to show off your skills for dinner tonight?"

"I can assure you, there won't be a problem with that. I'll make sure Brother Peng and the other officials are pleased."

It was clear that Peng Wang was a shrewd man; he didn't wish to delve into the specifics of how Mo Chuhan managed to return alive.

He always kept one principle in mind - the more one knows, the sooner one dies!

Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran immediately understood Peng Wang's intention. Initially, they only intended to inform him about the addition of another person to their group.

Now, they no longer needed to waste their breath searching for excuses to conceal the truth.

The exile party had strict rules: unless under exceptional circumstances, prisoners were not allowed to travel in any form of vehicle.

Considering Mo Chuhan's current state, he was too weak to keep up with the main group on their journey.

Peng Wang was also skilled in interpersonal relations. Knowing that Mo Jiuya would eventually bring up the matter, he took the initiative to offer Mo Chuhan a ride in the mule-drawn carriage as a favor.

Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran, of course, expressed their heartfelt gratitude profusely.

The sisters-in-law had risen early to prepare a porridge that was soft and easy to digest, accompanied by a steamed white bun and a poached egg for each person.

Just after they finished their breakfast, Peng Wang began making preparations to continue their journey.

Considering Mo Chuhan's frail health and severe malnutrition, they had to take it into account.

With numerous methods at her disposal, He Zhiran was more than capable of making it up to Mo Chuhan.

In this era, the best way to nourish his body in front of so many people would be with ginseng and lingzhi mushrooms, both highly esteemed ingredients.

All she needed was an opportunity to acquire them without drawing attention.

Fortunately, their large entourage passed through another city that day.

They didn't have to enter the city, but Peng Wang's cravings got the better of him. He woke up longing for He Zhiran's cooking and spent the entire day dreaming about it.

As they approached the city, he instructed the group to wait while he entered with He Zhiran and a government official to purchase supplies.

Knowing that He Zhiran's "shopping" trips usually involved a substantial amount of goods, Mo Jiuya helped Mo Chuhan down from the carriage and sent them off with the mule-drawn cart.

Peng Wang no longer regarded the Mo family as prisoners; thus, he wouldn't exploit He Zhiran in any way.

"Little sister-in-law, here's five taels of silver. The brothers' dinner is in your capable hands," he said, attempting to hand her the money.

Considering Peng Wang's care for her family during this time, He Zhiran respectfully declined his offer.

"Brother Peng, we agreed that we would treat you. How can I let you pay?" He Zhiran promptly pushed the silver back.

Seeing this, Peng Wang didn't argue with her.

"Alright then, I won't be too polite as your brother."

He knew that He Zhiran preferred to shop alone, so Peng Wang accompanied the officials to find a roadside tea stall where they could sit and wait while sipping tea.

He Zhiran's main purpose for entering the city this time was to buy some health supplements for Mo Chuhan.

After parting ways with Peng Wang, she led the cart into an empty alley.

She climbed into the cart and, using the Taobao Mall platform, purchased two ginseng roots and two lingzhi mushrooms.

As the saying goes, medicinal supplements are less effective than dietary ones. However, Mo Chuhan's body was too weak.

He Zhiran decided to combine both medicinal and dietary supplements for his recovery.

Thus, she purchased two meat-eating pigeons and a black chicken from the space. She boiled them with ginseng and lingzhi mushrooms to make a nourishing soup for Mo Chuhan.

In addition, she poured several immunity-boosting extracts from her spatial pharmacy into a small porcelain bottle, instructing Mo Chuhan to take them regularly each day.

With this rare chance to shop, He Zhiran seized the opportunity without hesitation. She bought seasonal fruits, vegetables, various meats, and some cured and smoked delicacies.

When hosting a meal, one naturally wanted it to be as complete as possible.

He Zhiran ordered a case of Wuliangye wine online and transferred it into a clay jar.

The supplies filled half of the cart. After a thorough check to ensure nothing was forgotten, He Zhiran set off for the teahouse, contentedly leading the cart to meet Peng Wang.

Peng Wang was already accustomed to He Zhiran's swift shopping sprees. Considering that they would return earlier and have more time to prepare dinner, He Zhiran asked Peng Wang and the official to sit in the cart while she drove, allowing them to travel faster.

The moment Peng Wang stepped into the carriage, he was utterly stunned.

The Hes were indeed wealthy and extravagant, having purchased such a multitude of items.

Reflecting on the five taels of silver he had just contributed, he doubted it would even cover half of the cost...

Unaware of Peng Wang's thoughts, He Zhiran urged the mule cart forward swiftly, soon exiting the city limits.

Observing the sky, Peng Wang instructed them to continue their journey for another two hours before taking a rest at their current location.

With a clear objective in mind, the group's energy to travel seemed to multiply.

After two hours, Peng Wang opted to camp for the night by a river.

Upon learning that they would be hosting an official dinner that evening, the sisters-in-law rushed over to assist with preparing the ingredients once the convoy had stopped.