Many children, many blessings; a stunningly beautiful wife is given to you right from the start.

Liu Yiyi stopped breathing.

She stared intently at the gold bricks stacked more neatly than a city wall, her mind seemingly filled with the crackling of countless abacus beads.

Then, the second and third boxes were opened one after another.

The dazzling array of gemstones was almost blinding.

The rich aroma of medicine mixed with the glittering jewels rose into the sky, making the whole courtyard seem unreal.

Nine boxes, nine mountains of gold.

The entire front courtyard of the city lord's mansion was completely overwhelmed by the dazzling jewels.

Liu Yiyi's eyes had turned into the shape of coins, sparkling brightly!

She turned around abruptly, and the look in her eyes as she looked at Xia Man'er had undergone a complete transformation.

One second she was cold-faced and had her arms crossed, the next she turned into a blur and appeared next to Xia Man'er in an instant.

"Oh my! My dear little sister! Is your name Man'er? You're so beautiful!"

Liu Yiyi grabbed Xia Man'er's hand.

The force and the warmth were so intense that anyone who didn't know better would think they were long-lost sisters reunited.

"I've long heard that the Miao region is a land of outstanding people and beautiful scenery; seeing it today, I can confirm it truly lives up to its reputation!"

"Come, come, tell me, do you still have any of these... local specialties in southern Xinjiang?"

This dramatic turn of events left everyone in the courtyard dumbfounded.

Qin Ruxue held her forehead with one hand, unable to bear watching any longer.

She knew that when these mountains of gold and silver were displayed, her second sister would be the first to betray her.

Of everyone present, only Chu Mengyao did not look at the treasures.

Her attention was entirely focused on Xia Man'er.

The only daughter of the Miao King...

This identity is a million times more valuable than all nine chests of treasure combined.

This means that if Lin Mo marries her, he will be directly bound to the forces in Southern Xinjiang.

They can become allies and work together to achieve great things.

Retreat can be used as leverage to maneuver with the Third Prince.

Chu Mengyao's gaze towards Lin Mo instantly became complicated.

Was this man acting unintentionally, or... did he plan this all along?

The atmosphere in the courtyard, due to the nine chests of treasure and Xia Man'er's identity, changed from tense to extremely subtle.

Women have different thoughts.

But at least, that united hostility towards the outside world has been largely diluted.

Lin Mo had just breathed a sigh of relief.

A guard rushed in from outside the mansion and knelt on one knee.

"My lord, there is an old gentleman outside the manor who claims to be a special envoy of the Miao King and requests an audience."

"Oh? You're here so soon?"

Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.

The package was just signed for, and the after-sales service came knocking on my door?

This efficiency suggests that the Miao king is truly desperate.

"Please let him in."

Lin Mo stood with his hands in his pockets, his face expressionless.

A moment later, an elderly man dressed in a plain scholar's robe entered with his head held high, led by a guard.

Although he was old, he stood up straight and walked with a steady gait.

He possessed an air of refined elegance, befitting his long-standing position, which clashed with the glittering jewelry and stunning beauties that filled the courtyard.

This person was none other than Wen Ruo, the chief strategist of the Miao King's Palace.

Wenruo's gaze swept across the courtyard, and when she saw the nine open iron boxes, her eyes twitched almost imperceptibly.

But things quickly returned to calm.

He seemed to understand the situation instantly, but did not dwell on these "minor matters".

The most urgent task is to safely escort the princess back to the southern border.

Wen Ruo walked straight forward and first bowed to Lin Mo.

"Young Master Lin."

Then he turned around.

He bowed deeply to Xia Man'er, who was hiding behind Lin Mo and only peeking out half of her head.

His waist was bent at a ninety-degree angle, his posture extremely respectful.

"Princess, the Prince is very worried about you and cannot eat or sleep. He requests that you return to the Southern Frontier with me immediately."

His voice was gentle, yet every word was as firm as iron.

"otherwise……"

Wenruo maintained her bowed posture, but her voice turned cold.

"Three hundred thousand elite troops from Miao territory, march north immediately."

These words instantly extinguished the easing atmosphere in the courtyard.

These words, though seemingly addressed to Xia Man'er, were actually meant for everyone present.

This is not persuasion, but a blatant threat.

"Three hundred thousand?"

Qin Ruxue took a step forward, and the Lianhua Sword emitted a soft hum.

"Don't even mention 300,000, even if it were 3 million, my Northern Border Armor would ensure he never returns!"

"Mr. Wenruo".

Another clear, cold voice rang out, and Chu Mengyao walked out from the side, standing side by side with Qin Ruxue.

"The letter from the Third Prince about using one tiger to devour another must have also been delivered to the Miao King's residence."

"Sir, are you speaking on behalf of the Miao King to express his love for his daughter, or are you conveying a message from the Third Prince, requesting to use our northern territory to challenge the Western Wind Heavy Armored Camp?"

Good guy.

As expected of my strategist, with just one sentence, he transformed the other party from a "benevolent father" into a "mouthpiece for political conspiracies," directly pinning the blame on them.

Lin Mo mentally gave Chu Mengyao a thumbs up.

Faced with Qin Ruxue's tense stance and Chu Mengyao's hurtful words, Wenruo seemed not to hear them at all.

He didn't even lift his head.

He simply bent his already bent-over body even lower.

"Princess, the Prince said that as long as you are willing to go back, everything is negotiable."

"I... only ask that you return."

He ignored everyone else and made his final plea only to the source of his journey that had driven him thousands of miles.

This old man is something else.

He's unyielding and only has one goal in mind.

Xia Man'er, who had been hiding behind Lin Mo, finally couldn't resist peeking out her whole head.

She made a big face at Wenruo's back.

"No, no, I'm not going back! My father is a big liar! I'm severing all ties with him!"

Xia Man'er's voice was clear and loud, full of a young girl's willfulness and determination.

Upon hearing this, Wenruo was not angry at all. Instead, she followed her words and slowly straightened up.

"What the princess says is true. It was indeed inappropriate for the prince to deceive her."

"However, such a serious matter as severing ties should, according to etiquette, be clearly stated face to face."

He looked at Xia Man'er with a kind smile, like a gentle and persuasive grandfather next door.

"Why don't you come back with me and speak frankly in front of the prince?"

"From now on, you are free to roam the vast sky and sea, and I and the 300,000 men of the southern frontier will never stop you."

Xia Man'er blinked, seemingly a little tempted.

Lin Mo almost burst out laughing.

This old fox is just making empty promises.

First, lure them back and lock them up. Then, they won't be able to leave the palace, let alone enjoy the vast sky and sea.

Fortunately, Xia Man'er, though simple-minded, is not truly stupid.

She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then stuck out her tongue and darted back behind Lin Mo.

"I'm not falling for that! I'm not replying! I'm not replying, I'm not replying!"

"I will never leave Brother Lin Mo again!"