There are too many female protagonists with deceased husbands in the Qin Dynasty's Past Books.

"That place is different from our poor, remote mountain village. Huoyu Manor is incredibly wealthy, and it's said to be a place full of treasures!"

It's clear that Yan Lingji is so excited she's almost lost herself in the moment.

Not only did she make a scathing critique of her hometown without any restraint, but she also unconsciously rubbed Jiang Mo's arm against her chest.

The subtle touch made Jiang Mo's expression become somewhat ambiguous.

Yan Lingji was completely unaware of this. She held Jiang Mo's arm tightly, making it impossible for him to pull his arm away and act like a gentleman.

"Ahem, what are you saying? Can't you be a little more composed like Mo?"

Hearing Yan Lingji's words, the priest was so angry he could hardly breathe. He glared at her and pounded her forehead with his staff, making a loud thud. Finally, she released Jiang Mo's arm, clutching her head and muttering:

"What I said wasn't wrong."

Suppressing the urge to raise his arm and sniff the air, Jiang Mo maintained his mature and composed demeanor and asked again:

"What do you need us to do at Fire Rain Manor?"

"There's nothing particularly troublesome, but it's Lord Huoyu's fiftieth birthday. We need the two of you to bring birthday gifts to celebrate his birthday and also broaden your horizons."

Hearing this, Jiang Mo understood most of it.

If we're talking about who's qualified to represent Huoyu Gong on his birthday, Yan Lingji is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate. After all, being born with supernatural abilities, her mere presence is, in a sense, a blessing for Huoyu Gong.

It's very superstitious, but it works very well in the Baiyue region.

Compared to Yan Lingji, Jiang Mo is not a particularly suitable candidate. No matter how mature and composed he appears, he is still just a thirteen-year-old boy.

Let's leave aside vague concepts like understanding someone's cunning and shrewdness for now.

In terms of combat prowess alone, he is far from reaching his peak. Since this is such an important matter, it would be more appropriate for an adult to accompany him.

Seemingly sensing Jiang Mo's confusion and doubt, the priest chuckled and spoke:

“Mo, don’t underestimate yourself. You’re more familiar with the culture and etiquette of the Central Plains than anyone else in the village, aren’t you?”

"You mean..."

"Well, it is said that South Korea and Huoyu Manor have always had close ties. For Huoyu Gong's 50th birthday celebration, he will probably invite important figures from South Korea to the banquet."

After a slight pause, the priest glanced at Yan Lingji:

"Mo, you are steady in your actions and quite familiar with the relevant matters in various parts of the Central Plains. You must keep a close eye on Yan'er and prevent her from causing any trouble."

Clearly, the priest was well aware of his heir's temperament.

Hearing this, Jiang Mo completely understood the shaman's arrangements. Understanding the Central Plains might be cultivated through intensive pre-exam training. But if we're talking about who else in the village, besides the shaman, could control Yan Lingji, then it really was only Jiang Mo.

At least it won't make things too ugly.

"Huh? Why should Amo be in charge of me? That's not right, is it? Whether it's the eldest sister or the senior sister, shouldn't I be the one in charge of Amo?"

Yan Lingji, who was happily imagining this journey, frowned and immediately put her hands on her hips to protest.

"Of course, you're the key person going to celebrate this birthday. Mo is just your assistant, so you'll definitely be in charge!"

The priest smiled indulgently at Yan Lingji.

However, his expression clearly showed a hint of perfunctoriness as he spoke, and he didn't discuss the matter much with Yan Lingji before bringing up another topic:

"You don't need to worry about the gifts; we'll take care of that."

"While you still have a few days, you should prepare your luggage for the long journey. Fire Rain Manor is not exactly close to us!"

He paused, and the priest's gaze shifted slightly downwards.

His gaze fell on Yan Lingji's exposed calves and feet, but as an old man in his twilight years, there was no blasphemy in his eyes, nor any stirring of desire.

Instead, there was a sense of helplessness and regret.

However, it wasn't that I felt there was anything wrong with those delicate, fair feet; rather, it was more like seeing someone carelessly squander a treasure instead of properly treasuring it—a blatant waste of precious resources.

"Let's take this opportunity to buy some new clothes and shoes."

Yan Lingji was completely unaware of what was going on, but Jiang Mo, who was standing next to her, immediately understood what the witch priest was thinking when he heard the emphasis in her words.

I really don't know where Yan Lingji picked up this habit.

Ever since Jiang Mo first met her here, this little girl has been used to running around without shoes and socks, only wrapping her feet up tightly in winter.

More accurately, it means wrapping your entire body in a blanket, making it completely airtight.

Not wearing shoes and socks might not be a big deal in Baiyue, but in the Central Plains, it would be considered somewhat indecent.

Fire Rain Manor, though located in Baiyue.

As the richest treasure trove in the region, it not only had extensive trade relations with the Central Plains, but its thoughts and culture were also inevitably influenced by the Central Plains.

Running barefoot to offer birthday wishes is really a bit impolite.

No matter how good-looking you are, it won't work!

This was likely one of the major challenges Jiang Mo would face before even setting off. However, he didn't show any sign of difficulty; he simply nodded to the shaman to indicate that he understood.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Just as Yan Lingji was excitedly pulling Jiang Mo to leave, the shaman's voice came from behind them again, with the tone of an old person suddenly remembering something important:

"This trip will not only involve the two of you, but the village chief will also send two people."

"Safety and such will be mainly handled by them, so you don't need to worry too much about that."

Are they the village chief's men?

Jiang Mo's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, but he didn't say anything. During the years he had studied with the shaman, he had also come into contact with many matters of power and gained a deeper understanding of the situation in Baiyue.

In this undeveloped land, royalty and sorcerers each held half the sky.

One side represents secular power, while the other symbolizes totemistic beliefs; neither can replace the other, nor can either overpower the other.

Therefore, for any important matter, it is often necessary for both parties to take the lead.

For example, the Hundred Poison Cave required both the shaman and the village chief to be present when it was opened or closed.

And now, going to Huoyu Mountain Villa to celebrate a birthday is the same.

"I really wonder what Fire Rain Manor will look like, and how beautiful the legendary Fire Rain Agate will be~"

After leaving the room, Yan Lingji stood on the cliff and gazed into the distance, unable to help but sigh softly.

Following the other person's gaze, Jiang Mo looked out to the horizon, his thoughts wandering further: Fire Rain Manor, Azure Dragon Seven Constellations, the Korean visitors, the Three Wolves with Broken Hair...

I wonder what I'll encounter on this trip!

In the end, however, he said nothing, but simply smiled and said, "Ayan, how about I send you some gifts in a few days?"

Chapter 32: A peculiar hobby—liking socks.

"This is the gift you prepared for me?"

In Jiang Mo's room, Yan Lingji casually picked up a light and delicate piece of clothing in front of her, her pretty face showing a rather subtle expression.

"You're raising the Bright Flame Gu Silkworms, not just for this purpose, are you?"

Yan Lingji now understood what Jiang Mo had been up to by sneaking around to see Xiao Die in the village every day. But the truth seemed even more subtle than she had initially suspected…

"Amo, while everyone is free to have their own preferences, I still want to say that liking socks is a bit... a little... "

"It's so unique."

Hesitantly, Yan Lingji swallowed back the perverted words that were on the tip of her tongue.

But this did not change the strange look in her eyes. Holding those thin clothes that she had never seen before, Yan Lingji handed them to Jiang Mo and gestured at them.

Jiang Mo was indeed somewhat guilty.

Even in modern society where such clothing is widely available, acquiring new clothes is a very private matter. Before reaching a certain level of intimacy, one would not give such things as gifts.

Furthermore, considering that these were actually sewn by Jiang Mo himself...

The level of perversion has increased exponentially!

Therefore, when Yan Lingji was muttering to herself, Jiang Mo remained silent, only glancing to the side, unsure of what expression to make.

The only thing to do is to actively and diligently work on improving one's self-esteem.

But when he saw Yan Lingji bringing the clothes closer to him, her eyes looking him up and down as if she was figuring out how to put them on him, Jiang Mo couldn't hold back any longer.

"Wait, wait a minute. Who said I like socks?"

Grasping Yan Lingji's slender, fair wrist, Jiang Mo pushed the clothes that were already within reach back away, very seriously correcting the bold idea in her mind.

"I solemnly declare that this is a gift for you, not for my own use."

"Furthermore, men and women should not touch each other. These... intimate garments, how can you just casually hand them to a man?"

Yan Lingji blinked, as if she wanted to say something.

However, Jiang Mo anticipated her words and directly shut her down: "Let me emphasize again, I'm a man too!"

Jiang Mo felt somewhat helpless as he said this.

The Baiyue region did not have as many etiquette rules as the Central Plains, and the atmosphere between men and women was quite open. Many girls knew a lot of amazing things when they were eleven or twelve years old.

For example, Ah Li, Xiao Die, and others.

But Yan Lingji seemed to be completely oblivious. If Jiang Mo hadn't been so vigilant, she could still have sneaked into his bed without a word.

We're not like eight-year-old kids anymore.

It could easily lead to someone's death!

However, it wouldn't be entirely true to say that Yan Lingji had no wariness towards men. Whenever other boys or adults in the village tried to approach her, Yan Lingji would refuse them entry. Any behavior even slightly inappropriate would often be met with a firm, forceful punishment.

Even Yan Lingji didn't do it herself, because Jiang Mo had earnestly reminded her that some people's hobby was getting beaten up, and she shouldn't reward them casually.

Yan Lingji didn't understand, but she was greatly shocked.

From that day on, anyone who tried to get close to Yan Lingji to trample on her would either be met with a fist the size of a casserole by Wushuang Gui or Jiang Mo's malicious witchcraft experiments.

Not only is he wary, but this wariness is also very obvious to others.

However, Yan Lingji seemed to treat Jiang Mo as if they were still playing and joking around as children, without any of the guard up a young girl should have.

This sometimes left Jiang Mo feeling quite frustrated.