Chapter 143: There’s No Need to Suddenly Confess Just Because We’re Being Watched

Xiang Xinyao walked into another hidden chamber. Seeing that Mo Jinnan was still in a daze, she quickly stored the items from the chamber into her personal space.

By the time she’d stored away everything from the three chambers, Mo Jinnan finally snapped out of his trance. He walked over to her, eyes full of disbelief.

“Xinyao, if I asked you to bring everything back out right now, could you do it?”

Xiang Xinyao nodded. “Of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare claim to be at least ninety percent sure I can save the Princess Dowager.”

Excited, Mo Jinnan grabbed her shoulders. “Xinyao, if you can help me save my mother, I’ll give you all the silver I earn from selling my properties. Plus, I’ll gift you four people whom I’m sure you’ll appreciate.”

Xiang Xinyao playfully batted her eyelashes. “Four people? Men or women? Don’t tell me you’re planning to send me four dashing men?”

“Two men and two women. They may not be the best fighters, but each has unique skills.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I can’t afford to support them anyway. Let’s go explore your residence—who knows, I might not get another chance.”

Mo Jinnan raised an eyebrow. “One of these four could make you wildly successful on their own. You’re really worried about affording them?”

She paused mid-step. “Oh? Tell me, what are their skills?”

“One’s a business genius, another is an expert in geomancy and concealment, the third is a master of disguise, and the fourth is a fragrance expert.”

Xiang Xinyao’s eyes lit up. “Interesting. You’re really willing to part with talent like that?”

Mo Jinnan smiled warmly. “You’re my fiancée. I said it before: once we’re married, what’s mine is yours. And you’re mine alone, so why wouldn’t I?”

“Do you think top-notch talents like them would be willing to follow someone as unknown as me? Aren’t geniuses usually proud and aloof?”

“You’re right—they respect skill above all. But I’m confident that, with your abilities, they’ll be loyal to you.”

“But I’m just a novice with no real skills!”

Mo Jinnan chuckled. “Don’t underestimate yourself. I’ve seen your medical skills, and your magic is the most astonishing thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

Xiang Xinyao gave a slight smile. “Well, we’ll see. No need to force it if they’re unwilling to follow me.”

“Fine, but I have faith in you.”

With that, Mo Jinnan took her hand and led her out of the hidden chamber. He closed the door to the passage and accompanied Xiang Xinyao as they strolled around his residence.

The estate was expansive, with rare plants and flowers flourishing in both the front and back gardens.

But Xiang Xinyao no longer had any thought of growing vegetables here.

She smiled and said, “Have those rare plants dug up as well. When we leave, take anything of value—don’t leave a thing behind.”

Mo Jinnan nodded. “No problem. I’ll have people pot the plants, and in a few days, you can make them disappear with your magic.”

Xiang Xinyao nodded in agreement.

After a walk around the estate, Mo Jinnan took her to the most renowned restaurant in Bianjing, Taste Source Pavilion, for a meal.

By this time, lunch had passed, and only one table of diners remained, their dishes mostly finished.

The two entered, and Mo Jinnan requested a private room.

After ordering a few signature dishes, they sat down to drink tea while they waited.

Suddenly, Mo Jinnan’s brows furrowed. He stood up, moved to Xiang Xinyao’s side, and, without warning, pulled her into his arms.

Xiang Xinyao: ……

What’s all this about?

Mo Jinnan leaned close to her ear and whispered, “We’re being followed and watched!”

Then, he even gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Xinyao, it’s so good to have you back. You have no idea—I used to want to break off the engagement with your family, but after meeting you, I never wanted to again. The moment I saw you, I knew you were the one.”

Xiang Xinyao: ……

Was this really necessary?

Did he need to suddenly confess just because they were being watched?

Then, a flash of understanding crossed Xiang Xinyao’s mind. She knew who was behind the surveillance.

Pretending to be shy, she leaned against Mo Jinnan’s chest. “Ah Nan, I also knew you were the one the moment I saw you. I won’t marry anyone but you!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt a chill run through her and her cheeks flushed red, practically burning. In her past life, she’d lived for twenty-six years and never uttered such cheesy words to any man.

Mo Jinnan froze. Hearing her call him “Ah Nan” made his whole body go weak, his heart thumping loudly.

He tightened his embrace, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Then I’ll make preparations over the next few days and formally propose at your family’s residence to secure the marriage.”

“Mm, you’d better be quick.”

“How about this—we could have the proposal on the day of your coming-of-age ceremony, combining the celebration with our engagement. What do you think?”

“Sounds great!”

With a soft smile, Mo Jinnan continued to hold her, gently stroking her hair.

Xiang Xinyao was stiff with discomfort but went along with the act, even wrapping her arms around his waist.

Finally, there was a knock at the door, and Mo Jinnan released her, saying, “Come in.”

When the food was served, Mo Jinnan picked up his chopsticks and placed food on her plate. “Yaoyao, you must have had a hard time these past years. Look how thin you’ve gotten! A strong breeze might just carry you away. Eat more, okay?”

Xiang Xinyao nodded, smiling sweetly. “Thank you, Ah Nan. You eat too.”

She picked up a piece of meat and fed it directly to him.

Mo Jinnan paused slightly, but then he opened his mouth and ate it. A moment later, he did the same, lifting food to her lips.

The two of them kept feeding each other back and forth, putting on a show that filled the spy lurking nearby with an uncomfortably full serving of “public displays of affection.”

Perhaps fed up with the couple’s lovey-dovey act, the spy slipped away.

As soon as they were alone, they both let out a sigh of relief.

Finally, they could relax and enjoy their meal.

After eating, Mo Jinnan took Xiang Xinyao around for a bit.

“Yaoyao,” he asked, “is there anything you’d like to buy?”

Xiang Xinyao raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Actually, yes. I want to buy some good vases, paintings, jade pieces—the older, the better.”

“What do you need those for?”

“For my collection! They could be family heirlooms someday, haha…”

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the East Street.”

The East Street in Bianjing was akin to a modern-day antique market, where, with a bit of luck, you could find treasures.

But the prices were just like any other antique market—every customer was fair game for a rip-off.

If the shopkeeper met someone knowledgeable, they might unknowingly part with a valuable item for a low price.