"Cen Yu, do you know about the Blue Moon royal family?"
"I do know a bit about the Blue Moon royal family," Cen Yu said with a smile. "In Blue Moon country, women are held in higher esteem, the opposite of Yushang. The Blue Moon Empress has quite a few male consorts in her harem."
"Is there anything special about the Blue Moon royal family?"
"Special?" Cen Yu thought carefully. "There doesn't seem to be anything special... Wait, there is!"
"What is it?" Wen Mohan asked curiously.
"It is said that the Blue Moon royal family has special birthmarks," Cen Yu said, thinking hard. "The Blue Moon royal family uses the phoenix as their totem. It is said that the direct descendants of the royal family all have phoenix birthmarks."
"Where are the phoenix birthmarks located?"
"I'm not sure about that," Cen Yu said with a smile. "Why are you suddenly so interested in the Blue Moon royal family today?"
"I suspect that the affairs of the Long Sheng Merchant House are related to the Blue Moon royal family," Wen Mohan revealed his suspicions. "The Long Sheng Merchant House was likely killed for a certain item."
"What item?"
"The Feng Xi of Blue Moon country."
Cen Yu felt utterly bewildered. Although he had business dealings with Blue Moon, they weren't extensive, and he had no connection with the Blue Moon royal family. Yet, his merchant house had suffered a massacre because of the Blue Moon's Feng Xi. This was truly a bolt from the blue!
"I know nothing about this."
"You don't know?" Wen Mohan was quite surprised. The Long Sheng Merchant House belonged to the Cen family. The main family should be well aware of what goods they were importing and exporting. Why would the main family be ignorant?
"I truly don't know," Cen Yu frowned. "Lately, various factions in the imperial capital have been stirring, and I fear someone is using a borrowed knife to kill." Su Dan Novel Network
Wen Mohan also thought it was possible. "The Cen family is at the height of its power, so it's natural for others to be envious. Moreover, because of me, you refuse to pledge allegiance to any prince. Some people are probably dissatisfied and want to devour the Cen family's business."
"I'm not worried about myself. The Cen family deals in business; failure can be overcome. But you are in the court, and a single mistake can cost you your life. You must be extremely careful."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Pay close attention to the Cen family's merchant houses. Since they've made a move, there will surely be further actions."
"Alright."
After leaving the Cen residence, Wen Mohan remained uneasy. "Young Master, where shall we go next?"
"Back to the manor." Wen Mohan took out the mechanism box hidden in a secret compartment. It was said that this box held a great secret, but he had studied it for a long time, and it seemed to be just an ordinary box. Could it be that three mechanism boxes were needed to decipher the secret?
Upon returning to the manor, Wen Mohan continued to examine the mechanism box. Shi Shu came in to serve tea and saw Wen Mohan engrossed in playing with the object in his hands, his curious eyes watching Wen Mohan's fingers skillfully manipulate the mechanism box.
"Young Master, what is this toy?"
Wen Mohan looked up at him. "This is no toy, but a mechanism box. If even one step is wrong, it will trigger the mechanisms inside and destroy whatever is hidden within."
"It's that powerful?" Shi Shu's eyes lit up. "Did you make this, Young Master?"
"I don't have that skill," Wen Mohan said with a smile. "It is said that this was made by the Mo family. The Mo family were skilled in mechanisms and the creation of various intricate devices. It's a pity the Mo family was wiped out; it's unknown if any of them still exist."
Shi Shu scratched his head. "Who did they offend?"
"Perhaps so." Deciphering the secret of the mechanism box would not be a task for a single day. Wen Mohan put down the box. "How is your recent learning? Have you been studying diligently?"
"Yes, I've learned quite a few characters recently."
"Oh?" Wen Mohan made space, gesturing for Shi Shu to sit. "Write them for me to see."
Shi Shu happily nodded and sat beside Wen Mohan. He took the brush Wen Mohan handed him and began writing recently learned poems. Wen Mohan nodded as he read.
"There has indeed been progress. Your writing is much better than when you first started. Keep up the good work." Wen Mohan immediately went to find a poetry book, intending to teach Shi Shu new poems that day.
Shi Shu continued to write a poem, carefully drying the ink before presenting it to Wen Mohan like a treasure. "Young Master, how do you think this is written?"
Wen Mohan put down his book and took it to read. It turned out Shi Shu had written a Yue Ren Ci. However, Yue Ren Ci was not widely popular, as it did not express romantic love between men and women, which many found difficult to accept.
"Do you know what this poem means?"
"I do," Shi Shu said with a smile. "It's about liking someone but not daring to tell them."
"That interpretation isn't wrong. Where did you learn this poem from?"
"I heard the Cen family head recite it once, and I remembered it. There were some characters I didn't know, so I secretly asked Brother Wei." Shi Shu answered truthfully.
"The Cen family head? When did you hear the Cen family head recite this poem?"
"When we were in Jiangzhou, I heard the Cen family head reciting this poem under the moonlight. Young Master, does the Cen family head have someone they like?" Shi Shu asked with a wink.
Wen Mohan chuckled. "That, I really don't know."
"But I asked Brother Wei, and he said, 'Mountains have wood, and wood has branches; my heart favors you, but you know it not' is used to express love to a lady."
"Such a young age, and you're not learning proper things. Do you even know what love is?" Wen Mohan lightly rapped Shi Shu's head.
Shi Shu rubbed his head and pouted. "I know that Young Master loves Princess Yongning."
Wen Mohan's face blushed. "Who told you that?"
"Brother Wei told me," Shi Shu said with a smile. "Brother Wei said Princess Yongning is a great beauty and her name is also beautiful, Xiao Man. But I always feel the name Xiao Man sounds familiar, as if I've heard it somewhere."
"Your benefactor, Xiao, is Xiao Man."
"What?" Shi Shu's eyes widened in surprise. "No wonder I thought benefactor Xiao was so good-looking. So she's actually a beautiful girl. No wonder Young Master likes her; even I find her very likable!"
Wen Mohan was amused and exasperated. He poked Shi Shu's head. "You're too precocious! You are not to reveal anything about your benefactor Xiao to anyone, understand?"
"I understand, Young Master. I won't tell anyone, no matter who it is." Shi Shu continued writing. "But I really have heard this name somewhere before..."
"She has lived in the imperial capital for years. How could you have heard her name?"
Shi Shu frowned, chewing on his brush, thinking hard. "I remember now. I heard her name in Jiangzhou from the girl who tried to assassinate you."
Wen Mohan's expression darkened. He had originally intended to dote on Wen Moyu like a sister for his entire life, but unfortunately, she had ultimately disappointed his affection.