Chapter 37: Shopping

On the main street, a woman shopping for groceries asked, "Hey, why aren't you selling pork today? Did you switch to fish?"

The butcher sighed and replied, "You haven't heard? Last night, that young master from the Zhao household wreaked havoc on every pig at the farm. Who would dare buy pork now? I had to switch to selling fish!"

"You've got to be kidding! That’s some twisted taste he has! Does that mean there’s no meat to be bought at all lately?" another woman chimed in.

"Exactly! Sigh, the tastes of the wealthy are just different, aren't they? He didn't just ruin people before; now he won't even spare the livestock!" The butcher shook his head, admitting he could never understand the world of the rich.

In no time, the entire capital was buzzing with the news of Zhao Mingyu’s scandalous deeds. Crowds even gathered outside the Prime Minister’s residence to gossip.

Inside the mansion, the Prime Minister and his family were seething with humiliation. The entire household had been drugged into a deep slumber until that morning, only to wake up to such explosive news. Seeing Zhao Mingyu dumped in the courtyard, the Prime Minister swore he would kill the man who had dragged his reputation through the mud.

Back at the Prince Mo residence, Yuan Qian'er was eating breakfast when she heard reports from the Kuangmo agents about the situation in the capital. She laughed so hard she nearly choked. Just then, two men in black returned from their mission. She asked them, "Oh, how did you handle Zhao Mingyu?"

"Reporting to Miss Yuan, per the Master's instructions, we tossed him back to the Prime Minister’s residence once the rumors had spread."

"Good work! You’ve had a long night listening to his screaming, and you’re still standing—I’m impressed! Go get some rest." Yuan Qian'er genuinely admired the composure of the Kuangmo agents.

"Yes!" The two men recalled the scene from the night before and inwardly pledged that they would rather offend the Emperor than cross this young lady.

Yuan Qian'er turned to look at Mo Yiran and asked, "Did you do something else? Otherwise, why wouldn't the Prime Minister have gone to rescue his son? Logically, Zhao Suyan should have returned home to sound the alarm."

Mo Yiran put on an innocent expression. "Not at all. I just gave their household a little medicine to ensure a sound sleep. As for Zhao Suyan, he was knocked unconscious as soon as he left the palace."

"Haha, brilliant! The Zhao family is going to be the laughingstock for quite a while now!"

For the next several days, Yuan Qian'er’s greatest joy was listening to the rumors the Kuangmo agents brought back from the streets. It was actually Yuan Qian'er who was behind the smear campaign; she spent her days fabricating various versions of the story for people to spread. As the public embellished them further, the rumors morphed into something even more scandalous each time they circled back.

However, the Prime Minister’s family wasn't going to take this lying down. They spent several days threatening anyone who dared to spread the story, even arresting a few loose-lipped individuals. Gradually, no one dared to bring it up again.

One day, feeling utterly bored, Yuan Qian'er crouched in the garden and began drawing circles in the dirt. Mo Yiran walked over and asked, "Qian'er, what are you doing?"

"Mo Yiran, I’m so bored. All I do is eat and sleep. Can’t we have some excitement? By the way, where is Bing Qingwan? I haven't seen her in days. I actually miss bickering with her!" Yuan Qian'er sighed, feeling listless. Ancient life was not fun at all; it was mind-numbingly dull.

"You silly girl, you’re so used to her causing trouble that you miss it? She’s been grounded by Bing Qinghua and won't be coming around for a while. Come on, I’ll take you out of the residence for some fun!" Mo Yiran had been busy learning how to style hair lately and had inadvertently neglected her.

Upon hearing she could go out, Yuan Qian'er’s spirit instantly soared. "Yes, yes! I’m going to die of boredom! Let’s go!"

On the bustling street, people moved in a constant stream. The cries of peddlers, the haggling of shoppers, and the laughter of children filled the air. Like a bird freed from a cage, Yuan Qian'er darted back and forth, looking at everything with immense delight.

Mo Yiran followed closely behind to ensure she wouldn't get lost, completely ignoring the stunned gazes of the crowd. Since when did Prince Mo venture out without a carriage? And whenever the onlookers moved to kneel and pay their respects, he simply waved his hand to signal there was no need.