Chapter 240: Tyrant

"I was still thinking that when I go back to Kuangsha City, I'll drop you off at the Luosangya tribe along the way," Lin Manzhi said, "Ah, then I'll have someone send you back."

Xi Tao smiled apologetically, "I'm fine going back with the chieftain and the others; you don't need to send someone for me, otherwise those female members will keep pestering me. I've already thought it through: traveling back to the tribe at a slower pace takes ten days, then I can go home and rest quietly for a while, and then wait at home to give birth to the cubs."

Everyone was already curious why the chieftain would bring her to Ansen City for such an important matter concerning the new lord, and now being sent back with such a grand entourage, she could no longer hope for a peaceful delivery.

Lin Manzhi quickly thought of that too and had to give up.

When she left, she left a pile of crops for Xi Tao; the bright fruits and vegetables, rare in the cold season, startled Xi Tao, who thought the food was too precious to take, but in the end Lin Manzhi forced her to accept them.

……

Lin Manzhi nestled in the warm room with the burning stove, holding a bowl of thick radish and meat bone stew, and after half a day the soup was still more than half a bowl left.

Mo Lie saw that she had little appetite for lunch, lifted his hand, took the bowl from her and placed it on the table, saying, "Zhi Zhi, wait a moment, I'll go grill some ribs for you."

Lin Manzhi shook her head: "No, it's too cold, I don't want to eat."

Now Ansen City and Kuangsha City are both his territories; Mo Lie designated the lord's city as Kuangsha City. There are many matters to handle between the two continents, and they have been staying in Ansen City for almost a month in the blink of an eye, now at the coldest point of the winter season.

Mo Lie reached out and grasped Lin Manzhi's hand, his palm enveloping her slightly cool fingertips; his deep blue eyes stared at her, the cold gaze softened a bit, and he whispered, "The matters here are almost settled; I'll arrange a quick return to Kuangsha City. There's no snow there, and the weather is much warmer than here."

"You've worked hard, Zhi Zhi, staying with me in this cold place; you deserve a reward." He gently squeezed Lin Manzhi's hand, leaned in suddenly, his tone rising at the end, "The reward is… the Ansen City lord's special delicious grilled meat service, how about it?"

Lin Manzhi's dark, round eyes curved into a smile, excited: "Sure, bring the prepared ingredients, pot, and seasonings over, and we'll stew and eat just like we used to in the tribe."

Mo Lie lowered his head and kissed her fingertip, then stood up: "Wait for me, I'll be right back."

Watching Mo Lie leave, Lin Manzhi stared at the tightly shut doorway, her gaze slightly stunned.

Now, as the highly esteemed lord, he would even cook himself just to coax her into eating more, and she felt a sweet warmth inside.

Soon, Mo Lie returned with the ingredients, and Lin Manzhi sprang up excitedly, helping to carry the food he held.

The two walked back to the stove; Mo Lie placed the fresh ingredients on the table and the deep pot on the fire, and Lin Manzhi also set the food she was holding on the table, pouring the thick soup from the bowl into the pot to cook.

This was the simple clear broth hotpot she often ate when she first arrived.

The main ingredients were thinly sliced fresh meat, lettuce, cubed corn, and crushed cherry tomatoes mixed with seasonings for a dip—very simple fare. Beastfolk don't eat chili peppers, and Lin Manzhi's palate is only average for spiciness, and they haven't cultivated chili peppers here.

A small slit opened in the courtyard window, the pot on the stove steamed, emitting a gurgle gurgle sound, and the room was filled with the scent of meat—both the long‑simmered bone meat and the aroma of the little cotton Exotic Beast meat rolls that Lin Manzhi was dipping with her chopsticks.

The little cotton Exotic Beast meat roll tastes like lamb; if there were sesame sauce, it would definitely be even tastier.

Lin Manzhi ate the hotpot in the cold, feeling extremely satisfied, unable to stop eating.

Mo Lie, beside her, blanched vegetables and handled the meat for her, eating little himself; his practiced, precise timing kept the meat rolls perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful when he placed them into Lin Manzhi's bowl.

Lin Manzhi ate for a while; after reaching half full, she was no longer in a hurry.

She turned her head toward Mo Lie, her cheeks flushed pink from the hot food, lips crimson, and asked, "When do we set off?"

Mo Lie scooped the meat from the spoon into her bowl, then casually took out a soft handkerchief, gently wiping the soup from the Little Female's lips, and said, "The day after tomorrow, do you prefer to depart in the morning or evening?"

He withdrew his hand, looked up, and said, "If we leave in the morning, Zhi Zhi, it's fine if you can't get up; I can carry you from here into the carriage. If we leave in the evening, you can get up a bit later."

"…If I wake up late, who's to blame for disturbing me."

Lin Manzhi muttered to herself, thought for a moment, then said, "Morning, then. With so many of us, we don't have to worry about Exotic Beast attacks in the wild; an evening departure would be fine too."

Being carried into the carriage in front of a large crowd made her take a slow, deep breath; although they wouldn't say anything, she still felt oddly embarrassed.

Mo Lie didn't object, chuckling softly and nodding in agreement.

"Come to think of it, Xi Tao should be about to give birth, right?" Lin Manzhi tilted her head, suddenly recalling, "Then when we return to Kuangsha City, it'll be on the way to the Luosangya tribe!"

Mo Lie didn't mention another, shorter border route.

He lowered his gaze at the Little Female and said, "Hmm."

"Since it's on the way, I want to visit the Luosangya tribe to see Xi Tao; then we can rest a day at our old home," Lin Manzhi said with a hint of nostalgia. "That was our first home together; even though we left only half a year ago, it feels like we were gone for several years."

"If you want to live in the Luosangya tribe, I can arrange to relocate the lord's city, but building it will require you to wait a few more years," Mo Lie's voice low and deep. "I'll do whatever you say."

Lin Manzhi almost thought she had grabbed a demon concubine script when she heard Mo Lie say that.

This time they only relocated part of Ansen City's civil officials, and will later relocate the lord's city… not fearing that it would overly burden the people or waste money.

No wonder Mo Lie is described in the book as a tyrant.

She blinked. "Fine, fine, I quite like the ancient architecture of Kuangsha City—the pure white city in the desert; besides, we now have a river there and don't lack water, so I don't want to move."

Mo Lie nodded.

Lin Manzhi placed the meat roll into his bowl; although the book portrays Mo Lie as extremely cold and ruthless to everyone, in her eyes, the Mo Lie she likes couldn't be better.

He is extremely kind to me, so even though I know Mo Lie's true nature isn't kind and his actions are ruthless, I will always stand by his side.

She ate until full, waiting for Mo Lie to set down his chopsticks; her dark eyes looked over, eagerly saying, "Let's go for a walk to aid digestion."

Mo Lie silently curled his lips.

He picked up the gloves, took Lin Manzhi's delicate palm, and carefully, slowly slipped the warmed gloves onto her by the stove; the firelight bathed his lowered profile in a warm hue.

Obediently extending her hand, Lin Manzhi unconsciously grew accustomed to his care.