Chapter 300: You Still Have to Pretend!

"Yuan Qianyu, your recent efficiency is lacking and will delay the Long Di's resurrection."

A woman of extraordinary bearing was speaking to Yuan Yuan Qianyu with haughty arrogance.

Yuan Yuan Qianyu was none other than Wei Wei Manying, a noble princess of the former Yuan dynasty.

Only someone of far higher status than her would dare speak to her this way.

The woman speaking was Qiu Qiu Xianyu, who played the role of Yuan Yuan Qianyu's mother in the Wei household, though in truth they had little connection.

Her true identity was one of Long Di's most loyal imperial consorts, who had only recently awakened from slumber.

Simply by being Qiu Qiu Xianyu, she could force Yuan Yuan Qianyu to bow her head.

"Your Majesty, I will accelerate progress and do everything possible to resurrect Long Di."

Yuan Yuan Qianyu spoke respectfully, but cursed inwardly.

This bitch always wore a face like everyone owed her millions.

So what if she's one of Long Di's consorts? What's so special about that?

The entire Yuan clan runs on my shoulders, yet all of you act so superior—why don't you try doing it yourself?

But these thoughts stayed locked inside Yuan Yuan Qianyu; she dared not voice them.

Long Di's consorts were immensely powerful, far stronger than she was.

And after Long Di's resurrection, he would be an unstoppable force dominating the age.

The ancient Dragon Cavalry, long thought extinct, could crush all opposition.

For the sake of reviving the Yuan clan, Yuan Yuan Qianyu said nothing.

Qiu Qiu Xianyu gave a few more reminders, then turned and left.

Her figure was graceful, so tall she seemed unable to see her own toes—truly overwhelming pressure for Yuan Yuan Qianyu.

Fortunately, Yuan Yuan Qianyu herself was naturally beautiful, a peerless beauty; otherwise, seeing such a woman would have left her feeling inferior.

After she left, Yuan Yuan Qianyu wondered: according to our agreement, shouldn't that man have arrived by now?

Recently, the Tang Ce dynasty had a very busy official—a rising star with exceptional ability, constantly promoted beyond his rank.

He received so many bonuses and resource rewards his hands were numb, and his superiors called him an outstanding subordinate.

He had already gained minor fame in court; many believed his future rank would be high—he was a true talent.

Most importantly, his cultivation base was extremely high—he was a complete genius, and his name was Lin Mo.

Since joining the Ministry of Works, Lin Mo had demonstrated his talent.

He was not only highly capable but also lucky, with astonishing efficiency.

The Minister of Works even said that without Lin Mo, the rail project would not have progressed so quickly.

Lin Mo had tripled the progress.

Previously, many in court envied the Minister of Justice, saying his subordinate Xiao Ming was formidable, having solved many major cases.

Now the Minister of Works had a subordinate who could rival Xiao Ming—Lin Mo.

Despite Lin Mo's outstanding achievements, he secretly held another identity: the inheritor of the former dynasty's remnants.

The techniques he cultivated and the resources he obtained all came from the former Yuan clan.

Lin Mo had walked this path to the end, for before the Yuan clan's Qiangzhe died, they gave him a key and instructed him to deliver it to a Yuan clan member.

Recently, the crackdown on former dynasty remnants and Wang family holdouts had been extremely tight.

Even with his boldness, Lin Mo dared not make contact.

But now the situation had changed—the crackdown had eased, so Lin Mo decided to focus on his work and earn resources and status.

A considerable time had passed; the hunt was no longer so intense.

Lin Mo had a contact who informed him that the former dynasty's princess was in the Wei household of Shanghe City.

His current assignment was constructing the western rail network of the Tang Ce dynasty, which passed through the region near Shanghe City.

With official business to attend to, he could conveniently deliver the key to the former dynasty's princess.

Moreover, he knew Shanghe City intimately—he had grown up there.

But it held painful memories: the woman he loved had been taken from him, and he had been powerless to stop it.

It was truly a place of sorrow for him.

Following the address provided by his contact, Lin Mo arrived at the Wei household.

He did not wear his official robe but dressed plainly, appearing humble and ordinary.

At the back gate of the Wei household, Lin Mo knocked four times heavy, two times light, repeating the sequence twice.

It was their secret signal; those inside immediately recognized him as one of their own and let him in.

The one who received Lin Mo was Yuan Yuan Qianyu, the former dynasty's princess.

The moment Lin Mo saw Yuan Yuan Qianyu, he felt himself falling.

For no clear reason, his heart stirred—he felt he had finally met the one.

Yuan Yuan Qianyu held an inexplicable allure for him, perhaps because his cultivation technique was tied to the former dynasty, or perhaps because of her unique aura and beauty.

Yuan Yuan Qianyu had seen countless men; she saw Lin Mo's gaze and knew he was attracted to her.

She naturally used the ambiguity, speaking sweet words to make him believe she might feel the same.

Their relationship seemed close already—they got along well, even resonated.

In truth, it was all a performance by Yuan Yuan Qianyu; she had practiced it so often she could flawlessly flirt with every man, making them obsessed and work for her.

Lin Mo had once felt nothing for the former dynasty's remnants, but after meeting Yuan Yuan Qianyu, he thought: perhaps the remnants aren't so bad—maybe he and this woman shared some fate.

His heart began to waver; he even looked forward to every encounter with Yuan Yuan Qianyu.

In his eyes, this might be heaven's compensation—here, in this city of sorrow, only the woman before him could heal his pain.

During the banquet, both had learned each other's true identities.

Lin Mo had never intended to reveal himself—he only came to deliver the key.

But young men can't help showing off.

When Yuan Yuan Qianyu asked, he told her outright.

Seeing Lin Mo's dazed expression, Yuan Yuan Qianyu smiled gently: "Lord Lin, you've gone to so much trouble. Without your help, I wouldn't know what to do."

Lin Mo scratched his head, slightly embarrassed: "Your Highness flatters me—I merely did my duty."

Yuan Yuan Qianyu shook her head lightly, her eyes filled with admiration: "Lord Lin, you're too modest. Talents like you are rare as hen's teeth—how many women would fall for you?"

Lin Mo's heart surged at her words; the feeling that "she likes me" kept rising.

After a deep breath, he pulled out the key and solemnly handed it to Yuan Yuan Qianyu: "Your Highness, this key was entrusted to me by a Yuan ancestor. Today, I return it to its rightful owner."

Yuan Yuan Qianyu took the key, a complex expression flickering in her eyes, quickly masked.

She smiled faintly, voice warm with gratitude: "Lord Lin, thank you for your protection all this time. This key holds immense meaning for our Yuan clan."

Lin Mo nodded, heart pounding: "Your Highness, serving the Yuan clan is my honor. If you need anything, just say the word."

He fell for it so quickly, even Yuan Yuan Qianyu was surprised.

Faster than Xiao Ming.

But still, one must play the part.

(End of Chapter)