[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal":3,"chapter-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-53":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Investing in the Reborn Empress, She Actually Calls Me ‘Husband’",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},596426,846,"Chapter 53: Li, the Great Philanthropist, Ink Cui Peng Appears, Stuttering Sister","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-53",53,"\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo woke at dawn to find Murong Manor bustling with activity, servants and attendants hurrying in and out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he reached the entrance, he saw Old Master Murong Hai personally directing the workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young friend Li, you're awake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Hai turned, his face showing no trace of yesterday's drunkenness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've already arranged for grain from Hengtong Trading Company. We can set up the charity kitchen today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo retrieved a prepared banknote from his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since this is an act of charity in accordance with my family's teachings, I cannot be generous with others' resources. I hope you won't refuse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to investing in goodwill, he preferred to handle it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silver was the last thing he lacked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young friend, your kindness puts this old man to shame.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Hai nodded and called over a passing steward:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go wake Xiao and have him come help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, send someone to spread the word throughout the prefecture—hm... let Xiao handle that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the streets and alleys of Ziyang Prefecture City, a figure clanged a gong, drawing curious glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingyuan Sect’s True Disciple Li Mo is distributing alms! Refugees and beggars, line up at Murong Manor for porridge and rice!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao’s booming voice rang out, his face flushed with enthusiasm as he shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, Li Mo hadn’t intended to make a name for himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Murong Xiao was all too eager to let the world know that his friend Li was a kind-hearted soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first half of the announcement was entirely his own addition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a nearby tavern, murmurs arose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A True Disciple of Qingyuan Sect?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That name sounds familiar—wasn’t he the one who obtained the Profound Armament?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is he fulfilling some sect mission to aid the refugees?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the corner of the tavern’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gaunt, disheveled beggar slowly lifted his head, watching Murong Xiao’s retreating figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one noticed the murderous glint beneath his wild, straw-like hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qingyuan Sect... True Disciple Li.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Setting up a charity kitchen, specifically targeting refugees and beggars... Has my cover been blown?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng’s eyes flickered with cold light, waves of killing intent surging within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense that Qingyuan Sect would issue a bounty for his capture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what puzzled him was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only disguised himself as a beggar after arriving in Ziyang Prefecture City—no one should have known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here was someone immediately offering free meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reeked of a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Mo, newly promoted True Disciple of Qingyuan Sect, fresh to the sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A mere Qi-Blood Realm cultivator, daring to take on a mission to capture me? Bold! Relying on the Murong family’s backing, treating me like prey already caught in a net.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or is Qingyuan Sect using me as a whetstone for their new disciple?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch... Let’s see who breaks the blade first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng’s murderous aura intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dagger hidden in his robes grew hot to the touch, and he instinctively gripped its hilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His martial arts revolved around the Blood Blade technique—each life taken sharpened its lethality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he had practiced in secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when fellow disciples discovered him, he silenced them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now exposed, he had become a rat scurrying in the shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have nowhere left to run.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My only path is to join the Misty Rain Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I can present this Qingyuan Sect True Disciple’s head as tribute, perhaps I can skip the Trial of Shadows...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng planned to join the Misty Rain Tower as an assassin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His martial arts were tailor-made for killing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Qingyuan Sect True Disciple’s head and a Profound Armament sword would guarantee him a high rank upon entry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this required careful planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he didn’t even know his target’s full capabilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He likely only knows I’ve disguised myself as a beggar, not my exact location.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m in the shadows; he’s in the light.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fool. Trying to lure me out, only to make himself the target...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh... Let’s see who walks into whose trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Peng stood and approached a young beggar nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped the boy’s shoulder, making him turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy eyed him warily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re heading to Murong Manor for the porridge, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, but don’t ask me to bring any back for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t want the porridge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing his killing intent, Cui Peng forced a friendly expression and pulled out a string of copper coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy’s eyes locked onto the money, desire flashing in them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All you have to do is touch the Qingyuan Sect True Disciple’s robe when you get your food, and this string of coins is yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you come back to East City’s Mud Corner Alley and describe what he looks like, I’ll give you another string.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coins were coated with a special scent—one only trained rats could detect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deal!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy snatched the money and scampered off happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside Murong Manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long line of ragged, malnourished figures—refugees and the destitute—stretched before the bamboo charity tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, this porridge is thick!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not just porridge—we get a bag of rice too! And... half a salted fish?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah, I thought this Li guy was just putting on a show for reputation. Didn’t expect him to be this generous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who cares if he’s after fame? We’re getting real food.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shh, he’s handing it out himself. Made sure all us beggars got in line too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the chatter, Li Mo worked like a spinning top—personally distributing food while scanning the crowd with his Heavenly Eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t announced his identity, yet everyone seemed to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By tomorrow, he’d probably be known as Ziyang’s greatest philanthropist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who told them I’m running this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handing out another portion, Li Mo glanced back:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Murong, any ideas?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No... clue...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murong Xiao’s voice was hoarse, barely audible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sighing, Li Mo ladled more porridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, his Heavenly Eye activated:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Lu Ning]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 21]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Root Bone: None.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cultivation: Mortal.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fate: Gray.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: Ambition outweighs talent.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Recent Circumstances: From a wealthy family, secretly ventured into business, lost everything, and now lives as a beggar too ashamed to return home.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handing a bag of rice to the beggar hiding his face, Li Mo said softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go home. Bowing to family is better than bowing for a meal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s hands trembled as he accepted the rice, murmuring thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you seen a beggar with a chest wound, bright eyes, and a stutter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Great Benefactor Li, haven’t seen anyone like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, move along.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young Li was starting to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All morning, he’d checked countless beggars—still no sign of his target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were those pretending to be poor to receive charity rice, and scholars who had failed the imperial exams—truly a glimpse into the myriad facets of human life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, the person he sought remained nowhere to be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that the little beggar wasn’t mingling with the others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was the information from that \"ice block\" flawed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as these thoughts crossed his mind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kind Sir Li, thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A frail little beggar, no more than seven or eight years old, stood there timidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can you carry the rice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he handed over the sack, Li Mo noticed a small, grimy handprint left on his robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little beggar, lips pressed together and eyes shut tight, seemed braced for a beating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine. I’ll wash it later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... you’re really kind...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you seen a beggar who stutters, with bright eyes and a wound on their chest?\" Li Mo asked casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? You know Stutter Sister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little beggar’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stutter Sister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Mo’s brow arched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could probe further, the child suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, as if realizing a grave mistake, and fled into the crowd in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But under Li Mo’s Heavenly Eye of Destiny, every detail of the boy was laid bare:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Name: Meng Can]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Age: 7]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Root Bone: None.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cultivation Realm: Mortal.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fate: Black.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Evaluation: Life like wild grass, fate thinner than paper. Though meeting a noble, destined for no noble end.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Recent Circumstance: Stutter Sister fell ill. He ventured out alone to beg, crossed paths with the bandit Cui Peng, and unknowingly left a mark for Li Mo—a true disciple of the Qingyuan Sect. Now marked for death.]\u003C\u002Fp>",1409,"2026-05-30T17:19:00.269Z","2026-06-01T04:31:46.286Z",1,"novelbin.me","e849ab55b9c562d357d529a60ac4fd3cb2b509e87c55005dacc436a6588e030b","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-54","investing-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-chapter-52",737,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Finvesting-in-the-reborn-empress-she-actually-cal-cover.jpg"]