Chen Mo stood beside Meng Zhuqing, his brow furrowed slightly.
By saying that, wasn't Meng Zhuqing placing them in the line of fire?
"It doesn't matter," Meng Zhuqing replied with a nonchalant expression.
She then looked at the people beside her, "Pack up, we're staying here today. Send a few people to check if the barrier to the secret realm is loosening."
"Yes, Miss!" Upon hearing this, everyone began to act.
Meng Zhuqing paid them no mind, pulling Chen Mo's hand and walking towards the village.
Chen Mo frowned slightly and asked, "Zhuqing, aren't you afraid they'll really unite against us after what you just said?"
Meng Zhuqing smiled playfully, "They can't possibly unite."
This time, it was Chen Mo's turn to be confused, "Why?"
Meng Zhuqing explained, "There are significant conflicts between those three aristocratic families. The Xu family, in particular, is irreconcilable with the other two. If it weren't for preserving their strength, they might have already started fighting."
"As for Chu Linfei and Huo Yun, their two families have always been at odds, constantly vying in secret for many years, so they are even less likely to unite."
"Among our four aristocratic families, the ones most likely to unite are our Meng family and the Xu family. However, we will not cooperate with the Xu family, so naturally, I have nothing to fear," Meng Zhuqing replied.
Hearing this, Chen Mo finally understood. It turned out Meng Zhuqing had already grasped the situation of the other three families.
No wonder she dared to speak so presumptuously just now.
"Take me to see that secret realm. I've never seen one before," Chen Mo said curiously.
"Alright." Meng Zhuqing did not refuse, pulling Chen Mo's hand and heading towards the back mountain.
The forest was dense, but fortunately, a path had already been cleared, ensuring a smooth ascent.
Soon, Meng Zhuqing led Chen Mo to a cave.
The cave was hidden, and inside, there was a gap about one person wide, leading to a larger space.
However, at the entrance of the cave, there was an invisible barrier.
Seeing the barrier before him, Chen Mo quickly asked the ancestor in his mind, "Ancestor, do you know how to open this barrier?"
"This kind of trash barrier, opening it is as easy as pie."
"Really?!" Chen Mo's heart leaped with joy.
"Of course. However, I find it very strange."
"Strange?" Chen Mo asked, puzzled.
The ancestor said solemnly, "This barrier is of the lowest grade. It will become ineffective within two years at most. If this is a secret realm, why would they use such a barrier?"
Chen Mo guessed, "Could it be that this formation has been improved?"
The ancestor replied, "Perhaps I've been asleep for too long, and my knowledge of current formations is lacking."
"Ancestor, then we'll come back tonight and take the items here. That way, we can avoid conflict with those people," Chen Mo stated his plan.
"You can. Opening this kind of formation is quite simple."
Seeing Chen Mo foolishly smiling while touching the stone, Meng Zhuqing by his side looked confused, "Chen Mo, are you alright?"
Hearing her voice, Chen Mo snapped back to attention and smiled, "I'm fine. Let's go. Tonight, I'll give you a surprise."
"Surprise? Tonight?" Meng Zhuqing's face suddenly blushed.
"I guarantee you'll like it," Chen Mo continued, not noticing Meng Zhuqing's change in expression.
Meng Zhuqing bit her red lip, seemingly having made a decision, "Okay, then... I'll come to your room tonight to find you."
Chen Mo thought for a moment, "That works too. But whatever you do, don't tell anyone about this."
Meng Zhuqing's face turned redder again. She gave Chen Mo a glare and chided, "I'm not an idiot. How could I tell anyone about something like this?"
With that, Meng Zhuqing turned and ran out of the cave.
Chen Mo was completely bewildered. Had he said something wrong? Why did Meng Zhuqing suddenly run off?
However, Chen Mo didn't dwell on it. After checking the surrounding guards, Chen Mo turned and also left the cave.
After lunch, the representatives of the four aristocratic families gathered.
Chen Mo did not attend, instead returning to his room to rest.
"Miss Meng, your relationship with this Chen Mo seems rather unusual. Don't tell me you've actually taken a liking to this kid?" Chu Linfei asked Meng Zhuqing playfully in the room.
"Chu Linfei, shut your mouth!" Meng Zhuqing's expression turned grim, and she glared at him.
"Heh heh, Miss Meng, why are you so fierce? Did I hit the nail on the head?" Chu Linfei asked.
Meng Zhuqing said coldly, "I'm afraid he might hear you and it will affect our plan."
Chu Linfei sneered, "Heh heh, don't worry. All the people around here are mine. Not even a mosquito can fly in. However, I am quite worried. If Miss Meng truly falls for him and lets him go later, won't all our efforts be in vain, and our long performance here be for nothing?"
"Don't spout nonsense here!" Meng Zhuqing reprimanded.
Huo Yun waved his hand, "Chu Linfei, say less. If Miss Meng truly fell for Chen Mo, why would she have brought Chen Mo here?"
Xu Yushan also chimed in, "Nephew Xu is right. Miss Meng surely knows the correct choice to make."
"However, I am very curious. If Chen Mo knew that Miss Meng designed this trap for him, I wonder what kind of expression he would have."
"Hahaha!"
After saying that, he couldn't help but laugh heartily again.
A few days prior, his son had been severely injured by Chen Mo, and he himself had narrowly escaped death under Chen Mo's fists.
He had long wanted revenge for this.
Seeing Chen Mo betrayed by the person he loved brought Xu Yushan immense satisfaction! He was even eagerly anticipating Chen Mo's expression upon learning the truth.
Meng Zhuqing clenched her fists and turned to walk directly out of the room.
"Miss Meng, where are you going?" Huo Yun asked.
Meng Zhuqing did not look back, "Young Master Huo, I don't need to report my whereabouts to you, do I?"
With that, Meng Zhuqing left the room directly.
"Women, they're always good at ruining things and bad at accomplishing them. I really don't know what the Meng family was thinking, sending Meng Zhuqing here," Chu Linfei said disdainfully.
Huo Yun glanced at Chu Linfei, "If you have the ability to lure Chen Mo over, then you're truly capable."
Chu Linfei was silenced by the retort.
As a grown man, he had no interest in other men.
After Meng Zhuqing left the temporary meeting room, she returned to her own room.
Upon entering, Meng Zhuqing slammed the door shut, and tears finally began to flow uncontrollably.
"Why? Why?!"
Meng Zhuqing questioned herself.
Her heart was in turmoil. She was already regretting her actions.
Xu Yushan was right. If Chen Mo knew the truth of this matter, he would never forgive her.