Mo Jiuye didn't tell Nan Rui that he couldn't afford to expose his precious wife to danger at this time.
Although Nan Rui's words were well-reasoned, he had done things that were detrimental to the Mo Family.
If he found out that Ran Ran could cure the curse, there was no guarantee that he wouldn't have ulterior motives.
"The person who helped Eighth Brother cure the curse is an extraordinary hermit, and I don't know his whereabouts now."
Nan Rui became anxious upon hearing this. After finally finding someone who could cure the curse through alternative means, Mo Jiuye didn't know the person's whereabouts.
"Can you provide me with some clues?"
Mo Jiuye didn't want to completely shut down the possibility. If helping Nan Rui's mother resolve the curse would be beneficial to him, he would consider asking Ran Ran for help.
"The person who helped Eighth Brother is quite eccentric, doesn't like to interact with strangers, and never reveals their true identity. If I recklessly disclose their whereabouts, it may bring trouble to the Mo Family."
Nan Rui sincerely promised, "I swear, as long as you can help me find that master who can cure the curse, I will agree to whatever you ask of me."
Mo Jiuye didn't immediately make a decision. It was such a big matter that he had to discuss it with Ran Ran before giving a response.
"If Prince Rui doesn't hurry to leave in the next few days, I will try to contact that extraordinary person. If there's any news, I will inform you immediately."
There was a reason why Mo Jiuye did this.
He wanted to find the mysterious person with graying hair and a youthful face through Nan Rui's connection. Only by finding that person could he learn about his eldest and second brother's whereabouts.
Nan Rui, seeing that Mo Jiuye was willing to help him find a solution, stood up in excitement, even forgetting his own identity as a prince.
He deeply bowed to Mo Jiuye.
"As long as you can help my mother resolve the curse, I'm willing to do anything."
Many nobles in the capital knew about Nan Rui's filial devotion.
Nan Rui and his mother had not received favor in the palace since they were young, and they had relied on each other to survive until now. It was evident how strong Nan Rui's feelings were for his mother.
Mo Jiuye stood up directly. "Three days later, at the same place, I will give Prince Rui the news."
"Alright, I'll be waiting here for your good news."
Mo Jiuye no longer looked at Nan Rui and took Ran Ran's small hand as they stood up. "Eighth Brother, let's go back."
Instead of immediately returning to Xiling Village, they went to the county government office.
At this time, Meng Huaining had already handled the aftermath of the "Heavenly Black Dragon" incident. When he saw them return, he arranged for a dinner.
As for Nan Rui, since he didn't come looking for him directly, Mo Jiuye simply ignored his presence.
However, Mo Jiuye politely declined. "Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Meng, but we have been out all day, and my elderly mother must be worried. We won't disturb you here today."
Meng Huaining didn't insist. "Since that's the case, let me see you off, brothers."
The three of them boarded a mule cart. Mo Jiuye and Mo Chuhan scanned their surroundings cautiously before directing the cart towards Xiling Village.
Nan Rui came, and although they mostly believed what he said, there was always a chance that things could go wrong.
They felt it was better to be cautious about it.
When they returned to Xiling Village, their family was indeed very worried. Old Lady Mo was accompanied by her fifth son and anxiously looked into the distance at the village entrance.
If they didn't return soon, the elderly were planning to send Mo Chongyuan to Yuncheng to search for them.
Mo Chongyuan was skilled in martial arts, so his hearing was naturally much stronger than that of an ordinary person.
When the donkey cart was still some distance from the village entrance, he heard a commotion and went forward with Old Lady Mo's support.
The donkey cart was moving quickly and soon appeared in Old Lady Mo's line of sight.
Mo Jiuye didn't have time to explain in detail. He first helped his mother into the carriage with He Zhiran, and Fifth Brother and Eighth Brother walked back home.
Inside the carriage, He Zhiran told Old Lady Mo about meeting Tang Mingrui today and the incident with the smallpox misunderstanding. After all, they came back so late, so there must be a reason.
As for Nan Rui coming to Yuncheng, He Zhiran didn't plan to tell Old Lady Mo, so as not to add to the old lady's worries.
Back at home, the furniture they bought in the city had already been delivered, and everything was properly arranged. The sisters-in-law had prepared the meals, and the whole family was waiting for their return to have dinner.
Rice Ball was originally playing with a few little rabbits in Mo Hanyue's room, but when it sensed its owner's presence, it quickly ran out, rolling and crawling.
However, when it saw He Zhiran, it didn't rush into her arms as it usually did. Instead, it came to her side and avoided looking at her.
He Zhiran couldn't help but laugh and picked up the cute little creature.
"Rice Ball, are you angry with me?"
Rice Ball turned its head away again, refusing to look at its owner.
He Zhiran was amused by the little creature's behavior.
"Okay, okay, don't be angry. Can I give you something delicious later?"
Something delicious?
Rice Ball couldn't resist the temptation of food after all. It slowly turned its round body and rubbed against its owner's arms.
After soothing the sulking cutie, He Zhiran had dinner and then entered the space with Mo Jiuye and Rice Ball.
She took out carrots, apples, and pumpkins from the warehouse for Rice Ball to eat, and then with a single thought, she sent the little creature to its exclusive bamboo forest.
Seeing that his wife had some free time, Mo Jiuye asked, "What do you think about helping Nan Rui's mother concubine break the curse?"
The reason he didn't immediately agree to Nan Rui was that he wanted to privately seek his wife's opinion.
If his wife didn't agree, no matter how beneficial it was for the Mo Family, he wouldn't force it.
He Zhiran could guess some of Mo Jiuye's thoughts.
"You plan to use Nan Rui's relationship to find that person, right?"
Mo Jiuye nodded, "That's exactly what I have in mind."
"It's fine if you think that way. If Nan Rui's mother concubine can really break the curse, he won't be under that person's control anymore, and it'll be more convenient for him to do things.
Also, if Nan Rui places his hopes on helping his mother concubine break the curse, I believe that he won't spread the Mo Family's affairs after he goes back. It can temporarily silence him."
"Do you really trust Nan Rui that much?" This was the real question that He Zhiran had in mind.
After all, she and the original host didn't know enough about Nan Rui's character. To determine whether he was a friend or foe, Mo Jiuye needed to assess it herself.
"I carefully pondered over what Nan Rui said, and the inconsistencies in his statements don't exist. Therefore, I can conclude that what he said is true.
But this doesn't rule out the possibility that Nan Rui is intentionally using a feigned retreat as an advance. Regardless of his intentions for coming to the northwest, I only want to achieve my goals using this opportunity.
As for what happens later, we can only adapt and respond accordingly."
He Zhiran completely agreed with what Mo Jiuye said.
Based on Nan Rui's description of that mysterious person, it could be deduced that this person's actions were extremely peculiar, and they didn't reveal their true identity. Finding this person wouldn't be easy.
Therefore, there might not be any gains from Third Brother's journey. Since they had a clue to finding the mysterious person, they couldn't let this lead go cold, no matter what.
