Zhu skillfully sheathed his long sword behind his back, then nimbly jumped off the martial arts stage and walked towards Yu Er's direction.
He looked around, then called out towards the heights:
"Rice Ball, Little White, come and have some apples."
Little White came swooping down at arrow speed and landed directly on Zhu's shoulder.
Rice Ball had now grown into a large plump creature of over two hundred pounds. Upon hearing its young master's call, it also nimbly climbed down from the treetop and, waddling its short legs and wiggling its bottom, scurried rapidly towards Zhu.
Zhu first stroked Little White on his shoulder, then tossed an apple to Rice Ball.
"You two are such good fellows."
Rice Ball snuggled its fluffy big head against Zhu forcefully, then carried the small apple to one side to eat.
At this moment, a group of little ones also swarmed around Zhu.
These were the descendants of the Mo Family. Over these six years, except for He Zhiran, the sisters-in-law had been pregnant one after another, adding more than thirty descendants to the Mo Family.
The children before them were the older ones. They regarded Zhu as their eldest brother, and every day, both boys and girls studied and practiced martial arts together under his guidance.
Zhu had the demeanor of an elder brother. Although this child had seldom smiled since young, he was still very considerate towards his younger brothers and sisters.
For instance, Zhu now came to Yu Er first, and picked up the biggest apple. However, he did not put it into his own mouth, but instead turned and gave it to Ming Zhu.
Next, his younger brothers and sisters had already lined up in an orderly queue, each receiving a large apple from their elder brother Zhu.
At the end, there was only one smallest apple left in the basket, which Zhu took for himself.
Such fraternal affection was commonplace in the Mo Family, but to Nan Yu, it seemed like a miracle.
"Ninth Young Master, are all these children from the Mo Family?"
"Most of them are from the Mo Family, but there are also my two cousins. They study and practice martial arts together every day." When Mo Jiuye spoke, his back was exceptionally straight.
These children had lived together since young, with Old Lady Mo personally teaching them the rules.
Every day, Old Lady Mo would instruct them that a family must be humble, harmonious, and united in their efforts.
These children took her words to heart. Even the most mischievous ones would not lose their familial harmony over petty interests.
Nan Yu was incredibly envious. He had once heard the old ministers in the capital city speak about this.
The nine brothers of the Mo Family had been fraternal and harmonious since childhood, never engaging in the kind of infighting and scheming common among the young masters of other wealthy families over interests.
Having heard these stories, he also hoped that his own princes could emulate them. Especially being born into the royal family, it was very common for brothers to fight over the throne.
But this was not what Nan Yu wanted to see.
For this goal, he would take time to personally teach his sons.
However, while these children could put on an act in front of him, behind the scenes, the situation was quite different according to his spies.
Therefore, seeing the harmonious sight of the Mo Family children, how could Nan Yu not be envious?
A thought suddenly arose in his mind.
"Ninth Young Master, I currently have four sons. Would you be willing to take them in and teach them?"
Nan Yu did not think too much about it. He simply hoped that his sons could understand familial love and humility like the Mo Family children, so that they would not kill each other for the throne in the future.
This surprised both Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran.
Mo Jiuye was of a different surname and held land and troops as a prince.
In other situations, the ruler would want to send a son to the capital city as a hostage, but instead...
He was sending his sons to them.
How much must Nan Yu trust them as a couple?
Mo Jiuye indeed had no disloyalty, but those in power had to consider many things, always wary of such situations. Sending his son to the northwest was like handing his own leverage to someone else.
This was the thought that crossed the minds of the couple, which Mo Jiuye also voiced.
"Does Your Highness have no reservations about sending the young princes to the northwest?"
Nan Yu naturally understood what reservations Mo Jiuye was referring to.
"If I cannot even trust the Ninth Young Master, then I cannot find anyone trustworthy in this world."
In fact, Nan Yu was thinking far ahead. He was well aware of the Mo Family's character and would never suspect them of doing anything to betray Da Shun.
He wanted his sons to experience the Mo Family's atmosphere, but he also had a personal motive - he hoped his sons could form friendships with the Mo Family children from a young age.
No matter which of them succeeded him in the future, the Mo Family brothers would be an ally.
Of course, Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran could also discern this intention.
However, as parents, they did not want to interfere too much in the choices of the younger generation.
Therefore, the couple did not overthink the matter.
"Since Your Highness has made this decision, we as a couple have no objections."
In the end, Mo Jiuye was simply that kind of person - if you treated him sincerely, he would reciprocate with sincerity.
...
Nan Yu stayed in the Mo Family for seven days. When he left, his heart was full of reluctance.
He loved everything about the northwest, especially the simple yet warm life of the Mo Family that was so enviable.
At the same time, he was also clear that the vast lands of Da Shun and its large population made it impossible to develop like the northwest.
But he had not forgotten his original aspiration. Even if he could not make Da Shun as prosperous as the northwest, he would ensure that the people lived without lack of food and clothing.
Moreover, he had a new idea - once he had groomed a suitable son to succeed him, he would come to the northwest to spend his twilight years.
In the northwest, he had good friends, his own uncle, and the simple life he had always dreamed of.
Unfortunately, his initial ambition and aspiration had led him to desire this position after learning of his true identity.
Now that he had reached the summit, he understood even more clearly what it meant to be a lone and alienated ruler.
This was something Nan Yu had not anticipated initially.
But he had no regrets. Seeing the achievements he had created in the six years since his ascension provided him with the greatest psychological comfort.
Three months later, Nan Yu indeed sent his four princes.
Mo Jiuye and He Zhiran received them with a sense of responsibility. Since Nan Yu wanted the young princes to grow up in a clean environment like the Mo Family children, none of the attendants who had accompanied them from the palace could remain.
Who knew which consort had sent these people? What if they secretly taught the young princes unsavory things behind their backs? Would not all the efforts of the Mo Family be wasted, and would they not be betraying Nan Yu's trust in them?
