85: It's better to not sleep well than to die.

When the imperial family travels by water, there is always one main vessel surrounded by escort ships, all maintaining a steady speed.

"If we travel by water, we have favorable winds recently and should reach Jiangnan in just a few days," Ying Hong reported to Luo Yongan, Luo Yongning, and Mo Yingqi. "Furthermore, The Emperor has already given instructions along the route to arrange for various garrisons to prepare supplies, and according to The Two Highnesses' instructions, all matters will be handled by this Servant and Steward Zheng."

"Fortunately, thanks to Mother Empress helping us prepare so many things, otherwise we really wouldn't have made it in time." Luo Yongan sat by the window, holding Mo Yingqi's hand. "Remember, Yongning and I told you before that we would accompany you boating on the river? See, Yingqi, everything we promised you, we are giving you little by little, aren't we?"

"This... why does it feel like this isn't something that could be prepared in just a few days?" Mo Yingqi couldn't quite believe it. "Sister Yongan, Sister Yongning, you two weren't planning this trip to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region long ago, were you?"

"That's right, silly. It was inevitable that you would marry me and my sister, Yingqi." Luo Yongning walked over and pinched his nose. "With the Imperial Decree above, you wouldn't, and couldn't, disobey it, could you?"

More importantly, Mo Yingqi was ruthless enough, but he was also someone unwilling to implicate others. He could leave, but Fang Wenbo, who promoted him, and Lu Qianyuan and Tang Jingzhong, who were his friends, were all bargaining chips for the sisters.

If Mo Yingqi really ran away, they wouldn't mind making an example of these people. Fang Wenbo was relatively safe; although unaware, he ultimately took orders from his Paternal Uncle.

But Lu Qianyuan and Tang Jingzhong were completely different. For the sisters, Mo Yingqi was the most important person, and they wouldn't care in the slightest about the lives or deaths of others.

Of course, the two sisters hoped Mo Yingqi would be obedient. They understood his personality, and most importantly, they didn't want Mo Yingqi to see their darker side before everything was settled.

Naturally, they couldn't bear for Mo Yingqi to be hurt, not even heartbroken. Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning were indeed abnormal, crazy, and ruthless, but there was no helping it—Mo Yingqi was the unique exception and favored person for both sisters.

"Well, actually, you didn't need to come with me." Mo Yingqi clearly hadn't grasped the extent of their scheming, feeling somewhat embarrassed and ashamed instead. "I never expected this. I always thought that if I wanted revenge on Zhang Jiawen, I would at least have to wait until I became the Pacification Commissioner of the Pacification Bureau."

From Mo Yingqi's perspective, this was true. Zhang Jiawen was, after all, Grand Chancellor Zhou's son-in-law and the Provincial Administration Commissioner of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region. Even if Mo Yingqi reached Fang Wenbo's rank and became a Chieftain, moving against Zhang Jiawen would be incredibly difficult.

This was Mo Yingqi's initial thought, but he hadn't anticipated The Emperor's attitude after he entered the Pacification Bureau. However, it made sense: no New Emperor ascending the throne could afford to be defenseless against a powerful minister like Zhou Chutian, much less allow him to constantly take whatever he wanted.

If The Emperor had no real ability, that would be one thing, but he was personally groomed by the Late Emperor and allowed to undergo various trials to grow step by step. How could he possibly allow himself to be manipulated by the Grand Chancellor like a three-year-old child?

This allowed Mo Yingqi to see the possibility of successful revenge, which is why he worked so hard this past year, not caring even if he earned a notorious reputation.

However, the identities of Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning were even more unexpected. To think that not long ago he was just a Captain in the Pacification Bureau—though he technically still is... now he is an Imperial Son-in-Law of the current dynasty, a Marquis.

"Even storybooks probably wouldn't dare to write something like this," Mo Yingqi couldn't help but sigh. "I wonder what expression my father will have when he sees me now, back in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region."

"Actually, Yingqi, if he had fulfilled his duties as a father and cut ties with Grand Chancellor Zhou in time, we would have been willing to acknowledge him as our father-in-law." Luo Yongan gently stroked Mo Yingqi's cheek, comforting him softly. "It's just that he became too deeply involved with Grand Chancellor Zhou, and Imperial Father truly had no other choice..."

"I understand. To be honest, whether he was forced or not, the fact remains that he wronged my mother. Furthermore, no reason can change the fact that he disregarded the court and committed evil deeds." Mo Yingqi didn't feel any particular pain. "Although we are father and son, perhaps we truly have no paternal bond. Since childhood, he disliked the sight of me, and I found him even more repugnant."

Blood relation is a strange thing, but Mo Yingqi felt absolutely no connection to it. Back when his mother was Lady Zhang, and he was still young and just beginning to form memories, Mo Yingqi felt a natural sense of repulsion toward his father.

At that time, his mother had not yet divorced him. Although Zhang Jiawen was always indifferent toward his mother, she only wished for life to pass by, ensuring Mo Yingqi had someone to rely on.

She had considered trying to improve the relationship between father and son, but Zhang Jiawen either spent his days handling official business or only cared about the health of his eldest son. As for Mo Yingqi, he never took his biological father seriously, even from a young age... In fact, perhaps since then, he hadn't even treated him like a human being.

"That's fine too. I never expected anything, so naturally, there's no affection to speak of." Mo Yingqi smiled indifferently. "After my mother passed away, he and I became even more incompatible. Everything that has happened to him now is his own fault, except..."

Mo Yingqi did not voice the rest of his thought, but Luo Yongan and Luo Yongning could probably guess it.

It was true that he brought it upon himself, but the one who personally sent him to hell had to be Mo Yingqi.

"Enough, Yingqi, don't think about these things anymore." Luo Yongan smiled and opened her arms, wrapping them around his neck. "It's not too cold right now, and the scenery on the river is quite lovely. Why don't you, Yongning, and I go take a walk on the deck?"

"Hmm, sounds good."

Mo Yingqi also didn't want to dwell on these troublesome matters when he was with them. Furthermore, in the cabin where they were sleeping, there were only the three of them. Based on Mo Yingqi's experience, if they didn't go out for a walk, things would likely resume their usual rhythm.

Are you kidding? Who could handle being tormented like this? The whole point of going to the Jiangsu and Zhejiang region this time was to take a break, otherwise, he worried he might accidentally die in bed one day.

"Yingqi, are you perhaps afraid of something?" Luo Yongan suddenly changed her tone, a subtle smile playing on her face. "Relax, relax. How many times must we tell you? Nothing bad will happen, okay? Yingqi, shouldn't you have a little more confidence in that aspect of yourself... hmm?"

"No, absolutely not..."

"Oh dear, Yingqi. If a husband lacks confidence in himself, his wives must comfort him properly, mustn't they?" Luo Yongning said, her hand already starting to undo Mo Yingqi's belt. "Honestly, Yingqi, now you've learned to use this method to try and get intimate with us? No need, no need! You just have to ask, okay?"

"No, I truly didn't mean to..."

A miserable shriek suddenly echoed over the ship. Upon hearing it, Ying Hong expressionlessly turned back to the serving girls behind her: "The usual routine."

"Yes, Aunt Ying Hong!"

The serving girls were already used to this, although it significantly affected their sleep. After all, sometimes when they were called to wait upon them or deliver water, they could clearly hear... ahem, sounds that invited wild imagination.

Moreover, those three carried on day and night, regardless of anyone else's well-being. But none of that mattered. After all, if they slept poorly, they could catch up later, but if their lives were lost... no one could replace that.

Therefore, let the Imperial Son-in-Law suffer a bit, so happiness comes to you, me, and everyone else...