Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 1010: Intimidation Pays Off (3)

Chapter 1010: Chapter 1010: Intimidation Pays Off (3)

Compared to the young woman’s improper attire, Zhao Dafu, in his plain cloth garment devoid of any adornments, seemed much more normal. Yet even this did not allay Mo Yan’s suspicions, thus her gaze upon the father and daughter carried a scrutinizing quality.

Mo Yan remained silent, and so did everyone else as they watched the two before them, none speaking a word.

Whether due to extreme tension or the rush to arrive here, beads of sweat formed finely on Zhao Dafu’s forehead despite the weather not being particularly hot. These beads grew heavier and soon began to slide down his cheeks, plopping onto the ground with a soft sound.

How could Zhao Dafu not feel anxious? He was well aware of his daughter’s temper; from the way she had just complained to him, he knew she must have said something inappropriate and displeased the new master. Otherwise, during the last visit with the new master, he had not been made to kneel on the ground this long.

Zhao Dafu’s daughter knelt behind, her body slightly trembling as if she couldn’t endure sustaining the kneel. It was unclear whether it was due to physical frailty, not being used to such subjugation, or simply out of fear.

Mo Yan deliberately left them to hang for a while, seeing the sweat on Zhao Dafu’s face flowing more and more like a small stream, his complexion growing continuously worse, before she finally spoke indifferently, "You may all rise."

The Zhao father and daughter, as if granted amnesty, hastily kowtowed and thanked her, "Thank you, County Lord!" After saying so, they cautiously climbed up from the ground and stood subserviently to the side, waiting for the new master’s commands.

Upon seeing this, the slight frown on Mo Yan’s face gradually relaxed as she said to Zhao Dafu, "You drive the carriage in first, feed some fodder to the horses, and after I’ve had my midday meal, bring the manor’s accounts to me."

Zhao Dafu felt a sigh of relief and bowed deeply, "This servant obeys!" He then turned to his daughter at his side and instructed, "Chunhua, quickly lead the County Lord, the young masters, and the young ladies into the main hall to rest, and have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes."

"Yes!" Chunhua, the woman who opened the door, quickly complied, bowed to Mo Yan and the others, and said, "Please, County Lord, young masters, young ladies, follow this servant."

This time, Mo Yan did not make it difficult for her and said to her father and siblings, "Let’s go in." As she spoke, she stepped aside to let her father lead the way.

Mo Qingze said nothing and led the way with Chunhua’s guidance, followed by Mo Yan and her brothers and sisters.

No sooner had they taken a few steps than a frightened shout from Zhao Dafu suddenly erupted from outside, "Ah, wild beasts—"

The Mo Family sharply turned around to see Zhao Dafu already collapsed on the ground, scraping his legs against the earth and repeatedly scuttling backward. The cause of his fright was the Six Beasts, which had just returned from patrolling the new territory.

Due to the nature of wild beasts, upon arriving at a new place, they would always first survey their surroundings thoroughly. Therefore, after Mo Yan alighted from the carriage and instructed them not to frighten anyone, she had let them roam free. Now, returning from their inspection, they unfortunately startled Zhao Dafu, who was seeing them for the first time.

Zhao Dafu, an old man well into his fifties, looked so frightened that Mo Yan, despite her suspicions, truly felt for him. She quickly approached and said to him, "Zhao Steward, these are Rui Beasts personally conferred by the Emperor; they won’t bite, so there’s no need to be afraid." After saying this, she called the Six Beasts to her side and admonished them, "This is the manager of this residence; don’t scare him."

The Six Beasts, with a gleam of mischief in their almost human-like eyes, looked at the terrified Zhao Dafu and let out a low growl, heeding their master’s words.

Mo Yan patted their heads and, after consoling the nearly fainting Zhao Dafu with a few words, led the Six Beasts through the gates. As she entered under Chunhua’s frightened gaze, she said coldly, "Lead the way."