Volume One, Chapter 54: The Second Most Powerful Family in the Imperial Capital

"Senior Sister!"
Douzi tossed aside the meat cleaver with a clang and hurriedly clutched his phone, nearly in tears.
"Senior Sister Yu Mo, did you suddenly decide to call me because you missed me? I’ve missed you too, Senior Sister. Lately, I’ve missed you so much that I can only eat half a pound of braised pork, half a pound of pig’s head, and half a pound of pork intestines every day—"
"Wait…"
Yu Mo quickly interrupted him, pulling the conversation back on track.
"Douzi, I have something important to discuss with you."
"Is it about Master’s illness?"
"Sort of."
If she could find the century-old wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma, it would cure Zhuang Zhizhi’s illness—and surely heal Master as well.
"I’ll come to you now. Let’s talk face to face, Douzi."
Yu Mo hung up.
She pressed the accelerator and the car shot out like an arrow.
After speeding down the avenue, she turned into a narrow alley, weaving through several turns before stopping in front of a braised meat shop.
As soon as she got out, a man in a black apron rushed towards her, calling out as he ran.
"Senior Sister Yu Mo!"
Yu Mo sidestepped him, frowning.
"Why are you still so reckless?"
Douzi stared at Yu Mo with excitement and opened the shop door.
"Senior Sister, come in quickly, let’s talk inside."
He hung a "Temporarily Closed" sign at the entrance.
They entered together.
No sooner had Yu Mo sat down than Douzi presented several plates of braised meat.
"Senior Sister, try this—see if my skills have improved."
Yu Mo took a slice of meat and tasted it, nodding in approval.
Douzi’s braising craftsmanship had indeed advanced.
She gave him a thumbs up and began explaining her true purpose for coming.
"A few days ago, I read in an ancient book that a century-old wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma can treat illnesses like Master’s. I want to find one now. Douzi, do you know anything about this herb’s whereabouts?"
The moment he heard it was for Master’s illness, Douzi shed his playful demeanor and grew serious.
"Senior Sister, I’ve read many old books while following Master over the years, but I’ve never seen mention of a century-old wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma."
Yu Mo lowered her gaze. Wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma was already rare, and with years of reckless harvesting and environmental destruction, the species was nearly extinct.
She was troubled, until Douzi suddenly remembered something.
"Senior Sister, I vaguely recall—last year, while selling braised meat, two men from the Imperial Capital mentioned the century-old wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma while chatting. But…"
He tapped his temple as he continued.
"I only know it’s somewhere in the Imperial Capital, but not the exact location."

Yu Mo’s eyes became resolute.
"Alright. Since we know it’s in the Imperial Capital, we’ll go there. Will you come with me?"
"Of course."
Douzi decided on the spot to close his shop and accompany his senior sister to the city.
After bidding Douzi farewell, Yu Mo drove to the home of the fair-faced man.
She was about to leave for the Imperial Capital, uncertain how long she would be gone, and wanted to say a proper goodbye.
That night, after bathing, Yu Mo climbed into bed. When the man didn’t come for a long while, she grew impatient, wrapped in her towel as she went to the study.
The room had been converted into a library; the fair-faced man was busy at his computer.
Seeing her, he closed his laptop, his gaze falling to Yu Mo’s bare feet.
He immediately got up, scooped her into his arms, and carried her into the bedroom.
After gently laying her on the bed, his passionate kisses showered upon her lips like rain, sometimes biting her firmly as if in punishment.
He murmured between kisses,
"If you go barefoot again, I’ll make sure you can’t get out of bed."
Yu Mo lifted her fair, smooth arms and wrapped them around his waist, replying in a hazy, soft voice,
"I’m leaving for the Imperial Capital tomorrow."
His kisses paused, and he raised eyes burning with desire.
"How long will you be gone?"
"I don’t know. I need to find something. I’ll come home once I have it."
Yu Mo rolled over, pinning him beneath her, impatiently unbuttoning his shirt.
"Who’s going with you?"
His eyes cleared, showing both concern and care as he tightened his grip on her small hand.
"My junior brother."
"A man?"
Yu Mo couldn’t help but laugh softly.
So that’s his concern.
Feeling the pressure of his hand intensify at her waist, she quickly explained,
"He’s a year younger than me. I don’t like younger men."
At that, the force eased, and her slender fingers fumbled at his belt buckle.
Mu Shaozhou’s mood brightened. He rolled over, reclaiming dominance, his lips trailing down her jade-like neck as he paused to catch his breath.
"Take me with you."
Yu Mo felt a ticklish sensation along her neck, shivering until she grew accustomed.

Her voice was nasal, "No, I’m going on serious business."
A flash of disappointment crossed his eyes. He dropped the subject, focusing instead on teasing every sensitive spot of her body.
The night was full of passion.
At dawn, Yu Mo rose quietly, changed into clean clothes, and slipped out.
The moment the door closed, Mu Shaozhou, who had been lying in bed with closed eyes, opened them.
His long lashes fluttered, and his deep gaze brimmed with dissatisfaction.
He pulled out his phone and called Dai Ming.
"Book me a flight to the Imperial Capital."
Yu Mo and Douzi headed to the airport together.
While waiting to board, Douzi received a call from Hu Gua.
Hu Gua was also Yu Mo’s junior brother; both he and Douzi had been abandoned as infants and taken in by their master.
Hu Gua had loved eating cucumbers since childhood, thus the name.
Douzi, on the other hand, wasn’t fond of beans—he’d simply been so mischievous as a child that Master made him count beans daily to calm him down.
After hanging up, Yu Mo asked,
"What did Hu Gua say?"
"Senior Sister, he said the century-old wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma appeared at the Qi family in the Imperial Capital."
"The Qi family? How does he know?"
"He hacked into the backend of a high-end herbal auction house in the Imperial Capital, tracked the herb’s trail, but can’t guarantee it’s still with the Qi family—it might have been gifted or consumed already."
Hu Gua was steady by nature, a perfect complement to Douzi. Since childhood, he’d loved studying pharmacology and taught himself programming, becoming a true hacker.
Yu Mo was filled with hope.
"At least now we have a concrete target. We won’t be searching blindly when we get to the Imperial Capital."
By noon, Yu Mo and Douzi arrived in the city.
After landing, they headed straight for the Qi family.
On the way, Yu Mo researched the Qi family’s background.
Anyone who could afford a century-old wild Purple Spirit Ganoderma must have an impressive background—indeed, theirs was formidable.
The Qi family was the second largest in the Imperial Capital, with the Mu family first and the Bai family third.
The Qi family remained extremely low-profile in the city, never seeking the spotlight. Their patriarch was only seen briefly at charity events, never accepting media interviews.
Hu Gua messaged them again.
"Today, Master Qi Weicheng is attending a charity auction at the Art Metaverse Pavilion, along with his son."
Douzi immediately told the taxi driver,
"Change of route—take us to the Art Metaverse Pavilion."