His Highness the Madman gave in again today.

Arrest him!

Mo Sangyu's eyes sharpened, and with a command, Yueying, hidden in the shadows, led her men out and quickly subdued the remaining dozen or so people.

"Take him away and interrogate him thoroughly. If there is nothing amiss, give him double the severance pay and send him out of the city immediately."

After saying that, she looked at the people in line and said, "Those who have taken the medicine, please stay and return to your original positions. Mr. Gu will coordinate and assign them to other duties."

Han Chong noticed that most of the remaining dozen or so people were from their enforcement team, and his eyes flickered slightly.

In fact, he had known all along that these people were problematic.

As their leader in the past, he could turn a blind eye, but now, Youdu City is no longer what it used to be. The new city lord and his wife are obviously people who cannot tolerate any wrongdoing, and he is powerless to do anything about it.

Do not live by committing sins.

……

The next day.

The lockdown has been officially lifted.

Gu Jinzhi's ability to coordinate was indeed very strong. Under his arrangement, the people under him were very satisfied, and the city almost completely returned to the order it had before the lockdown, or even more strictly.

As soon as the city gates opened, the caravans and civilians who had been waiting outside the city all consciously followed the instructions of the gate guards and entered the city in batches in a quiet and orderly manner.

New notices were posted at the city gate, indicating that entry and exit checks were stricter than usual, but the procedures were clear and did not cause any confusion.

In the streets, business, which had been suppressed for several days, quickly recovered, teahouses and taverns reopened, and the shouts of waiters rose and fell.

The patrolling Red Armor Guards marched in orderly steps through the streets and alleys, with sentries hidden in the city. Everything seemed well-organized, more disciplined than before the lockdown, and the law was strictly enforced.

The only difference is that there are significantly more law enforcement personnel than before.

……

Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Everything in the city was as usual, even more orderly than before.

The initial anxiety of the people gradually dissipated, replaced by a renewed and more reassuring feeling.

This feeling largely stems from the new policies implemented by Feng Xingyu.

He acted swiftly and decisively, reforming several long-standing systems in Youdu City.

The biggest change was the city gate tax.

In the past, people entering the city, regardless of their status, had to pay a certain amount of money.

Now, this rule has been abolished, and ordinary people no longer have to pay any fees to enter the city.

The caravan tax has also been significantly reduced. Although it still needs to be paid, the amount is reasonable and much lower than before.

Commercial taxes on all shops and warehouses in the city will be reduced by half.

The announcement of the new policy caused a stir throughout the city.

At first, some people had doubts and wondered if the new city lord had some other plans.

But as January passed, the benefits were real, with vendors calling out their wares on the streets becoming louder and the market becoming noticeably more active.

Although city defense and law enforcement are much stricter than before, the rules are clear and do not disturb the people, which makes people feel at ease.

In the city lord's mansion, with the help of steward Gao Sheng, Granny Yu also managed the mansion in an orderly manner.

The servants performed their duties, and the government office operated smoothly.

During this month, Feng Xingyu became exceptionally busy.

Every day, he had to deal with mountains of military affairs, organize the city's defenses, and spend a lot of time studying the geography, power distribution, and potential threats around Youdu City.

He spent almost all his time in his study or military camp, discussing matters with Gu Jinzhi, Yan Qing, and others.

Mo Sangyu has been busy for the past month.

Her spiritual power recovered by 10%, and her body became much stronger through continuous training.

Aside from these, she devoted most of her energy to studying the restrictions above Youdu City.

The mysterious enchantment that shrouds the entire city is Youdu City's greatest asset, and also its greatest mystery.

She went to see Chu Canglan, but Chu Canglan shook his head, indicating that he did not know the details.

Chu Canglan said that it was a friend Yin Yue had known in her early years who helped set it up, including another restriction outside the City Lord's Mansion. It was because of these two restrictions that Youdu City was able to develop rapidly and no one dared to invade easily.

Unable to obtain any useful information, Mo Sangyu had to rely on herself.

She would take time almost every day to carefully perceive and deduce the energy flow of the restriction with her soul sense.

She wanted to understand this restriction, not only to protect Youdu City, but also for the future.

The mysteries contained within this restriction, combined with her creations of heaven and earth, may prove even more useful in the future when she continues to expand her territory and establish new power.

That night.

When Mo Sangyu returned from outside the mansion, she found that the light was still on in Feng Xingyu's study.

Gu Jinzhi, Yan Qing, Yuan Zhao, Han Chong, Han Xiao, Lu Jin, and others were all in the study.

In just one month, Han Chong and his group became familiar with Yan Qing and his two companions, and all of them were reinstated and given important responsibilities.

"Sir, in just one month, people from three countries have infiltrated the city to gather information. Fortunately, you changed all the previous systems, and the people have benefited. Even if the spies outside can evade our eyes, they won't be able to find out anything."

"Yes, Youdu City has been prosperous for many years, but it has never been as united as it is now."

"That's right."

"Oh, right, we also found someone today. After entering the city, he moved into Tiankelai and hasn't come out since. That person has a very high level of martial arts skill, so we need to keep a close eye on him."

Hearing the conversation inside the study, Mo Sangyu did not go in to disturb them.

She had been running around the city with Ya Zi all day and was exhausted. All she wanted to do was go back to her room and sleep.

Mo Sangyu entered the room: "Yazi, you should go back and rest too."

Ya Zi nodded obediently: "Alright, I'll take my leave."

The door was closed.

The docile look on Ya Zi's face disappeared. He did not go back, but instead prepared to go up to the roof to continue guarding Mo Sangyu.

However, before he could go up, the study door suddenly opened.

Gu Jinzhi and the others came out from inside.

All eyes turned to him. Apart from Han Chong and his two companions, the rest of the people looked at him with less than friendly eyes.

Ever since this man appeared in the lady's life, she has only taken him with her when she goes out every day.

pretty boy!

They stole all the love that belonged to the master!

Yan Qing was the most indignant.

Even Feng Mian said that he was not only good-looking, but also very well-behaved and obedient.

What's so good-looking about him?

Can anyone be more handsome than me?

That girl Feng Mian must have terrible taste.

"Hey, Madam said you should go back and rest. Aren't you the most obedient? Why aren't you leaving yet?"

Yan Qing strode out and said rudely, "Could it be that your obedience was just an act for Madam and Feng Mian? You're too cunning!"

Ya Zi raised her eyes and looked at Yan Qing calmly, without uttering a single rebuttal.

He bowed slightly: "Yes, I'll go back now."

He only referred to himself as a slave when facing Mo Sangyu.

After saying that, he turned around and walked towards the side courtyard at a moderate pace.

Yan Qing felt like he'd punched cotton, and was even more frustrated: "Look at him!"

"Alright, let's get down to business."

Gu Jinzhi patted his shoulder: "Let's go."

The group left for quite a while.

Feng Xingyu walked out of the study.

His gaze fell on Mo Sangyu's door, and his aura turned slightly cold as he recalled Yan Qing's words.

During this month, he and Mo Sangyu were both busy and hardly spoke more than a few words to each other alone.

Is she happy traveling around with another man every day?

Feng Xingyu returned to his bedroom.

After taking a shower, he locked the door, lay on the bed, and suddenly, as if remembering something, sat up again.

It's been over a month.

It's been so long since she last came to him after falling asleep, why hasn't she had an attack yet?

Is there a problem with the soul contract?

Feng Xingyu thought for a moment, then got out of bed and reopened the bolt on the door.

He waited all night, but Mo Sangyu didn't come.

The next day.

Feng Xingyu found an excuse to go to Mo Sangyu's place.

He asked casually, "Recently, there have been many affairs both inside and outside the city, and your spiritual energy has been greatly depleted. As for that soul contract... is it still stable? Is there anything unusual?"

"Why are you asking this out of the blue?"

Mo Sangyu was flipping through an ancient book she had found in the city lord's library. Hearing this, she looked at him with considerable curiosity: "The soul contract is fine, there's nothing wrong. Why, do you feel uncomfortable somewhere?"

Feng Xingyu shook his head: "No."

Judging by the timeline, she should have come to find him several days ago. What could be the reason that she didn't?

He wanted to ask, but he couldn't ask directly.

Mo Sangyu closed the book and said, "Now the entire Youdu City is under our control, and I won't leave the city casually. Even if something unexpected happens, I still have Ya Zi with me. He's quite skilled, and most people can't beat him."

Her tone was frank, even carrying a hint of comfort.

"So don't worry, I'll be unlikely to cause you any harm in the future. If you feel uncomfortable about this soul contract, then find a chance to break it."

Upon hearing these words, Feng Xingyu's expression, hidden behind his mask, suddenly darkened.

Besides anger, there was also panic.

Feng Xingyu suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Mo Sangyu's wrist, and said, his emotions nearly out of control, "Mo Sangyu, I won't allow it! Do you hear me?"

"What?"

Mo Sangyu was a little confused, her wrist aching from his grip.

She struggled, but Feng Xingyu wouldn't let go, his eyes turning somewhat crazed: "Back then, you disregarded my wishes and forcibly bound us together with a soul contract. Now you think you can just break it?"

He said, word by word, "I disagree!"

"..."

What's wrong with him this time?

"Mo Sangyu!"

"Okay! Okay, I don't understand."

With a headache, Mo Sangyu reluctantly conceded, "I didn't say I absolutely had to solve it. It's not because..."

"Why?"

Feng Xingyu stared at her with icy eyes: "Because of that Ya Zi, you think you don't need me anymore?"

Mo Sangyu stared at him in astonishment.

What's this man thinking?

Could he be... jealous?

"no."

She was both angry and speechless: "Feng Xingyu, can't you be reasonable? Ya Zi is just a servant of mine, just like... just like Yue Ying in your life. Don't be jealous for no reason."

"...Who said I was jealous?"

Feng Xingyu regained some of his composure and turned his head away: "Yueying is not like him. He follows me around all day and would never fawn over me."

What a petty man.

"OK."

Mo Sangyu compromised again: "Then from now on, he'll be like Yueying, secretly following me when I go out. Is that alright?"

Feng Xingyu looked at her for a long while, then nodded somewhat awkwardly: "Mm."

He suddenly moved closer, and Mo Sangyu took a step back, only to be pinned against the wall.

As he slowly lowered his head, Mo Sangyu placed her hands on his chest, a hint of a smile flashing in her starry eyes: "What do you want to do?"