Renovating the mountain home wasn't too difficult. Only two rooms needed serious repairs and the garden, pond and orchard needed weeding. Mo Long and Jinchen took care of the repairs while Wen Rong handled the weeding. Then the house was scrubbed clean and the new furniture put in place. Wen Rong made sure the kitchen cupboards were stocked with spices and herbs, the vegetable cellar was filled with that seasons harvest, smoked meats were hung in the cold closet. Mo Jinchen had his men build a horse paddock for the horses. One was a black stallion, the other was a gentle crème colored mare. Then, he built a chicken coup and a duck coup near the pond. Mo Long brought in Dragon Koi in black and white for the pond. Soon, their new home was ready for the wedding. The house was decorated in red silk fabric and happiness characters were pasted on the master bedroom door and windows.
"Jinchen, your bride has a beautiful home." Wen Rong spoke to her son after all the work was done. "The Lin family allowed the brigade the use of the farm land around the mountain, this allowed the government to let them keep the home. The General built a new house near his remaining fields for ease. The house was always meant as a dowry to Lin Yue. The orchard will be counted as an asset, we can turn in the fruit for points and raise eggs for the market. With her embroidery skills as an added income for the market, we should be just fine. I'll will also help by working the fields with the Lin brothers. I may be the leader, but Yue won't be harvesting feed anymore." Mo Long sat beside his wife on the brand new cherry wood sofa. "give me your reports on the investigation." Mo Jinchen went into the master bedroom and returned with a file.
"Lin Yue had four altercations with one man before the incident at the river. A Fu Jin, he has been after her for a wife since she turned fifteen. The General and his son's have been a wall of protection for her on several occasions, but this last time had tipped the scales. She told him that he wasn't worth marrying. She of course never considered marrying him. Her sights were set on a man with high morals. Fu Jin had a gambling problem and was looking to the Lin's as a big pay day.
Next is the gentle neighbor, Gu Yuan, he has offered to help Lin Yue with all her chores, including her laundry. The brothers stopped him at the second offer. He is still wanting to be with Lin Yue, but not as a husband. He wants the power of being with her."
Mo Long hummed. "Fu Jin is promising, but I will look at Gu Yuan as well. How is the list of alibis?"
"Everyone except Fu Jin has an alibi for the time of the incident. I got a good look at him, so all I need is to locate the man and I can verify if it was him."
Mo Long set the report aside. We will continue with the investigation after the wedding. Right now, we need to focus on the wedding. I set it for the end of the week, this will give Lin Yue time to heal." Mo Jinchen agreed and began to think of ways to build a relationship with Lin Yue.
Back at the Lin family home.
Lin Yue was in her room, Feng Dai had decided to stick around to help Lin Yue while her family worked. Currently, they were in her room, packing her things that would go to her marriage home. Her embroidery materials and the majority of their clothes were already sent over. "What do you think of our captain? I was there when you were thrown in the river. I never saw him look so panicked before."
Lin Yue smiled softly. "He reminds me of the heroes I hear of in stories. He is noble and kind. I think I could be a good wife to him."
Feng Dai laughed. "To you he is gentle and kind. To his men, he is the devil of the military. Ice cold under pressure. Nothing could shake him, not even under gun fire." This sounded like a good quality to have in a man. He wouldn't let his heart rule over his head. Lin Yue was beginning to like Mo Jinchen more so because of his character than his handsome looks. The man was a sleek jungle cat with hair so black it was a void. The light would be sucked away into it. His eyes were sharp and onyx in color. His chiseled face appeared to be carved from stone. She could only guess at this, but she was sure Mo Jinchen was the type of man that many women wanted. He decided to make him new clothes when she got the chance. Something that was cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
As she thought about her new husband and the style of clothes she would make him, shouting began in the main room.
"My daughter doesn't need your concern! Be gone or I will call for the police!" Her mother's voice was loud and she seemed angry.
"Stay here, Yue-Yue, I will go help madam Lin." Feng Dai stood up quickly and ran out to help.