The matter of Xiao Wei being able to choose his own marriage partner was known to almost no one. Only His Majesty, who had spoken these words, kept waiting for him to speak up himself about whom he wanted to marry.
Originally, His Majesty had wanted to announce the decree in the great hall, but he had declined. He feared his parents would constantly urge him to settle his marriage if they knew, and he couldn’t be an unfilial son—so what meaning would choosing his own marriage partner have? He also feared that if all the civil and military officials knew, they would drag him to meet their daughters. After all, the decision was in his hands, regardless of whether status and family background matched. But this would obviously offend a bunch of people, because there could only be one principal wife.
So it became a secret. He wouldn’t speak of it, His Majesty wouldn’t speak of it, and they’d let people assume His Majesty would arrange his marriage. This way his family couldn’t press him, and outsiders couldn’t ask.
If someone who could choose their own marriage partner encountered someone else who could choose their own marriage partner, could he succeed in marrying her? The sudden thought startled him again, but he didn’t reject it as before. Instead, it spread through his heart, seeping sweetness strand by strand.
Disembarking and coming ashore, His Majesty returned to the palace, and the various officials had also dispersed. Xiao Wei had just taken the reins from his attendant’s hands, hesitating whether to travel together with Mo Zi who was boarding her carriage not far away, when a young eunuch rushed over and whispered in his ear that His Majesty was summoning him to the palace for an audience.
After speaking to him, the young eunuch ran to Mo Zi’s side, stood respectfully for a moment, and the carriage headed toward the imperial palace. It turned out His Majesty wanted to see more than just him alone.
Xiao Wei spurred his horse forward to catch up.
Hearing the sound of hoofbeats beside her, Mo Zi lifted the curtain to look out. Seeing it was Xiao Er, she asked and guessed correctly, “Might the General be traveling the same road as me?”
“Precisely so.” Xiao Wei’s answer was concise. Mo Zi wasn’t an ordinary woman, and he didn’t know where to start a conversation.
As for Mo Zi, she wasn’t chatty with those she didn’t know well. Although there was no need for confrontation now, that person wasn’t someone with whom one could laugh and joke casually.
Therefore, one horse and one carriage traveled for most of an hour without any further exchange. Only at the palace gate, where horses, carriages, and attendants couldn’t enter, did the two walk side by side when Xiao Wei spoke.
“…Are matters at the Shipping Bureau going smoothly?” Asking about official business—at least it wouldn’t be awkward.
Mo Zi was quite surprised he would show concern, but since he was being polite, she was polite as well, nodding slightly. “Not bad.” Naturally, she couldn’t very well say the subordinate officials were essentially on strike.
“In a few days, the new flagship will be launched. Will you personally supervise it?” It was his father’s premier ship.
Mo Zi didn’t know about this. Yin Shi, the chief overseer at the shipyard, hadn’t gone on strike—he simply didn’t tell her anything. Therefore, she paused.
Xiao Wei noticed and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“For such an important matter, I must certainly attend.” This answer should be correct, shouldn’t it?
“If it’s a ship you’ve inspected, I think it shouldn’t sink very quickly. That puts my mind at ease.” Xiao Wei had long suspected someone had tampered with his ship last time, but lacking evidence, the shipyard had been turned upside down to no avail. “There are some unhealthy practices in the court—favoritism, embezzlement. They even dare to use inferior materials and workmanship for warships. I heard His Majesty has you supervising this matter. If there’s any progress, could you let me know?”
“Uh…” She felt ashamed. She planned to just muddle through this assignment, and moreover, a certain someone had instructed her not to tell him even half a word. “Actually, maintenance after a ship is launched is also very important. If you have the soldiers conduct regular inspections, this kind of thing won’t happen.” Sorry, but if those people at the Shipping Bureau united, her righteousness would be like trying to put out a cartload of burning firewood with a cup of water.
“That’s naturally so. Every month’s end, shipwrights stationed at the naval base conduct inspections and repairs—” Wei suddenly grabbed her. “According to your meaning, there was a problem with the ship—it wasn’t caused by impact?” Why hadn’t anyone told him?
“General Xiao has misunderstood my meaning. I only said—” But wasn’t that exactly what she meant? Mo Zi inwardly cursed her carelessness. Seeing he was completely in the dark about his family’s affairs, she’d forgotten he actually wasn’t easy to fool. “I only said regular inspections can prevent problems before they occur. I wasn’t referring specifically to the ship you sank with.”
“Lord Mo Zi, I heard very clearly. You don’t need to gloss over reality. You know but don’t report—what will His Majesty think about this? What will those waiting to see you make mistakes think?” Her way of doing things was too similar to Yuan Cheng’s, making him even more annoyed.
“General Xiao need not direct your anger at me.” He truly was a paragon of strict uprightness—compared to him, she seemed utterly wicked. “As you said, the court’s atmosphere is unhealthy, but this can’t be eradicated in just a day or two. I’m merely speculating, without real evidence. Even if I saw the problem with my own eyes, after all these days, not even ship debris remains. How am I to tell His Majesty? Even if His Majesty believes me, will those waiting to see me make mistakes believe me? I’m on the cusp of a storm—if I’m not cautious and careful, should I be smashed to pieces over a sunken ship? Let me simply ask the General one question: if I fell deeply into trouble because of the truth, would you protect me completely? The Shipping Bureau is entirely filled with people from your side—can you actually protect me?”
Xiao Wei was rendered speechless. He would protect her, but he might not be able to. The factional struggle in court had existed since he was still a child, and because of his Xiao surname, he was naturally labeled as belonging to the Emperor-loyalist faction. He wasn’t as radical as his grandfather and father, opposing the other side at every turn, but he also couldn’t associate much with people from that faction, or it would affect the entire family. He tried his best to choose the right things to do, the right words to say, but sometimes he had no choice but to look on coldly as ideas benefiting the people were shelved. Knowing this side had its share of frauds and corrupt practices, he was powerless to do anything.
Mo Zi also knew it wasn’t right to place all blame on him. She sighed. “General Xiao, Mo Zi also acts out of necessity. However, having experienced this incident, those troublemakers should presumably restrain themselves somewhat. His Majesty placed me there to serve as a deterrent—this purpose has been achieved. As for the naval base, that depends on the General’s authority.”
Xiao Wei had to agree with her, and moreover, from her words he gleaned an important piece of information—the naval base also had bad apples.
“Both lords, His Majesty has been waiting anxiously. Please follow me in quickly.” Outside the imperial study, Liu Ning hurriedly pushed open the door.
Last time at the imperial study door it was one entering and one leaving. This time entering together, Xiao Wei felt quite good.
“Bai Yu, how is it that you riding a horse are slower than someone in a carriage?” Wei Jia was also inside, directly laughing at him in front of His Majesty.
His Majesty didn’t mind at all, laughing along. “Xiao Bai Yu let Miss Mo Zi slow his pace. We don’t blame him.”
Mo Zi had been bowing her head in salute, but hearing Yang Qiao’s giggling laughter, she looked up and truly saw her there as well. Apparently, as soon as they disembarked, the Emperor had gathered people together. What could it be about? And Wu Lianqi was nowhere to be seen.
“Not knowing His Majesty had urgent business, so I came slowly.” Xiao Wei said this while performing the formal audience ritual.
“Oh, Xiao Bai Yu, you’re complaining about Us.” This Emperor liked to privately address young subjects as “lad” and “lass.”
“Bai Yu wouldn’t dare.” Xiao Wei rose.
It must be said, when the Emperor addressed him this way, Mo Zi discovered Xiao Wei’s tall and radiant image immediately became much more approachable.
“Liu Ning, you go stand guard outside.” The Emperor sent his most trusted person outside to “keep watch.”
The four immediately knew the Emperor had important matters to discuss. Eight eyes met, each person speculating.
“You all kneel down and receive Our secret decree.” The Emperor sat upon the dragon throne, looking at them with a solemn expression.
Xiao Wei led by kneeling, the three following closely.
“We command you four to disguise yourselves as siblings and spouses, and bring Great Zhou’s most skilled contingent to infiltrate Daqiu and rescue the Yuling Crown Prince and Second Prince. Even if you cannot rescue both simultaneously, you must rescue at least one. Remember, this mission is extremely secret. Until it’s completed and you bring the person before Us, you cannot reveal it to anyone. Moreover, there will be no reinforcements—only yourselves. If you encounter difficulties, you also cannot seek help from Great Zhou’s local government offices. By what means you enter Daqiu territory, what people you bring along—you decide. We grant you fifty thousand taels of silver for contingencies. Whatever else you need, just tell Us or Liu Ning. Depart in the third month. Start preparing now.”
Mo Zi hadn’t expected that one day she would become a secret agent.
“We obey the decree.” Xiao Wei and Wei Jia, possibly accustomed to being secret agents, reacted quickly.
Yang Qiao was adorable, pointing at her own nose. “Your Majesty, You want me to go too? Really?”
“You lass, don’t you like volunteering yourself? We think you and Miss Mo Zi are quite similar—both carrying great matters in your hearts. How about it? Can We entrust this to you? As for your father, We have Our methods. Although in the world’s eyes, an emperor who sends women to carry out secret decrees is also shocking. However, We see that Mo Zi and you are both rarely intelligent. If, because you’re women, We don’t use you, it would truly be a waste. Great Zhou’s founding Empress and female Prime Minister have already proven women can compete with men. You two are pure-natured and won’t engage in schemes against heaven and reason. Therefore, We think you’re equal to this task.” The Emperor could also speak sweet words.
Yang Qiao, inexperienced in the world, was so thoroughly bamboozled by the Emperor that she was overwhelmed with gratitude. How could she possibly decline? She practically accepted the secret decree with righteous devotion.
Only Mo Zi remained.
The Emperor looked at her. “Mo Zi, do you still have questions?”
“Since Your Majesty has issued the decree, You presumably wish to help Yuling restore its nation. However, Mo Zi wishes to ask: why rescue the Yuling Crown Prince?” Rescuing Jin Yin—she was all for that. “The Yuling Crown Prince is fond of women and gambling, never caring about the people’s livelihood. What benefit would rescuing such a person bring to Yuling?”
The Emperor said, “You really do have something to say? Even questioning Our decree, looking like you’re planning to defy it. We can’t out-argue you, so We’ll find someone formidable to speak with you. Minister Yuan—”
“It’s because he’s legitimate.” Yuan Cheng’s voice came, and walking out with him was Yang Ling. “As long as he’s in Daqiu’s hands, Daqiu can use him to conduct substantive rule in Yuling, and other nations cannot interfere.”
These two had been in the side room all along.
Yang Qiao glared at her older brother. Yang Ling smiled.
“Daqiu’s borders are now closed. Unless one takes a detour through Yuling by water route, which requires ships.” Seeing Yuan Cheng, Mo Zi wasn’t surprised at all. He’d been directing this recent string of events from behind the scenes. “Your Majesty wants Mo Zi to accept the decree because the boatmen and navigation matters must be decided by Mo Zi. Mo Zi is timid. Navigation depends on water—life and death are separated by only a wooden plank. I don’t want self-righteous laymen pointing fingers and giving orders. There’s one more matter: Mo Zi’s younger sister Doulü is also in Daqiu. Mo Zi wishes to request Your Majesty’s grace, allowing me to bring my sister back.”
Only when Doulü was included in this secret decree would she not be abandoned like a sandbag at the critical moment.
The Emperor thought for a moment and didn’t ask many questions. “We grant both requests.”
“Then, this subject obeys the decree.” She kowtowed, then straightened from her kneeling position, her face bright with a clear smile.