Soon, Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao no longer had the energy to deal with Su Zui Die’s antics, because shocking news arrived from the capital. The Emperor had imprisoned the entire Southern Marquis Manor on charges of treason and collusion with the enemy, sentencing them to immediate execution. He had already dispatched men to the border to escort the Southern Marquis and his heir back to the capital. Upon hearing this news, the Southern Marquis collapsed to the ground, unable to speak for a long while. Eventually, he could only let out a deep sigh. Despite living a cautious and low-profile life, he still couldn’t escape the Emperor’s suspicion and mistrust.

The Heir of the Southern Marquis jumped up to rush outside but was intercepted at the door by Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao, who had arrived together. Ye Li asked, “Where is the Young Master going?”

The Heir replied, “It’s because of me that the Southern Marquis Manor is implicated. I’m going to the capital to plead guilty to the Emperor.”

Before Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao could speak, an angry shout came from inside: “Unfilial son! Come back here!” Looking at the dazed Heir, Ye Li sighed softly, “Go back first and listen to what the Marquis has to say. Young Master shouldn’t act rashly.” The Heir smiled bitterly, “What kind of heir am I now?” When the Emperor imprisoned the entire Southern Marquis Manor, he also stripped the Southern Marquis of his title, meaning his son was no longer the heir.

Entering the flower hall, the Southern Marquis stepped forward and bowed, “Your Highness, Your Grace, excuse my unsightly state.” The past month had brought too many blows to the Southern Marquis. The long military campaign had taken its toll, and although he had improved somewhat after his son’s return, he still appeared weak, his originally graying temples now almost completely white. Ye Li said softly, “Please take care of yourself, Lord Marquis.” The Marquis shook his head and smiled bitterly, “Since ancient times, serving the emperor has been like living with a tiger. Although I tried my best to stay uninvolved, I still couldn’t avoid…” His words trailed off into a long sigh.

Mo Xiu Yao said gravely, “It is I who have implicated Lord Marquis.” Speaking of the Southern Marquis’s alleged treason, not only did Mo Xiu Yao disbelieve it, but even Mo Jing Qi sitting in the palace probably didn’t believe it himself. However, since the Heir had been rescued by the Prince of Ding Guo’s manor, in the Emperor’s eyes, the Southern Marquis Manor and the Prince’s manor were now likely considered allies. Moreover, the Southern Marquis’s years of feigning ignorance and refusing to help the Emperor deal with the Prince’s manor was itself a form of disloyalty in the Emperor’s eyes. Now, the Emperor would never trust the Southern Marquis Manor again.

The Southern Marquis smiled bitterly, “Your Highness speaks too kindly. I am weak by nature, always trying to stay out of affairs. If not for my son this time, I probably wouldn’t have stepped into these disputes. Those who try to please both sides… this outcome is self-inflicted.”

“Lord Marquis need not deprecate himself so,” Mo Xiu Yao shook his head. In his youth, the Southern Marquis had also had his moments of passionate ambition. In the years that followed, the Regent Mo Liu Fang died under mysterious circumstances, and the previous Emperor suddenly passed away. Then Mo Xiu Wen similarly contracted a fatal illness, and tens of thousands of Mo family troops perished at the border. The Southern Marquis was a clever man who saw things clearly and thought deeply. Seeing and thinking too much naturally made him fearful, which led to him becoming this uninvolved Southern Marquis.

The Southern Marquis shook his head silently. Ye Li frowned, noticing the darkness in his brow and the desolation in his eyes, and realized with alarm that the Marquis likely harbored thoughts of death.

“Lord Marquis, as long as there is life, there is hope. Don’t forget that the Southern Marquis Manor still needs you to save it, and your heir still needs your guidance and support. Please take care of yourself.”

The Southern Marquis started, looked at his heir standing beside him, and a flash of determination crossed his face. “I will set out for the capital now. My son… I hope Your Highness and Your Grace can look after him.”

“My Lord, please reconsider!” Ye Li frowned. If the Southern Marquis took his heir back to the capital with him, the result might be nine deaths but still a glimmer of hope for survival. But if he left his heir in the army and returned alone, it would likely be a journey of no return.

The Southern Marquis raised his hand to stop Ye Li, saying, “Thank you for your kindness, Your Grace. But… the current Emperor… I watched him grow up. Compared to Your Highness and Your Grace, I might understand him even better. Your Highness, the Prince of Ding Guo’s manor has been loyal to Da Chu for generations. I shouldn’t say this… but now, it doesn’t matter anymore. Regarding the Emperor… Your Highness should make preparations early.”

The flower hall fell silent. The Southern Marquis had made it clear that he knew returning to the capital meant certain death, yet he still intended to go. The Heir said firmly, “Father, I will accompany you back.”

The Southern Marquis glared at him, “Nonsense! If your father doesn’t return from this journey, do you want our Southern family line to end?”

“Father!”

“Your Highness, people have arrived from the capital, saying they’re here to escort the Southern Marquis and his heir back,” a guard reported from outside.

Mo Xiu Yao stood up and laughed coldly, “The news barely reached us and the capital’s people are already here. The Emperor has improved. Who has come?” The guard replied, “In response to Your Highness, it is the Minister of Justice Wang Jing Chuan.”

Mo Xiu Yao frowned, “Wang Jing Chuan?” The Prince of Ding Guo handled countless matters daily and naturally wouldn’t remember insignificant figures. The Southern Marquis smiled bitterly and said, “He is the brother of Imperial Consort Wang, the Wang family’s second son.” Mo Xiu Yao frowned slightly and understood immediately. Although the Southern Marquis Manor remained neutral, they weren’t without enemies, and the Wang family was particularly at odds with them. The Emperor sending such a person to escort the Southern Marquis father and son back to the capital clearly showed his intent to humiliate and make things difficult for them. Mo Xiu Yao snorted lightly and said, “Let him in!”

Soon, a young man wearing the official robes of the third rank entered. Though his appearance could be considered handsome, there was a cruel air about his brow that suggested he wasn’t a good person. Behind him followed a young man wearing seventh-rank official robes, at whom Ye Li raised her eyebrows slightly.

“Your subject, Minister of Justice Wang Jing Chuan, greets Your Highness and Your Grace.” Wang Jing Chuan at least knew his place and immediately bowed to Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li upon entering. The young man behind him also bowed, “Your subject, Justice Ministry Clerk Zhou Yu, greets Your Highness and Your Grace.”

Mo Xiu Yao remained seated, looking down at the two men on the ground, and said calmly, “Rise. What brings Minister Wang here?”

Wang Jing Chuan rose, a flash of smugness crossing his eyes, and said, “Reporting to Your Highness, this official has received the imperial command to escort the traitors Nan Ye and Nan Jun Fei back to the capital.”

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow, “Traitors? The Southern Marquis is my deputy commander, and although the Heir was previously captured after losing a battle, he has safely returned. Since then, he has established merit in several battles. Which traitors is Minister Wang referring to? Where is the evidence?” Wang Jing Chuan hadn’t expected Mo Xiu Yao to question him thus, and after a moment’s hesitation replied, “Your Highness, these are the Emperor’s wishes. Could it be that Your Highness intends to defy the imperial order?!”

Mo Xiu Yao laughed coldly, “Defy the imperial order? Where is the imperial edict? I hear the Wang family has quite some grudges with the Southern Marquis Manor. I suspect you of falsifying imperial orders to harm the Southern Marquis!”

“Your Highness! Please watch your words. Even if I have grievances with the Southern Marquis Manor, I would never dare commit such a treasonous act.”

“Where is the imperial edict?” Mo Xiu Yao asked calmly.

Wang Jing Chuan choked, and faced with Mo Xiu Yao’s pressing gaze, could only say, “The Emperor issued a verbal order.”

“A verbal order?” Mo Xiu Yao looked at the increasingly uneasy man before him with an ambiguous smile and said nothing more.

Wang Jing Chuan stood uneasily in the great hall with his head lowered, as the entire hall suddenly seemed extraordinarily quiet. Under the Prince of Ding Guo’s gaze, Wang Jing Chuan could almost hear his heart trying to leap out of his chest, while his back was silently soaked with sweat. Just as Wang Jing Chuan thought he would collapse under the Prince’s pressure, Zhou Yu, who had been standing behind him, stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Mo Xiu Yao, saying, “Your Highness, please calm your anger. We are merely following orders, please grant us some flexibility.”

“Following orders?” Mo Xiu Yao said with an intrigued smile. Wang Jing Chuan felt the Prince’s gaze shift away from him, and his heart secretly let out a sigh of relief. Wiping the fine beads of sweat from his forehead, Wang Jing Chuan even felt grateful for his somewhat quiet young subordinate. Mo Xiu Yao continued with a smile, “Following orders, indeed. Originally, I shouldn’t make things difficult for you. However, you must have heard a certain saying.”

“Please enlighten us, Your Highness.” Wang Jing Chuan wasn’t a fool. No matter how happy he was about the Southern Marquis Manor’s misfortune since the Prince was displeased, there was no need to show his satisfaction. True, the Emperor would certainly be on his side, but if the Prince of Ding Guo killed him in anger, with the capital so far away, the Wang family would probably have to accept it grudgingly. Mo Xiu Yao smiled at both men and said casually, “A general in the field may refuse an emperor’s orders.”

Wang Jing Chuan was stunned and said somewhat helplessly, “Your Highness, this humble official comes bearing imperial orders. Please don’t make things difficult.”

Mo Xiu Yao looked at him expressionlessly, and Wang Jing Chuan’s heart grew bitter. He secretly regretted volunteering for this task just to see his nemesis’s downfall. Not only was he merely a third-rank official, but even a first-rank official wouldn’t dare say no if the Prince of Ding Guo wanted to make things difficult for someone. However, if he couldn’t bring back the Southern Marquis father and son, his good days would likely be over after returning to the capital.

“Our forces are currently facing West Ling in battle. Suddenly removing the deputy commander would be detrimental to army morale. Minister Wang, report this to the Emperor when you return. If the Emperor places blame, Minister Wang can put it all on me,” Mo Xiu Yao said calmly, clearly having no interest in making things difficult for Wang Jing Chuan.

Wang Jing Chuan shook his head, “Your Highness, please understand. The Southern Marquis’s crime of private communication with the enemy and treason is unforgivable. The Emperor is furious. He commanded me to escort the Southern Marquis father and son back to the capital within half a month, otherwise… we will have to present our heads. Please be merciful, Your Highness, and give us a way to live.”

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow and laughed coldly, “Private communication with the enemy, you say. Is this verdict from the Court of Justice or the result of a joint ministry investigation? Where is the evidence?” Before Wang Jing Chuan could think of how to answer, Zhou Yu beside him spoke up, “Your Highness, upon receiving the news, the Emperor was instantly furious and ordered us to escort the Southern Marquis back to the capital first, then conduct the investigation.”

Mo Xiu Yao snorted lightly. No trial, not even a piece of proper evidence, yet the entire Southern Marquis Manor was thrown into prison and sentenced to execution… He snorted again and said, “In that case, I must have been negligent. The Southern Marquis was right beside me, yet I failed to notice his communication with the enemy. Why doesn’t Minister Wang take back a memorial of my guilt first? As for the Southern Marquis, once the northwestern campaign is concluded, I will personally escort him back to the capital.”

“This…” Wang Jing Chuan hesitated unwillingly. Mo Xiu Yao said flatly, “Does Minister Wang not trust me?”

Wang Jing Chuan was startled and hurriedly said, “I wouldn’t dare. To be frank with Your Highness, the Emperor ordered that if the Southern Marquis father and son are not seen in the capital within fifteen days, everyone in the Southern Marquis Manor, regardless of age or gender, will be beheaded!”

To the side, Ye Li sighed inwardly. The Emperor was determined to destroy the Southern Marquis Manor. Likely, the family members’ lives would be forfeit before the Southern Marquis could even return to the capital. Even if they wanted to rush back now to save them, it would probably be too late. Most importantly, given the Prince of Ding Guo Manor’s current position, it was impossible to secretly save them. To openly plead for mercy would require Mo Xiu Yao to return to the capital personally. But with the current military situation, that was even more impossible. Just as she was thinking this, the Southern Marquis suddenly walked out from the inner room, saying composedly, “I will return to the capital with you.”

Wang Jing Chuan looked at Mo Xiu Yao – even if the Southern Marquis was willing to go with him, he couldn’t take him without the Prince’s consent. The Southern Marquis turned and bowed to Mo Xiu Yao, “Your Highness, I don’t know when we will meet again. Everything… I entrust to Your Highness.”

Mo Xiu Yao was silent for a moment, then sighed, “I have failed you, Lord Marquis.” He currently had no way to return to the capital to handle this matter. The Southern Marquis shook his head, “It is fate, not Your Highness’s fault. I shall take my leave.” With that, he turned to Wang Jing Chuan and said, “Minister Wang, shall we?”

Wang Jing Chuan looked at the Southern Marquis, his eyes shifting as he said, “Southern Marquis if I’m not mistaken, your son is also here.” The Southern Marquis smiled calmly, “I don’t know what the Minister is talking about.”

“You-!” Before Mo Xiu Yao, Wang Jing Chuan didn’t dare to be too insolent. He took a breath and said to Mo Xiu Yao, “Since Your Highness isn’t interfering, please have the Southern Marquis’s heir brought out as well. Then this humble official can take leave and return to the capital.”

Ye Li said coolly, “I have never seen the Southern Marquis’s heir.”

Wang Jing Chuan was stunned and frowned, “Why does Your Grace deceive yourself and others? The Southern Marquis’s heir was captured by West Ling and later rescued by Your Grace. How could you have not seen him?” Ye Li smiled slightly, “Minister Wang has just arrived from the capital, yet knows the details so well – truly well-informed. However… Minister Wang’s information might be slightly incorrect. I truly haven’t seen the Southern Marquis’s heir. Or… would Minister Wang like to search the Governor’s mansion and Xinyang city?”

Wang Jing Chuan quickly glanced at the coldly watching Prince of Ding Guo and hastily shook his head. Even if the Southern Marquis’s heir was in the Governor’s mansion, he didn’t dare to search it. Moreover, Xinyang city, the Governor’s mansion, and even several northwestern cities were now under the Prince of Ding Guo’s control – who could be certain the Southern Marquis’s heir was here? If they couldn’t find him and angered the Prince… Wang Jing Chuan once again confirmed that he had indeed taken on a hot potato this time.

“Her Grace speaks correctly. I haven’t seen the Southern Marquis’s heir. Since you’re here to escort the Southern Marquis back to the capital, I won’t keep you. Also, since you’re in a hurry, I’ll have two of my guards escort you back to the capital.”

Wang Jing Chuan’s heart trembled, and he could only say, “In that case, this humble official takes his leave…”

Watching the Southern Marquis turn to leave without any attachment, Ye Li sighed inwardly and rose to see him off, “Take care, Lord Marquis.”

The Southern Marquis’s smile showed a rare touch of freedom as he said, “Thank you, Your Grace. Your Highness, Your Grace, take care.”