“This humble official, Liu Congyun, Vice Minister of Personnel, pays respects to Prince Ding.”
This time, the imperial messenger was different from the previous unfortunate official. The disparity was evident from their entourage alone. A Vice Minister of Personnel from the Liu family was accompanied by several military commanders. Not to mention the three thousand elite soldiers and hundreds of guards who had been stopped outside the city. Standing to the side, Feng Zhiyao’s lips twitched as a mocking smile flashed in his eyes. What was Mo Jingqi thinking?
On the seat, Mo Xiuyao’s face was still somewhat pale, but there was no trace of his previous unconscious state from before today. His formerly white hair had returned to jet black thanks to Shen Yang’s medicine. Combined with the faint smile on his handsome and elegant face, Mo Xiuyao hardly looked like a man whose beloved wife had just fallen off a cliff and gone missing. Liu Congyun looked at the seated Prince Ding and frowned slightly, his heart growing more uncertain due to the prince’s completely unexpected demeanor. Thus, even though he came bearing an edict meant to reprimand Mo Xiuyao, he still respectfully came forward to pay his respects.
“Minister Liu, please rise,” Mo Xiuyao said calmly with a smile, waving his hand toward a seat nearby. “Please, have a seat.”
Liu Congyun looked at Mo Xiuyao somewhat nervously, futilely trying to discern any emotion in the other’s calm and deep eyes. He could only stand and express his thanks before taking a seat below Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao glanced at Feng Zhiyao beside him, who understood and smiled, taking a seat opposite Liu Congyun. Soon after, several generals stationed in Hongzhou City also arrived, taking their seats in the lower positions. Looking at the scene before him, Liu Congyun’s smile became somewhat stiff.
Mo Xiuyao leisurely put down his teacup and smiled at Liu Congyun, “Minister Liu, I’ve been slightly unwell recently and couldn’t personally welcome the imperial messenger at the city gate. Please forgive me.”
Seeing Mo Xiuyao smile so warmly, Liu Congyun only felt his spine tingle. He hurriedly smiled back, “Your Highness jests. Regarding the Princess Consort… she is a truly unique woman in this world. Heaven will protect the virtuous. Please ease your mind, Your Highness.”
Mo Xiuyao paused briefly, then quickly smiled again, nodding, “Minister Liu speaks truly. My Ah Li is indeed a one-of-a-kind woman in this world.” Feng Zhiyao also joined in with a casual smile, praising how virtuous the Princess Consort was, how she possessed both talent and beauty and how she had led the Mo family army to brilliantly annihilate the Xiling forces with unmatched strategy. Liu Congyun could only keep smiling and praising Ye Li’s merits, temporarily at a loss for how to bring up the real matter at hand. Fortunately, Mo Xiuyao wasn’t sitting there just to hear endless praise from his wife. Before Liu Congyun ran out of things to say, he smoothly changed the topic, “I recall Minister Liu is Grand Secretary Liu’s eldest grandson. How has the Grand Secretary been lately?”
Liu Congyun cautiously replied, “Grandfather is in good health and often thinks of Your Highness’s hardships campaigning abroad.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, “I received much guidance from Secretary Liu in my youth. I’m very glad to hear the old Grand Secretary is in good health. By the way, for His Majesty to send Minister Liu, the future head of the Liu family, there must be important matters. I hope I haven’t delayed Minister Liu’s official business?”
Liu Congyun repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare, only feeling a bitter taste in his mouth. The atmosphere was so pleasant that he didn’t know how to bring out the emperor’s edict. If Mo Xiuyao hadn’t actively asked, he might not have found the chance to proclaim it even until the end. He could have proclaimed the edict immediately upon arrival, but Liu Congyun was, after all, the Liu family’s eldest grandson, groomed from childhood as the future head of the family. He was no ordinary mediocre talent. He didn’t believe there weren’t any suspicious circumstances in Wang Jingchuan’s death. He also understood Wang Jingchuan’s personality and character, so he was extremely careful with this task he originally didn’t want, not daring to show any trace of pride before Prince Ding.
Standing up, Liu Congyun cupped his hands toward Mo Xiuyao and said, “This official indeed brings His Majesty’s edict. Would Prince Ding please receive it?”
Mo Xiuyao smiled in acknowledgment, but his body remained reclined in his chair without any sign of movement. Let alone kneeling to receive it, he didn’t even sit up straight to show respect. Not just Mo Xiuyao, but even the generals seated below showed no response. Liu Congyun’s lips twitched, but he pretended not to notice. He was here to proclaim the edict, not to defend the emperor’s dignity. As long as he could return to the capital alive, he could complain to the emperor however he wished, but the prerequisite was being able to survive after proclaiming the imperial edict. He took the yellow silk scroll from the brocade box held by his attendant and opened it, reading in a clear voice:
“By Heaven’s mandate and dynastic fortune, the Emperor decrees: Prince Ding Mo Xiuyao has abused his authority with arbitrary executions of the innocent, truly deceiving the sovereign. Considering the merits of his ancestors, We pardon his capital offense. His hereditary title of Prince Ding is demoted to Prince of the Second Rank, and his salary is forfeit for three years!”
The hall fell silent. Liu Congyun felt the hostile gazes of those around him fixed upon him, and the sweat forming in his palms as he held the imperial edict. Striving to appear outwardly calm and composed, Liu Congyun folded the yellow silk and stepped forward, “Your Highness, please receive the edict.”
Mo Xiuyao lightly waved his sleeve, and in an instant, the yellow edict was swept into his hand. Mo Xiuyao opened it and looked at the familiar handwriting, his handsome eyes narrowing slightly. After seeming to ponder for a long while, the smile on his lips became increasingly obvious yet more chilling. Feng Zhiyao, sitting closest, sank further into his chair, while the other generals all pretended to see nothing, looking at their noses or their hearts.
“Demoted… to Prince of the Second Rank, salary forfeit for three years?” Mo Xiuyao’s voice quietly rang out in the hall, seemingly carrying an odd hint of amusement. “Is this all His Majesty has to say? Hmm?”
Liu Congyun’s heart skipped a beat, and he respectfully replied, “Your Highness, His Majesty had no other meaning. It’s just… His Majesty must give the world an explanation for this matter.”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Did His Majesty not mention anything about the military authority of the Mo family army… or how the properties under the Prince Di- ah no, the Prince of the Second Rank’s household exceed what’s appropriate for a second-rank prince?” Liu Congyun’s heart jumped. The emperor had indeed mentioned these things and hinted that he should try to reclaim them from Prince Ding, even promising to promote him to Minister of Personnel. But Liu Congyun had never intended to bring up this issue with Prince Ding from start to finish. Compared to the Minister position he would get sooner or later anyway, staying alive to return seemed far more important. Although the Liu family had always been loyal to the emperor, in Liu Congyun’s mind, requesting punishment from the emperor for failing in his duty was far easier than angering Prince Ding. Forcing a smile, Liu Congyun said, “This… His Majesty’s edict did not mention these matters. This official dare not presume to guess at the imperial mind. Surely His Majesty has his sacred judgment.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement, “Minister Liu speaks very reasonably. By rights… since His Majesty has already issued the edict of demotion, we as subjects should be sensible enough to surrender those things ourselves. However, regrettably… the things in my possession are… not convenient to hand over casually. Though… this title of Prince Ding can be returned to His Majesty. Would Minister Liu please inform His Majesty that whether it’s Prince of First Rank or Prince of Second Rank, I don’t care. In exchange for retaining the Mo family army and ancestral properties, all my titles can be stripped away. How about that?” Liu Congyun’s expression changed as he naturally understood Mo Xiuyao’s meaning. Mo Xiuyao truly didn’t care whether he was Prince Ding or not – even if he were a common citizen, the Mo family army would still only listen to Mo Xiuyao alone, and only Mo Xiuyao could command the Prince Ding household’s properties. The position of Prince Ding was merely an empty title. If Mo Xiuyao wished, he could style himself whatever kind of prince he wanted.
“Your Highness, please calm your anger. His Majesty had no such intention…”
Mo Xiuyao gave a cold laugh, “No such intention? Then may I ask Minister Liu about the 600,000 troops secretly mobilized at Feilong Pass, sixty li outside Ruyang City? And how the southern forces of Mo Jingli, Nanzhao, and Xiling are advancing toward the northwest completely unopposed, all with the same purpose?”
“This… this… this official doesn’t know. Please forgive me, Your Highness.” Liu Congyun was greatly shocked, never expecting that Prince Ding would know so clearly about these secret troop movements. He even knew the exact numbers with perfect clarity. Seeing his pale face, Mo Xiuyao somewhat apologetically consoled him, “Rest assured, Minister Liu, I will ensure your safe return this time. Please also help me tell Marquis Muyang something when you return… he has two good sons, but unfortunately, he is too wasteful of them. For Mu Yang’s filial piety, I will let you take Mu Yang back with you. As for Marquis Muyang… let him wait in Ruyang City. His life, I must have!”
“Your Highness…” Liu Congyun didn’t know what else he could say. Mo Xiuyao smiled, “Of course… that’s assuming the Marquis is still alive when Minister Liu hurries back.”
“What does Your Highness mean by this?” Liu Congyun asked stiffly.
Mo Xiuyao tilted his head and smiled, “The Mo family army is unanimously determined to capture the main culprit who caused my beloved consort, their mistress, to go missing, and exact revenge for her. I am very moved and cannot refuse the soldiers’ loyal hearts. Don’t you agree, Minister Liu?” Liu Congyun’s face changed dramatically as he inwardly drew a sharp breath, feeling pain pierce his heart. When entering the city earlier, he had indeed noticed some troop movements, but he thought they were to guard against Xiling reinforcements and the three allied armies pressing in from within the passes. He never imagined Prince Ding was planning to attack Ruyang. “Your Highness, please think thrice! The Great Chu is now beset by rebellion on all sides. Please put the empire’s welfare first!”
Mo Xiuyao’s eyes curved slightly upward, looking at him with what seemed both mockery and incomprehension, “The empire’s welfare? What’s that?”
Liu Congyun nearly coughed up blood in his chest. To hear such words from the mouth of Prince Ding, whose family had protected Great Chu for generations, was truly enough to make one spit blood. Beside him, Feng Zhiyao’s mouth twitched involuntarily as he hurriedly suppressed his reaction. The prince must have learned this from the Princess Consort, right? This was characteristic of the Princess Consort’s occasional manner of speaking. Thinking of that certain person whose fate was now unknown, his previously upturned lips gradually sank. Liu Congyun said gravely, “Your Highness, the Prince Ding household has protected Great Chu for generations. Your Highness must not destroy both the Prince Ding household and the Great Chu empire in a moment of anger.”
Mo Xiuyao carelessly held his tea and said, “Oh? The Great Chu empire? Isn’t that Mo Jingqi’s business? As for the Prince Ding household that has protected Great Chu for generations… I’m not Prince Ding now but a Prince of Second Rank. Perhaps in a couple of days, I’ll be just a common citizen.” Liu Congyun tried his best to earnestly persuade him, but the one being persuaded remained completely unconcerned. Finally, Liu Congyun could only helplessly take his leave with his people. He had to return to the capital immediately to report this news to the emperor.
Watching Liu Congyun hurry away, Mo Xiuyao didn’t stop him. He looked down at the imperial edict in his hand, snorted lightly, and flung the yellow silk into some corner of the hall. Feng Zhiyao stood up and smiled, “Even if Your Highness finds it displeasing, there’s no need to throw it away. That fabric with the edict is made from the finest silk, by the best dyers and weavers. Common people couldn’t hope to touch such a piece in their whole lives.” Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement, “You have a point. Then let’s hang it on the city gate outside so all passing commoners can feast their eyes on it?” Feng Zhiyao picked up the silk from the ground and looked at Mo Xiuyao, asking, “Your Highness, are you letting Liu Congyun and Mu Yang leave just like this?” The assembled generals also all looked toward Mo Xiuyao, clearly puzzled by this decision. Mo Xiuyao smiled, “Let them go. Why not? Liu Congyun… he’s smarter than both his father and grandfather. Since he’s being so accommodating, if I were to move against him, wouldn’t that make people think I’m narrow-minded?” Of course, Liu Congyun also had more ambition than his father and grandfather. Mo Jingqi keeps such a flexible minister with such a great family supporting him. I’d like to see how you achieve your harmonious ruler-minister relationship worthy of historical praise without the Prince Ding household.
“Then what about Mu Yang…” When mentioning Mu Yang, Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but gnash his teeth. It wasn’t that he had any issue with Mu Yang personally, but rather with his father, Marquis Muyang. Though Marquis Muyang hadn’t personally led the troops pursuing the Princess Consort this time, he had commanded them. Similarly, they knew perfectly well the complete contents of the orders Marquis Muyang had received from Mo Jingqi. Under such circumstances, killing Mu Yang would be quite reasonable. So Feng Zhiyao completely didn’t understand why His Highness wanted to send Mu Yang back to Marquis Muyang.
A cold light flashed in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes as he said quietly, “I still have use for Mu Yang, and as for Marquis Muyang… have people be careful, don’t let him die on the battlefield.”
Seeing that Mo Xiuyao had his plans, though not knowing what they were, Feng Zhiyao didn’t inquire further. However, catching a glimpse of a certain red flash in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes made Feng Zhiyao silently sigh for Marquis Muyang – being targeted by His Highness like this, wouldn’t dying on the battlefield be the best end for Marquis Muyang?
Mo Xiuyao stood up, the faint smile on his face changing to a solemn and dignified expression. The seated generals immediately stood up in unison to respectfully await His Highness’s orders.
Mo Xiuyao’s gaze stretched far toward the azure sky outside the hall, his voice hollow yet severe, “Order to all forces… all units currently engaged with Nanzhao and Xiling are to withdraw completely. Converge on Ruyang City. With Feilong Pass as the boundary, within ten days I want to see the entire Mo family army assembled!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” Everyone accepted the command in unison, without any doubt about this decision. Feng Zhiyao stepped forward and asked, “Your Highness… the imperial court’s garrison troops in Ruyang and other places…”
“Drive them all out. Those who resist, kill them!”