“None of my concern?”
Tan Jizhi looked with interest at the woman before him, beautiful as a heavenly immortal. Ever since his first encounter with Noble Consort Liu, he had found her intriguing. She harbored no ambition, and cared nothing for the Emperor’s favor, existing in the deep palace like a snow lotus blooming alone atop a mountain peak, coldly looking down upon the masses within the palace walls. At first, he thought it merely a ploy for attention—after all, the Emperor was accustomed to countless women fawning over him, making a cold beauty particularly alluring. But he soon discovered she truly didn’t care about such things. When the Emperor came, she remained aloof; when he didn’t, she was equally indifferent. Had she maintained this stance indefinitely, he would have truly admired her. However, he eventually discovered her weakness—Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao.
Noble Consort Liu truly loved Mo Xiuyao, and unlike Su Zuidie’s love which was tainted by ulterior motives, hers was pure, directed solely at Mo Xiuyao himself. She cared not whether he was the second son of the Prince Ding household, the Prince of Ding Kingdom, or a common citizen. Nor did she care if he was charging across battlefields or bedridden with disabled legs. Tan Jizhi felt himself moved by her devotion.
Unfortunately, Mo Xiuyao had never noticed her. If even Su Zuidie, the world’s greatest beauty who grew up alongside Mo Xiuyao, couldn’t capture his heart, what hope was there for a Liu family daughter whom Mo Xiuyao barely tolerated? Even though Noble Consort Liu was in no way inferior to Su Zuidie. Originally, Noble Consort Liu might not have cared, believing that if she couldn’t have Mo Xiuyao, no one else could either. She could even deceive herself into thinking that Mo Xiuyao didn’t reject her specifically—he simply wasn’t capable of love. But now, Mo Xiuyao was deeply in love with his Princess Consort in the Northwest, and soon they would have a child. Tan Jizhi didn’t believe Noble Consort Liu could remain unmoved.
Seeing Noble Consort Liu’s continued indifference, Tan Jizhi sighed and drawled slowly, “Is Your Grace truly content to spend your life in these deep palace walls? In two months when Prince Ding’s heir is born, heh… Prince Ding will surely become even more devoted to his Princess Consort. By then, truly no one else will catch his eye. I heard… Prince Ding once promised the Xu family that in this life, he would have only the Princess Consort…”
Noble Consort Liu suddenly turned, her gaze shooting toward the man in the moonlight like a cold arrow. “The Xu family? What connection do they have with Mo… with Prince Ding?”
“Surely Your Grace doesn’t believe the talk of the Xu family remaining aloof and neutral?” Tan Jizhi smiled. “Don’t forget… since Prince Ding occupied Ruyang, even Leng Qingyu and Mu Yang were released, yet there’s been no word of Xu Qingze, the Xu family’s second son. Given that Mo Xiuyao released both Leng Qingyu and Mu Yang, he wouldn’t detain his brother-in-law, would he? Xu Qingze chose to stay.”
Noble Consort Liu replied coolly, “Even so, what of it? Xu Hongyan is in the capital, and Master Qingyun and Xu Hongyu are in Yunzhou. As long as these three don’t move, what does it matter if all five young masters go to Ruyang? His Majesty won’t easily move against the Xu family.”
Tan Jizhi laughed softly, “Perhaps Your Grace could tell His Majesty about the Xu family’s role when Great Chu was founded. His Majesty might then understand that having Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingyun in hand may not be as secure as he thinks.”
Noble Consort Liu gave him an odd look, “Why don’t you tell him yourself? He’s been sending people to look for you these days, thinking Prince Ding had you secretly killed.”
Tan Jizhi shrugged helplessly, grinding his teeth as he spoke, “That whore Su Zuidie revealed my identity to Mo Xiuyao. If I appear in the palace again, Mo Xiuyao might leak this to His Majesty.”
Noble Consort Liu sneered, “So Master Tan has been involved with Su Zuidie. Is the world’s greatest beauty truly worthy of her reputation?”
Tan Jizhi replied, “Naturally she doesn’t compare to Your Grace. Who knows what state that whore Su Zuidie is in now, after Mo Xiuyao’s torments. It’s just a pity my people never found the chance to kill her!” Speaking of Su Zuidie, Tan Jizhi harbored deep hatred. In his reckless youth, he had always thought Mo Xiuyao’s fiancée more beautiful than other women by three parts, but now he realized that only beauties like Noble Consort Liu were truly exceptional. If there were such a thing as a medicine for regret, he would never have gotten involved with that woman Su Zuidie!
Looking at Noble Consort Liu’s snow-like countenance, Tan Jizhi softened his voice, “Your Grace should consider it carefully. Dealing with the Xu family would benefit Your Grace as well, wouldn’t it? Eliminating the Xu family would be like cutting off one of the Princess Consort’s arms…” Seeing Noble Consort Liu’s silence, Tan Jizhi understood she was somewhat tempted, and continued, “The previous dynasty’s treasures are within the Northwest borders, including the Imperial Seal, the Imperial Ancestor’s military treatises, and wealth. Now they probably all belong to Mo Xiuyao. Your Grace could reveal this information to His Majesty, fulfilling our duty as subjects.”
Noble Consort Liu laughed coldly, “How would I explain knowing something even Mo Jingqi himself doesn’t know?”
Tan Jizhi raised an eyebrow and smiled, “There’s no need to force it then. I’ll have Lord Liu handle this matter instead; it shouldn’t have troubled Your Grace in the first place.”
“Leave,” Noble Consort Liu said.
Tan Jizhi sighed, “Your Grace is truly heartless… We’ve known each other for many years, I…”
“His Majesty arrives!” The sharp voice of a eunuch rang out from beyond the palace gates.
Tan Jizhi’s eyes flickered, “So late, why would His Majesty come?”
Noble Consort Liu rose, saying coolly, “He is the Emperor. Who can control when he chooses to come?”
Tan Jizhi sighed helplessly, “That’s why everyone in the world wants to be Emperor. Take care, Your Grace. I’ll take my leave.”
Watching Tan Jizhi disappear into the darkness, Noble Consort Liu lowered her head and remained silent for a moment before saying softly, “Not everyone is interested in that position.” If that person had truly been interested in that position, she would have given everything to help him achieve it, asking only that he look at her sincerely once…
As she methodically adjusted her robes, Mo Jingqi’s imperial carriage had already arrived outside the hall. Entering the hall, Mo Jingqi frowned at the darkness and asked, “Why aren’t the lamps lit? Where have all the attendants gone?”
Just from Mo Jingqi’s tone, Noble Consort Liu understood his mood was poor. People said Noble Consort Liu was the most favored of the six palaces, and that the Emperor would even oppose the Empress Dowager for her sake. But only Noble Consort Liu herself knew that was only when Mo Jingqi was in a good mood. When Mo Jingqi was in a good mood, he was naturally doting and affectionate, but once his mood soured, those closest to him suffered the most. That’s why Noble Consort Liu never looked down on the neglected Empress. Mo Jingqi might not have given her his favor, but he had given her the authority to rule the inner palace. Moreover, he never vented his anger on her. Thus, the Empress was the most content person in these deep palace walls, even if it was only because Mo Jingqi was wary of the Hua family and consequently kept his distance from the Empress.
“Your Majesty, please forgive me. This subject requested them to withdraw,” Noble Consort Liu said calmly.
The palace maids and eunuchs following Mo Jingqi silently entered the hall, lit all the candles, and then withdrew without a sound. Under the candlelight, the hall became bright and filled with a faint fragrance. Mo Jingqi looked at Noble Consort Liu and asked, “It’s so late, why hasn’t my beloved consort retired?”
Noble Consort Liu replied serenely, “The night-blooming cereus by the window was about to bloom. This subject was captivated and lost track of time.”
“Oh?” Mo Jingqi raised an eyebrow and walked to the half-open window, indeed seeing a night-blooming cereus in full bloom below. He smiled, “So I’ve interrupted my beloved consort’s flower appreciation?”
Noble Consort Liu remained silent, seemingly accepting this. Mo Jingqi was long accustomed to her nature and didn’t mind. If Noble Consort Liu had been too warm and intimate with him, he would have grown suspicious instead. Looking at the stunning beauty in the moonlight, Mo Jingqi’s eyes flashed with desire. He pulled her into his arms against the window sill and kissed her fiercely. The intense entanglement of lips and tongues continued until Noble Consort Liu was nearly breathless before ending. Mo Jingqi looked down at the woman in his arms, her eyes still cold and calm, as if everything that had just happened was merely his illusion. Staring at Noble Consort Liu’s exceptional beauty, Mo Jingqi’s expression became complex and indecipherable. It contained anger and unwillingness, along with deep obsession and jealous hatred, causing his earlier desire to completely subside.
“So late at night, what brings Your Majesty here?” Noble Consort Liu gently pushed Mo Jingqi away and walked back to sit on the couch in the hall.
Mo Jingqi’s face darkened as he sat beside Noble Consort Liu and said through gritted teeth, “That old horse Hua Chenfeng submitted a memorial today saying he wants to lead troops into battle!”
Noble Consort Liu raised her eyes questioningly. Mo Jingqi snorted coldly, “He thinks too highly of himself! At his age, he should stay home quietly and wait for death. I’m letting him die naturally for the Empress and Changle’s sake! Just when Mo Xiuyao has a setback, he comes coveting military power. I’ll make sure he doesn’t die well sooner or later!”
Noble Consort Liu listened calmly as Mo Jingqi raged against Duke Hua and the court officials who supported the Prince Ding household. She wouldn’t speak ill of Duke Hua, and Mo Jingqi didn’t need her to share his hatred—he just needed someone to listen. When Mo Jingqi finally finished venting his anger, he turned to see Noble Consort Liu sitting lost in thought and asked displeased, “What is my beloved consort thinking about?”
Noble Consort Liu lowered her eyes and asked, “Is Your Majesty’s poor mood today solely because of Duke Hua’s matter?”
Mo Jingqi snorted lightly, “That old bastard Hua Chenfeng, I don’t have time for him now! Tan Jizhi still hasn’t returned—he’s probably been secretly killed by Mo Xiuyao. Those useless men came back saying many people saw Tan Jizhi leave Ruyang. Mo Xiuyao has indeed improved—does he think such a simple trick can fool me?” Previously, if Mo Xiuyao had refused to release Tan Jizhi, he would have simply detained him indefinitely. If he had wanted to kill Tan Jizhi, he would have done it openly with one strike, regardless of what anyone said. Now he openly released the man but struck in secret—Mo Xiuyao had indeed grown more sophisticated over the years!
Noble Consort Liu lowered her eyes, concealing their expression. “Your Majesty must have considered the possibility of him falling into Prince Ding’s hands when sending Lord Tan to the Northwest.”
Mo Jingqi cursed under his breath, saying angrily, “Tan Jizhi is useless too! Not only did he get himself captured by Mo Xiuyao, but he also let the Princess Consort slip through his fingers after having her in his grasp!” Speaking of this made Mo Jingqi’s liver ache with anger. If they had captured Ye Li, especially while she was with child, wouldn’t Mo Xiuyao have had to obey his every command? Such a perfect opportunity wasted—how could Mo Jingqi not be furious?
Noble Consort Liu looked up, “Lord Tan has always been Your Majesty’s confidant. Why exactly did Your Majesty send him to the Northwest… This subject has overstepped, I shouldn’t inquire about state affairs.”
Mo Jingqi waved his hand, “It’s nothing, I naturally trust you. Legend says the previous dynasty’s Imperial Ancestor’s tomb and treasures are in the Northwest. Tan Jizhi’s mission was precisely for this matter. However, I didn’t expect…”
Noble Consort Liu pondered for a moment before speaking, “Then… wouldn’t the previous dynasty’s treasures now all belong to the Mo Family Army?”
Mo Jingqi’s face filled with anger as he stood up, “Exactly! If the Imperial Ancestor’s military treatises and treasures are truly in the Northwest, the Mo Family Army’s strength will surely reach new heights! Damn that Tan Jizhi…” As if not noticing Mo Jingqi’s anger, Noble Consort Liu continued, “And perhaps it’s not just the military treatises and treasures. There’s also… the Imperial Seal…”
Mo Jingqi’s expression changed as he quickly turned his gaze to Noble Consort Liu, asking suspiciously, “How do you know the Imperial Ancestor’s tomb contains the Imperial Seal?” Noble Consort Liu’s expression shifted slightly as she looked up at him, “Historical records show that the previous dynasty’s Imperial Ancestor did indeed possess the Imperial Seal. Imperial edicts found among the previous dynasty’s palace relics bearing the Imperial Seal’s mark prove this. However, after the Imperial Ancestor’s passing, no one ever saw the Imperial Seal again. He didn’t pass it to his descendants. If so… the seal is likely in the Imperial tomb. Surely… the Imperial Ancestor wouldn’t have simply thrown it into some river?”
Mo Jingqi scrutinized Noble Consort Liu before finally saying, “My beloved consort rarely speaks so much. It seems… you truly hate Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li?”
Noble Consort Liu did not attempt to hide it, “Does Your Majesty not hate them as well?”
Mo Jingqi nodded, “My beloved consort speaks the truth—I do hate them!” Noble Consort Liu hated Mo Xiuyao for not loving her and hated Ye Li for stealing her love. He hated the Prince Ding household’s power and prestige, and even more, he hated Mo Xiuyao’s status as heaven’s favored son and his extraordinary talent. He was the previous emperor’s son, while Mo Xiuyao was merely a prince’s second son. Yet while he had struggled carefully in the palace since childhood, Mo Xiuyao had been the one everyone in Chu Capital, including the princes, had sought to befriend and curry favor with. While he and his brothers had schemed against each other, fighting desperately for their father’s favor, even having to guard against his full-blood brother, Mo Xiuyao had lived freely and recklessly, with his elder brother Mo Xuwen always following behind helplessly cleaning up his messes. When he had stayed up all night studying, racking his brains to write policy essays hoping to win just one smile from his father, Mo Xiuyao had only needed to casually put brush to paper, creating instant masterpieces that won praise from the entire court. Moreover, despite being a prince himself, even the woman he admired had given her heart completely to Mo Xiuyao… Even when he was still a prince, he had sworn that one day he would trample Mo Xiuyao and the Prince Ding household beneath his feet!
As he pondered Noble Consort Liu’s reasoning, Mo Jingqi’s expression grew increasingly dark. If Mo Xiuyao truly obtained the Imperial Seal, wouldn’t that mean… he was destined for greatness? It seemed Mo Xiuyao truly had designs on the empire. Thinking of this, Mo Jingqi naturally couldn’t sit still. He stood up and walked out, while Noble Consort Liu didn’t try to keep him, only watching him leave with an indifferent expression. As the sound of the imperial carriage departing faded, the palace returned to silence.
“You didn’t mention the Xu family matter,” Tan Jizhi’s voice rang out in the hall.
“You haven’t left yet.” Noble Consort Liu’s face darkened with displeasure.
Knowing he was unwelcome, Tan Jizhi didn’t press the matter, “I’m leaving now. It seems His Majesty has taken interest in the Imperial Seal?” Noble Consort Liu snorted softly, “You didn’t tell him about the Imperial Seal before. Do you think he won’t suspect you when he comes to his senses?” While Mo Jingqi might not be good at much else, he excelled at suspicion. Just a hint of evidence, right or wrong, and he would suspect first and ask questions later.
Tan Jizhi replied carelessly, “After serving him hand and foot for ten years, I’m tired. I’m planning to assume a new identity anyway. I’m afraid I won’t have much time to visit Your Grace in the future—how regrettable.”
“Get out!” Noble Consort Liu said coldly.
Tan Jizhi sighed softly, walking to Noble Consort Liu’s side and lifting a strand of her hair as he whispered, “Youhuo when we obtain the empire in the future, I will personally hand Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li over to you to deal with…”
“Get out!”
In Ruyang City
Mo Xiuyao reclined against a couch, looking carelessly at Prince De and Mo Jingyu before him. Last night, Su Zhe suddenly fell seriously ill, and this morning he couldn’t even get out of bed, naturally unable to attend this meeting. Mo Jian seemed to have been forgotten, sitting to the side like a mere companion. After just one night, Prince De’s manner had become much more restrained. Mo Xiuyao nodded inwardly—this was more like Prince De who had emerged unscathed from the previous emperor’s succession struggles. These years of privilege had likely made him forget what royal caution meant.
Taking a sip of tea, Mo Xiuyao asked, “Have Prince De and Prince Yu come with some imperial edict for this prince?”
Prince De and Prince Yu exchanged glances, both hearing the mockery in Mo Xiuyao’s words. Prince Yu cupped his hands and said, “Prince Ding, please forgive us. My uncle and I are merely following orders to convey His Majesty’s intentions. Surely Your Highness understood yesterday—His Majesty requests Your Highness return to the capital immediately. Although the previous imperial edicts issued in His Majesty’s anger cannot be withdrawn, His Majesty will naturally restore everything that belongs to Your Highness.” Prince Yu dared not say more, only relating Mo Jingqi’s message exactly as it was, refusing to add a single extra word.
Mo Xiuyao laughed heartily, “This prince understands His Majesty’s intentions. However, I’m afraid I cannot comply with His Majesty’s wishes.”
Prince Yu’s heart sank—was Prince Ding determined to break with Great Chu?
Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to stop him from speaking, “Please convey to His Majesty that the Mo Family Army remembers well His Majesty’s previous actions. Even if this prince were willing to risk trusting His Majesty once more, I’m afraid the Mo Family Army’s soldiers would not agree.” Prince Yu swallowed with difficulty before saying arduously, “The Prince Ding household has served the country loyally for generations. Why must Your Highness be so absolute? If there are any grievances, Your Highness need only voice them. This prince will surely relay them to His Majesty, and everything can be discussed further.”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, “Discuss further? This prince appreciates Prince Yu’s good intentions. Similarly, Prince Yu can inform His Majesty and the court officials that as long as this prince lives, Xiling will not invade Great Chu from the Northwest.” Prince Yu’s heart grew bitter—naturally, with the Mo Family Army in the Northwest, Xiling would have no chance to invade from there, but Xiling and Great Chu also shared a border in the Southwest. Although the route was several times more treacherous than the Northwest, if determined, given that Great Chu’s forces were relatively weak in the current Southwest border standoff, Xiling might still manage to invade from the Southwest.
Prince De looked at Mo Xiuyao seriously and asked, “Prince Ding, you’ve made up your mind?”
Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, “This prince merely wants to secure a path of survival for the Mo Family Army and my wife and child. The Prince Ding household has defended Great Chu for generations—if not merit, at least we have toiled. This prince cannot let the Prince Ding line end with me, can I? If so, how could this prince face my father, elder brother, and the ancestors of the Prince Ding household in the afterlife?”
Prince De remained silent for a long while before nodding, “Very well. Prince Yu and I cannot persuade you. We have delivered His Majesty’s edict, so we’ll say no more. We only hope Prince Ding remembers that the men of the Prince Ding household and Mo Family Army are ultimately subjects of Great Chu.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled silently.