Although somewhat surprised by the sudden change in the Chu family patriarch’s attitude, the two guards still dutifully led him back to the main hall. After all, the Emperor hadn’t intended to kill this Chu family patriarch. Someone of his status wouldn’t be easy to kill anyway, and if he managed to turn the tables, he could easily crush insignificant guards like them with a single strike.

Sure enough, Mo Jingli immediately ordered the Chu family patriarch to be brought back to the hall.

This time, Chu Shaoying didn’t hesitate at all and immediately fell to his knees, bowing his head: “This humble subject Chu Shaoying pays respects to Your Majesty!” The assembled crowd erupted in murmurs of shock. Everyone knew that among them, the Chu family had been the most distant toward Mo Jingli. Moreover, given the Chu family’s relationship with the Xu family, any clear-minded person would know that even if the Chu family pledged loyalty to Mo Jingli, they wouldn’t receive any important positions.

Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. Seeing the previously proud and aloof Chu family patriarch kneeling before him brought indescribable pleasure to Mo Jingli’s heart. It was as if he were watching members of the Xu family kneeling before him. Raising his eyebrow again, Mo Jingli asked, “How did Master Chu change his mind so quickly?”

The Chu family patriarch kept his head lowered and said, “This subject was momentarily confused. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness. If… if the Chu family were to be destroyed by my hands, I could never atone for such a sin even with death.”

“Oh?” Mo Jingli pondered thoughtfully. If Chu Shaoying had given any other reason, he might not have believed it. But Mo Jingli knew these so-called noble families valued their family legacy above all else. They would sacrifice anything for their family’s continuation. For the sake of the Chu family, this explanation made sense.

“Oh? The Chu family is willing to pledge loyalty to Us? Then what about Our previous proposal?” Mo Jingli asked.

Chu Shaoying nodded and said, “Yes, the Chu family wishes to pledge loyalty to Your Majesty and pray for Your Majesty’s swift unification of all lands under heaven. Whatever Your Majesty commands, the Chu family will spare no effort to fulfill to Your Majesty’s satisfaction.” Seeing his demeanor, Mo Jingli was finally satisfied. He laughed heartily and personally helped Chu Shaoying up, saying, “We were just joking with Master Chu earlier, please don’t take offense.”

Chu Shaoying, his face pale, respectfully nodded and said, “I wouldn’t dare, wouldn’t dare…” as if truly frightened.

Mo Jingli swept his gaze across the assembled crowd and smiled, “Master Chu has shown such righteousness, which greatly comforts Our heart. We wonder what the other distinguished guests present have considered?” Several family patriarchs who had the closest relationships with the Chu family, and who had originally been most skeptical of Mo Jingli, looked at Chu Shaoying in confusion. Chu Shaoying calmly lowered his eyes, giving an almost imperceptible nod.

Though they didn’t understand why he had suddenly changed so dramatically, these people still had some faith in Chu Shaoying. The Chu family wouldn’t abandon the great support of Prince Ding’s manor and the Xu family to throw in their lot with Mo Jingli. Even if Prince Ding’s faction were truly going to fail, joining Mo Jingli would be worse than retiring to the mountains – at least then they wouldn’t have to worry about when their family might be executed or when Lei Zhenting might destroy them.

After careful consideration, those few people also stood up and said, “We humble subjects wish to pledge loyalty to Your Majesty.”

“Excellent! This is wonderful! Come… Let Us toast Master Chu and everyone again!” Mo Jingli laughed in satisfaction, his previous anger completely dissipated.

Just as peace seemed to return to the great hall, heaven seemed determined not to let tonight’s banquet proceed smoothly. Someone hurriedly entered from outside to report, “Your Majesty, the Mo family army has infiltrated the city and just set fire to the granaries in the western district!”

“What?!” Mo Jingli slammed the table as he stood up, demanding harshly, “Where are they?”

“Your… Your Majesty, General Li is leading men to capture them,” the messenger quickly replied.

“Capture?! Capture what?! They let them sneak into the city and burn the granaries before discovering them – what have they all been doing?!” Mo Jingli kicked aside a wooden table in front of him, roaring in anger.

“This subject… this subject acknowledges his crime.”

“Enough!” Mo Jingli cut off his meaningless plea for punishment and swept his gaze across the assembled crowd, saying coldly, “You all may return now. Tonight ends here.” Chu Shaoying and the others rose to take their leave. After some thought, Chu Shaoying stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Chu family still has some stored grain that we are willing to offer to Your Majesty to help address this urgent situation.” Hearing Chu Shaoying’s words, Mo Jingli’s expression softened slightly and he nodded, “We thank Master Chu.”

After all the outsiders had left, Mo Jingli asked coldly, “How much exactly was burned?”

The subordinate couldn’t help but swallow before replying trembling, “Three granaries in the western district caught fire simultaneously and were completely burned. And one granary in the northern district… is mostly burned as well. Our army’s provisions… likely won’t last two days.”

Mo Jingli’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly. He wasn’t too worried about the provisions. This campaign had been rushed, so not all the military supplies had arrived yet. More provisions would naturally arrive in a few days at most. Moreover… Liyang City had many wealthy noble families. Though these families might not appear as wealthy as the so-called rich merchants on the surface, their underlying resources far surpassed what those merchants could match. In such chaotic times, he didn’t believe these families hadn’t privately stockpiled provisions.

What truly unsettled Mo Jingli was the Mo family army’s infiltration of the city. That they could sneak into the city and set fires despite Liyang’s strict security shocked and disturbed Mo Jingli deeply.

“Tell General Li he must capture all the Mo family soldiers who entered the city!” Mo Jingli commanded gravely.

“This subject obeys!”

“Get out!” Watching his subordinate scramble away, Mo Jingli looked with disgust at the now-empty hall. He violently smashed the wine cup before him to the ground, “Mo Xiuyao! Even though you’re dead, I refuse to believe I can’t defeat you!”

Late that night, Mo Jingli, drunk and swaying, was supported back to his chambers by attendants. A voluptuous woman who had been waiting there hurried forward to help him to the bed, softly calling, “Your Majesty… Your Majesty, are you drunk?”

Mo Jingli looked at the woman before him through bleary eyes and demanded, “How dare you! Who are you?”

The woman said plaintively, “Your Majesty, what’s wrong… This concubine is Consort Li.”

“Consort Li?” Mo Jingli was in a foul mood and had drunk too much. For a moment he was confused, “Who is Consort Li… oh… it’s you… you are…” Consort Li smiled happily, “Yes, it’s this concubine, this concubine…” Though she was only of dancing girl origins, she was Mo Jingli’s most favored consort, or he wouldn’t have brought her along even during military campaigns.

Mo Jingli nodded and said, “Yes, you… you are Ye… Ye Li.”

Consort Li felt a chill run down her spine, momentarily unable to react. She had naturally heard of Ye Li’s great name but never expected the Emperor to call out Prince Ding’s wife’s name in such a situation. Regarding this, Consort Li felt no jealousy in her heart. When one person is so far beneath another, not even jealousy can arise. She only felt shocked, and vaguely sensed that hearing this name was not a good thing for her.

The completely drunk Mo Jingli had no attention to spare for Consort Li’s shock. He grabbed the woman before him and kissed her, murmuring between kisses: “Ye Li… Ye Li, how dare you refuse Us! Again and again… haha… now that Mo Xiuyao is dead, you’ll be Ours sooner or later. Since you don’t know what’s good for you, We take back Our previous promise – We’ll demote you to the lowest ranked consort! Ye Li…”

Consort Li was so frightened by the Emperor’s words that she barely dared to move, wishing she could faint and pretend she hadn’t heard anything. Just as she was on the verge of tears, she felt a pain in the back of her neck and immediately lost consciousness.

By the grand and luxurious bed stood a tall man in white robes. The murderous intent brewing in his eyes was enough to make anyone retreat three steps. Even Mo Jingli, lying drunk and unable to tell north from south while embracing a beauty, instinctively felt a chill. He shivered and held the woman in his arms tighter, “Ye Li… We must have you… We must let you know that We are more powerful than Mo Xiuyao…”

Mo Xiuyao looked down at the pair on the bed, his originally handsome eyes now filled with a sinister red glow, as terrifying as a vengeful ghost from the netherworld.

Mo Xiuyao bent down, slowly raising his hand to Mo Jingli’s throat. Still, deep in his drunken sleep, Mo Jingli had no idea that the person before him could end his life with just a slight increase in pressure. After a long moment, the hand that had been at his throat slowly withdrew. Instead, it moved to touch the woman in Mo Jingli’s arms. The unconscious woman’s body trembled slightly, a trace of blood appeared on her lips, and she quickly stopped breathing.

There was not a trace of mercy in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes. This woman might have been innocent, but having heard such words, she absolutely could not continue living.

Mo Xiuyao stood by the bed for quite a while before his lips suddenly curved into a bloodthirsty smile.

Half an hour later, a graceful white figure flashed out of the governor’s mansion, dissolving into the pitch-black night.

In western Liyang, Chu family patriarch Chu Shaoying had just sent away a group of Da Chu soldiers who had come to search the premises and returned to his study. Several people were already seated in the study, and as soon as they saw Chu Shaoying enter, one immediately stood up and anxiously grabbed him, asking, “Brother Chu, what are you thinking? Today’s matter… that Mo Jingli seems…” These people who could manage great families were all extremely shrewd. In their view, even if Prince Ding was dead and the Mo family army was eventually defeated, Mo Jingli would likely be swallowed up by the Southern Pacification King. Even if, taking it a thousand steps back, Mo Jingli stabilized the situation, given Mo Jingli’s character, there would be no good outcome for any of them. At that time, it would likely end with them being discarded once their usefulness was done.

Chu Shaoying looked at everyone and said with a smile, “You are all my closest friends, and I understand your concerns. I won’t deceive you – to tell the truth, I don’t have much faith in Mo Jingli either.”

“Then… Brother Chu, what are you doing?” everyone asked in confusion. After publicly pledging loyalty to Mo Jingli, if they were to switch sides again, the Chu family’s reputation would be ruined. Moreover, even if they pledged allegiance to someone else in the future, they likely wouldn’t receive important positions. After all, if the Chu family could betray Mo Jingli, they could betray others in the future.

Chu Shaoying smiled without speaking. One of them, noticing the smile on Chu Shaoying’s face, had a sudden realization and asked, “Could it be that Brother Chu has already made a decision?”

Chu Shaoying nodded, “Indeed.”

The group exchanged glances, and one person dipped his finger in water to write the character “Ding” on the table. Everyone present wore expressions that seemed to say “just as expected.” Chu Shaoying spoke seriously, “I have placed my life and the entire Chu family’s fate in your hands. I hope that you all…”

“Brother Chu, what kind of talk is this? We’ve known each other for decades – how could we not trust each other? To be honest, I share Brother Chu’s thoughts. It’s just that we haven’t had an opportunity before, but with the Chu family’s relationship with the Xu family, things should be much more convenient now.” Although Prince Ding was gone, Young Master Qingchen was still there. Prince Ding’s young heir was also eight or nine years old now. With Young Master Qingchen and the two masters and several young masters of the Xu family assisting, he would certainly be able to stand on his own within ten years. By then, who would control the world under heaven was still uncertain. At least… Prince Ding’s manor seemed far more reliable than Mo Jingli’s.

Chu Shaoying smiled, “Thank you all. As long as the Chu family exists, none of you will suffer any loss.”

Hearing Chu Shaoying’s promise, everyone’s faces broke into smiles. Originally, Chu Shaoying had stubbornly refused to submit to Mo Jingli, but after one trip outside, he suddenly changed his tune. Mo Jingli might think Chu Shaoying was scared, but how could these people who had known him for decades not understand what kind of person Chu Shaoying was? Without absolute certainty, Chu Shaoying would never risk the Chu family.

“In that case, we leave everything to Brother Chu. We will all follow Brother Chu’s orders,” everyone said with clasped hands and smiles. Chu Shaoying nodded and solemnly replied, “You can all rest assured. Chu Shaoying will not betray your trust.”

“Then, we’ll trouble Brother Chu. We take our leave.”

“No need to see us out.”

After seeing everyone out of the study and closing the door, Chu Shaoying turned around and was nearly startled. The previously empty study now had a white-robed man sitting there, looking at him leisurely while holding a steaming cup of tea. In just the brief moment he had been at the door seeing people out, this person had not only entered the study but also had time to brew himself a cup of tea.

After a moment of shock, Chu Shaoying came to his senses and respectfully bowed to the white-robed man, “Chu Shaoying pays respects to Prince Ding.” Mo Xiuyao nodded and said with a smile, “Master Chu need not be so formal. I’m sorry you had to suffer such indignity tonight.” Mo Xiuyao privately praised Chu Shaoying’s exceptional composure. Although this Chu family patriarch’s reputation seemed ordinary compared to the Xu family’s brilliant reputation, being able to lead the second most powerful family in Yun Province and one of the top five noble families in all of Da Chu meant Chu Shaoying’s abilities must be extraordinary. Meeting him tonight proved that this patriarch was truly a clever person. However, compared to the Xu family’s natural intelligence, this one was more like someone who appeared foolish while being wise.

Chu Shaoying gave a bitter smile and said frankly, “Your Highness is too kind. Tonight, if not for Your Highness’s warning, I’m afraid I would have…” Mo Xiuyao understood Chu Shaoying’s meaning. No matter what, in Chu Shaoying’s eyes, the Chu family was still most important. Without Mo Xiuyao’s appearance, when pushed to the absolute limit, Chu Shaoying might very well have compromised with Mo Jingli.

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand to indicate this matter need not be mentioned.

Chu Shaoying quickly expressed his thanks and carefully sat down to ask, “Your Highness has entered the city late at night – do you have any instructions?”

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, “Instructions aren’t quite the right word. Within three days, the Mo family army will breach Liyang City. Before then, I hope that in the name of the Chu family and all the great families of Yun Province, this will be announced to the world.” Mo Xiuyao took out a letter filled with writing and handed it to Chu Shaoying. Chu Shaoying took it, and after just glancing at it, his lips twitched. As he read further, his expression changed even more. It detailed clearly how Mo Jingli had used Southern Region secret drugs to harm the former Emperor Mo Jingqi, forced Mo Suyun to death, placed the Empress Dowager under house arrest, and withheld military funds from Purple Thorn Pass leading to its breach by the Northern Rong and their subsequent advance on the capital. If all this were to be made public, Mo Jingli would be completely discredited and universally condemned.

After some thought, Chu Shaoying still asked, “Your Highness, is all this true?!” Even someone like Chu Shaoying could never have imagined Mo Jingli had so many shameful secrets. More importantly, even if they existed, how could he let his enemies get hold of such evidence?

Mo Xiuyao nodded leisurely, “Does Master Chu doubt the intelligence-gathering abilities of the Qilin and Mo family army’s secret guards?”

Chu Shaoying quickly shook his head, “I just don’t understand why Your Highness didn’t reveal these things earlier. Moreover… if Your Highness personally announced these things, or if they came from the Xu family, wouldn’t the impact be greater?”

Mo Xiuyao shook his head and said, “The time wasn’t right before. Now… the Xu family is far less convenient than the Chu family. Of course… Master Chu need not personally handle this matter.”

Chu Shaoying pondered for a moment before understanding the reasoning. The Xu family was, after all, Prince Ding’s people. Although the Xu family members were all highly respected, Mo Jingli could turn the tables and claim Prince Ding’s manor was slandering him. But if these revelations came from an outsider now, it would be completely different. Of course, in Chu Shaoying’s view, another likely reason was that Prince Ding didn’t want the Xu family to be tainted by these matters. Regardless, this revealed many of Da Chu’s secrets. They were, after all, subjects of Da Chu, and once these things were revealed, while Mo Jingli would be discredited, those who revealed them might also be criticized by some pedantic scholars.

“I understand. Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will certainly choose an appropriate time to reveal these matters to the world.”

Hearing Chu Shaoying’s words, Mo Xiuyao was very satisfied. He stood up and smiled, “In that case, I will await Master Chu’s good news.” Chu Shaoying nodded, “Your Highness can rest assured.”

After leaving the Chu residence, Mo Xiuyao quickly leaped over the wall and left the city. Even though Liyang City was heavily guarded, it still couldn’t stop the conspicuous white-robed Prince Ding. Outside Liyang City, Xu Qingfeng and several Qilin members had been waiting there early.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and asked, “What are you doing here?” Xu Qingfeng gave a helpless bitter smile. He had just returned to the main camp when he learned that Mo Xiuyao was alive and had appeared in the military camp. When the news of Mo Xiuyao’s death had first arrived, Xu Qingfeng had nearly been frightened out of his mind. His head had been full of thoughts about what his cousin would do if Mo Xiuyao died. Finally, the person wasn’t dead, but before he could even see him, he had disappeared again. Xu Qingfeng had almost thought Lu Jinxian and the others were joking with him. After waiting left and right in the camp without Mo Xiuyao returning, Xu Qingfeng had no choice but to bring people to wait outside Liyang City.

They waited until it was almost dawn, and just as Xu Qingfeng was about to attempt to break into Liyang City again, Mo Xiuyao finally appeared.

“Your Highness, you’re alright?”

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow – what could happen to him?

Xu Qingfeng sighed and nodded, “It’s good that you’re alright.” Without waiting for Mo Xiuyao’s reaction, he turned and left on his own. Even the usually quick-witted Mo Xiuyao was momentarily stunned. Xu Qingfeng had waited here half the night just to confirm he was all alright. Caring about him? Apart from official matters, the Xu brothers had never been particularly friendly toward him.

Ahead, as Xu Qingfeng walked toward the main camp, he muttered to himself, “It’s good he’s not dead. If he died, we’d have to find another husband for Li’er. Li’er would be fine, but those nephews and nieces of mine would be pitiful…”

The next morning, when the attendants serving Mo Jingli noticed it was quite late the Emperor hadn’t called anyone in, and even Consort Li hadn’t risen, they found it strange. They waited and waited, and even when commanders came to report military matters there was still no movement inside. They had no choice but to carefully enter to ask Mo Jingli to rise. However, before they could even open their mouths to wake the sleeping person, the attendant let out a sharp scream.

The eunuch’s uniquely shrill voice was piercingly loud, not only startling those waiting outside who rushed in but also waking Mo Jingli from his deep sleep.

Being disturbed from sleep, Mo Jingli frowned in displeasure. Looking down, he saw the woman in his arms, her cold temperature and already stiff body, and the dark red blood at her lips. All this told Mo Jingli one thing… last night he had slept an entire night holding a dead person. More importantly, someone had sneaked in to kill Consort Li and he hadn’t known at all. If the person had wanted to deal with him… Mo Jingli broke out in a cold sweat.

Sitting up and pushing away Consort Li’s corpse, Mo Jingli roared, “Hurry and take her away!”

“Your… Your Majesty…” the attendant tremblingly pointed at a certain area and called out. Following the attendant’s gaze, everyone who had rushed in involuntarily looked toward Mo Jingli’s lower body. The originally bright yellow inner robes below the abdomen were similarly stained with dark red blood. Mo Jingli’s expression suddenly twisted, and he finally felt something was wrong. A certain part of his body had no feeling at all. It wasn’t pain, which was why he hadn’t noticed from the beginning. It was a complete lack of feeling as if it simply didn’t exist.

“Quick! Summon the Imperial Physician!” Mo Jingli roared.

“Your Majesty… there’s… there’s a note here.” The attendant tremblingly took a note from the table and presented it to Mo Jingli. Mo Jingli snatched it – it was a very ordinary piece of paper as if casually torn from one of his regular notebooks. It contained only a few words: “Hearing your words of stealing my most precious treasure, I worried day and night. After careful reflection, I cut off your evil to end my worries. Hope you take care.”

Staring at the unrestrained handwriting, Mo Jingli’s eyes widened. He finally couldn’t hold back and spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolling back as he fainted.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty?! Quick… summon the Imperial Physician…”