Nanmen Xu’s appearance finally brought the matter fully into the open.

Never in his wildest dreams had Nanmen Ding imagined that this son of his had already allied himself with Emperor Qiwen.

He felt fury and bitter indignation, yet now he found himself utterly powerless.

“Your Majesty, the National Duke is not in immediate danger. However, he truly should not be subjected to agitation. If he can rest and recuperate with a calm mind going forward, his condition may recover somewhat.”

Feng Jiu stepped out from the inner chamber and reported the current situation to Emperor Qiwen.

Emperor Qiwen gave a nod. Feng Jiu withdrew to one side, her gaze settling on Nanmen Xu, who had entered not long before.

The Head Eunuch said: “The National Duke has already agreed to pass the military seal to Young Master Xu. As for the military seal in the General’s possession — would you also be willing to have Young Master Xu inherit it?”

After all, he was still a son of the Nanmen Clan, and his own flesh and blood at that. Though this son had never been regarded highly, surely it was better than handing the military seal to someone of a different family?

Nanmen Ding fixed his gaze on Nanmen Xu. After forcing down that burning sense of betrayal, he found his mood gradually, unexpectedly, settle.

He had never been kind to this son. He had never shown him a single warm expression. That the son had now betrayed him was nothing to be surprised at.

Emperor Qiwen had also seen that this son appeared to have no great ability, and believed him an incompetent weakling — someone who could be easily controlled in the future.

Yet in truth — how could he, as a father, not know? This sixth son was absolutely not as useless as he appeared on the surface.

The reason he could never look upon this son with favor was because the boy’s birth had taken his mother’s life. He had, once upon a time, loved that mother…

Old memories flooded back all at once. Nanmen Ding looked at Nanmen Xu again, and much of the resentment that had burned in his eyes quietly faded.

“Please be at ease, Father. Your son will certainly lead the Nanmen sons and daughters well, continuing to assist His Majesty and safeguard the great realm of our Bei Mu Nation.”

Nanmen Xu bowed deeply to him, his face wearing what appeared to be a triumphant smile — yet the smile never reached his eyes.

His son was concealing his true capabilities. That triumphant smile was a performance for Emperor Qiwen’s benefit, to make the Emperor truly believe he was as shallow a man as he appeared.

That boastful smile of Nanmen Xu’s strangely set Nanmen Ding’s mind at ease.

The situation was now decided. Emperor Qiwen had maneuvered himself into this position and had no easy way to step back from it. The Nanmen Clan’s military power could not, from this day forward, remain in his own hands or his father’s.

Given that, passing the military power to his own son was still better than allowing Emperor Qiwen to contrive some scheme to take the military seal and hand it to a man of another family.

Nanmen Ding gritted his teeth. Though his mood had settled, he still needed to help his son in front of Emperor Qiwen.

“You unfilial wretch — you have let me down, you have—” The words would not come together. He nearly choked with anger, nearly fainted, and in the end gave a cold snort and said wrathfully: “Since His Majesty has already arranged a way forward for our Nanmen Clan, what more is there for me to say?”

“This is for the best. Head Eunuch, arrange at once for the National Duke to recuperate within the palace. General, please compose a letter so that Young Master Xu may return and explain the situation to everyone.”

Emperor Qiwen was inwardly pleased. Nanmen Xu could barely conceal his excited elation: “Father, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are already prepared. Please.”

No sooner had these words fallen than a young eunuch came forward to present the writing implements.

Nanmen Ding clenched his fist, looked once more at Nanmen Xu — the latter still wore that expression of triumphant satisfaction — and then let out a long sigh. Astonishingly, he truly put the letter to paper, informing everyone that he intended to pass the military seal to Nanmen Xu.

Nanmen Rong, sitting to one side, had seemingly gone still and silent, as though lost in thought. Yet just as Nanmen Ding finished the letter and moved to hand it to Nanmen Xu, she suddenly sprang to her feet, tore herself free from both guards, and lunged toward the letter.

She could not allow the letter to be taken back by Nanmen Xu. She could not allow Nanmen Xu to take control of the military seal.

Everything belonging to the Nanmen Clan was hers — all of it hers!

Without all of this, what had she ever had to rely on? She truly would have nothing left!

Everyone’s attention was on the letter in Nanmen Ding’s hand. No one had thought that Consort Rong, who had been beaten to the verge of unconsciousness, could still find the strength to spring up and strike back.

Just as Nanmen Rong’s hand was about to close on the letter, a white figure swept past at an angle in an instant — five fingers closing like talons around Nanmen Rong’s shoulder, pulling her sharply back.

“You—” Her lips had only partially reduced in swelling, and Nanmen Rong still could not form many words.

Feng Jiu brought her under control, pinning both arms behind her back. She looked back at Emperor Qiwen and said calmly: “Your Majesty, why not allow this subordinate to escort this criminal to the prison first?”

Emperor Qiwen did not refuse. A prior agreement had already been given — Nanmen Rong was to be handed over to Feng Jiu, for Feng Jiu to deal with as she saw fit.

He did not know what “she” wanted Nanmen Rong for. But whatever “she” wanted, he had never once refused.

Emperor Qiwen gave a nod. Feng Jiu led Nanmen Rong away directly. From beginning to end, not a single glance passed between her and Nanmen Xu — though Nanmen Xu looked over at her several times, each time with the appearance of having something to say but holding back.

After Feng Jiu and Nanmen Rong left, the Head Eunuch went over and delivered the letter from Nanmen Ding’s hand to Nanmen Xu.

Nanmen Xu received it with both hands, immediately bowing to Emperor Qiwen: “Your Majesty, this subordinate will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qiwen said nothing. For a man who appeared incompetent and eager for favor, he had little warmth to offer. Passing the military seal to him was only a temporary measure. The day would come when he retrieved it — only now was not yet the time.

Nanmen Ding looked at Nanmen Xu. Despite the many doubts that lingered, there was now nothing he could do to change the course of things.

He could only hope he had not misjudged this son. Even without military power in his own hands, at least it should not fall into the hands of someone of another family.

If Nanmen Xu truly had that ability…

Nanmen Ding let out a long sigh. The Head Eunuch smiled and said: “After all this commotion throughout the night, the General must be exhausted. Why not first come with this old servant to the sleeping quarters to rest?”

Nanmen Ye was also pushed out from inside by someone. Nanmen Ding shook off the guard at his side and strode over at once: “Father—”

Nanmen Ye opened his eyes, but he looked utterly spent.

The Head Eunuch held something in his hand and came forward, lifting Nanmen Ye’s hand and pressing his thumb to a paper.

“You—” Fury flickered in Nanmen Ding, barely suppressed. If his father had still been as formidable as in years past, would these wretches have ever had the chance to humiliate him like this?

But now — had the Nanmen family’s time truly passed?

His gaze fell on Nanmen Xu once more. He saw Nanmen Xu receive with both hands the document the Head Eunuch brought over, his face alight with excited elation: “This subordinate will do everything in his power to assist His Majesty! This subordinate thanks His Majesty!”

That look of hungry desire — it was something Nanmen Ding had never before seen on his son’s face.

Nanmen Ding withdrew his gaze. Whether it was a gamble or not, the choice was no longer his to make.

He could only hope that Nanmen Xu truly had plans of his own — that he would not willingly become a pawn in Emperor Qiwen’s hand.