“General Xiao, the matter of Prince Li is being investigated by the Court of Judicial Review and the Central Secretariat. There’s no conclusion yet, so this humble officer dares not speak carelessly. I’m only following orders to take people away. Please cooperate with me, General, and identify the people for me.” The captain didn’t answer Xiao Wei.

“If you want to take people away, produce the imperial edict.” Xiao Wei didn’t believe there could be an informant among his people, because for executing the secret decree, he had chosen those he trusted most. “They’re all brothers who’ve followed me since childhood. I can’t just hand them over to you casually.”

The captain naturally had an imperial edict and passed it to Xiao Wei.

After reading it, Xiao Wei finally knew it was indeed the Emperor’s intention. He could only call out names one by one, watching the Qianniu Guards take people away. When he finished, he discovered the captain was still looking at him.

“What? Am I short-changing you somehow?” His tone was very poor.

The captain actually seemed somewhat embarrassed, pointing at Zhong An and saying, “Please also have Captain Zhong come with me for a trip.”

Xiao Wei was furious. “What? You suspect him too? He’s not my subordinate—he’s a Light Cavalry Captain personally appointed by His Majesty, and also my naval camp strategist. When he was earning military merits, you lot didn’t even know where you were!”

The captain’s expression became somewhat ingratiating. “General, how could this humble officer not know Captain Zhong? It’s just His Majesty’s intention—this humble officer dares not disobey. That assassin said the informant was among the people the General brought. Isn’t Captain Zhong also someone brought by the General?”

Xiao Wei clenched his fists, his eyes fixed deadly on the captain. “Did Prince Li fail at usurping the throne, or did someone report him?”

“Fortunately, before Prince Li could act, his intentions were discovered.” The captain didn’t understand the significance of Xiao Wei’s question.

But Mo Zi understood.

“Who discovered it?” Xiao Wei indeed asked.

“It was Minister Yuan.” The captain said.

“Yuan Cheng?” Xiao Wei’s smile appeared and vanished. “I knew it was his doing. Where is there any rebellion? Clearly someone wants to manufacture a false case and shake Great Zhou’s foundations.”

Mo Zi couldn’t listen anymore. “General Xiao, you mustn’t speak carelessly.”

Xiao Wei suddenly looked over, his gaze harsh. “You knew all along, didn’t you?”

“The assassin Prince Li sent nearly took my life—how could I not know? I personally heard the assassin confess that your people left secret marks all along the route for them to follow. Everything we experienced was under Prince Li’s watchful eye. This isn’t some malicious fabrication of a false case—there truly is a conspiracy occurring. Has General Xiao forgotten your sunken warship? That was also sabotaged secretly by your so-called own people.” Mo Zi said steadily. “Why must General Xiao be so shocked and angry? If not for Minister Yuan exposing this, would you feel better? You’ve always held personal prejudices. Whether for yourself or for the nation and state, this isn’t a good thing. Before jumping to conclusions, please first understand clearly the full circumstances and causes of the matter.”

Her sharp words pressed him, leaving Xiao Wei unable to respond.

Zhong An broke the tense atmosphere at the right moment. “I’ll just make the trip. An upright person fears no crooked shadow. White Feather, set your mind at ease.”

The Qianniu Guards, having gathered everyone, immediately disembarked and left.

Wei Jia patted Xiao Wei’s shoulder. “Zhong An is right—an upright person fears no crooked shadow. Don’t overthink it either. But how could such a thing happen? Prince Li is His Majesty’s own brother, the only one who can remain in the capital without going to his fief. His Majesty also trusts him extremely.”

Xiao Wei couldn’t answer Wei Jia’s question. He saw Mo Zi was already preparing to leave the ship. He stepped forward and grabbed her, right before everyone’s eyes, forcefully pulling her into the main cabin and slamming the door shut hard.

Qiu Shan nearly cried out, but mindful of her own miss, she quickly covered her mouth.

Wang Eighth Miss watched calmly, then instructed the Wang family members to unload the luggage and boarded a carriage with Wang Shiniang.

“Shiniang, I’ll write to Grandfather telling him the marriage alliance with the Xiao family is hereby cancelled.” Eighth Miss said.

“Sister, don’t panic yet. Prince Li’s rebellion is a grave matter—Grandfather and the others will surely be worried. We can put aside my marriage matter for now, but let’s wait a while and see, lest the elders become even more upset.” Shiniang replied lightly.

“True. If this matter is real, I’m afraid even the Crown Prince’s wedding will have to be postponed. However, that Xiao Er is truly ignorant of propriety—before everyone’s eyes, actually pulling and tugging with a woman. How could we Wang family women marry such a frivolous person?” Eighth Miss snorted coldly, as if unaware that the Crown Prince she was marrying was a hundred times more frivolous than Xiao Wei.

“Miss Song is a female official—the two are colleagues. With such a grave matter occurring, being anxious is unavoidable. Sister, please be understanding.” Shiniang’s tone remained light.

“What female official?” Eighth Miss dismissed it disdainfully. “Coming and going to court with men—what kind of propriety is that? You must absolutely not learn from her. Grandfather spoils you too much. Women should be dutiful and proper, bear children for their husbands, show filial piety to in-laws, diligently manage the household, and become virtuous helpmates—only then can they let their husbands accomplish great things without worry.”

Shiniang said yes, then turned her gaze toward the bamboo curtain outside.

At this moment, Mo Zi had long since shaken off Xiao Wei’s hand. His temper was big, but hers wasn’t small either. “What is General Xiao doing? Acting like you’re apprehending some villain.”

“Tell me, what exactly is Yuan Cheng plotting?” When Xiao Wei encountered these two people, it was as if meeting his doom—he had no way to stay calm.

Mo Zi exhaled. “Why should I tell you?”

“Mo Zi, I also want to know why you always help him. Don’t say you’re the same kind of person. You have righteousness and honor—he doesn’t.” Sometimes he had an illusion, as if she too was a soldier.

“How do you know he has no righteousness or honor? I’ve said it before—you’re prejudiced against him. Because he was once Nande’s chancellor, you’ve determined he’s an utterly wicked person. Then you should also know that corruption and malpractice in Nande’s officialdom didn’t start with him. In his position, he performed his duties. Because he went along with those people, he could truly do things for the common folk. Can you comprehend this helplessness and unavoidable choice? And you say he harbors disloyalty toward Great Zhou, yet so far all he’s done is seek to clear the Yuan clan’s name. Switch positions—if your Xiao family were condemned and executed entirely, leaving only you, wouldn’t you hate? Wouldn’t you seek revenge?” Taking this opportunity to speak openly was good. She’d had enough of Xiao Wei’s endless prejudice on Yuan Cheng’s behalf. “General Xiao, the Yuan family was wrongly accused. Even His Majesty is willing to give Yuan Cheng a chance to find the truth. Why do you stubbornly refuse? Could it be just because the accusatory letter back then was submitted by your grandfather, so you must grit your teeth and refuse to admit this was a false case? Because if you admitted it, your grandfather’s righteous behavior would become laughable; if you admitted it, your Xiao family would be indirectly responsible for the deaths of over a hundred Yuan clan members.”

“Shut your mouth!” Xiao Wei’s eyes widened, bloodshot veins bursting forth. “My grandfather only delivered the letter to the late Emperor. He even advised the late Emperor to investigate carefully. The Yuan family’s annihilation has nothing to do with my Xiao family.”

“Knowing full well this kind of letter is what emperors fear most, if it needed verification, why didn’t your grandfather investigate himself? Yuan Cheng exposing Prince Li had evidence and proof—it wasn’t just casually submitting an anonymous letter and washing his hands of it. Your grandfather’s actions were inherently wrong. They can be explained as recklessness, or they can be explained as harboring ulterior motives.” Her word choice was like sharp blades, showing no mercy.

“Mo Zi!” Xiao Wei shouted angrily. “I’m asking about current matters—why are you clinging to old affairs?”

“Because current matters originate from old affairs. An inexplicable false case from years past allowed the true culprit to remain at large until today, already sufficient to realize his ambitions and shake the Great Zhou foundations you care most about. And you still can’t see the facts clearly, only wanting to protect your own and the Xiao family’s reputation and status, stubbornly antagonizing an orphan burdened with the weight of his family’s destruction. General Xiao, is this your integrity? Then I must mock it.” She gazed coldly at him. “Yuan Cheng and I aren’t the same kind of person, but neither are you and I.”

Xiao Wei couldn’t utter a single word.

Mo Zi opened the door. “Xiao Wei, as your companion along this journey, I’ll give you one piece of advice. Denying the past is denying yourself. Following in your elders’ footsteps while abandoning your own heart’s true voice—one day, you’ll be manipulated by power and influence, becoming a dutiful Prince Jing who can’t even manage the internal conflicts between his household’s wife and concubines. Whether something is black or white should no longer be decided by your conscience. Take care of yourself.”

Xiao Wei watched her retreating figure. His violently heaving chest gradually calmed. His fierce gaze grew clearer and clearer. Then he roared once, smashed the wooden table with both fists, and sat in a chair holding his head and sighing deeply.

Wei Jia went in to see Xiao Wei.

Mo Zi didn’t care about their brotherly bond and asked the bewildered Yang Qiao, “Who are you going with?”

Yang Qiao looked toward the door, then at Mo Zi. “With you, of course.”

Mo Zi led her people off the ship and came face to face with a handsome official wearing sixth-rank official robes—surprisingly, it was Yang Ling.

“Minister Mo Zi, this humble officer arrived late. Forgive me, forgive me.” Those eyes of Yang Ling’s, smiling like peach blossoms—where was any sincerity in begging forgiveness?

Mo Zi smiled. “Why didn’t Minister Yang leave together with the Qianniu Guards, since you came together?”

This time Yang Ling was convinced. He quickly bowed with cupped hands. “Minister Mo Zi has sharp eyes. This humble officer admits his fault.”

Yang Qiao was very happy to see her brother and immediately ran forward. “Brother!”

Yang Ling patted his sister’s head. “This journey was hard on you, but if you want to accomplish great things, hardship is inevitable.”

“I didn’t do much. It was all Mo Zi and General Xiao and the others, and Minister Yuan. He’s just as amazing as you said, Brother.” Yang Qiao stuck out her tongue.

Mo Zi said fairly, “Qiaoqiao’s photographic memory and painting skills helped tremendously.”

“Thank you, Minister Mo Zi, for taking care of my sister.” Yang Ling glanced at Mo Zi’s side and was suddenly startled, then greatly delighted. “You’re Dou Zi, right?”

Dou Zi? Mo Zi asked Dou Lu, “Is he calling you?”

Dou Lu slowly withdrew her gaze and answered, “I don’t know this person.”

Hearing this, Yang Ling’s face immediately fell. He clutched his heart in a pained gesture. “Dou Zi, how can you turn your back and deny knowing me? I spent fifty taels of silver to buy a little wildflower from you, then got chased by vicious dogs for five streets and nearly got lost unable to find my family.”

“My name is Dou Lu. Song—Dou—Lu. If your ears don’t work well, then don’t speak.” Dou Lu tossed out each word one by one, then ignored him and got into the carriage on her own.

Yang Ling smiled with red lips and white teeth, exceptionally handsome. “Ears not working well—what does that have to do with speaking? Makes sense, makes sense. Truly worthy of being Dou Zi—each bounce produces a golden bean, every word makes me ponder.” He stepped forward to lift the carriage curtain.

Mo Zi knocked away his hand and narrowed her eyes. “Minister Yang, please conduct yourself with propriety.”