e of the Empress and has high status. Moreover, there’s a significant chance that her marriage could create discord between the Emperor and the Hua family. Consider this: although General Huo Jigong n...206. Old Minister's Vain Plea, Xu Clan Leaves the Capital
206. An old minister's vain plea, and the Xu clan leaves the capital.
Mojing Qi looked gloomy as he stared at his clearly spirited younger brother, Mojing Li. Although there were many reasons that forced him to reconcile with this younger brother, it did not mean that Mojing Qi had truly forgotten the rebellious act of Mojing Li in the past; even now, this good little brother was still occupying a large part south of Yunlan River. Not wanting to deal with Mojing Li, Mojing Qi could only shift his gaze to Empress Dowager and Queen Mother who were leaving the palace gates, as well as Princess Fuxi and Princess Zhaoyang who had just dismounted their carriages and were heading towards the palace entrance.
With a faint expression, he said, “Mother, why are you here”
The Empress Dowager was about to speak when Queen Mother bowed gracefully before her, lifting up her dress slightly as she kneeled on the ground and said solemnly, "The Xu clan of Yunzhou has been loyal to Da Chu for generations. Please think carefully, Your Majesty." Several imperial consorts followed behind the queen mother; though they were not favored usually, these virtuous ladies from scholarly families also knelt down together with her. They all called out in unison, “Please think carefully, Your Majesty.”
Mojing Qi’s expression darkened but he had yet to speak when Princess Fuxi and Princess Zhaoyang walked over. Pushing away the maidservant who was supporting her, Princess Fuxi kneeled beside Queen Mother and said, "What crime has the Xu clan committed for Your Majesty to confiscate their property Please enlighten us!" Princess Zhaoyang did not say anything but she knelt down by Princess Fuxi’s side, clearly indicating that Princess Fuxi was speaking on her behalf.
“You... you…” Mojing Qi trembled with rage. However, due to Princess Fuxi's high status and seniority, he could not let her kneel at the palace gate. He quickly instructed his maidservant to help her up as he said, “Great Auntie, there’s no need for this here. Let us discuss it in the palace. How did you come back to the capital” Princess Fuxi was unmoved and replied coolly, "I am old and useless now, so I do not expect Your Majesty to heed our advice. However, the Xu clan has done great good deeds for Da Chu. Even if they have committed a mistake, Your Majesty should still show leniency. Although I am no longer young or wise, I must appeal on their behalf.” Princess Fuxi’s words made Mojing Qi almost choke with anger but he could not respond. Seeing the increasing number of scholars and officials, as well as commoners gathering at the palace gate, Mojing Qi felt his vision blurring. Today's situation seemed to be heading towards an unpleasant resolution.
Standing beside him, however, Mojing Li was in a surprisingly good mood. When he had taken the risky step of rebelling and raising arms against his brother, although he had only occupied half of Jiangnan temporarily, it was still much better than before. People always said that as the emperor's younger brother, he enjoyed great favor and respect. But given how his older brother’s character was, would he truly give him power In the capital, Mojing Li did not look any better than other princes. Now, however, with his control over the prosperous region of Jiangnan, even if his older brother was furious in heart, he could do nothing about it. To put it simply, Mo Xiuyao had done him a great favor by occupying Northwest and making the emperor wary of him. If not for this situation, Mojing Li would not be able to return to the capital so openly now. Seeing how angry his older brother was turning, Mojing Li did not show anything on his face but was secretly pleased.
"Great Auntie, Princess Zhaoyang and Queen Mother, why are you doing this Please get up quickly; our emperor is wise and will surely give the Xu clan justice," stepping forward, Mojing Li respectfully advised them.
It was all right that he did not persuade. Now, by reminding Emperor Mo Jingqi about this matter, it awakened his realization that not only were the scholars and commoners in the capital city, as well as officials opposing him, but even his grandmother, aunt, and empress had turned against him too. Thinking of this, a surge of anger shot up to his head, causing Emperor Mo Jingqi to roar out loudly, "The Xu family has committed treason. They deserve to be executed! Declare my decree: the Xu family shall have their homes confiscated and every single member of it will be put to death!" Upon hearing this, there was an uproar outside the palace gate.
Standing by the side, Mo Jingli curled up his lips into a cold smile. The people kneeling down were about to say something when Emperor Mo Jingqi shouted in anger, "Whoever dares to plead on their behalf will be charged with the same crime as Xu!"
The crowd was stunned; suddenly, an elderly man stood up and said loudly, “Your Majesty, the Xu family is innocent. Please look into it!”
Emperor Mo Jingqi narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold glint showing in them. This old man was someone he recognized as a former Grand Censor who had already retired from office at home. He hated this elderly man very much when the latter was still serving in court because the elderly man would always tell him what should and shouldn’t be done, which annoyed Emperor Mo Jingqi greatly. Hence, before his ascension to the throne, he remained a Grand Censor until he finally retired three years ago without being promoted. "How dare you!" the old man said with tears in his eyes, “This old official dares not! This old official is willing to risk my life and beg Your Majesty to repeal your decree!” With that, regardless of everything, he headed straight for a pillar near him and crashed into it head-on. The palace gates were built from the best marble; as soon as the elderly man’s head hit against the pillars, blood splashed all over the white stone.
The old man lay motionless on the ground under the wall of the gate, clearly dead. This retired official was even prepared to die in an attempt to persuade Emperor Mo Jingqi into revoking his decree.
"Your Majesty," the empress said as she stood up and looked at the furious emperor before her, "I beg Your Majesty to repeal your decree." Since he had ascended the throne, he was very wary of officials from previous regimes. Hence, naturally, he was also very apprehensive of an empress coming from a family with great merit in military service like she did. No matter what she said, he always suspected her intentions and never took any of her advice seriously. In the beginning, she had only tried to be a virtuous empress as instructed by both her father and Emperor Mo Jingtian, but gradually, her heart grew cold. Today’s situation was such that no matter how cold-hearted she became, she could not help but advise him against this decision. If he really ordered the Xu family executed, the whole of Chu would be thrown into chaos.
Emperor Mo Jingqi was stunned as an idea flashed through his mind. He shouted, "Stop Empress!" Everyone was startled; however, they saw that the empress did not make any move to stop them but just stood there helplessly looking at him. The empress sighed inwardly: had he thought she would join in and plead for her life She was still his wife! How could he let himself be seen as someone who forced a wife to commit suicide Emperor Mo Jingqi stared blankly at the empress, his face turning red and then pale by turns. However, the Empress Dowager of the First Princess did not care about him at all; she said coldly, "Your Majesty, if you insist on this, please lock me up as well! I am willing to share the same fate as Xu!"
With the Empress Dowager of the First Princess taking the lead, others followed her and cried out too, “We are also willing to share the same fate as Xu!”
In a pavilion across from the palace gate, halfway through an open window could be seen the scene outside. From inside, one couldn’t see anyone outside. The clamor coming from outside the palace gates was naturally carried into the pavilion too. Next to the window, Leng Haoyu leaned against it lazily as he sipped his wine. Opposite him sat a man in white who looked very elegant and refined with an air of purity like lotus flowers blooming on his face. Who else could this be but Xu Qingchen Ever since Xu Qingchen learned that Ye Li had returned safely to the capital and was pregnant, he knew there would definitely be trouble ahead. The Xu family couldn’t let things continue like this. So after quickly settling matters in the South, he rushed back to Yunzhou where he had a serious discussion with his grandfather and father before rushing off to the capital. As it turned out, he happened to be around just as something good was about to happen.
Cold Haoyu sized up the Qingchen Scholar with even more admiration in his eyes. In Cold Haoyu's view, among the five scholars of the Xu family, only this Qingchen Scholar resembled the empress most. Normally he was amiable and made people feel at ease, but when it came to taking action, he would be swift and merciless.
"In such a situation, what does Master Qingchen think Prince Mo Jingqi will do" Cold Haoyu, being someone who trained in martial arts, had vision sharper than the average person's. He could clearly see Prince Mo Jingqi's expressions from outside the palace gate. Across from him, Qingchen Scholar was sipping tea calmly and serenely. With a faint smile, he said, "Prince Mo Jingqi is ruthless but lacks decisiveness; no matter who set up this trap today, he can't escape it. If he had killed several people with an iron hand at the beginning, the rest would have been quiet. If he hadn’t hesitated when dealing with Prince Mo Jingli in the past, could there be a situation like today To put it more broadly, if he had eliminated Duke Ding without hesitation ten years ago, would these events happen now With such mentality, even during peace time, he wouldn't have been fit to uphold the empire. How much less so now that a chaotic era is approaching"
Cold Haoyu felt a chill in his heart and looked at the elegant man before him with awe. Qingchen Scholar was renowned for being extraordinary, yet he would speak such pointedly sarcastic words. He nodded to show agreement with Xu Qingchen's viewpoint and then turned his gaze towards the city gate, his eyes sparkling as he said, "The good stuff is about to begin!"
Outside the palace door, a clear but steady voice was heard: "Subject Xu Hongyan greets Your Majesty."
The crowd turned around simultaneously. They saw Xu Hongyan not in official attire, but in plain white clothing walking swiftly towards them. Two steps behind him was Xu Qingbai also dressed plainly. Upon seeing him, many people called out that the minister had arrived. Although Xu Hongyan's fame didn't match his father and elder brother, he was once a famous talent of the Great Chu Empire. However, due to being trapped in the capital city early on in life, he held an insignificant position as a censor with no real power, hence falling short compared to his father and brother who taught students in Yunzhou and had many successful pupils. Xu Hongyan bowed respectfully upon reaching the palace gate towards Prince Mo Jingqi and others: "Subject Xu Hongyan greets Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, and the Queen." Behind him, Xu Qingbai also followed suit.
Princess Changyang frowned slightly as she said, "Minister Xu, why are you here"
Xu Hongyan smiled faintly: "Reporting to your highness, because of the chaos caused by the Xu family's matter, I couldn't be unaware. Your highness and everyone have worked hard on behalf of the Xu family. Also... Old Minister Li..." Gazing at the elder’s corpse at the palace wall base, Xu Hongyan sighed heavily with red eyes. Bowing deeply to the old minister's body, he said: "The Xu family deeply feels the favor bestowed by Old Minister Li and truly has nothing to repay him."
After completing these gestures, Xu Hongyan turned back towards the kneeling crowd around him and said, "Thank you all for petitioning on behalf of the Xu family. However... This is our own family matter; we shouldn't involve everyone else due to the Xu family's fault. Everyone please go home now. I'll await Your Majesty’s orders here." Beside him, Xu Qingbai similarly declared: "Xu family fourth son Xu Qingbai."
Prince Mo Jingqi sneered and stared at them both: “So you’re confessing guilt”
Xu Qingbai smiled faintly in return: “If the sovereign orders his subject to die, shouldn't he not defy If Your Majesty wants to destroy our family and execute all its members, how could we dare disobey But I wonder what crime Your Majesty expects us to confess”
Xu Qingbai and Xu Hongyan's actions garnered even more respect from those present while increasing the crowd’s resentment towards the emperor. Prince Mo Jingqi clearly felt their growing dissatisfaction with him, but suppressing his anger further might result in unforeseen consequences. Closing his eyes for a moment to stifle his rage, he ordered: “Escort Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai back to the censor's mansion; no one is allowed to meet them without my command!” After saying this, he turned away from everyone’s reactions and walked into the palace gate. Although it seemed as if Prince Mo Jingqi was leaving in anger, in reality, his days of suffering had worn him down, coupled with today’s frustration, making walking away now a necessity.
Standing beside him, Chancellor Liu waved for Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai to be escorted home. Although the Xu family wasn’t destroyed this time as intended, it was clear that their relationship with the court had irreparably deteriorated, paving way for the Liu family's rise to prominence.
Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingbai thanked the petitioners before being led away. The people outside the palace gate dispersed gradually. Prince Mo Jingli saw this scene and smiled thoughtfully as he followed Empress Dowager into the palace. Princess Changyang gazed at the slowly quieting palace gate with a helpless sigh, addressing the Great Grand Princess beside her: "Aunt..." The Great Grand Princess shook her head; her aged face showed fatigue. She held Princess Changyang’s hand and said, "The emperor is mistaken... Alright, Changyang can accompany this old woman for two days." Princess Changyang smiled: "There's no one at Changyang Manor to miss me, so Aunt would be happy if I stay." Supporting the Great Grand Princess onto a carriage, the two carriages then proceeded outside the city.
Sitting on the balcony after enjoying the spectacle, Cold Haoyu chuckled and said, “Master Qingchen is tactful; Minister Xu’s departure is much better than leaving abruptly.” Not only did it not provoke Prince Mo Jingqi but also preserved the Xu family's reputation. Now it was the imperial court that had wronged the Xu family rather than vice versa. Standing up, Qingchen Scholar gazed at the empty palace gate and smiled faintly: “With one more act, we can leave the capital.”
Cold Haoyu said, "How did Nobleman Qingchen know that Mo Jingqi would take action What if he doesn’t move at all Should we act out a play ourselves" Xu Qingchen lowered his head and sipped tea, smiling faintly. "No need for that. Even if Mo Jingqi doesn't take the initiative to do anything himself, there will be others who help him."
Meanwhile, back in the palace, when Mo Jingqi returned, he was naturally infuriated once more. He harshly berated several of the concubines who had knelt down with Empress Dowager before everyone in the palace without any mercy. Just as he was about to sentence them to a life in the Cold Palace, he heard Empress Dowager step forward and say, "Today's incident is due to this Empress’ own fault. If Your Majesty wants to punish someone for it, please include me in the punishment." Mo Jingqi was at his wit’s end, as he had always been wary of the empress while also not treating her well; however, she remained his official wife bestowed by his father and they did share a period of mutual support before he ascended to the throne. Therefore, he usually gave her sufficient respect. When seeing Empress Dowager’s words, Mo Jingqi sneered coldly. "Do you still know that you are this Emperor's empress You disgraced me in front of all the people in the city" Empress Dowager lowered her eyes and calmly said, "The Xu family is not like other families; their fates are closely linked with those of the Dachu Empire. If the Xu family really intends to rebel, this Empress will have no objections regarding any decision Your Majesty makes. But, Your Majesty, does the Xu family actually possess such intentions"
Mo Jingqi was left speechless in front of her calm eyes. After a long while, he angrily waved his hand and shouted, "The rest of you leave now! As for the Empress Dowager, stay inside your palace and don’t come out! Matters concerning the harem will be handled by Noble Consort Liu." The empress did not object to this; she rose from her seat and said, "Thank you Your Majesty. This Empress should take my leave now. My sisters and I would like to go with me." The concubines were only too glad for it; they had volunteered their participation in the petition on behalf of the Xu family today, and Empress Dowager had just saved them. They felt even more grateful toward her. As they had never received any favor from the emperor, there was no point in having expectations of him either.
As Mo Jingqi watched Empress Dowager leave with a group of people, he waved his hand and smashed an antique porcelain vase on the table into pieces. At this time, a eunuch came to report outside the door. "Your Majesty, Prince Li wishes for an audience."
"Tell him to get lost!" Mo Jingqi roared in anger. Standing beside him was Noble Consort Liu, who looked at his frantic and raging appearance with cold eyes; her gaze briefly flashed with a hint of disdain.
The incident outside the palace’s gate happened three nights later when an unexpected fire broke out in the Office of Censorate. Soon after came sounds of slaughter and battle. By the time the guards from Jing’an and people who had good relations with the Xu family arrived, all that remained of the Office of Censorate was a pile of ruins. The few servants who survived were found inside; everyone else was left as charred corpses burned beyond recognition—no way to distinguish between members of the Xu family and assassins. However, someone happened to step on half-burnt palace guard tokens at the scene. Although the Office of Censorate was soon taken over by people sent from the palace who chased away the unrelated individuals present, some information still began to circulate secretly in the dark. The entire city plunged into an even more eerie and solemn atmosphere.
Twenty miles outside the capital, on a quiet road devoid of people, Cold Haoyu bowed and smiled. "Director Xu, Nobleman Qingchen, Fourth Young Master, take care on your journey."
Two unremarkable carriages parked by the roadside. Sitting inside one was Xu Qingchen, who looked at Cold Haoyu from within and said calmly, “Many thanks for Mr. Cold’s efforts this time. Take care.” Cold Haoyu smiled and replied, "Serving for the Prince is our duty as his subordinates; there's no need to mention effort. You'll be accompanied by secret guards and Qilins along your journey, so you don't have to worry about safety. As for the Office of Censorate’s staff, I will arrange everything accordingly, please rest assured, Director Xu."
Xu Hongyan nodded. "Many thanks to Mr. Cold. We must take our leave now."
"Take care on your journey," said Cold Haoyu with a smile as he stepped aside to let them through. The carriages slowly proceeded forward. In the second carriage sat Xu's wife, beside whom was not her usual maid but Qin Zeng from the Qin family. Like Xu’s wife, Qin Zeng wore ordinary clothes yet remained beautiful and alluring; she held tightly onto Xu's wife's clothes with one hand, clearly uneasy about leaving home for the first time. Xu's wife affectionately patted her back and said with a smile, "Zeng, I’m sorry to put you through this. Your mother-in-law will definitely throw you an impressive wedding in the future." Qin Zeng blushed slightly and muttered softly, "Since I’ve already been betrothed to Second Young Master, what’s there to feel sorry about" Seeing this, Xu's wife felt even more affectionate toward her and smiled warmly, “Good girl, if Qingze ever dares to bully you, Mother will definitely protect you!”
"Mother-in-law..."
In the ninth month, the Office of Censorate was attacked by assassins, turning it into a sea of flames.
After ten days, Qin Zeng from the Qin family, who had been betrothed to Xu’s second young master since childhood, fell ill and passed away in less than half a month.
[Interlude]this forest, he still felt that Lordess had chosen a place that was truly terrifying.A distance of ten miles isn't long for two agile individuals. Soon, the duo appeared at a training ground on the ot...