173 The Reaction to the Imperial Edict
in. Water flows away flowers wither, spring departs, heaven and earth are transformed.";SixteenA ci poet is someone who never loses his childlike heart. Therefore, being born in the deep palace and ra...173. The Imperial Edict's Reaction
173. The Imperial Edict's Reaction
"Your servant, Liushu Yun, Minister of Personnel, pays respects to Prince Ding."
This time, the messenger who delivered the edict was clearly different from the unfortunate official last time. At least in terms of the grandeur of their entourage, they were entirely different individuals. A minister of personnel from the Liu family was accompanied by several military officers. Not to mention the three thousand elite soldiers and hundreds of guards that had been stopped outside the city walls. Feng Zhirao tugged at the corner of his mouth as a mocking smile flashed across his eyes. What did Mo Jingqi mean On stage, Mo Xiuyao's face was still somewhat pale, but there was no sign whatsoever that he had recently lain in bed unconscious and unaware of what happened around him. His previous white hair had also been restored to its original jet-black color under the medicine provided by Shen Yang. Combined with his handsome features and faint smile, Mo Xiuyao seemed too good to be a man whose wife had just gone missing after falling off a cliff. Liu Shu Yun looked at Prince Ding on stage and frowned slightly, feeling an additional sense of unease due to Prince Ding's completely unexpected appearance. Therefore, even though he was here with the intention of reprimanding Mo Xiuyao, he still approached respectfully to pay his respects.
"Minister Liu, you are excused from formalities," Mo Xiuyao said calmly as he smiled and gestured towards an empty seat beside him. "Please take a seat."
Liu Shu Yun glanced at Mo Xiuyao somewhat hesitantly. To no avail, he couldn't detect any emotion in the other man's calm eyes. Reluctantly, Liu Shu Yun got up to thank Mo Xiuyao and sat down below him on stage. Mo Xiuyao swept a glance towards Feng Zhirao who smiled understandingly before sitting opposite Liu Shu Yun. Soon after, several generals stationed in Hongzhou City also arrived and took seats beneath Mo Xiuyao. Seeing this scene, Liu Shu Yun's smile stiffened somewhat. Leisurely setting down his tea cup, Mo Xiuyao said to Liu Shu Yun with a smile, "Minister Liu, recently I have been feeling unwell and was unable to personally greet the imperial envoy at the city gate. Please forgive me."
Seeing how amiable Mo Xiuyao looked, Liu Shu Yun felt his heart chill. He hastily responded with a forced laugh, "Your Excellency is joking. Regarding Your Excellency's wife... Lady is an extraordinary woman unparalleled in this world; virtuous people are destined for good fortune. Please rest assured."
Mo Xiuyao paused slightly before smiling again and nodding his head, saying, "Minister Liu speaks well. My A Li truly is an extraordinary woman unparalleled in this world." Feng Zhirao also praised the queen with a graceful smile, describing her wisdom and bravery in leading the Mo Family Army to defeat the Western Capital's forces. This left Liu Shu Yun with no choice but to continuously praise Ye Li's merits alongside him, at a loss as to how to bring up official matters. Fortunately, Mo Xiuyao sitting here did not intend for people to endlessly praise his queen. Before Liu Shu Yun could lose track of the conversation, he smoothly changed topics, "I recall that Minister Liu is the eldest grandson of Chancellor Liu How is Chancellor Liu doing recently"
Liu Shu Yun cautiously replied, "My grandfather is in good health and often worries about Your Excellency's hardships while away at war."
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, saying, "When I was young, I also received much guidance from Chancellor Liu. It makes me very happy to hear that the old chancellor is in good health. By the way, allowing Emperor to dispatch Minister Liu, the future head of the Liu family, must mean there's an important matter at hand. May I ask if there are any official matters for just me and Minister Liu"
Li Congyun repeatedly said that he dared not, and only felt a slight bitterness in his mouth. The atmosphere at this moment was so awkward that he didn't know how to bring out the emperor's decree. He feared that if Mo Xiuyao hadn't asked about it proactively, he might have missed his chance to announce it until the end. Of course, he could have declared the imperial order as soon as he arrived, but Li Congyun was the legitimate grandson of the Li family and had been groomed since childhood to be the future head of the family. He wasn't an ordinary official who could simply compare with him. If Wang Jingchuan's death hadn't involved any shady business, Li Congyun would have never believed it. He also understood Wang Jingchuan's character and personality, so he was even more cautious about this task that he didn't want to take on in the first place. He dared not show off his success before Prince Dingwang.
Standing up, Li Congyun bowed slightly to Mo Xiuyao and said, "I truly have brought His Majesty's decree for Prince Dingwang to receive."
Mo Xiuyao smiled in agreement but his body remained motionless on the chair. Not only did he not stand up or kneel to welcome him, he didn't even move a little bit to indicate respect. Not just Mo Xiuyao, none of the generals sitting below made any indication either. Li Congyun twitched at the corner of his mouth but pretended not to see it. He was here to announce the decree, not to uphold the emperor's authority. As long as he could survive and return to the capital city, he could complain however he wanted in front of the emperor later, but the precondition was that he had to live through the announcement first. Turning around and taking out the yellow silk cloth from a brocade box held by his attendant beside him, Li Congyun read it aloud: "By the grace of Heaven and in accordance with imperial edict: Prince Dingwang Mo Xiuyao privately executed people without cause and defrauded the emperor's trust; he is indeed guilty. Taking into account his ancestors' achievements, I pardon him from death penalty but demote him to a marquis title, reducing his stipend by three years!"
The hall was quiet. Li Congyun clearly felt the hostile glances cast at him and could feel sweat in his hands holding the imperial decree. Trying to appear calm and composed on the surface, he folded up the yellow silk cloth and said, "Your Highness, please receive the decree." Mo Xiuyao waved his sleeve slightly, causing the yellow imperial decree to land in his hand instantly. Opening it and looking at the familiar handwriting, Mo Xiuyao's handsome eyes narrowed a bit. After seeming to have pondered for a long time, the smile on his lips became more obvious and made others feel even colder. Feng Zhiyao, who was sitting closest to him, sank further into his seat, while other generals pretended not to see anything.
"Demoted… to marquis title Reduced stipend by three years" Mo Xiuyao's voice quietly echoed in the hall, seemingly carrying some strange amusement. "Is that all His Majesty wants to say Hmmm"
Sweat trickled down Li Congyun's back. He respectfully said, "Your Highness, His Majesty didn't mean anything else. It's just… This matter needs an explanation for the whole empire."
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and smiled, saying, "Did His Majesty not mention something about the authority of Mo Family Army or the obvious difference in properties between Prince Dingwang Manor and Marquis Manor Li Congyun's heart skipped a beat. The emperor indeed mentioned these issues and hinted that he hoped Li Congyun would retrieve them from Prince Dingwang; even promising him to be promoted as Minister of Personnel for sure if he did so. However, Li Congyun never intended to bring up this issue with Prince Dingwang in the first place. Compared to getting the position of a minister sooner or later, not provoking Prince Dingwang and living to return was clearly more important. Although his family had always been loyal to the emperor, it was much easier for him to apologize due to failing to carry out orders than to anger Prince Dingwang. Forcing a smile, Li Congyun said, "This… The emperor's order didn't mention these things. I dare not interpret His Majesty’s intentions on my own. His Majesty must have his reasons."
Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement and said, "Your Excellency is very reasonable. In theory… Since the decree has already been issued, we subjects should voluntarily give up our rights. But unfortunately… The things I possess are really inconvenient to hand over casually. However… The title of Prince Dingwang can be returned to His Majesty. Could Your Excellency convey this message back and ask for a confirmation on whether it would be fine if I were demoted to Marquis In exchange, I will give up all my titles."
Li Congyun's face changed. He clearly understood the meaning behind Mo Xiuyao’s words. Mo Xiuyao didn't care about his status as Prince Dingwang; even if he was an ordinary citizen, only Mo Xiuyao could command the Mo Family Army and manage the properties of Prince Dingwang Manor. The title of Prince Dingwang was merely a nominal position. If Mo Xiuyao wanted to, he could make himself any other prince.
"Your Highness, please calm down. His Majesty doesn't mean it…
Mosyuxiao chuckled coldly, "If that's the case, then may I ask how the sixty thousand troops secretly mobilized sixty miles away from Ruyang City at Feihong Pass are related Also, how do you explain the simultaneous approach of armies from Southern Mo Jingli and Nan Zhao towards the northwest without any hindrance"
"This... this... Your subordinate doesn't know. Please forgive me, Prince Regent." Liu Congyun was stunned; he hadn’t expected that His Royal Highness would be fully aware of these covert troop movements. Moreover, he even knew the exact numbers. Seeing his pale face, Mosyuxiao somewhat regretfully said, "Rest assured, Minister Liu, this prince will ensure your safe return this time. By the way, could you kindly inform Marquis Muyang that… He has two good sons, unfortunately, he himself is too wasteful to appreciate them. In view of Mu Yang’s filial piety, this prince will let him leave with you. As for Marquis Muyang... Let him wait in Ruyang City; his life belongs to this prince!"
"Prince Regent..." Liu Congyun didn't know what else to say.
Mosyuxiao smiled and said, "Of course… on the condition that Marquis Muyang is still alive when you rush back."
"What does Prince Regent mean by this" Liu Congyun asked stiffly.
Mosyuxiao tilted his head with a smile and said, "The soldiers of the Mo Family Army are united in their desire to capture the mastermind behind the disappearance of my beloved concubine's mistress and avenge her. This prince is deeply moved by their loyalty but cannot refuse it. What do you think, Minister Liu" Liu Congyun’s face changed dramatically, his heart sinking at these words. When he entered the city earlier, he indeed saw some troop movements, which he thought were to guard against reinforcements from Western Liang and the three-pronged allied forces advancing towards them. He hadn't expected that Prince Regent would be planning an attack on Ruyang City. "Prince Regent, please think it over! With rebellions breaking out all over Greater Chu, I implore you to prioritize the江山為重？那是什麼東西？”
柳叢雲心中幾乎要噴出一口熱血。從世代守護大楚的定國王爺口中說出這樣一句話，實在不得不讓人吐血。身邊的鳳之遙忍不住嘴角抽搐了一下，連忙忍住。王爺這是跟王妃學的吧？這明顯是屬於王妃偶爾說話風格的一部分。再想到此刻生死未卜的某人，原本上翹的唇角逐漸下沉了。“王爺，定國王府世代守護大楚，王爺萬不可因為一時之氣毀掉定國王府和大楚江山。”
墨修堯漫不經心地端起茶杯說：“哦？大楚江山？那不是墨景祁的事嗎？至於世代守護大楚的定國王府…現在本王已經不再是定國王爺了，而是定郡王。說不定過兩天就會變成普通的布衣百姓。”柳叢雲努力勸說，卻無奈對方毫不在意。最後，他隻能無奈地帶著人告退離開。他必須立刻回京向皇上稟報這個訊息。
看著柳叢雲匆匆離去，墨修堯也冇有阻止。低頭看了看手中的聖旨，輕哼一聲，將明黃色的絹帛隨手扔到了大廳的一個角落裡。鳳之遙起身笑道：“王爺就算看不順眼，也不必丟棄啊。那寫著旨意的布可是用最好的蠶絲、染料和工藝製成的，普通人一輩子也彆想摸到一塊。”墨修堯點點頭讚同道：“有道理，那就把它掛在城門外讓過往百姓都看看吧？”鳳之遙收拾起地上的絹帛，看向墨修堯問道：“王爺真的打算放柳叢雲和沐揚離開嗎？”在場的眾將領也紛紛看向墨修堯，顯然他們對這個決定也有疑惑。墨修堯笑道：“放，為什麼不放？柳叢雲這個人…比他父親、祖父都聰明得多，他已經如此委屈求全了，本王若再對他下手，豈不是讓人覺得本王心胸狹窄？”當然，柳叢雲也比他的父親和祖父更有野心。墨景祁，養著這麼一個能屈能伸、背後還有龐大家族支撐的臣子。本王倒想看看，冇有定國王府的支援，你要如何君臣和睦成就千古佳話？
"As for Mu Yang..." Feng Zhirao gritted his teeth at the mere mention of Mu Yang. It wasn't that he had any personal grudge against Mu Yang himself, but rather against Mu Yang's father, Mu Yang Hou. Although it was not Mu Yang Hou who personally led the troops pursuing the Duchess this time, it was under his command. Moreover, they were fully aware of what instructions Emperor Mo Jingqi gave to Mu Yang Hou. Under these circumstances, even if they killed Mu Yang, it would be quite logical. Therefore, Feng Zhirao couldn't understand why the Prince wanted to release Mu Yang back to Mu Yang Hou.
Moshouyao's eyes flashed with a cold light as he said indifferently, "This prince still has use for Mu Yang. As for Mu Yang Hou... you should be cautious and make sure that he doesn’t die on the battlefield."
Seeing Mo Shouyao clearly had his own plan in mind, though Feng Zhirao didn't know what it was, he did not inquire further. However, when he caught a glimpse of some fleeting red light in Mo Shouyao's eyes, he silently sighed for Mu Yang Hou—being targeted by the Prince, dying on the battlefield might actually be the best fate for him.
Moshouyao stood up and his faint smile turned into a stern expression. The generals who had been seated immediately rose to their feet in unison, respectfully waiting for the Prince's orders.
Mo Shouyao looked towards the azure sky outside with a distant gaze as he spoke solemnly, "Issue an order to the entire army... all units currently engaged against Nanzhao and Xiling must withdraw. They should gather around Ruyang City. Within ten days, I want to see every single member of Mo's Army assembled at Flying Sparrow Pass."
"Yes, Your Highness." Everyone responded in unison without any objections. Feng Zhirao stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness... the imperial troops stationed in Ruyang City..."
"All must be expelled; those who resist shall be killed!"
Interlude:
Hmm… have you noticed that Ao Yao seems a bit off Not to say he's crazy, but there's something... obsessive about him. We won't discuss the consequences of Mo's Army suddenly withdrawing their troops. It's not because he doesn't care about the people; after all, his family has been trained for over a hundred years with this responsibility. But right now, he simply can’t differentiate between the welfare of the common folk and that of Emperor Mo Jingqi’s realm, not to mention… there must be sacrifices in war. Rubbing one's head... do you understand what I mean these years" Su Zuodie found that the Queen Consort of Ding Kingdom was not as easy to deal with as he had imagined, so he turned his gaze back toward Mo Xiuyao.Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly and calmly...