Chapter 14: Mo Shuihanâs Identity is Doubted
Because of the incident with Fu Yi, everyone was somewhat distracted for the remainder of the gathering. Xiao Heng glanced at Mo Shuihan several times, but Mo Shuihanâs face was a cold mask, and he completely ignored him. Xiao Heng sighed and tactfully sat to the side, no longer trying to approach him. Seeing this, the others, though unsure of what had happened, did not dare to disturb him either.
After making polite conversation for a while longer, Mo Shuihan excused himself. He refused Xiao Hengâs offer to see him off and walked alone through the streets at a leisurely pace, his mind racing as he contemplated his next steps. His unexpected marriage to the Ninth Princess had thrown all his previous plans into disarray. He needed to think carefully about what to do next.
As he reached a secluded area, Mo Shuihan sensed something was amiss. He stopped and called out to the empty space behind him, âCome out. Youâve been following me for a long time. You must be tired.â
Fu Yi emerged from behind a building, his eyes fixed on Mo Shuihanâs face. âYouâve finally returned!â
A sarcastic smile touched Mo Shuihanâs lips. âIs Marquis Fu not yet sober? Or does this official truly bear such a striking resemblance to your old acquaintance that everyone mistakes me for him?â
Fu Yi walked up to him, bending slightly to meet his gaze. âI would not mistake you. I know it is you who has returned.â
Mo Shuihanâs eyes turned cold, and he turned to leave. âThe Marquis has had too much to drink. This official will not keep you company.â
Fu Yi grabbed his arm, a complex mix of emotions swirling in the depths of his eyes. âYou donât have to hide from me. You know you canât fool me. I am not your enemy.â
Mo Shuihan pulled his arm free and offered a false smile. âOh? Then, may I ask why the Marquis has stopped me? Is there something you wish to say?â
Fu Yi stepped in front of him again, looking earnestly into his eyes. âI will help you with your revenge. I will do anything. But you cannot stay here. Xiao Heng already suspects you, and it wonât be long before Xiao Yushou finds out as well. Your situation will become very dangerous. Listen to me: leave this place at once. As for your revenge, leave it to me.â
Mo Shuihan laughed, his expression light and amused. âThis official was under the impression that Marquis Fu and Lord Xiao were on good terms. I never imagined you had such an interesting history. Revenge? How novel. But Iâm afraid I must disappoint the Marquis. This official is truly not the person you are looking for. I will treat todayâs conversation as a joke, something heard and forgotten, and it will not spread any further. The Marquis can rest assured.â
âYouâŚâ Fu Yi stared at him, stunned.
Mo Shuihan gave a detached bow and turned to leave without a momentâs hesitation. Only when he was well out of Fu Yiâs sight did his expression turn to ice.
Wang Zhao and Ling Shi appeared silently behind him, respectfully awaiting orders. âYoung Master, that Fu Yi has clearly recognized you. Should your subordinatesâŚâ
Mo Shuihan calmly raised a hand to cut them off. âYou are no match for him. Send a message to Ying Yi. Have him tail Fu Yi starting today. If he makes any suspicious moves, eliminate him immediately!â
The two men acknowledged the order. Then they asked, âWhat about that Xiao Heng?â
Mo Shuihan continued walking, a cold sneer on his face. âDebts must always be paid. It is time for him to pay his.â
After his two men had vanished as silently as they had appeared, Mo Shuihan finally stopped and sighed. Fu Yi was right. Xiao Yushou was no fool. His identity would not remain a secret for long. Therefore, he could not delay any longer. He had to go to Guanshan Temple to see Master Huilai at once!
Xiao Heng spent the night tossing and turning, realizing he had been too reckless. Regardless of whether Mo Shuihan was her or not, he should not have used Fu Yi to test him. That person was a wound not only in his own heart but in Fu Yiâs as well. By exposing Mo Shuihan now, he had only given Fu Yi an opportunity and might even attract his fatherâs attention.
Early the next morning, Xiao Heng rushed to the Hanlin Academy to apologize to Mo Shuihan, only to find that Fu Yi had arrived even earlier. He was currently sitting in front of Mo Shuihan, and though his face was as taut as ever, it was not difficult to see the patience and an attempt at goodwill in his demeanor.
Xiao Heng ground his teeth. I knew it. This Fu Yi is a complete hypocrite!
He squeezed himself between the two of them, forcing a fake smile. âLord Fu, your visit is a rare honor. You must have important business. But Shuihan has only just joined the Academy. Surely you have the wrong person?â
Fu Yi gave him a bland look. âThe Empress Dowagerâs birthday is approaching. The top scholarâs calligraphy is excellent, so His Majesty has specially commanded him to compose a celebratory ode. Does Lord Xiao wish to interfere in this as well?â
âYouâŚ!â Xiao Heng retorted angrily. âDonât think I donât know what youâre up to! Since youâve already said she is dead, why are you still pestering Shuihan? Lord Fu, isnât it embarrassing to contradict yourself?â
Fu Yi remained calm and composed, and the two went back and forth. Mo Shuihan, growing increasingly annoyed, slammed the document in his hand onto the table with a loud slap and stalked out of the room, his face grim.
Forgetting their argument, Xiao Heng and Fu Yi quickly turned. âLord Mo, where are you going?â they asked in unison.
âTo Hanshan Temple to burn some incense,â Mo Shuihan called back without turning, his voice cold. âTo get rid of this bad luck!â
The two men were left speechless. Is it really that serious?
After praying before the Bodhisattva in the main hall of Hanshan Temple, Mo Shuihan found a secluded spot and lit a small flame. A short while later, Master Huilai hurried over. âYoung Master.â
Mo Shuihan sat on a stone bench and waved his hand. Several guards hidden in the shadows immediately secured the area, preventing anyone from spying. Master Huilai sat down opposite him. âYoung Master has come today. Is there an urgent matter?â
Time was short, so Mo Shuihan got straight to the point. âThe network I had you build in the capital, how is it progressing?â
Master Huilai quickly reported, âThe capital is full of powerful and complex factions, making it difficult to cast a wide net. However, this old servant has managed to establish a part of it. While it may not be enough for a grand undertaking, it will certainly be sufficient to lend the Young Master a helping hand.â
Mo Shuihan nodded. âHand it over to me now.â
Master Huilai was taken aback. âHas the Young Master decided? Once you take this step, there is no turning back.â
Mo Shuihan gave a sarcastic smile. âI ran out of roads to turn back on a long time ago!â
Master Huilai hesitated for a moment before taking a piece of paper from his robes. Just as Mo Shuihan was about to take it, he pulled his hand back. Mo Shuihanâs dark eyes studied him. Master Huilai tried to persuade him one last time. âYoung Master, please do not get involved. Leave it to this old servant.â
Mo Shuihanâs gaze remained cold, his hand still extended. After a long internal struggle, seeing Mo Shuihanâs unyielding stance, Master Huilai reluctantly handed over the paper.
With the information in hand, and to avoid arousing suspicion, Mo Shuihan immediately stood up to leave. Master Huilai called out from behind him, âYoung Master, this old servant will not go anywhere. I will wait for you here. If you are in trouble, I will get you away at once.â
Mo Shuihan turned back and said only, âKeep a close watch on the movements of the capitalâs noble families.â
After committing the contents of the paper to memory, Mo Shuihan removed the lampshade and burned the note. Then he summoned Yuqi. âTake my card to the residence of Lord Jin, the Imperial Attendant. Tell him I will pay a visit tomorrow.â
The words had barely left his mouth when Chunlan rushed in again, crying and shouting, âPrince Consort, you must go and see the Princess! Sheâs taken a pair of scissors and says sheâs going to become a nun!â
âWhat?â Mo Shuihan shot to his feet and ran out. Has this woman gone mad?
As he neared the bedroom, he could hear many voices inside. âPrincess, please speak calmly. Donât do anything rashâŚâ
âYes, Princess! If you cut your hair, it will take years to grow back. The Prince Consort will surely ignore you even more thenâŚâ
Mo Shuihan frowned. What is all this nonsense?
He pushed the door open to see the Ninth Princess holding a pair of scissors while the others desperately held onto her hands, pleading with her. When they saw Mo Shuihan, everyone froze for a second. The Ninth Princess seized the opportunity to wrench her hand free. âDonât stop me! I am going to become a nun! My own Prince Consort doesnât want me anymore. What is the point of me staying here?â
Mo Shuihan stood to the side and watched for a moment. Seeing him do nothing, the others began to shout while still trying to restrain the princess. âPrince Consort, quickly, talk some sense into the Princess!â
Mo Shuihan rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and said, âDonât stop her. Let her cut it!â
âHuh?â Everyone was stunned. Nanny Shen hurried over to him. âNo, you canât! She is a princess of the imperial family. How could she do such a thing? Itâs completely improper!â
Mo Shuihan shot Nanny Shen an amused look, then walked over to the Ninth Princess and leaned down, a teasing glint in his eyes. âIf the Princess truly wishes to become a nun, you shouldnât just make a lot of noise and do nothing. As for these servants who are stopping you, I will hold them back for you, to ensure you can cut your hair in peace. What do you think?â
Furious, the Ninth Princess slammed the scissors on the table. âYou wretched scholar! Youâre just waiting for me to become a nun so you can be free, arenât you? Well, I wonât give you the satisfaction!â
Mo Shuihan straightened up and sighed with a complete lack of sincerity. âWhat a pity!â
He glanced at the servants in the room and said as he walked out, âNext time you put on a show, make it more convincing. Hold your princessâs wrist tighter. Sheâs not made of paper; she wonât break!â
The Ninth Princess glared at her incompetent maids, who lowered their heads in guilt. She pushed them aside and blocked Mo Shuihanâs path. Noticing the height difference made her seem less imposing, she took a few steps back and put her hands on her hips. âYou wretched scholar, do you really think I donât dare to cut it?â
Mo Shuihan nodded seriously. âYes, I do.â
âYouâŚ!â The Ninth Princess lifted her chin and puffed out her cheeks. âIâll do it! Iâll show you whether I dare to become a nun or not!â
With that, she rushed to the table, snatched the scissors, and held them to her hair. Mo Shuihan turned around to watch her, completely unruffled.
The Ninth Princess swallowed hard. âI⌠Iâm really going to do it!â
The terrified maids rushed to hold her back. âPrincess, you canât!â
Mo Shuihan lowered his gaze, a smile playing on his lips. âPrincess, donât let your hand tremble. If you really canât bring yourself to do it, I can offer one final act of husbandly kindness and escort you to a temple to have it done⌠Hey! Youâre actually doing it!â
Mo Shuihan lunged forward and snatched the scissors from her hand. Though he was fast, a few strands of hair had already been cut and were drifting to the floor. He stared at her, wide-eyed and still in shock. âAre you insane?!â
The Ninth Princess looked at him triumphantly. âI told you I would really cut it. You were the one who didnât believe me. You wretched scholar, if you dare mention a divorce to me again, Iâll really cut off all my hair and become a nun, and Iâll make you feel guilty for the rest of your life!â
Mo Shuihan pointed at her, grinding his teeth in speechless fury for a long moment before turning and storming out.
As he walked away, the Ninth Princess called after him in a cheerful mood, âPrince Consort, arenât you going to take me to the temple? Arenât you going to offer your final act of husbandly kindness?â
Without turning back, Mo Shuihan threw a sentence over his shoulder. âThe sedan chair is too busy. The Princess can go by herself!â
The Ninth Princess bit her lip to stifle a giggle. âYou think you can win against me?â
The maids, however, were thoroughly frightened. They clutched their chests. âPrincess, if the Prince Consort hadnât stopped you, would you really have cut it?â
The Ninth Princess smiled and tapped them on their heads. âYou silly girls, you donât understand the Prince Consort. He may seem cold on the surface, but he is a man of deep sentiment and loyalty. He is bound by that sentiment. How could he possibly stand by and watch me cut my hair? I was betting on his inability to bear it. With that as my leverage, he will never escape my grasp!â
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