Chapter 24: Affection is Hard to Express, Mo Shuihan Doesn’t Understand Romance
Mo Shuihan’s scheme to sow discord worked quickly. The Emperor dispatched men to secretly investigate the Minister of Personnel. Mo Shuihan had his own people discreetly pass the evidence he had gathered to the investigators, and with Jin Zeshan fanning the flames from the side, the Emperor grew increasingly convinced that the Marquis of Qing’an’s family was plotting treason, with the Minister of Personnel as their secret ally.
Before, the Emperor had been determined to protect the Minister, and with Consort Chen’s favor, the case had been stalled. But now, filled with suspicion, he saw foul play everywhere. Even the once-favored Consort Chen now looked detestable to him.
However, the Marquis of Qing’an was a powerful figure, and even the Emperor couldn’t touch him so easily, nor could he afford to alert the family and put them on guard. Mo Shuihan seized the opportunity, having his men spread the story of how the Minister of Personnel, in his scheme to sell official posts, had gone so far as to murder the family of a scholar who had rightfully earned his position through the imperial examinations.
An elderly, white-haired couple knelt their way through the streets to the capital’s government office, beating the great drum to accuse the Minister of Personnel of inhuman cruelty and murder for profit, killing their son who had studied diligently for a decade, all to sell his post.
It was broad daylight, and the streets were crowded. The elderly couple’s actions drew a large crowd of onlookers, who, upon hearing their accusations, raised their fists and demanded the court deliver a heavy sentence. The head of the capital prefecture was sweating profusely, but with the public in an uproar, he dared not make a rash judgment and transferred the case to the Ministry of Justice.
The Minister of Justice and all the officials under him were disciples of the Right Minister. The Left and Right Ministers had always been at odds, but in recent years, the Left Minister’s power had grown, and with the only imperial prince being his cousin’s son, the Emperor had always shown him a degree of favoritism. The Right Minister’s faction had been gradually suppressed. Now, with such a perfect opportunity falling into their laps, the officials of the Ministry of Justice were ecstatic, eager to bring the Minister of Personnel in for questioning. However, as the Minister of Personnel was a high-ranking official of equal standing, the Ministry of Justice had no authority to interrogate him privately and had to restrain themselves.
During the morning court session, the Ministry of Justice presented the petition to the Emperor, stating that the matter had already incited public outrage. If it was not handled fairly, it could lead to civil unrest.
Upon reading the petition, the Emperor flew into a rage. The Minister of Personnel fell to his knees, trembling and proclaiming his innocence, but the Emperor was determined to deal with him. He declared that if the Minister was truly innocent, the Ministry of Justice would clear his name after a thorough investigation. The Minister of Personnel collapsed onto the floor of the court, his face ashen. In the rear palace, Consort Chen cried and pleaded, but the Emperor, citing the will of the people, had her confined as well.
With the Emperor’s tacit approval, the Ministry of Justice went to work with gusto, ready to dig up the dirt on the Minister’s entire ancestral line. The evidence of his crimes was already substantial. Now, without the Emperor’s protection and with the Ministry of Justice relentlessly pursuing him, his fate was sealed. The Left Minister, acting decisively, abandoned him to his fate and began scheming to get another of his disciples into the position, determined not to let the Ministry of Personnel fall into the hands of the Right Minister’s faction.
The Ministry of Justice, having finally seized this chance, refused to let go. Not only was the Minister of Personnel arrested, but all the officials he had appointed were also investigated. The Emperor, wary and suspicious of the Marquis of Qing’an and angered by the humiliation and abuse his daughter had suffered, supported the Ministry of Justice in a thorough investigation. For a time, a wave of panic swept through the officials of the Da Jing Dynasty. Every day brought news of another official’s home being ransacked or their family being executed.
Although the Left Minister reacted swiftly, Mo Shuihan had been planning for years. How could he let his enemy’s minions escape so easily? He secretly provided the Ministry of Justice with a great deal of evidence and assistance. While it wasn’t enough to cripple the Left Minister, it dealt a heavy blow to his faction. The Right Minister’s faction, on the other hand, won a major victory. Although they did not secure the position of Minister of Personnel, many of the vacant official posts were filled by their own people.
Mo Shuihan and Jin Zeshan worked together, discreetly maneuvering the man they had secretly won over, Lord Zhao, into the position of Minister of Personnel. The Left Minister, unaware of their scheme, breathed a sigh of relief, while seething with hatred for the person who had secretly thwarted him, vowing to find them and have them torn to pieces.
With the matter successfully concluded, Mo Shuihan went to the Hanlin Academy the next morning and felt Xiao Heng’s eyes on him all day. He knew Xiao Heng suspected him.
During the midday meal, Xiao Heng finally couldn’t hold back any longer. He approached Mo Shuihan when no one was around. “Was it you?”
Mo Shuihan looked up, feigning confusion. “What?”
Xiao Heng studied his reaction for a long moment, then smiled. “I heard that you had a rather unpleasant encounter with Marquis Fu at his banquet the other day. Marquis Fu is like an eternal block of ice; you couldn’t get a word out of him with a crowbar. I can’t imagine what kind of conflict two people with no connection could possibly have.”
Mo Shuihan replied coolly, “If you’re so curious, Lord Xiao, why don’t you ask Marquis Fu himself?”
Xiao Heng leaned in close. “Wouldn’t it be the same if you told me? I could even help you two mediate.”
Mo Shuihan stood up, putting distance between them, and set down his book to leave. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you, Lord Xiao.”
From behind him, Xiao Heng called out a soft warning, “My father is no fool. He already suspects that person from all those years ago is involved. There are no secrets in this world that can be kept forever. It’s only a matter of time before he finds out.”
Mo Shuihan didn’t break his stride. He had anticipated this. The moment he made a move, Xiao Yushou’s suspicious nature would inevitably lead him to suspect his involvement. However, with so many of his pawns now gone, and since he would never imagine that he would disguise himself as a man, blend into the capital, and become a Prince Consort, it would still be a long time before he was discovered. As long as he could eliminate his next target, the Marquis of Qing’an, Xiao Yushou would be thrown into disarray, buying him more time.
After his duties were finished for the day, Mo Shuihan made a detour to the Spring River Pavilion. Jin Zeshan was already waiting for him. Mo Shuihan waved away the attending courtesans, and only when they were alone did he ask, “You summoned me in such a hurry. What happened?”
Jin Zeshan said, “It’s about the Marquis of Qing’an. The number of bandits in the Jingzhou region has suddenly increased in recent years, and merchants are constantly being robbed. The court has issued several orders to the local garrison, and a great deal of money has been sent, but with little result. His Majesty has always been suspicious of this, and with the recent events, he suspects that the Marquis of Qing’an is secretly colluding with these bandits. The governor of Jingzhou has just sent another report to the court, stating that the bandits have become even more rampant, and merchants no longer dare to travel that road. He is requesting that the court send someone to exterminate them. His Majesty is now considering using this opportunity to send someone to Jingzhou to investigate.”
Mo Shuihan knew of this matter, but he found it strange. “Has His Majesty not sent anyone to investigate all these years?”
Jin Zeshan shook his head. “Of course he has, but it has always been the Left Minister’s men, so naturally, they found nothing. His Majesty also trusts the Left Minister deeply. Without conclusive evidence, he would never suspect him.”
In that case, Mo Shuihan thought, I must disrupt the Left Minister’s plans and have someone else sent to investigate. Perhaps this can drive a wedge between the Emperor and the Left Minister.
Mo Shuihan looked at Jin Zeshan. “What do you think of me going?”
“You?” Jin Zeshan nearly leaped to his feet. “Young Master, you can’t be serious! Jingzhou, what kind of place is that? It’s a lion’s den! If you go, you’ll be swallowed whole! I’d rather go myself!”
Mo Shuihan waved a hand to calm him. “Don’t be so hasty. I was thinking, His Majesty wants to make use of me. I must achieve something to show him, otherwise, how can I earn his trust? In the future, when I face the Left Minister, the Emperor’s trust will be crucial. I must demonstrate my capabilities. I can’t just keep circling on the periphery.”
Jin Zeshan still disagreed. “Even so, there are other ways. If you go, you’ll be openly opposing the Left Minister. From then on, he will see you as a thorn in his side. How can you be his match?”
Mo Shuihan gave a sarcastic smile. “Ten years ago, he and I were already mortal enemies. A confrontation is inevitable. There are other methods, of course, but I don’t have time to win him over slowly. This is the fastest way.”
“But…”
Mo Shuihan raised a hand to cut him off. “No buts. My mind is made up. This is how it will be.” He had thought it through. To get his revenge, he could not be timid. If he hid in the shadows, how would he ever bring down the Left Minister?
Jin Zeshan couldn’t change his mind and could only worry in silence, thinking he should inform Master Huilai.
After they finished their discussion, one of Mo Kui’s personal maids appeared. “Young Master Mo, my lady requests your presence.”
Jin Zeshan tactfully took his leave. Mo Shuihan hesitated for a moment, then stood. “Lead the way.”
Mo Kui was exceedingly attentive, personally pouring a cup of tea and handing it to Mo Shuihan. Mo Shuihan’s voice was tinged with guilt. “You were injured a few days ago, and I haven’t had a chance to come and see you. I’m sorry.”
Mo Kui smiled and shook her head. “Don’t say that, Young Master. I know you have your reasons.”
“Hm?” Mo Shuihan looked at her, confused.
Mo Kui lowered her head, her cheeks flushing as if stained with rouge. “I know you were forced to marry the Ninth Princess. Now that you will soon be free, I am overjoyed for you.”
Mo Shuihan’s hand, which was raising the cup to his lips, froze. His voice turned cold. “Who told you that?”
Mo Kui looked up. “Are you not planning to divorce the Ninth Princess?”
Mo Shuihan sighed, his expression softening. “Mo Kui, the Ninth Princess will be my wife from now on. The talk of divorce was just a joke.”
Mo Kui’s face went white, and she shot to her feet. “That’s impossible! Yu Guan clearly said that because you wouldn’t touch the Ninth Princess, the Empress Dowager ordered you to divorce her after a month. The deadline is almost here. How could it be a joke?”
Mo Shuihan was surprised by her strong reaction. His eyes widened. “You… this is just a private matter between me and the Ninth Princess. I know you don’t like her, but isn’t this a bit of an overreaction?”
Mo Kui shook her head, her eyes rimmed with red. “You don’t understand, you don’t know… I…”
Faced with Mo Shuihan’s bewildered expression, Mo Kui shook her head and took a few steps back, her face a mask of pain, words caught in her throat. How could she say what was in her heart?
Mo Shuihan walked over and gently patted her back, his voice soft. “Alright, I know why you’re so upset, but trust me, the Ninth Princess is not that difficult to get along with. I will explain things to her slowly, and once your conflict is resolved, everything will be fine.”
“It’s impossible.” Mo Kui shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “We will never reconcile. Young Master, in your heart, have you already chosen the Ninth Princess? Have you truly forgotten our years of friendship? Or have I, too, become someone you can no longer trust?”
“What nonsense are you talking about?” Mo Shuihan took her by the shoulders and said earnestly, “To me, you, Yu Guan, and Yu Qi will always be my family. That will never change.”
Mo Kui looked up, crying. “Then why did you have to marry the Ninth Princess, disregarding our feelings?”
Mo Shuihan frowned, his tone becoming serious. “That’s different. The Ninth Princess… she is different from you all. Mo Kui, I hope you can remember this: the Ninth Princess is innocent. I am the one who has wronged her. I hope you can all treat her with the same respect you show me.”
Mo Kui looked at him in disbelief. “How can you be so cruel to me?”
Mo Shuihan was confused. “I… what is wrong with you?”
Mo Kui wiped her tears and turned away. “I’m fine, Young Master. I want to be alone for a while. Please, leave now.”
Mo Shuihan was worried and didn’t move. Mo Kui urged him, “I’m begging you, please leave.”
Only then did Mo Shuihan hesitantly walk out. The moment the door clicked shut, Mo Kui could no longer hold back. She sank to the floor, buried her head in her hands, and began to sob.
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