Chapter 521 Qualifications for Entry

As soon as Qin Mo stepped out of the palace gates, she was enveloped by countless gazes filled with complex emotions.

The angry stares came from the civil officials, including Xiao Mingxun; the admiring gazes came from the straightforward soldiers; the fearful gazes came from the onlookers; and many more gazes were filled with... envy.

Jealous of his prestigious princely status, jealous of his special relationship with the empress, and with the support of an empress from the Heavenly Realm, Qin Mo's chances of sitting in that chair are exceptionally high.

Qin Mo indifferently crossed the arched bridge outside the palace. The low-ranking officials who were lingering there in twos and threes quickly made way for him and lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at this rising star of the imperial family.

Qin Mo stopped and stared at the tall man walking towards her from afar.

"You've been shouting quite loudly today! What? You want to fight your uncle and see who has the stronger fist?"

"Those gatekeepers are so arrogant and condescending, I had no choice but to do this! Uncle, you're not going to punish me now, are you? I'll fight back, you know! Hehehe!"

Prince Qin Mu of Yan remained as carefree as ever, wanting to settle scores with Qin Mo as soon as he saw him. Qin Mo mischievously replied that he was also furious, but if Qin Mo took it seriously, he would play along.

Qin Mu wasn't surprised by Qin Mo's attitude. After all, his insistence on entering the palace to find Wang Yushi proved his determination to get involved. Whether he was interested in the chair or not was perfectly reasonable.

"Alright kid, you've really grown up. Come to the Imperial Clan Court tomorrow, and you'll get a share!" Qin Mu patted Qin Mo on the shoulder, said something seemingly ordinary, and then turned and left.

But Qin Mo understood that this was Qin Mu's recognition of him, that he, Qin Mo, was now qualified to enter the highest-level leadership and decision-making circle of the Great Xia Empire.

The Imperial Clan Court was still located on Wenhua Street, north of Yinque Street, but this once quiet and unassuming government office was now bustling with activity.

Whether you're riding a magnificent horse or in a gilded carriage, you must dismount early and walk through a bustling, market-like street to reach the gate of the Imperial Clan Court.

"It's Prince Heng, what brings him here?"

"You don't know this? Yesterday he forced his way into the palace, shouting that he wanted to fight the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Changle!"

"...He's here...Do we still have a chance?"

"Not necessarily. His imperial bloodline is impure, and his mother's identity as a member of another race is the biggest flaw!"

The murmurs spread quietly, gradually subsided as Qin Mo approached, and only started buzzing again after Qin Mo had passed by.

These people whispering came from all walks of life, varying in height, weight, and cultivation level, but they all wore robes stained with yellow in varying shades, proving their status as members of the royal family.

"He may not have a chance, but you... you have one? You can't even get through the gates of the Imperial Clan Court, a bunch of delusional fools!"

On Wenhua Street, there was another group of people who kept a clear distance from these royal children. They were all dressed in ordinary Confucian robes and wore scholar's headscarves, their eyes filled with an air of superior arrogance.

Most of them exuded an air of officialdom, while others were extremely refined in appearance. These were what the Great Xia called "scholars," and their ultimate creed was "to shoulder the great responsibility of the world."

As for how to achieve this goal... of course, it's by becoming an official. The crown prince hasn't been established yet, so as long as you have the merit of supporting the emperor, wealth and honor will be right in front of you!

Cultural Street was crowded, but the area within a dozen feet of the Zongzheng Temple was very quiet. Several people dressed in royal robes stood at the entrance, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. Those members of the royal family and officials who were not of high enough status did not dare to approach.

"Xiao Mo... Xiao Mo, wait for me!"

Just as Qin Mo was about to reach the door, Qin Yumu's tall, bear-like figure caught up from behind. When he got there, he instinctively reached out to put his hands on Qin Mo's shoulders, but then suddenly remembered something, withdrew his arms, and said with an embarrassed smile, "My dad hasn't arrived yet, I can't get in by myself... Can you take me in to broaden my horizons?"

Qin Mo smiled, reached out and hooked her arm around his shoulder, and the two of them walked arm in arm into the gate of the Imperial Clan Court. The few royal family experts guarding the gate hesitated for a moment, but did not stop them.

"Qin Yumu went in. The dignified heir of the Marquis of Kaiyang is actually serving as a lackey of Prince Heng. He has truly disgraced the royal family. Isn't he afraid of betting on the wrong horse? Is he so certain that Qin Mo will rise to power?"

Immediately, the lords and nobles who couldn't get in started gossiping and cursing Qin Yumu for having no integrity.

"We'd like to place our bets, but they won't let us!"

A faint voice rang out, and the surroundings fell silent. Although these people were also members of the royal family, they had no right to enter. Weren't they waiting here hoping someone would take them in?

But who would bother with a bunch of powerless, idle people who just want to live off others?

Upon entering the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, Minister Qin Xiaoxin personally greeted them. Upon seeing Qin Mo, he immediately performed the standard salutation of a prince.

"It's been several years since we last met, but you still look as dashing as ever. What kind of tonic have you been taking? Hehe!" Qin Mo teased Qin Xiaoxin, who was quite old, as he bowed to her.

"Your Highness is too kind. I am old, while Your Highness has grown up. The lineage of Prince Heng has a successor, which is truly a blessing for the Great Xia."

Qin Xiaoxin was telling the truth. Qin Mo had come to the Imperial Clan Court to file a complaint a few years ago. At that time, he was still a prince with little power. But in the past few years, he has risen like a rocket and has become an important figure that the Great Xia cannot ignore. This is something no one could have imagined.

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