Ninth Prince's Mansion
Inside Shuya Courtyard,
Mo Qingrui paced anxiously in the hall, glancing outside every now and then.
His eyes, already red and swollen from crying, were now bloodshot.
Song Yushu felt sorry for him, but he couldn't offer any advice.
After all, it concerns Jiang Zhao.
Just then, Yu Ying, who had gone out to inquire about the news, ran in from outside.
Fine beads of sweat still clung to his forehead.
Mo Qingrui immediately stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
"Yuying, how is it? Have they returned?"
Yu Ying took a breath and shook her head repeatedly.
"No, I waited until the city gates closed, but Lord Liu from the Jingzhao Prefecture and the others didn't return, nor did the Prince and Princess appear. There's already a curfew outside, so I'm afraid there won't be any more news tonight."
Mo Qingrui staggered and almost couldn't stand.
Song Yushu quickly stepped forward to help him up.
"Yutao, quickly go and bring over a bowl of ginseng tea."
Yu Tao, who was waiting nearby, quickly responded and left.
Song Yushu helped Mo Qingrui sit down in a chair.
Before it was even finished, Mo Qingrui couldn't help but burst into tears.
"It's my fault, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have begged Uncle Jiu and Aunt Jiu to do everything they could for me when something happened to my family. That villain can kill and rip out hearts silently without anyone noticing; he's no ordinary person. If something happens to them because of me..."
"Pah, pah, pah!" Song Yushu lightly patted her wrist. "Stop saying such discouraging things. Yun Han and Qing Wan are both very capable people. If even they can't catch the culprit, wouldn't the capital be in grave danger?"
Mo Qingrui raised her eyes, her eyes brimming with tears.
His eyes had long since lost their sparkle with panic.
"They'll all be alright, right?"
Song Yushu nodded.
"Since Liu Ruzhi hasn't returned, Jiang Zhao will be fine tomorrow. The imperial edict says that Liu Ruzhi must personally oversee the execution. Since the official in charge of the execution is not here, the Wang family would never dare to disobey the imperial edict and let someone else oversee the execution, nor would anyone else have the guts. Just wait patiently, and I believe that good news will definitely come first thing tomorrow morning."
At this moment, Yu Tao also brought in ginseng tea.
Song Yushu quickly picked it up and handed it to Mo Qingrui.
"Listen to me, drink the ginseng tea and go rest. Don't think too much and don't cry anymore. I almost don't recognize you like this."
Mo Qingrui's heart finally settled down.
The warm ginseng tea also warmed my body.
She shook her head with a wry smile. "When my father passed away, he left a will, hoping that I would go to my fiefdom far away from the capital and live out the rest of my life in peace. But at that time, my heart was with Jiang Zhao. I hoped that he would pass the imperial examination with flying colors, make great achievements in the court, and make a name for himself."
"Now that many years have passed, I feel increasingly disheartened by my stay in the capital. Once Jiang Zhao's matter is settled, I want to go with him to his fiefdom, build him a private school, and let him continue teaching and educating people. At least he won't be like this today, being schemed against and dragged straight to the gates of hell."
Song Yushu recalled Zheng Qinggang mentioning that his whole family had gone to Mo Yunhan's fiefdom, and couldn't help but sigh.
What good son doesn't have a heart to serve his country? Who doesn't harbor dreams and yearn to make achievements and bring glory to his ancestors?
The closer one gets to imperial power, the more one can feel how cold and indifferent human relationships become under the weight of power.
That night, the capital was silent.
Within each prefecture, very few could truly sleep peacefully.
The next day, before sunrise, the palace was already bustling with activity.
Yan Yunqing, along with the Imperial Guards, sealed off all the main streets from the palace to the city gates early on.
No merchants or horse-drawn carriages are allowed to travel with them.
Officials of the third rank and above, dressed in their court robes and wearing mourning clothes, waited at the palace gate early in the morning.
Officials below the third rank were not qualified to accompany the imperial tombs; they all waited at the city gate to see them off.
The procession, relying on its imposing presence, whipped its long whips, the whistling sound tearing through the silence of the capital city that night.
Wearing a seven-beaded golden python court robe, Mo Shaoze seemed to have gained an air of dominance overnight.
Standing in front of the coffin procession, holding a dragon banner, he received the kneeling obeisance of the court officials.
Following the Empress Dowager's coffin was the Emperor's imperial carriage, drawn by sixteen horses and guarded by elite soldiers, its imposing presence awe-inspiring.
The Empress was allowed to sit with him, adorned in a phoenix crown, exuding majesty throughout the land.
As the group walked through the long street, the surrounding people all knelt down to see them off.
They arrived at the city gate in a grand procession.
The officials had already gathered and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
According to etiquette, they knelt and walked three times around the Empress Dowager's coffin to show their loyalty and filial piety.
Mo Shaoze led the entire ritual system in an orderly, efficient, and composed manner.
Mo Yunzhao was very satisfied with this.
Suddenly, she turned her head and asked, "What does the Empress think of Shaoze?"
The Empress's heart skipped a beat.
Her exquisite makeup accentuated her elegant and noble appearance; she paused for only a moment before curtsying in response.
"The Fourth Prince is steady and reliable in his dealings, much like Your Majesty was back then. With a little guidance, he already has the bearing of a monarch. His domineering presence is tempered with a touch of scholarly elegance. He is truly a rare and excellent child. Your Majesty is blessed, and the people of Great Zhou are blessed."
Her voice was gentle, but devoid of any vitality.
It seems that he truly admires Mo Shaoze from the bottom of his heart.
Mo Yunzhao stared at her for a while, then spoke softly.
"If Shaoqing had even a fraction of your magnanimity, he wouldn't have made me so angry."
The Empress was overjoyed to see that he was willing to bring up Mo Shaoqing.
It was clear that the Emperor's attitude had softened.
He immediately got up and knelt on the ground.
"If Your Majesty does not bring it up, I would never dare to speak of it."
Mo Yunzhao thought she was pleading for mercy, and his expression turned slightly cold.
What do you want to say?
The Empress gave her personal maid a wink.
Soon, someone carried over three wooden crates.
It is painted in gold and engraved with the characters for "longevity".
Upon opening it, one finds neatly arranged Buddhist scriptures inside.
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