Mountain and River Sacrifice 271. Confession of Sins

"My Lords, come and announce the decree."

The court officials in the hall could not help but look at each other in bewilderment. The emperor did not say anything and just announced the decree. This meant that the emperor had no intention of discussing anything with them and just wanted them to hear the result. After a moment of shock, someone quickly responded, "Your Highness, we respectfully listen to the decree."

Someone had already agreed, so no one else could say anything more. All the officials in the palace knelt down and said respectfully, "We respectfully listen to the emperor's instructions."

The eunuch who was reading the decree beside Mo Jingqi unfolded the imperial edict, but his hands could not help but tremble. He paused for a moment before he could react, and before he could respond, Mo Jingqi, who was sitting in the dragon chair, had already cast his cold gaze on him. The eunuch was startled and hurriedly read aloud. "In compliance with the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: I, with my kindness, have inherited the great foundation for nineteen years. Since I took power, the channels for speech have been blocked, flattery has been heard every day, flatterers have monopolized power, and corrupt officials have succeeded. I listened to the advice and placed the Dingguo Palace in a dangerous place, harming loyal officials... I have no words to say after my death or before my ancestors..."

The eunuch who announced the imperial edict read out the long and proud edict, but the people who were listening to the edict below all changed their colors. What kind of imperial edict is this? This is clearly an edict of self-criticism. And what about the flatterers who are in power and the corrupt officials who are in power. If it is really the flatterers who are in power and the corrupt officials who are in power, then what are these people in the palace? When they heard the matter of Prince Ding's Mansion was mentioned later, everyone couldn't help but gasp. The emperor actually admitted in person that he was involved in the matter of Prince Ding's Mansion that year, and issued an edict of self-criticism to admit his mistakes. Although this matter had been known to the world a few years ago and the people were talking about it. But discussions are discussions, and the emperor personally issuing an edict to admit it is another matter.

After waiting for a long time for the eunuch to finish reading the imperial edict, everyone let out a long breath, and then held their breath even faster, knowing that today's matter might not be so easily resolved.

Mo Jingqi had been resting his eyes until the eunuch finished reading the confession and asked for his instructions. Then he raised his head and said, "Issued it. Also, pass on my decree to restore the titles of Prince Ding Mo Xiuyao, Prince Dingguo Ye Li, and Princess Dingguo, and to canonize Prince Ding's son Mo Yuchen as the Prince of Prince Ding's Palace and the Prince of Xiang. Unlock the seal of Prince Ding's Palace, and all the properties of Prince Ding's Palace in the capital will be returned to him."

"Yes, I obey your command." The eunuch who announced the imperial decree had his hands trembling slightly as he held the imperial edict, and he responded quickly.

Mo Jingqi thought for a moment and said, "Let the Sixth Prince go and announce the decree."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

Seeing the eunuch carrying the imperial edict and even leaving, the people below came to their senses and realized that the emperor was not just pretending to do so, but really intended to publish the imperial edict of guilt to the world, and even did not pursue the fact that Prince Ding announced his separation from the Great Chu a few years ago and had been standing in the northwest with his troops for the past few years. In this way, if people still don't understand what the emperor wants to do, they will have lived in vain.

"Brother! This is absolutely not allowed!" Mo Jingli took a step forward and said loudly. He secretly regretted that he had not expected Mo Jingqi to do such a thing and failed to take precautions in advance. At this time, in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, even if he was the regent, he had no right to ask someone to retrieve the imperial edict without Mo Jingqi's consent.

Mo Jingqi looked down at him and raised his eyebrows slightly, "Hmm? Why not?"

Mo Jingli said, "Once this edict is issued, it will cause great loss of face for the royal family of Great Chu. How will the people of the world see the royal family and how will they view the emperor? Please think twice." Mo Jingqi's eyes flashed with a happy smile, and he said, "No need to think twice. I have issued an edict of self-blame, and this fault is naturally mine. It has nothing to do with the royal family and future heirs. Besides... I don't have many days left to live, and I believe that by then, all the subjects of the world will see my determination to regret and feel guilty."

"But..." Mo Jingli was unwilling and wanted to say more.

Mo Jingqi waved his hand and said, "No buts. What happened in the past was indeed my fault. Now I only hope that Prince Ding will assist my descendants and consolidate the foundation of the Great Chu State because I will not live long." As soon as these words came out, everyone understood that the emperor had absolutely no intention of passing the throne to Prince Li. He even brought Prince Ding's Mansion back at this time, probably to a large extent, just to deal with Prince Li.

The ministers who were attached to the Li Wang party were naturally disappointed, but Prime Minister Liu was not very happy either. Prime Minister Liu had been an official in the court for decades, and as a veteran of two dynasties, he was naturally more sensitive than most people in some aspects. The emperor just said the heir to the throne instead of the crown prince. It seems that there is no difference, but if you look closely, there is a world of difference. The crown prince is not necessarily the heir to the throne, and the heir to the throne can become the emperor even if he is not the crown prince. Thinking of the news that Concubine Liu was refused to see the emperor yesterday, Prime Minister Liu couldn't help but frowned.

Seeing the ministers' faces all different and hesitant, Mo Jingqi raised a faint sneer and said calmly, "Okay, let's not discuss this matter for now. I haven't been to court for a while, tell me about the war with the North."

Although Mo Jingqi had been ill for a long time, he was still able to stand up now and still had some power. The emperor asked them to speak, so they had to speak. As a result, the morning court lasted for more than two hours. When the ministers, whose legs and feet were weak from standing, finally stepped out of the Qinzheng Hall, the imperial edict had already left the palace for a long time.

As soon as the court was dismissed, Mo Jingli walked out of the Qinzheng Hall with a gloomy face. Prime Minister Liu, who followed behind him, also had a bad look on his face. He was already an old man, and he had been standing for nearly three hours in a row. The only people who were given seats by Mo Jingqi were the retired old ministers. He was still an official in the court, so even though he was old, he could only stand. So when he came out, he was a little shaky, and the people who followed him hurriedly supported him, "Prime Minister, shall we go back home?"

Prime Minister Liu pushed aside the person who was supporting him and said in a deep voice, "Go and see the Imperial Concubine and the Crown Prince." He must know why the Emperor's mind changed so quickly. And the Sixth Prince... The Sixth Prince...

In the Inn

Because it was late winter, the courtyard was still a bit chilly. The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was the 9-year-old Sixth Prince Mo Ruiyun. The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict was trembling in the courtyard holding the bright yellow imperial edict. Mo Ruiyun, who stood in front of him, was a bit respectful at first, but after standing for more than a quarter of an hour, Prince Ding sat on the wide soft couch, hugged a boy in black and flirted with him, without even looking at them. Mo Ruiyun, who grew up in the palace and was spoiled by Mo Jingqi, could no longer hold back.

"Hey! My father asked me to convey the imperial edict, and you dare not accept it!" Mo Ruiyun said.

As soon as he said this, the eunuch standing behind him was so scared that his legs went limp and he fell to the ground with a thud. He kowtowed to Mo Xiuyao and said, "Please forgive me, my lord, please forgive me!" Mo Ruiyun looked back at the eunuch and snorted in disdain. He was so timid, and he was the most capable eunuch beside my father.

Mo Ruiyun, who had been deliberately brought up to be spoiled and ignorant since childhood, didn't know that even if his mother was here, she would probably be so scared that her legs would go weak and she would kneel down and kowtow.

His reaction actually aroused some interest in Mo Xiuyao. He raised his head, glanced at him and said calmly, "Is this the person chosen by Mo Jingqi?"

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict had a bitter face and dared not answer. How could the Sixth Prince be chosen by the Emperor? This was clearly a choice without choice. It was just that the Sixth Prince had been spoiled by the Emperor since he was a child, and his biological mother was of low status and could not get a say. He was taught by people in the palace, and he was already nine years old, but he was not as smart as a four or five-year-old child.

Mo Ruiyun said proudly: "Yes, I am the Sixth Prince. Now that you know this, why don't you come and pay your respects to me?"

"Puff..." Mo Xiaobao lay on Mo Xiuyao's legs, looking at the strange prince who seemed to have eyes on his head with wide eyes. Is he really not afraid of his father at all? Mo Xiuyao patted Mo Xiaobao on the head with a smile, "What are you laughing at?" Mo Xiaobao blinked his big eyes, "Is father going to meet the prince?"

"Your father didn't even pay homage to the emperor, so why would he pay homage to the prince?" Mo Xiuyao said with a smile.

Mo Xiaobao squinted his eyes comfortably, lying on Mo Xiuyao's thighs to bask in the sun, "That's good, I don't want to pay homage to the prince either." If his father had to pay homage to the prince, doesn't that mean he also had to pay homage to the silly prince in front of him? It was really too embarrassing. Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and pinched his son's little face and said, "It's easy not to want to pay homage. As long as you have the ability to make others pay homage to you, you naturally don't have to pay homage to others." Mo Xiaobao sneered disdainfully, "Young Master, I naturally have the ability."

"Young Master?" Mo Xiuyao grinned, and mercilessly pinched Mo Xiaobao's little butt where Ye Li couldn't see.

"Ahh... despicable! Mother, father bullies me..." Mo Xiaobao was pinched and rolled over in Mo Xiuyao's arms. Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "I just taught you this truth. If you don't want others to bully you, you must be capable yourself. Before you have the ability, just let father bully you. There is no future in complaining."

"Wuwu..." Mo Xiaobao looked pitifully at his mother who was watching the excitement. Ye Li smiled and shrugged at him, saying that she could do nothing to help him. Mo Xiaoye was very understanding and immediately said to Mo Xiuyao with a calm face: "Father, I was wrong. Please forgive me..."

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows, looked at Ye Li and said, "When did this kid learn to bend and stretch?"

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "He has always been able to bend and stretch." This is the truth. Mo Xiaobao rarely wants to save face except in front of his father. Firstly, he can't let go of his face, and secondly, he is sure that his father will not really do anything to him. Now it seems that even the last face problem has been solved. Therefore, Master Mo can be invincible in the future.

Mo Ruiyun, who was watching the warm and harmonious scene, felt very uncomfortable. The Sixth Prince was also spoiled in the palace since he was young. Mo Jingqi loved him more than the two princes, who were a little dull because of Concubine Liu's indifference. But even so, Mo Ruiyun never dared to act so unruly in front of his father. Looking at the five or six-year-old boy lying in the arms of the handsome white-haired Prince Ding, Mo Ruiyun felt that something strange was spreading in his heart. Looking at the smile on Mo Xiaobao's face, he felt it was particularly dazzling.

Mo Xiuyao and Mo Xiaobao were playing around and ignored him, but the eunuch kneeling on the ground saw Mo Ruiyun's expression clearly. He couldn't help but secretly complain in his heart. These people in front of you are not people you, a small sixth prince, can afford to offend. If you anger Prince Ding, don't even think about asking Prince Ding to support you, I'm afraid you will even lose your life here.

"It turns out the education in Prince Ding's Mansion is not that good?!" Mo Ruiyun finally lived up to his subordinates' worries and blurted out while staring at Mo Xiaobao.

Hearing this, the three people who were still smiling fell silent. Ye Li frowned slightly, looked at Mo Ruiyun and said, "I'm afraid the Sixth Prince doesn't need to judge the family education of Prince Ding's Mansion. Sixth Prince, please go back. Our place is small and can't accommodate your noble status." Ye Li was really a little angry. Mo Ruiyun's words not only mentioned Mo Xiaobao, but also accused the entire Prince Ding's Mansion and the people who taught Mo Xiaobao. As for the reason why he said this, Ye Li could of course see it. It was not because he had any grudges with Prince Ding's Mansion, but just because he was jealous of Mo Xiaobao. A prince who has been spoiled since childhood actually spoke ill of others because of this little jealousy. Such a character is enough to make people dislike him.

"This prince is not wrong!" Mo Ruiyun was not happy when he did not expect Ye Li to order him to leave as soon as she opened her mouth. Although his mother was not favored in the palace, his father liked him, so even the favored son of Concubine Liu had to give him some respect.

"As parents, we are the only ones who need to worry about our son's upbringing. I wonder what status the Sixth Prince has in taking care of this matter?" Ye Li asked calmly.

Mo Ruiyun was speechless and just glared at Mo Xiaobao. Mo Xiaobao was not happy to jump out and argue with him at this time, as it would make him look really uneducated. He snorted arrogantly and hid in Mo Xiuyao's arms, "Father, I was wrong. I will definitely ask my grandfather for etiquette when I go back."

Mo Xiuyao glanced at him with a half-smile, and said to Zhuo Jing and others who were waiting beside him: "Please ask the Sixth Prince to go back."

Zhuo Jing waved his hand and the guards came forward to see him off. The eunuch holding the imperial edict remembered his duty and said quickly, "Prince Ding... this... this is the emperor's edict..."

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and said, "What does the Emperor Chu's order have to do with me? Take it back. Tell Mo Jingqi that his vision... is really good."

The eunuch who delivered the imperial edict knew that there was nothing he could do, so he put away the imperial edict and said, "The emperor has already ordered the unsealing of Prince Ding's Mansion, and all the properties of Prince Ding's Mansion that were sealed in the capital should be returned to Prince Ding. The inn is simple, so Prince Ding is requested to move back to the palace to rest, so as not to wrong the princess and the prince." Mo Xiuyao smiled at the eunuch and said, "You are good at talking. Go back and tell Mo Jingqi. I accept this gift."

Finally it was done, the eunuch breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly took his leave respectfully.

After seeing off this large group of people, Ye Li frowned and asked, "What does Mo Jingqi mean now? Is this the good show you mentioned?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "Isn't it a good show? I've said long ago that Mo Jingqi is... fickle-minded, usually ruthless. He has doted on Concubine Liu for many years, and for her he has contradicted the Queen Mother and ignored the Empress. If he didn't want to save some face, he would have spoiled his concubine and destroyed his wife. That's it, he is almost dying now. He suddenly learned about Concubine Liu's actions, whether it was true or false, he would resent Concubine Liu, and if he thought about it a little more, he would even hate her to the bone. Yesterday, he was provoked by the Queen Mother and the King, and he won't care about the situation of the Great Chu Kingdom at this moment. As long as he can take revenge on Mo Jingli and his son and the Liu family, what can't he do?"

"Are you saying that Mo Jingqi has completely lost his mind?" Ye Li frowned.

"It's not that he has completely lost his mind. He has been half crazy and half insane all his life. He doesn't hate the Ding Palace. The reason he dealt with the Ding Palace in the past was just because he was afraid that the Ding Palace would threaten his throne. But now... he is about to die and I am not threatening his throne. Instead, it is his mother, brother, and his concubine who are scheming against him more cruelly than the other. Compared to me, he only hates them. Now, let alone the Ding Palace, he would agree even if I were to be the regent. He has been blinded by hatred and only thinks about revenge." Mo Xiu Yao smiled faintly.

Ye Li pondered for a moment, and it was just as Mo Xiuyao said. In fact, Mo Jingqi's personality is not suitable for being an emperor. He is too sensitive and suspicious, and his intelligence can only be described as mediocre. It is precisely because he knows his mediocrity that he is even more uneasy, and once he holds power, it is very easy to go to extremes. Just like the matter of Dingwang Mansion back then, the royal family's desire to reduce the power of Dingwang Mansion is definitely not just a matter of these two generations, but among so many emperors, none would do it as rudely as he did. But perhaps it was precisely because of his unexpectedness that he almost succeeded. It's a pity that God will not destroy Dingwang Mansion, it can only be said that it is God's will. In short, Mo Jingqi is a person who is very bad at balance, and the most important thing for an emperor is to understand the way of balance.

"Did Xiu Yao know this would happen?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "After dealing with him for so many years, I still know him a little bit. It's a pity... Even if the Ding Palace has been loyal to the Great Chu for generations, I will never agree to his request this time. His wishful thinking will be in vain."

"Why?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows. Although Mo Jingqi's move was a messy one, it was not a stupid one. Once this self-criticism edict was issued, if Mo Jingqi died again, the refusal of Prince Ding's Mansion would only cause public criticism. It was not that the people did not know how to distinguish right from wrong, but that the world took this self-criticism edict too seriously. Throughout the dynasties, as long as they were not dying, there were almost no problems that could not be solved by the self-criticism edict. No matter what the emperor did, as long as the self-criticism edict was issued, he would be forgiven by the people. After all, the idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor has always been lingering in the minds of every citizen.

Mo Xiuyao sighed slightly and looked down at Mo Xiaobao who was already asleep in his arms. After a quarrel, Mo Xiaobao fell asleep in less than half an hour after listening to his parents talking, with transparent saliva hanging from his little mouth.

"This kid looks very well-behaved, but he is actually very arrogant, even more arrogant than I was when I was a child. I'm afraid he won't be able to be humble when he grows up. Moreover, now that Prince Ding's Mansion has escaped from the prison of Great Chu, it's up to him to decide what to do in the future. Can I, as his father, put him back in prison? After what happened in the past few years, no one would be without some grudges. Then it would just be a repetition of the predicament that Prince Ding's Mansion has been in for so many years."

Ye Li understood what he meant. Even if the royal family kept their promise, Mo Xiuyao would hold great power in this life, and Prince Ding's mansion would be extremely wealthy. However, their descendants would fall into the same deadlock they had experienced before, or even worse.

"No matter what others think, Xiaobao and I will always be by your side." Ye Li said softly.

"I know we will always be together."