Chapter 91 091 This man is the source of all disaster; he must be beheaded…
Indeed, as Zhiwei said, Yun Tianjiao's first reaction after hearing what the refugees said was that it was the work of ghosts and gods. However, when she thought of Mu Ge, who had lived in the capital as a beggar, she wondered if he was the one who leaked the news that the emperor suspected Shen Hengzhen.
After all, although beggars are inconspicuous and lowly and no one cares about them, they are often the most well-informed group.
“I do have my suspicions, but even if he really did relay the message back to Lian County, the timing doesn’t add up. The refugees should have set off immediately after Shen Hengzhen received the imperial edict to return to the capital. Even if Mu Ge heard the news in the capital and left at the same time as the imperial order, it’s impossible for him to be faster than the speed of the official postal relay.” Zhiwei nodded: “That’s right. At first glance, this young man named Mu Ge seems somewhat suspicious, but upon closer examination, he couldn’t possibly be the one instigating the rebellion. I’m afraid that His Majesty is currently furious and believes that someone is deliberately trying to mislead the people. He’s eager to capture the ringleader, and his subordinates, in order to fulfill their duties, will target Mu Ge.”
Yun Tianjiao immediately understood what Zhiwei was worried about.
Mugo is so popular among these refugees that if the court were to take action against him, something terrible would likely happen.
"Your Majesty... shouldn't be so hasty. Even if someone was mistakenly arrested in the heat of the moment, they should be exonerated after a thorough investigation."
Although Yun Tianjiao said this, he was still worried in his heart. After all, Yun Tianqi's recent actions made people doubt his mental state.
Knowing that Zhiwei didn't want to add to the anxiety, she continued, "I hope it's just my overthinking. Mugo is still young, and perhaps His Majesty won't even notice him."
Yun Tianjiao was awakened by a quarrel outside the tent the next morning.
What is the cause of this commotion?
She finished tidying up and stepped out of the tent, only to find Mugo being stopped outside by several soldiers on guard duty.
The guard said, "Please forgive us, Your Highness, but this man wants to see you. We tried to stop him, but he refused to leave."
Yun Tianjiao's gaze fell on the boy's face, noticing that his phoenix eyes were slightly red and swollen, as if he had just been crying. However, the boy's expression was clearly calm and reserved, showing no emotional fluctuation whatsoever, and it was impossible to deduce why he had cried.
"You want to see me? What is it?"
Yun Tianjiao gestured to the guards to let Mu Ge in. The young man walked up to her, knelt down and kowtowed, and said in a firm voice, "This humble subject dares to beg Your Highness the Princess to grant permission for the seriously ill among the refugees to enter the city to recuperate."
Yun Tianjiao understood immediately, and told Mu Ge to get up, asking, "Is someone in your family sick?"
Mugo did not stand up, but respectfully kowtowed again and replied, "This humble subject dares not lie. My grandmother is seriously ill. The imperial physician examined her yesterday and suggested that she find a sheltered house to recuperate. However, this humble subject begs Your Highness's grace not only for my grandmother's sake, but also because the wind and dew are heavy in the suburbs outside the city. Although there are tents to stay in, it is difficult for a seriously ill person to sleep peacefully. I hope Your Highness will grant me this favor."
Yun Tianjiao asked, "How many are seriously ill?"
Mugo replied, "Sixteen people are seriously ill, and seven others are elderly or young with mild symptoms."
Yun Tianjiao couldn't help but reveal a hint of approval in her eyes. This young man was well-mannered and had a clear mind. Although she only asked how many people were seriously ill, he specifically mentioned the elderly and children with mild symptoms. Although these people were not seriously ill, they also urgently needed better food and accommodation.
He did not say it explicitly, but left the decision to her, hoping that she could have compassion for the old and young and handle the situation just right, so as to secure more conditions for the refugees without causing them any annoyance.
"Very well, I'm returning today, these people can come with me." It was only a mere twenty-odd people, which Yun Tianjiao could decide directly.
Mu Ge's dull, dark eyes finally lit up with a bit of light. He mustered his courage and glanced at Yun Tianjiao before kowtowing again, "This humble subject thanks Your Highness the Princess on behalf of the villagers!"
Yun Tianjiao nodded and then asked Mu Ge, "Have you ever been to school?"
Mugo stood up at this moment, his eyes lowered respectfully. "Your Highness, I studied in an official school for a few years when I was in my hometown, so I know some characters."
Yun Tianjiao smiled and said, "You are very good. Do you want to become an official like your father and serve the court?"
Mu Ge was stunned, seemingly not expecting Yun Tianjiao to have the idea of him entering officialdom. Nowadays, becoming an official mainly depends on recommendation. As an ordinary person, he has no power or background. Even if his father becomes a minor official, he has little chance to get ahead.
Now that the Princess has asked him this question, it's as if an incredible opportunity for wealth and fortune is right in front of him.
In that brief moment of stunned silence, a hint of youthful naiveté and bewilderment finally appeared on his face, no longer as mature as usual.
Yun Tianjiao was increasingly pleased and said, "You should comfort your fellow villagers here and tell them not to mention pleading for Lord Shen again. Lord Shen grew up with me and the Emperor since childhood and is like a brother to us. He will be fine. On the contrary, you are the ones who have so many people approaching the capital. Be careful not to be accused of being a rebel."
Mugo snapped out of his daze and understood the crux of the matter. He cautiously replied, "This humble subject understands. On behalf of the villagers, I thank Your Highness for your guidance."
"Alright, go and inform the patients who need to be transferred that they will return to the capital with me in an hour. Don't worry, I will take good care of them. After this matter is resolved, I will have someone escort you back to your hometown."
As the group was about to set off, Yun Tianjiao sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain to look for Mu Ge, and saw him supporting an elderly woman with white hair.
The grandmother and granddaughter said their goodbyes reluctantly. The old woman looked weak, but her spirits were not bad.
When Yun Tianjiao saw the old woman's appearance clearly, he couldn't help but exclaim "Eh!"
Zhiwei's attention was also drawn, and she leaned over to follow her gaze. "What's wrong?"
Yun Tianjiao frowned slightly. "Don't you think Mu Ge's grandmother looks somewhat familiar?"
Zhiwei stared intently for a moment, then suddenly said, "It's her."
Yun Tianjiao turned around in surprise: "You recognize her?"
"Your Highness doesn't remember?" Zhiwei prompted, "On the Shangsi Festival, the orchid-scented water is used for purification rituals, and the Ghost King makes a vow in the Suye Pond."
Yun Tianjiao's eyes widened slightly. "I remember now, it's that old woman who made a vow to you! She said her grandson had recovered from a serious illness and asked you to bless him so that he would have good fortune in the future. Because the old woman had done good deeds all her life, you sent her your blessing. Oh, right, that old woman said that her grandson's name was Xiao Ge'er, which is Mu Ge!"
At that time, Yun Tianjiao did not know Zhiwei's identity as the Ghost King. Now, thinking back on it, he is quite emotional.
Zhiwei was also quite surprised: "So Mugo is her grandson. I only heard her praying to me day and night, but I never knew who her grandson was."
Yun Tianjiao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Since he has received the Ghost King's blessing, Mu Ge should be safe this time. Thank you for your kind words, he will surely turn misfortune into good fortune!"
In high spirits, Yun Tianjiao reminded Mu Ge before setting off: "Remember, after this matter is settled, come to the capital to find me. This is my token. Just go to the palace gate and hand it to any of the guards!"
Mugo raised both hands high, carefully and solemnly accepting the token, and watched as the princess's entourage gradually disappeared into the distance.
The boy's still-growing stature, like a pine or cypress just beginning to bloom, stood tall in the wind, the morning light shining brightly on his patched, faded clothes.
"This humble subject is deeply grateful for Your Highness's divine grace, and wishes Your Highness eternal blessings." The young man bowed from afar, more devout and respectful than ever before.
Because he was carrying more than twenty seriously ill people, the return journey to the city was much slower than the journey there. Yun Tianjiao was not in a hurry. During a rest stop halfway through the trip, he even made a special trip to visit Mu Ge's grandmother.
The old man was flattered and repeatedly tried to kowtow to Yun Tianjiao. Just as he was being stopped, he suddenly heard the sound of galloping hooves in front of him. It turned out to be a troop of cavalry approaching.
Yun Tianjiao looked at the leader and his heart skipped a beat. The man was the Commandant of the Capital Region, surnamed Shi, but he was wearing a brocade robe.
The Embroidered-Robe Envoys were mostly appointed temporarily by the Emperor and were specifically responsible for hunting down serious criminals who plotted rebellion. They wore embroidered robes, carried axes, and could execute those who resisted without prior notification.
The Commandant of the Capital Region galloped up until he was close enough to see that it was Yun Tianjiao's carriage. Only then did he rein in his horse, dismount, and pay his respects.
"Whom is Captain Shi going to hunt down?" Yun Tianjiao asked.
Captain Shi said, "Your Highness, I have come here on His Majesty's orders to capture Mu Ge, the leader of the bandits."
Yun Tianjiao's eyelids twitched. "Bandits? Bandit leaders? How were they classified like that?"
Lieutenant Shi said, "I don't know the specifics either, Your Highness. Please forgive me, this mission is urgent, and I cannot accompany Your Highness to escort you."
Having said that, he mounted his horse, turned the reins, and prepared to continue his journey.
Yun Tianjiao gave a shout and ordered his men to stop him.
Captain Shi said with difficulty, "Your Highness, I am only following orders. His Majesty is furious and is urging me to capture the bandit leader as soon as possible. If I delay, I'm afraid I will lose my head!"
Yun Tianjiao was in a state of confusion, not knowing why Yun Tianqi had suddenly made a move. However, she also knew that it would be useless to say anything to Captain Shi here, as she could not force him to disobey the imperial decree. Therefore, she could only let him pass.
"After Lieutenant Shi arrested the man, please take good care of him. There may be some misunderstanding. I will go and report back to His Majesty immediately."
Captain Shi clasped his hands in a fist salute to Yun Tianjiao from his horse, then led his men away, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust.
Yun Tianjiao didn't dare to delay. He abandoned the carriage and ordered Zhiwei to draw a teleportation array on the spot, preparing to teleport directly back to the palace to find Yun Tianqi and ask him for clarification.
While waiting for Zhiwei to draw the array, Muge's grandmother got off the carriage and knelt down tremblingly in front of Yun Tianjiao.
"Your Highness, I just heard someone say that my little Ge'er has become a bandit leader? That's impossible. Our little Ge'er is the most filial and obedient. How could he be a bandit leader?"
Yun Tianjiao grasped the old woman's withered, trembling hand and said, "Don't worry, there's probably a misunderstanding. I'll explain it to His Majesty when I return to the palace, and everything will be fine. Right now, the most important thing for you is to recover, otherwise Mu Ge will worry again."
The old woman was in tears, terrified and uneasy, but she was eventually coaxed back to the carriage.
Zhiwei had already drawn the teleportation array and held out her hand, indicating that she could leave.
Just as Yun Tianjiao was about to take Zhiwei's hand, he suddenly felt a jolt and realized something.
If it's just about capturing a bandit leader, the position of Commandant of the Capital Region is more than enough. Why would Yun Tianqi specifically appoint the Embroidered-Robed Commandant?
Thinking of the privileges granted to those in the Embroidered Robe Guard, Yun Tianjiao's pupils constricted, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "He knows!"
Seeing that her expression was off, Zhiwei asked, "What did Your Highness say?"
Yun Tianjiao turned to look at Zhiwei, his eyes filled with fear, and muttered, "Zhiwei, he knows. Yun Tianqi knows that I went out of the city to comfort the refugees. He gave the Sili Xiaowei Embroidered Robe Direct Officer special privileges to keep an eye on me!"
Without waiting for Zhiwei's reaction, she seized a soldier's horse and galloped away, chasing after the Commandant of Sili.
Zhiwei quickly caught up on horseback, the two of them one in front and one behind. Yun Tianjiao almost swung the whip so hard it flew, but Zhiwei knew he was in a hurry, so she secretly activated her magic to make the horse even faster.
Even so, it was still too late.
When Yun Tianjiao crossed the land of ten thousand streams and arrived at the refugee camp, he saw a line of blood rising high, cutting through the sky.
A dull thud, like a heavy object hitting the ground.
The head rolled away, its delicate face, adorned with a long scar running diagonally across it, covered in dirt, its eyes wide open, dying with unresolved grievances.
Amidst cries of resentment, the refugees rebelled, and the Commandant of the Capital Region raised troops to suppress them. Under the blazing sun, it was a scene of hell on earth.
Yun Tianjiao felt dizzy and almost fell off his horse.
Zhiwei caught her, but she grabbed her collar.
"Didn't you give him the Ghost King's blessing? He should have lived a long and healthy life, and always be safe from harm. Why...why..."
Yun Tianjiao felt a tightness and pain in his chest. In his anger and frustration, he vomited a mouthful of blood and fainted.
...
When she woke up again, Yun Tianjiao was lying on her phoenix bed in her Chang Le Palace, with Yun Tianqi anxiously watching over her. He was overjoyed to see her awake.
"Eldest sister! You're finally awake! You scared me half to death!"
Snap!
Yun Tianjiao raised his hand and slapped Yun Tianqi hard, knocking him to the ground.
The imperial physician, who had been waiting nearby, turned pale with fright. Having witnessed the emperor being slapped, he feared he was going to die, but he dared not back down and could only shrink back as much as possible to minimize his presence.
"Get out of here, all of you!" This was the first time Yun Tianqi had been publicly humiliated by his elder sister. His face flushed red and then turned pale as he roared.
The palace servants and imperial physicians inside the room were relieved and quickly dispersed, leaving only Yun Tianqi, Yun Tianjiao and Zhiwei inside.
Yun Tianqi was already used to Zhiwei and Yun Tianjiao being inseparable, so he ignored them, only covering half of his face and angrily saying, "Elder sister! You've really gone too far this time!"
Yun Tianjiao retorted sharply, "I've gone too far? Tell me, what good deeds have you done? Why did you kill Mu Ge?! You say he's a bandit leader, and those refugees are outlaws, but do you have any evidence? Aren't you afraid that this will alienate the people, and that the world will condemn you as a tyrannical and incompetent ruler?!"
Yun Tianqi avoided eye contact. "How could it be that I ordered his execution? I only suspected him of inciting unrest and inciting the people, so I ordered his arrest for investigation. Who would have thought that when General Shi went to arrest him, he encountered those refugees who fought back desperately? As you know, the Embroidered-Robe Envoy can execute anyone who disobeys orders without prior notification..."
Before Yun Tianqi could finish speaking, Yun Tianjiao raised his hand and slapped him across the face again.
"I'm not stupid. Save that for a three-year-old."
Yun Tianqi fell silent for a moment, then finally exploded.
"Yes! I'm the one who wants to kill him! He gathered thousands of people and besieged the capital, and even spread rumors that I suspected Shen Hengzhen. What is he trying to do? What is he trying to do?! If we don't punish him severely, are we waiting for all the refugees in the world to follow suit?! Eldest sister only knows how to pity others, why don't you pity me?!"
As Yun Tianqi finished speaking, his eyes filled with tears, and he became aggrieved.
“Elder sister, do you know that ever since someone in the court suggested that Shen Hengzhen was stockpiling troops and supplies in the southwest, intending to rebel, I have been restless day and night, plagued by nightmares? I dream that someone took advantage of me while I was asleep and cut off my neck with a sword, and my head rolled off the dragon bed... I, I…”
Yun Tianqi gasped for breath, crouching on the ground with his head in his hands, seemingly trapped in a nightmare once again, trembling like a frightened bird, unable to extricate himself.
In the end, Zhiwei cast a calming spell on him, which calmed him down and he fell into a deep sleep.
Yun Tianjiao glanced at the dark circles under Yun Tianqi's eyes and realized that something was wrong with him. He gestured for Zhiwei to step forward and check if he had been under some kind of spell and had his mind bewitched.
Zhiwei checked it over and shook her head. "It doesn't seem to have anything wrong with it, but..."
"But what?"
"However, if something disturbs His Majesty's mind through his dreams, it can leave no trace."
Yun Tianjiao was furious and cursed, "Who on earth is it that has plunged my Yunchi Kingdom into chaos?"
Despite feeling unwell, she summoned the eunuchs serving in the imperial court and asked them what had happened in the court these past two days and who had advised His Majesty to execute Mugo.
The eunuch reported, "Your Highness, ever since the refugees from the southwest arrived in the capital, some officials have advised His Majesty that Lord Shen was behind it all. His Majesty did not believe it and ordered a thorough investigation, which led to the discovery of this man named Mu Ge. It is said that the refugees all follow him as their leader. Regarding his punishment, the officials in the court held differing opinions. Finally, someone suggested seeking help from the gods, which His Majesty accepted. He ordered the Imperial Observatory to perform divination before the statue of the Heavenly Venerable. The result was that this man was the source of disaster and must be eliminated immediately. His Majesty then made his decision, bestowing upon the Commandant of the Capital Region the embroidered robe and ordering him to execute the bandit leader on the spot after meeting him!"
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