Soon, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had no more energy to spare for Su Zuidie's antics, as shocking news arrived from the capital. The emperor had accused Marquis Nan and his heir of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, sentencing the entire Nan family to the imperial prison with immediate execution. Officials had already been dispatched to the border to escort Marquis Nan and his heir back to the capital. Upon hearing this, Marquis Nan collapsed in shock, unable to speak for a long time. After a while, he let out a deep, sorrowful sigh. Despite a lifetime of caution and discretion, he had still failed to escape the emperor's suspicion and distrust.
The heir of Marquis Nan sprang up, ready to charge out, only to be stopped at the door by Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, who had arrived together. Ye Li asked, "Where are you going, Heir?"
The heir replied, "It's all because of me that the Nan family has been implicated. I must go to the capital and plead for mercy before His Majesty."
Before Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao could respond, Marquis Nan's furious voice roared from inside, "Ungrateful wretch! Get back here!" Seeing the dazed heir, Ye Li sighed softly and said, "Come back first. Listen to what the Marquis has to say. Don’t act rashly." The heir gave a bitter smile. "What heir am I now?" With the entire Nan family imprisoned, the emperor had also stripped Marquis Nan of his title, rendering the heir no longer an heir.
Entering the hall, Marquis Nan stepped forward and clasped his hands in greeting. "Prince, Princess, forgive my disgrace." The past month had dealt him too many blows. The exhaustion of the long campaign, coupled with the recent turmoil, had left him visibly frail. His temples, once streaked with gray, were now almost entirely white. Ye Li said gently, "Marquis, take care of yourself."
Marquis Nan shook his head with a bitter smile. "Since ancient times, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. Though I strove to stay uninvolved, I could not escape..." His words trailed off into another sigh.
Mo Xiuyao said solemnly, "I am the one who has implicated the Marquis." The accusation of treason against Marquis Nan was something even Mo Xiuyao didn’t believe—nor, likely, did Mo Jingqi, sitting in his palace. But with the heir rescued by Prince Ding's Estate, the emperor would now see the Nan family as allies of the Ding Royal Palace. Moreover, Marquis Nan’s years of feigning ignorance and refusing to aid the emperor against the Ding Estate had already branded him disloyal in the emperor’s eyes. There was no chance of trust now.
Marquis Nan smiled bitterly. "Prince, you need not say so. I was born weak, always seeking to stay out of trouble. Had it not been for my son, I would never have stepped into these conflicts. Those who try to please both sides... today’s retribution is my own doing."
"Do not belittle yourself so, Marquis," Mo Xiuyao said, shaking his head. In his youth, Marquis Nan had been bold and spirited. But after the mysterious death of Regent Mo Liufang, the sudden passing of the late emperor, and then Mo Xiuwen’s abrupt illness—followed by the loss of tens of thousands of the Mo Family Army at the border—Marquis Nan, a perceptive man, had seen too much and feared too deeply. Thus emerged the reclusive Marquis who avoided worldly affairs.
Marquis Nan remained silent, shaking his head. Ye Li frowned as she observed the bleakness in his expression, his eyes hollow and desolate. A chill ran through her—Marquis Nan seemed to have resigned himself to death."Marquis Nan, as long as you live, there is hope. Do not forget that the Nan Marquisate still awaits your rescue, and the heir still needs your guidance and support. I implore you to take care of yourself."
Marquis Nan was taken aback. He glanced at the heir standing beside him, a resolute expression flashing across his face as he said, "This marquis will set off for the capital immediately. As for my son... I hope the Prince and Princess can look after him."
"Marquis, reconsider!" Ye Li frowned. If Marquis Nan took the heir back to the capital together, there might still be a slim chance of survival. But if he left the heir in the army and returned alone, it would likely be a one-way trip. Marquis Nan raised his hand to stop her, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Princess. However... the current emperor... I practically watched him grow up. Compared to the Prince and Princess, I may understand him even better. Prince, the Ding Royal Palace has been loyal to the Great Chu for generations. These words should not have been spoken by me... but now, it makes no difference. As for the emperor... the Prince should prepare early." The hall fell silent. Marquis Nan had made it clear that even knowing his return to the capital meant certain death, he would still go. The heir said solemnly, "Father, I will accompany you back." Marquis Nan glared at him, "Nonsense! If your father does not return, do you want our Nan family to end with no descendants?"
"Father!"
"Reporting to the Prince, someone from the capital has arrived, claiming to escort Marquis Nan and the heir back to the capital," a guard announced from outside.
Mo Xiuyao stood up and sneered, "The emperor has improved—his men arrived just as I received the news. Who came?" The guard replied, "Your Highness, it is the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Wang Jingchuan." Mo Xiuyao frowned, "Wang Jingchuan?" As the Prince Ding, who handled countless affairs daily, insignificant figures naturally left no impression. Marquis Nan smiled bitterly, "He is the elder brother of the imperial concubine Wang Zhaorong, the second legitimate son of the Wang family." Mo Xiuyao quickly understood. Although the Nan Marquisate remained neutral, they were not without enemies, and the Wang family happened to be at odds with them. The emperor sending such a person to escort Marquis Nan and his son back to the capital was clearly meant to humiliate and provoke. Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, "Let him in!"
Soon, a young man in the robes of a third-rank official entered. His appearance was decent, but the hostility in his brow marked him as ill-natured. Behind him followed another young man in seventh-rank robes. Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly at the sight of him.
"Your subject, Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review Wang Jingchuan, greets the Prince and Princess." Wang Jingchuan at least knew his place, immediately bowing to Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li upon entering. The young man behind him also bowed, "Your subject, Registrar of the Court of Judicial Review Zhou Yu, greets the Prince and Princess."
Mo Xiuyao remained seated, looking down at the two men coldly. "Rise. What brings you here, Minister Wang?"
Wang Jingchuan stood up, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes. "Reporting to the Prince, this official has been ordered by His Majesty to escort the traitors Nan Ye and Nan Junfei back to the capital."Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "Traitors? Marquis Nan is my deputy commander. Although his heir was previously defeated and captured in battle, he has since returned safely and repeatedly distinguished himself in subsequent battles. Who exactly is the traitor Wang-daren speaks of? Where is the evidence?"
Wang Jingchuan clearly hadn't expected Mo Xiuyao to counter with such a question. He froze momentarily before replying, "Your Highness, this is His Majesty's will. Surely you wouldn't dare defy an imperial decree?!"
Mo Xiuyao sneered. "Defy a decree? Where is the edict? I’ve heard there’s some enmity between the Wang family and the Nan Hou residence. I suspect you’re forging an imperial order to frame Marquis Nan!"
"Your Highness! I urge you to weigh your words carefully. Even if I bore a grudge against the Nan family, I would never dare commit such treasonous acts."
"Where is the edict?" Mo Xiuyao asked coolly.
Wang Jingchuan faltered under his piercing gaze and had no choice but to admit, "His Majesty issued a verbal decree."
"A verbal decree?" Mo Xiuyao regarded the visibly uneasy man with an amused smirk and said nothing more.
Wang Jingchuan stood in the hall with his head lowered, the silence suddenly oppressive. Under Prince Ding’s gaze, he could almost hear his own heart pounding violently in his chest, his back drenched in cold sweat. Just as he feared he might collapse under the prince’s overwhelming pressure, Zhou Yu stepped forward from behind him and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. We are merely acting on orders. We beg your leniency."
"Acting on orders?" Mo Xiuyao mused with a faint smile. Wang Jingchuan distinctly felt the prince’s gaze shift away from him and exhaled silently in relief, wiping the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. He was even grateful to his usually reticent young subordinate for speaking up.
Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "What a fine excuse—'acting on orders.' Normally, I wouldn’t trouble you over this. But I suppose you’ve heard the saying?"
"Your Highness, please enlighten us." Wang Jingchuan was no fool. No matter how pleased he was to see the Nan family in trouble, he knew better than to show it now that Prince Ding was displeased. True, the emperor would undoubtedly side with him, but if Prince Ding flew into a rage and killed him on the spot, the Wang family would have no choice but to swallow the loss—the imperial court was too far away to intervene.
Mo Xiuyao regarded them with a leisurely smile. "Generals in the field are not bound by orders from the sovereign."
Wang Jingchuan stiffened, then said awkwardly, "Your Highness, I am here on imperial orders. I beg you not to make this difficult."
Mo Xiuyao watched him impassively, and Wang Jingchuan inwardly cursed his own folly for volunteering for this mission just to gloat over his rival’s misfortune. Even a first-rank official wouldn’t dare defy Prince Ding, let alone a mere third-rank functionary like himself. But if he returned to the capital without Marquis Nan and his heir, his days of comfort would surely be over.
"At present, our army is engaged against Western Liang. Abruptly removing the deputy commander would destabilize morale. Wang-daren, you may relay this to His Majesty upon your return. If he takes offense, you may lay the blame squarely on me." Clearly uninterested in further tormenting Wang Jingchuan, Mo Xiuyao spoke with detached indifference.Wang Jingchuan shook his head and said, "Your Highness, please understand. Marquis Nan's crime of colluding with traitors is unforgivable, and His Majesty is furious. He has ordered this humble official to escort Marquis Nan and his son back to the capital within half a month. Otherwise... we can only present our own heads. Please show mercy and grant us a way out."
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and sneered, "What a grand accusation of colluding with traitors. Is this the verdict from the Dali Temple or the joint trial of the ministries? Where is the evidence?" Before Wang Jingchuan could think of how to respond, Zhou Yu, standing beside him, spoke up: "Your Highness, upon receiving the news, His Majesty was immediately enraged and ordered us to first escort Marquis Nan back to the capital for further interrogation." Mo Xiuyao gave a light hum. Without even a proper trial or substantial evidence, the entire Nan Hou family was thrown into the imperial prison and sentenced to execution... He said coldly, "So it seems this prince has been negligent. Marquis Nan was right beside me, and I failed to notice his collusion with the enemy. Perhaps Minister Wang should first take back a memorial of my self-reproach? As for Marquis Nan, once the northwestern campaign is concluded, I will personally escort him back to the capital."
"This..." Wang Jingchuan hesitated unwillingly. Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "Minister Wang, do you not trust this prince?"
Wang Jingchuan was startled and quickly replied, "I wouldn’t dare! To be frank with Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that if Marquis Nan and his son are not seen in the capital within fifteen days, every member of the Nan Hou family—regardless of age or gender—will be executed!"
Beside them, Ye Li sighed inwardly. The emperor was determined to destroy the Nan Hou family. It was likely that the lives of the Nan Hou family members would be forfeited even before Marquis Nan returned to the capital. Even if they wanted to send someone back to save them now, it was probably too late. More importantly, given Prince Ding's current stance, it was impossible to secretly rescue them. To openly plead for mercy would require Mo Xiuyao to return to the capital in person—but given the ongoing war, that was even more impossible. As she pondered this, Marquis Nan suddenly emerged from the inner room, composed, and said, "This marquis will return to the capital with you."
Wang Jingchuan looked at Mo Xiuyao. If Prince Ding refused, even if Marquis Nan was willing to go with him, he wouldn’t be able to take him. Marquis Nan turned and bowed to Mo Xiuyao, saying, "Your Highness, this marquis does not know when we shall meet again. Everything... is entrusted to you."
Mo Xiuyao was silent for a moment before sighing. "This prince has failed you, Marquis." At this moment, he simply couldn’t return to the capital to handle this matter. Marquis Nan shook his head. "It is fate, not Your Highness's fault. This marquis takes his leave now." With that, he turned to Wang Jingchuan and said, "Minister Wang, let us go." Wang Jingchuan glanced at Marquis Nan, then said slyly, "Marquis Nan, if I recall correctly, your son is also here." Marquis Nan smiled faintly. "This marquis does not know what you are referring to."
"You—!" In front of Mo Xiuyao, Wang Jingchuan didn’t dare to be too insolent. He took a deep breath and said to Mo Xiuyao, "Since Your Highness is no longer interfering, please summon the Heir of Marquis Nan as well. This humble official will then take his leave and return to the capital."
Ye Li said coolly, "This consort has not seen the Heir of Marquis Nan."Wang Jingchuan was taken aback and frowned, "Why is the Princess Consort deceiving herself? The Heir of Marquis Nan was captured by Western Liang and later rescued by Your Highness. How could you claim not to have seen him?"
Ye Li smiled faintly, "Lord Wang has just arrived from the capital yet knows such details—truly well-informed. However... your information may be slightly inaccurate. This consort truly hasn't seen the Heir of Marquis Nan. Or... does Lord Wang wish to search the Prefect's residence and Xinyang City?"
Wang Jingchuan quickly glanced at Prince Ding, who sat nearby with an indifferent expression, and hastily shook his head. Even if the heir were truly in the Prefect's residence, he wouldn't dare conduct a search. Moreover, Xinyang City, the Prefect's residence, and even several northwestern cities were now under Prince Ding's control. Who could guarantee the heir was even here? If he failed to find him and provoked Prince Ding's wrath... Wang Jingchuan once again confirmed that he had indeed taken on a thankless task.
"The Princess Consort speaks correctly. This prince has not seen the Heir of Marquis Nan. Since you are to escort Marquis Nan back to the capital, I shall not detain you further. Additionally, as you are pressed for time, I will assign two shadow guards to accompany your return."
Wang Jingchuan's heart trembled, and he had no choice but to reply, "In that case, this humble official takes his leave..."
Watching Marquis Nan turn away without hesitation, Ye Li sighed inwardly and rose to see him off. "Take care, Marquis."
A rare trace of ease surfaced in Marquis Nan's smile as he replied, "Thank you, Princess Consort. May Your Highnesses take care as well."
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