Chapter 684: Chapter 678-679: The Vassal Kings Enter the Capital (Part 2)

Emperor Yong’an didn’t say much more and approved everything.

At this moment, Chu Arrow requested to have his mother consort brought out of the palace.

His mother consort was a consort of the late emperor.

Naturally, this was something Chen Mo had pre-arranged for Chu Arrow and his family.

"Considering your filial piety, I permit it," Emperor Yong’an said with a smile.

...

After dealing with the affairs of the vassal kings, it was time to address those officials who had come to the capital.

Unlike the vassal kings, the methods used against these officials weren’t so gentle.

Dismissal or demotion was the lightest punishment, while severe cases involved execution.

Of course, there were also promotions.

All of this was just to show the people that the court operates with clear rewards and punishments.

...

After the imperial audience ended.

In Han Yuan Hall.

Even though the situation was already very clear, not everyone was pragmatic.

"The Inspector came to report that Marquis of Hongdu Yang Xian, Marquis Chaoping Nangong Jin, King of Zhongshan Chu Yan, and Prince of the South Sea Chu Zhao... all claimed illness and only sent envoys," Xia Zhining said.

After Chen Mo took control, he had conferred the title of marquis on Yang Xian and Nangong Jin.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo frowned; he could foresee that Yang Xian wouldn’t cooperate easily, but what was Nangong Jin up to?

"It’s really quite a coincidence, so many are claiming illness," Liu Ji scoffed.

"At least these few found an excuse and sent someone, indicating they respect the Prince but don’t want to give up everything they currently have. After all, since they’re ill, the court can’t force them. But if they confront openly, it’s a public challenge to the court and the Prince," Xia Zhining said.

Beneath Chen Mo’s sword-like eyebrows, his gaze, like condensed dew, shifted towards Xia Zhining and he asked, "What’s going on?"

"See for yourself," Xia Zhining handed the letter to Chen Mo.

After reading it, Chen Mo’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly.

Curiously, Wu Yanqing moved closer, and moments later, his expressions also darkened.

Under everyone’s gaze, Chen Mo said, "King of Nanping County Chu Feng killed the envoy sent by the court."

"What?!"

This statement left the officials in Han Yuan Hall stunned.

Even Yue Ruyan couldn’t help but exclaim, "How dare he?"

The title "King of Nanping County" revealed that Chu Feng was a vassal king of Nanping County.

After all, in the royal family, having a vassal king whose territory is a province is rare.

Most are commandery princes, and some less favored royal offspring are given the title of county king, and the county becomes their territory.

From the territorial perspective alone, having a thousand soldiers under the king of Nanping County is already considered a large number.

With such limited strength, how did he dare disobey the edict and kill the envoy sent by the court?

This was not the fearlessness of ignorance; it was almost comical stupidity.

As for any hidden cards Chu Feng might hold, none of the officials thought so.

In light of Chen Mo’s current power, if Chu Feng truly had such significant hidden strength, he wouldn’t remain unknown.

"Chu Feng, Chu Feng..." Diwu Fusheng muttered several times, then suddenly said, "I remember now."

"What do you recall?" Chen Mo asked. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"If I recall correctly, when Prince Huai announced his support for the king, King of Nanping County also raised troops. When Celestial Master Thieves were rampant, King of Nanping County publicly declared himself irreconcilable with them.

Later, when Lu Sheng deposed the emperor, King of Nanping County also openly opposed Lu Sheng, but at the time, no one paid him much attention," said Diwu Fusheng.

Back then, King Chong, Prince Huai, Lu Sheng, and Chen Mo were powerful figures, while below them were Yang Xian, King Anping, Xiliang, and the Qiang Race. Compared to these individuals, Chu Feng was a minor character; few took his words seriously.

Perhaps Lu Sheng noticed Chu Feng at the time, but given Chu Feng’s insignificance, Lu Sheng might have deemed it unnecessary to mobilize forces against him.

After hearing Diwu Fusheng’s words, Chen Mo understood something, then laughed, "It seems King of Nanping County wants to be a loyal minister of the Great Song."

Diwu Fusheng’s account reveals that Chu Feng is protecting the royal family and stands with them; anyone posing a threat to the royal family is targeted by him.

None of them were named Chu, be it Xu Guozhong, Lu Sheng, or the current Chen Mo.

In essence, Chu Feng is defending the Chu Clan’s reign.

Upon hearing Chen Mo’s words, the officials burst into laughter, seeing Chu Feng as a mere jester.

Zhao Liang even requested to lead troops to attack him.

"Where is Nanping County?" Chen Mo asked.

"In Yizhou, close to Liangzhou," Xia Zhining said.

Liangzhou is also known as Xiliang.

"Xiliang..." Chen Mo murmured, then ordered, "Xiao Jing, Zhao Liang."

"At your command," Xiao Jing and Zhao Liang said in unison.

"I appoint Xiao Jing as the main general, Zhao Liang as the deputy general, leading five thousand Xianzhen Guard, to march to Yizhou and eliminate the traitor Chu Feng," Chen Mo paid significant attention to Chu Feng, and then turned his gaze toward Chen Ming, saying, "Draft a proclamation immediately to denounce the traitor Chu Feng. I want the world to see the consequences of opposing me."

"Understood..."

Xiao Jing, Zhao Liang, and Chen Ming responded in order.

...

Upon returning to Prince Wei’s Mansion.

Chen Mo saw armored warriors coming and going at the mansion, each carrying a basket of fresh flowers.

Chen Mo stopped one to inquire about the purpose.

Upon learning they were for Nalan Yiren, Chen Mo recalled the need for fresh flowers in making elixirs for delaying aging and enhancing beauty, and with April being the season of flowering.

Chen Mo walked towards Nalan Yiren’s courtyard.

As he arrived at the courtyard, he saw baskets of fresh flowers everywhere, and Nalan Yiren’s distinctive smoky voice came from inside the room: "Just leave the flowers you’ve picked in the courtyard."

"My lord..." The soldiers in the courtyard quickly saluted Chen Mo.

Chen Mo waved his hand, signaling them to continue their work.

The side room door was open, so Chen Mo walked straight in.

As his right foot crossed the threshold, he heard a hissing sound by his ear. Turning his head to see, Nalan Yiren’s voice rang out: "Be careful..."

Chen Mo swiftly dodged as he saw a venomous snake speeding down from the beam, passing beside him.

"I’m fine," Chen Mo said, glancing at the snake on the floor, coiled up in an attack posture.

"I meant be careful not to harm my snake."

Nalan Yiren, focused on processing flowers, glanced at Chen Mo, then addressed the snake on the ground: "Go back, you can’t bite him."

The snake seemed unusually intelligent, as if understanding Nalan Yiren’s words, circled around Chen Mo once, then climbed back up the beam along the pillar.

Chen Mo: "..."

Apparently, he had misunderstood.

"Sit down, why are you here?" Nalan Yiren resumed her work.

"Came to see how your elixir-making is going."

Chen Mo looked up at the beam, noticing not one but more than a dozen snakes coiled there, all staring at him. If it were an ordinary person, they might be scared to death.

The floor was covered with jars and crates of various sizes, making Chen Mo carefully navigate through them without stepping on anything.

"Almost finished, it’ll be done this month." Saying this, Nalan Yiren raised her head, asking, "How’s the situation in the court?"

She was still waiting for her revenge.

"The vassal kings have arrived in the capital, the court affairs are mostly settled. Once I return to Linzhou and deal with the final examination for the imperial examinations, I’ll likely be able to accompany you to the Western Regions if all goes well."

After sitting down, Chen Mo eyed the mask on Nalan Yiren’s face, jokingly commenting, "Why do you always wear that mask? Is the other half of your face really ugly and unpresentable?

Don’t worry, we’re close, I won’t make fun of you. Let me see."

"Wishful thinking," Nalan Yiren glanced at Chen Mo briefly, then spoke to herself: "This mask can only be removed by my husband when I marry, to see my whole face."

"Then forget it. Being around so many venomous creatures all the time might not get bitten, but it’s unsettling," Chen Mo laughed.

Nalan Yiren laughed in annoyance, speaking as if she were interested in him, "If there’s nothing else, leave soon; don’t disturb my work."