Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

However, it wasn’t over yet. The Grandmaster Mu Qing—now the Empress’s father and the Emperor’s father-in-law—was also arrested by the Imperial City Department and thrown into the Imperial Prison on charges of treason.

Aside from the Grandmaster and Prince Mu, these two powerful figures, many middle-ranking officials from key departments were also cast into the Imperial Prison; among them, not a few were Chen Mo’s people.

Once this news spread, mere uproar was an understatement.

The entire Bianliang was in turmoil.

Everyone was discussing what Chen Mo planned to do.

No matter what, Great Song still bore the Zhao family name, and Chen Mo was still a minister. Yet now, he dared arrest even the Emperor’s own father-in-law—he clearly paid no heed to the Emperor or the Imperial Family.

Those following Chen Mo, however, felt somewhat exhilarated; was the Prince sweeping obstacles aside to ascend the throne? Then they would all be the ministers of a rising dragon.

Some said it was much ado about nothing, asking if everyone had forgotten Lord An Yang.

Could the Grandmaster possibly compare to Lord An Yang?

Lord An Yang was the current Empress Dowager’s own father, and he too had been demoted to commoner status.

Mu Qing merely relied on his daughter being the Empress to obtain the Grandmaster’s post; in terms of personal strength and influence, compared to Xiao Yunqi, it was like heaven and earth apart.

Though Bianliang was in uproar, public opinion soon subsided: the Grandmaster had conspired with the traitorous Zhao Jiang to rebel, caught red-handed with evidence in hand.

As for the other officials, some conspired with Zhao Jiang, some with other Vassal Princes, and even some with Yellow Turban rebels—their crimes were all grave, and confiscation of their property was a certainty.

With the Imperial Guard maintaining order, chaos was avoided.

...

Dusk was falling.

At the training grounds in the rear court of Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, Chen Mo executed a full set of ”Spear Emerges Like a Dragon.” He was in high spirits; recently, not only had he successfully broken through to Middle Stage Foundation Establishment, but his mastery of ”Spear Emerges Like a Dragon” was nearing perfection.

He took a deep breath and was about to practice again when Chun Lan led Gao Zheng over from a nearby corridor.

Chen Mo placed his spear back on the weapon rack. Bu Qingping and Zhu Ying, who were waiting nearby, immediately approached gracefully—Bu Qingping wiped sweat from his face with a towel, then poured a cup of tea and handed it to Chen Mo.

After bringing Gao Zheng in, Chun Lan gestured for Bu Qingping and Zhu Ying to withdraw.

”How is it?” Chen Mo drank the tea and inquired into Gao Zheng’s progress.

”The Prince Mu investigation is complete—Mu Wang personally sealed his confession, admitting to correspondence with King Yan...”

Gao Zheng presented Zhao Qi’s direct confession to Chen Mo.

Long ago, Quan Qiyang had spoken to Chen Mo about Zhao Qi’s activities. At the time, they only lacked evidence, so Zhao Qi couldn’t be touched. After all, arresting a Prince without proof would have enormous repercussions.

Moreover, at this critical time of reform, Chen Mo had to set an example by strictly following the rules.

”He could die ten thousand times without it being unjust.” Chen Mo’s face grew cold as he finished reading Zhao Qi’s confession.

It turned out, back during the Eighteen Lords’ alliance, he had already exchanged secret messages with King Yan, leaking many confidential matters.

”Prince, your subordinate has sealed off Prince Mu’s Mansion—everyone in the mansion has been sent to the Imperial Prison...” At this, Gao Zheng suddenly laughed slyly: ”Prince, would you care to meet Princess Consort Mu?”

The implication was more than obvious.

Chen Mo immediately kicked him to the ground, saying, ”What kind of person do you take me for? I have my principles—what should be done will be done.”

Chen Mo truly had no interest—in all this time, even Bu Qingping and Zhu Ying, whom Gao Zheng once offered to him, he hadn’t touched.

Gao Zheng felt aggrieved, secretly thinking, ”Prince, isn’t this just what you fancy?”

You never refused before.

Besides, she’s Princess Consort Mu! How tempting is that, yet the Prince isn’t moved?

Seeing how firm the Prince was, truly uninterested, Gao Zheng relented. He certainly dared not touch Princess Consort Mu himself, and quietly said, ”Prince, if anyone pleads for her, just let her go.”

Chen Mo considered a moment, then said, ”If someone from the Imperial Family asks, I’ll do them the favor...”

After all, Zhao Qi is still a royal; at worst, he’d be executed, but exterminating nine generations was out of the question.

”Understood.” Gao Zheng replied and withdrew.

...

Soon after Gao Zheng left, Quan Qiyang arrived, his expression still grave.

Even after entering the study, Quan Qiyang leaned close and whispered in Chen Mo’s ear, ”Prince, from my investigation, Mu Qing and King Yan’s collusion involved His Majesty as well.”

Hearing this, Chen Mo furrowed his brows, then said with some realization, ”No wonder—so that’s why he had such nerve...”

”Prince, what should be done?” Quan Qiyang looked troubled; with His Majesty implicated, things were complicated.

”Cut through the mess with a sharp blade...” Chen Mo raised his hand, drawing a slashing motion across his neck.

Even if Zhao Chong had ordered it and Mu Qing confessed, there was absolutely no letting it drag Zhao Chong in—if word got out, it would severely damage the Imperial Court’s prestige, with consequences too grave to contemplate.

Thus, someone had to take the fall.

”See to it—I’m heading into the palace.”

”Yes, Prince.”

...

Inside Zhao Chong’s bedchamber.

The Empress knelt before Zhao Chong, tears streaming like raindrops, clutching his pants leg, begging him to save her father.

”Your Majesty, my father has always been a decent man, never offended Prince Zhen Nan—how... how could he conspire with traitors? This must be a false accusation...” The Empress’s eyes were red and swollen as she cried, ”Your Majesty, you must help me—save my father...”

Zhao Chong didn’t reply, his expression at that moment was indescribably grim.

Nobody knew better than he whether Mu Qing conspired with traitors.

Because it was he who gave the order.

He’d done this because he sensed his own reign as Emperor would soon end.

The dynasty was about to change hands; as a Zhao descendant, how could he stand by and do nothing?

Alone, he lacked the strength, so he had Mu Qing approach King Yan, proposing that if King Yan entered the Capital, Zhao Chong would abdicate in his favor.

Yes, after all Zhao Jiang was his uncle, a Zhao by blood.

If successful, the throne would remain with the Zhao Family.

After making contact with King Yan, Zhao Chong kept it secret from the Empress and conspired together with Mu Qing...

Zhao Chong knew Chen Mo was about to march out; by then Chen Mo would command the army, and after he left the Capital, Zhao Chong planned to find a way to seize control of the Empress Dowager, then hold the reins of power and...

In short, the plan was flawless—in theory.

But it was ruined before it even began.

Now Mu Qing was locked in the Imperial Prison, and Zhao Chong couldn’t guarantee Mu Qing wouldn’t reveal his name.

If Chen Mo learned of his involvement...

He’d never let Zhao Chong go.

Zhao Chong was terrified of dying. Imagining Chen Mo leading troops to kill him, sweat broke out along his spine and he said, ”Go to Mother—the Empress Dowager is the only one who can help... No, who can help you...”

As he spoke, Zhao Chong headed toward the Weiyang Palace, with the Empress urgently following.