The Zhaoxia Phoenix Dress was personally bestowed upon Prince Ning by the current Emperor, Zhao Zong.
But why would an item meant for women be given to a prince?
Emperor Zhao Zong’s meaning was clear: he wanted Prince Ning to find a princess consort.
Zhao Mu then gave the Zhaoxia Phoenix Dress to Mo Nichang, causing everyone in the court to believe that Mo Nichang was the future Princess Consort of Ning.
However, no matter whose hands the dress is in now, as long as it was bestowed by the emperor, it is an Imperial Gift.
A commoner tearing an Imperial Gift—lightly speaking, it’s contempt for imperial authority; more seriously, it’s the Crime of Deceiving the Emperor.
Yes, in ancient times, the supremacy of imperial power was absolute. So damn unfair.
Fortunately, the Great Song setting here isn’t historical—it’s a Cultivation World. Above imperial power, there are still immortals to keep it in check.
“Wu Yaowen, is what Miss Mo said true?” Chen Xiaoyan asked with a furrowed brow.
Wu Yaowen clasped his hands and replied, “In reply, Xianzi, it is true, but there were reasons behind it. It’s definitely not what Miss Mo described.”
“Then tell me what happened.”
“The tearing of the dress is completely fabricated. That woman’s daughter was killed by a carriage crash. She just wanted Miss Mo to stay and grabbed the corner of the dress—there was no tearing.”
“Nonsense! You’re talking nonsense!” Mo Nichang glared at Wu Yaowen indignantly, her eyes full of grievance.
One would think she was the one being wronged.
“Young friend, do you have any witnesses?” Mo Ruwei asked calmly.
“This…” Wu Yaowen was taken aback, looking troubled.
There were witnesses, but he wasn’t sure if his fellow scholars would tell the truth.
If they lied to curry favor with the powerful, it would cause big trouble.
Seeing him hesitate, Chen Xiaoyan knew there must be some concern.
She stood up and said to Mo Ruhui, “Prime Minister Mo, I have something I’d like to discuss with this person in private.”
Mo Ruhui broke into a smile and extended his hand. “Xianzi, please feel free.”
Chen Xiaoyan gestured for Wu Yaowen to follow her and walked out of the living room.
Back in the previous courtyard, she looked around to make sure there were no spies before turning back to ask, “What’s the issue with the witnesses?”
Wu Yaowen gave a bitter smile. “Xianzi, the witnesses are fine, but I can’t vouch for their character.”
“Scholars as well?”
“Yes.”
Chen Xiaoyan’s eyes darkened upon hearing this.
So the witnesses were unreliable. After all, Prime Minister Mo was the father of all scholars. Even if they were summoned, the risk of being backstabbed was too high.
Better to just forget it.
But then there was no way to pin the charge of treating human life as grass on Mo Nichang.
“It’s a bit difficult. We can give her a minor punishment, but there’s no hope for a major one. You need to be prepared.”
Even if they pinned the charge of over a dozen casualties on her, it would be useless. The other side could just say it was the coachman’s doing and wash their hands clean.
Ah, if this were reality, it would be much easier.
Wu Yaowen looked dejected. “Your servant… understands.”
Chen Xiaoyan patted his shoulder to console him, then returned to the living room.
She had done everything she could.
The last resort would be to call players to come and level the Prime Minister’s Residence.
But the consequences would be too severe…
Hmm?
Call players to level it?
At that moment, an idea suddenly popped into Chen Xiaoyan’s mind—a very shameless idea.
On the way back to the living room, she immediately stopped, opened the private chat interface, and sent a message to Mu Qingxue.
Chen Xiaoyan: Xue-bao, ping.
Mu Qingxue: ?
Chen Xiaoyan: Notify the guild’s players from the eight sects to come to this (location). Don’t send high-level players—preferably newbies. One player per sect is enough.
Mu Qingxue: Bao, what are you up to? Taking newbies through a replica?
Chen Xiaoyan: No, I have something to take care of. I’ll tell you later.
Mu Qingxue: Okay, I’ll notify them right away.
Chen Xiaoyan: Don’t close the private chat for now.
Mu Qingxue: Mm, do you need me to come?
Chen Xiaoyan: No need, no need. First gather the people. If a fight breaks out, then you can come.
Mu Qingxue: Understood.
Chen Xiaoyan: Oh, and let Liu Yue know too.
Mu Qingxue: ??? Bao, you’re making a big move. Gathering two guilds—are you going to attack Wushuang Lou?
Chen Xiaoyan: What’s there to fight them for? I’m going to fight NPCs!!!
The biggest threat in the entire Prime Minister’s Residence is this Mo Jiuchi, a Grandmaster Martial Artist.
Even though she didn’t know his strength level, Chen Xiaoyan didn’t want to be like the Calabash Brothers saving Grandpa—feeding kills one by one.
If they were going to fight, they’d go all out.
If they still couldn’t win, she could only call Sister Shen over.
But then again, it probably wouldn’t come to a fight.
Once the disciples of the Eight Major Sects arrived, if Mo Jiuchi made a move, he would directly offend the entire Xianjie Alliance. No one could save him.
He wouldn’t be that stupid.
Chen Xiaoyan now had two plans.
First, Mo Jiuchi gets angry and kills, then gets overrun by players—backup plan: Shen Qingqing saves the day.
Second, Mo Jiuchi plays the Ninja Turtle, doesn’t make a move, lets us cause a ruckus in the residence—backup plan: threaten.
As for who to threaten, we’ll see when the time comes.
Mu Qingxue: Yan Bao, you’re fighting NPCs? Don’t mess around. At our current stage, we can’t beat NPCs yet. If we take too many casualties, our overall strength will drop, and Wushuang Lou will laugh their heads off.
Chen Xiaoyan: Ah, this…
What she said did make sense. It seemed she’d have to use the backup plan: let the newbie players provoke Mo Jiuchi. If he makes a move, she’ll call Shen Qingqing over.
You think you can fight?
What’s the use of being able to fight? In the world out there, it’s all about connections and backing.
Mu Qingxue: Did an NPC bully you?
Chen Xiaoyan: No.
Mu Qingxue: Then have you made up your mind? If you have, I’ll have Liu Yue gather people and prepare to come.
Chen Xiaoyan: No, no, just have those eight newbies come over.
Mu Qingxue: Mm, Yan Bao. Once Wushuang Lou is gone, we can hit whoever we want. For now, bear with it.
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
From her words, did she think she was being bullied outside?
But the truth was the opposite—she was the one planning to bully others.
However, Mu Qingxue’s reply warmed Chen Xiaoyan’s heart.
Chen Xiaoyan and Wu Yaowen returned to the living room.
Mo Nichang had already gotten up and was making tea for her father. When she saw the two of them arrive, she shrank her head and put on an act of being very afraid of them.
Chen Xiaoyan rolled her eyes, feeling contempt in her heart.
‘If the scholar’s words were true, then this woman was indeed ruthless and cruel.’
‘A ruthless person who doesn’t blink at killing—would she show fear?’
‘You really can act.’
Chen Xiaoyan sat down in her previous seat, her aura imposing, completely lacking the calm she had before.
‘Outside, she had figured it out for herself.’
‘Fuck it, I’m done pretending. I’m coming clean. I, Chen Xiaoyan, am a player who can revive infinitely.’
‘Why be so cautious?’
‘You don’t like me, do you?’
‘Too bad. You’ll just have to suck it up.’
【Chong Chong: Xiaoyan-jie, what’s wrong? You came back from outside looking completely different】
Chen Xiaoyan’s lips curled up slightly as she told her the plan via private chat.
She was stunned for a long time, then only replied with one line.
【Chong Chong: Should have done this long ago】
Seeing this, Chen Xiaoyan gave an awkward smile.
‘Yeah, should have done this long ago.’
‘Even though I don’t know what will happen in the future, right now I am a player.’