Minutes later.
Chen Xiaoyan, Chongchong, and Yu Shangneng were led by a servant into the main hall.
Seeing Yu Shangneng beside them, Mo Ruhui immediately understood why these Tianxiang disciples had been able to find the Prince’s Mansion.
So there really was a mole, and a high-ranking one at that.
“Old Yu, what are you doing?”
Mo Ruhui still couldn’t understand why Yu Shangneng had sided with the sect disciples.
“Prime Minister Mo, this old innkeeper had no choice. Hand over your daughter. The fairy promised she wouldn’t take lives.”
Mo Ruhui didn’t answer. He wouldn’t trust Yu Shangneng’s one-sided story. Earlier, Chen Xiaoyan had held a sharp sword. If Mo Jiuchi hadn’t intervened, Nichang would have been dead by her blade.
‘And that’s called not taking lives?’
‘What a joke.’
Mo Ruhui kept signaling Zhao Mu, indicating he should speak up.
But that guy kept staring at the girl Chongchong beside Chen Xiaoyan, completely ignoring Mo Ruhui.
“It’s you?” Zhao Mu’s expression was ecstatic as he stared intently at Chongchong.
Even though she had changed clothes, he would recognize her adorable appearance even if she turned to ash.
“Huh?” Chongchong was full of questions, not understanding why this stinky man kept staring at her.
“Fairy Chongchong, don’t you remember me? Then you must remember those ten taels of silver, right?”
At the mention of ten taels, Chongchong suddenly remembered him. With a face full of surprise, she pointed at Zhao Mu and said, “Oh~ so you’re that stu… ahem kind person.”
After saying that, she curiously looked him over, then asked, “Are you a prince of the Great Song?”
“Indeed, I am Prince Ning Zhao Mu of the Great Song.”
Chen Xiaoyan and Mo Ruhui were both dumbfounded.
“Prince, do you know this fairy?”
“Chongchong, what’s going on? How do you know Prince Ning?” Chen Xiaoyan pulled Chongchong aside and asked.
In response to Chen Xiaoyan’s inquiry, Chongchong used a private chat to briefly explain yesterday’s encounter.
Chongchong: That’s how it was. I was wondering why this dummy would pull out money without a word. Turns out he’s loaded, and a prince to boot. I should have asked for more silver.
Chen Xiaoyan: You’re such a sweetheart.
Hearing this girl’s explanation, Chen Xiaoyan finally understood all the ins and outs.
“Haha, chance encounter, just a chance encounter. Prime Minister Mo, don’t be impatient,” Zhao Mu quickly laughed and soothed when he saw Mo Ruhui getting anxious.
“Hey, you’re Prince Ning, right?”
“Fairy Chongchong, what are your orders?”
“Is Mo Nichang here?”
“Yes.”
“Uh…”
Zhao Mu didn’t even try to hide it and admitted it outright. This left Chongchong at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond. She looked to Chen Xiaoyan for help.
‘This silly girl.’
Chen Xiaoyan shook her head with a helpless smile and said to Zhao Mu, “Prince Ning, I know Mo Nichang is in your residence. Have her come out and make everything clear. Those at fault must be punished. Don’t you agree?”
“Hmm, indeed.” Zhao Mu nodded in agreement, putting on a thoughtful look.
“Prince!” Mo Ruhui called out anxiously, wanting to ask which side he was on.
“Prime Minister Mo, I think this fairy makes sense. Fault demands punishment. I believe the Heavenly Fragrance Fairy would not do such evil as indiscriminate killing.”
“But Prince, my daughter’s life is in danger!”
“Is that so?” Zhao Mu clearly didn’t believe it.
Unable to do otherwise, Mo Ruhui stepped forward and whispered a few words in his ear.
Zhao Mu’s expression immediately turned grim.
“Is that true?”
“Absolutely.”
Mo Ruhui returned to his seat. Zhao Mu pondered with a grave expression for a moment, then looked up at Chen Xiaoyan and Chongchong.
“I have heard that you two fairies want Mo Nichang’s life for a life. Is that true?”
“No, I was just joking to scare her.”
“Oh? What does Prime Minister Mo think?” Zhao Mu shifted his gaze to Mo Ruhui, who quickly shook his head, indicating it was a lie.
“Your Highness, this minister doesn’t know whether what the two fairies say is true or false, but it is true that my daughter’s life was hanging by a thread. If Brother Jiuchi hadn’t intervened, Nichang would be a corpse by now.”
“The Zhaoxia Phoenix Dress is an Imperial Gift. For a commoner to pull and tug at it is a grave offense. Even if Nichang had struck her dead, it would have been excusable.”
“It was precisely for that reason that I spared Mo Nichang’s life. But the death penalty may be forgiven, but the living punishment cannot be escaped. Regardless, more than a dozen dead and wounded on Yong’an Street are all her fault. So, Prime Minister Mo, what are you insisting on? Our patience is limited.”
The more Chen Xiaoyan spoke, the angrier she became. It was such a simple matter: just have Mo Nichang come out, admit her mistake, apologize, and accept punishment. That would have been the end of it.
Why did they have to make such a fuss and put everyone in a difficult position? Was that what you wanted, you old fox?
“Fairy, are you truly not going to harm Mo Nichang’s life?” Zhao Mu understood only one thing from their exchange.
That is, this Tianxiang disciple had no intention of killing Mo Nichang.
“Of course not. If I really wanted to kill her, I could have done so when my Master was here. Why wait until now?”
“Hmm, I believe you, Fairy.” Zhao Mu nodded and looked at Mo Ruhui. “Prime Minister Mo, the fairy has made it very clear. I can guarantee that Nichang will not lose her life. Call her out.”
“This…” Mo Ruhui was still worried and hesitated to agree.
“Prime Minister Mo! Do you not trust me?” Zhao Mu’s expression turned cold.
“No, this minister… very well. I will have my daughter come out immediately. I hope Your Highness will protect her.”
“Rest assured. Others may be untrustworthy, but the words of a Heavenly Fragrance Fairy are never wrong. Guards!” With that, Zhao Mu shouted toward the hall.
Two servants quickly ran in, knelt on one knee, and cupped their hands. “What are Your Highness’s orders?”
“Go to the rear courtyard and invite Miss Mo to the main hall.”
“Yes.”
After a while, Mo Nichang appeared.
When she saw Chen Xiaoyan standing in the hall, she revealed a relieved smile.
No matter how she hid, they had found her in the end.
“Brother Mu, Father.”
“Nichang, don’t be afraid. Your father and the prince are here.”
Mo Ruhui wanted to comfort her, but Mo Nichang just gave a faint smile and shook her head.
“Father, I’m not afraid. It was my fault to begin with. I killed someone by accident. Even if I have to pay with my life, I accept it.”
“You child… Sigh. Prince, I entrust Nichang to you.”
Zhao Mu stepped forward and walked up to Mo Nichang.
Looking at the man who made her heart flutter, Mo Nichang forced a smile onto her face. “Brother Mu, it seems I can only be your princess consort in the next life.”
Zhao Mu couldn’t help but laugh.
“If you knew this day would come, why did you act as you did in the first place? From now on, change your temper. Spend more time reading in the mansion and less time going out.”
“Will I still have a future?”
“Why not? The fairy told me herself that she would not take your life.”
“Huh?” Mo Nichang’s eyes widened in shock as she looked at Chen Xiaoyan, then turned back to Zhao Mu. “Brother Mu, are you telling the truth?”
“Haha, have I ever lied to you?” Zhao Mu ruffled her hair and laughed.
Chen Xiaoyan rolled her eyes and said impatiently, “Mo Nichang, do I really look like a murderous Demon Lord?”