Because Chen Xiaoyan intentionally scared them, and Xiao Jun deliberately reminded them, they ended up with a deliberate misunderstanding.
They misunderstood that we intended to take Mo Nichang’s life to appease the commoners’ anger.
At first, that was exactly what I had planned.
After careful consideration, Chen Xiaoyan felt that making Mo Nichang atone and apologize would be more useful than killing her.
“Mo Nichang, compensate the family of the deceased mother and daughter with two million taels of silver, and pay one hundred thousand taels as a consolation fee for the injured on Yong’an Street. Hand over the carriage driver, and turn yourself in to the Dali Temple. Furthermore, the Mo Clan must take care of the burial arrangements for the deceased.”
“That’s roughly it. Mo Nichang, Mo Ruhui, do the two of you accept these punishments?”
Hearing Chen Xiaoyan’s list of penalties, the father and daughter were speechless. They looked at each other, and after a long silence, finally squeezed out two words.
“That’s all?”
They thought the punishment would be much harsher, but this was it?
Any problem that can be solved with money is not a problem at all. Besides, turning yourself in to the Dali Temple?
For others, that might be called admitting guilt, but for Mo Nichang, it was just a few days’ visit to the Dali Temple—go in, stroll around, and come out.
“Little sister Nichang, why don’t you thank this Fairy for her leniency?” Zhao Mu reminded with a smile.
“Huh?” Mo Nichang was stunned. She didn’t understand why she should thank Chen Xiaoyan. Without her, she wouldn’t have had any trouble at all.
But when she saw Mo Ruhui also giving her a meaningful look, even if she hadn’t caught on, she seemed to understand something.
She turned and bowed to Chen Xiaoyan in thanks.
“Nichang thanks the Fairy for her mercy.”
Chen Xiaoyan raised her hand and waved, her expression somewhat displeased. “No need. When the Dali Temple tries this case, I also ask Prince Ning to sit in as an observer. I believe someone like Prince Ning will surely uphold the law impartially.”
After saying that, a faint smile curled at the corner of her mouth as she turned to look at Zhao Mu and added, “Isn’t that right, Prince Ning?”
As soon as she said this, the entire hall of the Prince’s Mansion fell into a brief silence.
The expression on Zhao Mu’s face showed a hint of surprise. He hadn’t expected Chen Xiaoyan to redirect the fire onto him.
Having His Royal Highness Prince Ning of the Great Song sit in on Mo Nichang’s trial was clearly meant to prevent the Dali Temple from sweeping the case under the rug because of Mo Nichang’s status. She wanted him to supervise.
She even added words like “surely uphold the law impartially.” If the trial turned out unreasonable, the blame would naturally fall on him, Prince Ning.
No way. He couldn’t take this bait.
If he did, handling it impartially would hurt Prime Minister Mo’s family, while not handling it impartially would tarnish his own reputation as Prince Ning, which would be detrimental to his future. It was a lose-lose situation either way.
“The Dali Temple has its own judges. My presence would only cause them trouble. Let’s skip it,” Zhao Mu said with a smile, waving his hand in refusal.
“In this region, I only trust Prince Ning. Within the sect, I’ve long heard that Prince Ning of the Great Song is different from other imperial nobles—a good prince who cares for the people and is deeply loved by them. I feel at ease entrusting this case to you.” Chen Xiaoyan laid on the flattery so thick that even Zhao Mu was left speechless.
How come he didn’t know his own reputation was this good?
Deeply loved by the people? Go out and ask those commoners how many of them even remember Prince Ning.
If I hadn’t kept a low profile all these years and never stood out, I might have actually believed your nonsense.
In the end, Zhao Mu still refused Chen Xiaoyan’s suggestion.
“Fairy, please don’t put Brother Mu in a difficult position. This time, I won’t use any of the Mo Clan’s connections. Whatever the verdict is, so be it.”
Mo Nichang’s naive statement made Chen Xiaoyan want to laugh.
The workplace is like officialdom. The subtleties of human relationships in officialdom—I may not have experienced them, but I’ve seen a pig run even if I haven’t eaten pork.
As long as the Mo Clan hasn’t fallen, this trial is just a children’s game.
Prince Ning seemed quite clever and kept refusing to take the bait.
I don’t have that much time to deal with these matters. So who else can I entrust this to?
In Shangjing City, I don’t know anyone… except… except…
As she thought it over, Chen Xiaoyan suddenly remembered Yu Shangneng, who was standing nearby. She whipped her head around to look at him, her eyes sizing him up.
Then, a faint smile curled at the corner of her mouth.
Wasn’t there a ready-made supervisor right here? Why bother looking for someone else?
Yu Shangneng noticed Chen Xiaoyan’s strange gaze and looked back at her.
He cupped his hands and said, “Fairy, do you have any instructions for Yu?”
Chen Xiaoyan replied with a smile, “Grand Eunuch, I happen to have a favor to ask of you.”
Without her even saying it, Yu Shangneng already knew what she wanted. He let out a sigh.
If it’s a blessing, it’s a blessing; if it’s a disaster, you can’t avoid it.
“Fairy, leave this matter to Yu. I only ask that when you have time, you put in a good word for me in front of Fairy Shen.”
“Of course, of course.” Chen Xiaoyan nodded with a smile, then looked at Mo Ruhui and the others. “I’ll have this Grand Eunuch sit in on the trial. Do you have any objections?”
“No.” Mo Ruhui said silently.
First the Emperor, now Old Yu. Was the Heavenly Fragrance Sect’s foot really that fragrant? One after another, they all came to kiss up to it.
“Good, then it’s settled. The Mo Clan must carry out the punishments properly, and Grand Eunuch must also supervise the Dali Temple trial closely. In a few days, we will come down the mountain to see the results. Don’t think you can just brush this off.”
“We wouldn’t dare.”
“Whether you dare or not, you know in your hearts. I’ve given you a chance. Don’t force me to step in, or the outcome will be very different.”
After saying that, Chen Xiaoyan let out a cold snort and left the Prince’s Mansion.
“Hey, Sister Xiaoyan, wait for me!” Seeing Chen Xiaoyan already walking out of the hall, Chongchong called out hurriedly, glanced back at the three people, and quickly followed.
Once the two had completely left the mansion.
Mo Ruhui and his daughter finally let out a full breath.
“Father.” Mo Nichang tugged at her father’s hand, wanting to say something, but Mo Ruhui waved to stop her.
Mo Ruhui looked at Yu Shangneng, walked over slowly, cupped his hands, and bowed. “Old Yu.”
“Prime Minister Mo.” Yu Shangneng returned the greeting with a full smile.
“Old Yu, regarding the Dali Temple trial, I hope you can keep my daughter from suffering too much. I, your junior, thank you in advance.” Mo Ruhui bent at the waist and performed a deep bow.
Seeing this, Yu Shangneng couldn’t help but show a bitter smile. “Prime Minister Mo, aren’t you making things difficult for me?”
“Just judge as the law dictates. I only ask that you be a little lenient when carrying out the sentence. I won’t put you in a tough spot,” Mo Ruhui quickly explained.
Yu Shangneng pondered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. If it’s only that, I can relax a bit.”
Mo Ruhui was overjoyed and once again cupped his hands and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Old Yu, for your kindness.”
“Old Yu, how do you have connections with the Tianxiang disciple? Father deeply hates anyone around him having ties to the Tianxiang Sect,” Zhao Mu said, recalling his erratic father, which gave him a headache.
In short, it meant: the Emperor could set fire, but the people couldn’t even light a lamp. He could kiss up to the Tianxiang Sect, but they couldn’t.
Because of the Prince Jin case, those uninformed thought Emperor Zhao Zong was groveling like that to prevent Tianxiang disciple Yan Xiaoyu from coming back for revenge.
But those familiar with Zhao Zong knew he was indeed trying to prevent Yan Xiaoyu from retaliating against the royal family, so he built a good relationship with the Tianxiang Sect.
However, that was only a small part. The bigger reason was for someone specific within the Tianxiang Sect.