Chapter 357: The Power Is Imbalanced
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Shi Qingxue thought, “Why is this little prince still like the one in childhood who can’t suffer from frustration?”
She had said only a few words, but Mo Junzhan was downcast again…
Gee, he was really a kid.
At the moment, Shi Qingxue would be really worried if Mo Junzhan went to the northern border.
Who knew if the murderer behind the scenes in the previous life would take actions against Mo Junzhan again?
Mo Junzhan might be good at fighting, yet he was inferior in playing dirty tricks. He would be fooled by others.
“Of course, I don’t.” Shi Qingxue gave a negative answer without delay.
When Mo Junzhan raised his head and looked at her, she didn’t avoid his eyes but stared at him calmly.
Mo Junzhan finally looked relieved and had a smile on his face. “Then you…”
“I just want to say that after you go to the northern border, I don’t know when you will come back. What about our competition?”
Shi Qingxue beat around the bush and focused on their competition again.
It looked circuitous and verbose, but it made Mo Junzhan believe that she really just cared about the archery competition.
So he didn’t bother about whether he was incapable anymore.
He sniffed and asked helplessly, “Qingxue, do you have a solution?”
In the past, when they were in trouble after doing something wrong, Shi Qingxue would make a decision, and then Mo Junzhan carried it out unconditionally.
Now they had grown up, yet they still kept this tradition.
Shi Qingxue smiled and replied logically, “Just go there later.”
“Ah?”
Mo Junzhan always thought that there was something wrong, while he was used to trusting her, so he didn’t doubt for long before nodding in agreement. “Well, okay. I won’t tell Father that I will go to the northern border.”
“Gee?” Shi Qingxue was stunned and then reacted. “His Majesty didn’t send you to the northern border, but you want to?”
Mo Junzhan responded, “Of course. Father wishes to trap me in the imperial palace. How would he issue an imperial edict?”
“Then…” Shi Qingxue seemed to find one key point.
She pondered for a moment and then asked, “Why did you think of going to the northern border?”
“My brother Junhao told me.” Mo Junzhan didn’t hide it from Shi Qingxue. “On the day when I came back, Junhao happened to come out of the city to pick me up. He chatted with me and mentioned the tense situation at the northern border, and he even said that nobody at the imperial court was willing to resist the enemies at the northern border.
“As Father’s son, I should naturally share his worries.”
Mo Junzhan took it for granted, but seeing that Shi Qingxue’s face fell, he got uncertain.
“Qingxue?” Mo Junzhan doubted if he said something wrong. Why did Qingxue who was always lively show such a gloomy expression?
It was really scary.
Shi Qingxue ignored his confusion and stared at him, asking in a stiff tone, “Did Mo Junhao mention it?”
Without noticing that Shi Qingxue called Mo Junhao by his name directly, Mo Junzhan just nodded frankly. “Yes.”
He paused for a moment and thought that he found the key point Shi Qingxue paid attention to, so he explained hurriedly, “But I want to go to the northern border, and it has nothing to do with Junhao. Don’t…”
Don’t what?
Mo Junzhan couldn’t explain clearly. He just didn’t want to see Shi Qingxue get angry.
Under the situation, even a shrewd person would think that it was normal.
Two brothers talked, and Mo Junhao just brought up the situation at the northern border casually and didn’t even ask Mo Junzhan to go to the northern border.
What would happen later was only Mo Junzhan’s own plan.
However, Shi Qingxue knew well about Mo Junzhan. His curiosity was aroused by Mo Junhao, and he would fall into the trap before being advised.
She remembered that Mo Junzhan would die after going to the northern border and his dead body couldn’t be found…
“Mo Junhao!”
Shi Qingxue gritted her teeth and roared in a low voice, showing her anger uncontrollably.
She couldn’t figure it out. Among all the princes, the ninth prince Mo Junzhan and the second prince Mo Junwen almost had no competitive power. Why would Mo Junhao murder his brother who could even help him?
Was he so narrow-minded?
Did Mo Junwen’s early death after being ill in the previous life have something to do with him?
While thinking, Shi Qingxue was angrier and hated herself more for her “blindness” in the previous life.
“Qingxue, what’s wrong with you?” Mo Junzhan was scared by Shi Qingxue’s tantrum and opened his eyes wide, looking at her.
Shi Qingxue couldn’t tell him the truth, so she felt depressed, and she wanted to awaken him by pinching his ear and cursing him, “Mo Junhao is not a good person. You trust the wrong person.”
However, she didn’t speak it out. After she kept silent for quite a while, she restrained her anger and then stated, “Anyway, we have an appointment to compete on archery first, so you need to do anything else after we finish it.”
Mo Junzhan nodded in agreement. “Okay.”
“Moreover, if your martial skills are not good enough, you need to stay secluded and practice for one or two years before going to the battlefield.” Shi Qingxue made a demand.
Mo Junzhan was unwilling and frowned, but seeing Shi Qingxue’s determined face, he expressed reluctantly, “Fine. You are right. If I am incapable, I will bring trouble on others even if I go to the battlefield.”
Shi Qingxue was satisfied as Mo Junzhan was sensible, and she decided not to tell him that she was just worried that he would have no power to protect himself after he went to the northern border.
In fact, Mo Junzhan had great talent in arranging soldiers and fighting on the battlefield.
Shi Lei had commented on Mo Junzhan when he was alive.
He said that some men were born to go to war and would die for war.
Mo Junzhan was bound to be a soldier for a lifetime and die on the battlefield in the future.
Shi Qingxue approved of this saying, so she couldn’t accept that Mo Junzhan would be killed on the battlefield with a grievance.
They didn’t think alike, but they agreed on this matter in the end.
On the fifteen day of the fourth lunar month in the forty-third year after the Mo Dynasty was founded, Mo Xiangbin issued two imperial edicts, which shocked all people.
The first one was to grant the marriage of the legitimate granddaughter of the Liang family Liang Zixin and the crown prince Mo Junyu and title her as the crown princess, of Rank-1. They would get married on an auspicious day.
The second one was for Mo Junhao.
Mo Xiangbin titled Mo Junhao as King Xian and gave the northern region to him as his fiefdom. He said that the border of the northern region contiguous to Liang Country was unpeaceful these days, so he told King Xian to go to the fiefdom and guard there as soon as possible in order to make the northern border stable and placate the common people.
The first imperial edict just told all people at the imperial court that the crown prince’s followers officially allied with the force led by Prime Minister Liang, while the second one made it clear who would be the future successor of the Mo Dynasty.
A prince was titled as a king when the emperor was still his father, which must be something honorable and even helped the prince fight for the throne to some extent.
However, it must be under the condition that this prince could be still in the capital city, the center of power.
Mo Junhao was driven away to the fiefdom as soon as he was titled as a king, which meant that the emperor wanted to make him give up the plan to fight for the throne.
Now, the most favorable successors were only Mo Junhao and Mo Junyu, and they were almost well-matched in strength.
Neither of them could win for now.
However, after Mo Xiangbin issued the imperial edict, he just kicked Mo Junhao out of the center of power.
He paved the way for Mo Junyu to take the throne in the future.
All people at the imperial court and the haram system, the officials and noblemen were frightened by Mo Xiangbin’s imperial edict.
Nobody knew why Mo Xiangbin chose Mo Junyu firmly all of a sudden, but once the imperial edict was issued, there was no chance to change it.
The neutral forces at the imperial court started to itch for action, while the fourth prince’s followers were frustrated, and some of them started to take actions in secret.
When Mo Junhao received the imperial edict, he was dumbfounded.
He thought that it was impossible and that this imperial edict was false as his first reaction.
He brought the imperial edict into the palace at the same night and asked to see Mo Xiangbin.
Mo Xiangbin had told the guards earlier as he might have expected that Mo Junhao would come, so when the prince came in, nobody stopped him.
After seeing Mo Xiangbin, Mo Junhao bowed to greet him. “Father, are you feeling well these days?”
Mo Xiangbin coughed twice and then responded in a feeble tone, “I am all right. Why did you enter the imperial palace at midnight?”
In fact, both of them were clear about the purpose of Mo Junhao’s arrival, but Mo Xiangbin asked.
Mo Junhao replied, “Today I received your imperial edict to title me as King Xian…”
“I made the imperial edict.” Before Mo Junhao finished his words, Mo Xiangbin told him the answer directly.
He even came straight to the point. “Since you have received it, you should make preparations quickly and go to the northern border as soon as possible. Don’t disappoint me.”
Mo Xiangbin intentionally stressed the word “disappoint” in order to remind Mo Junhao not to do something unnecessary.
Mo Junhao turned pale suddenly and glared at Mo Xiangbin in disbelief.
After a long while, he asked in a trembling voice, “Why?”
Didn’t Mo Xiangbin think highly of him and even prepare to depose Mo Junyu, making him the crown prince?
Wasn’t he the most favored son of Mo Xiangbin all the time?
Why did everything change after only a short period?
Mo Xiangbin abandoned him and even…expelled him.
Mo Junhao couldn’t accept such an answer. He looked at Mo Xiangbin sadly and asked for an explanation stubbornly.
However, Mo Xiangbin just looked at him calmly and almost indifferently, saying unhurriedly, “The crown prince is the eldest legitimate son, the heir to the throne. How can I depose him randomly if he doesn’t make a big mistake?
“As his brother and an official, you should remember your identity all the time. Don’t do anything excessive. Otherwise, even I can’t protect you.”
There was threat in his words.
Mo Junhao looked stunned, as if he hadn’t come back to earth from those words.
After a long time, when Mo Xiangbin almost thought that Mo Junhao was convinced by him, he saw that his son suddenly laughed.
Mo Junhao laughed in a deep and weird voice, which was bloodcurdling.
Mo Xiangbin’s eyes went cold, and he had an ominous premonition all of a sudden. He lowered his voice and rebuked, “Why are you laughing?”
“Why?” Mo Junhao repeated Mo Xiangbin’s word in a flat tone and then showed a smile with self-mockery. “I laugh at myself as I am so stupid as to pin my hopes on you. I should have known earlier that you are the most unreliable, Father.”
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Shi Qingxue thought, “Why is this little prince still like the one in childhood who can’t suffer from frustration?”
She had said only a few words, but Mo Junzhan was downcast again…
Gee, he was really a kid.
At the moment, Shi Qingxue would be really worried if Mo Junzhan went to the northern border.
Who knew if the murderer behind the scenes in the previous life would take actions against Mo Junzhan again?
Mo Junzhan might be good at fighting, yet he was inferior in playing dirty tricks. He would be fooled by others.
“Of course, I don’t.” Shi Qingxue gave a negative answer without delay.
When Mo Junzhan raised his head and looked at her, she didn’t avoid his eyes but stared at him calmly.
Mo Junzhan finally looked relieved and had a smile on his face. “Then you…”
“I just want to say that after you go to the northern border, I don’t know when you will come back. What about our competition?”
Shi Qingxue beat around the bush and focused on their competition again.
It looked circuitous and verbose, but it made Mo Junzhan believe that she really just cared about the archery competition.
So he didn’t bother about whether he was incapable anymore.
He sniffed and asked helplessly, “Qingxue, do you have a solution?”
In the past, when they were in trouble after doing something wrong, Shi Qingxue would make a decision, and then Mo Junzhan carried it out unconditionally.
Now they had grown up, yet they still kept this tradition.
Shi Qingxue smiled and replied logically, “Just go there later.”
“Ah?”
Mo Junzhan always thought that there was something wrong, while he was used to trusting her, so he didn’t doubt for long before nodding in agreement. “Well, okay. I won’t tell Father that I will go to the northern border.”
“Gee?” Shi Qingxue was stunned and then reacted. “His Majesty didn’t send you to the northern border, but you want to?”
Mo Junzhan responded, “Of course. Father wishes to trap me in the imperial palace. How would he issue an imperial edict?”
“Then…” Shi Qingxue seemed to find one key point.
She pondered for a moment and then asked, “Why did you think of going to the northern border?”
“My brother Junhao told me.” Mo Junzhan didn’t hide it from Shi Qingxue. “On the day when I came back, Junhao happened to come out of the city to pick me up. He chatted with me and mentioned the tense situation at the northern border, and he even said that nobody at the imperial court was willing to resist the enemies at the northern border.
“As Father’s son, I should naturally share his worries.”
Mo Junzhan took it for granted, but seeing that Shi Qingxue’s face fell, he got uncertain.
“Qingxue?” Mo Junzhan doubted if he said something wrong. Why did Qingxue who was always lively show such a gloomy expression?
It was really scary.
Shi Qingxue ignored his confusion and stared at him, asking in a stiff tone, “Did Mo Junhao mention it?”
Without noticing that Shi Qingxue called Mo Junhao by his name directly, Mo Junzhan just nodded frankly. “Yes.”
He paused for a moment and thought that he found the key point Shi Qingxue paid attention to, so he explained hurriedly, “But I want to go to the northern border, and it has nothing to do with Junhao. Don’t…”
Don’t what?
Mo Junzhan couldn’t explain clearly. He just didn’t want to see Shi Qingxue get angry.
Under the situation, even a shrewd person would think that it was normal.
Two brothers talked, and Mo Junhao just brought up the situation at the northern border casually and didn’t even ask Mo Junzhan to go to the northern border.
What would happen later was only Mo Junzhan’s own plan.
However, Shi Qingxue knew well about Mo Junzhan. His curiosity was aroused by Mo Junhao, and he would fall into the trap before being advised.
She remembered that Mo Junzhan would die after going to the northern border and his dead body couldn’t be found…
“Mo Junhao!”
Shi Qingxue gritted her teeth and roared in a low voice, showing her anger uncontrollably.
She couldn’t figure it out. Among all the princes, the ninth prince Mo Junzhan and the second prince Mo Junwen almost had no competitive power. Why would Mo Junhao murder his brother who could even help him?
Was he so narrow-minded?
Did Mo Junwen’s early death after being ill in the previous life have something to do with him?
While thinking, Shi Qingxue was angrier and hated herself more for her “blindness” in the previous life.
“Qingxue, what’s wrong with you?” Mo Junzhan was scared by Shi Qingxue’s tantrum and opened his eyes wide, looking at her.
Shi Qingxue couldn’t tell him the truth, so she felt depressed, and she wanted to awaken him by pinching his ear and cursing him, “Mo Junhao is not a good person. You trust the wrong person.”
However, she didn’t speak it out. After she kept silent for quite a while, she restrained her anger and then stated, “Anyway, we have an appointment to compete on archery first, so you need to do anything else after we finish it.”
Mo Junzhan nodded in agreement. “Okay.”
“Moreover, if your martial skills are not good enough, you need to stay secluded and practice for one or two years before going to the battlefield.” Shi Qingxue made a demand.
Mo Junzhan was unwilling and frowned, but seeing Shi Qingxue’s determined face, he expressed reluctantly, “Fine. You are right. If I am incapable, I will bring trouble on others even if I go to the battlefield.”
Shi Qingxue was satisfied as Mo Junzhan was sensible, and she decided not to tell him that she was just worried that he would have no power to protect himself after he went to the northern border.
In fact, Mo Junzhan had great talent in arranging soldiers and fighting on the battlefield.
Shi Lei had commented on Mo Junzhan when he was alive.
He said that some men were born to go to war and would die for war.
Mo Junzhan was bound to be a soldier for a lifetime and die on the battlefield in the future.
Shi Qingxue approved of this saying, so she couldn’t accept that Mo Junzhan would be killed on the battlefield with a grievance.
They didn’t think alike, but they agreed on this matter in the end.
On the fifteen day of the fourth lunar month in the forty-third year after the Mo Dynasty was founded, Mo Xiangbin issued two imperial edicts, which shocked all people.
The first one was to grant the marriage of the legitimate granddaughter of the Liang family Liang Zixin and the crown prince Mo Junyu and title her as the crown princess, of Rank-1. They would get married on an auspicious day.
The second one was for Mo Junhao.
Mo Xiangbin titled Mo Junhao as King Xian and gave the northern region to him as his fiefdom. He said that the border of the northern region contiguous to Liang Country was unpeaceful these days, so he told King Xian to go to the fiefdom and guard there as soon as possible in order to make the northern border stable and placate the common people.
The first imperial edict just told all people at the imperial court that the crown prince’s followers officially allied with the force led by Prime Minister Liang, while the second one made it clear who would be the future successor of the Mo Dynasty.
A prince was titled as a king when the emperor was still his father, which must be something honorable and even helped the prince fight for the throne to some extent.
However, it must be under the condition that this prince could be still in the capital city, the center of power.
Mo Junhao was driven away to the fiefdom as soon as he was titled as a king, which meant that the emperor wanted to make him give up the plan to fight for the throne.
Now, the most favorable successors were only Mo Junhao and Mo Junyu, and they were almost well-matched in strength.
Neither of them could win for now.
However, after Mo Xiangbin issued the imperial edict, he just kicked Mo Junhao out of the center of power.
He paved the way for Mo Junyu to take the throne in the future.
All people at the imperial court and the haram system, the officials and noblemen were frightened by Mo Xiangbin’s imperial edict.
Nobody knew why Mo Xiangbin chose Mo Junyu firmly all of a sudden, but once the imperial edict was issued, there was no chance to change it.
The neutral forces at the imperial court started to itch for action, while the fourth prince’s followers were frustrated, and some of them started to take actions in secret.
When Mo Junhao received the imperial edict, he was dumbfounded.
He thought that it was impossible and that this imperial edict was false as his first reaction.
He brought the imperial edict into the palace at the same night and asked to see Mo Xiangbin.
Mo Xiangbin had told the guards earlier as he might have expected that Mo Junhao would come, so when the prince came in, nobody stopped him.
After seeing Mo Xiangbin, Mo Junhao bowed to greet him. “Father, are you feeling well these days?”
Mo Xiangbin coughed twice and then responded in a feeble tone, “I am all right. Why did you enter the imperial palace at midnight?”
In fact, both of them were clear about the purpose of Mo Junhao’s arrival, but Mo Xiangbin asked.
Mo Junhao replied, “Today I received your imperial edict to title me as King Xian…”
“I made the imperial edict.” Before Mo Junhao finished his words, Mo Xiangbin told him the answer directly.
He even came straight to the point. “Since you have received it, you should make preparations quickly and go to the northern border as soon as possible. Don’t disappoint me.”
Mo Xiangbin intentionally stressed the word “disappoint” in order to remind Mo Junhao not to do something unnecessary.
Mo Junhao turned pale suddenly and glared at Mo Xiangbin in disbelief.
After a long while, he asked in a trembling voice, “Why?”
Didn’t Mo Xiangbin think highly of him and even prepare to depose Mo Junyu, making him the crown prince?
Wasn’t he the most favored son of Mo Xiangbin all the time?
Why did everything change after only a short period?
Mo Xiangbin abandoned him and even…expelled him.
Mo Junhao couldn’t accept such an answer. He looked at Mo Xiangbin sadly and asked for an explanation stubbornly.
However, Mo Xiangbin just looked at him calmly and almost indifferently, saying unhurriedly, “The crown prince is the eldest legitimate son, the heir to the throne. How can I depose him randomly if he doesn’t make a big mistake?
“As his brother and an official, you should remember your identity all the time. Don’t do anything excessive. Otherwise, even I can’t protect you.”
There was threat in his words.
Mo Junhao looked stunned, as if he hadn’t come back to earth from those words.
After a long time, when Mo Xiangbin almost thought that Mo Junhao was convinced by him, he saw that his son suddenly laughed.
Mo Junhao laughed in a deep and weird voice, which was bloodcurdling.
Mo Xiangbin’s eyes went cold, and he had an ominous premonition all of a sudden. He lowered his voice and rebuked, “Why are you laughing?”
“Why?” Mo Junhao repeated Mo Xiangbin’s word in a flat tone and then showed a smile with self-mockery. “I laugh at myself as I am so stupid as to pin my hopes on you. I should have known earlier that you are the most unreliable, Father.”
Shi Qingxue thought, Why is this little prince still like the one in childhood who can't suffer from frustration?She had said only a few words, but Mo Junzhan was downcast againGee, he was really a kid.At the moment, Shi Qingxue would be really worried if Mo Junzhan went to the northern border.Who knew if the murderer behind the scenes in the previous life would take actions against Mo Junzhan again?Mo Junzhan might be good at fighting, yet he was inferior in playing dirty tricks. He would be fooled by others.Of course, I don't. Shi Qingxue gave a negative answer without delay.When Mo Junzhan raised his head and looked at her, she didn't avoid his eyes but stared at him calmly.Mo Junzhan finally looked relieved and had a smile on his face. Then youI just want to say that after you go to the northern border, I don't know when you will come back. What about our competition?Shi Qingxue beat around the bush and focused on their competition again.It looked circuitous and verbose, but it made Mo Junzhan believe that she really just cared about the archery competition.So he didn't bother about whether he was incapable anymore.He sniffed and asked helplessly, Qingxue, do you have a solution?In the past, when they were in trouble after doing something wrong, Shi Qingxue would make a decision, and then Mo Junzhan carried it out unconditionally.Now they had grown up, yet they still kept this tradition.Shi Qingxue smiled and replied logically, Just go there later.Ah?Mo Junzhan always thought that there was something wrong, while he was used to trusting her, so he didn't doubt for long before nodding in agreement. Well, okay. I won't tell Father that I will go to the northern border.Gee? Shi Qingxue was stunned and then reacted. His Majesty didn't send you to the northern border, but you want to?Mo Junzhan responded, Of course. Father wishes to trap me in the imperial palace. How would he issue an imperial edict?Then Shi Qingxue seemed to find one key point.She pondered for a moment and then asked, Why did you think of going to the northern border?My brother Junhao told me. Mo Junzhan didn't hide it from Shi Qingxue. On the day when I came back, Junhao happened to come out of the city to pick me up. He chatted with me and mentioned the tense situation at the northern border, and he even said that nobody at the imperial court was willing to resist the enemies at the northern border.As Father's son, I should naturally share his worries.Mo Junzhan took it for granted, but seeing that Shi Qingxue's face fell, he got uncertain.Qingxue? Mo Junzhan doubted if he said something wrong. Why did Qingxue who was always lively show such a gloomy expression?It was really scary.Shi Qingxue ignored his confusion and stared at him, asking in a stiff tone, Did Mo Junhao mention it?Without noticing that Shi Qingxue called Mo Junhao by his name directly, Mo Junzhan just nodded frankly. Yes.He paused for a moment and thought that he found the key point Shi Qingxue paid attention to, so he explained hurriedly, But I want to go to the northern border, and it has nothing to do with Junhao. Don'tDon't what?Mo Junzhan couldn't explain clearly. He just didn't want to see Shi Qingxue get angry.Under the situation, even a shrewd person would think that it was normal.Two brothers talked, and Mo Junhao just brought up the situation at the northern border casually and didn't even ask Mo Junzhan to go to the northern border.What would happen later was only Mo Junzhan's own plan.However, Shi Qingxue knew well about Mo Junzhan. His curiosity was aroused by Mo Junhao, and he would fall into the trap before being advised.She remembered that Mo Junzhan would die after going to the northern border and his dead body couldn't be foundMo Junhao!Shi Qingxue gritted her teeth and roared in a low voice, showing her anger uncontrollably.She couldn't figure it out. Among all the princes, the ninth prince Mo Junzhan and the second prince Mo Junwen almost had no competitive power. Why would Mo Junhao murder his brother who could even help him?Was he so narrow-minded?Did Mo Junwen's early death after being ill in the previous life have something to do with him?While thinking, Shi Qingxue was angrier and hated herself more for her blindness in the previous life.Qingxue, what's wrong with you? Mo Junzhan was scared by Shi Qingxue's tantrum and opened his eyes wide, looking at her.Shi Qingxue couldn't tell him the truth, so she felt depressed, and she wanted to awaken him by pinching his ear and cursing him, Mo Junhao is not a good person. You trust the wrong person.However, she didn't speak it out. After she kept silent for quite a while, she restrained her anger and then stated, Anyway, we have an appointment to compete on archery first, so you need to do anything else after we finish it.Mo Junzhan nodded in agreement. Okay.Moreover, if your martial skills are not good enough, you need to stay secluded and practice for one or two years before going to the battlefield. Shi Qingxue made a demand.Mo Junzhan was unwilling and frowned, but seeing Shi Qingxue's determined face, he expressed reluctantly, Fine. You are right. If I am incapable, I will bring trouble on others even if I go to the battlefield.Shi Qingxue was satisfied as Mo Junzhan was sensible, and she decided not to tell him that she was just worried that he would have no power to protect himself after he went to the northern border.In fact, Mo Junzhan had great talent in arranging soldiers and fighting on the battlefield.Shi Lei had commented on Mo Junzhan when he was alive.He said that some men were born to go to war and would die for war.Mo Junzhan was bound to be a soldier for a lifetime and die on the battlefield in the future.Shi Qingxue approved of this saying, so she couldn't accept that Mo Junzhan would be killed on the battlefield with a grievance.They didn't think alike, but they agreed on this matter in the end.On the fifteen day of the fourth lunar month in the forty-third year after the Mo Dynasty was founded, Mo Xiangbin issued two imperial edicts, which shocked all people.The first one was to grant the marriage of the legitimate granddaughter of the Liang family Liang Zixin and the crown prince Mo Junyu and title her as the crown princess, of Rank-1. They would get married on an auspicious day.The second one was for Mo Junhao.Mo Xiangbin titled Mo Junhao as King Xian and gave the northern region to him as his fiefdom. He said that the border of the northern region contiguous to Liang Country was unpeaceful these days, so he told King Xian to go to the fiefdom and guard there as soon as possible in order to make the northern border stable and placate the common people.The first imperial edict just told all people at the imperial court that the crown prince's followers officially allied with the force led by Prime Minister Liang, while the second one made it clear who would be the future successor of the Mo Dynasty.A prince was titled as a king when the emperor was still his father, which must be something honorable and even helped the prince fight for the throne to some extent.However, it must be under the condition that this prince could be still in the capital city, the center of power.Mo Junhao was driven away to the fiefdom as soon as he was titled as a king, which meant that the emperor wanted to make him give up the plan to fight for the throne.Now, the most favorable successors were only Mo Junhao and Mo Junyu, and they were almost well-matched in strength.Neither of them could win for now.However, after Mo Xiangbin issued the imperial edict, he just kicked Mo Junhao out of the center of power.He paved the way for Mo Junyu to take the throne in the future.All people at the imperial court and the haram system, the officials and noblemen were frightened by Mo Xiangbin's imperial edict.Nobody knew why Mo Xiangbin chose Mo Junyu firmly all of a sudden, but once the imperial edict was issued, there was no chance to change it.The neutral forces at the imperial court started to itch for action, while the fourth prince's followers were frustrated, and some of them started to take actions in secret.When Mo Junhao received the imperial edict, he was dumbfounded.He thought that it was impossible and that this imperial edict was false as his first reaction.He brought the imperial edict into the palace at the same night and asked to see Mo Xiangbin.Mo Xiangbin had told the guards earlier as he might have expected that Mo Junhao would come, so when the prince came in, nobody stopped him.After seeing Mo Xiangbin, Mo Junhao bowed to greet him. Father, are you feeling well these days?Mo Xiangbin coughed twice and then responded in a feeble tone, I am all right. Why did you enter the imperial palace at midnight?In fact, both of them were clear about the purpose of Mo Junhao's arrival, but Mo Xiangbin asked.Mo Junhao replied, Today I received your imperial edict to title me as King XianI made the imperial edict. Before Mo Junhao finished his words, Mo Xiangbin told him the answer directly.He even came straight to the point. Since you have received it, you should make preparations quickly and go to the northern border as soon as possible. Don't disappoint me.Mo Xiangbin intentionally stressed the word disappoint in order to remind Mo Junhao not to do something unnecessary.Mo Junhao turned pale suddenly and glared at Mo Xiangbin in disbelief.After a long while, he asked in a trembling voice, Why?Didn't Mo Xiangbin think highly of him and even prepare to depose Mo Junyu, making him the crown prince?Wasn't he the most favored son of Mo Xiangbin all the time?Why did everything change after only a short period?Mo Xiangbin abandoned him and evenexpelled him.Mo Junhao couldn't accept such an answer. He looked at Mo Xiangbin sadly and asked for an explanation stubbornly.However, Mo Xiangbin just looked at him calmly and almost indifferently, saying unhurriedly, The crown prince is the eldest legitimate son, the heir to the throne. How can I depose him randomly if he doesn't make a big mistake?As his brother and an official, you should remember your identity all the time. Don't do anything excessive. Otherwise, even I can't protect you.There was threat in his words.Mo Junhao looked stunned, as if he hadn't come back to earth from those words.After a long time, when Mo Xiangbin almost thought that Mo Junhao was convinced by him, he saw that his son suddenly laughed.Mo Junhao laughed in a deep and weird voice, which was bloodcurdling.Mo Xiangbin's eyes went cold, and he had an ominous premonition all of a sudden. He lowered his voice and rebuked, Why are you laughing?Why? Mo Junhao repeated Mo Xiangbin's word in a flat tone and then showed a smile with self-mockery. I laugh at myself as I am so stupid as to pin my hopes on you. I should have known earlier that you are the most unreliable, Father.
