Liu Xi clasped his fists tightly and knelt on the cold floor with a sinking heart. He feared that the Crown Prince would order his family to be killed, implicating his biological mother and younger brother.

Su Mu sat above and looked down at Liu Xi, and said mildly: “Liu Ren’s crimes against Ben Gong are unforgivable, and Liu Yuanhua failing in teaching his son is equally unforgivable. Even if you don’t mention this matter, Liu Yuanhua forming cliques and factions in court as well as oppressing the common people, he has caused many injustices. The unjust cases may not number in the hundreds but they do number in the dozens, which is enough to seize and confiscate the Liu Manor and annihilate the clan.”

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Liu Xi trembled all over, feeling that the blood in his whole body had frozen over. He suddenly raised his head and looked at Su Mu, staring at Su Mu firmly and resolutely, and said: “Your Highness, if chen can atone for his crimes with merit, is it possible that my mother and brother can be spared?”

“Then it depends on how much your merit is worth?” Su Mu said mildly.

He looked up at Su Mu, and said in a deep voice: “I am the spy arranged by Shi kingdom to be by your side and I have control of most of the spies hidden in the imperial city. The assassins you met by the lake last time were sent by me. I can help you purge most of the Shi kingdom’s spies in the imperial city. I only ask you to send someone to protect my mother and younger brother. Afterwards, whether I should be killed or tortured, it is all according to the will of Your Highness.”

Su Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly, dark eyes looking at Liu Xi as he said, “Why don’t you bring your family to join Shi kingdom?”

Liu Xi said: “Shi kingdom is full of talents. I’m just an ordinary pawn. I can only play a minor role by your side. Back then, the Shi kingdom’s secret agents threatened me with the lives of my relatives, so I did things for them and harmed Your Highness. Joining them will only implicate my loved ones to the same life I have.”

The corner of Su Mu’s mouth raised slightly and he looked at him coldly: “If this is the case, then the lives of your mother and brother are safe. If you dare to deceive me……you have seen how I entertained those who plot against me.”

Hellish scenes suddenly rushed into Liu Xi’s mind, making him feel like falling into an ice cellar: “This guilty chen dare not.”

“Write out the names and addresses of all the spies.” Su Mu said.

Liu Xi obediently knelt on the ground: “Yes, Your Highness, but the martial arts of the people sent by the Emperor of Shi to monitor this guilty chen are very powerful, and ordinary people are not opponents at all.”

“How do they compare to Ben Gong?” Su Mu asked.

“As the firefly against the luminous moon.” Liu Xi said.

Su Mu sneered and said: “Go back first and you are not allowed to take even one step out without the order of Ben Gong.”

“Yes.” Liu Xi stepped back respectfully. After he came out, he realized that his palms were all sweaty. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He actually placed his bet on the Crown Prince. His only hope was that the heavens would show kindness to him.

Soon after, Liu Xi handed the list of Shi kingdom’s secret agents in the imperial city to Su Mu. Then Han Yang and Shi Nuo were called to the front. Su Mu handed the list to the two and said coldly: “Do not spare even one person on this list.”

“Yes.” Han Yang and Shi Nuo both responded.

Su Mu sat on the chair expressionlessly as he rubbed the knuckle of his index finger lightly with his thumb, his eyes flashing cold.

There were more than 50 people, although the number was not too large, but each one could play a huge role at critical times, such as the Emperor’s concubines, the palace ladies and eunuchs, the officers in the army and the guards in the Crown Prince’s Palace.

The entirety of the Qing kingdom’s palace was practically bared to the eyes of the Emperor of Shi. Su Mu gradually clenched his fists.

Shi kingdom……

So following the Crown Prince’s bloodbath of the imperial city two months ago, he once again instigated another violent purge. A total of more than a hundred people were implicated and became departed souls in the hands of the Crown Prince. For a period, every household in the entire imperial city had their doors tightly closed, cutting off all contact with relatives and friends who they usually visit daily. There was no more contact, everyone was afraid of being implicated for no reason.

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In Feiyu Pavilion, Yun Feiyu sat in front of the guqin, a pleasant smile on his face as he gently plucked the strings, and a calming piece of music flowed out from the strings.

Qin Ye sat across from him, but not even a note of the melodious music entered his ears. Looking at Yun Feiyu, who was calm and contented, he frowned slightly and said: “Feiyu, the Crown Prince killed more than a hundred people. It is said that they are remnants of Liu Qi’s rebel party, but in fact most of them are spies sent by other forces. The Crown Prince is becoming more and more shrewd……”

Qin Ye clenched his fists tightly and in his eyes was resentment. Although the Crown Prince was tyrannical and bloodthirsty, he lacked intelligence, his days spent on only doing evil. It was easy to calculate and plot against him then. If it weren’t for the Crown Prince’s martial prowess, able to use his internal force to dissolve all the poisons used in assassination attempts, how could he live to this day.

But now it’s different. The Crown Prince had not only advanced martial arts skills, but also a good head. This may be a good thing for others, but it was bad news for Qin Ye who wanted revenge.

Fortunately, when he fed the Crown Prince poison, he first took the antidote, otherwise he would be turned into bones while the Crown Prince was still alive. He was unwilling to even think about it.

With a punch on the hard table, Qin Ye said bitterly: “No matter what, I will not give up. Why can he not be responsible for his mistakes? When he executed the officials righteously, did he ever think about his crimes being just as bad?”

The last note quietly fell and Yun Feiyu pressed his hands on the strings. His deep eyes moved from the guqin to Qin Ye’s face, and he said with a small smile: “What can you use to fight against the Crown Prince. I’m afraid that the entire palace is now controlled by the Crown Prince. Maybe your words just now have already been heard by him. Now that you know that the Crown Prince is no longer the one you used to know, control yourself, or you might be stomped out like an ant by the Crown Prince before you could even make a move.”

Qin Ye was dissatisfied and said: “Then I should just wait like this? Waiting for him to be praised by thousands, and waiting for the world to forget what he did?”

“Not necessarily, when the Crown Prince was tyrannical, all parties could still wait for the right moment with peace of mind. But now, the Crown Prince’s actions increasingly worry all parties. The coming turmoil will only intensify, this Crown Prince……” Yun Feiyu’s eyes deepened and he was silent for a while: “All he lacks is time. In just half a year, he had wiped out nearly all the armed forces that have been preparing for many years. If he is given time, all the armed forces will inevitably fall into a crisis, so……he won’t have time……”

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Qin Ye suppressed his anger and said, “But I don’t want to wait anymore, how can you understand my pain, I and Yuzhu……we grew up together, and we were going to be married, but……I waited ten years. I waited for that day for ten years, but all my anticipation and hopes only resulted in endless pain. The more time he lives, the more pain I have.”

“Heh……” Yun Feiyu looked down at the guqin with a chuckle, and said inaudibly, “No one knows who is in more pain than who……”

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Su Mu looked at the man in front of him who was so drunk he couldn’t even open his eyes. He barely managed to remain upright with a hand on the table as he reached out his other hand to touch his face. On the side Han Yang’s expression became cold and in a lightning grip he had grabbed and bent the drunk’s hand, kicking the other’s stomach and pressing him to the ground.

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Han Yang glared and exclaimed: “Audacious! You dare to be disrespectful to Gongzi.”

Han Yang was a martial artist. His relentless kick to the stomach of the drunk almost caused him to faint from the pain. When he managed to recover a bit, his state of drunkenness was mostly gone and he stood up with a hand clutching at his stomach in pain. He pointed at Han Yang as he cursed: “Where did this dog slave come from, get out of my way, or I will destroy your nine clans……” (TN: nine clans refer to all immediate family members and even distant relatives, anyone who even had blood relations must be executed; a sentence only the imperial family can carry out).

Han Yang squeezed his fist tightly in anger, wishing to just punch a hole in his head. To destroy the nine clans, that was the authority that only the Emperor had. Was this drunk unsatisfied with having lived too long?

Su Mu coldly looked at the loudly cursing man and said, “Don’t move rashly.”

Han Yang retreated reluctantly behind Su Mu, glaring at the audacious man.

As soon as Han Yang stepped aside, the drunkard could see Su Mu’s face even more clearly. For a while, he was so shocked that he almost lost his breath. Just now his vision was hazy and he only felt that the person in front of him was very good-looking. He didn’t expect that the other was this extraordinarily handsome. After he came back to his senses, his eyes looked Su Mu up and down, the blatant look in them seemed as if he had already stripped Su Mu naked. It was so lustful that it made people sick.

He hurriedly straightened his messy brocade robe and ran to Su Mu, saying in an ingratiating manner: “Beauty, this lord is the second son of Lord Liu. After being with this lord, you will not lack for prosperity and wealth.”

Su Mu looked at him coldly and said: “Get out of my sight!”

The drunk’s smile darkened in an instant, and his tone became threatening: “Beauty, you’d better be more tactful. It is your blessing that I have taken an interest in you. You’d better follow me obediently otherwise, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Liu Xi clenched his fists tightly, his dark eyes filled with terrible anger, and he wished to chop this ignorant thing into minced meat.

Su Mu didn’t even look at him a second time and said coldly again: “Get out.”

“Don’t know how to appreciate this lord’s favor.” The drunk spat viciously before turning and striding away. It was obvious that he had left to call for more backup. Fortunately for him, his brain was not so bad and he didn’t directly try to force Su Mu, otherwise he would have become gore on the floors by now.

But the situation was not much better. Seeing the murderous intent that appeared in Su Mu’s eyes, Liu Xi only felt that his whole body was dipped in freezing water and there was no warmth left in his body. His face was white and he suddenly knelt on the ground with a loud ‘thump’.

Chu Feng had been worried ever since that drunkard had seen Su Mu. After he left, he persuaded him anxiously: “Brother Su, leave here soon. That is Liu Yuanhua’s son who has always been domineering. Brother Su……”

The other scholars present also urged Su Mu to leave as soon as possible. Only Lin Siyuan sat there with a calm expression on his face, but secretly he was covered in cold sweat and in his heart he was cursing that arrogant and audacious thing to death.

He dared to even harass the Crown Prince! For fuck’s sake, did he and his whole family not want to live anymore?

Before Chu Feng finished speaking, the drunk had already led a dozen men to block the entrance of the small courtyard. He smiled as he walked to Su Mu and said: “Beauty, don’t make me use force, just follow me obediently, otherwise……” He pointed to the strong men around him and said, “You’ll see.”

Kneeling on the ground, Liu Xi’s pale face was soaked with sweat, and when he heard this from the drunk, he was so scared that he could no longer resist standing up and shouting, “Liu Ren, who gave you the balls? Hurry up and piss off!”

Liu Ren had been staring at Su Mu the whole time and add to the fact that Liu Xi had been sitting with his back to the door in the dim light, so he had not noticed the other until now.

Liu Ren looked at Liu Xi in surprise and said, “It’s you, why are you here?” He then looked at Su Mu, eyes sweeping back and forth between the two, finally looking at Liu Xi and said, “This person is yours? You are quite daring, you dare to have a man outside, say……what will happen if the Crown Prince finds out? Liu Xi, give him to me and I’ll turn a blind eye or else……”

Liu Xi was so angry that his whole body was trembling, and he stepped forward and slapped him severely: “Liu Ren, you are……you are looking for death!”

The unsuspecting Liu Ren was slapped by Liu Xi, and a clear five-finger print appeared on his sallow face, emphasizing just how hard Liu Xi’s slap was. In fact, Liu Xi really wanted to kill this bastard immediately.

Liu Ren covered his face where it radiated a fierce pain and threw off the brawny man who was supporting him. He looked at Liu Xi with a dark expression: “You filthy bastard, you dare to hit me!”

He stretched out his hand and slapped at Liu Xi’s face, but before his hand could reach its mark it was firmly fixed in mid-air by what felt like an iron arm. The next moment a crisp sound of bone cracking could be heard, and Liu Ren’s screams resounded throughout the courtyard.

Su Mu calmly retracted his hand, watching Liu Ren’s entire right arm dangle bonelessly from his shoulder.

The sallow face looked even paler without a trace of blood. He stared at Liu Xi and Su Mu with sinister eyes, and shouted at the strong men behind him: “What are you doing? Kill them for me, these bitches……I will have you wish for death, ah……hurry up and call the doctor……”

A cold light flashed in his eyes, and Su Mu didn’t even have to move from his spot. The brawny men rushing towards him and Liu Xi all fell to the ground instantly, alive or dead unknown. As for those two women, they had already been scared to the point they couldn’t even move at all.

The scholars in the courtyard were also shocked and speechless. Several of the scholars who wanted to help were hurriedly pulled back to the side by Lin Siyuan, for fear of the Crown Prince’s anger spreading over to them as well.

Seeing that all of his guards had fallen, Liu Ren was shocked into stumbling a few steps back, falling to the ground. The bones in his entire arm was crushed by Su Mu and the pain was unbearable. It was difficult to even get up. He looked at Su Mu and Liu Xi with a spiteful expression on his face and cursed: “Filthy bastard, you dare to hurt me. I will definitely tell the Crown Prince that you dare to have another man outside the palace. Slut, you’re just a bitch who gets fucked by others. I want to see just how long you can act this arrogantly. And those two sluts Lan Lan and Liu Rui, you just wait for me to find a hundred people and gangrape……”

The foul language stopped abruptly, and Liu Ren fell heavily on the bluestone floor with a ‘thump’. Su Mu didn’t want to start a killing spree in front of hundreds of scholars, so he only said coldly: “Go back.”

A pale-faced Liu Xi and an angry Han Yang hurriedly followed the Crown Prince who disappeared through the door.

Looking at the three people disappearing through the door, Lin Siyuan patted his chest in fear, wiped the cold sweat with his sleeves, and prevented everyone from asking about Su Mu’s information. He also disappeared in front of everyone, moving quickly to warn all those who had relations to the Liu family to cut off ties immediately. Even the things related to the Liu family should be destroyed immediately, otherwise there would be catastrophe.

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In the Crown Prince’s Palace, Liu Xi knelt in front of Su Mu with a pale face: “Your Highness, chen deserves a thousand deaths. Chen will accept any punishment but……please spare my mother and brother……”

Su Mu looked at him with a smile, but there was no warmth in his eyes.

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Every day the routine never deviated from the three locations: the Crown Prince’s Palace, Taihe Hall, and the Imperial Study Room. Fortunately, Su Mu himself was a bit of a homebody, otherwise it would be too much to bear. He nodded and accepted Liu Xi’s suggestion. It was not a bad idea to go and have a glimpse of these scholars, so he changed his clothes and brought Han Yang and Liu Xi out of the palace.

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Fu’an Pavilion was in the most prosperous part of the imperial city, so it was still brightly lit even at night. Many scholars gathered here to exchange news after ending the first day of the exam today.

Su Mu was dressed in an ordinary blue robe and pretended to be an ordinary customer. Liu Xi and Han Yang were also dressed simply like him. However, even if the three of them were dressed in ordinary clothes, the refined manners and grace in their gestures were not comparable to ordinary people. A sharp eyed waiter who saw the three of them when they walked in from the door immediately greeted them with a smile on his face, saying enthusiastically: “These three distinguished guests, please come in, what orders do you have?”

Su Mu glanced at the clean and tidy lobby, nodded with satisfaction, and said: “I heard that there are many scholars gathered here tonight, and I want to take this chance to broaden my horizons. I will trouble you to lead the way.”

Although this person looked to have an extraordinary status, he didn’t show any arrogance in his words. Even being polite to an unimportant person like himself. The waiter’s good feelings soared in an instant, but he answered awkwardly: “This distinguished guest, the scholars inside are all people from influential backgrounds. It’s really not easy to bring people in here. Don’t know if you know someone in there? This humble one will go inside and notify them, otherwise this humble one would not dare to take the initiative.”

Su Mu said: “Then tell Lin Siyuan that Yun Feiyu is here.”

The smiling waiter was shocked, and secretly thought that no wonder this person was so outstanding in appearance and manners. It turned out to be the number one beautiful man in the imperial city with the moniker “Jade-like Gongzi”, Yun Feiyu.

The waiter rushed in immediately and didn’t dare to stay longer. Yun Gongzi was now the Crown Prince’s person, so how dare he stay by his side for longer than a second!

After a while, the waiter came out of the courtyard with a beaming Lin Siyuan. When he saw that it was Su Mu the smile on his face dimmed somewhat. He waved away the waiter beside him and walked straight to Su Mu and said: “Caomin pays his respects to His Royal Highness.”

Su Mu stretched out his hand and said, “No need to be so courteous, lead the way.”

Thinking of the sissy he saw a few days ago, and then comparing it with the handsome man in front of him now, one really could not connect the two together.

Lin Siyuan took Su Mu through the brightly lit corridors, secretly guessing at the purpose of Su Mu’s trip.

Fu’an Pavilion was called “Pavilion”, but it actually covered a large area and contained various elegant courtyards. Just as Lin Siyuan brought Su Mu and Liu Xi into the door, a sharp-eyed young man saw them.

The young man smiled and asked from not far away: “Brother Lin, what kind of distinguished guest still needs you to welcome in person?”

Lin Siyuan stood there and didn’t know how to answer. It was not like he could answer that the notorious Crown Prince who striked terror in your hearts had arrived. Nor could he say that it was Yun Feiyu since many people present had seen Yun Feiyu.

When Su Mu saw that Lin Siyuan didn’t know what to do, he stepped forward and said: “I am Su Mu from the south, a distant relative of Lin Gongzi. I heard that you all have gathered here and wanted to come and broaden my horizons as well.”

“It turned out to be a relative of brother Lin, brother Su please come in.”

Su Mu signaled Lin Siyuan to continue socializing, and took Han Yang and Liu Xi to find a seat casually.

The looks of Su Mu and Liu Xi were very eye-catching so most of the eyes in the room were on the two of them. Not far from Su Mu, a young man looked at his handsome and unparalleled face and could not help but caution him: “Since Su Gongzi is not a resident of the imperial city it is better to leave as soon as possible.”

Su Mu looked at him with puzzlement and asked, “Why is this?”

Liu Xi looked at the young man nervously, and prayed secretly that he would not say anything of “great disrespect”, otherwise the Crown Prince would definitely kill him.

The young man said: “Gongzi’s grace is unparalleled and beautiful, inspiring one’s admiration but I am afraid it will bring you disaster.”

Lin Siyuan, who was drinking tea to mask his expression, choked upon hearing this, and his heartbeat suddenly quickened for fear that the Crown Prince would be unable to hold back and go on a killing spree.

Liu Xi became even more nervous, and he shuffled a distance away from Su Mu subtly, ready to avoid the Crown Prince’s attack at any time.

Seeing everyone’s eyes practically saying “Hurry and leave! Don’t you know that there is a Crown Prince who specializes in snatching beautiful men in the imperial city?” Su Mu secretly clenched his fists, and the smile in his eyes became a little cold.

Su Mu pretended to be indifferent and said: “I heard that the imperial city is very peaceful recently, and nothing special has happened.” Naturally, he was pointing out that the imperial city no longer showcased Qing State’s peculiar scenery of the Crown Prince snatching men off the streets. The people present also knew it well, but didn’t dare to say it out in the open.

“Dynasties are easy to change, but it’s hard to change one’s nature. Brother Su should still be careful……”

Seeing Su Mu’s face gradually become colder not far away, Lin Siyuan felt a thin layer of sweat on the palms of his hands. He would agree to participate in the examination not because he was brave, but because the scholars who had just participated in the test would mostly be delegated to provincial governments. Even if they stayed in the imperial city, the official position they would be placed in would not be too high. It would not be that easy to see the Crown Prince, so in the end he agreed to convince the scholars to take the imperial examination. Lin Siyuan looked at the young man nervously, for fear that he would be crushed by the Crown Prince in the blink of an eye.

Su Mu secretly clenched his fists to endure his anger, nodded and said, “Thank you for your kindness, I will pay attention to it next time.”

It would not be polite for the others to say anything more, so they all began to chat amongst themselves. But Su Mu and Liu Xi’s outstanding looks still attracted the attention of many people. Several people even came to Su Mu to strike up a conversation, after all, beauty attracts everyone. Among them was the young man who kindly cautioned Su Mu just now.

Contrary to what one might expect, Su Mu did not sense any ill intentions in the eyes of these people.

After talking for a while with the young man who kindly cautioned him just now, he learned that the young man’s name was Chu Feng. He was also a well-known talent in the imperial city. Everyone knew that he had a hobby, that was, he liked to interact with beautiful people and made no distinction between men and women. But it was a rare innocent appreciation, because Chu Feng was very good at painting, especially portraits, so he liked to approach beautiful people.

After rejecting Chu Feng, who wanted to paint his portrait, Su Mu said to the people in front of him: “Everyone present possess extraordinary literary talents, and this examination will definitely showcase everyone’s abilities.”

“How could one dare? We don’t deserve such praise as we are just of humble talent and shallow learning. How can we dare to hold such excessive expectations.”

Su Mu saw that no matter their speech and manners, these people were quite exemplary, and nodded secretly in satisfaction. These people were not bad at all and was worth further training and support.

Suddenly, a discordant figure appeared at the door, drunk and embracing women in both arms, attracting everyone’s attention. The person was born with decent looks, but maybe because he had indulged in wine and women for a long time, his face appeared haggard and sallow. At this moment, he was almost unable to walk and was supported by the two women in his arms.

When the two women saw that they had gone in the wrong door, they quickly tried to drag the drunk to another place, “Gongzi, you have gone to the wrong room, this is not……”

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The two women wanted to say something, but found that the person leaning on them suddenly staggered forward. And the direction was exactly where two handsome men of otherworldly beauty were sitting. “Beauty, you have quite handsome looks, how about being with this lord?”

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The sky was pitch black, but Taihe Hall was brightly lit. Su Mu sat on the throne in a golden court robe, sharp eyes sweeping across the crowd, and said: “Ministry of Rites, how many scholars came to participate in the examination.”

Hearing Su Mu ask this question again Peng Han stepped forward in a cold sweat and replied: “Your Highness, as of today, there are a total of 752 scholars who have signed up for the examination. Chen has failed to handle the issue well, chen will accept any punishment.”

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The Crown Prince once said that he would cut him down if a thousand people did not sign up for the imperial examination. Even if he used all his relationships and even coerced the scholars to participate in the test, he barely gathered more than 400 people. But unexpectedly, Lin Siyuan led a group of scholars to sign up for the examination, causing Peng Han to almost break out into joyful tears.

What does it mean to send charcoal in snowy weather (TN: provide aid in sb’s hour of need)? This was it! It was just that the number of people was still less than a thousand even with Lin Siyuan’s aid. Fortunately, the Crown Prince had changed a lot recently and he no longer killed at will. Peng Han was betting his life, hoping that the Crown Prince really had changed his temper. If not for the fact that all his family was in the imperial city he would have run away long ago.

Su Mu nodded, this result had actually exceeded his expectations, and so he said: “Rise.”

The morning assembly have already moved on the right track, and Su Mu had gradually gone from somewhat shaky to proficient on handling matters of state.

“Li Gaosheng, how is the construction of the dam in Xijiang?” Su Mu asked.

Li Gaosheng bowed his head respectfully, not daring to show even a hint of negligence, and replied: “Your Highness, the building of the dam has officially started and is expected to be completed in the spring of the next year.”

Su Mu nodded in satisfaction and said: “It must be completed before the flood season, otherwise all officials responsible for this matter will be demoted three consecutive ranks.”

After Li Gaosheng retreated, Liu Yuanhua unexpectedly spoke up.

“Your Highness, chen has something to tell.”

Su Mu was a little surprised. Liu Yuanhua’s official position was only earned by selling his son. He always stood in the background and never said anything. Su Mu raised his eyebrows slightly and said, “Speak.”

Liu Yuanhua lowered his head and said: “Your Highness the court ladies who will enter the palace this year have already been selected. The harem has long been empty and we respectfully ask Your Highness to fill the harem and give birth to a royal heir soon.”

The Emperor had long ignored the governing of the court. Although he still had an Emperor’s name but it was the Crown Prince sitting on the dragon throne, and it was the Crown Prince with the control and power. It was even more certain that the Crown Prince will become the Emperor in the future.

The Crown Prince was almost twenty years old, but because he had been only with men therefore there were no births of an heir so far. This worried the officials very much. If the Crown Prince ascended the throne but had no heirs, it would definitely shake the peace of the country and give those who have bad intentions an opportunity to take advantage.

Originally, because of the Crown Prince’s violent and outrageous behavior, no one dared to mention it. But now the Crown Prince ’s temperament had been greatly improved so the officials dared to speak up. Therefore, none of the officials present disagreed and all asked the Crown Prince to expand the harem and provide heirs for the royal family as soon as possible.

After all, it must be said that the first choice for drafting harem candidates was from the daughters of the officials. This time, many daughters from the officials’ families had entered the palace, waiting for the Emperor and Crown Prince to choose. It was better to be selected by the Crown Prince than by a dying old man like the Emperor. And maybe in the future they could even move up the ranks and become an Empress or Noble Consort.

The officials naturally did not forget that the Crown Prince preferred men, but after all, the Crown Prince was the heir apparent of a country. No matter how much he preferred men, he must still leave an heir for the royal family.

This was indeed an unavoidable problem. As the Crown Prince of a country, he must have heirs, but he indeed did not like women. Su Mu frowned slightly and said: “We will discuss this matter again, court dismissed!”

When the golden figure disappeared from Taihe Hall Liu Yuanhua was immediately surrounded by the other officials. Several officials asked: “Why did Lord Liu think of having the Crown Prince choose concubines today?”

Liu Yuanhua smiled and said: “How can the Crown Prince of a country be without heirs? This old man is only doing his duty as an official.”

Bah! Duty my ass, as if everyone didn’t already know that you sent your daughter into the palace.

Liu Yuanhua shook off the officials who wanted to pry some news with a smile on his face but cold eyes. He thought privately to himself: “Liu Xi, that useless thing, was of not much use anymore. When Yuewei enters the Crown Prince’s Palace, see how I’ll deal with you.”

There was a reason why Liu Yuanhua was so confident. After all, Liu Xi was a favorite for a certain time. Liu Yuewei had half a resemblance to Liu Xi, and had been trained by his legal wife since childhood.

Liu Xi had a position in the Ministry of Rites so the news that Liu Yuanhua wanted to send Liu Yuewei into the harem was immediately known to him. Liu Xi sat on the chair with a calm face, but the tea cup in his hand was crushed into pieces. The few strands of blood stood out quite noticeably on the pale fingers.

Even if he had known Liu Yuanhua to be ruthless and shameless, he did not expect Liu Yuanhua to actually do this. Although Liu Yuewei was not born from his mother, she was still his sister.

Brother and sister serving one husband together! Only a shameless person like Liu Yuanhua could do such a thing.

Liu Xi suppressed the anger that roiled in his chest, and dressed himself calmly. If Liu Yuewei really entered the Crown Prince’s Palace and gained favor, then his mother, his younger brother, and himself will probably be dead.

With a jade crown to tie his hair and a brocade robe dressed on his willowy body, Liu Xi looked at himself in the mirror. Phoenix eyes were like autumn water and red lips like cherry blossoms. He was indeed possessing of a natural charming appearance. But he hated this appearance of his. He had the same fate as his mother; because of this face he had a rough fate since he was a child. But ironically he had to use this face he hated to protect the people he cared about.

Liu Xi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, the sadness and hatred on his face disappeared in the blink of an eye, arriving at the Crown Prince’s residence with a bright and sunny face.

Today was the first day of the imperial examination so Su Mu came back earlier. The most important thing in a country was talent no matter whether it was a strong military force or wealth they were all produced by people. So Su Mu attached great importance to this examination. Listening to Han Yang reporting that those candidates performed quite well in the examination room, Su Mu’s mood became much better.

It was autumn but some of the residual heat had not yet receded. Su Mu returned to the Crown Prince’s Palace from the Imperial Study Room with a fine layer of sweat already appearing on his forehead. Liu Xi lightly pressed against Su Mu’s body and said with a smile: “Your Highness, chen will wipe the sweat for you.”

The soft, frgrantly scented cloth was pressed against Su Mu’s forehead, but Su Mu felt a little uncomfortable, saying, “Don’t call yourself chen from now on, just use ‘I’.” Otherwise, every time he would think of those morning assembly officials with their wrinkles and beards.

Liu Xi hesitated and said, “But this is not in compliance to the palace rules.”

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Su Mu looked at Liu Xi and said, “In this palace, I am the rule.”

“Yes.” Liu Xi’s expression flickered slightly, and then he smiled: “Your Highness, the candidates have already left the examination room. Most scholars will gather in Fu’an Pavilion. Your Highness, why don’t we go and have a look together?”

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Su Mu waved away the servants on his left and right and walked into the room lightly. The bright sunlight casted light and shadow through the green leaves. The handsome youth frowned while holding a book, appearing quite troubled. So immersed that he wasn’t even aware of Su Mu arriving behind him.

“Do you like studying medicine?” Su Mu suddenly shocked the youth in front of him.

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Huang Xuan hurriedly turned around and when he saw that it was Su Mu his eyes became full of delight, but he did not forget to greet Su Mu: “Paying respects to Your Highness.”

Su Mu nodded and continued to ask: “Do you like studying medicine?”

Huang Xuan said with some embarrassment: “I, I just took a book to read when I’m bored.”

He obviously liked it very much but didn’t dare to say it, like a puppy sitting obediently and looking at the tasty bones in the bowl. Su Mu smiled and said: “If you like it, then you like it, it’s not like I’ll do anything to you.”

Huang Xuan blushed immediately after hearing Su Mu’s words, “I like studying medicine very much, but my dad doesn’t let me learn it. He wants me to study and become the zhuangyuan (TN: highest rank of the Imperial examination system), but I am always scolded by my teachers.”

Su Mu lay relaxed on the chair, eyes half-lidded and said: “If you like it, then go to the imperial hospital. I will have Doctor Hu teach you.”

Huang Xuan’s eyes lit up, even missing a heartbeat with the joy, and said in surprise, “Is it really possible?”

“I am the Crown Prince, if I say it can be done then it can be done.” Su Mu looked at him and smiled.

Huang Xuan hurriedly gave thanks: “Thank you Your Highness.”

“Rise.” Su Mu lied down for a while with his eyes closed, but found that Huang Xuan was strangely quiet, so he opened his eyes and saw the other conflicted and hesitant to speak.

Su Mu couldn’t bear to see him troubled and said: “What’s the matter? Just say it directly.”

Huang Xuan, who was silent about whether to mention it to the Crown Prince, was shocked when he heard Su Mu suddenly talking. Huang Xuan carefully observed Su Mu’s expression and saw that he was not in a bad mood, so he asked softly: “Your Highness, can I go home and see my father and my mother? I haven’t seen them since I entered the palace.”

Su Mu suddenly felt a little guilty when he heard Huang Xuan’s words. He would just be a teenager in the modern age, and would still be acting spoiled in front of his parents. Huang Xuan was just a 17 to 18-year-old child, but he had no acquaintances in the palace. How could he not miss his parents.

Su Mu nodded and said, “Hnn, I will let the guards know, you can go back anytime.”

“Thank you Your Highness.” The pair of clear eyes became brighter, watching Su Mu full of excitement and adoration.

Then, in order to express his gratitude, Huang Xuan did his best to reward Su Mu into the middle of the night.

Early the next day, Su Mu announced that Yun Feiyu will be reporting to the Ministry of Justice and Huang Xuan was to be admitted to the imperial hospital, so he was opposed very……meekly.

But when Su Mu asked about it on the third day, he was told that Huang Xuan had not come back since he went home. Su Mu was currently changing clothes and when he heard this his eyes instantly frosted over. The palace maids around Su Mu helping him with his robes trembled in response.

“Go find out what’s going on.” Su Mu said coldly. It was as if a black hole suddenly appeared in his heart to swallow all emotions, leaving only suppressed anger. Su Mu repeatedly told himself in his heart that this was not Huang Xuan’s doing, putting up an act to escape. If he wanted to leave, he just had to tell him himself and he would never stop him. But there was another voice in his heart telling him that, with Su Mochi’s criminal history, who would dare to say to his face that they couldn’t stand him and wanted to leave. Instead they would try to find a chance to sneak away.

Su Mu’s face darkened and his whole body exuded a suffocating pressure, not even mosquitoes dared to fly within three feet of him.

Soon after Han Yang stepped into the door, Su Mu instantly raised his head to look at him. His sharp gaze made Han Yang afraid to look directly. Lowering his head he reported: “Your Highness, last night the Huang family fled the city in the middle of the night. There was no sign left when this subordinate led people to chase after them out of the city.”

Su Mu squeezed the corner of the table fiercely, and said with suppressed anger in his tone: “Ferret them out, inform the local government that if they find them send them back to the imperial city immediately, safely and without a hair hurt on their heads.”

“Yes, this subordinate ask to be excused!” Han Yang hurriedly left. When the Crown Prince was angry, it was best to stay away. Even if the Crown Prince did not intend to kill, but that horrible aura was still too frightening.

As soon as Han Yang walked out the door, he heard a “bang” inside the toom, and his heart trembled, walking with even bigger steps.

The expensive and hard corner of the table turned into powder in Su Mu’s hands, and then he stood up and strode out, a chair in the way kicked to pieces.

Su Mu felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. He vented frantically in the martial arts field. Loud noises one after another echoed throughout the palace. All the eunuchs and palace ladies were frightened and thought, the Crown Prince couldn’t be on another crazy rampage again, right?

Liu Xi, who recieved news on Huang Xuan’s disappearance, raised an eyebrow and waved away the servants. He lay on the bed and muttered to himself: “Is the Crown Prince really in love with Huang Xuan, tsk!”

Would that demon also fall in love with others? It was even more impossible than for him to be kind and filial to Liu Yuanhua.

Thinking of the news from the higher ups, Liu Xi immediately prepared himself. Although he did not want to face the Crown Prince, there were some things he had no choice but to do. Putting on a dark red palace robe, a golden crown tying back ink black hair, his expressionless face instantly turned into a smile, the pair of phoenix eyes filled with boundless charm. Liu Xi looked in the mirror and then left for the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Your Highness, Liu Gongzi request to see you.” The little eunuch outside the door whispered.

What was he here for? Su Mu, who was lying on the bed with his eyes closed said, “Let him in.”

As soon as Liu Xi entered the door, he saw the Crown Prince lying on the bed. His handsome face frowned slightly, looking very different from the sinister and gloomy look of the past. Liu Xi settled down the excess ponderings in his eyes, and walked forward with a plate of delicate desserts. He said softly in a gentle but seductive voice: “Your Highness, I heard that you haven’t eaten much this evening. Chen made you some snacks. Your Highness please eat some.”

Su Mu lay on the bed and didn’t even move, his eyes remained close as he replied: “Put it on the table.”

Liu Xi, with an undiminished smile on his face, responded gently: “Yes, Your Highness, please rest well, chen asks to be excused.”

Of course, Liu Xi understood that rushing things would not have any results, so he excused himself very readily. But at the same time he was even more aware of the importance of persistence, so in the next few days Liu Xi appeared smiling every day. With a seductive face, he offered flattery in front of the Crown Prince, but his grasp on the situation was also very good. Seeing that the Crown Prince began to feel a little unhappy, he immediately disappeared in front of Su Mu. Only to then appear in front of Su Mu again at the right time.

Of course, Su Mu knew that Liu Xi had ulterior motives, but he was not ready to make his move yet. It was easy to avoid traps that were put in the open but those that hide in the dark were hard to guard against. He must figure out who the enemy was, and then……Su Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly, appearing unreadable and unpredictable.

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Uproot them all!

After returning to Qionghua Pavilion and having everyone leave, Liu Xi’s smiling face became immediately clouded, and the huge delicate vase in front of him was ruthlessly pushed to the ground, shattering into pieces. His eyes were fierce as he growled: “Liu Yuanhua, you f**king animal, I’m going to kill you.”

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Everyone originally thought that the allied forces of the four rebel armies would definitely win the attack on the imperial city, but the result was a resounding slap in the face.

Those who had not paid any heed to the Crown Prince’s change at first paid a heavy price. Chen Wei did not actually rebel at all but was a trap set up by the Crown Prince. The purpose was to make all the rebels feel that the imperial city was isolated and helpless. Once they went to attack the imperial city, Chen Wei and Qin Kunyu would then launch a pincer attack, and they actually stupidly jumped into the trap themselves.

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The Eastern Army, the Southeast Army and the Southwest Army were almost completely annihilated. Only the generals of the Eastern Army and the general of the Southwest Army, Shangguan Hao escaped. None of the generals in the Southeast Army survived.

After receiving the battle report, Tian Guohai’s eyes went red with anger. He slapped his hand on the table and roared: “Sixty thousand people, a full sixty thousand elite soldiers, yet only a few dozens of people came back, why don’t you die together! My Eastern Army total 120,000 yet you bastards cost me 60,000 people. You……you……what did you come back for!”

The generals below had just fled back and were currently covered in dust and hungry. A fiery tempered military officer instantly could not resist, his eyes widened and said coarsely: “Your Excellency, how could we have known Chen Wei was unexpectedly Su Mochi’s person. This Crown Prince is too insidious. He actually lured us into attacking the imperial city, and then cooperated inside and outside to wipe out our army.”

Having been able to claim himself as king for nearly ten years, Tian Guohai was not a reckless man. After venting his anger, he calmed down and said to the generals standing below: “Please sit down, everyone. This time we were too underestimating of the enemy. Unexpectedly……unexpectedly this useless Crown Prince would actually become smart, and even know to play this kind of trick. Very good……this old man will have to see just how capable you are.”

In the Southeast Army, the sorry figure of Shangguan Hao knelt down and pleaded guilty. The old man in the high seat raised his hand and said: “Get up, you are not to blame for this. No one thought that Su Mochi would suddenly change so much.”

“Thank you, Your Excellency.” Shangguan Hao stood up, paused and said again: “Your Excellency, the current Crown Prince is different from the past. It may be dangerous for Feiyu to stay there, it might be best to have him get out as soon as possible.”

He shook his head and said: “Most of the spies in the imperial city have been secretly executed by the Crown Prince, and now we can’t get any news.”

“Then does that mean Feiyu is in deep danger?” Shangguan Hao frowned.

“Not necessarily, maybe it’s safe now. The Crown Prince before don’t even recognize his family when he killed, but now as long as Feiyu isn’t exposed, the Crown Prince wouldn’t do anything to him.” Although he said so, he was still worried. After all, that was the only child left of his most loved daughter.

The Prince’s main residence had been renovated, but the Croen Prince ordered everything to be simplified, so the Crown Prince’s main residence was not as luxurious as before, but appearing a bit more simple yet still beautiful.

Yun Feiyu held the scroll in his hand, but his mind was not on the scroll at all. The perfect profile of a youth under the stars appeared in his mind again. In just half a month, most of the countless spies in the imperial city were wiped out by the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince even took the opportunity to kill many disloyal and unruly people.

Could this be the legendary it never rains but once it does it pours (TN: expression describing someone amazing the world with a single brilliant feat when before there was not a hint)? Yun Feiyu’s eyes deepened, and the corners of his mouth raised into a small smile.

Suddenly the little eunuch outside the door came to announce: “His Royal Highness is here.”

Yun Feiyu calmly put down the scroll in his hand and greeted Su Mu: “Paying respects to the Crown Prince.”

Su Mu had just finished morning assembly and had not changed his heavy court clothes yet, which emphasized his imposing and dignified aura.

“Rise, where is Qin Ye?” Su Mu asked.

Yun Feiyu got up and said gently: “In the room, Wei Gonggong please go to invite Qin Gongzi to come over.”

Su Mu looked at Yun Feiyu clad in a green robe. It was a pity that the talents of such a learned and peerless man would be buried in the palace like this. After a moment of contemplation, Su Mu suddenly said: “Would you like to be an official?”

Yun Feiyu was taken aback for a moment, looked at Su Mu unexpectedly, and said with a smile: “I thank Your Highness for the kindness, but I am afraid that there is no place for this caomin in the court.” Indeed, Yun Feiyu may not have been officially recorded in the royal jade disc (TN: royal family register), but he was already in the harem of the Crown Prince. In which dynasty and what generation had there ever been concubines who served as officials in court? Even if the imperial court officials were afraid of the Crown Prince and did not dare to openly oppose it, they would still make it difficult every step of the way.

All of this Su Mu understood but the amount of officials who were executed by him during the turmoil numbered in the dozens, and many positions were vacated. Su Mu must fill these vacancies as soon as possible, otherwise there would be problems when issuing and carrying out decrees.

“As long as you have real power in your hands, I would like to see who would dare to not show respect. Doesn’t Liu Xi have a post working in the Ministry of Rites. You can go to the Ministry of Justice, Chen Xurong will not be tactless.”

Su Mu had no reason to put great talents in front of him but don’t use them. He wanted to see who dared to make trouble for him.

Yun Feiyu smiled. The Crown Prince did not give him the right to refuse. Only the Crown Prince dared to blatantly do such things that would disturb the imperial court order. Not mentioning the fierce reputation that the Crown Prince had earned a long time ago, but just the fact that he killed hundreds of people not long ago, the court officials would not dare to openly trouble the Crown Prince. The scent of blood in the main market square of the imperial city had yet to diffuse.

Qin Ye walked in from the door expressionlessly, with naked hostility in his eyes. When he saw Su Mu, who was sitting in the high seat, he did not express anything, neither bowing or speaking.

Su Mu didn’t care either, but directly said: “General Zhenyuan wants to take you back to the general’s manor. You can go back anytime.”

Qin Ye looked at Su Mu with a mocking smile and said, “Go back, what would I be doing when I go back, let others scorn me? Does His Royal Highness feel that the humiliation I have received is not enough and wants to change to a new way of playing.”

Everyone knew that Qin Ye was the Crown Prince’s person. Even if he returned to the general’s manor, he would not have any foothold. What would others think of him, the world didn’t know that the Crown Prince was the one who was on the receiving end. After all, the Crown Prince was so brutal, who would believe he was on the bottom.

Moreover, he could not marry a wife in this life. When he returned to the general’s manor, he could only eat and wait to die. It was better to stay in the Crown Prince’s Palace. At least no one would dare to taunt and scorn him to his face. And he could also find trouble for the Crown Prince to vent his hatred. Besides, those brothers in his family were no simple pushovers.

Although it was Su Mochi who had wronged him, but Su Mu was not here to be a punching bag, and he said coldly: “The Crown Prince’s Palace does not lack a bite of food for you, so leave or stay at your convenience.” Su Mu left Feiyu Pavillion with a flap of his wide sleeves.

Qin Ye looked at the direction of Su Mu’s departure with a dark expression: “What does he mean, he is tired of playing so he is ready to throw it away! Does he want me to be grateful!”

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“Don’t you want to go out of the palace?” Yun Feiyu said mildly as he stood by the window and looked up at a group of flying geese.

“What’s the use if I want to go out of the palace? What else can I do when I go out? Who doesn’t know that we are the Crown Prince’s……” Qin Ye gritted his teeth but in the end couldn’t utter the words male pet.

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