After being thoroughly violated, he ran away with the enemy emperor's child.

With his heart pounding, Mo Yan walked quickly, but stopped halfway through.

The cold wind dispelled his impatience and brought him back to his senses. He stood still, gazing in the direction of Qiyue Palace.

Ah Ci should be asleep by now. If I were to ask that question abruptly and disturb his sleep, he would probably get angry.

Oh well, it was just his wild idea anyway, so it's best not to upset him.

After a moment of contemplation, Mo Yan finally turned around and returned to his bedchamber.

Time passed and dawn broke. A message reached the Right Prime Minister's residence: the young man with a special physique had stayed overnight at Mo Yan's palace the previous night.

Upon hearing the news, Right Chancellor Zhou He was somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect it to actually work out."

He made this move hoping for a lucky break, but unexpectedly, it actually worked.

"It seems all men are the same, especially emperors."

He took a sip of tea. "Pass this news on to Qiyue Palace. After all, she is the first queen of the Great Zhao Kingdom, so we should be more magnanimous."

After thinking for a moment, he continued to instruct, "Invite the Prince Xian to the residence."

A short while later, Mo Chengyu appeared at the Prime Minister's residence: "Uncle, are you looking for me?"

"Yu'er."

Zhou He smiled kindly: "Did you see your mother yesterday?"

"I saw him."

Mentioning this, Mo Chengyu sighed: "It's just that the Empress Dowager is unhappy, after all, she's been confined to Fu'an Palace and can't go out."

"yes."

Zhou He chimed in, "Your imperial brother is the same; to treat his own mother like this for a man is truly chilling."

When Mo Yan was mentioned, Mo Chengyu dared not say much, only muttering, "It was Mother who said those nonsense things to my sister-in-law first."

"..."

"Uncle, don't say that. Did you come to see me today because you have something to say to me?"

Zhou He remained silent, his gaze sweeping over him. After a moment, he asked, "Yu'er, do you want to be emperor?"

"…ah?!"

Mo Chengyu jumped to his feet, waving his hands haphazardly in front of him: "No, no, no, Uncle, you're joking. I'm not cut out for that!"

"It's fine for my elder brother to be the emperor. I... I'll just stick to being a carefree prince."

Mo Chengyu didn't have any grand ambitions; he just wanted to enjoy life and appreciate beautiful women.

He wouldn't want to be an emperor who sleeps later than a dog and gets up earlier than a rooster.

"Uncle, please don't say such things again. What if my brother hears you..."

He shuddered. "My brother doesn't like me anyway. If he misunderstands and thinks I'm trying to usurp the throne..."

He didn't want to be locked up in the Prince Xian's mansion for the rest of his life!

"It was my uncle who misspoke."

Zhou He smiled and poured Mo Chengyu a cup of tea: "Have some tea."

"Uh-huh."

Mo Chengyu only stayed at the Right Prime Minister's residence for half an hour before leaving in a hurry. After he left, Zhou He watched his retreating figure, the smile on his lips slowly fading away.

"He truly is an incapable son of a ruler."

"Feng Zhong, spread the word. I want the entire capital to know about the special nature of that village by today."

"Yes, sir."

With the Prime Minister's office pushing forward, a secret report quickly spread throughout the capital.

Storytellers in restaurants and street vendors alike were discussing this secret.

Some people scoffed at this, saying, "How could such a ridiculous and absurd statement appear in our Zhao Kingdom?"

"How do you know it's not true? Have you seen it with your own eyes?"

"Does this even need to be seen?? Have you ever seen a pregnant woman??"

"Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

As the rumors intensified, a new story gradually emerged—

Nine months later, the eldest son of the emperor will be born in Da Zhao!

The eldest prince is a deity descended to earth; his birth will bring good fortune to the Zhao Kingdom and bless all its people!

When the news reached Chu Junci's ears, he was stunned for a moment: "The eldest prince?"

"There are no concubines in the palace, so how could there be an eldest prince?"

"This servant also knows nothing."

Lu Shu scratched his head: "That's what everyone's saying now, I don't know where it came from."

"They were openly discussing royal matters; didn't Mo Yan send anyone to stop them?"

"There probably is, but this servant isn't entirely sure."

"..."

Lu Shu knew nothing when asked, so the King of Chu shut up and stopped asking.

At the same time, as the rumors intensified, an imperial edict was delivered to the Right Chancellor's residence.

Wu Xu held the imperial edict in his hand and glanced at Zhou He: "Your Excellency, receive the edict."

"Your subject receives the imperial decree."

After Zhou He knelt down, Wu Xu slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read aloud—

By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

The Emperor's uncle, the Right Chancellor and General Protector of the Nation, was a man of great merit and influence who assisted me in ascending the throne and whose achievements were renowned throughout the court.

Now that the country is at peace, military power is a vital instrument of the nation and should rightfully belong to the central government; moreover, as the prime minister, you should focus on important matters of state and rectify the court.

We hereby promote you to the rank of Duke of Zhenguo, grant you an additional fief of three thousand households, and bestow upon you the privilege of not having to use your name when receiving imperial greetings and not having to hasten your departure when entering the court. These honors and favors are greatly enhanced to recognize your extraordinary achievements.

His general's seal and military power over all routes under his command shall be handed over to the Ministry of War immediately without delay.

The Right Chancellor's duties remain unchanged: to oversee the central government and assist me in governing.

I hope you will understand my will, obey the imperial decree, and not disappoint my expectations!

So be it.

"..."

With his eyes lowered and his gaze narrowed slightly, Zhou He thought to himself: The emperor is trying to seize his military power.

Back then, if it weren't for his help, could Mo Yan have ascended the throne so easily? Now he's turning on him after he's done his work.

He sneered inwardly, then looked up and said, "Your subject receives the decree."

After receiving the imperial edict, Zhou He stood up and, after seeing Wu Xu leave, threw the edict into the brazier.

"Mo Yan, if you are ruthless, don't blame me for being unjust."

The unspoken struggle is about to begin, and the secretive conflict is about to be fully underway.

That night, Mo Yan went to Qiyue Palace.

"Aci, have you missed me?"

He hugged and kissed her, then pinched Chu Junci's waist: "You're too thin, you should eat more."

"It would be best if you ate until you were plump and fair-skinned, so that no one would try to take it from me."

"..."

Imagining himself as a plump, fair-skinned woman, Chu Junci shook his head, not daring to think about it anymore.

He retorted, "Why don't you eat your way to a plump, healthy size?"

"If I become ugly, won't Aci stop liking me?"

Burying his head in Chu Junci's arms, Mo Yan whispered, "I dare not become ugly."

"…childish."

Mo Yan smiled but did not reply.

Remembering something else, he looked up: "Did Aci hear any rumors outside today?"

"I heard it. It's just idle gossip from the common people, not worth mentioning."

Chu Junci calmly analyzed: "But since it spread throughout the capital in such a short time, there must be someone behind it, and their purpose is worth pondering."

"I know the purpose of the person behind this."

"Um?"

"Last night, someone came to my bedchamber. He..."

Mo Yan slowly recounted the events of the previous night. At first, Chu Junci didn't pay much attention until Mo Yan mentioned the boy's special qualities.

"I have already sent people to that village to investigate the situation. The truth of the matter should be revealed soon."

After hearing Mo Yan's words, Chu Junci thought to himself, "...I never imagined that such a thing could happen in the world."

As he pondered, someone pressed down on his lower abdomen, and Mo Yan pressed against his chest and stomach: "Speaking of which, do you think A-Ci could do that?"