36 Visit the Ding王府 (Ding Wangfu) 請注意，由於'Ding王府'特指

ce Mo Jingqi only needs a slight hint of suspicion to be wary of Leng Qingyu, even if he knows clearly in his heart, he still can’t help but be cautious toward him. This will make it easier for us to...The Emperor's Capital Ode 36. Visiting the Prince Ding王府

36. Visiting the Prince Ding王府

Ding King Mansion

"Your Highness, Young Master Feng San is here."

Hearing the guard's report, Mo Xiuyao put down his painting brush and frowned slightly before saying, "Let him in."

Not long after, Feng Zhirao appeared at the study door with a playboy air about him. He grinned and said, "You're getting married soon, yet you still have time to sit around like this" Mo Xiuyao didn't look at him but merely replied coolly, "What do you want It won't be good for your reputation if people find out that you associate with me." Feng Zhirao shrugged helplessly. "I didn't come of my own accord. Someone wants to see you. Your Ding King Mansion is too high and mighty; they came through me instead." Mo Xiuyao paused his brush, pondered for a moment before raising his head and saying, "Xu Qingchen."

"His Highness the Ding King truly lives up to his reputation as an informed individual," someone outside the door said with a smile. Xu Qingchen entered in a spotless white robe, exuding otherworldly grace. The study suddenly felt cramped due to the presence of three unique and outstanding men. Mo Xiuyao looked at Xu Qingchen silently for a moment before sighing and saying, "I thank Senior Mister Xu for your trouble."

Xu Qingchen nodded approvingly and said, "That's unnecessary. Even if it wasn't you, the other party's father would still have to personally come to the capital. You see, Li'er... is our Xu family’s only daughter." Feng Zhirao raised an eyebrow and found a spot to sit down, looking at Mo Xiuyao with playful amusement. He was right; the future Princess Ding had quite a strong backing.

Xu Qingchen clearly did not intend on being overly polite as he sat in one of the empty chairs. He sized up Mo Xiuyao and said, "I never would have thought that the most outstanding young general of the capital back then would become so... refined and courteous." When Xu Qingchen gained fame, it was also the peak period of Mo Xiuyao's reputation; they had some acquaintanceship. However, one favored martial arts while the other preferred literature, leading to a significant personality difference that prevented them from becoming close friends. Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly, "A crippled person, does mentioning this count as reopening old wounds, Brother Xu" Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow with a smile, "If Your Highness can't accept your current situation, then why should the Xu family entrust Li'er to you Moreover, I don't see Your Highness feeling wounded at all." Mo Xiuyao lifted his gaze, his eyes showing a faint detachment. "Even if I feel hurt, would Brother Xu refrain from mentioning it"

Feng Zhirao rolled his eyes as he looked at the two people before him and said, "Hey, are you guys planning to keep talking about this pointless nonsense all day long"

Xu Qingchen smiled apologetically and said, "Alright, forgive me for my rudeness. However, I believe His Royal Highness would understand the feelings of a brother who is about to send his sister off in marriage."

Mosius Yao could only苦笑and replied, "Actually, I find it quite strange... Why would the Xu family agree to marry Miss Ye to your Dinging Prince’s Manor"

Xu Qingchen glanced at Feng Zhiyao who lazily smiled back. Xu Qingchen knew that Feng Zhiyao was a person trusted by Mosius Yao, although he didn’t understand why Mosius Yao would trust someone from the clearly pro-emperor Feng family. Nevertheless, Xu Qingchen had no intention of probing further and said, "Because the Emperor wouldn’t give us any choice in the matter. The Li Prince wasn't much of an ideal match anyway, so it was fortunate that Li'er also didn't fancy him. Even more surprisingly, the Emperor agreed to annul their engagement. As for why he wouldn’t allow this… Although the Emperor has given Li'er a marriage decree, both I and my father trust His Dinging Royal Highness more than the Li Prince." Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow, "The Li Prince is ranked first among the ladies of noble families in Jing City as their ideal husband."

Xu Qingchen shrugged indifferently, "That doesn’t change the fact that he’s a fool." Was the Li Prince really a fool Of course not. But the eldest son of the Xu family clearly believed so. Therefore, Feng Zhiyao could only give him an "you’re merciless" look.

"Doesn’t His Majesty still hold a grudge against the Xu Family By binding them with your Dinging Prince’s Manor and then swallowing it up in one go, is his appetite too greedy" After some time, Mosius Yao asked coldly.

The temperature in the study seemed to instantly turn chilly. Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but rein in his carefree smile and furrowed his brows as he looked at Mosius Yao.

"Haha… Your Royal Highness has excellent insight," Xu Qingchen said with a smile, tapping lightly on the armrest with his long fingers. His actions still exuded endless elegance. "Currently, it’s likely believed that the strength of both the Xu family and Dinging Prince’s Manor have greatly diminished. If he were to separately take action, it might alert them prematurely. It would be better… to capture everything in one sweep. The Xu Family does control the first-rate Li Shan Academy which has produced at least half of the officials in the imperial court. How could such a strategist and visionary ruler like His Majesty feel reassured" For some reason, Feng Zhiyao felt that the phrase "strategist and visionary" coming from Xu Qingchen’s mouth seemed more like mockery.

Mosius Yao nodded and said, "Indeed, your Dinging Prince’s Manor has been severely weakened. No wonder His Majesty has this confidence."

Xu Qingchen smiled back at him and replied, "I don’t think the Emperor should have such confidence. If so… how could your Dinging Prince’s Manor still exist to this day" The Dinging Prince’s Manor was certainly considered a thorn in His Majesty's eye; when it underwent major changes initially, if not for the man standing before him who had held back the tide despite his illness, the Dinging Prince’s Manor might only be a memory in people’s minds today.

Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but shiver inwardly as he looked at the two equally refined men. To turn the two families he feared most into in-laws… How much does Your Majesty hate your vast territory that you’d do such a thing

"I’m saying… Could both of you discuss something normal people can accept" He was just an idle rich son, why would they talk about matters that could lead to the execution of his entire family in front of him

Xu Qingchen nodded in agreement and, with understanding, changed his words: "Alright then, I still feel that there might be some changes regarding the marriage between Your Highness and Li'er. Of course, these matters are beyond what our Xu family, far from the capital city now, can influence. Therefore, we rely on Your Highness to handle them. Consider this as... a demonstration of Your Highness's sincerity." Mo Xiuyao nodded, "Thank you for reminding me, Brother Xu. I know how to proceed."

Satisfied with the conversation, Xu Qingchen stood up and said: "If it is so, then I shall take my leave now. Perhaps we can meet again when there's time."

Mo Xiuyao nodded; his fingers lightly tapped on the wheelchair armrest a few times, and a brown-robed youth appeared at the door: "Your Highness."

"Escort Mr. Xu out,"

Xu Qingchen raised an elegant eyebrow and followed the youth without further ado.

Once alone in the study with only them two, Feng Zhirao looked confusedly at his friend: "Ao Yao, why do I feel that this Xu Qingchen is different from what people say about him"

"Are you, Prince Feng San, always the same inside and out"

Feng Zhirao was silent; in this world, who didn't live with multiple masks

“What does Xu Qingchen mean Does that person in the palace really want to bring down both the Xu family and the Ding King Manor” Feng Zhirao asked.

"The Xu family is at the head of literary figures in Chu, and the Ding King Manor has had control over substantial military power through generations. Indeed, this situation does make them a significant threat.

"But there was no need to drag the two families together, right Was he not afraid that you would unite and really pull him down" Is it because he is overly confident or does the emperor himself have a trump card

Moxiu Yao smiled slightly and said, "The Xu family will not rebel. He only needs to punish them when the Prince of Ding王府 is having trouble. In his heart, he actually knows very clearly that as long as Mr. Qingyun is alive, the Xu family will never betray the Great Chu Empire. Even if they become in-laws, the Xu family won’t provide much help to the Prince of Ding王府."

Feng Ziyao shrugged and thought silently that he couldn't see any sign of a loyal minister who would die for the emperor from that Xu Qingchen.

"Have someone keep an eye on Mo Jingli." Moxiu Yao picked up his brush again to finish the painting he had left off.

Feng Ziyao lazily waved his fan. "Mo Jingli is very busy right now. Do you know who spread those rumors" When Feng Ziyao first heard the gossip in town, he felt that Mo Jingli must have burned incense improperly to get so unlucky this year.

Moxiu Yao didn’t even look up and said, "The Xu family, the Murong residence, the Duke of Hua’s mansion, the Liu residence, the Office of Censor, the Chu Fragrance Pavilion, and… this Wang."

Feng Ziyao was speechless. Alright, he shouldn’t have asked. With so many people against Mo Jingli, who else could be unlucky but him

—— Interlude ——

Dear readers… Happy New Year to all of you! May the new year bring you happiness and fulfillment.g Jingli miss the look He stepped forward with his usual stern face now displaying a faint smile. "Brother Emperor, is there anything you need""You... it was you..." That slight smile looked like mock...