In the main hall, the Prince of Nan'an felt a deep ache, a bitter taste spreading in his mouth.
Having secured the imperial decree, they were safe for the time being, allowing Qingyao to enjoy a comfortable lie-in. No one disturbed her, no one bothered her, a rare luxury.
When she finally woke, the sun was already high in the sky. Mochou entered to attend to her and also to report a matter: "The Prince of Nan'an has been invited to a meeting. It's said that the six nations will gather to discuss important affairs."
Qingyao remained seated on the bed, a cold smile gracing her lips. The so-called important affairs, she mused, were merely an attempt to stir up trouble in the Kingdom of Huangyuan so they could reap the benefits, each taking a share.
After her report, Mochou saw that her mistress was still unmoving and dared not speak.
Qingyao, stroking her cloud-like hair, spoke in a low voice, "Notify Yisi Yuan to see me in secret. Also, have everyone from Fengchen Palace brought over and ready. Combined with the five hundred elite soldiers we brought, it should be enough to control the ensuing chaos."
"Mistress?"
Mochou called out, her heart touched. Seeing Shen Yu's grief had pained her deeply, and she truly wished to help him. Fortunately, her mistress was always there to assist him.
Qingyao glanced up at Mochou, understanding her thoughts, and felt a twinge of guilt. She spoke softly, "Mochou, I'm not helping him. I'm only helping myself. Do you know? Perhaps I am the one who devours most without spitting out bones."
Mochou understood what her mistress meant, but for her...
"What I care about is Moyou. As long as he is well, nothing else, no fame or fortune, matters."
"Good, it's best that you think this way. Go and handle your tasks."
"Yes, Mistress," Mochou nodded and left. Alone in the room, Qingyao lounged lazily on the bed, not wanting to move. She had brought too few people on this outing; they were insufficient. It seemed she would need to bring more people next time.
Upon receiving Mochou's message, Yisi Yuan rushed over without delay to meet Qingyao.
This was a chance for the Yi family to rise again. He had initially thought the Yi family would remain commoners forever. After offending the Third Prince, His Majesty, and disrupting friendly relations between two nations, the Emperor, in his anger, had stripped him of his official post. Unexpectedly, in such a short time, the First Prince was plotting to usurp the throne.
Although Qingyao's face was covered by a veil, Yisi Yuan knew who she was.
He also knew this woman was formidable, capable of turning the world upside down with a mere gesture. Her effortless abduction of the Seventh Prince last time was proof. He had thought Wuqing was the厉害 one, only to realize it was she, hidden behind Wuqing.
Who exactly was she? Was she still an envoy from Xianyue in disguise?
Last time she accompanied the Third Prince, and now she was with Xianyue. This woman was truly terrifying. However, it was precisely because of her extraordinary abilities that Yisi Yuan believed Shen Yu would ascend the throne this time. But what benefits would she gain from it?
Yisi Yuan pondered for a long time but could not fathom it.
Yet, he had no time to dwell on it. In the main hall, Mu Qingyao spoke softly, "Lord Yi, please be seated."
Yisi Yuan trembled and replied fearfully, "No, no, I am merely a commoner and cannot bear such a title."
"If the Seventh Prince ascends the throne, how can Lord Yi remain a mere commoner? You would likely be in a position of unparalleled power, second only to the Emperor."
Her voice carried a teasing tone, resonating clearly in the main hall. Yisi Yuan, however, was hooked by such a grand bait and asked in a deep voice, "What do you plan to do, miss?"
"First, I will show you something."
As Qingyao finished speaking, she raised her hand, and a bright yellow light flashed, a piece of something landing in Yisi Yuan's hand. Yisi Yuan felt his palm grow heavy. It was yellow brocade. Seeing such an item, even without opening it, his heart began to pound uncontrollably. Could this be the imperial decree? Impossible, how could the imperial decree be in her hands?
Yisi Yuan eagerly opened the brocade. It was indeed the imperial decree.
His face immediately flushed with excitement. He quickly stepped forward two paces and respectfully presented the brocade to Mu Qingyao, speaking slowly, "Now, what would you like me to do?"
"I will send someone with this imperial decree to meet those officials with you. See how many troops you can mobilize in the capital of Huangyuan, and gather as many as possible. Currently, the First Prince and the Fifth Prince are in a stalemate. If we remain inactive, their two tigers will fight, resulting in mutual destruction. When they are weakened, we will make our move. This way, we can achieve the goal of taking the throne without appearing to be the ones who seized it."
Qingyao's calm tone sent shivers down Yisi Yuan's spine. This woman was too ruthless.
He did not dare to be negligent and respectfully bowed his head, "Yes, miss."
"Good, you may return now. First, list the reliable people in the capital today. Tonight, I will have someone deliver the imperial decree and accompany you to the homes of those ministers willing to align with us."
"I've heard that many ministers are dissatisfied with the First Prince's actions. Many ministers now support the Fifth Prince ascending the throne, but the Fifth Prince does not have the imperial decree. Therefore, you must properly entice them. I believe that in the face of benefits, no one is concerned with familial ties."
"Moreover, the people under the Fifth Prince are mostly the forces of various officials. If those people are willing to switch sides, tell them that when the First Prince dispatches his troops, those people should withdraw from the battlefield. I believe the Fifth Prince will be unable to withstand the assault. At that time, the First Prince will be ousted, but his reputation will be severely tarnished, and that will be the time for the Seventh Prince to step forward."
After Qingyao finished outlining her plan, Yisi Yuan felt as if he were about to prostrate himself on the ground. The word "amazing" was no longer sufficient to describe the surge of thoughts within him. He spoke with utmost sincerity and trepidation.
"Then I shall take my leave."
"Yes, return."
After Yisi Yuan departed, Mochou entered and respectfully reported, "I have sent word to the people at Fengchen Palace. They should arrive in the capital by tomorrow at the latest."
"Yes, this is the time for Fengchen Palace to make a name for itself," Qingyao smiled faintly, her silk veil fluttering, her entire being exuding a gentle beauty.
Who would have known that she was the one orchestrating all these events today, appearing so nonchalant and detached?
As soon as the Prince of Nan'an returned, he invited Qingyao and two ministers for a confidential discussion. Regarding the meeting of the six nations' envoys, it was led by Shangguan Hao of Wanhe Kingdom and Changsun Zhu of Qingluo Kingdom.
The six nations dispatched two groups. One group went to secretly meet the Fifth Prince, while the other group sought an audience with the First Prince.
Upon hearing the Prince of Nan'an's words, Qingyao couldn't help but chuckle. When their Xianyue had clashed with Danfeng Kingdom, hadn't this very group acted in the same manner? Now they were resorting to the same old tactics. However, just because she wouldn't fall for it didn't mean those two ambitious men wouldn't.
"Which side does our Xianyue support?"
Qingyao asked lightly. Since they had declared their stance, Mu Rongliu Zhao was not foolish enough to remain on the sidelines at this juncture.
Hearing Qingyao's question, Mu Rongliu Zhao knew she approved of his approach. He suppressed the urge to explain and calmly replied, "We support the Fifth Prince's faction."
Qingyao remained noncommittal. No matter which side they supported, it was merely a surface-level affair. The one who would truly ascend the throne would be the Seventh Prince, Shen Yu. As long as she willed it, she would not allow any unforeseen circumstances to arise.
"Let this matter proceed as it is for now. You don't need to do anything. Let those families expend their schemes. We are the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind us."
Qingyao's voice was soft but carried the portent of an approaching storm. Mu Rongliu Zhao faltered, his thoughts momentarily lost.