Chapter 309: Adopted Succession: Giving the Mo Family a Son

Bang!

The bead in Wan Tang's hand snapped.

In her mind the barrage of arguing voices still rang.

Everyone rushed to right the wrongs.

【Dog Emperor, go die, really want to give the Mo Family Army to that waste, beast!】

【Is it the sperm that got into your brain? What about the previous scheming and plotting? Seems you're short of people and madness in your hands!】

【Actually, whether this person has ability is irrelevant to Chu Yunzheng. As long as this person is his man, as long as this person is obedient enough, meeting those conditions is sufficient.】

【The so‑called assessment, over at Ouyang Qing's side, will reveal the Ou River question to Bai Zijun.】

【That Bai Li is also a ruthless person, Chu Yunzheng has already urgently become this dog's virtue, and she can still urgently call a stop.】

【This is the method; only this way can we hook the Emperor's appetite. After all, not getting it is the best.】

Wan Tang's knuckles went white, and the tea cup thudded heavily on the desk: "Xiao Shunzi!"

"Nubi here." Xiao Shunzi stepped forward quickly.

"Go investigate Bai Zijun," her voice was chilled with ice, "from childhood to now, no detail left unchecked."

Xiao Shunzi was just about to withdraw when she called again.

"Wait." Cold light flashed in Wan Tang's eyes, "Let Qi Er find a wealthy merchant, with deep family wealth and eager to cling to the powerful."

She curved her lips coldly, "Will fulfill any request from Bai Zijun."

Xiao Shunzi sweated coldly: "Nubi understands."

"Also," Wan Tang toyed with the armor, "from now on wherever Bai Zijun goes, arrange more foot‑flattering servants."

She laughed lightly, "The higher you lift him, the better."

Xiao Shunzi's back was drenched in cold sweat.

At the same time, his eyes also showed a glint.

His master finally returned.

Since Yan Wang's rebellion failed, there has been no such light in the master's eyes.

Golden Throne Hall.

The ministers glanced sideways.

Bai Zijun made an exception to stand in the court, surrounded by contemptuous gazes.

Chu Yunzheng smiled and said, "Bai Aiqing is a rare talent; today we shall assess him on the spot."

Attendant presented the border‑defense map.

Emperor casually pointed to a pass in the northern frontier: "If the enemy army invades from here, what should be done?"

Bai Zijun's forehead sweated, stammered: "We should… dispatch elite troops to garrison…"

Minister of the Ministry of Rites couldn't help but sneer: "This pass is surrounded on three sides by mountains; only five hundred crossbowmen set an ambush can take it in one go."

"Why make a mountain out of a molehill, waste troops for no reason."

"Brilliant plan!" Chu Yunzheng suddenly clapped his hands to interrupt, "Lord Bai knows well that the key to warfare is precision!"

Minister of the Ministry of Rites' face showed horror.

Chu Yunzheng has sat stably on the Fengqi Kingdom's Emperor for over a dozen years, not a clueless fool.

But this crude method, does he still praise it?

Minister of the Ministry of Rites was about to block, Qi Qi, standing nearby, silently gave a signal.

Though unwilling, he could only grit his teeth and endure.

Chu Yunzheng ignored the reactions of those below.

Then he again tested tax and criminal names; Bai Zijun answered with countless holes.

In the court, silence reigned.

Chu Yunzheng always managed to find forced excuses and overpraise.

The ministers looked at each other.

Qi Qi shook his head.

The Emperor's salute, everyone guessed it was about seven or eight.

It's just a matter of a position; give an empty post, at that time a dog was being raised there.

Lin Zehai now holds a second‑rank official position.

Between ruler and minister, a step must be given.

Seeing this, he hurried forward, respectfully bowed: "Your Majesty, Old Minister sees Lord Bai truly clever, deeply favored by the saint."

"Now the position of Flower‑Bird Officer is vacant, Lord Bai is very proficient in this field, especially suitable."

"Shall we appoint Lord Bai to the Flower‑Bird Officer post?"

The court, already tense as black and white, thus with a single sentence, instantly eased.

From below rose a resonant voice: "This position, very good."

Bai Zijun heard the three words "Flower‑Bird Officer" and his eyes lit up: "What does this position entail?"

Lin Zehai lowered his gaze and reported: "It oversees the exotic flowers and birds contributed from all regions, supervising garden repairs."

"Exquisite!"

Bai Zijun clapped and laughed, forgetting court etiquette, "This one, I want this."

He rubbed his hands and leaned over the dragon table, "Emperor may not know, but I know best how to appreciate; just the other day I obtained a myna that can recite poetry…"

Originally the ministers only worried.

Hearing this, they couldn't help but curl their lips.

This is merely the overt explanation of the position, intended so that everyone has a name.

In reality, this office exists solely for the Emperor to select women with.

I didn't expect this fool to say even that.

Chu Yunzheng's knuckles turned white.

He indeed needs someone easy to control, yet the current person is a fool.

If it weren't for Bai Li's younger brother…

Chu Yunzheng suddenly sighed, "Impossible."

"Actually, I have other thoughts."

Lin Zehai could only bow and listen to the Emperor.

Chu Yunzheng sighed, "The Mo Family is full of loyal heroes, yet now there is no male heir to inherit."

"Even the Mo Family Army, however brave and battle‑savvy, still needs a leader."

"Now General Huang Feihu is too old; I have been pondering, and still wish the Mo Family bloodline to continue."

His gaze burned as he looked at Bai Zijun, "I intend to have you adopted into the Mo Family, to command the Mo Family Army. What do you think, my dear?"

Amid the hall's uproar, Bai Zijun smiled broadly, knelt and thanked, completely missing the cold glint flashing in the Emperor's eyes.

"Impossible!"

The Duke of Ning, hearing this, was the first to step forward in opposition: "Bai Zijun is just a fool; how could he have the talent to lead troops into battle?"

Chu Yunzheng's sharp gaze turned to the Duke of Ning: "Bai Zijun is your bloodline."

The Duke of Ning straightened his back: "So what?"

His voice tinged with pain, "Old Minister has already felt ashamed of the Mo Family; back then the Bai family participated in framing the Mo Family, causing the Mo family's descendants endless suffering."

"Because of this, Old Minister has continuously refused to acknowledge them."

"Now, how could we let this scoundrel further tarnish the Mo Family's glorious name?"

When the Mo Family's past was mentioned, everyone felt uneasy.

The Mo Family's loyal and righteous spirit—how tragically fierce it was.

The Mo Duke died amid false accusations.

If the Mo Duke uttered a single word, troops could instantly rise in rebellion, and the Late Emperor would have been powerless.

But he did not.

He merely used the Mo Family's entire bloodline to prove his innocence.

After much difficulty, a bloodline was preserved.

And then died on the battlefield.

Now, they actually want to use a villain's bloodline to continue the Mo Family's ritual flame?

Even officials who usually clashed with the Mo Family now wear sorrowful faces.

There is the saying "when the rabbit dies, the dog is cooked," and also absurdity to laugh at.

The Duke of Ning bowed heavily, "Moreover, this son is unfit for great use; I beg the Emperor to think twice!"

"It cannot be learned." Chu Yunzheng said firmly, "The Mo Family's wrongful case must be resolved. I am merely trying to preserve a ritual flame for the Mo Family."

"Emperor," Lin Zehai stepped forward first, "This move may chill the soldiers' hearts!"

"Please, Emperor, retract the order!" the ministers collectively knelt and remonstrated.

Bai Zijun laughed, "I'm already willing to be someone's son; what more are you dissatisfied with?"

The Duke of Ning, hearing this, shed tears, suddenly rose and rushed toward the Coiling Dragon Pillar: "Old Minister has no face to see the Mo Duke again!"

"Duke, impossible!"

Amid the cries, blood splattered.

The ministers' anger had reached its limit.

Bai Zijun, frightened, fell and sat on the ground.

Qi Qi, even more anguished, said, "Emperor, the Duke of Ning is the backbone of Fengqi Kingdom!"

Chu Yunzheng's eyes narrowed slightly.

His mind was troubled.

He waved his hand and shouted angrily, "Summon the Grand Physician at once!"

"Send the Duke of Ning to Yangxin Hall."

"This matter shall be discussed again."

The court instantly descended into chaos.

【"How tense! Fortunately the Duke of Ning's body is sturdy enough to hold on."】

【"The Duke of Ning did hold on, but at seventy‑eight or so, it's truly hard on him."】

【"Hope Hui Guifei won't be too angry…"】

【"Can she not be angry? Upon hearing the earlier events, even cutting the Dog Emperor's heart would be enough."】

The palace corridor was in chaos; Hui Guifei brandished her sword and rushed toward Yangxin Hall, the palace staff scattering in fear.

"Let me kill him!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with raging fury.

Wan Tang hurried forward, blocking the way, "Sister, you must not!"

"No, no!"

"This won't work, that also requires waiting; what finally comes from all that waiting?"

Hui Guifei looked at Wan Tang, also fuming.

She scolded, "Did you see the storm that woman stirred up?"

"She is outside the palace, and already causing such chaos. That white bastard, wanting to become a son of the Mo Family, can you tolerate it?"

"Have you ever thought, Xu Yanchuan, that you must use your life to protect the Mo Family, to protect you!"

Hui Guifei's voice trembled, and it was intense.

Wan Tang's throat was sour and astringent.

She was also trembling with anger.

But she could not act impulsively.

She still stood in the way.

"Get out!" Hui Guifei swung her sword, trying to push her aside.

The blade, however, was grasped by Wan Tang with her bare hands.

Fresh blood ran down the sword edge, dripping onto the bluestone slab and blooming a glaring red.

Hui Guifei stared at Wan Tang's hand that kept bleeding, suddenly released the sword hilt, and staggered back two steps.

"Will you wait a little longer, okay?" Wan Tang, bearing the pain, gripped her hand, her voice hoarse, "I beg you, sister… I will make those people pay."

Hui Guifei didn't understand.

Wan Tang's voice was hoarse: "Sometimes, I think."

"If I hadn't had impulsive emotions back then, would Xiao Chuan not have gotten into trouble?"

Fortunately, my hand is bleeding, so my heart and chest don't hurt that much.

She slowly lifted her head and said softly, "Just making a woman disappear—what meaning does that have?"

"Sister, have you ever thought about what I truly want?"

Every word that came out felt like a small knife slicing Wan Tang's throat.

Yet she still gritted her teeth and said, "My brother's death cannot just be settled like this."

"I want him to be despised by the world."

"I want him to die amidst everyone's curses!"

A tear fell unexpectedly.

How wise Hui Guifei is, how could she not understand.

The sword blade hit the ground, and Hui Guifei, trembling, stepped forward.

She pressed her bleeding wound, trembling, and said, "Then go ahead and do it boldly."

"Rest assured, you are not alone."

Wan Tang nodded heavily, inhaled the sourness, and said, "Sister, it's almost done."

"One who has given too much, one whose duck to the mouth has flown, the two dissatisfied people will surely spark."

"These have nothing to do with us."

"We are merely spectators beneath this stage."

Wan Tang raised her hand and wiped away her tears.

The blood on her hand stained the corner of her eye, flickering and bloodthirsty.

She lifted the corner of her mouth, forced out a proper smile, and grasped Hui Guifei's hand: "Sister, let's go!"

"Let's go see the Duke!"