Chapter 565 - 651 Xiao Yunxi Wants to Be Empress

After Chen Mo left, Xiao Yunxi felt a little less flustered. She quickly tidied her collar with her back to Zhao Chong and then softly said, "Why has Your Majesty come?"

"I’ve been busy with state affairs recently. Today I’m free, so I came to visit Mother. How has Mother been lately?" Zhao Chong said softly.

While Chen Mo is not in the Capital, all the affairs of the court are left to Xiao Yunxi, but since Zhao Chong is her biological son, Xiao Yunxi does not have the heart to let Zhao Chong be an emperor without any power, so she has transferred some power to him these days.

Zhao Fujin is no longer on Canglan Continent, and the concern for her son warmed Xiao Yunxi’s heart. She said, "I have been well recently, Your Majesty need not worry."

Zhao Chong sat down beside her, and looking at his mother’s exquisite attire, he couldn’t help but say, "Recently, I’ve heard some rumors."

After gaining some power, Zhao Chong also learned much about outside matters.

Xiao Yunxi’s heart skipped a beat, but she still asked, "What rumors?"

"There’s gossip that the relationship between Prince Zhen Nan and Mother is quite deep, even saying that Prince Zhen Nan has become the... fake father of mine."

"Snap." Xiao Yunxi had just picked up a comb, and upon hearing this, she was startled and let it fall to the ground with a snap. She feigned calmness, saying:

"The outside world is chaotic these days, full of wild talk. Prince Zhen Nan has many enemies, and those who can’t defeat him head-on resort to underhanded tactics. These rumors are clearly fabricated by ill-intentioned people and cannot be taken seriously."

Seeing his mother still speaking up for Chen Mo, the last shred of Zhao Chong’s hope was completely extinguished. He took a deep breath and said:

"Mother, lately thieves have been rampant; things often go missing in the palace. So, I plan to withdraw a team from the Imperial Guard to form a Close Guard to protect the Imperial Palace, under Ning Weifu’s command, and hope Mother can approve."

"Ning Weifu?" Xiao Yunxi frowned, knowing this man is the Empress’s brother, and immediately said, "Isn’t the palace guarded by the Dragon Guard? If another unit is formed, wouldn’t that be a conflict?

Besides, I am but a woman, how can I interfere in matters of the Imperial Guard?"

Zhao Chong knew his mother was deflecting. Otherwise, with her current relationship with Prince Zhen Nan, all she had to do was whisper a few words, and it would be an easy matter.

Seeing this, he spoke bluntly, "How can the safety of the emperor be in the hands of others?"

As his mother’s natural-born son, he could not compare to Chen Mo, an outsider.

Since Zhao Chong grasped certain powers, naturally some ’loyal’ people gathered around him, and Chen Mo’s assertiveness and ruthlessness had offended a group of people in the court.

This group dared not confront Chen Mo openly but whispered ill about him in Zhao Chong’s ears, even saying Chen Mo was a greater traitor than Xiao Yunqi.

Especially after Chen Mo obtained the Nan Zhou Treasure, rumors spread that Chen Mo desired to advance further.

How could Zhao Chong sit still? Previously, without power it was fine, but now with a certain degree of power, how could he watch the Zhao Family’s empire be replaced? After death, how would he face his ancestors, naturally breeding greater ambition.

"Your Majesty, be careful of your words. Such things mustn’t be spoken lightly. Prince Zhen Nan quelled rebellions in the three regions, expelled external threats, executed traitors, and stabilized the court for the country and covets neither power nor wealth, loyal to Your Majesty. Do not be deceived by petty schemers." Xiao Yunxi instinctively defended Chen Mo.

But after speaking, her heart felt uncertain because Chen Mo had previously asked if she wanted to become an Empress.

Hearing his mother defend Chen Mo again, Zhao Chong frowned and said, "Now the Imperial Guard of the Great Song is in the hands of Prince Zhen Nan, have you not heard the rumors that he harbors ambitions for the throne?"

Having reached this point, Zhao Chong spoke more directly.

Xiao Yunxi’s body trembled slightly; the moment she dreaded had arrived. Chong’er wanted the power.

In fact, Xiao Yunxi had long anticipated this day, but she did not expect it so soon. Originally, she thought Chong’er would bring this up only after the world was at peace.

Xiao Yunxi found herself in a dilemma, caught between her lover and her son. She said, "I understand Your Majesty’s intentions, but can Your Majesty make others under his command obey? Can he intimidate Jizhou rebels, regional vassal princes, and ensure peace across the land?"

Her three consecutive questions shocked Zhao Chong. It was almost as if she was directly asking if he had the capability.

Unwilling to give in, Zhao Chong pressured Xiao Yunxi directly.

In essence, he insisted on establishing this Close Guard and asked if Xiao Yunxi agreed.

A typical case of Chen Mo and him asking her to choose who she sided with.

Xiao Yunxi hesitated, truly hesitated.

But Zhao Chong did not give her time to think, pressing step by step, until finally, Xiao Yunxi closed her eyes, and upon opening them again, said, "Tomorrow, I shall personally govern again."

Zhao Chong turned pale, knowing she intended to reclaim the power he held.

He stood up, his steps staggering. He raised his hand, pointing at Xiao Yunxi, his lips trembling, he laughed and laughed, then suddenly cried, "Why, why, Mother, I am your own son."

Xiao Yunxi felt a deep pain, she hadn’t chosen between the two but recalled Chen Mo’s earlier proposal.

Empress!

Only by ascending to the highest position would she not be torn between this dilemma.

As for the rumors that would inevitably follow that ascension, she would bear them alone.

At this moment, her eyes were particularly resolute.

"Your Majesty, I wish to rest now."

Zhao Chong did not know how he left Weiyang Palace. He only knew that when he returned to his chamber, it felt as though his soul had been lost. He smashed everything in the chamber and then began to laugh wildly.

But that expression was filled with sorrow.

...

On another side,

After returning to Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, Chun Lan came to Chen Mo, handing over a letter delivered from Loulan recently.

The general meaning of the letter was that as long as Chen Mo executed Yue Yuxi, or did not release her back to Loulan, the Jin Family would agree to release Wei Ying.

Evidently, the Jin Family feared Yue Yuxi returning to Loulan and regaining control of the court, a scenario the Jin Family did not want to see.

Upon learning the contents, Chen Mo was overjoyed and immediately replied, agreeing to the Jin Family’s conditions, even demanding a fee from the Jin Family, saying if they did not comply, he would not only release Yue Yuxi but also return the captured Loulan forces with her.

After responding to the letter, Chen Mo, with the Jin Family’s letter in hand, eagerly went to find Yue Yuxi.

"Your Majesty the Queen, I have good news and a piece of news for you, which would you like to hear first?" Chen Mo said with a smile as he pushed open the door.

"Prince." The female warrior overseeing Yue Yuxi saw Chen Mo enter, respectfully saluted, and then tactfully exited the room.