NCCnovel Chapter 106: Probing Inquiry
Chapter 106: Probing Inquiry
Xiao Wenbo looked at Xiao Mo with a smile, stretched out his hand to pull her to the stool in front of the bed: "Your sister has always been like this, just ignore her."
Xiao Mo smiled at him and said nothing.
Xiao Wenbo looked at her quietly, thinking about other things through her.
At the beginning, before she got into trouble, he had intended to match her with Qi Yue.
Qi Yue became the crown prince until now, but he still couldn't forget her and had not taken a crown princess for a long time. This was no longer a secret in the previous dynasty.
Later, when she got into trouble, his first reaction was to release Xiao Xiang. If he hadn't wanted to follow Qi Yue's path, Lin and Xiao Xiang would still be locked up in the abandoned courtyard.
Although it was Concubine Liang's idea to marry Xiao Xiang, he knew that neither he nor his mother liked her.
Qi Yue had no feelings for her, and it was impossible for her to defeat Concubine Liang with her cleverness and scheming.
Xiao Mo's military achievements will be forgotten over time, and when there is no one to protect her, she will be abandoned sooner or later.
Now that Xiao Mo is back, with Qi Yue's affection for her, she can sit firmly on the position of Crown Princess without having to do anything.
In the future, when Qi Yue ascends the throne, she will be able to become the queen who rules the country.
By then, his Xiao family and his Prime Minister's Mansion will be second to none.
Just thinking about this, Xiao Wenbo couldn't help feeling proud.
He was demoted from his official position, and although he has been reinstated now, some of his power has been divided up by others.
What position of prime minister? What he wants is to be the emperor's father-in-law!
Xiao Mo frowned slightly as she looked at Xiao Wenbo, whose face was gradually brightening, wondering what he was thinking about that made him so happy.
"Father, father?!" She called him softly twice.
Xiao Wenbo put away his expression and patted her shoulder: "You have come all the way back, hurry back to the house and rest."
Xiao Mo's eyes moved slightly, she nodded, glanced at Murong Shu, then stood up and left.
After Xiao Wenbo fell asleep, Murong Shu went to Suqiyuan. As soon as she arrived, she took Xiao Mo's hand and went to the inner room.
Xiao Mo was puzzled by her seriousness and looked at her blankly: "Mother, what do you want to say?"
Murong Shu reached out and touched her hair, with stars twinkling in her eyes: "Let mother take a good look at you."
"Did you rush me into the room just to get a good look at me?"
Xiao Mo knew her mother well. She wouldn't show that expression unless it was something important.
Murong Shu pulled the corners of her mouth stiffly, her eyes gradually becoming serious: "Mo'er, you..."
"What am I?"
"Do you like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Royal Highness Prince Chen?"
Xiao Mo didn't expect her to ask this question. She frowned and asked her, "Why did you suddenly ask this, mother?"
"You stayed in Prince Chen's mansion for a day. Did His Highness Prince Chen tell you that he was going to marry you in a ghost marriage?" Murong Shu asked anxiously.
Xiao Mo tilted her head slightly, not understanding what she wanted to say: "He didn't tell me in person, but I heard it in Quancheng."
When she returned to Quancheng, the right general praised Qi Minxiu's deep affection for her.
When she heard this, she felt nothing but disbelief.
This is also the reason why she went to Prince Chen's Mansion immediately after returning.
Only when she stepped into the palace did she completely believe the words of the Right General.
It's not that she doubted Qi Minxiu's feelings for her, but in her opinion, the emperor would not agree to a prince marrying a dead person after death.
Obviously, she underestimated his love.
Murong Shu didn't want her to be involved in this dispute and only hoped that she would marry someone from a simple family and live a good life.
Whether it was Qi Yue or Qi Minxiu, the disputes within the royal family had never ceased.
But if she could only choose between these two, she hoped Xiao Mo would choose Qi Minxiu.
It is not easy to be the Crown Princess or even the Queen. Instead of becoming these people, it is better to be the princess of an idle prince and live a leisurely life.
"Then what do you think about His Royal Highness Prince Chen marrying you as his principal wife through a ghost marriage?" Murong Shu asked tentatively.
Xiao Mo took a sip of tea and played with the teacup: "How else can I look at it? He married me, and no matter whether I live or die, I will always be his."
Hearing this answer, Murong Shu sighed inwardly.
Fortunately, fortunately, she was afraid that Xiao Mo would be seduced by power and status and would want to marry Qi Yue.
After all, Qi Yue's feelings for her are no less than Qi Minxiu's. If she really has this idea, no one can stop her.
Murong Shu smiled and stood up, her tense expression easing considerably. "It's late, you should get some rest early. You still have to go to the palace to see the emperor tomorrow morning."
Xiao Mo gave her a faint smile, nodded slightly, and turned to walk towards the bed.
The next day, in the court.
Xiao Mo appeared in front of everyone and briefly reported to the emperor the battle situation and what happened after falling off the cliff.
The emperor was pleased and his face was full of surprise, but he was also concerned about the title of marquis to be conferred upon her.
Those who opposed her saw the emperor's thoughts and took the initiative to bring up this topic.
Several old ministers expressed their agreement that Xiao Mo's title of Marquis of Xiding was posthumously conferred by the emperor as compensation for her. Now that she has returned safely, this compensation can be exchanged for other practical things.
However, those who stood on Xiao Mo's side said that the emperor was the supreme ruler and his words were not a joke. Once something was given, it could not be taken back.
The two groups of people were arguing fiercely in the court. Xiao Mo knew very well that great achievements would frighten the ruler, so he asked to hand over his military power and become the Marquis of Xiding without real power.
This not only alleviated the emperor's concerns, but also prevented him from becoming a trustless monarch. It was indeed a win-win solution.
The emperor was pleased with her understanding, and he agreed with great joy and dismissed the morning court.
Concubine Liang couldn't help laughing when she heard her personal maid talking about the previous dynasty in the harem.
The maidservant was puzzled and whispered in her ear, "Since General Xiao no longer has military power, do we still want her to be the Crown Princess?"
Concubine Liang shook her finger gracefully: "After handing over the military power, she does seem to have become an empty shell, but her solidity was earned through her own efforts."
The maidservant didn't understand what she meant and frowned, waiting for her explanation.
"She was in trouble before, and General Zhao and General You of the Western Frontier, as well as Xu Renchuan of the Northern Barbarians, were all seeking rewards for her.
The bond they shared in the battle was more useful than a cold token.
Imagine, if she made any mistakes, would these people plead for her? The answer is of course yes, most people who join the army and the martial arts value loyalty.
Let me make a bold guess. If there is a palace coup in the future, will this group of people and her former subordinates stand on her side?
Maybe not 100%, but at least 80% of the time."
The maid nodded in sudden realization, her eyes full of admiration for Concubine Liang.
The political power of others is in the hands of their families, but Xiao Mo holds it in her own hands.
As long as she is willing, it will not be difficult for her to take back the military power and become a general who dominates a region.
"Go, invite her to Yongyang Palace for a gathering, and invite the Crown Prince as well."