The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1165 - 267: Dust Settles_2

Fang Liuming heard that water was needed and his complexion changed. When he saw Pei Qian berating loudly, he quickly pulled her back into the inner chamber. "It might not be what you’re thinking! Brother-in-law isn’t that inconsiderate."

"What do you mean inconsiderate? Asking for a large pot of water in the middle of the night; it surely isn’t for drinking! You men are all the same; only thinking with what’s below!"

Pei Qian became increasingly angry as she thought about it, sitting cross-legged on the bed fuming.

Seeing her truly outraged, Fang Liuming immediately felt affected and hastily agreed, "Yes, yes, yes! Maybe tomorrow we should ask what it’s all about and give brother-in-law a warning!"

"Not having an elder in the house, they’re totally unrestrained! Although sister looks robust, she even has internal cold! If this continues, it will deplete sister!" Pei Qian clenched her teeth, resolving to find Mo Heng tomorrow to give him a severe lesson, as he only cared for his own lust forgeting about sister’s health!

At this moment, Fang Liuming dared only to go along with her, joining in her harsh criticism. Seeing she had vented somewhat, he coaxed her to sleep early.

The next day, Mo Heng attended the morning court sessions, while Pei Qin remained asleep and did not get up.

Jiujiu and Xixi were also not allowed to disturb her.

After an entire night of preparation, Xiao Guangjun, by the next day, had already donned the imperial robes and officially ascended the Dragon Throne. He began a sweeping purge of Xiao Guangzhao’s remnants, planned his ascension ceremony, discussed promotions for meritorious officials, and handled the issue of Pei Qin being falsely accused of being a demoness, as well as various public announcements and more.

Mo Heng had suddenly forced the palace and staged a rebellion, but shortly after, he supported Prince Yong’an’s ascension. Many civil and military officials rapidly accepted this reality. If Mo Heng had declared himself emperor, some might have opposed him to death. However, since Prince Yong’an was a legitimate son of the late emperor, their objections faltered. Besides, Prince Yong’an had already been known for his wisdom and had competed with Xiao Guangzhao and Xiao Guangbi for the throne earlier.

Some felt that Mo Heng was too arrogant and impetuous, as he had been involved in forcing the palace twice within a year in the struggle for power. However, seeing the new emperor ascend, with Mo Heng still close to the emperor, possibly even more prestigious than before, and Pei Qin rumored to be the incarnation of the Nine Heavens’ Lady and a legendary war deity, they all remained silent. Each continued their duties, supporting the operation of the Imperial Court.

People in the Capital Jingcheng who supported Pei Qin thought that she and Mo Heng were directly rebelling to have Mo Heng become emperor. Some even imagined that Pei Qin, being the Nine Heavens’ Lady, a descended war deity, might even establish a new era as a female emperor.

However, when the imperial decree was announced, it revealed an unknown Prince Yong’an as the emperor, greatly disappointing them.

Those with higher insights quietly told others, "General Pei is so loyal. The former emperor knew she was a woman but still greatly valued her. General Pei stayed in the palace after returning from suppressing bandits, that was the former emperor protecting her from assassination attempts! This Emperor Yongle doesn’t behave properly as an emperor, messing around. Even the Grand Empress Dowager said that being forecasted by a celestial master when he was young, he would ruin the country once he became emperor. And now intending to kill such a loyal general as General Pei, she couldn’t just watch Emperor Yongle spoil the hard-earned realm of the former emperor. It’s General Mo who forced the palace and supported Prince Yong’an’s ascension."

"General Pei even created such formidable weapons, I heard it’s a repeating rifle! If General Mo hadn’t supported someone else and declared himself emperor, General Pei could have at least been Empress, the mother of the country!" another person said somewhat dissatisfied.

Praise and agreement followed.

"You don’t understand! General Pei and General Mo are utterly loyal to the former emperor; they wouldn’t usurp the throne! Supporting a member of the Xiao family to ascend is wise! General Pei has no care for fame and profit. With Prince Yong’an as a rightful emperor, General Pei and General Mo being ennobled and serving as chancellors, they will live stable and prosperous lives. They won’t be criticized or attacked from all sides!"

This statement won even more approval and brought about widespread praise for Pei Qin and Mo Heng.

However, it wasn’t long before a critical issue was discovered by the chancellors at the Imperial Court.

One of Pei Qin’s deputy generals, named Zhao Yong, was calling the New Emperor ’Father Emperor’! Only a prince, a son of the emperor, could address someone as ’Father Emperor’!

Upon receiving the news, Shen Bi immediately called Shen Songming for questioning once he returned home. "There’s a personal soldier under Pei Qin, called Zhao Yong..."

Shen Songming interrupted him outright, "His name is Xiao Yong! He is the Princely Heir of Prince Yong’an!"

"Xiao Yong!?" Shen Bi realized. Xiao Yong, the rightful eldest son of Prince Yong’an, Xiao Guangjun, had all along been with Pei Qin. Pei Qin had previously supported Xiao Guangzhao’s ascension, and now this coercion, it was all part of her grand strategy using the throne as a chessboard! And they had all been kept in the dark.

Looking at Shen Songming, Shen Bi’s expression grew grim, "Such an important matter, why didn’t you tell the family?!" His nephew, so close to Pei Qin, clearly knew everything yet kept it so tightly sealed, not leaking a drop!

Shen Songming fell silent, "If possible, I wish Pei Qin never had such a role in supporting the emperor." His uncle pursued these regal maneuvers wanting the Shen family to flourish even more, but he just hoped Pei Qin could have peace even if she were to grow old with Mo Heng, forever out of his reach.

Shen Bi’s expression turned dark and foreboding. He was in a position of ’serving the emperor as if serving a tiger’, but he needed to know exactly what sort of ’tiger’ he was dealing with.

Shen Songming having informed him as much as he knew, gazed deeply at him, "Uncle should still go back and inform the family. If anyone plots against her, Mo Heng won’t spare them, and neither will I stand idly by!" Even if she could no longer conceive, even if her life wasn’t long, he would never allow anyone to scheme against her and all that belonged to her!