Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

As a general in the military, Huangfu Hao could easily deduce the movements of the Imperial Guard through various subtle signs. Also, as a member of the Huangfu Family, one of the seven great noble families, the information he obtained was much more detailed than that of others.

”You’ve just returned to the capital, the soldiers are weary, and elder brother, the fifty thousand troops from the Wan Kingdom you brought back have not yet cooperated with our Imperial Guard in battle, so a period of preparation is needed,” Chen Mo said. ”Moreover, the warships necessary for battle are still under construction...”

Huangfu Hao understood the meaning behind Chen Mo’s words.

First, the army of the Wan Kingdom needed to integrate with the Imperial Guard, so some time for training was required.

Additionally, since the warships required for battle were still being built, during this time the armies of both sides could be trained to integrate.

”Prince, will you lead the troops in suppressing the rebellion this time?” Huangfu Hao asked.

Chen Mo shook his head, ”No.”

Huangfu Hao was somewhat surprised.

”I already have a person in mind for the commander of the main force this time.”

”Who?”

”The Grand Princess,” Chen Mo softly replied.

...

With Huangfu Hao’s return to the capital, there was a hidden undercurrent of movement in Bianliang City in the time that followed.

According to the investigation by Mo Bingtai, spies from various factions were discovered in Bianliang during this period.

Chen Mo instructed Quan Qiyang to keep a close watch, waiting to root out both the operatives and their handlers for a massive roundup.

Time flew by, and a month passed. As summer arrived, the weather turned somewhat hot.

Quan Qiyang, riding a fast horse, stopped at the Prince Zhen Nan’s Mansion, dismounted, and familiarly found his way to Chen Mo’s study.

As he pushed open the door, he saw A-mei and Consort Jing lying in Chen Mo’s arms, playing a game with snacks.

Chen Mo bit into a piece of pastry, half of it sticking out of his mouth. Ye Wanqiu leaned towards Chen Mo’s lips and deliberately ate the half sticking out. When Qi Nichang went to eat, she had to snatch it from Chen Mo’s mouth, otherwise she would be considered to have lost and would have to accept punishment from Chen Mo.

Quan Qiyang entered just in time to see A-mei passionately kissing the Prince.

Quan Qiyang awkwardly coughed, and Chen Mo gently patted Qi Nichang on her buttocks, signaling for her to leave first, while Ye Wanqiu, enjoying the spectacle, covered her mouth and stifled her laughter.

”Ah... Brother...” Seeing that it was her brother who entered, Qi Nichang’s face turned crimson as she let out a startled cry. Thankfully, it was just a kiss and nothing more excessive, otherwise, she would have wanted to die of shame. Even so, she was too embarrassed to face anyone. After giving Chen Mo an angry glare, she left the study with her head lowered.

”Don’t run, you haven’t eaten it yet; you’ll have to accept punishment later,” Chen Mo said with a smile.

”Husband, I’ll take my leave too,” said Ye Wanqiu.

”Mm.”

...

After A-mei and Consort Jing left, Quan Qiyang then walked over.

”How is it?” Chen Mo looked at his brother-in-law in front of him, his face showing no embarrassment at being caught, and said with a smile.

There’s a saying, as long as I’m not embarrassed, the one feeling awkward is you.

Quan Qiyang calmed his emotions and respectfully said, ”Prince, we’ve gotten to the bottom of everything. The brothers are watching closely, just waiting for your command.”

”Bring in the net,” Chen Mo’s eyes turned sharp.

Mo Bingtai was established by Chen Mo in Nanyang, with Quan Qiyang organizing it. Attracting many talented individuals, it quickly developed under Chen Mo’s strong support. In just half a year, the intelligence network had permeated various counties under the control of the Imperial Court, as well as areas where the court had already lost control.

Bianliang, as the most prosperous place in Great Song and the power center of Great Song, had the widest distribution of Mo Bingtai operatives.

Exaggeratingly speaking, anything that happened in Bianliang, whether it was as small as someone’s family losing a bowl or an official’s concubine having an affair, or as big as a murder case, did not escape his listening ears.

...

Bianliang City, the political winds have changed dramatically.

At King Mu’s Mansion, Zhao Qi had just returned shortly before.

A group of Black Armor Imperial Guard quickly surrounded the place entirely.

”Who are you? Are you trying to rebel? How dare you... hey, hey, you want to...”

The servants at King Mu’s Mansion were interrupted mid-sentence and were taken away by the Imperial Guard. The main door was kicked open, and the Guards filed in. Leading them was Gao Zheng, a trusted confidant of Chen Mo, with five or six men from Mo Bingtai standing behind him.

”Search!” Gao Zheng waved his hand broadly, about to lead people to search.

The commotion drew the steward of King Mu’s Mansion, who came with the guards. Upon seeing Gao Zheng, his liver ached with frustration, ”You...again? What do you want this time?”

Gao Zheng ignored him and said in a low voice, ”Where is Lord Mu?”

”How can you meet the Prince at your whim...”

”What business do you have with this Prince?” Before the steward could finish his words, Zhao Qi came out from inside, his Python Robe flaunting authority.

Although Zhao Qi was a leisure prince, Gao Zheng, as a subject, should bow.

However, upon seeing him, Gao Zheng directly shouted, ”Prince Mu Zhao Qi conspired with rebel parties, plotting treason. Men, seize him.”

The Imperial Guard surged forward to capture Zhao Qi.

”How dare you!” The guards behind Zhao Qi also rushed forward to protect him, confronting the Imperial Guard head-on.

Zhao Qi’s heart was in turmoil, but his expression remained relatively calm as he glared at Gao Zheng angrily. ”How presumptuous, to create a fabricated charge with no basis or words. If you claim this Prince conspired with rebels, where is the proof?”

”You want proof, very well.” Gao Zheng waved his hand, saying, ”Bring the person forward.”

Soon, two members of Mo Bingtai brought a bruised and battered prisoner forward.

Gao Zheng grabbed the prisoner’s hair, lifting him up. ”Does Prince Mu recognize him?”

When this man was brought forward, Zhao Qi’s heart skipped a beat. When Gao Zheng lifted his head, Zhao Qi’s face also changed. This man was the intermediary linking him to King Yan.

”This Prince has no idea what you are saying; I don’t know him at all,” Zhao Qi continued to defend himself.

But Gao Zheng was no longer interested in idle talk, saying, ”Prince Mu, he has already confessed. The evidence is conclusive. You might as well stop quibbling. My men saw you meet him, so denial is useless. Take him away.”

”Anyone obstructing will be treated as an accomplice of the rebel party.”

Soon, Prince Mu was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.

During questioning, he still refused to admit anything. Even with evidence right under his nose, he still denied knowing the intermediary. However, once subjected to a round of torture, he quickly signed and confessed.

As this was a capital offense for treason, the entire Prince Mu’s Mansion was naturally implicated and had its property confiscated, with close associates being persecuted.

But Gao Zheng was no longer interested in idle talk, saying, ”Prince Mu, he has already confessed. The evidence is conclusive. You might as well stop quibbling. My men saw you meet him, so denial is useless. Take him away.”

”Anyone obstructing will be treated as an accomplice of the rebel party.”

Soon, Prince Mu was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison.

During questioning, he still refused to admit anything. Even with evidence right under his nose, he still denied knowing the intermediary. However, once subjected to a round of torture, he quickly signed and confessed.

As this was a capital offense for treason, the entire Prince Mu’s Mansion was naturally implicated and had its property confiscated, with close associates being persecuted.