Luonan, Imperial Palace.

Emperor Yong’an looked at the still sparsely attended hall, his mood slightly calming. It had been three days since Chen Mo arrived to support the king. Although he was still a puppet emperor, it was much better than during Lu Sheng’s rule.

In the Imperial Palace, he also had absolute freedom, and Chen Mo did not interfere in his domestic affairs. It’s important to note that the reason his empress position was still vacant was because Lu Sheng interfered, wanting to marry his daughter to the deposed Emperor just like Duke Xu did, making his daughter the empress.

But because Lu Sheng’s daughter was not yet ten years old, the matter had been delayed.

Chen Mo did not interfere in this matter, and when Emperor Yong’an proposed to make Princess Consort Jing the empress, Chen Mo said, "This is Your Majesty’s family affair."

Thus, the matter of Princess Consort Jing becoming empress was settled, awaiting the ceremonial designation after reaching Celestial River.

Princess Consort Jing was the wife he married while still Prince Yong’an.

Gradually, Emperor Yong’an dared to proactively inquire about certain matters, saying, "King Wei, with so few ministers in court, it’s difficult to reflect the Great Song’s abundant talent. How can this be good?"

Chen Mo stood up. Since being ennobled as King Wei and enjoying the Emperor’s treatment, he could sit during morning court sessions, bowing and replying, "Your Majesty, when the traitor Lu Sheng was present, he harmed many ministers, leading to such a deserted court. However, please be assured, the previous imperial examination has selected a batch of talents for our court, which will improve once Your Majesty reaches Celestial River."

Although the relocation of the capital to Celestial River was decided, it wasn’t immediate; there was still much preparation before migrating.

Emperor Yong’an nodded: "With King Wei here, I am worry-free."

...

Han Yuan Hall.

The place where ministers gathered after morning court for discussions, also where the Emperor met with ministers and listened to matters daily.

Luo Yong stepped forward, bowing to Chen Mo and the others: "Prince, Xiangyang has sent a letter, delivering the first-class list from this provincial examination; additionally, Minister Chen Cultivator asked whether the prince could return just before the metropolitan examination."

Chen Mo took the letter and began reading. The date was over a month ago, when Chen Mo had just captured Chongzhou.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Mo said, "I plan to postpone the metropolitan examination and set the location at Celestial River, where the new scholars can be appointed by the Emperor, making the appointment even more fitting. What do all of you think?"

Chen Mo looked towards Wu Yanqing and others.

Sun Meng nodded vigorously.

Diwu Fusheng replied, "Prince, I’m afraid time is running short. The metropolitan examination usually occurs in mid-February or early March; now it’s mid-February. When the Prince’s message reaches Linzhou, the metropolitan examination may have finished."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded. Hosting the examination in Celestial River was beneficial, making the imperial examination more legitimate and increasing its prestige, but time was insufficient.

Furthermore, once Linzhou receives the message, the postponement must be announced for the provincial examination’s listed scholars to be informed, which requires more time. Then, scholars need time to travel to Xiangyang.

Moreover, although Chen Mo has subdued Prince Huai, King Chong, and Lu Sheng’s ilk, peace hasn’t fully returned; bandits still roam various regions.

These bandits, scattered across regions, pose little threat, yet are troublesome to eliminate. If scholars encounter bandits en route to Celestial River, losing possessions is manageable, but losing lives would be problematic.

Understanding the timing and risks, Chen Mo could only abandon the plan.

Peace in the world still has some way to go.

"Returning now isn’t feasible. Relay a message to Geng Songfu and Zuo Lianglun, instructing them to manage their respective affairs and then proceed to take office at Celestial River." After giving the instructions, Chen Mo looked at Xia Zhining: "What’s the situation with Xiao Jing?"

Before entering the capital to support the king, Chen Mo had dispatched Xiao Jing with troops to ambush a crucial pass from Luonan to Celestial River as a precaution.

"General Xiao reported that they had gathered over three thousand Imperial Guard soldiers fleeing from Luonan at Jingshan, escorting them back to Luonan, but they have not spotted any Lu Sheng family members." Xia Zhining replied.

Chen Mo frowned: "Quickly send a message, instructing them not to return to Luonan, but head directly to Celestial River, and clear any bandits that might appear en route, leaving personnel at posts along the way to eliminate risks for the capital relocation."

Xia Zhining nodded promptly, heading down to send the reply.

After Xia Zhining left, Sun Meng quickly stepped forward to report the house searches.

"How can it be only this amount?" Upon hearing there were only over three million taels, Chen Mo immediately thought the figure was incorrect.

It’s known that Liang Xue and Xiao Ya each had dowries of over one to two million taels. Even though the Lu Family weren’t among the Seven Great Noble Families, they were the previous provincial rulers, wielding the Emperor’s power with thousands of soldiers. How could it be just this amount?

Most crucially, the over three million taels included the Luo Family.

The Luo Family is genuinely one of the Seven Great Noble Families.

Sun Meng’s back broke into a cold sweat, fearing Chen Mo would suspect him of embezzlement, hurriedly explaining: "According to the servants at the Prime Minister’s Mansion, when Lu Sheng transferred his family members, he helped move belongings and found that the luggage contained gold and silver treasures, several large boxes. Thus, I suspect Lu Sheng transferred property along with family members.

The same goes for the Luo Family. The Luo Family was even faster than Lu Sheng; when we entered Chongzhou, people saw Luo Family’s carriage convoy leaving Luonan."

"Prince, this might be good news for us." Liu Ji, pondering for a moment, interjected.

Chen Mo: "???"

"Prince, you see, gold and silver treasures, unlike people, are static. They don’t move on their own but require people for transportation and safeguarding. When the quantity increases, more people are needed to transport them, hinting at a large scale, certainly witnessed by someone. If we trace this line, we are bound to find them." Liu Ji explained.

Chen Mo understood Liu Ji’s point. When the scale is large, no matter how secretly transferred, it cannot completely escape public eyes, undoubtedly leaving clues behind.

"Did you hear me? Investigate along this line," Chen Mo instructed.

As for these more than three million taels, let them be deposited into the national treasury to compensate for the costs and expenses of the people’s migration.

Sun Meng nodded, but did not immediately step back. Instead, he probed, "What about the Liang Family?"

By rights, the Liang Family should be considered accomplices of the traitors. Yet, up to now, the court has not sentenced Liang Mu to death, and Liang Ji is still the Empress Dowager. Thus, Sun Meng had not yet dared to search the Liang Family.

Additionally, according to Sun Meng’s understanding of Chen Mo, Chen Mo intends to use this matter to control Liang Ji, thereby winning the beauty’s favor.

However, in the absence of a clear expression of intent from Chen Mo, Sun Meng dared not search the Liang Family.

Just then, a eunuch bent over, took small steps inside, and said, "Prince, the Empress Dowager’s decree."

Chen Mo furrowed his brow, "What is it?"

The eunuch glanced at Sun Meng and the others, then quietly said, "I request King Wei to move aside."

Chen Mo moved aside with the eunuch.

The eunuch said, "The Empress Dowager has important matters to discuss with you, and invites you to Shoukang Palace for a meeting."

After saying that, he took out a decree from his sleeve for Chen Mo to see.

You must know that oral decrees and formal decrees are different.

Oral decrees are verbal, mostly instructions, which can even be ignored later and do not have "legal effect."

However, a formal decree is different; it’s written and a command issued by the Empress Dowager, which, as a subject, must be obeyed.

Chen Mo’s expression slightly stiffened, and at this moment, he saw Zhi Ning approaching from the corner of his eye, so he hurriedly said coldly, "Can’t you see I am handling state affairs? I’ll go after I’m done."

This decree did not specify for him to go immediately, only invited him to Shoukang Palace for a meeting.

He could go at any time.

Obviously, Chen Mo took advantage of this "loophole in the wording."

Of course, this ultimately reflects the weakness of imperial power.

If it were during the peak of imperial power, upon receiving such a decree, Chen Mo would not dare to hesitate for even a moment and would hasten over immediately.

"Understood." The eunuch dared not ask when Chen Mo would finish handling matters; he acknowledged and left to report back.

...

Chen Mo put away the decree, looked at Zhi Ning, and spoke first, "Zhi Ning, weren’t you going to send a reply?"

"I just received a report from the Inspector that Yang Qingqing from the Shu Residence has arrived in Xiangyang. Also, Liang Mu, whom you requested, has reached Tianjia Pass and should arrive in Luonan in a few days," Zhi Ning said, then asked, "What were you doing just now?"

Due to the "Immortal Powder" matter, Chen Mo had promised Nalan Yiren, so he sent a message to have Liang Mu brought back, and finally, there was news.

Chen Mo said, "That’s great; at least I have an explanation for Miss Nalan. She has been urging several times. When you send the reply, inform her of this news as well."

Chen Mo did not answer Zhi Ning’s question, intending to gloss over it.

But Zhi Ning seemed to know his thoughts: "Did Liang Ji ask for you again?"

Not even addressing her as Empress Dowager but directly by the name, Liang Ji.

Seeing he couldn’t avoid it, Chen Mo had to tell the truth: "It should be to plead for her father and the Liang Family."

Zhi Ning gave Chen Mo a deep look, then sighed and said, "Forget it, I’m too lazy to say anything to you. Just remind you, she is, after all, the Empress Dowager, different from Xiao Yunxi and Xu Ying. If you really plan on doing that, be careful and don’t let it spread."

Chen Mo: "..."

"Zhi Ning, you’re overthinking it, actually..."

Just as Chen Mo was about to explain, Zhi Ning interrupted him, "Anyway, I can’t control you, and talking too much will only annoy you. Just be careful."

After saying this, Zhi Ning left.

...

Meanwhile, at Shoukang Palace.

Liang Ji, who had bathed and dressed up, felt deeply humiliated upon learning she was "rejected" again.

A widowed Empress Dowager inviting a man with "ill reputation" to her own palace is surely bound to stir rumors. Liang Ji had prepared herself for gossip and was willing to sacrifice her reputation.

But even so, she was rejected twice in a row, which was hard to accept for someone of her high status.

At the same time, she was quite worried; the more Chen Mo refused, the more it indicated his intentions to act against the Liang Family.