Chen Mo had just dealt a crushing blow to Loulan, shattering their ambitions to march south. Taking things a step further was now a sure thing.

He was already the Commander of the Infantry Division and the Governor of Nanyang.

Moreover, he was no longer just the governor of a single prefecture—he now held sway over seven, making him no different from a true regional governor.

One step higher—what position was that?

That was the rank of Xiao Yunqi.

Granted the Nine Bestowals, permitted to enter the palace in sword and shoes, allowed not to rush when attending court, saluted without naming—he might even receive the privilege of mobilizing the Imperial Guard, something not even Xiao Yunqi enjoyed.

This was the highest honor the Emperor could bestow.

Chen Mo’s investiture as a prince was as certain as could be.

At this level, even if Wu Xin’Er married him not as his main wife, it wouldn’t disgrace the Wu Family.

What’s more, judging by Wu Lu’s ambitions for Chen Mo, he should advance even further—to become the sovereign over all under heaven.

After all, in these many upheavals in Bianliang, Chen Mo had been at the center each time. The Zhao family clan was already estranged from him. If not for Chen Mo’s concern about facing a lonely old age scented with incense, a coup would have been inevitable.

At that point, if the Wu Family maneuvered well enough, Wu Xin’Er would surely gain the title of Noble Consort.

If she managed to win Chen Mo’s favor, even the Empress’s seat was not beyond hope.

...

Night fell quietly.

As toasts were exchanged, the evening banquet wrapped up. The ridiculous request Yue Yuxi made—Zhao Qianyi actually agreed to it.

And the equally outrageous demand Zhao Qianyi suggested—Yue Yuxi also consented.

They almost couldn’t wait to set it all in motion tonight.

This gave Chen Mo quite a start.

Even Zhao Qianyi admitted she needed some time to get ready.

Everyone returned to their rooms.

Luo Zhen was feeling tired. Once back in her familiar chamber, she had her maid bring hot water so she could wash up herself.

Just then, Zhao Jiangning arrived, and without hesitation, slipped off her dress and climbed right into the tub.

Of late, Luo Zhen had gotten along very well with Zhao Jiangning. Seeing her do this, she didn’t say a word.

Watching Luo Zhen diligently scrub herself clean, Zhao Jiangning chuckled softly: "Luo Zhen, you planning to go see the Master later?"

Luo Zhen’s cheeks flushed ever so slightly. She focused on washing the mound of white foam, gave Zhao Jiangning a sidelong glance, and asked, "Your Highness, are you coming?"

It had been some time since Zhao Jiangning had seen Chen Mo. There were always crowds around him during the day, so she’d had no chance to be alone with him. She missed him terribly and, shyly, nodded.

Luo Zhen laughed: "Then we’d better hurry. Wanqiu, Miaozhen, and the rest are sure to go too. If we get there too late, there won’t even be a spot for us on the bed."

Bold words indeed.

If they were out in public, Luo Zhen surely couldn’t have said anything like that.

But in her own room, with Zhao Jiangning—a trustworthy person—nearby, Luo Zhen felt there was nothing she couldn’t say.

"By the way, Luo Zhen, haven’t you noticed something’s off between the Master and Her Highness the Eldest Princess?" Zhao Jiangning asked.

"A little, yes. But I heard the Eldest Princess was rescued by the Master himself, risking his own life. The classic tale of a hero saving a beauty. I imagine Her Highness has some feelings for him."

Luo Zhen suddenly recalled the relationship between Zhao Jiangning and the Eldest Princess, and so asked, "If Her Highness really ends up with the Master, Your Highness, then...?"

"Then each of us will have to deal with it in our own way," Zhao Jiangning replied carelessly.

"..."

The two freshened up quickly, each put on what she believed were her prettiest clothes, slipped on black stockings and high heels, left their room, glanced around, and hurried toward Chen Mo’s quarters.

Chen Mo was, at that very moment, pulling Jiang Ruoqing back into his room to check her wounds, so a lamp was still lit inside. Bit by bit, voices drifted from the room.

"That assassin was too cruel—how did you end up wounded in a place like this? What if it scars?"

"What? So you’ll dislike me if I’m scarred?"

"Well, it would be a shame. Here, let me massage it for you. That’ll keep it from scarring."

"Oh, you! If I hadn’t been protecting your women, how would I get hurt, you heartless, ungrateful, lascivious scoundrel!"

"I’m teasing you! Don’t move..."

"..."

"Ruoqing sis..." Hearing voices within, Luo Zhen and Zhao Jiangning exchanged glances. The former chickened out a bit, saying, "Looks like someone beat us to it. Maybe we should try tomorrow night?"

"No way, it’s just her—there’s still room." Zhao Jiangning pulled Luo Zhen up to the door, didn’t bother knocking, and simply pushed inside.

With Chen Mo’s skills, he’d sensed the two of them long ago.

But Jiang Ruoqing was too preoccupied with Chen Mo’s teasing to notice. When the door opened, she squealed, hurriedly pushed Chen Mo away,

The shell on her body had already been peeled away by Chen Mo, so she quickly snatched up the quilt to cover herself, her face flushed as red as a cloud at sunrise.

Chen Mo simply lay to the side, beckoning to Luo Zhen: "What brings you two here? Come here, quickly."

Zhao Jiangning stepped forward first, Luo Zhen was a step slower—she had to close the door behind her.

Chen Mo’s bed was custom made, more than spacious enough, so after the two women slipped off their embroidered shoes and climbed on, it didn’t feel crowded.

"Aren’t you afraid you’ll choke to death?" sighed Jiang Ruoqing, seeing Chen Mo so greedy.

Chen Mo patted his chest. "Taming the likes of you all, still not enough to..."

Knock knock—the words were barely out of his mouth when the door sounded, and Yi Yao, dressed in a nightgown, shyly entered: "Master, it’s too cold, I can’t sleep alone."

"..."

"Adding Yaoyao isn’t a big deal," Chen Mo showed no sign of backing down.

Only to hear Yi Yao’s next line, which left him stunned.

"Chun Lan and Lian Yi want to come as well."

Chen Mo: "..."

Jiang Ruoqing could hardly stifle her laughter.

"Suddenly I remembered, there’s a story to tell you all. How about I tell you a tale tonight instead?"

Chen Mo surrendered.

And with all these girls having a chance to tease him, they were hardly going to let the opportunity slip by.

"Hey, hey, don’t come over here! No, please!" Chen Mo yelped. "You gang of female hooligans, stop tearing at my clothes—"

...

The next day.

Early morning.

"Master, what’s wrong?" Gao Zheng was waiting for Chen Mo in the courtyard, ready to accompany him to the early imperial court. Seeing Chen Mo emerge looking utterly worn out, he asked considerately: "Master, did you not sleep well last night?"

How could he have slept well? There had been both weeping and laughter mixed in together.

In the Tai Chi Hall, Zhao Chong sat solemnly on the dragon throne, while Xiao Yunxi was still listening to government affairs from behind the curtain.

No—by now she was already actively governing.

The court was sparsely attended, for ever since Hu Mei’Er had seized power, the officials Chen Mo raised up were either killed or demoted, replaced with her people.

When Hu Mei’Er fell, those she had appointed were all swept out by Chen Mo in one stroke.

Such a rapid turnover of officials was unprecedented in history.

Even Chen Mo had no suitable candidates among his subordinates, so he planned to recall the elder statesmen, those who had resigned in displeasure at Cai Si’s and Xiao Yunqi’s ways while Zhao Ji was on the throne.

In the Grand Hall, just reciting Chen Mo’s accomplishments took nearly the whole half hour.

Afterward, Wu Lu, Huangfu Hao, and the Chu clan all petitioned for Chen Mo’s reward.

Finally, at Xiao Yunxi’s nod, Zhao Chong spoke: "We hereby appoint Chen Mo as Prince Zhen Nan, grant him the Nine Bestowals, entry to the hall with sword and shoes, permission to attend court without haste, ritual salutes without name, and the privilege of commanding the guard in and out of the capital..."