Сhаpter 11: Таking а Gаmblе
The man hаd wоrn a half-fаce mаsk lаst night аnd kерt his distаncе, sо Jiаng Сhuji might not havе been able tо guеss his identitу.
Вut nоw, with thе mаn standing right bеfоrе her, she knеw еxаctly who hе was.
Мo Chixiаo.
Нis grandfаthеr was a rеnowned genеrаl whо hаd helpеd thе рrеvious emрerоr exрand the еmpire аnd achievе illustriоus militаry fеаts. His father, Мarshаl Мo, foundеd the Mо Familу Аrmу, whosе might shook thе borderlаnds. Нis mоther was the elder sister of the сurrеnt emperor, Рrinсess Huining.
Mо Сhixiao was now the commander of the Imperial Guard Division, and before the age of twenty-three, he had been enfeoffed as the Duke of Shu.
The Imperial Guard Division reported directly to the emperor, free from the jurisdiction of any other official institution, wielding immense power. It could independently carry out arrests, interrogations, and convictions. The commander stood second only to the emperor, above all others.
Even if he killed without reason—even if he publicly executed a high-ranking official or a minister—no one dared question him.
The legitimate grandson of a founding general, the only son of a marshal and a princess, the emperor’s own nephew, the Duke of Shu, and the commander of the Imperial Guard Division.
Each of these titles alone was prestigious enough.
With command over troops and the emperor’s deep trust, coupled with his unpredictable and carefree nature, Mo Chixiao was both revered and feared by everyone in the court.
The Kylin Pattern was also an honor bestowed by the emperor, one that only Mo Chixiao in the entire realm was permitted to use.
However, Jiang Chuji had read the script.
She alone in the world knew the hidden truth behind it all.
Since ancient times, no emperor had ever been free from the fear of someone overthrowing imperial authority and coveting the throne. Thus, the art of rulership emphasized checks and balances.
The emperor valued Mo Chixiao because, despite his youth, he was decisive in action, unmatched in ability, and held immense prestige in the military. He was the sharpest and most effective blade, aiding in the consolidation of imperial power.
The emperor had no fear of Mo Chixiao harboring rebellious intentions because, years ago, after Mo Cheng died in battle, he had sent his elder sister to Jiangnan under the pretext that staying in the capital would only deepen her sorrow and melancholy.
On the surface, it appeared to be a compassionate gesture for the princess’s well-being, but in reality, it was a means to keep her under his control.
Even though Mo Chixiao held great power, occupied a high position, and seemed to enjoy boundless glory, as long as the princess remained in the emperor’s hands, he dared not act recklessly.
According to the plot, Mo Chixiao had been secretly searching for the princess’s whereabouts. However, only the emperor and the future Crown Prince knew where she truly was.
Later, the emperor passed away, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne. Eventually, upon learning that his mother had been confined until her suicide, Mo Chixiao joined forces with Prince Ye to overthrow the imperial authority.
With this in mind, Jiang Chuji guessed why Mo Chixiao had appeared at the Chancellor’s Manor last night.
He must have come to her father’s place, searching for clues related to the princess’s whereabouts.
When Jiang Chuji uttered the words “Duke,” the guard Mo Jiu beside her expression changed.
He immediately looked toward his master.
Clearly, both the young woman’s ambush and killing, as well as her current reaction, were beyond their expectations.
Mo Chixiao merely raised an eyebrow, glancing over indifferently. “I said you recognized me, not that you could also recognize my identity.”
Jiang Chuji smiled faintly. “Though I grew up in a temple and am rather ignorant, I have heard of the Kylin Pattern—that only the commander of the Imperial Guard Division is permitted to use it.”
“I’ve also heard that the Duke of Shu and commander is exceptionally handsome, the most beautiful man in the world.”
Mo Jiu’s hand trembled.
For a woman to praise a man’s appearance was no different from flirting.Does this young lady truly know who she is facing?
“Oh?” Mo Chixiao seemed rather intrigued. “What other rumors are there about me out there?”
“Some also say that you, my lord, are the world’s foremost murderer. Your Frozen Prison is like a living hell—even a mouse that goes in would be skinned alive.”
“Second Miss Jiang, watch your words!”
Mo Jiu couldn’t help but speak up to stop her.
What Second Miss Jiang dared to say, he didn’t even dare to hear.
Mo Chixiao appeared completely unfazed by the label of murderer. In fact, the amusement in his eyes deepened as he studied the young woman before him.
“You truly are interesting. What kind of persona do you put on in the Jiang household on a daily basis, to make everyone there think you’re timid and cowardly?”
Jiang Chuji didn’t mind at all that the man had seen through her true nature. There was no need to pretend to be innocent in front of someone who had just witnessed her kill.
She replied calmly, “Thank you for the compliment, my lord.”
Wait, could that even be considered a compliment?
Mo Jiu silently grumbled to himself.
Only then did Mo Chixiao shift his gaze to Hu San on the ground.
He asked leisurely, “Why did you kill this man?”
Jiang Chuji replied, “That is my private matter.”
“I don’t think you, Duke, would arrest me, and since this isn’t an interrogation, may I choose not to say?”
“How do you know I wouldn’t arrest you?” Mo Chixiao suddenly raised an eyebrow. “Because you’re the legitimate daughter of the current Prime Minister?”
Not exactly.
Jiang Chuji knew that if Mo Chixiao wanted to arrest someone, it wouldn’t matter if she were Prime Minister Jiang’s daughter.
Even Prime Minister Jiang himself—if Mo Chixiao wanted to arrest him, no one would dare question it.
She lifted her head and met his gaze.
Her expression was neither humble nor arrogant: “Because, my lord, you find me quite interesting. And because I am useful to you.”
Mo Chixiao’s expression finally shifted slightly, his gaze now carrying a more inscrutable scrutiny than before.
“…You say you are useful to me?”
A legitimate daughter who isn’t even favored in the Chancellor’s Manor, claiming to be useful to the Commander, a man of high status who can do almost anything.
On what grounds?
Jiang Chuji took a deep breath.
Though her face remained calm and composed, inwardly she was preparing to take a gamble.
Looking into the man’s deep, unfathomable eyes, as cold and dark as a frozen pool, she parted her lips softly.
“I’ve heard that after Marshal Mo passed away, the Grand Princess went into seclusion in Jiangnan, cultivating her mind and staying out of worldly affairs, and hasn’t seen you for many years. But I know it’s not that the Grand Princess doesn’t want to see you—it’s that she can’t.”
“If you, Duke, let me go today and do me one more favor, I will provide you with a clue about the Grand Princess’s whereabouts. How about that?”