Chapter 144 – Mo Jiuya’s Inaction Didn’t Mean She Couldn’t Act

Chapter 144 - Mo Jiuya's Inaction Didn't Mean She Couldn't Act

Unexpectedly, Nan Heng volunteered before the Shunwu Emperor, requesting to accompany Mo Xiu Yan to the border for some training and experience.

Four months into his service, news of his death in battle reached the capital.

It was Nan Heng who personally delivered this devastating news.

In the grand hall, while recounting Mo Xiu Yan's demise, Nan Heng wept bitterly.

He even claimed that he had personally supervised the burial of Mo Xiu Yan's body.

Initially, the Mo family harbored suspicions towards Nan Heng. However, after an investigation at the border, it was discovered that when Mo Xiu Yan died, Nan Heng had also been injured while leading a rescue mission for him.

Furthermore, from the analysis of certain details, there seemed to be no motive for Nan Heng to harm Mo Xiu Yan. Thus, the Mo family gradually dismissed their suspicions towards Nan Heng.

Hearing Nan Heng mention these events himself, Mo Jiuya realized with clarity that the Mo family had been deceived by Nan Heng's tactics back then.

Seeing Mo Jiuya's emotional agitation, Nan Heng quickly tried to defend himself.

"I didn't kill Mo Xiu Yan; he fell to the blades of enemy soldiers."

Mo Jiuya utterly disbelieved his lies and tightened his grip on Nan Heng's collar, making it difficult for the man to breathe.

Nan Heng's face flushed red as he coughed violently.

"Let go of this prince, let go... Cough, cough..."

In Mo Jiuya's heart, he wished to tear Nan Heng apart limb from limb. However, reason told him that he still had many questions to ask, and Nan Heng couldn't die just yet.

Seeing the situation, He Zhiran approached and gently patted Mo Jiuya's body, signaling him to calm down. She also reminded, "Let him speak."

Mo Jiuya gradually eased his grip.

"Speak. If you utter a single lie, I'll make you regret ever being born."

With his breaths now flowing freely, Nan Heng coughed again, staring at Mo Jiuya in terror, seemingly unable to bring himself to speak.

Any one of the deeds he had committed against the Mo family would be enough to enrage Mo Jiuya.

Nan Heng felt trapped in a dilemma at this moment, almost fearing that he wouldn't survive Mo Jiuya's blade before he could finish his words.

Seemingly perceiving his thoughts, He Zhiran took a step forward and said reassuringly, "I understand your concerns—it's all about saving your own life. Let me assure you, if you honestly confess to everything you've done, I'll speak to my husband and persuade him to spare you."

Only then did Nan Heng realize that this enchanting woman who possessed magical powers was none other than Mo Jiuya's newlywed wife, the legitimate daughter of Minister He's family. However, he could never have imagined that such a formidable daughter would emerge from the prestigious He family.

Seeing his hesitation, He Zhiran urged, "The only chance for survival lies right before you—the choice is yours."

Nan Heng pulled himself together and met He Zhiran's gaze. "Why should Your Highness trust your words?"

A slight curve formed on He Zhiran's lips as she looked at Mo Jiuya. "Husband, will you listen to me or not?"

Mo Jiuya nodded without hesitation. "Of course, I will."

He Zhiran shrugged at Nan Heng. "Did you hear that? My husband admitted he would listen to me."

Nan Heng felt like he had just grasped the last straw.

"In that case, you both must promise this king that no matter what I say, Mo Jiuya will not lay a hand on me."

"I promise on behalf of my husband," He Zhiran interjected before Mo Jiuya could respond.

Mo Jiuya not taking action didn't mean she wouldn't...

Seeing this, Nan Heng's fear gradually subsided.

"Back then, at the border, Mo Xiu Yan and I fought side by side against the enemy. When I saw the enemy army in disarray, I was filled with the desire to pursue them.

Mo Xiu Yan advised against pursuing the enemy, but in my youthful arrogance, I was determined to earn credit and gain my father's favor, so I ignored his counsel.

Not long after I led a group in pursuit, we fell into an enemy trap.

At the very brink of disaster, it was Mo Xiu Yan who came to our rescue with his troops. He fought a bloody path for me to escape, while he and his soldiers perished in the battle.

Mo Xiu Yan's death was a sacrifice to save me, and not directly due to any fault of mine. Out of gratitude for his great kindness, I personally led the effort to bury him..."

"Damn you! My fourth brother, such a good man, died saving a despicable beast like you... Nan Heng, you bastard!"

Upon learning the true reason behind his fourth brother's tragic demise, Mo Jiuya's anger boiled over, and he raised his knife, ready to strike at Nan Heng.

"Mo Jiuya, you swore to this prince that you wouldn't lay a hand on me..."

He Zhiran intervened, stepping forward to take the knife from Mo Jiuya's grasp.

"Husband, it was I who promised him with my own lips that you wouldn't harm him."

Faced with Mo Jiuya's outburst, she felt compelled to offer a reminder.

It wasn't that He Zhiran was overly compassionate. Judging from Nan Heng's current state, if Mo Jiuya continued to assault him, it might become increasingly difficult to extract any more information from the man in the future.

In He Zhiran's mind, revenge was a must, but there was no need to rush it at this moment.

Once they had drained Nan Heng of all the knowledge he possessed, they could torment him as they pleased.

Mo Jiuya was well aware of this logic, but his pent-up emotions had momentarily overridden his rationality. Upon He Zhiran's gentle nudge, his composure swiftly returned, and he agreed cooperatively, "Alright, I'll listen to Ran Ran."

Nan Heng had been terrified by Mo Jiuya's actions just now. Seeing that this woman could indeed rein in the man's temper, he felt a slight relief in his heart.

This time, it was He Zhiran's turn to step forward and inquire.

"Southern Balance, I ask you, why didn't you tell the truth when my fourth brother sacrificed his life to save you back then?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Heng's gaze shifted slightly, mainly avoiding Mo Jiuya's.

"You Mo family members have always leaned towards Nan Qi. If I were to reveal the true cause of Mo Xiu Yan's death, I suspect your family would promptly declare allegiance to Nan Qi."

He Zhiran glanced at Mo Jiuya, who nodded in agreement with Nan Heng's statement.

She pressed on, "Aside from what happened to my fourth brother, what else did you do to the Mo family?"

Nan Heng still looked somewhat guilty as he met Mo Jiuya's gaze. "Before the Mo family was exiled, I bribed servants in the Marquis's residence to poison the well."

This fact didn't come as a surprise to Mo Jiuya. He had initially suspected Nan Heng as the one behind the poisoning attempt.

Fortunately, with He Zhiran around, the Mo family had been able to avert that disaster.

He Zhiran probed further, "Is there anything else?"

Nan Heng pondered for a moment before continuing, "Additionally, I accidentally discovered that Mo Yunfeng was still alive and had been infected by Yun Li's puppet curse. Considering how he once led an attack against my painstakingly built Salt Gang, I entertained the notion of making him work for me."

"Why did you do this?" He Zhiran inquired.

"It's the only way to alleviate the resentment in my heart."

It was evident that among the Mo family, Nan Heng despised Mo Yunfeng the most. This fact had been revealed during the hypnotic session with Yun Li earlier, and their responses were virtually identical. Hence, He Zhiran saw no need to delve deeper into the subject.