Chapter 56: My Legs Are Numb

Chapter 56: My Legs Are Numb

At the man's legs, just as she was about to retrieve her hairpin, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly, rendering her immobile.

With her hand restrained, Feng Xiyao lifted her gaze and glared fiercely at the man, whispering, "What's wrong?"

Mo Cangyan frowned slightly and cast a warning glance down at her, telling her not to touch him recklessly.

Feng Xiyao rolled her eyes at the man. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just getting my hairpin!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Cangyan noticed there indeed was a hairpin on his leg. He picked it up and tossed it into Feng Xiyao's arms.

Holding the hairpin, Feng Xiyao played with it happily before gently inserting it into her hair.

"These are all my assets for my future escape; I can't lose them!"

Just as Mo Cangyan was about to speak, he was interrupted once again.

Then, Feng Xiyao felt another kick to her knee.

"Ah!"

The grand tutor below heard the sound and curiously looked at Mo Cangyan. "Your Majesty, is there something—"

Mo Cangyan lifted his gaze and smiled faintly.

"It's nothing. My cat is just being stubborn with me!"

The grand tutor was puzzled. When did the Emperor start keeping a cat? However, this wasn't something he could inquire about. He simply bowed respectfully and smiled.

Feng Xiyao was displeased, hugging her arms with a furious expression.

"Bastard tyrant, who are you calling a cat?!"

Mo Cangyan ignored her and turned to the grand tutor, speaking in a solemn voice.

"Teacher, I recall that it has been a long time since I addressed you thus!"

The grand tutor bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, you are now the Emperor of Great Xia. To be called 'teacher' again would be too much for this subject to bear!"

Mo Cangyan chuckled softly.

"I still remember when the late Emperor was alive, he didn't get close to me. It was you who requested an audience to teach me literature and judgment. All these years, I've been deeply grateful to you!"

"To have met a mentor like you, I've always felt fortunate!"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor nearly knelt down.

"Your Majesty is too kind. It's my honor to have taught someone as talented and gifted as You!"

Mo Cangyan waved his hand nonchalantly.

"When you stood up against all opposition to become my tutor, I, as an unloved prince, understood your struggles. So, please let me continue addressing you as my teacher."

Recalling those old times, the Grand Tutor smiled, his expression easing.

"No matter what, Your Majesty will always be this old servant's proudest student. I've always wished for Your Majesty's well-being."

Listening to their mutual flattery outside, Feng Xiyao curled her lips in disdain.

"Two hypocrites, all that talk about honor and gratitude was mere deception!"

"The Tyrant might not know, but before this old man passed the imperial examinations, he was already married. His wife, once a delicate maiden, turned into an ordinary woman on the streets just to support his pursuit of the exams!"

"She sold tofu to finance his education, and when he finally succeeded, gaining a stable position in the bureaucracy, they planned to have children. Unfortunately, due to years of hard work, his wife's health was compromised, leaving her unable to bear children!"

"The Grand Tutor has always been known for his love and devotion to his wife. To avoid being perceived as ungrateful, he endured for several years."

"But eventually, he could no longer resist and took a concubine, who bore him a son and a daughter. Now, everyone is waiting for his wife's passing so they can bring the concubine into the main household!"

Mo Cangyan raised an eyebrow, surprised that the Grand Tutor had kept such a secret!

Knowing this only made his plan more secure.

"Your teachings have always been dear to me, but...," Mo Cangyan continued, leaving the Grand Tutor somewhat puzzled.

"Your Majesty, if there is something on your mind, please speak freely. If this old minister has caused offense, I will certainly make amends!"

Feng Xiyao sneered coldly.

"You old man, what can you possibly change? Ever since Mo Cangyan ascended the throne, your ambitions have only grown. All these years, despite all the wrongs you've committed against him, you haven't shown any sign of remorse!"

Upon hearing Feng Xiyao's thoughts, Mo Cangyan spoke up again, his tone measured.

"Teacher, I've always believed you to be an upright and incorruptible person, like a lotus that remains untainted amidst the mud. You were, after my mother, the most important person to me back then!"

Mo Cangyan's expression was calm, his profound eyes revealing nothing.

Such a gaze made the Grand Tutor feel inexplicably guilty.

He raised his hand. "This old minister... This old minister is flustered and fails to comprehend the Emperor's intentions!"

Mo Cangyan lifted his gaze to Eunuch Hai below. Understanding, Eunuch Hai promptly brought forward the item the Emperor had instructed him to find earlier and presented it to the Grand Tutor.

The Grand Tutor hesitantly took it and examined the object in his hands.

When he saw the words 'Mo Yan', his heart skipped a beat.

"Has Your Majesty read this essay?"

The Grand Tutor dared not raise his head. "Yes, I have!"

Mo Cangyan chuckled softly. "Then, does the Grand Tutor find the handwriting in this essay familiar?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor examined it closely once more. His heart sank as he clearly recognized the handwriting.

After a long pause, he stammered, "This handwriting... It belongs to the Emperor!"

"Why, then, is another person's name on this essay?"

"I recall that the Chief Examiner for this imperial examination was the Grand Tutor and Kong Lu. Don't you think you should explain this to me, Grand Tutor?"

Unable to withstand Mo Cangyan's intimidating gaze, the Grand Tutor fell to his knees with a thud.

"Your old servant knows his guilt! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

Seeing that the conversation would drag on, Feng Xiyao's legs had gone numb from sitting still. She tried to shift her position discreetly, leaning her head out slightly.

Just as Mo Cangyan was about to speak, a disheveled, seemingly furry head suddenly popped up from below, catching both their gazes.

"I can't feel my legs anymore!"

Feng Xiyao pointed at her legs pitifully.

Mo Cangyan was speechless, reaching out to push her head back down.

He whispered only for her to hear, "Stay put and don't cause trouble!"

With that, he stood up and walked down.

Feng Xiyao angrily pounded the floor.

"You tyrant! When we get out of here, I'll bite you to death!"

"Teacher, I recall you once taught me when I was young that if I were to become an emperor, I must work diligently for the welfare of the people. Why are you now deceiving me and oppressing the citizens?"

Upon hearing this, the Grand Tutor bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, this old official deserves death for such actions. But who in the court isn't acting for their own interests, using every means possible? This old official had no wish to do so either,"

"When I first became Your Majesty's tutor, all I wanted was to fulfill my duties as a teacher. Yet, I was repeatedly framed. If I don't become strong like them, even my family will suffer because of me!"

The Grand Tutor spoke with tears streaming down his face.

Feng Xiyao sneered contemptuously. "Isn't this old man implying that if others can be villains, why can't he?"

Mo Cangyan bent down to help the Grand Tutor up.

"I know your character, Teacher, but what has been done cannot be undone. Otherwise, I would be betraying those citizens wronged by you!"

"I now give you two choices. First, you can serve as a witness and confess to Kong Lu's crimes. I swear I won't hold it against your family!"

"Second, you can ignore your concubine and child, stubbornly resisting until I gather all the evidence. Then, whether it's you or your family, none of you will escape!"

The Grand Tutor's eyes widened in shock. Mo Cangyan actually knew about his secret family – he hadn't expected such meticulous investigation. He had thought he had concealed it well!

Seeing the Grand Tutor's astonishment, Mo Cangyan curled his lips into a smirk.

"Think it through, Master!"

Feng Xiyao attempted to lift her head to assess the situation, only to bash her head against the rigid dragon throne, causing her to leap back in pain.

"Oh, it hurts! It really hurts!"

The Grand Tutor, who was about to speak, caught sight of Feng Xiyao and scanned both of them attentively.

A vein pulsed on Mo Cangyan's forehead.

"...”