Who wants to learn sewing skills while dating?

"Isn't the staff in our courtyard changing too quickly?" In a corner of Yong'an Palace, the lowest-ranking servants quietly gathered together and whispered to each other.

"Indeed, the palace maid responsible for watering the flowers seems to have been replaced by two or three people."

"I was chatting with a maid who was doing laundry a few days ago, but she disappeared today." The little maid said with some fear in her tone.

"I heard that Miss Cuixi was taken away today just because His Majesty looked at her a few more times yesterday."

"Really? Could this be Mo Jun's instruction..."

"It seems to me, but we are just the outermost maids sweeping the floor, and we can't see His Majesty. We should be fine if we just do our own things."

"Sister is right."

------

In August of the second year of Hengyun, Mo Jun's maternal family, the Mo family of the Minister of Revenue Mo Chong, was impeached by the Minister of Personnel Shi Qingzhi.

The charges against him were not clear, but the disaster struck swiftly. Within a month, most of the Mohists were beheaded. The execution ground was stained with blood, and the cries of pain frightened those who heard them.

The rest were either exiled to the frontier or demoted to commoners, and the glory of their families was lost in one day.

The historian recorded this incident with some leniency, not going into full detail, but the tragic and heroic sentiment was evident in his words.

The Mohist lineage has since withered away, and its trace is hard to find in historical records.

------

In the capital, officials were discussing the matter, and the focus of the topic was always on the Mohist school.

"Have you heard about the Mohist affairs?" an official asked in a low voice.

"Of course I have heard about it. The Minister of Personnel, Lord Shi, has submitted a memorial to the emperor impeaching Lord Mo, and also attached the account books of Mo Chong's corruption. That is irrefutable evidence. Even if Mo Heng is favored by the emperor again, it will not soften His Majesty's attitude towards Mo Chong." Another official responded.

"Mo Chong knelt outside the palace for a whole day, but he couldn't even see Mo Jun." Someone added.

"Your Majesty's favor for Mo Jun is well known. How could he let him be involved in this storm? Naturally, Mo Chong will not be allowed to meet Mo Jun." An official analyzed.

"The emperor is so decisive. On the one hand, he dotes on Mo Heng, but on the other hand, he uproots his family." Someone sighed.

"Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. I wonder which school will be next to suffer the same fate as the Mohist school today." A mature and prudent official said in a deep voice.

"Instead of worrying about things that may happen, you should think more about your own career. Your Majesty is becoming more powerful, and the most important thing now is to serve Your Majesty well." A shrewd official interrupted.

"I wonder if His Majesty will order a selection of concubines next spring?" someone asked curiously.

"The harem is very popular nowadays. Whoever's daughter can enter the palace first will have the chance to give birth to His Majesty's first child." A glimmer of anticipation flashed in an official's eyes.

"No matter how favored Mo Heng is, he is still a man and cannot have children." Someone said disdainfully.

"If you ask me, only by giving birth to a child can you consolidate your position in the harem. Lord Mo, I'm afraid that's the end of the road," an official concluded.

------

In the second year of Hengyun, the year was Bingyin, and it was the winter solstice.

The capital city was covered with a thin layer of silver, and the cold wind brought the warmth of the festival.

Inside the Forbidden City, the lights were ablaze, and the magnificent palaces looked even more majestic in the winter sun. The emperor ordered a banquet for his ministers and foreign envoys to demonstrate the majesty of the Celestial Empire and his favor to his subjects.

In the early morning, as the first rays of sunlight penetrated the mist, the palace bells and drums rang out, heralding the start of the Winter Solstice Banquet. Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes and arranged according to rank, filed into the square surrounding the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Foreign envoys, dressed in their respective ethnic attire, followed eunuchs as they entered the magnificent palace.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a golden dragon throne sat high above. Emperor Chu Yun, dressed in court robes embroidered with golden dragons and a jeweled crown, looked majestic and solemn. As expected, a young man in a silver robe sat beside him. His attire was simple yet luxurious, completely out of place in this palace banquet.

With a loud shout from the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, the banquet officially began. Palace maids, bearing golden plates and jade cups, shuttled among the guests, presenting one meticulously prepared dish after another. The imperial chefs employed all their skill, preparing delicacies from land and sea, each dish representing the wealth and refinement of the Great Chu.

During the banquet, Emperor Chu Yun raised his glass and delivered a speech. His voice was loud and powerful: "Today is the Winter Solstice, the beginning of the transition between yin and yang and the renewal of all things. I am hosting this banquet to celebrate this festive occasion with you, my dear ministers, and distinguished guests from afar. May our great state of Chu enjoy peace and prosperity, and may our friendship with all nations endure forever."

The ministers and envoys responded with toasts, creating a warm and solemn atmosphere. Music began to play, with court musicians playing melodious ancient music and dancers in colorful costumes dancing gracefully, adding a touch of elegance to the banquet.

The ministers below the stage were also whispering to each other.

"Today is the palace banquet. I didn't expect that even the envoys from the Western Country would come."

"The Western Kingdom is threatened by its neighbors and is sending envoys here in the hope of clinging to our Chu Kingdom and seeking protection."

"I heard that the Western envoy brought a beautiful woman with him this time, intending to present her to Your Majesty."

"Then their wishful thinking is wrong. Everyone knows that Your Majesty has been favoring Mo Guijun for the past six months. If Mo Guijun is a man, it would be unreasonable to make him the empress. Your Majesty must have deliberately promoted him to the position of empress."

"Letting a man become the empress, not to mention the court officials, even the empress dowager would not agree. The fact that Lord Mo has been elevated to the rank of a second-rank lord is already the limit."

"I just don't know what Your Majesty will do with the beauty brought from the Western Country. It would be great if you could give her to us as a reward."

"If that's the case, then the reward should be given to the Lin family. Now that the Nalan and Mo families have fallen one after another, the court has been divided into the Wei and Lin families. Your Majesty just gave the Wei family a reward a few days ago, so today it should fall on the Lin family."

"The position of Prime Minister has been vacant for a long time. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks."

"The Wei family has a woman who holds the position of Queen Mother. She must have her sights set on the position of Empress. Moreover, the Wei family's sons are of mediocre ability. I think the position of Prime Minister is still more likely to belong to the Lin family."

"The Western envoy has come on stage. It's going to be a good show."

The banquet was in full swing and Chu Jun was enjoying his meal served by Mo Heng. At this moment, a middle-aged man in exotic clothes, holding a glass of fine wine, slowly walked towards the throne of Emperor Chu Jun.

He wore a respectful smile, and with awkward yet earnest gestures, he performed the Chu salute to Chu Yun. Speaking with a rather uninnocent accent, he said, "Your Majesty, on behalf of the Western Kingdom, I offer you my most sincere respects. Today is the Winter Solstice, marking the transition between yin and yang, the beginning of renewal for all things, and a symbol of the friendship between our two countries."

Chu Jun looked at the man who approached and nodded, saying, "I am deeply pleased that the envoy has come from afar. The friendship between the Western Kingdom and our Great Chu is like the warm sun on this winter solstice, warm and enduring."

Seeing the young emperor's friendly attitude towards the Westerners, Attila breathed a sigh of relief and continued, "Your Majesty is wise. To further deepen the friendship between our two countries, our country has specially selected a beautiful woman. I hope she can become an envoy of friendship between our two countries."

"Oh? The envoy is so attentive, I'd like to see it for myself." Chu Jun said with a curious look, but in fact, his waist had been firmly held by Mo Heng beside him. If he really wanted to take this beauty in, Mo Heng could really press him on the chair and kiss him on the spot.