Marrying a concubine and swallowing her dowry? The mistress turns around and marries a high-ranking

Chapter 481

Mo Zhonggui finally withdrew his gaze and looked at Shen Lingjun.

"Have you investigated my background?"

Shen Lingjun said, "I only know that your mother is Xie Qingmo, the marshal of the Qingluan Army of Western Qi, but I am not sure if your father is Huo Tingsheng, the emperor of Western Qi."

She had never dared to ask Mo Zhonggui before, for fear of displeasing him.

But since he asked first, she told him the truth.

Mo Zhonggui chuckled without a trace of amusement.

"In terms of bloodline, yes, but I don't recognize him as my father, nor as my brother. They are all just my enemies."

Shen Lingjun considered his guess carefully before speaking it aloud.

"Did the Emperor of Western Qi wrong the Xie family?"

She had previously reviewed the records in the archives of the Cangjian Pavilion and felt that this was the most likely possibility.

The Xie family was once a prominent and glorious family in Western Qi, but they were completely erased from history. Xie Qingmo was made the fourth prince's wife of Western Qi, but now another woman sits on the throne of Western Qi's empress.

The entire Xie family was slaughtered, and Mo Zhonggui, the child of Xie Qingmo and Huo Tingsheng, was hunted down and forced to flee to a foreign country.

Only the emperor of Western Qi could accomplish this.

Mo Zhonggui sneered: "It's more than just saying sorry."

Back then, Huo Tingsheng was the lowest-ranking prince among the princes of Western Qi. He was born to a palace maid, had no maternal family to support him, and was not particularly favored by the late emperor of Western Qi.

But he happened to win Xie Qingmo's favor.

During the chaos of the previous dynasty of Western Qi, six princes vied for the throne. Xie Qingmo, the fourth prince's wife, used her military power in the Qingluan Army to help Huo Tingsheng stand out and eventually ascend the throne.

Huo Tingsheng had no background and little power. Although he barely ascended the throne, his position was unstable. Various forces in Western Qi rose up in rebellion, and some even declared themselves emperors and carved out their own territories.

It was Xie Qingmo, who had already been made empress, who led the Qingluan Army and spent three years fighting in the south and north, quelling all the turmoil in Western Qi, concentrating her forces, consolidating her regime, and helping Huo Tingsheng secure his throne.

At that time, the Qingluan Army had become the most powerful army in Western Qi, accounting for 60% of the total force, with all military power directly in Xie Qingmo's hands. The army was disciplined and obeyed orders without question, winning the hearts of the people. Wherever they passed, the people would enthusiastically line the streets to welcome them.

The Xie family became the most powerful family in Western Qi. They not only controlled the commercial lifeline of Western Qi and were incredibly wealthy, but many family members also served as officials in the court, including both military and civil officials.

After clearing away all obstacles for Huo Tingsheng, they became Huo Tingsheng's biggest thorn in his side.

Although Xie Qingmo and the Xie family had never shown any disloyalty towards Huo Tingsheng, he still harbored suspicions.

With such a massive and powerful army, and a family that can control everything, if Xie Qingmo and the Xie family so wished, the kingdom of Western Qi could be changed to the Xie family at any time.

How can an emperor sleep soundly when his bedmate holds immense power?

When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away. Huo Tingsheng ultimately couldn't suppress his suspicion and apprehension, and decided to strike first.

However, directly eliminating Xie Qingmo and the Xie family is absolutely not feasible.