Minister Hao had no idea that his daughter had undergone such a significant transformation and was no longer afraid of matters of life and death.
"Dad, the reason my husband and I came to the capital this time is to deal with the Queen's faction.
Also, Mom and my elder brother want you to return to the northwest with us, away from this place of turmoil.
Regardless, sacrificing oneself for such a court is simply not worth it," she said.
Minister Hao never imagined that his daughter, who had only spent a year in the northwest, would change so much.
Not only could she fight alongside her husband to incapacitate others, but she could also speak such profound truths, unlike the delicate daughter he once knew.
At this moment, he was not concerned about his own safety but felt that He Zhiran's transformation was a result of life in the northwest.
Moreover, it was he and his wife who had sent their daughter to marry into the Mo Family.
Thinking of his daughter's transformation, Minister Hao felt a mix of emotions and didn't know what to say.
He Zhiran was unaware that her father felt guilty for noticing her change and remained silent, thinking he was contemplating her words.
Seeing his father hesitate to speak, she urged, "Dad, life and death are but a thought away; it depends on whether it's worth it."
Upon hearing her words, Minister Hao snapped back to reality.
He took a deep breath.
"Dad has served the court his whole life. At this point, it's not so easy to retreat.
Moreover, even if Dad could secretly leave the capital, do you think the Queen and the Xue Family would let Dad go?
Anyway, your mother and your elder brother are in the northwest, which seems safe for now. Your arrival hasn't been noticed by anyone else, so officially, there's only me in the Minister's residence. If they want to harm anyone, it'll be aimed at me alone.
Dad has lived to this age and has already enjoyed his share of blessings. Even if I die, I have no regrets.
It's more about you and your elder brother. As long as you both are safe and sound, Dad won't have any worries."
Minister Hao never considered that his daughter and son-in-law could resolve this crisis. In his mind, as long as his family could survive, his own death wouldn't matter.
Mo Jiuye stepped forward.
"Father-in-law, the reason Ruiran and I came to the capital this time is to eradicate the Queen's faction completely. Trust me, Mo Jiuye, I will do what I say."
To make Minister Hao believe in his words, Mo Jiuye continued, "You must be aware of this matter. Not long ago, the documents sent from the northwest reported that over two hundred people were killed."
Upon hearing this, Minister Hao widened his eyes in shock. "Is this really related to the Mo Family?"
Thinking of those assassins, a cold glint appeared in Mo Jiuye's eyes involuntarily.
"Those people were indeed killed by the Mo Family, but they were not commoners; they were assassins sent by the Queen to exterminate the Mo Family.
Father-in-law, think about it. The Mo Family has already been ordered by Emperor Shunwu to be confiscated and exiled to the northwest, yet the Queen still refuses to let us go.
Now, the people of the Mo Family have grown tired of it all and just want to live peacefully together as a family, but someone refuses to allow it.
For the safety of my family, even if it means being labeled as traitors, I am willing to do anything."
According to reason, such rebellious words are not suitable to be spoken in front of Minister Hao, a loyal minister. But times are different now, what can loyal ministers do?
Won't they still be targeted by those cunning people?
Indeed, just as Mo Jiuye expected, Minister Hao did not rebuke him but instead fell into contemplation.
After a while, he questioned Mo Jiuye, "Do you know how powerful the faction of the Empress is now? Let's not talk about how most of the civil and military officials in the court have sided with her, even the Imperial Guards and city garrison troops have been replaced by her people.
If you want to live peacefully, unless the Empress and the Xue family are completely eradicated, otherwise, with the vindictive nature of the Empress, how could she spare the Mo Family?"
"That's true, so my purpose in coming to the capital this time is to completely eliminate the Empress and the Xue family." Mo Jiuye's tone remained steady, as if this matter meant nothing to him.
However, Minister Hao's heart was in turmoil at this moment.
The Empress and the Xue family must have prepared thoroughly to do such a thing.
Not to mention whether there is danger in the court, at the very least, these major figures must have countless guards to protect them.
Even if Mo Jiuye's martial arts were strong, it would still be difficult to handle them alone.
"Jiuye, your father-in-law knows your abilities, but after all, you are alone. I still hope you will consider this matter carefully." With that, he looked at He Zhiran, becoming increasingly unable to guess his daughter's thoughts.
When he married her to Mo Jiuye, she had been unwilling, simply because she didn't want to end up like the widows in the Mo family.
But Mo Jiuye's current actions clearly showed that he didn't care about his life at all, and there was a possibility that Zhiran might become a widow.
Why did she, who was so averse to being a widow, not stop Mo Jiuye at this time?
He Zhiran didn't know what her father was thinking. She thought he was helping Mo Jiuye to come up with a strategy.
"Dad, you don't need to worry about anything. Just stay at home with peace of mind, don't need to attend the morning court tomorrow. Trust me, even if the Empress finds out that her men have failed their mission, she won't come after you immediately."
"Zhiran, what exactly are you planning to do?" If Mo Jiuye had said these words, Minister Hao might have thought he was bold due to his skill, but how could his daughter, a delicate young lady, say such things?
If there were any actions later, He Zhiran would definitely follow Mo Jiuye. Therefore, she felt it necessary to explain now.
"Dad, since I followed the Mo family into exile, I've suffered a lot along the way.
Not to mention those assassins sent by who knows who, even when camping outdoors, we were attacked by hungry wolves. In order to protect myself, my husband taught me some self-defense skills.
Now your daughter is no longer the pampered young lady she used to be, dealing with a few ruffians is nothing to her." With that, she pointed to the eunuch she had just knocked out.
"Dad just saw it, your daughter's skills are not bad now." Minister Hao had been curious about when his daughter had learned martial arts, and He Zhiran's words cleared up his confusion.
However, with a sudden realization, he understood something.
"Zhiran, when you talk to Dad like this, are you planning to go cause trouble with those people alongside Jiuye?"
Zhiran knew that she would have to convince her father later to let her leave with Mo Jiuye, and it would surely require some persuasion.
It was unavoidable. Which parent would willingly stand by and watch their child take risks?
But accompanying Mo Jiuye was something Zhiran had to do, no matter what; she had to get her father's approval.
