November 17th, the second year of Zhenghe.
Tuoba Zhi, Crown Prince of the Tuoba Clan, ascended to the position of Jin Xia Khan. That very afternoon, he issued a Holy Decree, surrendering to Great Wei and, along with the civil and military officials of the Court, personally submitted the national document, bowing in submission and humbling himself.
Thus, Jin Xia, whose national history was even longer than that of the Great Song, was declared destroyed.
Chen Mo did not intend for Jin Xia to become a vassal state of Great Wei, allowing it to maintain its national history, because such actions, when Great Wei eventually weakens, would allow Jin Xia to resurrect as in past dynasties.
His plan was to incorporate Jin Xia into the territories of Great Wei, dividing it into several provinces, to be governed by officials appointed by the Court, directly obeying the Court’s commands. As for the original Tuoba Imperial Family of Jin Xia, unlike the Emperor Yong’an who was granted the title of Duke Menghe after abdicating, those on the fringe of Tuoba power were demoted to commoners, while those of the Tuoba Clan’s direct lineage were directly reduced to slavery.
After all, even when Jin Xia was besieged, they did not surrender.
It was Chen Mo who forced his way in, and for such obstinate individuals, sparing their lives without executing or exiling them was already merciful.
Henceforth, the Tuoba Clan would be citizens of Great Wei, and they must not remain on the lands of Jin Xia, but be relocated to Central State.
Otherwise, the Tuoba Clan, having ruled this land for hundreds of years, would remain deeply entrenched, and even as commoners, could slowly regain strength.
But moving to Central State is different; in Central State, inhabited entirely by Song and Wei people who harbor hatred against Jin Xia, they would not allow the Tuoba Clan the opportunity to grow strong.
...
"Your Majesty, these are Tuoba Hui’s consorts; how would Your Majesty have them dealt with?"
In the grand hall, Chang En had Wanyan Ya and her group brought in.
As consorts of a monarch, they were overall quite comely, though there were a few less attractive ones.
These less attractive ones were likely the result of political marriages, women sent by tribes the Tuoba Clan aimed to ally with.
They trembled, huddled together, allowing Chen Mo to scrutinize them.
"Raise your head," Chen Mo commanded, one hand behind his back, pointing at Wanyan Ya.
Wanyan Ya, dressed in a luxurious, purple brocade robe, enveloped her graceful figure, her plump, voluptuous form exuding alluring temptation. Due to the hostility from the Yelv Clan, she was pushed to the forefront, making it hard for Chen Mo not to notice her.
Because she was lowering her head, Wanyan Ya did not realize Chen Mo was referring to her, and instead lowered her head further.
Only when she sensed the gazes around her focus on her did Wanyan Ya realize it was indeed her he was addressing, nervously raising her head.
She had a pair of slender, light purple eyes, exuding natural allure. As her gaze met Chen Mo’s, she hurriedly lowered her head again, but realizing he wanted her to raise it, she lifted it slightly, though not daring to meet his eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her small hands nervously twisted together.
It was as if she was reacting the same way as when she was selected by the Wanyan Tribe while still a slave.
Chen Mo paused for a moment. If describing a beautiful woman as a vixen is a figure of speech, then this woman is the embodiment of a vixen, her whole being brimmed with seduction.
Nalan Yiren, observing Chen Mo’s demeanor, couldn’t help but snort coldly.
Men!
Zuo Nian, who had surrendered earlier, hastened to seize the moment: "Your Majesty, she is Queen Wanyan Ya."
Realizing she was the focus, Wanyan Ya’s delicate body trembled even more intensely.
"Enchantress..." Chen Mo murmured.
Prior to coming to Jin Xia, Chen Mo had collected some rumors about the Tuoba Imperial Family.
Among these, Wanyan Ya was known among the populace as the "Enchantress."
Back then, Chen Mo wondered what kind of appearance could earn such a title; now he knew, indeed, her reputation was well-deserved.
She seemed to have a natural allure, like a spring tonic to men.
"Have her detained separately, and as for the other consorts, rewards will be dealt with after matters here are concluded," Chen Mo ordered.
Upon these words, while Chang En remained unmoved, Sun Meng, Luo Yong, Cui Shuang, Zhao Liang and others were instantly revitalized, barely restraining themselves from rubbing their hands together in excitement with Chen Mo present.
Upon hearing this, the Yelv Clan woman turned pale; based on the prior treatment of the Tuoba Clan by Great Wei, she assumed she would be demoted to commoner status, relying on her Yelv Tribe origins for a modest but secure life and thus pushed Wanyan Ya forward.
But she never expected to be bestowed upon these coarse warriors.
In that case, it might be better...
The Yelv woman cast an even more venomous glance at Wanyan Ya; this wench, why did every man become enamored with her...
Nalan Yiren frowned slightly but found nothing inappropriate.
Despite the saying that punishment should not extend to parents nor calamities to wives and children.
The prerequisite for the exemption of calamity to family is that they also must not partake in the benefits, else it would be unreasonable to enjoy the good fortune without bearing the responsibility.
At the very least, those who governed Jin Xia and the Tuoba Clan’s leaders must share both fortune and misfortune.
...
"Have your eyes set on that Enchantress?"
When everyone had retreated, leaving only Nalan Yiren and Yu Zhu with Chen Mo, Nalan Yiren commented with a stern face.
"With her looks, qualifying her as a maidservant in Celestial River, responsible for lay and fold bedding, is just acceptable," Chen Mo remarked.
"You... really live up to the ’good husband’ nickname," Nalan Yiren noted, seeing he wasn’t even attempting to hide it, withheld some words she had intended to speak.