Mo Li

The news that Princess Ding had safely given birth to a son quickly spread throughout Ruyang City. Not only were the people of Prince Ding's Estate overjoyed, but the citizens of Ruyang also decorated the streets with lanterns and banners as if celebrating the New Year. Although the common folk had only seen Princess Ding once or twice, in the hearts of the northwestern people, her status was scarcely inferior to that of Prince Ding himself. This was undoubtedly due to the excellent propaganda efforts of Prince Ding's Estate. While many people outside the northwest harbored misunderstandings about Prince Ding and Princess Ding due to Mo Jingqi's decrees, the northwestern populace knew well that Princess Ding had led the Mo Family Army to resist the invasion of Western Liang while pregnant, even falling off a cliff in the end. Were it not for her, the northwest would not have remained as peaceful and stable as it was now. In these turbulent times, whoever could provide the people with a stable life was akin to a parent reborn. Thus, the news of Princess Ding's safe delivery brought the northwestern people joy no less than that of the New Year.

Inside Prince Ding's Estate, the parlor closest to Ye Li's bedroom was packed with people. When the midwife emerged carrying the freshly bathed baby wrapped in a bright red swaddle, everyone rushed forward eagerly. Xu Qingyan was the most excited, darting to the front and exclaiming, "Let me see what my little nephew looks like!"

The midwife smiled and said, "The Little Prince is naturally very handsome. When he grows up, he will surely be as outstanding as His Highness and Her Highness, a true dragon among men."

Xu Qingyan leaned in eagerly to look, only to freeze in shock. This red, wrinkled little thing was the "handsome future dragon among men" the midwife had described? Though all present were considered outstanding figures of their time, few had ever seen a newborn baby. Even Xu Qingze and Xu Qingfeng hadn’t seen Xu Qingyan right after birth—he had been shown to others only when he was nearly a month old, by which time he was already fair and plump. The crowd turned to glance at Mo Xiuyao, who sat quietly to the side, and fell into silence.

It was Head Steward Mo who broke the quiet with a delighted expression. "The Little Prince looks exactly like His Highness did when he was born. The Prince's Estate finally has an heir." His usually stern face softened with a rare smile and affection as he stood nearby. A Jin blinked curiously at the tiny, unopened-eyed baby in the midwife’s arms.

Xu Qingyan asked skeptically, "Steward Mo, was His Highness really like this when he was born...?" Red and wrinkled like a little monkey?

Head Steward Mo replied matter-of-factly, "All newborns look like this. In a few days, once his eyes open and he fills out, he’ll be a fair and chubby little baby."

Feng Zhiyao gazed enviously at the red-faced infant and sighed. "It’s only been two years, yet His Highness already has a son. How enviable."

Head Steward Mo chuckled. "Third Master Feng is the same age as His Highness. If you had married earlier, your own child might already be running around."

Feng Zhiyao’s eyes dimmed slightly as he smiled wryly. "It’s not that easy. Finding someone as suitable as His Highness and Her Highness is no simple matter."

Amid the laughter and chatter, the crowd made way for the baby to be brought before Mo Xiuyao. "Your Highness, come see the Little Prince," they urged.Mo Xiuyao cast a faint glance at the small, red, wrinkled bundle sleeping in the swaddling clothes. From his eyes to his expression, there was nothing but disdain as he remarked coolly, "Ugly!" Thus, though the baby could neither see, hear, nor remember anything, the Little Prince Xiao Bao of Prince Ding's Estate would still grow up knowing that the first word his father ever said to him was an insult about his looks. The feud between father and son was thus established from this very moment.

After glancing at his son, Mo Xiuyao noticed his legs had improved considerably and stood up to ask, "How is Wang Fei?" The midwife quickly replied with a smile, "The Little Prince's birth went smoothly, and Wang Fei didn't suffer much. She's resting now." In the midwife's eyes, for a first birth, the labor from contractions to delivery lasting just over two hours was hardly considered suffering. But to Mo Xiuyao, it was different. All he knew was that A Li had endured hours of pain to bring this ugly little thing into the world. With a light snort, he said, "This prince will go see Wang Fei." With that, he flicked his sleeves and strode toward the inner chamber. Behind him, the midwife couldn't help but marvel at the deep affection between the prince and his consort—men who rushed to see their wives rather than their newborn sons were truly rare in this world.

Having confirmed that his little nephew wasn't actually ugly, Xu Qingyan happily leaned in closer. Carefully, he extended a finger and gently poked the baby's wrinkled little cheek. "Little nephew, I'm your little uncle," he cooed. Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes. "Do you really think he can understand you right now?" he said, then couldn't resist bending down to peer at the infant himself. "Hmm? Did Wang Ye really look like this as a baby? Head Steward Mo?" The steward examined the child thoughtfully before replying, "Most newborns look like this, I suppose."

"Move aside, move aside!" Shen Yang and Doctor Lin arrived side by side, glaring at the gathered onlookers. "This old man needs to examine the Little Prince. Clear the area, all of you." Though reluctant, the crowd could only watch longingly as Shen Yang expertly took the baby from the midwife's arms.

Mo Xiuyao re-entered the inner chamber, where the maids had already tidied up. Ye Li sat propped against soft cushions on the bed, her face pale but her spirits seemingly good. Mama Lin and Mama Wei were keeping her company, with Mama Wei seated beside the bed holding a bowl of porridge she was feeding to Ye Li. Seeing Mo Xiuyao enter, the two women quickly rose to greet him. Mo Xiuyao waved them off and asked, "How is A Li?" Mama Lin smiled. "Wang Fei is in good health and has no serious issues. It's rare for a woman to be this alert right after childbirth. Wang Ye need not worry." Taking the porridge from Mama Wei, Mo Xiuyao said, "You may leave. This prince will stay with A Li." The two women exchanged knowing smiles, glanced at Ye Li, and then withdrew. That Wang Ye had hurried in to see Wang Fei instead of lingering outside to admire the Little Prince spoke volumes about his devotion to her—a fact that naturally pleased them on her behalf.Watching Mo Xiuyao seriously holding the porridge bowl, intending to feed her, Ye Li helplessly said, "I can drink it myself." In truth, it was just the irritability from the pain of childbirth. Now that the baby was born, it was nothing to her. Why would she need someone to feed her?

Mo Xiuyao moved slightly, avoiding Ye Li’s attempt to take the bowl, and carefully brought the spoon to her lips instead. Unable to refuse, Ye Li opened her mouth and ate. Between sips, she asked, "Have you seen the baby? Both Mama Lin and Mama Wei say he looks just as pretty as I did when I was little. Though... I don’t see it..." That tiny, red, wrinkled bundle—she really couldn’t spot the resemblance. Maybe she had looked like that as a baby too? Weren’t all newborns similar?

Mo Xiuyao recalled Head Steward Mo’s words, his lips twitching slightly as he nodded. "I’ve seen him. He’s very good-looking."

Ye Li smiled faintly, raising a delicate eyebrow in skepticism.

Mo Xiuyao added, "As long as he’s A Li’s child, what does it matter if he’s good-looking or not?"

By the time Ye Li had finished most of the porridge, Mama Lin returned, carrying the baby. Earlier, Ye Li had only caught a brief glimpse before the child was taken away. Now, seeing him again, a strange warmth welled up in her heart. This child was hers and Mo Xiuyao’s—her own flesh and blood, the closest person to her in this world.

Gently taking the baby from Mama Lin’s arms, Ye Li tilted her head, studying his tiny red face and tightly shut eyes, and couldn’t help but smile. Tenderly, she poked his little cheek and squeezed his small hand, feeling an overwhelming surge of soft affection and joy just from looking at this tiny being.

Mo Xiuyao watched the faint smile on Ye Li’s face, then glanced down at the sleeping infant in her arms, finding the little creature inexplicably irritating.

"Look, this is our baby. One day, he’ll call you ‘Father’ and me ‘Mother.’ Do you like him?" Ye Li held the baby toward Mo Xiuyao, smiling as she asked.

Mo Xiuyao nodded and reached out to take the child. "You’ve just given birth—you shouldn’t tire yourself. Let me hold him."

Ye Li eyed him doubtfully. "Do you know how?" Over the past few months, Mo Xiuyao had shown little enthusiasm for the baby, let alone bothered to learn how to hold one.

Mo Xiuyao hesitated. While he thought any way of holding would do, the tiny bundle in the swaddle seemed so fragile that the slightest mishandling might harm him. Though he wasn’t particularly fond of this little creature who would likely compete for A Li’s attention in the future, he knew how much she adored him.

Seeing his awkward uncertainty, Ye Li chuckled softly and carefully placed the baby in his arms. "Hold him like this... gently..." She patiently guided him before finally settling the child into Mo Xiuyao’s embrace.

Mo Xiuyao looked down at the small bundle in his arms, feeling utterly stiff and uncomfortable.

Watching him sit rigidly by the bed, none of his usual ease and grace remaining, Ye Li secretly covered her lips, suppressing a laugh.The birth of the Heir Apparent Ding was likely no less significant to the common folk of the northwest than the birth of the Crown Prince of Great Chu. The city of Ruyang was alive with the clamor of gongs and drums, the crackling of firecrackers filling the air as if it were the New Year. Moreover, as soon as news of the Little Prince's birth spread, the governor of Ruyang announced a halving of all taxes for the year. Proclamations of various benevolent measures for the people were posted on the public notice board outside the governor's office, further fueling the jubilation among the populace. The sound of firecrackers was so loud it could faintly be heard even within the prison cells.

In the cold, filthy dungeon, Su Zui Die lay on the ground, struggling weakly to move. The intermittent bursts of firecrackers from outside only accentuated the desolate and eerie atmosphere of the dungeon, further clouding her already muddled mind. Was it New Year again? She had nearly lost track of how long she had been imprisoned here. The only thing she could remember was the imperative to survive. As long as she lived, there was a chance to escape this place—only by living could she attain everything she desired. Occasionally, she even found herself wondering: had she not been so ambitious back then, might she now be living peacefully as the Second Young Madam of Prince Ding's Estate? With Mo Xiu Yao's military achievements, she might even have been the wife of a great general. But... she had wanted more than that. Su Zui Die, whose beauty could topple kingdoms, whose talent was unparalleled, hailed as the greatest beauty of Great Chu—why should she settle for being beneath those ordinary women? Survive, escape, claim everything she desired. This was the mantra she repeated to herself every day.

Clang!

The dungeon door swung open, and Qin Feng strode in with an icy demeanor, accompanied by Zhuo Jing and Lin Han. None of the three looked pleased. On the day of the Little Prince's birth, instead of rushing to see Wang Fei's newborn child, they had to interrogate this woman—hardly a cause for joy. Hearing the footsteps, Su Zui Die pushed herself up to sit on the ground, turning to face them with a mocking smile. "Starting again?" she asked, her face half-obscured by grime, her expression a mix of derision and smug satisfaction. No matter how often they tortured her, they still couldn't break her. Every time she saw their frustration and anger, a perverse sense of triumph surged within her.

Qin Feng kicked aside the debris at his feet with indifference, eyeing her coldly. "Do you really think that's all we have in store for you?" he sneered. "Here's some good news for you: Wang Fei has just given birth to the Little Prince. The entire city of Ruyang is celebrating."

A flicker of envy and hatred passed through Su Zui Die's eyes, but she remained silent. Qin Feng continued impassively, "And here's some not-so-good news: Wang Ye has given orders. We must have the answers by today." Su Zui Die scoffed, "I don't know what you're talking about." Qin Feng nodded, unsurprised. "We expected you'd say that. So Wang Ye also said—if we can't get the answers from you, then you can die."

"What did you say?" Su Zui Die froze, staring at Qin Feng in disbelief, her voice trembling.

Qin Feng looked down at the woman on the ground with scorn, his smile cold and detached. "Forgot to mention—two months ago, we captured the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, Xue Chengliang. You know him, don't you? Nothing in this world is completely airtight. If we can't get the answers from you, we'll get them from someone else.""Xue Chengliang?" Su Zuidie looked bewildered, clearly having no recollection of the name. Qin Feng lowered his head in brief contemplation before understanding—ten years ago, Xue Chengliang had merely been a personal guard by Mo Jingqi's side, someone Su Zuidie might not have remembered. He said, "Ten years ago, whatever you took from Prince Ding's Estate and handed over to the current Emperor was given to this Commander Xue. Surely you haven’t forgotten?"

Su Zuidie’s eyes widened abruptly. Dragging a slightly injured leg, she scrambled frantically into the corner of the cell and shrieked, "I don’t know what you’re talking about! What thing? I never took anything from Prince Ding's Estate!" Qin Feng glanced at Zhuo Jing and Lin Han beside him. All three noted the subtle trembling in Su Zuidie’s demeanor. Zhuo Jing curled his lip and said, "Drag her out for torture. No need to spare her—after today, she’ll be a dead woman anyway." Two guards entered on command, roughly hauling Su Zuidie up from the ground and dragging her to the outer chamber of the dungeon.

The outer chamber was far cleaner and drier than the inner cell, furnished with a row of desks and chairs. Someone sat nearby grinding ink, evidently preparing to record confessions. Qin Feng and the other two took their seats, flipping open the case files on the table. Meanwhile, Su Zuidie was tied to a wooden post in front of them. Qin Feng regarded the filthy woman coldly—there was no trace left of the once-celebrated "Most Beautiful Woman in the World." "Well? Miss Su, will you speak on your own, or shall we take our time with the torture? Let’s see how many methods you can endure."

Su Zuidie clenched her teeth in silence. Qin Feng lounged lazily against the chair back and chuckled, "I’m in no hurry today. If we don’t get answers by midnight, killing you will suffice as a report to Wang Ye. As for whether you’ll be missing an arm or a leg by then, I doubt you’ll mind much." Tilting his head, he studied her for a long moment before gesturing to the two men standing nearby. "They say you were once the Most Beautiful Woman in the World. Do you think anyone would still find you pretty with a few cuts on that face?" Zhuo Jing scoffed impatiently, "Does she even look like the Most Beautiful Woman now? She’s already hideous without the cuts." Qin Feng grinned. "How so? We haven’t starved Miss Su these past six months. I guarantee that face is still quite lovely."

Lin Han frowned. "Then get on with it. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can leave."

Qin Feng jerked his chin, and one of the guards stepped forward, drawing a dagger. The cold glint of the blade filled Su Zuidie’s eyes with terror. Proud of her beauty, the thought of her face being ruined—"No! You wouldn’t dare… Wang Ye will never forgive you! How dare you treat me like this—"

Qin Feng sneered. "Stupid woman."

The man wielding the dagger showed no mercy. With two swift flicks of silver, Su Zuidie felt a cold sting on her cheeks before a scream tore from her throat. "No—ah! My face!" Two perfect crosses now marred her left and right cheeks, blood gushing from the wounds. A chilling realization struck her—Qin Feng hadn’t been bluffing. Her face was truly ruined. "Aah! My face! My face! I’ll kill you all! Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li—you deserve to die!"The man standing before her slapped her twice without hesitation. Her already injured face swelled up instantly from the harsh blows, bleeding profusely and looking utterly grotesque.

The destruction of her beauty clearly affected Su Zuidie more severely than her crippled leg or the daily torture. Even as the torment continued, she kept cursing incessantly, as if the brutal punishments meant nothing to her. Even Zhuo Jing couldn’t help but sigh—had such a woman been properly trained as a spy, she would have been exceptional. At the very least, there would have been no fear of her betraying them under torture.

In the end, Qin Feng completely lost his patience. Though there were still some tortures he hadn’t yet used on Su Zuidie, they were far too gruesome. With the Little Prince just born, he didn’t want to go too far. By midnight, Qin Feng’s patience had run out entirely. He stood and ordered, “Do it. Let her watch herself die slowly. What a waste of my time. Pass down the order—based on Xue Chengliang’s confession, set out immediately for Chu Jing to secretly capture all of Mo Jingqi’s close confidants from ten years ago, as well as Tan Jizhi.”

“Yes, Commander!”

Su Zuidie’s hands were bound to a wooden post, one wrist deeply slashed. Scarlet blood dripped steadily onto the ground, yet the cell was now eerily silent, devoid of any other presence. Tilting her head, she watched the blood flow endlessly, her ears filled only with the sound of dripping. Gradually, a buzzing noise filled her hearing, and suddenly, Qin Feng’s cold voice echoed in her mind: “Wang Fei has just given birth to a son. The city of Ruyang is in celebration.”

Celebration… Why couldn’t she hear anything?

As the pool of blood on the floor grew larger, she could clearly feel her body weakening, as if she could sense the blood draining from her pulse. She even felt that she would only die once the very last drop had left her.

“No… I don’t want to die…”

“Help! I want to see Mo Xiuyao! I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything!”

Outside the door, there was only silence. Su Zuidie realized in terror that she truly would die here. This fear made her panic even more, and she felt as if her blood was flowing faster. “I’ll talk! I’ll tell you everything! Help! I don’t want to die!”

Beyond the door, Qin Feng curled his lips into a cold smile. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to talk earlier? I thought she’d hold out until death.”

Lin Han remarked, “Perhaps this time, she knows there’s no way out. If she didn’t speak, Xue Chengliang would. Before, she was just relying on the fact that no one else knew.”

“Go report to Wang Ye.”