Mo Li

In the early winter of the 18th year of Emperor Jing of Great Chu, the northern barbarian tribes invaded the northern borders of Great Chu. Emperor Chu, Mo Jingqi, mobilized 300,000 troops to expel the invaders but was defeated. Only 70,000 to 80,000 battered remnants of the once-elite army fled in disarray. Within a month, the defending generals of Great Chu retreated from several cities, and the northern forces pursued them all the way to Zijing Pass in the north of Great Chu, now merely 400 li away from Chu Jing.

By the twelfth month, Mo Jingqi appointed General Leng Huai, the Garrison General of the North, as the Grand General for Suppressing the Invaders, with Leng Huai’s eldest son, Leng Qingyu, as deputy commander, leading 400,000 troops to confront the enemy. However, the northern barbarians were inherently fierce and battle-hardened, having fought for years with unmatched ferocity. Even a seasoned veteran like Leng Huai could barely hold the line, let alone reclaim the lost territories. The stalemate at Zijing Pass dragged on, and the people of Great Chu grew increasingly anxious and fearful.

Many court officials even suggested relocating the capital to Guangling in the south. Mo Jingqi naturally refused—the south was already effectively under Mo Jingli’s control. Even in the capital, his younger brother showed signs of disregarding his authority. If they moved south, Mo Jingli might dare to outright usurp the throne.

Yet, Mo Jingqi’s days were far from easy. The daily military reports alone gave him splitting headaches, not to mention the flood of refugees fleeing the war into the capital. The city, with its limited space, couldn’t possibly accommodate so many displaced people. But if these refugees were left to starve, fall ill, or freeze to death, civil unrest might erupt long before the northern invaders arrived.

Faced with piles of memorials, Mo Jingqi was overwhelmed with pain. Only now did he grudgingly admit to himself that, compared to Mo Xiuyao, he was indeed lacking in ability. Mo Xiuyao had turned the tide in dire circumstances, while he could only rage helplessly at the chaos before him.

Deep within the palace, Consort Liu sat by the window, silently gazing at the snow-white landscape outside. Her snow fox fur cloak accentuated her icy, sculpted beauty, making her seem as cold as frost itself.

Behind her, Tan Jizhi lounged on a soft couch, cradling a hand warmer with a contented sigh. "Aren’t you cold, Your Highness? What’s so fascinating about the endless white outside?"

Consort Liu turned her head slightly, casting him a frigid glance. "Why are you here?"

Tan Jizhi smiled. "Naturally, to assist Your Highness."

Consort Liu scoffed disdainfully. "Assist me? You’re nothing but a fugitive hounded by Nanzhao. What use are your meticulous plans with Shu Manlin? Prince Ding and Xu Qingchen only needed to lift a finger, and you fled with your tail between your legs. Now that Shu Manlin is gone, what trump card do you even have left?"

Tan Jizhi’s expression darkened momentarily, a flash of anger and malice in his eyes, but he quickly forced another smile. "Does Your Highness truly believe Shu Manlin was my only card?"

Consort Liu regarded him coolly. "What else could you possibly have? Are you referring to your claim as a descendant of the previous dynasty? Even among imperial descendants, that young master Lin Yuan carries himself far more impressively than you. After years of scheming, you’ve achieved nothing—yet you still have the audacity to boast about helping me?""Shut up!" Tan Jizhi erupted in fury, his expression savage and twisted. "What kind of thing is Ren Qining? Just a fraud!" He was the true descendant of the fallen imperial family, the real Lin Yuan! Ren Qining was nothing but an imposter who had appeared out of nowhere!

Consort Liu gave a cold snort and fell silent, though the disdain in her eyes was unmistakable. Did he really think the title of a descendant from a dynasty that had perished nearly two centuries ago—and one that had fallen due to the suffering of its people—was worth anything? That so-called Lin Yuan, Ren Qining, had likely realized this too, which was why he had chosen to start his campaign from the northern borders. Once he truly seized the realm, announcing his identity as a descendant of the fallen dynasty would significantly reduce resistance to his ascension. Compared to a foreigner ruling the Central Plains, the people and nobility would naturally find a noble-blooded descendant of the former dynasty far more acceptable.

Noticing Consort Liu’s contempt, Tan Jizhi panted heavily, masking the venom in his eyes, and finally laughed. "Are you truly uninterested? Perhaps I could share a very important piece of news with you, Consort Liu. Of course, if you have no interest, then forget it."

Consort Liu frowned slightly, eyeing Tan Jizhi with displeasure as she weighed whether his so-called news was worth her time. Tan Jizhi lounged on the soft couch and smiled. "Your Highness need not worry. This matter... may not necessarily be bad news for you." Consort Liu narrowed her eyes—if it wasn’t necessarily bad, then it could still be bad. "Speak."

Tan Jizhi raised an eyebrow. "Prince Li has purchased a miraculous drug from the Southern Border Sacred Ground." Consort Liu remained unmoved, her cold gaze unwavering, as if to ask what this had to do with her.

Tan Jizhi laughed heartily, watching her. "I quite admire your temperament, Consort Liu. So ruthlessly cold—it’s truly captivating."

No wonder Prince Ding had no interest in a woman like her. Beautiful as she was, she was as frigid as an ice sculpture, with a heart so callous it could make even men bow in reluctant admiration. Then consider the woman Prince Ding had married—Princess Ding, serene and graceful in stillness, radiant and dazzling in action. Kind yet capable of ruthlessness, gentle yet strong, exceptionally talented, with a devoted husband and noble status, yet never arrogant or domineering. That was the kind of woman every man dreamed of. What did Consort Liu’s pride in her beauty and intellect amount to in the eyes of truly discerning men?

Of course, he would never say any of this to the proud woman before him. Consort Liu frowned at Tan Jizhi, sensing something insincere in his words. But it hardly mattered—she had never regarded Tan Jizhi as significant, nor did she care for his opinion of her.

"Are you truly uninterested in what Prince Li has procured, Consort Liu? Or... perhaps you’d like to know whom he intends to use it on?" Tan Jizhi grinned. A flicker of thought passed through Consort Liu’s mind as she regarded him calmly.Tan Jizhi knew her well and understood that he had piqued her interest. Without hiding anything, he smiled and said, "Indeed, it's exactly what you're thinking. It's for the one in the imperial study. And if I had to guess, the medicine has probably been used for about a month already."

Consort Liu frowned. "His Majesty has shown no signs of illness."

Tan Jizhi chuckled. "Of course not. Not only will he feel no discomfort, but his health will even seem exceptionally good. However, once the medicine is stopped or used for too long, His Majesty will suffer greatly. There was originally plenty of it, but after Princess Anxi ascended the throne, the Southern Border Sacred Ground rebelled. Somehow, a fire reduced the entire sacred ground to ashes. Naturally, the medicine was lost as well... Mo Xiuyao has, at most, no more than half a year's supply left."

Consort Liu pondered for a moment before asking, "What do you want?"

Tan Jizhi smiled faintly. "What I want... is something Imperial Concubine Liu likely cannot give me now. Why not wait until you are in a position to grant it?"

The imperial concubine lowered her gaze, concealing the sharp glint and killing intent in her eyes, and replied calmly, "Very well. As long as it is within my power, I will agree. But what can you do for me now?"

Tan Jizhi grinned. "I have, after all, spent over a decade by Mo Jingqi's side. No one in this world understands his habits and tendencies better than I do. Isn't that enough? Wouldn’t Imperial Concubine Liu like to know who Mo Jingqi’s true confidants are? And... I can help you deal with Prince Li."

Consort Liu's eyes flickered with thought before she finally nodded. "Agreed. I hope you won’t disappoint me."

Tan Jizhi smiled. "Imperial Concubine need only wait and see."

The nineteenth year of Emperor Jing's reign was undoubtedly the worst year in the century since the founding of the Great Chu. Before the New Year had even passed, news arrived from the border that Leng Huai had suffered a crushing defeat and was pleading for reinforcements.

It was worth noting that Zijing Pass was less than four hundred li from the capital. At full gallop, one could reach it in a single day. If the defeats continued, enemy troops could soon be at the city gates.

Moreover, Mo Jingqi fell ill immediately after receiving Leng Huai’s plea for aid.

Though he forced himself to attend court, anyone with eyes could see from his sallow complexion and listless demeanor that the emperor was gravely ill. The combination of these two crises made the situation seem utterly bleak, as if the Great Chu’s fate was sealed.

Mo Jingqi barely managed to dispatch reinforcements and supplies to Leng Huai before collapsing into bed, unable to rise again.

In the imperial bedchamber, the Empress Dowager—who had long secluded herself in prayer, detached from worldly affairs—and the Empress—who had been recuperating behind closed doors—both appeared. Also waiting in the room were Prince Li, Consort Liu, Prime Minister Liu, and several other imperial princes.

Once the imperial physician finished taking the emperor’s pulse, the Empress Dowager anxiously asked, "Physician, what exactly is wrong with His Majesty’s health?"

The physician frowned slightly before replying respectfully, "His Majesty seems to have ingested some harmful substance... Combined with his increasing exhaustion, his body has suddenly collapsed."The Empress Dowager abruptly stood up and demanded, "What do you mean by harmful substances?! Has someone poisoned the Emperor?" The imperial physician quickly shook his head, "Your Majesty, please forgive this humble servant. There's been a misunderstanding. What I meant was... His Majesty appears to have ingested some forbidden substances. That's why... why his health has been compromised." The expressions of everyone in the bedchamber immediately changed, becoming somewhat peculiar. The forbidden substances the physician referred to were likely similar to Five Minerals Powder or other potent drugs. While some dynasties in history had indeed popularized the consumption of Five Minerals Powder, since the previous dynasty and continuing into Great Chu, it had been strictly prohibited. If this were to spread, the Emperor and the imperial family would lose all face.

"Emperor! How could you be so foolish!" The Empress Dowager glared at her son on the bed, her voice filled with anger. Though she didn't dote on this son as much as her younger one, she certainly didn't wish for his death. Seeing him lying there weak and ill, she felt nothing but frustration at his failure to meet her expectations.

Mo Jingqi opened his mouth, enduring the ant-like gnawing pain in his heart, and frowned, "I haven't..." He knew no one would believe him, as his current symptoms did resemble those of someone addicted to Five Minerals Powder. But he was well aware of the effects of consuming such substances and was certain he had never taken any forbidden drugs.

His gaze fell on Mo Jingli standing nearby, and Mo Jingqi suddenly realized something, glaring fiercely at him. Mo Jingli couldn't possibly miss his brother's look and stepped forward, his usually stern face revealing a faint smile. "Imperial Brother, do you have any orders?"

"You... it was you..." That slight smile seemed like nothing but provocation and triumph to Mo Jingqi, who pointed at Mo Jingli, gasping for breath.

Yet Mo Jingli showed no fear of having his scheme exposed and replied respectfully, "What does Imperial Brother mean? This younger brother doesn't understand."

Prime Minister Liu, who had been waiting for an opportunity to strike, seized the moment and stepped forward. "Li Wang Dianxia, His Majesty clearly means to accuse you of administering forbidden drugs to him!"

Mo Jingqi glanced at Prime Minister Liu and nodded, evidently agreeing with his words. Encouraged, Prime Minister Liu pointed at Mo Jingli and sternly declared, "Prince Li, how dare you!"

"Outrageous!" The Empress Dowager snapped, her cold eyes fixed on Prime Minister Liu. "Prince Li and the Emperor are full brothers. How could he possibly harm His Majesty? With enemies at our gates, as the Prime Minister, instead of diligently assisting the Emperor, you sow discord between brothers. What punishment do you deserve?"

Prime Minister Liu frowned. "Your Majesty, this is clearly the Emperor's own implication. Even without concrete evidence, plotting against the Emperor is a grave crime. Shouldn't Prince Li be detained for investigation?"

The Empress Dowager, her eyes brimming with tears, stared at Mo Jingqi. "Emperor, do you truly believe this? Do you think Jing Li would harm you? Without a shred of evidence, you suspect your own blood brother. Should you lock me up as well?" Mo Jingli stepped forward and said, "Imperial Brother, please investigate carefully. This younger brother would never harbor any ill intent toward you. If Imperial Brother doesn't trust me, then order my execution."Mo Jingqi glared at Mo Jingli with hatred in his eyes, as if wishing to tear him to pieces, yet he couldn't utter a single word at this moment. His entire body felt as though countless ants were gnawing at him. If not for his extreme regard for face, he would have long been rolling on the bed in agony, howling in pain. His lips trembled as he spat out a few words, "Get out! All of you, get out!" The crowd froze in shock, and Prime Minister Liu looked at Mo Jingqi with anxiety. Now was the time to press their advantage and decisively subdue Prince Li.

But since the emperor had spoken, no one else could remain. The Empress Dowager rose and said, "Then, Your Majesty, rest well and recover. This old one shall take her leave first." The Empress Dowager led the way out, and the others had no choice but to follow suit and withdraw. Mo Jingli walked last, turning back to glance at Mo Jingqi lying on the bed, a strange smile playing on his lips.

Upon returning to Zhangde Palace, Mo Jingli respectfully addressed the Empress Dowager, "Mother, your son thanks you—"

Slap! Before he could finish, a swift and harsh slap landed on Mo Jingli's face. The words died on his lips as he raised his head to look at the Empress Dowager. Her gaze was icy yet filled with sorrow and disappointment. "Li'er! How dare you be so bold as to administer such a vicious poison to Qi'er? He is your own elder brother! Have you no humanity left?"

Mo Jingli tried to explain, "Mother, your son—" The Empress Dowager waved her hand coldly. "Spare me your excuses! This old one is not yet senile!" Mo Jingli lowered the hand covering his reddened cheek—the slap had been no mere show, leaving behind swollen finger marks. He no longer bothered to prevaricate and said coldly, "Mother is right. So what if it was your son who poisoned him? Does Mother, like that old fool Liu, also wish to lock me away?"

Though she had long suspected Mo Jingli's involvement, hearing the confession firsthand still sent the Empress Dowager into a tumult of emotions, her aged tears flowing freely. Her once meticulously maintained visage instantly aged by more than a decade as she sat weeping on her ornate phoenix throne. "What a sin! How could I have given birth to such scoundrels?! I have failed the late emperor and the ancestors of the Mo family!"

Mo Jingli watched her tears with cold detachment, not a shred of guilt in his heart. The one who had first stirred the flames of ambition within him was none other than the very mother now weeping before him. Dissatisfied with his elder brother's growing independence from her control, she had sought to depose him and elevate Mo Jingli instead. The struggle for the throne had always been a bloody affair, paved with bones—how could she now blame him for his ruthlessness? But there was no turning back. The moment his ambition had taken root, he and Mo Jingqi were destined for a fight to the death.

"Li'er... Qi'er is your own brother. Give him the antidote. Mother will protect you," the Empress Dowager finally said hoarsely, her tears spent.

A mocking smile curled at Mo Jingli's lips. "Mother, after more than a decade as Empress Dowager, you've grown even more naive than before."

The Empress Dowager stared at him, stunned, her gaze icy as she regarded this son who seemed both familiar and a stranger.

Mo Jingli said calmly, "Even if I had the antidote—which I don't—I wouldn't give it to him. Do you truly believe Mo Jingqi would spare me if he recovered?"The Empress Dowager trembled with rage at his heartless words, pointing at Mo Jingli and shouting, "You... you beast! You..." All her life, she had fought for power and influence, but now, past sixty, she was truly exhausted. She only wished for both her sons to live peacefully and safely. Yet why must she witness them killing each other in her twilight years? Was this truly... retribution?

Mo Jingli smiled coldly and said, "If that's the case, why didn't Mother comply with that old man Liu's wishes earlier and have me imprisoned directly? In Mother's eyes, aren't there things more important than your own son?"

The Empress Dowager silently pointed at Mo Jingli, unable to speak for a long while. It was true... in her heart, there had always been something more important than her sons—power. If Qi'er was no longer capable, then Li'er must not come to harm. Otherwise, if anything happened to Qi'er, one of the two princes born to Imperial Concubine Liu would inevitably ascend the throne. The Empress Dowager had always been at odds with Imperial Concubine Liu and the Liu family. If Imperial Concubine Liu's son became emperor, what benefits would she have left? Though the Grand Empress Dowager was esteemed, a grandmother was far less favored than a mother, especially since Imperial Concubine Liu's sons were not close to her. But even so, that didn't mean she wanted her younger son to kill her elder son.

"You..." The Empress Dowager stared at her son's gloomy expression, realizing she didn't know what to say.

Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow and said, "Mother, rest assured. Your son won't kill him. After all, he is still my elder brother, isn't he?" Of course, he wouldn't kill Mo Jingqi. He wanted him bedridden, powerless to move, yet forced to watch as he seized control of power—even ascending the throne himself.

More importantly... he couldn't let Mo Jingqi die too suddenly. Though Mo Xiuyao had severed ties with Great Chu, Mo Jingli wasn't certain whether Mo Xiuyao would use his death as a pretext to invade. From start to finish, Mo Jingli had never believed Mo Xiuyao lacked ambition—he was merely waiting for the right excuse to act on it!