Mo Li

In the inn, the manager barely managed to lead Mo Xiuyao and his group to the guest courtyard before stumbling out the door, his legs giving way as he collapsed to the ground, unable to get up. In the past, hosting Prince Ding’s family would have been the highest honor for his establishment. But now… now, just thinking about the relationship between Prince Ding and the imperial family made his heart tremble with fear. He couldn’t tell whether this was a blessing or a curse.

However, seeing the two indifferent guards stationed at the courtyard entrance, the manager didn’t dare even think about sending word to anyone. Trembling inwardly, he picked himself up from the ground and trudged back to the front with a mournful face.

After all, Mo Xiuyao’s arrival at the inn had been witnessed by countless passersby. Within half a day, news that Prince Ding had returned to the capital and was staying at the most luxurious inn had spread throughout the city, inevitably reaching the mansions of the nobility and the imperial palace. As for how many people were torn between joy and sorrow, or how many were so frightened they dropped what they were holding—that was something outsiders could never know.

While everyone was in a state of nervous apprehension, each harboring their own thoughts, in the quiet and elegant courtyard at the back of the inn, Leng Haoyu was complaining to Mo Xiuyao with a pained expression.

"Wang Ye, even if you wanted to return to the capital, you didn’t have to make such a grand entrance. And even if you wanted to be conspicuous, you didn’t have to stay at an inn. It’s so inconvenient for us to come and go like this."

Unlike Feng San, who was openly and undeniably a member of Prince Ding’s Estate, Leng Haoyu was different. Even if he was at odds with his family, he was still the second young master of the Leng family—merely a merchant with some connection to Prince Ding due to Feng San. Additionally, his wife, Murong Ting, had been close friends with Wang Fei before her marriage. Even so, it wasn’t proper for them to visit Prince Ding’s household the moment he returned to the capital.

Thus, the poor Second Young Master Leng, already in his thirties, had to sneak over the wall with his wife and daughter like a thief. Ye Li and Murong Ting sat to the side, listening to Leng Haoyu’s complaints, and couldn’t help but exchange a smile. Though they hadn’t seen each other in years, their bond remained unchanged. The two chatted softly while watching the children playing nearby.

Leng Haoyu and Murong Ting’s son, Leng Junhan, was two years younger than Mo Xiaobao. At just three years old, the little boy bore a striking resemblance to Leng Haoyu, already showing signs of becoming quite handsome. However, compared to Mo Xiaobao’s clever and mischievous nature, Leng Junhan was more like a sweet, soft little bun. The little bun seemed to take an instant liking to Mo Xiaobao, following him around without any shyness, calling him "gege" (big brother) in the most adorable way.

But this fondness was clearly one-sided. Mo Xiaobao, with his nose in the air, was thoroughly displeased with this little bun who had been hugged by his mother the moment they met. He glared with wide, round eyes, but Leng Junhan mistook his glare for affection.

"Gege, Junhan play with you!"

Having grown up alone without many playmates, Leng Junhan was overjoyed to see such a handsome older brother.

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes. Who would want to play with a silly little fool? He was even dumber than Xu Zhirui, his second uncle’s son.

"Ben Shizi (this young master) doesn’t play with little brats who don’t understand anything.""Mo Xiaobao!" Ye Li gave him a warning look. Mo Xiaobao was most afraid of his mother getting angry, so he reluctantly extended his hand for Leng Junhan to hold, saying haughtily, "Fine, this prince graciously agrees to play with you."

"Xiao Bao gege is the best, playing with Junhan." Leng Junhan happily held Mo Xiaobao's hand. The term "Xiao Bao gege" instantly darkened Mo Xiaobao's face. He pinched Leng Junhan's chubby cheek with one hand, "This prince is called Mo Yuchen. I'll reluctantly allow you to call me Yuchen gege." Leng Junhan looked confused—a three-year-old couldn't yet grasp whether a name sounded good or not. To him, it was clearly Xiao Bao gege. "Xiao Bao gege..."

Leng Haoyu, standing nearby, couldn't bear to see Mo Xiaobao bullying his son. Raising an eyebrow, he teased, "Oh, Prince Xiao Bao, thank you for looking after my Junhan." Mo Xiaobao's fair face suddenly flushed red. Trembling, he pointed at Leng Haoyu for a moment before stomping his foot, releasing Leng Junhan, and running off in tears.

Abandoned, Leng Junhan was heartbroken. "Xiao Bao gege..."

"Don't call me Xiao Bao!" Mo Xiaobao's furious roar came from afar, but Leng Junhan, busy chasing after his "Xiao Bao gege," didn't hear it. "Xiao Bao gege, wait for me..."

Watching Leng Junhan toddle after Mo Xiaobao, Murong Ting quickly called for the nursemaid to follow, asking worriedly, "Is the little prince alright?" Ye Li, understanding her son's temperament, smiled. "Let him be. He'll calm down soon."

Leng Haoyu fanned himself with a folding fan, feigning ignorance. "What's wrong with the little prince? Surely my calling him Prince Xiao Bao wouldn't provoke such a reaction? He should be used to it by now in Li Cheng."

Ye Li chuckled. "It's nothing. He probably thought the whole world knew his nickname was Mo Xiaobao. Now he's off hiding somewhere, heartbroken." Hearing this, Murong Ting couldn't hold back her laughter. She couldn't fathom why Prince Ding and A Li—both seemingly dignified and refined—would give their son such a comical name and make it widely known. For an ordinary child, it might be passable, but Mo Xiaobao was the heir to Prince Ding's Estate! Ye Li sighed helplessly. Poor Mo Xiaobao had simply been unlucky enough to have a shameless father.

"What does Wang Ye think of the conflict between Great Chu and the Northern Frontier?" Leng Haoyu asked Mo Xiuyao seriously. Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze, replying indifferently, "That is a matter between Great Chu and the Northern Frontier. What does my opinion matter?"

Leng Haoyu hesitated before asking, "Does Wang Ye mean Prince Ding's Estate will not intervene in this matter?"

Mo Xiuyao said coolly, "The royal family won’t give us the chance to intervene. If you're worried about your father, you should make arrangements early. Prince Ding's Estate can't help much. Our involvement would only harm him."

Leng Haoyu smiled bitterly. "What arrangements can I make? He’s never regarded this worthless son of his as anything. At most, I can only try to save his life."Mo Xiuyao nodded, "I'll have Qin Feng assign two men to you later. Chu Jing may not be safe in the future. Once matters here are settled, you should return to Li Cheng." Leng Haoyu's answer satisfied Mo Xiuyao. As a superior, he naturally disliked subordinates who were utterly ruthless and showed no regard for past ties. After all, while Leng Huai didn't value Leng Haoyu, he wasn't his enemy and was still his biological father. However, he also didn't want Leng Haoyu to jeopardize his plans for Leng Huai's sake.

Leng Haoyu's face lit up with joy, "Thank you, Wang Ye." Having Qin Feng assign men meant he would receive the elite of the elite—the Qilin. With the Qilin secretly protecting his father, even if Leng Huai were defeated in battle, Leng Haoyu was confident he could ensure his father's safe return. Mo Xiuyao waved his hand dismissively, indicating it was no trouble, then frowned and asked, "How is Mo Jingqi doing these days? Mo Jingli has moved in, yet he hasn't rushed to ascend the throne. That doesn't seem like his usual style."

Speaking of Mo Jingqi, Leng Haoyu felt no sympathy, not even pity. "Mo Jingqi won't die anytime soon. Mo Jingli probably wants to torment him. But Mo Jingli also has a weakness in Mo Jingqi's hands, so in the end, they had to compromise and make Consort Liu's son the crown prince."

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. Leng Haoyu chuckled, "Originally, I didn't know what was going on, but I received news recently that on the very first day Mo Jingli became regent, he kicked his only son." Everyone present was sharp-witted, so Leng Haoyu's hint immediately made the key point clear. "The child in Prince Li's Palace isn't Mo Jingli's? His real son has been hidden away?"

Mo Xiuyao spoke slowly, pondering for a moment before continuing, "Mo Jingli doesn't seem like the type to give up the throne for a child. The only possibility is... that's his only son. Come to think of it, apart from Ye Ying, Mo Jingli's household hasn't added any children in all these years." Mo Jingli was nothing like Mo Xiuyao. While Mo Xiuyao had only Ye Li as his wife, Mo Jingli's household was filled with Wang Fei, side consorts, concubines, and bedchamber servants. Yet, after all this time, there was only one child, and no one else had even been pregnant. It was rather strange. No doubt Mo Jingqi had played some tricks behind the scenes.

Murong Ting remarked with exasperation, "These two brothers are truly bizarre."

Though no one else spoke, they all silently agreed with her. Wasn't it bizarre? These two blood brothers had been locked in covert and overt struggles for years. Mo Jingqi had been poisoned by Mo Jingli and left bedridden, never to recover, while Mo Jingli had been manipulated by Mo Jingqi to the brink of being left without an heir. In the end, neither had gained the upper hand.

Bringing up the two brothers again, Leng Haoyu voiced his concern, "Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli must already know Wang Ye has returned to the capital. Shouldn't you and Wang Fei consider moving to a different location? Staying at an inn isn't very safe." Mo Xiuyao waved his hand calmly. "No need. At this point, neither of them will act rashly."

Just then, Zhuo Jing entered and reported, "Wang Ye, Wang Fei, Prince Li is outside requesting an audience." Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and said coolly, "He’s quick."Mo Xiaobao stormed out of the small courtyard in a huff, running outside. It was a two-sectioned courtyard with guards stationed both inside and out. Although Mo Xiaobao occasionally acted mischievously, he still knew his limits. He was well aware that Chu Jing wasn’t like Li Cheng, where he could roam freely without a care. So no matter how angry he was, he wouldn’t actually run outside—instead, he curled up under a large tree in the outer courtyard, sulking silently. After brooding for a long time over the humiliation of his childhood nickname being spread far and wide, he finally made a decision: he would retaliate by spreading his father’s childhood nickname too! As for what his father’s nickname was… Mo Xiaobao hadn’t quite thought that far yet.

“Xiao Bao gege…” Leng Junhan’s voice called out from a distance, growing closer. Clearly, the little boy was still diligently searching for his new friend. Mo Xiaobao, nestled under the tree, felt his scalp tingle at the soft, saccharine call of “Xiao Bao gege.” Just lifting his head would reveal the barely suppressed smirks of the guards at the gate, making his temples throb in irritation. Gritting his teeth, he glared at Leng Junhan, who was wobbling around the courtyard looking for him. Finally, Mo Xiaobao stood up and snapped coldly, “Leng Xiaodai, come here!”

Leng Junhan turned and saw his beautiful Xiao Bao gege standing under the tree, beckoning him. Instantly, his face lit up with a bright smile as he dashed over. Mo Xiaobao grabbed the little boy’s cheeks and squeezed them firmly, staring him down. “My name is Mo Yuchen. Got it? Mo. Yu. Chen! Call me Yuchen gege!” Though he didn’t fully understand Mo Xiaobao’s reasoning, Leng Junhan instinctively sensed his displeasure. “I… I’m not called Leng Xiaodai…”

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes. “And I’m not called Mo Xiaobao.”

“……” But Wang Fei clearly called you Xiao Bao… Mo Xiaobao shot him a fierce glare. “Yuchen gege! Did you hear me? If you don’t call me that, I won’t play with you.”

“Yuchen gege…” Leng Junhan murmured softly. Satisfied, Mo Xiaobao nodded and patted the little boy’s head, adopting a pompous tone. “Good child. You’re teachable.” Leng Junhan rubbed his head and giggled foolishly—did this mean Xiao Bao gege would play with him now?

“Are you Mo Xiuyao’s son?” A cool voice came from nearby. Mo Xiaobao turned to see a middle-aged man in black robes embroidered with golden pythons standing a few steps away, staring at him. The strange, detached gaze made Mo Xiaobao uncomfortable, so he curled his lip and lifted his chin arrogantly. “Indeed, I am the heir. And who are you?” Just some prince, flaunting his court robes as if everyone needed to know his status. His father was the most formidable prince of all.

Mo Jingli had no idea that Mo Xiaobao had already formed such a judgment in their first encounter. His gaze was complicated as he studied the handsome child in black brocade. The boy’s features were even more refined than Mo Xiuyao’s had been in childhood, and the arrogance in his brow was even more pronounced—clearly, he was a pampered darling, doted upon by his parents. The thought made Mo Jingli’s expression darken further as he recalled his own son, whose whereabouts were unknown.

Mo Xiaobao frowned and shot Mo Jingli an annoyed look. How rude—ignoring the heir’s question! With a huff, he turned away. “Leng Xiaodai, let’s go.”"Little... Yu Chen brother, I'm not Leng Xiaodai," Leng Junhan emphasized as he chased after them. Mo Xiaobao nodded magnanimously, "I remember, Leng Xiaodai."

Watching the two children walk away hand in hand, Mo Jingli stood with a gloomy expression, lost in thought. Zhuo Jing stepped out and said, "Prince Li, the Prince and Wang Fei request your presence." Mo Jingli snorted lightly and strode inside.

Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were playing chess in the courtyard, with Leng Haoyu and Murong Ting having already excused themselves. Seeing Mo Jingli enter, Mo Xiuyao made no move to greet him, merely glancing sideways and asking coolly, "What is it?"

A flash of anger crossed Mo Jingli's face. Before Mo Xiuyao, he always seemed to fall short. Once, Mo Xiuyao was the second son of Prince Ding's Estate, while he was a noble prince—yet he was never as favored, as triumphant, or as audacious. As they grew older, he was enfeoffed as Prince Li, but he lacked Mo Xiuyao's military achievements and scholarly prowess. And now, even as the regent of Great Chu, he still felt inferior in Mo Xiuyao's presence. How could Mo Jingli remain calm?

"You have some nerve! How dare you return?!" Mo Jingli said coldly. Mo Xiuyao casually tossed a chess piece aside, leaned back in his chair, and smiled faintly. "This prince has returned. What will you do about it?"

Mo Jingli gritted his teeth. What could he do? Nothing!

With the northern borders under threat and both Northern Rong and Western Liang eyeing them covetously, even if Mo Xiuyao returned alone, Mo Jingli dared not act against him. If anything happened to Mo Xiuyao, the Mo Family Army would surely rise en masse to avenge him. With Western Liang and Northern Rong invading simultaneously, Great Chu, surrounded on all sides, would soon be swallowed whole.

Snorting, Mo Jingli sat down in an empty chair without waiting for an invitation, his gaze fixed on Mo Xiuyao. "What schemes do you have, returning at this time?"

Mo Xiuyao scoffed at his wariness. "Schemes? Aren't those your and Mo Jingqi's specialty? How's the dose you gave Mo Jingqi holding up? If it's not enough, this prince has some more here." Mo Jingli's pupils constricted. "This prince has no idea what you're talking about." Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "No idea? A Li and I happened to be watching when you bought the poison from that old hag in the Southern Border Sacred Ground, so we took some back for Shen to study. Do you think... in these past months, Shen could have developed an antidote?"

Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Li, who sat quietly sipping tea, and suddenly felt an inexplicable shame. But the implications in Mo Xiuyao's words unsettled him even more. "You have the antidote?"

Mo Xiuyao feigned surprise. "Did this prince say that?"

"Mo Xiuyao! You—" Mo Jingli nearly hurled his teacup at Mo Xiuyao's face. In recent years, his rising status and power had tempered his temper, yet Mo Xiuyao's mere words could still provoke him into the same fury of his youth. "Mo Xiuyao, what exactly do you want?"

Mo Xiuyao sipped his tea leisurely. "Composure. Now that you're regent, act like one. Don't disgrace the title." His father had once been regent too.Looking at Mo Jingli, who was barely containing his anger, Mo Xiuyao said, "This prince doesn't want anything. I merely heard that Mo Jingqi is on his last legs and came back to bid him farewell."

"So you mean you won't leave until Mo Jingqi dies?" Mo Jingli gritted his teeth. Chu Jing was already in chaos; it certainly didn't need Prince Ding to stir up more trouble. If Mo Jingqi didn't die for another half a year, would he have to stay in Chu Jing for that long?

"A Li's uncle and elder brother are both extraordinary talents in governance. The small territory of the northwest is no challenge for them, so Prince Li need not worry on my behalf," Mo Xiuyao replied.

Worry your damn ass! Mo Jingli finally couldn't hold back a curse in his heart. What happened in the northwest was none of his concern—all he wanted now was to find a way to drive Mo Xiuyao out of Chu Jing as soon as possible.

Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, resting his head on one hand as he looked at him. "Don't bother thinking about how to make me leave quickly. I have no interest in coming and going as I please. I'll leave when I'm satisfied with my stay. But you can rest assured, I absolutely won't interfere in your disputes with Mo Jingqi and Liu Jia."

Mo Jingli sneered, "Do you think I'd believe you?"

Mo Xiuyao spread his hands. "What else can you do but believe me?"