Mo Li

The issuance of the Edict of Self-Reproach sent shockwaves throughout the capital. In no time, a steady stream of visitors flocked to the inn to pay their respects to Prince Ding. It seemed as though the revival of Prince Ding's Estate was already on the horizon. Of course, no one believed Prince Ding would lose to Prince Li, nor did they suspect that Prince Ding had no intention of participating in this power struggle at all. Meanwhile, the nobles who had already boarded Prince Li's Palace or Liu Jia's ship could only lament inwardly, helpless to change their course. It was easy to board the ship but hard to disembark—regret now was far too late.

In the palace at this moment, the Empress sat on the phoenix throne in her chambers, her delicate brows furrowed as she listened to the Sixth Prince vent his grievances about the humiliation he suffered while delivering the imperial decree. Seeing the child before her seething with anger and resentment, the Empress shook her head in disappointment. Beside her, Noble Consort Zheng was equally disheartened. When Mo Ruiyun began shouting about demanding their father punish those responsible, she could no longer hold back and slapped him across the face.

The Sixth Prince was stunned by the sudden strike. Touching his cheek, he stared blankly at Noble Consort Zheng, momentarily speechless. The Empress sighed softly and said, "What good does hitting him now do?" Over the years, confined to the palace, she had watched as power in the inner court fell into the hands of Consort Liu. While Consort Liu had certainly played a role in shaping the Sixth Prince into this state, Noble Consort Zheng, as his birth mother, was not without fault. Even she, the Empress, had her regrets...

"Mother, why did you hit me?" The Sixth Prince finally snapped out of his daze, glaring indignantly at Noble Consort Zheng. He had been wronged outside, and instead of standing up for him, his own mother had struck him? How could Mo Ruiyun, who had always been indulged, possibly accept this? Seeing her son utterly oblivious to her intentions, Noble Consort Zheng burst into tears, collapsing into a nearby chair and weeping bitterly. Watching his mother in such a state, Mo Ruiyun pouted and muttered, "If Mother won’t help me, I’ll go to Father. Father favors me—he’ll surely take my side! I’ll have that brat from Prince Ding's Estate dragged here and beaten senseless, then make him my slave!"

"Silence!" Noble Consort Zheng turned pale with fright, grabbing Mo Ruiyun’s arm. "Prince Ding is your elder, and even his heir apparent outranks you in seniority. Whatever they say, you listen and remember it. No more nonsense!" Mo Ruiyun refused to heed her, scowling as he retorted, "I’m a prince—why should I obey them? I’ll make Father punish them harshly!" With that, he shoved Noble Consort Zheng’s hand away and bolted for the door. Seeing this, the Empress, seated on the phoenix throne, darkened her expression and slammed the table. "Stop the Sixth Prince!" she commanded sharply.

Naturally, the Sixth Prince threw a tantrum when restrained, threatening to kill the eunuchs and palace maids. The Empress fixed him with a cold stare. "It was I who ordered you stopped. Do you intend to kill me as well?! Take him away and keep watch. If he escapes, you will answer for it!" Mo Ruiyun, who had rarely interacted with his stern stepmother, still harbored some fear of her. Seeing her genuine fury, he dared not resist further and was led meekly to the inner chambers.

The Empress rubbed her temples and turned to Noble Consort Zheng. "Enough tears. Prince Ding won’t stoop to quarreling with a child. But now you see—is Ruiyun truly fit for that position?"Imperial Concubine Zheng awkwardly stopped her sobbing. Coming from a humble background, she knew that if her son had the chance to ascend the throne, she could become the Empress Dowager who would rule over the empire. How could she not be tempted? But now, seeing her son's ignorant behavior—having managed to offend Prince Ding's entire household with just one trip outside the palace, unable to distinguish priorities—she realized that even if he did become emperor, he likely wouldn't last long before being overthrown. After all these years in the palace, she had at least gained some insight.

"Wuwu... it's all that wretched woman! That wretched woman corrupted my royal son! Wuwu... Your Majesty the Empress, you must seek justice for this concubine..." Imperial Concubine Zheng's heart burned with hatred for Consort Liu. Over the years, the Emperor had doted on Consort Liu, entrusting her with the entire harem. As the birth mother of the prince, she barely got to see her son twice a year. Now, her son had been molded into this state, utterly shattering her dream of becoming Empress Dowager. How could she not despise Consort Liu?

The Empress waved her hand impatiently. "Enough. What's the use of saying all this now?" Regarding Mo Jingqi's proposal, the Empress had completely dismissed it. With the Sixth Prince's character like this, what could possibly be achieved? She was willing to sacrifice herself for the royal family—because she was the Empress, married to Mo Jingqi. But she could not sacrifice the entire Hua family for the sake of the royal house or Mo Jingqi. The Hua family had already done enough for Great Chu...

"This concubine knows her mistake," Imperial Concubine Zheng wiped her tears and knelt on the ground. "This concubine does not seek great achievements for my son, only his safety. His ignorance is this mother's fault for failing to teach him properly. I beg Your Majesty to plead with Prince Ding on my behalf, to spare my son."

"Rise," the Empress sighed. "I've said before that Prince Ding, though not a particularly magnanimous man, would not hold a grudge against a mere ignorant child. If I happen to meet Princess Ding, I will speak to her. But Ruiyun—you must truly discipline him properly. To openly criticize someone's family upbringing—even in common households, let alone the imperial family—is taboo."

Imperial Concubine Zheng hurriedly expressed her gratitude, repeatedly promising to discipline the Sixth Prince properly. Only then did she take her leave to fetch her son from the rear palace. Watching her retreating figure, the Empress sighed softly. How much longer could she remain Empress? Whether Imperial Concubine Zheng could properly discipline the Sixth Prince likely had little to do with her anymore. Ah well... at least her Wuyou was safe and sound in the northwest. That was enough...

The eunuch who had accompanied Mo Ruiyun to deliver the imperial decree returned to the palace and reported Mo Xiuyao's refusal to accept the edict. Mo Jingqi remained silent for a long time before finally waving his hand weakly to dismiss him. The eunuch, as if granted amnesty, hastily withdrew. As he turned to close the palace doors, however, he caught a glimpse of the Emperor seated on the dragon throne—his gloomy eyes revealing an unprecedented mix of cruelty and madness. Trembling, the eunuch gently shut the doors.

With the Emperor's decree, the officials worked with remarkable efficiency. Prince Ding's Estate had only been sealed off, and due to the influence the Ding household held over Great Chu, Mo Jingqi had not dared to repurpose the estate in such a short time. Thus, when the estate was reopened, it only needed to be cleaned. Two days later, officials reported to Mo Xiuyao, inviting Prince Ding and Wang Fei to return to the estate.Mo Xiuyao naturally wouldn't stand on ceremony either. This estate was the foundation laid by generations of Prince Ding's ancestors and had been the residence of successive Princes Ding for nearly two hundred years. Even when they had settled in the northwest and abandoned Prince Ding's Estate, Mo Xiuyao had still arranged for people to secretly maintain the place. Thus, after six or seven years, the entire estate remained remarkably well-preserved. Once the family of three officially moved into Prince Ding's Estate, the number of visitors coming to pay their respects naturally increased. This proved that the previous imperial edict was not empty words—Prince Ding's Estate was truly returning to Great Chu and the capital.

Although Mo Xiuyao declined most of the visits, there were some guests he simply couldn't refuse. On the afternoon of their return to the estate, the guards outside came to report that the Grand Princess Fuxi and the Zhaoyang Princess had come to see Wang Ye. Between these two, the Zhaoyang Princess was manageable, but the Grand Princess could not be turned away. He had no choice but to invite them in.

The Grand Princess was now eighty years old, looking much more aged than she had a few years prior. Though her spirits seemed good, her health had clearly declined significantly. Supported by the Zhaoyang Princess and palace maids, she slowly made her way inside. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li immediately stepped forward with Mo Xiaobao to greet her. "Grand Princess."

The Grand Princess looked at Mo Xiuyao, his hair now entirely white, standing calmly before her. Her wrinkled face flickered with heartache and relief before she sighed helplessly and said, "It seems you truly despise the royal family—do you refuse to acknowledge even this aunt of yours?" Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze and finally called out, "Imperial Aunt." Only then did the Grand Princess brighten with joy. Her eyes landed on Mo Xiaobao standing nearby, and her expression softened with affection. "Is this little Yu Chen? He looks seventy or eighty percent like you did as a child." The Zhaoyang Princess laughed. "Aunt, I think this Little Prince is even more adorable than Xiu Yao was back then." The Grand Princess nodded with a smile. "Indeed, that's true."

Mo Xiaobao was not the least bit shy. Standing beside Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, he stepped forward with graceful confidence and bowed. "Yu Chen greets Grand Aunt and Aunt Zhaoyang."

"What a good child... what a good child..." the Grand Princess said warmly. She took out a dagger she carried with her and handed it to Mo Xiaobao. "Your grand aunt didn't prepare any formal gifts. Take this little trinket to play with." It was an exquisitely crafted dagger, its hilt and sheath inlaid with colorful gemstones. When unsheathed, the blade gleamed coldly, radiating a chilling sharpness—clearly a treasured weapon. Mo Xiaobao glanced back at his parents. Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, "One must not decline the gifts of elders. Keep it."

Mo Xiaobao himself quite liked the little item, so hearing his father's permission, he happily accepted it with both hands and said brightly, "Yu Chen thanks Grand Aunt." His adorable face was solemn and respectful, delighting the Grand Princess, who praised him repeatedly.

The Zhaoyang Princess took out a jade pendant and handed it to Mo Xiaobao with a smile. "Your aunt doesn’t have a precious dagger to give you, but this jade pendant is decent enough. Take it to play with, Yu Chen."

Mo Xiaobao accepted it as well and thanked the Zhaoyang Princess.The Grand Princess and Zhaoyang Princess looked at the little bun before them, who only reached Mo Xiuyao's thigh in height. Not only was his appearance handsome, but his demeanor alone spoke of extraordinary upbringing. Recalling the children in the emperor's palace—though the emperor had many sons—it was likely that all those princes combined couldn't compare to this four or five-year-old child from Prince Ding's Estate. Glancing at the gentle and elegant Princess Ding standing beside Mo Xiuyao, they couldn't help but sigh—only such a woman could raise and nurture such an outstanding son.

"Imperial Aunt, Zhaoyang Princess, the weather is still a bit chilly. Shall we move inside?" Ye Li said softly with a smile, guiding the two toward the main hall.

Having just moved back, Prince Ding's Estate was sparsely populated. With guards, maids, and servants combined, there were barely a hundred people—less than a third of what it once was. Thus, the vast estate felt particularly quiet and desolate.

Once in the hall, the guests and hosts took their seats. The Grand Princess affectionately pulled Mo Xiaobao closer and inquired about him in detail. The little prince, who found this elderly lady as kind and amiable as the Grand Tutor, answered earnestly one by one. Hearing this, Zhaoyang Princess smiled and said, "So the Little Prince has been personally taught by Mr. Qingyun. No wonder he carries such poise at such a young age. How is Mr. Qingyun these days?"

Ye Li replied with a smile, "Though my grandfather is advanced in years, his health remains robust. He occasionally still lectures for the academy's students, and Chen'er has greatly benefited from being raised under his care."

The Grand Princess gazed at Mo Xiaobao with a smile before looking up at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao with a sigh. "Back then, the emperor acted foolishly. Has Mr. Qingyun grown accustomed to the northwest?"

Ye Li answered, "Thank you for your concern, Imperial Aunt. In his youth, my grandfather traveled extensively. Though the northwest is slightly harsher than Yunzhou, it is still bearable. These past few years, with his mind at ease, he seems even more spirited than before." The Grand Princess and Zhaoyang Princess exchanged glances, falling into silence. They understood Ye Li's implication—just as Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li surely understood their purpose in coming. Yet, bound by their positions, there were things they had to do, even if unwilling.

Mo Xiuyao held his teacup, his expression indifferent as he stared at the tea without a word. Ye Li wore a faint smile but showed no intention of speaking further. For a moment, the hall was filled with a subtle tension and awkwardness.

After a long pause, the Grand Princess sighed and looked at Mo Xiuyao. "Xiu Yao... What do you think of the emperor's decree?"

Mo Xiuyao raised his head and replied coolly, "Imperial Aunt is an elder. Out of respect for your past kindness to me, I won't deceive you. I've said the same to the emperor—Prince Ding's Estate... has long severed all ties with Great Chu. The emperor's decree holds no meaning for us."

The Grand Princess closed her eyes, her wrinkled face showing even more weariness and exhaustion. "Is there truly no way to mend this? After all... the Prince's Estate and the imperial family are still one."

Mo Xiuyao's smile was frosty. "The vengeance for my father and brother's deaths, the hatred for the tens of thousands of Mo Family Army's unjustly slain souls, and the years Prince Ding's Estate has ruled the northwest—who can forget? The Great Chu imperial family cannot. Prince Ding's Estate, the Mo Family Army, and I... cannot either.""Forget it... I know I can't persuade you." The Grand Princess did not insist, only shaking her head helplessly. She had watched Mo Xiuyao grow up and endure so many trials. The current Mo Xiuyao appeared as calm and unfathomable as the ocean, yet the turbulent waves beneath the surface were no less fierce than the fiery passion of his youth. Once he chose a path, no matter how difficult, he would never turn back. But the current state of Great Chu... Without the support of Prince Ding's Estate, what would become of it? The Grand Princess did not know. Watching the ministers and nobles in the imperial court argue until their faces turned red, the Grand Princess—once known for her iron will in her youth but now white-haired and aged—felt waves of helplessness wash over her. They had all grown old... The founding emperor was a man of extraordinary talent, yet now Great Chu... had no worthy successor!

If even the Grand Princess had given up on persuasion, Zhaoyang Princess naturally said no more. She lacked the Grand Princess's strategic wisdom, but she had devoted her entire life's happiness to Great Chu. As a princess of the imperial family, she had no right to refuse. Thus, when her elder brother needed an alliance with Nanzhao, she had to marry the Nanzhao prince without complaint. When Great Chu no longer needed this Nanzhao son-in-law, she had to resign herself to lifelong widowhood. And now, if Great Chu were to fall due to the incompetence of its descendants, all she could do was follow it into the grave. The Grand Princess understood Mo Xiuyao, and so did Zhaoyang Princess. That was why she had accompanied the Grand Princess today—simply to see Mo Xiuyao and the Little Prince she had never met before.

Once their respective positions were set aside, the atmosphere in the hall became much more harmonious. In truth, the Grand Princess had likely come at Mo Jingqi's request to offer a few words of persuasion, though she had already anticipated the outcome beforehand. Thus, she did not press the matter, merely clarifying Mo Xiuyao's intentions before letting it go. By stepping back, she could at least preserve some of their past affection.

"In that case, once His Majesty... Xiu Yao, you should return to the northwest as soon as possible. The capital... I fear there will be no peace here," the Grand Princess sighed.

"Grand Aunt, why don't you and Aunt Zhaoyang come back to the northwest with us?" Mo Xiaobao looked up at the Grand Princess, his voice clear and bright.

The Grand Princess was taken aback, then shook her head with a fond smile. "Grand Aunt can't go to the northwest with you."

"Why?" Mo Xiaobao tilted his head in confusion. To him, Li Cheng had the Grand Tutor, uncles, and many, many good people—far more fun than Chu Jing. In Li Cheng, he could run around and play wherever he wanted, but in Chu Jing, he wasn't even allowed to go out with his attendants to find Leng Xiaodai to play. Uncle Leng Er said there were too many bad people in Chu Jing, so children couldn't go out to play.

"Because Grand Aunt's home is here," the Grand Princess said softly.

"Oh." Mo Xiaobao half-understood. His home was in Li Cheng with his father and mother, and he wouldn't agree to stay in Chu Jing forever either. So Grand Aunt must also be reluctant to leave her home behind.Mo Xiuyao set down his teacup and looked at the Grand Princess, saying, "Royal Aunt, Mo Jingqi would do better to focus on his own future rather than wasting efforts on me. It's not that Prince Ding's Estate is incapable of supporting a young ruler—it's that we will never do so again. Where did the calamity that befell Prince Ding's Estate originate? Was it not from Father supporting the late emperor? The Estate's outstanding achievements, coupled with regency over a young sovereign, had already raised the imperial family's wariness to its peak. Throughout history, how many powerful ministers have met a good end? Having come this far, Prince Ding's Estate will never retrace those steps."

The Grand Princess gave a helpless, bitter smile. It wasn't that Mo Jingqi failed to understand priorities now—but rather... he simply had no choice. Among the imperial harem, apart from Consort Liu's two sons, there were scarcely any promising young princes. If the crown prince were truly to ascend the throne with Liu Jia in power, the Grand Princess didn't need to speculate to imagine the consequences. The current situation left her with the will but not the means. With some regret, she glanced at Mo Xiaobao leaning against her side. If even one imperial prince possessed seventy percent of Heir Apparent Ding's intelligence, these old bones would have staked their lives to nurture the young prince into capable ruler.

Alas...