Mo Li

Due to Mo Jingqi’s words, everyone eventually left the bedchamber, granting him his final moments alone. No one knew what this emperor, who had busied himself all his life yet seemingly accomplished nothing, would think about in his last moments.

Mo Xiuyao carried Mo Xiaobao in one arm while holding Ye Li’s hand with the other, walking alongside the Grand Princess and Duke Hua. These two were now the only true elders left in the nation. The others followed at a distance, neither too close nor too far. Naturally, no one was in the mood to simply turn and leave the palace. The emperor’s final edict was still in the Empress’s hands, and with the Grand Princess, Duke Hua, and Prince Ding overseeing it, no one dared to interfere. Yet, none of them had the audacity to simply walk away either.

The group settled in a pavilion in the Imperial Garden. The pavilion was small, so only the Grand Princess, Duke Hua, Mo Xiuyao, and Ye Li sat inside. Duke Hua smiled warmly, glancing at Mo Xiuyao and then at the clever-looking Mo Xiaobao perched on his lap. “Prince Ding, you seem much more at ease these past few years compared to when you were in the capital,” he remarked.

Mo Xiuyao nodded with a faint smile. “It has been years, yet you remain as vigorous as ever, Duke Hua.”

Duke Hua shook his head with a sigh. “I’ve grown old…”

The pavilion fell into silence for a while before Duke Hua finally asked, “What are your plans for the future, Prince Ding?”

Mo Xiuyao was slightly taken aback. He raised his eyes to meet Duke Hua’s gaze and arched a brow. “You’re not here to persuade me?”

Duke Hua shook his head, his expression resigned. “Once a situation has been broken, there’s no point in repeating the same mistakes. Even a mended mirror cannot hide all its cracks. Besides… the Great Chu has restrained Prince Ding’s Estate for far too long. Now that the dragon has taken flight, whether it succeeds or fails, no human force can turn it back. Wouldn’t you agree, Prince Ding?”

Mo Xiuyao gave a faint smile, neither confirming nor denying. Though Duke Hua had spent his life on the battlefield, that didn’t mean he was ignorant of politics. The return of Prince Ding’s Estate to Great Chu might be the heartfelt wish of many officials and commoners, but for the soldiers of the Mo Family Army and the subordinates of Prince Ding’s Estate, it would be a devastating blow. Even as the head of the estate, Mo Xiuyao couldn’t disregard their sentiments to make such a decision.

Duke Hua waved his hand dismissively. “This old man won’t live to see the heights you’ll reach, Prince Ding. But with your abilities, the support of Wang Fei, and the many capable individuals by your side, I’m certain you won’t fail the aspirations of the Mo family’s ancestors.”

What were the aspirations of the Mo family’s ancestors? To unify the realm, pacify the lands, and command the homage of all nations. Throughout history, Prince Ding’s Estate had produced more than one extraordinary figure capable of such feats. Yet, for various reasons, they had all fallen short, leaving behind unfulfilled legacies.

“Duke Hua…” The Grand Princess sounded surprised. She had known Duke Hua wouldn’t try to persuade Mo Xiuyao, but his words now revealed an unwavering confidence in the future of the Mo Family Army and Prince Ding’s Estate. After all… from a broader perspective, Prince Ding’s Estate currently held no overwhelming advantage.Duke Hua shook his head with a faint smile. "Grand Princess, we've both grown old. The future belongs to the young now." The Grand Princess froze, staring at Duke Hua's white hair and deeply wrinkled face before looking down at her own wrinkled hands. Indeed... they had aged. How many more days could they possibly struggle? Enough...

In the end, Mo Jingqi died. As a son, a brother, a father, and even as a ruler, he had failed in every role. Thus, in his final moments, he didn't seek the comfort of children and grandchildren by his side or the mourning of his ministers. He drove everyone out and breathed his last alone in the vast, empty bedchamber.

When the crowd returned to the bedchamber upon the eunuch's announcement, they found Mo Jingqi's lifeless body lying stiffly on the bed. The bedding and clothing on his upper body were stained a dark red with blood. His eyes remained open, staring blankly at the ornate canopy above, embroidered with coiling dragons. The Grand Princess sighed softly, stepped forward, and gently closed his eyes. "Let's go outside to hear the imperial edict," she said.

The heavy tolling of bells echoed through the imperial city, announcing to the world the passing of an emperor.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:... Crown the Tenth Prince, Mo Suoyun, as Emperor. The deposed Crown Prince shall be enfeoffed as Prince Qin. Prince Qin's birth mother, Consort Liu, shall accompany the Emperor in burial." The Empress's voice was calm as it rang out outside the bedchamber. Amidst the stunned expressions of the crowd, the Empress glanced at the Empress Dowager seated nearby and frowned slightly. The Empress Dowager's heart lurched with a sudden foreboding. Then, the Empress coolly recited the final line: "The Empress Dowager... shall accompany the late Emperor in burial. So it is decreed."

"This is impossible!" The Empress Dowager's face turned ashen as she stood up and shrieked, "It was you! You altered the Emperor's edict, didn't you?"

The Empress was not entirely unshaken by the contents of the edict, but her expression remained composed, betraying no emotion. "The edict was personally handed to me by the Emperor in front of everyone," she said evenly. "After that, I never left anyone's sight. I implore the Empress Dowager to consider this carefully."

The crowd fell silent. Indeed, with so many eyes watching, how could the Empress—a woman without martial skills—possibly have tampered with the edict? Even if she had some trick up her sleeve, how could she have predicted that the Emperor would entrust her with the edict or prepared a forgery in advance?

"No... this can't be! My son would never do this! Absurd... since when has it ever been customary for an emperor to demand his own mother's burial upon his death?!" The Empress Dowager refused to believe it. Indeed, there had never been such a precedent, but the edict specified that the Empress Dowager was to accompany the late Emperor in burial—a phrasing that, in a twisted way, could be seen as proper. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Liu of the Liu family collapsed to the ground. Not only had his grandson failed to ascend the throne, but his daughter was also condemned to burial. The sudden blow was too much for this seasoned political veteran to bear.The other key figure in this matter, the tenth prince Mo Suoyun, who would soon reign supreme over the land—all eyes turned to the bewildered child kneeling on the ground. At just seven years old, Mo Suoyun was the son of a palace maid whom Mo Jingqi had chanced upon. His mother had never gained favor, merely receiving the nominal title of a low-ranking concubine after giving birth. Over the years, the mother and son had lived like ghosts in the palace, all but forgotten by everyone. Yet now… this utterly lost child had obtained the very thing countless others had coveted but failed to grasp.

Mo Xiuyao observed the timid tenth prince, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. He said coolly, "Now that the edict has been read, the rest is none of my concern. I shall take my leave." Once again, Prince Ding made it clear to all that he had no intention of interfering in the Great Chu's court affairs. Mo Jingli, his face ashen, exhaled slightly in relief and nodded. "Safe travels, Prince Ding."

With a mocking glance, Mo Xiuyao picked up Mo Xiaobao, took Ye Li by the hand, and left the palace. Whatever chaos ensued within those walls was no longer their affair.

Outside the palace, the streets of the capital were draped in white mourning cloth. The usual gaiety and opulence were now subdued beneath solemn black and white. The emperor's passing demanded nationwide mourning. Even if this emperor had not been beloved by the people, the populace was still required to don mourning attire, cease all music and festivities, and suspend weddings as a sign of respect.

Prince Ding's Estate, however, did not adhere to such strict customs. While the most ostentatious decorations were removed, daily life within its walls continued as usual. Though they resided in the capital, they were no longer subjects of Great Chu. Like Western Liang, Northern Rong, or Nanzhao, they were merely guests—and guests were not bound by such rigid protocols.

Back in their courtyard, Mo Xiuyao sat down, uncharacteristically lost in thought. Ye Li settled beside him and asked softly, "What troubles you, Xiu Yao? Are you tired?" He shook his head, pulling her into a tight embrace. After a deep breath, he murmured, "I was thinking… Mo Jingqi died too easily." Years ago, Mo Xiuyao would never have allowed Mo Jingqi such a swift end. He had wanted him alive—to watch everything he cherished slip away, to see his empire crumble, even to witness the fall of Great Chu itself. Had he wished it, he could have taken Mo Jingqi's life the moment he uncovered the truth about his father and brother's deaths.

Even this time, he had contemplated saving Mo Jingqi just to prolong his torment. But in the end, he had abandoned the idea.

Ye Li sighed softly and looked up at him. "Do you truly believe Mo Jingqi did not suffer enough?"

Mo Xiuyao pondered this. Before his death, Mo Jingqi had lost everything—save for witnessing his kingdom's ruin. Even with the tenth prince's ascension, he must have held no illusions about Great Chu's fate. Perhaps that was why his eyes had remained open in death. By that measure, Mo Jingqi's end had been wretched enough. Maybe… this lingering dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that Mo Xiuyao had not dealt the final blow himself, merely nudged events along?"We hate the enemies we should hate, ensuring they receive the punishment they deserve. But I don’t want this hatred to taint your heart. Death settles all debts—hating the dead is meaningless. If you’re still unsatisfied, I’ll accompany you into the palace to whip Mo Jingqi’s corpse and dismember it into pieces. How does that sound?" Ye Li said softly.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, pulling Ye Li into his arms as he replied, "I understand. I won’t dwell on this matter anymore. Though it’s a pity I couldn’t avenge my elder brother myself… someone like Mo Jingqi isn’t worth dirtying my hands. As the saying goes—heaven’s wrath can be forgiven, but self-inflicted doom cannot be escaped."

Ye Li smiled lightly. "As long as you’ve come to terms with it."

In the days that followed, the capital was naturally abuzz with activity. Mo Jingqi’s coffin still lay in the palace, awaiting burial, while the imperial clan and court officials were already embroiled in heated disputes. The focus of contention revolved around two matters: first, the succession of the tenth prince to the throne, and second, the Empress Dowager and Consort Liu’s mandated burial with the deceased. The Empress Dowager was Prince Li’s birth mother, and Consort Liu was the Crown Prince’s mother. Mo Jingqi’s final decree struck at the most vulnerable points of both Prince Li’s Palace and the Liu family. However, compared to the Liu family, Prince Li’s Palace was in a far better position.

Since Mo Jingli was already the regent, even if he wasn’t the emperor, the young emperor would still have to defer to him before coming of age. He had ample time to scheme and maneuver. The Liu family, on the other hand, faced a different fate—the Crown Prince had been demoted to Prince Qin, and Consort Liu was to be buried with him. This left the Liu family with no remaining foothold or support in the palace. When the time came, Mo Jingli would undoubtedly seize this opportunity to crush them. Even though the Empress Dowager was also to be buried with the deceased, the blow to Mo Jingli was far less severe than it was to the Liu family. After all, Mo Jingli was already an independent and powerful prince in his own right—whether or not he had the Empress Dowager’s support mattered little to him.

Meanwhile, within the halls of Zhangde Palace, sorrow hung heavy in the air. The once bustling palace, filled with maids and eunuchs, now stood eerily empty. The Empress Dowager sat slumped on the phoenix throne, her once meticulously maintained hair now streaked with strands of white, her face haggard and her expression dazed.

Mo Jingli sat silently to the side, sipping tea with an unreadable calm. Even his birth mother, the Empress Dowager, could no longer discern any emotion in him.

"Jing Li… Jing Li, what are we to do? Jing Qi was so cruel… I’m his own mother!" the Empress Dowager murmured in despair. She had never imagined Mo Jingqi would leave such an edict behind. She had failed to become the revered Empress Dowager through her younger son’s ascension, nor even the Grand Empress Dowager once her grandson took the throne. Instead, she had become perhaps the first—and only—Empress Dowager in history ordered to be buried alive by her own son. The glory and luxury she once enjoyed now seemed like fleeting illusions, and even her life was slipping away.

Never since becoming Empress Dowager had she felt such panic. Not even when Mo Jingli had rebelled in the south had she been this distraught. Why… why had everything turned out so differently from what she had envisioned?

Mo Jingli set down his teacup and looked up at her impassively. "Mother, this is the late Emperor’s decree."The Empress Dowager was stunned, taking a long moment to comprehend Mo Jingli's meaning. In some ways, an imperial edict left by a deceased emperor might carry more weight than one issued during his reign. Although an emperor's word was considered unbreakable, as long as Mo Jingqi had been alive, she could have found ways to make him retract his decree. But now, Mo Jingqi was dead. His final edict, issued before his death, became his last will. Out of respect for the late emperor, even the newly ascended emperor could not easily overturn such a decree. Mo Jingli was telling her that there was nothing he could do.

"No... it can't be! I don't believe it!" The Empress Dowager stumbled forward and grabbed Mo Jingli's hand desperately. "I'm your birth mother, Jing Li! Save me, my son. I don't want to die. I know... I know you have a way!" Mo Jingli shook his head calmly. "I beg your forgiveness, Mother. Your son is powerless."

The Empress Dowager staggered back two steps, nearly tripping over the chair behind her. She collapsed weakly into the seat, her eyes filled with disbelief as she stared at Mo Jingli. "Jing Li... are you truly abandoning me? Don't forget—if I hadn't pleaded with the Emperor on your behalf, why would he have decreed that I must be buried with him?!"

The Empress Dowager finally understood—this was her son's revenge. Revenge for her siding with Mo Jingli when he was poisoned, for urging him to pass the throne to Mo Jingli even as he lay critically ill. All of this was because...

"Did Mother succeed in her efforts?" Mo Jingli asked coldly.

"What?" The Empress Dowager was startled.

"The throne... You heard the late Emperor's will. He named the Tenth Prince as his successor! A mere child I've never even met, who knows nothing. Is this the result of your counsel to His Majesty?" Mo Jingli stood up, his voice growing louder and angrier as he spoke. "Not just the throne—you did nothing about my son either! Now that Mo Jingqi is dead, tell me, Mother, where am I supposed to find my child?"

The Empress Dowager frowned. "Even if Qi'er deceived you, couldn't you just take more Side Consorts in the future and have as many sons as you want?"

Mo Jingli's face darkened. Of course, he couldn't tell the Empress Dowager that he could no longer father children. Over the past months, he had secretly consulted many renowned physicians. On this matter, Mo Jingqi had not lied to him—he had been poisoned years ago with a secret palace contraceptive, one with no antidote. No one could understand how precious that child had been to him.

"Regardless, there is nothing I can do. Mother, you must face the consequences yourself." Mo Jingli straightened the slight wrinkles in his robes and turned to leave.

"No—" The Empress Dowager lunged forward, clutching at the hem of Mo Jingli's robe, sobbing and pleading. "Jing Li, save me! I don't want to die... Jing Li... I'm your mother, Jing Li..." Mo Jingli looked down at the disheveled woman before him, then coldly pried her fingers from his robe. In a low voice, he said, "Mother, even you don't believe in familial bonds within the imperial family, do you? Otherwise... what would you call what you did to His Majesty?"The Empress Dowager knelt on the ground, watching helplessly as Mo Jingli walked away without a shred of hesitation. Finally unable to contain herself, she burst into loud sobs and began shouting curses, "Ungrateful son! Mo Jingli, you unfilial wretch! I am your birth mother... I won’t let you off even when I reach the Yellow Springs! No... I won’t die... I am the Empress Dowager of Great Chu..." She cried and cursed until her voice broke, collapsing onto the floor in muffled sobs. Only now did she recall the look in her eldest son’s eyes when she had visited him days earlier, urging him to pass the throne to Mo Jingli. But it was far too late...

"I am the Empress Dowager... I won’t die..."

Outside Zhangde Palace, the Empress Dowager’s wails were sealed behind the heavy palace gates. Mo Jingli turned back to glance at the tightly shut doors, his expression dark and unreadable, the emotions in his eyes flickering before finally dissolving into nothingness.

"Wang Ye, the Empress Dowager..." his advisor murmured cautiously. Given Prince Li’s status and the Empress Dowager’s position, it wasn’t entirely impossible to spare her life. Mo Jingli replied indifferently, "No need. Keep an eye on Liu Jia—ensure neither they nor Consort Liu stir up trouble. The Crown Prince... Prince Qin’s birth mother must die."

The advisor shuddered inwardly. So that was the reason. If they spared the Empress Dowager, the Liu family would undoubtedly demand the same exemption for Consort Liu from the burial rites. And Prince Li clearly had no intention of letting Consort Liu live. To strike at Liu Jia, he was even willing to...

"This humble official obeys."