Mo Li

The Empress vanishing without a trace from the palace was undoubtedly a major event that could shake the entire court. Though it was unclear why Mo Jingli chose to suppress the news within a limited circle, it did not stop those who knew from whispering among themselves. Thus, when Huaguogong (Duke Hua) received the news and hurried into the palace, those who recognized him along the way couldn’t help but cast sympathetic glances at the old general who had devoted his life to battle.

Back when the former Regent, Mo Liufang, was still alive—even when Huaguogong was still young—the Hua family had enjoyed immense prestige and glory. Though they couldn’t claim to be the foremost noble family of Great Chu with Prince Ding’s Estate overshadowing them, they were undoubtedly among the top. However, after Mo Liufang’s passing and as Huaguogong aged, anyone with eyes could see the Hua family gradually being suppressed by the Emperor. Even with an Empress in their ranks, the situation showed no signs of improvement. And now, the Empress, who was poised to become the Empress Dowager, had inexplicably disappeared—how could people not feel sympathy?

By the time Huaguogong arrived, Mo Jingli was in a side hall of the Empress’s palace. Upon receiving news of the Empress’s disappearance, he had rushed to the palace on horseback to confirm the report. After all, once the Tenth Prince ascended the throne, the Empress and the Hua family would easily seize the initiative, which would be highly unfavorable for him. If the Empress truly vanished, the Hua family would have no further pretext to meddle in court affairs. Huaguogong was already advanced in years, and the remaining members of the Hua family lacked the qualifications to do so.

“This old subject greets the Regent,” Huaguogong said with a trembling bow.

Mo Jingli quickly stepped forward to personally help him up. “To trouble the old Duke to come to the palace in person, this Prince is truly ashamed. I hope the old Duke will not take offense.”

Tears immediately streamed down Huaguogong’s aged face. “Your Highness flatters me. How could I not come when the Empress has suddenly disappeared? Ah, the poor Empress… How could she vanish in the heavily guarded Forbidden Palace…”

Mo Jingli’s expression stiffened. He had long known that the elderly Huaguogong was no pushover, and in just two sentences, the old man had shifted the blame onto him. Currently, both the capital and the palace’s defenses were under his control. If Huaguogong insisted it was due to his poor leadership, no one could refute it. Worse, it might even lead people to suspect he had orchestrated the Empress’s disappearance.

“Old Duke, please do not distress yourself. This Prince believes Her Majesty the Empress is blessed and will surely overcome this misfortune. Please, take a seat.” Though he wished the Empress would never return, Mo Jingli had no choice but to offer some comforting words. However, such reassurances clearly did little to console Huaguogong, who continued to sob and lament the Empress’s fate. The sight of the white-haired elder, his face streaked with tears, was enough to move anyone’s heart.

The hall was crowded at the moment—not only with high-ranking consorts from the Empress Dowager’s palace but also with Princes of the imperial clan. Seeing Huaguogong in such a pitiful state, the others hesitated to press him further. The Empress Dowager, however, had no such reservations and raised her voice.

“We heard that Huaguogong had just come from Prince Ding’s Estate. Might We ask what business the old Duke had there at such a time?”Everyone present looked at the Empress Dowager with some surprise. It seemed that since the announcement of the imperial edict, she had become a completely different person. If she had once carried the demeanor of a shrewd and formidable woman, now she appeared more like an ordinary, ignorant woman. Sitting beside her, Consort Liu curled her lips into a faint smile. Compared to the Empress Dowager, she clearly held the upper hand. After the initial panic and shock, she quickly regained her composure, knowing exactly how to ensure her survival.

Huaguogong (Duke Hua) gazed at the Empress Dowager with sorrow and said mournfully, "Your Majesty, please forgive this old minister. I heard the news of the Empress's disappearance and, in my haste, went to Prince Ding's Estate to seek Prince Ding's assistance. It was thoughtless of me, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

The crowd looked at him awkwardly. Who could blame him after such an explanation? Moreover, before Mo Jingqi's passing, he had already restored all the status and honors of Prince Ding's Estate. Although Mo Xiuyao refused to accept it, as officials of the Great Chu, they could not simply ignore it. Given the status of Prince Ding's Estate, there was nothing inappropriate about Huaguogong seeking help there first regarding the Empress's disappearance.

Mo Jingli frowned slightly and spoke to Huaguogong with rare gentleness, "Old Duke, you worry too much. Your actions were entirely justified—what fault is there? May I ask what Prince Ding had to say?"

The Empress Dowager, whose authority had just been undermined by Mo Jingli, twisted her face in displeasure but said nothing further. Huaguogong sighed. "The matter was sudden. Prince Ding had only just received the news and has already sent people to investigate. We should hear something soon."

Seeing Huaguogong's evident anxiety and concern, the others refrained from pressing further. Only Mo Jingli and a few imperial relatives offered words of comfort. Over the years, the Empress had conducted herself with dignity and propriety, earning considerable respect among the imperial clan. Huaguogong thanked them one by one and said no more.

"Old Duke, please wait." As Huaguogong was about to leave the palace at the gate, someone hurried after him and stopped him. Turning around, he saw an unfamiliar palace maid and asked indifferently, "What is it?" The young maid, no more than fourteen or fifteen, was visibly intimidated in the presence of the battle-hardened old general. Lowering her head, she said hastily, "Consort Liu requests an audience with you, Old Duke." Huaguogong replied coldly, "The Hua family has no ties with Consort Liu. There is nothing to discuss. Besides, these are troubled times—it would be improper for me to enter the inner palace without reason."

As he turned to leave, the maid quickly added, "Old Duke, please wait! Her Ladyship said... it concerns the Empress. She insists you come."

Huaguogong's expression darkened. He gave the maid a cold glance, then clasped his hands behind his back and said, "Lead the way, then."

Relieved to have fulfilled her mistress's orders, the maid quickly turned and guided Huaguogong to Consort Liu.

Instead of taking him to Consort Liu's residence, the maid led him to an obscure, secluded palace within the imperial grounds. Strangely, they encountered no one along the way. Huaguogong realized then that Consort Liu was nothing like the Empress Dowager—even now, she wielded deep connections and authority within the palace. His heart sank. If Consort Liu truly knew the truth behind the Empress's disappearance..."Your humble servant greets the Imperial Concubine." Consort Liu sat beneath the eaves of a long-deserted palace, still appearing as lofty and unattainable as a celestial maiden. Duke Hua had never particularly liked Consort Liu, not merely because she was something of a rival to his own daughter. Even in her early youth, Consort Liu had carried an innate air of disdain, as though the common masses were unworthy of her regard. He couldn't fathom where she had acquired such arrogance to believe she stood above all others, but that very pride made most people deeply uncomfortable. Thus, when Consort Liu had set her sights on Mo Xiuyao years ago, Duke Hua had observed it all—yet he'd never held any hope for her. How could a proud and exceptional young man like Prince Ding ever take a fancy to such a haughty woman, no matter how beautiful she might be?

"Duke Hua, you may rise," Consort Liu replied coolly without turning.

The Duke stood and wasted no time on pleasantries. "Your Highness summoned this old servant. May I ask what urgent matter requires my presence?"

Consort Liu smiled faintly, her gaze drifting as she asked, "Duke, how fares the Empress?"

The Duke's eyes sharpened, his voice grave. "Forgive me, but I fail to grasp the meaning behind Your Highness's words."

"If you truly knew nothing, why would you have come to see me at all?" Consort Liu lowered her lashes. "Without concrete evidence, why would I have requested your presence? It's quite the coincidence—last night, one of my maids happened to pass through the Imperial Garden and saw someone carrying something out of the palace. A corner of it was visible, revealing what appeared to be phoenix-patterned brocade, reserved solely for the Empress. And even more coincidental... though the maid didn't recognize the person, after hearing her description, I found it somewhat familiar." Duke Hua's voice turned icy. "I have no idea what Your Highness is implying. If this is all you wished to discuss, I beg your leave to depart." With a curt bow, he turned to leave.

A sharp glint flashed in Consort Liu's cold eyes as she sneered, "The Empress is currently in Prince Ding's Estate, isn't she? Last night, it was Feng San who took her away. Does Duke Hua truly not care in the slightest?"

The Duke turned back, his own smile frigid. "If Your Highness is so confident, why not report this directly to Prince Li and the Empress Dowager? Rather than concerning yourself with the Hua family and the Empress, perhaps you should worry about your own position. The late Emperor's edict... is not so easily altered."

Consort Liu's face darkened instantly—Duke Hua was warning her that if she interfered in the Empress's affairs, the Hua family had ways to ensure the imperial court promptly executed Mo Jingqi's final decree. In truth, delaying the edict's enforcement until now had already been no small feat. With Mo Jingqi yet to be buried and the new emperor uncrowned, only the combined pressure of the Liu family and Prince Li had temporarily silenced talk of burial with the deceased. Yet the matter had already been proclaimed to the realm—sooner or later, idle scholars would inevitably raise the issue. If the Hua family intervened, the situation would become even more precarious. Watching Duke Hua stride away, Consort Liu crushed the peach blossom she'd been toying with, its pale red juice staining her jade-like fingers.

At Prince Ding's Estate, Mo Xiuyao frowned upon receiving the message from Duke Hua and tossed the letter onto a nearby table.

Ye Li picked it up to read, then frowned. "How could Consort Liu have learned of this?""To abduct the Empress from the palace without any plan—what rationality can you expect from him? It’s hardly surprising he was discovered. Besides… Imperial Concubine Liu likely has a mastermind by her side," Mo Xiuyao said.

"A mastermind?" Ye Li was puzzled. She couldn’t imagine what kind of mastermind Imperial Concubine Liu, confined to the inner palace, could possibly have. Could the imperial palace truly be a den of hidden talents?

Mo Xiuyao replied calmly, "Imperial Concubine Liu has always prided herself on her intellect. In terms of literary talent, she might indeed have some skill. But when it comes to scheming, she falls far short. The recent incidents don’t seem like her handiwork." Unlike many noble ladies, Imperial Concubine Liu had led a life of smooth sailing, doted on and indulged. She belonged to the Liu family at the height of its power, the only daughter of her generation, and possessed peerless beauty. Back then, the Liu family truly coddled her like a treasure—otherwise, she wouldn’t have developed such an arrogant temperament. After entering the palace, she was unconditionally favored by Mo Jingqi. She never needed to scheme or engage in power struggles. Accustomed to acting on impulse, Imperial Concubine Liu was indeed lacking in cunning—otherwise, she wouldn’t have aroused Mo Jingqi’s suspicion on his deathbed, leading to her plans collapsing at the last moment.

Ye Li didn’t know Imperial Concubine Liu well, but from their few encounters, she could tell the woman wasn’t adept at scheming. Just look at the way she pestered Mo Xiuyao—it spoke volumes. After a moment’s thought, Ye Li asked, "Do you have any suspects?"

Mo Xiuyao smirked and answered bluntly, "Tan Jizhi."

"Tan Jizhi?" Ye Li was startled. It felt like ages since that name had been mentioned. After Shu Manlin was killed by Princess Anxi, Tan Jizhi had vanished without a trace. Then Ren Qining emerged, diverting their attention away from Tan Jizhi. Who would have thought he had secretly returned to the capital?

Mo Xiuyao said, "Tan Jizhi spent ten years silently by Mo Jingqi’s side. If he wasn’t truly loyal to Mo Jingqi, he couldn’t have done nothing in all that time. So I suspect… he not only knew Su Zuidie and Imperial Concubine Liu but might even be acquainted with Mo Jingli." Hearing this, Ye Li was shocked and frowned. "Then the medicine Mo Jingli brought back from the Southern Border…"

"Was information leaked to him by Tan Jizhi," Mo Xiuyao interjected. "The Southern Border Sacred Ground was always under Shu Manlin’s control. Even if Qixia Princess had a strained relationship with Princess Anxi, she was still her own sister. Shu Manlin wouldn’t have left her unguarded. The only ones who could have told him about such medicine were Tan Jizhi or Shu Manlin." Ye Li fell silent. If that were the case, Tan Jizhi must have played a role in Mo Jingqi’s death as well. Rubbing her temples, Ye Li had to admit she truly wasn’t suited for these intricate power struggles. "If that’s so… what are Tan Jizhi and Imperial Concubine Liu planning this time?"Mo Xiuyao shook his head indifferently and said, "No need to worry. If they wanted to leak this information, they wouldn’t have sought out the old duke to discuss it. Since they did, they must have some request. If we do nothing, they’ll come to us on their own." He was sitting right in Prince Ding's Estate. Even if Mo Jingli truly suspected the Empress was here, would he dare barge in and search? Besides, Mo Jingli probably wished they would take the Empress away—it would give him leverage over the Hua family and prevent future troubles from them. Mo Xiuyao had no intention of meddling in the capital’s affairs, so he mostly let things unfold as they would. However, Feng Zhiyao and the Empress held a different significance to him. Since Feng Zhiyao had already brought her out, he didn’t mind going through a little extra trouble to take her away.

Ye Li frowned. "Regardless, having someone secretly watching us is unsettling."

Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "If A Li finds it uncomfortable, then we’ll just deal with them."

"Wang Ye, Wang Fei. Something’s happened." Before they could continue, Zhuo Jing hurried in, skipping formalities to deliver his report.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"The Feng family has been raided," Zhuo Jing announced.

Mo Xiuyao gave him a bland glance. "And why is that our concern?" Though the Feng family was one of the four great merchant clans of Chu and Feng Zhiyao’s family, they had no ties to Prince Ding's Estate. Thus, whether the Feng family was raided or not truly meant nothing to Mo Xiuyao.

Zhuo Jing looked slightly embarrassed. He had rushed in with the news without considering that the Feng family, aside from their connection to Third Master Feng, had no relation to the estate. Ye Li smiled faintly. "Never mind. Just inform Feng San. After all, it’s his birth father."

Zhuo Jing nodded and was about to leave when Feng Zhiyao appeared at the door, his voice calm. "No need. I already know." Feng Zhiyao and the Empress entered one after the other, both looking grim. Clearly, Feng Zhiyao had rushed over upon hearing the news. Though his face was still pale, the gloom in his eyes had lessened somewhat. He turned to Mo Xiuyao with guilt. "Wang Ye..."

Mo Xiuyao waved a hand dismissively, his smile insincere. "No apologies needed. No one in Chu Jing dares trouble me now. If you’ve no lingering regrets about the Feng family, we can prepare to return to Li Cheng."

Feng Zhiyao gave a bitter smile. He held no affection for the Feng family, but he wasn’t so indifferent as to ignore their downfall. At the end of the day, he bore no deep hatred for them—they had simply chosen different paths. This time, however, the Feng family had been dragged down solely because of him.

"I’ll resolve this matter myself," Feng Zhiyao said quietly.

Mo Xiuyao glanced at him sideways. "And how do you plan to do that? Raid the imperial prison after already raiding the palace? Or turn yourself in and admit it was you, Third Master Feng, who abducted the Empress?"Feng Zhiyao looked speechlessly at the lazy white-clad, white-haired man before him. Having known Mo Xiuyao for decades, he understood him well enough. These words meant Mo Xiuyao intended to help him resolve his troubles. Yet Feng Zhiyao felt deeply uneasy—this mess was indeed caused by his own impulsiveness. Had he restrained himself and consulted Mo Xiuyao upon returning, Mo Xiuyao might not have stopped him and could even have lent a hand. Now, his own mistake required Prince Ding's Estate to clean up the aftermath, making Feng Zhiyao secretly regret his rashness.

"Don't give me that look. Bring Tan Jizhi to Prince Ding's Estate within three hours. Otherwise..." The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.

Feng Zhiyao perked up and declared loudly, "Understood. I'll go at once."

Glancing back at the Empress sitting nearby, she smiled faintly and said, "Go ahead with your task. I'll speak with Prince Ding and Wang Fei for a while."

Hearing this, Feng Zhiyao brightened visibly, his tone lightening considerably. Gazing at the Empress, he said, "Wait for me. I'll return soon." With that, he strode briskly out of the flower hall, showing no sign of his injuries.

Watching the crimson robes disappear beyond the door, the Empress sighed helplessly. She turned apologetically to Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao. "I've caused you trouble."

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "Feng San has served me for over a decade. Helping him with a minor issue now is nothing. I don’t want to hear anything else—just wait for him to return. If he comes back and you're gone again, I might lose one of my most capable generals."

The Empress couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking her head. "After all these years, your bond with A Yao hasn’t changed. Thank you for looking after him."

Mo Xiuyao waved dismissively. "Feng San isn’t just a subordinate of Prince Ding's Estate—he’s also a brother I grew up with." Perhaps Xu Qingchen surpassed Feng San in intellect, or Zhang Qilan and others outshone him in battle prowess. But only Feng San had grown up alongside him and stood by him through the most painful years. Such bonds were rare in life. There might have been a few in the past, but after all this time, Feng Zhiyao remained the only constant.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

La la~ It's not that I'm unwilling to bring my laptop, but my laptop is so unreliable it's practically unusable outside. This Lenovo has been breaking down constantly after years of use. This afternoon, to update, I walked for a full hour and a half to find an internet café. Who told me Hangzhou’s transportation was convenient?! The West Lake scenic area is a traffic nightmare…