Mo Li

With a cold gaze at Feng Huaiting and Madam Feng, Feng Zhiyao let out a light snort and turned his head away disdainfully. It had always been like this—since childhood, his father had only ever cared for his legal wife and legitimate son. No matter how hard he tried, he was always the one ignored. A sudden wave of helplessness rose in Feng Zhiyao’s heart, and he couldn’t help but smile mockingly at himself.

Then, the image of a graceful figure in white flashed through his mind, and the resentment in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes softened considerably. That’s right—even without the Feng family, he still had other things. There was Mo Xiuyao, who had grown up with him like a brother, as well as comrades and friends whose bonds were no less than those of brothers. And perhaps, very soon, he would have a family of his own.

Thinking of that slender, elegant figure in Prince Ding’s Estate, the gloom in Feng Zhiyao’s heart instantly dissipated. Lifting his head, he looked proudly at Feng Huaiting in the corner and said, “I’ve already reported to His Highness. You’ll be released soon. As for the future… hmph!” In the end, he didn’t say anything too cutting. With another light snort, he turned and walked out.

So what if they had been implicated because of him? Feeling guilty about it would mean his brain had been crushed by a door. Saving them now meant they would be even from now on—no debts owed.

Feng Huaiting silently watched the retreating figure clad in red. In the dim corner, his aged eyes flickered with a trace of relief and reassurance.

Before Feng Zhiyao could take more than a few steps, a loud announcement echoed from the entrance: “Imperial Concubine Liu has arrived! The Regent Prince has arrived!”

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow. Mo Jingli’s arrival was one thing, but even Imperial Concubine Liu had come. It seemed Duke Hua had been right—Imperial Concubine Liu not only moved freely within the palace but could even leave at will. It looked like… she truly had a firm grip on Prince Li’s weakness.

In no hurry to leave now, Feng Zhiyao turned and leisurely made his way back.

At the other end of the prison, Imperial Concubine Liu, dressed in white, wrinkled her nose in disgust at the filthy surroundings. The stench of the prison was impossible to mask, no matter how much incense was burned. She glanced at Mo Jingli beside her and said unhappily, “I truly don’t understand why you had to come to such a place in person.”

Mo Jingli replied indifferently, “This prince never asked Imperial Concubine Liu to come along.”

Imperial Concubine Liu snorted. Of course, Mo Jingli hadn’t asked her to come. But with Tan Jizhi missing and no one left to advise her, how else could she know what schemes Mo Jingli was plotting unless she followed him?

Unbothered by the prison’s filth and darkness, Mo Jingli strode forward and said, “You don’t need to be so wary of this prince. The Feng family is merely a merchant clan. Even if I were to scheme, it wouldn’t be against them.”

Imperial Concubine Liu’s heart stirred. While the Feng family held no significant political influence to tempt Mo Jingli, their wealth was enough to entice anyone. “You’re after the Feng family’s money?”

Mo Jingli replied coldly, “Do you think the Feng family is easy to provoke? Because of your words, this prince confiscated their entire estate. Since we’ve already offended them, why not finish the job and ensure they never rise again?”

“You make it sound noble. The Feng family belongs to Mo Jingqi’s faction—they would never pledge loyalty to you. Rather than letting others benefit, you’d take them for yourself. Even without my involvement, you would have targeted the Feng family sooner or later,” Imperial Concubine Liu sneered.

Mo Jingli didn’t deny it.As they spoke, the two turned a corner and reached the innermost part of the prison. There, they unexpectedly saw a figure who should not have been there, standing leisurely in the corridor with arms crossed, smiling at them.

"Feng Zhiyao, you have quite the audacity," Consort Liu narrowed her phoenix eyes and sneered.

Feng Zhiyao's smile deepened, as if he were in an exceptionally good mood. "My audacity pales in comparison to yours, Imperial Concubine... Ah, my mistake—soon-to-be martyred Dowager Imperial Concubine. As a palace consort, how dare you leave the palace at will? And as a concubine destined for martyrdom in the imperial decree, how... dare you still be alive?"

"Feng Zhiyao!" Consort Liu gnashed her teeth, glaring at him with frost in her jade-like face. "Prince Ding's Estate has taken my people. Go back and tell Prince Ding that I will personally visit to demand their return."

Feng Zhiyao waved his hand dismissively. "No need for a personal visit. I suspect the Imperial Concubine's true intentions lie elsewhere—demanding people is just a pretext, while pestering our prince is the real goal. Our Wang Fei has quite the temper when jealous, so for the sake of Prince Ding's peace and tranquility, I must respectfully decline your generous offer on his behalf."

"How dare you!" Consort Liu snapped. She didn’t care if the whole world knew of her love for Mo Xiuyao, but she loathed anyone mocking her devotion.

Mo Jingli frowned, displeased by their verbal sparring. "This prince did not come here to listen to your nonsense. Feng San, your boldness is indeed remarkable. Do you think the backing of Prince Ding's Estate gives you the right to barge into the Ministry of Justice?"

Feng Zhiyao smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Wang Ye. After all, you raided the Feng family without evidence or charges. Compared to you, my little escapade is hardly worth mentioning."

The sight of Feng Zhiyao naturally reminded Mo Jingli of the man behind him. This made him frown—he had no intention of confronting Mo Xiuyao or provoking him now. Yet Mo Xiuyao's prolonged stay in the capital had hindered many of his plans. Mo Jingli didn’t ask why Consort Liu had targeted the Feng family; in any case, he also intended to move against them, and having her as a scapegoat would only improve his reputation. But he had always assumed Feng San had little connection to the Feng family. Was Feng San’s involvement his own doing, or did it represent the stance of Prince Ding's Estate? Or perhaps... had Mo Xiuyao also set his sights on the Feng family’s riches?

His brows furrowed tightly as he asked, "How is Prince Ding?"

Feng Zhiyao looked at Mo Jingli in surprise. Truly, three days apart warranted a fresh appraisal. If it had been a few years ago, Mo Jingli would have cursed or mocked Mo Xiuyao at the mere mention of his name—if he’d even shown such restraint. Now, he could calmly inquire after his well-being. Power truly was the quickest way to transform a person. Nodding, Feng Zhiyao replied with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Prince Li. Our prince has been doing well."

"Is that so?" Mo Jingli said. "This prince has heard that Prince Zhennan of Xiling intends to reinforce the border with troops. Does Prince Ding have any plans regarding this?"

Feng Zhiyao’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "The prince says he is on leave and has delegated all affairs to Qingchen Gongzi. You’ll have to ask him about this matter."Mo Jingli and Feng Zhiyao were somewhat acquainted, and knowing that beating around the bush with him would likely lead to a night of fruitless conversation, he decided to change the subject first. "Third Master Feng is here to see Master Feng?"

Feng Zhiyao shrugged in response. Mo Jingli said indifferently, "The Feng family's affairs are somewhat related to Prince Ding's Estate, but this matter isn't for me to decide. Otherwise, out of respect for Prince Ding, I wouldn't mind doing Third Master Feng a favor."

Feng Zhiyao lowered his gaze. Was Mo Jingli implying that he wasn’t the one targeting the Feng family? He sneered inwardly—only a fool would believe Mo Jingli. He glanced coldly at Consort Liu beside him. This woman was likely the one being used. A pretty face but a fool—no wonder Wang Ye had no interest in her.

"Thank you for your concern, Wang Ye. I’m just here to take a casual look. After all, the Feng family doesn’t need the worries of someone who’s been cast out, right? I imagine you and the Imperial Concubine have matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave." With a casual salute to Mo Jingli and Consort Liu, Feng Zhiyao turned to leave.

"Wait," Consort Liu suddenly spoke up.

Feng Zhiyao turned back, looking at her calmly.

Consort Liu declared haughtily, "You can’t leave."

Feng Zhiyao smiled faintly. "Why not?"

"Barging into the Dali Temple—do you think this is a place you can come and go as you please?" Consort Liu said coldly.

So, Consort Liu was just looking for an excuse to detain him. Feng Zhiyao didn’t mind and asked nonchalantly, "What do you want? Do you think you can stop me if I decide to leave?" Feng Zhiyao’s skills might not match top-tier experts like Mo Xiuyao, but dealing with Mo Jingli and Consort Liu in this narrow corridor wouldn’t be difficult.

Before he even finished speaking, Mo Jingli had already subtly stepped aside. He had sparred with Feng Zhiyao in his youth and knew he was no match. In such a confined space, only a few guards could enter, and being captured or accidentally injured by Feng Zhiyao would be embarrassing.

Consort Liu, of course, had no intention of confronting Feng Zhiyao head-on either. She sneered, "If you dare leave, I’ll kill Feng Huaiting."

Feng Zhiyao lowered his gaze and sighed helplessly after a moment. He casually tossed a dagger from his sleeve onto the ground and spread his hands to show he was unarmed. Only then did Consort Liu wave for her men to seize him, ordering, "Bring Feng Huaiting out as well. I’m taking these two with me. Prince Li, any objections?"

Mo Jingli replied impatiently, "Do as you please." What he wanted was the Feng family’s wealth. Over the years, the Feng family’s two sons had already taken over the family business, so Feng Huaiting’s fate was irrelevant. Still, he warned, "You’d better be careful not to overplay your hand. If you provoke Mo Xiuyao, you won’t even need to worry about being buried alive."

Consort Liu scoffed lightly, unconvinced that Mo Xiuyao would ever harm her.

"This Consort knows her limits."Feng Zhiyao offered no resistance as he was taken away by Consort Liu, accompanied only by Feng Huaiting. The remaining members of the Feng family were left to Mo Jingli's disposal, and Feng Zhiyao showed no concern over how Jing Li intended to handle them. At least compared to the half-mad Mo Jingqi and the self-righteous Consort Liu, Mo Jingli generally exercised better judgment. As long as Prince Ding's Estate still had a presence in the capital, the lives of the Feng family members in his hands were guaranteed.

At Prince Ding's Estate

Mo Xiuyao, who had just received the report from his subordinate, arched his sword-like brows and asked with a faint smile, "So, Feng Zhiyao was captured by Consort Liu?"

The shadow guard standing a few steps away couldn't help but shiver, instinctively wanting to retreat further to avoid the prince's seemingly calm yet icy aura. But when he met Mo Xiuyao’s smiling gaze, he froze, forcing himself to reply, "Reporting to Wang Ye, Consort Liu not only seized Third Master Feng from the Ministry of Justice but also took away the Feng family’s head, Leng Huaiting."

Mo Xiuyao let out a soft hum but said nothing. Ye Li reached out and placed her hand on his arm, smiling gently. "After all, Feng Huaiting is Feng San’s biological father. If Feng San truly ignored him, he wouldn’t be Feng San anymore." How many people in this world were truly heartless and indifferent? No matter how much the Feng family had neglected Feng Zhiyao, Feng Huaiting was still his father—he couldn’t possibly be completely indifferent. Just like Leng Haoyu, whose life in the Leng family might not have been any better than Feng Zhiyao’s, yet the moment he heard Leng Huai was besieged, he had been frantic with worry.

Mo Xiuyao rolled his eyes in displeasure, looking at Ye Li with a hint of grievance. "I never said we wouldn’t save Feng Huaiting. But why did Feng San have to get himself caught in the process?"

Ye Li chuckled. "This was probably an accident. Feng Zhiyao likely didn’t expect Consort Liu and Prince Li to coincidentally choose that exact moment to go to the Ministry of Justice. It seems this Feng family affair isn’t just about the Liu family—Prince Li is also involved."

Mo Xiuyao wasn’t surprised. "Right now, most of the capital’s forces are under Mo Jingli’s control. Without his approval, the Liu family wouldn’t dare act so boldly against the Feng family. It’s probably not the Liu family targeting the Fengs, but Mo Jingli himself."

Ye Li’s eyes flashed with realization. "The Feng family’s wealth? Mo Jingli controls the wealthiest regions of Chu—he shouldn’t be short on funds after years of management."

Mo Xiuyao smirked. "Not necessarily. Although Mo Jingli holds sway over most of southern Chu, his foundation is still shallow. The Jiangnan region is densely populated with powerful families, their relationships intricate and tangled. It’s not easy for Mo Jingli to extract money from them. And… maintaining an army is an expensive endeavor."

"You mean… Mo Jingli is secretly expanding his forces?" Ye Li grasped the implication immediately, her delicate brows furrowing at the thought.

Mo Xiuyao nodded with a smile. "Mo Jingli has coveted the throne for a long time. Once the new emperor ascends, we’ll return to the northwest. I have no interest in entertaining him any longer."

Ye Li pondered for a moment before asking, "If that’s the case, why must we wait until the new emperor’s coronation?"

"Because I simply enjoy making his life difficult."

"…" As long as Mo Xiuyao remained in the capital, even if Mo Jingli harbored ambitions of usurpation, he wouldn’t dare act on them."Wang... Wang Ye..." The subordinate, who had not received a response, stood alone in the grand hall, pitifully gazing at Mo Xiuyao, who had likely already forgotten his presence.

"Is there anything else?" Mo Xiuyao asked.

Finally seizing the opportunity to speak, the poor man quickly relayed his message without pausing for breath, "Just now, we received word from Consort Liu. She will visit Prince Ding's Estate early tomorrow morning and has some matters she wishes to discuss with Wang Ye. She requests that Wang Ye not refuse." The messenger exhaled in relief after delivering the message in one breath.

"Consort Liu? A visit? Not to refuse?" Mo Xiuyao asked with a smile.

The messenger wept inwardly: Wang Ye, this subordinate is merely a messenger—this has nothing to do with me!

Ye Li tugged at Mo Xiuyao's sleeve in amusement and smiled at the subordinate. "Alright, Wang Ye understands. You may leave now."

"Many thanks, Wang Fei. This subordinate takes his leave." The relieved man swiftly turned and vanished from the hall like the wind.

In an unnamed dungeon cell, Feng Zhiyao lounged comfortably on the simple bed. In the adjacent cell, Feng Huaiting remained seated on his own bed, eyes closed in meditation, showing no intention of engaging with Feng Zhiyao.

Feng Zhiyao sat at the head of his bed, observing the man opposite him, whose temples were already streaked with gray. With a light snort, he walked to the bars and knocked loudly several times. Soon, someone entered, eyeing Feng Zhiyao warily. "What does Third Master Feng require?"

Feng Zhiyao was instantly amused. "Oh? You recognize this master?" He casually glanced at the unremarkable middle-aged man before him, finding no recollection of him. However, it was clear the man possessed considerable martial skill. Feng Zhiyao said, "Fetch me a cloak. Do you intend to freeze this master to death?"

The middle-aged man gave Feng Zhiyao a bland look before turning and leaving. Shortly after, he returned with a dark blue brocade-lined rabbit fur cloak and handed it to Feng Zhiyao before departing again.

Feng Zhiyao examined the dark blue cloak in his hands, smiling thoughtfully. With a flick of his wrist, the cloak sailed effortlessly through the bars of the two cells and landed on Feng Huaiting.

Feng Huaiting opened his eyes, startled by the cloak draped over him. He turned his head to look at Feng Zhiyao, who had already strolled back to his own bed, facing the opposite wall and ignoring him.

It was mid-March, and even outside, the air carried a chill—let alone in the damp, dark dungeon. The cloak immediately dispelled much of the cold. Feng Huaiting silently gathered the cloak around himself, his gaze softening as he looked at the man in thin red robes across from him.

Feng Zhiyao, a seasoned warrior accustomed to the battlefield, naturally sensed the gaze fixed upon him. Initially determined to ignore it out of spite, the persistent stare gradually made him uneasy. He abruptly turned around and snapped, "If you have something to say, just say it." Without waiting for Feng Huaiting to respond, he continued, "Don’t overthink it. This time, your family was implicated because of me. Rest assured, I guarantee the Feng family will walk out of this dungeon unharmed."

"What did you do?" After a long silence, Feng Huaiting finally asked in a low voice.Feng Zhiyao forced out a strange smile, his gaze at Feng Huaiting carrying a deliberate hint of malice. "I've abducted someone from the palace."

As the head of the Feng family, Feng Huaiting naturally had his own channels of information. Even news of someone going missing in the palace wouldn't escape his notice. Hearing Feng Zhiyao's words, his expression darkened slightly. After a long pause, he finally spoke in a low voice, "After all these years... you still can't let go?"

This time, it was Feng Zhiyao's turn to be stunned. He truly hadn't expected Feng Huaiting to know about his feelings from back then. His expression grew complicated as he stared at the man across from him. After a long moment, he suddenly snapped in a hurried, low voice, "That's none of your business!"

The empty prison cell fell into silence, so quiet that their breathing seemed audible. After a while, Feng Huaiting spoke again, "Are you acting so recklessly because you have Prince Ding backing you? What if Prince Ding is unwilling or unable to help you? What will you do then?"

Feng Zhiyao froze for a moment before letting out a cold laugh. "Isn't it a bit late to lecture me now!"

He did feel deeply guilty about acting on impulse this time, but facing Feng Huaiting's indifferent expression and tone made it impossible for him to stay calm and speak properly.

Feng Huaiting watched him quietly for a long time before finally sighing softly and saying nothing more. Feng Zhiyao stared blankly at Feng Huaiting, who had closed his eyes again and fallen silent, his heart a turmoil of mixed emotions, unsure of what to think.