Mo Li

“F-Fourth Brother?”

Ye Li stared blankly at Xu Qingbai, who stood shielding her. A long sword had pierced through his back, its tip protruding from his chest. Blood dripped down the blade, staining Ye Li’s robes, and a few drops splattered onto her jade-like, delicate face.

“Li’er…” Xu Qingbai let out a helpless, bitter smile. The sharp pain radiating through his body made him tremble uncontrollably. Behind him, Qin Feng finally managed to free himself, only to witness this horrifying scene. Without hesitation, he snatched a sword from a nearby assailant and swung it at the attacker. The assassin, who had been about to pull out his blade for another strike, was instantly cleaved in two by Qin Feng’s fierce sword energy.

“Wang Fei! Fourth Young Master!” Seeing the commotion, the other guards quickly closed in. In truth, this had been their oversight—given Wang Fei’s well-documented combat skills, most of their attention had been focused on eliminating the enemy. None had expected her to be caught in such danger. Now, as the guards tightened their formation, the assassins found it harder to break through, though it also made it more difficult to finish them off.

Qin Feng scanned the surroundings before stepping forward. “Wang Fei, are you—”

Ye Li bit her lip and replied firmly, “I’m fine. Check on Fourth Brother first.”

Qin Feng could see that the assassin hadn’t injured Wang Fei—most of the blood on her belonged to Xu Qingbai. The latter, however, was already slipping into semi-consciousness. Steadying himself, Qin Feng carefully examined Xu Qingbai’s wound and let out a slight sigh of relief. He swiftly sealed several acupoints on Xu Qingbai’s body and said, “It didn’t hit any vital organs, but he’s lost too much blood. We need to stop the bleeding and bandage him quickly, or else…” But with the assassins surrounding them, escape was impossible.

“I’ve already sent a signal. Reinforcements from the city will arrive soon,” Qin Feng said quietly, noting Ye Li’s pale complexion.

Ye Li nodded, carefully supporting Xu Qingbai to prevent the embedded sword from jostling and worsening his bleeding.

The reinforcements from Prince Ding’s Estate arrived swiftly. Before long, a large contingent of soldiers appeared, led by Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng. Xu Qingfeng fought his way through the chaos, his eyes turning red at the sight of his blood-soaked younger brother. “Fourth Brother! Li’er…”

“Wang Fei, Fourth Young Master…” Feng Zhiyao, who had followed closely behind, also tensed. Only when he saw Ye Li unharmed did he relax slightly. He and Xu Qingfeng had been idling at the post station when they spotted Qin Feng’s signal. Rushing to the scene with their men, they were met with a bloody battlefield. A cold glint flashed in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes. “Kill them all! Leave two alive for questioning!”

Seeing Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng, Ye Li also exhaled in relief, only to feel a wave of dizziness. She clutched Xu Qingfeng’s sleeve and said urgently, “Third Brother, take Fourth Brother to a physician… hurry!” Xu Qingfeng’s expression darkened as he nodded. “Understood.” He carefully lifted Xu Qingbai, mindful of the sword still lodged in his body, and strode away under the protection of several guards.

With Feng Zhiyao and Qin Feng supporting her, Ye Li tried to stand, but the discomfort she had been suppressing now overwhelmed her. A chill spread through her limbs, and her vision darkened. Before she could react, she collapsed toward the ground.

“Wang Fei?!”"A Li!" A cold, sharp call came from the street corner as a swift steed galloped down the road. A white-clad figure leaped from the horse, sending a sword aura slicing through the air. The nearest assassins around Ye Li were all struck in the chest, blood blossoming from their wounds as they collapsed to the ground.

Mo Xiuyao landed on the ground, his expression dark as he took Ye Li from Feng Zhiyao’s arms. "A Li… A Li…" he murmured anxiously, reaching to check her pulse. Yet the hand that had never trembled even while wielding a bloodthirsty sword now shook slightly, unable to find her pulse. His handsome face twisted with worry and gloom, a trace of fury flickering between his brows. Seeing this, Feng Zhiyao quickly reassured, "Wang Ye, Wang Fei is unharmed. She’s merely unconscious." Indeed, even without checking her pulse, it was clear Ye Li’s breathing was steady. But Mo Xiuyao, blinded by concern, couldn’t think straight.

Mo Xiuyao paused, seeming to finally regain his composure, a glimmer of clarity returning to his eyes. He took Ye Li’s wrist again to check her pulse. Though he wasn’t a physician, as a martial artist, he could still discern the basics. Sensing her steady pulse—no internal injuries, external wounds, or signs of poisoning—his expression softened slightly. Feng Zhiyao added, "I’ve already sent someone to fetch a physician. Wang Ye, perhaps you should settle Wang Fei somewhere comfortable first."

"Wang Ye, there are resting quarters in the flower garden. Why not take Wang Fei there for now?" Madam Sun approached, her face pale. If anything happened to the princess consort here today, whether or not the Sun family was involved, they would be held responsible. So even though her own legs were still weak with fright, she forced herself to speak up.

Mo Xiuyao lifted Ye Li into his arms, giving Madam Sun a cool glance before striding toward the flower garden.

The physicians arrived swiftly. Just as Mo Xiuyao, guided by Madam Sun, had carried Ye Li into a small pavilion in the garden to settle her, Qin Feng and Feng Zhiyao entered, each dragging a physician behind them. These two were not the military physicians of the Mo Family Army from Prince Ding’s Estate but had been hastily summoned from nearby clinics by the guards under Mo Xiuyao’s orders. The sudden abduction had left them terrified. When they saw Mo Xiuyao—his silver hair and grim expression—sitting by the bed, their legs gave out, and they collapsed to the floor.

Madam Sun quickly pulled them up. "Physicians, please examine Wang Fei’s pulse."

Her words snapped them out of their daze. Still trembling, they approached the bed but hesitated when they saw Mo Xiuyao seated there. With a light scoff, Mo Xiuyao studied them for a moment before finally standing and stepping aside.The two physicians, though not particularly renowned figures, knew that medical establishments often saw all sorts of people, making them well-informed. By now, they had guessed the identity of the woman lying on the bed—none other than the Wang Fei. Facing the intimidating presence of Mo Xiuyao, they became even more cautious. They took turns checking Ye Li's pulse, exchanging silent glances to confirm each other's diagnosis. Mo Xiuyao, standing behind them, lacked such patience and demanded in a low voice, "How is A Li?"

One physician frowned and checked the pulse again, seemingly confirming his assessment before bowing to Mo Xiuyao alongside his companion. "Wang Ye, please rest assured. Wang Fei is not in any serious danger."

Mo Xiuyao's expression remained grim. "I asked why Wang Fei remains unconscious!"

The elderly physician trembled and stammered, "R-reporting to Wang Ye... Wang Fei is nearly three months pregnant. The reason for her unconsciousness... is likely because the Little Prince in her womb was startled earlier..."

"What did you say?!" Everyone froze in shock. Mo Xiuyao grabbed the physician by the collar and demanded. The terrified physician could barely speak, so his companion quickly interjected, "Reporting to Wang Ye, Wang Fei is indeed with child. Other than that... she has suffered no harm..."

In the room, Feng Zhiyao, Qin Feng, and Madam Sun all exhaled in relief, their hearts swelling with joy. Feng Zhiyao stepped forward to rescue the poor physician who was nearly strangled by Mo Xiuyao and said, "Wang Ye, congratulations. Prince Ding's Estate will soon welcome another Little Prince." Only then did Mo Xiuyao snap out of his daze and return to the bedside, sitting down to gaze blankly at the unconscious figure. Feng Zhiyao shrugged helplessly and turned to the physicians. "Are you certain Wang Fei is unharmed? When will she wake up?"

The physician replied softly, "Wang Fei was greatly frightened, and the Little Prince's fetal qi is weak, likely due to the shock. Wang Fei's deep slumber is a protective measure for the Little Prince. This humble one will prescribe some calming and stabilizing medicines for her. She will surely awaken within two or three days at most."

Feng Zhiyao studied the two physicians seriously. "Are you both certain?"

The physicians nodded reluctantly, their faces strained. "We assure you, Wang Fei is truly unharmed. In fact, her constitution is remarkably strong. Had this incident happened to an ordinary woman... the child would have been difficult to preserve. Wang Fei has only suffered a slightly threatened miscarriage, but it is not serious." Satisfied, Feng Zhiyao nodded. "Good. For the next few days, we’ll trouble you both to remain at Prince Ding's Estate to attend to Wang Fei. Of course, the Estate will compensate you handsomely."

Knowing they had no choice but to comply, the physicians agreed and were escorted away by Feng Zhiyao's men to prepare the prescriptions and medicines.

After Ye Li was given the medicine and settled, though still unconscious, her complexion visibly improved, and Mo Xiuyao's stormy expression softened slightly. When Feng Zhiyao reported that all the assassins had been captured, Mo Xiuyao carefully adjusted Ye Li's blanket before standing and stepping out.

In the outer hall, Madam Sun still waited, not daring to leave without permission. Seeing Mo Xiuyao emerge, she stepped forward and knelt, speaking solemnly, "Sun Yushi humbly begs Wang Ye to punish this lowly one."Mo Xiuyao gave a light hum and said indifferently, "Find out the origins of those assassins within an hour. If you fail..." Before he could finish, Madam Sun quickly responded, "Thank you for your mercy, Wang Ye. This subordinate understands." She bowed to Mo Xiuyao and hurriedly turned to leave.

Stepping outside, Mo Xiuyao glanced at Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Lin Han standing by the door and said sternly, "The punishment for your negligence will wait until A Li wakes. But if anything happens to her again..." Qin Feng replied solemnly, "This subordinate obeys." With a cold snort, Mo Xiuyao flicked his sleeve and walked away. Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, standing beside him, sighed. Zhuo Jing patted Qin Feng's shoulder in consolation before quickly following Mo Xiuyao with Lin Han.

Inside the Sun family's garden, despite the large crowd, the atmosphere was oppressively tense. On the open ground near the Water Pavilion in the outer garden, all the noblewomen and young ladies attending the gathering were detained. Though the September chill had already settled over Western Mausoleum Imperial City, none of these privileged women dared to complain about the cold as they stood for over an hour under the watch of the expressionless Mo Family Army soldiers.

Bai Qingning sat slumped beside Madam Bai, who had also been standing at the outermost edge, equally frightened. The mother and daughter pair, one standing and one sitting, blended into the crowd unnoticed, as everyone else was in a similar state of distress. Nearby, several captured assassins had their masks removed, revealing faces familiar to some of the women. Those sensitive to the political climate could keenly sense the impending storm.

"Greetings, Wang Ye," the Prince Ding's Estate guards announced solemnly as Mo Xiuyao strode forward in white robes, his snow-white hair fluttering wildly in the breeze, exuding an inexplicable, chilling aura. Ignoring the terrified noblewomen, he turned his gaze to the assassins pinned to the ground and asked coolly, "Their identities?"

Feng Zhiyao replied quietly, "Reporting to Wang Ye, we have confirmed their backgrounds. They vary—this one is a Western Liang Imperial Guard, and another is a minor official from the Ministry of War, both from old noble families of Western Liang."

"Excellent..." Mo Xiuyao chuckled softly, looking down at the young man whose legs had been broken yet still glared at him with hatred. Kneeling, Mo Xiuyao lifted the young man's chin with one hand and smiled faintly. "A noble of Western Liang? How bold..."

"Mo Xiuyao, don’t think you can seize Western Mausoleum Imperial City! Zhennan Wang will return!" the young man spat furiously.

Unfazed, Mo Xiuyao replied, "Lei Zhenting? Pity... Western Mausoleum Imperial City doesn’t seem that important to him. But don’t worry—I’ll grant your wish. One day, I’ll scatter Lei Zhenting’s ashes across the streets of this city for all to trample. For now... you should worry about yourselves." With a sickening crack, the young man’s expression twisted as his chest caved unnaturally inward, blood spilling from his lips."Mo Xiuyao, you... you will die a horrible death! You and Ye Li—?!" Before the young man could finish his words, his body was suddenly flung backward, soaring over the crowd and crashing straight into the distant wall. A heavy thud echoed, and the wall was instantly smeared with dark red blood. The young man's body slid to the ground, limp and lifeless. "Ignorant fool!"

The garden fell into dead silence. Everyone stared in terror at the white-haired man before them, as if they were not looking at the renowned and handsome prince of the realm but a demonic asura risen from hell.

Mo Xiuyao didn’t spare a glance at the corpse by the wall. Instead, he looked down at another assassin and smiled faintly. "An Imperial Guard? Did the Xiling Emperor send you to assassinate my A Li?"

Even the elite Imperial Guards of Xiling couldn’t help but tremble after witnessing such a scene.

"This was my own idea. It has nothing to do with anyone else. Do what you will—kill me if you must!" The guard clenched his teeth, forcing down the chill in his heart.

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Good. You have spine. I’ll grant your wish. Execute his entire clan."

The man’s eyes widened in shock. "No... you can’t!"

"Then I’ll let you see whether I can or not," Mo Xiuyao replied calmly. "Feng San, have the people been brought?"

Feng Zhiyao, standing nearby, sighed inwardly as he observed Mo Xiuyao’s composed demeanor. Masking his concern, he bowed slightly. "Reporting to Wang Ye, the three clans of all identified assassins are already waiting outside for punishment."

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "Kill them."

"No! Prince Ding, you cannot do this!" From the crowd, Lingyun Gongzhu stepped forward, glaring at Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao curled his lip dismissively. "I don’t need you to tell me what I can or cannot do."

Lingyun Gongzhu retorted sharply, "They are subjects of Xiling. Your Prince Ding’s Estate has no right to pass judgment on them."

Feng Zhiyao stepped forward, blocking her path with a faint smile. "They are assassins who attempted to murder Wang Fei. Prince Ding’s Estate has every right to decide their fate."

Lingyun Gongzhu faltered but persisted, "But their clansmen are innocent!"

Feng Zhiyao scoffed, eyeing her with amusement. "Assassinating Wang Fei is a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans, if not more. Prince Ding’s Estate is only executing three—consider it a courtesy to the Xiling Emperor."

Lingyun Gongzhu’s expression darkened. The assassins themselves were of low status, even insignificant, but their families were all prominent nobles of Xiling, most of whom were aligned with Zhennan Wang’s faction. Moreover, noble families intermarried extensively—executing three clans would wipe out at least half of Western Mausoleum Imperial City’s aristocracy. Zhennan Wang’s influence would be utterly destroyed. Unlike her weak and ineffectual father, Lingyun Gongzhu had always admired her uncle Lei Zhenting’s exceptional capabilities. Her relationship with Zhennan Wang’s household was decent, and she naturally didn’t want to see Mo Xiuyao annihilate Lei Zhenting’s power in the imperial city.

"Even so, this matter should be reported to my father before any action is taken," Lingyun Gongzhu argued.

Feng Zhiyao sneered. "Western Mausoleum Imperial City now belongs to Prince Ding’s Estate. Your Xiling royal family is merely staying here temporarily. Since when must the host consult the guest on how to act?""You... you shameless wretch!" Lingyun Gongzhu, finding no words left, could only spit out furious curses.

Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes in exasperation and was about to retort when a white figure flashed past like the wind. The previously haughty Lingyun Gongzhu suddenly found herself being choked, her eyes rolling back. Mo Xiuyao loomed over her, his expression icy as he stared down at the meticulously made-up woman before him, his voice as cold as a winter gale. "Since when do my affairs require your interference? Did you think... being a princess of Western Liang would protect you?"

Lingyun Gongzhu struggled for breath under Mo Xiuyao's grip, barely managing to gasp, "I... it's not... me... gurgle..." Mo Xiuyao showed no mercy, and despite her desperate efforts, she couldn't utter a complete sentence. She could only feel her breath growing fainter, her chest burning with unbearable pain.

"How many of these people did you bring here? Hmm?" Mo Xiuyao asked.

Lingyun Gongzhu's face paled, her eyes widening in terror. Meeting Mo Xiuyao's smiling yet ruthless gaze, she saw nothing but undisguised killing intent. "No..." That was the last word she managed to utter before, in full view of everyone, the once-vocal princess collapsed silently to the ground, blood frothing at the corners of her lips.

"Ah—!" Someone finally couldn't endure the horrifying scene and let out a piercing scream. Chaos erupted in the garden as the gathered women fell to their knees, begging for mercy. If even a princess like Lingyun Gongzhu could be killed without hesitation by Prince Ding, what hope did they have?

"Silence!" Feng Zhiyao, noticing Mo Xiuyao's growing impatience amid the clamor of sobs, barked sharply.

The cries ceased instantly. Mo Xiuyao walked to a nearby chair and sat down, his gaze slowly settling on the Bai mother and daughter cowering among the crowd. The moment Bai Qingning felt his eyes on her, she shuddered uncontrollably, pressing closer to Madam Bai. After witnessing what had just happened, any lofty ambitions or admiration for Prince Ding's status had vanished from her mind. To her now, Prince Ding was far more terrifying than the demons of the underworld. If she could leave this place immediately, she would pray never to see him again in this lifetime.

"Bai Qingning?" Mo Xiuyao called softly, his tone betraying neither anger nor pleasure.

Amid the earlier chaos, Madam Bai hadn't seen what her daughter had done. Though terrified of Mo Xiuyao, she assumed Prince Ding had taken an interest in Bai Qingning and nudged her forward. Bai Qingning trembled violently, shaking her head and clinging to her mother, too petrified to move. Feng Zhiyao gestured to the side, and two guards stepped forward, effortlessly dragging Bai Qingning before Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao studied her for a long moment before remarking indifferently, "Not bad-looking."

Though the words sounded like praise, to Bai Qingning, they felt like a death sentence. Recalling how Mo Xiuyao had similarly praised the assassins earlier—commending their courage—her face turned ashen. Trembling, she knelt on the ground, forcing herself to suppress her fear as she stammered, "Wang Ye... th-thank you for your praise..."Mo Xiuyao sneered coldly, "This prince did not praise you. My beloved consort lies unconscious because of you—how audacious you are!"

"No!" Bai Qingning cried out involuntarily, "It's not my fault! I didn't... I did nothing!" She truly had done nothing. Yes, she had pulled Ye Li, but that was an accident—the person she intended to pull wasn't Ye Li. Moreover, she only wanted to survive. In such a situation, being utterly defenseless, was it wrong to want to live?

"Did nothing?" Mo Xiuyao stared at her. Bai Qingning nodded repeatedly, "That's right, it's not my fault. I did nothing!"

"Did nothing... yet still deserve death!" A fierce glint flashed in Mo Xiuyao's eyes as he stared at Bai Qingning with disgust, even hatred, his tone eerily calm. "You were right beside A Li—why didn't you shield her?"

Bai Qingning was left speechless. So, in Prince Ding's eyes, not shielding Princess Ding from the sword was also a reason to deserve death? No! She shook her head repeatedly, a surge of indignant anger rising in her heart.

Why? Why should she deserve death for not shielding Princess Ding from the sword? Why should a weak woman like her, powerless to even tie a chicken, have to shield someone skilled in martial arts who had no relation to her? She just wanted to live—was that wrong?

"No! I refuse to accept this!" Bai Qingning shrieked.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Ah~ This girl Bai Qingning is really unlucky. This is what you call cannon fodder. Maybe she once had this or that idea, but she turned into cannon fodder before even realizing any of them. If she hadn’t been cannon fodder, after today, she would definitely have wanted to stay as far away from Mo Xiuyao as possible~