Mo Li

The Great Chu embassy arranged by Prince Ding's Estate was located just two streets away from the estate itself. Countries like Western Liang, Northern Rong, and Nanzhao all had their own embassies in Li Cheng. However, Great Chu had never established one—partly due to the awkward relationship between Great Chu and Prince Ding's Estate, and partly because neither Mo Jingli nor Mo Jingqi was willing to acknowledge Prince Ding's Estate as an independent power. Thus, every time envoys from Great Chu arrived, they were accommodated by Prince Ding's Estate. This time, however, Mo Jingyu took the initiative to inform Mo Xiuyao that Great Chu intended to establish an embassy in Li Cheng, a clear gesture of concession.

Inside the embassy, Mo Suiyun managed to slip away from Mo Jingyu and the entourage of officials, retreating into his own room. The faint traces of timidity and childishness on his face instantly darkened as he sat down at the table, lost in thought.

Before ascending the throne, Mo Suiyun had never imagined that he would one day become the ruler of a nation. Like his late elder brother, Mo Suoyun, his mother had been an insignificant palace maid. In fact, he had been even more overlooked than Mo Suoyun—even his name had been given by his mother. Perhaps he was luckier than Mo Suoyun, as he hadn’t been chosen by Mo Jingqi to inherit the throne back then. Over the years, he had watched coldly from the sidelines, fully aware of the kind of life Mo Suoyun had endured as emperor. He had assumed he would remain an obscure prince, living an uneventful life outside the palace after coming of age. But then, Mo Jingli was suddenly deposed while away on campaign. The Empress Dowager and all the imperial relatives and officials realized he was the most suitable candidate, and thus, he became the emperor of Great Chu.

The deposition of Mo Jingli had indeed been a relief to him. Though he had only met Mo Jingli a handful of times, each encounter had left him with a chilling sensation. He had keenly sensed that Mo Jingli wanted him dead—no, more accurately, Mo Jingli wanted all the late emperor’s sons dead. And he had no intention of dying.

Only after sitting on the throne did he truly understand the suffering his younger brother, the former emperor, had endured. In the eyes of the Empress Dowager and the powerful nobles, he, the young emperor, was merely a pawn in their political games. Mo Suiyun knew he didn’t want that. He refused to spend his entire life shackled by these people. He had heard many tales about Prince Ding and aspired to become someone like him.

Thus, his deference toward Prince Ding was not feigned. He genuinely revered and admired the prince, whose might shook the world. When paying his respects, he couldn’t help but glance up at Prince Ding. Yet, when he met the deep, composed gaze of the handsome man with white hair and white robes, he panicked slightly. That indifferent gaze seemed to look right through him, as if it could pierce the most hidden corners of his heart. He quickly lowered his head, pretending to be afraid, but he knew—he had undoubtedly aroused Prince Ding’s suspicion...Mo Suiyun bit his lip and furrowed his brows. Though he was quite cunning and bold, he was still only an eleven or twelve-year-old child. Moreover, no one had seriously taught him anything over the years, so encountering such an unexpected situation left him momentarily at a loss. If… if Prince Ding wanted to kill him…

"Your Majesty, there is a young master requesting an audience outside," a guard reported softly from beyond the door.

Mo Suiyun was already in a foul mood and frowned with displeasure. "What young master? I won’t see him!"

"But…" The guard hesitated, and Mo Suiyun impatiently snapped, "If there’s anything, go find Prince Yu. Don’t bother me!" The noise outside quickly ceased, and Mo Suiyun sneered inwardly. These people didn’t hold him, the emperor, in any regard—they were merely going through the motions of reporting. Though it was odd that someone in Li Cheng would seek him out, Mo Suiyun had no mind to dwell on it now.

Tap, tap, tap… Just as Mo Suiyun was lost in thought, a light knocking sound came from the window. He frowned and had just risen to his feet when the window was pushed open from the outside, revealing the head of a handsome boy peeking in.

Mo Suiyun frowned slightly, studying the boy for a long moment before asking, "Were you the one who wanted to see me just now?"

The boy pouted, deftly climbed through the window, and landed lightly on the floor before nodding. "Yeah, why wouldn’t you see me?" Mo Suiyun couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Do I even know you?

Upon closer inspection, he realized the boy was exceptionally handsome, seemingly a bit younger than himself. Though dressed in ordinary clothes, he exuded an innate air of nobility. Mo Suiyun silently ran through possibilities before asking, "Are you… Mo Yuchen?"

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes and grinned, sidling up to Mo Suiyun to scrutinize him. "You really are clever. How did you guess my identity?" Mo Suiyun suppressed the urge to roll his eyes again. In all of Li Cheng, aside from the Little Prince of Prince Ding’s Estate, who else would dare barge into the lodging of the Emperor of Chu?

"To what do I owe the honor of the Little Prince’s visit?" Mo Suiyun adopted a regal demeanor, asking with solemnity.

Mo Xiaobao blinked, eyeing Mo Suiyun strangely. "Honor? Look at me—what kind of 'honor' could I possibly bring?" He was only ten, after all. Even if he wanted to do something grand, he’d have to wait until he had the authority. Right now, he was just a pitiable child dragged out by his annoying father to meet his future adversary.

Mo Suiyun silently watched as Mo Xiaobao, without a hint of reservation, seated himself, picked up a fruit from the table, wiped it, and began munching. A dull ache throbbed in his temples. Years of palace life had honed his instincts—this seemingly innocent, smiling boy spelled trouble.

Mo Xiaobao waved at the silent Mo Suiyun. "Come, sit down."

Mo Suiyun walked over and sat opposite him, observing the boy’s enthusiastic eating. He wondered silently if Prince Ding never allowed his son to eat his fill. "Why have you come to see me?"

Mo Xiaobao beamed at him. "To take you out to play! Father said I’m the host and should entertain guests properly. I was afraid you’d be lonely, so I came especially to invite you out for fun.""Play?" Mo Suiyun looked somewhat bewildered.

It wasn’t that Mo Suiyun, as a guest, didn’t know better—it was just that he genuinely couldn’t understand when he and this Little Prince from Prince Ding's Estate had become close enough to go out and play together.

Mo Xiaobao tilted his chin up, looking at him with a hint of pride. "Well? Are you coming or not?"

Meeting Mo Xiaobao’s almost challenging gaze, Mo Suiyun suddenly gritted his teeth and nodded firmly. "Fine, let’s go!" After all, I’m still an emperor—why should I be afraid of a mere prince? So, little emperor, were you just counting on Mo Xiaobao not daring to kill you before agreeing to go out with him?

No sooner said than done. Mo Suiyun stood up and was about to open the door to leave when Mo Xiaobao quickly grabbed him. "What are you doing?" Mo Suiyun gave him a puzzled look. "Aren’t we going out to play?" Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes and pointed at the still half-open window. "I came in through there. How are you going to explain why the prince of Prince Ding's Estate is suddenly appearing in the Great Chu’s embassy? If Father finds out, I’ll be in huge trouble."

"Then what do you suggest?"

Mo Xiaobao grinned innocently and pointed at the window. "We’ll climb out."

"Climb?!" Mo Suiyun nearly exclaimed aloud.

Mo Xiaobao had already hopped onto the windowsill, holding onto the frame as he glanced outside before turning back. "You’re not scared, are you?" Mo Suiyun took a deep breath. "Who’s scared? Let’s go!"

"That’s more like it." Mo Xiaobao nodded and nimbly leaped down from the window. Mo Suiyun, startled, quickly scrambled up to look and saw Mo Xiaobao leaning impatiently against the wall below, waving at him. Mo Suiyun, who had no martial skills, awkwardly climbed down the window. Following Mo Xiaobao, they sneaked around the embassy, somehow managing to slip out completely unnoticed through the back gate. Clearly, this wasn’t Mo Xiaobao’s first time doing something like this.

Outside the embassy’s back gate, the moment they stepped out, several figures surrounded them and dragged them into a mad dash. Only when they stopped in a safe spot did Mo Suiyun get a chance to look at the group—only to realize they were all kids even younger than him. Glancing at Mo Xiaobao, who was half a head shorter, a sudden sense of responsibility and maturity welled up inside him.

"Xiao Bao, is this the little emperor from Great Chu?" Leng Junhan, dressed in white brocade, was still young but already carried traces of his father’s demeanor. A small folding fan swayed lazily in his hand—anyone unaware might mistake him for some noble family’s pampered young master.

Beside him, Xu Zhirui, who had inherited his father’s stern expression, frowned at Mo Suiyun. "You didn’t change clothes. You’ll be recognized." Mo Suiyun felt a cold sweat break out under the scrutiny of these two kids who barely reached his chin.

Nearby, Mu Lie—now renamed Qin Lie—casually tossed over a bundle. "Knew you’d forget. Clothes."Mo Xiaobao raised his eyebrows disdainfully and said, "Didn't I walk right out without changing clothes? So much for tight security... utterly useless." Father was right—it's all about the thrill. Abducting the young emperor of Great Chu from the embassy, now that's fun. Sneaking out disguised as a servant would've been too unchallenging.

Leng Junhan stared at Mo Suiyun with a beaming smile, practically drooling. "A real emperor... First time seeing one. Alive..." Mo Suiyun broke into a cold sweat. He had always thought the Chu palace was fraught with danger, but now he suddenly felt he'd rather face the Empress Dowager and those ministers than these clearly deranged children. Did this fair-skinned little dumpling think he was a roast duck? That ravenous look... Mo Suiyun decided he must stay far away from this pale little fool in the future.

If Leng Junhan knew what Mo Suiyun was thinking, he would cry injustice. He had simply never seen an emperor before—the highest-ranking person he'd ever met was Wang Ye. Even if this Wang Ye was a peerless figure feared by many emperors, he still wasn't an emperor. Finally encountering a living, breathing young emperor, the intensely curious Leng Junhan naturally wanted to study him thoroughly.

Qin Lie glanced at the uneasy young emperor with an amused smirk. He seemed slightly better than Mo Suoyun, but nothing particularly special. To be so easily abducted by the Little Prince—had he not considered how many people would panic if the young emperor of Great Chu suddenly vanished from the embassy?

But Qin Lie didn't care. How the Little Prince chose to play was his business; Qin Lie only needed to ensure their safety.

Under Mo Xiaobao's urging, Mo Suiyun changed into the ordinary clothes Qin Lie had prepared. Now, the group looked like nothing more than children from a wealthy family. With Li Cheng currently teeming with nobles, dignitaries, and wealthy merchants, it was common to see children of influential families playing in the streets, so no one paid them any mind.

Mo Suiyun had been born and raised in the palace. His only two outings in life were the southward journey with the Great Chu court and this northward trip to Li Cheng. Naturally, everything was novel to him. Among Mo Xiaobao's group, even Leng Junhan and Xu Zhirui, who had grown up traveling extensively, were already accustomed to such sights, let alone the worldly-wise Qin Lie. This outing was less about play and more about humoring the sheltered young emperor Mo Suiyun while strolling around. When Mo Suiyun began to feel hungry, Mo Xiaobao generously led him to the finest restaurant in Li Cheng for a meal.

The restaurant staff clearly knew Mo Xiaobao's group well. The moment they entered, a waiter deftly escorted them to the quietest private room on the second floor. Sitting inside, Mo Suiyun struggled to suppress his curiosity and discomfort, asking, "Do you come here often, Prince?"

Mo Xiaobao grinned. "Not really. Just occasionally. But the food here is delicious. Don't hold back—this restaurant belongs to Qin Lie's family. We won't be charged."Qin Lie silently rolled his eyes. Even if you're freeloading, you shouldn't say it out loud so brazenly, okay? Little Prince, do you remember that this young emperor before you is your enemy?

Mo Suiyun looked at them with envy and said, "It's so nice to be like you."

Leng Junhan blinked his eyes, tilting his little head as he looked at him and said, "If you like it, you can stay and play with us. We won't bully you." Among this group, Leng Junhan had the best impression of Mo Suiyun. Though this favorable impression was largely based on him being the first emperor he'd ever met.

Mo Suiyun froze for a moment before shaking his head. "I can't stay."

Leng Junhan nodded understandingly. "I know, you're the emperor of Great Chu, right? Is being emperor fun?" Mo Suiyun shook his head with a bitter expression. "No, it's not fun at all."

"Not fun?" Leng Junhan scratched his head and asked, "Xiao Bao, do you still want to be emperor? The little emperor says being emperor isn't fun." Mo Xiaobao snorted disdainfully. "This prince will be Prince Ding in the future. What's so great about being emperor? This prince will be Prince Ding, got it?"

"The emperor is higher than Prince Ding," Xu Zhirui calmly explained the basics to his cousin.

Mo Xiaobao shot him a sidelong glance. "Which emperor dares to say they're greater than Father?"

Everyone exchanged glances before shrugging. Indeed, in this world, at least for now, there probably wasn't an emperor who dared to challenge Prince Ding. Xu Zhirui insisted, "Even so, the emperor is still higher."

Mo Xiaobao frowned in thought before saying, "Fine, then I'll still be Prince Ding first!" If he didn't surpass his father, how could he stand tall? Being emperor was even further out of the question. Mo Xiaobao confidently plotted in his heart.

As Mo Suiyun ate the fragrant dishes on the table, he casually remarked, "What if you don't become Prince Ding?"

Mo Xiaobao gave him a strange look. "Why wouldn't I become Prince Ding?"

"Isn't there another little prince in Prince Ding's Estate?" Mo Suiyun said offhandedly. "Just like the throne isn't necessarily passed to the crown prince, the title of Prince Ding might not necessarily go to the eldest son."

"Hmm..." Mo Xiaobao pondered before nodding. "You make a good point. Thanks for the reminder. I'll work hard to encourage Lin'er to be a good, obedient little brother." Mo Suiyun smiled faintly. "No need for thanks. I just mentioned it casually. Don't take it to heart."

"By the way, Mo Suiyun. I heard the Grand Empress Dowager of Great Chu is really fierce. Is your imperial grandmother good to you?" Mo Xiaobao's eyes sparkled as he asked with concern. Mo Suiyun's hand holding the chopsticks paused briefly before he smiled. "Imperial Grandmother is very good to me."

"You're so lucky. My father is really strict with me. You're the emperor... everyone has to listen to you. As for me, this little prince... Father bullies me all the time." Mo Xiaobao sighed enviously.Mo Suiyun's smile carried a hint of bitterness. His life as emperor was far from happy. Even the servants around him sometimes wouldn't obey his orders, let alone others listening to him. Watching Mo Xiaobao, who was innocently pulling at him and asking all sorts of questions, and the others—Leng Junhan, Xu Zhirui, and Qin Lie—happily eating away, Mo Suiyun suddenly felt a pang of envy. Why could they live such carefree, happy lives while he had to tread on thin ice every day in the Chu palace?

"I'll definitely be more amazing than Father in the future!" Mo Xiaobao slammed the table and declared loudly.

Leng Junhan and the others, who were eating nearby, silently glanced at him before ignoring him and continuing their meal. Mo Xiaobao, displeased by their lack of reaction, shouted again, "I'll definitely be more amazing than Father!"

Seeing his indignant little face, Mo Suiyun chuckled and said, "I believe you. You definitely will."

Hearing this, Mo Xiaobao immediately brightened up. He slapped Mo Suiyun's shoulder and said, "That's more like it! I knew we were on the same side. You'll definitely be more amazing than your father too! Let's work hard together!"

Mo Suiyun's lips twitched, unsure whether to take Mo Xiaobao's words as a blessing or a curse. Though he had no impression of his own father, he knew the man had been a complete failure as an emperor. But seeing Mo Xiaobao's earnest expression as he gnawed on a crystal pork knuckle, he decided to take it as a blessing.

By the time Mo Jingyu had turned all of Li Cheng upside down and finally tracked them down, the children had already made a mess of the meal. When the door opened, the sight that greeted him was a table full of ruined delicacies, with only scraps and leftovers scattered haphazardly. Leng Junhan, stuffed full, lay on a nearby couch rubbing his belly, while the others were huddled together chattering animatedly. Of course, most of the talking was done by Mo Xiaobao, with the usually stoic Xu Zhirui occasionally chiming in, while the other two were purely listeners.

"Your Majesty!" Mo Jingyu called sternly.

Mo Suiyun froze, suddenly remembering that Mo Jingyu didn't know he had slipped out of the posthouse. He hurriedly tried to stand up, but Mo Xiaobao whispered beside him, "Don't be afraid of him. You're the emperor. You don't have to be scared of him."

Mo Suiyun shot him a grateful glance before standing and saying, "Uncle, is something the matter?"

Mo Jingyu's brow arched slightly, but before he could speak, Feng Zhiyao stepped out from behind him with a smile and said, "Prince Yu, didn't I tell you? How could anything happen to His Majesty in Li Cheng?"

Suppressing his anger, Mo Jingyu nodded at Feng Zhiyao before asking, "Your Majesty, why are you here?"

Mo Suiyun replied softly, "I... We came out to play with the Little Prince."

Mo Jingyu took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, if you wish to go out in the future, please bring attendants with you to avoid causing worry among your subordinates." Mo Suiyun nodded. "Uncle, I understand my mistake." Seeing his genuine remorse, Mo Jingyu nodded, letting the matter drop. Mo Suiyun had always been obedient, and his sudden disappearance from the posthouse had indeed given the Chu officials quite a scare. Fortunately, Prince Ding's Estate soon sent word that Mo Suiyun was dining here with Mo Xiaobao and the others.Mo Jingyu looked inside and saw the children lying on the soft couch, staring at him with innocent expressions. He could hardly believe that these few children, several years younger than Mo Suiyun, had managed to coax the usually cautious young emperor into sneaking out of the posthouse to play.

Mo Xiaobao felt he should say something. Blinking his eyes, he said to Mo Jingyu, "Prince Yu, please don’t be angry with Suiyun-gege. It’s all my fault. I originally wanted to visit him at the posthouse, but… he refused to see me. I got upset and sneaked into his room. Suiyun-gege only agreed to come out and play with us because I kept begging him."

Mo Jingyu smiled faintly and replied, "Young Master, you’re too kind. In the future, you may visit the Emperor directly at the posthouse to play. However, the entire posthouse is now searching for His Majesty, so we should return."

Mo Suiyun obediently stood up and followed Mo Jingyu out. Xiao Bao reluctantly saw them off at the door, promising to visit again the next day to play.

Feng Zhiyao leaned against the doorway, grinning as he watched the four little rascals. "So? Was the young emperor of Great Chu fun to play with?" he asked.

Leng Junhan shook his head and said, "Not fun, just silly."

Xu Zhirui tilted her little head and thought for a moment before saying, "Not fun, hypocritical."

Qin Lie rolled his eyes, "Even more annoying than Mo Suoyun." Mo Suoyun was timid and cowardly, though not as much now, but had too many schemes.

Mo Xiaobao smiled while stroking his little chin and said, "Fun, silly yet quite scheming, even trying to play the divide-and-conquer game. My little brother isn't even one year old yet."