Mo Li

Mo Suiyun, who had been brought back to the guesthouse by Mo Jingyu, naturally had no idea about the evaluations made by those little brats, nor did he have the mind to dwell on them. As a newly enthroned young emperor who was currently little more than a puppet, he inevitably faced a round of admonishments and reprimands from Mo Jingyu upon his return. Thus, Mo Suiyun came to understand that until he could grasp real power, he had no right to concern himself with Mo Xiaobao. No matter how much he disliked the carefree Little Prince of Prince Ding's Estate and his so-called friends, unless he could seize control of the Chu State's authority, he simply wasn’t qualified to compete with the Little Prince. So, Mo Suiyun quickly put the day’s events behind him and focused all his attention on dealing with Mo Jingyu and the ministers of Chu.

At this moment, the young emperor never considered whether he, who had been easily lured out by the seemingly carefree Mo Xiaobao with just a few words, might actually be even more reckless than someone else—leading to countless losses at that someone’s hands in the future.

Back in the tavern, after seeing off the outsider Mo Suiyun and the suspected spy of Prince Ding, Feng Zhiyao, Mo Xiaobao and his friends closed the door and resumed their lively discussion. Resting his chin on his hand, Mo Xiaobao looked at Qin Lie and asked, "Father seems to think highly of this Mo Suiyun. Qin Lie, do you think he’ll win in the end or end up as unlucky as Mo Suoyun?"

Qin Lie pondered for a while before shaking his head. "Hard to say. Mo Suiyun definitely has more courage and cunning than Mo Suoyun. The question is whether Mo Jingyu has ambitions of his own."

Leng Junhan sprawled lazily on the couch and chimed in, "Isn’t there still that old witch in Chu? She’ll definitely help her grandson. Besides Mo Suiyun, there probably aren’t many other princes left in Chu, right? They can’t just swap them out at will."

"The Grand Empress Dowager of Chu is also very old," Xu Zhirui added with a solemn expression, his small face serious.

Mo Xiaobao blinked and murmured, "So… Mo Suiyun’s chances are still pretty good?"

"Unless he’s an idiot. But… he does seem a bit foolish," Leng Junhan said with concern. In his eyes, anyone who could be fooled by Mo Xiaobao was a fool—after all, not a single expression from someone like Mo Xiaobao could be trusted.

Mo Xiaobao’s eyes gleamed mischievously. "Then let’s give him a little reminder. We’re good friends, after all."

"Whatever," Leng Junhan and Xu Zhirui replied indifferently. Leng Junhan continued rubbing his stomach, while Xu Zhirui sat upright, engrossed in a book. Qin Lie cast a quiet glance at the three children, all several years younger than him. When he first met them, he had thought himself a good person. After spending time with them, he began to doubt whether he would remain one in the future.

In the adjacent room, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao sat leisurely, listening to the children next door discussing grand schemes with surprising seriousness. Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu sat nearby, barely suppressing their laughter as they watched Mo Xiuyao. Only after the children finished their discussion and their footsteps faded away did Feng Zhiyao finally burst into laughter, shaking his head in mock despair. "What sins has this world committed to give birth to such a bunch of little demons?"A child of just a few years old is already scheming how to manipulate the young emperor of another country. At that age, they were still fighting, skipping school, and playing around. What will happen in a few more years?

Leng Haoyu sighed helplessly, "Truly, one takes on the color of one's company. Our Junhan has been corrupted." Back then, his precious son was a soft and adorable little bun. Of course, his son is still adorable now, but... his personality has become slightly twisted. This is absolutely the influence of bad company. Leng Haoyu felt a pang of guilt—it was all because he hadn’t had time to take care of his son, allowing him to get too close to Prince Ding's Estate’s Mo Xiaobao. Truly, keeping close to "Mo" turns one dark!

"As if your son is so innocent," Mo Xiuyao lazily glanced at Leng Haoyu. Mo Xiaobao might seem mischievously cunning, but the Leng family’s boy hides his schemes under a foolish exterior, capable of killing someone without leaving a trace.

Feng Zhiyao asked curiously, "From Mo Xiaobao’s intentions, it seems he wants to help the young emperor of Chu. Is that alright?" After all, that young emperor is no pushover either. At such a tender age, he already knows how to sow discord—and hit the mark. Though still a bit naive and unable to deceive Mo Xiaobao, one must remember that the young emperor had only been on the throne for less than two months, and before that, he had been left to his own devices with no proper guidance. From this perspective, with just a little guidance, that young emperor’s future achievements could be limitless.

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "What could go wrong? Even if there are problems, they’re his problems. Am I supposed to kill off all potential threats for him?" He wasn’t the type to spoil children.

You’re really at ease with this. Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu exchanged a glance before turning disapprovingly to Ye Li. Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "For that young emperor to grasp real power in Chu, even with exceptional talent, it would likely take at least ten years. There’s no need to worry about it now."

Rather than spending ten years letting Mo Jingyu or any other adult seize power, it’s better to give that young emperor ten years to fight for it. By then, whether it’s Mo Xiaobao or the entire Prince Ding's Estate, they should have fully recovered from the war of the past two years. And by that time, Mo Suiyun might not have truly secured absolute control over Chu’s power. To put it bluntly, Mo Xiaobao isn’t helping Mo Suiyun—he just doesn’t want him to fall too quickly. It must be said that, in some ways, Mo Xiaobao is already beginning to resemble his father.

"Kids these days... are truly formidable," Feng Zhiyao sighed. Or is it just the children of Prince Ding's Estate who are particularly abnormal?

"Wang Ye, Wang Fei," Yao Ji requested an audience at the door.

Since returning to Li Cheng, Yao Ji had gone back to managing the tavern she had run for years, living a peaceful life. Occasionally, she would gather some information for Prince Ding's Estate, but overall, her days were quiet and uneventful.

"Prince Yu seems to have secretly sent people to contact Prince Changxing," Yao Ji reported in a low voice.

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand. "Expected. What was Prince Changxing’s attitude?"

Yao Ji replied, "Prince Changxing did not meet with Prince Yu’s envoy, likely because he didn’t want to get too involved with them." Mo Xiuyao nodded. "That pair of siblings aren’t fools. As long as they don’t make any moves, we can leave them be."Leng Haoyu pondered for a moment and said, "I remember... the Prince of Changxing and Princess Zhenning have a younger brother still in Nanjing. Could he cause trouble later?" Even though the Great Chu now only holds the lands south of the Yangtze, it was unlikely they would remain docile. They might use that young prince to stir up trouble, so precautions were necessary.

Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, "If they live quietly, this prince will naturally treat them well. But if they do anything they shouldn’t, don’t blame me for being merciless. Keep an eye on them."

Yao Ji nodded, hesitating before adding, "There are reports that Mo Jingli has been spotted in the northwest."

"Mo Jingli?" Everyone was taken aback, surprised to hear this name. Since the fall of Liyang, Mo Jingli had vanished without a trace. They had considered eliminating him to prevent future troubles, but at first, the crisis at Flying Goose Pass left no room for pursuit. By the time the situation stabilized, Mo Jingli had long disappeared. In this vast world, finding someone who truly wants to hide is no easy task.

Moreover, Mo Jingli had been stripped of his imperial title. With no troops, no influence, and mediocre martial skills, few cared about his whereabouts.

"Are you certain?" Mo Xiuyao frowned.

Yao Ji shook her head. "Not yet confirmed."

After a moment’s thought, Mo Xiuyao said, "Leak this information to Mo Jingyu." The current ruler of Great Chu, Mo Jingyu, would surely be even more reluctant to see Mo Jingli resurface than they were.

"As you command," Yao Ji acknowledged.

In a secluded village outside Li Cheng, a man clad in coarse clothing, his face obscured by a thick beard, sat in a crude room, his expression twisted in thought.

"Your Majesty," another plainly dressed man entered and bowed.

The bearded man turned to him and asked coldly, "Any news from Li Cheng?"

The subordinate replied gravely, "Prince Yu has arrived in Li Cheng with the newly enthroned young emperor, Mo Suiyun. Also present is Western Liang’s newly appointed Zhennan Wang, Lei Tengfeng. Today... the Little Prince of Prince Ding's Estate secretly took Mo Suiyun out, nearly causing Prince Yu to turn Li Cheng upside down. They eventually found the young emperor in a tavern."

The man in coarse clothes—Mo Jingli—flashed a sinister smile. "So Prince Yu values this Mo Suiyun so highly! I never thought... the one to stab me in the back would be him!" In truth, Mo Jingyu wasn’t the only one who betrayed Mo Jingli. The Empress Dowager, the court ministers, the nobility, even the entire Great Chu imperial clan had turned against him. It showed just how unpopular Mo Jingli had been.

The subordinate hesitated before cautiously asking, "Your Majesty, should we...?"

Mo Jingli sneered. "No. Send word to Mo Jingyu. Tell him I wish to meet him."

"But... Your Majesty, isn’t this too risky?" They were fugitives now. Whether caught by Prince Ding's forces or the Great Chu court, their fate would be dire. For the emperor to willingly walk into the lion’s den was deeply concerning.

Mo Jingli said firmly, "I know what I’m doing. Carry out my orders."

After a pause, the man nodded and left.Mo Jingli lowered his gaze, staring at the crude and filthy table before him with an unsettled expression. If someone had told him two months ago that he would one day wear tattered, dirty clothes of coarse cloth and live in a dilapidated hut barely capable of shielding him from wind and rain, he would have torn that person limb from limb. But over the past month, Mo Jingli had indeed suffered greatly. To evade the pursuit of Prince Ding's Estate and the Chu imperial court, he had disguised himself as a commoner, eating rough and simple food, even posing as a beggar or vagrant. After enduring countless hardships and traversing treacherous paths, he had finally managed to slip unnoticed to the vicinity of Li Cheng. His purpose, naturally, was not merely to take a look.

Though he had fallen to such dire straits, Mo Jingli was, after all, a man who had been a prince for decades and even an emperor. He still held a few hidden cards unknown to others. It was precisely because of this that he dared to infiltrate the northwest and approach Li Cheng, the stronghold of the Mo Family Army. However, he was in no hurry to enter the city. Li Cheng was undoubtedly heavily guarded now. While few could truly recognize him, Mo Jingli had long since learned the formidable prowess of the Mo Family Army's shadow guards. Thus, he did not wish to recklessly take unnecessary risks.

As for Mo Jingyu... A cold smile flickered across Mo Jingli's face. He dared to meet Mo Jingyu openly because he possessed a bargaining chip sufficient to ensure his own safety.

In an inconspicuous teahouse in Li Cheng, the moment Mo Jingyu pushed open the door of the private room, he saw the plainly dressed man seated inside. Raising an eyebrow, he remarked, "You’ve got quite the nerve." Indeed, it took considerable audacity—most others would never dare to venture into the heart of the Mo Family Army's territory.

Mo Jingli snorted lightly, scrutinizing Mo Jingyu for a moment before sneering, "You seem to hold all the power now. I truly never imagined that in the end... it would be you who reaped the benefits."

Unfazed, Mo Jingyu clasped his hands and smiled. "You flatter me. It was merely a matter of being in the right place at the right time. What brings you to me?" Mo Jingyu did not regard Mo Jingli with much concern. In the past, Mo Jingli had been the powerful Prince Li, the Emperor of Chu. But now, he himself was the regent prince of Great Chu, while Mo Jingli was nothing more than a wretched fugitive, scurrying about in hiding. At this thought, a glint of satisfaction flashed in Mo Jingyu's eyes.

Mo Jingli said, "Naturally, I have business. I need you to do something for me."

"And why should I agree?" Mo Jingyu arched an eyebrow.

Mo Jingli looked at him and asked, "Then... do you want the imperial jade seal of Great Chu?"

"So it was you who took the seal!" Mo Jingyu's expression darkened as he spoke coldly. Ever since Mo Jingli's disappearance, the imperial jade seal of Great Chu had not been found, whether in the capital or in Liyang. The jade seal symbolized the supreme imperial authority. While it was possible to create a new one, the loss of the original was a colossal disgrace to the Chu imperial family. Moreover, if someone were to later use the seal to stir up trouble, it would spell even greater complications. Thus, the Chu imperial family had secretly dispatched agents to hunt for Mo Jingli—both to eliminate him as a threat and to recover the whereabouts of the jade seal.Mo Jingli smiled and said, "You don’t have to help me. I can always hand the imperial seal to someone else... along with some of Prince Yu’s secrets, of course." This "someone else" naturally referred to Mo Jingyu’s political enemies—such as the brothers who had gradually risen to challenge him since the new emperor’s ascension, or the Empress Dowager. Now that Mo Jingqi was dead and Mo Jingli was in exile, with the Empress Dowager aged and the young emperor still a child, those with ulterior motives were growing bolder. If the imperial seal fell into someone else’s hands, it would spell disaster for Mo Jingyu.

"What do you want me to do?" Mo Jingyu asked coldly.

Mo Jingli replied indifferently, "I want you to help me... eliminate Mo Suiyun and Mo Yuchen."

"You’re insane!" Mo Jingyu stood up and turned to leave.

"Are you really not going to consider it?" Mo Jingli’s voice drifted lazily from behind. Mo Jingyu turned back and sneered, "Consider? Do you think I’m a fool? Kill Mo Yuchen in Li Cheng? Forget killing him—even laying a finger on him would leave me in pieces." The imperial seal was tempting, but even if the throne were handed to him, he’d need to be alive to enjoy it.

"You think I can’t do it?" Mo Jingli wasn’t nervous. Compared to Mo Jingyu, he had nothing left to lose—except his own life. But Mo Jingli couldn’t spend the rest of his days hiding like a rat. He’d rather gamble everything on one last desperate move! Mo Jingyu, however, was different. After a lifetime of patience, he had finally gained power and was naturally cautious, afraid of making a single misstep.

Mo Jingyu scoffed, not even deigning to answer. Ever since Mo Xiuyao had severed ties with Great Chu, he had never believed Mo Jingli or Mo Jingqi could stand against him. If even Mo Jingli, once a ruler of a nation, had failed, what chance did this fugitive version of him have?

Unfazed by his contempt, Mo Jingli chuckled. "In that case, I can first show you my sincerity. What about Mo Xiaoyun?"

"What do you mean?" Mo Jingyu asked warily.

Mo Jingli said, "Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning are living quite comfortably in Li Cheng. Of course, they are Mo Jingqi’s children, yet they’ve defected to Prince Ding’s Estate. For the sake of public opinion, Prince Ding’s Estate would naturally protect them well. Tell me, what would happen if Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning suddenly died under Prince Ding’s protection?" Even more amusing, if it happened just before the Little Prince and Little Princess’s first birthday banquet, Mo Xiuyao’s expression would surely be priceless!

"And if that’s not enough... how about adding the Queen of Nanzhao to the mix?" Mo Jingli continued, his eyes gleaming with excitement. Mo Jingyu watched him expressionlessly. "You want to sabotage Prince Ding’s banquet—what’s the point?" If Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning, under Prince Ding’s protection, died before the banquet, it would be a brutal slap to Prince Ding’s face. And if something happened to the Queen of Nanzhao in Li Cheng, Prince Ding’s Estate would have even more explaining to do.

"The point? I just want to see Mo Xiuyao’s reaction—is that reason enough?" Mo Jingli laughed delightedly.

"You’re truly mad," Mo Jingyu said darkly.Mo Jingli's expression twisted with fury as he spat, "That's right! I am mad! And it's all because of Mo Xiuyao! Because of all of you! You... you traitors! Rebels and villains!"

Mo Jingyu sneered, watching Mo Jingli's frenzied and contorted face with indifference. "As if you were ever loyal to the throne or the country? Do you think the entire court would unanimously agree to depose you without reason? Mo Jingli, even if you return to Jiangnan now, you'll be nothing but a rat everyone wants to beat. Who would dare acknowledge you as their lord after you used Southern Border poison to murder two former emperors? Such madness!"

"Empress Dowager!" Mo Jingli gritted his teeth. Only the Empress Dowager knew the truth of these matters.

Mo Jingyu laughed coldly. "Exactly. Even your own birth mother has abandoned you. That's how utterly you've failed. What right do you have to call others rebels and villains? What betrayal is this? At most, we're merely driving out a usurper and restoring the rightful order."

Unexpectedly, Mo Jingli did not erupt in rage. After a long silence, he spoke calmly, "I don’t want to waste words with you. Will you help me or not?"

Mo Jingyu shook his head. "I regret I cannot assist you. Farewell."

"Three years ago... how was that three hundred thousand taels from Northern Rong spent?" Mo Jingli's voice slithered from behind, icy and menacing.

"You—!" Mo Jingyu whirled around, his face livid as he glared at Mo Jingli. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Doesn’t matter if you don’t know... as long as others do. Like Uncle, or... perhaps a few of our other royal brothers? What do you think?" Mo Jingli smirked coldly. Mo Jingyu stood frozen for a long moment before finally turning back and sitting down. He studied Mo Jingli intently before asking, "How do I know you're not lying to me?"

Mo Jingli chuckled. "You can test it. See if you become a rat everyone wants to beat when you return to Nanjing. Tell me, which is more hated—regicide and usurpation, or treason?"

Mo Jingyu's face darkened like ink. After a pause, he muttered, "When did you...?"

Mo Jingli snorted lightly. "Naturally, I found out after moving the capital to Jiangnan. Otherwise, did you think I’d tolerate you? At the time, I didn’t want to, but... the court was already in chaos, and you were obedient enough, so I kept you around. Now it seems... I made the right choice." Had he sent someone without leverage this time, they might have sold him out to Mo Xiuyao immediately.

Mo Jingli watched him with a sinister grin. "You can go report me to Mo Xiuyao. At worst, we die together. After all, I have nothing left to lose."

"I need time to consider," Mo Jingyu said through clenched teeth, his eyes shut tight. Clearly, he was wrestling fiercely with the decision. Mo Jingli shrugged dismissively. Mo Jingyu added, "If I help you, how do I ensure my own escape? If death is certain either way, I’d rather return to Jiangnan than die at Mo Xiuyao’s hands." He had heard rumors of Mo Xiuyao's brutal methods—no one with any choice would willingly fall into his grasp.

A cold glint flashed in Mo Jingli's eyes as he replied indifferently, "Don’t worry. I won’t ask too much of you. If you handle things well, no one will find out. When the time comes, you can return safely to Jiangnan with the imperial seal and resume your role as Prince Yu."Mo Jingyu took a deep breath and finally made up his mind, saying, "Fine, this prince agrees to your terms."

Mo Jingli nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Once I have everything prepared, I will naturally inform you. You may leave now." Mo Jingyu stood up and walked toward the door. Pausing at the threshold, he turned back and stared at Mo Jingli. "You'd better be careful. If anything goes wrong... we'll all die together!"

Watching Mo Jingyu's figure disappear beyond the door, the smile on Mo Jingli's face deepened—twisting into something even more sinister and grotesque.

"Heh... Of course, we'll die together! Otherwise, why would I seek you out? But what you don't know is that Mo Xiuyao's greatest skill isn't torture—it's... shifting blame." Whether Mo Jingyu was involved or not, whether there was evidence or not, if anything happened to Mo Yuchen, Mo Xiuyao would inevitably shift his wrath onto everyone. Including... the distant Chu imperial family in the south. Since you've betrayed me... then let's all perish together! What a pity... It would have been even more perfect if I could drag Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li down with me.