Mo Li

Mo Suiyun returned to his room and immediately shut the door. He pulled the quilt over himself, burrowing beneath the thick brocade covers as he trembled uncontrollably. He wasn’t particularly timid, but when it came to this uncle, Prince Li, he was certain all his siblings shared the same deep-seated fear. Back in the palace in Nanjing, they had witnessed firsthand how Mo Jingli tormented Mo Suoyun. And those sinister glances he occasionally cast their way—each one had left an indelible mark on the young Mo Suiyun. This time… Mo Suiyun shuddered violently, clutching the quilt tighter. He had sensed it clearly—Mo Jingli wasn’t just trying to scare him. He genuinely wanted to kill him.

“No… no, I can’t die… I can’t die…” Mo Suiyun murmured under his breath. “What should I do… what should I do?” Lure Mo Yuchen out so Mo Jingli could kill him? Mo Suiyun shook his head fiercely. Though he disliked Mo Yuchen and subconsciously regarded him as a future enemy, right now… he wasn’t even in the same league as Mo Yuchen or Prince Ding’s Estate. So, his current enemy definitely wasn’t Mo Yuchen. And then there was Prince Ding—that terrifying man with white robes and white hair. If he caused Mo Yuchen’s death… Mo Suiyun shuddered again. No… he absolutely couldn’t provoke Prince Ding! But… what could he do?

“Who said anything about you dying?” A playful voice reached his ears. Mo Suiyun froze, taking a moment before snapping back to reality. He threw off the quilt and saw Mo Xiaobao sitting cheerfully on the edge of the bed, watching him with curiosity. “How did you get here?!” At the sight of Mo Xiaobao, Mo Suiyun’s face paled. He scrambled up, trying to check if anyone was outside. Mo Xiaobao tilted his head and grinned. “Don’t worry, there’s no one out there.”

Mo Suiyun exhaled slightly, staring at Mo Xiaobao in silence. Unbothered, Mo Xiaobao lounged leisurely, observing the dazed Mo Suiyun standing by the bed. Truthfully, Mo Xiaobao knew that compared to Mo Suiyun, he had lived a fortunate life. At the very least, he had grown up happily under the protection of everyone around him, not like Mo Suiyun, who had spent his childhood in constant fear within the palace and was now being manipulated like a puppet by the court officials and nobles of Great Chu. Given such circumstances, it was no wonder his father held Mo Suiyun in special regard—he had managed to conceal his true thoughts so carefully.

Mo Suiyun, too, studied Mo Xiaobao, his mind wrestling with conflicting thoughts. He knew Mo Jingli might still be nearby. If he called for help now… But soon, he shook his head. Mo Xiaobao wouldn’t have come here alone. Even if he was mischievous, Prince Ding’s people would be secretly guarding him. Even if Mo Jingli killed Mo Yuchen, the ones who would ultimately bear Prince Ding’s wrath would still be them. Unless… Mo Jingli could kill Prince Ding! But was that even possible? Of course not. If Mo Jingli had that capability, the throne wouldn’t have fallen into his hands in the first place.

So… he couldn’t harm Mo Yuchen! At the very least, Mo Yuchen couldn’t die here!

“Go! Get out of here!” Mo Suiyun snapped back to reality, grabbing Mo Xiaobao and pushing him toward the window.Mo Xiaobao looked at him in surprise and said, "What's the matter with you? You're driving me away just because I came to play with you?" Mo Suiyun replied irritably, "I'm not feeling well today. You should leave first!"

The more anxious he became, the more leisurely Mo Xiaobao acted, lying on the table with a grin. "If you're not feeling well, just rest. I won't disturb you." Mo Suiyun was so frantic he almost wanted to cry. If only he had the ability, he would have grabbed Mo Xiaobao and thrown him out right then. Mo Xiaobao fluttered his long eyelashes, smiling amiably at him as he drawled, "Why are you in such a hurry? It's almost like you're afraid someone will find out I'm here. Don't worry, this is Li Cheng. Even if Prince Yu knows I sneaked in, he won't do anything to me."

Prince Yu is nothing! Mo Suiyun cursed inwardly. "Just leave quickly! I don’t want to play with you today."

"I want to play with you, though. How about we go out?" Mo Xiaobao's eyes lit up as he grinned.

"Little Prince Mo, I beg you, please go back first, alright?" Mo Suiyun couldn't help but groan. Whose life was he trying to save here? Mo Xiaobao raised a fine eyebrow, patted Mo Suiyun's shoulder, and chuckled softly, "Alright, I won’t tease you. Brother, if you're in trouble, just tell me. Is there anything in Li Cheng that I, the Little Prince, can't handle?" He acted as if they were sworn brothers, ready to take on any challenge for each other.

Mo Suiyun shot him a disdainful glance. What could this little brat, who was even shorter than him and only knew how to play, possibly handle? He’d be thanking the heavens if Mo Jingli didn’t find out he was here and have him killed. Mo Suiyun snapped impatiently, "Just get out of here, quickly!"

Seeing that he wouldn’t talk, Mo Xiaobao didn’t press further. He shrugged and said, "Fine, I’ll head back first. If anything comes up, send someone to Prince Ding's Estate to find me."

"Got it, now go!" Relieved that he was finally leaving, Mo Suiyun agreed readily, pushing and pulling him toward the window. Mo Xiaobao slapped his hand away in annoyance. "Once is enough for sneaking in through the window. Do you want me to get caught?" Walking to a corner of the room, Mo Xiaobao leaped lightly off the wall and landed steadily on a beam. With a wave back at Mo Suiyun, he slipped out through a hidden opening in the roof.

Watching Mo Xiaobao display such Light Body Skill, Mo Suiyun was momentarily stunned. Though he had seen many with better skills, they were all much older than Mo Xiaobao. At such a young age, having such abilities—no wonder Mo Xiaobao dared to sneak into the Great Chu Embassy in broad daylight. Finally seeing him off, Mo Suiyun let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"Your Majesty," came Mo Jingyu's voice from outside the door. Mo Suiyun stiffened briefly before quickly composing himself and opening the door. "Uncle Prince Yu." Mo Jingyu stood at the doorway, eyeing him curiously. "Why was the door bolted?"

Mo Suiyun bit his lip and murmured, "Uncle Prince Yu, I... I..."Mo Jingyu looked at him with understanding and said, "Are you afraid?" Mo Suiyun nodded heavily. Mo Jingyu sighed helplessly, "At this point, we have no choice but to proceed. Your Majesty, you're no longer a child. You should understand many things by now."

Mo Suiyun's small face darkened as he whispered, "I understand, Uncle Prince Yu. Has... has Uncle Prince Li left?"

"He's gone!" Mo Jingyu replied solemnly. His expression turned grim at the mention of Mo Jingli, and he muttered under his breath, "That madman! Who knows what he's up to now! Your Majesty, there's no need to fear. The day after tomorrow... as long as you follow my instructions, nothing will go wrong."

Mo Suiyun nodded obediently, "I understand, Uncle."

Seeing his listless demeanor, Mo Jingyu knew the boy had been badly frightened. Among the remaining princes left by Mo Jingqi, Mo Suiyun's composure was already commendable. If it had been the late Mo Suoyun facing such a situation, he would likely have burst into terrified wails.

"Uncle won't disturb you any further. Get some rest," Mo Jingyu said softly.

"Yes, Uncle," Mo Suiyun murmured.

Mo Jingyu patted Mo Suiyun's shoulder before turning to leave. Watching him go, Mo Suiyun exhaled in relief, closed the door, and glanced back at the now undisturbed ceiling before throwing himself onto the thick brocade quilt.

On the roof above Mo Suiyun's room, two slender figures lay motionless. Their chosen spot was perfectly concealed beneath the carved eaves and behind tree branches—unless someone climbed onto the roof and approached directly, they would remain undetected. Mo Xiaobao sprawled inelegantly on the tiles, grinning as he remarked, "So that's how it is."

Beside him, Qin Lie shot him an exasperated look and whispered, "Aren't we leaving yet? Didn't you hear? That Mo Jingli was just here." Mo Xiaobao sighed regretfully, "What a shame we found out too late. The man's already gone."

"Don't tell me the Little Prince intends to lead the charge and personally capture that fellow?" Qin Lie sneered sarcastically.

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes, "Have you ever heard of Mo Jingli being some martial arts master? If he sneaked into the posthouse, I doubt he brought guards with him. We could've just swarmed him—with our numbers, how could we fail to catch him?"

Qin Lie shrugged, "A fine plan, but the man's already gone. How much longer are we staying up here?" Mo Xiaobao glanced at the sky and said sheepishly, "We'll have to wait until nightfall, won't we?" If they were caught now, even though daylight would ensure no life-threatening danger, it would certainly alert their enemies.

Qin Lie remained indifferent, raising an eyebrow as he remarked, "Mo Suiyun doesn't seem inclined to follow Mo Jingyu's instructions."Mo Xiaobao rubbed his chin and said, "As long as he hasn't completely lost his mind, he wouldn't agree, right?" Mo Jingyu had been caught by Mo Jingli with leverage, but Mo Suiyun had none. Why would he want to accompany Mo Jingyu to his death? Whether they succeeded or not, he would undoubtedly die.

Mo Xiaobao lay sprawled on the rooftop, propping his chin in his hands, lost in thought. Seeing his strange grin, Qin Lie couldn't help but smooth out the goosebumps on his arm and asked, "What are you scheming now?" Qin Lie deeply felt that being assigned to accompany this Little Prince of Prince Ding's Estate was nothing short of a monumental test from the heavens. The young prince was mercurial, acting on whims, and took great pleasure in provoking Prince Ding—losing every time yet never tiring of the challenge. That alone was bad enough, but his reckless and unpredictable behavior constantly tested Qin Lie's nerves.

Mo Xiaobao poked Qin Lie with a grin and said, "Do you think we could turn that little emperor below to our side?"

Qin Lie looked up at the sky and replied calmly, "He sees you as his imaginary enemy. Do you really think you can sway him?"

"It's different," Mo Xiaobao argued. "My mother said there are no eternal friends or enemies, only eternal interests. Mo Suiyun doesn’t want to oppose Prince Ding's Estate right now—there’s no benefit for him, and he’d only bring disaster upon himself. So why not cooperate with us? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. If he had to pick a side, I bet he’d rather ally with Prince Ding's Estate."

"Too bad he just threw you out," Qin Lie reminded him leisurely.

Mo Xiaobao scratched his little head, his handsome brows furrowed in thought for a long while before finally saying, "He doesn’t trust me." His earlier act had been too convincing—in Mo Suiyun’s eyes, he was probably just a spoiled, clueless child who only knew how to eat, drink, and play.

"So what do you plan to do?" Qin Lie asked.

Mo Xiaobao replied, "You wait here. I’m going back down." Knowing full well he couldn’t talk Mo Xiaobao out of anything, Qin Lie silently returned to his spot, watching as the young prince pried open the glazed tiles he had just replaced earlier and slipped back through the small opening.

By the time night fell, Mo Xiaobao returned to Prince Ding's Estate with Qin Lie, looking thoroughly pleased. The moment they stepped through the gate, they saw Uncle Mo waiting at the entrance, casting them a pitying look. Mo Xiaobao immediately sensed trouble. He sidled up to Head Steward Mo with an innocent smile and said, "Grandpa Mo..."

Head Steward Mo quickly waved his hands. "This old servant dares not accept such an address. Little Prince may simply call me Head Steward."

Mo Xiaobao paid no mind to formalities and asked cheerfully, "Grandpa Mo, where are my father and mother?"

Head Steward Mo replied, "Wang Ye and Wang Fei are waiting for the Little Prince in the study."

Mo Xiaobao’s shoulders slumped instantly, his face falling. "I’m doomed." He had forgotten to tell his parents he’d be late when he left in the morning. He stubbornly refused to admit that he hadn’t considered the possibility that while the Chu embassy might be easy to sneak into, it might not be so easy to leave—or that he’d gotten carried away conspiring with someone and lost track of time.

Head Steward Mo patted the Little Prince’s shoulder sympathetically. "Wang Ye and Wang Fei are waiting. The Little Prince should hurry to the study."

"Can I not go?" Mo Xiaobao pleaded pitifully, gazing at Head Steward Mo.Head Steward Mo gave him a helpless look, and Mo Xiaobao could only droop his head and slowly make his way toward the study.

"Well, well. Our Little Prince has finally returned," Mo Xiuyao remarked lazily from the soft couch in the study, flipping through a book. He cast a half-smiling glance at Mo Xiaobao as he entered. Xiaobao cautiously looked toward Ye Li, who sat on the other side, and his expression grew even more miserable. Ye Li sat upright on her chair, her face calm as she watched him. Apart from a fleeting look of relief when he entered, she showed no other emotion. Xiaobao felt a bitter taste in his mouth—Mother being angry was far worse than Father being angry.

"Mother, Xiao Bao is back," he said softly as he approached Ye Li.

Ye Li looked at him quietly and asked in a gentle voice, "Why are you back so late?"

Xiaobao lowered his voice. "I went to the Great Chu embassy to play with the little emperor."

Of course, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao already knew all this. Even when Xiaobao sneaked out, he was always followed by attendants. Besides, Xiaobao was usually sensible and wouldn’t deliberately shake off the shadow guards. If not for this, the entire Prince Ding's Estate would have been in an uproar by now over his late return.

Ye Li smiled faintly at him. "It seems the Great Chu embassy was quite entertaining? Enough to make you forget the time to return? Tomorrow, I’ll go ask Prince Yu what exactly in his embassy is so captivating to our Little Prince."

Ye Li had never been one to overly restrict her child, so Xiaobao had always been free to roam Li Cheng as he pleased. But there was one rule—except for Mount Li Academy, he had to return home before sunset. Even if he stayed temporarily at the Xu Family, he had to send word back in advance. Yet today, not only had Xiaobao returned this late, but he hadn’t informed anyone where he was going. If not for the shadow guards, an ordinary family would have been frantic with worry by now.

"Mother… Xiao Bao didn’t think it through. I know I was wrong," Xiaobao admitted with a pained expression. He had rushed off to sneak into the embassy to find Mo Suiyun without telling anyone. Perhaps it was because he knew the shadow guards were following him that he had been so bold.

"What exactly were you wrong about?" Ye Li asked.

Xiaobao obediently lowered his head. "I shouldn’t have sneaked out without telling Mother and Father, shouldn’t have come back so late without sending word and made Mother worry, shouldn’t have gone to see the Great Chu’s little emperor in secret…"

Seeing her son’s pitiful, bowed head, Ye Li’s heart softened. She reached out and ruffled his hair. "Your father and I haven’t kept major matters in Li Cheng from you. You know about the Nanzhao Queen and Prince being held hostage by Mo Jingli. Now, Mo Jingyu and Mo Jingli are also entangled in unclear dealings, yet you went straight to them. What if Mo Jingli decided to fight desperately and hurt you? What then?""Mother, I was wrong." Feeling his mother's concern, Mo Xiaobao grew even more remorseful. He had thought Mo Suiyun was foolish and naive, wanting to pry some information from him. Believing that in broad daylight, even if Mo Jingyu and Mo Jingli were colluding, they wouldn’t dare harm him. But he forgot that a cornered beast would do anything—if Mo Jingli lost all reason and decided to fight Prince Ding's Estate to the death, he, who had walked right into the Chu embassy, would be the perfect bargaining chip.

Ye Li tapped his little head lightly and said calmly, "Since you know you were wrong… three months of confinement. Write thirty calligraphy sheets daily and have your eldest uncle check them."

"Mother…" Mo Xiaobao was on the verge of tears. Confinement was the punishment he hated most. He couldn’t leave his courtyard, and no one would come to play with him. Only his tutors would take turns teaching him daily. And thirty calligraphy sheets—unlike copying texts, calligraphy practice was far stricter. His eldest uncle, who excelled in calligraphy, was particularly demanding. When Mo Xiaobao first started practicing, sometimes not even one out of ten sheets would meet Xu Qingchen’s standards. That meant the thirty sheets his mother mentioned might end up being forty, fifty, or even a hundred.

Ye Li watched him calmly, smiling without a word. Mo Xiaobao immediately knew there was no hope with his mother and turned his pleading eyes to Mo Xiuyao nearby. "Father…"

Mo Xiuyao sat up and raised an eyebrow at Mo Xiaobao’s pitiful expression, smiling faintly. "A Li, punishing Xiao Bao like this isn’t appropriate." Ye Li arched her delicate brows, surprised. Normally, if she punished Mo Xiaobao, Mo Xiuyao would only complain it was too light—if he didn’t add fuel to the fire, it was already a blessing. This was the first time he had ever pleaded for leniency.

"How is it inappropriate?" Ye Li asked.

Mo Xiuyao said softly, "In two days, it’s Lin'er and Xin'er’s first birthday banquet. If Xiao Bao, their elder brother, is confined then, wouldn’t it… make outsiders laugh at us?"

Ye Li frowned. For such a grand banquet, it would indeed be odd for Mo Xiaobao, the Little Prince of Prince Ding's Estate, not to attend. But this wasn’t a big deal—they could just release him temporarily then.

Mo Xiuyao walked over and sat beside Ye Li, smiling. "I know you’re worried about Xiao Bao’s safety, which is why you want to confine him. But Xiao Bao isn’t a child anymore. This was probably just an accident. Right, Xiao Bao?"

Overjoyed that his father was speaking up for him, Mo Xiaobao nodded repeatedly. "Yes, Mother! I didn’t mean to come back late. I heard something very important at the embassy."

"Tell me," Ye Li said.

Mo Xiaobao quickly recounted what he had overheard at the embassy and his conversation with Mo Suiyun, then added, "So, I was afraid that if the Chu guards noticed me, it would alert them. That’s why… I waited until dark to leave with Qin Lie. Mother, I really know I was wrong."

Ye Li’s expression darkened. "Mo Jingli was at the embassy? Why didn’t you send someone to report it? If something had happened—" Mo Xiuyao took her slightly cold hand and asked Mo Xiaobao, "So, you’ve reached an agreement with Mo Suiyun?"

Mo Xiaobao sighed helplessly. "Suiyun doesn’t trust me. Someone representing Father will have to go there in person."Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment before nodding, "I'll have Han Mingyue go there later." After speaking, he patted Mo Xiaobao's little head and said, "You did well, and Father is very pleased. However... it was still a bit reckless. A Li, let's postpone his punishment by half a month."

"Father!?" Hearing this, Mo Xiaobao wailed. Wasn't Father supposed to plead for him? Why... why was he still being punished?

Mo Xiuyao smiled amiably at his son and asked gently, "What? Not satisfied? Then how about we follow your mother's suggestion and start your confinement tomorrow?" Mo Xiaobao immediately wilted, shaking his head dejectedly, "No, thank you, Father."

Mo Xiuyao nodded in satisfaction, "That's my good boy. Be good, go back and have your meal, then rest."

Coward! Mo Xiaobao glared daggers at Mo Xiuyao from where Ye Li couldn't see.

Mo Xiuyao responded with a smile: You were the one who messed up and got caught by your mother. What does that have to do with me?

You clearly said Mo Suiyun's matter was left to me!

I never said you could come home in the middle of the night.

Once again defeated by his father, Mo Xiaobao silently gritted his teeth while obediently taking his leave. "Mother, Father, I bid you goodnight." Ye Li nodded and sighed softly, ruffling her son's hair, "Go back and rest early."

Watching Mo Xiaobao walk out, Ye Li sighed softly with a hint of helplessness. Mo Xiaobao was too clever and had learned too much—she didn’t wish to restrain him like this. But he was still so young, and his personality inevitably carried some childish impulsiveness and recklessness, making it impossible not to worry.

Mo Xiuyao held her gently and comforted her in a soft voice, "Don’t worry. Xiao Bao will grow up gradually. At his age, I wasn’t even as capable as him." This could be considered the highest praise Mo Xiuyao, as a father, had ever given his son—unfortunately, Mo Xiaobao would never know.

Ye Li leaned into his embrace and nodded lightly.