Mo Li

Mo Xiuyao nodded in satisfaction and smiled, "Thank you. Since you’ve all been so generous, this prince will gladly accept."

"Mo Xiuyao!" Mo Jingli couldn’t help but roar in fury. By now, it was clear to him that he had been thoroughly played by Mo Xiuyao and even used as a bargaining chip against Western Liang, Northern Rong, and Nanzhao. Such humiliation nearly drove Mo Jingli out of his mind.

Beside him, Mo Jingyu, who had collapsed to the ground, was deathly pale, his gaze unfocused. It’s over…

Mo Xiuyao said leisurely, "Jing Li, I told you over a decade ago—don’t bother with things that require brains. They don’t suit you. With your temperament, if you had the upper hand, how could you resist humiliating me before making a clean move? If I were you, I wouldn’t even have stepped into this hall. I’d have just rained arrows from outside."

"Do you think these are my only cards?" Mo Jingli sneered. Despite his overwhelming rage, he was no longer a reckless teenager and quickly reined in his fury.

Mo Xiuyao raised a brow. "What else do you have to say? Ah, right—the Nanzhao prince is in your hands, isn’t he?" Mo Jingli remained silent, smirking coldly. Unfazed, Mo Xiuyao continued indifferently, "So what if he is? The child is in Li Cheng now, isn’t he? Whose house have you hidden him in? I don’t believe you have many strongholds left in Li Cheng. Who among you… can tell me where Mo Jingli has hidden the Nanzhao prince?" He gazed down at the crowd below with an air of dominance.

For a long moment, no one spoke. Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes. "No one wants to talk? I wonder if your families will be as tight-lipped." The expressions of those present shifted drastically. Most of them were heads or key figures of prominent noble families—households far larger than ordinary families of a few or a dozen members. Once implicated, it would involve hundreds. The threat of extermination sent chills down everyone’s spines.

Mo Jingli scoffed, "Do you really think they know anything?"

Mo Xiuyao leaned back comfortably in his chair, idly toying with Ye Li’s slender hand as he chuckled. "Jing Li, you’ve suffered at their hands before, yet you still haven’t learned. Did you really think just because you hold their secrets, they’d obey you meekly? Did you think they wouldn’t keep their own backups while working for you?"

Mo Jingli’s face stiffened, and he sharply turned his gaze to the people on the ground. Many avoided his eyes uncomfortably, and his heart sank.

On the dais, Mo Xiuyao clapped his hands. "Now, who will tell me the whereabouts of the Nanzhao prince?"

The hall remained silent for a while before a man finally trembled and crawled forward. "Wang Ye… Wang Ye, spare me! This humble official… will speak… Ah?!" Before he could finish, Mo Jingli, standing nearby, kicked him away. The man was a frail scholar with no martial prowess, and Mo Jingli, though not a peerless expert, was far from weak. Kicking him was as easy as swatting a fly—the man was sent flying, crashing into a pillar and coughing up blood. Mo Jingli sneered, "Fool! Do you think Mo Xiuyao will spare any of you just because you talk?!"

Mo Xiuyao shrugged, unusually earnest. "This prince can at least make your deaths more comfortable." In other words, whether they spoke or not, they would die—the only difference was how.Thus, the restless crowd fell silent once more.

Mo Xiuyao was in no hurry. He slowly rose from his seat and descended the steps of the hall. His unhurried steps carried an inexplicable pressure, so much so that even the aggressive Mo Jingli involuntarily retreated two steps. When he realized his own reaction, his face turned a mix of green and purple in humiliation.

"Minister Zhao?" Mo Xiuyao approached Zhao Zhefang with a faint smile.

"P-Prince?" Zhao Zhefang's face was deathly pale as he stammered in response.

"Where is the young prince of Nanzhao?" Mo Xiuyao asked. Zhao Zhefang shook his head, "This old minister... this old minister does not know."

"You don't know?" Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow in displeasure. "Then what do you know?" Zhao Zhefang's eyes darted around, not daring to meet Mo Xiuyao's gaze even for a moment. He pleaded pitifully, "This old minister... this old minister knows nothing. I beg for mercy, Your Highness! I was momentarily confused, I won’t dare again, never again!" Mo Xiuyao looked down at him, sighed softly, and said indifferently, "The entire Zhao family shall be imprisoned. Execution will be scheduled." With that, Mo Xiuyao turned away, showing no further interest in Zhao Zhefang.

Those kneeling on the ground were stunned. Clearly, none had expected Prince Ding's interrogation to be so swift and decisive. Or perhaps, Prince Ding simply didn’t care about the outcome.

"No! Your Highness, this old minister admits his wrongs! Spare us, Your Highness..." Zhao Zhefang wailed. Seeing that Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t even glance his way, he turned his desperate gaze toward Ye Li, seated on the dais. "Wang Fei, this old minister was wrong! Please spare this old minister and my family! They are all innocent, I beg for mercy, Wang Fei!" Ye Li sighed softly and turned to Mr. Qingyun with a gentle smile. "Grandfather, this commotion is too much. Why don’t you let Fifth Brother accompany you back to rest?"

Mr. Qingyun, being elderly, had no wish to witness too much bloodshed. Yet he also understood that today’s situation would not be easily resolved. With a long sigh, he nodded. "Qingyan, come with me."

The Fifth Young Master of the Xu family, who had been eagerly watching the spectacle, gave Ye Li a pitiful look. But he dared not disobey his grandfather’s order and could only rise to assist Mr. Qingyun out of the hall. Only after Mr. Qingyun had disappeared through the rear exit did Ye Li turn back to Zhao Zhefang, who was still pleading desperately. Calmly, she asked, "Minister Zhao claims your family is innocent. But do you know how many would have died had your scheme succeeded today? Did you spare even a single thought for their innocence when you plotted this? Or were you only thinking of the rewards you’d reap upon success?"

Zhao Zhefang was left speechless. Ye Li retrieved a thin slip of paper from her sleeve and smiled faintly. "I have something here, Minister Zhao. Perhaps you’d like to see it." A guard standing nearby stepped forward to take the paper, but Ye Li waved him off and descended the steps herself, placing it directly into Zhao Zhefang’s hands.

With just one glance, Zhao Zhefang trembled uncontrollably. The slip Ye Li handed him was thin, but he recognized it—it had been torn from a ledger hidden in a secret compartment in his study. And the contents recorded there were things he could never afford to let others know.Once these matters were revealed, even if Prince Ding spared his life, he wouldn't survive. "I... I'll talk. The Little... Little Prince, the Little Prince has been captured. He's hidden... hidden in one of my estates outside the city. As for the Nanzhao prince... this old minister truly doesn't know his whereabouts..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was shocked. Although the absence of Prince Ding's Little Prince all day had already aroused speculation, no one expected he had actually been captured by Mo Jingli.

Hearing Zhao Zhefang's words, Mo Jingli wasn't angry but instead burst into laughter. "Zhao Zhefang, do you really think Mo Yuchen is still in your estate? Did you truly believe I would trust you so much?" Zhao Zhefang remained silent. Mo Jingli was deeply suspicious—it was entirely possible he had secretly moved Mo Xiaobao after the initial transfer.

"Well? Mo Xiuyao, who won this round—you or me?" Mo Jingli sneered as he looked at Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li.

Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li's hand, calmly and composedly meeting Mo Jingli's gaze. Knowing he wouldn't gain any advantage here today, Mo Jingli glared hatefully at Mo Xiuyao and said, "Get out of my way! Let me leave, or else... prepare to bury your son!"

Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes and replied indifferently, "Earlier, I had someone deliver a message to you. It seems you didn't receive it?"

Mo Jingli froze, finally realizing what Mo Xiuyao meant. He sneered, "If I can't even survive myself, why should I care about him?" Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly before nodding. "Very well. I did say... the longer you live, the more you'll suffer. Since you refuse to believe me, go ahead. I guarantee no one will touch you for the first quarter-hour after you leave Prince Ding's Estate."

Mo Jingli stared warily at Mo Xiuyao, clearly distrusting his promise. Unfazed, Mo Xiuyao took Ye Li's hand and returned to the hall.

"You really aren't afraid I'll kill your son?" Mo Jingli demanded. He couldn't believe Mo Xiuyao would let him go so easily. Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome to try."

"You think I won't?!" Mo Jingli gritted his teeth. Mo Xiuyao remained calm. "I said, you can try." Whether he could succeed was another matter.

After a moment of hesitation, Mo Jingli finally abandoned his poisoned subordinates and followers, rushing out alone. Mo Xiuyao paid no mind to his departure. With a wave of his hand, attendants swiftly cleaned the hall, replenishing it with fresh fruits, pastries, and wine. The black-clad men who had accompanied Mo Jingli and those who had betrayed Prince Ding's Estate were all removed. Within minutes, the hall was restored to its former state, as if nothing had happened.

"My apologies for the jest—I hope I didn't alarm our guests too much. I'll punish myself with a drink as an apology." Mo Xiuyao raised his cup with a smile, addressing the assembly. The guests, looking up at the white-haired man in snow-white robes, felt a chilling breeze sweep over them. Dazedly, they rose and drank with him.Watching Mo Xiuyao converse calmly and cheerfully with the crowd, even Wang Fei sat beside Prince Ding with a faint smile, seemingly completely unaffected by the news of the Little Prince's capture. This inevitably made everyone question the authenticity of the report. But if it were false, why would Prince Ding release Mo Jingli at this moment?

"Wang Ye, what do you think... what is Prince Ding trying to do?" The official behind Lei Tengfeng glanced at the young emperor Mo Suiyun sitting alone across the hall and asked in a low voice.

Lei Tengfeng smiled faintly. "Cleaning house, asserting dominance, and... toying with Mo Jingli for fun. It has nothing to do with us, so don’t bother." Western Liang’s current situation didn’t need more schemes or risks—they only needed stability. As long as they could maintain the status quo and preserve Western Liang’s vitality, nothing else mattered.

"T-Toying with Mo Jingli?" The official stammered, clearly unable to accept Lei Tengfeng’s conclusion. During such an important gathering of nations, causing such a scene seemed like a slap to Prince Ding's Estate. Could someone really treat this as a game?

Lei Tengfeng sighed helplessly. "Precisely because Mo Xiuyao treats this as a game... that makes it all the more terrifying." To regard such an important occasion and matter as mere amusement—either he was utterly incompetent or he simply didn’t see his enemies as a threat. And Mo Xiuyao was clearly the latter.

The official finally grasped Lei Tengfeng’s meaning and couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath, casting a fearful glance at Mo Xiuyao on the dais. "He... Prince Ding is that confident nothing will go wrong?" If any of tonight’s banquet attendees were harmed, it would be no small matter—let alone the Little Prince of Prince Ding's Estate?

Lei Tengfeng shook his head. He had never felt he truly understood Mo Xiuyao, and perhaps never would.

On the dais, Xu Qingchen glanced at Mo Xiuyao and said coolly, "Aren’t you going to check on things?" Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "No rush. Let him jump around a bit longer." It was clear he saw Lei Tengfeng as nothing more than a dog to be played with.

"Don’t take it too far," Xu Qingchen reminded calmly. Though Mo Xiaobao was clever and had hidden protection, he was still just a child. If Mo Jingli were cornered and lashed out, harming Xiao Bao would be an unacceptable loss.

Mo Xiuyao sighed and pulled Ye Li to her feet with a smile. "Fine, let’s go take a look. We’ll leave the rest to you, Qingchen Gongzi."

As Mo Xiuyao stood, the murmuring crowd below fell silent once more. He smiled and announced, "Esteemed guests, Wang Fei and I must excuse ourselves for now. Qingchen Gongzi will attend to you in our stead—please, enjoy yourselves." His words were polite and tactful, but the underlying message was unmistakable: I’m going to deal with Mo Jingli. Stay put if you value your lives.

Watching Prince Ding and Wang Fei depart gracefully, everyone turned their gazes to Qingchen Gongzi. With a serene smile, the elegant and refined young master raised his cup. "Please, make yourselves at ease. Allow me to toast you all first. Cheers."

"Qingchen Gongzi, please."In Li Cheng, the night was equally lively. The first birthday celebration of the two little princes and the little princess of Prince Ding's Estate had the entire populace joining in the festivities. Though it was already late, the main streets of Li Cheng were still packed with crowds as if it were a grand festival. Many citizens offered various forms of blessings for the little princes and princess, a clear testament to the status and prestige Prince Ding's Estate held in the hearts of the people, not just in Li Cheng but throughout the entire northwest.

Mo Jingli darted swiftly through the dark alleys of Li Cheng. The once resplendent dragon robe he wore had long been discarded, leaving only a dark undergarment. If the Mo Jingli at the banquet had seemed like a triumphant emperor, the current Mo Jingli was nothing more than a disheveled and desperate fugitive. Mo Xiuyao had indeed kept his promise—no obstacles hindered him as he left Prince Ding's Estate, but this did little to ease Mo Jingli's unease. He couldn't shake the feeling that countless shadow guards of the Mo Family Army and Qilin were trailing him, ready to strike when he least expected it.

Fortunately, it was already May, and wearing only an undergarment didn’t bring any chill. Mo Jingli stuck to the darkest alleys of Li Cheng, avoiding any unwanted attention. After winding through the labyrinth of narrow lanes for nearly an hour, he finally believed he had shaken off his pursuers from Prince Ding's Estate. With a sigh of relief, he activated his Light Body Skill and sped off in another direction.

In a hidden chamber, two identical children sat on the edge of a simple bed, cradling a sleeping infant in swaddling clothes. Mo Xiaobao craned his neck to peer at the baby in Qin Lie's arms and couldn’t resist poking its tiny cheek. "So ugly," he remarked.

Qin Lie replied impassively, "You looked just like this when you were a baby."

Mo Xiaobao refused to believe it. "That can’t be true. Lin'er and Xin'er were adorable when they were little." Qin Lie countered, "That just proves the second prince and the young master were better-looking than you." Mo Xiaobao snorted, turning his face away with a haughty air. "No need to be jealous of my unparalleled handsomeness. Right now, you look exactly like me, don’t you?" Qin Lie rolled his eyes at the ceiling of the chamber.

Mo Xiaobao glanced outside and frowned. "Mo Jingli will be back soon. Let’s take this little brat and get out of here." The biggest mistake someone could make was not knowing the principle of having multiple hideouts—placing all their bets in one location. Thus, Mo Xiaobao and his companions, following Qin Lie, had easily located the missing young prince of Nanzhao, who had been missing for days.

Separated from Princess Anxi, the young prince had suffered greatly. Mo Jingli, naturally, had no inclination to care for a child, nor would he treat another’s offspring with kindness. The boy had been kept barely alive. When Mo Xiaobao found him, Qin Lie was struggling to soothe the crying infant. It turned out that despite his rigorous training in shadow guard techniques from a young age, Qin Lie was far less adept at handling children than Mo Xiaobao—at least the latter had two younger siblings to practice on.

After successfully lulling the hoarse-voiced young prince to sleep, Mo Xiaobao and Qin Lie began discussing their escape plan.Qin Lie said calmly, "The entire courtyard is surrounded by Mo Jingli's men. Just because you got in doesn't mean you can get out. Especially with a child in tow." A six-month-old baby wouldn't understand anything—if startled awake, it would cry incessantly. Moreover... the child was too small and fragile. Qin Lie didn't dare risk carrying him into danger.

Mo Xiaobao lowered his head dejectedly. "I made a bet with Father that I could do this without using shadow guards or the Qilin."

Qin Lie resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "You'd gamble with something this important?" Mo Xiaobao guiltily fiddled with his fingers. "That's exactly why it's worth betting on." His father wouldn't bother betting with him over trivial matters.

"What did you bet?"

"If I win, I don't have to be grounded." That's why the Little Prince had gone to such lengths, using himself as bait to track Mo Jingli while stubbornly refusing to call on the shadow guards following him. Being grounded was just too terrifying, cruel, and unreasonable.

"I knew it. So what's your plan now? How exactly do you think the two of us can kill Mo Jingli?" Qin Lie asked dryly. Mo Xiaobao hesitated. "Poison?"

"Do you have any?" Qin Lie countered.

"I have poison that causes diarrhea," Mo Xiaobao admitted. Shen wouldn't give him anything lethal.

Qin Lie nodded solemnly. "You can pray that he dies from diarrhea."

Mo Xiaobao could only roll his eyes. By the time Mo Jingli died from diarrhea, it'd be far too late.