Mo Li

The news that the young prince of Prince Ding's Estate was selecting a consort had unknowingly spread far and wide. As a result, it wasn’t just the nobility of Li Cheng who were stirred—even influential figures from other regions and neighboring kingdoms began to buzz with excitement. Western Liang, Southern Chu, and several small Western kingdoms sent envoys to express their interest in forming marital alliances. Meanwhile, the local aristocrats under Prince Ding’s jurisdiction were even more direct, bringing their daughters straight to Li Cheng.

Their reasoning was simple: if selected, their families would rise to unprecedented heights. If not, it was still a chance to broaden their horizons in Li Cheng. The city was no longer just the capital of Prince Ding’s Estate—it had become the essential hub for trade and cultural exchange between the Western regions and the Central Plains. Its prestige had long surpassed that of the former Chu Jing, the bygone Guangling, and even the current Southern Chu’s Nanjing, solidifying its status as the foremost city in the Central Plains.

Amid the bustling streets of Li Cheng, a group of similarly aged youths strolled through the crowd. Though their attire was unremarkable, their striking looks drew many glances from passersby.

Mo Xiaobao patted his face with satisfaction. Qilin’s disguise techniques were truly impressive—no one recognized him even in public. He glanced back at Qin Lie, Xu Zhirui, and Leng Junhan and nodded approvingly. The four of them had grown up in Li Cheng, and the locals were all too familiar with them. Especially Xiao Bao—ever since inheriting the title of Prince Ding, every outing seemed to involve some sort of "coincidental encounter." The young prince lamented that, despite now ruling the estate, the vast city of Li Cheng was no longer the carefree playground of his childhood. In less than half a year, he had developed the habit of always disguising himself before stepping out.

"Why does the city feel even livelier than usual?" Li Cheng was prosperous, but were there always this many people? Mo Xiaobao stared blankly at the packed silk shops, jewelry stores, and cosmetic boutiques lining the streets. Had his governance truly been so effective that the city’s population had exploded in such a short time?

Xu Zhirui, walking behind him, shot him a cool glance and mercilessly shattered his delusion. "Don’t flatter yourself. This is all your doing." The Xu family’s doorstep had nearly been worn down by visitors lately, and the constant inquiries had left Young Master Xu in a foul mood.

"Me?" Mo Xiaobao blinked innocently at Xu Zhirui. "What did I do?"

Leng Junhan, cheerfully admiring the parade of beauties passing by, chimed in, "Isn’t His Highness Prince Ding planning to select a consort? These young ladies are all preparing for the selection banquet." Regardless of whether a suitable royal consort would actually be chosen, the merchants selling silk, cosmetics, and jewelry had certainly profited handsomely—so in that regard, Prince Xiao Bao had made quite an impact.

"Selection banquet? What nonsense is that?" Mo Xiaobao looked utterly lost.

The other three exchanged glances, silently staring at him. After a long pause, Qin Lie finally asked, "Don’t tell me you never actually intended to choose a consort?"

Mo Xiaobao lifted his chin with a haughty sniff. "Why would I? I just mentioned it casually. Did I issue an official decree? Post any announcements? No, right? Clearly, these people are just getting ahead of themselves."The four of them were secretly hiding in a teahouse on the busiest street of Li Cheng, peering down from the window above to observe the situation across the street.

"That seems to be the Third Miss of the Wei family," Leng Junhan leaned excitedly against the window. "They say she's currently the most beautiful woman in Li Cheng. I didn’t expect her to be here too."

Mo Xiaobao glanced outside disinterestedly. The most beautiful woman in Li Cheng? Just average. She wasn’t even as pretty as his mother or his aunts. The only notable thing was that she was younger than them. "I recall the Wei family isn’t particularly wealthy. The things at Yuhan Pavilion aren’t cheap. Send someone to investigate later. If there’s any wrongdoing, confiscate their property!"

Hearing Mo Xiaobao’s words, Leng Junhan immediately lost interest in the so-called beauty. Turning back, he leaned on the table eagerly and suggested, "Right! We can have people record what they buy and then check the accounts. We’re bound to catch a lot of corrupt officials!"

Mo Xiaobao rested his chin on his hand, seriously considering the feasibility of the idea. Meanwhile, Xu Zhirui rubbed his temples and interjected, "You should probably think about what you’ll do if Western Liang and Southern Chu really send princesses for marriage alliances."

"Marriage alliance? Southern Chu wouldn’t send a princess, would they?" Southern Chu and Prince Ding’s Estate were originally one family. Since Wang Fei lost, close relatives couldn’t marry.

Qin Lie chuckled, "Actually, the blood ties between Prince Ding’s Estate and Southern Chu are quite distant. Who knows? Mo Suiyun might just send you a princess." Mo Suiyun and Mo Xiaobao were close in age, both young rulers governing their lands. Though they hadn’t clashed yet, Qin Lie could already foresee the future conflicts between them.

Mo Xiaobao stroked his chin and grinned mischievously. "Even if they send one, it’s fine. Aren’t you all still unmarried? How about one princess each?"

"No way!" Leng Junhan was the first to object, declaring righteously, "I’ve already pledged my life to Xin’er. I must remain pure for her!"

"Bull!" Mo Xiaobao spat out the crude word with an elegant smirk. "Who said you could marry Xin’er? If you dare tarnish my little Xin’er’s reputation again, I’ll marry you off to an ugly, fat, and violent harpy!"

Leng Junhan immediately covered his mouth and hid behind Xu Zhirui. Mo Xiaobao’s ideas were terrifying—and worse, he had the power to make them reality. The thought of returning home one day to find a seven-foot-tall, dark, obese, buck-toothed harpy waiting for him made Leng Junhan’s handsome face turn pale with horror.

"Your Highness, an envoy from Southern Chu requests an audience," a guard hurriedly reported from outside the private room.

Mo Xiaobao looked up. "An envoy from Southern Chu? What’s the matter?"

The guard presented a gilded invitation. "Emperor Chu is getting married. He invites Your Highness to attend the ceremony."

"Oh?" Mo Xiaobao accepted the invitation with interest. It indeed stated that in two months, Emperor Chu Mo Suiyun would marry the granddaughter of Southern Chu’s Grand Tutor, Lady Qian, as his empress. "The little emperor is taking a wife? Should we go take a look?""The little emperor? Mo Suiyun?" Leng Junhan asked with little interest. He didn’t really have much of an impression of Mo Suiyun and had long forgotten that he had once tricked him. Of course, Young Master Leng might not even think he had done anything wrong. Over five years ago, none of them had paid Mo Suiyun any attention. But in recent years, Mo Suiyun had been thriving in Southern Chu—battling court officials, confronting the Empress Dowager—and now, not even twenty years old, he had already seized control of nearly half the Southern Chu court. This was what finally piqued Mo Xiaobao’s interest in the little emperor his father had once praised. Mo Suiyun, it seemed, had gradually discovered the joy of "struggling against heaven, earth, and man—endless delight" through countless conflicts. This year, he had even begun to provocatively challenge Mo Xiaobao, who was about the same age. Though he hadn’t done anything too extreme, Mo Xiaobao had keenly sensed the hostility from the little emperor who had once run away from home with him to play. Over this, Mo Xiaobao had silently "grieved" for a whole fifteen minutes.

"You want to go to Southern Chu?" Xu Zhirui frowned as he asked.

Mo Xiaobao sighed. "If I don’t go now, I won’t get another chance." Right now, he still had his eldest uncle and fourth uncle to help with everything, but Mo Xiaobao could already tell that his eldest uncle wouldn’t stay for long. If he didn’t take advantage of their presence now, once his eldest uncle left, he’d be left crying alone over official documents. But… he could probably drag things out until Xu Zhirui and Leng Junhan were old enough to help, right?

Mo Xiaobao loved negotiating with people, but usually, what he brought up for discussion were things he had already decided. So, when he posed the question, the other three only put up a token resistance before unanimously agreeing. Truth be told… they also wanted to go out and have fun.

Early the next morning, before dawn, four figures slipped out of Prince Ding’s Estate, heading toward the city gates, ready to bolt the moment they opened.

"Big brother, Xiao Bao gege…"

A cheerful voice called out from the dimly lit street. Mo Xiaobao froze for a second before swiftly darting to the corner, scooping up the smug little brat waving at him, covering his mouth, and dragging him away.

"What are you doing here at this hour?!" Mo Xiaobao gritted his teeth as he glared at the innocent and adorable Mo Yufeng. Shouldn’t this kid be sound asleep in bed right now?! Without a shred of guilt for abandoning his little brother to go play alone, Mo Xiaobao grabbed Mo Yufeng by the collar and demanded.

Mo Yufeng, unbothered by being dangled midair by his brother, waved his arms excitedly. "Lin’er heard Junhan gege say you were sneaking out to play without me! Lin’er wants to go too! Lin’er waited here to go with you!"

The three older boys all turned to glare at Leng Junhan: You ruin everything!

Leng Junhan sighed helplessly and rubbed his nose. Who knew the kid would overhear at just the right moment? Taking the little bun from Mo Xiaobao’s hands, he coaxed with a smile, "Lin’er, be good. We’re not going out to play—we’re going to handle some business."

"Lin’er will help!" Mo Yufeng raised his little hand enthusiastically.

You’re six years old—what help could you possibly be?!

"It’ll be exhausting—sleeping rough every day, and there are tigers that eat people," Leng Junhan warned ominically.Mo Yufeng looked up at him with sparkling big eyes, "Tiger! Fight tiger!"

Xu Zhirui stepped forward, grabbed Mo Yufeng, and said sternly, "You're not allowed to go!"

"No go?" Mo Yufeng blinked his eyes pitifully at his cousin.

"Hmm."

"Waaah..." Mo Yufeng's little mouth quivered, ready to burst into loud wails. Everyone quickly covered his mouth—this little ancestor had such strong lungs that his cries could wake up half the street. The child nestled in Xu Zhirui's arms, looking pitifully at his brother, "No go, cry!"

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes. He took back his earlier words—whoever said this kid was dumb, he'd kick them to death!

And so, the four young boys who had been tricked by a child not yet seven years old set off toward the city gate with a fair and tender little bun in tow.

By the time dawn broke and Qingchen Gongzi arrived at the estate to discuss official matters, he discovered that not a single master remained in Prince Ding's Estate. On the desk where he usually sat in the study lay a letter.

"Emperor Chu's wedding, will return in half a year."

Xu Qingyan, standing behind Qingchen Gongzi, couldn't help but twitch his lips at the sight. Sending wedding gifts for half a year—this young prince was truly carefree.

"Xiao Bao even took Lin'er with him? Should we go after them?" A half-grown boy taking a real little child out was always a bit worrying. Xu Qingchen shook his head, setting down the letter and leisurely beginning to handle official business. "No need. Since he took them, he must have some sense of responsibility." Besides, even if Mo Xiaobao ran away from home, how could he really just leave with only a few kids? There were surely shadow guards—maybe even Qilin—following them in secret. Not to mention Prince Ding's Estate had people everywhere to look after them along the way. There was no need to worry about anything happening.

Xu Qingyan nodded, silently grumbling about Mo Xiaobao's lack of camaraderie—having fun and not even bothering to invite him along. Just as he was thinking this, Xu Qingchen suddenly turned and fixed him with a stare. Xu Qingyan jumped, thinking his thoughts had been discovered. "B-Big brother?"

Xu Qingchen said calmly, "There's something we need to deal with quickly."

"What is it?" Xu Qingyan asked blankly.

Xu Qingchen replied indifferently, "The matter of the bride selection banquet." The idle old men in Li Cheng were treating this matter with the same fervor as when they had eagerly awaited Mo Xiuyao's ascension to the throne. Rumor had it they had even decided on the location and time. If they found out Mo Xiaobao had tricked them and run off, wouldn't they be furious enough to spit blood?

"But... what does that have to do with us?" Xu Qingyan asked, trembling slightly. He had no desire to argue with those old men.

Qingchen Gongzi pondered for a moment, then nodded. "You're right, it has nothing to do with us. If anyone asks, just say we'll wait for Wang Ye to return before making any decisions."

Xu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, grinning. "Who knows, maybe Mo Xiaobao will come back with a Wang Fei." If that really happened, he wondered what expressions those old men would have.

On the official road dozens of miles from Li Cheng, four young boys rode their horses leisurely along the path. One of the horses carried a fair and delicate little child.

"I feel like we forgot something," Leng Junhan said with a frown, looking troubled.

Mo Xiaobao glanced at him. "What is it?"Leng Junhan glanced at him and said, "The consort selection banquet!" He vaguely remembered someone mentioning that the banquet was scheduled for early next month, still over ten days away. What would be the point of holding it if Mo Xiaobao wasn't even there?

Mo Xiaobao waved his hand dismissively. "A trivial matter."

"Did you give instructions before leaving?"

"Why would I need to?" Mo Xiaobao looked puzzled. "I never asked them to hold that consort selection banquet. If they want to organize it, let them." As for how the selection would proceed or who would marry the chosen candidates—that wasn't his concern either. He had merely casually expressed his personal wish for a lifelong monogamous relationship to those close to him. Who knew these idle people would spin so many fantasies out of it?

"They might postpone it until you return before holding it," Leng Junhan said. One shouldn't underestimate people's obsession with the position of Princess Ding. Waiting for Mo Xiaobao's return to hold the banquet wouldn't be any trouble at all—he would have to go back eventually.

Mo Xiaobao patted his younger brother's head and grinned. "Even better. I recall many soldiers in the Mo Family Army are still unmarried. I was just thinking of hosting a matchmaking banquet to help them settle their lifelong affairs."

"..."

–––––– Author's Note ––––––

Decided to change it to "Xiao Bao's Mischief Chronicles" instead—honestly, I don't see our dear Xiao Bao needing to strive for anything.

Also, dear readers, the novel is currently in talks for publication, which might require major revisions. The side stories may not be updated as promptly—please bear with me. Though it's uncertain whether it'll actually get published, having a physical release is, after all, every web novelist's ultimate dream.