Mo Suiyun, after being taken back to the guesthouse by Mo Jingyu, naturally didn’t know how those little brats had evaluated him, nor did he have the mindset to think about such things. As a newly enthroned little emperor who was currently little better than a puppet, he inevitably faced Mo Jingyu’s admonishment and scolding upon return. Thus, Mo Suiyun also understood that before he could grasp real power, he had no right to try matching wits with Mo Xiaobao. No matter how much he disapproved of or looked down upon the carefree young master of Prince Ding’s mansion and his fox and dog friends unless he could grasp real power in Great Chu, he had no qualification to compete with Prince Ding’s young master. So, Mo Suiyun quickly put today’s events behind him, focusing all his attention on dealing with Mo Jingyu and Great Chu’s ministers.

At this time, the little Emperor Mo Suiyun hadn’t considered whether he, who had been so easily coaxed out by the supposedly carefree Mo Xiaobao whom he looked down upon, might be more thoughtless than someone else, leading to countless losses at that person’s hands later.

In the restaurant, after sending away the outsider Mo Suiyun and Feng Zhiyao, the suspected spy for Prince Ding, Mo Xiaobao and the others closed the door and began discussing again. Mo Xiaobao propped his chin up, looking at Qin Lie, and asked, “Father seems to think highly of this Mo Suiyun. Qin Lie, do you think Mo Suiyun will win or end up unfortunate like Mo Shuyun?”

Qin Lie thought for a moment, then shook his head, “Hard to say. Mo Suiyun has more courage and cunning than Mo Shuyun. Just don’t know if Mo Jingyu has ambitions.”

Leng Junhan lay sprawled on the soft couch, saying lazily, “Doesn’t Great Chu still have that old witch? She’ll help her grandson. Besides Mo Suiyun, Great Chu probably doesn’t have many princes left, right? They can’t keep switching back and forth anymore.”

“Great Chu’s Grand Empress Dowager is also very old,” Xu Zhirui said seriously with his little cold face.

Mo Xiaobao blinked, saying softly, “So… Mo Suiyun has a good chance of winning?”

“As long as he’s not an idiot. But… he does seem a bit silly,” Leng Junhan said worriedly. In his view, anyone who could be played by Mo Xiaobao was silly – one couldn’t trust even a single expression from someone like Mo Xiaobao.

Mo Xiaobao’s eyes rolled around as he said, “Then let’s give him a reminder, we’re good friends after all.”

“Whatever,” Leng Junhan and Xu Zhirui said indifferently. Leng Junhan continued rubbing his stomach while Xu Zhirui sat properly to one side, absorbed in reading a book. Qin Lie cast a meaningful glance at the three children several years younger than himself. When he first met these fellows, he thought he was a good person. After spending time with them, he seriously doubted whether he would still be a good person in the future.

In another private room, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao sat leisurely listening to the children next door discussing their grand plans in a practiced manner. Feng Zhiyao, Leng Huoyu, and others sat to one side, looking at Mo Xiuyao with half-suppressed smiles. After their discussion ended and the sound of children’s footsteps leaving came from outside, Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head painfully, “What sin did this world commit to producing such freakish children?”

These were just children a few years old, yet they were already calculating how to scheme against another country’s little emperor. When they were that age, they were still fighting, skipping school, and playing. What would happen in a few more years?

Leng Huoyu sighed helplessly, “It is true that one takes on the color of one’s company – our Junhan has been corrupted.” He remembered when his precious son used to be a soft, tender, adorable little bun. Of course, his son was still adorable now, just… his personality was slightly warped. This was a case of taking on the color of one’s company. Leng Huoyu felt somewhat guilty – it was because he hadn’t had time to look after his son that he had gotten too close to Prince Ding’s Mo Xiaobao. Truly a case of taking on the color of “Mo” (ink)!

“You speak as if your son were so innocent,” Mo Xiuyao cast a lazy glance at Leng Huoyu. While Mo Xiaobao appeared devious, the Leng family’s boy wore a layer of seeming foolishness while being deadly cunning underneath.

Feng Zhiyao asked curiously, “From Mo Xiaobao’s meaning, he seems to want to help Great Chu’s little emperor. Is this not a problem?” It should be known that the little emperor was no pushover either. At such a young age he already knew how to sow discord, and had hit the mark accurately. Though slightly naive and unable to fool Mo Xiaobao, it should be noted that the little emperor had been on the throne for less than two months, and before that had been left to grow up without guidance. From this perspective, with just a little instruction, that little emperor’s future achievements could be limitless.

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, “What problem could there be? Even if there is a problem, it’s his problem. Could you expect this prince to kill all threatening people for him?” He wasn’t a father who spoiled children.

You really can be at ease. Feng Zhiyao and Leng Huoyu exchanged glances, looking disapprovingly at Ye Li. Ye Li smiled faintly, “For that little emperor to grasp real power in Great Chu, even with heaven-blessed talent, it would likely take no less than ten years. There’s no need to worry now.”

Rather than letting Mo Jingyu or any other adult take ten years to grasp power, it would be better to give that little emperor ten years to compete for authority. In ten years, both Mo Xiaobao and the entire Prince Ding mansion should have recovered their strength from these two years of war. By that time, Mo Suiyun might not necessarily have truly gained one hundred percent control over Great Chu’s real power. To put it, Mo Xiaobao had no intention of helping Mo Suiyun – he just didn’t want Mo Suiyun to fail so quickly. It must be said that in some ways, Mo Xiaobao was already showing the early form of his father.

“Children these days… are truly remarkable,” Feng Zhiyao sighed. Or were Prince Ding’s children especially abnormal?

“My Lord, My Lady,” Yao Ji requested an audience at the door.

Since returning to Li City, Yao Ji has returned to managing the restaurant she had run for several years, living peacefully. However, she occasionally collected information for Prince Ding’s mansion, generally living a quiet life.

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

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand, “As expected. What was Prince Changxing’s attitude?”

Yao Ji said, “Prince Changxing didn’t meet with the people Prince Yu sent, probably not wanting too much involvement with them.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded, “Those siblings aren’t fools. As long as they don’t make any unusual moves, we don’t need to mind them.”

Leng Huoyu pondered for a moment before saying, “I remember… Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning have a younger brother in Nanjing. Could there be trouble from that direction?” Even though Great Chu now only controlled the south, they probably wouldn’t remain quiet forever. They might use that young prince to cause problems – it couldn’t be ignored.

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “If they live peacefully, this prince naturally won’t mistreat them. But if they do something they shouldn’t, don’t blame this prince for showing no mercy. Keep an eye on them.”

Yao Ji nodded, hesitating before saying, “Someone seems to have spotted Mo Jingli appearing in the northwest.”

“Mo Jingli?” Everyone was startled, and surprised to suddenly hear this name. Since Liyang fell, Mo Jingli had disappeared without a trace. They had considered eliminating him, but initially, the emergency at Feihong Pass left no time to spare. Later, after things settled, Mo Jingli had long vanished. In this vast world, if someone truly wanted to hide, finding them was no easy task.

Moreover, Mo Jingli had been deposed from his position as emperor, with neither troops nor influence, and his martial arts weren’t particularly exceptional, so few people had paid attention to his whereabouts.

“Are you certain?” Mo Xiuyao asked with furrowed brows.

Yao Ji shook her head, “Can’t confirm yet.”

Mo Xiuyao thought for a moment, then said, “Leak this information to Mo Jingyu.” The current holder of Great Chu’s power, Mo Jingyu, presumably would want even less than them to see Mo Jingli reappear.

“This servant obeys,” Yao Ji nodded in acknowledgment.

In a hidden village outside Li City, a man wearing coarse cloth clothing with a face full of beard, making his features almost unrecognizable, sat lost in thought in a crude room, his expression twisted.

“Your Majesty,” a similarly dressed man entered and bowed.

The man turned to look at him, asking coldly, “What news from Li City?”

The man said solemnly, “Prince Yu has brought the newly enthroned little emperor Mo Suiyun to Li City. Arriving at the same time was Xiling’s new Prince Zhengnan, Lei Tengfeng. Today… Prince Ding’s young master secretly took Mo Suiyun out, and Mo Jingyu nearly turned Li City upside down. They finally found the little emperor at a restaurant.”

The man in coarse clothing, Mo Jingli, flashed a hint of ferocity in his eyes, laughing coldly, “Mo Jingyu values this Mo Suiyun! I never expected… that he would be the one to stab me in the back!” Of course, it wasn’t just Mo Jingyu who had stabbed Mo Jingli in the back – there was also the Grand Empress Dowager, the court’s ministers and nobles, and even the entire Great Chu royal clan. This showed how unpopular Mo Jingli had been.

The man hesitated before carefully asking, “Your Majesty, should we…?”

Mo Jingli laughed coldly, “No, go send a message to Mo Jingyu, and tell him I want to meet him.”

“This… Your Majesty, wouldn’t this…?” They were currently fugitives – if caught by either Prince Ding’s mansion or the Great Chu court, they would meet no good end. How could one not worry when Your Majesty wanted to actively present himself at this time?

Mo Jingli said sternly, “I know what I’m doing, go handle it.”

After hesitating, the man still nodded and turned to leave.

Mo Jingli lowered his eyes to stare at the crude, dirty table before him, his expression changing unpredictably. If someone had told him two months ago that one day he would wear crude, dirty coarse cloth rags and live in such a broken house that barely kept out wind and rain, he would have torn that person to pieces. But over this past month and more, Mo Jingli had truly suffered. To escape the searches of Prince Ding’s mansion and the Great Chu court, he had not only disguised himself as a commoner, eating coarse grains but had even posed as a beggar and vagrant. After suffering greatly and taking many dangerous paths, he finally evaded everyone’s eyes and ears to sneak near Li City. His purpose naturally wasn’t just to come look around.

Though now fallen so low, Mo Jingli had after all been a prince for decades and served as emperor – he still held some hidden cards that others knew nothing about. It was precisely because of these secret advantages that he dared infiltrate the northwest and make his way to Li City, the headquarters of the Mo family army. However, he hadn’t rushed to enter the city – Li City would certainly be heavily guarded now, and though few people could recognize him, Mo Jingli had long since learned the formidable nature of the Mo family army’s secret guards, so he didn’t want to risk being too hasty.

As for Mo Jingyu… Mo Jingli’s face showed a hint of a cruel smile. His daring to openly meet Mo Jingyu naturally meant he had enough leverage to protect himself.

In an unremarkable small teahouse somewhere in Li City, as soon as Mo Jingyu pushed open the private room’s door, he saw the man in coarse clothing sitting inside. He raised his eyebrows and said, “You’re quite bold.” Indeed quite bold – anyone else would likely not dare to venture into the Mo family army’s headquarters.

Mo Jingli snorted lightly, looking Mo Jingyu up and down for a moment before saying mockingly, “So now you hold great power. I truly never expected that in the end… you would be the one to benefit.”

Mo Jingyu didn’t mind, cupping his hands and smiling, “You’re too kind, it was merely fortunate timing. What did you want to see me about?” Mo Jingyu didn’t take Mo Jingli too seriously. Previously he had been the powerful Prince Li, the Emperor of Chu, but now, Mo Jingyu was Great Chu’s regent prince, while Mo Jingli was nothing more than a defeated dog hiding here and there in desperation. Thinking of this, a flash of pleasure passed through Mo Jingyu’s eyes.

Mo Jingli said, “Naturally I have a business. I want you to help me with something.”

“What makes you think I would agree?” Mo Jingyu raised his eyebrows.

Mo Jingli looked at him and asked, “Well then… would you like Great Chu’s imperial seal?”

“So it was you who took the imperial seal!” Mo Jingyu’s expression darkened as he said coldly. Since Mo Jingli’s disappearance, the Great Chu imperial seal hadn’t been found either in Nanjing City or Liyang. The imperial seal symbolized supreme imperial authority – though they could make another one, having the imperial seal lost outside was a huge embarrassment for the Great Chu royal family. If someone were to cause trouble with it in the future, it would be even more troublesome. So the Great Chu royal family had secretly sent people to search for Mo Jingli, firstly to eliminate the threat, and secondly to find the imperial seal’s whereabouts.

Mo Jingli smiled, “You can refuse to help me, and I can give the imperial seal to someone else… of course, along with some of Prince Yu’s secrets.” This “someone else” naturally meant Mo Jingyu’s political enemies. For instance, several brothers who had gradually risen to challenge him since the new emperor’s ascension, or the Grand Empress Dowager. Now that Mo Jingqi was dead and Mo Jingli was in exile, with the Grand Empress Dowager elderly and the little emperor young, those with other thoughts had gradually increased. If the imperial seal fell into someone else’s hands, it wouldn’t be good for Mo Jingyu.

“What do you want me to do?” Mo Jingyu asked gravely.

Mo Jingli said coldly, “I want you to help me… eliminate Mo Suiyun and Mo Yuzhen.”

“You’re mad!” Mo Jingyu stood up and turned to leave.

“You really won’t consider it?” Mo Jingli’s voice drifted leisurely from behind. Mo Jingyu turned around, laughing coldly, “Consider? Do you think I’m stupid? Kill Mo Yuzhen in Li City? Forget killing Mo Yuzhen, even touching a hair on his head would leave me dead without an intact corpse.” The imperial seal was tempting, but even if given the throne, one needed to be alive to enjoy it.

“You think I can’t do it?” Mo Jingli wasn’t anxious. Compared to Mo Jingyu, he indeed didn’t need to be too anxious – he had already lost everything he could lose, probably only his life remained. But Mo Jingli couldn’t forever hide and live such a wretched life; rather than that, he might as well stake everything on one desperate attempt! But Mo Jingyu was different – having endured half a lifetime, now finally holding great power, he naturally was careful with every step, afraid of making any mistake.

Mo Jingyu laughed coldly, not even deigning to answer this question. Ever since Mo Xiuyao had drawn a clear line with Great Chu, he had never thought Mo Jingli or Mo Jingqi could match him. Even Mo Jingli as a nation’s ruler couldn’t do it, let alone the current Mo Jingli hiding everywhere.

Mo Jingli didn’t mind his contempt, smiling, “In that case, I can first show you my sincerity. How about Mo Xiaoyun?”

“What do you mean?” Mo Jingyu said vigilantly.

Mo Jingli said, “Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning are living quite freely in Li City. Indeed, they are Mo Jingqi’s prince and princess who sought refuge in Prince Ding’s mansion. Even just for the world’s opinion, Prince Ding’s mansion must protect them well. Tell me, what would happen if Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning suddenly died under Prince Ding’s mansion’s protection?” More interestingly, dying just before Prince Ding’s young master and little princess’s first birthday celebration – Mo Xiuyao’s expression would certainly be worth seeing!

“If you think that’s not enough… how about adding the Queen of Nanzhao?” Mo Jingli continued, his eyes flashing with the same gleam. Mo Jingyu watched him impassively, saying, “You want to disrupt Prince Ding’s mansion’s celebration, what’s the point of that?” If Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning, under Prince Ding’s mansion’s protection, died before the celebration, it would naturally be a heavy blow to Prince Ding’s mansion’s face. And if something happened to the Queen of Nanzhao in Li City, Prince Ding’s mansion would likely have to answer to Nanzhao as well.

“Point? I want to see if I can make Mo Xiuyao’s face change,” Mo Jingli said with pleasure.

“You are mad,” Mo Jingyu said gravely.

Mo Jingli’s expression changed as he shouted angrily, “That’s right! I am mad! This is all forced by Mo Xiuyao! Forced by all of you! You… you traitors! Rebellious ministers and thieves!”

Mo Jingyu laughed coldly, looking at Mo Jingli’s crazed, twisted expression, saying indifferently, “You speak as if you were loyal to the country. You think why would all the civil and military officials unanimously agree to depose you? Mo Jingli, even if you returned to Jiangnan now, you’d only be a rat everyone wants to beat. Using Southern Border secret drugs to kill two previous emperors – who would dare accept such a ruthless person as their ruler?”

“The Empress Dowager!” Mo Jingli gritted his teeth – only the Empress Dowager knew the truth about these matters.

Mo Jingyu smiled, “Isn’t that right? Even your birth mother abandoned you – shows how much of a failure you are. What right do you have to call others traitors? What kind of betrayal is this? At most, we’re driving out a rebel and supporting the righteous succession.”

Unexpectedly, Mo Jingli didn’t fly into a rage. After a long silence, he finally spoke, “I don’t want to waste words with you – will you help or not?”

Mo Jingyu shook his head, “Forgive my inability to help. Farewell.”

“Three years ago… how was that three hundred thousand silver note from Northern Rong spent?” From behind, Mo Jingli’s voice came eerily.

“You!” Mo Jingyu whirled around, glaring at Mo Jingli with an ashen face, “This prince doesn’t know what you’re talking about!”

“It’s fine if you don’t know… as long as others know. For instance, Uncle Prince or… several other royal brothers? What do you think?” Mo Jingli said with a cold smile. Mo Jingyu remained silent for a long while, finally walking back to sit down, studying Mo Jingli for a moment before saying, “How do I know you’re not deceiving me?”

Mo Jingli smiled, “You can try and see if you’ll become a rat everyone wants to beat like me when you return to Nanjing. Tell me, between killing an emperor to seize power and selling out the country, which would people hate more?”

Mo Jingyu’s face was as dark as ink. After a while, he asked, “When did you…”

Mo Jingli snorted lightly, “Naturally I found out after the capital moved south. Otherwise, do you think I would have tolerated you? I didn’t want to tolerate you then, but… the court was already in chaos then, and you were still obedient so I kept you around. Now it seems… I made the right choice keeping you.” If it had been someone else whose weakness he hadn’t grasped, they would probably have sold him out to Mo Xiuyao immediately.

Mo Jingli looked at him, smiling sinisterly, “You can go inform Mo Xiuyao – at worst, we’ll die together. Anyway, I have nothing left to care about.”

“I need to think about it,” Mo Jingyu closed his eyes and said gravely. Struggling intensely in his heart, Mo Jingli shrugged and made a casual gesture. Mo Jingyu said, “If this prince helps you, how will this prince escape? If it’s death either way, rather than dying at Mo Xiuyao’s hands, this prince would rather return to Jiangnan.” He had heard something of Mo Xiuyao’s methods of torture – anyone with any choice absolutely wouldn’t want to fall into Mo Xiuyao’s hands.

A flash of cold laughter passed through Mo Jingli’s eyes as he said flatly, “Rest assured, this king doesn’t need you to do much. As long as you handle things well yourself, no one will discover it. Then you can naturally return peacefully to Jiangnan with the imperial seal to be your Prince Yu.”

Mo Jingyu took a deep breath, finally making up his mind, “Very well, this prince agrees.”

Mo Jingli nodded with satisfaction, “That’s good then. When I’ve made preparations, I’ll naturally notify you. You can go back first.” Mo Jingyu stood up and walked to the door. He stopped at the doorway, staring at Mo Jingli, “You’d better be careful. If something goes wrong… we’ll all die together!”

Watching Mo Jingyu’s figure disappear at the door, the smile on Mo Jingli’s face grew broader and more twisted and fierce.

“Hehehe… of course we’ll die together! Otherwise, why would I look for you? Too bad you don’t know that Mo Xiuyao’s greatest skill isn’t torture, but… misdirected anger.” Whether or not it was related to Mo Jingyu, whether there was evidence or not, if something happened to Mo Yuzhen, Mo Xiuyao would certainly direct his anger at everyone. Including… the Great Chu royal family in Jiangnan. Since you all betrayed me… then let’s die together! Just a pity… if we could drag Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li to die together, it would be even more wonderful.