“Mo Yuzhen, get out here!” Mo Suiyun, wearing imperial robes, charged forward with a sword, his killing intent palpable.

The young Lord Mo rose with annoyance, leaping onto the pavilion to avoid Mo Suiyun’s unhesitating sword strike. He angrily retorted, “Mo Suiyun, when will you be done? You’re acting as if I killed your parents over some trivial matter!” This was truly unreasonable and petty.

Mo Suiyun nearly coughed blood – even if Mo Yuzhen had killed his parents, he wouldn’t be this furious. Just thinking about what Little Bao had done made Mo Suiyun want to cut him into ten thousand pieces.

“Mo Yuzhen, come down here. I want to kill you!” Mo Suiyun roared, pointing his sword at the black-clad youth crouching on the pavilion.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Little Bao sneered. He wasn’t about to jump down and let himself be cut. What if Mo Suiyun failed to cut him and died from anger instead? The people of Southern Chu would think he had entered the palace to assassinate someone.

Having thoroughly enjoyed himself today, looking at Mo Suiyun below who was breathing heavily from anger, Little Bao finally decided to sound the retreat and stop playing.

Standing up and dusting off his hands, he said leisurely, “It’s getting late, and my little Linér is waiting for me to return for dinner. See you tomorrow.” Then, before everyone’s eyes, the young Lord Mo soared through the air like a black eagle, disappearing beyond the high palace walls in just a few bounds.

Watching Little Bao’s casual departure, Mo Suiyun sighed in frustration. Was he truly inferior to Little Bao? Despite all his efforts and painstaking schemes, was he still no match for this seemingly carefree fifteen or sixteen-year-old youth? Were the people of Prince Ding’s manor so blessed by heaven? He refused to believe it!

As Little Bao meandered out of the imperial palace, having disrupted Mo Suiyun’s grand ceremony to establish an empress, he felt a slight twinge of guilt. But there was no helping it – who told Mo Suiyun to choose such a perfect empress candidate? If the Qian family’s daughter became empress, Mo Suiyun might truly gain complete control over Southern Chu’s court, which was not something he wished to see. He still wanted to enjoy a few years of peace without having to deal with Mo Suiyun and Lei Tengfeng’s schemes every day. So the Qian family had to be sacrificed.

“My Lord, something’s happened!” Just as he was standing outside the palace gates lost in thought, Qin Lie swiftly approached, carrying Mo Yufeng in his arms, and spoke gravely.

“What is it?”

“Leng Junhan is being hunted down.”

“How could this happen?”

“It’s all because of the trouble you stirred up. Did you think Mo Suiyun was harmless?!” Qin Lie said irritably. To think he had come up with the idea of instigating Leng Junhan to seduce Mo Suiyun’s fiancée. Even if Mo Suiyun was useless, he was still the emperor – having someone challenge him like this was like stepping on his face. While Mo Suiyun might not have done anything to Mo Yuzhen, killing Leng Junhan to vent his anger was entirely possible.

Little Bao’s handsome face darkened. “Where is Little Fool Leng?”

“He’s left the city! Mo Suiyun sent many palace elite guards to hunt him down.” This was Mo Suiyun’s territory after all – in a confrontation, they couldn’t match his forces.

Little Bao cursed under his breath and ordered, “You protect Linér, I’ll go find Little Fool.” Without waiting for Qin Lie’s response, he leaped up and headed toward the city gates.

Outside the capital of Nanjing, Leng Junhan’s white clothes were stained with blood – some his own, some others’, fortunately none of the wounds were serious. He looked down at his injuries somewhat helplessly, then glanced behind him. Seeing that the palace guards pursuing him hadn’t caught up yet, he finally relaxed slightly, leaning against the hillside to rest for a moment.

“This time it’s gone too far. Mo Yuzhen, go to hell!” Leng Junhan grumbled.

“Fire… Fire Young Master…” Beside Leng Junhan, the Qian family’s eldest daughter looked at the blood-stained youth before her with a pale face, saying tearfully with guilt, “How are you?”

Leng Junhan rolled his eyes, “Haven’t I told you already? I’m not surnamed Fire, I’m surnamed Leng.”

Miss Qian said tearfully, “Whether you’re surnamed Fire or Leng, I’ll follow you.”

“Fool.” Leng Junhan muttered softly. His soft-hearted self was an even bigger fool, actually worrying she might be killed by Mo Suiyun’s men, only to end up being the unfortunate one himself. Now he had to deal with palace elite guards while protecting a woman who couldn’t do anything. Leng Junhan felt that if he died, it would be from stupidity.

“Over here!” The voices of the palace guards came from not far behind again. Leng Junhan rolled his eyes, grabbed Miss Qian, and quickly darted forward.

“Where do you think you can escape to? Surrender now!” A group of men blocked Leng Junhan’s path ahead. Leng Junhan sighed, silently cursing Little Bao’s ancestors for eighteen generations before putting on a friendly smile and saying, “Everyone, what’s the meaning of this?”

Those sent by Mo Suiyun to capture the fleeing empress-to-be were naturally his trusted subordinates – how could they be easily fooled by Leng Junhan? The lead guard captain sneered, “Young Master, why pretend ignorance? Be good and surrender so we can report back to His Majesty. If we have to fight, any injuries would be most unfortunate.”

Miss Qian stepped forward to shield Leng Junhan, declaring loudly, “I won’t go back! I don’t want to be any empress!”

The guard captain’s mouth twitched. Did she think the position of empress was hers for the taking? Even if she wanted to be empress now, it was impossible.

“By Imperial decree, the Qian woman has betrayed royal grace and is to be executed immediately.”

Miss Qian’s face went white. She was just a sheltered noble daughter after all. Though she had studied etiquette and state law, she had thrown it all aside when blinded by emotion. Only now, being reminded, did she suddenly remember what imperial authority meant.

“Young Master Leng, for Prince Ding’s sake, if you come back with us, we guarantee not to harm you in the slightest.”

Leng Junhan sneered. They truly wouldn’t harm him at all, but they would use him to negotiate with Little Bao for some advantage.

“Leng… Young Master Leng…”

Seeing Miss Qian still gazing at Leng Junhan devotedly, the guard captain sneered, “Miss Qian, do you think Young Master Leng truly likes you? He was just following Prince Ding’s orders to fool you.”

Hearing this, Miss Qian’s heart shook. She whirled to look at Leng Junhan. The guilty expression on the blood-stained face of the white-clad youth told her this wasn’t the emperor’s men trying to sow discord – it was likely the truth.

“Why… why?”

Leng Junhan sighed, silently cursing Little Bao for his evil deeds. It was one thing to trick those with ill intentions, but deceiving an innocent and ignorant young lady like this truly troubled his conscience. However, Leng Junhan also understood that Little Bao’s true intention wasn’t really about playing with an ignorant girl – Miss Qian was just collateral damage in Little Bao’s strike against Mo Suiyun.

“Why… I gave you my whole heart, why would you do this to me?” Miss Qian clutched at Leng Junhan’s clothes, asking mournfully.

Leng Junhan rolled his eyes. “How boring.”

“You… I’ll kill you!” Miss Qian charged at Leng Junhan in fury, a dagger appearing in her hand gleaming as she struck. Leng Junhan frowned, casually deflecting her blade with a wave of his hand. “Foolish woman! If you want to live, stop causing trouble for this young master!”

“Attack together!”

The palace guards naturally wouldn’t watch them quarrel. At the captain’s wave, the group charged forward.

Though Leng Junhan’s martial arts weren’t weak, the palace guards weren’t all useless either. Before long, Leng Junhan began struggling to keep up with their attacks. Just as he was about to be captured, a clear laugh rang out from nearby: “Hehe… Brother Junhan, why are you fighting with people here?”

Hearing this, Leng Junhan’s heart leaped with joy, and he immediately called out, “Help!”

A white figure flashed past. Those surrounding Leng Junhan felt as if they’d been swept by a powerful wind, all flying outward. In an instant, everyone except Leng Junhan and Miss Qian under his protection was thrown five or six zhang away.

“Who dares…” The guard captain was about to rage, but seeing who stood before him, he sharply drew in a breath. The newcomer wore white clothes and had white hair, with incomparably handsome features. Just his calm gaze carried immense pressure. More importantly… this was… “Prince Ding?”

White clothes, white hair, peerless martial arts – who else could this suddenly appearing man be but the retired Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao?

“Junhan, what are you doing?” A beautiful woman in green robes with cloud-like black hair walked over, leading a delicately pretty little girl in moon-white clothes. She frowned at Leng Junhan’s bloody state.

“Princess Consort…” Seeing Ye Liao made Leng Junhan even more ashamed. Fortunately, they had encountered the Prince and Princess Consort, or today would have been big trouble.

Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly and said, “What mischief is that little Mo Yuzhen up to again?” At fifteen, Little Bao had finally earned the right to use his formal name. The previous Prince Ding had also come to realize that having a son about to inherit the title of Prince Ding still using a name like Little Bao would damage the manor’s dignity.

Leng Junhan smiled, showing his teeth, but didn’t speak. Instead, he eagerly ran to Ye Liao, grinning foolishly at the little girl who was curiously staring at him. “Little Sister Xin’er, do you remember Brother Junhan?”

The little girl hid behind Ye Liao, rolling her eyes at the grinning fool, “How could I call you Brother Junhan if I didn’t remember you? Brother Junhan is so dirty.”

“Uh…” Only then did Leng Junhan realize dejectedly that he was covered in blood the fastidious young Miss Yuya wouldn’t hug him.

“Your Highness Prince Ding, we…” The guard captain who had climbed up from the ground said cautiously.

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand, saying indifferently, “I’m no longer Prince Ding.”

The guard captain choked, looking troubled as he faced this powerful figure, not knowing how to address him. Should he call him Great Prince? Though his hair was snow-white, his youthful appearance made such a title hard to voice.

Ye Liao smiled and shook her head, “Don’t trouble him. Any respectful address will do, Sir.”

The guard captain looked gratefully at Ye Liao, “Thank you, Princess Consort.”

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and asked, “How did this kid offend Mo Suiyun to warrant palace guards hunting him down?”

The guard captain hesitated but still explained the whole situation. Though Prince Ding had broken ties with Southern Chu, his influence remained – hunting down someone from Li City without explanation before the Prince would only bring them more trouble.

After hearing the whole story, both Mo Xiuyao and Ye Liao’s faces darkened, though for different reasons.

“Capable of causing trouble but incapable of cleaning up the mess – that boy needs discipline.” This was Mo Xiuyao’s thought.

“Getting more reckless with age – who taught him this?” This was Ye Liao’s thought.

“Go back and tell Mo Suiyun that this prince is taking these two people. If he wants them, tell him to come find me.” Mo Xiuyao said calmly. Since his son had caused trouble and he’d encountered it, he had to clean it up. Even just for Leng Haoyu’s sake, he couldn’t let them take Leng Junhan away.

“This…” The guard captain hesitated. His Majesty was truly furious this time – if not for a shred of rationality, he might have even executed the young Prince Ding. If they returned without anyone, explaining to His Majesty would be difficult.

Mo Xiuyao narrowed his eyes, “What? Do you want this prince to explain to Mo Suiyun personally?”

“This… I wouldn’t dare.”

“Junhan!” In the distance, Little Bao flew over like a black bird but nearly crashed into a tree when he saw everyone standing there.

“Brother!” The only truly happy one was the Mo family’s little princess, Mo Yuya.

“Darling Xin’er!” Little Bao immediately forgot his worry for Leng Junhan, cheering as he pounced toward his sister. While kissing his sister’s soft little cheeks, he didn’t forget to hug his mother, “Mother, I’ve missed you so much!”

Ye Liao sighed helplessly, “You… look at what you’ve done in Jiangnan? Junhan nearly got seriously injured.”

Before Ye Liao, Little Bao was always an obedient and lovable son, “Mother, I was wrong. I just didn’t think things through. You and Father left so suddenly, and I was so lonely by myself…”

“With your uncle there, what hardships did you face?” Mo Xiuyao said coldly. Bastard kid, still trying to win Liao’er’s sympathy! He needs discipline!

“Mother…” Regardless, continue acting cute.

Ye Liao patted his shoulder, feeling somewhat emotional, “Alright, go handle this situation first. If you cause trouble again in the future, I won’t let you off!” Her son had grown too tall for her to ruffle his head anymore. At sixteen, Little Bao was already much taller than Ye Liao.

“Yes, Mother!” Little Bao responded clearly. Holding Xin’er with one arm, he walked to the guard captain and raised an eyebrow, “You all head back first. I’ll talk to Mo Suiyun myself later.”

“I’m right here – how do you plan to talk to me?” Mo Suiyun’s angry voice came from nearby. He had followed right after Little Bao left the city. Though Little Bao had wasted time searching, they arrived almost simultaneously.

Little Bao raised an eyebrow, “Oh, Brother Suiyun, you came out too?”

Mo Suiyun snorted lightly, coldly glancing at Miss Qian as he passed by, immediately making her lower her head in fear.

“Nephew pays respects to Uncle Prince Ding and Aunt.”

Ye Liao smiled faintly, “Your Majesty is now the ruler of a nation – we dare not accept such titles as Prince Uncle and Princess Aunt. Your Majesty need not stand on ceremony.”

“Propriety cannot be abandoned. By generational order, I should indeed call you Prince Uncle,” Mo Suiyun said.

Ye Liao sighed slightly, looking at Little Bao’s playful grinning face, then at Mo Suiyun’s solemn expression, and shook her head, “My son is unruly – please forgive him, Your Majesty.”

Mo Suiyun shot Little Bao a hateful glance, but he had to give a face to Prince Ding and his consort, so he could only say, “Princess Consort’s words are too heavy. I also feel… the young Prince Ding is still young, I won’t hold it against him.”

“Then thank you, Your Majesty,” Ye Liao nodded with a smile.

In the end, Mo Suiyun returned to the city empty-handed with his palace guards. Not only did he fail to capture Leng Junhan, but he also ignored Miss Qian. He only warned Miss Qian never to appear within Southern Chu’s borders again.

“Mother is still the most capable – everything was resolved as soon as you stepped in,” Little Bao praised extravagantly while holding his little sister.

Ye Liao looked at him calmly and asked, “What do you plan to do with this young lady?”

Little Bao didn’t even blink, smiling, “Isn’t this Leng Junhan’s business? Why ask me? I don’t know her, and she hasn’t taken a fancy to me.”

“Mo! Yu! Zhen!” Leng Junhan gritted his teeth – how could there be such a shameless person in this world? Who caused him to be like this? But under Ye Liao’s gaze, Leng Junhan could only obediently walk toward Miss Qian, “Um… Miss Qian…” I didn’t mean to deceive you, this was all forced on me by that despicable Little Bao – if you want to hate someone, hate him.

“Slap!” Miss Qian’s hand struck Leng Junhan’s face hard, “Shameless scoundrel! Go die!” With that, Miss Qian left in tears.

Little Bao raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you going after her?”

Leng Junhan was furious, “Why should I go after her?”

Little Bao grinned, “You heard Mo Suiyun – she can’t stay in Southern Chu anymore. She’s a noble young lady, now alone with nowhere to go…”

“Mo Xiaobao, someday you’ll face retribution!” Leng Junhan’s vicious curse came from afar as he darted off in the direction Miss Qian had gone.

Little Bao chuckled inwardly – retribution was just self-consolation for fools and the weak.

“Mo Xiaobao…” From behind, Mo Xiuyao’s voice drifted over eerily, “You seem indeed too leisurely – even being Prince Ding hasn’t made you half as steady. Since that’s the case… after returning to Li City, copy all the history books in the study. Perhaps remembering the ancients will put something in that head of yours. I’ll have Xu Qingchen supervise you.”

Little Bao’s previously smiling handsome face immediately fell. No need to wait for someday – his retribution had already arrived.

So you see, young Lord Mo… good and evil have their rewards, it’s just a matter of timing. Those who trick others will surely be tricked in turn.