At the inn, the innkeeper struggled to lead Mo Xiuyao and his group to their courtyard quarters. As soon as he left, he collapsed outside, his legs too weak to stand. In the past, hosting the Prince of Ding’s family would have been the greatest honor for his inn, but now… just thinking about the Prince’s relationship with the royal family made him tremble. He couldn’t tell if this was fortune or misfortune.

Looking at the two guards with their indifferent expressions stationed at the courtyard entrance, the innkeeper didn’t dare to spread the word of their arrival. With another shudder, he picked himself up from the ground and returned to the front desk with a dejected face.

Mo Xiuyao’s group’s appearance at the inn had been witnessed by many passersby. Within half a day, news that the Prince of Ding had returned to the capital and was staying at the city’s most luxurious inn had spread throughout the entire capital, naturally reaching various noble houses and the imperial palace. How many people were torn between joy and sorrow, or how many dropped whatever they were holding in shock, was beyond anyone’s knowledge.

While everyone was anxious and lost in their thoughts, in the elegant small courtyard behind the inn, Leng Haoyu was complaining to Mo Xiuyao with a bitter expression. “Your Highness, even if you wanted to return to the capital, did you have to be so high-profile? Even if you wanted to be high-profile, did you need to stay at an inn? It’s so inconvenient for us to come and go.”

His situation was different from Feng San, who was openly known as a member of the Prince of Ding’s household. He, Leng Haoyu, was still the second young master of the Leng family despite his poor relationship with them. He was merely a merchant who had some connection to the Prince of Ding through Feng San, and his wife was a close friend of the Princess Consort before her marriage. Even so, there was no proper reason for them to visit right as the Prince returned to the capital.

Thus, the poor Second Young Master Leng, already over thirty, had to sneak in over the wall with his wife and daughter. Ye Li and Murong Ting sat to one side, sharing a smile as they listened to Leng Haoyu’s complaints. Though several years had passed since they last met, their friendship hadn’t diminished at all. The two chatted quietly while watching their children play nearby.

Leng Haoyu and Murong Ting’s son, Leng Junhan, were two years younger than Mo Xiaobao. The three-year-old boy strongly resembled Leng Haoyu, and even at his young age showed signs of becoming quite handsome. However, compared to Mo Xiaobao’s precociousness and mischievousness, Leng Junhan was more like a sweet, docile little steamed bun. Leng Junhan seemed to take an immediate liking to Mo Xiaobao, following him around without any shyness, sweetly calling him “big brother” at every turn.

This fondness, however, was one-sided. Mo Xiaobao, with his nose in the air, looked quite displeased with this little dumpling who had immediately been hugged by his mother. His big round eyes glared intensely, but Leng Junhan took the glaring as friendliness. “Big brother, let’s play together,” Leng Junhan said. Having grown up alone without playmates, he was naturally excited to meet such a good-looking older brother.

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes. Who wanted to play with such a silly little fool? Even more foolish than Xu Zhirui from Second Uncle’s family. “This Young Master doesn’t play with ignorant little kids.”

“Mo Xiaobao!” Ye Li gave him a warning look. Mo Xiaobao, most afraid of his mother’s anger, reluctantly extended his hand for Leng Junhan to hold, saying haughtily, “Fine, this Young Master will grudgingly agree to play with you.”

“Xiaobao-ge is the best, playing with Junhan.” Leng Junhan happily held Mo Xiaobao’s hand. The term “Xiaobao-ge” immediately darkened Mo Xiaobao’s face. He reached out and pinched Leng Junhan’s chubby cheek, “This Young Master is called Mo Yuzhen. I’ll reluctantly allow you to call me Yuzhen-ge.” Leng Junhan looked confused; at three years old, children hadn’t yet developed an understanding of whether names sounded good or not. It was Xiaobao-ge, so he said, “Xiaobao-ge…”

Leng Haoyu, watching from the side, couldn’t bear to see Mo Xiaobao bullying his son. He raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Oh my, Young Master Xiaobao, thank you for looking after our Junhan.” Mo Xiaobao’s fair cheeks suddenly turned red. He pointed tremblingly at Leng Haoyu for a moment, then stamped his foot and ran away in tears.

The abandoned Leng Junhan was extremely upset. “Xiaobao-ge…”

“Don’t call me Xiaobao!” Mo Xiaobao’s angry roar came from afar, but unfortunately, Leng Junhan, busy chasing after his “Xiaobao-ge,” didn’t hear it. “Xiaobao-ge, wait for me…”

Watching Leng Junhan toddle after Mo Xiaobao on his short legs, Murong Ting quickly called for the wet nurse to follow them. She asked worriedly, “Will the young master be alright?” Understanding her son’s temperament, Ye Li smiled and said, “Let him be, he’ll cool down in a while.”

Leng Haoyu waved his fan, asking though he knew the answer, “What’s wrong with the young master? Surely being called Young Master Xiaobao shouldn’t cause such a big reaction?” He must have been used to it in Li City.

Ye Li smiled, “It’s nothing. He probably thought everyone in the world knew his nickname was Mo Xiaobao. He’s gone to find a place to sulk.” Hearing this, Murong Ting finally couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing. She really couldn’t understand how the Prince of Ding and Ali, who both seemed so proper and cultured, could give their son such an amusing name and make it known to everyone. If it were a common family’s child, it would be fine, but Mo Xiaobao was the heir of the Prince of Ding’s household. Ye Li was also helpless – who told Xiaobao he was unlucky enough to have such an unscrupulous father?

“What does Your Highness think about the war between Da Chu and the Northern Territory?” Leng Haoyu looked at Mo Xiuyao and asked seriously. Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes and said indifferently, “That’s between Da Chu and the Northern Territory. What does it matter what I think?”

Leng Haoyu hesitated before asking, “Does Your Highness mean our Prince of Ding’s household won’t intervene in this matter?”

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “The royal family won’t give us a chance to intervene. If you’re worried about your father, make plans early. The Prince of Ding’s household can’t help much. Our intervention would only harm him.”

Leng Haoyu smiled bitterly and said quietly, “What plans can I make? He never considered me, his useless son, worth looking at. The most I can do is try to save his life.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded, “I’ll have Qin Feng assign two people to you later. The capital might not be safe anymore, so after things are settled here, you should return to Li City.” Leng Haoyu’s answer satisfied Mo Xiuyao. As a leader, he naturally disliked subordinates who were heartless and forgot old relationships – after all, although Leng Huai didn’t value Leng Haoyu, he was still his father and they had no real grudge. But similarly, he didn’t want Leng Haoyu to jeopardize his plans for Leng Huai’s sake.

Leng Haoyu’s face lit up, “Thank you, Your Highness.” Having Qin Feng assign people meant they would be elite Qilin warriors. With Qilin secretly protecting his father, even if his father was defeated in the future, Leng Haoyu was confident he could ensure his father’s survival. Mo Xiuyao waved dismissively and frowned, asking, “How is Mo Jingqi now? Mo Jingli moved away, yet he didn’t rush to ascend the throne. This isn’t like his usual style.”

When Mo Jingqi was mentioned, Leng Haoyu showed no sympathy, not even pity. “Mo Jingqi won’t die anytime soon. Mo Jingli probably wants to torment him. But Mo Jingli also has something Mo Jingqi can hold over him, so in the end, they had to compromise – Liu Guifei’s son became the Crown Prince.”

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. Leng Haoyu smiled and continued, “Originally, I didn’t know what was going on either, but a few days ago I received news that on Mo Jingli’s first day as Regent, he kicked out his only son.” Everyone present was clever enough to understand the key point with just this hint. “The child in the Li Prince’s mansion isn’t Mo Jingli’s? Mo Jingli’s son was hidden away?”

Mo Xiuyao spoke slowly, pondering for a moment before continuing, “Mo Jingli doesn’t seem like someone who would give up the throne for a child. The only possibility is… that’s his only son. Come to think of it, in all these years, apart from Ye Ying, there haven’t been any new children in Mo Jingli’s household.” Unlike Mo Xiuyao, who had only Ye Li as his wife, Mo Jingli’s household had everything from a princess consort to concubines and serving girls. Given this, it was strange that in so many years there was only one child and not even any pregnancies. Mo Jingqi must have done something behind the scenes.

Murong Ting said somewhat incredulously, “These two brothers are really strange.”

Though no one spoke, they all strongly agreed with her point. Weren’t they strange indeed? Two brothers fighting openly and secretly for so many years – Mo Jingqi was poisoned by Mo Jingli and never recovered, while Mo Jingli was nearly left without an heir by Mo Jingqi. Neither seemed to have gained any advantage.

Speaking of the Mo Jingqi brothers, Leng Haoyu said worriedly, “Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli must know by now that Your Highness has returned to the capital. Should Your Highness and the Princess Consort move somewhere else? The inn isn’t very safe.” Mo Xiuyao waved his hand calmly and said, “It’s fine. At this time, neither of them will dare to act rashly.”

Just then, Zhuo Jing came in to report, “Your Highness, Princess Consort, Prince Li is outside requesting an audience.” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and said calmly, “He came quite quickly.”

Mo Xiaobao angrily rushed out of the small courtyard to the outer area. It was a compound with two courtyards, both guarded. Although Mo Xiaobao was occasionally mischievous, he still had a sense of propriety. He certainly knew that the capital wasn’t like Li City where he could do as he pleased. So even when angry, he wouldn’t run outside; he just curled up under a big tree in the outer courtyard to sulk quietly. After pondering for half a day about how his nickname had been made known to everyone, making him lose face, Mo Xiaobao finally decided: he would also spread his father’s nickname! As for what his father’s nickname was? Mo Xiaobao hadn’t thought about that yet.

“Xiaobao-ge…” Leng Junhan’s voice gradually drew closer, clearly showing the little one’s persistence in searching for his new friend. Curled up under the tree, Mo Xiaobao felt his scalp tingle at the soft, sweet way “Xiaobao-ge” was called. Just by lifting his head, he could see the guards at the door trying to suppress their smiles, making his temples throb. Gritting his teeth, he watched as Leng Junhan tottered out from inside, searching everywhere for him. Mo Xiaobao finally stood up and said coldly, “Leng Xiaodai, come here!”

Leng Junhan turned his head and saw his beautiful Xiaobao-ge standing under the tree, beckoning to him. He immediately broke into a bright smile and ran toward Mo Xiaobao. Mo Xiaobao firmly pinched both of Leng Junhan’s chubby cheeks and stared at him, saying, “I’m called Mo Yuzhen, did you hear clearly?! Mo-Yu-Zhen! Call me Yuzhen-ge!” Though unable to understand Mo Xiaobao’s reasoning, Leng Junhan instinctively sensed that his Xiaobao-ge was unhappy. “I… I’m not Leng Xiaodai…”

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes. “And I’m not Mo Xiaobao.”

“…” But Aunt Princess called you Xiaobao. Mo Xiaobao glared fiercely at Leng Junhan. “Yuzhen-ge! Did you hear? If you don’t call me that, I won’t play with you.”

“Yuzhen-ge…” Leng Junhan called softly. Mo Xiaobao nodded with satisfaction and patted Leng Junhan’s head, saying with premature gravity, “That’s a good child, you can be taught.” Leng Junhan touched his head and giggled – did this mean Xiaobao-ge would play with him now?

“You’re Mo Xiuyao’s son?” A somewhat cold voice came from nearby. Mo Xiaobao looked toward the sound and saw a middle-aged man wearing a dark robe embroidered with golden pythons standing a few steps away, staring at him. That somewhat cold, strange gaze made Mo Xiaobao uncomfortable, so he pursed his little lips, raised his chin proudly, and asked, “Indeed I am, Young Master. Who are you?” Just another prince, wasn’t he? Wearing court robes and wandering around as if afraid people wouldn’t know his status. His father was the most powerful prince.

Mo Jingli had no idea that young Mo Xiaobao could think so much from just one glance. He looked at the handsome child in black brocade clothes with a complex expression. This child’s features were even more delicate than Mo Xiuyao’s had been as a child, and the pride in his bearing exceeded that of young Mo Xiuyao – clearly a heaven-blessed child who received boundless love from his parents. Thinking of this, and then of his son whose whereabouts were unknown, Mo Jingli’s expression grew even darker.

Mo Xiaobao stared at Mo Jingli with displeasure. The Young Master had asked a question and received no answer – how rude. With a turn of his head, Mo Xiaobao walked away. “Leng Xiaodai, let’s go.”

“Xiao… Yuzhen-ge, I’m not Leng Xiaodai,” Leng Junhan emphasized as he hurried after him. Mo Xiaobao nodded with great tolerance, “I’ll remember, Leng Xiaodai.”

Watching the two children walk away hand in hand, Mo Jingli stood there with a gloomy expression, lost in thought. Zhuo Jing came out and said, “Prince Li, the Prince and Princess Consort request your presence.” Mo Jingli gave a light snort and stepped inside.

Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were playing chess in the courtyard; Leng Haoyu and Murong Ting had naturally already withdrawn. Seeing Mo Jingli enter, Mo Xiuyao made no move to welcome him, merely glancing sideways and saying coolly, “Something the matter?”

A flash of anger crossed Mo Jingli’s face – before Mo Xiuyao, he seemed forever destined to be one step behind. Once, Mo Xiuyao had been the second son of the Prince of Ding’s household while he was a noble prince, yet Mo Xiuyao had been more favored, more proud, and more arrogant. When they grew up, Mo Jingli became Prince Li but couldn’t match Mo Xiuyao’s military achievements and scholarship. Now, even as Regent of Da Chu, he still seemed to be one step behind Mo Xiuyao! How could Mo Jingli possibly remain calm?

“You have such nerve! You dare to return?!” Mo Jingli said coldly. Mo Xiuyao casually dropped a chess piece and leaned back in his chair, saying with a faint smile, “I have returned. What do you dare to do about it?”

Mo Jingli gritted his teeth. What did he dare do? He dared do nothing!

Now that the northern border was under attack and both North Rong and Xi Ling were watching like tigers eyeing their prey, he didn’t dare do anything even if Mo Xiuyao had returned alone. If anything happened to Mo Xiuyao, the Mo family army would certainly rise en masse to avenge him. When that happened, with Xi Ling and North Rong invading together, Da Chu would be surrounded on multiple fronts and would be swallowed up completely before long.

With a snort, seeing that Mo Xiuyao had no intention of inviting him to sit, Mo Jingli walked to an empty chair and sat down himself. Staring intently at Mo Xiuyao, he asked, “Returning at this time – what exactly are you plotting?”

Mo Xiuyao sneered at his wariness. “Plotting? Isn’t that what you and Mo Jingqi excel at? How is it? Do you have enough of the poison you gave Mo Jingqi? If not, I have some more here.” Mo Jingli’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and said, “Don’t know? When you were buying poison from that old woman in the Southern Border Holy Land, Ali and I happened to be watching nearby, so we also took some back for Mr. Shen to research. What do you think… could Mr. Shen have developed an antidote in these past six months?”

Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Li, who sat quietly drinking tea nearby and suddenly felt an inexplicable shame. But the implications in Mo Xiuyao’s words made him even more uneasy. “You have the antidote?”

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Did I say that?”

“Mo Xiuyao! You…” Mo Jingli was so angry he wanted to throw his teacup in Mo Xiuyao’s face. In recent years, as his status and power had grown, he had rarely been so hot-tempered. But it seemed just a few casual words from Mo Xiuyao could make him feel like his younger, explosive self again. “Mo Xiuyao, what exactly do you want?”

Mo Xiuyao leisurely drank his tea and said calmly, “Calm down. Now that you’re the Regent, act like one. Don’t disgrace the title.” His father had once been Regent too, after all.

Looking at Mo Jingli as he suppressed his anger, Mo Xiuyao said, “I don’t want anything. I just heard Mo Jingqi is near death, so I came back to bid him farewell.”

“You mean as long as Mo Jingqi doesn’t die, you won’t leave?” Mo Jingli said through gritted teeth. The capital was already in chaos; they didn’t need the Prince of Ding stirring things up further. If Mo Jingqi didn’t die for half a year, did that mean he would stay in the capital for half a year?

“Ali’s uncle and elder brother are both talented in governing. The northwest is but a small territory – they can handle it easily. Prince Li need not worry on my behalf,” Mo Xiuyao said.

Worry about your xx! Mo Jingli finally couldn’t help but curse internally. What did he care about the Northwest? He just wanted to find a way to drive Mo Xiuyao out of the capital.

Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, supporting his forehead with one hand as he looked at Mo Jingli. “Don’t bother thinking about how to make me leave quickly. I don’t have a habit of coming and going as others please. When I’m satisfied with my stay, I’ll leave naturally. But you can rest assured, I absolutely won’t interfere in the struggle between you, Mo Jingqi, and the Liu family.”

Mo Jingli laughed coldly. “You expect me to believe your words?”

Mo Xiuyao spread his hands. “Besides believing me, what else can you do?”