The common people outside naturally wouldn’t know what Noble Consort Liu had encountered in the teahouse. However, this didn’t prevent certain special individuals from learning about it. For instance, Mo Jingli – as soon as Noble Consort Liu left the teahouse, news of her disheveled appearance and expression had already reached the former Li Prince Manor, now the Regent’s Manor. Though Mo Jingli wasn’t particularly likable either, he was much better at handling relationships than Mo Jingqi. Over these years, the imperial clan’s princes had been severely suppressed by Mo Jingqi, so they naturally felt indifferent toward this emperor. Even though everyone knew Mo Jingqi’s illness had some connection to Mo Jingli, no one spoke up in his defense. Instead, after Mo Jingli became Regent, he showed great respect to these cousins and uncles, and now the clan’s relationship with Mo Jingli had improved significantly.
When the news reached Li Prince Manor, Prince Yu Mo Jingyu happened to be drinking tea at the Regent’s Manor. Mo Jingli didn’t conceal anything, immediately handing the message to Mo Jingyu after reading it. Mo Jingyu was naturally pleased by Mo Jingli’s trust. After reading it, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed tightly as he slammed the letter onto the table, saying, “What exactly are Noble Consort Liu and the Liu family trying to do? A palace consort making a grand display of traveling outside the capital to pay respects to the Ding Prince Manor’s ancestors – who does she think she is? She even dared to block the Ding Prince and Princess’s path on the street to invite them for tea. Does the imperial family’s dignity mean nothing anymore?”
Mo Jingli coldly replied, “Don’t we both know Noble Consort Liu? Besides her feelings for Mo Xiuyao, what else could it be?”
Mo Jingyu clearly remembered too. Back then, Noble Consort Liu’s devotion to Mo Xiuyao had made all the young nobles and gentlemen in the capital envious. Unfortunately, Mo Xiuyao, the person involved, acted as if nothing had happened, and naturally, no one dared mention it in front of him. When an unmarried maiden admires a man, though it might somewhat affect her reputation, if they truly were a perfect match, it could be considered a beautiful story. But when a married woman over thirty still obsessively pines for another man, that’s shameless adultery.
“Has she lost her mind? With a wife like the Ding Princess Consort, how blind would the Ding Prince have to be to take interest in her?” Though not familiar with her, Mo Jingyu had quite a good impression of Ye Li, the Ding Princess Consort. After all, women like the Ding Princess Consort were rare not just in the entire world, but throughout history. Just the fact that when the Ding Prince was crippled and caught in the capital’s power struggles, the Ding Princess Consort remained steadfastly loyal to him was enough to command deep admiration. After speaking, Mo Jingyu realized his words might have been inappropriate and gave Mo Jingli an apologetic look. This one had also been blind back then. Otherwise, a woman like the Ding Princess Consort wouldn’t have become the Ding Prince’s wife but rather today’s Li Princess Consort.
Mo Jingli shook his head to indicate he didn’t mind, his cold eyes lowering slightly to hide the turbulence within them. After so many years, Mo Jingli was no longer the impetuous youth who had rushed to break off the engagement without thinking things through. Over this long time, he had come to understand. Back then, his hurry to break the engagement was half due to himself, but the other half was due to his imperial brother’s subtle instigation. Mo Jingqi believed that since he was also the former emperor’s legitimate son, the Xu family might help him but wouldn’t help Mo Xiuyao. Yet he never expected that he would now force the Xu family to help Mo Xiuyao instead. If it weren’t for him… Thinking of that woman in blue clothing he had seen in the inn’s backyard that day, Mo Jingli’s heart clenched, and his hatred for Mo Jingqi grew several degrees stronger. Such a graceful, elegant, yet naturally dignified woman had originally been meant to be his wife!
“Does Noble Consort Liu want to ally with the Ding Prince? If the Ding Prince truly agreed… it would be extremely unfavorable for the Li Prince.” No matter what, no one in Great Chu didn’t fear Mo Xiuyao. Even though he now had no connection to Great Chu, this was the irreplaceable authority established in the hearts of both common people and nobles by the Ding Prince Manor’s centuries of achievements.
“He won’t,” Mo Jingli rejected. “Mo Xiuyao won’t cooperate with her.”
Mo Jingyu thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “That’s true. If the Ding Prince had agreed, Noble Consort Liu wouldn’t have left in such a distraught state.”
Mo Jingli smiled and said, “Mo Xiuyao is proud by nature; he would never cooperate with enemies. Even though… Noble Consort Liu had little to do with the events back then. But her son is Mo Jingqi’s son. Moreover, though the Ding Princess Consort appears gentle and quiet, she is just as proud as Mo Xiuyao. I can guess what conditions Noble Consort Liu would propose for cooperation, and Ye Li would never agree.”
Watching Mo Jingli confidently hold forth, Mo Jingyu couldn’t help but secretly sigh in his heart. To understand the Ding Princess Consort so well and speak about her in such a tone – the Li Prince must have long since regretted his actions. Unfortunately, some things in this world, once missed, are missed forever, and no amount of regret can change that. After some thought, Mo Jingyu still couldn’t help but remind him, “Li Prince, now is not the time to provoke the Ding Prince.” Given how Mo Jingli had impulsively dared to break off the former emperor’s arranged marriage because of Ye Ying, Mo Jingyu couldn’t help but worry whether Mo Jingli might again act rashly and do something irreversible to anger Mo Xiuyao because of the Ding Princess Consort.
Mo Jingli started, then smiled faintly and said, “I know my limits; Yu Prince need not worry. Now is indeed not the time to provoke Mo Xiuyao. During their days in the capital, we shall treat them with proper courtesy. No one from the Regent’s Manor should cause them trouble.” Mo Jingyu nodded in agreement. His Yu Prince Manor had always kept a low profile, so they certainly wouldn’t provoke Mo Xiuyao.
“However, though we won’t provoke them, that doesn’t mean others won’t,” Mo Jingli said with a cold smile.
“Hmm?” Mo Jingyu was startled.
Mo Jingli said in a deep voice, “Leak the news to Mo Jingqi. Tell him… that Mo Xiuyao, whom he fears most, has returned to the capital.” Mo Jingyu fell silent, quietly looking at Mo Jingli: You want to frighten Mo Jingqi to death, don’t you?
Mo Jingli paid no attention to Mo Jingyu’s gaze and said coldly, “That woman Noble Consort Liu, with her heart and eyes full of only Mo Xiuyao, is not worth fearing. Have someone keep a close watch on that old man of the Liu family. I hear they’ve been in contact with Prince De these days?” Mo Jingyu nodded and sighed helplessly, “Uncle Prince De is getting old; his vision must be failing. But after all, Noble Consort Liu’s son is the Crown Prince personally appointed by His Majesty, so it’s not unreasonable for Uncle Prince De to be close to them.”
Mo Jingli sneered, “How foolish! Do you think Noble Consort Liu will quietly let her son be emperor, and that old man of the Liu family will behave himself as a loyal minister in support?”
Mo Jingyu frowned and said, “The Crown Prince is Noble Consort Liu’s son; surely it wouldn’t go that far.” Mo Jingli looked at him and said, “You all haven’t been close to the palace these years. Yu Prince, why don’t you go to the palace and inquire about how Noble Consort Liu treats the Crown Prince and the other two princes and princesses? When she becomes Empress Dowager…” Mo Jingyu said in a deep voice, “What more could she want after becoming Empress Dowager?” As a woman, becoming Empress Dowager was already the most noble status possible – what more could Noble Consort Liu want?
Mo Jingli said, “I’m afraid in Noble Consort Liu’s eyes… ten positions of Empress Dowager aren’t worth as much as the position of Ding Princess Consort.”
“What?” Mo Jingyu was startled, suddenly realizing the implications, and couldn’t help but throw his teacup violently to the ground. “That whore!”
Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow and smiled – isn’t that so?
In the Imperial Palace
The silence in the magnificent sleeping palace was permeated with a faint air of decay and decadence. Mo Jingqi lay in bed, unable to move. His once handsome face had aged and become haggard by more than ten years. The man in his thirties looked like a dying patient approaching fifty. He didn’t know exactly what poison Mo Jingli had given him, but he knew it wasn’t Five Stone Powder. Five Stone Powder didn’t have such a domineering toxicity. Since being cut off from the drug, he had endured bone-corroding, heart-piercing pain every day, and this suffering hadn’t gradually weakened despite being off the drug for many days. Instead, it had caused his body to become increasingly more decrepit.
Even now, he could feel pain throughout his internal organs with the slightest movement. Mo Jingqi knew his time was short. But he couldn’t accept it; he really couldn’t accept it. He had spent his entire life scheming and calculating, living in constant fear without a single day of peace. Now Mo Xiuyao controlled the northwest, Mo Jingli, though not explicitly stated, effectively occupied the southeast, barbarian troops were knocking at the northern border, and both Western Ling and the Northern Rong were watching like tigers eyeing their prey. With so many matters, Mo Jingqi couldn’t let go. He didn’t dare face the ancestors of Great Chu, not knowing what would become of Great Chu after his death.
“Someone…” Mo Jingqi called out in a hoarse voice.
The sleeping palace remained eerily silent, with no response even after a long while. Mo Jingqi was stunned for a moment before suddenly breaking into laughter, but as he laughed, tears streamed down his face. Only after being poisoned did he realize how utterly he had failed as a person. Not a single member of the royal clan would speak up for him, the court officials were busy fighting and taking sides, and his empress mother had stopped visiting after two or three times. Even the formerly favored eunuchs and palace maids had disappeared to who knows where. These days, he faced the empty sleeping palace alone every day, as if watching his internal organs gradually rot away and die while fully conscious. “Heh heh…”
“Someone! Someone… I want water…” Mo Jingqi called out hoarsely.
A teacup decorated with dragon and phoenix patterns appeared before him, held by Mo Jingli, who wore a dark python robe and stood by the bed holding the tea. He bent down to support Mo Jingqi and brought the water to his lips. Mo Jingqi was indeed extremely thirsty and, not caring about much else, lowered his head to drink more than half the cup before taking a breath. After laying him back down, Mo Jingli turned to place the teacup back on the table nearby before slowly walking back.
“What are you doing here now?” Mo Jingqi said coldly.
Mo Jingli sat down and said calmly, “I’ve come to tell Imperial Brother some good news. Someone who can deal with me, your imperial brother, has come to the capital. Don’t you think that’s good news for you?”
“Who?” Mo Jingqi had no interest in his mysteriousness. At this point, Mo Jingqi truly couldn’t think of anyone who could deal with Mo Jingli, who held all the power. Mo Jingli smiled mockingly at him and said, “Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao has returned, Imperial Brother. Aren’t you happy?”
“Mo… Mo Xiuyao?! Why has he returned? Why haven’t you ordered his arrest?!” Mo Jingqi exclaimed in shock, roaring in anger. But right after shouting, he was seized by earth-shattering coughing. Watching Mo Jingqi hunched over the bed, his face pale with pain, a flash of pity crossed Mo Jingli’s eyes. He said indifferently, “Arrest him? Imperial Brother… do you think I’m mad? Great Chu is currently surrounded by enemies, the northern border is already overwhelming us, and if we start a war with the Mo family army, Western Ling and Northern Rong will certainly take advantage to invade. What then?”
“Mo Xiuyao is our enemy too!” Mo Jingqi said hatefully.
“Now Mo Xiuyao is only your enemy,” Mo Jingli said flatly. Looking down at him, he continued, “You caused Mo Xiuwen’s death, you caused the death of those tens of thousands of Mo family soldiers at the border back then. You caused Mo Xiuyao’s severe injury, and you were behind the assassination attempt on the Ding Princess Consort in the capital. Imperial Brother… who else should Mo Xiuyao seek but you? When he heard in the northwest that you were failing, he rushed back to the capital. Do you know why? He said… he’s come to send you off. If Imperial Brother wants Mo Xiuyao to leave the capital sooner, then hurry up… and die.”
“You…”
Mo Jingli looked at him coldly and continued, “Oh right, I forgot to tell Imperial Brother another piece of news. Your beloved consort, the mother of Great Chu’s Crown Prince, just went to see Mo Xiuyao. Do you know what she said to him?”
Mo Jingqi lay with his eyes half-closed, clearly not wanting to hear him speak anymore. He knew Mo Jingli’s intentions – he just wanted to make him suffer. Mo Jingli didn’t care whether he was listening or not, “Noble Consort Liu said that as long as Mo Xiuyao would help her deal with me, she’d be willing to share the empire with the Ding Prince. It seems… even without me, whether the Crown Prince you chose can ascend to the throne is still uncertain.”
Hearing this, Mo Jingqi’s expression changed, his body trembling uncontrollably. He glared at Mo Jingli with wide eyes, “You… you’re talking nonsense!”
“Nonsense?” Mo Jingli sneered, “Everyone in the capital knows that Noble Consort Liu was infatuated with Mo Xiuyao even before entering the palace. If Imperial Brother doesn’t believe me, why not send someone to check if Noble Consort Liu is still in the palace, and when she left? But Imperial Brother need not worry – Mo Xiuyao has no interest in your beloved consort and has already rejected her. This noon, how many people saw Noble Consort Liu walk out of the teahouse in a daze?”
“You’re talking nonsense… nonsense!” Mo Jingqi shouted angrily. Mo Jingli couldn’t be bothered with him anymore and turned to leave.
Leaving the sleeping palace, before he even reached the Imperial Garden, he encountered Noble Consort Liu coming toward him.
Looking at Noble Consort Liu, beautiful as ice and snow, Mo Jingli’s eyes showed not a trace of emotion or appreciation. Since childhood, he had always disliked proud and arrogant people, no matter how breathtakingly beautiful they were. Noble Consort Liu naturally had no good feelings toward Mo Jingli either, and said coldly, “Where is the Li Prince going?” Mo Jingli forced out an insincere smile and said blandly, “I was just about to return to my manor. Where is Noble Consort going?” Noble Consort Liu said, “Just walking around.” Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow and said, “Oh? Is Noble Consort not going to see His Majesty?” Noble Consort Liu had indeed planned to see Mo Jingqi, to see if she could find out anything to use against Mo Jingli. But she certainly couldn’t say this in front of Mo Jingli, so she said indifferently, “His Majesty hasn’t summoned me to attend to him. Wouldn’t it disturb His Majesty’s rest if I went uninvited?”
“Is that so? Noble Consort is indeed thoughtful. Then I shall take my leave,” Mo Jingli gave her an ambiguous look and left.
Staring at Mo Jingli’s departing figure, Noble Consort Liu’s face showed a trace of anger. How dare the Li Prince be so discourteous to her!
“Your Grace?” the eunuch beside her asked carefully.
Noble Consort Liu frowned and asked, “Go find out if the Li Prince just went to see His Majesty.” The eunuch accepted the order and hurried away. Soon he returned hastily, whispering, “Your Grace is perceptive. The Li Prince did just come from His Majesty’s sleeping palace, and now seems to be heading to Zhangde Palace.” Thinking of the Empress Dowager who had never shown her any kindness, Noble Consort Liu’s expression grew colder. She snorted lightly and said, “That old hag still wants to fight with me?! How wishful!” The eunuch smiled sycophantically and said, “Your Grace speaks truly. Your Grace is the Crown Prince’s birth mother. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, Your Grace will rightfully become the Empress Dowager. Oh yes, Your Grace… this servant just learned some news. His Majesty has just issued an edict lifting the house arrest of the Empress, and additionally promoted Consort Zhou to Noble Consort De, and Talented Lady Zheng to Noble Consort Xian.”
“What?! When did this happen?!” Noble Consort Liu’s expression changed as she asked sternly.
The eunuch knew the gravity of the matter and quickly replied, “Just now. When this old servant went, the messenger was just heading to the Empress’s palace to deliver the edict.”
“How can this be? Going now… no, it’s too late! Why would His Majesty suddenly issue such an edict? Could it be… the Li Prince?” Noble Consort Liu’s heart tightened, and she hurriedly headed toward Mo Jingqi’s sleeping palace. Though she didn’t take the Empress and several unfavored consorts seriously, this Talented Lady Zheng had a son who was already eight years old, intelligent and quick-witted, deeply favored by His Majesty. It was precisely because of this that even though Talented Lady Zheng didn’t have His Majesty’s favor, she was still titled Talented Lady, and now had been promoted to Noble Consort Xian, one of the four noble consorts. If these people united with the Empress, it would be very unfavorable for her and the Liu family.
Hurrying to the entrance of the sleeping palace, she was stopped outside. Noble Consort Liu’s face turned cold and she said, “What is the meaning of this? I wish to see His Majesty!”
But these guards at the door were Mo Jingli’s men, placed there specifically to make things difficult for Noble Consort Liu. They naturally wouldn’t yield easily. The guard blocking Noble Consort Liu’s way said formally, “Your Grace, please forgive us. His Majesty has commanded that he will only receive the Empress when she brings Noble Consorts De and Xian to express their gratitude. Besides them, no one else will be received.”
“What if I insist on entering?” Noble Consort Liu threatened coldly.
The guard was equally firm, saying solemnly, “His Majesty has decreed that unauthorized entry to the sleeping palace will be treated as an offense against the throne.”
Noble Consort Liu gritted her teeth, about to lose her temper, when she heard the distant announcement of a eunuch, “Her Majesty the Empress arrives!”
Watching the Empress, wearing the imperial yellow phoenix robe and radiating majestic beauty, slowly descend from her phoenix palanquin, Noble Consort Liu slightly furrowed her brows. Apart from when Mo Jingqi suddenly fell ill, she hadn’t seen the Empress for a very long time. These years of the Empress’s house arrest had almost made her forget about this woman, but now that she appeared again, she was still so radiant, still so dignified and noble, making her feel somehow inferior.
“What is happening here?” the Empress stepped down from her phoenix palanquin and asked with furrowed brows, looking at the confrontation before her.