“Not fair?” Mo Xiuyao acted as if he’d heard a joke, watching disinterestedly as Bai Qingning’s beautiful face twisted with anger and resentment. “What right do you have to speak of fairness to me? You harmed A’Li – you all… deserve death!” His last words were barely audible to the noble ladies nearby, but to Bai Qingning they thundered like drums in her ears.

At that moment, Bai Qingning thought she saw a crimson gleam in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes, like a demon from hell. She couldn’t help but scream. Nearby, Madam Bai finally realized things weren’t as wonderful as she’d imagined and stumbled forward, “Your Highness… my daughter…”

Seeing Mo Xiuyao had no intention of speaking, Feng Zhiyao explained coolly, “Miss Bai caused the Princess Consort to faint from shock, and the Fourth Young Master to be gravely wounded…” This wasn’t unfair to Bai Qingning. If she hadn’t interfered, the guards would have gotten Xu Qingbo out earlier, avoiding the situation where both were nearly injured.

“What… what?” Madam Bai was shocked, her voice trembling. She couldn’t believe her usually sensible, clever daughter had caused such a disaster in mere moments. Bai Qingning realized her life was at stake and grabbed her mother, crying, “Mother, I’m innocent! I didn’t harm the Prince’s manor or Fourth Young Master Xu! I’m innocent…”

“Your Highness…” Madam Bai swallowed hard, her voice shaking, “Your Highness, this… this must be a misunderstanding. My daughter would never do such things. Please, considering the White family’s loyal service, investigate carefully.” Mo Xiuyao, who had been resting his eyes, suddenly opened them, his gaze cutting across Madam Bai like a blade. “Madam Bai… are you threatening me?”

“This servant wouldn’t dare, Your Highness!” Madam Bai collapsed in terror, not daring to speak further. Mo Xiuyao looked coldly at Bai Qingning and said, “Take her away. I don’t want to see her again.”

Feng Zhiyao sighed inwardly – Bai Qingning’s crime didn’t merit death, but she could only blame her bad fortune. He waved his hand, having people drag her away. Bai Qingning struggled constantly but couldn’t match the two men’s strength as they dragged her out. From afar came her piercing cries, “No! I don’t want to die! Mother… save me, I don’t want to die…”

As her anguished screams faded on the wind, the noble ladies in the garden turned ashen, shivering in the cold.

Madam Bai stared blankly in the direction her daughter had disappeared, finally breaking into loud sobs. She had only this one daughter her whole life, in whom she’d placed such high hopes. Bai Qingning had never disappointed her, but now the Prince had ordered her death without hesitation. How could she accept this? Two guards came to escort Madam Bai out, one on each side. The Prince was in a foul mood – letting her wail here would only worsen it, and then more people would suffer.

“Your Highness.” Madam Sun hurried over with a register, barely changing expression at the corpses on the ground. She walked straight to Mo Xiuyao and said quietly, “Here are the items Your Highness requested.” Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but admire the woman before him. Though not as experienced in court politics as the Princess Consort, showing such courage and composure was remarkable for a sheltered lady.

Mo Xiuyao took the register and began reading, his expression growing darker. After a while, he snapped it shut and tossed it to Lin Han behind him, saying, “Bring me everyone listed in this register.” Lin Han caught the register, tucking it away without looking at it, and responded clearly, “This servant obeys.” He turned and vanished from the garden like the wind.

That day, the Western Capital witnessed its bloodiest scene in fifty or sixty years – even when the Southern Pacification King had seized power and suppressed court officials, things hadn’t been so brutal. Outside the Sun family’s garden gates, almost all the capital’s noble families, high officials, and aristocrats, regardless of age or gender, were brought to the area. The intersecting streets were packed with people layer upon layer. One-third of the capital’s families were executed to the last member, right there in the street outside the garden. For such a momentous event, even the Western Emperor was alarmed and hurried from the palace, but even his imperial presence couldn’t save these people. Blood flowed like rivers outside the Sun family garden, staining the entire street dark red. That day, those executed included one Prince of the Second Rank, one Princess, two Marquises, four officials of the third rank or higher, twelve of the fifth rank or higher, and countless below the fifth rank. And all this was merely because the Princess Consort had been attacked. The world trembled.

Later historical records noted:

From the “Western Capital Chronicles, Final Emperor’s Annals”: “In September, the Princess Consort was attacked in the capital. The Prince’s fury led to a bloody purge of the capital, known as the ‘Sun Family Garden Bloodbath.'”

From the “Chu Kingdom Records, Prince’s Biography, Chapter on the World-Pacifying Prince”: “Mid-September, the Princess Consort was attacked in the Western Capital. In his rage, the Prince executed over a hundred people connected to the Southern King. A third of the capital’s nobility was eliminated, shocking the world.”

The unofficial “Biography of the World-Pacifying Princess Consort” commented: “The Prince slaughtered half the Western Capital’s nobility for the Princess Consort, blood flowing through the streets, spirits wailing in anguish. Though the Prince and Princess Consort’s love could move heaven, his iron-fisted methods and countless deaths all stemmed from her. Truly, Lady Ye could be called a beauty who brought disaster.”

Regardless of how this bloody storm tainted the Prince’s reputation, countless nobles forced to witness the executions were terrified beyond measure. Some more timid ones were so frightened they fell ill upon returning home, with several dying within days.

However, none of this affected Mo Xiuyao in the slightest. Since Ye Li’s collapse, no truly gentle expression had crossed the Prince’s face – even his smiles made people shiver involuntarily. Not even news of Ye Li’s pregnancy brought him any joy. Rather, whenever Feng Zhiyao caught Mo Xiuyao’s gloomy gaze fixed on the Princess Consort’s still-flat abdomen, he couldn’t help but tremble in fear. Though he reminded himself that the Prince hadn’t particularly liked the young prince either, the boy had grown up fine and could now even oppose his father.

“Your Highness.”

In the elegantly arranged room, Ye Li lay sleeping peacefully in bed. Mo Xiuyao sat beside her, half-lying on the bed watching her serene sleeping face with tender eyes. Only at Feng Zhiyao’s voice did he sit up, saying deeply, “Enter.”

Feng Zhiyao entered, glanced at the sleeping woman and the white-haired man still sitting beside her, and sighed inwardly before reporting gravely, “Your Highness, all those connected to the assassins and those Madam Sun identified have been imprisoned. Do you want to…”

The nobles, terrified as they were, didn’t know that the bloodshed they’d witnessed was merely the tip of the iceberg in this storm. Many more awaited Mo Xiuyao’s judgment.

When a ruler’s anger erupts, blood flows like rain. Feng Zhiyao recalled his teacher’s lessons and lamentations from his youth. He wondered if those who had plotted today’s events would regret it.

“Leave none alive.” Mo Xiuyao’s voice was soft as his long fingers gently traced Ye Li’s beautiful features. Yet his words carried overwhelming bloodthirst and killing intent.

This didn’t surprise Feng Zhiyao. After some thought, he asked, “Your Highness… do you truly believe the Southern Pacification King was behind this?” This purge had completely uprooted the Southern Pacification King’s network and hidden forces in the capital, including his entire household. Though Lei Zhenting didn’t have many children, Lei Tengfeng had several. His legitimate sons had been taken from the capital before Mo’s army arrived, but several illegitimate children remained in the manor. While the Southern King’s involvement wasn’t impossible, if it truly were him, the attack would have been far more dangerous. If the Princess Consort hadn’t been in a delicate condition, these assassins couldn’t have touched her at all. Moreover, Lei Zhenting must have known that if Ye Li were killed, the consequences wouldn’t end with just a few deaths. The entire Western Capital might truly be wiped out, down to the last dog and chicken.

“Even if it wasn’t him, it’s his fault for poor management!” Mo Xiuyao said coldly.

Feng Zhiyao had no sympathy for the wrongly blamed Lei Zhenting and changed the subject: “About Bai Qingning of the Bai family – is it wise to execute her like this?” Mo Xiuyao gave him a cold look, “She’s already dead – what’s the use in discussing it?” Feng Zhiyao sighed helplessly, “I mean, what are your plans for the Bai family? After this, they’ll surely harbor resentment. Your Highness must guard against them…” The Bai family was still counted among the Western Capital’s great houses. Mo Xiuyao snorted, “A consort’s clan – does the Bai family have even one capable person? I have no use for worthless people.”

“This servant understands,” Feng Zhiyao nodded.

“How is Xu Qingbo?” Mo Xiuyao frowned. If anything happened to Xu Qingbo, given A’Li’s nature, she would feel guilty for life. This wasn’t what Mo Xiuyao wanted to see, and Xu Qingbo had taken that sword for A’Li – if that blade had struck A’Li instead… At the thought of this possibility, Mo Xiuyao’s killing aura leaked out uncontrollably.

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow, not understanding how inquiring after the Fourth Young Master’s injuries could trigger such murderous intent. “The doctors, imperial physicians, and our military doctors have all examined him. No vital points were hit, but he lost a lot of blood and is still unconscious. He’ll need considerable time to recover.” The “unconsciousness” was induced by the doctors’ sleep and pain medications. Being run through from behind by a sword – even trained warriors like themselves would suffer greatly, let alone a scholarly type like Xu Qingbo. Better to sleep through it and suffer less.

Mo Xiuyao nodded, “Pass down the order to care for him well. If anything happens to Fourth Young Master Xu, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Feng Zhiyao remained silent – after today, who would dare to defy the Prince’s orders? Who would court death like that?

“Your Highness, Zhuo Jing requests an audience.” Zhuo Jing’s voice came from outside. Mo Xiuyao told Feng Zhiyao, “You may go. Zhuo Jing, enter.”

Zhuo Jing passed Feng Zhiyao as he entered, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort…”

“She’s fine,” Mo Xiuyao said flatly. “What about the matter I had you investigate?” Zhuo Jing respectfully replied, “Madam Sun’s list was largely accurate. The person who incited these people has fled the city – our men are secretly following. The suspect appears to be from Great Chu, though our intelligence network hasn’t identified them. They’re heading north, likely toward the Chu capital.”

Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes, pondering for a moment before saying, “Great Chu… Mo Jingli has gone south, why would they go to the Chu capital? No… there’s someone else who has many Great Chu people under him. Ren Qining… Lin Yuan…” Zhuo Jing’s thoughts turned quickly, “Your Highness suspects the Northern Territory’s involvement?” Mo Xiuyao smiled without answering, merely instructing quietly, “Have people follow him. If he truly is Ren Qining’s man…”

Zhuo Jing silently awaited Mo Xiuyao’s orders. After a long while, Mo Xiuyao gave a low laugh, “I recall Ren Qining has a beloved wife – a Northern tribal princess – and several children, correct?”

“Indeed.” Ren Qining had been able to become ruler of the unified North as an outsider precisely because he had married the only daughter of the strongest tribal chief of the time.

“Kill them all,” Mo Xiuyao said calmly.

“This servant obeys.”

After dismissing Zhuo Jing, the room fell silent again. Mo Xiuyao gazed at Ye Li’s sleeping face, bending down to place a gentle kiss on her lips. “A’Li, please wake up soon. You don’t know… seeing you lying here like this, how afraid I am…” If you don’t wake up soon, I fear I won’t be able to control myself and will truly turn all of Western Capital into hell. I know… I know you don’t like that… so please, wake up soon.

In the Western Imperial Palace, the Western Emperor sat pale-faced and limp on his dragon throne, seeming drained of all strength. Today’s scene outside the garden had not only shocked and terrified all the Western Capital’s nobility – even he, the ruler of a nation, was deeply frightened. He had watched that white-haired man in white robes sit at the entrance, his expression natural as he watched people before him, showing neither joy nor anger. Yet each of his quietly spoken words brought forth bloodshed. That godlike figure who seemed to stand above all, able to decide life and death at will – it was once the Western Emperor’s most desired state, to be an emperor who could command life and death. But now he began to doubt: could he truly do it? Could he, like Mo Xiuyao, execute nearly half the nobility without changing expression?

The Western Emperor shook his head weakly – he couldn’t. Not only him but even Lei Zhenting couldn’t. No matter how great their power, they couldn’t match Mo Xiuyao’s decisiveness, his… cruelty…

“Your Majesty…” The attendant before him watched the Emperor worriedly. Since returning from outside the palace, His Majesty had seemed lost in a daze, yet refused to summon the imperial physicians. The servants couldn’t help but worry. But remembering the morning’s events, he felt the Emperor’s state was normal. Even they, who had seen much darkness and bloodshed, were still trembling.

“How is Princess Lingqun?” After a long while, the Western Emperor asked quietly. Though this daughter had never been close to him, the Emperor had few children, and Princess Lingqun had been one of the more outstanding ones. Now that she was dead like this, it was impossible not to feel some grief. But even in his sorrow, he as Emperor lacked both the ability and courage to seek justice for his daughter.

The attendant carefully replied, “The Princess’s body has been sent back to her manor. The Ministry of Rites will choose an auspicious date for burial. Please take care of your health, Your Majesty.”

The Western Emperor smiled helplessly, “So be it. Compared to the others… at least she went without much suffering. Issue orders for the Ministry of Rites to handle her funeral quickly. We shall depart early for An City.” Whether from feeling unable to face his failure or fear of Mo’s army and the Prince, the Western Emperor had lost all attachment to the capital.

“This old servant obeys. Your Majesty, news just arrived that the illegitimate sons of Prince Rui in the Southern Pacification Prince’s manor have also died.”

The Western Emperor opened his eyes, “Oh? Truly?”

“True. This incident must be connected to the Southern Pacification Prince. In his anger, the Prince confiscated both the Southern Pacification Prince’s and Prince Rui’s manors. Everyone within… none were spared…” At this point, even the aged attendant shivered.

The Western Emperor stared blankly for a while before giving a bitter laugh, “Lei Zhenting… could his cleverness have foreseen today? Well… at least Mo Xiuyao has destroyed most of Lei Zhenting’s power. Let’s leave quickly for An City. Issue orders not to provoke this harbinger of death anymore.”

“This old servant obeys.”

Ye Li indeed woke three days later. Though three days wasn’t long, the Prince’s manor had always been efficient, so in these three days, Qin Feng, Feng Zhiyao, and others had thoroughly eliminated all remaining opposition forces inside and outside the capital. As for how many families were ruined and how many heads fell, ordinary citizens couldn’t know. But even so, many noticed that numerous familiar faces in the capital had vanished overnight. In such chaotic times, being able to live peacefully was already rare enough – any doubts were quietly buried in people’s hearts.

“Fourth Brother… Fourth Brother?!” Ye Li suddenly opened her eyes from her sleep, grabbing the wrist of the person before her. When she saw clearly who sat beside the bed, she started slightly, “First Aunt…”

It was indeed Madam Xu, the First Master’s wife, who sat beside the bed. She had been about to wipe Ye Li’s brow with a warm cloth when Ye Li suddenly grabbed her, startling her as well. “Li’er, you’re finally awake?” Seeing her awake, Madam Xu brightened her kind, elegant face showing a relieved smile.

She had traveled thousands of li to the Western Capital for her son – apart from the journey from Yun Province to Li City, this was Madam Xu’s first long-distance travel in her life. Yet upon reaching Li City, she found both her son and niece unconscious in bed. If Feng Zhiyao, who had come to welcome her, hadn’t explained everything clearly and repeatedly reassured her, Madam Xu might have fainted from shock.

“First Aunt…” Just awakening, Ye Li’s mind was momentarily confused. Suddenly remembering the scene before she fainted, she sat up, “First Aunt, Fourth Brother…” Madam Xu quickly pressed her down, “It’s alright, your Fourth Brother is fine. Child, how could you be so careless…”

“I’m sorry… First Aunt, Fourth Brother was injured because of me…” Remembering Fourth Brother throwing himself in front of her, the sword piercing through his chest, Ye Li’s face turned pale. Fourth Brother was a gentle scholar with no martial skills – she dared not imagine how bad his condition must be.

Thinking of her son still lying motionless in bed, Madam Xu’s eyes reddened. Seeing her son wrapped in thick white bandages, his face bloodless, how could a mother’s heart not ache? But how could she blame Ye Li for this? As a mother, she knew her son’s nature well. Even if it hadn’t been for Ye Li, Xu Qingbo would have thrown himself forward for any of his brothers in such a situation – it would have been strange if he hadn’t tried to block that sword. She patted Ye Li’s hand gently, saying kindly, “Silly child, your Fourth Brother is fine now, why cry? I’m talking about you – haven’t you learned some medical skills from Doctor Lin? How could you not know your own body’s condition?”

Ye Li froze. Madam Xu shook her head with a smile, “Silly child, you’re three months pregnant. You’ve had a child before – how could you be so careless?”

This time, Ye Li was completely stunned. She didn’t even notice Madam Xu wiping her tears. After a while, she lowered her head and placed her hand on her flat abdomen. Then she put her left hand on her right wrist to check her pulse, saying anxiously, “I… I can’t tell. The child… how is the child?” Though Ye Li had learned some medicine from Doctor Lin, it was mostly about herbs and poisons. Medicine wasn’t a field where knowledge could be easily transferred. It would be difficult for someone with less than half a year’s medical training to clearly distinguish the slippery pulse of pregnancy, especially when Ye Li was currently anxious. If even someone like Mo Xiuyao couldn’t feel a pulse when panicked, how could she diagnose pulse patterns?

Madam Xu smiled reassuringly, “It’s fine, the child is doing well. You’ve just been too careless – if anything had happened, it wouldn’t have affected just you alone.”

Ye Li stared blankly at her abdomen. She had indeed been negligent this time. Though she had previous experience, this time apart from emotional fluctuations, the child had been very well-behaved, causing her almost no physical discomfort. As for her monthly cycle, because carrying Little Mo had taken such a toll on her, even with careful care it was often irregular. So she had assumed the irregularity was due to the change in environment since coming to Western Capital. Also, after several years without news, Ye Li had almost habitually stopped thinking about it.

“Anyway, it’s good you’re awake. I haven’t even had someone notify the Prince yet,” Madam Xu smiled.

“A’Li!” Before she finished speaking, Mo Xiuyao’s voice came from outside. A white figure flashed into the room, truly startling Madam Xu someone had informed him and he had used his martial arts to rush over.

“Xiuyao…” Ye Li looked up at the white-haired man before her. Though nothing seemed wrong with his appearance, she could sense his tension and exhaustion. In a white blur, she was pulled into a cool embrace as Mo Xiuyao buried his face in her shoulder, deeply inhaling her familiar fragrance. His voice was hoarse, “A’Li… you’re finally awake…”

Ye Li felt an inexplicable tightness in her heart. She raised her arms to embrace his somewhat thinner waist, saying softly, “Sorry for worrying you.”

Nearby, Madam Xu watched the young couple with a gratified smile and quietly withdrew, leaving space for the couple who had things to say to each other.