HomeMo LiChapter 434: When the Dust Settles - Final Chapter

Chapter 434: When the Dust Settles – Final Chapter

“Your Highness, Princess Consort. The Queen of Nanzhao and her consort, along with Prince Zhennan of Xiling, request an audience.” Outside the door, Qin Feng reported in a deep voice.

Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, “Let them in.”

Soon after, Princess Anxi and the others entered together. Princess Anxi was still holding the little prince in her arms, her beautiful face filled with maternal love and joy. Ye Li smiled as she looked at the three of them and asked, “It’s so late, why have you all come over?”

Lei Tengfeng glanced at Ye Li and the couple, then looked at Princess Anxi and her husband with a smile. “Everyone is still awake, and this prince couldn’t handle the wine, so I came out for a walk. I happened to run into the Nanzhao Queen and her consort, and heard they were coming to see Your Highness and the Princess Consort. I came along to ask for a cup of tea as well. I hope the Princess Consort won’t take offense.”

Ye Li smiled gracefully. “Prince Zhennan, what are you saying? Please, sit down.” She then ordered tea to be served.

Princess Anxi held her child, unwilling to let go for even a moment. The recovery of her lost son had nearly brought tears to the eyes of the usually strong Princess Anxi. Ye Li smiled warmly at Princess Anxi and asked, “How is the little prince?”

Princess Anxi nodded repeatedly. “Shuo’er is very well. We came here… wanting to thank the young heir. Has the young heir… returned?”

Ye Li smiled. “After running wild all day, he’s already returned to his room to rest.”

Princess Anxi nodded with some regret and smiled. “I’ll personally thank the young heir tomorrow.”

Ye Li looked at the baby in Princess Anxi’s arms, who was staring at her with round, curious eyes, and smiled. “May I hold the child?”

Princess Anxi gently placed the child in Ye Li’s hands. The baby looked at Ye Li with wide eyes but didn’t cry. Princess Anxi couldn’t help but smile. “This child… after going out, his courage has grown considerably. He used to be quite shy around strangers.” Speaking of this, thinking about what suffering her son might have endured these past few days, Princess Anxi felt sad again. A newborn baby wasn’t like an older child – even if he had suffered, he couldn’t express it, making it all the more worrying and heartbreaking.

Ye Li looked at Princess Anxi and gently comforted her. “The little prince looks fine. Has he been examined?”

Princess Anxi nodded repeatedly. “Master Shen Yang personally examined Shuo’er. There’s nothing wrong. He might have been a bit frightened, but he’ll be fine in a few days.”

“That’s good.”

Lei Tengfeng, who had been sitting aside listening to their conversation, looked at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao with some surprise. “Was it the young heir who brought back the Nanzhao prince?”

Mo Xiuyao smiled casually. “That boy was just fooling around. He happened to encounter Mo Jingli keeping the little prince with him. He set a fire and took advantage of the chaos to have someone bring the little prince back.”

Mo Xiuyao spoke lightly, as if Mo Xiaobao had really just been fooling around and casually set a fire before leaving. But Lei Tengfeng and the others understood how difficult it would be for an eleven-year-old child to set fires under Mo Jingli’s heavy guard and then escape in the chaos. Not to mention anything else – if it were an ordinary child of this age, they would probably only know how to cry and wouldn’t be able to do anything.

“The young heir is truly accomplished at such a young age. Like father, like son indeed,” Lei Tengfeng praised.

Princess Anxi and Pu’A also nodded repeatedly, deeply grateful to young Mo Xiaobao for rescuing their son.

Lei Tengfeng sipped his tea while casually asking, “Prince Ding, Princess Consort, I wonder about Mo Jingli…”

Hearing Lei Tengfeng’s question, Princess Anxi and Pu’A couldn’t help but look toward Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao. Once bitten by a snake, one fears ropes for ten years – Mo Jingli had become someone they had to eliminate immediately.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. “There will be results soon.”

Lei Tengfeng raised his eyebrows, looking at Mo Xiuyao with some disbelief. “With Prince Ding and the Princess Consort’s abilities, Mo Jingli shouldn’t have been able to jump around for so long.”

Mo Xiuyao smiled. “He’s just a clown. Why should Prince Zhennan worry about him? Such trivial matters can be left to that boy, Mo Yuchen, to handle. If this prince were to get involved… it would seem somewhat like bullying the weak with power.”

Prince Ding had plenty of experience bullying people with his power, but using it on someone like Mo Jingli still seemed beneath him.

Lei Tengfeng’s eyes flashed with surprise. He hadn’t expected Prince Ding’s mansion to start cultivating the heir’s abilities so early. In Lei Tengfeng’s view, while Mo Xiuyao might be a strict father, Ye Li was a soft-hearted mother who loved her child dearly. Thinking of how he was still enjoying himself under his father’s protection at twenty, Lei Tengfeng could only shake his head inwardly and feel ashamed of himself.

Princess Anxi had also begun handling political affairs as Crown Princess in her teens, so naturally, she wasn’t surprised by Mo Xiuyao’s words. She was simply especially grateful because Mo Xiaobao had rescued her son.

Mo Xiaobao’s courtyard was located in the southeast corner of Prince Ding’s mansion’s inner quarters. To give their son sufficient private space, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had designated one of the mansion’s largest courtyards, second only to the main courtyard, along with a small garden, as Mo Xiaobao’s domain once he reached the age to live separately. The couple generally didn’t interfere with what Mo Xiaobao did there or how he arranged things. This courtyard was as large as an entire mansion of an ordinary wealthy family, with many rooms. Often, Xu Zhirui, Leng Junhan, and others would stay there for periods.

When Mo Xiaobao returned to his courtyard, Leng Junhan and Xu Zhirui had already gone to sleep. Being the youngest, they had spent the entire day running around with Mo Xiuyao and Qin Lie and were exhausted. They had washed up and gone to bed as soon as they returned. Mo Xiaobao didn’t disturb them and went directly to his room.

As soon as he pushed open his room door, Mo Xiaobao froze. Something cold and sharp was pressed against his waist, and behind him came a strange osmanthus fragrance. Mo Xiaobao wrinkled his nose – the scent was very familiar. “Mo Jingli.”

A hand quickly pressed several points on his body, sealing several important acupoints. Then another hand pulled him over. In the somewhat dark room, a tall, sinister man was staring at him with malevolent eyes. It was indeed Mo Jingli.

Mo Jingli dragged the helpless Mo Xiaobao, whose acupoints had been sealed, into the inner room before lighting a nearby candle stand. The room gradually brightened, and Mo Xiaobao curiously examined the man before him. Dressed in the clothing of Prince Ding’s mansion guards, his overly pale complexion and sinister, dark eyes made him look like a ghost crawled out of hell.

“Mo Yuchen, you truly have great skill,” Mo Jingli stared at Mo Xiaobao and said ominously.

Mo Xiaobao shrugged and smiled. “You’re not bad either, managing to sneak into this young heir’s courtyard without a sound. Who helped you? With your abilities alone, you absolutely couldn’t have avoided the mansion’s guards and entered this young heir’s courtyard silently.”

Mo Jingli smiled strangely. “Unfortunately, you’ll never have the chance to know.”

Mo Xiaobao raised an eyebrow, looking at Mo Jingli. “Are you… Planning to kill me right now?”

“You guessed right.” Mo Jingli sneered. “I should have killed you directly when I first caught you, little brat, knowing how cunning you are. It would have saved me all this trouble.”

Mo Xiaobao’s face immediately fell. “Even if you kill me, you won’t be able to get out.”

Mo Jingli smiled. “If I could get in, I could get out.”

Mo Xiaobao was silent for a long while, finally sighing somewhat helplessly. “You’re right. Go ahead.”

If he hadn’t said this, Mo Jingli might have acted immediately. But now that he had said it, Mo Jingli hesitated instead, staring at him suspiciously. “What conspiracy do you have now?”

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes. “I’m about to die – what conspiracy could I have? Can’t I mourn my short life?”

Mo Jingli remained silent. Mo Xiaobao thought for a moment, then looked up and asked, “By the way, after I die, remember to stay away from me. No, remember to die far away from me.”

“What do you mean?” Mo Jingli asked in a low voice.

Mo Xiaobao looked somewhat guilty. “Earlier in the small courtyard, you drank quite a bit of wine, didn’t you?”

“So what?” He had indeed drunk quite a bit, but that amount shouldn’t have affected him.

Mo Xiaobao counted on his fingers. “I accidentally… added something to the wine. It might… not look very good when you die. Anyway, you should stay away from me.”

Seeing Mo Xiaobao’s serious expression, Mo Jingli was furious, his eyes nearly splitting with rage as he roared in a low voice, “Mo Yuchen!”

“You can’t blame me for this,” Mo Xiaobao declared seriously.

“What exactly did you put in my drink?”

Mo Xiaobao shook his head repeatedly, looking at him sympathetically. “Since we’re all going to die anyway, what kind of poison doesn’t matter, right? If you can kill yourself before the poison takes effect, it actually won’t have any impact at all.”

The enraged Mo Jingli suddenly stopped, studying Mo Xiaobao for a long time before sneering. “I almost forgot – your cunning schemes are no less than your father’s. I almost let you fool me.”

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes, not seeming anxious. “This young heir said it – just please die far away from me when the time comes.”

“What exactly did you poison me with?” Mo Jingli raged. People like Mo Jingli lacked the courage to risk everything, so they were easily frightened by nonexistent things. If Mo Xiaobao had told him directly what poison he’d used, he wouldn’t have been so nervous. It was precisely because of Mo Xiaobao’s attitude that he felt uneasy. In short, he was overthinking everything.

Mo Xiaobao looked at him innocently, his eyes clearly saying: better to die early and be reborn sooner.

After staring at Mo Xiaobao for a long time, Mo Jingli’s eyes flashed with bloodlight. Finally making up his mind, he drew his dagger and was about to stab it into Mo Xiaobao’s chest. “Since you won’t say, keep it to yourself.”

“Mo Jingli, are you looking for this young heir? Haha, idiot, you can’t even recognize people properly – what are you doing out here?” A clear, cheerful voice rang out from outside the door, carrying countless malicious taunts into the room.

Mo Jingli froze, looking at the person in front of him in disbelief. The “Mo Xiaobao”, forced to sit on the stool, gave him a helpless, bitter smile. “I don’t know what poison he gave you. Also, my surname isn’t Mo.”

“You’re not Mo Yuchen?”

“Mo Xiaobao” shrugged. “Why don’t you go out and see for yourself?”

Mo Jingli grabbed Mo Xiaobao and dragged him to the door. Through the crack in the door, Mo Jingli saw a handsome young man in dark brocade robes standing in the courtyard, looking the same as Mo Xiaobao beside him. Only under the moonlight, those eyes unconcealed revealed contempt and schadenfreude toward the people inside.

“Qin Lie, you idiot, how did you get captured again?” Mo Xiaobao, in the courtyard, called out in annoyance.

The Mo Xiaobao in Mo Jingli’s hands rolled his eyes, equally annoyed. “Whose fault do you think this is?” Damn it, he just hadn’t had time to remove his makeup and change clothes, planning to wait here for someone to return so they could discuss what to do next.

Mo Xiaobao touched his chin, still conscientiously nodding. “Alright, Mo Jingli, come out quickly. If you hurt Qin Lie, you won’t escape either.”

Mo Jingli sneered. “You come over and trade places with him.”

Qin Lie glared at him. “Are you brain-damaged? Do you know who I am? Do you think Prince Ding’s mansion would trade the heir’s life for a guard’s?” Although he had qualified to join Qilin, before completing formal training, he could only serve as a guard. Thinking of this, Qin Lie felt somewhat melancholy. If he died like this without being promoted to a Qilin member, he wouldn’t forgive Mo Xiaobao even as a ghost.

Someone’s resentment made Mo Xiaobao feel a chill on the back of his head. Touching his head, Mo Xiaobao smiled. “Well… trading people definitely won’t work. How about I give you an antidote?”

“What antidote?” Mo Jingli stared at him warily for a while before sneering. “What use would an antidote be to me now?”

The rejected Mo Xiaobao looked at him meaningfully. “You’ll regret this.”

Mo Jingli sneered and didn’t respond, nor did he come out. Qin Lie was much shorter than him – if he went out, he wouldn’t even have a human shield if the Mo family’s archer attacked. But Mo Jingli also understood that continuing like this wasn’t a solution. If the person in his hands were Mo Yuchen, he could die together with him. But now that it was just an insignificant guard, Mo Jingli hesitated. Using his own life to trade for a guard’s life felt deeply unworthy to Mo Jingli.

This commotion had already brought Mo Xiuyao and the others rushing over. Seeing Mo Xiaobao standing in the courtyard with a resentful, conflicted expression, Mo Xiuyao sneered. “What, failed again?”

Mo Xiaobao clenched his cheeks and glared fiercely at his father. What did he mean by “failed again”?! When had he, Mo Yuchen, ever failed?

Ye Li reached out to stroke her son’s head, frowning. “Is Qin Lie inside?”

Mo Xiaobao nodded heavily. He appeared relaxed on the surface, but Mo Xiaobao was somewhat nervous inside. Who knew if that madman Mo Jingli might take desperate action and stab Qin Lie, knowing he had no way out?

Mo Xiuyao pulled Ye Li forward a few steps and said calmly, “Mo Jingli, since you’re already here, stop hiding. Come out.”

No sound came from inside for a long time, but after a while, Mo Jingli’s voice finally emerged. “Mo Xiuyao, do you take me for a fool?”

Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help but chuckle. “Aren’t you a fool? This prince let you go, yet you came running back yourself. Do you expect this prince to let you go again this time? Who gave you the confidence to think you could harm this prince’s son in Prince Ding’s mansion? Come out yourself, and this prince will let you die more easily.”

Inside the room, Mo Jingli gripped Qin Lie tightly, pressing him against the door. Qin Lie, being grabbed uncomfortably, shifted restlessly and sighed. “Grabbing me is useless. I’m just a guard by the heir’s side. Do you think His Highness would spare your life for me? Also, even if he let you go, the heir poisoned you – you wouldn’t get far anyway.”

Mo Jingli stared at him with a somewhat sinister smile. “Are you encouraging me to drag you down with me?”

Qin Lie wisely shut his mouth. He didn’t want to die, and even if he had to die, he didn’t want to die together with Mo Jingli.

“Mo Xiuyao, make all your archers get lost!” For someone holding hostages, what they feared most were those archers hidden in the shadows, impossible to guard against. Especially since Prince Ding’s mansion’s archers were all expert marksmen chosen from among hundreds.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and gestured. “No problem.”

“Why should I trust you?” Mo Jingli asked suspiciously.

Mo Xiuyao said somewhat impatiently, “How should this prince know how to make you trust me? Come out if you want to, forget it if you don’t.”

Perhaps hearing Mo Xiuyao’s impatience, Mo Jingli finally softened somewhat. He had too few cards to play – just one guard impersonating Prince Ding’s heir wasn’t enough to negotiate with Mo Xiuyao.

“Let me leave Prince Ding’s mansion,” Mo Jingli said through gritted teeth.

Mo Xiuyao burst out laughing, looking lazily at the closed door. “Mo Jingli, do you think this prince is playing games with you? Or that this prince wants to capture and release you repeatedly? Do you have that value?”

After another long while, the door was finally opened from inside. Mo Jingli came out gripping Qin Lie. Mo Jingli held Qin Lie in front of him as a shield with one hand, while gripping a dagger pointed at Qin Lie’s back with the other. At the slightest disturbance, he could thrust the dagger into Qin Lie’s back.

Mo Xiuyao glanced at Mo Jingli indifferently. “So you’re finally willing to come out? Now… what do you plan to do?”

Mo Jingli warily watched the group of people in the courtyard. Even without archers, he alone couldn’t possibly fight his way out of Prince Ding’s mansion alive against these people.

By the firelight, seeing Mo Xiaobao standing beside Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, who indeed looked exactly like the person beside him, but the clever light dancing in that child’s eyes made him certain that this child was indeed the real heir of Prince Ding’s mansion, Mo Yuchen, because this annoying brat looked at him with the same expression as his father had in his youth.

Mo Jingli gripped Qin Lie, staring at Mo Xiuyao. “If you don’t want this brat to die, back away.”

Mo Xiuyao’s expression remained calm, clearly not taking Mo Jingli’s threat seriously at all.

“How about it, young heir? Are you also like your father, not caring about this brat’s life? He was caught by me because of you, wasn’t he?” Mo Jingli looked at Mo Xiaobao with malicious amusement.

Seeing Qin Lie’s pained frown, Mo Xiaobao’s previously smiling face immediately became serious. He glared at Mo Jingli hatefully. “Let him go.”

“Let me go,” Mo Jingli demanded without hesitation.

“Impossible,” Mo Xiaobao said through gritted teeth.

Seeing him angry, Mo Jingli felt somewhat better and smiled. “Then you come and trade places with him.”

“Fine!” Mo Xiaobao declared loudly.

Everyone was stunned. Even Mo Jingli, who had made the demand, had been mostly taunting and never expected Mo Xiaobao to agree immediately.

“Young heir, think thrice!” Those following Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were all startled and hurried to stop him. In their eyes, a hundred Qin Lies weren’t worth one Mo Xiaobao. It wasn’t that they despised others’ lives, but in anyone’s view, a guard’s life couldn’t compare to the future heir of Prince Ding’s mansion.

Mo Jingli was stunned, studying Mo Xiaobao carefully. “Are you serious?”

Mo Xiaobao proudly raised his small chin. “Of course. If this young heir feared you, I wouldn’t be called Mo Yuchen.”

Mo Jingli looked toward Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, standing nearby. Among the crowd of people chattering advice, the child’s parents were unusually quiet.

“Mother?” Mo Xiaobao looked up at Ye Li. Ye Li’s lips curved in a faint smile as she reached out to rub Mo Xiaobao’s head. “Xiaobao has grown up. Make your own decision. Just be… careful.”

Mo Xiaobao’s face lit up as he nodded heavily. “Your child understands. Thank you, Mother.”

After speaking, Mo Xiaobao gestured to Mo Jingli to show he carried no weapons, then slowly walked toward them. When he reached just three steps away from Mo Jingli, Mo Xiaobao glared at him. “Release Qin Lie.”

With Mo Xiaobao in hand, Mo Jingli naturally wouldn’t care about Qin Lie anymore. Besides, he alone couldn’t possibly manage two hostages. He pushed Qin Lie away while simultaneously reaching for Mo Xiaobao.

“Die!” The pushed Qin Lie didn’t tumble away but instead twisted around and charged at Mo Jingli. At the same time, Mo Xiaobao also flew up with a kick toward Mo Jingli’s face.

Mo Jingli was suddenly attacked, but wasn’t unprepared. Given Mo Xiaobao’s cunning, Mo Jingli knew he couldn’t possibly surrender easily, but he had to gamble. Otherwise, even with Qin Lie in hand, he would die in the end. So, as Mo Xiaobao kicked toward his face, Mo Jingli had already dodged sideways and struck again at Mo Xiaobao’s vital points.

Qin Lie had had his acupoints sealed, and though he had managed to break through some in this short time, this charging force was already quite remarkable. He was quickly kicked aside by Mo Jingli. The nearby guards immediately went forward to help him up, finding he wasn’t seriously injured.

Feng Zhiyao and others who had followed immediately wanted to help Mo Xiaobao but were stopped by Mo Xiuyao’s raised hand.

“Your Highness!” Feng Zhiyao frowned, looking at Mo Xiuyao disapprovingly. With Mo Xiaobao’s martial arts skills, he was no match for Mo Jingli.

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “No need to worry. Let him try. If you had been willing to fight him seriously, usually, there wouldn’t be such concern now.”

Mo Xiaobao was the heir of Prince Ding’s mansion, with a precious status. Though he worked hard at martial arts, his status was different after all. Whether sparring partners or instructors, few dared to get serious with him, let alone fight desperately. This had led to Mo Xiaobao’s actual combat experience being quite lacking. Mo Xiuyao had at least had several incompatible royal nobles to exchange blows with from time to time in his youth. Mo Xiaobao had been sailing smoothly his entire life, getting whatever he wanted.

The process of Xiaobao and Mo Jingli’s fight was quite spectacular. Though small in stature with weak internal energy, Mo Xiaobao, who had long mixed with Qilin and was naturally somewhat twisted in his values, struck ruthlessly and cunningly, showing none of the nervousness or restraint of a first-time life-and-death battle. With such performance, if he were two years older, people would believe he was a seasoned killer.

Lei Tengfeng, standing to one side watching Mo Xiaobao’s performance, couldn’t help but admire him. With such a son, Prince Ding’s mansion would not decline for fifty years.

“Your Highness, are we raising an heir or training an assassin? The young heir’s skills… why do they look even more ruthless than those people from Yama’s Pavilion?” Feng Zhiyao lamented. The assassins from Yama’s Pavilion were merely ruthless, but their young heir’s strikes were not only ruthless but also extremely underhanded. It made Feng Zhiyao feel unable to bear watching. An eleven or twelve-year-old kid using moves like “monkey stealing peaches” with every attack – was this appropriate?

Mo Xiuyao wasn’t bothered at all. “As long as he can win. When his martial arts improve, he’ll naturally correct this.” Who would enjoy using such underhanded moves? Wasn’t it just because his abilities weren’t sufficient? Once his martial arts became strong enough to dominate all sides, with Mo Xiaobao’s naturally boastful personality, he would naturally choose more honorable techniques.

Feng Zhiyao shook his head and sighed. “If the Xu family knew about this, they would surely be heartbroken.” Half of Mo Xiaobao’s education was handled by the Xu family. Even if they couldn’t produce a refined gentleman like Young Master Qingchen, he should at least be a gentle, elegant, and upright gentleman with the clarity of moon and wind.

Mo Xiuyao sneered. “Better to raise a son like a wolf than like a sheep. This prince has no mood to constantly follow behind him, cleaning up messes.” What Mo Xiaobao would have to do in the future wasn’t simply defend a city. If he were too naive and came to bother him with problems all day long, he would only want to knock him senseless.

Although Mo Xiaobao tried his utmost, the difference in strength was too great, and he was finally overwhelmed by Mo Jingli’s attacks. Mo Xiaobao didn’t care about face and unhesitatingly abandoned the fight to run around the courtyard. At first, Mo Jingli was still wary that Mo Xiuyao and others might suddenly intervene, but after discovering that Mo Xiuyao had no intention of interfering, and that as long as he didn’t try to escape, the Mo family’s guards would ignore him, Mo Jingli vented all his anger on Mo Xiaobao.

Mo Xiaobao was chased everywhere, running while still managing to shout, “Master Shen, has your medicine expired?!”

Shen Yang, sleeping soundly in his courtyard, rolled over in his dreams and muttered in a low voice, “Little rascal, when has this divine physician’s medicine ever failed?”

Just as Mo Xiaobao was using his light-body techniques to dart around everywhere while considering whether to swallow his pride and ask his father for help, he suddenly felt Mo Jingli’s pursuit speed slow down noticeably. In his busy flight, Mo Xiaobao glanced back and, though he couldn’t see Mo Jingli’s complexion clearly due to the darkness, he could see that Mo Jingli’s clothes were already soaked with sweat. If Mo Xiaobao, the one being chased, hadn’t even broken a sweat while the one chasing him was already drenched… this was unreasonable. Mo Xiaobao’s eyes rolled, and he pulled something from his chest and threw it at Mo Jingli. “Here’s the antidote!” Then he rushed toward Mo Xiuyao, who was standing aside watching the show, at the fastest speed possible.

After chasing Mo Xiaobao for several rounds, Mo Jingli began to feel something was wrong. A strange burning sensation gradually surged up, slowly beginning to affect his body. At this moment, he truly believed that Qin Lie hadn’t lied to him – he had been poisoned.

So when Mo Xiaobao shouted about an antidote, he paused and reached out to catch what Mo Xiaobao had thrown at him. When he discovered it was just a jade pendant Mo Xiaobao had casually thrown over, Mo Xiaobao had already rushed into Mo Xiuyao’s arms. But Mo Jingli had no time to deal with Mo Xiaobao’s despicable behavior because that strange poison had begun to take effect. It had now been two hours since he drank the wine. He hadn’t felt anything before, but now that it was taking effect, it was like wildfire spreading across a prairie in an instant.

“You…” Mo Jingli was instantly drenched in sweat, his whole body as if soaked in water. Mo Jingli collapsed to the ground, his body feeling as if burned by fierce flames while also experiencing some strange impulses and desires. These bizarre pains tangled together, making him feel as if his entire body was being gnawed by insects.

This sudden change left everyone dumbstruck. Their gazes toward Mo Xiaobao became somewhat strange. “This… Young heir, what exactly did you poison him with?” Feng Zhiyao asked with a frown. Looking at Mo Jingli’s condition, it didn’t seem like he was in pain anywhere, or was it that every part of his body was in pain? And what kind of poison only caused sweating without spitting blood or bleeding from seven orifices, even maintaining a ruddy complexion that showed no signs of poisoning?

Han Mingxi on the other side looked at Mo Jingli with pity, then glanced at Mo Xiaobao panting in Mo Xiuyao’s arms, touched his nose, and decided to keep quiet.

Mo Xiuyao glanced at Mo Xiaobao and patted Ye Li’s hand. “Ah Li, you should go back and rest first. There’s nothing more here.” Ye Li frowned slightly, looked at Mo Xiaobao in Mo Xiuyao’s arms with an innocent smile, looked back at her, sighed softly, and nodded. “I’ll go back first. You all… that’s enough, don’t play anymore.”

Mo Xiaobao nodded repeatedly and waved at Ye Li. “Mm-hmm, good night, Mother.”

Watching Ye Li leave with her people, Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly and casually tossed Mo Xiaobao aside. Mo Xiaobao performed a neat somersault in mid-air and landed steadily on the ground. “Father, you’re so heartless.” His dark eyes looked pitifully at Mo Xiuyao, with tears seeming ready to fall.

Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help twitching his mouth – who exactly had taught Mo Xiaobao to be so shameless?

Mo Xiaobao pouted and snorted lightly. Facing such a heartless father who valued his son less than grass, what use was dignity? This young heir was using softness to overcome hardness.

Nearby, Feng Zhiyao cleared his throat. “I say, Your Highness, Young heir, should we… deal with that?” He pointed to someone writhing in pain on the ground.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. “Did this prince administer the poison?”

“Young heir?” Feng Zhiyao looked toward Mo Xiaobao.

But he found Mo Xiaobao pulling Qin Lie, trying to escape the scene. Being called back, Mo Xiaobao turned around with some regret and glared resentfully at Feng Zhiyao. Feng Zhiyao didn’t understand how he had offended this little ancestor, so he could only touch his nose and smile. “Young heir, what exactly did you poison him with? We still need to interrogate him, but you’ve made him like this… It’s inconvenient for us to work.” Looking at Mo Jingli’s current state, even if they beat him severely, he probably wouldn’t feel anything.

Mo Xiaobao opened his mouth and looked pitifully at Qin Lie. Qin Lie looked up at the sky – tonight’s moon was round.

Mo Xiaobao stamped his feet, ran to Feng Zhiyao’s side, and whispered to negotiate with him. “Don’t tell my mother.” Feng Zhiyao hesitated but still nodded. Only then did Mo Xiaobao lean over to Feng Zhiyao’s ear and whisper a few words. Feng Zhiyao was stunned, looking at Mo Xiaobao incredulously. “I remember the Princess Consort said…” Mo Xiaobao glared at him angrily. “That’s why I said, don’t tell Mother!”

After speaking, he didn’t forget to glare at Feng Zhiyao with what he thought was a threatening look, then turned and dragged Qin Lie away. From afar came Qin Lie’s puzzled voice, “Didn’t you say you wanted to watch the show?” Mo Xiaobao’s voice sounded somewhat frantic. “Does that look good to you?!”

“Uh… it doesn’t seem very good to look at.” He just saw Mo Jingli writhing and moaning in pain on the ground. It wasn’t as entertaining as torture.

Watching the two children run away, Feng Zhiyao’s expression was rarely twisted. Han Mingxi had already concluded in his heart and didn’t mind, patting Feng Zhiyao with a smile. “What did the young heir say?”

Feng Zhiyao waved his hand weakly. “Who among you… Will take him to a brothel?” A place like Prince Ding’s mansion definitely couldn’t let brothel women in. Damn it, the heir was only eleven years old – eleven! – and he had already given Mo Jingli aphrodisiacs twice. What was to be done? He looked resentfully at Mo Xiuyao nearby. “Your Highness, this subordinate feels that you and the Princess Consort need to strengthen the young heir’s education.”

Mo Xiuyao’s mouth twitched, and he rarely nodded silently. After hesitating, he said, “The brothel… You should go ask Shen Yang if he has an antidote.” This was what it meant for the student to surpass the master. Mo Xiaobao’s current behavior was surpassing his teacher. Mo Xiuyao questioned whether he had ever had such brilliant and vicious ideas in his entire life. The Mo Xiuyao, who wanted to teach his son to do bad things, deeply felt he had been too naive.

“Go wake Shen Yang now? We’ll be killed.” Feng Zhiyao shook his head repeatedly.

Han Mingxi cleared his throat. “I remember… Master Shen said that medicine… isn’t poison, and he can’t formulate an antidote for now.”

Mo Xiuyao touched his nose and waved his hand. “You handle it yourselves. This prince will leave first.” Prince Ding fled without hesitation, leaving the mess for his subordinates to clean up.

Mo Jingli, lying on the ground, was in such pain he wished he could die immediately. Though every part of his body was uncomfortable, and he felt as if he might burst from the agony, Feng Zhiyao and the others’ conversation reached his ears word for word.

“No… kill me! Kill me!” Mo Jingli finally understood what life’s greatest suffering was. He even hoped he had never entered Prince Ding’s mansion from beginning to end, that this was just a terrible nightmare. Or that he had been killed by Mo Xiuyao in Prince Ding’s great hall earlier. A man… a man who had long lost the qualification to be a man, yet was given aphrodisiacs. Even though he had lost certain abilities, it didn’t mean Mo Jingli had lost certain sensations. Because of this, his suffering was twice that of ordinary people. What terrified him more was if others found out…

Even though he was covered in sweat, Mo Jingli couldn’t help shivering. “Mo Xiuyao! If you have the ability, kill me! Do it!” At this point, Mo Jingli no longer had the strength to hide anything. His voice became sharp and piercing, making those who heard it frown involuntarily. Many of those present had once frequented the imperial palace – how could they not hear the strangeness in this voice? This was the sharp voice that only eunuchs serving in the palace would make. Mo Jingli himself was a very masculine and handsome man. After turning thirty, his voice had become even deeper and more resonant. Compared to this sudden sharpness and strangeness, it made people feel chilled to the bone.

“What… what’s going on?” Feng Zhiyao said in horror. Mo Xiuyao’s character was quite good – at least he had never boasted to anyone about what cruel things he had done to Mo Jingli, and Mo Jingli certainly wouldn’t spread it around either. So, regarding Mo Jingli suddenly making such strange sounds, everyone’s gaze fell on a certain part of Mo Jingli’s body.

Lei Tengfeng cleared his throat and said in a low voice, “Since King Li’s deceased consort gave birth to an heir, he seems to have never…” Thus, this person suspected that Mo Jingli had been castrated more than ten years ago. The people from Prince Ding’s mansion stroked their chins thoughtfully. According to their knowledge, King Li had been cheated out of many things by their prince for an antidote. Could it be that after cheating him, their prince had also given him fake medicine, making him not only unable to have children but unable to be a man at all?

The misunderstood Mo Xiuyao cleared his throat and waved his hand. “Feng San, I’m leaving this matter to you.” After speaking, ignoring everyone’s strange expressions, Prince Ding departed gracefully.

Lei Tengfeng and Yelu Hong, who had arrived later, looked at Mo Jingli on the ground with pity and smiled awkwardly. “We should also go back. They’re probably still drinking in the great hall. Northern Prince, shall we go back for another cup?”

Yelu Hong nodded and left with Lei Tengfeng. They left this hot potato to Prince Ding’s people – they only needed to know that Mo Jingli would never be able to rise again.

Feng Zhiyao was on the verge of tears. Capturing a prisoner was no problem, but capturing a prisoner afflicted with potent aphrodisiacs with no relief – what was to be done?

Han Mingxi touched his nose and smiled. “This… just endure it and it’ll pass.” As he spoke, Han Mingxi felt somewhat guilty. Ordinary people could naturally endure it, but this… whether he could endure it, no one knew. The young heir was truly too cruel. No one would believe he was completely unaware of Mo Jingli’s condition. Who would specifically give someone aphrodisiacs for no reason?

In the main courtyard’s bedroom, Ye Li had washed up and removed her jewelry and makeup, leisurely reclining on a soft couch, slowly turning through a scroll. Though it was already past the fourth watch, after being busy all day and suddenly relaxing, she found herself without sleepiness. So Ye Li sat on the soft couch by the bed, reading while waiting for Mo Xiuyao to return.

“Princess Consort, it’s already so late. You should have some soup and rest early.” Qingshuang brought over a bowl of chicken soup, saying with a gentle smile. Ye Li smiled and nodded, taking the chicken soup and tasting it. “It tastes wonderful. Qingshuang’s hands are still the most skillful. I’m somewhat reluctant to let you marry.”

Qingshuang’s pretty face reddened as she said coquettishly, “Princess Consort is teasing this servant again.”

Ye Li sighed lightly. “I’m not teasing. You’ve been by my side the longest. After this… matter is over, the prince and I will personally host your wedding with Ah Jin.”

Qingshuang’s eyes reddened. “There’s no one in this world who treats Qingshuang better than the Princess Consort.”

Ye Li smiled somewhat helplessly. “You silly girl, why are you crying for no reason? Go see if the prince has returned. Let the others handle these trivial matters.”

Qingshuang hesitated but still nodded. “Yes, this servant takes her leave.”

After a while, Qingshuang entered with a smile. “Princess Consort, the prince went to the study…” On the soft couch, Ye Li had fallen asleep holding her scroll. The chicken soup beside her was half-finished and had grown cool.

“Princess Consort?” Qingshuang slowly approached, looking at the beautiful sleeping face before her, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. “Princess Consort… are you asleep?” Ye Li’s sleeping expression was peaceful, completely unaffected. Qingshuang bit her lip and said in a low voice, “Princess Consort, I’m sorry…” Standing up, Qingshuang raised her finger to point at the sleeping Ye Li. Just from that practiced finger technique and force, one could tell her internal energy was not weak. It might even be higher than Qingluan, who had previously served by Ye Li’s side.

A slender hand blocked her finger. The sleeping Ye Li slowly opened her eyes and sighed helplessly. “Qingshuang, you’ve disappointed me too much.”

“Prin… Princess Consort?” Qingshuang’s expression changed as she quickly forced a smile. “Princess Consort, what are you saying? Qingshuang doesn’t understand.”

Ye Li shook her head and smiled. “How could you not understand? Chenxiang Zui is indeed the most difficult sleeping drug to detect, but… You shouldn’t have put mushrooms in the chicken soup. Didn’t you notice the shiitake mushrooms smelled a bit off? Master Shen said that Chenxiang Zui is incompatible with many things, such as orchids, such as fungi…”

Seeing that she had been discovered and couldn’t hide it from Ye Li, Qingshuang said in a deep voice, “Princess Consort, forgive my offense!” Pulling free from Ye Li’s grip, Qingshuang raised her palm and struck toward Ye Li.

Ye Li wasn’t to be outdone. Supporting herself on the soft couch with one hand, she leaped up and kicked out. Qingshuang had followed Ye Li for over ten years and naturally knew Ye Li’s abilities better than anyone. Not daring to be careless, she drew a soft sword and thrust it toward Ye Li. Ye Li’s eyes darkened as a short blade slid quickly from her sleeve. Silver light flashed as it shot directly toward Qingshuang.

“Seeking death!”

Before Qingshuang’s soft sword could strike, a voice full of murderous intent came from the doorway. A fierce gust of wind swept toward Qingshuang. She was immediately blown away and crashed into the wall, spitting blood and unable to get up again.

Mo Xiuyao stood in the doorway, looking down at Qingshuang with cold, emotionless eyes as if looking at a dead person. Knowing she couldn’t escape death today, Qingshuang no longer resisted and closed her eyes, baring her neck for execution.

“Xiuyao, don’t.” Ye Li grasped Mo Xiuyao’s raised palm and gently shook her head. Mo Xiuyao looked down at Ye Li’s pleading eyes and sighed softly. “Don’t be sad for others.” Ye Li gave him a faint smile. “I won’t be sad for others.” Turning around, she looked at Qingshuang and asked sternly, “Qingshuang, why?”

Having closed her eyes for death but feeling no pain after a long while, Qingshuang opened her eyes in confusion, looking at Ye Li with incomprehension. Ye Li sighed softly and remained silent.

In the flower hall, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li sat in the main seats with Mo Xiaobao sitting not far to the side. Xu Qingbai, Steward Mo, Ah Jin, and others who had come upon hearing the news were also present. Qingshuang knelt in the center of the hall, her expression dark and appearing utterly despairing.

“Your Highness, Princess Consort, this old servant… this old servant…” Uncle Mo sighed deeply and knelt on the ground. “Please punish this old servant, Your Highness and Princess Consort.”

Ye Li stood and helped Uncle Mo up, saying gently, “Uncle Mo, what are you doing? This matter… this matter is my fault toward you and Ah Jin.” Qingshuang and Ah Jin’s wedding had been arranged, so Qingshuang could be considered part of their family. If Qingshuang got into trouble, their family would also be implicated. But Qingshuang was a girl who had followed Ye Li for over ten years – Ye Li felt even more guilty. “Uncle Mo, please get up. When you say this… I truly have no face to meet you.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded. “The Princess Consort is right. Uncle Mo, your family has been utterly loyal to Prince Ding’s mansion. This matter truly has nothing to do with you. Ah Jin, I’ll find you another good wife later, alright?” Mo Xiuyao’s temper had always been good toward the taciturn Ah Jin. Ah Jin had followed him since childhood, though not clever, he was extremely loyal.

Ah Jin hesitated before nodding. He had known Qingshuang for many years, from when they were both young people who understood nothing. Though they weren’t like the Princess Consort and Prince, he had still been very happy when the Princess Consort said she would marry Qingshuang to him. Now seeing Qingshuang like this, Ah Jin felt very sad. But he stubbornly turned his head away and wouldn’t look at her anymore. The Prince and Princess Consort were the best people and the ones they should serve loyally. Anyone who wanted to harm the Prince and Princess Consort was wrong.

Ye Li helped Uncle Mo sit down to the side before turning back to look at Qingshuang, asking calmly, “Qingshuang, why?”

Qingshuang looked up at Ye Li and smiled bitterly with some helplessness. “Hasn’t the Princess Consort already known?”

Ye Li carefully observed Qingshuang. She still remembered when she first brought Qingshuang back to the mansion – she was still an innocent, adorable child under ten years old. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed, and this woman, before her with helpless eyes, no longer showed any trace of that little girl from years ago.

“You’re from Cangmang Mountain?” Ye Li asked.

Qingshuang nodded. Ye Li said, “Cangmang Mountain no longer exists. I know you haven’t betrayed Prince Ding’s mansion’s secrets all these years, otherwise you would have been exposed long ago. Back then… when Cangmang Mountain was destroyed, why didn’t you tell me? Did you think I would kill you if you revealed this?”

Qingshuang shook her head, looking at Ye Li. “I know the Princess Consort has been very good to me. It’s I who have wronged the Princess Consort. At this point, Qingshuang only seeks death.”

Ye Li closed her eyes, her beautiful and gentle face taking on a trace of anger. “Only seeking death? What a fine ‘only seeking death’! In your eyes, is life so worthless? Saying nothing, caring about nothing, just seeking death? Or perhaps… Prince Ding destroyed Cangmang Mountain, and you harbor resentment? If that’s the case… this consort will fulfill your wish. Qingshuang, tell me, is your heart with Cangmang Mountain?”

Qingshuang lowered her head without speaking. Ye Li shook her head and sighed. “You’re not. You were only eight years old when you came to my side, then followed me into Prince Ding’s mansion. If you truly had feelings for Cangmang Mountain, you should have collected plenty of information to leak to Cangmang Mountain’s master during these years by my side. You even had the best opportunity to get close to Xiaobao, Lin’er, and Xin’er, but you never did anything. Qingshuang, tell me what the real reason is?”

Qingshuang stared at Ye Li blankly, then lowered her head after a long while. Crystal tears slid down her cheeks, dropping one by one onto the floor in front of her.

“Princess Consort… wuu wuu…” Qingshuang looked at Ye Li as large tears fell. Ye Li watched her calmly with a gentle expression, saying softly, “Tell me, what exactly happened? Do you… Do you have some weakness that Mo Jingli holds over you?”

Qingshuang nodded. “My family… I still have a younger brother. He’s in King Li’s hands. If I don’t do as he says, my brother will die.”

“Your brother?” Ye Li frowned. “Aren’t you an orphan?” When Ye Li first met Qingshuang, she was just an orphaned girl on the street about to starve to death. Later, Qingshuang had also said her parents had drowned during a flood. Ye Li shook her head – since Qingshuang was from Cangmang Mountain, all of that was naturally false.

Qingshuang shook her head, saying in a low voice, “I lost both parents at a young age and grew up with my brother at Cangmang Mountain. The year I met the Princess Consort happened to be when the flood occurred, so Cangmang Mountain sent a group of people to infiltrate Chu’s capital, waiting for opportunities to hide in the mansions of prominent families in the capital. I disguised myself as a displaced orphan and was fortunately rescued by the Princess Consort.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. “So you originally weren’t trying to enter the Ye mansion?”

Qingshuang bit her lip. “Spies like us – many spend their entire lives without receiving any missions and can live their whole lives peacefully like ordinary people. When the Princess Consort bought me back, I knew the Princess Consort was King Li’s fiancée, so following the Princess Consort into the Ye mansion wasn’t wrong. Later, the Princess Consort was rejected by King Li but unexpectedly married into Prince Ding’s mansion. This servant only wanted to live peacefully, so… I convinced Cangmang Mountain’s people that if this servant leaked Prince Ding’s mansion’s information, it would arouse suspicion from His Highness and the Princess Consort. Rather than expose ourselves for some insignificant information, it would be better to save it for important times… After that, for several years, Cangmang Mountain never asked this servant for any information again. Moreover… Prince Ding’s mansion has tight security, and this servant didn’t know truly important information either. Until… shortly after Eastern Madam passed away, King Li sent people to find this servant. This servant had always been evasive with him before, but this time he came to Li City personally and brought my brother’s token…”

Qingshuang recounted her story intermittently, and those present couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing it. A girl raised by Cangmang Mountain from childhood, with a brother held hostage – Qingshuang had her own difficulties.

“What did Mo Jingli want you to do?” Ye Li asked.

Qingshuang lowered her eyes and said hoarsely, “If… if he couldn’t leave Li City alive, someone would kill my brother. Unless I could save him or kill the Princess Consort… I didn’t want to, didn’t want to kill the Princess Consort…”

Ye Li looked at her. “So you wanted to use my trust in you to capture me and then threaten Prince Ding’s mansion to release Mo Jingli?”

Qingshuang silently nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me directly?” Ye Li asked. “You’re not unaware of Mo Jingli’s nature. Don’t you think the probability of him silencing you after success is higher than sparing your brother? Comparatively, wouldn’t Prince Ding’s mansion intervening to save him have better odds?”

Qingshuang wept silently. When one cares deeply, judgment becomes clouded. Her brother was her only family in the world, seeing that his touch had already thrown her heart into chaos. She couldn’t help but be coerced by Mo Jingli into doing things she shouldn’t have done. Some things are very difficult to persist in, but once abandoned, one can never regain control. Without her help, how could Mo Jingli have moved so freely in and around Li City?

Seeing her tearful appearance, Ye Li sighed softly. “When Mo Jingli came to Li City, he was already like a stray dog. How could he bring your brother with him? Now that he’s been captured by Prince Ding’s mansion, how would he have the opportunity to kill your brother? Qingshuang, if what Mo Jingli said is true, your brother might still be in Jiangnan. But there’s at least a sixty percent chance…” he’s already dead.

Hearing Ye Li’s words, Qingshuang stared blankly, not knowing what she was thinking.

Ye Li rubbed her temples wearily and waved her hand. “Take her down first. Send people to investigate her brother’s situation.”

“Yes, Princess Consort.” Qin Feng gestured, ordering two guards to take Qingshuang away.

“Miss… I’m sorry…” Qingshuang, being escorted by two guards, turned back to look at Ye Li, biting her lip in shame. Ye Li shook her head. “Go ahead first.”

After Qingshuang was taken away, the flower hall finally quieted down. Suspicion of Qingshuang hadn’t begun tonight – after all, anyone who could know so much information and secretly provide help to Mo Jingli had to be someone close to Prince Ding’s mansion. After Qingyu, Qingluan, Qingxia, and others left Ye Li’s side, only Qingshuang remained as the closest and most trusted person.

Although the other three also frequently entered and left the mansion, Qingyu and Qingluan were well-known to the Xu family, and though Ye Li had once suspected Qingxia’s background, she was merely an informant placed by the Wang family. Moreover, Qingxia was intelligent and had always been well-behaved these years, becoming a proper wife and mother after marrying. These three could not now help Mo Jingli. Though she had suspected this long ago, when Qingshuang made her move, Ye Li still couldn’t help feeling somewhat sad and regretful.

Mo Xiuyao reached out to grasp Ye Li’s hand, saying gently, “Ah Li, why did you spare her?” For someone who had betrayed Ah Li and even intended to kidnap her, Mo Xiuyao never showed mercy. If not for seeing Ye Li’s determined yet sorrowful insistence on sparing Qingshuang, Mo Xiuyao would have killed her with one palm strike long ago.

Ye Li sighed. “She… has followed me for over ten years after all. At least she didn’t make an irreversible mistake. Let’s see how things go.” Mo Xiuyao frowned. “I don’t care what you think. Even if she was forced, such a person absolutely cannot remain by your side.”

“I know, I wasn’t thinking that either.” Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s serious expression, Ye Li smiled gracefully. Though she had spared Qingshuang’s life for the sake of their decade-plus relationship, how could she still keep her by her side? Some things… once they happen, can never be erased. No matter whose heart, traces will always remain.

Seeing Ye Li’s still somewhat melancholy expression, Xu Qingbai smiled gently. “Li’er, don’t think too much. That girl hasn’t leaked any information about Prince Ding’s mansion or you to Cangmang Mountain these past ten-plus years. Counting it up… these ten-plus years of companionship weren’t wasted.” People are all selfish – blood relatives are always most important. Even the Xu family, known as the leader of contemporary virtuous officials, would still choose their family members over unrelated outsiders. It’s just that Qingshuang chose the wrong method to solve the problem, dooming over a decade of feelings to turn to bubbles.

Knowing Fourth Brother was comforting her, Ye Li smiled serenely. “Fourth Brother needn’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Subordinate Feng Zhiyao requests audience with the Princess Consort!” Outside, Feng Zhiyao hurriedly sought an audience.

“Come in.” Ye Li watched Feng Zhiyao enter with a strange expression and quickly asked, “What’s wrong? On Mo Jingli’s side…” Third Young Master Feng’s handsome face was somewhat twisted. “Mo Jingli is dead.”

“Dead?” Ye Li was somewhat surprised. “How did he die?” Mo Jingli didn’t seem like the type who was unyielding and would rather die than be humiliated. Moreover, when Mo Xiuyao returned, he had only said Mo Jingli was captured – how had he died in this short time?

Feng Zhiyao scratched his hair somewhat irritably and forced a smile. “Anyway, Mo Jingli is dead. This subordinate wanted to ask how to handle his corpse.”

Ye Li glanced at Mo Xiuyao. “Should we return the body to Great Chu?” In a few days, Great Chu would send envoys to negotiate with Prince Ding’s mansion and take little Emperor Mo Suiyun back.

Feng Zhiyao quickly shook his head. “Princess Consort, this… by the time Great Chu’s people arrive, Mo Jingli’s body will already be… why not return his ashes to them instead?” Though he seriously doubted whether Great Chu’s people wanted Mo Jingli’s remains.

Ye Li frowned slightly. Though she found Feng Zhiyao’s attitude somewhat strange, what he said wasn’t unreasonable. Seeing that Mo Xiuyao didn’t object either, she nodded in agreement. Only then did Feng Zhiyao breathe a sigh of relief, glancing at Mo Xiuyao with a somewhat strange expression. Mo Xiuyao looked up and smiled faintly at him. Feng Zhiyao felt a cold wind howling overhead and quickly shrank his neck back.

Ye Li was in poor spirits and returned to her room to rest after sitting for a while. The others still had to stay and handle the remaining matters. Fortunately, after today, Prince Ding’s mansion could truly enjoy peace for a long time, so everyone present was energetic and no one felt tired.

Mo Xiuyao sat in the main seat discussing arrangements for envoys from various countries with Xu Qingbai. In a couple of days, these Western Region envoys should prepare to return to their respective countries. Seeing them off was no small matter, and tonight’s banquet with its continuous upheavals inevitably left people feeling unsatisfied, so the farewell banquet would have to be even grander.

Feng Zhiyao sat to one side, as if having received some unknown shock, alternately glancing at Mo Xiuyao and Mo Xiaobao, his eyes revealing a strangeness that even made Xu Qingbai unable to help repeatedly examining him. After Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingbai finished talking, Mo Xiuyao looked at Feng Zhiyao and raised an eyebrow. “If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

Feng Zhiyao shook his head repeatedly, saying firmly, “I have nothing to say.”

Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, not believing him at all. “What did Mo Jingli say before he died?”

Feng Zhiyao shook his head repeatedly, saying quietly, “He didn’t say anything. I guessed.”

“What did you guess?”

“I didn’t guess anything, but I saw how much you hate Mo Jingli!” Feng Zhiyao spoke without thinking. Prince Ding’s methods of tormenting people had unknowingly advanced further. No one knew when exactly he had turned Mo Jingli into a eunuch. Becoming a eunuch was bad enough, but he had even instructed his son to give the man aphrodisiacs. Giving such medicine to a eunuch was simply outrageous and utterly depraved. Thinking of Mo Jingli’s painful, miserable state before death, Feng Zhiyao had every reason to believe Mo Jingli had a ninety percent chance of being suffocated by unrelievable lust, with a ten percent chance of being angered to death by the father-son duo of Mo Xiuyao and Mo Xiaobao.

Poor former king, ending up with such a tragic death. Even more tragically, it seemed he wasn’t the only one who knew his situation. If Mo Jingli’s spirit existed, he’d probably be angered back to life.

Seeing Feng Zhiyao’s expression, Mo Xiuyao knew he had misunderstood, but he really couldn’t explain to others that he hadn’t instructed Mo Xiaobao to drug Mo Jingli. Though he had hinted in that direction, he hadn’t expected Mo Xiaobao’s methods to be cleaner, more decisive, and more effective than his thoughts. Even if he explained, probably no one would believe him, right? Mo Xiuyao thought with some regret.

“Mo Xiaobao.” Seeing Mo Xiaobao trying to sneak away by the door, Mo Xiuyao’s lips curved in a pleased smile.

Mo Xiaobao immediately straightened up. “Father, your child is tired and wants to go back to rest.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded. “Go ahead, be good. Starting tomorrow, begin your confinement. When your third and fourth uncles get married, Father will apply to your mother for half a day’s parole for you.” As he spoke, Mo Xiuyao even gave his son a look that said, ‘See how good Father is to you.’

“Father!” Mo Xiaobao immediately exploded. “How can you do this?!”

Mo Xiuyao looked at him with a smile. “How has Father done what?”

Mo Xiaobao was indignant. “You clearly said that if I won, the confinement would be cancelled. I didn’t use Prince Ding’s mansion’s guards or Qilin, I won! I won!” Mo Xiaobao jumped up and down vigorously.

Mo Xiuyao pressed his forehead, looking at him with a half-smile. “Didn’t use them? Isn’t Qin Lie a guard?”

“He’s my friend! He’s no longer a guard; he hasn’t joined Qilin yet! He’s a free man!” Mo Xiaobao argued reasonably.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

Mo Xiaobao lifted his small chin. “Of course it is. If you don’t believe me, ask Mo Hua – Qin Lie isn’t a guard!” Fortunately, this young heir was clever and had removed Qin Lie’s name from the guard roster ahead of time. Mo Xiaobao congratulated himself inwardly – since he had dared bet with Father, how could he lose on such a small matter?

Mo Xiuyao’s smile remained kind and amiable. “Oh? Since you put it that way… then Shen Yang isn’t a guard either, so Shen Yang’s medicine naturally isn’t guard property either. It can’t be considered breaking the rules. Son, what do you think… am I right?”

Crack!

The lively Mo Xiaobao immediately short-circuited. Mother… Mother said if he used inappropriate medicine again, she would severely punish him! If Mother found out he had again stolen Shen Yang’s “Fragrant Something Spring Something Pills,” forget about canceling three months of confinement – adding another three months was possible.

Father is a bastard! Wuu wuu… Young Master Mo Xiaobao silently wept in his heart.

Mo Xiuyao felt none of his son’s desolate feelings, his face wearing a smile like warm spring breeze… with chilly gusts!

“Son, did Father say something wrong?” Mo Xiuyao asked gently.

Mo Xiaobao gritted his teeth. “No! Father is right, Qin Lie is a guard!”

Despicable! Bastard! Framing me! Mo Xiaobao glared fiercely.

Idiot! Fool! You’re still too green. Mo Xiuyao leisurely sipped his tea.

“So Father won this time?” Mo Xiuyao asked with a smile.

“Father is right!” Mo Xiaobao said through gritted teeth.

Mo Xiuyao lovingly patted his son’s small head. “Son, doing bad things is fine, but if adults catch you with evidence, that’s not good. In the future… keep trying harder.”

Mo Xiaobao bit his cheeks. “Father, didn’t Grandfather and Uncle ever catch you when you were little?”

Mo Xiuyao sighed softly. “Father never did bad things as a child.”

Mo Xiaobao directly gave him two big eye-rolls and stormed off angrily. This young heir would be an idiot to believe you.

Watching his son’s figure rushing out like the wind, Mo Xiuyao smiled and shook his head, sighing, “This prince didn’t lie to you. From childhood to adulthood, everyone praised this prince for being clever and well-behaved.”

Feng Zhiyao, who had been watching this father-son battle, remained silently speechless. That’s right, from childhood to adulthood, everyone praised you. That’s because your son damages people openly while you damage them secretly – what’s commonly called being deviously harmful. So until now, except for this young master, no one knows about all the various unlucky incidents you inflicted on Mo Jingli back then. Poor Mo Jingli, this young master will burn incense for you later. Rest in peace. At least… in the world after death, there are no creatures like Mo Xiuyao.

After Prince Ding’s mansion’s first birthday banquet, Li City remained bustling and lively. All the events of that banquet night were firmly locked within Prince Ding’s mansion, and all the commoners joyfully spent a day that, while not a festival, surpassed any festival. Though some people discovered the next day that their neighbors or friends had disappeared, time passed, and the matter was forgotten. What truly changed attitudes was the envoys from various countries who had come to offer congratulations. Though Prince Ding’s mansion hadn’t publicly announced it, almost everyone knew that Great Chu’s deposed emperor, Mo Jingli, was already dead. Moreover, his manner of death was quite disgraceful. Hearing this news, the nobles from various countries couldn’t help but feel chilled – such a manner of death was truly everyone’s lifelong nightmare. That Prince Ding’s mansion could silently eliminate an emperor in a single night, even if he was a wandering, abandoned emperor, and reportedly, Prince Ding and the Princess Consort hadn’t acted personally – everything was accomplished by the eleven-year-old young heir – how could this not inspire both respect and fear?

Because the birthday banquet for the two children had some unexpected incidents that prevented the host and guests from fully enjoying themselves, Prince Ding and the Princess Consort invited all the guests to attend the wedding banquet for the Xu family’s Third and Fourth Young Masters to be held in over ten days. Though the Xu family’s Third and Fourth Young Masters couldn’t compare to the eldest in high position, power, and reputation, they were still legitimate sons of the Xu family and the Princess Consort’s cousins. Fourth Young Master Xu was a particularly powerful regional governor, and having traveled alongside the Western Region envoys, they had formed close friendships. Thus, all the envoys agreed to attend the Xu family wedding before departing.

The two Xu family madams were eager to welcome daughters-in-law, and the two young masters also wanted to embrace their beauties. One bride was a former Great Chu princess, the other was the granddaughter of Duke Hua who had died for his country and the Princess Consort’s close friend. This wedding was naturally unprecedentedly grand.

In the blink of an eye, the wedding day arrived. Prince Ding’s mansion’s guest quarters had been bustling with people coming and going since early morning. In the spacious rooms, two beautiful brides in bright red wedding gowns sat side by side, while Ye Li led a group of ladies and young women busily helping the two brides with their makeup and grooming.

Whether Hua Tianxiang or Mo Wuyou, both could be called first-rate beauties. Hua Tianxiang was strikingly beautiful, and though over twenty, her appearance remained unchanged. With light makeup applied, she appeared even more radiant and captivating. Mo Wuyou resembled Hua Tianxiang somewhat, but possessed more of the gentle, serene temperament that differed from her childhood. Perhaps from long years of studying medicine and treating patients, her brow carried more of the approachable kindness that drew people to her.

“Oh my, Princess Consort, you apply makeup so beautifully,” Princess Helan said, wearing bright red robes as she curiously wandered around the room. Being from the Northern territories, this was her first time witnessing a true Central Plains wedding. Seeing the two brides dressed in wedding gowns embroidered with dragons and phoenixes in harmony and mandarin ducks at play, with light makeup applied and happiness glowing in their expressions, Princess Helan couldn’t help feeling somewhat envious.

Ye Li smiled at Princess Helan and laughed, “If the Princess likes it, why not find someone in the Central Plains to marry? Then this consort will personally apply your makeup, how about it?”

This was naturally a joke, and Ye Li knew Princess Helan wouldn’t mind such teasing. Princess Helan pretended to consider for a while before shaking her head with some regret. “What a pity, this princess still prefers our Northern men. When this princess marries in the future, I’ll also invite the Princess Consort to attend. Then I’ll need the Princess Consort to help with my makeup.”

Everyone couldn’t help laughing together, developing even more fondness for this generous and forthright princess.

Empress Hua carefully inserted golden hairpins for Hua Tianxiang, examined her carefully, and smiled. “Very beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. The Princess is right – the Princess Consort’s makeup application is indeed exquisite.” Looking at her beautiful niece before her, Empress Hua’s eyes couldn’t help but redden slightly. Such an outstanding child, yet delayed until this age to marry – her most beautiful years were locked away in the inner chambers.

“Aunt,” Hua Tianxiang grasped Empress Hua’s hand and smiled gently. “Aunt, am I very beautiful?”

Empress Hua smiled. “My Tianxiang is the most beautiful bride.”

“Mother, what about your daughter? You’ve forgotten your daughter,” Mo Wuyou said, seeing her mother’s sadness and quickly interrupting her melancholy with playful complaints.

Empress Hua smiled and pinched her daughter’s small face. “My Wuyou is also the most beautiful new bride. Be good and don’t move – Mother will arrange your hair.”

Mo Wuyou remained perfectly still, allowing her mother to personally arrange her hair. Watching her mother’s concentrated expression reflected in the bronze mirror, she also revealed a sweet smile.

“Time to eat! New brides, time to eat…” Yun Ge and Murong Ting brought over several small dishes and pastries, saying with beaming smiles, “Come eat something quickly. Once everything’s ready, there won’t be time to eat – you’ll be hungry all day today.” This was Murong Ting’s experience – when she married, she had even carried a large apple with her, but by the wedding’s end, she was still faint with hunger.

Hua Tianxiang turned and smiled. “Murong, Yun Ge, thank you.”

Murong Ting waved dismissively while Yun Ge smiled with pursed lips. “No need to thank us. Aunt Xu secretly told me yesterday to prepare some food for you, otherwise you’d go hungry. Not being able to eat during weddings is so pitiful… but Sister Hua and Wuyou look so beautiful!”

Ye Li smiled and rose to help them arrange things, laughing, “Does Yun Ge like Sister Hua and Wuyou like this?”

Yun Ge blinked and nodded. “I like it! I’ve never worn such beautiful clothes.”

Murong Ting covered her mouth and laughed. “That’s easy – Yun Ge can get married too, then she can wear such a wedding gown.”

“Ah?” Yun Ge blinked, somewhat confused. “But… who would Yun Ge marry?”

Murong Ting’s smile became even more mysterious as she whispered, “What do you think of Young Master Qingchen?”

“Q-Young Master Qingchen?!” Yun Ge’s expression changed dramatically as she shook her head repeatedly. “No, no!” Everyone was puzzled – Young Master Qingchen wasn’t that disagreeable, was he? The little girl was so frightened that her face changed color.

Ye Li patted Yun Ge somewhat amusedly and asked gently, “Why not? Doesn’t Yun Ge like the eldest brother?”

Yun Ge carefully glanced at Ye Li. “Sister Li, you won’t tell Young Master Qingchen, will you?” Ye Li nodded seriously, indicating she absolutely wouldn’t spread tales randomly. Only then did Yun Ge droop her little face. “Young Master Qingchen is so fierce… he makes me copy books every day. The day before yesterday, he even made me copy the Book of Rites. I asked Sister Qin Zheng and Aunt Xu, and Sister Qin Zheng clearly said she had never had to copy those before. But if I don’t copy, Young Master Qingchen will keep staring at me… as if I’m very disobedient and bad. I… I still need to learn medicine with my godfather. Last night I wrote until midnight before sleeping…”

Hearing Yun Ge’s quiet complaints, everyone exchanged glances. What was Young Master Qingchen trying to do, frightening the little girl like this? Seeing Ye Li and others’ expressions weren’t right, Yun Ge quickly comforted them. “Sister Li, don’t worry, I’m not afraid of Young Master Qingchen anymore.”

“Oh? Why?” Ye Li asked casually.

Yun Ge said joyfully, “Godfather told me that after the Third and Fourth Young Masters’ weddings are over, he’s going to travel the world. He’ll take me along! Then we can wander everywhere, healing people with our medical skills. When Yun Ge returns, she’ll be the most famous divine physician in the world.” Most importantly, she wouldn’t have to be forced to copy books by Young Master Qingchen every day. Thinking of the unfinished books in her study, little Yun Ge’s small hands couldn’t help but tremble slightly. Her delicate lips also pouted somewhat pitifully. Young Master Qingchen was too mean. Sister Qin Zheng said she had never copied so many books in her entire life – she only needed to read, understand, and remember. But Young Master Qingchen said she was too stupid and had to copy to learn. She could already recite everything!

“Does Yun Ge dislike Young Master Qingchen so much?” Hua Tianxiang asked curiously while eating.

Yun Ge quickly shook her head. “Not really. It would be fine if Young Master Qingchen weren’t so fierce. Young Master Qingchen taught me many things and brought me back to live in their house. Along with Father and Godfather, he’s been best to me.”

“Cough cough…” Hua Tianxiang and Murong Ting both choked simultaneously, while Mo Wuyou at the dressing table couldn’t help tilting her neck, causing her hairpin to be inserted crookedly. Only Ye Li remained calmly sitting aside, drinking tea.

“What’s wrong with Sister Tianxiang and Sister Ting?” Yun Ge asked worriedly.

“Cough, cough, nothing.” Hua Tianxiang smiled. Young Master Qingchen, rest in peace.

After Hua Tianxiang and Mo Wuyou finished dressing, the time was about right. Ye Li took Hua Tianxiang’s hand and smiled. “From now on, I’ll have to call you sister-in-law. I wish you happiness.”

Hua Tianxiang’s pretty face reddened slightly as she nodded. “Li’er, thank you.”

“Silly, thank me for what?” Ye Li laughed. “As long as you’re happy and your third brother is happy, everything is good, isn’t it?”

Hua Tianxiang nodded. “Yes, everything is past. We’ll all be better in the future.”

“Reporting to the Princess Consort, the wedding procession has arrived,” a maid reported from outside.

Ye Li nodded and smiled. “Understood, come in.” She rose and took the phoenix-patterned bridal veil from nearby, personally covering Hua Tianxiang with it. Empress Hua also took a veil and covered Wuyou, while the wedding attendants and maids who had been waiting outside hurried in, carefully guiding the two brides out. Ye Li turned and smiled. “Good, now we should also prepare to go to the Xu family to join the festivities. Hurry back and change clothes.” Because of the relationship between Prince Ding’s mansion and the Xu family, this wedding was arranged together. After the bride departed, all the guests would go together to the Xu family for the banquet. This way, it saved everyone trouble. After all, Prince Ding’s mansion was marrying off young ladies, though they weren’t Prince Ding’s actual sisters, they were still departing from Prince Ding’s mansion. No one dared not attend. This way, wouldn’t the Xu family have no one to congratulate them? Now arranged together like this, everyone was convenient, and it was even livelier.

Late at night, the Xu mansion was decorated with lanterns and bustling with activity. Amid the master of ceremonies’ loud call of “escort to the bridal chamber,” the two couples who had just bowed to heaven, earth, and parents were surrounded and escorted to the east wing. The banquet then began, making the entire Xu mansion even livelier. In the great hall, music and dance flourished, with wine fragrance filling the air. Even the usually dignified and scholarly Xu family masters couldn’t help drinking several extra cups, their refined faces gaining more color. The two Xu madams led Qin Zheng around the women’s seating area, full of smiles and attending to everyone thoroughly. Outside the hall in the courtyard, tables were similarly filled – these were prepared for guests whose status wasn’t sufficient to sit in the main hall. Though seated outside, the area was decorated and illuminated like daylight. Though they couldn’t enjoy the indoor performances, the sky above displayed colorful, brilliant fireworks. Moreover, the Xu family’s Second and Fifth Young Masters personally attended to them, so it wasn’t neglectful.

Amid the lively celebrations, on a rooftop high in the Xu mansion, two figures sat side by side. The man’s white hair flowed with faint silver light in the moonlight, quietly intertwining with the woman’s black tresses in the breeze. Ye Li sat beside Mo Xiuyao, gently resting her head on his leg, her eyes closed as she enjoyed the tranquility within this noisy revelry.

Mo Xiuyao’s eyes were as gentle as water as he reached up to lightly touch her slightly flushed cheeks, asking softly, “Are you so happy about their wedding, Ah Li?”

Ye Li opened her eyes, still carrying faint laughter. She had drunk several extra cups below, making her face more flushed than usual and her eyes more sparkling with flowing smiles.

“Of course, I’m happy about the third and fourth brothers’ weddings. But what makes me happiest isn’t this.”

Mo Xiuyao intimately brushed away the hair by her cheek and asked, “Then what is it?”

Ye Li smiled. “We can finally live our own lives happily, right?”

Mo Xiuyao smiled warmly, lowering his head to press his forehead against Ye Li’s and laughing. “Right, we don’t need to fight wars anymore, don’t need to struggle openly or secretly. No one in this world dares to bother us anymore. From now on, whatever kind of life Ah Li wants to live, that’s what we’ll live.”

Ye Li nodded. “Not having to fight wars is good – the common people are so pitiful. Now that the world is at peace, even if we do nothing, I won’t feel guilty.”

“No matter what becomes of the world, Ah Li shouldn’t feel guilty,” Mo Xiuyao said gently. “No woman in the world could have done better than Ah Li.”

Ye Li smiled. “If the world were still in chaos and I insisted you abandon everything to accompany me, then I would feel guilty. Mm… that would be unreasonable.”

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and laughed softly. “Ah Li can be unreasonable. Whatever Ah Li wants is right. Are you drunk, Ah Li?”

Leaning in Mo Xiuyao’s embrace, Ye Li shook her head and closed her eyes somewhat drowsily. “Things are very good now. They’ll be even better in the future.”

Mo Xiuyao gently drew her into his arms. “What’s very good?”

Ye Li said, “Things are good now, and in the future there will be… clear rivers and calm seas, peace throughout the realm. When we travel and enjoy the scenery, what we’ll see will be people living in peace and contentment…”

Mo Xiuyao laughed. “I know Ah Li doesn’t like war. I remember the poem Ah Li wrote – ‘Pitying the white bones gathered in lonely graves, all for generals seeking military glory.'”

“I’m not talking about you.”

“I don’t know about clear rivers and calm seas… let’s leave that goal for Mo Xiaobao to work toward. What does Ah Li say?” Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and smiled, placing a gentle kiss carefully on her slightly flushed, beautiful face.

“Bang bang!”

In the distance, several huge fireworks bloomed in the sky, bursting into brilliant light and flowers. Ye Li had opened her eyes at some point, her gentle, watery gaze reflecting the man’s tender eyes.

“Xiuyao, I love you…” Looking at the man’s handsome face, gentle eyes, and snow-white hair before her, Ye Li suddenly spoke. Speaking of love wasn’t difficult – what was difficult was walking hand in hand, living and dying together, and still loving deeply after holding the world in their grasp.

Mo Xiuyao was slightly stunned, his handsome eyes flashing with complete joy and satisfaction. “Ah Li… Ah Li, for all eternity… I’ll only love you.” He lowered his head and gently covered those crimson lips. Ye Li raised her hand to support his shoulder. “For all eternity… I love you. If not for me… You would have long ago ascended the throne and established a golden age of peace.”

Mo Xiuyao’s insistence on not taking the throne – Ye Li understood clearly that most of it was for her sake. Because he knew she had no heart for palace intrigue, and because he had promised her she would be his only one in this life.

Mo Xiuyao laughed softly. “Ah Li, without you, how could there be Prince Ding’s mansion’s golden age?”

Dazzling fireworks continued blooming in the night sky as the two sat shoulder to shoulder, leaning against each other, quietly enjoying the brilliant, captivating scenery…

“When Xiaobao grows up, this prince will accompany Ah Li to travel through countless mountains and rivers, free and unrestrained.”

“As long as our family is together, I feel free and unrestrained no matter when or where.”

“Meeting Ah Li is the most beautiful thing in Mo Xiuyao’s life.”

“In past and present lives, meeting you is also my happiest thing.”

If I could meet you, what would it matter to suffer all hardships and experience life and death?

If I could meet you, what would it matter to cross time and space and experience worldly affairs?

“Bang!”

Red fireworks bloomed into magnificent peonies in the sky, transforming into giant characters reading “A Hundred Years of Happiness.”

Meeting you in this life, I only wish for a hundred years of harmony and a lifetime of tranquil joy.

Five years later, Prince Ding passed his position to Prince Ding’s heir, Mo Yuchen, and departed gracefully with the Princess Consort. From then on, they wandered freely between mountains and waters, never again concerning themselves with worldly affairs.

Mo Yuchen inherited the position of Prince Ding, once again refusing the ministers’ requests for him to ascend the throne. He governed diligently, and Prince Ding’s mansion’s power grew ever stronger.

Thirteen years later, the fourteen-year-old younger brother of Prince Ding, Mo Yufeng, was granted the title of Grand Marshal of Prince Ding’s forces. He swept through Xiling, forcing Xiling to submit as vassals. Prince Ding Mo Yuchen personally campaigned against the Northern Rong, driving them to retreat to the far western ice plains. The Mo family army reached the Yunlan River, and Mo Yufeng personally went to Southern Chu to negotiate surrender. The Southern Chu emperor, seeing the inevitable tide, voluntarily submitted to Prince Ding’s mansion. From then on, the world was at peace.

At thirty, Mo Yuchen ascended the throne and established the dynasty with the name “Li.” The thirty-year-old Mo Yuchen possessed the entire realm, unifying the world from then on. Thus began one of the most powerful golden dynasties in historical records.

— End of Main Text —

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4 COMMENTS

  1. so, how is the end of Mo Jingli’s live? and until now, the impostor of Prince Ding when Yaohua Palace under fire still unknown, hm? 🤔

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