ud gauze!" Jiwén, who had been standing by and unable to assist much earlier, exclaimed.Qinxia’s expression was also somewhat shocked. The mandarin duck brocade, water cloud gauze, and lotus flower si...17. Little Treasure's Struggle (1) / Written by Phoenix Light

17. Little Treasure's Struggle (1)

The year that Mo Xiaobao turned fifteen, Prince Dìng passed on the throne to him and left Lí City with his consort and their six-year-old princess without a trace, leaving behind only an enormous Prince Dìng Manor, a vast territory, and a little boy with a runny nose who was crying everywhere looking for his mother and sister.

The affairs of the manor did not require Mo Xiaobao to worry too much, as he had gradually taken over the management of the Prince Dìng Manor a year earlier. However, seeing the small boy clinging to his leg and wailing loudly, all Mo Xiaobao could do was sigh in resignation. Bending down to pick up his younger brother, he said helplessly, "Now you know how to cry Why didn't you ask Father to take you along" Even if one of them had to be left behind for him to raise, leaving Xīn'ér would have been better. Why leave this sniveling brat Mo Xiaobao thought silently in his heart.

"Father is mean!" Young Master Mò Yùfēng said through a runny nose and pouted, "I want to be a great general, not end up on the streets unable to even afford food."

Mo Xiaobao's eyes twitched when he heard this. He understood that his father had probably deceived him again. However, wasn't this younger brother rather foolish When he was six years old, he certainly wouldn't have been so easily duped. Alright then, I'll teach him bit by bit to prevent him from being cheated in the future and not even realizing it. Thus, Mo Xiaobao, who had just turned fifteen and hadn't yet married, embarked on his journey as both an older brother and a parent.

Prince Dìng, still at the height of his prime, left behind his young successor—the newly appointed Prince Dìng—leaving everyone puzzled. Mo Xiaobao was only fifteen years old, even if he were exceptionally gifted, could he possibly manage such an enormous estate Even Mò Xiūyáo himself didn't take over responsibilities in battle until he was fifteen. Should they take this opportunity to see how the new young prince would react and test Mo Xiaobao's capabilities

Meanwhile, many people in Lí City also began to have their own thoughts again. The previous Prince Dìng refused to take a consort and declined to ascend the throne, but what were the intentions of this young prince How could any ambitious man not dream of ruling the world To wield power during the day and lie with beauties at night is every man's ultimate ambition. A fifteen-year-old boy has effortlessly obtained all these things; how can he not have some thoughts of his own Thus, there were more people actively moving around in Lí City.

At this time, Mo Xiaobao—the new young prince of the notoriously deceptive Prince Dìng Manor—was lying in the backyard of the manor playing with a sandbox with his younger brother.

"Bro, are you going to get married" Mo Yufeng leaned over the sand table, his eyes twinkling as he asked this while contemplating how to fight with his brother.

Sitting lazily on the floor, Mo Xiaobao glanced at his younger brother and said indifferently: "Was someone asking you about that"

"Mmm hmm." With excitement, Mo Yufeng climbed onto his elder brother's back. "A lot of people asked me."

"What did you say to them"

With wide innocent eyes, he replied: "I said, my big brother wants to have a partner for life..."

"It’s 'for one lifetime', not just any old life," Mo Xiaobao corrected him. Then he patted his younger brother's head approvingly and said: "You did well." Mo Yufeng grinned with half-closed eyes: "Of course, I wouldn't tell anyone that Brother you used to visit the pleasure quarters or how many courtesans there were."

"..." With a blank expression, Mo Xiaobao grabbed his younger brother's little face and pressed it into the carpet. What kind of brat is this

“Hey, tormenting your little brother again” From outside came Feng Zhiyao’s pleasant voice.

Moving his head up, Mo Yufeng grinned as he struggled to climb back onto his elder brother’s lap. Mo Xiaobao's expression didn’t change at all as he suppressed him with a backhand and looked up towards Feng Zhiyao and asked: "Is there anything you need, Uncle Feng"

Fei Zhiyao waved the memorial in his hand and said, "Your Great Uncle asked me to bring it over."

"What does it say"

Fei Zhiyao raised an eyebrow, giving him a look that said 'You know full well.' Mo Xiaobao opened it and sure enough, not only were there petitions urging the Prince to ascend the throne or marry, but also many praising his virtues. It made Mo Xiaobao start to wonder if he truly was a god sent down from heaven, unprecedented in history.

He casually tossed the memorial to Mo Yufeng and said, "Ask them who wants the throne; let them submit their own petition. I'll abdicate for whoever it is." Fei Zhiyao's mouth twitched, "They’re inviting you to ascend the throne" The father was heartless enough, but his son wasn’t much better either. His first words were to pin a charge of treason on someone.

“If this concerns me, does it matter when I ascend or even if I do at all When they have nothing else to do, get them thinking about how to kill Mo Suixun for me.” Mo Xiaobao said with his eyes rolling.

"What's wrong with the young emperor in the south I haven't heard anything." In recent years, the young emperor of the South had been quite diligent. The small Southern court had also been very compliant; especially these past two years when he finally took control, there were signs of a determined ruler.

Mo Xiaobao scoffed and said, "What else could it be He’s brimming with ambition to reclaim the land." In recent years, the Ding王府 (Ding Prince's Residence) had been recuperating its strength, with no plans for military campaigns. Could these people have forgotten so quickly about the sharpness of the Black Family Army's saber tips Mo Xiaobao was also aware that it was due to his young age and inability to command respect. If only Father and Mother were still around, those around him would be more cautious. It was precisely because he understood this that Mo Xiaobao felt even angrier. Student Mo Xiaobao is a kid with big ambitions; one day I’ll make you cry out for your parents in submission!

"Be good, Brother! Linyu will help beat them up!" Mo Yufeng struggled in his arms to comfort him.

Mo Xiaobao looked sadly at his little bean sprout of a brother. "By the time you can beat them up, it’ll be eight or nine years from now." Mo Yufeng was indignant and puffed out his big eyes. "I'll grow up soon!

"You're so picky and mischievous all day, running around everywhere. It'll take at least a decade before you grow up; I was being generous with the eight or nine years estimation. Back then when I was beating you up, I already towered over you like this." Mo Xiaobao casually gestured, causing Little Lord Wind to look up in awe. Comparing his brother's height to his own...

"I... won't be picky anymore..." Mo Yufeng murmured.

"That’s what a good boy should do. Being picky will stunt your growth, you know Even if you’re the son of Duke Dingwang, being short has no future. If you need to be carried onto horseback when going to war... how are you supposed to marry a wife who towers over you in the future"

"I’m going to eat now!" Little Lord Wind ran away with tears streaming down his face.

"Young Marquis, is it not fair for you to deceive Second Young Master like this" Feng Zhiyao coughed and said. It wasn’t just unfair; it was downright malicious. Mo Xiaobao shrugged dismissively, "Since I turned three, my father’s childish tricks have no effect on me anymore. He’s already six years old!"

So you also think he’s immature However, when it comes to cunningness, Little Lord Wind really doesn’t match up to Mo Xiaobao. From the moment Mo Xiaobao could speak, he had been deceived, mocked, and bullied by various people including his father, with Xu Family elders taking turns teaching him lectures; it was hard for him not to become cynical. In contrast, despite Little Lord Wind’s own craftiness, his life has been more comfortable, so it's unsurprising that he is easier to deceive.

Mo Xiaobao claimed that he wasn’t resentful about the time when his father tricked him into believing eating too much meat would result in marrying a wife shorter than himself someday. He was just... concerned for his younger brother!

Af ter Little Lord Wind ran away, defeated by his scheming older brother, Feng Zhiyao entered the hall and asked: "So, what are your plans regarding your wedding" Mo Xiaobao was nearly sixteen years old now, having officially taken over as Duke Dingwang. At this age, it was indeed time to get married; in this era, they prioritized settling down before pursuing a career. Except for their own exceptional circumstances, ordinary people would usually marry around this age. If old scholars brought up this point as advice, it wouldn’t be easy to refute them. However... Feng Zhiyao glanced at Mo Xiaobao, and the lad looked even less like someone who could be easily controlled than his father.

Mo Xiaobao didn’t seem to mind talking about getting married; he smiled and said: "Linyu has already spread it for me. A lifetime of love for one person only! Let them send whoever they want, I’ll choose my duchess when the time comes."

Seeing his amiable smile, Feng Zhiyao felt goosebumps and asked, "What about those who aren’t favored" A lifelong couple, regardless of whether anyone believes it or not, will definitely make many people daydream. After all, the former Prince Dingwang wasn't he a lifelong couple Although the Ye family, the mother's family of Princess Consort Dingwang, didn't gain much benefit, the five young masters from the Xu family, who is the maternal clan of the princess consort, are now all in positions of power. The Xu family rose from having only one third-rank imperial censor in court to holding the position of chancellor and leading troops with unrivaled power within a dozen years. All this was because they had such an excellent granddaughter.

Just for the sake of betting on the glory of the number-one noble clan, people in Li City would rather eagerly send their daughters and granddaughters to Prince Dingwang’s residence.

"Not favored" Mo Xiaobao stroked his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "Don't worry. It won’t be wasted. When that general achieves military merit or when the ministers want to give rewards, we might need to marry into some noble families at some point. We have ladies in Prince Dingwang's residence who aren’t favored, so it’s fine."

Feng Ziyao immediately had a black line appear on his face. Who would willingly send their daughter to be treated this way Girls may not be as valuable as boys, but they certainly weren't free for the taking. Mo Xiaobao just needed to say something and people who raised and educated girls with care were prepared to offer them up as rewards

Seeing Feng Ziyao didn’t speak, Mo Xiaobao clapped his hands and laughed, "You also think it’s reasonable, right Then let's do this."

"…" I just came here to deliver a memorial scroll; what does 'I find it reasonable' mean

Feng Ziyao could predict that if these words were spread outside, his family would be torn apart by the angry mob.

However, Feng Ziyao’s prediction was inaccurate. Even though Mo Xiaobao's words were relayed verbatim, people still rushed to send their daughters into Prince Dingwang’s residence. After realizing that they couldn't force their own girls onto Mo Xiuyao, everyone turned to focus on younger girls instead. Especially now that the intimidating Prince Dingwang had abdicated and a fifteen-year-old Young Lord was in power, it was precisely when he would be interested in young women. Maybe his daughter could become the one who captivates the young lord’s heart

One girl, betting on the glory of an entire family for decades—if there is even a tiny chance, however slim, it's worth it!

In the study of Xu Mansion, Xu Qingyan was lounging in a chair, recounting the outside rumors to his eldest brother. While talking, he kept clutching his stomach and laughing uncontrollably, saying, "Eldest Brother, among the most talked-about young ladies recently, which one do you think has the best prospects"

Mr. Qingchen put down the book in his hand and gave his younger brother a cold glance, saying, "I think it’s because you have nothing better to do that you’ve gotten yourself into trouble."

"Why would you say that Our house has been nearly broken into by all the visitors these days. Even Big Sister-in-Law's clinic is packed every day. Haven't you noticed that Big Sister-in-Law hasn’t opened her clinic in recent days"

Xu Qingchen raised his gaze; he didn’t care how those people wanted to stir things up, but if it disrupted the normal lives of his family members, that wouldn’t do.

"Indeed Every time I go out, I’m surrounded and bombarded with questions. Wouldn't it be better for them to ask Mo Xiaobao directly" Xu Qingyan said somewhat troubledly as well. Even though he enjoyed the commotion, being constantly besieged like this wasn’t good.

Xu Qingchen pondered for a moment before saying, "You could tell them that those young ladies have no hope and should be brought back home sooner."

"If I say this, do you think they might kill me on the spot" Xu Qingyan asked hesitantly. Afterward, he looked at Xu Qingchen with some curiosity, asking, "Eldest Brother, your meaning is that Mo Xiaobao doesn’t actually plan to get married"

Mr. Qingchen said calmly, "Even if he originally intended to marry, after being hassled by these people and seeing their antics, his desire would likely have vanished. If they think Mo Xiaobao is easier to handle than Mo Xiuyao, they might end up making a big mess." Mo Xiaobao was clearly playing with those people, while Mo Xiuyao handled things cleanly and straightforwardly; he used underhanded tactics but wasn’t particularly interested in deliberately tormenting others. However, Mo Xiaobao seemed to have developed such an evil interest rather obviously. Occasionally, Mr. Qingchen would reflect on whether there was something wrong with Xu Family’s education. Ultimately, he concluded that it was all due to Mo Xiuyao's influence—if the top is crooked, the bottom will follow.

Xu Qingyan rolled his tongue but then thought of those pitch-black large eyes that always seemed to radiate kindness and innocence yet consistently performed acts that were shocking in their cruelty. The Fifth Young Master Xu involuntarily shivered, silently praying for the misfortunate ones.n the morning and encountered Chancellor Liu's group heading out of town, Ye Li’s frustration rose to a new level. Especially when she saw Empress Liu calmly approaching them as if nothing had happene...