f. Fortunately, Old Lady was reasonable and returned the manors and shops of the original wives of the Ye Family to Third Miss, otherwise this matter might have been ugly for them.Ye Li felt rather ha...21. Little Treasure's Deceptive Scheme

Having come to this point, if Mo Suicun still couldn't understand Mo Xiaobao's intentions, he could immediately abdicate. Since he hadn't had high hopes for the beauty strategy anyway, although Mo Suicun was somewhat displeased, he didn't get overly angry about it. After calming down, he nodded calmly and said, "So that’s how it is; I truly envy Prince Ding's carefree nature."

This was undoubtedly sincere. In this world, few people could act without any constraints. Even those who were rulers of their countries often had to be limited by the situation or power dynamics. Only a fool could do as they pleased. However, Mo Xiaobao was different; he had the naturally advantageous conditions left behind by Mo Xiuyao. Although he was still young and might not have truly earned everyone's respect yet, he possessed an intelligence that most people couldn't match and the full support of the Xu family. Therefore, he could act as he pleased.

In response to Mo Suicun’s slightly envious praise, Mo Xiaobao just rubbed his nose with a smile and said, "This prince also envies Brother Suicun for finding such a satisfactory empress so quickly. This prince wishes that Brother Suicun and Miss Qian will grow old together and never part."

Mosuicun remained silent; he didn't know why Mo Xiaobao's congratulations sounded more like curses to him.

Mo Suicun soon left with Princess Lin'an, as an emperor about to be married naturally couldn’t wander around aimlessly like Mo Xiaobao could.

Qin Lie sat down next to Mo Yufeng while looking at Mo Xiaobao sternly and said, "So you ran all the way here in the morning just to pull out one of Mo Suicun's spies placed here and squeeze him a bit"

Mo Xiaobao lounged lazily in his chair and said, “How could this prince be so idle This prince really came for tea. Meeting Xieshi, Princess Lin'an, or Mo Suicun was merely incidental.”

I don't believe you!

"Does Mo Suicun want to marry Princess Lin'an to you" Qin Lie asked curiously. In fact, including Leng Junhan and Xu Zhirui, they all felt that those who kept sending beauties to Mo Xiaobao were out of their minds. No matter how beautiful a woman was, she would only be doomed if sent to Mo Xiaobao. Those exquisite spies trained by various countries had some use elsewhere, but in front of Mo Xiaobao, they were utterly meaningless beyond being tortured and killed.

"Ah, is Brother Suicun also concerned about this prince’s marital prospects However, this prince can’t accept his kindness; it's truly embarrassing." Qin Lie was clearly accustomed to someone’s way of speaking and asked, "What are you planning to do"

Moxiaobao tilted his head and thought, "If Suiyun is so concerned about me, shouldn't I also be concerned about him"

He certainly doesn't want you to care for her.

"Are you planning on giving the beauty to him" Qin Lie asked. Moxiaobao happily nodded, "I have already chosen a candidate."

"The Prince Ding's efficiency is really impressive, who did you choose" Qin Lie was surprised and asked.

"Lady Princess Lin'an"

...

Moxiaobao, can't you be even more bizarre While trying to steal someone else’s wife, he also designs against his cousin-sibling. Mo Suiyun, how much debt did you owe Moxiaobao in your previous life

In the following days, Moxiaobao was unusually quiet. Every day, he only took his younger brother around Nanjing city to stroll aimlessly; even the imperial guards who had been closely watching them relaxed their vigilance.

At the inn, Moxiaobao leisurely fed his younger brother some snacks; Xu Zhirui went out to visit famous scholars in Jiangnan and hadn't returned yet. Qin Lie still acted as a bodyguard like usual. The only thing that wasn't good was Leng Junhan's increasingly unpleasant expression.

"Ah-ah-ah! I can't take it anymore, Moxiaobao!" That day, Leng Junhan finally couldn't hold back and rushed into Moxiaobao's room, grabbing the collar of someone leisurely reading a book and shaking him vigorously.

“What’s wrong” Moxiaobao elegantly lifted his hand to shake off Leng Junhan's pale hand, asking calmly.

The young nobleman's fair face was ashen with distress. He looked at Moxiaobao and said pitifully, "That Miss Qian... wants me to elope with her."

Chortle!

Sitting aside, Qin Lie sprayed out a mouthful of tea and coughed loudly while pointing at Leng Junchan in shock, unable to speak. Compared to Mo Suixun, wasn't this pale and tender appearance of Leng Junchan completely lacking the charm that attracts ladies Could it be that Miss Qian really was overflowing with maternal love Was she already planning to elope after such a short period of time

However, Mo Xiaobao didn't seem surprised at all. Smiling pleasantly, he said, "From this perspective, the future empress of Southern Chu isn't very virtuous. Mo Suixun's taste really needs improvement."

Leng Junchan couldn't help but stamp his foot and ask, "What should I do!" While saying so, he stretched out both hands to Mo Xiaobao with a look that said, 'If you dare not know how to handle this situation, then I'll strangle you.' Mo Xiaobao turned his head and thought for a moment before saying, "Tell her you can't elope with her."

"Why" Leng Junchan asked. He had always believed that Mo Xiaobao wanted Mo Suixun to lose face at the wedding ceremony because there was no bride.

Mo Xiaobao looked at him in surprise, "Do you really want to marry her If so, it's not impossible…"

"I don't want to!" Leng Junchan immediately shouted loudly. He didn’t want to marry any woman other than Xinxin!

"That’s right," Mo Xiaobao said with satisfaction, "Tell her that all under heaven belongs to the king; if you run away with her, it will bring misfortune upon the Qian family and your relatives. Tell her that although you two are meant to meet, fate has separated you."

Initially, Leng Junchan thought Mo Xiaobao's idea was both wicked and vulgar, but upon hearing about not seeing each other in this lifetime, his eyes lit up immediately as he nodded seriously, "I understand; I will act well!" Not having to see her again is really great; he didn't want to see the Qian family’s silly lady any longer.

Seeing Leng Junchan's excited expression, Mo Xiaobao secretly smiled: What a gullible fool! Do you think this king asked you to get close to Miss Qian for fun How could it be that they will never see each other again

Hence, student Mo Xiaobao was getting more and more sinister on the path of being wickedly evil. Student Mo Xiaobao, haven't you heard of the saying 'Good deeds will eventually bring good rewards; bad deeds will inevitably lead to retribution'

"Your Highness, the Western Capital Southern King Lei Tengfeng has arrived."

Moxiaobao blinked and Qin Lie said coolly, "Western Capital Southern King Lei Tengfeng is forty years old. He has a grudge with you due to his father's death. Could it be that you've forgotten"

Moxiaobao acted terrified, "How could I have a grudge with the Western Capital Southern King over my father’s death"

Qin Lie said calmly, "Five years ago, your late father, the former Ding Wang, killed Lei Tengfeng's father. As they say… 'the son pays off his father's debt!'" Moxiaobao was speechless; he wouldn't tell Qin Lie that he had indeed forgotten about it. Things like avenging a father’s death seemed unpleasant. Couldn’t everyone just coexist peacefully

With your personality, Mo Xiaobao, not only would you want to kill someone who avenged your father's death for you; even those who saved your life would eventually want to kill you.

"Your Highness, the Western Capital Southern King has come to call." The guard outside waited but didn't hear a response from Moxiaobao. He had no choice but to report again. Moxiaobao sighed helplessly and said, "Please invite Southern King Lei Tengfeng in."

Lei Tengfeng entered the room and saw a youth lying lazily on a soft couch, dressed in black brocade with a handsome face like jade. On top of him was a little boy of five or six years old, also dressed in white brocade and as cute as a doll. In an instant, Lei Tengfeng understood that this must be Mo Yuchen, the true ruler of Ding王府, and Mo Xiyao and Ye Li's second son, Mo Yufeng, who was only six years old.

When Mo Xiyao suddenly gave up his position as Ding Wang and left with his wife, many people in this world were shocked. Lei Tengfeng was undoubtedly among those who had been stunned. After the shock, he felt a mix of admiration that was hard to express, and an unshakable sense of helplessness and despair. Mo Xiyao, that man, once reigned high above all and acted with complete freedom, but then fell like dust; yet he rose again at an astonishing speed, shocking the world, before unexpectedly retiring at his peak of glory. This effortless comings and goings made them who struggled in mundane life feel powerless and insignificant.

The Southern King's family had a grudge with Ding王府 due to a father’s death. Once Lei Tengfeng considered working hard to restore the Western Capital, vowing to avenge his father's death and revitalize it. But now looking at this lazy, impossibly handsome youth before him, he felt absurd and ridiculous. How could a man in his forties seek revenge against a fifteen-year-old for his father’s death!

Not only was it laughable; Lei Tengfeng felt utterly powerless. It seemed like everything he had painstakingly worked on these past few years was just a futile joke.

Moxiaobao sized up Lei Tengfeng for a while, then turned his eyes and sat up with a smile, saying, "Southern King of the Western Capital, this is Your Highness’s respectful greeting."

Lei Tengfeng was startled, quickly collecting his thoughts. He actually got distracted in front of this young man!

He had simply wanted to come and see how capable the successor of Mo Xiuyao was.

"Prince Ding, your courtesy is excessive. This king has been bothering you."

Moh Xinbao sat down with Mo Yufeng in his lap and said with a smile, "Prince Nan's words are too formal. This king is feeling rather bored. Prince Nan came to visit this king immediately upon arriving in Nanking; this king is truly touched."

Lei Tengfeng’s eyes darkened as he replied coolly, "I heard that Prince Ding arrived a few days earlier. However, it's the first time for me to come to Nanjing City. I was just thinking about asking Your Royal Highness what places are worth visiting."

Having held the reins of Western Liang’s affairs alone for several years, Lei Tengfeng had acquired more than a few traits of a ruler’s dignity and sophistication compared to when Lei Zhen霆 (note: this character seems out of place and doesn’t fit well in context) was alive.

Moh Xinbao clapped his hands with delight and said, "That's great! This king also wants to find more people to explore this beautiful southern Jiangnan region."

The news that Prince Nan of Western Liang visited Prince Ding Mo Yucheng on the very first day he arrived in Nanking and spent half an hour locked away in a room discussing was quickly relayed back to the palace, reaching Mo Suixun’s ears right away.

Hearing this news, even the calm and composed face of Moh Suixun grew gloomy. He sternly dismissed the guards who came to report and began silently calculating his next move in his mind.

In an inn, the four individuals who had been going their separate ways these past days were gathered together for once. Xu Zhirui frowned slightly as he said, "What did you discuss with Prince Nan of Western Liang" Qin Lie on his side pulled at the corner of his mouth without speaking. The young Mo Yufeng was excitedly raising his hand and saying, "I know! Brother mentioned that the steamed buns and tofu pudding in Nanking City are very tasty! That uncle said they could go together another day… Brother mentioned that the girls from Huayuelou are very pretty! That uncle said there were prettier ones in his mansion who he can give to Brother. Brother also said…"

The young Mo Yufeng had a great memory, reciting what his brother said without even having to think about it and rattling off more than ten such statements. It was clear that the prince and the secret agent of Prince Nan from Western Liang did not discuss any important matters; they were just chatting nonsense.

Xu Zhirui rubbed at his temples, feeling a headache coming on, as he said, "Don’t you want to make Mo Suixun misunderstand What’s the point of doing this" If one told others that Prince Moh Xinbao and Lei Tengfeng were discussing these trivial matters, nobody would believe it.

Moxiaobao innocently looked at Xu Zhirui, "Brother Zhirui, isn't it true that one should only do things if they have a purpose Isn't it okay to do something just for fun as well I merely saw Leitingfeng favorably and spoke with him a bit more."

Xu Zhirui wasn’t deceived. He gave a cold laugh, "Leitingfeng personally coming this time is most likely planning on secretly allying with Mo Suicun in secret. Your actions are aimed at driving a wedge between them; it’s unlikely to be effective." Mo Suicun was not like the idiots that were Mo Jingli and Mo Jingqi from several years ago; he was well aware that Xi Ling would never ally with Dingwang Manor. Leaving aside the blood feud between Leitingfeng and Dingwang Manor, as soon as Dingwang Manor showed any intention of unifying the world, Xi Ling would be their first enemy due to geographical reasons—the Yunlan River separated Xi Ling from Nan Chu, putting Nan Chu at a disadvantage. With Dingwang Manor currently at its peak, if Leitingfeng wished to oppose it, he could only choose to ally with Mo Suicun.

Moxiaobao blinked and said, "I know that. I just don’t like the sight of Mo Suicun; is it not okay for me to annoy him a little Anyway, since I’m bored, isn’t chatting with Leitingfeng a waste of nothing And he came looking for me on his own."

Xu Zhirui pinched his nose and nodded after some thought. "I understand. Leitingfeng wants to create an illusion of Xi Ling and Dingwang Manor getting close, pressuring Mo Suicun in the process while also raising his own value."

Moxiaobao agreed with a nod. "That’s right, if Leitingfeng plans to scheme against Mo Suicun and I am bored, why not take this opportunity"

Qin Lie solemnly stated, "If Xi Ling and Nan Chu successfully ally, their alliance will only solidify further, which doesn’t benefit us."

Moxiaobao sighed, "It’s because Father has offended too many people that our Dingwang Manor is unpopular. It was destined for Xi Ling and Nan Chu to form an alliance; neither Mo Suicun nor Leitingfeng are fools."

Because neither were foolish, it would be as difficult to sow discord between them as trying to kill both of them outright. But so what In this world, challenges made everything more interesting, didn’t they This entire realm would one day be in his grasp!

Moxiaobao gazed out the window at the sky with absolute confidence and ambition that defied the heavens.

Interlude:

Ah ah, another chapter. I’m so sorry to make everyone wait for a long time again. Little Treasure’s trickster antics are about to come to an end; after this interlude is finished, there will be no more for now. Actually, Feng doesn’t like not knowing when new chapters will be released either and feels guilty during these times—she dares not even post any updates. There should still be a story about Little Treasure and the twin buns as a couple left; honestly speaking, Feng thinks it’s akin to starting a new novel so she needs some time to think about it. Plus, there’s also a new novel in progress right now with around 10,000 words written recently—so please be patient~as nothing unusual. But in Inspector Xu’s opinion, it was highly unlikely for someone to be frightened to death after entering Prince Ding's household. Back then when he saw Prince Ding returning to c...