Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 272 - 270. Mo Jingqi’s ’Change
270. The "Change" in Mo Jingqi
For over a decade, the Empress Dowager had been the mother of the nation, her dignity supreme. Even if Mo Jingqi harbored resentment towards her, he had always maintained a respectful facade. Never before had anyone dared to point at her face and tell her to "get lost." Her complexion instantly became a ghastly kaleidoscope of colors, as unsightly as a poorly mixed palette.
"My son!" The Empress Dowager gritted her teeth. Her sole purpose in coming here was the issue of the throne; naturally, she couldn’t leave so easily.
Mo Jingqi, however, didn’t care. Pointing at the Empress Dowager, he said, "Did you hear me? Get out of my sight! As long as I live, I am the emperor! Get out! You won’t... you won’t get your way!"
The Empress Dowager, concealing her anger, took a step forward. "I understand Your Majesty is not in a good mood right now, and you are free to vent. But please, think about what happens after you. You should consider the princes and princesses."
Mo Jingqi burst into hysterical laughter, a sound mixed with sobs; even tears of blood streamed from the corners of his eyes. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager was taken aback and retreated a few steps. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, you..."
Mo Jingqi said hatefully, "Go tell your precious son to give up that notion. Even if Great Chu falls, I will not hand the imperial power to him. And his treasured son... he can prepare to accompany me in death! If he has the ambition for the throne, let him fight for it himself. I will watch... I will watch from the heavens as his line is extinguished—no sons, no grandsons!"
The final words were laced with such venomous resentment that a chill ran down the Empress Dowager’s spine. She was unaware that Mo Jingli could no longer have children in this life and merely took it as a curse born of Mo Jingqi’s extreme hatred. Even so, the sight of Mo Jingqi on the bed, bloodstained, with blood tears streaking his demonic, contorted face, thoroughly frightened her. Left with no choice, she stumbled out of the bedchamber. The guards outside, hearing the commotion, were about to rush in when they heard Mo Jingqi’s voice from within, "Get out! I want to be alone!" Hearing his voice, which seemed full of energy, they were reassured that nothing serious had happened and resumed their guard outside the door.
In the bedchamber, Mo Jingqi began to laugh bleakly. The earlier outburst had agitated his internal organs. Once the Empress Dowager left, his already terrible complexion visibly deteriorated at an alarming rate.
Suddenly, a low, pleasant chuckle echoed in the bedchamber, followed by slow, approaching footsteps. Mo Jingqi struggled to open his eyes. The man before him instantly cleared his muddled consciousness. He forced his eyes wide, staring at the figure. Dressed in white with white hair, the man was strikingly handsome, his sword-like eyebrows angled towards his temples, and he possessed an imposing aura. The sleeves of his snow-white robes were embroidered with silver dragons and auspicious clouds. A faint scent of agarwood lingered in the air, clearing Mo Jingqi’s mind, which had been groggy from the pervasive stench of blood.
"Mo Xiuyao!" Mo Jingqi said in a low voice.
Mo Xiuyao chuckled softly. "Your Majesty, it has only been half a year. To see you in such a state truly surprises me."
Next to Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li, dressed in azure, held a child in black brocade, fair as a porcelain doll. The five or six-year-old boy was handsome and adorable, his bright black eyes darting around with a vivacity Mo Jingqi had never witnessed. Seeing the bloody and disheveled Mo Jingqi, the little boy showed no fear at all. Instead, he craned his head out of Ye Li’s arms to get a clearer view.
"Is this your son?" Mo Jingqi asked.
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, took Mo Xiaobao from Ye Li’s arms, and held him. "Indeed. This is my son, Mo Yuchen."
Mo Xiaobao, whose formal name was Yuchen, looked curiously at the man on the bed. His father rarely called him by his formal name. What kind of person was this, to make his father break his habit? "Father... is this the husband of that auntie in white?"
Mo Xiuyao ruffled his son’s small head and smiled. "That’s right. He’s that auntie’s husband, and also your Sister Wuyou’s father."
Upon hearing the name "Mo Yuchen," Mo Jingqi’s expression flickered. But when he then heard "auntie in white" and "Sister Wuyou," he eventually heaved a long sigh, closed his eyes, and swallowed the words he had been about to speak. He asked, "Is Changle doing well in the Northwest?"
Ye Li replied calmly, "Wuyou has become a disciple of the Divine Doctor and plans to practice medicine to help the world."
Mo Jingqi was clearly surprised. He waved a hand with some difficulty. "So be it. I know you will take good care of her." He gave a hollow chuckle. "I never thought... you would actually come back to see me." Looking at Mo Xiuyao, Mo Jingqi’s eyes were, for the first time, devoid of their usual vigilance and jealousy, replaced by an unprecedented calm. Even when Mo Xiuyao had been at his lowest and Mo Jingqi at his most triumphant, Mo Jingqi’s gaze towards him had always been tinged with caution and resentment. Such a tranquil, almost empty gaze was truly a first.
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. "Of course, I would come back to see you. Otherwise, how would I face my father, my elder brothers, and the tens of thousands of innocent souls from Prince Ding’s Mansion who died unjustly? To make it in time to bid you farewell, I was busy for much of last year just to free up the time for this visit."
"You..." Mo Jingqi was slightly taken aback.
Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Yes, I knew long ago this would happen to you. Because back in the Southern Border... when Mo Jingli was buying that poison, I was watching from nearby. For this matter, I even specifically asked Mr. Shen to study its properties." With that, Mo Xiuyao took out a small porcelain vial and tossed it onto Mo Jingqi’s bed.
Trembling, Mo Jingqi picked up the vial and opened it. Inside were tiny pellets, smaller than soybeans. Looking at the medicine that had brought him to this state, Mo Jingqi wanted to both laugh and cry. He had spent his life guarding against Prince Ding’s Mansion and Mo Xiuyao, only to be brought down by his own younger brother. It was the ultimate irony.
Seeing Mo Jingqi’s state, Mo Xiuyao seemed to be in excellent spirits. "Speaking of which... even after being afflicted with this supposedly incurable poison, you originally had one chance to survive. I recall you possessed a Bilo flower, did you not?"
Mo Jingqi’s face paled slightly, his voice hoarse. "The Bilo flower... you took it?"
Mo Xiuyao admitted freely, "Isn’t that so? You must have had your suspicions. If not for your Bilo flower, how could I have made a full recovery?"
Mo Jingqi was silent for a long time, then suddenly burst into wild laughter. "HA HA HA... Retribution! This is truly retribution!" He had poisoned Mo Xiuyao, crippling him. Yet, Mo Xiuyao had taken his Bilo flower to cure himself. Now, he himself was dying from a potent poison, with no Bilo flower to save him. Was this not retribution?
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "Whether it’s retribution or not, I have no interest in knowing. But seeing you like this now... I am deeply gratified. Why don’t you ask me if I have an antidote? You don’t wish to live any longer, do you? Every moment you remain alive, every person around you serves as a reminder of your utter failure. Did you know... your actions back then did not destroy Prince Ding’s Mansion; rather, they liberated it from centuries of constraints. What a pity... you don’t have long to live. Otherwise, I would truly like you to witness the consequences of what you did to the Mo Family Army. To let you see... between your so-called legitimate imperial line of Great Chu and my Prince Ding’s Mansion, who is more deserving of survival in these chaotic times..."
"Stop talking!" Mo Jingqi suddenly screamed. With a sudden burst of strength, he reached out and grabbed Mo Xiuyao’s sleeve. "Kill me... kill me now! Consider it atonement to your Prince Ding’s Mansion. Kill me!"
Mo Xiuyao stepped back, easily freeing his sleeve from Mo Jingqi’s grasp. He looked down at him calmly. "I no longer have any interest in your life. If you want to die, do it yourself. However... I’d advise you to drag it out a bit; Mo Jingli is still waiting eagerly, you know."
Mo Jingqi gasped for breath, staring at him. "Help me... help me kill Mo Jingli and the Liu Family."
As if he had heard something peculiar, Mo Xiuyao asked, "And what benefit would I gain from doing that for you?"
Mo Jingqi replied, "I will issue an edict ordering the Empress Dowager and all the princes and princesses, except for the new emperor, to be buried with me. As an offering to the spirits of your Mo Family Army. Is that enough?!"
"Your Majesty is truly ruthless," Ye Li sighed softly.
Mo Jingqi stared intently at Mo Xiuyao. "Do you agree? I can also issue an Edict of Confession, revealing the truth of what happened back then to the entire world."
A long silence filled the bedchamber before Mo Xiuyao slowly began to chuckle. Cradling Mo Xiaobao, he shook his head. "Prince Ding’s Mansion and Great Chu are no longer entangled. Your Majesty should look out for yourself. Ah-Li, let’s go."
Ye Li nodded and turned to follow Mo Xiuyao out the way they had come.
On the bed, Mo Jingqi tried to rise but was utterly powerless. From a corner of the bedchamber, Mo Xiuyao’s voice drifted back, "Although that vial contains poison, it can extend your life by a few days. Whether you take it or not, Your Majesty, is up to you."
On the dragon bed, Mo Jingqi stared blankly at the small vial in his hand.
In the winding, subterranean passage, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao walked side by side. Mo Xiuyao, holding a drowsy Mo Xiaobao who was blinking sleepily, looked at Ye Li and chuckled softly. "Ah-Li, are you perhaps wondering why I gave him the medicine?"
Ye Li nodded. The substance in that small vial was indeed what she and Mo Xiuyao had taken from Lei Tengfeng. It was identical to the drug Mo Jingli had purchased from the sacred site in the Southern Border. Though specially refined by Shen Yang, it could not save Mo Jingqi’s life. However, if Mo Jingqi took it, it should prolong his life by a few days. Both Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had some medical knowledge; they could clearly see that Mo Jingqi was like an extinguished lamp, with no oil left—he would not survive past the next day.
Mo Xiuyao smiled. "Mo Jingqi has a peculiar temperament and is extremely vindictive. He’s been pushed hard by the Empress Dowager, Mo Jingli, and the Liu Family these past few days. If we give him a chance to strike back now, he will certainly give us a pleasant surprise."
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Let’s hope it’s not an unpleasant shock." For people like Mo Jingqi, Ye Li was genuinely wary; she preferred them dead and gone.
Mo Xiuyao smiled. "We shall wait and see."
Early the next day, good news indeed spread from the palace: His Majesty had summoned all officials for an early morning court session.
Upon hearing this, the high-ranking officials and nobles in the imperial city were all stunned. The news they had received was that His Majesty was certainly not going to recover. For days, Prince Li had been handling state affairs while the Emperor lay on his sickbed. The sudden announcement of a morning court convened by the Emperor himself naturally gave them a considerable fright. The more timid among them even felt their legs go weak. They speculated whether His Majesty had merely feigned illness to test their loyalty. If so, they were truly doomed.
Mo Jingli was both shocked and furious when he heard the news. His first reaction was disbelief. Before giving Mo Jingqi the medicine, he had had it tested; this poison was practically incurable! And yesterday, when the Empress Dowager visited, he looked like he was on the verge of death. How could he possibly attend court this morning? Impossible!
Among those who received the summons for the morning court were Old State Duke Hua and a group of other veteran officials from the late Emperor’s reign, most of whom had long since retired to their homes. After Mo Jingqi ascended the throne, he had always been quite wary of these elders and had cleverly arranged for their retirement or demotion. The few who remained, though not many, still wielded considerable influence in court. This time, they too were summoned by Mo Jingqi.
At the palace gates, the arriving court officials and nobles wore varied expressions. Old State Duke Hua, his hair and beard completely white, walked slowly, supported by his son and grandson. All along the way, officials came forward to greet him.
"State Duke Hua." Mo Jingli, clad in the magnificent python robe of the Regent Prince, exuded an air of nobility.
Old State Duke Hua squinted his aged eyes, stroking his snowy beard, and chuckled as he looked at Mo Jingli. "Well, if it isn’t His Highness Prince Li! It has been some years, and Your Highness’s authority and prestige have certainly grown. We old fellows are indeed past our prime." Old State Duke Hua had been living in seclusion for several years and rarely ventured out; it had indeed been four or five years since he last saw Mo Jingli. Despite his current high position, Mo Jingli did not wish to needlessly offend the Old State Duke. He cupped his hands and smiled. "Old State Duke, you jest. What meager abilities of mine could possibly be worthy of your notice?"
Old State Duke Hua chuckled, looking at Mo Jingli. "His Highness Prince Li has become increasingly eloquent."
As Mo Jingli walked with Old State Duke Hua towards the Diligent Government Hall for the morning court, he chatted idly, "Prince Ding also returned to the capital these past two days. Has the Old State Duke perhaps seen him?"
Old State Duke Hua shook his head. "This old man is getting on in years; it’s inevitable that my information is outdated. I must thank Your Highness for informing me of Prince Ding’s return. If Prince Ding still remembers that this old fellow has some connection with Prince Ding’s Mansion, I imagine we might meet in a few days. He must have many matters to attend to, having just returned to the capital. We shouldn’t disturb him."
Mo Jingli smiled faintly. "You’re quite right, Old State Duke. Today, His Majesty has summoned the Old State Duke to the palace..."
Old State Duke Hua laughed. "No doubt His Majesty has recovered and, in his delight, wishes for us old relics to celebrate with him."
"Is that so?" Mo Jingli did not argue but glanced apologetically at Old State Duke Hua. "Old State Duke, I..."
Old State Duke Hua, not wanting to make things difficult for him, smiled and said, "Prince Li is a young man; you don’t need to walk with us old folks. Please go on ahead, Your Highness."
Mo Jingli cupped his hands and smiled. "In that case, Old State Duke, please take your time. I shall take my leave."
"No need to see me off," Old State Duke Hua chuckled.
Watching Mo Jingli stride off with a dragon’s gait and a tiger’s bearing, the smile gradually faded from Old State Duke Hua’s face. His son, supporting him, said with some concern, "Father, it has been several years since His Majesty last summoned us for an audience. This time... I fear it is not so simple."
Old State Duke Hua sighed somewhat helplessly. "If the ruler wishes a subject to die, the subject has no choice. Besides, we are merely summoned for an audience, and it is not just our Hua Family. Remember, when we reach the grand hall: say little, and you will make fewer mistakes; say nothing, and you will make no mistakes. This old man can still shield you somewhat if anything happens."
"Father, it is all my incompetence..." The eldest son of the Hua Family, already in his fifties, said, his face full of shame as he supported Old State Duke Hua. If not for the inadequacy of their descendants, why would their nearly eighty-year-old father need to personally go to court to shield them from potential royal machinations?
Old State Duke Hua waved his hand. "I don’t know for how many more days I can protect you. We can only take it one day at a time. I suspect that today’s events might have something to do with Prince Ding."
"What do you mean by that?" The eldest Hua son was startled, but he dared not let his expression change, merely lowering his voice to ask.
Old State Duke Hua said, "Just now, you heard Prince Li mention that Prince Ding returned in the last couple of days. Prince Ding just returned, and His Majesty suddenly recovered. Do you think that’s a coincidence?"
"But... given Prince Ding’s temperament, he would never save His Majesty." They had, in a way, watched Prince Ding grow up. Even if many years had passed without seeing him, his fundamental nature was unlikely to have changed. Prince Ding had never been a gentle or magnanimous person, even in his youth. It was improbable that he had cultivated a disposition to repay grievances with virtue over the past dozen years.
Old State Duke Hua sighed. "I’m afraid... His Majesty truly does not have much time left."
"Father, are you saying His Majesty summoned us to the palace because he wishes to..." Entrust his successor?
Old State Duke Hua waved his hand. "Let’s go. We’ll know when we see."
The Diligent Government Hall was packed today, far more crowded than for a typical morning court. Many younger officials noticed several elderly ministers they didn’t even recognize, along with princes and imperial kinsmen. A sense of foreboding settled in their hearts; they knew something significant was about to happen. The more timid ones instinctively shrank towards the back, not daring to utter a word. Those standing further front whispered amongst themselves, exchanging opinions. From their very positions, it was clear the officials had split into factions. One group clustered around Mo Jingli, another around Prime Minister Liu, both sides eyeing each other with ill-concealed hostility. A third, much smaller faction stood apart from these groups, composed mainly of elderly men past sixty and nobles of high standing but little actual power.
"His Majesty arrives!" a eunuch’s shrill voice pierced the hall.
An immediate silence fell upon the hall. All eyes turned towards the empty dragon throne above. Presently, a series of footsteps was heard from behind the screen. Mo Jingqi, not seen for a long time, emerged in his dragon robe, supported by eunuchs. Wasted by his long illness, he was now painfully thin; the dragon robe hung loosely on his frame, creating an unsettling, disproportionate image. His face remained sallow, but his lips were a startling, dark red, and his eyes blazed with a shocking, sharp brilliance.
"We, your ministers, pay homage to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
Mo Jingqi looked down from his high seat at the ministers below, his voice calm and devoid of emotion. "You may rise. Attendants, read the imperial edict."
