Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 422 - 419. Kidnapping the Little Emperor

419. Kidnapping the Young Emperor

The inn arranged by Prince Ding’s Mansion for the Great Chu envoy was merely two streets away from the mansion itself. For instance, states like Xiling, Beirong, and Nanzhao all had their respective embassies in Licheng. However, Great Chu had never established one. This was partly because the relationship between Great Chu and Prince Ding’s Mansion was strained, and partly because neither Mo Jingli nor Mo Jingqi was willing to acknowledge Prince Ding’s Mansion as a separate power. Consequently, every time a Great Chu representative arrived, their accommodation was arranged by Prince Ding’s Mansion. This time, however, Mo Jingyu had proactively informed Mo Xiuyao that Great Chu intended to establish an embassy in Licheng. The implied weakness in this gesture was obvious.

Inside the inn, Mo Suiyun slipped away from Mo Jingyu and the accompanying officials, entering his room. His small face, usually tinged with timidity and childishness, instantly darkened. He walked to a nearby table, sat down, and became lost in thought.

Before ascending the throne, Mo Suiyun had never imagined he would one day become the ruler of a nation. Like his deceased older imperial brother, Mo Suyun, his mother was merely an inconspicuous palace maid. He was even more overlooked than Mo Suyun; even his name had been given to him by his mother. Perhaps he was luckier than Mo Suyun because Mo Jingqi hadn’t chosen him to inherit the throne back then. Over the years, he had coolly observed and clearly understood the kind of life his imperial brother, Emperor Mo Suyun, had endured in the palace. He had originally thought he would live as an unremarkable prince, moving out of the palace upon coming of age to lead a quiet, ordinary life. However, he never expected that Mo Jingli, who was away on a military campaign, would suddenly be deposed. Then, the Grand Empress Dowager, all the imperial relatives, and the civil and military officials found him to be the most suitable candidate. And just like that, he became the Emperor of Great Chu.

Mo Jingli’s deposition was indeed a relief to him. Although he had only met Mo Jingli a few times, every encounter with this royal uncle sent a chill down his spine. He sensed very clearly that Mo Jingli wanted to kill him. No, more accurately, Mo Jingli wanted to kill all the princes left behind by the former emperor. And he did not want to die.

Only after ascending the throne did he truly understand the suffering of his deceased imperial brother. In the eyes of the Grand Empress Dowager and the powerful elite—the royalty, meritorious officials, and influential nobles—this young emperor was merely a chess piece in their game. I don’t want that, Mo Suiyun knew. I don’t want to be constrained by these people my entire life. He had heard many stories about Prince Ding and aspired to be like him.

Therefore, when facing Prince Ding, his respect was not feigned. He truly respected and admired this world-renowned Prince. So, when saluting him, he couldn’t resist glancing up at Prince Ding. However, upon meeting the deep, indifferent eyes of the handsome, white-robed, white-haired man, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of panic. Those indifferent eyes seemed as if they hadn’t registered his presence at all, yet simultaneously, as if they had pierced right through to the most hidden thoughts in his heart. He quickly feigned fear and lowered his head, but he knew... I must have aroused Prince Ding’s suspicion...

Mo Suiyun bit his lip and frowned. Although he possessed some cunning and courage, he was, after all, still just an eleven or twelve-year-old boy. Moreover, no one had seriously mentored him over the years, so when faced with such an unexpected situation, he couldn’t help but feel flustered. If... if Prince Ding wants to kill me...

"Reporting to Your Majesty, there is a young gentleman outside requesting an audience," a guard reported in a low voice from outside the door.

Mo Suiyun, feeling irritable, frowned and said, "What young gentleman? I won’t see him!"

"But..." The guard hesitated. Mo Suiyun said impatiently, "If there’s anything, go find Uncle Prince Yu. Don’t bother me!" Silence quickly fell outside the door. Mo Suiyun sneered inwardly. These people don’t take me, the Emperor, seriously at all. They’re just giving a routine notice, that’s all. Although he found it strange that someone in Licheng would be looking for him, Mo Suiyun was in no mood to consider it right now.

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK... Just as Mo Suiyun was about to speak, a light tapping came from the window. Mo Suiyun frowned. He had just stood up when he saw the window being pushed open from the outside, and a handsome boy poked his head in.

Mo Suiyun frowned slightly, scrutinizing the boy for a good while before asking, "Were you the one looking for me just now?"

The boy pouted, nimbly climbed in through the window, landed lightly on the floor, and nodded. "That’s right. Why wouldn’t you see me?"

Mo Suiyun resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Do I even know you?

Taking another look at him, Mo Suiyun noted that the boy was exceptionally handsome and seemed a bit younger than himself. He wore very common clothes, yet they couldn’t conceal an air of innate nobility. Mo Suiyun mentally reviewed what he knew before asking, "Are you... Mo Yuchen?"

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes, sidled up to Mo Suiyun, and sized him up with a grin. "You really are smart! How did you guess this young heir’s identity?"

Mo Suiyun suppressed the urge to roll his eyes again. In all of Licheng, besides the young heir of Prince Ding’s Mansion, who else would dare to barge into the inn where the Emperor of Great Chu is staying?

"Young Heir, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Mo Suiyun asked, adopting an imperial posture and a solemn expression.

Mo Xiaobao blinked, looked at Mo Suiyun with a peculiar expression, and said, "Important business? Look at me... what important business could I possibly have?" I’m only ten, for crying out loud! Even if I wanted to have important business, I’d have to wait until I actually had some power. Right now, I’m just a pitiful kid dragged out by my detestable Royal Father to meet a future enemy.

Mo Suiyun silently watched Mo Xiaobao, who made himself completely at home. He sat down, picked up a piece of fruit from the table, wiped it, and started munching on it. Mo Suiyun felt a dull ache in his forehead. His instincts, honed by long years in the palace, warned him: This boy, smiling with such pure innocence, is going to be a lot of trouble.

Mo Xiaobao looked at Mo Suiyun, who was standing silently to the side, and beckoned. "Come on, sit down."

Mo Suiyun walked over and sat down opposite Mo Xiaobao. Watching him eat with such gusto, Mo Suiyun silently wondered, Does Prince Ding never let his heir eat his fill? "What did you come to find me for?"

Mo Xiaobao flashed him a brilliant smile. "To play with you, of course! My Royal Father said that as the host, I should entertain our guests well. I was worried you might be lonely by yourself, so I came especially to take you out to play!"

"Play?" Mo Suiyun echoed, somewhat bewildered.

It wasn’t that Mo Suiyun, the guest, was unappreciative. But I genuinely don’t understand when my relationship with this young heir of Prince Ding’s Mansion became close enough for us to go out and play together, he thought.

Mo Xiaobao tilted his chin up, looking at him with a touch of pride. "Well? Are you coming or not?"

Meeting Mo Xiaobao’s somewhat challenging gaze, Mo Suiyun suddenly gritted his teeth and nodded firmly. "Fine, let’s go!" I’m an emperor too! Why would I be afraid of a mere heir like you?

So, was the young emperor agreeing to go out and play with Mo Xiaobao simply because he was confident the boy wouldn’t dare to actually harm him?

Acting decisively, Mo Suiyun stood up and was about to open the door to leave. Mo Xiaobao hurriedly pulled him back. "What are you doing?"

Mo Suiyun gave him a strange look. "Aren’t we going out to play?"

Mo Xiaobao rolled his eyes and pointed to the still half-open window. "I came in that way. How are you going to explain to everyone how this young heir suddenly appeared in the Great Chu’s inn? If my Royal Father finds out, I’ll be in huge trouble."

"Then what do you suggest?" Mo Suiyun asked.

Mo Xiaobao pointed to the window with an utterly innocent smile. "We’ll climb out through there."

"Climb out?!" Mo Suiyun almost exclaimed in shock.

Mo Xiaobao had already hopped onto the windowsill. Gripping the frame with one hand, he glanced outside before turning back to say, "You’re not scared, are you?"

Mo Suiyun took a deep breath. "Who’s scared? If we’re going, let’s go!"

"That’s more like it." Mo Xiaobao nodded and lightly leaped down from the window. Mo Suiyun jumped in fright and scrambled up to look, only to see Mo Xiaobao leaning against the corner of the wall below, impatiently beckoning to him. Mo Suiyun, who knew no martial arts, clambered down awkwardly from the window. Following Mo Xiaobao, they skulked through the inn, and amazingly, they managed to slip out the back door of the inn completely undetected. Clearly, this wasn’t Mo Xiaobao’s first time doing something like this.

Outside the back door of the inn, as soon as the two stepped out, several figures immediately surrounded them and pulled them into a frantic run. Once they stopped in a safe place, Mo Suiyun finally had a chance to look at the newcomers. He realized they were all children, even younger than him. Looking again at Mo Xiaobao, who was half a head shorter than him, a sense of maturity and responsibility welled up within Mo Suiyun.

"Brother Xiaobao, is this the little Emperor from Great Chu?" asked Leng Junhan. Dressed in white brocade, Leng Junhan, though still young, already carried some of his father’s distinguished air from back in the day. He lazily fanned himself with a small folding fan. An unknowing onlooker might mistake him for a young dandy from some wealthy family.

Nearby, Xu Zhirui, who had similarly inherited his father’s perpetually solemn expression, glanced at Mo Suiyun and frowned. "You haven’t changed your clothes. You’ll be recognized."

Mo Suiyun felt a cold sweat break out as these two "little turnips," neither of whom even reached his chin, stared at him.

Nearby, Mu Lie, who now went by Qin Lie, casually tossed over a bundle. "Knew you guys would forget. Clothes."

Mo Xiaobao raised his eyebrows disdainfully. "So what if I didn’t change clothes? Didn’t this young heir walk right out anyway? So much for ’tight security’... it’s utterly useless!" My Royal Father was right, it’s all about the thrill! Kidnapping the little Emperor of Great Chu from the inn—how exciting! Sneaking out disguised as a servant or something? Far too unchallenging.

Leng Junhan gazed at Mo Suiyun, his eyes crinkling into a smile, practically drooling. "A little emperor... My first time seeing a real, live emperor..."

Mo Suiyun broke out in a cold sweat. He had always felt that the Palace of Great Chu was fraught with danger, but at this moment, he suddenly felt that facing these obviously unhinged children was worse. He would rather go back and face the Grand Empress Dowager and those ministers. Does this fair-skinned, tender-looking little dumpling think I’m a roast duck? That look of intense craving... Mo Suiyun resolved then and there to keep his distance from this fair, silly-looking boy.

If Leng Junhan knew what Mo Suiyun was thinking, he would definitely cry out about the injustice. He had simply never seen an emperor before! After all, the most powerful person he had encountered in his life so far was a Prince. And although this Prince was an exceptional figure whom many emperors feared, he still wasn’t an emperor. Having finally encountered a living, breathing little emperor, the intensely curious Leng Junhan naturally wanted to study him thoroughly.

Qin Lie swept a noncommittal glance over the somewhat uneasy little emperor. He seems a bit better than Mo Suyun, he mused, but I still don’t see anything particularly special about him. To be lured out so easily by the young heir... Hasn’t he considered how many people would be frightened if the little Emperor of Great Chu suddenly disappeared from the inn?

However, Qin Lie wasn’t particularly concerned about this. It’s the young heir’s business how he wants to play, he thought. My only responsibility is to protect their safety.

At Mo Xiaobao’s urging, Mo Suiyun changed into a set of ordinary clothes that Qin Lie had prepared. Dressed this way, the group of children looked like any other children from affluent families. Licheng was currently home to many influential families, noble clans, and wealthy merchants. It was common to see children from such households playing on the streets, so their presence wouldn’t attract any particular attention even as they walked along.

Mo Suiyun had lived his entire life within the Imperial Palace. He had only left its confines twice: once to travel south with the Great Chu court, and this current trip north to Licheng. Naturally, everything seemed new and fascinating to him. As for Mo Xiaobao’s group, not to mention the well-traveled Qin Lie, even Leng Junhan and Xu Zhirui had grown up exploring all over and found such outings commonplace. So, it was less about them ’going out to play’ and more about the children indulging Mo Suiyun, this inexperienced ’country bumpkin’ of a little emperor, by taking him for a stroll. When Mo Suiyun started to feel a little hungry, Mo Xiaobao generously led him to the best restaurant in Licheng for a meal.

The restaurant attendants were clearly very familiar with Mo Xiaobao and his group. As soon as they saw them enter, an attendant expertly led them to the quietest private room on the second floor. Mo Suiyun sat in the private room, trying his best to suppress his curiosity and discomfort. "Young Heir," he asked, "do you come here often?"

Mo Xiaobao said with a beam, "Not too often. Just occasionally. But the food here is really delicious! Don’t hold back! This restaurant belongs to Qin Lie’s family, so they won’t charge us."

Qin Lie silently rolled his eyes. Even if we’re eating for free, do you have to announce it so blatantly? Young Heir, do you even remember that this little emperor sitting opposite you is your enemy?

Mo Suiyun looked at them with some envy and said, "It must be great to be like you all."

Leng Junhan blinked, tilted his small head as he looked at Mo Suiyun, and said, "If you like it, you can stay and play with us! We won’t bully you." Among the group, Leng Junhan had the best impression of Mo Suiyun, although this favorable view was largely because Mo Suiyun was the first emperor he had ever seen.

Mo Suiyun paused for a moment, then shook his head. "I can’t stay."

Leng Junhan nodded in understanding. "I know, you’re the Emperor of Great Chu, right? Is being an emperor fun?"

Mo Suiyun shook his head, a bitter expression on his face. "It’s not fun. Not fun at all."

"Not fun?" Leng Junhan rubbed his forehead and asked, "Brother Xiaobao, do you still want to be emperor? The little emperor says being emperor isn’t fun."

Mo Xiaobao snorted disdainfully. "This young heir will be Prince Ding in the future. What’s so great about being emperor? This young heir wants to be Prince Ding, understand?"

"The Emperor outranks Prince Ding," Xu Zhirui calmly provided his cousin with this basic piece of information.

Mo Xiaobao shot him a sidelong glance. "Which emperor would dare say he outranks my Royal Father?"

Everyone looked at each other, then finally shrugged. Indeed, in the entire world, at least for now, there probably wasn’t an emperor who dared to openly challenge Prince Ding. Xu Zhirui maintained stubbornly, "Even if that’s the case, the emperor still ranks higher."

Mo Xiaobao frowned in thought for a moment, then said, "Okay, fine! But I still want to be Prince Ding first!" If I don’t surpass my Royal Father, how can I establish myself? Becoming emperor would be even more out of the question, Mo Xiaobao schemed confidently in his heart.

As Mo Suiyun ate the fragrant food on the table, he said, "What if it’s not you who becomes Prince Ding? What then?"

Mo Xiaobao gave him a strange look. "Why wouldn’t it be me who becomes Prince Ding?"

"Doesn’t Prince Ding’s Mansion have another young heir?" Mo Suiyun said casually. "Just like the throne isn’t necessarily passed to the Crown Prince, the title of Prince Ding isn’t necessarily passed to the eldest son, right?"

"Hmm..." Mo Xiaobao mused, then nodded. "You have a point. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll be sure to diligently ’encourage’ Lin’er to be a good, obedient little brother."

Mo Suiyun smiled faintly. "You’re welcome. It was just a casual remark; don’t take it to heart."

"Oh, right, Mo Suiyun," Mo Xiaobao’s eyes darted thoughtfully as he asked with apparent concern, "I heard the Grand Empress Dowager of Great Chu is really fierce. Is your Imperial Grandmother good to you?"

Mo Suiyun’s hand, holding his chopsticks, paused for a moment. He then smiled and said, "My Imperial Grandmother is very good to me."

"You’re so fortunate! My Royal Father is so fierce with me. You’re the emperor... everyone has to listen to you. But me, this young heir... my Royal Father bullies me all day long," Mo Xiaobao sighed enviously.

Mo Suiyun’s smile was somewhat bitter. How could my life as an emperor be so fortunate? Sometimes, I can’t even command my own attendants, let alone expect everyone else to listen to me. Looking at Mo Xiaobao, who was innocently pestering him with questions, and beside them, Leng Junhan, Xu Zhirui, and Qin Lie, all eating with great enjoyment, Mo Suiyun suddenly felt a surge of jealousy in his heart. Why can they live such carefree, happy lives, while I have to tread on thin ice so cautiously in the Palace of Great Chu?

"I will definitely be more formidable than my Royal Father in the future!" Mo Xiaobao slammed his hand on the table and shouted.

Leng Junhan and the others, who were eating beside him, glanced at him silently, then ignored him and continued to focus on their food. Mo Xiaobao immediately became indignant and yelled, "I will definitely be more formidable than my Royal Father!"

Seeing his little face flush with embarrassment and anger, Mo Suiyun smiled and said, "I believe you. You definitely will."

Hearing his words, Mo Xiaobao immediately cheered up. He slapped Mo Suiyun on the shoulder and said, "That’s right! I knew we were on the same team! In the future, you’ll definitely be more formidable than your father too! Let’s work hard together!"

Mo Suiyun’s lips twitched. He wasn’t sure if Mo Xiaobao’s words were a blessing or a curse. Although he had no memory of his own Imperial Father, he knew that as an emperor, his father had been an utter failure. However, seeing Mo Xiaobao’s sincere face as he vigorously gnawed on a crystal pork knuckle, Mo Suiyun decided, I’ll just take it as a blessing after all.

By the time Mo Jingyu, after turning all of Licheng upside down searching for them, finally arrived, the children had long since finished eating, leaving the table in disarray. Opening the door revealed a table laden with delicious dishes, much of which had been picked at, with only scraps and leftovers scattered haphazardly. Leng Junhan, having eaten his fill, was lying on a nearby couch rubbing his stomach. The other children were gathered together, chattering away animatedly. Naturally, Mo Xiaobao was doing most of the talking, with the cool-faced Xu Zhirui occasionally interjecting a few words, while the remaining two were purely listeners.

"Your Majesty!" Mo Jingyu called out in a deep voice.

Mo Suiyun froze, only then remembering that Mo Jingyu didn’t know he had snuck out of the inn. He quickly tried to stand up, but Mo Xiaobao whispered beside him, "Don’t be afraid of him. You’re the emperor; you don’t need to fear him."

Mo Suiyun shot him a grateful glance before standing up and saying, "Royal Uncle, is something the matter?"

Mo Jingyu’s eyebrow twitched. Before he could speak, Feng Zhiyao emerged from behind him, beaming. "Prince Yu," he said, "see? Didn’t I tell you His Majesty wouldn’t get into any trouble in Licheng?"

Mo Jingyu suppressed his anger, nodded at Feng Zhiyao, and then turned to ask Mo Suiyun, "Your Majesty, how did you end up here?"

Mo Suiyun said in a low voice, "I... This Emperor came out to play with the young heir."

Mo Jingyu took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, if you wish to go out and play in the future, it would be better to bring some attendants along, so as not to worry your subordinates."

Mo Suiyun nodded. "Royal Uncle, I know I was wrong."

Seeing that he genuinely understood his mistake, Mo Jingyu nodded, considering the matter closed. Mo Suiyun was usually very obedient, so his sudden disappearance from the inn today had given everyone from Great Chu quite a scare. Fortunately, word soon came from Prince Ding’s Mansion that Mo Suiyun was dining here with Mo Xiaobao and his friends.

Mo Jingyu peered into the room and saw the children all sprawled on the soft couch, looking at him with innocent expressions. Mo Jingyu found it hard to believe that these few children, all several years younger than Mo Suiyun, could have tricked the usually so cautious young emperor into sneaking out of the inn to play.

Mo Xiaobao felt he ought to say something. He blinked and said to Mo Jingyu, "Prince Yu, please don’t be angry with Brother Suiyun. It’s all my fault. I originally wanted to visit Brother Suiyun at the inn, but... he wouldn’t see me. So, I got angry and secretly slipped into his room. Brother Suiyun only came out to play with us because he couldn’t refuse my persistent pleading."

Mo Jingyu smiled faintly. "Young Heir, you exaggerate. In the future, Young Heir, you can come directly to the inn to find His Majesty to play. But right now, everyone at the inn is looking for His Majesty, so we should be heading back."

Mo Suiyun obediently stood up and followed Mo Jingyu out. Mo Xiaobao didn’t forget to see them off reluctantly at the door, promising to find him to play again tomorrow.

Feng Zhiyao leaned against the doorway, watching the four little rascals with an affable smile. "Well?" he asked. "Was the young emperor of Great Chu fun to play with?"

Leng Junhan shook his head. "Not fun. He’s a bit silly."

Xu Zhirui tilted his small head, thought for a moment, and said, "Not fun. Hypocritical."

Qin Lie rolled his eyes. "More annoying than Mo Suyun." Mo Suyun was timid and cowardly; this one isn’t as timid, but he’s far too scheming.

Mo Xiaobao stroked his small chin, a grin on his face. "He’s fun. A bit silly, but quite scheming too. He even tried to sow discord. My little brother isn’t even one year old yet!"