The dungeon seemed like a forsaken and despised corner of the world, contrasting the splendor outside its walls. While the world beyond was glamorous, inside the cell it was damp and rotten. This stark irony left Ji Wuer devoid of any hope. Outside the walls, she was the revered mother of a nation, but inside the cell, she had become a condemned prisoner awaiting death. Only now did she realize her regrets, but it was too late.
The nauseating stench of decay and filth in the dungeon was unbearable for Ji Wuer, who had always lived a privileged life. No matter how loudly she cried for help, none of the guards paid any attention to her.
Silently, Mo Niang approached the dungeon.
"Wuwu..." The sounds of weeping and wailing echoed throughout the prison.
Mo Niang knew that the individuals confined in this dungeon were generally of high status and position, but she paid no mind to anyone as she searched for Ji Wuer's cell.
Outside the cell, a few lanterns swayed lonely in the night breeze.
Prince Jun Shao stood sorrowfully at the entrance of the dungeon, looking at the words "天牢" (heavenly prison) on the door. His heart weighed heavily as he recalled their past love. With heavy steps, he entered through the gates of the dungeon.
The guarding jailer respectfully stepped aside!
By now, Mo Niang had found the Empress's cell.
The Empress, suffering in torment, could not sleep. When she heard a commotion outside her cell, she looked up.
In an instant, Ji Wuer's mind could only think of one thing—she had seen the ghost of Li Manqi.
Mo Niang, with her long flowing hair and a bright red dress, stood in the moonlight that cast a pale glow on her face. Her somber expression as she gazed at Ji Wuer seemed eerie.
"Li... Li Manqi, are you... are you a ghost?" The Empress, realizing who she was, retreated in fear. When she could retreat no further, she pressed herself against the wall, trembling, and stared at Mo Niang.
Mo Niang's face turned as cold as ice, and all she wanted was to end Ji Wuer's life.
"Ji Wuer, return my life and return my son to me."
Mo Niang's voice echoed ominously, her red dress combined with the atmosphere, making her appear somewhat menacing, like a vengeful female ghost.
Hearing this, Ji Wuer trembled even more violently, swallowing hard. Her beautiful eyes filled with fear.
This Li Manqi hadn't changed a bit compared to years ago. She was still as beautiful and charming. But why did she wait so many years to seek revenge? Did she come to torment Ji Wuer even in her desperate state?
The two confronted each other, the atmosphere becoming increasingly tense, on the verge of eruption.
Mo Niang looked at Ji Wuer's dirty and disheveled face, her heart filled with malice. She had separated Ji Wuer from her son, torturing her soul every day for these past years.
Seeing her become a prisoner now, Mo Niang felt a faint sense of relief. If she didn't avenge this grudge, her soul would never find peace. Today, this knot would finally be untied.
"Li Manqi, when you were alive, I, Ji Wuer, could have killed you once. Now that you're dead, I, Ji Wuer, can still kill you." Ji Wuer, seeming almost insane, shouted with excitement. Her face turned red from the outburst, and her heart was filled with the fear that Li Manqi had brought upon her.
Mo Niang laughed and shook her head coldly, unaffected by Ji Wuer's words. "Oh, really? You lived a glamorous life for over twenty years, but now you sit in this cold, decay-ridden dungeon, awaiting death. Your secrets have been exposed, and your past actions, including involving your father, have come to light. Ha! Do you still think you have a chance to turn the tide? My death is just one person, but you, with your entire family, the Ji family, are finished. I genuinely pity your family, for with the love the Emperor had for me, he won't spare your Ji family."
"No..." The Empress vigorously shook her head, wanting to retort. But deep down, she knew that Li Manqi spoke the truth. Her companionship of over twenty years couldn't compare to the position a deceased person held in the Emperor's heart.
Mo Niang smiled mockingly, her voice cold. "Ji Wuer, I truly pity you. You will never surpass me in the Emperor's heart. Even if you took away Chen'er, the one the Emperor adores is still my Chen'er. There is still no trace of affection for you."
"Li Manqi, even if you're dead, I, Ji Wuer, won't let your soul rest in peace forever. Alive, I, Ji Wuer, can kill you once, and dead, I, Ji Wuer, can still kill you." Ji Wuer shouted in a frenzy, her face flushed with excitement. Her words were fueled by both courage and the fear that Li Manqi had instilled in her.
Mo Niang chuckled and shook her head, silently watching the Empress. "Ji Wuer, you no longer have that opportunity. Your father and brother have begged all day but still haven't seen the Emperor. The Emperor has ordered a thorough investigation into the events of the past. Since the moment you took away my Chen'er, the things that weren't rightfully yours, you planted the seeds for today's outcome."
Having said that, Mo Niang felt an immense sense of relief. This was her only wish while alive, and now it was finally fulfilled.
Turning around, she lowered her gaze and silently walked away from the cell.
Watching Mo Niang's figure, Ji Wuer fainted on the spot.
Prince Jun Shao hid in a dark corner, doing his best to suppress his breath.
Jun Shao stared incredulously at Li Manqi as she walked past him, his body trembling intensely. Was this truly the appearance of his mother, Li Manqi? But why did her heavy footsteps sound nothing like a ghost?
Watching Mo Niang quickly walk out of the cell, Jun Shao stumbled out from a dark corner and hurriedly followed her.
In the tranquil night, the spring breeze brought a refreshing feeling.
Under the streetlights on both sides of the heavenly prison, a figure in red slowly walked, appearing lonely and desolate.
In the living room of Mingyue Villa, Su Zimo and Mu Yunxuan sat facing each other.
"Yunxuan, why don't we go and check on Mo Niang? I can't shake off this feeling of unease."
Su Zimo suddenly stood up, feeling worried.
"Momo, I know you're concerned about Mo Niang, but I have already arranged for someone to protect her secretly. It would be even better if something happened to her in the palace! It would help my uncle regain his position as Li Guifei's favor. Back then, my uncle went through a lot of hardships to make her the favored consort."
Upon hearing this, Su Zimo felt a sudden surge of anger, her fists clenched tightly, and a glint of coldness flashed in her eyes.
"If you love someone, why marry other women after marrying Mo Niang? They say it's for stabilizing the court, but for many years, the Haoyue Kingdom has been peaceful. You men often find excuses for your own interests. If you truly love someone, it should be a lifelong commitment, sharing life and death together. That's true love."
Su Zimo sat angrily on the chair, thinking that if she ever married Mu Yunxuan and he wanted to marry other women, she would immediately pack her things and leave.
Mu Yunxuan looked at her amusedly, wondering why Momo was getting angry for no reason. He was not the one marrying several women.
"Momo, don't be angry. Men having multiple wives and concubines is..."
"Wait, Mu Yunxuan, don't tell me that having multiple wives and concubines is normal for men. In my opinion, it's a betrayal of love."
Su Zimo felt that she needed to educate Mu Yunxuan about love.
Jun Shao had been following Mo Niang all the way outside the palace.
Mo Niang, consumed by her thoughts, didn't notice Jun Shao behind her.
"Chener."
"Chener."
Suddenly, Ji Yaotian and Ji Yu, who had already awakened, blocked Jun Shao's path.
Upon hearing someone calling for Chener, Mo Niang's footsteps faltered for a moment, and her heart sank. She quickly flashed into the darkness.
Jun Shao anxiously looked in the direction Mo Niang had gone, but she had already disappeared. Anger surged through him.
"What are you doing?" Jun Shao flicked his sleeve in annoyance.
Ji Yu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Jun Shao. Indeed, a wild seed couldn't be raised properly.
"Chener, your mother has been imprisoned. Instead of trying to find a way to help her, you're wandering outside late at night?"
Ji Yu was also angry. He had been waiting the whole day without seeing the Emperor, and his mood was already very bad.
"I won't rescue someone who killed my mother. Give up on that idea!"
Jun Shao's tone was also very unpleasant.
His eyes constantly scanned ahead. He wanted to know what kind of relationship Mo Niang had with his mother. Why did the Empress call her Li Manqi?
Ji Yaotian and Ji Yu had just come from around the corner and coincidentally met Jun Shao, missing Mo Niang. They were filled with killing intent.
"Jun Shao, think carefully. Without the Ji family, it won't be easy for you to keep your position as the Crown Prince. This also gives Jun Lintian an opportunity."
Ji Yu's words carried a hint of threat as he squinted at Jun Shao.
"Hmph! Even if I don't pursue the position of Crown Prince, I won't save someone who killed my mother."
Jun Shao's expression grew colder. After years of being together, how could he not understand their intentions? For someone who had no value to him, he wouldn't let them live in this world. Jun Shao looked at Ji Yu, becoming alert.
"Father, the Emperor refuses to see us, and our sister has been thrown into the heavenly prison. The Emperor has already thoroughly investigated the past, and now, even Shao Chen doesn't want to help us. Then let's take decisive action..."
Ji Yu knew that even if he didn't say it out loud, his father would understand what he meant.
Ji Yaotian nodded solemnly. Once the truth was uncovered, their Ji family would be finished. Instead of waiting for death, it was better to take a chance.
"I am the Crown Prince. What are you planning?" Jun Shao's hands tightened slightly as he looked at them in surprise. Could it be that the Ji family wanted to rebel?
"What are we planning?" Ji Yu looked at Jun Shao strangely, taking a few steps closer.
"Chen'er, do you know how far the Ji family has gone to support you? But in the end, you repay kindness with enmity, joining forces with Su Zimo to expose the past and bring our Ji family to ruin. Do you think we'll resist only when our lives are at stake?"
"Uncle, even at this point, don't you know how to repent?"
Jun Shao didn't want them to make one mistake after another. The mistake made by the Empress back then, with the Emperor's temper, would only result in the death of those involved, not the innocent. But if the Ji family plotted rebellion, it would be a capital offense of exterminating nine generations.
"Chen'er, the fact that you still call me Uncle Ji Yu shows that you still care about our Ji family. Do you want to watch our Ji family fall apart and perish?"
Ji Yu tried to persuade Jun Shao. As long as Jun Shao agreed to help their Ji family, with the Emperor's favor towards him, only his sister would die.
"I have always been someone who repays kindness. Don't continue making mistakes. Take the initiative to confess, and the Emperor will show leniency."
Jun Shao wouldn't waver no matter what Ji Yu said. His birth mother was killed by them, and he would never help them.
"Young Master, Duke Zhen Guo, it seems it's too late. The Emperor has found the old maid who served Li Guifei back then. The truth is already known to the Emperor. When day breaks tomorrow, Duke Zhen Guo's mansion will be convicted."
Not far away, a figure in black clothing, Mo Zhai, appeared. Mo Zhai was a disciple of Duke Zhen Guo, which Jun Shao knew. But why would he appear here at this time?
"Master Mo, what is this...?"
Mo Zhai approached, and his anger and hatred were evident on his face.
"Your Highness, my two sons are still imprisoned, and the Emperor never allows me to mention this matter. I am only Mo Wu and Mo Tong's father. Are they going to be imprisoned for their entire lives?"
Mo Zhai's emotions grew more and more agitated.
With a pair of eyes filled with cunning, he stared at Jun Shao intently.
"Duke Zhen Guo, capturing Jun Shao is equivalent to capturing the Emperor's life. Among the royal princes, the Emperor dotes on Jun Shao the most. With Jun Shao as a trump card in hand, we have nothing to fear."
Mo Zhai conveyed his message secretly to Duke Zhen Guo and Ji Yu.
"We are ready. We'll follow Duke Zhen Guo's command at any time."
Without Duke Zhen Guo reminding them, Mo Zhai and his group understood. As long as Duke Zhen Guo died, these disciples under him would surely lose their power, and the Emperor would transfer authority from their hands. Moreover, they would be convicted under various pretexts. They had always been Duke Zhen Guo's people, and the Emperor would have concerns about them. They didn't want to hesitate anymore.
He hadn't forgotten that more than twenty years ago, Prince Lie, Jun Louying, had only harbored rebellious intentions, which the Emperor found out about. In a fit of anger, the Emperor demoted him to a commoner and exiled him. Shortly after leaving the imperial city of Haoyue, he was poisoned in an inn not far away. Along with him, his two young sons were also killed. This Prince Lie and his two sons were outstanding talents, both in literary and martial arts. Even those without any blood ties mourned their fate. Treating his own younger brother, his own flesh and blood, in such a heartless and unprincipled manner!
"Yu'er." After hearing Mo Zhai's words, Ji Yaotian gave Ji Yu a signal.
A gust of wind blew, and a dark cloud covered the moonlight, dimming the faint night sky.
As Ji Yu approached him, Jun Shao was prepared. Ji Yu was a high-ranking expert at the Divine Profound Realm, fifth stage, while Mo Zhai was a high-ranking expert at the Divine Profound Realm, first stage. Ji Yaotian wouldn't personally take action, but his cultivation was far inferior to Ji Yu's. He had hurriedly come out without bringing any bodyguards, so his only option was to escape and report the matter to the Emperor. He couldn't let Duke Zhen Guo's scheme succeed.
In the shadows, Mo Niang nervously watched Jun Shao.
"Chen'er, do you know? Your father's path from Crown Prince to Emperor was quite smooth, but it became difficult once he reached this point."
Duke Zhen Guo sneered, wearing a strange smile on his face that showed no signs of age spots. Behind him, the forces he commanded, combined with Ji Yu's Tianmen, were enough. In this era of absolute monarchy, as long as a new Emperor ascended the throne, as long as one or more ministers among the court's officials agreed, then all the ministers would follow the tide. Ji Yaotian's forces within the court were complicated, with many people supporting him.
"Chen'er, will you obediently go back with your uncle, or should your uncle capture you?"
Ji Yu's mouth spoke while his hands gathered the cultivation of the fifth stage of the Divine Profound Realm.
Jun Shao calmly looked at Ji Yu and pleaded, "Uncle, please don't make more mistakes."
"Chen'er, you're really disobedient."
Ji Yu knew that Jun Shao wouldn't submit easily. Mo Zhai was right—having Jun Shao in their hands meant they didn't fear Emperor Haoyue refusing to abdicate.
Suddenly, Ji Yu launched an attack towards Jun Shao at a very fast speed. Ji Yu knew they were not far from the palace and could only aim for a quick victory.
Jun Shao barely managed to evade Ji Yu's strike, using all his strength.
"Not bad, Chen'er. Usually, you're engrossed in playing around, but you've already reached the first stage of the Divine Profound Realm."
Mo Niang watched anxiously from the shadows.
"Killing me will only make you die faster."
Jun Shao said coldly, estimating the power of Ji Yu's next move. If the previous strike was just a small test, he wouldn't be able to defend himself afterwards.
"Yu'er, what are you wasting time for? The longer you delay, the more dangerous it becomes."
Ji Yaotian had a temper like this. Once he made up his mind, he wouldn't change it.
Although Ji Yu wasn't the eldest legitimate son, he had the potential to inherit the throne. With the Ji family's power, even if he wasn't the eldest, he would still have plenty of support from the influential ministers.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yu gathered his energy once again and fiercely attacked Jun Shao. Jun Shao knew he couldn't avoid this strike, feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He was sent flying and crashed heavily onto the ground, suffering severe internal injuries due to the four-stage difference in their cultivations.
Ji Yu looked at Jun Shao, coldly smiling, relentless, and attacked again.
"Chen'er." Mo Niang flew out from the shadows, quickly neutralizing Ji Yu's cultivation.
Ji Yu's eyes widened in shock. There were actually people nearby. Then, what they had just said...
"Li Manqi..."
Ji Yaotian couldn't help but exclaim in disbelief, his eyes filled with confusion.
The shadow guard of Emperor Haoyue, Qin Feng, who was about to reveal himself to teach Ji Yu a lesson, retreated after hearing Ji Yaotian mention Li Manqi's name. He pulled back into the darkness.
"Ji Yaotian, killing me is not enough for you. Do you still want to kill my son? You're dreaming."
After saying that, Mo Niang threw a smoke bomb and disappeared with Jun Shao in an instant.
Jun Shao, however, seemed oblivious to the people around him, shocked as he looked at Mo Niang. Could she really be his mother?
"Hurry, don't let them escape."
Ji Yaotian's eyes gleamed with murderous intent. Jun Shao had fled, and Emperor Haoyue would soon send troops to besiege Duke Zhen Guo's mansion. Ji Yaotian didn't want to meet the same fate as the Marquis of Lie. At present, they could only be faster than Emperor Haoyue.
"Master Mo, I leave the task of capturing the Crown Prince to you."
Ji Yu said coldly.
"Young Master, don't worry! While you and Duke Zhen Guo make other preparations, leave the Crown Prince to me. My men are nearby, and they won't escape."
After Mo Zhai spoke, he disappeared into the night.
"Father, let's go. Let's go back and prepare first."
The father and son turned and quickly vanished into the night.
"Brother, should we go kill Ji Yu and Ji Yaotian or save Aunt Mo?"
On a nearby large tree, Su Qi and Su Li, the two brothers, sat on the branches.
Su Qi leisurely crossed his legs.
Occasionally, he swatted the mosquitoes on his face.
"Of course, we should save Mo Niang."
Su Li said in a deep voice, then swiftly disappeared into the tree.
"Sigh! Why is it always in the dead of night?" Su Qi muttered incessantly, yawning, standing up, and quickly vanishing into the tree.
Once they left, a dark figure also swiftly disappeared into the night sky.
Mo Niang hid with Jun Shao in a concealed place, supporting him as he sat on the ground, looking at him with a pained expression.
"Worriedly asking, 'Chen'er, how are you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?'"
"Mother, are you really Chen'er's mother?" Jun Shao, ignoring the pain in his body, looked intently at Mo Niang. But the woman with the same name as his mother seemed too young, too young for him to even consider.