Mo Li

After seeing off Princess Ronghua, Ye Li finished preparing the training plans in hand and handed them over to Qin Feng. The next morning, she went to bid farewell to the Grand Princess before returning to the city.

The Grand Princess looked at Ye Li with a meaningful smile and said, "It’s time to go back. What would people think if the dignified Princess of the State stayed in the outskirts with an old woman like me? Besides, Xiu Yao must have many inconveniences without his princess by his side."

Hearing this, Ye Li was slightly taken aback, feeling increasingly certain that something had happened in the capital without her knowledge. After taking her leave of the Grand Princess, she stepped outside and saw Qin Feng waiting for her at the door. With a faintly mocking glance, she asked, "Has something happened in the capital that I don’t know about?"

Qin Feng stiffened, forcing a smile as he replied, "If there were anything important, who would dare not report it to you, Princess?"

Ye Li narrowed her eyes, tilting her head as she smiled. "So it’s something unimportant then? Tell me."

Seeing Ye Li turn to walk away, Qin Feng hurried to catch up. "Well, it’s nothing major. It’s just... a few days ago, the Northern Rong delegation for the marriage alliance arrived in the capital. Prince Yelü submitted a memorial to the Emperor, saying that since the two nations are forming an alliance through marriage, there should be both a bride and a groom to symbolize their friendship."

Ye Li turned back to look at him, her tone indifferent. "So this time, it’s a Northern Rong princess, and they want the King to marry her? What does the Emperor think the Ding Royal Palace is? A dumping ground for all sorts of riffraff?"

Qin Feng shrank back slightly. Is the Princess jealous? The King would surely be delighted if he knew. But seeing Ye Li’s expression, he quickly explained, "It’s not the Northern Rong princess... It’s Helian Huimin, the adopted daughter of Northern Rong’s Flying Cavalry General, Helian Zhen."

Ye Li couldn’t help but twitch her lips. Helian Zhen’s adopted daughter... Everyone knew of the deep-seated enmity between Helian Zhen and the Ding Royal Palace. And this so-called adopted daughter—it seemed the other side was quite confident to dare come to Great Chu under such an identity. "Why wasn’t I informed?"

"Princess, please don’t be angry." Qin Feng hurriedly bowed in apology. Ye Li gave him a cool glance, reminding him that she disliked such empty apologies. He quickly clarified, "It was the King’s order. He said since you were away, there was no need to trouble you with such trivial matters. A mere Northern Rong woman was nothing to him."

Ye Li nodded slightly, accepting his explanation. "If that’s the case, why has it spread throughout the city?" It was one thing if Princess Ronghua, who had been in the capital, knew about it, but even the Grand Princess, who lived in seclusion outside the city, was aware—this was hardly a minor matter.

Qin Feng replied, "The Emperor and the Empress Dowager said that since you and the King have been married for over a year... and there has been no news of an heir, they approved Prince Yelü’s request, claiming it was to ensure the prosperity of the royal lineage."

After speaking, Qin Feng cautiously glanced at Ye Li. This was the real reason they hadn’t dared to report it to her. "What a splendid way to 'expand the branches and scatter the leaves'!" Ye Li sneered. "Bringing a Northern Rong woman into the Ding Royal Palace to 'expand the branches'? Let's return to the city!" She harbored no racial prejudice, but even if she truly couldn't bear children, neither the people of Great Chu nor the Mo Family Army would ever accept a future Prince Ding with Northern Rong blood flowing through his veins. This was purely a political issue. Mo Jingqi certainly had a clever scheme—did he really think everyone in the world was a fool?

Before even reaching the estate, Ye Li had already heard numerous rumors along the way about Prince Ding and Helian Huimin. Among them were whispers that Princess Ding, despite being married for over a year, had yet to conceive and stubbornly refused to allow Prince Ding to take a concubine—accusations of jealousy and lack of virtue.

As soon as she entered the estate, Head Steward Mo hurried over to request her presence in the main hall. Ye Li raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, and the steward explained, "Prince Yelv and Miss Helian Huimin have come to visit. His Highness is currently speaking with them in the main hall. As the mistress of the estate, it is only proper for you to receive the guests as well."

Ye Li looked at him with amusement. "Uncle Mo, don’t you have anything to say about the rumors outside?" Though the baseless gossip irritated her, one point was undeniable—in the eyes of people of this era, her failure to conceive after a year of marriage, coupled with her refusal to arrange a concubine for Mo Xiuyao, indeed painted her as jealous and lacking in virtue.

Head Steward Mo replied calmly, "It is not a subordinate’s place to comment on their master’s affairs. Besides… most of the rumors outside were deliberately spread by His Highness."

"Oh? What is His Highness planning?" Ye Li was surprised, but upon reflection, it made sense. In just a few days, the rumors had spread like wildfire across the capital, growing increasingly exaggerated. If the Ding Royal Palace had intervened, it wouldn’t have escalated to this extent. Clearly, Mo Xiuyao hadn’t just allowed the rumors to persist—he had actively fueled them.

"His Highness said you would understand his intentions upon your return," the steward replied. "For now, Princess…"

Ye Li smiled brightly. "Since they’ve come all this way, it would be impolite for me not to receive them."

As she approached the entrance of the main hall, she heard a clear, youthful voice inside. "Your Highness, might I have the honor of meeting Princess Ding?"

Mo Xiuyao’s voice was as composed and gentle as ever. "A Li has gone to the city to visit Her Royal Highness, the Emperor’s aunt. I’m afraid you won’t have the chance to meet her this time."

"Your Highness must be joking—how could there be no chance?" Yelv Ye laughed heartily. "Once Huimin marries into the Ding Royal Palace, she and Princess Ding will be like sisters. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet." He turned to Helian Huimin. "No need to rush, Huimin. Princess Ding is known for her grace and refinement—a true model of Great Chu’s women. She would never make things difficult for you."

"Cousin, you’re right," Helian Huimin replied cheerfully, her tone confident and composed, devoid of the shyness or fluster typical of Great Chu’s maidens when discussing marriage. "I’ve long admired Princess Ding’s reputation and was simply too eager. Forgive my impatience, Your Highness."

"Marry into the Ding Royal Palace?" Mo Xiuyao feigned confusion. "The Ding Royal Palace has no collateral branches, and my father and elder brothers passed away many years ago. Might I ask which ancestor of our household had a marriage contract with Miss Helian?"

"Pfft—" Ye Li couldn’t suppress a laugh. The rumors had already spread far and wide, yet Mo Xiuyao was still pretending ignorance—his act was far too exaggerated. Clearing her throat lightly, she stepped into the hall.Mo Xiuyao was visibly pleased to see Ye Li. He personally stood up and went forward to take her hand, smiling as he said, "A Li, you've finally returned. Have you calmed down and stopped being angry with your husband?" Ye Li gave a faint smile and replied, "Does His Highness think he was in the wrong?" While secretly reaching out to pinch Mo Xiuyao hard, she shot Yelv Ye a glance behind Helian Huimin's back: What are you up to? Ye Li's grip was certainly not light, and Mo Xiuyao stiffened, his face falling as he said, "Is A Li still angry? This prince knows he was wrong. Whatever my wife thinks is wrong must be wrong, even if the whole world says it's right—then the whole world is mistaken. Please, have a seat, my dear."

His handsome face was still half-covered by a cold mask, and coupled with Prince Ding's formidable reputation, this display of a husband coaxing his wife—commonplace in ordinary households—appeared particularly peculiar to outsiders. Helian Huimin and Yelv Ye couldn't help but exchange surprised glances, finding it hard to believe that Prince Ding would behave this way in front of others.

Yelv Ye raised an eyebrow with interest and smiled at Ye Li, "Princess Consort, it's been many days. You remain as radiant as ever."

Ye Li nodded with a smile, "Prince Yelv is no less impressive. And this young lady is..."

Without waiting for Yelv Ye to introduce her, Helian Huimin stood up and performed a grand Chu-style curtsy toward Ye Li, saying with a smile, "Younger sister Helian Huimin greets Elder Sister Princess Consort."

Ye Li frowned slightly and sidestepped the gesture, replying with a smile, "Miss Helian may address me simply as Princess Consort. Speaking of which, Miss Helian should be a few years older than me, so the title 'elder sister' is hardly fitting." Only then did Ye Li get a clear look at Helian Huimin's appearance. As a Northern Rong native, Helian Huimin was much taller than Chu women, yet her figure was delicate and graceful, far from the sturdy, robust impression of Northern Rong women. Her features were quite refined, bearing some resemblance to the beauty of Chu noblewomen. Dressed in Northern Rong aristocratic attire of peach-red, her smiling eyes added a spirited and heroic air. She bore some similarity to Murong Ting, but with just one glance, Ye Li realized Helian Huimin was nothing like the guileless Murong Ting. Her outward cheerfulness was merely a facade—her eyes, fixed intently on Ye Li's face, betrayed that this innocent demeanor was just a disguise while she gauged Ye Li's true nature.

Hearing Ye Li's words, Helian Huimin paused briefly before quickly recovering with a smile, "Elder Sister Princess Consort may not know, but Huimin has already received an imperial decree from the Great Chu Emperor to marry into the Ding Royal Palace soon. Though I'm unfamiliar with Chu customs, in Northern Rong, the one who enters the household first is considered the elder. Thus, it's only proper for me to address you as elder sister."

Ye Li pondered for a moment before turning to Mo Xiuyao, "Your Highness, congratulations. The Emperor has personally bestowed a beauty upon you. Are you pleased?"

Mo Xiuyao hastily shook his head, "My dear, you misunderstand. This prince has received no such imperial marriage decree. Just now, I was wondering if Miss Helian might have had a betrothal to my late father or elder brother. In that case... though they have long passed, the Ding Royal Palace can certainly arrange a posthumous marriage. It would just require some effort on your part, my dear. Though I wonder... would Miss Helian be my stepmother or... my sister-in-law?"At these words, even someone as composed as Yelv Ye couldn't help but grimace. While Northern Rong women were known for their straightforwardness, Helian Huimin still looked displeased at being teased by the man she considered her betrothed. What did he mean by never receiving the Imperial marriage decree? The emperor had granted the marriage on the spot without time to draft the edict, yet Mo Xiuyao had walked away without sparing a thought for the emperor's or Northern Rong's dignity. Later, he had even barred the messenger delivering the decree from entering, so naturally, there was no official marriage decree.

Ye Li arched a delicate brow. "Is that so?"

Mo Xiuyao replied solemnly, "My devotion to A Li is as clear as the sun and sky—not a single false word. If I were shameless enough to marry Miss Helian, may I be struck by lightning and left without descendants."

After all, he had no intention of marrying Helian Huimin, so swearing such an oath came with no pressure.

Hearing this, Ye Li softened slightly. "I believe you," she said gently. "No need for such dire oaths. If that's the case, I'll arrange the wedding preparations. But... should it be for Father or Elder Brother? Should we invite Sister-in-law back?"

Not that she cared about tarnishing Helian Huimin's reputation—Northern Rong people didn't fuss over such things. Besides, she had no intention of being polite to a woman trying to steal her man.

Mo Xiuyao was clearly pleased with Ye Li's cooperation. He turned to Yelv Ye, who sat nearby, making it obvious he expected him to clarify—was Helian Huimin to marry the previous King Ding or the one before that?

Yelv Ye's face darkened. Mo Xiuyao had already linked marrying Helian Huimin to a lack of decency, making it clear he was determined to push her onto a dead man. If they let this happen, they would lose both the woman and their advantage.

With a cold snort, Yelv Ye said, "Prince Ding, surely you understand the intentions of this prince and the Great Chu emperor. Isn't this obstinacy of yours rather undignified?"

Mo Xiuyao looked even more aggrieved. "Prince, you may not know this," he sighed, "but my ancestors decreed that no foreign woman may enter our family, lest we be unworthy of the Ding Royal Palace's legacy. However, for the sake of our nations' friendship, my father and elder brother, being long deceased, are exempt from the Ding Estate's rules. Isn't this a perfect solution?"

Perfect solution, his foot! Yelv Ye cursed inwardly.

"Your Highness," Helian Huimin rose, gazing at Mo Xiuyao with sorrow. "Huimin has always admired you. Why must you humiliate me so?"

Mo Xiuyao replied coolly, "I have no intention of humiliating you, Miss Helian."

"Then why do you keep refusing?" she pressed. "Our marriage was decreed by the Great Chu emperor—it is rightful. Though I am not of royal blood, I am a noblewoman of Northern Rong, trained in both letters and martial arts. I would hardly disgrace you."

Mo Xiuyao glanced at her, then looked down at Ye Li seated beside him, his voice tender. "In this life, I am content with A Li alone. Miss Helian, what place does your insistence leave for my beloved consort?"

The three in the hall were stunned. Helian Huimin gave Ye Li a complicated look. "Your Highness, would you forsake Great Chu itself for your princess consort?"

Ye Li frowned. "What do you mean by that, Miss Helian? Are you saying that if our prince refuses to marry you, Northern Rong will invade our country?"Helian Huimin naturally wasn't foolish enough to take such bait. She merely looked at Mo Xiuyao and said, "I've heard the Ding Royal Palace has always been loyal to the imperial court. Could it be that Your Highness would defy an imperial decree for Princess Ding? Aren't you afraid the court officials might consider the princess a femme fatale who brings disaster to the nation?"

Mo Xiuyao's expression darkened slightly, as if he had finally discarded his previous theatrical smile. He gazed coolly at Helian Huimin and said, "This prince finds Miss Helian's eloquence quite unlike that of a Northern Rong native—more akin to the silver-tongued people of our Great Chu. Miss Helian, this prince has just one question for you."

Helian Huimin was taken aback. Though she couldn't quite understand why King Ding, who had been so gentle with her words just days before, had suddenly become angered, she still nodded. "Your Highness may ask."

Yelv Ye, standing nearby, frowned and watched Mo Xiuyao warily, sensing that whatever he was about to say wouldn't be pleasant.

Mo Xiuyao's cold eyes remained fixed on Helian Huimin's delicate features until she blushed and turned her head away. Only then did he calmly utter his words: "Miss Helian, could it be that no one wants to marry you?"