Mo Li

“Miss Helian, are you unable to find a husband?”

The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned tense. Helian Huimin’s face, still flushed, was now filled with unconcealable shock. Such words would undoubtedly be a profound insult to any unmarried woman. Ye Li glanced at Mo Xiuyao in surprise. She knew his temper was far from gentle, but he had never deliberately humiliated a woman before—not even Lingyun Gongzhu from Western Liang last year, despite her arrogance. Yet, as a woman and his wife, Ye Li couldn’t deny the faint sweetness that rose in her heart when Mo Xiuyao treated Helian Huimin so mercilessly.

“Prince Ding, you’ve gone too far!” Yelv Ye’s expression darkened as he glared at Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao lifted his gaze indifferently and smiled faintly. “What do you mean, Prince Yelv?”

“Huimin is willing to marry into Great Chu for the sake of diplomatic relations between our two nations. Even if Your Highness looks down on noblewomen of Northern Rong, you should not insult her so openly! This prince will report this matter to your emperor and demand justice for Huimin!” Yelv Ye declared indignantly.

“Justice?” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with mockery. “This prince is the one seeking justice. In the Golden Hall, I personally rejected the imperial marriage decree and repeatedly stated that the Ding Royal Palace has only one mistress. Yet, Prince Yelv and Miss Helian have repeatedly come to disturb us, even slandering and trying to drive a wedge between my beloved wife and me in her presence. Does Prince Yelv not understand how crucial the mistress of the Ding Royal Palace is? If A Li were to misunderstand me because of this, who would I turn to for justice? If this were a woman of Great Chu, she would have gracefully withdrawn after being tactfully rejected. But the two of you not only visit daily but also spread rumors to tarnish A Li’s reputation. It makes me wonder if Miss Helian was forced upon me because she couldn’t find a husband in Northern Rong. The Ding Royal Palace will have only one mistress. If Miss Helian insists on staying, she may serve as a lowly cleaning maid—though she is unqualified to be a first-rank maid. The first-rank maids in Prince Ding’s Estate are, at the very least, well-educated and virtuous women.”

“Prince Ding, you—!” Helian Huimin seemed to snap out of her daze only to hear Mo Xiuyao’s ruthless words. Her face flushed crimson with anger, and tears shimmered in her beautiful eyes. Yet, instead of retreating or breaking down, she turned to Ye Li. “Since the Princess of the State enjoys Prince Ding’s deep affection, don’t you have anything to say? Or does the Princess of the State only know how to hide behind Prince Ding and reap the benefits?”

Ye Li sighed inwardly. This girl was truly not simple. An ordinary woman, so blatantly humiliated by a man, would either flee in tears or sob uncontrollably. But this Miss Helian not withstood the blow—she still had the energy to counterattack. Blinking innocently, Ye Li smiled sweetly. “Miss Helian, isn’t it natural for a man to protect his woman? With His Highness here, I need not worry about anything. My husband and I are deeply in love and have no intention of allowing anyone else between us. I hope Miss Helian will understand.”"It's only natural for men to have multiple wives and concubines. Your Great Chu also expects women to be virtuous and gentle. Aren't you afraid of criticism for saying such things, Princess Consort?" Yelv Ye said.

Ye Li smiled, "In our Great Chu, we also expect women to understand propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. Women who actively seek marriage are absolutely unacceptable. Moreover... I simply don't like the idea of His Highness taking concubines. Let those who wish to criticize do so as they please."

Helian Huimin clearly hadn't expected Ye Li to be so different from typical Great Chu women, proving so difficult on this matter. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Aren't you afraid His Majesty will blame the Ding Royal Palace for this?"

"Blame?" Ye Li's delicate brows furrowed slightly. Just as others thought she might waver, she bit her pearly teeth and said, "Later, I'll go to the palace to seek punishment. Miss Helian... no, anyone who wants to marry into the Ding Royal Palace can do so—I'll just slit my throat with a sword and vacate the position of Princess Consort. Then His Highness can marry whomever he pleases!" With that, she glanced at Mo Xiuyao and asked, "Your Highness, what do you think?" The gloom on Mo Xiuyao's face instantly dissipated. Without regard for the two outsiders present, he pulled Ye Li into his embrace and laughed, "My beloved consort mustn't do such a thing. If you suffer even the slightest harm, I would feel it as my own. In that case, I'd have to crush all those who harmed you to ease the hatred in my heart."

Ye Li nodded in satisfaction and turned back to Helian Huimin. "Miss Helian, you see? Even if I die, His Highness won't marry you." Before Helian Huimin could retort, Yelv Ye stopped her. Rising to his feet, Yelv Ye said, "In that case, we've disturbed Your Highness and the Princess Consort today. I shall take my leave now."

"Farewell," Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently.

After seeing off the unwelcome guests, Ye Li turned to study Mo Xiuyao with a teasing smile. "With such a beauty showing affection, Your Highness is truly blessed with good fortune."

Mo Xiuyao looked at her helplessly. "To me, only A Li is a beauty. This one... is just an unexpected nuisance."

Ye Li frowned. "Why wasn't this so-called marriage alliance mentioned at all by Northern Rong before?" The preparations required for a formal marriage alliance between two nations could be seen in how busy the Ministry of Rites had been these past two months. It was nothing like Helian Huimin's sudden appearance—more like a childish game than a serious proposal. Mo Xiuyao explained, "Yelv Ye only brought it up after the Northern Rong marriage envoy arrived in the capital. It likely wasn't the Northern Rong King's idea but Yelv Ye's own impulsive decision." Ye Li was puzzled. "Impulsive? If he wanted to plant a spy in Prince Ding's Estate, this approach is far too obvious." Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "Plant a spy? Yelv Ye wouldn't attempt something he knows is impossible. Even if he did, he wouldn't do it so clumsily. He just wants to make a grand spectacle to annoy me. After all, that Helian Huimin is merely Helian Zhen's adopted daughter—who knows what her true origins are? Whether she's ruined or dead, it would be no loss to him."

Ye Li snorted lightly. "In that case, Your Highness should explain the rumors currently spreading in the capital."

Mo Xiuyao smiled. "The rumors about A Li being unvirtuous? I had those spread."

"So Your Highness has been dissatisfied with me for a long time?" Ye Li gave him a sidelong glance and said coolly.Mo Xiuyao smiled, "How could that be? This king adores his consort's lack of virtue."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, "I suppose the palace will summon me for a talk soon?"

"A Li, go ahead and push everything onto me. This king wants the whole world to know that even if the Princess of the State is neither virtuous nor free from jealousy, she is still this king's only beloved consort." Lightly embracing Ye Li's slender waist, Mo Xiuyao spoke in a deep voice.

Ye Li fell silent, leaning against Mo Xiuyao's chest as she slowly calmed the turbulent waves in her heart.

The palace's response came swiftly—so swiftly that before the next day arrived, messengers were already summoning Ye Li to the palace that very afternoon. The two, who had been admiring flowers in the garden, were not surprised. Since they had staged this imperial marriage decree spectacle, the palace would hardly remain silent. Mo Xiuyao set down his painting brush and stood to accompany Ye Li into the palace, but she pressed him back down with a hand. "The Empress Dowager summoned me. Why are you going?"

Mo Xiuyao chuckled, "Does this king need the Empress Dowager's summons to enter the palace?"

Ye Li sneered, "They want to talk to me. If you insist on tagging along, they won’t say what they mean this time and will just scheme for another opportunity. Might as well let them say everything at once. This princess wants to see exactly what they have to say!"

At this point, Ye Li couldn’t help but feel exasperated. She had thought she’d married a man no one would dare covet, yet look at this past year—first there was that Lingyun Gongzhu, then that cousin Consort Liu whom Mo Xiuyao had tossed outside the city walls, and now this Miss Helian. Were these women just bored, or was Mo Xiuyao’s face not disfigured enough to deter them?

Noticing Ye Li’s scrutinizing gaze on his face, Mo Xiuyao rubbed his forehead innocently and smiled, "In that case, A Li, be careful. And stay away from that Yelv Ye."

Ye Li blinked in surprise, looking at him in confusion. Mo Xiuyao, slightly flustered under her gaze, gave a light hum and pulled her into his arms, nipping lightly at her crimson lips. "Just stay away from him."

Ye Li smiled faintly, "Is the king jealous?"

Mo Xiuyao didn’t deny it, nodding. "Indeed. So, my princess, keep your distance from him. Understood?"

Ye Li slipped out of his embrace, covering her lips as she stifled a laugh. "Your Highness, too much jealousy is bad for your health." Before Mo Xiuyao could react, she turned and strode away briskly.

Mo Xiuyao let out a helpless chuckle. With such an outstanding wife, how could he not be jealous often? If possible, he’d prefer A Li to stay in the palace all day, doing nothing but keeping him company. But he knew that was impossible—not just because of the political situation and the status of Ding Royal Palace, but because Ye Li was not someone anyone could truly restrain.

Watching Ye Li’s figure disappear at the end of the corridor, the smile on Mo Xiuyao’s face gradually faded, replaced by a chilling solemnity.

A marriage alliance? An imperial decree? Did Yelv Ye think he didn’t know what he was plotting?

Yelv Ye, provoking this king is not a wise move. It seems Yelü Ping’s lesson wasn’t enough to make you remember.

"Summon someone."

"Your Highness."

"Reply to Yelv Hong’s envoy. This king agrees to his proposal."

"Yes, Your Highness."The Zhangde Palace remained as magnificent as ever, but Ye Li knew that since Prince Li's rebellion, the Empress Dowager's influence in the palace had been suppressed and restricted by the emperor at every turn, no longer what it once was. Although the Empress Dowager had favored Prince Li, she was still the emperor's birth mother. In the Great Chu, filial piety came first, so even with the estrangement between mother and son, the emperor had to maintain a semblance of respect for her. Stepping into Zhangde Palace again, Ye Li's state of mind was much calmer than before.

"Ye Li pays her respects to the Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress," Ye Li said softly, curtsying slightly as she entered the hall.

"Princess Ding need not stand on ceremony. Please, take a seat," the Empress said gently.

Ye Li expressed her thanks and sat in the foremost vacant seat, glancing with slight puzzlement at the gathered noblewomen of the court and Helian Huimin, who sat opposite her with an expression of serene composure. Ye Li couldn't help but admire this woman—there was no trace of the humiliation and resentment she had shown when leaving Ding Royal Palace. Even the look she gave Ye Li was calm and dignified. "What occasion brings everyone here today? It seems I’ve arrived late," Ye Li remarked. With status came the privilege of speaking more freely. As long as Ye Li didn’t foolishly suggest rebellion, few would dare criticize her even if she misspoke.

The Empress smiled. "Not at all. Even I, who reside in the palace, have only just arrived. The Northern Rong envoys sent some of their local specialties to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager the other day, and she thought to invite everyone to sample them. But you’ve been away from the capital, so it wasn’t until your return today that Her Majesty summoned us to Zhangde Palace for this gathering."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "I’m grateful for the Empress Dowager’s thoughtfulness. I merely spent a few days visiting my royal aunt." Though the Empress seemed to say little, Ye Li understood her meaning. Giving an almost imperceptible nod, the Empress turned to converse with the imperial concubine beside her.

The Empress Dowager said mildly, "You seldom visit the palace, so I had to seize this opportunity to invite you and gather everyone together. How is the Grand Princess?"

"Her Royal Highness is in good health. Thank you for your concern," Ye Li replied politely.

A warm gaze settled on Ye Li, and she responded with a faint, reassuring smile to Madam Xu, whose eyes were filled with worry. Yet inwardly, Ye Li sneered. These people had planned well, thinking that with her aunt present, she would be constrained by propriety and agree to their demands. Calmly averting her eyes, Ye Li turned to meet another gaze fixed upon her—one far more complex than Madam Xu’s concern, laden with scrutiny and resentment. Without looking, she knew it was Consort Liu, seated beside the Empress Dowager. These days, not only had the Empress Dowager grown haggard and aged, but even Consort Liu had changed. The icy indifference she once exuded now carried something else, making the pear-blossom-like woman seem unpredictable. Ye Li gave her a slight nod, but Consort Liu ignored it, staring fixedly at her with a gaze that made Ye Li frown in discomfort.

"Princess Ding, Miss Helian will now be part of Ding Royal Palace. She has traveled far from Northern Rong, so you must treat her well," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, as if Prince Ding’s public rejection of the marriage had never happened.Ye Li had no intention of being polite—she certainly didn't want to spend her days fending off concubines sent to Mo Xiuyao by others. Setting down her teacup, she blinked in feigned confusion. "Miss Helian? Does the Empress Dowager mean that Miss Helian has agreed to become a cleaning maid in the Ding Royal Palace? Your Majesty need not worry—the Prince Ding's Estate never mistreats servants, and as Princess Ding, I would never casually quarrel with subordinates."

"A cleaning maid?!" Even the experienced Empress Dowager was momentarily stunned.

Ye Li smiled faintly at Helian Huimin and asked innocently, "Is that not the case? Previously, His Highness made it clear in front of me, Prince Yelu, and Miss Helian that she was only permitted to enter the estate as a cleaning maid. Does Your Majesty bring this up now because it's a different matter? Have I misunderstood?"

The Empress Dowager stiffened, replying sternly, "Princess Ding jests. How could someone of Miss Helian's status be reduced to a menial servant?"

Ye Li tilted her head in puzzlement. "Status? As the adopted daughter of General Helian? Such status would indeed be wasted on a cleaning maid. However, this was His Highness's decree. Though I am Princess Ding, I cannot defy my husband's will. It seems Miss Helian and our Ding Royal Palace are simply not fated."

The Empress Dowager could clearly see this was Ye Li's evasion. Frowning, she said, "Princess Ding, the Emperor's decree of marriage in court is not something you can dismiss with nonsense. His Majesty has asked this Dowager to inquire—when does the Ding Royal Palace intend to hold the wedding? Preferably before the Northern Rong marriage envoy departs. What are your plans?"

With a composed smile, Ye Li replied calmly, "I report to the Empress Dowager—the Ding Royal Palace has no intention of holding any wedding."