Mo Li

In Xinyang City

Ye Li sat leisurely beside Mo Xiuyao, raising an eyebrow in amusement as she read a secret missive she had just received. Noticing her intrigued expression, Mo Xiuyao looked up and asked curiously, "What interesting news have you received?" Ye Li handed him the letter and said, "A noble from the Western Liang palace has emerged and likely arrived at their military camp these past few days."

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly. "A noble from the palace?" Aside from the Western Liang Emperor, the only ones who could be called nobles in the Western Liang palace were the imperial consorts and princesses. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Bai Long?"

"Your Highness is astute," Ye Li praised without hesitation.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his head to read the letter thoroughly before looking back at Ye Li. "I had no idea A Li had such capable people even in Western Liang. Gathering intelligence there isn’t easy these days." Since Han Mingyue had gone to Western Liang, the shadow guards of Prince Ding's Estate had clearly faced obstacles in their operations there. After all, Han Mingyue specialized in intelligence and was quite familiar with the workings of the Ding Royal Palace. "Is An Er currently in Western Liang?"

Ye Li nodded. "Of Zhuo Jing and the others, An Er is the most suited for intelligence work. The news of Su Zuidie—Bai Long’s arrival in Great Chu was extremely discreet. The fact that he managed to uncover it in time shows that the intelligence network in Western Liang is already taking shape. But..." At this point, she frowned. Her original purpose in sending An Er to Western Liang wasn’t to establish an intelligence network but to search for the Underworld Flower and the Blazing Fire Lotus. Unfortunately, there was still no news of the Underworld Flower, and the Blazing Fire Lotus wouldn’t be available until next June or July.

With just a slight thought, Mo Xiuyao understood Ye Li’s original intentions in sending An Er to Western Liang. He gently patted the back of her hand in reassurance and said softly, "Don’t worry. I’ll be fine."

Ye Li smiled and nodded. There was no use fretting over problems that couldn’t be solved immediately. With a faint smile, a hint of mischief curled at the corners of her lips. "Your Highness, do you think we’ll get to witness the charm of the so-called 'First Beauty' this time?"

Mo Xiuyao chuckled helplessly and raised an eyebrow. "What if we do? What if we don’t?"

Ye Li teased, "Would Your Highness not feel any pity for such beauty?"

Mo Xiuyao gazed at her tenderly, his eyes brimming with endless affection. "In your husband’s eyes, you are the only fragrant jade in this world."

Ye Li couldn’t help but twitch her lips, brushing aside his effortless sweet talk.

Since they had received the news beforehand, their actual meeting naturally didn’t evoke the intense emotional fluctuations—whether excitement, joy, or anger—that some might have imagined. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao sat calmly in the flower hall, observing the stunning woman who had just been brought before them.

It had to be said that even the most exquisite portrait couldn’t fully capture the allure of the real person. Though Ye Li had thought the painting was already breathtakingly beautiful, the woman before them now exuded an even more enchanting charm than the ethereal beauty depicted in the portrait.

With a slight curl of her lips, Ye Li glanced at Mo Xiuyao sitting beside her. As if reading her mind, he also turned his head and gave her a faint smile. Ye Li pursed her lips and looked away.In the hall, Su Zuidie looked at the two people seated above with disdain in their eyes, feeling deeply aggrieved. She had imagined many scenarios when meeting Mo Xiuyao again—joy, anger, or even mockery—but she had never expected him to completely ignore her. For a peerless beauty like her, this was nothing short of a humiliating insult.

"Xiu Yao..." Suppressing her fury, Su Zuidie called out softly, her limpid eyes brimming with tears. She gazed at the two with a pitiful expression, her gaze tinged with faint resentment, as if tears might spill at any moment.

Even Ye Li couldn't help but inwardly applaud her acting skills. However, considering Su Zuidie had known Mo Xiuyao since childhood, shouldn't she have some understanding of the Ding Royal Palace? Did she really think such a reunion would have any impact on Mo Xiuyao? Thus, the scene unfolded: a rare beauty of the world stood sorrowfully in the hall, looking at Prince Ding, who was calmly sipping tea, as if he were a heartless man who had wronged her. With Ye Li sitting to the side, watching the spectacle, any outsider would mistake this for a drama where a fickle man had seduced and abandoned a woman, only for her to come seeking justice. The thought made Ye Li stifle a laugh. Both Mo Xiuyao and Su Zuidie turned their eyes to her. Clearing her throat, Ye Li straightened up, trying to appear hospitable. "Well... Imperial Concubine Bai, since you've come from afar, please take a seat."

The title "Imperial Concubine Bai" caused Su Zuidie's expression to shift slightly. She withdrew her lingering gaze from Mo Xiuyao and turned to Ye Li, speaking softly, "So this must be the Princess of the State?"

Ye Li couldn't help but rub her arms, which had broken out in goosebumps. What was with that look, as if she had wronged her? Before Ye Li could respond, Su Zuidie stepped forward and curtsied gracefully. "Princess, thank you for taking care of Xiu Yao. Zui Die is deeply grateful."

This time, Ye Li was completely thrown off balance. She had imagined Su Zuidie to be some breathtaking beauty—though she trusted Mo Xiuyao's feelings for her, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry. But what was this? Was Su Zuidie actually out of her mind? Since she had addressed her as the Princess of the State, why would an outsider need to thank her for taking care of Mo Xiuyao? Shooting Mo Xiuyao an annoyed glance, she silently questioned: What's wrong with your ex-fiancée? Is she mentally unwell? Mo Xiuyao merely smiled nonchalantly in response: How would I know? It's been years since I last saw her—she wasn't like this before. Honestly, my father's taste wasn't this bad!Clearing her throat softly, Ye Li took a sip of tea to compose herself before offering Su Zuidie a gentle smile. "Imperial Concubine Bai, your words are too kind. As husband and wife, Prince Ding and I are one. Taking care of him is my duty. Moreover, given my youth and inexperience, it is usually the prince who looks after me more often. So... there's no need for your gratitude, Imperial Concubine Bai."

Su Zuidie's smile stiffened. Meeting Ye Li's faintly mocking gaze, she suddenly recalled Zhennan Wang's warning: "The Princess of the State is not to be underestimated. Underestimating her will only bring you great trouble." Though the Princess of the State before her was inferior in looks, grace, and talent, she had earned such high praise from Zhennan Wang, stirring an instinctive sense of rivalry and hostility in Su Zuidie. Initially, she had deliberately ignored Ye Li, only shifting her focus when she realized Mo Xiuyao paid her no attention. Yet, after just two exchanges, she found herself at a loss for words.

"Xiu Yao... have you been well all these years?" Finding the Princess of the State harder to deal with than expected, Su Zuidie turned her gaze back to Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly, sipping his tea calmly. "Well enough. Why are you here?"

Su Zuidie bit her cherry lips, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she gazed at him pitifully. "You... do you still hate me? I know you blame me... I wanted to come back so many times, to beg for your forgiveness. But... but I didn't dare... sob..." Before she could finish, pearly tears rolled down her cheeks, painting a heartbreakingly beautiful picture that would have moved any onlooker. Unfortunately, neither of the two present was easily swayed. Suppressing the itch in her throat, Ye Li spoke up, "Imperial Concubine Bai, what His Highness meant to ask was—why are you here?"

"I... I snuck out." Su Zuidie stole a glance at Mo Xiuyao, a delicate blush coloring her flawless cheeks. "I knew Western Liang and Great Chu were at war, and that you would surely be here, Xiu Yao. No matter what... I am still a citizen of Great Chu. I can't go back now. If I'm caught, the Emperor and Zhennan Wang will never spare me... Xiu Yao... please don't send me away..." Ye Li silently looked up at the sky. Understood—Su Zuidie was trying to play them for fools.

With a faint lift of her brow, Ye Li decided to indulge her. "Imperial Concubine Bai, is Young Master Mingyue in Western Liang?"

Su Zuidie glanced at her, reluctant to answer. But seeing Mo Xiuyao also watching her, she whispered, "I haven't seen Han Gongzi in a long time."

Ye Li continued, "Speaking of which... Han Mingyue committed treason by defecting to the enemy, a crime punishable by death. But the man is too cunning—His Highness and I haven't been able to track him down yet. Could Imperial Concubine Bai perhaps persuade him to return to Great Chu?" Su Zuidie frowned in displeasure. "I don't know where he is. I truly haven't seen him in ages. Really, Xiu Yao, I wouldn't lie to you."

Mo Xiuyao remained indifferent. Ye Li smiled. "No matter. As long as Imperial Concubine Bai is here, Young Master Mingyue will surely come knocking. Isn't that right, Your Highness?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "A Li is absolutely right. I happen to have a score to settle with Han Mingyue. Imperial Concubine Bai shall be left in A Li's care."Hearing this, Su Zuidie was visibly shaken, clutching her chest as she gazed sorrowfully at Mo Xiuyao. "Xiu Yao... you still hate me after all. You want to use me to capture Young Master Han?"

Ye Li leisurely admired her slender fingers while smiling at Su Zuidie. "Isn't Imperial Concubine Bai here to seek our prince's forgiveness?"

Su Zuidie hesitated for a moment before nodding. Ye Li clapped her hands cheerfully. "That's wonderful! As long as Imperial Concubine Bai helps us capture Young Master Mingyue, our prince will surely believe in her sincerity. Isn't that right, Your Highness?" Mo Xiuyao looked tenderly at Ye Li and said softly, "A Li is right." This gentle side of Mo Xiuyao made Su Zuidie even more unable to accept it. Staring blankly at the two, she was momentarily speechless. Not giving her a chance to refuse, Ye Li smiled and said, "So Imperial Concubine Bai agrees? That's excellent. In that case, Imperial Concubine Bai can rest assured and stay here in Xinyang City. I guarantee that neither the Western Liang emperor nor Prince Zhennan's people will lay a finger on you." Of course, sending messages would be even more out of the question.

Su Zuidie was only stunned for a moment before the matter was settled in Ye Li's laughter, leaving her with no room to argue.

Having achieved her goal, Ye Li cheerfully called for someone to escort Su Zuidie to rest and instructed them to ensure Imperial Concubine Bai's safety at all costs.

Watching Su Zuidie leave unwillingly, the smile on Ye Li's face gradually faded as she frowned. "What exactly is Prince Zhennan up to?" Su Zuidie might be good at acting, but she couldn't deceive Mo Xiuyao, who knew her true nature. If she was meant to be a spy infiltrating Xinyang City, she was clearly unqualified. Ye Li had hundreds of ways to ensure she couldn't pass on even half a word to anyone.

Mo Xiuyao's expression darkened as well. "Prince Zhennan of Western Liang would never use such an obviously useless method. A Li, have people keep an eye on the movements in the Western Liang camp." Ye Li nodded. "Are you saying Su Zuidie is just a decoy to divert our attention, and Prince Zhennan has other plans?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded. If he wanted a spy, Prince Zhennan wouldn't choose Su Zuidie—she was too conspicuous. If he intended to use her for a beauty trap, it would be beneath him.

"I understand. I'll send people to monitor the Western Liang camp and Prince Zhennan's movements."