Han Mingyue carefully observed Su Zuidie, quietly letting out a sigh of relief. Though she had grown thinner, it seemed she hadn’t suffered any torment. The scar on her forehead wasn’t very noticeable either, and even if it left a mark, it certainly wouldn’t affect her beauty.
When Su Zuidie saw Han Mingyue arrive, a flicker of joy flashed across her face, but she quickly suppressed it. "Did you bring the Purple Stamen Elixir?" she asked.
Han Mingyue frowned. "Did Princess Ding not give you any medicine for your wound? Does it still hurt?"
The mention of Ye Li immediately struck a nerve. Su Zuidie flicked her sleeve in cold fury. "Don’t mention that wretched woman!"
With a sigh, Han Mingyue took out a delicate porcelain vial from his robes and handed it to her. Su Zuidie accepted it, opened it, and sniffed the contents. Satisfied, she turned and went into the room to apply the medicine in front of a bronze mirror.
Han Mingyue followed her into the bedroom. The furnishings inside were undeniably plain, and he understood now where her earlier anger toward the maid had come from. Raised in luxury since childhood, Su Zuidie had never been one to endure hardship. Even the slightest inferiority in quality was unacceptable to her. Being confined by Ye Li in such a crude place, it was no wonder her mood was foul.
Once she finished applying the medicine, Su Zuidie finally turned her attention back to Han Mingyue, pleased to see a trace of infatuation and admiration in his eyes. It restored some of the confidence that had been battered during her time here. Tilting her head slightly, she arched a beautiful smile and asked softly, "Mingyue, have you come to save me?"
Han Mingyue’s expression shifted slightly. He sighed and nodded. "If I weren’t here to save you, why else would I come? I’ve arranged for people outside to assist us. We can leave soon."
Su Zuidie hesitated, then shook her head. "No, I can’t leave just yet."
Han Mingyue frowned. "What else do you have here?"
"Ye Li!" Su Zuidie gritted her teeth. "That wretched woman… Go and kill her for me."
Han Mingyue’s smile turned strained and bitter. He gazed at her intently, trying to reason with her. "Zuidie, I promised… I wouldn’t act against Ye Li again."
It wasn’t just because of Mo Xiuyao—it was also because of Han Mingxi. No matter how blindly infatuated Han Mingyue was with Su Zuidie, Han Mingxi was still his only younger brother, his closest blood relative in this world. He knew full well how his brother felt about Ye Li. Though he understood it was one-sided, Han Mingyue also knew that if he truly harmed Ye Li, Han Mingxi would never forgive him. He had never truly considered turning against the brother he had raised since childhood.
Su Zuidie’s expression darkened. She sneered. "Promises! Always promises! I knew it—in your heart, I mean nothing. If that’s the case, why bother with whether I live or die? I don’t need Young Master Han’s help to save me. Even if Ye Li kills me, it’ll be my own fault. Just leave—don’t worry about me."
"Zuidie," Han Mingyue said sternly. "This isn’t the time for tantrums. Just getting out safely is already difficult enough. Trying to harm Ye Li is impossible. You should have realized by now—Mo Xiuyao won’t take your side."Stung by the painful truth, Su Zuidie faltered for a moment, realizing Han Mingyue's words held reason. Yet, the thought of letting Ye Li off so easily rankled her. With a coy glance, she turned to Han Mingyue and said sweetly, "So, you mean you'll help me teach her a lesson when the opportunity arises, right?"
Han Mingyue was taken aback. His intention had been to dissuade Zui Die from provoking Ye Li further. But now was clearly not the time for reasoning, so he nodded perfunctorily and replied, "There will be chances in the future." Su Zuidie smiled radiantly, lowering her eyes as she murmured, "I knew you would always be the one who treats me best in this world." She was well aware Han Mingyue was merely humoring her, but it didn’t matter. Once he agreed, she had ways to ensure he followed through. When it came to Han Mingyue, Su Zuidie had boundless confidence and methods at her disposal.
"If you wish to deal with me, why wait for another time? I’m right here," a serene voice laced with faint amusement drifted in from the outer chamber. Han Mingyue’s heart jolted as he silently berated himself for failing to notice someone entering the outer hall. Ye Li’s light laughter followed, "Young Master Mingyue, it’s been a long time since we parted in Guangling. Won’t you come out and reminisce with me?"
Han Mingyue glanced down at Su Zuidie, offering her a reassuring smile as he said gently, "Don’t be afraid. Nothing will happen. Let’s go out and see."
Passing through the screen, they stepped into the outer hall where Ye Li lounged lazily on a daybed, her eyes curved in amusement as she regarded the pair.
Spotting Han Mingyue, she remarked with a smile, "Young Master Mingyue, your skills are impressive. It seems Xinyang City and the Prefect’s residence are as open to you as if they were unguarded." If Han Mingyue hadn’t grasped the situation by now, he wouldn’t have been fit to be the Lord of Tianyi Pavilion, master of the world’s intelligence network. He gave a wry smile, "I suspect it’s only because Princess Ding has been lenient." With such capable subordinates under her command, how could she have failed to notice his presence in the Prefect’s residence for so long? She must have laid a trap long ago, waiting for him to walk right into it. Ye Li’s lips curved slightly as she murmured, "Young Master Mingyue’s devotion is truly worthy of being called the greatest romantic of our time. I admire it greatly. Since Imperial Concubine Bai is here, how could you not come?" Han Mingyue caught the mockery in her words but merely smiled faintly, offering no reply.Ye Li rested her chin on her hand, watching the two with a faint smile. "Originally, out of respect for Mingxi, I shouldn’t make things difficult for you, Young Master Han. But the current situation is rather special, so... I’m afraid I must offend." Han Mingyue cupped his hands and smiled calmly. "To fall into the hands of the Princess Consort, Han Mingyue accepts it wholeheartedly. I am at your disposal." Ye Li gave a slight nod, feeling a trace of pity for the still-elegant man before her. Family background, looks, ability, methods—Han Mingyue lacked none, even surpassing ordinary men in many ways. No wonder he had been Mo Xiuyao’s close friend in their youth. Yet, despite being a natural prodigy, he had fallen to this state simply because he couldn’t overcome the trials of love.
Han Mingyue’s days in Western Liang had not been easy. Even with the vast influence of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity at his disposal, he could have lived freely and unrestrained anywhere—if only he could let go of Su Zuidie. But he insisted on entangling himself with her. While the Western Liang royal court certainly coveted the power he held, they also regarded him as an outsider, guarding against him with even greater vigilance. Worse still, they eyed his resources with greed—after all, what belonged to others could never be as convenient as what was one’s own.
"Take Young Master Han away," Ye Li said softly, waving her hand.
Han Mingyue smiled at her. "Won’t Prince Ding come out to see an old friend?" Ye Li regarded him coolly. "Do you think His Highness has the leisure to spare time for friends right now?" Han Mingyue pondered for a moment before nodding in understanding. Frowning slightly, he asked, "I see now why the Princess Consort has gone to such lengths. If I were to give you what you seek, what would you offer in exchange?"
Ye Li studied Han Mingyue for a long while before letting out a soft laugh. "Young Master Han thinks I intend to make a deal with you?" Han Mingyue raised a brow, confirming that was indeed his assumption. Ye Li sighed regretfully. "Had you come to me directly for a trade, I might have agreed. But now, after expending so much effort to finally detain you, I’d feel rather shortchanged if we merely exchanged equivalents. Besides, I can obtain what I need without making any deal with you."
Han Mingyue’s expression darkened with disbelief. "That’s impossible. If the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity could be so easily mastered, I wouldn’t have lasted this long." Ye Li shook her head. "To be honest, I have no interest in the Pavilion. Such a vast intelligence network—even if you handed it over willingly, do you think I’d dare use it?"
Han Mingyue stared warily at the graceful woman seated before him. From their very first meeting, he had never once guessed her thoughts correctly, and this only deepened the inexplicable unease in his heart. Then, Ye Li spoke calmly, "Since it cannot serve me, my suggestion is—destroy it."
Han Mingyue drew a sharp breath, his refined face finally showing shock. "You want to destroy the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity?!" The very Pavilion that countless ambitious heroes, even emperors and generals, had coveted beyond measure—the Pavilion that held the secrets of half the world in its grasp—this woman before him wanted to annihilate it without batting an eye.
"In fact," Ye Li said lightly, "I’ve already begun."Han Mingyue closed his eyes briefly. When he reopened them, his gaze was utterly calm. "There's someone from you in the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity."
Ye Li smiled appreciatively and lightly clapped her hands. A gray-clad man entered from outside, calmly glancing at the slightly pale Han Mingyue and Su Zuidie beside him before bowing respectfully to Ye Li. "Subordinate An Si greets the Princess Consort." Ye Li nodded with a smile. "Rise. You've worked hard these days." An Si replied solemnly, "I failed to fully accomplish your orders. I dare not claim hardship for my shortcomings." Ye Li said, "You've done well. Like Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, from today onward, you are no longer a shadow guard." An Si bowed again. "Subordinate Wei Lin greets the Princess Consort."
Han Mingyue's face turned ashen as he stared at Wei Lin and asked hoarsely, "You're a shadow guard from Prince Ding's Estate?"
Wei Lin straightened and met his gaze. "Indeed. I must thank the Pavilion Master for your care these days."
Han Mingyue's smile was bitter. Care? In less than half a year, he had promoted this previously unknown man to become his most trusted right-hand man. It was partly because the man had once saved his life at great risk, but more because he admired his talent and capability. Turning weakly back to Ye Li, he said, "I never imagined the shadow guards of Ding Royal Palace had become so formidable—or is it that the Princess Consort's people are especially outstanding?" He had once been close friends with Mo Xiuyao and knew something about the estate's shadow guards. But Wei Lin's abilities and methods far exceeded those of ordinary shadow guards. Initially, he had suspected Wei Lin might be a spy sent by Zhennan Wang, the Bai family of Western Liang, or even the Western Liang emperor or other factions. Yet all investigations proved he had no connection to them. Thus, he had given his trust—only to discover Wei Lin was from Ding Royal Palace.
Ye Li smiled faintly. "You flatter me, Young Master Han. Please step down now. Perhaps His Highness will speak with you when he has time. As for your people in the northwest... there's no need for you to trouble yourself over them. It would be futile anyway, wouldn't it?"
Han Mingyue was speechless. After a long pause, he finally said, "The Princess Consort is formidable. Han Mingyue admits defeat."
Ye Li smiled without responding and waved for him to be taken away.
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