The room was enveloped in silence, broken only by the sound of Mo Xiuyao leisurely placing the scattered chess pieces back onto the board. Just as Han Mingyue thought Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t respond, he heard the indifferent reply, “So what?”
Han Mingyue smiled wryly. Indeed, so what? Even if the martial world and the imperial court were thrown into chaos, what did it have to do with the Ding Royal Palace? Moreover, with the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity’s influence in Great Chu now diminished, the impact on Great Chu would be minimal. The Ding Royal Palace could even take the opportunity to insert their own people. Rubbing his forehead, Han Mingyue pondered for a long while before lifting his gaze to his former friend. “What’s in it for me?”
Mo Xiuyao’s smile was cold. “This king is sparing your life. Isn’t that benefit enough?”
Han Mingyue was speechless. He had always assumed, out of habit, that Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t kill him, forgetting that their bond had shattered the moment he chose betrayal. Staring at the composed and indifferent Mo Xiuyao before him, Han Mingyue suddenly realized—if he refused, Mo Xiuyao truly wouldn’t show mercy. With a resigned shrug, he said, “It seems I have no choice.” Mo Xiuyao remained silent, his eyes fixed on the chessboard. Han Mingyue frowned and asked, “What do you intend to do with Zui Die?”
A flicker of emotion finally crossed Mo Xiuyao’s calm expression. His brows furrowed slightly, and the visible part of his handsome face beneath the mask clearly displayed disgust. “That is A Li’s matter. This king has no interest in it.” His words outright handed Su Zuidie’s fate over to Ye Li.
“Do you truly not care about Zui Die at all?” Han Mingyue pressed, his voice low.
Mo Xiuyao lifted his gaze to meet his, a faint mockery flashing in his eyes. “If this king truly cared for her, do you think you would still be alive?” Precisely because he had never loved Su Zuidie, he had let her and Han Mingyue leave together, even helping them cover their tracks. Yet, it turned out that Su Zuidie’s departure with Han Mingyue had merely been a ploy to quell his anger. After leaving the Chu capital, she had callously abandoned Han Mingyue and headed straight for Western Liang, where she became the daughter of the Bai family and later an Imperial Concubine of Western Liang. From start to finish, Han Mingyue had been nothing more than a pawn.
Han Mingyue looked at Mo Xiuyao with envy, smiling faintly. “Sometimes, I truly envy you. We’ve known each other since childhood. I fell for Zui Die almost the moment I saw her, yet her eyes were always fixed on you. And you… to be honest, I never once noticed you genuinely caring for anyone or anything before—except for the Ding Royal Palace and your father and elder brother.” Mo Xiuyao arched a brow. “Are you blaming this king for not treating you well enough, which led to your betrayal?”The casual mention of the word "betrayal" still caused Han Mingyue's expression to shift slightly. Betraying the person he once considered his best friend and sworn brother in this life was an inexpressible guilt and sin that would forever weigh on his heart. He shook his head slightly, "No, the second young master of the Ding Royal Palace... dashing and unrestrained, chivalrous and loyal to friends. But... Xiu Yao, do you know? From the very beginning, I knew you didn't love Zui Die." At this point, as if remembering something, Han Mingyue suddenly laughed. Seeing Mo Xiuyao's gaze upon him, Han Mingyue smiled even more cheerfully, "You treated Zui Die very well, giving her all the good things you had, fulfilling any reasonable request she made. Unlike other young nobles, you never lingered among flowers, never glanced at other women, like that equally famous Consort Liu. But... you also never truly looked at Zui Die. Such a peerless beauty, yet in your eyes, she seemed no different from any ordinary woman in the world. When I, when Feng San, when almost everyone our age was struggling with love, you remained completely detached, as if you weren't of this world at all. Back then, I thought... perhaps I wasn't without a chance."
Mo Xiuyao recalled their reckless youth at fifteen or sixteen, a hint of nostalgia surfacing, "Perhaps it was because I hadn't met that one person... If you had told me directly back then, and Su Zui Die had agreed, I would have stepped aside for you." Looking back, Mo Xiuyao had to admit Han Mingyue was right. He didn't even feel anger at Han Mingyue's blatant admission of coveting his fiancée. As long as it wasn't his A Li, as long as the other party consented, he didn't think stepping aside for true love would damage his pride. Of course, Han Mingyue and Su Zui Die were impossible—because what Su Zui Die wanted was never Han Mingyue. He might truly have been heartless, but only because he hadn't yet met the one he desired.
"But... I forgot... even if it wasn't you, it didn't necessarily have to be me." Han Mingyue's voice carried traces of pain and conflict. When he left the capital with the woman he had admired for years, torn between guilt and joy, he realized that betraying his friend wasn't the most painful moment of his life. It was when he discovered the woman he adored wasn't what he had imagined, yet he remained hopelessly trapped in his feelings, unable to free himself. "I truly envy you... Xiu Yao, spare Zui Die's life. I beg you..."
"What will Young Master Mingyue offer in exchange for Su Zui Die's life?" Ye Li's voice, clear and melodious, drifted in from outside the door.
Mo Xiuyao set down the chess piece in his hand, rose, and went to the door to take Ye Li's hand, leading her inside. He asked softly, "What brings you here?" Ye Li smiled faintly, glancing at Han Mingyue as she said, "It seems in Zhennan Wang's eyes, Young Master Mingyue is far more valuable than the most beautiful woman in the world." Han Mingyue smiled bitterly, "The Princess jokes. Don't you understand as well, Princess? I won't run away." Ye Li tilted her head, sighing as she looked at Han Mingyue, "Ah, what is love in this world... If not for these extraordinary circumstances, this Princess truly wouldn't have the heart to trouble Young Master Mingyue."Han Mingyue lowered his gaze in silence. Had he really fallen to the point of needing others' pity?
"What does the Princess Consort wish for me to exchange? I just completed a transaction with the Prince and now have nothing left to my name." Han Mingyue spread his hands, smiling at Ye Li.
Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled. "Do you even believe those words yourself, Young Master Han? Even a cunning hare has three burrows. How could someone as intelligent as you stake everything solely on the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity?" Han Mingyue's smile faded slightly as he gave Ye Li a deep look, sighing. "Xiu Yao is truly fortunate to have married you." Ye Li replied softly, "I appreciate your kind words."
Han Mingyue said nothing more, retrieving a jade pendant from his sleeve and tossing it to her. "Since the Princess Consort is so confident, surely you know how to make use of this?" Ye Li seemed quite pleased with the pendant, smiling. "Young Master Han is indeed generous. Since you’ve been so forthcoming, I won’t be petty either. Once the siege of Xinyang is lifted, you may take Miss Su and leave." Having obtained the reward she desired, Ye Li no longer deliberately referred to Su Zuidie as the Imperial Concubine to provoke Han Mingyue.
Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "Why not now?"
Ye Li's smile was gentle and innocent. "I’m merely considering your best interests. Of course, if you’re in a hurry to leave, I won’t stop you."
After a long silence, Han Mingyue finally cupped his hands in a slight bow. "Then I shall trouble the Princess Consort for now."
Leaving Han Mingyue’s courtyard, the two walked hand in hand. Mo Xiuyao glanced down at Ye Li, who was idly toying with the jade pendant, and asked softly, "A Li, why let Han Mingyue and Su Zuidie go?" Ye Li paused, raising an eyebrow. "Didn’t you not intend to take their lives?"
Mo Xiuyao gave a light scoff. "Their lives are worth nothing. Keeping or discarding them is just a matter of words." Ye Li sighed inwardly. So, she had misunderstood—thinking Mo Xiuyao was reluctant to kill Han Mingyue and Su Zuidie but couldn’t bring himself to say it. After spending so much time together, how could she have thought him so indecisive? Had she really been influenced by Su Zuidie?
"For Mingxi’s sake, it’s better to spare Han Mingyue. And if we spare him, we can’t very well kill Su Zuidie—otherwise, Han Mingyue might truly turn against us. Su Zuidie is the best leverage to keep him in check." After a moment’s thought, Ye Li added with a soft laugh, "Besides, we’ve already extracted a sufficient price. Isn’t this more than enough to buy their two lives?"
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, eyeing the pendant in her hand curiously. "What treasure has made A Li so pleased?"Ye Li smiled, "Aren’t you curious where all the money from the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity has gone over the years? Han Mingyue is known to love money as much as his life—would the funds under his control be insignificant? Yet, whether it’s the current Han family or the various branches of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity we raided in Great Chu, hardly any substantial wealth was found, wasn’t it?" Mo Xiuyao looked at the jade pendant in surprise. "Han Mingyue’s assets?"
Ye Li chuckled, "Not just money, but also provisions, textiles, weapons, medicinal herbs… Han Mingyue truly lives up to his name. When it comes to making money, he far surpasses even Mingxi. It’s just a pity… his mind occasionally goes awry." Speaking of this, Ye Li couldn’t help but feel regret. Among all the people she had met in this world—including Leng Haoyu and even the Feng family—no one had Han Mingyue’s talent for amassing wealth. When she saw the results of Wei Lin’s investigation, she couldn’t help but sigh. If Han Mingyue hadn’t been weighed down by Su Zuidie, she wouldn’t have minded collaborating with him. But since cooperation was impossible now, she might as well reap the benefits.
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "Han Mingyue wanted to profit from the chaos of war?" If even A Li was tempted, one could imagine just how vast the resources Han Mingyue had stockpiled must be.
"In times of turmoil, those with vision need not worry about failing to prosper," Ye Li said with a smile.
Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Since A Li says so, keeping them around doesn’t matter. However, you’d best have someone keep an eye on Su Zuidie." Ye Li gave him a surprised look. Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and smiled. "I know A Li thinks Su Zuidie is insignificant, right? But in truth… without Su Zuidie, Han Mingyue wouldn’t be a threat at all. Do you understand what I mean?"
Ye Li nodded. "I understand. I’ll have someone watch Su Zuidie." She had indeed, consciously or not, underestimated Su Zuidie. But Mo Xiuyao wasn’t wrong—if Su Zuidie had no ability at all, how could she have controlled Han Mingyue for so many years?
OpenNovel