Mo Li

Throughout the northwest, especially within Hongzhou, battles of various scales occurred almost daily. This time, however, Ye Li was not leading the charge personally but instead commanded from the city of Hongzhou. She was no longer alone—her womb now cradled a tiny, almost imperceptible life. This was her and Mo Xiuyao's first child. Though she had never been a mother before, she knew she must protect this child at all costs.

"Doctor Yang, how is it?" Ye Li withdrew her wrist after the pulse reading and looked at the young physician before her.

Doctor Yang replied respectfully, "There are no major issues, but as I’ve said before, please try not to overexert yourself, Your Highness. Even if there’s no immediate danger, it wouldn’t be good for the Little Prince in your womb." Ye Li nodded. "I’ll remember your advice. Thank you."

"In that case, I’ll adjust Your Highness’s dietary regimen." With that, Doctor Yang bowed and took his leave.

Once the doctor had left, Zhuo Jing and the others raised their heads, their expressions filled with concern. Zhuo Jing frowned. "Your Highness, for the sake of the Little Prince, you should rest more." The others nodded in agreement. Ye Li smiled wryly. "How can we afford to slack off now? But if you all work harder and become more capable, I might be able to take it a little easier." Zhuo Jing lowered his head in shame. "This subordinate is incompetent." Ye Li waved her hand. "It’s not your fault. It’s difficult for anyone to become fully capable in just two or three months. You’ve all done very well." Zhuo Jing fell silent, glancing at Ye Li. They had followed her from the beginning, and it seemed there had never been anything she couldn’t handle. Compared to her, how could they, grown men, not feel inadequate? Often, he wondered whether it was her innate brilliance or the Xu family’s exceptional upbringing that made her so extraordinary.

"Your Highness, a young master Han requests an audience outside the residence," a guard announced from the doorway.

"Young master Han?" Ye Li paused briefly before realizing. "Han Mingxi? Please show him in."

Before long, Han Mingxi stepped into the study. He was clad in his usual opulent dark red robe, but after months apart, his once devilishly charming face had gained a sharper, more authoritative edge. Yet upon seeing Ye Li, his lips curled into that familiar roguish smile, his voice low and melodious. "Jun Wei… I’ve missed you dearly after all this time…" Ye Li gazed at the handsome man before her and sighed softly. "Mingxi, what brings you here?"Han Mingxi walked into the study, smiling somewhat helplessly. "I heard that Jun Wei led troops into battle as the Princess of the State, thoroughly humiliating Prince Zhennan of Xiling. Quite the impressive feat, isn’t it? Naturally, I had to come and witness the grandeur of the Princess of the State for myself." His peach-blossom eyes, slightly upturned, fixed on Ye Li, the faint anger in them unconcealed. Knowing he was concerned for her, Ye Li chuckled softly. "What grandeur? I had no choice in the matter. And... it wasn’t me who humiliated Prince Zhennan of Xiling. The situation in the northwest hasn’t been easy lately. Had you arrived any later, the one looking disgraced might well have been me."

Han Mingxi snorted lightly, casting a glance at Zhuo Jing and the others in the study, who appeared busy but were clearly eavesdropping. "Where’s your Prince Ding? Isn’t he hailed as the God of War? What kind of man sends his wife to the front lines while he stays behind?"

"Mingxi..." Ye Li smiled at him. "I know you care for me as a friend. But in these circumstances, even if Xiu Yao were ten times more capable, he couldn’t be everywhere at once."

Han Mingxi scoffed and turned his head away, refusing to respond. Yet, hearing Ye Li defend Mo Xiuyao, a shadow flickered across his handsome eyes.

Ye Li wasn’t blind to his melancholy, but some things were simply fated, and dwelling on them would only bring more pain. Lingering indecisively would hurt both sides in the end. Rising to her feet, she said cheerfully, "You’ve come at a good time. Hongzhou is relatively peaceful now. Why not rest first, and we can discuss matters tomorrow? Oh, and Young Master Mingyue is also here in the residence. You should go see him."

At the mention of Han Mingyue, Han Mingxi stiffened, his expression shifting into something complex and unreadable. Every time he thought of his elder brother, who had raised him since childhood, he felt both anger and helplessness. The debt of upbringing and guidance wasn’t something that could be severed with a single declaration of cutting ties. Han Mingxi revered his brother far more than he ever had his long-deceased parents. Back then, his vehement opposition to Han Mingyue’s actions against Ye Li had stemmed partly from his friendship with her, but more so because he saw clearly that his brother’s betrayal of his comrades—even opposing the Ding Royal Palace—for the sake of such a woman was utterly worthless, a path leading only to ruin.

And now...

Similarly, the reason Han Mingxi had traveled all the way to Hongzhou wasn’t solely because Ye Li was here. He had also received news that Han Mingyue had been captured. Hearing Ye Li’s words now, he realized his brother wasn’t faring too badly—and that Ye Li’s leniency toward Han Mingyue was partly out of consideration for him. A warmth spread through his chest. "Jun Wei... thank you."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "For what? Han Mingyue made a deal with Xiu Yao. Since Xiu Yao spared his life, whether he lives well or poorly makes little difference. It’s been a long time since you brothers last met. Go see him."

Han Mingxi nodded and left the study.

In the small courtyard, Han Mingyue sat leisurely beneath the corridor, gazing absently at the chrysanthemums in the yard, now withered to just a few petals. But his expression was far from as relaxed as his posture. His handsome brows were slightly furrowed, and from time to time, his eyes darted toward a tightly shut window not far away, his refined face etched with worry."Big brother." Han Mingxi's voice came from around the corner. Han Mingyue paused, turning to look at his long-unseen younger brother with a bitter smile. "Mingxi's Light Body Skill has improved remarkably—I didn't even notice you." Han Mingyue gazed at him for a long moment before replying slowly, "Big brother, I didn't use Light Body Skill. You just didn't hear my footsteps." Following his gaze, though they had just entered Hongzhou City, Han Mingxi had already pieced together the details of how Han Mingyue had been captured by Ye Li during their journey. Naturally, he also knew exactly who could weigh so heavily on his elder brother's mind. Frowning in distaste, he asked, "Is big brother still refusing to see reason?" Han Mingyue watched him quietly before finally chuckling softly, "If it could be seen through, would it still be called delusion? But you, Mingxi—you've grown up in the time we've been apart."

Han Mingxi flushed slightly, turning his head away in discomfort, though his heart was a tumult of emotions. Since childhood, he had been mischievous and willful, often seeing his elder brother shake his head helplessly at him. To suddenly receive praise now left him momentarily stunned, yet also filled with joy. But when he thought of the price of his growth... These days had not been as comfortable or glamorous as outsiders might imagine. Taking over the Han family at the height of Han Mingyue's defection to Western Liang, even with the support of the Ding Royal Palace, stabilizing the Han family's foundation had demanded immense effort and focus. Moreover, the Ding Royal Palace was filled with capable individuals—how could they easily submit to a young upstart who had just pledged allegiance to Prince Ding's Estate? These past months had been the most demanding of Han Mingxi's twenty-some years.

Han Mingyue was well aware of the hardships his younger brother had endured. Though he felt guilt, he was also proud that Mingxi had persevered and shouldered the burden of the Han family without being dragged down by his own mistakes. Reaching out, he patted Han Mingxi's shoulder gently. "You've worked hard. Do you still resent me?" Han Mingxi's eyes grew hot, but he stubbornly turned his face away. Only when his emotions settled did he look back at Han Mingyue and ask, "Jun Wei already told me about your deal with Prince Ding. What are your plans now?" Han Mingyue smiled faintly. "There's likely no place for us in Great Chu or Western Liang anymore. Once all this is over, I'll take Zui Die to Nanzhao to live in seclusion." Han Mingxi stared at him intently. "Are you so sure Su Zuidie will go with you? Big brother, to be honest, your taste in women is nowhere near Prince Ding's."

Han Mingyue laughed. "If I had Prince Ding's taste, life would be even harder now. So... Mingxi, if possible, stay away from Princess Ding. Men don't act rationally when they're jealous." Caught off guard by his brother's insight, Han Mingxi felt a pang of embarrassment. Upon reflection, though, he realized there was truth to the words. If his elder brother truly wanted Su Zuidie, there were certainly ways to have her. But a woman like Ye Li... Shooting a resentful glare at Han Mingyue for changing the subject, he said, "I know what I'm doing. Here's some advice for you instead. We both know exactly what kind of woman Su Zuidie is. If you really want her to stay obediently by your side, you might want to try my methods."Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow at him curiously, while Han Mingxi let out a cold laugh, revealing a malicious smile. "If you ruin that face of hers, she'll naturally follow you obediently! But big brother, do you truly love Su Zuidie, or is it just her face you adore?"

Han Mingyue remained silent. Did he love Su Zuidie the person or merely her face? Even he wasn’t entirely sure. Loving the person… after all these years, he still couldn’t reconcile himself with her temperament and heart—qualities he had never favored. Loving the face? Admittedly, Su Zuidie was beautiful. But in this vast world, it wouldn’t be impossible to find one or two women who could rival her. All he knew was that year… in the peach blossom grove, the first time he laid eyes on that peerless beauty amidst the falling petals, he had fallen into a deep, inescapable dream, never to awaken… Watching Han Mingyue lost in thought, Han Mingxi sighed inwardly. His once-proud elder brother—how had he fallen into the hands of a woman like Su Zuidie, who possessed nothing but looks? Remembering how his brother had resolutely left Guangling back then, recalling the devastation on his face when he returned after being abandoned by Su Zuidie, and now seeing him trapped in this hopeless situation with nothing left, Han Mingxi’s narrowed eyes flickered with a trace of killing intent. Han Mingyue frowned slightly and said, "Mingxi, don’t harm her. Consider it a favor from your elder brother…"

Han Mingxi gazed at his brother’s pleading expression, feeling nothing but sorrow. Young Master Mingyue, once as radiant and peerless as the bright moon, was now reduced to begging a notorious Wind and Moon noble—a wastrel like him—for the sake of a woman. In that moment, Han Mingxi finally understood something that had long been inevitable: the world would never again see the gentle, elegant Young Master Mingyue of the past.

"Big brother, do you truly have no regrets?" Han Mingxi asked.

Han Mingyue smiled faintly and remained silent. Now… it was far too late for regrets.

After a long pause, Han Mingxi finally gave up. He nodded and turned away. "Fine, I understand. Take care of yourself, brother. If that woman ever gets you killed, I’ll slaughter her and bury her with you."