Mo Li

After leaving the dungeon, Mo Xiuyao walked side by side with Ye Li. Hesitantly, Ye Li looked up and asked, "Is it really alright to let Tan Jizhi go just like that?" Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and replied, "What does it matter? If A Li is happy to let him go, then let him go. If not, just kill him." Ye Li gave him a helpless glance and said, "Killing isn't like chopping radishes—how can it be about happiness? Letting him go isn’t a big deal, especially since the terms he offered are quite favorable. But I feel like we’re missing something."

Although the Ding Royal Palace was vast in wealth and influence, their break with Mo Jingqi was now inevitable, and the Prince Ding's Estate had not emerged unscathed. Ten thousand taels of gold wasn’t an astronomical sum, but it was still substantial. Combined with the network Tan Jizhi had built over ten years in the northwest and the capital, the deal was clearly advantageous—if the only consideration was his attempt to capture her.

Mo Xiuyao shrugged, mimicking Ye Li’s usual manner. To him, the difference between killing and chopping radishes wasn’t particularly significant. "If we let him go, we let him go. If he acts up again, we’ll just catch him once more." Ye Li smiled. "Does His Highness think Tan Jizhi is easy to capture?" This time, they had only managed to catch him because he was unlucky enough to be in the northwest when Mo Xiuyao learned of his whereabouts. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so simple. The fact that he had remained hidden beside Mo Jingqi for so long without raising suspicion was proof enough of his capabilities.

Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, "There’s no one this prince wants dead who won’t die eventually. Even if he escapes now, his fate is sealed."

Linking arms with Mo Xiuyao, the two strolled along the corridor. Since his return, Mo Xiuyao had changed significantly, and Ye Li couldn’t tell whether it was for better or worse. The old Mo Xiuyao had been too inscrutable—even she couldn’t always read him completely. At times, she even suspected that what she saw was only what he allowed her to see. Now, however, he had become more unrestrained and uninhibited.

There was also a strange sort of obsession. For example, he disliked Han Mingxi, so every time they met, he would unleash his killing intent without restraint. Occasionally, Ye Li worried that Mo Xiuyao might one day kill Han Mingxi behind her back. She had even broached the subject with him when he was in a good mood. At the time, Mo Xiuyao had gazed at her solemnly and said, "If A Li is unhappy, I won’t kill him." Ye Li believed his promise, but it was both amusing and exasperating that he still directed his killing aura at Han Mingxi the moment her back was turned. It had gotten to the point where Han Mingxi no longer provoked him and simply avoided him altogether.

Now that Mo Xiuyao had marked Tan Jizhi for death, Ye Li suspected that even if he were released, his days ahead would be fraught with trouble.

"Your Highness, Your Grace." Qin Feng appeared at the end of the corridor and bowed to them.

Ye Li nodded and asked with a smile, "Any news from Su Zuidie?" Qin Feng frowned in frustration, his expression grim. "This subordinate is incompetent. Aside from revealing Tan Jizhi’s identity, Su Zuidie refuses to say anything else." Qin Feng now realized that underestimating Su Zuidie had been a grave mistake. In all his years, he had never encountered a woman who could endure torture so stubbornly—especially one who was usually so delicate that even a needle prick would bring her to tears."It's fine, it was expected. Take your time, no need to rush. Just be careful not to kill her," Ye Li said. If Su Zuidie were truly as fragile as she appeared on the surface, she wouldn't have had the audacity to seduce Han Mingyue back then, betray Mo Xiuyao, then dump Han Mingyue to latch onto the Emperor of Western Liang and Prince Zhennan of Xiling. For a noble-born woman who had never even left the capital of Chu to possess such cunning and skill was truly astonishing. So if she had other hidden abilities, Ye Li wouldn't be surprised at all. However, Ye Li had no intention of killing her outright. She could sense that whatever secret Su Zuidie was desperately clinging to—refusing to confess despite the torture—must be earth-shattering.

"Understood," Qin Feng bowed in acknowledgment. Mo Xiuyao looked down at Ye Li, who was deep in thought, and said softly, "A Li, you shouldn't overexert yourself now. Don't think too much about it."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "It's nothing, really. I just feel there's something off about Su Zuidie." While it was true that Su Zuidie was a woman who could endure, she was certainly not someone naturally inclined to suffer—unless revealing the truth would lead to an even worse fate.

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, then turned to Qin Feng. "Spread a rumor in secret—say that... this prince has found Su Zuidie, the granddaughter of Elder Su."

Qin Feng was momentarily stunned, looking at Mo Xiuyao in confusion. "Your Highness..." Mo Xiuyao played with a strand of Ye Li's hair, speaking nonchalantly, "No need to make too big a move. Just ensure the right people hear it. Understand?"

Qin Feng grasped his meaning. "Understood. I'll handle it immediately."

The next morning, before Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li could even inquire, Tan Jizhi had already sent a message through the prison guards. He fully agreed to all of Ye Li's conditions. As long as Shu Manlin's safety was guaranteed, he consented to keeping her temporarily detained in Ruyang City as a hostage until Ye Li found the Underworld Flower. Neither Ye Li nor Mo Xiuyao were surprised by this. When it came to one's life, any price was a bargain for Tan Jizhi. After all, without life, everything else was just worthless trash. Tan Jizhi was not an indecisive man, and he paid up generously—with his seal, the shadow guards retrieved one hundred thousand taels of gold that very day from his hidden forces in the northwest. This also served as proof of the astonishing scale of Tan Jizhi's covert influence.

Mo Xiuyao had been in a relatively good mood lately, so he had no intention of going back on his word. He immediately ordered Tan Jizhi's release from prison. Eager to leave the northwest, Tan Jizhi bluntly declined Feng Zhiyao's offer—whether genuine or feigned—to stay another day before departing, insisting on setting off at once. Ye Li didn't try to stop him, but there was one last matter: the whereabouts of the Underworld Flower. Tan Jizhi glanced at Ye Li, a hint of malicious amusement in his expression. "Princess Consort, you've searched high and low for the Underworld Flower, but in truth... the real one has been right under your nose all along."

Ye Li frowned, pondering for a moment. "The Underworld Flower is in the Chu capital?"

Tan Jizhi smirked proudly. "Indeed, the Underworld Flower is in the Chu capital. And more precisely—it's in the Chu palace. In the hands of... Mo Jingqi.""Why is it in Mo Jingqi's hands?" Ye Li frowned and asked. Mo Jingqi couldn't possibly be unaware that the Underworld Flower could cure Mo Xiuyao's condition. If he had obtained it, would he go so far as to destroy it? Tan Jizhi seemed to sense her concern and smiled. "Your Highness need not worry. The Underworld Flower is said to revive the dead and regenerate flesh. Someone as self-preserving as Mo Jingqi would never dream of destroying it. He would only hide it carefully, stashing it away where no one would think to look. To be honest, ever since the Underworld Flower fell into his hands, even I haven't been able to guess where he's hidden it."

Ye Li gave him a cold glance and asked, "Did you hand the Underworld Flower to Mo Jingqi?" Tan Jizhi didn't deny it, instead smiling smugly. "Don't you think it was a brilliant move, Your Highness? Originally, I didn't intend to give it to Mo Jingqi, but once I learned that both you and the Sick Scholar from the King of Hell Pavilion were searching for it, I had no choice. With the Prince Ding's Estate and the King of Hell Pavilion's methods, it was only a matter of time before they discovered the Underworld Flower wasn't in the hands of the Liang family—and then I might have been in trouble. But who would ever imagine such a priceless treasure would end up in the hands of the Emperor of Great Chu? The very thing Prince Ding needs most is held by the man who hates him the most. Heh..."

"Leave. Since I've agreed to your terms, I won't go back on my word. However, you'd better pray you never fall into my hands again," Ye Li said coolly. Tan Jizhi wiped the deliberate smile from his face and shot her a venomous look. "I will certainly remember Your Highness's words. I will make sure I never give the Prince Ding's Estate another chance to capture me. Farewell." Ye Li turned away. "I won't see you out."

After sending Tan Jizhi off, Mo Xiuyao immediately turned hostile and unceremoniously threw Mo Jingqi's envoy out of Ruyang City. As for their demand for Tan Jizhi's return... every man, woman, and child in Ruyang City had seen Tan Jizhi walk out through the city gates. If he refused to return to the Chu capital, that was none of the Mo Family Army or Prince Ding's Estate's concern. Regarding Tan Jizhi's true identity, Mo Xiuyao had no intention of informing Mo Jingqi, but neither did he go out of his way to conceal it. Whether Mo Jingqi had the means to uncover the truth was none of his business.In the room, Mo Xiuyao, freshly bathed, draped his still-damp white hair over his shoulders and cast a look of disgust at the silver-haired man in the bronze mirror. His gaze then fell upon a small black porcelain vial placed nearby—a hair dye specially prepared for him by Shen Yang. In the past, Mo Xiuyao had never considered himself someone who cared much about appearance. But now, every time he saw his reflection, he found it increasingly unbearable. The snow-white hair, coupled with the hideous scar on his left cheek, made his already pale face appear even more eerie and terrifying. He didn’t want A Li to see him like this—not because he feared frightening her, but because he couldn’t bear for her to witness such ugliness. His A Li was so perfect, while he… A trace of hatred flickered in his gloomy eyes. While he was so broken and repulsive. Only now did Mo Xiuyao realize that it wasn’t that he had never cared about his looks—it was simply that in his late teens, he had been naturally blessed with striking features, leaving him no reason to envy anyone. And after seventeen, there had been no one whose opinion of his appearance mattered to him. He could even imagine how grotesque a sight it would be if he and A Li stood side by side now.

Thud! His palm struck the rosewood table before him with controlled force, causing the wood to groan in protest as cracks rapidly spread across its surface.

"Xiu Yao," Ye Li's voice sounded from outside the door. Mo Xiuyao stiffened. Had he not recognized the voice, he might have instinctively struck out and sent the intruder flying. An urge to hide surged within him, but the room offered no concealment for a man of his stature. Besides, A Li clearly knew he was inside—how could he truly hide? Ye Li stepped in unhurriedly, rounding the screen to see the silver-haired man seated before the mirror. As if oblivious to his tension, she picked up a towel nearby and began gently drying his hair. "Why leave your hair wet? Even though it's warm now, you should still be careful of headaches."

"A Li…" Mo Xiuyao turned, staring blankly at the woman before him, her smile gentle and warm. After days of recuperation since their return, Ye Li’s complexion had improved noticeably. Though she lacked the plumpness typical of women seven or eight months into pregnancy, she still radiated health and beauty. As she continued drying his hair, she asked softly, "What’s wrong?" Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "Nothing." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Good. Let me fix your hair for you."

The room fell into quietude as Ye Li carefully dried his hair, her deft fingers gathering the snowy strands and tying them up with a silver ribbon from a nearby box. Finally satisfied, she nodded. "Perfect."Mo Xiuyao pulled Ye Li into his embrace, pressing his face against her round belly as he listened to the lively movements of their baby inside, occasionally getting kicked. "A Li, I've become so ugly. Don't you despise me?" Ye Li was taken aback for a moment before she couldn't help but chuckle. However, seeing the cautious look on his face, her eyes stung, nearly bringing her to tears. Gently stroking Mo Xiuyao's silver-white hair, she asked softly, "If I became ugly, would you despise me?"

"Of course not. A Li will always be the most beautiful," Mo Xiuyao declared solemnly.

Ye Li smiled. "Then it's the same for me. Besides, you were never good-looking to begin with." Had she not seen enough handsome men? There was Xu Qingchen, transcendent and ethereal like an immortal; Young Master Mingyue, refined and elegant like the bright moon in the sky; Han Mingxi, strikingly handsome yet deceptively roguish, though in truth simple and sincere; and Feng Zhiyao, Leng Haoyu, and others—all renowned beauties in the capital. Compared to them, no matter how striking Mo Xiuyao's features might have been, they couldn't change the fact that half his face had been disfigured. So, in Ye Li's eyes, Mo Xiuyao truly couldn't be counted among the handsome men. Seeing his stunned expression, she added with a smile, "But since you’ve come to this realization and know you’re not easy on the eyes, why not let Shen and Master take a look at your scars later?"

Mo Xiuyao hesitated. Back then, he hadn’t treated the scars on his face not because it was impossible, but because he had been severely afflicted by poison, trapped in agony day after day, and couldn’t bring himself to care about the wounds. When even his health and legs had been lost, what difference did it make if his face was ruined? Moreover, Shen Yang had thought several times that Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t survive, so naturally, he hadn’t had the time to pester him about treating his face. By the time Mo Xiuyao’s condition stabilized and Shen Yang remembered the matter, Mo Xiuyao, then in a dark mood, had refused without hesitation.

He reached up to touch the scars on his face. "It’s been so many years..."

Ye Li smiled. "What’s the harm in trying? I heard that back then, someone didn’t apply a single drop of medicine to his face and let it heal naturally. Truly... remarkable. So, Your Highness, why are you suddenly worrying about your looks now?" Teased like this, Mo Xiuyao actually felt much lighter in his heart. Pulling her closer into his arms, he muttered sullenly, "Even if you despise me now, it’s too late. Anyone who dares to take you from me—I’ll tear them to pieces!"

Ye Li patted him helplessly. "You’re becoming more and more like a child. Do you think I’m a gold ingot that everyone wants?"

Mo Xiuyao snorted. His A Li was far more precious than gold. But... she could only be his! Anyone who dared covet his treasure would die!

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－Today, a silly girl went out excitedly for a trip. She got up at 5 a.m., left home at 5:20, boarded the bus at 7, and didn't return until 7:30 p.m. But... she spent seven hours on the road. After arriving, she had to listen to some leader or CEO's meaningless speech for over half an hour, had lunch for half an hour, and foolishly baked under the sun for two and a half hours. The rest was the actual time spent on the trip... Ugh, if I ever join such a ridiculous tour group again, I'll be an idiot~ And that cursed highway—who can tell me why there's traffic on the highway too?! It took over four hours to travel about 100 kilometers. And I get carsick!