Mo Li

The welcoming banquet for the Xu Family was held at the Ding Royal Palace. To show solemnity and respect for the Xu Family, Mo Xiuyao invited all civil and military officials in Ruyang and even notified trusted elites from Prince Ding's Estate stationed in other prefectures of the Northwest in advance. With great ceremony, he introduced the Xu Family to the generals and officials of the Northwest, making it clear that the Xu Family was not merely the maternal relatives of Princess Ding but would also hold a pivotal position in the Northwest in the future. Given the Xu Family's existing prestige, people naturally harbored no resentment or jealousy. Anyone with a modicum of insight understood that the Xu Family's arrival in the Northwest at this time would only benefit Prince Ding's Estate and the Mo Family Army.

The banquet was naturally lively, with a harmonious and joyous atmosphere. Even though Ye Li had to tend to the baby, she only left slightly early. As she made her way back with her attendants, she spotted Qin Zheng sitting alone in a pavilion by the pond, lost in thought. Ye Li paused and asked softly, "Why is Sister Zheng'er sitting here?" Behind her, Qingyu replied, "Earlier at the banquet, Miss Qin seemed unwell and left first." Qingshuang added, "Miss Qin came to the Northwest alone—perhaps she's not yet accustomed to it." Ye Li lowered her gaze in thought before saying, "Wait here for a moment."

Ye Li walked lightly into the pavilion and said with a gentle laugh, "Sister Zheng'er, why are you sitting here alone?"

Qin Zheng was visibly startled. Turning around and seeing Ye Li, she relaxed and stood up. "Wang Fei—" Ye Li reached out to stop her from rising and sighed helplessly. "It's only been a little over a year, yet Sister Zheng'er has grown so distant from me." Qin Zheng looked at Ye Li in distress, unsure how to respond. Ye Li smiled. "After Sister Zheng'er marries Second Brother, will you still keep calling me Wang Fei?" Qin Zheng flushed and glared at Ye Li, though her expression softened with a touch of her usual ease.

After the teasing, Ye Li sat down and took Qin Zheng's hand. "You seem downcast. Is there something you're not used to, or has the estate been neglectful?" Qin Zheng quickly shook her head, her eyes reddening slightly as she whispered, "Everyone has been very kind to me. It's just... I miss home. My parents raised me with endless indulgence, yet I’ve given them nothing in return and have now left them behind. I’m truly unfilial." Ye Li sighed softly and patted Qin Zheng's hand gently. "Lord Qin and Madam Qin allowed you to leave the capital because they wanted your happiness. Just settle in peacefully here in the Northwest—it’s not as if you’ll never see them again. Right now, the most important thing is your wedding with Second Brother. Earlier this evening, both Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt spoke to me about it. It seems Second Brother and Second Aunt are eager to bring you home.""Li'er!" Qin Zheng's delicate face instantly flushed crimson, but unable to escape Ye Li's teasing, she could only cover her cheeks with her hands and protest, "After a year apart, why have you started imitating Murong?" Ye Li laughed, "What's wrong with imitating Murong? Speaking one's mind freely is better than bottling things up. Come now, sister, don't be shy. If Second Brother hadn't needed to accompany me to the northwest last year, you two would have been married long ago. Sister Zheng'er should just relax and prepare to be a beautiful bride. I'll make sure to arrange a grand wedding for you and Second Brother."

Qin Zheng lowered her head, hiding the glimmer of tears in her eyes as she whispered, "Li'er, thank you."

Ye Li smiled gently. "We're family. What's there to thank me for?"

Qin Zheng smiled but said nothing. As a young girl barely in her teens, leaving her parents and the capital behind to travel far to the northwest—how could she not feel uneasy? Though the Xu Family was not difficult to get along with, and Second Madam Xu had been especially kind to her, the absence of her parents' support still left Qin Zheng, a sheltered young lady, feeling anxious and unsettled. Moreover, Xu Qingze, the second son of the Xu Family, was naturally reserved and distant, hardly the type to offer her warmth or reassurance, which only deepened her worries.

After carefully comforting Qin Zheng, Ye Li summoned the maid who attended to her and had Qingyu personally escort Qin Zheng back to the courtyard where she was staying.

Returning to her own room, she found Mo Xiuyao already back, lounging idly by the cradle and poking at Mo Xiaobao's soft little cheeks.

Ye Li freshened up and changed her clothes before stepping out, sighing in exasperation. "Wang Ye, are you trying to poke our baby's face into an ugly mess?" When she had entered, he was already playing around, and even after she had finished washing up, he was still at it. Even if he wasn't using much force, the baby's delicate skin couldn't handle such roughhousing.

Approaching the cradle, she saw the little one was already awake, his round, wide eyes gazing up at her. Perhaps because he had just woken up, his eyes were glistening with moisture, making him look utterly pitiful.

Bending down to pick him up, Ye Li patted him soothingly. "Be good, Xiao Bao. Daddy is being mean—we'll ignore him."

Murmuring softly to the baby, she paced slowly around the room, gently rocking him back to sleep—completely oblivious to the darkening expression on the face of the man behind her.

He was being mean? That brat really was his natural nemesis! A Li was actually calling him bad because of him ?!

The palpable resentment radiating from Mo Xiuyao finally caught Ye Li's attention. Turning around, she saw him sitting on the edge of the bed, glaring at the baby in her arms with a stormy expression. She sighed inwardly.

Most men would be overjoyed to have a precious son, but this one acted as if the child was his sworn enemy from a past life.

Carefully placing the baby into Mo Xiuyao's arms, she teased, "Wang Ye, are you a child yourself? Why are you throwing a tantrum over a baby?"Mo Xiuyao snorted, mercilessly pinching the chubby little bundle in his hands, "Did you raise him this plump to eat?" Ye Li rolled her eyes. The baby was indeed round and plump, fair and rosy, but far from being called "fat." Fortunately, Mo Xiuyao knew his A Li disliked anyone criticizing her precious son, so he didn’t press further. Still, he continued to torment the helpless Mo Xiaobao in his heart while asking, "Why are you back so late?"

Ye Li recounted her encounter with Qin Zheng in the garden earlier and added, "Eldest Aunt and Second Aunt suggested the wedding be held right after Xiao Bao’s full-month celebration. Eldest Aunt wants Zheng’er to marry from Eldest Uncle’s household, but I think it would be better for her to depart from the Prince’s Estate. What do you think?" After all, marrying from Eldest Uncle’s house to Second Uncle’s house just didn’t seem quite right.

Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment. "Our estate doesn’t have any elders. You can’t be the one to send Qin Zheng off—you’re younger than her. How about this… Generals Lü and Zhang and their families are all in Ruyang. Choose a suitable household to adopt Qin Zheng as their foster daughter, and she can marry from the general’s residence. Both Generals Lü and Zhang are top-tier commanders of the Mo Family Army, so Qin Zheng wouldn’t be dishonored by being affiliated with them. This way, it would also symbolize a union between the Xu Family and the Mo Family Army. Since the Prince’s Estate rose through military achievements, this connection will make things much easier for the Xu Family in the northwest."

Whether it was Zhang Qilan or Lü Jinxian, both were highly respected veteran generals of the Mo Family Army. With their support, the army’s resistance toward the Xu Family—outsiders—would lessen significantly. After all… no military force was ever free from exclusionary tendencies.

Ye Li hadn’t expected Mo Xiuyao to have considered so much in such a short time, much of it for the Xu Family’s benefit. Her heart warmed, and she whispered softly, "Thank you for thinking so much for the Xu Family."

Mo Xiuyao merely snorted and lowered his head to play with their son. Ye Li watched the man, who was now ignoring her, and couldn’t help but think: Wang Ye, are you being tsundere?

The news of the Little Prince’s birth spread rapidly to neighboring kingdoms, especially since Mo Xiuyao had gone out of his way to send lavish invitations to nobles across the lands, inviting them to Ruyang for the full-month celebration. Upon receiving those exquisitely crafted invitations bearing the insignia of the Ding Royal Palace, countless dignitaries shattered priceless antiques and ink treasures in their studies.

Prince Zhennan’s Estate, Western Liang In the study, Zhennan Wang narrowed his eyes dangerously as he stared at the ornate invitation on the desk, his battle-blood boiling. With Zhennan Wang remaining silent, no one else in the room dared to speak, creating an oppressive and heavy atmosphere. After a long while, Zhennan Wang Shizi Lei Tengfeng, standing to the side, finally spoke: "Father, what does Mo Xiuyao mean by this? Is he truly severing ties with Great Chu?" As the Prince Ding of Great Chu, the Ding Royal Palace, no matter how renowned, had no right to invite dignitaries from various nations for a mere full-month banquet of a prince. In fact, even among the royal families of different countries, almost no one would invite foreign dignitaries for a full-month banquet of a prince, let alone a crown prince. However, if Mo Xiuyao were to break away from Great Chu and declare himself king, he would at least have the standing to engage with the royal families of other nations, making this invitation not entirely inappropriate. As for Mo Xiuyao's willingness to host such a grand full-month banquet for his son, that was something no one could interfere with.

Zhennan Wang sneered coldly and said, "The rift between the Ding Royal Palace and Great Chu was inevitable—it was only a matter of time. What I didn’t expect… was that Wang Fei would return alive." What was even more unexpected was that after falling from such a high cliff, not only was Wang Fei unharmed, but the child in her womb was also safe. Mo Xiuyao’s luck was truly infuriating! Thinking of this, Zhennan Wang’s expression darkened further. He had lost to a woman—and a pregnant one at that!

"Ye Li!" Zhennan Wang ground his teeth in fury.

Lei Tengfeng glanced at his father’s sullen face but did not share the same level of anger. Recalling that graceful woman in blue, seemingly gentle yet always astonishing, he couldn’t deny that he had felt a faint pang of regret upon hearing the news of Wang Fei’s death. Now that she had survived her ordeal and safely given birth to the Heir Apparent Ding, a trace of envy flickered in Lei Tengfeng’s heart, though he quickly dismissed it. "Father, should we attend this full-month banquet for the Heir Apparent Ding?" Although Ruyang was not far from the borders of Great Chu and Western Liang, it was quite a distance from the Western Liang capital. This invitation must have been dispatched swiftly after the little prince’s birth, as it didn’t even include the child’s name. Even so, if they intended to attend the banquet, they would have to set off immediately—otherwise, they might not make it in time.

"Go! Of course we’ll go!" Zhennan Wang sneered. "Do you think Mo Xiuyao is truly hosting this just for his son’s full-month banquet? Ruyang City is bound to be bustling with activity this time." Lei Tengfeng lowered his gaze in thought and quickly understood. "Father, are you referring to the Imperial Jade Seal and the High Ancestor’s Treasure?" Zhennan Wang nodded. "Exactly. Rather than letting people sneak in and out of the northwest in secret, he’s opening the doors and inviting them openly. At least this way, he can keep them under his watch. Mo Xiuyao has thought this through well…" Lei Tengfeng frowned. "In your opinion, Father, is the Imperial Jade Seal truly in Mo Xiuyao’s hands? According to our intelligence… it seems the people of Prince Ding’s Estate have been secretly searching for someone named Lin Yuan, and it’s related to the Imperial Jade Seal.""Lin Yuan? Lin..." Zhennan Wang pondered. Lei Tengfeng said, "Lin was the royal surname of the previous dynasty. This Lin Yuan, also known as Tan Jizhi, reportedly attempted to kidnap Princess Ding in the northwest to blackmail Prince Ding. Somehow, the news leaked, and he was captured by Prince Ding. Later, Mo Xiuyao released him, and he disappeared from public view. Shortly after, rumors spread that the Imperial Jade Seal was in Prince Ding's Estate. Not only Prince Ding's Estate, but Mo Jingqi was also searching for him." Zhennan Wang thought for a long while before saying, "I do have some impression of this Tan Jizhi. Su Zuidie once mentioned he was the last descendant of the previous dynasty's royal family."

"The last descendant of the previous dynasty's royal family?" Lei Tengfeng scoffed dismissively. The previous dynasty had fallen over a hundred years ago—who cared about so-called last descendants? If one were to count, there were probably countless descendants of various dynasties scattered throughout the world. With every dynastic change, some royal descendants inevitably ended up among the common folk. How many of them had ever successfully restored their dynasty? The story of enduring hardships to achieve revenge had been passed down through the ages precisely because it was an exception. "Father already knew about Tan Jizhi's identity?"

Zhennan Wang clearly didn’t think much of Tan Jizhi either and replied indifferently, "Whether he’s a descendant of the previous dynasty or a rebel doesn’t matter to us. As long as he helps Mo Jingqi deal with the Ding Royal Palace, he’s not our enemy. Naturally, I would keep his identity a secret. What a pity… that woman Su Zuidie! If she could tell me about his identity, why wouldn’t she tell others?"

Lei Tengfeng frowned. "Then, Father, who do you think actually holds the Imperial Jade Seal?"

Zhennan Wang mused for a moment. "Given the temperament of the Ding Royal Palace’s people, the Imperial Jade Seal isn’t of great importance to them. Mo Xiuyao is even prouder than Mo Liufang of the past—he wouldn’t stoop to using the Imperial Jade Seal to boost the Mo Family Army’s prestige."

Lei Tengfeng said, "Father means..."

Zhennan Wang waved his hand. "No, the Imperial Jade Seal may not be in Mo Xiuyao’s hands, but it might not truly be in Tan Jizhi’s either. So this time… we must go to the northwest." At the very least, they couldn’t let the Imperial Jade Seal fall into someone else’s hands.

"I understand," Lei Tengfeng nodded. "Is Father planning to go to Ruyang in person?"

Zhennan Wang nodded. "You’ll accompany me. There’s nothing major happening in Western Liang recently."

"As you command."

The atmosphere in the imperial study of the Chu palace was even more tense. Mo Jingqi’s face was dark with rage as he flung the invitation in his hand far away. "Mo Yuchen is lost in the mythical realms of another world! What a fine Mo Yuchen! Mo Xiuyao, you’ve done well..."

Mo Jingli, who had also received an invitation and had just entered the palace, stepped into the study just in time to see the invitation bearing the insignia of Prince Ding’s Estate flying toward him. He caught it with a raised hand and chuckled, "Imperial Brother, who has angered you so much?"

Seeing his full-blooded younger brother, Mo Jingqi’s expression darkened further. He said coldly, "Why have you come to the palace?"

Mo Jingli smiled and took out another invitation. "I came to pay respects to our mother. And also… it seems Imperial Brother has also received Prince Ding’s invitation. What are your plans?"

Casually opening the invitation, he saw the name of Prince Ding’s heir—Mo Yuchen—written in elegant calligraphy.

"Yu Chen… what a fine name," Mo Jingli murmured. "Mo Xiuyao, you’ve finally lost your patience, haven’t you?"Mo Jingqi coldly watched his younger brother. Since returning from the south, this brother of his had clearly become more cunning and harder to deal with. If he hadn’t suddenly gained insight, then there must be a mastermind behind him. “What are your plans? Since Mo Xiuyao has sent you an invitation, do you intend to go, Imperial Brother?” Mo Jingli smiled and said, “With Prince Ding personally sending the invitation, how dare I refuse? What gift does Your Majesty plan to send to the Heir Apparent Ding?” Mo Jingqi snorted coldly, then suddenly revealed a malicious smile. “You should indeed go, Imperial Brother. After all, Ye Li is no stranger to you. She’s even the elder sister of your own Princess Li.”

At the mention of this, Mo Jingli’s expression darkened. Every time he thought about Ye Ying in his household—who only knew how to weep, whine, and complain—and then compared her to Ye Li, who could charge into battle, stand in court, and had the backing of the Xu Family, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. If he had married Ye Li back then, what would things be like now? With Ye Li’s ability to defeat Prince Zhennan of Xiling, perhaps he wouldn’t even need to confront his imperial brother in a north-south standoff—he could have marched straight into Chu Jing. And then there was Xu Qingchen, who had caused him so much trouble in the south. If his consort had been Ye Li, Xu Qingchen wouldn’t have opposed him—he would have helped him instead. He might even have been able to conquer Nanzhao, rather than being constantly restrained by them as he was now!

Seeing Mo Jingli’s sudden shift in mood, Mo Jingqi’s own spirits lifted considerably. Raising an eyebrow, he said, “Since you’re going, Imperial Brother, why not bring Princess Li along as well? She can catch up with Ye Li.”

Mo Jingli clenched his teeth and replied indifferently, “Thank you for the reminder, Imperial Brother. In that case, I shall take my leave to prepare. Time is short—I’ll set off for the northwest at dawn tomorrow.”

Mo Jingqi nodded. “Go ahead, Imperial Brother.”

The moment Mo Jingli left, the smile vanished from Mo Jingqi’s face. Did Mo Jingli really think he didn’t know why he wanted to go to the northwest? To congratulate Mo Xiuyao’s son on his full-month celebration? Hah! Mo Jingli wanted that child dead even more than he did—because the boy’s mother was his former fiancée. Ye Li’s very existence was a slap in the face, a reminder to the entire world of how blind and foolish Prince Li had been. And now he wanted to go to the northwest to search for the Imperial Jade Seal? Mo Jingli, your ambitions are far too great!

“Your Majesty?”

“Any news on Tan Jizhi’s whereabouts?” Mo Jingqi asked coldly, looking at the gray-clad man kneeling in the hall.

“Your Majesty, forgive us—we have yet to locate Tan Jizhi.”

Bang! Mo Jingqi grabbed an inkstone from his desk and hurled it. The gray-clad man dared not dodge—the inkstone struck his shoulder before clattering to the ground. He let out a muffled groan. “Your Majesty, forgive us!”

“Useless fools! Keep searching! Dig three feet underground if you must, but find Tan Jizhi for me!”

“Yes.”

——————Author’s Note——————

Little Li’er: “Feng! Where’s the perfect husband you promised me? What happened to my Xiu Yao’s wisdom? His dominance? Did you eat them all? Why am I suddenly the mother of two kids?!”

Feng (wiping sweat): “This really isn’t my fault! Xiu Yao was totally wise, dominant, and majestic. Who knew he’d suddenly mutate like this? Sobs and runs away …”Xiu Yao (looking up at the sky at a 45-degree angle under the bright sun): That Feng girl said women are prone to maternal instincts. Since A Li likes children so much, this prince can make a small sacrifice. Am I not more adorable than that chubby little meatball?

Feng (spitting blood): My lord, you're too much!