Mo Li

Mo Xiuyao strode into the hall with an icy aura, his cold eyes filled with undisguised killing intent as he disdainfully regarded Zhennan Wang before him.

Originally, the position of State Chancellor in Western Liang was no mere honorary title. In any kingdom, the role of chancellor held immense weight—often second only to the emperor. However, by the time of Zhennan Wang's generation, things had changed. The previous State Chancellor had been a staunch loyalist to the former Xiling Emperor and thus remained devoted to the current emperor, who had inherited the throne. In earlier years, this chancellor had caused Zhennan Wang no small amount of trouble. Though the Xiling Emperor was not as astute as Zhennan Wang, he at least recognized the chancellor as his own man and thus shielded him politically, making life difficult for Zhennan Wang for many years. It was only in recent times that the old chancellor, who had served two dynasties, finally passed away. The subsequent chancellors installed were nothing more than puppets, incapable of making any real decisions. Now, when Zhennan Wang spoke of treating Ye Li with the courtesy befitting a State Chancellor, those who understood the underlying implications found it deeply intriguing.

Xu Qingchen followed Mo Xiuyao inside, his gaze briefly sweeping over Zhennan Wang and Lei Tengfeng before he raised a brow slightly and smiled at Ye Li. Ye Li responded with a helpless smile and gestured for tea to be served to Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen.

Lei Tengfeng studied Xu Qingchen for a moment before smiling and saying, "Qingchen Gongzi, it has been a while. You look even more refined than before." Xu Qingchen's smile was serene, as if untouched by worldly concerns. "You flatter me, Young Master. It hasn’t been that long—didn’t we meet in the south just last year?" Lei Tengfeng's eyes darkened slightly as he chuckled. "Ah, my mistake." Last year in the south, Xu Qingchen had given him no shortage of trouble. Naturally, Lei Tengfeng would not underestimate this seemingly carefree young man whom the people of Chu revered as the foremost gentleman in the realm.

While this side of the hall remained cordial, the atmosphere elsewhere was far less polite. Mo Xiuyao casually took a seat beside Ye Li, reclining lazily in his chair as he cast a sidelong glance at Zhennan Wang below. "To what do we owe the honor of your esteemed visit, Prince Zhennan?" Ye Li quietly explained Zhennan Wang's purpose, and the others in the hall fell silent, awaiting Mo Xiuyao's response. After all, in the northwest and within Prince Ding's Estate, it was Mo Xiuyao who had the final say. If he refused, no amount of persuasion would change his mind. A cold smile curled on Mo Xiuyao's sharp features as he looked at Zhennan Wang. "Didn’t you once say you wished to spar with this prince? Well, today I happen to be free. If you can defeat me, I’ll agree to anything!"

The others were taken aback—no one had expected Mo Xiuyao to challenge Zhennan Wang to a duel at this moment. Lei Tengfeng frowned. "Prince Ding, now is not—"

Mo Xiuyao cut him off with a smirk. "Don’t worry, Young Master. I certainly won’t take advantage of Prince Zhennan’s missing arm. At most, I’ll fight him one-handed."Upon hearing this, the hall was instantly filled with a chilling atmosphere. Zhennan Wang glared at Mo Xiuyao with a dark expression and said coldly, "Prince Ding, aren’t you being too arrogant? Do you really have the ability to face me with just one hand?" Everyone knew that Zhennan Wang’s left arm was an absolute taboo. It was the mark of the most devastating defeat in his life—not only was his undefeated record shattered, but his personal guards were nearly wiped out in the desperate effort to rescue him. Even then, he had only escaped Mo Liufang’s grasp at the cost of losing an arm. Now, the one mocking him was Mo Liufang’s son, making the insult even more unbearable. Mo Xiuyao paid no heed to Zhennan Wang’s fury and replied nonchalantly, "Surely it’s easier than waiting for Zhennan Wang to grow a new arm, isn’t it?"

"Outrageous!" Zhennan Wang roared in fury. With a heavy slam of his right hand on the armrest, he leaped into the air and struck toward Mo Xiuyao with a palm strike. Mo Xiuyao let out a light hum, flicked his sleeve, and with one arm wrapped around Ye Li, swiftly dodged the attack before darting outside. By the time Zhennan Wang and his men chased them out, Mo Xiuyao had already landed gracefully with Ye Li, even taking the time to smooth her wind-tousled hair before turning to face Zhennan Wang. He took two steps forward and said calmly, "After you."

Zhennan Wang snorted coldly and lunged at Mo Xiuyao again. This time, Mo Xiuyao did not evade but met him head-on, and the two began exchanging blows in the courtyard outside the hall. Naturally, the commotion drew a crowd from Prince Ding’s Estate. Those who arrived upon hearing the news all wore unfriendly expressions as they watched Zhennan Wang in combat and Lei Tengfeng standing by as a spectator. Feng Zhiyao, ever the instigator, stood beside Ye Li and said with a grin, "Wang Fei, has our Wang Ye’s skill improved yet again? The news of Prince Ding challenging Western Liang’s top martial artist with just one hand will surely earn him even greater renown once it spreads." Everyone present had sharp ears and eyes, so Feng Zhiyao’s words were heard loud and clear. A quick glance confirmed that Mo Xiuyao was indeed using only one hand in the fight, the other tucked behind his back without moving an inch. Zhennan Wang naturally heard this too, his expression darkening further as his attacks grew fiercer. While it might seem fair—one hand against one hand—there weren’t many true fools in the world. Zhennan Wang had been missing an arm for over a decade and was long accustomed to fighting with just one. Prince Ding, however, had always used both hands. Suddenly limiting himself to one would undoubtedly weaken his combat prowess. Thus, if Zhennan Wang lost, it would be humiliating, but even if he won, it would hardly be a glorious victory.

Though Prince Ding’s Estate was known for its strict discipline, its residents were quite relaxed in their leisure time. For instance, those with nothing better to do had already begun placing bets on the outcome of the duel between their Wang Ye and Zhennan Wang. However, the betting results were rather skewed—everyone wagered on their Wang Ye to win. This meant that if he lost, no one would have to pay, but if he won, there’d be no winnings either. In the end, the betting pool couldn’t even get off the ground.Feng Zhiyao approached Lei Tengfeng with a beaming smile and asked, "Young Master Lei, care to place a bet? Who do you think will win—our Prince or your Axe King?" Lei Tengfeng gave him a cool glance, naturally refusing to answer such a question. Unfazed by his indifference, Feng Zhiyao turned to Ye Li and asked, "What do you think, Wang Fei?" Ye Li, engrossed in watching the fight before her, had no mind to respond to Feng Zhiyao's chatter. Truth be told, this was her first time witnessing a genuine battle between the four greatest martial artists in the world. The others were equally absorbed, as such a duel was a rare spectacle. For martial artists, observing such high-level combat could greatly benefit their own skills.

The only one present who showed no interest was Xu Qingchen. Despite being a prodigious talent, Qingchen Gongzi knew nothing of martial arts. With his refined temperament and broad knowledge, he had little interest in mere spectacles. Seeing the crowd in the courtyard utterly captivated, he could only retreat quietly to his study to attend to his own affairs.

The fight lasted nearly two hours, and the betting quickly spread from Prince Ding's Estate throughout the entire Ruyang City. Han Mingxi, who had rushed over upon hearing the news to act as the bookmaker, even arranged for continuous updates on the contest's progress to be relayed outside, refreshing the betting records in real time. The citizens of Ruyang naturally threw their support behind their own Prince, but those backing Zhennan Wang were no fewer in enthusiasm. Though fewer in number compared to Prince Ding's supporters, the bets placed by nobles from various countries were substantial, making the stakes between the two sides appear evenly matched for a time.

In the courtyard of Prince Ding's Estate, two figures clashed and separated at blinding speed, their movements almost too swift to follow. After another exchange of palm strikes, both retreated several steps. Zhennan Wang's expression was dark, his once-elegant sleeves now tattered and uneven from the fierce gusts of their battle. Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze slightly, his face pale, as a strand of snow-white hair drifted down—clearly severed by the force of their earlier clash. Zhennan Wang sneered, "Mo Xiuyao, do you truly believe you can defeat this Prince with just one hand?"

Mo Xiuyao raised his head and replied with a faint smile, "Why not test whether I can sever your other arm as well?"

"Insolent brat!" Zhennan Wang roared, unleashing a palm strike with overwhelming force, surging toward Mo Xiuyao like a tidal wave. Mo Xiuyao twisted his body, spiraling upward before abruptly changing direction midair, aiming straight for Zhennan Wang's right arm.

"Father, be careful!" Lei Tengfeng cried out in alarm.

Zhennan Wang snorted coldly, his palms striking out in rapid succession to block Mo Xiuyao's assault. The two resumed their fierce exchange of blows.Ye Li did not witness the final outcome of the match. As the sun began to set, she rose to return to her room to tend to her precious son. After all, within Prince Ding's Estate, even if Mo Xiuyao couldn't defeat Prince Zhennan of Xiling, the prince certainly couldn't harm him either.

Upon returning to her chambers, she found that Mo Xiaobao had indeed woken up and was wailing loudly in the arms of his wet nurse. Since Ye Li preferred not to leave the child solely in the care of wet nurses, Xiaobao disliked being held by them except during feeding times. Even the two Madams Xu were more favored by the little one than his nurses. When Ye Li entered, the two wet nurses were already drenched in sweat from Xiaobao's fussing. She took him into her arms, and the baby's bright, round eyes gazed up at his mother. He sniffled, nuzzled against her, and soon grew drowsy.

Amused, Ye Li watched the little bundle in her arms. She wasn’t sure if such a tiny thing could recognize people, but it was clear that the baby knew her and Mo Xiuyao. The proof was that no matter how fiercely Xiaobao cried, he would stop the moment he was in her arms. Conversely, no matter how happily he was giggling, if he was awake and handed to Mo Xiuyao, he would immediately burst into earth-shaking wails. Ye Li couldn’t help but wonder where a one-month-old baby got so much energy and tears.

Just as she was soothing Xiaobao to sleep, a maid announced the arrival of Madam Xu, Second Madam Xu, and Miss Qin Zheng. Ye Li quickly invited them in.

"First Aunt, Second Aunt, Sister Zheng'er. What brings you here at this hour?" Ye Li greeted them with a smile, still cradling Xiaobao.

Madam Xu smiled. "We heard there was a fight in the front courtyard?" Though the Xu family wasn’t overly conservative, the womenfolk generally avoided the front courtyard, especially since Qin Zheng was preparing for her wedding and the two Madams Xu were busy with the arrangements.

Ye Li reassured them, "No need to worry, Aunt. His Highness and Prince Zhennan of Xiling were just playing around."

However, Prince Zhennan’s notorious reputation had reached even the inner quarters, making it hard not to worry. They sat in the parlor with Ye Li, chatting while waiting for news.

It wasn’t until full darkness had fallen that Qingluan hurried in with a smile. "Reporting to Wang Fei, the fight in the front courtyard is over."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "Who won?"

Qingluan tugged at her braid, looking puzzled. "Well... it seems neither won nor lost—it was a draw. But in the end, Prince Zhennan coughed up blood, so perhaps he lost?"

"A draw? Then did Mingxi win?" A tie meant the house took all.

Qingluan covered her mouth with a laugh. "That might be the case. On my way back, I saw Young Master Han laughing heartily. His Highness said that after seeing off Prince Zhennan and the heir, he would return to dine with Wang Fei."

Ye Li nodded. "Then have the kitchen prepare some of His Highness’s favorite dishes."

Qingluan acknowledged with a smile and left.

Author’s Note:

Apologies for the delay today—I had urgent matters to attend to and had to rush this in a quick session at an internet café. There’s still more to do... Please forgive me! By the way, happy Qixi Festival to all!