Mo Li

Madam Xu was indeed swift in her actions, eager to welcome a daughter-in-law into the family. Within just two days, she sent a letter from the Xu residence to Ye Li, indicating that everything was ready and all that remained was for Xu Qingchen to return and meet the prospective bride. Upon receiving Madam Xu's earnest letter, Ye Li could only smile helplessly and rise to seek out Xu Qingchen in his study.

The front courtyard of Prince Ding's Estate had been designated by Ye Li as an administrative area. Apart from the main hall for receiving guests and the conference hall for meetings and gatherings, there were also numerous studies of varying sizes, each assigned to the estate's civil officials for their work. As Ye Li stepped into the study, she couldn't help but admire her elder brother's grace. There he sat behind the desk, leisurely sipping tea while reviewing the documents in his hand. The title of "First Gentleman of the Realm" was not undeserved—even amidst the tedious paperwork and bureaucratic toil, Xu Qingchen exuded an elegance that made it seem as though he were a refined scholar composing poetry.

"Elder Brother," Ye Li called softly as she entered.

Xu Qingchen set down the document and stood with a smile. "Li'er, what brings you here at this hour?" Ye Li waved her hand lightly. "No need for formalities, Elder Brother. Please, sit." Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow but complied, settling back into his chair with an amused look, waiting for her to speak. After a moment's thought, Ye Li asked, "How many days has it been since you last returned to the Xu residence?"

Xu Qingchen, ever sharp-witted, immediately grasped her meaning. With a smile, he inquired, "Has Mother sent you to persuade me to go back and meet those young ladies?"

Ye Li felt a twinge of awkwardness. Though the words themselves were harmless, something about hearing them from Xu Qingchen made them strangely uncomfortable. After a pause, she handed him Madam Xu's letter and said gently, "Though it's not my place to interfere in your affairs, Elder Brother... you should at least give Aunt Xu an answer, if only to set her mind at ease. Avoiding the matter like this isn't like you, and it only hurts her needlessly."

As Xu Qingchen read the letter, a trace of helplessness and guilt flickered across his refined features. Ye Li continued softly, "Whatever your reasons or thoughts, it would be best to explain them clearly to Aunt Xu. From what I can see, Aunt Xu, Uncle Xu, and Grandfather are all reasonable people. If you truly have reservations, they wouldn't force you into marriage. Wouldn't it be better than avoiding Aunt Xu like this?"

Xu Qingchen paused, then let out a rueful chuckle. "You've noticed, Li'er?"

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Isn't it obvious? No matter how much Xiu Yao enjoys slacking off, he wouldn't dump all the work on you—he knows what's important. But lately, you've rarely returned to the Xu residence, haven't you?"

Xu Qingchen tucked the letter away with a sigh and met her gaze. "I understand. I'll go back shortly." Ye Li blinked playfully. "Would you like me to accompany you for moral support?" Xu Qingchen could only laugh in exasperation.After seeing Xu Qingchen off, Ye Li turned back to her study. Upon entering, she saw Mo Xiuyao lounging in a chair, engrossed in reading a dossier. Hearing Ye Li's footsteps, Mo Xiuyao quickly waved her over with a smile, "A Li, come take a look at this..." Curious, Ye Li approached, "What is it?" Glancing down, she realized it was a detailed report on Xu Qingchen's life, compiled by a shadow guard. She shot Mo Xiuyao a sidelong glance and raised an eyebrow, "You had someone investigate Eldest Brother?"

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand dismissively, "I'm just trying to help you. Isn't the Xu Family worried about Qingchen Gongzi's marriage? You've been preoccupied with his affairs these past few days, haven't you?" Ye Li nodded slightly, reluctantly accepting his explanation, and asked, "So, what did you find?" Mo Xiuyao looked up at her with a hint of pity. Ye Li froze—could there really be something wrong with her eldest brother?

"A Li, you need to brace yourself," Mo Xiuyao patted her hand comfortingly. "I think we really should consider marrying your eldest brother off."

"What do you mean?" Mo Xiuyao waved the report in his hand. "This document meticulously records everything Qingchen Gongzi has done over the past twenty years, but... there's not a single mention of him having any romantic involvement with a woman. Not even a hint of special attention to any particular lady." Ye Li narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, "So you're suggesting Eldest Brother is... into men?" Mo Xiuyao tossed the report onto the table and stretched lazily. "What else could it be? Qingchen Gongzi will be thirty in a couple of years. Can you believe it? In nearly thirty years, he hasn't even held a woman's hand."

Ye Li struggled to remain composed. "You could say Eldest Brother has high standards and isn't interested in ordinary women."

Mo Xiuyao rolled his eyes skyward, clearly unconvinced by Ye Li's attempt at self-reassurance. Irritated, Ye Li pinched Mo Xiuyao's flawless cheeks and tugged them sideways. "Stop trying to make trouble for Eldest Brother. Rumors like this could harm his reputation." Wincing in pain, Mo Xiuyao grabbed her hands and held them in his own, rubbing his sore cheeks. "A Li, do you dislike men who prefer men?" Ye Li glared at him fiercely. "No, but... don't spout nonsense! Even if Eldest Brother is, it’s his place to say so, not ours!"

Mo Xiuyao nodded obediently—so, A Li, you agree that Xu Qingchen is into men? Unaware she had been led into his logic, Ye Li completely forgot that the shadow guard's report had also omitted any mention of Xu Qingchen showing special interest in any man.

It was unclear how Xu Qingchen had managed to persuade Madam Xu, but afterward, no rumors about the Xu Family's eldest son seeking a marriage partner circulated in Li Cheng. However, Xu Qingchen did begin to notice that his cousin now regarded him with an indescribable mix of peculiarity and concern.If one were to ask what the most significant event in the northwest this year was, the answer would undoubtedly be the imperial examinations held in June. This was the first time in five years since the northwest's independence that such exams were conducted to select talents, naturally drawing widespread attention. It also reaffirmed the stance that the northwest now had no ties whatsoever with Great Chu. What was even more noteworthy was that this examination was not limited to scholars within the northwest; those from Great Chu and Western Liang with genuine talent were also welcome. Although the scorching heat of June was not an ideal time for such exams, scholars from across the northwest and some unrecognized talents from Great Chu and Western Liang traveled from afar to Li Cheng in an endless stream. Moreover, with the annual Li Cheng Trade Fair taking place just half a month after the exams, merchants from various countries flocked here to sell their goods at better prices, igniting the city's enthusiasm like the blazing summer sun.

After five years, Li Cheng today was no longer comparable to what it once was. The city's area alone had more than doubled in size compared to five years ago, and the bustling streets filled with merchants and a dazzling array of goods were no less impressive than those in Chu Jing of Great Chu. Occasionally, one could even spot Westerners with exotic attire, hair, skin, and eye colors vastly different from the locals of the northwest.

In the Ningxiang Pavilion, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li sat by the window in a private room, enjoying a rare moment of leisure as they sipped tea and chatted. From time to time, they glanced down at the lively streets below, teeming with people and prosperity. Ye Li felt immense satisfaction and joy at the sight. This city was the fruit of their five years of hard work, now flourishing and peaceful. Just like the land of the northwest, they had all worked together to protect this territory and its people. Gazing at the man seated across from her, Ye Li's heart swelled with tenderness and sweetness. They were not just husband and wife but also partners who walked side by side, relying on each other, sharing common ideals and responsibilities.

"What has A Li thinking so happily?" Mo Xiuyao set down his teacup, looking affectionately at his wife, whose smile was gentle and content. Ye Li replied softly, "Nothing much. It's just that the scene before us brings me great joy."

Following her gaze, Mo Xiuyao looked down at the bustling street below. A young couple ran a modest stall selling cosmetics, their plain clothes unable to hide their joyful smiles. A family of three—parents holding the hand of their young child—walked down the street, the child pointing excitedly at a vendor selling candied hawthorns. An elderly man in his sixties strode steadily through the crowd, while young scholars passed by, their faces glowing with an inexplicable radiance and happiness. Turning back, Mo Xiuyao spoke in a soft yet resolute voice, "As long as we are here, they will always live such happy lives."

Ye Li nodded and murmured, "In truth, the common people don’t ask for much. As long as they can live in peace, with enough to eat and wear, they will be endlessly grateful." Mo Xiuyao chuckled, "Isn’t that so? Right now, isn’t my A Li the most revered person among the people of the northwest? Without her, how could they enjoy such good days?"The plan for foreign trade in the northwest was proposed by A Li, and the reclamation of land for grain cultivation in the northern plains was also her idea. His words were by no means empty flattery—A Li had done so much for the northwest, for the Mo Family Army, and for him. Mo Xiuyao had always felt immensely fortunate to have married such an extraordinary wife.

Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled. "Wang Ye flatters me too much. I merely offered suggestions and wrote things down. It’s others who truly put them into action."

Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "Though many people could accomplish these tasks, no one else had ever thought of them. So A Li still deserves the greatest credit."

"Wang Ye, Wang Fei, Yao Ji requests an audience."

"Come in," Mo Xiuyao said calmly, his sword-like brows slightly furrowed.

Yao Ji pushed the door open and entered. Five years had passed, and the once peerlessly elegant top dancer of Chu Jing now carried an air of mature charm and grace. However, stripped of her former glamour, she now wore simple robes and a jade hairpin, her demeanor more serene and composed than the proud aura she once possessed.

Ye Li glanced at the green jade lotus hairpin adorning Yao Ji’s hair and raised an eyebrow with a smile. "It’s been a while, but you seem even more beautiful than before."

Yao Ji laughed brightly. "Is Wang Fei teasing me? How could I compare to you, who grows ever more radiant?"

Ye Li grinned playfully. "This jade hairpin is quite lovely. It looks rather familiar to me."

Yao Ji unconsciously touched the hairpin, a hint of discomfort in her manner. "It’s just an ordinary piece. The style is quite common, isn’t it?"

Ye Li shook her head. "That’s not quite right. Though the jade quality, craftsmanship, and design aren’t exceptional, this type of green jade was brought in by merchants from the Western Regions. There are likely only three such hairpins in all of Li Cheng. I kept one carved with hibiscus, gave another with orchids to the Xu Family’s second young mistress, and the last one… well, someone else asked for it. So it turns out—"

Meeting Ye Li’s teasing gaze, even the once worldly Yao Ji couldn’t help but flush, silently cursing the man who had given her the hairpin. When he had first offered it, she had refused, but he had tossed it to her carelessly, claiming it was a mistaken gift and useless to him—if she didn’t want it, she could throw it away. Who would have thought this seemingly unremarkable hairpin had such a story behind it?

Seeing Yao Ji’s cheeks grow increasingly red, Ye Li decided it was best not to tease her further. Ruining a subordinate’s romantic prospects would earn her a lifetime of resentment. As the saying from her past life went, those who meddle in love affairs deserve to be kicked by a horse at full speed."Alright, I won't tease you anymore. But is there something important?" Ye Li asked seriously. Seeing that Ye Li had given her an out, Yao Ji was happy to change the subject and quickly replied, "The list of problematic candidates among the examinees is here. Should we arrest them now?" Yao Ji respectfully presented a list, which she had reviewed before handing it to Ye Li. "It seems Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingqi really think highly of us, trying to slip their people into Li Cheng at every opportunity. At least half of the examinees from Great Chu and Western Liang this time are their people."

After a moment's thought, Ye Li said to Yao Ji, "Leave them be for now. We'll deal with them after the exams. I’d like to see what kind of 'talented' people Zhennan Wang and Mo Jingqi have sent us." If a large number of scholars went missing before the exams, it would easily be noticed and cause an uproar. But after the exams, if some disappeared, most would assume they had failed and left in disappointment.

Yao Ji acknowledged the order, then added, "There’s one more thing. I had already sent someone to inform Lord Mo Hua, but since Wang Ye and Wang Fei are here, I’ll report it to you first. There have been rumors of unrest in Chu Jing recently, according to travelers from there who visited one of our taverns."

Mo Xiuyao frowned. "Did they mention what kind of trouble?"

Yao Ji shook her head. "They weren’t high-ranking officials or nobles, so they probably didn’t know much."

Ye Li smiled. "It seems our people in Chu Jing aren’t as effective as they used to be."

Mo Xiuyao wasn’t surprised. "Mo Jingqi’s paranoia is appalling. After being fooled by Tan Jizhi for nearly a decade, he probably sees traitors everywhere now. He’d rather suffer heavy losses than leave any suspicious figures around him." Although Prince Ding’s Estate still had some hidden agents in the palace, they were deeply concealed and couldn’t be used unless it was a matter of life or death for the estate.

"It seems everyone’s grown tired of peace. A Li, pick a suitable person to return to the capital and assist Leng Haoyu," Mo Xiuyao said coldly.

Ye Li nodded. Yao Ji, standing at the door, clenched her teeth and suddenly spoke up. "Wang Ye, Wang Fei, if you trust me, I’m willing to go to the capital."

"You?" Ye Li frowned. "But your identity—and the danger of entering the capital. Have you truly considered this?"

Yao Ji nodded firmly. "I’ve thought it through. Though I’ve been in Li Cheng these past few years, I’ve rarely appeared in public, so few here would recognize me. Besides, I’m not the same Yao Ji I once was. At the very least, I have the ability to protect myself."

Seeing her resolute expression, Ye Li sighed helplessly. "You still can’t let go, can you?"

Yao Ji forced a smile. "Perhaps going back will help me move on. I won’t let Wang Ye and Wang Fei down. Please grant me this request."

Ye Li thought for a moment. "Go back for now. I’ll consider it and give you an answer later."

Yao Ji thanked her and left, closing the door behind her.

"Actually, Yao Ji isn’t a bad choice," Mo Xiuyao said to Ye Li. "But I suspect she still has lingering feelings for Mu Yang."Ye Li frowned and said, "I don't believe she's truly let go of Mu Yang completely, but I also don't believe she would betray Prince Ding's Estate for him. Her child is still in the northwest—for the sake of her child alone, she would never betray the estate. Moreover... even if she still has feelings for Mu Yang, she likely harbors deep hatred for the people of Marquis Muyang Manor. Yao Ji is someone who clearly distinguishes love from hate..."

Mo Xiuyao looked puzzled. "Since A Li knows she still has lingering feelings for Mu Yang, why did you agree to her being with Qin Feng?"

"What do you mean, I agreed to her being with Qin Feng?" Ye Li shot him a sidelong glance. "I simply don’t like interfering in my subordinates' personal lives. As long as it doesn’t affect official matters, who Qin Feng likes is his own business. Am I, as Wang Fei, supposed to moonlight as a matchmaker?"

Mo Xiuyao was equally uninterested in his subordinates' private affairs. "In that case, why don’t you agree to Yao Ji going to Chu Jing?"

Ye Li sighed softly and shook her head. "Am I being too soft-hearted?" She was no stranger to undercover work and understood the burdens it entailed. Given Yao Ji’s identity, the best course of action upon returning to the capital would be to find a way back to Mu Yang’s side. If that happened, whether Yao Ji was later exposed and killed by Mu Yang or if things escalated to a final confrontation, she and Mu Yang would inevitably end up on opposing sides. For a man and woman who once loved each other and share a child, that would be too cruel—especially for Yao Ji.

"My A Li has always been kind-hearted," Mo Xiuyao murmured softly, the corners of his lips curling imperceptibly when she wasn’t looking. Too cruel to Mu Yang? He didn’t think so at all. He only remembered that when A Li fell off the cliff, her life hanging by a thread, that old fool Muyanghou had played a part in it. He had spared Mu Yang back then not so the man could return and enjoy family happiness with Muyanghou. Though the main course wasn’t ready yet, a little appetizer wouldn’t hurt. As for Yao Ji? She had asked for it herself. Besides, hadn’t Prince Ding's Estate saved her life? Wasn’t it only right for her to repay them a little?