Mo Li

Originally, Ye Li thought that after the incident at the restaurant, Imperial Concubine Liu would surely loathe them and stay as far away as possible. So when their group left the inn early the next morning and happened to run into Prime Minister Liu’s party again on their way out of the city, Ye Li’s irritation genuinely rose another notch. Especially when she saw Imperial Concubine Liu approach them with a calm expression, as if nothing had happened, she was left utterly speechless.

Princess Changle, who was following Imperial Concubine Liu, subtly shrugged at Ye Li and pulled a playful face, grinning at her. Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly and cast an imperceptible glance at Imperial Concubine Liu. Princess Changle shook her head faintly, rolled her eyes skyward, and sighed. Left with no choice, Ye Li could only follow suit and look up at the sky helplessly.

“Prince Ding, did you rest well last night?” Imperial Concubine Liu stopped in front of Mo Xiuyao and asked softly. Though her tone remained cool and indifferent, there was an unmistakable note of genuine concern in her voice.

Princess Changle automatically halted her steps, standing a little further away from Imperial Concubine Liu, pretending to admire the scenery. Was her father really as suspicious as her mother claimed? Then why had he never doubted that his beloved concubine might be cuckolding him, even allowing her to chase after a married man?

“Nauseating,” Mo Xiuyao replied coldly. His silver hair shimmered faintly in the morning light as he turned away, leaving Imperial Concubine Liu—who was still gazing at him with earnest longing—and walked over to Ye Li. Imperial Concubine Liu watched his retreating figure, snow-white hair flowing behind him, her eyes filled with infatuation and sorrow.

Ye Li turned slightly toward Imperial Concubine Liu and smiled faintly. “Prime Minister Liu, Imperial Concubine, please forgive us. Our Wang Ye isn’t usually this ill-tempered. It’s just that he was disgusted by something at noon yesterday and hasn’t had much appetite since, which is why he’s acting this way.”

Without another word, Mo Xiuyao lifted Ye Li onto her horse before mounting himself and settling behind her. With a tug on the reins, he led the way out of the city.

The group left behind wore varied expressions, with Imperial Concubine Liu and Prime Minister Liu looking particularly displeased. Imperial Concubine Liu’s feelings were obvious, but Prime Minister Liu, though not present during the restaurant incident, had heard what happened and also felt his daughter had gone too far. However, he was equally displeased by Mo Xiuyao’s public humiliation of her.

After a glance at Imperial Concubine Liu, Prime Minister Liu said sternly, “Imperial Concubine, we should depart as well. Let’s go.” Imperial Concubine Liu cast one last reluctant look toward the city gate, where Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had already disappeared, before finally turning and boarding her carriage.

Left at the very end, Feng Zhiyao and the others exchanged glances. After a long pause, Zhuo Jing frowned and said, “Eldest Young Master, the Liu family seems… unusual.”

Xu Qingchen’s gaze swept lightly over the departing carriages ahead. His smile was as gentle as a spring breeze, yet it sent a chill down everyone’s spine. “Indeed, something is unusual. I’ve long heard that in his youth, Prince Ding once leaned against a bridge on horseback, drawing the admiration of countless women. Who would have thought that now, in his prime, he’s even more adept at attracting their affections?”

His words were spoken with elegant nonchalance, but those who heard them couldn’t help but shiver.Feng Zhiyao looked at the elegant and exquisite carriage, wanting to defend his superior and friend but finding himself at a loss for words. He could only silently close his mouth. Even the Imperial Concubine of Great Chu was so infatuated—wasn’t this just inviting trouble? Seeing that everyone tacitly agreed, Xu Qingchen nodded in satisfaction and steered the conversation back. “What do you find unusual?”

Zhuo Jing thought for a moment, frowning as he said, “The emperor sending Imperial Concubine Liu to Nanzhao is already suspicious in itself. Moreover… Imperial Concubine Liu is acting far too boldly. If her words and actions were to reach the emperor’s ears, no matter how much he dotes on her, he would surely turn ruthless.”

Xu Qingchen nodded. “Indeed. She dares to act so recklessly because she’s certain these matters won’t reach the emperor. That means… among the envoys sent by Great Chu this time, there are none loyal to the emperor.”

“How is that possible?” Feng Zhiyao exclaimed. They had all witnessed firsthand how severe Mo Jingqi’s paranoia was. Feng Zhiyao doubted whether there was anyone in the world Mo Jingqi truly trusted. Even if he trusted Prime Minister Liu and doted on Imperial Concubine Liu, he would never fail to plant spies around them. Xu Qingchen lowered his head in contemplation before saying, “Then it must be that Mo Jingqi believes he has planted his people, but in reality… those individuals were never his to begin with. What is the Liu family planning?”

Feng Zhiyao shook his head. If even Qingchen Gongzi couldn’t figure it out, he certainly couldn’t. Grabbing the reins of a nearby horse, he mounted it in one swift motion and said, “We’ll think about it later. If we don’t leave now, Wang Ye and Wang Fei will have already passed Snowbreak Pass.”

Mo Xiuyao’s party encountered no obstruction at Snowbreak Pass, exiting shortly after Prime Minister Liu’s group. Beyond the pass lay the lands of the Southern Border, where the people were fierce and skilled in handling poisons. Though unafraid, they had no desire to provoke unnecessary trouble. Without further delay, they rode straight for the capital of Nanzhao. Mo Xiuyao’s group traveled swiftly on horseback, while Imperial Concubine Liu’s entourage moved at the slower pace of carriages, quickly falling far behind. The journey thus became much quieter. Within a few days, they arrived at the gates of Nanzhao’s royal city.

The royal city of Nanzhao remained as bustling and lively as it had been years before, with people of various ethnicities dressed in diverse attire streaming through the city gates. Perhaps due to Princess Anxi’s grand wedding, many tribal leaders from the remote regions of the Southern Border—though not under Nanzhao’s rule—had come to pay their respects, making the city even more vibrant than usual. Likewise, the guards patrolling inside and outside the city had increased significantly.

Upon Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li’s arrival, Princess Anxi naturally came out to greet them personally. The moment Ye Li dismounted, Princess Anxi approached with a smile and said, “Prince Ding’s Estate, it has been a long time. Wang Fei’s grace outshines even before.” Ye Li smiled faintly. “You flatter me, Princess. Congratulations on your wedding.”

The smile on Princess Anxi’s face dimmed slightly, but she still accepted Ye Li’s well-wishes with grace. Turning slightly, she gestured to the young man beside her and introduced him to Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao. “Prince Ding, Wang Fei, this is my fiancé, Pu A.”Ye Li looked up at the young man, who appeared to be around the same age as Princess Anxi. Tall and slender, he was almost as tall as Mo Xiuyao, but unlike the fair complexions of Central Plains men, his wheat-colored skin made him look even more robust and heroic. His firm face carried a hint of stiffness and barely noticeable awkwardness, leading Ye Li to instinctively feel that this young man was a simple and honest soul. He didn’t seem at all like the kind of person Princess Anxi would take a liking to.

The young man nodded at Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, speaking a few words that Ye Li couldn’t understand at all—it didn’t sound like the common language of Nanzhao. Mo Xiuyao, however, nodded in return and replied in the same tongue. The young man was clearly surprised that this white-robed man could speak his language, and his gaze toward Mo Xiuyao immediately grew much warmer.

Princess Anxi smiled at Ye Li and explained, “Pu A is the only son of a tribal chief from the south. Their tribe has been allied with my maternal grandfather’s tribe for generations. I met him a few times when I was young, but their people have their own language and script and have always been insular. His Nanzhao language is newly learned, so I doubt you could understand him just now. What he said was ‘Welcome.’”

As Princess Anxi spoke to Ye Li, the others naturally overheard. Pu A glanced at the princess, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. After she whispered a few words to him, he finally looked up at Ye Li and smiled, saying in stiff, heavily accented Nanzhao, “Welcome.”

Ye Li listened to his awkward, off-tone Nanzhao—even more halting than her own—and thought, He really must have just started learning. She nodded and replied in Nanzhao, “Thank you. Congratulations.”

The young man clearly understood her words, and his expression toward the group softened further. He muttered something to Princess Anxi, who smiled and translated for Ye Li, “He says since you’re all my friends, you must be good people.”

Ye Li couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking that this young man might not be so unworthy of Princess Anxi after all.

Once their greetings were over, Xu Qingchen and the others who had been trailing behind finally caught up. Xu Qingchen smiled at Princess Anxi and said, “Princess, congratulations.”

A trace of bitterness flashed in Princess Anxi’s eyes as she lowered her gaze slightly. “Thank you… and thank you for coming.”

Xu Qingchen replied warmly, “I’m very happy to attend your wedding.”

Princess Anxi quickly composed herself and nodded with a smile. “It’s been years. I’m glad to see you too. This is my fiancé, Pu A.”

She then turned and introduced Xu Qingchen to Pu A in another language.

Xu Qingchen’s reputation as the number one gentleman of Great Chu was well-earned. As Ye Li would say, if Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen stood side by side, people’s first glance would undoubtedly land on Mo Xiuyao—but that was only because of his striking white hair. Yet, in the end, their gazes would linger longest on Xu Qingchen. Of course, this observation might have been Ye Li’s subtle way of belittling her own husband, but at the very least, it proved that Xu Qingchen could hold his own even when standing next to Mo Xiuyao.In terms of appearance alone, Xu Qingchen might not be more handsome than Feng Zhiyao, nor as exquisitely sculpted as Han Mingxi. He didn’t even pay much attention to clothing or accessories. His attire was the simplest white robes in the most ordinary style, and unlike Feng Zhiyao, he didn’t carry an ornate gold-painted folding fan everywhere. Occasionally, he might hold a fan he had casually painted in his study. At his waist hung a jade pendant gifted by his grandfather in his youth, unchanged for many years. Yet, whenever he stood before others, people’s gazes would inevitably linger on him, unwilling to look away. Xu Qingchen exuded an ethereal elegance, detached from worldly affairs, yet not in the aloof manner of an immortal. Instead, he inspired an involuntary sense of admiration and warmth. Compared to him, most outstanding men in the world seemed too imposing, instinctively making others wary and distant. Only Xu Qingchen… Even Ye Li had never met a man like him—someone who made people long to draw near, enveloped in his comforting and serene aura. Even those aware of his methods often found themselves irresistibly drawn to him.

Pu A was also taken aback upon seeing Xu Qingchen, his eyes flickering with surprise, followed by a mix of resignation and melancholy. He nodded at Xu Qingchen and uttered a welcome in the little Nanzhao language he knew. Xu Qingchen smiled gently and greeted him in Pu A’s tribal tongue. Though Mo Xiuyao and Princess Anxi spoke the same language with the precision of learned outsiders, Xu Qingchen’s pronunciation was distinctly different—more akin to Pu A’s own, yet far more melodious.

Watching the young man’s faint despondency, Ye Li couldn’t help but bury her face against Mo Xiuyao’s shoulder, unwilling to look up. Big Brother, could you be any more heartless? It’s bad enough you rejected Princess Anxi, but now you’re here to crush her fiancé’s spirit too?

“A Li, are you tired?” Mo Xiuyao asked with concern. He didn’t care whom Xu Qingchen had slighted—it certainly wasn’t him.

Ye Li gave a weak nod, feeling a pang of sympathy for the young man standing overshadowed beside Xu Qingchen. Princess Anxi glanced at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao’s intertwined hands, a trace of envy flashing in her eyes before she laughed. “We’ve been standing here talking for too long. Let’s hurry into the city. I’ve already arranged accommodations at the guesthouse. If we linger any longer, we might end up stealing the hearts of every maiden in Nanzhao—and that would be quite the trouble.”

Princess Anxi wasn’t wrong. Though their group wasn’t blocking the city gates, they were far too eye-catching to ignore. From Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen to Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, and Qin Feng—any one of them could make a crowd of young women swoon. By now, the city gates were already lined with eager young ladies. The Southern Border people were known for their passion, and if not for the royal guards holding them back, they might have rushed forward to declare their affections.Upon entering the city, Princess Anxi led the group directly to a guesthouse located not far from both the royal palace and the Princess Manor. Given the exhaustion from their journey, Mo Xiuyao and his companions naturally wouldn’t rush to meet the King of Nanzhao immediately. Princess Anxi personally escorted them to a courtyard within the guesthouse that had been prepared in advance, ensuring they were comfortably settled, and instructed the attendants to take good care of them. Witnessing the princess’s meticulous efforts, Ye Li felt even more apologetic for her elder brother’s lack of consideration.

Noticing Ye Li’s silent apology, Princess Anxi responded with a helpless smile. She glanced back at Pu A, who was conversing with Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen not far away. Both Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen were fluent in several Southern Border tribal languages, allowing them to communicate with Pu A without any barriers. From Ye Li’s perspective, the three seemed to be getting along well, though the young man sandwiched between Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen appeared even more overshadowed. With a sigh, Princess Anxi remarked, "Prince Ding and Qingchen are both too outstanding. Finding someone who can match them is nearly impossible. Pu A and I have known each other since childhood—he has a kind heart and genuinely cares for me. Marrying him wouldn’t be a bad choice."

Ye Li nodded in agreement. "Your Highness has made the right decision."

From Pu A’s demeanor alone, it was clear he held Princess Anxi in the highest regard. More importantly, he was evidently aware of her feelings for Xu Qingchen, yet his gaze toward the latter held only a trace of melancholy and admiration, devoid of any jealousy or resentment. This spoke volumes about his magnanimity. As the Crown Princess of Nanzhao and its future ruler, Princess Anxi would have been perfectly matched with Xu Qingchen—had he been a native of Nanzhao and reciprocated her feelings. However, though Xu Qingchen had wandered the world since his youth, he would always return to his family in the end. Meanwhile, as the Crown Princess, Anxi could never leave Nanzhao to follow him back to the Xu Family. Moreover, Young Master Xu, with his unparalleled literary brilliance, would likely find life in a place like Nanzhao stifling. Most crucially… Xu Qingchen, despite his warm and approachable facade, was inherently aloof and distant. Unless someone occupied his heart, he remained detached, often leaving others basking in his spring-like warmth while he had already retreated a thousand miles away. Ye Li believed that even if Princess Anxi had married Xu Qingchen, she might not have found greater happiness than she would with Pu A. After all, those who are loved are always happier than those who love—though, of course, the ideal is to both love and be loved in return.

Princess Anxi looked at Ye Li with a faint smile and said, "Truthfully, what I envy most is Wang Fei. I imagine every woman in the world must envy Princess Ding."Ye Li turned her head to glance at Mo Xiuyao, who happened to look back at her at the same moment. Their eyes met, and they couldn't help but smile at each other, a gentle warmth flowing between them. Turning back to Princess Anxi, Ye Li said with a smile, "Your Highness could be just like me—Pu A will surely make a good husband." She reached out and took the princess's hand sincerely, adding, "Since you've made your decision, let go of the past and cherish what you have. There's a saying in the Central Plains: 'Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying.' Though it might not fit perfectly here, the sentiment holds true. Pu A has feelings for you, and since you've chosen him, you must trust him. Why not nurture this marriage with care? Hearts are made of flesh—once they grow cold, regret will come too late. Before our wedding, Wang Ye and I had only met once or twice. Your situation is already much better than ours, isn't it?"

Princess Anxi nodded and said, "I understand what you mean, Princess Ding. Thank you."

Ye Li shook her head and glanced at the elegant and refined Qingchen Gongzi nearby, raising an eyebrow playfully. "As for that man, don’t take him too seriously. My aunt curses him every day at home, and countless young ladies in Li Cheng have been ignored by him. I’d wager at least half the girls in the city are cursing him daily." Intrigued, Princess Anxi asked curiously, "What are they cursing him with?"

Ye Li laughed. "Either that he’ll never find a wife in this lifetime, or that someday he’ll fall for a girl who won’t give him the time of day. Honestly, if I were one of those ignored girls, that’s exactly what I’d curse him with!"

Princess Anxi finally burst into laughter, the lingering sorrow in her expression fading considerably. "Never finding a wife is too harsh—let’s just curse him with falling for someone who won’t spare him a glance," she said with a smile.

Seeing the mirth and quiet acceptance in Princess Anxi’s eyes, Ye Li felt relieved. Whatever the case, letting go was for the best.