Mo Li

After seeing off Princess Anxi, Xu Qingchen turned to Ye Li with sincere gratitude. "Li'er, big brother thanks you." Xu Qingchen understood why Ye Li had engaged Princess Anxi in such a lengthy conversation—she had no personal ties to the princess and thus no reason to go out of her way otherwise.

Ye Li had done this to prevent Princess Anxi from clinging to unrequited feelings or even turning her love for Xu Qingchen into resentment. If it were an ordinary woman, it might not have mattered, but Princess Anxi was the Crown Princess of a kingdom, wielding considerable influence. If she truly fixated on this, she could very well cause Xu Qingchen significant trouble. Moreover, though Xu Qingchen harbored no romantic feelings for her, he genuinely regarded her as a friend. It would be a shame if their past camaraderie were ruined because of this.

Ye Li rolled her eyes and pouted, "No need to thank me. Big brother, if you have no feelings for the girl, then don’t lead her on. I can’t keep shielding you from admirers all the time." At this, Ye Li couldn’t help but feel grateful that she had already married Mo Xiuyao and was widely recognized as his devoted wife. Every time she walked alongside Xu Qingchen, she endured countless dagger-like glares from young women smitten with Young Master Xu. Recalling how she had once deceived Princess Anxi by claiming to be Xu Qingchen’s fiancée, Ye Li shuddered at the thought—had it been another woman, she might have drawn a blade on the spot.

Xu Qingchen rubbed his nose apologetically, momentarily at a loss for words. He truly hadn’t intended to lead anyone on, nor did he look down on anyone. It was simply that he had never felt that spark of romantic attraction.

"A Li, I told you long ago that big brother would never fancy any young lady," Mo Xiuyao remarked as he stepped out, wrapping an arm around Ye Li’s waist and pulling her into his embrace with a smile.

Ye Li immediately recalled Mo Xiuyao’s past insinuations about Xu Qingchen’s inclinations, and her expression stiffened. She glanced sideways at Xu Qingchen, only to find that he offered no rebuttal, deepening her unease. While she harbored no prejudice against such preferences, she wasn’t mentally prepared for her own elder brother to be that way. And more importantly… how would she explain this to her uncle and aunt?

Seeing Ye Li’s gloomy expression, Xu Qingchen assumed she was distressed on his behalf and quickly reassured her, "Li'er, don’t be upset. It’s not as if big brother chose this..."

Witnessing Xu Qingchen’s rare display of concern, Ye Li’s heart clenched. Indeed, such inclinations weren’t something one chose. If her brother had kept it hidden all these years, he must have wanted to keep it private. The renowned Qingchen Gongzi, admired throughout the land, was… like that? If word got out… "I understand, big brother. Don’t force yourself. From now on, Li'er won’t bring it up again." Xu Qingchen blinked, touched by his sister’s understanding, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that the way she looked at him was… off. What was with that gaze full of comprehension, sympathy, and consolation?

"We’ve been traveling for days—everyone must be exhausted. Big brother, I’ll take A Li back to rest now," Mo Xiuyao said leisurely.Feeling that something was amiss, Xu Qingchen waved his hand dismissively at the two, allowing them to go about their business while he mentally reviewed the recent conversation. Suddenly, the flaw became apparent. The usually composed and elegant Qingchen Gongzi's demeanor cracked, his face turning ashen, nearly startling Zhuo Jing and Lin Han who were about to leave the courtyard. "Mo Xiuyao!"

What did he mean by saying he wouldn't like any young lady? That scoundrel Mo Xiuyao was clearly implying to Li'er that he didn't like women. Recalling how Li'er had been giving him odd looks recently, Xu Qingchen finally understood the reason. Remembering the mocking smirk Mo Xiuyao had given him before leaving, Qingchen Gongzi couldn't help but grit his teeth. "Mo Xiuyao, just you wait!"

Returning to their temporary residence, Ye Li asked curiously, "Which tribe does Princess Anxi's husband belong to? He seems quite remarkable, and both you and elder brother speak their language." Mo Xiuyao nodded. "He's from a tribe called White Wolf, located in the southwesternmost part of the Southern Border. They live deep in the mountains, growing up alongside wild beasts and poisonous insects. Almost every man in their tribe is an exceptional hunter and archer. Like most Southern Border people, they are skilled at controlling poisonous insects—perhaps even more so. When I was preparing to pacify the Southern Border years ago, I had people investigate them. A few in the army learned their language. I picked it up during those idle years."

Sitting down and pouring herself tea, Ye Li mused, "Is Princess Anxi marrying now to secure the White Wolf tribe's support?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded, taking a seat opposite her. Before coming to the Southern Border, they had naturally investigated Princess Anxi's marriage. "The current situation in the Southern Border is very unfavorable for Princess Anxi. She truly needs the support of other tribes. Things were better when elder brother was still in the south, but these past few years, with him busy in the northwest, Princess Anxi has had to face her father, Shu Manlin, Tan Jizhi, and the other tribal leaders alone. It can't be easy for her."

"But..." Ye Li frowned slightly, concerned. While their friendship with Princess Anxi suggested they should help her, from a geopolitical standpoint, a chaotic Southern Border would be more advantageous for them.

"We should avoid getting involved as much as possible," Xu Qingchen's voice came from the doorway. The composed and gentle Qingchen Gongzi entered, though his eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of Mo Xiuyao. Addressing Ye Li, he said, "My friendship with Princess Anxi is one thing, but interfering in another country's internal affairs is another. Previously, it was just me acting as her friend, but now our every word and action represents the stance of the northwest. We cannot afford any mistakes." Ye Li nodded, still worried. "Will this put elder brother in a difficult position?"

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "Princess Anxi understands boundaries."

After a moment's thought, Ye Li said, "To be honest, while Princess Anxi may have talent in governance, she's likely no match for those schemers in political intrigue. If we stand by and she falls, allowing the Southern Border to fall into Shu Manlin's hands, it won't benefit the northwest either."Xu Qingchen fell silent for a moment before saying, "I'll speak with Princess Anxi later. We can offer some covert assistance, but we cannot openly take sides. The affairs of the Southern Border are none of our concern." Ye Li nodded in understanding. Watching Xu Qingchen's composed and elegant demeanor, she sighed inwardly. Sometimes, her elder brother's rationality bordered on ruthlessness. Perhaps in his heart, Princess Anxi, though a friend, could never compare to family. After all, the northwest was their true home.

As guests from afar, Ye Li and her party entered the palace the next morning to visit the King of Nanzhao. Once again, Princess Anxi personally accompanied them. After yesterday's meeting and conversation, Pu A greeted them with much more familiarity and warmth. The young man cheerfully addressed them in his native tongue. Though Ye Li had visited Nanzhao before, this was her first time meeting the king. The King of Nanzhao was dressed in robes made from the region's distinctive brocade and embroidery, appearing resplendent and dazzling. His golden crown, adorned with emeralds and jewels, gleamed so brightly it nearly blinded the eyes. The entire palace exuded a lavish splendor entirely different from that of the Central Plains.

"Prince Ding and Princess Ding have traveled far to be here. I welcome you warmly. Did you rest well last night?" the King of Nanzhao boomed from his throne, though his eyes held no trace of welcome as they rested on Mo Xiuyao. The king spoke the Central Plains' language fluently, with only a slight Nanzhao accent—a common trait among his people that did not hinder comprehension. Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and clasped his hands in a casual salute. "With the Crown Princess's wedding approaching, we offer our congratulations to the King of Nanzhao and the princess. May the king soon be blessed with a grandson."

The King of Nanzhao's expression stiffened. Though Mo Xiuyao's words were ostensibly well-wishes, the king was not yet fifty. To wish him "soon" a grandson sounded like a veiled jab at his inability to produce a son.

"For even Prince Ding to grace us with his presence from afar, the Crown Princess must truly command great respect. How enviable," a sultry female voice suddenly interjected from the side hall, breaking the tense atmosphere. All eyes turned to see Shu Manlin, the Holy Maiden of the Southern Border, gliding forward in her ornate yellow robes. Notably, she was not wearing the customary mask worn by the Holy Maiden when receiving outsiders. The other Nanzhao courtiers seemed unfazed by this breach of protocol.

Mo Xiuyao's gaze swept slowly over Shu Manlin, his brow furrowing slightly in puzzlement. "King of Nanzhao, who might this be?"

The king laughed heartily, looking at Shu Manlin with paternal affection. "Prince Ding, this is Shu Manlin, the Holy Maiden of our Nanzhao." Mo Xiuyao's frown deepened. "I had heard the Holy Maiden of the Southern Border must be no older than twenty-five and never shows her face to outsiders. Was this merely a rumor?" A flicker of anger crossed Shu Manlin's face—was he implying she looked older than twenty-five? But after being imprisoned by Mo Xiuyao for over half a year, she still harbored lingering fear of him. Even now, surrounded by others, she dared not provoke him directly and could only cast a pitiful glance at the king.At least on the surface, the King of Nanzhao indeed treated Shu Manlin far better than Princess Anxi, who was both a princess and the Crown Princess. Seeing Shu Manlin’s pleading gaze, the King of Nanzhao immediately spoke up to help her out: "Prince Ding, you may not know this, but the Holy Maiden is the great savior of our Nanzhao. After discussions among the tribal leaders, it has been decided that Holy Maiden Shu Manlin will become the lifelong Holy Maiden of Nanzhao."

Ye Li glanced at Shu Manlin’s slightly smug expression and inwardly smiled. Whether Shu Manlin was Nanzhao’s savior or not, she didn’t know, but given her relationship with Tan Jizhi, she seemed more like Nanzhao’s calamity. The fact that they could persuade so many tribal leaders in Nanzhao to agree to exempt Shu Manlin from the centuries-old rules of the Southern Border showed that their influence there was already formidable. No wonder Princess Anxi had chosen this moment to marry Pu A—Pu A’s tribe was one of the most powerful in the Southern Border, and with the support of Princess Anxi’s maternal grandfather’s tribe, they could barely contend against Shu Manlin and Tan Jizhi.

Mo Xiuyao nodded indifferently, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. A flash of anger crossed Shu Manlin’s eyes before she turned her gaze to Xu Qingchen. After a brief pause, she stepped forward with a soft laugh and said, "So this must be the renowned Qingchen Gongzi, the First Gentleman of Great Chu? What an honor. Shu Manlin greets you."

Princess Anxi watched her coldly and sneered, "This isn’t the first time you’ve seen Qingchen. Why put on such an act?" This woman had once imprisoned Qingchen in the Underground Palace of Nanzhao for many days, yet now she pretended it was their first meeting—how revolting!

Shu Manlin blinked innocently at Princess Anxi and said, "Princess, whatever do you mean? When have I ever met Qingchen Gongzi before? Unlike you… I’ve heard that Princess Anxi and Qingchen Gongzi are extremely close friends." She emphasized the words "extremely close" with a tone dripping with jealousy and resentment—or perhaps it was deliberate. Since she spoke in the Nanzhao language and deliberately glanced at Pu A standing beside Princess Anxi, her intentions were all the more obvious.

A sharp glint flashed in Princess Anxi’s eyes as she coldly retorted, "What if we are friends? As the Crown Princess of Nanzhao, am I not allowed to have even one friend? Unlike certain people who were already entangled with Prince Li of Great Chu years ago—back when they hadn’t yet secured privileges from the Southern Border tribes."

Being publicly called out like this, even someone as brazen as Shu Manlin couldn’t help but flush. "You—!"

Princess Anxi smirked disdainfully. "What? Are you going to claim you don’t know Prince Li of Great Chu?" She dared to ask this because she held evidence proving Shu Manlin had known Mo Jingli long ago. This left Shu Manlin in a dilemma—if she denied it, Princess Anxi might lose her temper and reveal the proof of her past association with Prince Li; if she admitted it, it would be even worse. Though she was no longer bound by such restrictions now, if people learned she had been acquainted with an outsider years ago, it would still be highly damaging to her reputation.

"Enough, Xi'er. Why bring up such matters in front of our guests?" The King of Nanzhao suddenly interjected, frowning at Princess Anxi with clear reproach in his tone.

Princess Anxi froze, then finally lowered her head in silent resignation.Ye Li watched with amusement as a fleeting look of triumph crossed Shu Manlin's face, then suddenly pursed her lips and smiled, "Speaking of which... This Wang Fei also finds this Holy Maiden somewhat familiar." Shu Manlin stared at Ye Li in surprise, her eyes filled with tension and reproach, as if accusing Ye Li of betrayal.

With a faint smile, Ye Li appeared to think carefully before saying, "Perhaps this Wang Fei was mistaken. Five years ago, when my son was celebrating his first month, I seem to recall seeing a young lady who looked very much like the Holy Maiden traveling to the northwest with a man. However, that man was not Prince Li of Great Chu. It must have been a case of mistaken identity."

Shu Manlin, startled by Ye Li's words, realized she had been played. Though inwardly seething, she dared not show her anger in front of the crowd. Forcing a smile, she replied, "As long as Wang Fei recognizes it was a mistake, that is fine. This humble girl has never been to the northwest."

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "Oh? This Wang Fei has never seen two people who looked so alike before. The Holy Maiden must forgive my error."