Mo Li

"Reporting to Wang Ye and Wang Fei, Imperial Concubine Liu and Princess Changle of Great Chu request an audience," a guard announced from outside the door.

The mere thought of Imperial Concubine Liu made Ye Li feel uncomfortable. It wasn’t that she doubted Mo Xiuyao’s feelings for her, but having a fly constantly buzzing around—one you couldn’t just swat away—was undeniably irritating.

For the first time, Ye Li realized that even Su Zuidie, whom she had once despised the most, and Ye Ying, whom she disliked, were nothing compared to this woman. Su Zuidie was merely narcissistic and materialistic, while Ye Ying was just self-righteous with a hint of the selfishness everyone possessed. These traits paled in comparison to Imperial Concubine Liu’s relentless persistence. Despite Mo Xiuyao’s blatant rudeness toward her, she still had the audacity to show up at their doorstep. Ye Li couldn’t fathom where she got such thick skin.

Though some said foolish women fought other women while wise ones dealt with men, confronting someone like Imperial Concubine Liu made even the most disciplined man useless.

Seeing Ye Li’s displeased expression, Mo Xiuyao, on the other hand, seemed delighted. Ye Li shot him a glance and said coolly, "Since Wang Ye is so happy, why don’t you go receive Imperial Concubine Liu yourself?"

Xu Qingchen nodded in agreement. "Li’er is right. Given that Imperial Concubine Liu rushed over the moment you returned, she likely isn’t here to see Li’er anyway. No need to waste energy. Li’er must be tired after these past few days—she should rest in her room."

Hearing this, Mo Xiuyao shot Xu Qingchen a resentful glare and clung to Ye Li, refusing to let go. "No, A Li, don’t leave..."

Xu Qingchen watched speechlessly as the increasingly childish man and his exasperated younger sister remained locked in their little drama. He stood up and left. Even knowing Mo Xiuyao was putting on an act, what could he do when Li’er couldn’t bear to refuse him? He had no interest in being a third wheel. As the saying went, "Even an upright official finds it hard to settle family disputes." Those two were made for each other—one willing to hit, the other willing to endure—and it truly had nothing to do with him. Glancing back at the lovey-dovey pair, Qingchen Gongzi sighed helplessly. The man who had remained untouched by romantic entanglements for half his life simply couldn’t comprehend the depths of mutual affection. What was love, after all? How would this young master know?

Mo Xiuyao spent a long time coaxing his wife with sweet words, silently reminding himself never to show his smugness in front of A Li again, even if he was pleased by her possessiveness—otherwise, she’d get embarrassed. The guards in the courtyard had long grown accustomed to their Wang Ye’s shameless fawning over Wang Fei. As Third Master Feng had said, being henpecked was perfectly normal.

By the time Imperial Concubine Liu and Princess Changle were finally admitted, their expressions were already quite unpleasant. Prince Ding’s skills in placating his wife were still lacking, so Imperial Concubine Liu had been forced to wait nearly half an hour before being allowed in. Princess Changle, however, caught Ye Li’s eye and gave her a playful wink, to which Ye Li responded with a faint smile and a nod.Ye Li beckoned for Princess Changle to come sit beside her. The princess didn't stand on ceremony and sat down next to Ye Li with a soft laugh. "Princess Ding, did you go out playing with Wang Shu? I wanted to visit you yesterday, but Third Master Feng said you weren't home." Ye Li nodded with a smile, "I've indeed been away these past few days. Did Your Highness just arrive yesterday?" Princess Changle nodded, "You left so quickly! We couldn't keep up with you in our carriage."

Consort Liu approached and looked at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao before asking, "How has Wang Ye been these past few days?"

Mo Xiuyao leaned against Ye Li, ignoring her question entirely.

Consort Liu's expression darkened as she gritted her teeth and continued, "Wang Fei, this concubine has matters to discuss with Wang Ye. Might you excuse us?" Ye Li lifted her eyelids to glance at Consort Liu before looking down at Mo Xiuyao who was leaning on her. Mo Xiuyao raised his head to gaze at her pitifully, his dark eyes particularly bright beneath his snow-white hair. "Wife, your husband didn't speak to her. Don't abandon me..."

"Pfft—" Princess Changle, sitting nearby, couldn't hold back her laughter and nearly choked on her tea, coughing repeatedly. "Wang Fei... Prince Ding Shu..." The princess was at a complete loss for words. In her mind, Prince Ding Shu had always been heroic and unapproachable—was this pitiful man staring at Princess Ding really the awe-inspiring Prince Ding? Ye Li rolled her eyes helplessly at Mo Xiuyao and said to the princess, "He's being crazy, don't mind him." Mo Xiuyao displeased, rubbed his handsome face against Ye Li and complained, "Wife, this woman has ill intentions toward your husband. You must protect me."

"Good boy..." Ye Li patted him absently before raising her head to address Consort Liu seriously. "Imperial Concubine, you've frightened our Wang Ye." For a moment, Consort Liu's beautiful face nearly twisted with rage before she forced a smile. "Miss Ye jokes. How could someone as brilliant and brave as Wang Ye be frightened by me?" Ye Li replied calmly, "That's not necessarily true. Women who cling shamelessly are the most terrifying, and our Wang Ye has always been most afraid of those without any sense of shame. Can't you see how frightened he is?" Mo Xiuyao nodded repeatedly. Though his face couldn't be seen, the decisive motion thoroughly humiliated Consort Liu.

"Ye Li, you—" Consort Liu finally lost her carefully maintained composure and snapped sharply, but before she could say anything more, her words were cut off by a chilling gaze.

Mo Xiuyao rested his head on Ye Li's shoulder and turned slightly, his silver hair obscuring most of his face. But his eyes—filled with a cold, ruthless aura as if from the depths of hell—fixed directly on Consort Liu. She had spent every moment longing for this man to look at her just once, but now that Mo Xiuyao's gaze finally fell upon her, she found herself frozen in place. Even as terror threatened to consume her, she stood rigid, not daring to move an inch. Those handsome, profound eyes held an unprecedented murderous intent—so much so that Consort Liu wondered if she was seeing things when she caught a fleeting glimpse of bloodlust in them."If... if His Highness is occupied, this concubine shall take her leave first." With that, as if fleeing from a malevolent spirit, Consort Liu hurriedly walked out of the courtyard without hesitation, even forgetting to call Princess Changle to leave with her.

Ye Li and Princess Changle exchanged puzzled glances, unable to comprehend why Consort Liu, who had been stubbornly refusing to leave earlier, now seemed to be running away as if she had seen a ghost.

"Your Highness, what did you do?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked. Mo Xiuyao blinked innocently, "How could I have done anything to her? A Li, you should chat with Changle. I’ll go find Feng San for a drink." Knowing he had matters to discuss with Feng Zhiyao, Ye Li nodded and watched him rise and leave.

Only when Mo Xiuyao was completely out of sight did Princess Changle set down the teacup she had been holding and collapse onto the table, giggling uncontrollably. Ye Li looked at her helplessly and asked, "Is it really that funny?" Princess Changle, her eyes crinkled with laughter, lifted her head and replied, "Of course it is! If you hadn’t been here, I wouldn’t have believed that was Prince Ding."

Ye Li patted her lightly and smiled, "What did you think Prince Ding was like—domineering and imposing at all times? Everyone has their private moments when they’re more relaxed. But speaking of you, I haven’t had the chance to talk properly before. With Princess Anxi’s wedding, and no princes attending, why did you, a princess, come along?"

The smile on Princess Changle’s face gradually faded as she replied softly, "Naturally, it was my father’s order for me to represent the imperial family at the Princess of Nanzhao’s wedding."

Ye Li snorted coldly, "Have all the princes of Great Chu perished? To send you, a princess, here alone? And that Consort Liu—as a concubine of the inner palace, according to Great Chu’s rules, she has even less reason to be here than you." Princess Changle explained, "I heard Consort Liu begged Father to let her come. In recent years, Father has grown increasingly trusting of the Liu family and dotes on Consort Liu, so granting her such a request isn’t surprising. But... I only just realized that Consort Liu begged to come because she wanted to see Prince Ding."

Ye Li took Princess Changle’s delicate hand and said earnestly, "Changle, don’t change the subject. Tell me, why did your father really send you to the Southern Border? Does he intend for you to marry into another kingdom?"

Princess Changle froze, biting her lip lightly before forcing a smile. "As expected, nothing escapes Princess Ding and Prince Ding. Father... Father doesn’t intend for me to marry into another kingdom. He wants... to give me to the King of Nanzhao." Ye Li’s expression darkened. "Has Mo Jingqi lost his mind? You are the legitimate eldest princess of Great Chu. A political marriage is one thing, but what does it mean to ‘give’ you to the King of Nanzhao?" Princess Changle squeezed Ye Li’s hand and smiled faintly. "I know you care for me. But... whether it’s ‘giving’ or a political marriage, there’s little difference. Isn’t this the fate of royal daughters?"

Seeing the faint smile and sorrow on the young girl’s face, Ye Li’s heart ached. She asked softly, "What does your mother say about this?"

Princess Changle frowned. "Mother naturally disagreed. She said even if it were a political marriage, it must follow protocol. But Father insisted. Before I left, Mother argued with him and was confined to the palace. When I departed... Father wouldn’t even let me see her. I don’t know how she is now..."At this point, the young girl, who had been trying hard to mask her emotions with a smile, could no longer hold back her tears. Remembering the last time she saw her mother, the Empress, and the apologetic look in her eyes, Princess Changle felt her eyes grow hot, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. Ye Li, however, understood—Mo Jingqi’s actions were not merely about forming a marital alliance with Nanzhao; it was clearly also meant to humiliate the Empress and the Hua family. But no matter how much Mo Jingqi resented the Empress and the Hua family, had he forgotten that Changle was also his own flesh and blood?

Looking at the delicate and beautiful girl before her, Ye Li sighed softly and asked, “Are you truly resolved to obey your father’s arrangements? Though I have no daughters, I do have children. If my child were to face such a situation, how heartbroken would I be as a mother? Your father is not worth mentioning, but your mother… If you are truly sent to the King of Nanzhao like this, I fear your mother would carry this guilt for the rest of her life.”

Princess Changle wiped her tears and said between sobs, “Before, I told Wang Fei that if the Great Chu ever needed a political marriage, I, as a princess, would naturally fulfill my duty without hesitation. But now I realize… the so-called responsibility of a princess was just my own naive assumption. My father doesn’t need me, his daughter, to secure an alliance or foster friendship between two nations. What he wants is to see my grandfather’s family and my mother suffer, to disgrace the Hua family. That day, when my mother went to speak to my father about my marriage, I overheard from outside the door. Father said he wouldn’t let me marry openly as part of a proper alliance, nor would he allow me to remain in Chu Jing. Given my status, if I were to marry into another country, I would at least be the principal wife of a prince. He said that if I ever ‘turned my elbow outward,’ I would surely help others against him. If I married within Chu Jing, I would inevitably rally my husband’s family to support the Hua family and make trouble for him. That’s why he’s sending me to Nanzhao—but ensuring I can never become the Queen of Nanzhao, only a low-ranking concubine.”

Hearing Princess Changle’s words, Ye Li couldn’t help but wish she could give Mo Jingqi a good thrashing in her heart. She sighed and said, “Princess, shall I arrange for someone to take you away from here?”

Princess Changle shook her head. “Thank you, Wang Fei, but there’s no need. Since I’ve agreed to come to Nanzhao for my father, I won’t run away halfway. I only ask that if you ever have the chance in the future, you might look after my mother and the Hua family.”

Ye Li wanted to persuade Princess Changle further, but a guard came to report that a palace maid from Great Chu had come looking for the princess. No doubt, after Consort Liu had fled in panic earlier, she had only realized upon returning to her quarters that Princess Changle was still here and had sent someone to fetch her. Princess Changle stood up and smiled. “Wang Fei, I must take my leave now. Oh, and be careful around Consort Liu—that woman is utterly mad.”

Ye Li nodded and whispered, “Take care of yourself. If you ever need help, send someone to let me know.”

“Thank you, Wang Fei. Farewell.”There were only one or two days left until Princess Anxi's wedding, and the people of Nanzhao held great respect for their Crown Princess. The entire royal capital of Nanzhao was bustling with excitement, with many citizens traveling from afar to witness the grand occasion. In a teahouse clearly frequented by people from Great Chu, Ye Li sat by the window, leisurely sipping tea, while Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, coldly eyeing two very unwelcome men across from them. "Why are you two here?"

Han Mingxi gracefully took a sip of fine wine from his cup, his expression lazy and amiable. "What do you mean, Wang Ye? Princess Anxi's wedding is no small matter. As a merchant, I follow profit—why shouldn’t I be here?"

Mo Xiuyao narrowed his eyes dangerously and said coldly, "If that’s the case, then go about your business. Why seek us out?"

Han Mingxi set down his cup and replied earnestly, "Wang Ye misunderstands. I didn’t come to see you—I requested an audience with Wang Fei. You’re the one who followed along."

"Heh..." Sitting beside Han Mingxi was none other than Young Master Mingyue, Han Mingyue. Though he no longer carried the same refined aura as in his prime, it was clear that Han Mingxi had taken good care of his elder brother over the years. Han Mingyue bore traces of hardship in his brow, but his spirits remained relatively high.

Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s expression darken, Han Mingyue couldn’t help but chuckle. Worried that Mo Xiuyao might take his anger out on his younger brother, he spoke up, "It’s rare to see Wang Ye lose his composure after all these years." Though Han Mingyue had been living in Li Cheng for years and Su Zuidie was long gone, the brotherhood of the past could never be restored. Han Mingyue no longer pretended nothing had happened and addressed Mo Xiuyao by name. "Wang Ye"—this title alone marked the distance between them now.

Han Mingxi snorted lightly and arched an eyebrow. Didn’t Wang Ye often lose his temper? So his elder brother was just bad at reading people, huh?

"Alright, Mingxi, did you come all the way to Nanzhao for something important?" Seeing that Mo Xiuyao was truly about to erupt, Ye Li quickly intervened.

Han Mingxi straightened his expression and nodded. "Indeed. After escorting Yao Ji back to Chu Jing, I met with Leng Haoyu. He had urgent matters to relay to Wang Ye and Wang Fei."

Seeing Han Mingxi’s serious demeanor, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li understood it must be something critical. Otherwise, Leng Haoyu wouldn’t have asked Han Mingxi to deliver the message instead of sending a direct courier to Li Cheng. Ye Li frowned slightly. "Has something happened in Chu Jing?"

Han Mingxi shook his head. "Chu Jing is fine, but Mo Jingqi is likely in trouble."

Mo Xiuyao scoffed disdainfully. Was it really so strange for Mo Jingqi to be in trouble? Even his own younger brother wanted him dead—proof of how thoroughly he had provoked both heaven and man. It’d be stranger if nothing happened to him.

Taking in their expressions, Han Mingxi grinned. "Seems more than one group is after Mo Jingqi. Did Wang Ye’s side also catch wind of something? Let me guess... Mo Jingli?"

Ye Li didn’t answer directly, instead smiling and asking, "I assume what you came to say isn’t about Mo Jingli?"

Han Mingxi chuckled. "Of course not. It’s about Liu Jia."The Liu family? Ye Li was somewhat surprised. Although they had previously guessed that the Liu family harbored great ambitions, what could they possibly gain by targeting Mo Jingqi? Currently, Mo Jingqi trusted the Liu family the most and favored Imperial Concubine Liu above all others. What benefit would they derive from opposing him?

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly but quickly grasped the situation. "Does the Liu family intend to place the prince born of Imperial Concubine Liu on the throne?"

A glimmer of admiration flashed in Han Mingxi's eyes as he nodded. "Exactly. Speaking of which, Mo Jingqi has had some luck. Originally, the Liu family planned to act soon, but Mo Jingqi suddenly dispatched Prime Minister Liu to Nanzhao. This threw the Liu family into disarray, allowing our people to detect their schemes. Otherwise, the news we might have received would simply have been that the Great Chu had a new emperor and Mo Jingqi had passed away."

Ye Li couldn't help but rub her forehead. How had Mo Jingqi managed to alienate everyone around him to this extent?

Mo Xiuyao remained unmoved. "What's so important about this? Does Leng Haoyu have nothing better to do than meddle in such matters?"

What did it matter to him whether Mo Jingqi lived or died? The more miserably Mo Jingqi died, the happier he would be. Though it was a slight regret that he wouldn't be the one to do it, he didn't mind someone else taking care of it. Han Mingxi rolled his eyes. "If that were all, naturally no one would care. But Leng Haoyu said this matter doesn’t seem to be solely the Liu family’s doing. There appear to be traces of Northern Rong and some northern tribes involved. The day Mo Jingqi dies might very well be the day these forces mobilize their full strength to invade Great Chu."

"Northern Rong and the northern tribes are involved as well?"

Han Mingxi nodded. "Otherwise, with the Liu family’s capabilities, would they dare attempt a coup without backing?"

Ye Li's brows furrowed as she said gravely, "Princess Changle... she might be in danger."

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Someone wants to drive a wedge between Mo Jingqi and the Hua family. Targeting Princess Changle would naturally be the best way to do it."