Mo Li

On this morning, the members of Prince Ding's Estate and the Xu Family gathered in the small courtyard where Mr. Qingyun resided, chatting and laughing with the two recently born babies. After the birthday celebrations, Mo Xiuyao had also returned from the border. Unable to endure the bustle of Li Cheng and concerned about his students' studies at Mount Li Academy, Mr. Qingyun prepared to leave the city and return to the academy. Unable to dissuade him, everyone came together to accompany him for breakfast before seeing him off.

Mr. Qingyun was also very fond of the two newborns. Holding the peacefully sleeping Lin'er in his arms, he asked, "Have the children been given their formal names yet?" Ye Li smiled and replied, "We were waiting for Grandfather to bestow them with auspicious names."

Mr. Qingyun shook his head. "What kind of parents are you? All three of your children's names have been given by others—you’re just being lazy."

Ye Li chuckled. "How could Grandfather be considered 'others'? It’s their good fortune to have you name them." Even within the Xu Family, only the names of her two uncles and eldest brother had been chosen by Mr. Qingyun. Mo Xiaobao, crouched beside Mr. Qingyun’s legs, nodded vigorously. "Mother is right! Grandfather’s names sound the best!" Though his father had given him a rather plain nickname, fortunately, his formal name was quite impressive—Mo Yuchen. Compared to his father’s name, it was undeniably more majestic, so Grandfather’s naming skills deserved full praise.

Mo Xiuyao felt a little aggrieved. While he knew that having Mr. Qingyun name one’s child was an honor many could only dream of, still… Was his naming sense really that bad? Well… Perhaps he had been a bit slow in choosing a name for his daughter. As for his son—what did a boy need with a fancy name? Ability was what truly mattered.

Glancing at Mo Xiuyao’s pitiful expression, Ye Li remained impassive. Just thinking about the mountain of discarded name drafts in the study gave her a headache. Mo Xiuyao truly had no talent for naming.

Mr. Qingyun lowered his head in thought before saying, "Since Yuchen has the character 'Yu' (御), how about 'Feng' (风) for Lin'er?""

Xu Hongyu nodded with a smile. "Yu Feng? A fine name, Father. Wang Ye, Li'er, what do you think?" Mo Xiuyao had no objections to his son’s name, and Ye Li also smiled in agreement. "Grandfather’s bestowed names are naturally excellent." Though the character "Feng" might seem simple compared to the majestic and noble "Yu Chen," it was likely that Mr. Qingyun hoped little Lin'er would grow up with a free-spirited and unrestrained nature. After all, barring unforeseen circumstances, Mo Xiaobao would inherit Prince Ding's Estate in the future. Mr. Qingyun naturally wished to avoid the tragedy of fraternal strife between them.

"Then, Lin'er’s formal name shall be Yu Feng. What about our little princess?" Qin Zheng asked with a smile.

Mr. Qingyun pondered for a moment before replying, "How about Yu Ya?"

"Yu Ya? Following the 'Yu' character like Yu Chen and Yu Feng?" Xu Qingchen inquired.

Mr. Qingyun shook his head. "No, the character 'Yu' is too rigid and domineering for a girl—it wouldn’t suit. Instead, 'Yu' (毓) from the phrase 'endowed with beauty and grace' (zhōng líng yù xiù)."Mo Xiuyao carefully considered the name and found nothing amiss. He had secretly pondered countless names for his daughter even before her birth, and while there might have been better ones, he found himself unable to decide. The name chosen by Mr. Qingyun was not only melodious but also carried a beautiful meaning, perfectly befitting his adorable little princess. Nodding in approval, Mo Xiuyao gently pinched the sleeping baby’s cheek in Ye Li’s arms and smiled, “Good. From now on, my little princess shall be called Yuya.”

While others had spent ages deliberating without reaching a decision, Mr. Qingyun had effortlessly settled the matter in no time. Ye Li also breathed a sigh of relief. She might not have been able to come up with a better name than her grandfather, and as for Mo Xiuyao—while he could manage their daughter’s name, their son’s name was entirely beyond hope. Now that both children had been given fine names in one go, it was truly the best outcome.

“This month has been so hectic that we didn’t even hold a full-month celebration for the twins… We mustn’t let them miss out on their First Birthday Celebration next year,” Mr. Qingyun remarked with regret as he gazed at his two great-grandchildren. At his age, he cared little for formalities, but the fact that his own birthday celebrations had overshadowed the twins’ full-month milestone still left him somewhat remorseful. He would rather have forgone his own banquet than let the children be slighted.

Gently patting Xin’er’s swaddling clothes, Ye Li smiled and reassured him, “Don’t worry, Grandfather. Next year, we’ll be counting on you to personally prepare the items for their First Birthday Celebration. Besides, with so many guests this time, it wouldn’t have been practical to hold a grand celebration for newborns—they’re too delicate for all that fuss. That’s why we all took the easy way out.”

There was indeed a folk belief that children with a light fate couldn’t bear too much fortune, but the Little Prince and Little Princess of Prince Ding’s Estate naturally had no such concerns. Ye Li’s words were partly to comfort Mr. Qingyun and partly the truth. Holding a full-month banquet would undoubtedly thrust the newborn twins into the spotlight, so it was better to skip it altogether.

At this point, Mr. Qingyun recalled something and asked, “I heard the successor of the Boundless Mountains has appeared?”

Though everyone had made a concerted effort to shield Mr. Qingyun from the outside turmoil, it was impossible to keep him completely in the dark. After these past few days, it was no surprise he had caught wind of some rumors. The mention of this topic instantly darkened Madam Xu’s expression. “Father, you have no idea—that Miss Dongfang is truly… Our Xu Family absolutely cannot allow such a woman to marry in.” Their last meeting had left Madam Xu utterly exasperated. She had gone to see Dongfang You with high hopes, only to feel as if a bucket of icy water had been dumped over her head, leaving her heart cold and her mind in a daze. Despite her decades as a Xu family matriarch, known for her gentle temper, she had been so incensed that she summoned Xu Qingchen for a stern scolding—though the most unfairly treated was Qingchen Gongzi, who had suffered the consequences of a situation entirely beyond his control.

Mr. Qingyun raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Oh? Miss Dongfang wishes to marry into the Xu Family?”Xu Qingyan immediately volunteered to recount to Mr. Qingyun all the various incidents of Miss Dongfang's pursuit of Qingchen Gongzi. The fifth young master Xu spoke with such eloquence that he vividly portrayed Miss Dongfang's "deep affection" for Qingchen Gongzi, completely forgetting to notice the slightly cold smile on his elder brother's lips.

The fifth young master's tale was amusing, and Mr. Qingyun listened with equal amusement, finally commenting, "This young lady is rather interesting. Qingchen, what do you say?"

"Grandfather..." Xu Qingchen called out helplessly, "Your grandson has no intention of marrying."

Mr. Qingyun stroked his snow-white beard and chuckled, "You're not young anymore; it's time to consider it. However, this girl from the Boundless Mountains is best forgotten."

"Has Grandfather met anyone from the Boundless Mountains before?" Xu Qingyan asked curiously. Although Mr. Qingyun had been quite young when the last descendant of the Boundless Mountains descended, he had already achieved fame by then and might very well have encountered them. Mr. Qingyun smiled and shook his head, "The last person to descend from the Boundless Mountains was the wife of Zhennan Wang, the former Empress Dowager of Western Liang. But I have met a few others from the Boundless Mountains."

"There are others from the Boundless Mountains who walk the world?" Xu Qingyan asked in surprise.

Xu Qingchen explained, "With such a powerful influence, it's impossible for the Boundless Mountains to go decades without any activity. Naturally, there are people managing things in secret, though they are far more discreet than the high-profile descendants of past generations."

Mr. Qingyun nodded, "Indeed. These people have no reputation in the world, some even living unnoticed their entire lives, indistinguishable from ordinary folk. Yet among them are many talented individuals who willingly remain obscure. This shows how formidable the Boundless Mountains' methods of controlling their subordinates truly are."

"But that Dongfang You..." The fifth young master Xu was puzzled. While Dongfang You might be more learned than him, he couldn't see anything particularly remarkable about her when it came to scheming. Mr. Qingyun shook his head, "This Miss Dongfang doesn't seem much like a descendant of the Boundless Mountains, but precisely because of that... the more likely it is that the people sent by the Boundless Mountains to assist her in secret are even more formidable."

Mo Xiuyao laughed, "Isn't that the truth? The master of the Boundless Mountains, Dongfang Hui, has already arrived in Li Cheng. It probably won't be long before she comes knocking."

"Dongfang Hui?" Xu Hongyu frowned slightly as he spoke up.

Ye Li nodded, "Indeed. Uncle, have you heard this name before?" Xu Hongyu was silent for a moment before replying calmly, "I do know someone named Dongfang Hui." Ye Li couldn't help but glance at Mo Xiuyao beside her, who happened to be looking her way as well. The two exchanged a silent look. Judging by her uncle's tone, it didn't seem like an ordinary acquaintance. If it was really as they suspected, then this was truly a massive mess.Both of them had noticed, so naturally, the others had as well. Yet no one spoke up to ask in detail. Madam Xu, Qin Zheng, and the others, who typically only managed household affairs, were even less likely to inquire. After breakfast, Xu Qingfeng and Xu Qingze escorted Mr. Qingyun out of the city, and only then did everyone return to the study to continue their discussion. Originally, Xu Qingyan was also supposed to see Mr. Qingyun off, but for some reason, his eyes flickered, and he claimed he had something to attend to, promising to accompany his grandfather the next day to fulfill his filial duties. Then, shamelessly, he followed the others into the study.

"Father, what’s your relationship with that Dongfang Hui?" The first to lose patience was, as always, the Fifth Young Master Xu. The other three secretly breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts. If Xu Qingyan hadn’t been the quickest to ask on their behalf, even Qingchen Gongzi would have found it somewhat awkward to pose such a personal question to their father. Xu Hongyu was taken aback, then glared at Xu Qingyan in exasperation, scolding with a laugh, "What nonsense are you thinking, you brat? We just knew each other when we were young." When he noticed the expressions of the other three, it was clear they shared Xu Qingyan’s suspicions. Mr. Hongyu was instantly incensed and smacked Xu Qingyan on the forehead.

It wasn’t that they were narcissistic, assuming every woman would have feelings for Xu Hongyu. But even now, in his fifties, Mr. Hongyu remained dignified and handsome, his refined elegance undiminished. Just by looking at the appearances of Xu Qingchen and his brothers, one could imagine how striking Mr. Hongyu must have been in his youth. Although the marriages of the Xu brothers had nearly become a major headache over the years, it was certainly not because they lacked desirable qualities. On the contrary, it was precisely because they were too outstanding—truly worthy matches among noble ladies were exceedingly rare.

Xu Qingyan didn’t mind being scolded by his father. Compared to this minor reprimand, he was far more worried about the sudden appearance of a romantic interest from his father’s past—or worse, a concubine. Never mind how their mother would feel, or how the brothers would react—their grandfather would be the first to break their father’s legs.

"So, the people of the Boundless Mountains don’t strictly adhere to the sixty-year cycle for descending into the world?" Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow and asked.

Xu Hongyu replied indifferently, "They claim to descend once every sixty years, but how rigid could that really be? If someone missed their designated cycle, would they never leave the mountain in their lifetime? No matter how clever a frog in a well is, it’s still confined. They just don’t make a grand spectacle of it. I met Dongfang Hui about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years ago. She was probably only sixteen or seventeen at the time, just beginning her journey into the world."

"What are your thoughts on this Dongfang Hui, Uncle?" Ye Li inquired.

Xu Hongyu pondered for a moment before answering, "Back then, she was still young and somewhat naive. But her methods, temperament, and decisiveness were all remarkable—far beyond what that Dongfang You could ever hope to match. After so many years, it’s hard to say how she’s changed. But… we must not underestimate her." Xu Qingchen nodded. "Thank you for the warning, Father. I understand."Sure enough, just after noon, Head Steward Mo came to report that the master of the Boundless Mountains had arrived for a visit, specifically mentioning that they had come to see Young Master Xu, Xu Qingchen of the Xu Family. From this subtle emphasis, it was clear that the people of the Boundless Mountains harbored some faint displeasure toward Young Master Xu. Originally intending to pass the matter to Mo Xiuyao, Xu Qingchen had no choice but to accompany them to the front hall to receive the guests.

Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li’s hand as they walked side by side into the hall, where they saw a middle-aged woman standing with her hands behind her back, admiring a painting. She had not taken a seat, and Dongfang You, standing beside her, naturally did not dare to sit either. Several young men and women stood in attendance nearby. Even before entering, Mo Xiuyao could sense that despite their youth, these individuals were rare and exceptional martial artists. In comparison, Dongfang Hui was actually the weakest in terms of martial prowess. Yet, these young attendants stood with their heads respectfully bowed, not even glancing up when Mo Xiuyao and the others entered. It was evident that they held Dongfang Hui in deep respect—even awe.

Hearing the footsteps, Dongfang Hui turned toward the entrance and smiled faintly. "Prince Ding, Princess Ding. What a pleasure."

Ye Li returned a light smile and nodded. "Madam Dongfang of the Boundless Mountains, the pleasure is ours. Please, have a seat. Has Prince Ding’s Estate been lacking in hospitality in any way?"

Dongfang Hui smiled warmly. "You flatter me, Princess. I must apologize for this sudden intrusion."

Mo Xiuyao led Ye Li to the main seats before taking his own, and only then did Dongfang Hui sit in the first seat to the right. Xu Qingchen strolled over and took the seat opposite her. Dongfang Hui glanced at him, a faint ripple of emotion flickering in her eyes, before turning back to Ye Li with a smile. "You'er is young and ignorant, acting recklessly. She has caused much trouble for Prince Ding’s Estate these past few days. I hope His Highness and Her Highness can forgive her."

Ye Li smiled and glanced at Dongfang You, who stood behind Dongfang Hui. "You are too kind, Madam Dongfang. Miss Dongfang is our guest—if anything, it is Prince Ding’s Estate that has been remiss in its hospitality. I hope you will not take offense."

Dongfang Hui frowned slightly, her gaze on Ye Li now tinged with admiration. Then she looked at Dongfang You, standing meekly beside her, and felt a faint pang of regret. If only You'er possessed even half the wit and grace of Princess Ding, how different things might have been.

After studying Xu Qingchen for a long moment, Dongfang Hui finally asked, "This must be the eldest son of the Xu Family—Qingchen Gongzi?"

Xu Qingchen nodded slightly and cupped his hands in greeting. "Indeed, it is I. Greetings, Madam Dongfang."

Dongfang Hui nodded and sighed softly. "With such elegance and bearing, Qingchen Gongzi truly lives up to his reputation as the number one gentleman in the realm. Mr. Hongyu must find great comfort in having a son like you.""You flatter me, Madam." Xu Qingchen remained composed with his usual gentle smile, yet Dongfang Hui's eyes reflected even greater satisfaction. Initially, she had only considered the dignity of the Boundless Mountains and cleaning up Dongfang You's mess, but now she genuinely felt that having Xu Qingchen as a son-in-law would be an excellent outcome. Childless herself, she had raised Dongfang You from infancy, investing more care than many biological parents would. Naturally, she wished for her disciple to have a good marriage. However, Dongfang You was utterly naive to worldly affairs, and no matter whom she married, life would likely be difficult. Even with the Boundless Mountains as her backing, there was no guarantee her husband would truly cherish her. If she were merely enshrined as a trophy wife, her life wouldn’t be much better than widowhood. But the Xu Family was different. If Dongfang You married into the Xu Family, their principles would ensure she was treated well. Unfortunately, Dongfang Hui was unaware that Dongfang You had already thoroughly offended Xu Qingchen’s mother, the Xu Family’s matriarch.

Observing the scene, Ye Li sighed inwardly. Why was Dongfang Hui looking at her elder brother with such a prospective son-in-law gaze?

After a brief silence in the hall, Ye Li spoke up, "May I ask the purpose of your esteemed visit, Madam?"

Dongfang Hui smiled faintly. "It has been decades since I last descended the mountain. Coincidentally, my wayward disciple sneaked down, so I had to come retrieve her and take the opportunity to look around. You’er has been spoiled by me since childhood. If she has caused any offense, I hope you will forgive her." Ye Li replied with a light smile, "Not at all. Miss Dongfang is talented and beautiful—you are truly blessed."

From Ye Li’s demeanor, Dongfang Hui realized that persuading the Xu Family to accept Dongfang You as a bride would not be easy. After a moment’s contemplation, she sighed softly. "Princess, this matter is indeed due to You’er’s recklessness. The Boundless Mountains have seen dwindling numbers in recent years, and I never intended for her to descend. Though the mountains are desolate, they are far better than being entangled in this chaotic world. Yet, the child slipped away without our knowledge. Now that things have come to this, You’er is still a young woman. I don’t seek for her to bring glory to our sect—only that she marries safely, tends to her husband and children, and lives a peaceful life."

It must be said that as a master and the leader of the Boundless Mountains, Dongfang Hui’s devotion to her disciple was deeply moving. The problem, however, was that fulfilling her wish would require the Xu Family and Xu Qingchen to bear the consequences. Whether for the sake of the Xu Family, her elder brother, or Prince Ding’s Estate’s plans, Ye Li could only refuse. Glancing at Dongfang You, Ye Li smiled. "Miss Dongfang is fortunate to have a master like you. With her beauty, talents, and noble lineage, suitors would surely flock if you sought a worthy match for her."

Dongfang Hui’s smile faded slightly as she asked, "Then... what of the Xu Family’s eldest son?"

Ye Li paused before replying calmly, "My elder brother’s marriage is naturally decided by our grandfather and his parents. Though I am Princess Ding, I am still a junior—how could I presume to make such decisions?"Dongfang Hui understood. Ye Li's words at least conveyed one stance: Prince Ding's Estate would absolutely not exploit Xu Qingchen's marriage for the sake of gaining the Boundless Mountains' influence. In fact, there was already an implicit message here—Prince Ding's Estate was unwilling to form a marital alliance with the Boundless Mountains. This made Dongfang Hui regard Mo Xiuyao with even greater admiration. After all, in this world, Mo Xiuyao was likely the only one who could resist such temptation and push away such a powerful advantage.

Dongfang Hui frowned and asked, "Does Wang Fei mean that this matter must be discussed personally with Mr. Hongyu and Madam Xu?"

Ye Li smiled faintly. "When it comes to children's marriages, naturally, one must speak with their parents." It wasn't that Ye Li wanted to shift the trouble onto Xu Hongyu and Madam Xu, but she truly had no authority to reject the proposal on Xu Qingchen's behalf. Even if she did so now, Dongfang Hui would likely still bring up Xu Hongyu and Madam Xu. After all, nowhere in the world was it customary for a cousin to decide her cousin's marriage matters.

Dongfang Hui appeared somewhat resigned as she looked at Xu Qingchen and asked, "What does Qingchen Gongzi have to say? Although You'er acted improperly, she is still a woman. As a woman myself, I understand the difficulties women face."

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. Dongfang Hui was reminding him that after everything that had happened these past days, Dongfang You's reputation was already ruined. If he didn't marry her, it would seem as though he was shirking responsibility.

Xu Qingchen glanced sideways at the composed Mo Xiuyao beside him before replying coolly, "Madam, your words are too grave. Originally... Dongfang You spoke of marrying into Prince Ding's Estate. This was heard by all the dignitaries from various countries present at the time. As you know, the Xu Family's tradition has never prioritized a woman's beauty or extraordinary talent—only her unblemished reputation, gentle nature, and virtuous character. Besides, with Dongfang You's character and talents, why worry about lacking outstanding suitors from across the land?"

Xu Qingchen's words were spoken with gentle politeness, but to Dongfang Hui's ears, they were extremely grating. What Xu Qingchen implied was that since Dongfang You hailed from the Boundless Mountains, she needn't concern herself with reputation. Even if she were embroiled in rumors—or worse—there would be no shortage of suitors willing to marry her. However, the Xu Family was an exception. A bride of the Xu Family required neither capability nor influential backing—only an unsullied reputation and virtuous character. Unfortunately, Dongfang You possessed neither.

Despite Dongfang Hui's naturally composed temperament, Mo Xiuyao's sharp, cutting remarks left her inwardly seething with anger. She also realized that this seemingly refined and elegant Qingchen Gongzi harbored an unmistakable disdain—even hostility—toward the Boundless Mountains. Compared to Prince Ding's indifference and Princess Ding's tactful refusal, it was Qingchen Gongzi who truly despised the Boundless Mountains. Yet Dongfang Hui couldn't be certain whether Xu Qingchen's attitude stemmed solely from Dongfang You's persistent advances these past days. Logically, given the Xu Family's temperament, even if displeased by Dongfang You's pestering, they wouldn't display such overt dislike and hostility.

Frowning slightly, Dongfang Hui privately acknowledged that she might have acted too hastily.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

I'm such an unlucky troublemaker—someone actually plagiarized my work. Who'd even want to copy this kind of trashy writing? If you're going to plagiarize, at least aim for the masters! So frustrating, utterly infuriating~