Mo Li

In a hidden corner of Prince Ding's Estate, within the dim and chilly dungeon, a disheveled and wretched man sat on the floor of his cell, lost in thought. Even though it was the sweltering end of June, the underground prison still carried a biting cold. Compared to other places, this cell was relatively clean and free of terrifying torture devices. Yet the man, his face covered in stubble, stared blankly into space as if his spirit had left him.

If possible, he even wished someone would come and torture him—beat him mercilessly. At least then he would feel alive, that he wasn’t the only person left in the world. In truth, he knew he wasn’t truly alone. Outside this cold and desolate cell, the world must be bustling with life and laughter. But none of that concerned him. Locked away here, he couldn’t hear a single sound from outside, nor could he even see the dungeon guards. No one ever appeared before him, no one spoke to him. Even the daily delivery of food and water was done in complete silence. He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he last saw another human being or spoken a word. When he was first imprisoned, he had shouted curses in fury, but eventually, he no longer had the strength to even curse. Gradually, he lost track of how long he had been trapped here.

Suddenly, the strange sound of footsteps echoed outside. The man snapped out of his daze, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes. He scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the door, but his body, weakened by prolonged confinement and meager rations that barely counted as food, betrayed him. After just a few steps, he collapsed onto the ground. The cell door swung open from the outside, and two black-clad guards entered, hauling him up by the arms and dragging him out.

Prince Ding's dungeon didn’t hold many prisoners, so it was relatively clean. The guards carried the man past two or three empty cells before entering a spacious hall, where they unceremoniously dropped him onto the floor.

"Tan Jizhi, it’s been a while. How have you been?" Mo Xiuyao sat in the hall, holding Ye Li’s hand, watching the disheveled man on the floor with mild amusement.

"Mo Xiuyao..." Perhaps because he hadn’t spoken in so long, Tan Jizhi’s voice was hoarse. But the look he gave Mo Xiuyao burned with intensity.

Unfazed by Tan Jizhi’s murderous glare, Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "This prince has come today to bring you good news."

Tan Jizhi stared coldly at Mo Xiuyao. He certainly didn’t believe Mo Xiuyao had any good news for him. Mo Xiuyao arched a brow and said, "Tan Jizhi, you’re free to leave."

"What?" Tan Jizhi froze, momentarily unable to process the words.

"This prince said, starting today, you’re free. You no longer have to stay in this dungeon. Unless... you’ve grown fond of it and don’t want to leave?" Mo Xiuyao repeated patiently.

"You... would be so kind? To let me go?" Tan Jizhi’s speech was halting at first, but it smoothed out after a few words. "What do you want?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded approvingly. "Good, your mind hasn’t rotted away after all this time." Of course, he wouldn’t release him without conditions."What are your conditions?" Tan Jizhi asked. At this moment, he even felt that no matter what conditions Mo Xiuyao proposed, he would agree. Only those who have truly lost their freedom can understand its value, and he never wanted to return to that silent, solitary prison cell again.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "Ren Qining is currently in Li Cheng. Young Master Tan, I’ve always been curious—between you and Ren Qining, who is truly the last descendant of the former dynasty’s royal family, Lin Yuan? Or are you both… or neither?" Tan Jizhi’s expression darkened as he said firmly, "Of course, it’s me!" Mo Xiuyao nodded inwardly with satisfaction. It seemed that even after two years of imprisonment, Tan Jizhi’s ambition had not been completely extinguished. But this was good—if he had truly lost all drive, Tan Jizhi would have been useless.

"Is that so? Ren Qining doesn’t seem to think so. He is now the rightful King of the Northern Border, and who knows, he might even restore the former dynasty’s name someday. Though I doubt the chances are high, at least he’s in a better position than you, wouldn’t you say?" Mo Xiuyao chuckled.

Tan Jizhi’s expression shifted as he stared at Mo Xiuyao. "You want me to help you deal with Ren Qining."

Mo Xiuyao smiled. "No need to be so tense. Whether you agree or not, I’ll still release you. You could even choose to help Ren Qining oppose me after you leave—though I wonder if he would even accept you?"

The answer was obvious. If Tan Jizhi were anyone else, Ren Qining might have valued him. But their identities made coexistence impossible. There could only be one true descendant of the former dynasty’s royal family, Lin Yuan—both knew one of them had to be an imposter. And the one who survived would be deemed the real one.

After a long silence, Tan Jizhi finally asked, "Even if I agree, what use am I? As you said, he is now the King of the Northern Border. And I…" He gave a self-deprecating smile. "I am a prisoner of Prince Ding’s Estate." Mo Xiuyao replied, "I don’t expect you to kill Ren Qining. Just cause him some trouble. As for the rest, others will handle it."

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back on my word once I’m free?" Tan Jizhi questioned.

Mo Xiuyao shrugged. "What if you do? Doctor Lin once saved A Li and Xiao Bao’s lives. Out of respect for him, I can’t very well kill you outright. However… if you do something you shouldn’t… I’ve already repaid Doctor Lin’s debt." If Tan Jizhi crossed the line again, Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate him.

"My father…" At the mention of Doctor Lin, Tan Jizhi froze. Back at the former dynasty’s imperial mausoleum, he had severed ties with Doctor Lin. Yet, he never imagined that his survival in Mo Xiuyao’s hands was still due to his father’s influence. After some thought, Tan Jizhi finally nodded. "I agree." No matter what, he couldn’t return to that cell. He wondered if, had Mo Xiuyao not come for another year or two, he might have taken his own life out of despair.

Mo Xiuyao nodded in satisfaction. "Good. A Li, you handle the arrangements for him."

Ye Li nodded and smiled at Tan Jizhi. "Young Master Tan, once you’re out, take some time to settle down and recuperate. Someone will come to find you when the time is right."Tan Jizhi glanced at Ye Li and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Wang Fei."

Ye Li thought for a moment and said, "If you have time, Young Master Tan, you could also visit Doctor Lin. He has opened a clinic in the city now." Tan Jizhi shook his head and replied, "No need. We no longer have any connection."

Seeing his firm refusal, Ye Li didn’t press further. In truth, Doctor Lin might live a more peaceful life without any ties to Tan Jizhi.

After finishing what needed to be said, Mo Xiuyao took Ye Li’s hand and stood up, looking at Tan Jizhi. "By the way, Young Master Tan, if you have nothing urgent, it’s best not to wander around the city. Right now, it’s not just Ren Qining in Li Cheng—Mo Jingli, Consort Liu, and Lei Zhenting are all here as well." While Lei Zhenting had no major grudges against Tan Jizhi, Mo Jingli and Consort Liu were a different matter. Even if Mo Jingli was incompetent, killing the current Tan Jizhi would still be effortless for him. "Additionally, Great Chu has already relocated south of the Cloud Ripple River. Great Chu... is finished. Your wish could be considered half-fulfilled, I suppose."

"Great Chu has moved south? What about Chu Jing..." Tan Jizhi was stunned.

Mo Xiuyao said, "Great Chu’s Chu Jing and Western Liang’s imperial capital now belong to me."

Tan Jizhi fell silent. In just two years, he had missed too much. Now, what he needed most was to understand the current situation and what had happened during those two years. Mo Xiuyao paid him no further mind and, in high spirits, walked out of the dungeon side by side with Ye Li.

In the following days, Prince Ding’s Estate seemed to quiet down. But outside the estate, people remained busy. Someone had leaked the news that the master of the Boundless Mountains had arrived in Li Cheng, and within days, Mo Jingli, Ren Qining, and others had come to pay their respects. Even Yelv Ye and Yelv Hong, who had no real connection to the matter, joined in for the spectacle. Though the people of the Boundless Mountains claimed to be "Appointed by Heaven to Choose a Lord," they still had their limits—the barbarian tribes of the Northern Rong were absolutely not within their selection. Among them, Mo Jingli was undoubtedly the most eager.

Inside Prince Ding’s Estate, Ye Ying sat across from Ye Li, sobbing uncontrollably. Ye Li didn’t comfort her, waiting calmly for her to finish crying. After a long while, Ye Ying finally stopped, tears in her eyes as she looked at Ye Li. "Third Sister, I regret it so much. Why did I marry him back then? Wuwu... At the time, he clearly promised to treat me well for the rest of my life, but now, now..."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said softly, "What happened? Tell me properly. What’s the use of crying like this?"

Ye Ying wiped her tears angrily and nodded. "You’re absolutely right, Third Sister. I won’t cry... It’s not worth crying over that scoundrel. I must have been blind to fall for him back then. No wonder... no wonder you never cared for him, Third Sister. Prince Ding treats you so well." At this, Ye Ying couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. Back in Chu Jing, who hadn’t pitied and sympathized with the Third Miss of the Ye family, who not only lost her position as Princess Li but also married a disfigured cripple confined to a wheelchair? But now, though Prince Ding had white hair, his looks and bearing surpassed nearly every man in the world. Not to mention his unwavering devotion to Ye Li, which had become the envy of women everywhere.Qingshuang, standing behind Ye Li, secretly curled her lips. If this fourth young lady had been the one to marry Prince Ding back then, she would have probably cried herself half to death. And now she’s here being envious and jealous of our Wang Fei?

Ye Li paid no mind to her resentful words and asked calmly, “What’s the matter?”

Ye Ying sobbed as she recounted how Mo Jingli had been fawning over Dongfang You and Dongfang Hui every day. He had even discussed with his trusted aides about deposing her as the principal consort if Dongfang You agreed to marry him. The more she spoke, the more heartbroken she became, and before she could finish, she burst into tears again. Watching the tearful Ye Ying before her, Ye Li could only sigh helplessly. For the first time, she began to doubt whether her plan to use Ye Ying as a spy by Mo Jingli’s side was reliable. Perhaps she should have Yao Ji think of more solutions? But then again, Qin Feng wasn’t getting any younger. Though she wasn’t sure how their relationship was progressing, it wasn’t ideal to keep Yao Ji at Marquis Muyang Manor indefinitely.

“Third Sister, what should I do?” Ye Ying asked with reddened eyes. Ye Ying wasn’t a fool. If Mo Jingli had once considered her status as the younger sister of Prince Ding’s consort, that paled in comparison to the coveted power of the Boundless Mountains. If Dongfang You of the Boundless Mountains truly agreed to marry Mo Jingli, he wouldn’t hesitate for a second to depose her. She was no longer young, and after the incident with Ye Yue, she had fallen out with her mother. Mo Jingli was her only remaining support. Besides, though Ye Ying was selfish, she couldn’t bring herself to do something like what Consort Liu had done.

After some thought, Ye Li comforted her, “Don’t worry. Even if Mo Jingli does marry Dongfang You, I can at least ensure you won’t be demoted to a side consort.”

Ye Ying was skeptical. Would a woman from a place like the Boundless Mountains ever agree to be a side consort? Perhaps she might for Mo Xiuyao, given Ye Li’s strong backing—the Xu Family now held significant influence in Prince Ding’s Estate. But Ye Ying had no such support. Alone in Jiangnan, she had no one to rely on.

Ye Li smiled faintly. “Why would I lie to you? Even if we’ve never been close, outsiders still know you’re my sister. Would I gain any face if you were demoted to a side consort? If it comes to it, we can have Mo Jingli take two principal consorts of equal standing.”

“But… can’t we just…” Ye Ying said unwillingly.

Ye Li replied with a smile, “Prevent Dongfang You from marrying Mo Jingli? It’s not impossible. But do you think Mo Jingli wouldn’t take his anger out on you—or even arrange your death in some way we’d never know about?” Ye Ying shuddered. After so many years with Mo Jingli, she understood just how ruthless he could be. The memory of Ye Yue’s death by fire made her face turn even paler.

It had to be said that Mo Jingli had shouldered no small blame for Ye Yue’s death. At the very least, everyone in the Ye Family, including Ye Ying, believed Mo Jingli was responsible for Ye Yue’s demise."After all, we are sisters. You have two choices. Stay in Li Cheng and sever all ties with Mo Jingli. You are still a daughter of the Ye family—Father and Grandmother won't abandon you if you return. You can live a simple, peaceful life from now on. Or, you can continue following Mo Jingli back to Jiangnan. All I can do is ensure you retain your position as Princess Li. As for what happens afterward... that will be your own fate."

"I..." Ye Ying's expression wavered in conflict, but after a long pause, she still shook her head. "No, I must go back. I can't return to the Ye family—I am Princess Li. And there's my child..."

Ye Li's eyes flickered slightly. "I will help you find your child. Once there's news, I'll send someone to inform you."

"Third Sister... why are you being so kind to me?" Ye Ying wasn't foolish, nor had she forgotten that her relationship with Ye Li had never been good. Ye Li might help with trivial matters without hesitation, but these were clearly more complicated. Since Ye Li was willing to assist her so readily, she couldn't help but question her motives.

Ye Li had no intention of placating her with sweet words. She smiled faintly. "It's nothing much. If Mo Jingli truly marries Dongfang You, it would pose a threat to Prince Ding's Estate. All I ask is that you occasionally provide me with some information. Rest assured, I won't ask you to do anything dangerous. I can also promise that if you ever find yourself in peril, I will ensure your safe escape."

"What if... Prince Li doesn't marry Dongfang You?"

"Then consider it a good deed on my part, honoring the bond of our shared bloodline," Ye Li replied calmly.

Ye Ying lowered her head in thought. She understood Ye Li's words perfectly—if Mo Jingli did marry Dongfang You, her life would undoubtedly become miserable. But with the support of Prince Ding's Estate...

"Very well, I agree."

Satisfied, Ye Li nodded and handed her a handkerchief. "If you still wish to see your child, you must stop crying at every setback. By now, you should realize that tears alone won't solve most problems. You can rest easy—even if Mo Jingli marries Dongfang You, your position in Prince Li's Palace will remain secure. I will help you."

"Thank you, Third Sister," Ye Ying murmured, wiping her tears.

"Wang Fei, Prince Li requests an audience," Wei Lin announced as he entered.

Ye Li glanced at Ye Ying with an amused smile. "Perfect timing. There are matters I'd like to discuss with Prince Li as well. Please invite him in. Ying'er, you..."

Ye Ying bit her lip stubbornly. "I don't want to see him!"

"Very well, you may wait in the front pavilion for now." Silly child, do you really think Mo Jingli is here to coax you? She summoned attendants to escort Ye Ying away, and moments later, Mo Jingli entered from the opposite direction.

From afar, Mo Jingli spotted the woman in blue-green robes sitting by the lake. A decade had passed, yet he suddenly realized he could still vividly recall the first time he saw Ye Li after their marriage annulment. Though she had humiliated him that day in the Hall of Prudent Virtue, it was also the first time he vaguely sensed that this Ye Li was nothing like the one he had imagined. Over the years, her appearance had changed little, though perhaps motherhood had lent her an added grace and gentleness."Prince Li." Seeing Mo Jingli approaching, Ye Li nodded but did not rise to greet him. "Please have a seat."

Mo Jingli sat down silently, watching as Qingshuang brought tea before asking indifferently, "This maid is still with you."

Ye Li was slightly surprised that the usually arrogant Mo Jingli would remember a mere maid by her side. She smiled faintly. "Qingshuang is getting older and won’t be with me much longer." The marriage arrangements between Qingshuang and A Jin were nearly settled. Head Steward Mo was naturally pleased, and neither A Jin nor Qingshuang had any objections. They were simply waiting for a suitable time to hold the wedding.

The conversation lapsed into silence, neither seeming eager to speak.

Ye Li was in no hurry to break the quiet, calmly sipping her tea while Mo Jingli remained wordless. After a while, Mo Jingli, perhaps feeling uneasy, finally spoke. "Is Ying'er here with you?"

Ye Li didn’t deny it. "She just came by to chat and has gone to rest. Are you here for my fourth sister?"

"What did she tell you?" Mo Jingli’s tone was stiff, carrying a hint of agitation. Ye Li gave him a puzzled glance. "What else could it be but the news of you planning to divorce her and remarry?"

"I never intended to divorce her!" Mo Jingli snapped angrily. Ye Li smiled knowingly. "I understand. You merely wish to demote her to a Side Consort to make room for Miss Dongfang as the rightful Princess Li." Mo Jingli stared at her. "Wouldn’t you be pleased if Ye Ying were demoted?" Ye Li found this baffling. "Why should I be happy about my sister becoming a concubine? Is having a royal consort for a sister more disgraceful than having a princess?"

"Back then, she stole your position as Princess Li. Don’t you resent her for it?" Mo Jingli fixed his gaze on her, his voice low.

Ye Li paused, then laughed incredulously. "Are you saying you’re doing this to avenge me? Or are you using some absurd excuse to justify demoting your wife?" Mo Jingli, unusually calm, replied, "If you were Princess Li, I wouldn’t marry Dongfang You even for the sake of Cang Mang Mountain."

"Cough—" Ye Li nearly choked on her tea, staring at him in astonishment. What was this? Back then, he had discarded her like trash, and now he was making a heartfelt confession? The one he once treasured like a jewel was now worth less than weeds? Seeing the earnest look on Mo Jingli’s face, Ye Li suddenly felt nauseated.

"You don’t believe me?" Mo Jingli glared.

Ye Li shook her head. "Whether I believe you or not is irrelevant. Please refrain from saying such things in the future. Additionally, my fourth sister has followed you for ten years and endured much hardship. I implore you to show her mercy and leave her some dignity." Mo Jingli frowned. "What do you mean by that? I never intended to abandon her. Did she tell you that?"

Ye Li replied coolly, "Your intentions matter little. As a member of the royal family, you’ve surely witnessed how people fawn over the powerful and scorn the weak. In Jiangnan, my sister has no family or backing. If she’s demoted from Princess Li to Side Consort, what kind of life do you think she’ll have?""You're quite kind to her!" Mo Jingli gritted his teeth. There was nothing inherently wrong with Ye Li speaking up for Ye Ying, but to Mo Jingli's ears, it felt extremely unpleasant.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "We are both women—why make things harder for each other? In this world, life is already difficult enough for women. Not everyone is as fortunate as Ye Li." Seeing the gentle smile on Ye Li's face, Mo Jingli found it even more irritating. He replied impatiently, "This prince understands. I can guarantee Ye Ying will always remain the principal consort, but... what benefit do I gain from this?"

"Ren Qining will never marry Dongfang You—does that count as a benefit?" Ye Li said calmly.

Mo Jingli's expression changed slightly before he finally nodded and said, "It's a deal." Whether Ren Qining's claim of being a descendant of the former dynasty was true or not, it was at least a significant gimmick and also his greatest enemy.

"Mo Xiuyao gave up the Boundless Mountains for you. Do you really think he won't regret it someday?" Seemingly unable to stand the smile on Ye Li's face, Mo Jingli asked with a hint of malice.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "I believe he won't regret his decision." While it was true that Mo Xiuyao refused to take concubines because of her, rejecting Dongfang You and the Boundless Mountains wasn't entirely for her sake. In the long run, the Boundless Mountains would be more of a burden than an asset to Prince Ding's Estate.

Mo Jingli snorted coldly. "Really? Mo Xiuyao might not regret it now, but one day he will—and when that time comes, he’ll only resent you more."

"Is Prince Li speaking from personal experience?" Mo Xiuyao's lazy voice came from behind.

Mo Jingli stiffened and whipped his head around, only to find Mo Xiuyao standing just three steps away. Paying no attention to Mo Jingli's unpleasant expression, Mo Xiuyao walked over to Ye Li, bent down to press a kiss on her, then rested a hand on her shoulder and said smugly, "For A Li, this prince will never regret it."