Mo Li

Seeing Yao Ji’s face as pale as paper, Qin Feng narrowed his eyes slightly and asked calmly, “Is there something wrong with you?” Yao Ji was startled and forced a smile. “Me? What could be wrong?” Qin Feng replied indifferently, “I overheard your conversation with Mu Lie just now. He was right. If you’re feeling unwell, I can report to Wang Fei and have you leave first.”

Yao Ji quickly shook her head. “No need, I’m fine.”

Qin Feng studied her seriously. “You’d better think carefully. If your momentary weakness ends up ruining Wang Ye and Wang Fei’s plans…” Under his steady gaze, Yao Ji’s heart trembled. She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, they were calm. She nodded. “I understand. My son is still in Li Cheng. I won’t do anything to harm him.”

“It’s best that way.” Qin Feng gave Yao Ji a deep look before turning and leaving, soon disappearing from Marquis Muyang Manor.

Not far from the manor, he spotted Lin Han hanging like a bat from the eaves, swaying slightly as he watched him. Seeing Qin Feng approach, Lin Han slid down and shook his head. “Was that really necessary? Doing this will only make her resent you.” He had thought Qin Feng went to Marquis Muyang Manor to pour his heart out to Yao Ji, but instead, it had been a mix of threats and warnings. Did Qin Feng truly care for Yao Ji? Lin Han was puzzled.

Qin Feng replied coolly, “Wang Fei was right. It’s better to make things clear now than to lose lives later.”

“So, in the end, you still don’t trust her?” Lin Han raised an eyebrow.

Qin Feng tilted his head slightly in thought. “What should I trust? That Yao Ji has no intention of betraying Prince Ding’s Estate? Right now, I believe she won’t betray us. But… I don’t know if she still loves Mu Yang.” As long as Yao Ji harbored even the slightest affection for Mu Yang, no one could guarantee what she might do. “For now, we just need to ensure Wang Fei’s plans and safety aren’t compromised.”

Watching Qin Feng stride ahead without hesitation, Lin Han shrugged and followed. “Should we assign someone to keep an eye on her?”

“Mu Lie will watch her,” Qin Feng’s voice drifted back faintly.

Lin Han sighed. Matters of the heart were far too troublesome. Thankfully, he had no such worries at the moment. Otherwise, being caught in a situation like Qin Feng and Yao Ji—or like Third Master Feng—would be pure agony. Better to wait a few years until things settled down before finding a suitable girl to marry.

Inside Marquis Muyang Manor, Yao Ji sat alone in her room, lost in thought. Today’s events had indeed shaken her. After the initial panic, she gradually understood Wang Fei’s intentions and couldn’t help but admire how even the smallest details had been considered. She had never thought of betraying Prince Ding’s Estate, just as she had never imagined reconciling with Mu Yang. But at the same time, she had never imagined a day when Mu Yang might die. Perhaps Wang Fei didn’t intend to take his life, but for someone like Mu Yang, the destruction of Marquis Muyang Manor might as well be a death sentence.Princess Ding had indeed considered everything thoroughly, so Yao Ji didn't blame her for the probing. She was even grateful, because if she had only learned these things when the situation became critical, she truly wasn't sure she could have handled it. Though the current circumstances were equally painful and difficult, they at least gave her enough time to think and decide. While painful, it also reduced the possibility of unexpected shocks.

"Yao Ji, I heard you're unwell?" Mu Yang's voice came from outside the door. Yao Ji quickly composed her expression and turned calmly to face the man at the doorway. Now past thirty, he carried more of a mature man's steady presence compared to his younger days. He was no longer that dashing, tender-eyed noble son of the capital, nor the helpless heir of the marquis manor torn between his lover and parents yet forced to compromise. Now he exuded more dominance and imperiousness.

Yao Ji stood up and smiled faintly, "It's nothing, just in low spirits."

Mu Yang looked at her with pained concern, his face apologetic. "Did my wife trouble you again? I'll speak to her later and make her behave, so she won't bother you anymore." Yao Ji smiled slightly, a trace of mockery curling at her lips as she said indifferently, "After all these years, would talking help?"

"Yao Ji..." Mu Yang sighed helplessly. "Are you still angry with me? Lie'er is already so grown. Can't we just live peacefully together? I'll give you whatever you want, and no one will bully you or our son anymore."

Yao Ji's smile turned bitter. After so many years, such words had grown numb to her ears. Though her return to Marquis Muyang Manor had ulterior motives, she had gradually come to be thankful for those motives. If Qin Feng hadn't saved her back then and she'd been directly captured back to the manor, if the son remaining in the household hadn't been Mu Lie—trained since childhood by Prince Ding's Estate—but her own flesh and blood, could they have survived until now with Mu Yang's attitude?

Mu Yang loved her, but he loved other things equally. Even for her and their child, he wouldn't be willing to give up anything, not even the slightest bit. Though she no longer had any right to blame him, she still couldn't help but feel heartache at his attitude—for her child's sake.

"Do you remember? That serious illness Lie'er had the autumn before last?" Yao Ji asked quietly.

Mu Yang frowned slightly. "Yao Ji, what's really the matter?"

Ignoring him, Yao Ji continued, "And last year, when he fell from horseback. And this spring, when he nearly drowned in the lake..." She recounted in fragments the various dangers Mu Lie had encountered over the years, along with some incidents she herself had faced, both openly and covertly. Though Mu Lie wasn't truly her son, everything he had suffered had genuinely been endured in place of her own child. What made Yao Ji even more disheartened was that apart from punishing some servants and maids, Mu Yang had never dealt with any of the masterminds behind these incidents."Yao Ji, what's really wrong with you? Lie'er is fine now, so why bring this up again today? You know, it's us who owe them..." Before he could finish, Yao Ji glared at him coldly and said, "Not us—you. Mu Yang, it's you who owes those women. If I had left Marquis Muyang Manor back then and never returned, you wouldn’t have owed anyone anything. It was you who insisted on fighting with your parents, neglecting and blaming your wife. Over time, you started feeling guilty toward them. But... even if I owe them, my son does not."

"Yao Ji..." Mu Yang looked at the woman before him in surprise, her expression icy and unyielding. Ever since he brought Yao Ji and Mu Lie back to the manor years ago, her temperament had changed. He had assumed she still resented him for the hardships she and their child endured, so he had been endlessly indulgent and attentive. Only now did he realize Yao Ji was no longer the bright-eyed, charming, and alluring woman from the Alluring City Quarter. Her once-beautiful face now bore a cold, unfamiliar resolve. A pang of unease struck him—had he truly never understood Yao Ji all these years?

Yao Ji regarded him calmly before sighing softly. "Consort Liu just sent word that she might be with child. You should go see her."

Mu Yang's expression softened, as if he had figured something out. Smiling awkwardly yet smugly, he embraced Yao Ji's slender shoulders. "My fault, I shouldn’t have kept it from you... but you know, Consort Liu’s father..." Yao Ji lowered her gaze and replied indifferently, "I understand. The manor only has two girls besides Lie'er. It’s good news if Consort Liu is pregnant. Go ahead."

Mu Yang studied her face, ensuring she wasn’t upset, before releasing her. "Then I’ll go check on her. I’ll join you for dinner tonight." Yao Ji nodded listlessly as she watched him leave.

The moment Mu Yang stepped out, the window beside them shifted, and Mu Lie climbed in. Shaking his head at Yao Ji, he said, "I don’t get why you still bother with him. You’re stuck with the reputation of being his favorite, but this manor has just as many women as any other. If it weren’t for us protecting you, you wouldn’t even know how you died."

Yao Ji sighed helplessly. "Must you always climb through the window instead of using the door? What do you, a child, understand... There’s nothing between us anymore. It’s just him—"

Mu Lie rolled his eyes and flopped into a chair. "This young master prefers the unconventional. I know what you’re thinking. Even if you’ve moved on, he’s still the father of my unborn brother. If the kid grows up and learns his mother caused his father’s death, how would you explain that? Just don’t tell him—problem solved.""There are no walls in the world that don't let wind through—unless he never learns of his origins in his lifetime," Yao Ji said somewhat melancholically.

Mu Lie replied, "I've never met my parents either, yet I'm perfectly happy. Besides, didn't you say his adoptive parents treat him well?"

Yao Ji gave Mu Lie a silent glance. A child who has never been a parent, no matter how clever, could never truly understand a mother's heart.

Mu Lie waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, fine. Worst case, you and Commander Qin can have another child later. As for my little brother, isn’t it enough to know he’s doing well? Isn’t that far better than him discovering his true identity? Didn’t you say he’s now the son of an official family?"

Over the years, Mu Lie knew all too well how awkward his own position was. On one hand, he was the eldest son—and currently the only son—of Marquis Muyang Manor. If things went smoothly, he might even inherit the marquisate one day. But on the other hand, he was a bastard, born to a dancing girl who had never been formally married into the family. If not for the fact that the marquisate lacked male heirs, he wouldn’t even be allowed into the family registry. This made him an outcast among the legitimate sons of noble families.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to stay here forever, pretending to be the young master of Marquis Muyang Manor. Otherwise, in a few more years, even his marriage prospects would become awkward—no respectable family would wed their legitimate daughter to the son of a dancing girl, while daughters of lesser families or illegitimate daughters wouldn’t befit the status of the marquisate’s heir.

If Yao Ji’s younger son had grown up in Marquis Muyang Manor, Mu Lie could guarantee one of three outcomes: either he’d be killed by someone, spoiled rotten by Mu Yang, or end up with a twisted personality.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Yao Ji glared at him irritably. The older this child grew, the more unfiltered his words became.

Mu Lie grinned. "No need to be embarrassed. Commander Qin came to see you earlier, didn’t he?"

Yao Ji gave him a faint glance, her expression darkening further at the mention of Qin Feng.

Mu Lie patted her sympathetically. "Honestly, you brought this on yourself by coming to Marquis Muyang Manor in the first place. If you’d just married Commander Qin back then, even if our prince despises the Mu family, he wouldn’t have dared trouble his own brother out of respect for Wang Fei and Commander Qin."

Yao Ji smiled bitterly. Things weren’t as simple as he imagined. Princess Ding might not have held a grudge, but Prince Ding would never let the Mu family off so easily. If Prince Ding had wanted to kill Marquis Muyang, he could have done so long ago. The reason he hadn’t was because he wanted to torment the marquis and ruin the Mu family. How could he let go of a pawn like her?

Over the years, though Marquis Muyang Manor hadn’t been destroyed, it had been anything but peaceful.

"Lie’er, don’t worry about me. I know what I must do," Yao Ji said with a faint smile. In this world, no one mattered more to her than her son. Even if she couldn’t be there to watch him grow up, she would do everything in her power to ensure his life remained carefree.

Meanwhile, at Prince Li’s Palace, Ye Ying was heading out with two attendants when she was abruptly stopped in the main hall. Frowning, she looked at Dongfang You blocking her path and asked irritably, "What do you want?"

Dongfang You scrutinized her from head to toe before demanding, "Where are you going?"Ye Ying's pretty face darkened as she said unhappily, "Where I go is none of your business!" Dongfang You replied indifferently, "Right now, Prince Li's Palace is under my control. No one leaves without my permission."

Ye Ying sneered, "Who do you think you are? You're a Wang Fei, and so am I. What right do you have to stop this princess from leaving? Besides... I already sought permission from Her Highness Consort Xian Zhao, and she agreed. What gives you the authority to object?" Lately, the dynamics in Prince Li's Palace had noticeably shifted. Dongfang You, who had previously remained aloof from affairs, suddenly began taking charge of many matters, even subtly attempting to sideline Consort Xian Zhao. While the Consort had never liked Ye Ying, compared to Dongfang You's domineering attitude, Ye Ying's docile and harmless demeanor seemed far more endearing. Thus, whenever Ye Ying occasionally sought her favor, Consort Xian Zhao would usually oblige.

Hearing this, Dongfang You scoffed disdainfully, "I said, Prince Li's Palace is under my command now. Not even Consort Xian Zhao—let alone the Empress Dowager herself—can override that." It was no wonder Consort Xian Zhao disliked Dongfang You. Compared to Ye Ying, Dongfang You surpassed her in every aspect except for her tarnished reputation. However, Dongfang You's temper was also far fiercer than Ye Ying's. Perhaps because she held no affection for Mo Jingli, or perhaps because she simply looked down on him, Dongfang You spoke of Consort Xian Zhao and the Empress Dowager without the slightest respect. Consort Xian Zhao, who had lived a life of nobility and privilege, could hardly tolerate such insolence from a junior.

"I'm leaving anyway. What will you do about it?" Ye Ying retorted defiantly.

Dongfang You arched an eyebrow, surprised that Ye Ying, who had seemed so meek these past days, could suddenly show such backbone. This Ye Ying was nothing like her third sister, Princess Ding Ye Li—they might as well not be related. Dongfang You had never regarded her as a threat, and now that Ye Ying dared to defy her, her displeasure only grew. "Ye Ying, out of respect for Princess Ding, I've given you some face. But don't mistake my patience for weakness!"

Furious, Ye Ying ignored Dongfang You and turned to stride toward the door. She refused to believe Dongfang You would dare to kill her right in the palace!

"Seize her!" Dongfang You's icy voice rang out behind her.

In a flash, two men in blue robes appeared, blocking Ye Ying's path. Dongfang You declared haughtily, "Take this woman back to her courtyard. If she dares to make trouble again, throw her into the dungeon!"

"Yes," the two men replied respectfully.

"How dare you!" Ye Ying gasped in shock. These men were clearly not Prince Li's guards. As they moved to grab her, she shrieked, "Dongfang You! You've gone too far! Wang Ye won't let you get away with this!"

Dongfang You let out a disdainful snort. "Stay put in your quarters. Try to leave, and I’ll break your legs—see if I don’t. Did you think this was Li Cheng, where your precious sister Princess Ding could shield you?"

"You wouldn't dare! Wang Ye... Wang Ye, save me!" Ye Ying struggled and screamed.

"What is all this commotion?" Mo Jingli strode in from outside, his expression dark as he took in the scene. Seeing him, Ye Ying quickly broke free and hid behind him. "Wang Ye... Wang Ye, save me! Dongfang You wants to break my legs!"Mo Jingli frowned at Dongfang You with displeasure and said, "What are you causing trouble for again? Don’t go too far."

Dongfang You also frowned in annoyance and retorted, "How am I going too far? I just had someone escort her back to her room."

Naturally, the affairs of Prince Li's Palace these days couldn’t be hidden from Mo Jingli. He turned to Ye Ying and asked, "What’s going on?" Ye Ying hadn’t expected Mo Jingli to ask her directly and quickly seized the opportunity. "I merely informed the Dowager Consort that I wanted to go out for a walk. Who knew she’d go mad and block me in the main hall, refusing to let me leave? She even threatened to throw me into the dungeon and break my legs if I dared step out again. Wang Ye, since when has this Wang Fei of Prince Li's Palace been forbidden from leaving? If you’ve truly grown tired of Ying’er, why not just divorce me? Why must I suffer such humiliation today?" After all this time, Ye Ying had grown somewhat wiser. Her tactic of retreating to advance was now quite skillful.

Though Mo Jingli no longer held the same affection for Ye Ying as before, she was still a woman who had followed him for over a decade. Moreover, he had made promises to Ye Li and thus couldn’t treat her too harshly. He shot Dongfang You a displeased glance and said, "What does Ying’er wanting to go out have to do with you? If the Dowager Consort has already agreed, why are you making a fuss?"

Dongfang You’s expression darkened. "I don’t care. No one in Prince Li's Palace is allowed to leave these days without my permission."

Hearing this, Mo Jingli’s face also turned grim. He said coldly, "Dongfang You, don’t push your luck! Do I need your permission to go out too? I haven’t even settled the matter of you disrespecting the Dowager Consort these past days. Don’t overestimate yourself!" Dongfang You sneered. "That’s your mother—what does it have to do with me? I have no obligation to accommodate that old hag."

Mo Jingli was about to fly into a rage but seemed to remember something and held back. Glaring at Dongfang You, he demanded, "If you won’t let Ying’er leave, at least give me a reason."

Dongfang You stiffened, then stubbornly replied, "Because I said so. If I say she can’t leave, then she can’t leave!"

"Madwoman!" Mo Jingli couldn’t be bothered with her anymore. He grabbed Ye Ying’s hand and strode toward the door, summoning his guards. "Escort Wang Fei out. Let’s see who dares to stop her!"

No matter how formidable Dongfang You was, Mo Jingli was still the true master of the regent’s palace. In the end, Ye Ying was safely escorted out of Prince Li's Palace under the protection of Mo Jingli’s personal guards.

In the main hall, Mo Jingli left Dongfang You with a cold warning—"You’d better watch yourself"—before turning on his heel and heading straight back to his study without another glance.

Dongfang You stood silently, her expression dark as she stared at the empty doorway, leaving those around her uneasy. The people following her now were all former subordinates from the Boundless Mountains. After its downfall, they naturally followed their young mistress, Dongfang You. Many of them had grown up with her in the Boundless Mountains. But seeing her like this now, they could hardly believe she was the same intelligent yet somewhat naive and unworldly young mistress from before. In the end, they could only attribute her drastic change in temperament to the sudden destruction of the Boundless Mountains and the abrupt death of her mother, which had dealt her a heavy blow. They could do nothing but sigh inwardly.

"Wang Fei, that Rong Fei has already left. Should we…?" The green-robed man who had earlier tried to seize Ye Ying asked quietly.Dongfang You snorted lightly and said, "Forget it. If we go too far, it might arouse Mo Jingli's suspicion. Have someone keep an eye on Ye Ying. If she dares to make contact with anyone from Prince Ding's Estate, kill her!"

The man in green hesitated, "As everyone knows, Princess Ding and Noble Consort Rong don't get along. Even if someone from Prince Ding's Estate comes looking for Qingchen Gongzi, they probably wouldn't approach Noble Consort Rong. Besides, even Prince Li doesn't know anything—what could she possibly know?"

Dongfang You fell silent for a moment before replying, "You have a point, but it's always better to be cautious. The people from Prince Ding's Estate are notoriously cunning. That foolish woman Ye Ying might end up counting money for the very people who sell her out."

The man in green nodded. "Understood. I will assign someone to monitor Noble Consort Rong."

Ye Ying left Prince Li's Palace and dismissed Mo Jingli's guards. Originally, these guards were only there to escort her out of the palace to prevent any trouble from Dongfang You, so naturally, they wouldn’t follow her around. Ye Ying wandered aimlessly through the city of Nanjing before turning toward a popular temple known for its incense offerings. Every month, she visited the temple to pray for her long-missing child. Upon her arrival, the temple’s abbot personally came out to greet her and led her inside. As usual, Ye Ying lit incense, then dismissed the young monks attending the prayer hall, kneeling alone to pray for her child.

Over the past two years, Ye Ying had frequented this temple, and the young monks all knew that Princess Li came to pray for her son. Though some didn’t understand why she prayed for a living person when her son was supposedly dead, they knew better than to question it. Thus, no one paid much attention to her actions.

In the quiet prayer hall, Ye Ying knelt devoutly on a cushion, silently praying to the statue of the Buddha above. The sound of soft footsteps behind her startled her, and she turned to see a graceful young man in white robes emerging from the rear hall. The gentleman was extraordinarily handsome, his smiling eyes making it impossible for anyone to dislike him—his presence was as soothing as a spring breeze. Ye Ying had seen many handsome men, but none had ever inspired such immediate goodwill as this one. Even the ethereal Qingchen Gongzi seemed more distant and unapproachable in comparison.

"Fourth Sister, are you well?" the white-robed man asked with a smile.

Ye Ying was stunned. "Third... Third Sister? How could you—?" She studied the beautiful face more carefully and realized it bore a resemblance to Ye Li’s features, though with a more scholarly and refined elegance compared to Ye Li’s gentle grace.

Ye Li twirled a folding fan in her hand and chuckled. "It’s me. Don’t recognize me?"

Ye Ying smiled sheepishly. Ye Li’s current appearance was so different from her memories that had they passed each other on the street, she might not have recognized her. After recovering from her surprise, Ye Ying asked uncertainly, "Why did Third Sister come to Nanjing in person?" She had assumed Yao Ji wanted to see her, never expecting Ye Li herself to appear.

At her question, Ye Li’s smile faded slightly, and she sighed softly. "Something happened. A while ago, you sent a secret letter back to Li Cheng through Yao Ji. What was written in it?"

Ye Ying froze. "Did something go wrong?"

Ye Li shook her head. "Not your fault. The letter reached Eldest Brother, but now... he’s gone missing. So I need to know what was in that letter." Relieved, Ye Ying quickly replied, "After Dongfang Hui died, Mo Jingli sought out Dongfang You. Now, all the remaining forces of the Boundless Mountains are under Dongfang You’s control. Mo Jingli made a deal with her—Dongfang You would fully support him, and in return, he would help her win Qingchen Gongzi.""Obtain?" Ye Li frowned. The word used in reference to Xu Qingchen always felt somewhat grating. After some thought, she asked, "Then... is it possible Mo Jingli kidnapped Eldest Brother?"

Ye Ying pondered before finally shaking her head. "It shouldn't be... Mo Jingli did send people across the river, but they returned empty-handed. He was furious and even quarreled with Dongfang You. Recently, while Dongfang You has been helping Mo Jingli suppress the Empress Dowager, she's also been acting arrogantly in the residence, even disregarding Consort Xian Zhao. Mo Jingli has argued with her several times over this, and today she even forbade me from leaving."

Ye Li fell into deep thought before asking, "What about Dongfang You? Has she left the residence these days?"

Ye Ying shook her head, then suddenly realized something and looked at Ye Li in surprise. "You think Dongfang You kidnapped Qingchen Gongzi?" Ye Li sighed. "It's just speculation." Ye Ying said, "Dongfang You hasn't left these days. But she has many subordinates, and there have been quite a few people from Boundless Mountains in the residence. Mo Jingli hasn't said anything, so no one else can interfere." Hearing this, Ye Ying was shocked by Dongfang You's audacity. Kidnapping a man she loved who didn't return her feelings—Ye Ying admitted she could never do such a thing.

Ye Li twirled a folding fan while deep in thought. After a long while, she said, "After you return, find a way to let Mo Jingli know that Dongfang You kidnapped Qingchen Gongzi."

Ye Ying was taken aback. "How would I tell Mo Jingli? Why would he believe me?" She had to admit that after recent events, she was somewhat afraid of Dongfang You. Especially after Dongfang Hui's death, every encounter with Dongfang You left her with an eerie, unsettling feeling. But she also knew she had to follow Ye Li's instructions. Not only did she need Ye Li's help in finding her child, but without Ye Li's secret protection, she might not even survive Dongfang You's schemes. The way Qixia Princess, once so proud and arrogant, had been suppressed by Dongfang You was proof enough.

Ye Li considered this and realized Ye Ying wasn't the right person to deliver the message. Not only would it be unclear how Ye Ying knew about Qingchen Gongzi's disappearance, but her simple-mindedness would make the complex situation hard to explain. Mo Jingli would likely suspect Ye Ying first. After some thought, Ye Li asked, "How is Qixia Princess faring now?"

Ye Ying gave a smug, spiteful chuckle. "Her life is naturally worse than mine." Remembering how Qixia Princess had lorded over her for years without any rightful status, and seeing how Dongfang You had humbled her, Ye Ying couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction.Ye Li's expression remained calm as she said, "But Mo Jingli still favors her quite a bit, doesn't he?" Regardless of personal feelings toward Qixia Princess, at least compared to Ye Ying, the princess was more skilled at pleasing men. Just by observing Ye Ying's mix of schadenfreude and jealousy, it was clear Qixia Princess hadn't completely fallen out of favor. Moreover, with Dongfang You around, Qixia Princess wouldn't care even if she did lose favor. Dongfang You might be formidable, but she was precisely the type of woman a man like Mo Jingli would detest. Ye Li was certain—the more Dongfang You targeted Qixia Princess, the more Mo Jingli would dote on her instead.

"You could arrange for Qixia Princess to learn of this matter. She’d be more than willing to analyze it for Mo Jingli. Just be careful not to let her suspect you," Ye Li instructed.

Ye Ying pondered for a moment. Though many of the former Prince Ding's Estate’s people could no longer be used due to Dongfang You’s control over Prince Li's Palace, Ye Li’s request wasn’t too difficult to fulfill. She nodded in agreement.

Noticing Ye Ying’s hesitant gaze, Ye Li added, "By the way, there’s news about your child."

"Wh-what?" Ye Ying trembled, staring at Ye Li in shock. Tears of emotion welled up in her eyes as she clutched Ye Li’s hand, disregarding their current disguises. "There’s news? Really… is he truly alive?"

Ye Li nodded calmly, watching Ye Ying’s overwhelming emotions with a flicker of pity. Softly, she said, "There is indeed news. Mo Jingqi didn’t kill the child back then. More concrete details will come in a few days."

Ye Ying could hardly contain herself, nodding repeatedly. "I understand, I’ll wait. Third Sister, thank you… I’ll do anything you ask, as long as I can see my child."

Ye Li sighed quietly. "I won’t ask anything dangerous of you. Rest assured—once we find Eldest Brother, I’ll take you to see the child."

Tears finally spilled from Ye Ying’s eyes as she collapsed onto the prayer mat, sobbing uncontrollably. When the child had been with her, she had treated him well enough but never felt such heart-wrenching attachment—even using him to vie for favor. But upon learning he wasn’t hers, and that her own flesh and blood was missing, unseen even once, the agony had become unbearable. Now, she would give anything, even her life, just to find her son.

Ye Li patted her back gently. "Enough. Dry your tears and go. There are people watching outside—lingering too long isn’t wise." Ye Ying finally composed herself, wiping her face before rising and leaving.

Left alone in the empty prayer hall, Ye Li lifted her gaze to the compassionate statue of the Buddha overlooking all sentient beings and let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

"Wang Fei," Zhuo Jing appeared soundlessly in the hall, reporting in a low voice, "Someone is tailing Princess Li—they’re from the Boundless Mountains." Ye Li nodded. "We’ll leave later. Ignore them."

Zhuo Jing acknowledged silently. After a long pause, he asked, "Wang Fei intends to stir conflict between Mo Jingli and Dongfang You. Will this work?"Ye Li sighed, "Whether it works or not, we have to try. We all believe it was Dongfang You who captured Elder Brother. But since she hasn't made a move and we can't find him, it's better to stir the grass and startle the snake. As for Nanjing, Mo Jingli is far more familiar with it than we are. If Dongfang You really did capture Elder Brother, I don't believe she could hide him too far away from herself. Even if he's not in Nanjing city, he must be nearby."

Zhuo Jing nodded in agreement. At this point, this was the only way. The Jiangnan region wasn't too large, but it wasn't small either. Moreover, the Boundless Mountains had been operating for centuries, and no one knew where Dongfang You might have hidden Qingchen Gongzi in some obscure corner.

"Send people to keep watch on Prince Li's Palace. Dongfang You won't plan to avoid seeing Elder Brother forever," Ye Li instructed quietly.

"As you command," Zhuo Jing replied softly.

Prince Regent's Estate

Dongfang You sat alone in the study, staring absentmindedly at the portrait spread out on the desk. Her soft, melancholic eyes were filled with infatuation and resentment. It must be said that Dongfang You's painting skills were excellent—the man in the portrait wore white robes with black hair, his expression serene like an immortal descended from the heavens.

Raising her hand, she gently touched the peerlessly handsome face in the portrait, a trace of joyful delight flashing in her eyes.

"Bang!" The study door was kicked open from outside. Dongfang You's eyes turned cold as she looked up displeased at the furious man standing in the doorway. "What are you doing?"

Mo Jingli strode into the study and snorted disdainfully at the portrait on the desk. He grabbed Dongfang You's collar and snarled, "You wretched woman! How dare you play tricks on this prince!"

Dongfang You was momentarily stunned before she slapped his hand away in irritation. "I don't know what madness has taken you! Mo Jingli, don't think I fear you. Do you believe I could kill you right now?!"

Mo Jingli smirked contemptuously. "Kill me? In this vast world, where else besides my Jiangnan would your Boundless Mountains have a place to stand? Do you think you could walk out of Prince Li's Palace alive after killing me? Moreover... with your beloved beauty in your grasp, would you even be willing to die?"

Dongfang You's expression shifted slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Mo Jingli sneered. "Don't know? I sent men to help you capture Xu Qingchen, yet you had people intercept them halfway? You let me take the blame while keeping all the benefits for yourself? Then you'd just disappear, living free and happy, leaving me to fight Prince Ding's Estate alone? What a brilliant plan. Dongfang You, if you'd been this clever back in Li Cheng, how could you have ended up in this state?"

Dongfang You's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged. "I don't know what nonsense you've heard. What interception? You failed to capture Qingchen Gongzi yourself. The fact that I haven't broken our agreement already shows I've been fair to you. Don't push your luck!"

Mo Jingli's face twisted into a vicious grin. "Do you think I'd believe you now? From today onward, you'll stay obediently in this estate and not set foot outside."

"You want to imprison me?" Dongfang You glared at him darkly.

Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow. "Tell me where Xu Qingchen is now." He hadn't dared to capture Xu Qingchen just for this woman to fawn over him. Dongfang You remained unmoved. "I don't know what you're talking about."Mo Jingli didn't mind at all. He pushed Dongfang You aside with one hand, picked up the portrait on the table, and sneered, "You haven't left the palace these days, have you? What's the matter? Too afraid to see Qingchen Gongzi? Well... Qingchen Gongzi is as radiant as the moon, hailed as the Immortal Gentleman. How could he possibly take a liking to a withered flower like you? All you dare to do is drool over his portrait."

Dongfang You's expression darkened slightly as she reached out to snatch the portrait from Mo Jingli's hand. "Mo Jingli, give it back to me!"

Mo Jingli sidestepped to avoid her. Knowing he was no match for Dongfang You, he didn't engage further. Turning to leave, he warned, "I advise you to stay quietly in Prince Li's Palace and not act rashly. Do you think Qingchen Gongzi knows it was you who captured him? You don't dare face him, do you? Haha... Qingchen Gongzi's wisdom is unparalleled—how could he not guess? Do you think Xu Qingchen would rather die than accept a woman like you? If I were Qingchen Gongzi, I'd certainly prefer death over tarnishing the Xu Family's centuries-old reputation with someone like you. Haha..."

"Mo Jingli!" Dongfang You flew into a rage, grabbing an inkstone from the table and hurling it at Mo Jingli's back. Mo Jingli, already prepared, dodged and stepped out of the room. The inkstone struck the study door with a loud clang.

Staring at the door swaying from the impact, Dongfang You's expression twisted into something so sinister and chilling it sent shivers down the spine. After a long silence, she finally gritted her teeth and spat out two words: "Qixia..."