Mo Li

In the Xia Courtyard of Prince Li's Palace where Qixia Princess resided, she reclined contentedly on a chaise lounge, feigning sleep. These days, she had been severely oppressed by Dongfang You. Though Prince Li protected her, he couldn't be by her side constantly, nor would he punish Dongfang You, who controlled all the forces of the Boundless Mountains, on her behalf. Thus, she had endured great grievances recently. Today, she had finally seized the opportunity to lodge a fierce complaint against Dongfang You in front of Prince Li.

Compared to Ye Ying, who had long fallen out of favor, Qixia Princess, though lacking an official title, had enjoyed unwavering favor over the years. Mo Jingli rarely kept secrets from her, so she had known about his plan to intercept Qingchen Gongzi. She had never held much hope for this operation—she knew all too well how formidable Xu Qingchen was. As expected, Mo Jingli's men returned empty-handed. It wasn't originally a significant matter, but when she accidentally overheard two maids chatting yesterday, an idea struck her, and she pinned the blame on Dongfang You. Whether it was true or not—who cared? As long as the story was plausible and Mo Jingli believed it, that was enough.

The look on Prince Li's face when he left her quarters, followed by his hurried rush to the study, and then his early morning visit to Dongfang You to deliver a harsh scolding—all this proved that Prince Li still trusted her words implicitly.

"You wretched woman, how leisurely you are!" Dongfang You's voice suddenly rang out at the door. The coldness in her tone sent a shiver down Qixia Princess's spine. She sprang to her feet, glaring at Dongfang You, who had entered with her entourage. "What are you doing here?"

Dongfang You stepped into the hall, stopping before Qixia Princess and looking down at her with disdain.

Slap! Just as Qixia Princess grew impatient under her gaze and was about to erupt in anger, Dongfang You suddenly raised her hand and delivered a swift, vicious slap across Qixia Princess's face. While men often held back when striking women, women rarely showed such restraint when hitting each other. Dongfang You, being a martial artist, put her full strength into the blow. Qixia Princess's head snapped to the side, her fair cheek immediately swelling with red, angry finger marks. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of her lips, staining the front of her robe.

"You—" The sudden strike left Qixia Princess momentarily dazed. She clearly hadn't expected Dongfang You to attack without warning. Clutching her burning cheek, her eyes blazed with fury. "Dongfang You! How dare you hit me!"Dongfang You curled her lips in disdain, "So what if I hit you? What do you think you are? Just a concubine without even a proper title—no, not even a concubine, at best you're just a bedchamber servant."

Qixia Princess, once a noble princess, now found herself in this awkward and humiliating position, which was already a deep-seated pain in her heart. To have Dongfang You mock her so mercilessly enraged her to the point of laughter. Covering her cheek, she shot Dongfang You an equally scornful smile. "So what if I have no title? At least Prince Li likes me. Unlike some people who throw themselves at men only to be rejected, and now resort to kidnapping. Could it be you're so desperate for a man that you'd force yourself on Qingchen Gongzi?"

"So it was you who poisoned Mo Jingli's ears!" Dongfang You gritted her teeth.

Qixia Princess smirked triumphantly. "So what if it was me? If you dare to do it, don’t be afraid of people talking. You’ve shamed all women. If you’re afraid no one will have you, why not settle for those dogs around you? Don’t shamelessly tarnish Qingchen Gongzi’s reputation. Who knows, he might rather die than endure a woman like you."

Dongfang You was ruthless with her words, and Qixia Princess naturally didn’t hold back either. Both aimed straight for the other’s sore spots. A sinister smile curled on Dongfang You’s beautiful face as she glared coldly at Qixia Princess. "Mo Jingli likes you? Fine… Let’s see just how much he likes you. Servants! Drag her outside and strip her naked!"

"Dongfang You, how dare you!" Qixia Princess’s face paled as she glared viciously at her.

Even Dongfang You’s subordinates were startled, hesitating as they looked at her. Though they were her people, Prince Li was still the master of the Regent’s residence, and Qixia Princess was, after all, Mo Jingli’s woman.

"Watch me dare! Hurry up!" Dongfang You sneered. "Go and summon Prince Li. Tell him I have matters to discuss with him."

The subordinates had no choice but to obey, one leaving to fetch Mo Jingli while two others dragged Qixia Princess into the courtyard and began tearing at her clothes. Qixia Princess was no delicate flower—she lashed out with her whip, fighting back. But her martial skills weren’t enough to protect her, and within a few exchanges, she was subdued.

Dongfang You stepped out leisurely, watching Qixia Princess’s helpless state with cold indifference. "What are you waiting for? Strip her and whip her with that very whip!"

Soon, Qixia Princess was left in nothing but a thin undergarment. The chilly air of late autumn in the south bit into her skin, making her shiver. But that was nothing compared to the searing pain of the whip cracking against her flesh. The first lash made her scream and collapse to the ground. The relentless flogging that followed left her no room to escape. The once-proud princess, who had once flaunted her beauty and wielded her whip with arrogance upon arriving in Chu Jing, was now reduced to a pitiful, wailing mess."Dongfang You, what are you doing?" A furious roar came from the courtyard gate as Mo Jingli arrived hastily with Ye Ying. Seeing the scene before him, his face darkened with rage, assuming Dongfang You was venting her anger on Qixia Princess after their earlier argument. And indeed, that was exactly the case.

Dongfang You, however, remained utterly unfazed by Mo Jingli's fury. With a provocative smile, she retorted, "Isn't it obvious? What, as the Regent's Wang Fei, must I seek your permission to discipline a woman who isn't even worth a concubine or a bedchamber servant?"

Mo Jingli's voice was icy. "I already told you this morning—you have no authority over matters in this palace."

By the time Mo Jingli arrived, Qixia Princess had already suffered six or seven lashes, her undergarments torn open. Spotting Mo Jingli, she clung to him like a lifeline, sobbing, "Wang Ye... wuwu... Wang Ye, you must stand up for Xia'er. Wuwu... Dongfang You is too cruel. Xia'er is in so much pain..."

Mo Jingli's expression darkened further at the sight of Qixia Princess's injuries. Ye Ying, standing beside him, quietly suggested, "Wang Ye, perhaps we should summon a physician for Qixia Princess first." Mo Jingli gave her an approving glance before turning to order, "Fetch a physician at once."

"Don't you dare!" Dongfang You's voice cut in sharply from behind.

"Outrageous! Prince Li's Palace is under my command, not yours," Mo Jingli snapped coldly. Dongfang You tilted her head, studying him before suddenly letting out a low, mocking chuckle. With a smirk, she said, "Wang Ye, though the forces of Boundless Mountains have been decimated by Western Liang and Prince Ding's Estate, at least thirty percent remain."

Mo Jingli replied indifferently, "I'm aware. Do you intend to threaten me with what's left of your Boundless Mountains' power?" In the past, such a threat might have unsettled him, but with only a fraction of their strength remaining, they could cause minor disruptions at best—hardly enough to intimidate him.

Dongfang You cast a meaningful glance at Qixia Princess, who shuddered involuntarily in Mo Jingli's arms, her face draining of color. Dongfang You then smiled and said, "Of course not. I merely wish to inform Prince Li... that Boundless Mountains still has a few people planted within Prince Ding's Estate. I could gift them to you—would you like that?"

Mo Jingli's pupils constricted, his sharp gaze piercing Dongfang You. Prince Ding's Estate was notoriously impenetrable—countless attempts to infiltrate it had ended in failure, with spies either vanishing without a trace or being relegated to the periphery, never obtaining useful intelligence. Unfazed by his scrutiny, Dongfang You arched a brow and continued, "No need to be so surprised. Boundless Mountains has centuries of legacy, after all. We have our secrets. Though these individuals aren't high-ranking, if utilized wisely, they could yield... unexpected results."

Mo Jingli's voice was frigid. "What do you want in return?"

Dongfang You pointed at Qixia Princess. "Her. I want you to hand her over to me."

Mo Jingli opened his mouth to refuse outright, but no words came out. Qixia Princess clutched his sleeve in terror, pleading, "Wang Ye... Jing Li-gege, that woman will kill me!"Dongfang You looked at Mo Jingli with a mocking gaze, seemingly certain that he wouldn’t refuse. She took out a slip of paper from her sleeve and said, “To show my sincerity, Wang Ye can first see if my offer is worth your consideration.”

Mo Jingli’s face darkened as he took the paper, glanced at it, and then tucked it into his sleeve. Qixia Princess suddenly widened her eyes. “Jing Li gege…” Seeing the sinister smile on Dongfang You’s face, she grabbed Mo Jingli’s sleeve in terror, as if unable to believe he would truly hand her over to Dongfang You. Dongfang You smirked triumphantly and ordered the people beside her, “Drag her back and continue the whipping!”

The two men in green robes exchanged a glance before stepping forward to pull Qixia Princess toward the center of the courtyard. Knowing she would have no way out if she fell into Dongfang You’s hands, Qixia Princess clung desperately to Mo Jingli’s sleeve. “Jing Li gege, save me… please… Wang Ye, save me…”

Mo Jingli silently watched the woman before him, her face filled with fear and despair. Qixia Princess had stayed by his side for ten years, abandoning her royal dignity to follow him without any status or recognition. To say he felt nothing would be a lie—though he did not love her, the bond of ten years was not false. But in the end…

Mo Jingli only wordlessly pried Qixia Princess’s fingers from his sleeve. As her delicate fingers were slowly peeled away, the last glimmer of light in her eyes gradually faded.

Finally, Qixia Princess was dragged to the center of the courtyard. The sharp cracks of the whip mixed with her agonized screams, so horrifying that even passersby outside the courtyard trembled in fear.

“Ahh… save me… Wang Ye, Jing Li gege… It hurts so much… ah!” Qixia Princess writhed in pain on the ground, soon covered in blood and barely breathing. “Wang Ye… why… why won’t you save me…”

“No one can save you,” Dongfang You sneered. “Didn’t you say your Wang Ye cared for you? It seems he prefers what I’ve offered him. His affection for you isn’t even worth a scrap of paper.”

Hearing Dongfang You’s merciless taunts, Qixia Princess felt her mind grow hazy. Beyond the searing pain, fragments of the past ten years slowly surfaced in her memory. When her gaze met Mo Jingli’s cold, indifferent eyes, she suddenly felt the urge to laugh. There was not a trace of pity or remorse in his expression. What had she been doing all these years?

“Heh… haha…” Qixia Princess let out a low, broken laugh before raising her head, tears streaming down her face. “Jing Li gege… your heart is truly cruel…”

Crack! Another lash struck her, making her convulse in pain, yet she couldn’t stop laughing. “Heh… sob… Imperial Sister… Imperial Sister… Xia’er was wrong…”

Witnessing Qixia Princess’s miserable state, Ye Ying, who stood behind Mo Jingli, suddenly felt a chill seep into her bones despite the warmth of her peacock-feather cloak. She couldn’t help but take a step back, staring at the tall, imposing man before her—yet all she wanted was to flee as far away from him as possible.Mo Jingli silently watched the dying Qixia Princess, his expression darkening before he finally turned and left. Seeing him depart, Ye Ying couldn't help but want to follow, yet she suddenly feared being alone with Mo Jingli. Her legs seemed rooted to the spot, leaving her staring blankly at the scene before her.

As Mo Jingli walked away, Dongfang You snorted lightly and signaled her subordinates to stop. She leisurely approached Qixia Princess, smiling down at her. "Well? Do you still think Mo Jingli cares for you now? How dare you act so insolently in front of me? What do you take yourself for? I want you to die with your eyes wide open."

Qixia Princess lifted her head, her reddened eyes filled with venom. "Dongfang You, Qingchen Gongzi will never spare you a glance in this lifetime! You twisted, insane wretch—a discarded flower no one wants. Even if Qingchen Gongzi fancied a village girl, he'd never stoop to someone as vile as you. I curse you... to spend eternity yearning for what you can never have—"

"Beat her to death! I will marry Qingchen Gongzi, but sadly, you won't live to see it!" Dongfang You's pretty face darkened as she snapped.

The whip cracked again, and Qixia Princess's furious curses gradually faded into silence. "Wang Fei, she's dead."

Dongfang You cast a disgusted glance at the unrecognizable figure on the ground. "Throw her into the mass graves. No burial—let wild dogs feast on her corpse!" A chill ran through the courtyard; even Dongfang You's own subordinates couldn't hide their shock and horror. While past masters of the Boundless Mountains were never known for mercy—after all, only the ruthless could control such power—none had ever been as cruel and vicious as this. Was this woman truly the same clever, innocent young mistress of the Boundless Mountains?

Ignoring the crowd, Dongfang You strode out with a cold snort, pausing beside Ye Ying to whisper, "You'd better behave too. Otherwise, that wretch will be your example."

Ye Ying staggered back in terror, collapsing onto the ground. Trembling, she nodded frantically. Dongfang You curled her lip in disdain. "Pathetic. Are you really Ye Li's sister? Tell me—do you think Qingchen Gongzi will love me?"

If Qingchen Gongzi could love you, he'd have to be blind and deaf!

But even with ten times her courage, Ye Ying wouldn't dare say that aloud. She could only nod vigorously. Satisfied, Dongfang You turned and left without another glance.

Watching Qixia Princess's body being callously carried away, Ye Ying's legs gave out entirely. She had fought with Qixia Princess for over a decade—she'd thought the woman she envied most was Ye Li, and the one she hated most was Qixia Princess. Yet now... this woman who had plagued her for ten years was just... gone?

"H-help me back to my room..." Ye Ying whispered weakly, not daring to stay longer. A pair of steady hands lifted her—a plain-faced maid in Prince Li's Palace attire carefully supported her and murmured, "Don't be afraid, Fourth Miss. Dongfang You won't harm you."Ye Ying nodded, "Let's go back first..." Everything today had given her too much of a shock. Not only because of Dongfang You's cruelty, but also because of Mo Jingli's heartlessness. If he could be so ruthless to Qixia Princess, whom he had doted on for ten years, then what about her, who had long fallen out of favor... Ye Ying shuddered, leaning on the maid supporting her as she staggered back to her courtyard.

At a mass burial ground outside the southern capital, a bloodied corpse wrapped in a straw mat was carelessly discarded among the graves. The eerie burial site was made even more sinister by the occasional cawing of crows.

After a long while, a shadowy figure appeared among the graves. He walked over to the corpse, crouched down to examine it, and checked the pulse and breath of the bloodied body. Shaking his head, he clicked his tongue in admiration, "Impressive technique." He then took out a medicinal pill and stuffed it into the corpse's mouth. Without minding the blood and grime, he hoisted the body onto his shoulder and said indifferently, "If you survive, it's your luck. If you die, at least you won't be left to rot in the wilderness..." With that, the man swaggered off into the night, the corpse slung over his shoulder.

In a small courtyard within the city, lamps were just being lit. Ye Li sat under the light, reading a report when Wei Lin entered, "Wang Fei."

Ye Li set down the report and nodded, "How is she?"

Wei Lin frowned, "Not good. Although her injuries aren't fatal, she developed a high fever this morning. We can't find a physician as skilled as Mister Shen Yang or Doctor Lin here in the Southern Border. If the fever doesn't break, she likely won't make it."

Ye Li replied calmly, "Do what we can and leave the rest to fate. Have someone wipe her down with strong liquor to see if it helps reduce the fever." Wei Lin nodded but asked in confusion, "That woman isn't exactly a good person. Why bother saving her, Wang Fei?"

Ye Li smiled faintly, "In this incident, she was an innocent victim. Besides, while Qixia Princess is indeed annoying, her crimes don't warrant death. Also... she is after all the younger sister of the Queen of Nanzhao. If I weren't in the southern capital, it would be one thing, but since I'm here, I should at least make an effort out of respect for the Queen."

Wei Lin understood now and nodded, "This subordinate comprehends." No matter what, by saving Qixia Princess, Wang Fei would earn the Queen's gratitude.

"Any movement from Prince Li's Palace?" Ye Li asked.

Wei Lin shook his head, "Nothing yet. Prince Li is at odds with Dongfang You and has forbidden her from interfering in palace affairs. Additionally, there are still spies from Boundless Mountains in our Prince Ding's Estate. Dongfang You gave that list to Mo Jingli. However... Princess Li might know about it too. She was standing beside Mo Jingli when he looked at the list, though we're not sure if she actually saw it. She's been too terrified to speak these past two days."

Ye Li nodded, "She is, after all, a woman raised in the inner chambers. Give her a couple more days. Have our people investigate quickly. Ye Ying isn't a trained spy—she might not have paid attention to that list under those circumstances. Also, send word to Grand Uncle and Xiu Yao, so they can be on guard. You may go now."

Wei Lin bowed, "This subordinate takes his leave."Ye Li's actions in Nanjing this time were not particularly low-key. She had many matters to attend to, and excessive secrecy would only arouse more suspicion. The Chu family was once a renowned scholarly household in the former Great Chu. Now that the young master of the Chu family had arrived in Nanjing, it was inevitable that people would come to pay visits. Ye Li delegated all such receptions to her subordinates, and others simply assumed that this young master from a prestigious family was naturally aloof, which didn’t seem unusual. After all, young masters from noble families often had their share of temper.

"Young Master, Marquis Muyang Manor has sent an invitation," Zhuo Jing reported softly at the study door, holding a card.

Ye Li snapped out of her thoughts and raised an eyebrow. "What invitation?"

Zhuo Jing replied, "In three days, Nanjing will host its annual Chrysanthemum Viewing Banquet. Marquis Muyang Manor has sent an invitation." Ye Li smiled wryly in resignation. "Decline it. How could I possibly be in the mood for a Chrysanthemum Viewing Banquet now?" Zhuo Jing lowered his voice. "According to Yao Ji’s report, Helian Zhen arrived in Nanjing last night. Both Mo Jingli and Helian Zhen are likely to attend the banquet in three days. That’s why I wanted to ask if you’d like to go."

A cold glint flashed in Ye Li’s eyes at these words. "Helian Zhen, is it...? In that case, let’s go and take a look." Zhuo Jing nodded. "Understood. I’ll make the preparations at once."

The weather in the south was warmer compared to the north, though at this time of year, only the chrysanthemums were worth admiring. This chrysanthemum-viewing gathering could undoubtedly be considered one of the grandest events in Nanjing during the transition from autumn to winter. Invitations had been extended to all the young masters of prominent families and the noble young ladies of the inner chambers. Even ordinary commoners could stroll through the city’s flower markets brimming with chrysanthemums and take a couple of pots home to mark the occasion.

Early in the morning, Ye Li arrived at the event with the slightly disguised Wei Lin and Zhuo Jing. The gathering was held at a large estate owned by Prince Li's Palace in Nanjing. Presenting their invitations at the entrance, they were greeted by a dazzling array of chrysanthemums in full bloom, transforming the courtyard from the desolation of autumn into a vibrant and colorful spectacle.

To Ye Li’s surprise, this chrysanthemum gathering was being managed by Ye Ying rather than Dongfang You, who had always overseen affairs in Prince Li's Palace. Perhaps still deeply shaken by Dongfang You’s intimidation, Ye Ying’s complexion remained pale even after so many days. Meanwhile, Dongfang You sat to the side, her expression indifferent yet seemingly distracted. The noblewomen and young ladies of Nanjing had long grown accustomed to Dongfang You’s demeanor, and none dared approach her to avoid discomfort, instead crowding around Ye Ying to exchange pleasantries.

Ye Li took a seat at a moderate distance, sipping lightly on chrysanthemum wine while appearing to casually admire the flowers. In truth, her attention remained fixed on Ye Ying’s interactions.

Wei Lin leaned in and whispered, “Since marrying into Prince Li's Palace, Dongfang You has never been adept at social engagements. Initially, she offended many, but with Mo Jingli and Dongfang Hui shielding her, no one dared retaliate. Later, many affairs of Prince Li's Palace were still handled by Qixia Princess and Consort Xian Zhao. Now that Qixia Princess is dead and Consort Xian Zhao is said to be bedridden from anger, Ye Ying has been left to manage things.”

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, observing Dongfang You from afar. “Would you say she’s changed quite a bit?”

Zhuo Jing nodded. “She has indeed changed a great deal.” The former Dongfang You had given off an air of self-importance while actually understanding little. But the current Dongfang You, even sitting silently and doing nothing, exuded an unsettling aura. The way the surrounding women avoided her and crowded around Ye Ying spoke volumes. In truth, Ye Ying was even more terrified—if she could, she would have fled long ago, unwilling to spend another moment near Dongfang You.

“It hasn’t even been half a year, yet this woman has transformed so drastically,” Wei Lin remarked incredulously. It wasn’t that people couldn’t change, but Dongfang You’s shift was like night and day. What kind of extreme circumstances could have caused such a sudden and complete reversal?

Ye Li sighed softly. “Matters of the heart… How can outsiders like us ever truly understand?”

“Mo Jingli is here…” Zhuo Jing murmured under his breath.Ye Li looked up and indeed saw Mo Jingli approaching grandly with a retinue of guards in tow. Walking alongside Mo Jingli was a man in his fifties dressed in Central Plains attire, yet his stature and appearance distinctly differed from that of a Central Plains native. Although Ye Li had never actually met Helian Zhen, she was certain the man accompanying Mo Jingli could be none other than him. Judging by the expressions on their faces, it was clear that even if their alliance hadn’t been finalized yet, it was nearly settled.

Ye Li frowned slightly. Though Mo Xiuyao was ambitiously determined to annihilate the allied forces of the three factions in one fell swoop, she still considered it somewhat risky. Even upon arriving in Jiangnan, she had debated whether to attempt sabotaging this alliance. Ultimately, however, she suppressed the idea out of trust in Mo Xiuyao.

As Ye Li observed Mo Jingli and his entourage, they naturally noticed her as well. Dressed in white, Ye Li stood slightly shorter than Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin behind her, yet her striking appearance and commanding presence far surpassed theirs. Such an elegant young master would surely leave an impression if seen before. Mo Jingli glanced at her and couldn’t help but furrow his brows, asking, “Who is that?”

The guards around Mo Jingli were merely ordinary attendants—how would they know the identity of a young master they had never met before? One of them quietly excused himself and went to investigate Ye Li’s background.

Confident in her disguise, Ye Li didn’t avoid Mo Jingli’s scrutiny. Instead, she stepped forward boldly and cupped her hands in greeting, smiling as she said, “Chu Junwei of Yunzhou pays his respects to the Regent Prince.”

At the mention of Yunzhou, Mo Jingli’s frown deepened. When people spoke of Yunzhou, the first thing that came to mind wasn’t its natural treasures or prosperity rivaling Jiangnan, but rather the Xu Family of Yunzhou. Though Mo Jingli didn’t recognize the name Chu Junwei, he recalled that Madam Xu’s maiden family bore the surname Chu, and the Chu clan was also a prominent and influential lineage in Yunzhou. Raising an eyebrow, he remarked, “So it’s Young Master Chu. May I ask how you are related to Young Master Xu of the Xu Family?”

Ye Li smiled faintly. “You flatter me, Wang Ye. Madam Xu’s father and my grandfather were cousins. By that measure, I might tentatively address Young Master Xu as my elder cousin.” The connection sounded close at first glance, but in reality, it was rather distant. The Xu Family had few members, but the Chu clan was an extensive lineage in Yunzhou, with main and branch families, legitimate and collateral lines—numbering no less than several hundred, if not a thousand. Moreover, Madam Xu had no full siblings, and after marrying into the Xu Family, her ties with the Chu clan had grown tenuous. Thus, Ye Li’s claim of kinship with the Xu Family was somewhat of a stretch.

Mo Jingli nodded, studying Ye Li and dismissing the faint sense of familiarity he had initially felt. It was hardly surprising for a relative of Madam Xu to bear some resemblance to Xu Qingchen. “The Chu Family has long resided in Yunzhou. What brings Young Master Chu to Jiangnan?”Ye Li lowered her gaze, her smile tinged with bitterness as she replied softly, "Although I am the legitimate heir, I belong to a collateral branch. And now, with Yunzhou..." She shook her head as if sighing, "There's no point in me staying in Yunzhou anymore. That's why I thought of coming to Jiangnan—more of a journey than anything else. Thank you for your concern, Wang Ye."

Mo Jingli studied her for a long moment but found nothing amiss. Finally, he nodded and said, "In that case, I hope Young Master Chu enjoys his time here. The Chu family is a distinguished name in Great Chu. If you have any interest in staying in Nanjing and contributing to our nation, you might visit the Regent’s Estate in a few days. We can discuss it further then."

Ye Li was momentarily taken aback, not expecting Mo Jingli to extend an invitation of recruitment. Whether he sought Chu Junwei himself or the influence of the Chu family behind him remained debatable. Though she had no intention of entering court service, she still feigned flattered surprise and cupped her hands in gratitude. "Many thanks, Wang Ye. I will certainly pay a visit in the coming days."

With Helian Zhen present, Mo Jingli naturally couldn’t focus on Ye Li for long. After a brief nod, he accompanied Helian Zhen into the garden. Helian Zhen, however, turned back and cast a puzzled glance at Ye Li and her two attendants, smiling as she remarked, "That Young Master Chu seems quite extraordinary. I didn’t expect Great Chu to have such an outstanding figure aside from the Xu family’s celestial young master."

Mo Jingli had little interest in elaborating and replied indifferently, "The Chu family is a renowned lineage in Great Chu, known for producing remarkable talents across generations. How could a vast nation like ours have only the Xu family’s young master stand out?"

Helian Zhen smiled faintly without comment, glancing back once more. She caught sight of the handsome young master gazing at her with a faint smile, and for some reason, an uneasy feeling stirred in her heart. When she looked again, the young master had already departed with his two guards in another direction.

At the heart of the chrysanthemum-filled garden stood an open pavilion. On the second floor, Mo Jingli and Helian Zhen sat facing each other. Helian Zhen took a sip of chrysanthemum wine and frowned. "Your Central Plains wine is fragrant, but it lacks any real potency." The Bei Rong people favored strong liquor, and such honeyed wine naturally held no appeal for them.

Mo Jingli remained unperturbed, sipping the fine wine with calm composure. "Strong liquor has its merits, but chrysanthemum wine has its own charm. This wine requires careful appreciation." Though both sides had privately reached a consensus regarding their alliance, deep down, they still harbored mutual disdain—the Bei Rong people scorned the affectations of the Central Plains, while the Central Plains disdained the barbaric ways of the Bei Rong.

Helian Zhen set down her cup and frowned slightly as she turned to Mo Jingli. "What does Prince Li think of the proposal I made earlier?"

Mo Jingli remained silent, not out of any intention to tease Helian Zhen. While her proposal held undeniable appeal, declaring full-scale war against Prince Ding’s Estate was no simple decision. Even now, with the entire Jiangnan firmly under his control, he couldn’t guarantee how many court officials would support him if he were to wage war against Prince Ding.Watching Mo Jingli's hesitant demeanor, He Lianpeng knew that it wasn't that Mo Jingli wasn't tempted, but rather that the bait he had offered wasn't substantial enough. Given Mo Jingli's temperament, as long as the temptation was great enough, he wouldn't hesitate to oppose Prince Ding's Estate—or even the heavens themselves.

After a moment of silence, Helian Zhen said solemnly, "Prince Li, to be frank, before coming to Nanjing, I also paid a visit to Prince Zhennan of Xiling." Mo Jingli was taken aback and narrowed his eyes at Helian Zhen. "What do you mean by that, General Helian?"

Helian Zhen smiled. "This time, I sincerely wish to form an alliance with both Prince Li and Prince Zhennan. Moreover, I have already persuaded Prince Zhennan. As long as Prince Li is willing to join forces and send troops, Prince Zhennan is prepared to cede a portion of his interests..."

Upon hearing this, Mo Jingli's eyes flickered, though his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he sneered. "A sincere alliance? More likely, Northern Rong can't withstand the blows from Prince Ding's Estate, can it?" A flash of anger crossed Helian Zhen's eyes, but he suppressed it instantly. Staring at Mo Jingli, he said, "It's true that Northern Rong is currently at a slight disadvantage in the war against Prince Ding's Estate, but to say we can't endure is far from the truth. Our Northern Rong forces are strong and numerous—even within Great Chu, we still have nearly a million troops. Reinforcements from Northern Rong can arrive at any moment. Besides... what benefit would Prince Li gain from Northern Rong's defeat?"

Mo Jingli's face darkened. If Northern Rong were driven out of the north by Mo Xiuyao, Prince Ding's Estate would only grow stronger. Moreover, with Prince Ding's Estate already severed from Great Chu, their occupation of the entire northern region would be legitimized. After all, Great Chu had abandoned the north to Northern Rong and the northern borders, and it was Prince Ding's Estate that had pacified the borders and expelled Northern Rong. Naturally, these lands would have nothing to do with Great Chu—or Mo Jingli.

After a long silence, Mo Jingli said gravely, "An alliance with Northern Rong and Western Liang would be unacceptable to the court of Great Chu." This was his greatest concern. Western Liang and Northern Rong had seized Great Chu's territory. Instead of driving out the invaders and reclaiming the land, Great Chu would be allying with them to fight the Mo Family Army—a move that would surely invite criticism.

Helian Zhen laughed heartily. "Such trivial matters surely won't hinder Prince Li. It all depends on whether Prince Li... truly wishes to defeat Mo Xiuyao and destroy Prince Ding's Estate."

Mo Jingli remained silent, but his mind was racing. Of course, he wanted to defeat Mo Xiuyao. Since childhood, he had dreamed of crushing Mo Xiuyao beneath his feet. Even now, though his status and power were no less than Mo Xiuyao's, he still felt inferior in his presence. He longed for the day he could truly trample Mo Xiuyao and reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to him.

If Northern Rong were truly defeated by Mo Xiuyao, and with Lei Zhenting growing old—Lei Tengfeng hardly seemed a match for Mo Xiuyao—Western Liang would likely fall to Mo Xiuyao once Lei Zhenting passed. By then, Mo Jingli would stand alone, with no chance of turning the tables... But now, if the three forces united and pressed forward with their combined armies, even Mo Xiuyao, with all his prowess, would be unable to withstand the onslaught of two to three million troops from three nations. The odds of victory would be high indeed.Helian Zhen watched with amusement as Mo Jingli's expression shifted between hesitation and conflict. With a gentle smile, she said, "Zhennan Wang has already promised. As long as Li Wang agrees to send troops, he will immediately withdraw his forces from Guangling City and the four northern provinces along the way. This serves both as a gesture of sincerity to Li Wang and ensures your troops can pass through unimpeded. What does Li Wang think?"

Mo Jingli gripped his wine cup tightly, unaware that the fragrant chrysanthemum wine had spilled onto his hand.

"Why must Li Wang be so indecisive? Once the three of you defeat Prince Ding's Estate, Great Chu can return its capital to Chu Jing. Everything Li Wang Dianxia has lost will be restored—indeed, you may even gain more." Helian Zhen fixed her gaze on Mo Jingli, her words relentless.

Mo Jingli gritted his teeth, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. In a low voice, he declared, "Very well. This prince agrees to General Helian's proposal. Great Chu... will march north soon!"

Overjoyed, Helian Peng set aside his usual distaste for the bland chrysanthemum wine and raised his cup with a laugh. "In that case, let us first toast to our armies' swift success and the complete annihilation of the Mo Family Army!" Mo Jingli remained silent, merely tilting his head back and downing the fine wine in one fierce gulp. Seeing this, Helian Zhen finally burst into unrestrained laughter.

In the garden, amidst vibrant chrysanthemums of varied shapes and hues, countless noble sons, talented scholars, and beauties composed poetry and exchanged witty banter. Ye Li dipped her brush and inscribed a poem about chrysanthemums onto the rice paper.

"The rustling west wind fills the courtyard with blooms,

Yet fragrance chills, and butterflies stay away.

If one day I become the Lord of Spring,

I’d bid them bloom beside peach flowers in May."

As she slowly finished the final stroke, Helian Zhen's triumphant laughter reached her ears. Ye Li set down her brush and remarked with a faint smile, "It seems they've reached an agreement."