Mo Li

Early the next morning, Ye Li indeed received an invitation from the Zhang residence. It invited Young Master Chu Junwei to attend a banquet at the Zhang family that afternoon. Looking at the rather plain invitation, Ye Li couldn't help but shake her head with a quiet laugh. This Zhang Baiwan was truly calculating—it hadn't even been a full day yet, and the injuries from being beaten by Mo Jingli's men probably hadn't even healed yet.

"Young Master, will you attend the banquet?" Wei Lin asked curiously.

Ye Li set down the invitation and smiled. "Of course we'll go. Didn't you hear what Elder Lin said? This is Zhang Baiwan's first time hosting a banquet on his own initiative—how could we refuse such courtesy?" Wei Lin remained noncommittal. After all, if Wang Fei wanted to go, they just had to follow and protect her. With Zhang Baiwan's capabilities, he couldn't pose any real threat to Wang Fei. Even if Zhang Baiwan really wanted to marry his daughter to Wang Fei... well, Wang Fei couldn't exactly take a wife, could she?

"Reporting to Young Master, the person in the west courtyard has woken up," a maid attending to Qixia Princess came to announce. Wei Lin was somewhat surprised. "She's quite tenacious—she actually survived." It wasn't that Wei Lin disliked Qixia Princess to the point of wishing for her immediate death, but her injuries were truly severe. While the external wounds weren't fatal, the infection had caused a high fever, and she hadn't woken up for days. After so long, even the mansion's physicians had given up, only continuing to care for her because she hadn't yet passed. Yet, just when everyone had lost hope, she had woken up on her own.

The maid's expression was somewhat odd as she added, "But... the young lady seems a bit strange."

"Strange? How so? Has she gone mad, insane, or lost her memory?" Wei Lin asked.

The maid shook her head, then nodded hesitantly. "It's more like... she's become simple-minded. No, perhaps she's lost her memory."

Ye Li stood up. "Let's go see."

Arriving at the west courtyard, even before entering, they could hear crying from inside. However, the crying didn't sound like Qixia Princess's—mainly because, given her age and temperament, she would never... wail like this.

Stepping inside, they found the room in complete disarray. Ye Li stood at the doorway, frowning at the woman huddled at the foot of the bed. Her eyes were clear and bright—nothing like the gaze of a madwoman or a fool. Yet her facial expression was indeed peculiar. Upon seeing them enter, the woman, who had been clutching the quilt and wailing, immediately stopped and glared at them warily.

Ye Li tentatively called out, "Qixia Princess, are you feeling better?"

Qixia Princess pouted, then suddenly lunged toward Ye Li.

"Young Master, be careful!" Wei Lin exclaimed in alarm, kicking out at the figure flying toward them.

"Wei Lin, don't!" Ye Li quickly called out. Wei Lin froze, pulling back most of his strength, but still managed to send Qixia Princess tumbling backward. Fortunately, having retracted most of the force, she wasn't thrown too hard.

Qixia Princess clearly hadn't expected to be kicked away. She sat on the ground, stunned for a long moment, before suddenly bursting into loud sobs. "Waaah... Imperial Sister, bad people are bullying Xia'er..."Wei Lin froze, turning to look at Ye Li and said, "So she really has lost her mind." Given Qixia Princess's temperament, it was impossible for her to behave like this in front of outsiders—actually sitting on the ground wailing loudly. Ye Li glanced down and remarked, "I think it's a bit different from just losing her mind. Qixia, do you recognize me?"

Qixia was crying so intently that when she heard Ye Li's words, she hiccuped and stared blankly at her. Suddenly, she reached out to grab Ye Li's face, exclaiming, "Brother, you're so handsome." Ye Li raised her folding fan to block the hand and smiled at her, asking, "Does Qixia recognize this brother?"

Qixia Princess blinked in confusion, biting her lip before shaking her head. "Who are you people... I'm the Princess of Nanzhao! You're not allowed to bully me! I want to find my elder sister."

"Do you remember your elder sister's name?" Ye Li asked. Qixia Princess rolled her eyes at her, giving her a look that said 'are you stupid?' and declared proudly, "My elder sister is, of course, Princess Anxi of Nanzhao. My elder sister is very powerful—if you dare bully me, she'll definitely have someone beat you up!"

Ye Li couldn't help but lower her head and chuckle. "I'm good friends with your elder sister, but... how come I didn’t know she had a younger sister?"

"You're lying! Everyone in Nanzhao knows I'm Princess Qixia!" Qixia Princess glared at her angrily.

Ye Li nodded. "Alright, but I'm not from Nanzhao. If you really are Princess Qixia, I'll send you back to see Princess Anxi. How old are you, Princess Qixia? And how did you end up here?"

Qixia Princess tugged at her hair, looking troubled. "Seven years old. I... I don’t know either. My elder sister said she was going to celebrate my birthday... wuwu..." As if remembering something, her lips trembled, and she looked like she was about to cry again.

Ye Li thought for a moment before asking, "Qixia, do you know Mo Jingli and Dongfang You?"

"Who are they?" Qixia Princess asked disinterestedly. "Brother, will you take me home? I'll have my father and elder sister reward you handsomely." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Who they are doesn’t matter. Qixia, rest well first. Once your injuries heal, I'll send you back."

She pointed at the numerous scars on Qixia's body—though many had healed over the past few days, they still must have been painful. Reminded of them, Qixia Princess looked down at her wounds and seemed on the verge of tears again.

After finally calming her down, Ye Li sighed in relief and left the room with Wei Lin. Wei Lin frowned in confusion. "What exactly is wrong with this Qixia Princess? Could she be faking it?" Ye Li shook her head. "Qixia Princess isn’t capable of such flawless deception. When I asked if she knew Mo Jingli and Dongfang You, there wasn’t the slightest change in her expression. If she’s acting... then she’s far too good at it."

"That makes sense." Qixia Princess had nearly died at Dongfang You's hands—she must have hated her to the bone. Even the best actress couldn’t hide all emotion.

"Have someone keep a close eye on her. When we leave Jiangnan, arrange for her to be sent back to Nanzhao," Ye Li instructed.

"Understood," Wei Lin nodded. "Young Master, it's time to attend the banquet at the Zhang residence."

They had spent quite some time with Qixia Princess, and it was already afternoon. Ye Li had no choice but to change clothes and head out for the banquet.Zhang Baiwan truly lived up to his reputation as Nanjing's most miserly and stingy man. Not only was the Zhang residence unadorned in appearance, but even the interior was utterly plain. Anyone unaware would never guess this was the home of one of Nanjing's top merchants. The household servants were few in number, and seeing the patched-up old clothes worn by the steward leading the way, Ye Li couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

Perhaps Ye Li's expression was too obvious, as the steward tugged at his clothes awkwardly and whispered, "Young master must excuse us. Normally, we wouldn't be so discourteous. But yesterday, the master... to avoid upsetting him further, we..."

Ye Li suddenly understood—Zhang Baiwan had suffered a significant financial loss the day before, so the household deliberately wore old clothes to avoid provoking their master's temper.

With a smile, Ye Li said, "My apologies for the rudeness. Frugality is always commendable."

The steward gave a helpless, bitter smile. While frugality was indeed a virtue, given the Zhang family's wealth and status in Nanjing, they were often mocked for it and had long grown accustomed to it.

Zhang Baiwan was already waiting in the main hall with his wife and daughter. Seeing Madam Zhang and Miss Zhang dressed in plain cloth, Ye Li gained an even deeper appreciation for Zhang Baiwan's stinginess. Though still pale from his injury, Zhang Baiwan beamed with enthusiasm upon seeing Ye Li enter. "Young Master Chu, you've arrived! Forgive this old man for not greeting you at the gate."

Ye Li cupped her hands in greeting. "Master Zhang is too kind. I am Chu Junwei. Greetings to Madam and Miss Zhang."

Zhang Baiwan happily turned to his daughter. "Zhuer, quickly greet Young Master Chu."

Miss Zhang timidly took small steps forward and curtsied gracefully. "Zhuer greets Young Master Chu." At the sight of Miss Zhang, Ye Li finally understood the odd expression on Master Lin's face whenever he mentioned Zhang Baiwan's daughter.

To be fair, Miss Zhang was not unattractive. Though not a stunning beauty, she was still a delicate and refined young lady. Yet there was something unsettling about her—her intense gaze made even someone as composed as Ye Li break into a cold sweat. Ye Li's eye twitched, and she instinctively took a step back. "Miss Zhang, greetings." She then firmly shifted her attention to Zhang Baiwan, determined not to glance at Miss Zhang again.

Seeing that Ye Li avoided looking at her, Miss Zhang's eyes reddened with hurt. Zhang Baiwan glanced between Ye Li and his daughter and sighed inwardly before smiling at Ye Li. "Young Master Chu, shall we proceed to the banquet?"

Ye Li nodded. "After you, Master Zhang."

Since Ye Li was the only guest, Zhang Baiwan, his wife, and daughter all joined the banquet. The meal was modest but not discourteous—Zhang Baiwan, though miserly, still knew the importance of propriety. After Ye Li took her seat, Miss Zhang ended up sitting right beside her, causing Ye Li to stiffen once more."Young Master Chu, let Zhu'er pour you some wine." Miss Zhang eagerly picked up the wine pot to serve Ye Li, who had no choice but to thank her with a sigh before getting straight to the point with Old Master Zhang. If she let him voice his intention to marry his daughter to her, things would get awkward. "Old Master Zhang, the truth is, I came today to discuss some important matters with you."

Old Master Zhang was taken aback but smiled. "Whatever it is, why don't we talk after the meal?"

Ye Li replied calmly, "What if it's about the one million dan of grain you donated to Prince Li yesterday?"

Zhang Baiwan's face darkened instantly. Just the thought of that one million dan made his heart bleed.

"What does Young Master Chu wish to discuss?" Zhang Baiwan eyed Ye Li suspiciously. Ye Li smiled and asked, "Is this place suitable for conversation?" Zhang Baiwan hesitated before finally glancing at his wife and daughter. "Madam, take Zhu'er out for now. I have matters to discuss with Young Master Chu." Lady Zhang, an ordinary woman who deferred entirely to her husband and knew nothing of business, had no choice but to lead their reluctant daughter away.

"What does Young Master Chu wish to speak to this old man about?" Zhang Baiwan inquired.

Ye Li smiled. "Yesterday, you donated one million dan of grain to Prince Li. However, as far as I know, Prince Li has mobilized at least eight hundred thousand troops for this campaign. Even under the most optimistic estimates—assuming everything goes smoothly and they defeat the Mo Family Army in the shortest possible time—the round trip alone would take at least half a year. During this period, the required military provisions would amount to no less than three million dan. And that’s the most conservative estimate. Do you think... Prince Li's Palace can defeat Prince Ding's Estate within six months?"

Zhang Baiwan stared at him warily. "What do you mean by this, young master?"

Ye Li continued, "I have another piece of news. This time... though the army has set out, the court hasn’t allocated much grain from the state granaries. Because... this year, Western Liang suffered from drought and poor harvests, and Northern Rong isn’t faring much better. As a grain merchant, you must be aware of this. A month ago, the court sold a significant portion of the newly stored grain to Western Liang. So, this conservative estimate of three million dan... will likely fall on you and the other grain merchants of Jiangnan to shoulder."

Zhang Baiwan’s face turned ashen. "Prince Li... Prince Li is trying to ruin my Zhang family." Donating one million dan had already dealt a severe blow to the Zhang family. If they were forced to bear the entire military provisions, the Zhang family would truly be finished. More importantly, the Zhangs couldn’t possibly gather that much grain in such a short time. If they failed, the charge of delaying military operations would cost Zhang Baiwan his head. Indeed... Prince Li had never intended to let him off from the start.

"And not just that. To be frank, I can confidently say this war won’t be resolved in just a year or two. By then, the Zhang family..." Zhang Baiwan’s face paled further as he looked at Ye Li. "Young Master Chu didn’t come here just to frighten this old man, did you?" As a shrewd businessman, Zhang Baiwan knew Ye Li wouldn’t waste time on idle threats.

Ye Li lowered her gaze and said coolly, "I do have a way to help you, Old Master Zhang. The question is whether you’re willing."

"Please, Young Master Chu, save me," Zhang Baiwan pleaded urgently.Ye Li handed over an envelope with a smile. Zhang Baiwan took it and skimmed through the contents, his expression shifting dramatically as he stared at her. "You... Young Master Chu, are you...?" Ye Li chuckled, "This humble one bears the surname Chu. The Chu family... is related by marriage to the Xu Family."

Understanding dawned on Zhang Baiwan's face, his expression fluctuating for a long moment before he finally asked, "Can Young Master Chu make the decisions here?"

With an amused smile, Ye Li produced a token from her sleeve and placed it on the table. Zhang Baiwan gaped at the jet-black jade token emblazoned with the fierce character "Ding." Though he had never seen Prince Ding's token before, he sincerely doubted anyone would dare forge it. Moreover... the Chu and Xu families were indeed connected by marriage. Given the Xu Family's standing in Li Cheng, the likelihood of such an outstanding talent like Chu Junwei serving Prince Ding was far higher than traveling all the way to Jiangnan to pledge allegiance to Prince Li's Palace.

"What does Master Zhang think?" Ye Li inquired.

"If... this old man refuses, what does Young Master Chu intend to do?" Zhang Baiwan countered.

Ye Li replied calmly, "Then I would ask Master Zhang to forget today's events." Zhang Baiwan's voice turned grave, "This old man needs time to consider." Without further ado, Ye Li stood and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave."

Zhang Baiwan glanced at her, a hint of hope in his eyes. "Actually, if Young Master Chu could agree to one request of mine, this old man could give you an answer right now." Seeing Zhang Baiwan's eager and satisfied gaze, Ye Li inwardly rolled her eyes and quickly interjected, "Master Zhang, forgive me, but I am merely... running errands for someone else. If you have any requests, I can relay them, but if they concern me personally, I'm afraid... I must ask for your understanding."

Zhang Baiwan could only sigh, disappointment written all over his face. He had genuinely hoped this Chu Junwei could become his son-in-law—it would have secured another safeguard for the Zhang family. Besides, his daughter had high standards and rarely took a liking to ordinary men. What a pity...

Once outside the Zhang residence, Ye Li, Wei Lin, and Zhuo Jing all exhaled in relief. Zhuo Jing pouted, "That Miss Zhang's eyes were practically glued to you, Young Master. Thankfully, you dismissed her quickly, or things could have gotten really troublesome." Being handsome was truly a curse—no wonder Qingchen Gongzi had attracted a madwoman like Dongfang You all these years. But Wang Fei in male disguise was even worse. While Qingchen Gongzi's ethereal demeanor inspired reverence and deterred impropriety, Wang Fei's male persona was devastatingly handsome and approachable—the perfect son-in-law candidate.

"Wang Fei, what if Zhang Baiwan goes to betray us?" Wei Lin frowned.

Ye Li replied indifferently, "Then we'll have to make Master Zhang truly live up to his nickname 'Death-for-Money.' But... I believe he's a smart man."

Wei Lin pondered and nodded. "True. And given his money-grubbing nature, knowing Mo Jingli wants to swallow the Zhang family whole, he wouldn't willingly walk into that trap."

Ye Li exhaled softly and said coolly, "Once the Zhang and Lin families are dealt with, things will be much easier." The Zhang and Lin families were among the wealthiest in Nanjing. With their covert assistance, it wouldn't be hard to punch a massive hole in Mo Jingli's logistical support.All matters were progressing smoothly in the shadows. Since making a small splash at the banquet in the Regent's Palace, Mo Jingli seemed to have taken note of this young master from the Chu family of Yunzhou. He frequently sent invitations for the youth to visit his residence, seeking his opinions on political affairs. However, Ye Li remained somewhat concerned about revealing any flaws under Mo Jingli's scrutiny, so she declined most invitations, only accepting when unavoidable. Unexpectedly, this very reluctance made Mo Jingli value her even more—it appeared the prince was quite keen on playing the role of a virtuous ruler courting talented scholars.

Perhaps genuinely worried about the Empress Dowager's influence over the young emperor, Mo Jingli indeed kept the child emperor at the Regent's Palace, only bringing him to court for daily audiences. Though many officials voiced objections, Mo Jingli controlled all military power in Great Chu. Political power grows from the barrel of a gun—this truth holds across all ages. Since ancient times, how many literati-led rebellions have ever succeeded?

Ye Li encountered the young emperor once more at the Regent's Palace, finding him even more timid and emaciated than during the banquet. Soon after, news emerged from Prince Li's Palace that the child emperor had been poisoned with a slow-acting toxin.

The revelation stunned everyone. Wei Lin frowned, "What exactly is Mo Jingli trying to achieve?" On the eve of military campaigns, stability should be paramount—killing the young emperor now would bring Mo Jingli no advantage.

"How long can Mo Suoyun last?" Ye Li asked gravely.

Yao Ji, who had come with Qin Feng, shook her head. "Though the poison is slow-acting, it's quite potent. Moreover, the young emperor seems constitutionally weak and has been severely traumatized by Mo Jingli these past two years. Even if detoxified... he likely won't survive to adulthood." As a mother long separated from her own child, Yao Ji naturally felt particular sympathy for children.

In truth, among all these chaotic power struggles, none was more innocent than this eight- or nine-year-old emperor. A child who understood nothing, deprived of paternal affection or maternal clan support, suddenly thrust onto the dragon throne after Mo Jingqi's death. What awaited him was plain for all to see.

Ye Li remained silent. She had never been cruel-hearted, yet while she couldn't be said to have harmed this child, her inaction undoubtedly constituted abandonment. Everyone—the Empress Dowager for her power, Mo Jingli for the throne, and Ye Li herself for Prince Ding's Estate—had unanimously chosen to sacrifice this child for their respective goals.

"Wang Fei, Mo Suoyun's fate has no connection to us. There's no need for self-reproach," Qin Feng said solemnly.

Ye Li shook her head with a faint smile. "Not reproach, merely reflection... Just a child who knows nothing, why must he be born into an imperial family?" She rarely indulged in guilt—remorse was futile regret. Better not to act than to repent afterward. Having made her choice, what use was self-blame?"Yao Ji, go tell Ye Ying. Hand over the list in her possession to me. I'll immediately reveal her child's whereabouts. If she delays... she'll regret it." Ye Li spoke calmly.

Yao Ji frowned. "I'm afraid Ye Ying won't agree. Deep down, she likely doesn't trust Wang Fei. Right now, that list is the most important leverage she has—she definitely won't give it up easily. Wang Fei, perhaps you should consider telling her the child's whereabouts first?"

Ye Li sighed. "If we reveal the child's location now, we'll truly lose any chance of obtaining the list. Moreover... both you and many others in Nanjing would be in danger." Yao Ji frowned, puzzled.

Qin Feng added, "If we tell Ye Ying that her son is the little emperor, how could she possibly side with Prince Ding's Estate? The first thing she'd do is report this to Mo Jingli. Now that Qixia Princess is dead and Dongfang You has gone missing, once the little emperor becomes Mo Jingli's son..."

Yao Ji suddenly understood. She had interacted with Ye Ying quite often and was well acquainted with her temperament. Ye Ying was timid, not particularly bright, and unlikely to achieve great things. However, she was selfish and distrustful of anyone, capable of ruthlessness when necessary. If her son became emperor, she would be the Empress Dowager and naturally wouldn’t need to kowtow to Prince Ding's Estate anymore.

With a helpless sigh, Yao Ji said, "I’ll go back and talk to her." She could only hope Ye Ying would act rationally and not outsmart herself, endangering her own son in the process.

"Wang Fei, why would Mo Jingli attempt to poison the young emperor now? Surely he isn’t so impatient to ascend the throne immediately? If the young emperor dies in Prince Li's Palace, Mo Jingli himself would come under suspicion," Zhuo Jing asked, puzzled. Mo Jingli had always been fond of playing clever, so it was unlikely he wouldn’t grasp such a simple principle.

Ye Li shook her head and said gravely, "Actually… it might not necessarily be Mo Jingli who poisoned him."

"Someone is trying to frame Mo Jingli?" the others wondered.

Qin Feng frowned. "Ever since Dongfang You disappeared, Mo Jingli has tightened control over Prince Li's Palace. Now, the palace is entirely under his command. If even we can uncover this information, Mo Jingli must know about it too."

After a long silence, Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said, "There’s still one person in Prince Li's Palace who could act against Mo Suoyun—even if Mo Jingli knew, he wouldn’t expose her. Besides… if the young emperor were to die, it might not be a bad thing for Mo Jingli either."

"Consort Xian Zhao?" Lin Han ventured.

Ye Li nodded. "Exactly. Right now, the only people in Prince Li's Palace who could harm Mo Suoyun are Mo Jingli, Ye Ying, and Consort Xian Zhao. Slow-acting poison isn’t easy to administer—it takes time. Even if the young emperor has little power, he still has many attendants around him. An ordinary person wouldn’t be able to dose his meals so precisely every day."

"Why would Consort Xian Zhao want to kill the young emperor?" Wei Lin asked, confused.

Ye Li smiled. "Consort Xian Zhao and the Empress Dowager are cousins. They entered the palace together to serve the late emperor and spent most of their lives supporting each other through thick and thin. After Mo Jingqi ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager became the Empress Dowager, and she honored Consort Xian Zhao as a consort, allowing her to retire from the palace to Prince Li's Palace. Compared to the late emperor’s other concubines, she was treated quite well. However, I’ve always had a question. In the Great Chu’s imperial harem, the lowest rank is a talent, the highest is the Empress, and below the Empress are the Imperial Concubine and consorts. By convention, when the late emperor passed away, his concubines were posthumously elevated by one rank. That is to say, under normal circumstances, if Consort Xian Zhao held the rank of consort during the late emperor’s reign, Mo Jingqi should have promoted her to Noble Consort, given her relationship with the Empress Dowager. But… why did Consort Xian Zhao remain at the rank of consort her entire life?"

Yao Ji propped her chin on her hand and said, "No one raised any objections at the time, did they? That means the conferment was considered reasonable."Ye Li said, "It's reasonable but not emotionally sound. Moreover, at that time, almost all the concubines of the late emperor's harem were either demoted or executed by the Empress Dowager under various pretexts. The only one left, Consort Xian Zhao, was granted the favor of leaving the palace to live in honor. On the surface, it seemed like an act of great benevolence, but likely no one noticed the implications. What do you think... why did the Empress Dowager send Consort Xian Zhao out of the palace to live in honor?"

Yao Ji's eyes flashed with surprise as she said, "The Empress Dowager didn’t want Consort Xian Zhao to stay in the palace and compete with her for power? Then... Consort Xian Zhao must have some leverage over the Empress Dowager that made her dare not act against her. That’s why she has remained safe all these years. Now, by targeting Mo Suoyun, she aims to push Mo Jingli to the throne while also seeking revenge against the Grand Empress Dowager?"

"The tale of Ehuang and Nüying is a timeless legend of sisterly harmony. But I have never truly seen such a thing exist in reality," Ye Li sighed softly. All women harbor jealousy—how could there be no resentment when sharing a husband with another woman, let alone deep sisterly affection? Especially for women in the palace. From the day they enter, their lives revolve around one word—competition. Competing for favor, for status, for children.

"Mo Jingli is also the Grand Empress Dowager’s son," Wei Lin reminded.

Consort Xian Zhao had no children. No matter how deeply she concealed herself, she had already been doomed from the start.

"Between the debt of birth and the debt of upbringing, which weighs more? Doesn’t Mo Jingli’s current choice make it clear enough?" Ye Li smiled faintly.

Yao Ji frowned and said, "When the capital was first moved to Nanjing, it was said that Prince Li wanted to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Consort Xian Zhao, allowing her to jointly manage the harem with the Empress Dowager. But later, for some reason, the matter was dropped."

Those present couldn’t help but shake their heads. The affairs of the imperial family were so convoluted that even they felt dizzy trying to unravel them. Though Consort Xian Zhao had no son, she had spent all these years under the Empress Dowager’s suppression, playing the role of a devoted sister. It seemed she was finally reaching her limit. It was unclear how much influence she had exerted in the rift between Mo Jingli and the Empress Dowager.

"Young Master, someone from the Regent’s Palace has arrived. They say the Regent requests your presence," the steward outside the door reported in a low voice.

After a moment of silence, Ye Li nodded. "Understood. Ask them to wait a moment." The steward acknowledged and withdrew. Ye Li stood and said, "Well, this is just as well. I’ll take the opportunity to visit Prince Li’s Palace and see what’s happening."

Yao Ji frowned. "Prince Li has been summoning Wang Fei frequently these days. Could he have noticed something amiss?"

"Given Mo Jingli’s temperament, if he had truly noticed anything, he wouldn’t be inviting me so politely. There’s no need to worry," Ye Li replied with a smile.

Upon arriving at Prince Li’s Palace, Ye Li was escorted directly to Mo Jingli’s study. When she entered, she found it already occupied by quite a few people. However, the only familiar face among them was the current Marquis Muyang, Mu Yang.

"Chu Junwei greets the Regent," Ye Li said with a cupped-hand salute.

Seeing Ye Li enter, Mo Jingli seemed in good spirits and smiled. "Young Master Chu, you’ve arrived. Please, take a seat." Ye Li nodded in thanks and took a seat at the very end. Though the Chu family was a distinguished noble house, those present were all Mo Jingli’s trusted confidants. Naturally, Ye Li wouldn’t overstep by seating herself at the front.As it happened, Ye Li took a seat diagonally across from Mu Yang. Mu Yang nodded at him with a smile, and Ye Li, not wanting to be impolite, returned the gesture with a smile of his own. Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow as he observed the two and asked, “Are Marquis Muyang and Young Master Chu acquainted?”

Mu Yang replied respectfully, “Young Master Chu’s demeanor is truly remarkable. It is only a regret that we have not met before.”

Ye Li smiled and said, “Marquis Muyang flatters me. I, too, have long admired your esteemed reputation.” Seeing that neither of them seemed insincere, Mo Jingli nodded in satisfaction. He wasn’t opposed to Marquis Muyang Manor having ties with the Chu family, but he wouldn’t be pleased if Mu Yang had secretly formed a close relationship with them behind his back.

Seizing the opportunity, Ye Li then asked, “May I inquire as to why Your Highness has summoned me?”

Mo Jingli glanced around at the gathered company and said, “There is indeed a matter for which I seek Young Master Chu’s assistance. Previously, with just a few words, you resolved a major issue for this prince regarding the Zhang family. These past few days, Zhang Baiwan has been working diligently—all thanks to Young Master Chu’s efforts.”

Ye Li modestly declined the praise, saying, “Your Highness overpraises me. It was entirely due to Your Highness’s formidable influence in Jiangnan. Jun Wei dares not claim any credit.”

Mo Jingli sighed and said, “This prince truly has another significant matter requiring Young Master Chu’s aid. I hope you will not refuse.”

Ye Li’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained composed as he replied, “Please instruct me, Your Highness.”

Mo Jingli fixed his gaze intently on Ye Li and said gravely, “This prince wishes to request the young master to draft an edict on my behalf.”

Ye Li was inwardly startled. He swept his eyes over the others present, but none showed the slightest hint of surprise, indicating they were all aware of what Mo Jingli intended to say—or rather, they had been waiting specifically for his arrival. Ye Li took a quiet breath and asked, “The court is filled with talented individuals, and there are countless senior officials capable of drafting edicts. I fear I may not be up to the task…”

“Does Young Master Chu refuse?” Mo Jingli’s expression darkened slightly as he asked coolly.

Ye Li sighed inwardly, resigned. He already understood what kind of edict Mo Jingli wanted him to write—and it was one he absolutely could not draft. Once written, the young emperor Mo Suoyun would surely meet his end.

“Might I ask… what edict Your Highness wishes me to write?” Neither Zhuo Jing nor Wei Lin could enter the study of Prince Li’s Palace, so they naturally had to wait outside. Even if they had been present, Ye Li had no intention of openly defying Mo Jingli so soon.

Mo Jingli’s expression softened slightly, feigning sorrow as he said, “To be frank, His Majesty’s health has been poor these days, and it seems… The emperor is young and naturally has no heirs, so he intends to abdicate… I would like to request Young Master Chu to draft an abdication edict on his behalf. As a scion of a distinguished family, I trust you will not disappoint this prince.” Despite his barely concealed triumph, Mo Jingli forced an air of grief, a performance that only deepened Ye Li’s disgust.

“Might I ask… to which of the late emperor’s sons does His Majesty intend to abdicate?” Ye Li’s expression remained unchanged as he posed the question innocently. Without an heir, the throne would naturally pass to another, typically the closest blood relative—first to brothers, then to nephews. Passing it to an uncle was far less common. Thus, Ye Li’s question was not at all improper.A cold glint flashed in Mo Jingli's eyes, but he did not answer Ye Li's question. Mu Yang, sitting across from them, smiled and said, "Young Master Chu has misunderstood. His Majesty intends to abdicate in favor of the Regent. After all, most of the Emperor's brothers are still young... Now that Great Chu is in turbulent times, we truly need a ruler of exceptional ability. Though His Majesty is still young, his heart is set on the welfare of Great Chu's realm."

For the sake of Great Chu's realm? More like he was frightened into it, wasn't he? Ye Li sneered inwardly.

Hesitating slightly, Ye Li deliberately feigned reluctance as she glanced at Mo Jingli. "Wang Ye, forgive my impertinence, but this matter... I must consult with my family first. Moreover, though I bear the Chu family name, I am merely from a collateral branch. An abdication edict is such a significant matter..." Throughout history, few emperors had willingly abdicated, and those who succeeded the throne naturally sought someone influential to draft the edict to demonstrate their legitimacy. However, such documents could either be praised for generations or condemned for eternity. Though Ye Li had borrowed the identity of a Chu family member, she had no intention of tarnishing their reputation. If she guessed correctly, the edict Mo Jingli wanted her to write would likely be attributed to the Chu family's main lineage. The world would only know it was written by a Chu, but who would care whether Chu Junwei was from the main branch or a collateral one? Or whether the Chu family even had such a person?

It wasn’t that Mo Jingli was forcing Ye Li to write the edict—he simply couldn’t find a suitable candidate. The esteemed elder ministers of the court naturally refused to sacrifice their integrity for such a task, while Mo Jingli’s trusted subordinates lacked any notable reputation. Though Chu Junwei was from a collateral branch of the Chu family, he still carried the Chu name. The Chu family was, after all, one of Great Chu’s most prestigious clans, second only to the Xu Family. If Mo Jingli could have convinced Qingchen Gongzi to draft the edict, he wouldn’t have bothered with Ye Li’s willingness at all.

Mo Jingli glared at Ye Li in displeasure. "Such a trivial matter, yet Young Master Chu keeps finding excuses. Do you look down on this prince?"

Ye Li truly wanted to slap Mo Jingli in the face. If the person standing here had really been just an ordinary collateral descendant of the Chu family, faced with such pressure, the only options would have been to comply or to take their own life to preserve their honor.

"Wang Ye overstates the matter," Ye Li said firmly. "But this affair is of great importance, and I dare not act recklessly. Surely Wang Ye wouldn’t want me to draft the edict, only for the Chu family to immediately announce my expulsion?"

If that happened, it would be a resounding slap to Mo Jingli’s face. The resulting situation would be far more humiliating than if he had just dragged some random person to write the edict. Not to mention, if the Xu Family seized the opportunity to make a statement, most of Great Chu’s scholars would likely refuse to acknowledge Mo Jingli’s legitimacy.

Mo Jingli knew Ye Li spoke the truth, but having confidently made his demand only to be met with resistance, his pride was wounded. Seeing the tension, Mu Yang quickly interjected, "Wang Ye, Young Master Chu’s concerns are not without merit. As a scholar, some matters may take time to reconcile. Why not allow Young Master Chu a few days to consider? I’m sure he will come around by then."Mo Jingli finally nodded, looking at Ye Li and said, "This prince holds you in high regard, Young Master Chu. I sincerely hope you will give this matter careful consideration. With your talents, you might very well become the second Qingchen Gongzi."

Ye Li secretly found it amusing. She wouldn't dare presume her intellect could rival her elder brother's. However, Mo Jingli's offer to win him over this time was indeed substantial. Everyone knew Qingchen Gongzi was practically second only to two people in Prince Ding's Estate, wielding power that could sway the realm. Which scholar didn't regard Qingchen Gongzi as their role model and aspiration? But Ye Li was certain that even if she were truly Chu Junwei, she wouldn't choose Mo Jingli. Mo Xiuyao possessed the magnanimity and capability to tolerate someone above the masses, whereas Mo Jingli did not. Once Mo Jingli secured his position, the first to suffer would likely be this so-called second Qingchen Gongzi.

Ye Li replied respectfully, "Thank you for your high regard, Wang Ye. I will give it careful consideration."

Mo Jingli gave Ye Li a deep look and nodded, "Very well. This prince will have someone escort you back to your residence."

"Many thanks, Wang Ye." Ye Li didn't decline, fully understanding Mo Jingli's intentions. She didn't mind—since she had been entrusted with such important information, Mo Jingli naturally wouldn't let her leave unsupervised. However, what Mo Jingli didn't know was that if Ye Li wished to vanish from Nanjing, even if he dug three feet into the ground, he wouldn't find her.

Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin, waiting outside, immediately tensed when they saw Ye Li emerge with several guards from Prince Li's Palace in tow. Ye Li subtly waved a hand to signal them not to act rashly. The two quickly composed themselves and stepped forward to bow, "This subordinate greets the young master."

Ye Li nodded and said, "Let's return."

"Yes, young master."

As Ye Li led her newly acquired entourage, along with Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin, out of Prince Li's Palace, she spotted the little emperor dressed in bright yellow robes while passing through the garden. Only two or three days had passed since their last meeting, but the child's already gaunt face had taken on a sallow hue. His eyes, which always seemed filled with fear, had grown even duller. Anyone could tell this child didn't have long to live.

Mo Suoyun wandered slowly through the garden, the eunuchs and palace maids behind him keeping their heads lowered, none of them lifting a finger. As long as the little emperor remained within their sight, it seemed nothing else mattered. The garden path wasn't entirely smooth, and Mo Suoyun, spotting something interesting ahead, brightened slightly and quickened his pace. But his body was already frail, and he stumbled, falling to the ground.

Yet, even then, none of the attendants behind him moved to help him up, as if they had all suddenly turned into mindless puppets.

Falling onto the uneven cobblestones was painful. Mo Suoyun's arms were scraped and bleeding the moment he hit the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes, but for some reason, they never fell. He didn't get up, simply lying there, staring blankly at his bleeding, stinging arms.

A pair of pale, slender hands gently lifted him from the ground. Mo Suoyun blinked, gazing dazedly at the elegant young master in white robes before him."Does it hurt?" Ye Li crouched down, looking into the eyes of the child now at her eye level as she asked softly.

Tears welled up in Mo Suoyun's eyes, and after a moment, he nodded slowly. Ye Li sighed inwardly—how could she not have noticed the child's unusual state? Compared to just days ago, his reactions had grown noticeably sluggish.

The attendants following Mo Suoyun hurried forward when they saw someone approach, attempting to intervene. "Young Master… His Majesty should return to rest now." Ye Li swept a cool glance over them and smiled faintly. "So you do remember he is still the emperor?"

The palace maid who had spoken paled momentarily but quickly regained her composure. "Of course we know he is still the emperor—for now. Therefore, we must ask you to leave at once. His Majesty is not someone just anyone can approach." Though her tone was ostensibly polite, Ye Li could detect the underlying arrogance and the deliberate emphasis on "for now." Clearly, such treatment of Mo Suoyun was orchestrated by someone else.

The guards behind Ye Li also stepped forward, carefully choosing their words to urge her to leave. However, knowing that Prince Li still had use for this Chu Junwei, they dared not be too forceful.

"Greetings, Wang Fei." Just as the standoff persisted, Ye Ying arrived with her entourage, her gaze sweeping indifferently over the scene. "What is happening here?" The palace maid who had spoken to Ye Li stepped forward. "Reporting to Wang Fei, we were ordered by Her Highness Consort Xian Zhao to accompany His Majesty for some leisure. This Young Master Chu has obstructed His Majesty's path and refuses to leave."

Ye Ying neither affirmed nor denied this, turning instead to Ye Li. With a gentle smile, Ye Li replied, "Reporting to Wang Fei, I merely assisted His Majesty when I saw him trip. And then…" She lifted the sleeve of her robe, which the little emperor still clutched tightly, indicating that it was he who refused to let go.

After a brief silence, Ye Ying said, "Young Master Chu is His Highness's honored guest. If His Majesty enjoys his company, let them stay together for a while. What is the meaning of this commotion?"

"Wang Fei! But Consort—"

"I will explain to Consort Xian Zhao myself. With so many of you watching, how could you let His Majesty fall? Are you all dead?" Ye Ying's voice was icy. Though these servants answered to Consort Xian Zhao, they dared not openly defy the Princess Li in front of outsiders and reluctantly fell silent.

Ye Li took the medicine handed to her by Wei Lin and carefully applied it to Mo Suoyun's injury. Without turning her head, she asked, "Why wasn’t a physician summoned?"

The attendants hesitated before finally turning to fetch one.

Since Mo Suoyun still clung to Ye Li's sleeve, she had no choice but to stay. She carried him to a small Water Pavilion in the garden to rest for a while. Seated there with the child in her arms, Ye Li regarded Ye Ying coolly. "Do you know what Consort Xian Zhao has been doing?"

Ye Ying's expression shifted, a flicker of panic crossing her face. "Consort? What has she done?"

Ye Li's heart sank slightly. Ye Ying's reaction confirmed that she was not unaware of Consort Xian Zhao's actions. "Why didn’t you inform Yao Ji about this?"

Ye Ying bit her lip lightly. "It’s nothing significant, nor does it concern Prince Ding's Estate. Why should I tell her? Besides… even if I didn’t, you found out anyway, didn’t you?""I have come to realize it, but unfortunately, it's already too late," Ye Li said.

Ye Ying scoffed, "Do you actually want to save him? He's the Emperor of Chu, and you're the Wang Fei of Prince Ding's Estate. What good would saving him do for you?" Ye Li smiled faintly and replied, "Do you really think that if Mo Jingli becomes emperor, you will surely become the Empress?"

Ye Ying's face paled. Of course, she knew that without support, even if Mo Jingli ascended the throne, she might not become the Empress. Originally, Prince Ding's Estate had backed them, but now Mo Jingli had already decided to wage war against it...

"You're welcome to try telling Mo Jingli about my whereabouts. See if he'll be in such a good mood as to reward you with the position of Empress." Ye Li smiled at her, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Yet the faint chill in her gaze made Ye Ying shudder involuntarily. Biting her lip, Ye Ying said, "I won't betray you... betraying you wouldn't do me any good." Mo Jingli was known for his vindictive nature—if she told him about Ye Li's movements, it would inevitably reveal that she had been gathering information for Prince Ding's Estate. While Ye Li might face trouble, she herself would ultimately suffer the consequences. Moreover... the whereabouts of her child were still in Ye Li's hands.

Ye Li regarded her calmly. "So you still refuse to give me the list?"

Ye Ying clenched her teeth. "First, help me find my child. And one more thing..."

"One more thing?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Ye Ying declared, "After Mo Jingli ascends the throne, you must help me become Empress."

"Ye Ying," Ye Li said with a hint of pity, her voice grave. "You'll regret this."

Outside, someone entered with the imperial physician. But the child stubbornly clung to Ye Li's sleeve, refusing to let go. It took Ye Li some time to coax him into releasing her sleeve so the physician could examine him. Watching as the physician perfunctorily checked his injuries while ignoring his obvious distress, Ye Li could only remain silent. She stood up and walked out of the Water Pavilion. The guards waiting outside immediately approached. Ye Li turned her head slightly and said, "Go inform the Regent that... some things shouldn't be taken too far. It won't reflect well on Wang Ye's reputation."

The guards hesitated, but one of them eventually turned and headed toward Mo Jingli's study. Ye Li glanced back at the child inside the Water Pavilion, sitting dazedly at the table as the physician fussed over him, then turned away. "Let's go."

"Master, the Emperor..." Wei Lin couldn't help but ask. They weren't heartless or cold-blooded—seeing a child who understood nothing reduced to a lifeless shell, waiting for death, stirred some pity in Wei Lin's heart.

Ye Li shook her head. "The Emperor likely... doesn't have much time left."

The guards accompanying Ye Li out of the estate exchanged surprised glances. They hadn't expected this seemingly gentle and refined young master to be so bold—knowing full well they were sent by the Prince to monitor him, yet daring to speak such words in their presence.

But they hadn't yet grasped one truth: when someone speaks secrets freely in front of you, it means they believe you'll never have the chance to reveal them. And in this world, the only people who can't leak secrets are the dead.

Hearing Ye Li's words, Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin exchanged a tacit glance, their cold gazes subtly sweeping over the guards. A faint killing intent flickered briefly before vanishing.

The next day, news arrived from Prince Li's Palace: all the palace maids and eunuchs attending Mo Suoyun had been beaten to death. When Zhuo Jing relayed the report, Ye Li merely paused briefly in her work before continuing with her tasks.