Mo Li

The Minister's Mansion

Early in the morning, the mansion was already bustling with activity. Ye Li sat with Ye Shan and Ye Lin in the Hall of Glory and Joy, accompanying Ye Laofuren in conversation. Over at Ye Ying’s courtyard, preparations had begun before dawn. Wang Shi found Ye Lin and Ye Shan to be in the way and, fearing that Ye Li might take advantage of the situation to cause trouble, she didn’t want them around. Instead, she invited two nieces from her own family to accompany Ye Ying. Naturally, Ye Li was happy to be free of the responsibility. After paying her respects to Ye Laofuren in the morning, she stayed behind to chat with her. There was no way she could spend the entire day alone in Qingyi House—doing so would only invite gossip.

Ye Laofuren’s face was filled with joy, and she even treated everyone with unusual kindness. Ye Lin and Ye Shan naturally seized the opportunity to amuse her with flattering words. Meanwhile, Ye Li sipped her tea calmly, silently contemplating whether she should join in the excitement and watch the spectacle unfold.

As noon approached, Ye Laofuren’s graying brows gradually furrowed. She ordered the servants, "Go and see if the groom’s procession has arrived."

After a while, the dispatched servant returned in a hurry, wiping sweat as they reported, "Madam… the groom’s party has yet to arrive."

Ye Laofuren’s previously smiling face darkened instantly. It was almost past noon, and an afternoon wedding procession was considered inauspicious.

"Could it be that Prince Li is really going to abandon Fourth Sister again?" the youngest, Ye Shan, suddenly blurted out.

"Shan'er!" Ye Shan’s birth mother paled in horror.

"Outrageous! Today is Fourth Sister’s joyous occasion—how dare you spout such nonsense? Get out!" Ye Li snapped sharply, shooting Ye Shan a warning glance before Ye Laofuren could erupt in anger. Ye Shan opened her mouth as if to say more, but Ye Lin swiftly grabbed her and, along with her mother, dragged her out of the room.

"Shan'er is young and speaks carelessly. It is my fault for failing to discipline her properly. Please calm your anger, Grandmother," Ye Li said softly to Ye Laofuren.

"Third Miss is right. Sixth Miss is still a young girl with whimsical thoughts. Fortunately, we are all family here. Please, Madam, for the sake of Fourth Miss’s happy occasion, set aside your displeasure," Zhao Yiniang, who had been granted a seat due to her pregnancy, quickly rose and pleaded with Ye Laofuren.

At this moment, Ye Laofuren had no patience to reprimand Ye Shan. She waved her hand dismissively. "Summon the Master here. And send someone to check again." Sensing her foul mood, the servants dared not say another word and hurried off to obey.

The atmosphere in the Hall of Glory and Joy grew tense. Ye Li remained seated quietly, sipping her tea. Zhao Yiniang sat to the side, occasionally stealing subtle glances at Ye Li, only to find the young lady’s face completely devoid of emotion—as if nothing had happened at all. For a moment, Zhao Yiniang couldn’t tell whether today’s events had anything to do with the Third Miss.

Seeming to notice Zhao Yiniang’s gaze, Ye Li lifted her eyes to meet hers. The utterly unreadable look sent a chill down Zhao Yiniang’s spine. She gave Ye Li a slight nod before turning away to lean against her chair and close her eyes in feigned rest.As noon passed with no sign of the messenger who had been waiting outside the main gate, it became clear that Prince Li's bridal procession would be late today. Lord Ye hurried in with Wang Shi in tow, only to be met with the stern gaze of Ye Laofuren. "What exactly is going on?" the old matriarch demanded sharply. "Have you found out anything?" Lord Ye's face was equally stormy as he replied in a heavy voice, "Mother, please calm your anger. The scouts have returned with news—Prince Li's Palace has already set out."

"Already set out?" Ye Laofuren let out a bitter laugh, repeating the word "good" several times before pointing an accusing finger at her son. "Since when does a groom forget the auspicious hour for fetching his bride? In a few days, our Ye family will be the laughingstock of the capital! What exactly is Prince Li's Palace trying to imply? Are they slapping our faces before the bride even crosses their threshold?"

Lord Ye frowned. "Perhaps something truly delayed them?"

Ye Laofuren scoffed. "What could possibly be more important than fetching one's bride?"

Lord Ye fell silent, and the old matriarch could only sigh helplessly. Though Prince Li's late arrival was already an embarrassment, no matter how furious they were, they still had to send Ye Ying off. Otherwise, what little remained of her reputation would be utterly ruined. Shooting Wang Shi an angry glare, she snapped, "Why are you just standing there? Go check if Ying'er is ready. The moment the procession arrives, send her out immediately." Wang Shi, swallowing her own resentment, quickly replied, "Everything has been prepared long ago. She only needs to bid farewell to you, Laofuren, before leaving." With a cold humph, Ye Laofuren said no more.

By the time the servants finally announced the approaching bridal procession, it was already nearing the end of the Hour of the Goat. Supported by her maids and matrons, Ye Ying arrived at the Hall of Glory and Joy to bid farewell to Ye Laofuren. Though her face was adorned with exquisite makeup, Ye Li, sitting nearby, could still discern the pallor beneath the powder and the faint redness around her swollen eyes—clear signs that Ye Ying had been crying earlier. But that was hardly unusual; wasn't it customary for brides to weep before leaving home? Ye Laofuren personally helped Ye Ying to her feet, offering words of encouragement and admonishment. After bidding farewell to Lord Ye and Wang Shi, Ye Ying donned her bridal veil and was escorted toward the main hall of the Ye residence, with Ye Li following closely behind Lord Ye and Wang Shi.

In the main hall of the Ye residence...

Mo Jingli stood clad in a bright red Four-clawed Golden Dragon Wedding Robe, his already handsome features exuding an air of cold majesty. Yet Ye Li could clearly detect an uncharacteristic stiffness beneath his indifferent expression. His unnaturally pale complexion and the shadows beneath his eyes, barely concealed, only confirmed her suspicions. The frustration of being forced to sit idly all morning miraculously lifted. She would have wagered her eldest cousin's title of Imperial Scholar that Mo Jingli was wearing makeup.

Mo Jingli's gaze locked onto Ye Li the moment she entered with Lord Ye, his eyes blazing with an intensity that momentarily eclipsed even his own bride.

Lord Ye coughed lightly in displeasure, prompting Mo Jingli to reluctantly tear his eyes away and offer a greeting. "This prince's tardiness is inexcusable. I beg my father-in-law's forgiveness."

Had he glossed over the matter, it might have been bearable, but his mention of it only stoked Lord Ye's simmering anger. His tone cooled noticeably as he replied, "I dare not presume to forgive. I only hope Your Highness will treat Ying'er well in the future."Mo Jingli knew he was in the wrong and quickly agreed, promising to treat Ye Ying well. But as he raised his head, he happened to catch sight of Ye Li's faintly mocking smile, and the memories of last night's ordeal surged back, filling him with the urge to tear her apart. From childhood, he had always been the one tormenting others—except for that one time with Mo Xiuyao in the past. This was the first time he had suffered such humiliation. Before dawn, he had woken from unconsciousness to find himself bound and dumped in a freezing pond. No matter how much he shouted, it wasn't until daybreak that the guards he had stationed near the woods finally found him. Though it was nearly May, that pond remained icy cold year-round, and by the time he was pulled out, he was frozen stiff. After barely making it to the estate outside the city, drinking ginger soup and medicine to ward off the chill, he had rushed back to the city despite his discomfort—only to still miss the auspicious hour for the wedding. Compared to him, Ye Li, who stood there composed and smiling, was infuriatingly at ease.

This prince will never let you off! Mo Jingli's gaze was dark and venomous.

Ye Li curled her lip faintly. She had long given up on expecting any intelligence from Mo Jingli. She even shot him a look in return: Looking forward to it!

What Ye Li didn’t realize was that this brief exchange of glances took on a completely different meaning in the eyes of those with ulterior motives. Wang Shi, standing beside Ye Ying, observed their interaction, a flash of malice swiftly passing through her downcast eyes.

Author's Note:

Alright, Mo Jingli really isn’t the brightest male supporting character—guess he’s doomed to be cannon fodder. I’ll have to study how to craft intelligent cannon fodder next!