Mo Li

Watching Ye Li leave, Hua Tianxiang and the other two exchanged worried glances before sighing helplessly. Every family has its own troubles—even a couple as powerful as Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, arguably the most influential pair in the world, could find themselves in situations beyond their control.

Murong Ting sighed and said, "Thankfully, Leng Er isn’t particularly capable, so no one’s forcing him to take wives or concubines." As for those shameless enough to throw themselves at him, she naturally had ways to deal with them. But the situation in Prince Ding's Estate wasn’t something that could be resolved by simply driving people away like she could.

Qin Zheng also sighed softly. Murong Ting paused, then turned to Hua Tianxiang and asked, "Is Prince Ding really delaying his ascension to the throne because of this?" Hua Tianxiang shot her a glance and replied, "Even if it’s not the whole reason, it’s probably a small part of it. But… let’s just keep this conversation between us. Don’t go spreading it outside, not even to Leng Haoyu!"

Murong Ting rolled her eyes. "Of course I know that. Do you think I’m an idiot? These people are so annoying. When Prince Ding's Estate was down on its luck, why didn’t they rush to marry their daughters off to him? Now that he’s on the verge of ruling the world, they’re all scrambling to push their daughters forward, spouting nonsense about propriety and ancestral laws… They even openly and covertly criticize the Xu Family, accusing them of trying to monopolize power as imperial relatives. It’s just…"

Qin Zheng patted her hand with a smile. "Alright, I’m not even angry, so why are you? Since Li'er has a plan in mind, there’s not much we can do to help. Let’s just watch and see."

Murong Ting grinned mischievously. "Who says we can’t help? At the very least, I’ve convinced a few girls not to marry Prince Ding."

Hua Tianxiang raised an eyebrow. "You have that kind of eloquence?" Prince Ding was the future emperor, after all. Even if Murong Ting had the gift of gab—which she didn’t—it would be hard to dissuade those women who were desperate to become imperial concubines.

Murong Ting snorted. "They’re just blinded by ambition and have forgotten what kind of man Prince Ding is. He’s not someone who hesitates to kill women. I told them about the various fates of women who admired Prince Ding, and several of them immediately said they didn’t want to be concubines anymore."

Qin Zheng was torn between laughter and exasperation. "Ting'er, do you really think whether they marry Prince Ding is up to them? What’s the point of scaring them?"

Murong Ting froze, then lowered her head in frustration. She was right—how many things in this world could women actually decide for themselves? Those who wanted to marry Prince Ding might be chasing wealth and status, but even if they didn’t want to, what choice did they have? In the end, whether they married or not wasn’t up to them at all.

Ye Li stood outside the study but didn’t enter immediately. Before she could step inside, she heard Mo Xiuyao’s voice. When Mo Xiuyao was truly furious, his tone was eerily calm—but such calmness often preceded a storm of bloodshed. Perhaps that was why Xu Qingchen had secretly sent someone to fetch her. After all, the war had just ended, and the world wasn’t yet truly at peace. Xu Qingchen didn’t want rumors spreading about Prince Ding eliminating his loyal followers now that the war was over—though Qingchen Gongzi didn’t believe many of these people had contributed much in the first place."What's wrong with not ascending the throne? Can't you all live without it? The northwest hasn't had an emperor these past few years, yet no one has died from it," Mo Xiuyao said indifferently. "A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day? If that's the case, then what use are you?"

"Wang Ye..." Someone still seemed unwilling to give up and wanted to continue persuading.

Ye Li realized that if she didn't step in soon, Mo Xiuyao would truly lose his temper. She pushed open the study door and walked in calmly. "What's wrong, Wang Ye? I could hear you getting angry before I even entered."

Mo Xiuyao glared at Xu Qingchen in displeasure, while Xu Qingchen smiled without a word.

"A Li, why have you come?" Mo Xiuyao stepped down from his seat, taking Ye Li's hand gently as he asked. Ye Li smiled faintly. "I remembered something I wanted to discuss with Wang Ye, so I came over. Is this a bad time?"

Mo Xiuyao led her forward. "It's nothing important. Sit and talk. The rest of you, leave if you have nothing else."

Seeing Mo Xiuyao guide Ye Li to sit beside him in the main seat, the officials below couldn't help but frown, some even showing clear dissatisfaction. As for Prince Ding's trusted aides, they quickly lowered their heads, wishing they could dig a hole and bury themselves, silently complaining: If you want to court death, at least wait until we're gone.

"Wang Ye, we are in the middle of discussing official matters with you!" A gray-haired elder stepped forward, his voice grave. Ye Li glanced at him—he looked somewhat familiar but not enough to recognize. She recalled he was from a prominent family of the former Chu dynasty, a veteran official of two reigns. When Northern Rong invaded, he fled to Prince Ding's Estate due to its proximity to the northwest. However, he had never accomplished much, so it was natural Ye Li didn't know his name.

Mo Xiuyao gave him an annoyed look and said flatly, "Official matters? All I've heard this morning is your nonsense. Do you think I have nothing better to do? From now on, settle your arguments first before coming to me!"

The elder was nearly choked by Mo Xiuyao's words. "How is the coronation ceremony nonsense?!" In the eyes of this lifelong scholar who prided himself on his literary heritage, was there anything more important than the ascension of a ruler?

Nearby, Prince Ding's trusted aides shot the elder sympathetic glances and instinctively leaned back, avoiding the line of fire should their lord's temper flare. To Prince Ding, a coronation truly wasn't a big deal. If he had wanted to be emperor, he would have ascended the throne years ago.

Mo Xiuyao said impatiently, "Who told you there would be a coronation? Just a couple of years ago, you were weeping and proclaiming yourselves loyal subjects of Chu. What, now that Chu isn't even fully destroyed, you're eager to claim merit for supporting a new dynasty? Want a coronation? Fine—there's one happening in the south right now. I'll have you escorted there; maybe you can still catch a celebratory drink."

"W-Wang Ye?" To these former Chu nobles, these words were nothing short of treasonous. But Mo Xiuyao was in no mood to care about their ashen expressions. He sneered. "Want to send your daughters into Prince Ding's Estate? Fine! My beloved consort could use a few more maids to serve tea, wash feet, and fold quilts. If that's not enough, they can do laundry and sweep the floors—save the estate the cost of buying new maids.""But Wang Ye, having multiple wives and concubines has always been the norm since ancient times. In the past, you were too busy with affairs of state to consider such matters. But now that the world is at peace, if the Prince's estate still has only one Wang Fei, it would... it would somewhat tarnish the dignity of Prince Ding's Estate." Someone still spoke up unwillingly—this time, it was a former high-ranking official from Great Chu who had once held the position of a minister. His attitude had always been ambiguous, neither offending Prince Ding's Estate nor Mo Jingqi. Later, when Great Chu moved south, he brought his family to the northwest, proving he had the foresight to bet on the right side.

Ye Li paid no attention to these people. What truly worried her were the eager looks in the eyes of the old retainers of the Mo Family Army.

Many of them had served Prince Ding's Estate for generations. Though they didn’t share the same bond of trust and brotherhood as Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu, who had grown up with Mo Xiuyao, their ties to the estate and the Mo Family Army were far more complex than those of trusted aides like Feng and Leng. These men had endured years of suppression by the Great Chu imperial family alongside Prince Ding's Estate, proving their loyalty. Now that the Prince was finally on the verge of unifying the realm, it was naturally their time to rise and flourish. Such thoughts weren’t wrong—after all, wasn’t this how founding heroes of every dynasty behaved? When had the benefits and merits of a new dynasty ever been monopolized by a single family? But unfortunately for them, their lord was Mo Xiuyao, who never played by the rules.

Ye Li sighed softly and patted the back of Mo Xiuyao’s hand, which was trembling with suppressed fury, calming him. Though he hadn’t yet erupted in anger, she could feel the icy aura radiating from him.

Yet, to the old retainers, this scene was utterly improper. These scholars, unlike battlefield generals, prized etiquette and rules above all else. For Ye Li, as Wang Fei, to barge into the study where affairs of state were discussed and sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Prince Ding was, in their eyes, an outrageous breach of womanly virtue.

"Wang Ye, as a woman, Wang Fei should abide by the teachings of the inner chambers and remain in the rear quarters. How can she sit so brazenly in the hall of governance? This is truly... unseemly!" A white-bearded elder quavered. "Wang Fei comes from the scholarly Xu Family. Such behavior... does it not tarnish the reputation of Mr. Qingyun?"

"The teachings of the inner chambers?" Mo Xiuyao sneered, looking down at the old man with his face twisted in righteous indignation. "When Lei Zhenting led his troops across our borders, why did no one remember that my beloved consort was a woman who should abide by such teachings? When I was in peril this time, why didn’t any of you consider that Wang Fei was a mere woman and step forward to lead the army in her stead? Now that the world is at peace, you suddenly recall she’s a woman? So... your so-called loyalty, filial piety, and propriety mean hiding behind women when danger comes, then enjoying the wealth and power they fought for while chastising them for not adhering to womanly virtues? How splendid... what a magnificent notion. I am deeply impressed."

These calm, measured words left the previously self-righteous elders red-faced. These men were not close confidants of Prince Ding's Estate and thus knew nothing of Mo Xiuyao’s temperament. They had merely relied on their seniority and reputation to presume they could lecture him.Mo Xiuyao waved his hand dismissively, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd as he declared, "What Wang Fei chooses to do is none of your concern. Remember this well—every word she speaks and every action she takes carries my authority. Defy her, and don’t blame me for showing no mercy!"

The entire study fell into a chilling silence. The assembled officials felt a shiver down their spines and hastily responded, "We obey your command!"

Even after dismissing them, Mo Xiuyao’s anger lingered. He glared at Xu Qingchen with undisguised displeasure. Qingchen Gongzi sipped his tea elegantly and remarked calmly, "Why glare at me? If I hadn’t stopped Li'er from coming, would you really have killed a few to make an example?"

Mo Xiuyao scoffed. "Do you think I wouldn’t dare?" Those old men did nothing but spout useless nonsense, contributing nothing of value. All they did was create trouble. He sometimes wondered why he had ever kept them around—he’d rather trade them for a few hardworking peasants who could till the land.

Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "They may be useless and occasionally irritating, but they’re also indispensable. Wang Ye, it’s true these men are aged and obsolete, but each of them has disciples and former subordinates spread across the realm. They’ve lived long enough to become shrewd. If they truly decided to stir up trouble, the chaos they could unleash wouldn’t be any less destructive than an army." The pen in a scholar’s hand could be far more troublesome than a blade in an enemy’s grip—unless, of course, Mo Xiuyao wished to be remembered as a tyrant who burned books and buried scholars alive. Then he could afford to ignore them.

Seated beside Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li frowned slightly. "Is this still about pressuring Xiu Yao to ascend the throne soon?"

Xu Qingchen cast a teasing glance at Mo Xiuyao and replied with amusement, "If it were just about the enthronement, would it have escalated this far? Those old ministers, with too much time on their hands, have even begun planning the expansion of the new emperor’s harem. They were about to submit a memorial to Wang Fei, suggesting the selection of imperial consorts. After all, wouldn’t it be unseemly for an emperor to have only one consort upon his ascension? They’ve even prepared the ranks—below the Empress, there should be two Imperial Concubines, four Consorts, and several Zhaoyi and Zhaorong, among others..."

Ignoring Mo Xiuyao’s murderous glare, Xu Qingchen handed the memorial to Ye Li with a smile. The reason for Mo Xiuyao’s fury was precisely because those officials had presumptuously intended to present the memorial directly to Ye Li—only for him to intercept it at the last moment.

Ye Li skimmed through the lengthy document and shook her head with a wry smile before turning to Xu Qingchen with concern. "Has anyone been bothering First Aunt and Second Aunt at the Xu Family lately?"

Xu Qingchen’s expression softened. "It’s nothing serious. Those ladies came to pay visits—we couldn’t very well turn them away. They wouldn’t dare act disrespectfully in front of Mother or Second Aunt." Ye Li frowned. "I’m worried they might start disturbing Grandfather soon."

Xu Qingchen remained unperturbed. "Grandfather has lived long enough to see through such trivial matters. Li'er, Father, Second Uncle, and I—our stance is clear. Whatever you decide, the Xu Family will stand by you."

Ye Li nodded gently. "I understand, Eldest Brother."After the discussion was nearly over, Xu Qingchen stood up and said, "It seems the decision not to ascend the throne was correct. Even before the coronation... many are already growing impatient. Moreover, this incident came too abruptly. There might be someone pulling strings behind the scenes. It's time for Prince Ding's Estate to clean house appropriately. And you, as a father, shouldn't be too lazy—don't just dump everything on your son. It'll be years before he can handle major affairs." This last remark was naturally directed at Mo Xiuyao. With a dark expression, Mo Xiuyao retorted, "This prince understands. Those who dare reach out recklessly before me—I'll sever their limbs!"

After Xu Qingchen left, only Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li remained in the study. Ye Li gently pulled down Mo Xiuyao's handsome face with a soft smile. "Still angry?" Mo Xiuyao sneered, "If they truly want an emperor, this prince doesn't mind showing them what a tyrant looks like!"

"I don't want my husband to become a notorious tyrant," Ye Li chuckled.

Mo Xiuyao embraced her and laughed, "If this prince becomes a tyrant, how about A Li becomes a Demon Empress?" Leaning into his arms, Ye Li couldn't help but twitch her lips. As a modern soldier who sacrificed herself for her country, the idea of being a "Demon Empress" was too much for her worldview. And though they joked, both knew neither could truly act recklessly without regard for consequences. Mo Xiuyao was ruthless to his enemies, never holding back, but he had always been soft-hearted toward his own people.

They couldn't defy the centuries-old beliefs and traditions of this era. That was why Mo Xiuyao chose to shelve the issue—by not ascending the throne or declaring himself emperor, the problem of a harem simply wouldn't exist. As a prince, having heirs was the greatest duty to Prince Ding's Estate. None of the previous princes of the estate had ever been required to keep a multitude of wives and concubines. Moreover, Mo Xiuyao truly had no interest in the throne. What he enjoyed was the process of conquering the world, not the gilded dragon throne high above. He had no desire to be bound to that position, for once seated upon it, many things would spiral beyond his control.

Mo Xiuyao nuzzled Ye Li's hair affectionately and smiled. "A Li just needs to happily play with Xin'er and Lin'er. This prince will handle all these troublesome matters. Once Xiao Bao grows up, we can travel the mountains and rivers, living freely as we please."

"Alright, as you say," Ye Li replied softly, her eyes lowered as she murmured, "But if those people keep harassing the Xu Family and Grandfather..."

"Then A Li can deal with them as she sees fit. I've said it before—whatever A Li does, it is this prince's will," Mo Xiuyao declared solemnly. Even if A Li wanted to slaughter them all, he would bear the blame for it. But he didn't voice this thought aloud, knowing full well that Ye Li's temperament would never allow such actions. A Li was tender-hearted... If there were things she couldn't bring herself to do, this prince would do them for her!Ye Li's prediction was not wrong. After Mo Xiuyao swiftly and mercilessly demoted several of the most vocal troublemakers, those clamoring for his ascension to the throne and selection of consorts immediately fell silent. However, it wasn't long before others devised new schemes. When faced with the allure of profit and glory, countless people would stop at nothing to seize their chance.

In the bamboo grove behind Mount Li Academy outside the city, Mr. Qingyun was engaged in a game of chess with Su Zhe. Su Zhe held a black piece between his fingers, contemplating the board while smiling. "Now that Prince Ding's great undertaking is nearing completion, why do you still wear such a worried expression, Elder Xu?"

"There's a saying: keeping the night watch is harder than starting the business. With Prince Ding's wisdom and temperament, unifying the realm shouldn't be difficult barring any mishaps. But history is full of those who could conquer the world but failed to govern it. Take the First Emperor of Qin—who could deny he was an emperor for the ages? Yet his unified empire lasted less than thirty years. How can we descendants not sigh in regret?" Mr. Qingyun's hair and beard were white as snow, his gaunt features carrying the untrammeled ease of a recluse. But how could this elder, who had spent his life concerned with the world's affairs and educating students, truly transcend worldly affairs?

Su Zhe also sighed, slowly placing a piece on the board. "Setting other matters aside, Prince Ding's continued refusal to ascend the throne and take consorts is ultimately detrimental to the realm's stability." Enthronement, establishing an empress, taking consorts, and producing heirs not only marked the beginning of a dynasty but also signaled stability to the common people, steadying their hearts. "Prince Ding's temperament... is too much like that of the founding Prince Ding." Back then, Mo Lanyun, the first Prince Ding of Great Chu's founding, had nearly cost the founding emperor his throne by insisting on marrying a princess of the previous dynasty. And now... there wasn't even a chance for history to repeat itself. In the current realm, no one but Prince Ding could hold the throne securely—no one else could command universal respect.

"Elder Xu, should we advise Prince Ding?" Su Zhe hesitated before finally voicing the question. Though they resided outside the city, they were still well-informed about the affairs of Li Cheng. It was truly unfortunate for discord between ruler and ministers to arise even before the founding of the state.

Mr. Qingyun waved his hand with a smile. "No need. They know what they're doing. Things may seem chaotic now, but those who truly understand their positions are shrewd. Better to endure some disorder now than to pass these problems down through generations."

Su Zhe was taken aback. "Isn't that too risky?" Throughout history, the most crucial task after unifying the realm was to seek stability. That was why so many founding emperors lavishly granted fiefs, only to struggle later with the consequences. How could those sagacious founding rulers have been unaware of these issues? It was simply a matter of circumstances forcing their hands. To start purging ministers before the realm was even stabilized was far too perilous. One misstep, and chaos could erupt again.

Mr. Qingyun chuckled. "We old folks tend to overthink things. Since Prince Ding has such boldness, why not wait and see?"

Su Zhe shook his head with a wry smile. "If even you, his grandfather, aren't worried, why should I fret? Though I suspect those pedantic scholars will soon come knocking at your door." These men had little talent but great reputations, narrow minds yet towering tempers. Having been rebuffed by Prince Ding and Princess Ding, it would be strange if they didn't seek out Mr. Qingyun."Master, there are several elderly gentlemen at the gate requesting an audience. They claim to be old acquaintances of Mr. Qingyun and Elder Su," a young attendant entered the bamboo grove and reported respectfully. The two men exchanged glances and smiled faintly. Su Zhe chuckled, "Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

Mr. Qingyun casually tossed the chess piece in his hand and smiled, saying, "It seems unavoidable. It's been many years—might as well see them." These people had visited several times since arriving in Western Liang, but Mr. Qingyun had declined each time with various excuses. So it truly had been years since he last saw them. Given his age, status, and reputation, no one dared to take offense if he chose not to meet someone. However, this time, it seemed they wouldn't leave without seeing him. Not that Mr. Qingyun truly feared them—he simply disliked dealing with people who had ulterior motives at his age. "Go on, invite them in."

"Yes."