Mo Li

Qingluan and the others followed behind Ye Li, watching as their usually gentle mistress strode away with a dark expression. They exchanged bewildered glances. The Water Pavilion in the middle of the lake was too far from the shore for them to hear what the prince and princess had discussed. Qing Xia asked uncertainly, "Could it be that the prince bullied Her Highness?" Qingshuang immediately scowled. "What? The prince bullied our mistress?"

Qingluan and Qingyu helplessly pulled back the fuming Qingshuang. Qingluan couldn't help but twitch her lips. She had personally witnessed the princess's skills—knocking out a burly man effortlessly without even breaking a sweat. With the prince confined to a wheelchair, how could he possibly bully the princess? After some thought, Qingyu suggested, "Let's ask A Jin later. He'll definitely know." Qingshuang scoffed, "He stayed on the shore with us. What could he know?" Qing Xia agreed, "He's been with the prince since childhood. He must know how the prince angered Her Highness. Hurry, the princess is getting farther away."

As Ye Li hurried toward her courtyard, she cursed Mo Xiuyao vehemently in her heart. She must have been blind to think that man was gentle-natured—she had even once believed him to be innocent! That scoundrel had actually teased—no, mocked her! Jealous? Jealous... What nonsense! How could she possibly be jealous over a man she had just met? At most, she simply disliked others coveting what was hers.

"What's wrong with the princess?" Mama Wei came out to greet her as soon as Ye Li returned to the courtyard, noticing her darkened expression and quickly asking. Having been separated from the young mistress she had raised for years, Mama Wei poured all the missed affection into Ye Li, caring more than anyone about her well-being and mood. The question made Ye Li feel somewhat embarrassed. Realizing she had overreacted, she couldn't bring herself to admit she had stormed off after being teased by Mo Xiuyao. She quickly took Mama Wei's hand and said, "Nanny, didn't I tell you to rest properly? If you keep fussing over me like this, your little grandson won't recognize you anymore." Both Mama Lin and Mama Wei's families had followed Ye Li to the prince's residence. Ye Li had assigned the capable men among them to manage shops or estates outside, while the women stayed in her courtyard. She also tried to minimize the two nannies' duties, especially Mama Lin, who was no longer young—running around after a young mistress like her was no easy task.

Mama Wei looked at her sadly. "The young mistress has grown up. Does she find her nanny a nuisance now?"

"Nanny..." Ye Li had a headache. There she went again! But at least the earlier matter was diverted. Leading Mama Wei inside, Ye Li coaxed her with gentle words until the nanny was all smiles again.

"Your Highness, A Jin is here," Qingshuang announced as she entered, her pretty face still puffed up in anger. Clearly, she had been quarreling with A Jin outside.

"Let him in," Ye Li said with an amused smile. "Who has upset our Shuang'er?"

Qingshuang's face flushed. Stamping her foot, she exclaimed, "Mistress! It's that damned A Jin! Just because he's the prince's attendant, he always wears that deadpan expression, as if everyone owes him five hundred taels of silver!" Ye Li sighed helplessly. "Qingshuang, you're the one being unreasonable. A Jin is just quiet—far from having a 'deadpan expression.' Mo Jingli is the one with a face like a corpse. At most, A Jin is reserved—his youthful, cold face can't even compare to Second Brother's."A Jin entered holding a box, casting an expressionless glance at Qingshuang. Qingshuang, knowing she'd been caught gossiping behind someone's back, guiltily averted her little face. Ye Li suppressed a laugh but maintained a serious expression as she looked at A Jin. "A Jin, what is it?"

A Jin placed the box on the table and took two steps back before speaking. "His Highness ordered A Jin to deliver this. His Highness... His Highness said he didn’t mean to upset the Princess Consort. He begs the Princess Consort to be magnanimous and not take offense." The words came out haltingly. Ye Li understood immediately and smiled warmly at A Jin. "A Jin, who taught you that last part?"

A Jin flushed, staring blankly at Ye Li, unsure how to respond. Both the Princess Consort and His Highness were sharp—lying in front of them would always be exposed. A Jin silently noted this fact in her heart.

Ye Li added with a smile, "Your prince would never say such a thing. Besides, I wasn’t angry. I’ll accept the gift. You may go."

A Jin withdrew quietly. In high spirits, Ye Li opened the box—inside lay the portrait she had been longing for. She had just been wondering how to retrieve it later, yet Mo Xiuyao had been so considerate as to send it over immediately via A Jin. Unfolding the painting on the table, Ye Li gazed at the woman in the portrait and sighed softly. Mo Xiuyao’s voice echoed in her mind— This is the real A Li.

"So beautiful!" Qingshuang exclaimed excitedly from beside her. "Miss, did His Highness paint this? It’s stunning!"

Mama Wei nodded in satisfaction, smiling. "His Highness truly cares for the young miss. It seems the master and young master were right about him after all. Hehe..."

Ye Li was speechless. Was a mere portrait really such a big deal?

In the blink of an eye, the day of the bridal return arrived. Over the past three days, Ye Li had adapted quite well to life in Ding Royal Palace. Even Mama Lin and Mama Wei, who had initially been anxious, had relaxed—except for one thing: the prince and princess consort still hadn’t consummated their marriage. This dissatisfaction wasn’t limited to them; Granny Sun of Ding Royal Palace, who had watched Mo Xiuyao grow up and knew his temperament well, harbored no displeasure toward the new princess consort. She even hinted to Mama Lin and Mama Wei that they would find a way to address the matter.

With the harmony in Ding Royal Palace and the respect shown to their young miss, what more could the two mamas want? By the time of the bridal return, their faces were practically blooming with joy.

The Ye family’s reception was unexpectedly grand. Not only were Lord Ye and Wang Shi present with Ye Shan, Ye Lin, and Ye Rong, but even the married Ye Zhen and Ye Ying had returned with their respective husbands. Ye Li wasn’t surprised that Ye Ying would come to join the excitement, but Ye Zhen—now the secondary consort of Nan Hou Shizi—had actually persuaded the heir of Marquis Nan to accompany her. That was certainly food for thought.

After entering and paying respects to Ye Laofuren, Ye Li was promptly pulled aside by her sisters for a private chat, while Mo Xiuyao remained in the main hall to converse with Lord Ye and Mo Jingli.Ye Li's former residence, Qingyi House, was still preserved. The sisters gathered around the stone table in the courtyard to chat. Ye Zhen glanced at the maids standing nearby, then observed Ye Li's attire—a light purple dress, pearl-tasseled hairpin, luminous pearl earrings, and an exquisite lotus-patterned warm jade bracelet on her wrist. With a serene expression and a faint smile, she seemed to exude a newfound air of nobility compared to her time at home. Unable to suppress her envy, Ye Zhen sighed softly, "It seems Third Sister is living quite comfortably in Ding Royal Palace?" Ye Li smiled, "Thank you for your concern, Eldest Sister. Everything is well."

Ye Shan, meanwhile, bombarded Ye Li with endless questions—how big was Ding Royal Palace? Was it beautiful? Who lived there? Were they easy to get along with? Ye Li remained patient, answering only what she could after Ye Shan had exhausted her queries. Unsatisfied, Ye Shan opened her mouth to ask more, but Ye Lin, seated beside her, tugged at her sleeve, forcing her to reluctantly fall silent.

"I heard there’s a former princess consort and a secondary consort in Ding Royal Palace. Have you met them, Third Sister?" Ye Shan kept chattering, leaving Ye Ying no chance to speak. She could only sit quietly with a composed expression until now, when she finally fixed her gaze on Ye Li and asked.

Ye Li studied Ye Ying in surprise, frowning slightly. "Fourth Sister, have you been unwell lately? It hasn’t been long since we last met, but you’ve changed quite a bit." Indeed, Ye Ying appeared even more frail and delicate than before. During her time at the Ye household, though naturally delicate, she had been well-nourished by Wang Shi, her cheeks always flushed with a charming rosy hue. Now, without that healthy glow, her complexion seemed duller. Even with rouge applied, it couldn’t compare to her former effortless beauty. Ye Ying’s eyes flickered briefly before she lowered them and replied softly, "Thank you for your concern, Third Sister. I’ve just been a little tired."

Ye Li sighed inwardly. Ye Ying had truly changed a great deal—Consort Xian Zhao’s methods of discipline were indeed something Ye Laofuren could never match. "If you’re tired, rest more. No matter what, your health is the most important thing. Without good health, you have nothing." After offering a few words of advice, Ye Li finally answered Ye Ying’s question. "The former princess consort devotes herself to Buddhist practices. I paid my respects to her only after returning. As for the secondary consort..." Recalling the eccentric secondary consort in the palace, Ye Li couldn’t help but frown slightly. "Father King’s consort doesn’t require frequent meetings."

Ye Shan exclaimed, "So, in Ding Royal Palace, there are only you and His Highness as the masters?" At this, not only Ye Shan, Ye Zhen, and Ye Lin, but even Ye Ying couldn’t help but reveal a trace of envy. A household without elders exerting pressure, no sisters-in-law or younger brothers’ wives to deal with, not even a sister-in-law to manage—it was every newlywed woman’s dream. However, the thought of Mo Xiuyao’s condition made Ye Ying feel somewhat balanced again. Compared to enduring public ridicule and pity, suffering a little at home seemed bearable.

"It seems Third Sister and His Highness share a good relationship. You truly have excellent fortune," Ye Zhen sighed wistfully.Ye Ying looked somewhat skeptical and asked doubtfully, "Is Prince Ding really that good-tempered? I've heard people with physical disabilities usually have very peculiar temperaments." Ye Li frowned slightly and replied, "His Highness is not difficult to get along with." Whether Mo Xiuyao had a good temper or not, she didn't know, but so far, they had been getting along quite harmoniously.

Ye Ying also sensed that Ye Li was displeased with her words, but she had never been accustomed to backing down to Ye Li, and for a moment, the atmosphere grew stiff. Ye Zhen, seeing the tension between the two, quickly changed the subject. "The palace will be hosting a banquet in a few days to bid farewell to the envoys from various countries. Have Third Sister and Fourth Sister received their invitations?"

Ye Li shook her head. "No."

Ye Lin smiled and said, "The foreign envoys originally came to celebrate Third Sister and Prince Ding's wedding. Even if others don't attend, His Highness and Third Sister are surely expected to be there. But Eldest Sister, how did you find out about this before Third Sister and Fourth Sister?"

Ye Zhen smiled. "This time, His Majesty has entrusted the arrangements to our family's heir, so naturally, I heard about it first."

Ye Shan's eyes lit up. "Then, Eldest Sister, will you be attending?"

Ye Zhen blushed slightly, a mix of shyness and joy on her face, and nodded. "The heir said he would take me into the palace this time." As she spoke, she glanced gratefully at Ye Li. Clearly, the reason Nan Hou Shizi had decided to bring her—a mere concubine—to the palace banquet was because she was now the sister of Princess Ding. Though she was only a concubine, Ye Zhen finally felt she had some standing in the marquis's household. After all, even the primary consort of the heir did not have a sister who was a Zhaoyi and two sisters who were princesses. From this perspective, if she could bear a child, she might even have a chance to compete with the primary consort in the future.

"Hmph, even if Eldest Sister can go, you certainly won't be able to," Ye Ying sneered, casting a cold glance at Ye Shan.

Ye Shan flushed red, stammering, "Fourth Sister, I... I wasn't thinking that."

Ye Ying didn't even look at her. "Who has time to care what you think? It's just that some people can't recognize their own place."

"You—!" Ye Shan's eyes reddened, tears welling up. In the end, she could only stand up and run out.

Ye Ying's words were too harsh. Though directed at Ye Shan, even Ye Lin felt uncomfortable. After glancing at Ye Shan's retreating figure, she also stood and hurried after her. Even Ye Zhen's expression darkened.

Ye Li looked at Ye Ying in surprise, then at Ye Zhen. Ye Zhen sighed helplessly and said softly, "Fourth Sister, even if you're in a bad mood, don't take it out on Sixth Sister."

Ye Ying clenched the handkerchief in her hand and scoffed. "I'm in a bad mood? Eldest Sister, why don't you ask Third Sister if she's in a good mood?"

At that moment, a maid from Hall of Glory and Joy arrived to deliver a message. "This servant greets the three young ladies. The Old Madam requests Princess Ding to come and speak with her."

Ye Ying shot Ye Li a cold glance. "Third Sister, didn't you want to know what's wrong with me? Go and find out for yourself."

Ye Li shook her head and stood up, looking at Ye Ying. "Fourth Sister, this temper of yours might be tolerated at home, but now that you're married, you still act like this... Do you really think your mother can protect you everywhere and at all times?"

Ye Ying's expression darkened, but she stubbornly turned her head away without a word. Ye Li didn't press further. Though they were blood sisters, she had far less affection for these sisters than she had for her cousins in the past, or even for her Xu family cousins. She would offer advice when she could, but if they refused to listen, there was nothing more she could do.

When she arrived at Hall of Glory and Joy, Ye Laofuren sat cheerfully in the flower hall, dressed in festive attire. The moment she saw Ye Li enter, her face lit up with joy. "Li'er, come quickly and let your grandmother take a good look at you..."Ye Li walked over and sat down beside Ye Laofuren. The elderly lady examined her carefully before nodding in satisfaction and asking, "Have you been adjusting well these past few days at the Ding Royal Palace? Are the servants there easy to manage? Has anyone given you trouble?"

Ye Li smiled gently. "Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I'm doing well, and the servants are all very respectful."

Ye Laofuren nodded repeatedly. "Good, good. And what about you and His Highness…?"

Ye Li replied, "His Highness is also very easy to get along with."

Ye Laofuren hesitated, glancing at her before finally saying, "Grandmother means… you and His Highness… when do you plan to have a child? His Highness is not young anymore."

Ye Li flushed slightly—so this was what her grandmother had been circling around. She wanted to know if they had consummated the marriage.

Ye Laofuren fixed her with a stern look. "Don’t lie to your grandmother. If I couldn’t even tell this much, I’d have wasted all these years. You and His Highness haven’t consummated the marriage yet, have you?" Clearly aware that this granddaughter was different from the others, she quickly abandoned any pretense and asked directly.

Could she really tell? Ye Li thought for a moment before answering calmly, "Grandmother needn’t worry. His Highness and I both feel that we’re still unfamiliar with each other. There’s no rush—we can wait until we’ve spent more time together. Besides, we get along very well as we are now."

Ye Laofuren watched her granddaughter’s composed expression and inwardly sighed. "Then… who manages the affairs of the estate?"

"External matters are naturally handled by His Highness. As for the household affairs, they will be handed over to me after we return," Ye Li replied.

Ye Laofuren’s expression eased slightly. At least this granddaughter understood the importance of securing authority in the estate. She couldn’t help but feel exasperated with her two granddaughters—Ye Ying, who appeared clever but was actually foolish, had married into Prince Li's Palace yet failed to grasp power, instead wasting her days squabbling with concubines like a resentful wife. In contrast, Ye Li, who kept a low profile, was clearly much wiser. Just the way the servants from the Ding Royal Palace treated her showed that she was doing well in Prince Ding's Estate.

However, she seemed far too indifferent toward Prince Ding. After all, even as Princess Ding, a lifetime of prosperity still depended on him.

"Li’er, be honest with your grandmother. Is it… is it because of Prince Ding’s leg that you…?" Ye Laofuren dismissed the servants nearby and grasped Ye Li’s hand, lowering her voice as she asked.Ye Li was speechless, but to Ye Laofuren, this silence only confirmed her suspicions. With a sigh, Ye Laofuren said, "Poor child, your grandmother knows you've had a hard fate... But what's done is done, and you're already married into Prince Ding's Estate. What else can you do? Even as Princess Ding, you must still hold tightly to the prince. Most importantly, you need heirs. With heirs, no one can take your position as princess. Do you understand? Does the prince have any concubines?"

Ye Li shook her head, and Ye Laofuren’s smile deepened. "It seems the prince values you. No concubines is even better—as long as you bear his child first, then in the future..." Seeing the unspoken implication in Ye Laofuren’s expression, it took Ye Li a moment to grasp her meaning.

So, Ye Laofuren was telling her that even if she couldn’t stand Mo Xiuyao’s disability, she should still bear his child first. Once she had an heir, if she truly couldn’t accept Mo Xiuyao, she could push him toward other women. After all, as the princess, she would have status and heirs—that was enough. A man’s favor was unreliable anyway.

Why doesn’t she suspect that Mo Xiuyao might be incapable? Ye Li thought with some dark amusement.

"Thank you for your guidance, Grandmother. Li’er understands." To avoid further lectures, Ye Li quickly agreed.

Pleased with her obedience, Ye Laofuren nodded. "Good child, your grandmother always knew you were more sensible than Ying’er. I shouldn’t be saying this on your return visit, but once you become Princess Ding, you won’t have much time to come home. So, let me tell you now. If you find yourself idle in the coming days, invite your fifth and sixth sisters to the estate to keep you company."

Ye Li froze, her brows faintly knitting.

Ye Laofuren continued, "Shan’er and Lin’er are good girls, and you grew up together. If they could... it would be a support for both you and Ying’er. Lin’er is steadier—it would be best if she went with Ying’er to Prince Li's Palace. Shan’er is lively, but your temperament can handle her. What do you think?"

What do I think? What do I think?! Ye Li nearly lost her composure. This old madam is far too presumptuous! She’s already assigned them—one for Prince Li's Palace and one for Prince Ding's Estate? No wonder Ye Ying looked so upset earlier. She’s already struggling against Mo Jingli’s concubines, and now her own family wants to send her sisters to add to the mess. Anyone would be furious!

Clearing her throat, Ye Li composed herself and smiled. "Grandmother, isn’t it too soon to discuss this? The prince and I haven’t even... yet, and you’re already rushing to bring my sisters into the estate. What would the prince think?"

Ye Laofuren chuckled. "I’m not saying you should do it now. Shan’er is still young—waiting a year or two won’t hurt. Just keep it in mind."

Ye Li forced a smile. "Fifth Sister and Sixth Sister may be born of concubines, but our family’s status isn’t low. Wouldn’t entering the estate as concubines be beneath them?"

Ye Laofuren waved dismissively. "Marriages are decided by their parents—what right do they have to complain? Isn’t being a prince’s concubine more honorable than marrying some minor official or a common-born son as his wife? Don’t worry about them. Shan’er and Lin’er have always been obedient—they won’t object.""I have some concerns." Ye Li pondered for a moment before speaking softly, "Li'er understands Grandmother and Father's intentions. However... apart from Second Sister entering the palace, all the other daughters of our family have married into royal estates. This... doesn't actually benefit Second Sister. Has Grandmother discussed this matter with Father?"

Upon careful consideration, Ye Li immediately understood what Ye Laofuren was truly scheming—it was all for that unborn imperial bloodline in the palace, whose gender remained unknown. Even if she were still unmarried and waiting in her chambers, Ye Li had never intended to cooperate with Ye Laofuren's far-fetched plan. She truly couldn't comprehend how Lord Ye, a seasoned official, could endorse such a plan devised by an elderly woman who rarely left home.

Ye Laofuren was taken aback, narrowing her aged eyes to scrutinize Ye Li before asking, "What do you mean by that?"

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Li'er is also a daughter of the Ye family. If Second Sister prospers, naturally Li'er prospers as well. However... Grandmother shouldn't focus solely on the two royal estates. It's important to remember... that His Highness the Prince has always remained aloof from political affairs, and the support of court officials is equally crucial."

"This..."

Ye Li continued with a light smile, "As for Fourth Sister, Li'er cannot speak on her behalf. But regarding the Ding Royal Palace, Grandmother need not worry—Li'er requires no additional assistance."

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Laofuren realized Ye Li's reasoning was sound. Not only was Ye Li confident in her ability to manage the Ding Royal Palace, eliminating the need for the Ye family to send another daughter, but forcing someone unwilling could lead to unseemly sisterly conflicts. From Ye Laofuren's perspective, neither Ye Shan nor Ye Lin stood a chance against Ye Li in such a scenario. Having reached this conclusion, Ye Laofuren abandoned her insistence and smiled, "Li'er makes a valid point. This old one hadn't considered thoroughly enough. Let us pretend this conversation never happened. Although the Ding Royal Palace holds illustrious prestige, successive Princes Ding have indeed never involved themselves in imperial affairs. In this light, the Ding Estate's influence pales compared to Prince Li's Palace."

"Yes, Grandmother said nothing, and Li'er heard nothing," Ye Li responded softly. It was best to dispel Ye Laofuren's notion entirely. The Ding Estate would soon be her home, and she had no desire to encounter any unwelcome presences there.

After accompanying Ye Laofuren for a while, servants came to summon them for the family banquet. With no outsiders present, the gathering included only Ye Laofuren, Lord Ye, Wang Shi, Mo Jingli and his wife Ye Ying, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, and Nan Hou Shizi Fu Zhao. At the table, Ye Li could distinctly feel an icy gaze intermittently sweeping over her. She didn't need to look up to know its source. Ye Ying diligently served Mo Jingli dishes, while he maintained an expression as if owed thousands of taels, his eyes repeatedly fixed on Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li dined leisurely, occasionally selecting favorite dishes for each other. Fu Zhao observed the scene thoughtfully, sipping wine and eating calmly. Lord Ye, however, wore an awkward and almost comical expression, visibly straining to foster harmony among guests—none of whom he dared offend. Only Fu Zhao showed him some deference; Mo Xiuyao was naturally amiable, but Mo Jingli's demeanor blatantly broadcast his displeasure.

"Ahem... Your Highness, it's been years since we last met. Let me toast you," Fu Zhao finally broke the tense atmosphere, rising to propose a toast to Mo Xiuyao. "And to the Princess as well—may Your Highnesses enjoy eternal harmony."

Mo Xiuyao lifted his cup with a gentle smile. "Your kind words are appreciated. I regret missing your wedding celebrations—forgive my absence." He drank the toast in one go. Fu Zhao's smile warmed. "No matter. We've known each other since childhood, and now we're kin. My mother asked me to extend an invitation for the Princess to visit the Marquis's estate at her convenience." The heir of Marquis Nan was clearly adept at diplomacy. Though not yet the official marquis, it was common knowledge his wife already managed the household. Yet he tactfully omitted mention of her, citing only Madam Nan.

Ye Li raised her cup in return. "Please convey my gratitude to Madam Nan."

Mo Jingli watched the cheerful exchange and rose with a cold snort. "Since Fu Zhao has offered a toast, Mo Xiuyao, I'll drink to you as well."

Mo Xiuyao arched a brow, smiling faintly. "It has indeed been long since we shared a drink, Jing Li. Shall we toast you and Princess Li together?"Mo Jingli snorted lightly, waving away the maid who came forward to pour wine and instead filling both Mo Xiuyao's cup and his own. He threw his head back and downed the drink in one gulp, then stared challengingly at the cup before Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao smiled without speaking, picking up his cup and draining it.

Again! Mo Jingli grabbed the wine pot and refilled both cups, and thus the two began their drinking competition at the table.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Whew~ That's all for today, the rest will be added to tomorrow's update~ The price of shopping is too painful to bear~