Mo Li

The open space in the Imperial Garden was crowded with bustling onlookers, and even from afar, many idle palace maids and eunuchs peeked at the rare spectacle in the palace. Mo Jingqi and the empress, along with the imperial concubines and the noblewomen and officials attending the palace banquet, gathered to witness the contest between Princess Ding and Lingyun Gongzhu. The Imperial Garden had never been so lively before. With so many people present, only the emperor, empress, imperial concubines, and a few high-ranking nobles had seats, while the rest had to stand. However, no one seemed to mind this minor inconvenience, as everyone eagerly watched the two figures in the open space. Princess Ding had not requested a target—so how exactly would the competition proceed?

Imperial Concubine Liu sat coldly beside the emperor, her indifferent gaze sweeping over Ye Li with a hint of scrutiny. Noticing her expression, Mo Jingqi leaned in and asked softly, "What are you looking at, my love? It seems you’re quite fond of Princess Ding?" Imperial Concubine Liu frowned and replied coolly, "Your Majesty jests. This concubine is merely curious."

Mo Jingqi smiled meaningfully. "There aren’t many who can pique your curiosity. However, in my opinion, Princess Ding stands little chance of winning."

Imperial Concubine Liu arched an eyebrow, her demeanor still frosty. A flicker of dark intensity passed through Mo Jingqi’s eyes as he continued, "Lingyun Gongzhu is the beloved daughter of the Western Liang emperor, trained in both literature and martial arts since childhood. In Western Liang, her archery is even more renowned than her swordsmanship."

"What benefit does her loss bring to Your Majesty?" Imperial Concubine Liu asked indifferently.

Mo Jingqi smiled without answering and turned his gaze toward Mo Xiuyao, who sat calmly not far away, his expression darkening.

"Your Highness..." Beside Mo Xiuyao, Qing Shuang watched anxiously as Ye Li prepared in the center of the field. Having served her mistress for so many years, Qing Shuang knew full well that Ye Li had barely practiced archery—at most, she had occasionally played around with it during visits to the Xu family. How could that compare to Lingyun Gongzhu’s years of rigorous training?

Mo Xiuyao replied calmly, "Be patient."

Lei Tengfeng, seated nearby, frowned at Mo Xiuyao’s composed demeanor. Could Princess Ding truly have some hidden trump card? Yet whether she won or lost, this situation held no advantage for Western Liang. Lei Tengfeng cursed inwardly—had his uncle lost his mind, sending Lingyun of all people to Eastern Chu? Even the least favored princess in Western Liang’s palace would have been a hundred times more sensible than this girl!

"Prince Ding," he said aloud, "this matter is entirely due to Lingyun’s thoughtlessness. I’ve heard that Princess Ding is the capital’s foremost talented lady, unskilled in martial arts. This contest seems rather unfair to her."

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "Since A Li chose it herself, fairness is irrelevant. Isn’t that so?"

"But what if Princess Ding..." Did Mo Xiuyao truly believe she could win, or did he simply not care if the Ding Royal Palace was humiliated?

"If A Li loses, I will kneel with her before Lingyun Gongzhu," Mo Xiuyao answered coolly.

Lei Tengfeng’s heart jolted at these words, and he nearly failed to conceal his shock. His gaze shifted to the graceful woman in the field, dressed in the same moon-white robes as the prince. Unconsciously tightening his grip on his wine cup, his handsome brows furrowed in deep contemplation.In the arena, Ye Li and Lingyun Gongzhu each examined their bows and arrows. Lingyun Gongzhu deftly checked her equipment, clearly demonstrating the skills of an archer from the capital. In contrast, Ye Li took her time inspecting her bow, testing its flexibility here and there, her slow and somewhat awkward movements making the onlookers anxious. Princess Ding's slender frame and hesitant actions made people doubt whether she could even draw the bow, let alone shoot accurately.

"So, how shall we compete?" Lingyun Gongzhu, already prepared, lifted her chin arrogantly as she glanced at Ye Li.

Ye Li soon set down her bow and looked up at Lingyun Gongzhu with a faint smile. "One arrow each—winner takes all."

"Fine." Lingyun Gongzhu gripped her bow. "What's the target? A willow leaf at a hundred paces or a bird in the sky?"

Her words astonished the crowd even more, deepening their impression of the princess's archery skills. To speak so confidently of hitting a willow leaf at such a distance proved she was indeed a master. Hua Tianxiang, standing behind her mother, clenched her sleeves tightly, breaking into a cold sweat for Ye Li.

Ye Li leisurely raised her bow and said calmly, "A bow is a weapon, not a tool for shooting leaves or birds. So... we'll shoot at each other!" With that, she nocked an arrow and steadily aimed it at Lingyun Gongzhu.

"What?!"

The crowd gasped in shock as they watched the woman on the field hold her bow in a technically correct but clearly unpracticed stance, pointing it directly at Lingyun Gongzhu.

"Are—are you insane? What kind of joke is this?" Lingyun Gongzhu cried out. The distance between them was less than fifty paces, and as an expert archer, she could tell that despite Ye Li's inexperience, she had certainly been trained. At this range, neither of them was likely to miss. Clearly, Ye Li wasn't competing in skill—she was testing courage.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Whether a sword or an arrow, both are weapons. Weapons are instruments of death. Since this is a contest, we shouldn't endanger bystanders. Therefore, Princess Lingyun and I will take turns shooting at each other. Death or injury—responsibility lies with oneself!"

No... She didn’t want to die or feel the agony of an arrow piercing her flesh. She had come to marry Prince Ding, not to become one of the emperor's concubines.

"Princess Ding! Isn’t this too extreme? What if something happens—" Lei Tengfeng stood up to intervene. Ye Li glanced at him and replied with a smile, "As I said, death or injury is one's own responsibility. Besides, His Majesty has already approved this contest between Princess Lingyun and me. Does the heir of Mo Fei wish for me to break my word before the emperor, the empress, and all the officials of Great Chu? How could the Ding Royal Palace ever hold its head high in the capital again?" Lei Tengfeng felt a bitter taste in his mouth—she hadn’t mentioned this was a life-or-death wager.

"Of course, if Princess Lingyun is afraid, she may concede at any time," Ye Li added coolly. This final remark sealed all of Lingyun Gongzhu’s escape routes. How could she possibly back down in front of so many people? Fueled by stubborn pride, she blurted out, "This princess will never concede! I accept the wager!"

"Excellent. Let’s begin." Ye Li nodded in satisfaction, her smile unwavering. For some reason, Lingyun Gongzhu suddenly couldn’t meet her gaze and nervously looked away.Mo Jingqi was also caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. Consort Liu watched Ye Li's figure with a trace of barely perceptible admiration in her eyes and said, "This concubine believes Princess Ding has a fair chance of winning." The Empress, knowing that despite Consort Liu's background as the daughter of a civil official, she was exceptionally skilled in both literary and martial arts among women, asked curiously, "Does the Imperial Concubine think Princess Ding will win?" Consort Liu replied, "This Lingyun Gongzhu's courage is not as great as she pretends it to be."

"Since that's the case, we'll proceed as Princess Ding suggests," Mo Jingqi said, standing up. "One arrow decides the outcome. Missing or dodging counts as a loss. Begin."

The Imperial Garden fell into complete silence. The eunuch acting as the referee stood at the midpoint between the two competitors and shrilly announced, "Princess and Gongzhu, please prepare." Then he quickly retreated from the field. "One—"

Both drew their bows simultaneously. To everyone's surprise, the seemingly elegant and gentle Princess Ding appeared to have little difficulty drawing the bowstring.

"Two—"

Lingyun Gongzhu pulled her bow to its full extent, the arrowhead aimed squarely at the woman opposite her. She was absolutely confident that as long as she released this arrow, the overconfident Princess Ding would meet her end. As long as... she released it! Suddenly, Lingyun Gongzhu's hand holding the fletched arrow trembled slightly. She clearly saw the eyes of the woman across from her—snowy, icy depths that sent her heart plunging into an abyss of cold in an instant. The Ye Li in her vision seemed to have transformed into an entirely different person, radiating an unstoppable aura of lethality and absolute confidence in her strike. Ye Li merely watched her calmly, as though the arrow pointed directly at her meant nothing. As though she was certain that arrow would never reach her. The more Lingyun Gongzhu thought this, the more her gaze involuntarily drifted toward the tip of Ye Li's arrow, despair dawning as she realized that even if Ye Li were a novice, that arrow would undoubtedly strike her if she didn't dodge.

Beads of sweat had appeared on Lingyun Gongzhu's forehead without her noticing.

Ye Li calmly assessed the feel of the bow in her hands. Though it still didn't sit quite right—nowhere near the seamless familiarity of the sniper rifle that had accompanied her for years—this was her first archery duel since arriving in this world. Even if it was just toying with a little girl, it still brought her a quiet thrill of joy. Following the line of her arrow, she clearly saw the poorly concealed fear in Lingyun Gongzhu's eyes and allowed a faint smile to curl her lips.

Nearly everyone held their breath, waiting for this final moment. Lei Tengfeng stared intently at Lingyun Gongzhu. Due to the angle, he couldn't see Ye Li's face, but from her posture, he could tell she wasn't particularly familiar with this type of bow. Given Lingyun's skill, this should have been a sure victory—so why did she look so tense?

Mo Xiuyao sat composedly in his wheelchair, hands resting leisurely on the armrests. But anyone observant enough would have noticed something concealed beneath his right hand. His gaze was also fixed on Lingyun Gongzhu—not her face, but the tip of her arrow.

I won't lose... Lingyun Gongzhu desperately tried to keep her eyes from straying to Ye Li's arrow, swallowing hard as she silently bolstered her own courage. Yet her gaze kept flickering uncontrollably toward that deadly point."Three—!" A sharp voice rang in her ears. Lingyun clearly saw the smile on Ye Li's lips deepen as she drew her bowstring back, ready to release the arrow. Reflexively, Lingyun had already drawn her own bow to its fullest and let loose.

Whoosh—! The arrow grazed past Ye Li's shoulder and landed on the ground not far behind her.

How could this be? Lingyun Gongzhu was stunned. What shocked her even more was that Ye Li hadn't even released her arrow yet, and she had already lost her chance. Dazedly, she stared at Ye Li's smiling face, clearly seeing the silent words formed by her lips: "My turn..." Even more clearly, she saw that there was no trace of warmth in those smiling eyes—only a cold glint sharper than the arrowhead, filled with killing intent. Then, Ye Li pulled back with force, slowly drawing the bowstring to its limit, and released—

Whoosh—!

"No!" Lingyun suddenly screamed, even crouching down and covering her head without a care for her dignity. The arrow thudded into the ground just a step away from her. Lingyun Gongzhu stared blankly at the quivering arrow before her, then suddenly burst into loud sobs.

Amidst the bewildered crowd, Ye Li leisurely lowered her bow and cheerfully said to Lingyun Gongzhu, "Princess, my arms are actually quite sore. You really didn’t need to worry about me hitting you."

"You... you..." Lingyun Gongzhu cried uncontrollably, pointing at Ye Li but unable to form words. Ye Li continued to smile at her, feeling all the frustration from earlier dissipate in an instant. Truly, disciplining unruly brats was the most satisfying thing.

"Excellent!" Mo Jingqi clapped his hands and laughed. "This match is won by the Princess of the State. What does the heir think?"

Lei Tengfeng looked at the smiling woman not far away with a complicated expression, then stood and said, "The Princess of the State is indeed a heroine who rivals men. I am thoroughly convinced. Naturally, the victory goes to the Princess. Lingyun, kneel and apologize to the Princess." Lei Tengfeng decisively ordered Lingyun Gongzhu. Ye Li had originally demanded a public apology at the palace banquet before all the officials, but Lei Tengfeng cut straight to the latter half, insisting Lingyun apologize immediately. This would make it seem as though the Western Liang princess had the courage to take responsibility, and Lingyun's current tearful state might even earn her some sympathy. By the time the banquet arrived, everyone would tactfully avoid bringing it up again. But if they waited until the banquet, news of Lingyun's defeat would have already spread throughout the palace, and after everyone had gossiped about it, their impression of her would only worsen. Even if she knelt and apologized then, it wouldn’t salvage her reputation. More importantly, it would affect his plans later.

"Kneel..." Lingyun Gongzhu's face paled. She had never imagined she would lose in her proudest skill to a weak woman from Dongchu. Now, recalling her impulsive promise, it was too late for regrets. She cast a pleading look at Lei Tengfeng, only to receive a warning glare in return. Glancing around at the spectators—the emperor, empress, concubines, ministers, noblewomen of Dongchu, as well as the envoys and princess from Nanzhao—Lingyun Gongzhu knew that if she truly knelt, her reputation would be utterly ruined.

"There’s no need to kneel. The princess only needs to apologize to me," Ye Li suddenly interjected.Lingyun Gongzhu was taken aback, realizing deep down that continuing to make a scene would bring her no benefit. With her weak position in Dongchu and her royal brother unwilling to assist, she stood no chance against this Princess of the State.

Gritting her teeth, she gave a slight curtsy and said, "It was Lingyun's ignorance that offended the Princess of the State. I beg for your forgiveness."

Ye Li smiled and nodded. "The princess is our guest. There's no need to dwell on it." With that, she turned away, ignoring Lingyun Gongzhu, and walked toward Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze, and the object beneath his right hand vanished instantly before he looked up at Ye Li standing before him. Though her expression remained as gentle and composed as ever, Mo Xiuyao was certain he saw a different sparkle in her eyes.

Lei Tengfeng clasped his hands toward Ye Li in silent gratitude. She gave a faint nod and sat down beside Mo Xiuyao, doing her best to ignore the countless gazes directed at her. Lingyun Gongzhu, dejected, returned to her seat beside Lei Tengfeng, no longer in the mood to trouble Ye Li.

Feeling Mo Xiuyao's persistent gaze, Ye Li looked up and asked, puzzled, "What is it?"

Mo Xiuyao replied calmly, "That was dangerous just now. If Lingyun Gongzhu hadn't been mentally unstable, any ordinary archer would have shot that arrow directly at you. At best, it would have ended in mutual harm."

Ye Li shook her head and shrugged with a smile. "There was no danger. If it weren't for Lingyun Gongzhu, I wouldn't have competed in archery with her in the first place. I chose archery precisely because I knew her temperament couldn't hold up against a sniper, even for a brief moment. A pampered and willful princess raised in the depths of the palace could never maintain steady composure in front of me. Of course, if her hand hadn't trembled and she had shot the arrow straight at me, I had other ways to handle it. Besides, wouldn’t Your Highness ensure I came to no harm?" She smiled faintly at Mo Xiuyao's disapproving look.

Mo Xiuyao paused, then nodded lightly. "You're right." Had Lingyun Gongzhu's arrow not gone astray, he wouldn’t have let it reach A Li.

"Princess of the State, have you studied archery before?" Mo Jingqi asked from the main seat, his voice clear.

Ye Li stood and answered respectfully, "Your Majesty, no. My elder brother only taught me for fun during visits to my uncle's house. I never studied it seriously."

Mo Jingqi smiled meaningfully. To best a long-trained expert like Lingyun Gongzhu without formal training—Ye Li's talent and composure were undoubtedly exceptional. He pulled Consort Liu into his arms and chuckled, "It seems both the Princess of the State and my beloved consort are extraordinary women, skilled in both literature and martial arts."

Consort Liu replied indifferently, "As Your Majesty says."

After seeing off the emperor, empress, and imperial concubine, Ye Li had no patience for those who approached to flatter or probe. She and Mo Xiuyao found a quiet spot in the Imperial Garden to rest. Most had the sense not to disturb the couple, but there were always exceptions. After dismissing the palace maid sent by Ye Zhaoyi to invite her for a gathering, Ye Li turned to Mo Xiuyao, who had been watching her intently, and asked with a smile, "What is it, Your Highness?"

Mo Xiuyao idly twirled a teacup in his hand. "A Li has a natural talent for martial arts, and it seems your foundation is quite solid."Ye Li didn’t mind that Mo Xiuyao knew about her martial skills. Mo Xiuyao was a cautious man who appeared gentle but was heavily guarded. Living in the same residence for a long time, it was nearly impossible to keep anything from him. Moreover, Ye Li had no intention of hiding this fact—she needed space to train herself and even learn more formidable skills to strengthen her abilities. Meeting Mo Xiuyao’s gaze, Ye Li smiled with an open and harmless expression. If the prince thought it was good, then it must truly be good.

Mo Xiuyao clearly had no intention of probing further. Shaking his head with a smile, he said, “If A Li is interested, there are some martial arts manuals in the study that you can take a look at.” Seeing Ye Li’s eyes light up at his words, Mo Xiuyao continued with a chuckle, “Since A Li mentioned she doesn’t know swordsmanship, I can also arrange for someone to teach you.”

“Really? That’s allowed?”

“The better A Li’s self-defense skills, the more at ease I’ll naturally feel. Why wouldn’t it be allowed?” Mo Xiuyao replied with a smile.

Ye Li suddenly felt that marrying a husband with abundant resources, understanding, and an open mind was simply too blissful.

“That’s wonderful. Thank you,” Ye Li said with a grin.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head lightly. “We are family. If you need anything, you can tell me directly—no need for thanks.” Seeing the rare, genuine smile on Ye Li’s face, Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help but feel that arranging a swordsmanship teacher for A Li was truly a good idea.

The evening palace banquet proceeded in an oddly tense atmosphere. When Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao entered the grand hall together, all eyes instantly turned to her. Clearly, the afternoon’s contest in the Imperial Garden had made Ye Li the center of attention. In just a short afternoon, not only had the nobles present in the garden heard of it, but now everyone attending the banquet had learned of the incident. Seeing Murong Ting, seated beside Qin Zheng, wink exaggeratedly at her and Xu Qingfeng’s undisguised admiration, Ye Li had no doubt that the news had already spread throughout the capital. The only question was how it was being told—was it that Princess Ding was both cultured and martial, or that Princess Ding had terrified the notoriously arrogant Western Liang princess into tears?

Thinking of the latter possibility, Ye Li couldn’t help but lower her head and chuckle silently.

A so-called palace banquet was nothing more than fine wine, delicacies, and song and dance. Ye Li half-listened to the emperor’s diplomatic exchanges with foreign envoys or the hushed conversations of nearby officials while sampling dishes she found appealing. After all, one couldn’t expect to leave such a banquet full—she could always have a late-night snack back at the residence.

It wasn’t until a flash of vibrant red appeared among the dancers that Ye Li looked up in surprise at the performer’s breathtakingly graceful movements. Tilting her head, she asked, “Why is Yao Ji here?”

Mo Xiuyao replied softly, “She was likely specially invited to perform. Yao Ji comes from the music academy, and her dancing is considered unparalleled in the capital. Last year, she was also invited to perform for the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration.”

Ye Li raised a brow. “What does the prince think of her?”

Mo Xiuyao answered, “Naturally, she’s excellent. What does A Li think?”Ye Li turned back and gazed for a long while before nodding, "Indeed, it's remarkable." She had heard of Yao Ji's reputation on several occasions—one could say she was the most extraordinary woman in the capital. Rising from the music academy, she had stunned the city with her qin skills and dancing, and before even turning twenty-five, she became the owner of Alluring City Quarter, the most renowned pleasure house in the capital. She had dealings with many powerful figures in the city, and it was said that Mu Yang, heir to Marquis Muyang, was among her favored patrons, while Third Master Feng also regarded her as a friend. Since ancient times, extraordinary women often emerged from the world of pleasure—in such an era, only a woman like her could live so freely and unrestrained.

The dance of the capital's most famous courtesan was naturally stunning enough to captivate the crowd. At a glance, at least seventy percent of the men present wore expressions of lustful admiration, while the women displayed looks of jealousy and resentment. Of course, there were also those who simply appreciated the performance, but they were few and far between. Once the dance concluded, Yao Ji swiftly vanished from the hall, leaving behind only a lingering fragrance to be savored. Watching the varied expressions of the bustling crowd inside, Ye Li found herself even more bored. After informing Mo Xiuyao that she needed some fresh air, she quietly exited the palace with Qingluan and Qing Shuang in tow.

The night breeze outside gently brushed against her, gradually dispersing the lingering scents of wine and rouge from the hall. Ye Li took a deep breath. Ignoring the sounds of zither and bamboo music from inside, the imperial palace at night seemed exceptionally tranquil. Strolling leisurely along the quiet path, her previously restless mood gradually settled. Just as she was about to take a seat in the pavilion ahead, an unfamiliar palace maid blocked their way, bowing and saying, "This servant greets Princess Ding."

Qingluan stepped protectively in front of Ye Li and asked, "Who are you?"

The maid curtsied and replied, "This servant is a maid from Ye Zhaoyi's palace. Ye Zhaoyi requests the presence of the Princess of the State at Yaohua Palace for a conversation."

Ye Yue, being pregnant, had not attended the evening banquet. She had sent a maid to invite Ye Li earlier in the afternoon, but Ye Li had politely declined on the spot. Ye Li was well aware of Ye Yue's intentions, but even as sisters, she had no intention of allowing Ye Yue or the Ye family to exploit her. Mainly because Ye Yue's plans and ideas were far too unrealistic. If she were careful and kept to herself, she might safely deliver her child and have someone to rely on in the future. But if she entertained wild fantasies—despite having met her only a few times—Ye Li felt that the pregnant Ye Yue was not nearly as favored as the Ye family believed.

"This princess is rather tired today. Inform Ye Zhaoyi that if there is anything urgent, we can discuss it in a few days when this princess comes to the palace to pay respects. Let's leave it at that for today."

The maid's expression grew anxious. "Princess, please forgive this servant's impertinence, but Zhaoyi Niangniang truly has urgent matters she wishes to discuss with you."

Ye Li replied coolly, "Even if there is something urgent, I doubt this princess would be of much help. By the way, Ye Zhaoyi's mother, Madam Wang, is also in the hall. Shall I have someone summon her for you? How does that sound?"

"Princess, Zhaoyi Niangniang only wishes to see you!" the maid insisted, her tone carrying a hint of coercion as she emphasized the word "see." Ye Li's expression darkened, and she let out a cold laugh. "This princess was unaware that a mere Zhaoyi requires a personal audience with me late at night!" She stressed the word "audience" heavily. The status of the Princess of the State was exceedingly noble—even in the palace, she was only required to perform grand ceremonies for the Empress and the Empress Dowager. Imperial Concubines received only half the respect, let alone a lowly Zhaoyi. If they were to meet, it would be Ye Yue who should offer half a bow to Ye Li as a sign of respect for the Ding Royal Palace.

"This... this servant misspoke. Please forgive me, Princess. Ye Zhaoyi truly has urgent matters and begs you to visit her out of sisterly affection."Ye Li looked at the palace maid with suspicion, speaking slowly, "Come to think of it, I’ve been to Yaohua Palace before, but you seem unfamiliar." The maid forced a smile, "This servant has a plain appearance. It’s only natural that the Princess doesn’t remember me." Ye Li shook her head, "No, I’m certain you’re not among the six senior maids or the eight inner chamber attendants serving Ye Zhaoyi. Surely, Ye Zhaoyi wouldn’t send a cleaning maid to invite me?"

"I—" The maid’s face paled in panic as she turned to flee. Ye Li signaled Qingluan with a glance, who stepped forward and effortlessly struck the maid’s neck with a swift chop. The maid collapsed limply to the ground.

"Princess," Qingyu frowned, looking up at Ye Li for instructions.

Ye Li’s brows furrowed slightly before she suddenly turned her gaze toward the roadside flower bushes. "Who’s there?"

"Princess Ding." A slender figure emerged, her enchanting features softened by the moonlight.

"Miss Yao Ji," Ye Li said. "What brings you here?"

Yao Ji smiled charmingly, "No need for such formality, Princess Ding. Just call me Yao Ji."

Approaching, Yao Ji glanced at the unconscious maid on the ground and raised an eyebrow with a playful grin, "Princess Ding, what’s this?" Ye Li replied with a smile, "Didn’t you overhear earlier, Miss Yao Ji? Nothing unusual—just one of those strange things that happen in palaces." She gestured behind her, and a shadowy figure appeared like a phantom. "Princess." Ye Li pointed at the maid, "Take her away. Don’t let her frighten anyone." The figure swiftly lifted the maid and vanished into the night in a few leaps.

"I’ve heard from Feng San that Princess Ding acts decisively. Seeing it today, the reputation is well-deserved," Yao Ji remarked with a laugh.

"Third Master Feng mentioned me?" Ye Li recalled she wasn’t particularly acquainted with the famed Third Master Feng of the capital.

Yao Ji covered her lips with a chuckle, her eyes gleaming. "Feng San speaks highly of you, Princess. His judgment is something I’ve always admired. Meeting you today is truly an honor."

Ye Li smiled faintly, lowering her gaze. "To witness your mesmerizing dance is my fortune."

"I’ll keep what just happened a secret for you," Yao Ji blinked coquettishly, her enchanting face tinged with mischief. Ye Li laughed, "Thank you. But why are you still here so late?" Yao Ji sighed lightly, "Some people and matters are too bothersome. I just needed a place to hide. Who knew I’d cross paths with you, Princess?"

Ye Li understood. Yao Ji’s beauty and talent must have drawn many admirers, but those bold enough to harass her in the imperial palace were surely no ordinary figures. "Shall I arrange for someone to escort you out of the palace?"

Gratitude flashed in Yao Ji’s eyes. "I’d be most grateful, Princess."

"It’s nothing." After instructing Qingyu briefly, Ye Li bid Yao Ji farewell and returned to the lively grand hall.

Mo Xiuyao noticed her return and gave her a questioning look. Ye Li shook her head subtly in response. Sitting beside him, she quietly recounted the events in the Imperial Garden. Mo Xiuyao nodded, "I’ll have someone investigate later. A Li, stay with me tonight." Ye Li nodded indifferently, only then noticing the hall’s atmosphere had grown even stranger than when she left. The earlier performances had ceased, and the guests’ gazes lingered subtly on the envoys from Western Liang and Nanzhao. Even Ye Li’s quiet reentry went largely unnoticed.Hua Tianxiang gave Ye Li a peculiar smile and subtly gestured with her chin toward the direction of Western Liang. Ye Li glanced over and saw Lingyun Gongzhu from Western Liang with reddened eyes, shedding tears. Clearly, today was not Lingyun Gongzhu's lucky day—she was already crying again in such a short time.

"What happened?" Ye Li asked quietly.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, his expression cold. "Zhennan Wang Shizi proposed that Western Liang wishes to form a marital alliance with Great Chu. Before he could finish speaking... Lingyun Gongzhu voiced her opposition. As a result... His Majesty agreed to the alliance, but Lingyun Gongzhu will not enter the palace."

"And then?"

"Then Nanzhao presented a state letter from the King of Nanzhao, expressing their willingness to marry Qixia Princess into Great Chu."

"..."

"His Majesty's decision is that Qixia Princess will enter the palace, while Lingyun Gongzhu is to be betrothed to Prince Li."

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Ahh~ Seeing so many new favorites, I'm so happy... Thank you all for your support~ Mwah!