Mo Li

The Emperor's intention was clear: Princess Qixia would enter the palace, while Princess Lingyun would be betrothed to Prince Li.

Ye Li quickly glanced at Ye Ying, who was seated beside Mo Jingli. As expected, Ye Ying was glaring darkly at Princess Lingyun. On the Nanzhao side, Princess Qixia’s expression was equally unpleasant. Mo Jingli himself looked far from pleased, his gloomy gaze fixed on the seemingly aggrieved Princess Lingyun. Ye Li turned her thoughtful eyes toward Mo Jingqi, who sat on the throne looking thoroughly satisfied with his arrangements. For a moment, she couldn’t quite grasp what the Emperor was scheming. Was it simply because Princess Lingyun had angered him that he decided to betroth her to Prince Li? But Princess Qixia had been in the capital for several months now—surely Mo Jingqi was aware of the rumors circulating about her and Mo Jingli.

"The Emperor won’t allow Jing Li to have any further ties with Nanzhao. Even without Princess Lingyun, His Majesty would never betroth Princess Qixia to him." As if sensing her confusion, Mo Xiuyao spoke softly beside her. "Nanzhao is largely inhabited by barbarians. Though small and weak in numbers, their people are fierce and warlike. Their limited population is the only reason they haven’t become a greater threat."

Ye Li murmured, "So the Emperor doesn’t want Prince Li to form connections with Nanzhao? But Western Liang seems even more powerful than Nanzhao."

Mo Xiuyao chuckled quietly. "Western Liang and Great Chu are sworn enemies. Unless Mo Jingli commits treason, Western Liang can offer him no advantages. Besides… the Emperor would never allow an heir with Western Liang blood to appear among the imperial descendants."

Ye Li suddenly understood, casting a sympathetic glance at Mo Jingli. It seemed even the Emperor’s own younger brother wasn’t entirely trusted by his elder sibling.

Mo Xiuyao laughed softly. "A Li, you’re too soft-hearted. In the royal family, there’s no such thing as a person without ambition."

Ye Li paused, carefully considering his words before regarding Mo Jingli with deeper scrutiny. But… was Mo Jingli’s mind even capable of such complex schemes? Or had he been playing the fool all along?

Upon returning to Ding Royal Palace, Ye Li couldn’t help but exhale in relief. The few hours spent in the palace had exhausted her more than the entire past month combined. After bidding Mo Xiuyao farewell, she returned to her courtyard, where Mama Lin and Mama Wei immediately rushed out to greet her with their attendants. Clearly, news of the afternoon’s events had already reached the palace. The two matrons scrutinized Ye Li from head to toe, ensuring she was unharmed before finally relaxing.

Ye Li helplessly requested supper to fill her empty stomach. Mama Lin waved her hand, and a servant brought out a bowl of chicken congee that had clearly been prepared in advance. Staring at the portion large enough for three people, Ye Li remarked, "Mama, though I’m hungry, I haven’t suddenly developed the appetite of three people."

Mama Wei shot her a disapproving look. "Do you think you’re the only one who’s hungry, Your Highness?"

Ye Li blinked in confusion. "But Qingluan and the others have already gone to eat."

With an exasperated expression, Mama Wei shoved the tray of congee into her hands. "His Highness is in the study. Why don’t you take this and share it with him?"

"Ah… that’s unnecessary. I’ll just have someone deliver it to A Jin.""Princess Consort!" Mama Lin fixed Ye Li with a stern gaze. "You are His Highness's wife. How can you delegate the task of delivering supper to others? Did Second Madam Xu fail to teach you the proper conduct of a wife?" Seeing Mama Lin's expression that clearly indicated an impending lecture, Ye Li wisely picked up the porridge and said, "I understand, Mama Lin. I'll take it to His Highness right away." Without waiting for Mama Lin's response, she dashed out with the chicken porridge. Ye Li felt rather aggrieved. Both nannies were quite talkative, but compared to her wet nurse, she feared Mama Lin, who had served her mother, even more. Once Mama Lin started speaking, she would invariably cite classics and historical references to make her point, leaving one with no choice but to bow and admit fault. Few could withstand such a dual assault of words and spirit.

Carrying the supper helplessly through the corridors of the prince's residence, Ye Li noticed the maids following at a discreet distance. Mo Xiuyao still resided in the courtyard he had occupied before their marriage, right next to hers. Before Ye Li could finish her mental grumbling, she found herself standing outside Mo Xiuyao's study. Just as she was about to knock, his voice came from within, "Is that A Li? Come in."

Pushing the door open, she saw Mo Xiuyao writing something by candlelight. He glanced up as she entered and asked, "Why aren't you resting yet?"

Ye Li walked over and set down what she was carrying before asking, "Am I disturbing you?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head, eyeing the items on the table with a raised brow and a smile. "Did you bring me supper?"

For some reason, Ye Li's face grew slightly warm. She feigned nonchalance and retorted, "What? Can't I bring you supper?"

Mo Xiuyao chuckled, setting down his brush. "I'm just curious why A Li would take the initiative to bring me supper. Hmm... no wonder no one thought to bring me food even though I've been back for so long. It seems that after marrying a princess consort, others become too lazy to bother." Ye Li rolled her eyes at him. "Are you going to eat or not?" Mo Xiuyao nodded. "How could I refuse supper personally delivered by my princess consort?"

They sat down at the table, and Ye Li ladled porridge into two bowls, handing one to Mo Xiuyao first. Although they had been dining together almost daily since their marriage, this was their first time sharing supper. As they ate, Mo Xiuyao thought for a moment and said, "If you're free tomorrow, would you accompany me to visit my sister-in-law?" Ye Li nodded. "It's been a while. We really should pay our respects. I hope she won't take offense." Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "She won't mind."

"Should I prepare anything?" Ye Li asked.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head again. "We just need to visit her."

Thinking of the sister-in-law she had yet to meet, Ye Li sighed inwardly. For a woman to let her life wither away in her prime was truly lamentable.

"What did you do with that palace maid tonight?" Ye Li asked, recalling the maid who had intercepted them in the palace earlier. Mo Xiuyao frowned. "She wasn't a palace maid."

"She wasn't?" Ye Li was surprised. "Since when has the palace become a place where outsiders can come and go as they please? Can the emperor even sleep at night?" Mo Xiuyao smiled. "She wasn't a registered palace maid, but that doesn't mean she wasn't connected to the palace. Those with influence in the palace always have a few hidden cards up their sleeves."However, that palace maid didn't seem particularly remarkable in any way.

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "Sometimes it's precisely those who appear completely unremarkable who become the most lethal weapons."

"Couldn't find out who sent her?"

"She was a death warrior," Mo Xiuyao replied. Ye Li understood immediately—death warriors had only one fate after failing their mission, so naturally nothing could be extracted from them.

"But there aren't many in the palace who could command such death warriors. So A Li... if you must enter the palace in the future, remember to be careful."

"I understand," Ye Li nodded. She had no intention of courting death either.

The former Princess Ding, Wen Shi, did not reside in the Ding Royal Palace. In the second year after Mo Xiuwen's passing, Wen Shi had moved to the Temple of No Moon outside the city under the pretext of being unable to bear the painful memories, where she devoted herself to religious practice. Accompanying her were two of Mo Xiuwen's concubines. Since moving to the temple, apart from the annual anniversary of Mo Xiuwen's death, Wen Shi had never returned to the Ding Royal Palace. In previous years, Mo Xiuyao had also remained secluded for various reasons, so while he respected his sister-in-law, he wasn't particularly familiar with her.

Having received Mo Xiuyao's approval, Ye Li openly rose early to exercise before joining him for breakfast. The two then set out by carriage for the Temple of No Moon outside the city.

The Temple of No Moon was located on a picturesque hill in the outskirts of the capital and served as the ancestral temple of the Ding Royal Palace. As such, there were no visiting worshippers or tourists, making the journey up the mountain peaceful and pleasant. Upon entering the temple gates, the lingering scent of sandalwood filled the air. Ye Li wrinkled her nose slightly, unaccustomed to the smell. Noticing this, Mo Xiuyao turned to her and asked, "What's wrong?"

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Ye Li replied softly, "I don't believe in Buddhism." She was unsure whether she should bow upon entering—to her, paying respects before the Buddha when one didn't believe held no meaning, though others might consider it impolite.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "No wonder I've never heard of A Li going out to pray. Whether noble ladies or common girls, most in the capital enjoy visiting temples to offer incense or seek divine guidance—some for smooth sailing in life, others for a good marriage. But indeed, I've never heard of the Third Miss Ye visiting temples for such purposes."

Ye Li lowered her gaze. "If I don't believe in deities, how can I shamelessly ask for their protection? If gods and buddhas truly had spirits, how could they possibly attend to the countless faithful every day?"

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, amused. "So A Li trusts only herself?"

Ye Li looked up with a radiant smile. "If I can't even trust myself, what in this world is worthy of trust?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement. "Well said. I don't believe either. A Li may do as she pleases."

Before long, a young nun emerged to escort them inside. Wen Shi was an exceedingly gentle woman. Though not exceptionally beautiful, the quiet serenity in her demeanor lent her features a unique charm. Even the plain gray monastic robes couldn't conceal the refined grace of her scholarly upbringing. When the two entered, her calm eyes showed no ripple of emotion—clearly, her heart was as still as water, or perhaps already withered.

"Xiu Yao pays respects to sister-in-law," Mo Xiuyao said, leading Ye Li forward. "Sister-in-law, this is A Li."

Ye Li stepped forward respectfully and bowed. "Greetings, sister-in-law."Wen Shi's gaze lingered on Mo Xiuyao's wheelchair and face before shifting to Ye Li. A trace of sorrow flashed through her calm eyes as she said softly, "No need for formalities. Come sit by me, sister-in-law." Ye Li expressed her thanks and took a seat beside Wen Shi, who held her hand and examined her briefly. Then, from the side, Wen Shi picked up a somewhat aged brocade box and handed it to her, saying, "As someone who has withdrawn from worldly affairs, I have no proper gift for you. This was given to me by the prince—your elder brother—when I first married into the Ding Royal Palace. He said it was left by our mother-in-law. Please keep it."

"This..." Though the brocade box appeared old, its worn surface was smooth, indicating it had been frequently taken out and polished. It was clearly a cherished memento Wen Shi had kept close. With a faint smile, Wen Shi shook her head. "Take it. I have no use for such things now." Ye Li no longer refused and accepted the box, saying, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

Wen Shi held Ye Li's hand and said, "Your elder brother only had Xiu Yao as his sibling, and as his sister-in-law, I... was of little help. From now on, you and Xiu Yao must support each other and live well together." Ye Li understood Wen Shi was referring to the incident when the Ding Royal Palace faced turmoil, and instead of staying to manage the household affairs for the injured and disabled Mo Xiuyao, Wen Shi had left to pursue a life of seclusion. Ye Li didn’t blame Wen Shi for this. At the time, Wen Shi was barely twenty, not a woman groomed by a powerful family. With her husband suddenly gone and the sole heir severely injured and disabled, a less resilient woman would indeed struggle to uphold the entire Ding Royal Palace.

"Thank you for your guidance, sister-in-law," Ye Li nodded, glancing at Mo Xiuyao before adding softly, "Since I’ve married the prince, we naturally share both honor and hardship."

"Good. That puts my mind at ease," Wen Shi said with relief.

Ye Li frowned slightly, hesitating before speaking again. "Sister-in-law, living here alone must be lonely. Would you consider returning to the palace? Even if you wish to continue your spiritual practice, it would be no issue."

Wen Shi shook her head. "I’ve grown accustomed to the tranquility here. Going back would feel strange now." Despite Ye Li’s repeated attempts to persuade her, Wen Shi remained firm, and Ye Li had no choice but to relent. After some more conversation, Wen Shi invited them to stay for lunch before excusing herself to copy scriptures, suggesting Mo Xiuyao show Ye Li around.

Though the Temple of No Moon was merely a family shrine, its grounds were spacious. Ye Li pushed Mo Xiuyao through the serene bamboo grove behind the temple, her mood inevitably somber due to Wen Shi’s circumstances.

"A Li, you wouldn’t act as sister-in-law did, would you?" Mo Xiuyao asked after a long silence, his voice heavy.

Ye Li nodded, then remembered he couldn’t see her and replied, "No. I would strive to live well."

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "That’s good. Sister-in-law... wasn’t suited to be the princess of the Ding Royal Palace. Our Mo family failed her. Had my elder brother not chosen Wen Shi—a woman from an ordinary scholarly family—to avoid Mo Jingqi’s suspicions, things might have been different." Ye Li thought for a moment. "Perhaps sister-in-law has no regrets." Every time Wen Shi spoke of her husband, Ye Li noticed a gentle warmth and nostalgia in her calm eyes. Though Mo Xiuwen might have chosen her for the sake of the Ding Royal Palace, it didn’t mean there was no affection between them.Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, "The Ding Royal Palace has never given her the chance to regret. While the Great Chu does not prohibit widows from remarrying, widows of the Ding Royal Palace do not find it so easy to wed again. Without the courage to face the scrutiny of the world, Wen Shi couldn’t even afford the thought of regret. But... A Li, I allow you to regret."

"Your Highness is telling me that if you die, I can remarry?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked.

Mo Xiuyao did not object and nodded, "Indeed, that is what I mean."

Ye Li looked up at the sky and rolled her eyes where Mo Xiuyao couldn’t see. A surge of inexplicable anger made her sneer, "Then... does Your Highness wish for an early death or an early death?" Amused by her odd phrasing, Mo Xiuyao chuckled, "This prince would prefer to live out his natural lifespan."

"Is that so? That’s truly not good news..."

"Move!" Before Ye Li could finish, Mo Xiuyao suddenly turned and pushed her aside.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! The sound of slicing air passed by, and three cold, blue-glinting shurikens embedded themselves into the bamboo beside Ye Li.

"Since you’ve come, why not show yourself?" Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze, his tone indifferent as he rested his hands on the wheelchair armrests.

"Hahaha... Mo Xiuyao, you’ve finally dared to step out of the Ding Royal Palace? I thought you’d spend your whole life cowering inside, too afraid to show your face!" A loud, unrestrained laugh echoed as a tall figure emerged in the bamboo grove. Soon, a group of black-clad men surrounded the three of them.

Mo Xiuyao lifted his head to look at the newcomer, his smile as cold as snow. "Would you dare repeat those words... after removing that mask of yours?"

The man’s laughter abruptly ceased, his dull eyes narrowing sharply. With a disdainful snort, he turned his gaze to Ye Li standing nearby. "This must be... Princess Ding?"

"Indeed. And you are...?" Ye Li nodded calmly.

"Impressive courage." The man praised, then sighed with apparent regret. "What a pity..."

"Mo Xiuyao, with such a woman to accompany you in death, you should have no regrets, should you?" Clearly uninterested in further talk, the man waved his hand, and the surrounding black-clad assassins closed in.

"Take the princess away first," Mo Xiuyao ordered calmly. Several figures swiftly darted into the fray. A Jin, gripping a longsword, landed in front of Mo Xiuyao, standing guard as he warily eyed the encircling assassins. Two shadow guards flanked Ye Li, attempting to escort her away, while the remaining guards engaged the attackers. Ye Li glanced at the reinforcements—only seven or eight men. With two diverted to her, only five remained to fight the twenty or thirty assassins surrounding them. Without hesitation, she shook off the shadow guards and commanded, "Stay and help."

"Princess—" The shadow guard hesitated, about to protest, but Ye Li had already impatiently sidestepped him. With a swift motion, she incapacitated an assassin attempting a sneak attack and snapped coldly, "Enough talk. Deal with them first." Mid-sentence, she spun and cleanly deflected another assailant’s strike, landing with her foot squarely on the chest of a fallen assassin trying to rise. The man let out a pained howl before losing consciousness.The two shadow guards exchanged a glance and decided to follow the princess's orders to deal with the assassins first. Although even as well-trained shadow guards they couldn't quite discern what techniques the princess was using, this didn't stop them from witnessing how she deflected one assassin and knocked another unconscious with a single stomp. The unlucky fellow lying motionless on the ground would likely need three to five months of bed rest if he was fortunate—or face lifelong paralysis if not.

Having succeeded in her first strike, Ye Li felt reassured. Though confident in her skills, she had never been certain about the true depths of ancient martial arts. After all, she had never encountered a situation in this era that truly tested her limits. Judging by the Wind and Moon noble's Light Body Skill, it would indeed be troublesome to deal with. Modern people, no matter how skilled, didn’t have the ability to fly around effortlessly. Fortunately, not everyone possessed such extraordinary movement techniques like the Wind and Moon noble. In close combat, Ye Li believed she could handle most martial experts.

The assassins clearly hadn’t expected the seemingly harmless Princess Ding to take down one of them in an instant. By the time they regained their senses, a second man had already collapsed from a sharp elbow strike.

In her past life, Ye Li had trained in a wide range of disciplines—martial arts, taekwondo, judo—and with many siblings, she had plenty of brawling experience. After joining the military, especially the special forces, her training shifted from subduing opponents to outright killing them. Since women generally lacked the raw strength of men, Ye Li had focused on precision, speed, and lethal techniques. Even among her male teammates, few dared to spar with her.

At first, her movements had been slightly rusty, but after taking down two opponents, the familiar rhythm of combat gradually returned. Years of rigorous physical training now paid off—without a capable body, all her skills and experience would have been useless.

"P-Princess…" A Jin, who had been faithfully guarding Mo Xiuyao nearby, was stunned speechless by the scene. Was the woman who had just kicked an assassin—taller than himself—until he vomited blood really the same gentle and refined princess? A Jin vaguely recalled one night when he had seemingly witnessed the princess knocking out Prince Li by some means. He had assumed she had used a hidden weapon, but now it seemed entirely possible she had simply overpowered him.

"A Li!" Mo Xiuyao's voice called from behind just as a sword slashed toward her back. Ye Li swiftly bent backward, narrowly avoiding the thrust, while a dagger that had somehow appeared in her hand sliced across the swordsman’s wrist. Seizing his arm, she used his own stance to twist him down with a sharp crack—his entire arm dislocated as he collapsed, eyes wide.

Frowning, Ye Li glanced down and noticed a small knife embedded deep in the man’s back, only the hilt visible. Clearly, someone had delivered a fatal strike.

With a quick sidestep, she broke free from the remaining assassins and moved to Mo Xiuyao’s side. He frowned. "I told you to leave first."Ye Li remained vigilant against the surrounding assassins alongside A Jin while voicing her concern, "What if we run into another group outside? Will sister-in-law be alright?"

"Someone has gone to protect her," Mo Xiuyao replied calmly. "The Temple of No Moon has many hidden mechanisms. Had those intruders entered there first, we would have detected them long ago."

In just a short while, more than half of the twenty-plus assassins had fallen. The man who had been standing aside watching all along sneered coldly, "The shadow guards of Ding Royal Palace truly live up to their reputation. Pity there are too few of them!" Suddenly, the man leaped up, his long sword swiftly thrusting toward Mo Xiuyao. A Jin immediately stepped forward with his sword to block him. The two exchanged over a dozen blows in an instant, but A Jin was after all just a teenager in his early teens. A single misstep allowed the man to deflect his sword, leaving a gruesome gash on his right arm. Ignoring A Jin, the man immediately turned back toward Mo Xiuyao after pushing him aside. A Jin cried out in alarm, trying to rise and help, but was entangled by two assassins behind him and couldn't break free.

"A Li, move aside." Mo Xiuyao pushed Ye Li away while simultaneously sliding his wheelchair backward, dodging the first strike. But the second, even fiercer thrust followed right after. Someone seated in a wheelchair naturally couldn't match the agility of a standing person. The man's sword stabbed into the backrest of the wheelchair as Mo Xiuyao tilted his head aside. At the same time, Mo Xiuyao suddenly reached out with one hand and grasped the blade's edge. His sleeve flickered slightly as a cluster of hidden weapons shot straight toward the man. Startled, the man hastily withdrew his sword and retreated several yards to avoid the incoming projectiles. With another cold sneer, the man lunged forward again. He had clearly discerned Mo Xiuyao's greatest weakness—his immobility. No matter how skilled he was or how many hidden weapons he had, they would eventually run out. Mo Xiuyao no longer dodged either. With a sharp whistle, a long whip lashed through the air, instantly widening the distance between them. For the moment, neither could gain the upper hand.

Ye Li stood to the side, unhurried, occasionally helping to dispatch someone attempting to ambush or encircle Mo Xiuyao. All the while, she studied the man's movements, searching for flaws.

Finally, when Mo Xiuyao's whip entangled the man's sword, Ye Li smirked coldly, pulled a golden hairpin from her hair, and hurled it at the man's wrist. The moment the man was forced to release his sword, she closed the distance, her dagger mercilessly aiming for his vital points. Ye Li's techniques could undoubtedly be described as ruthless even when compared to all known martial arts manuals. Within just three or five moves, the man had already suffered cuts to his right arm and left shoulder. Dissatisfied, Ye Li let out a soft hum, then took a risky gamble—ignoring the palm strike aimed at her from the man's right hand—and drove her dagger into his chest. The man's expression twisted as his right hand swung toward Ye Li with brutal speed. By then, it was too late for Ye Li to retreat. Suddenly, the slender tip of the whip coiled around her waist, yanking her back with swift force. Ye Li used the momentum to evade the man's palm strike and landed steadily in front of Mo Xiuyao.

The man in the distance was pale, his teeth clenched as blood gushed from the wound in his chest. When Ye Li had been pulled away by Mo Xiuyao's whip, she had twisted the dagger embedded in his chest—the sharp blade nearly rotating halfway before being yanked out. Now, the ghastly hole in his chest couldn't even be staunched by pressing his hand against it.

Ye Li glanced down at the dagger in her hand and frowned slightly in dissatisfaction. Compared to her beloved triangular bayonet, this dagger was practically garbage.

"Cough... What a formidable Princess of the State. Never expected you to be hiding such skills," the man rasped hoarsely, pressing a hand to his chest wound.

"I don't provoke others unless they provoke me first," Ye Li replied coldly, her gaze fixed on him.Today, I admit defeat. Mo Xiuyao, you’re lucky to have married such a formidable princess consort. The man glanced at the few remaining subordinates who had already been dealt with, knowing full well that the assassination attempt was doomed to fail. Even if seven or eight were still holding on, his men could never match the shadow guards of the Ding Royal Palace in equal numbers. However, you might escape once or twice, but not ten or eight times. Mo Xiuyao, you know exactly how many people want you dead, don’t you? Haha… I’ll be waiting for you in the underworld! With that, the man abruptly abandoned his attack on Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, shouting sharply, “Abandon the mission! Retreat!” Then, as the remaining black-clad assassins scattered, he blocked the pursuing shadow guards’ path and was swiftly struck down by a single sword thrust.

“After them!”

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. “Let the fleeing enemy go. We’re heading back first.”

The shadow guards who had been about to give chase immediately halted, turning under A Jin’s direction to inspect the fallen assassins.

Ignoring the wound on his right arm, A Jin tightly gripped his sword. “The princess consort… is incredible.”

Ye Li shook her head. “It was just luck.” Though the battle had seemed effortless, without Mo Xiuyao’s assistance, even if she had managed to wound the assassin, she would have suffered severe injuries. Her strength and agility were still lacking—several times, she had landed hits, but they weren’t forceful enough to deal significant damage. Even when she spotted openings, her speed wasn’t sufficient to capitalize on them.

“You’re amazing. A Jin couldn’t defeat him,” A Jin insisted.

Ye Li smiled. “If I hadn’t finished him within a quarter of an hour, I’d be the one dead.”

“Princess Consort, you’re incredible. Can A Jin learn martial arts from you?” A Jin, stubborn as ever, stared at Ye Li with wide, pleading eyes. If he were as skilled as her, the prince wouldn’t have needed to intervene earlier.

Mo Xiuyao gazed at Ye Li with a complicated expression. “I thought A Li only knew basic self-defense. Clearly, I was wrong. A Li never fails to surprise me.” He had watched her closely during the fight—her sharp eyes and decisive movements were far beyond what an ordinary woman could achieve. Even among the shadow guards, many lacked her ruthlessness and precision. He was certain that even if three shadow guards attacked her simultaneously, Ye Li might not lose. Yet, he couldn’t fathom how a sheltered noblewoman like her had developed such skills. Anyone unaware would think she was a battle-hardened warrior, not a refined lady from a prestigious family.

Ye Li gave a faint smile, in no hurry to explain herself. “As long as Your Highness isn’t frightened, that’s enough.”

Mo Xiuyao studied her for a long moment before finally sighing softly. “A Li, are you truly the Third Miss of the Ye family, the granddaughter of the Xu family?”

Ye Li replied, “Of course.”

“Then… you can tell me when you’re ready.”

Ye Li was taken aback, staring at Mo Xiuyao in silence. Given his and the Ding Royal Palace’s circumstances, his words genuinely surprised her. After a pause, she murmured, “I can’t explain everything right now, but I can assure you I am indeed Ye Li. And I have no ulterior motives for marrying into the Ding Royal Palace.”

“I believe you. After all, we’re husband and wife, aren’t we?” Mo Xiuyao said quietly."Thank you." Ye Li felt a warmth in her heart as she whispered softly. She had indeed considered what to do if her differences were discovered. Originally, she had planned to first follow Mo Xiuyao to find a master and learn martial arts, gradually letting people get accustomed to her. In truth, this approach seemed rather unreliable—at the very least, she wasn't sure if she could deceive Mo Xiuyao. If she aroused his suspicion, it would be even more troublesome. Now, things had become much simpler. No matter what, at least Mo Xiuyao was willing to believe her. Regardless of how much trust there was, it was already far better than what she had initially expected.