Mo Li

Deep in the woods outside Jingling Temple, Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his wheelchair alone, eyes closed in quiet repose. The faint slanting sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting a gentle warmth over his figure in the still-chilly early spring air.

"Xiu Yao." As Ye Li approached, she caught sight of the man's gaunt, weary face resting against the wheelchair, and her heart clenched with involuntary guilt and distress. Mo Xiuyao opened his eyes and looked up at her, pausing briefly before smiling softly. "No wonder so many people couldn’t find A Li. If I hadn’t looked carefully, I might not have recognized you either." Ye Li stepped closer, meeting his warm, indulgent gaze before saying solemnly, "I’m sorry for worrying you."

"A Li, are you still not planning to return?" Mo Xiuyao asked gently, his gaze serene and tender.

Ye Li shook her head, looking at him. "I want to go to the Southern Border."

Mo Xiuyao frowned. "If you’re concerned about Brother Xu, I can send Feng San to assist him in the Southern Border." Ye Li shook her head again. "Leng Haoyu isn’t in the capital. With only Feng Zhiyao and Head Steward Mo to help you here, how could we possibly send Feng Zhiyao away? Besides, now isn’t the best time for me to return, is it?" If she went back now, she would inevitably have to uncover who was behind the incident in the palace. As Mo Jingli had said, even for the sake of the Ding Royal Palace’s dignity, they couldn’t let the person who kidnapped the Princess of the State go unpunished. And if the Ding Royal Palace turned against Mo Jingli, the one who would benefit was Mo Jingqi. It was better to leave things as they were—with the Princess of the State missing from the palace, reason and sentiment were both on the Ding Royal Palace’s side. Let Mo Jingli and Mo Jingqi fight among themselves. Even though Mo Jingli knew she had escaped, he would still have to swallow this bitter pill—he couldn’t very well admit that he had kidnapped the Princess of the State and then let her slip away, could he?

"If you find the capital too dull, A Li, you could go to Yunzhou. Once things settle down, I’ll come to bring you back to the capital. How does that sound?" Mo Xiuyao pulled her closer, looking up at her.

Ye Li bit her lip lightly, her gaze unwavering as she met his eyes. She knew this man wanted to protect her, but even though she felt moved by his warmth, she was not the kind of woman who could stand behind a man and watch others risk their lives. Besides, it wasn’t just for Mo Xiuyao—her own family, her elder brother, were also caught up in this turmoil. In the foreseeable future, even her beloved uncle and elderly grandfather might be drawn in.

"I’ll take shadow guards with me. I won’t put myself in danger," Ye Li said softly, declining his suggestion.

A flicker of disappointment passed through Mo Xiuyao’s gentle eyes, and Ye Li quickly averted her gaze. After half a year together, she had gradually grown accustomed to his calm, soothing voice and presence. Mo Xiuyao rarely made requests of her, but Ye Li suddenly realized that even the few requests he did make, she had seldom fulfilled. By any measure, it seemed she wasn’t a very good wife. "A Li, I’m sorry. It’s all because of me...""No!" Ye Li interrupted him, "I know that if I wanted to, I could stay in a safe place forever, and you would arrange everything for me. But... Xiu Yao, I don’t want that. I don’t want to hide behind you. If I’m destined to walk through life with someone, I want to stand by their side, not cower under their wings. Do you... understand?"

Mo Xiuyao’s fingers trembled almost imperceptibly. After a long silence, he finally murmured, "Then... be careful. A Li." With that, he took out a piece of warm jade tied with a red silk cord and placed it in Ye Li’s hand, smiling faintly. "Keep it safe. Don’t lose it."

Ye Li turned the jade over in her hand—an exquisite piece of mutton-fat white jade carved into the likeness of Yazi, one of the nine dragon sons. Even though it was made of gentle white jade, the carving still exuded the domineering arrogance of the dragon and the fierce, bloodthirsty aura of Yazi. She pinched it between her fingers and looked at Mo Xiuyao. "This?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled lightly. "A family heirloom. I’ve been meaning to give it to you for a while now. Don’t lose it. Like the Cloud-Grasping Sword, it’s a treasured heirloom."

Ye Li fell silent and quietly tucked the jade away.

As she disappeared into the woods, the gentle smile on Mo Xiuyao’s face gradually faded. He lowered his gaze to his long-crippled legs, his calm eyes now brimming with waves of resentment and unwillingness.

"Bang!" With a flick of his wrist, a thick tree nearby snapped in half. Mo Xiuyao coughed weakly, his face weary as he leaned back in his wheelchair, breathing heavily. "Truly... useless..."

"Your Highness, it would be best not to anger yourself in your current condition," Shen Yang said as he emerged from the woods, frowning at the fallen tree. He approached Mo Xiuyao and, as expected, saw the snow-white handkerchief in his hand now dotted with specks of crimson. A Jin followed behind Shen Yang, his eyes filled with concern as he looked at Mo Xiuyao.

"Your consort is a remarkable woman. Your Highness should be glad to have married such a wife," Shen Yang remarked thoughtfully, glancing in the direction Ye Li had gone.

Mo Xiuyao’s voice turned cold. "Are you saying I should be happy that my wife is putting herself in danger?"

Shen Yang looked at the tightly clenched hands resting on Mo Xiuyao’s knees and, unusually, spoke in the tone of an elder. "Though it may wound Your Highness’ pride, I believe your consort doesn’t actually need much protection from you. The way she is now—far more genuine and captivating than when she was pampered in the palace—don’t you agree? Or is Prince Ding just like any other ordinary man, preferring a woman who clings to you like a dodder vine?"

"Enough," Mo Xiuyao said darkly. "I know what to do. Return to the palace!"

A Jin stepped forward and pushed Mo Xiuyao’s wheelchair toward the other side of the woods. Shen Yang shook his head and followed.

Prince Li’s Palace

Mo Jingli sat in his study, his expression dark as he glared at the man kneeling before him. "Are you telling me you still haven’t found any trace of Ye Li?"The middle-aged man kneeling on the ground could clearly sense Mo Jingli's anger and inwardly lamented his misfortune. "Your Highness, please forgive this humble servant. We've thoroughly searched within a hundred-mile radius where Princess Ding disappeared, but found no trace of her."

Mo Jingli snorted coldly, "Ye Li hasn't returned to Prince Ding's Estate, nor to the Ye or Xu families. Could she have grown wings and flown away?"

The man quickly responded, "Your Highness, although we tampered with the horses, Princess Ding seemed to have discovered this. She sent the horses running in opposite directions, east and west, leading our trackers astray. So... now..."

"So you're telling me your brains are inferior to a woman's?" Mo Jingli sneered with biting sarcasm.

The man bowed his head in shame, though he couldn't help thinking to himself: Was Princess Ding an ordinary woman? Hadn't His Highness suffered at her hands more than once? So wasn't their failure understandable?

"Get out! Keep close watch on Prince Ding's Estate. I refuse to believe Ye Li won't return!" After driving his subordinate away, Mo Jingli sank into contemplation. Ye Li's failure to return after escaping was indeed unexpected. But he couldn't decide whether to feel relieved or angry. The choice felt like deciding between facing the Ding Royal Palace or his emperor brother directly. If Ye Li returned safely to Prince Ding's Estate, neither he nor Mo Xiuyao would have any room to retreat. The ultimate beneficiary would be his brother sitting high on the dragon throne. Now... with Mo Xiuyao busy searching everywhere for Ye Li while occasionally causing trouble for Mo Jingqi, perhaps he should seize this opportunity... But if both he and Mo Jingqi ended up weakened...

"Your Highness, is something troubling you?" A charming young maiden emerged from the inner chamber, smiling sweetly at Mo Jingli.

"Ye Li still hasn't returned. The tracking drug you used was useless—she's disappeared now." Mo Jingli spoke gravely to the lovely young girl before him.

Xiaoyun, who had exchanged her plain maid's attire for more becoming clothes, flashed a strange look in her eyes. "This Princess Ding is quite capable. The Soul-chasing Incense I used can't even be detected by the most renowned poison masters." Tilting her head and playing with a small braid at her chest, she blinked at Mo Jingli. "Shall I go find Princess Ding? I'm certain I can locate her."

Mo Jingli glanced at her sideways. "Find her? If you really did, do you think you'd make it back?" After several encounters, Mo Jingli still felt he hadn't fully gauged Ye Li's capabilities. Moreover, the four shadow guards by her side were definitely not ordinary. Xiaoyun alone would be killed without leaving a trace. "Stay quietly in the estate and don't wander about. If you ruin my plans, I won't care about explaining things to your sister."

Xiaoyun bit her lip, glaring resentfully at Mo Jingli. Unfortunately, Mo Jingli was no gentleman who cherished feminine charms. With a cold snort, he picked up a book from the table and began reading, completely ignoring her.

Xiaoyun's lively eyes darted about as she approached Mo Jingli and whispered with a smile, "Jing Li brother, shall I poison Mo Xiuyao and the emperor for you?""If you want to die, go ahead and try," Mo Jingli said. Did she really think no one had ever attempted to poison or assassinate Mo Xiuyao over the years? Yet despite his frail, crippled body, Mo Xiuyao had managed to survive just fine. Meanwhile, those assassins had long vanished without a trace, their corpses who-knows-where.

Jiangnan, Guangling City

Compared to the lingering chill of early spring in the north, Jiangnan in the third month was already a vibrant scene of blooming flowers. Guangling City was the largest metropolis in the south and also the former capital of the previous dynasty. Though that dynasty had long since fallen, Guangling’s status as the political, economic, and cultural heart of the south remained unshaken. Moreover, since the founding emperor had initially established his capital here before later moving north, Guangling had been preserved as a secondary capital. While the northern capital of Chu held political and military significance, Guangling leaned more toward culture and commerce—three of the four wealthiest merchants in Great Chu resided here, a testament to Guangling’s prosperity far surpassing that of the northern capital.

Under the cover of night, Ye Li strolled leisurely through the bustling, perfume-laden streets. The air was thick with the scent of wine and rouge, and the sounds of seductive music filled her ears. An San followed awkwardly behind, occasionally pushing away the soft, alluring women who reached out to pull at him—or worse, his mistress—while inwardly groaning in distress. Had he known the princess consort would drag him to such a place, he would never have fought to swap shifts with his superior. Ugh… If the prince finds out I accompanied her to a brothel, he’ll skin me alive.

Ye Li walked ahead, occasionally glancing back to enjoy An San’s flustered expression. Just as he was about to break, she finally stopped and announced cheerfully, "We’re here."

An San exhaled in relief and looked up. By the quiet lakeside stood an elegant and refined pavilion, its plaque inscribed with bold, flowing calligraphy: Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion .

As a shadow guard trained specifically for the Ding Royal Palace, An San was well aware of what this place was—the most renowned brothel in the realm. It was said to house the finest wines, the most exquisite delicacies, and the most beautiful, talented women. A paradise where men dreamed of losing themselves forever.

"Young master?" he ventured hesitantly.

Ye Li arched a brow at him, amused. "What? The finest establishment in the land isn’t good enough for you?"

An San forced a pained smile. "Young master… are we really going in?"

Ye Li laughed. "Did you think I brought you here for a stroll? Come on." With a flick of her folding fan, she stepped confidently into the Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion.

As the premier brothel in the land, the pavilion naturally had its distinctions. Instead of being greeted by a garishly made-up madam, two young women with delicate makeup and refined elegance approached. Spotting Ye Li’s ice-blue brocade robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns, the exquisite jade pendant on her white belt, and the easy grace with which she held her fan, they immediately recognized her as someone of high status and hurried forward.

"Greetings, young master," one said with a smile. "You seem unfamiliar—is this your first visit to our pavilion?"

Ye Li nodded pleasantly. "Indeed. I’ve only just arrived in Jiangnan and have long admired the reputation of Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion. I couldn’t resist seeing it for myself."

The woman beamed. "Your presence honors us greatly. Please, allow us to escort you to a private chamber where you may enjoy the music and performances while we determine what might suit your tastes."Ye Li smiled and said, "I've heard that your establishment excels in more than just song and dance. Why don't you introduce me to some more entertaining offerings?"

The woman in charge of receiving guests at the Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion was naturally perceptive. She glanced at Ye Li—though his attire and bearing were extraordinary, his age couldn't be more than thirteen. Some young boys of thirteen might be intrigued by the allure of beautiful women, but others hadn't yet awakened to such interests. Seeing the young master's noble and proud demeanor, she surmised he must be a young scion from some prominent family out for amusement. Covering her lips with her sleeve, she chuckled, "Young Master, if you look down on the ladies of our Bright Moon Tower, you'll break their hearts. Indeed, our ladies are skilled in more than just song and dance. May I ask what interests you?"

Ye Li frowned. "I originally wanted to try my luck at gambling, but the gambling dens in Guangling City are far too rowdy. The mix of all sorts of riffraff is quite off-putting."

The woman smiled faintly. "In that case, please follow me, Young Master."

An San, who had been standing behind Ye Li like a wooden post, twitched his lips as if to say something but promptly shut his mouth under Ye Li's warm, spring-like smile. If they'd already stepped into a brothel, what was there to fear about a gambling den?

The gambling den in the Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion was naturally different from the common ones outside. Here, everyone from the attendants serving tea to the dealers were women. Upon entering the hall, the first thing that caught the eye was a stunning woman in purple gently shaking a dice cup, surrounded by a crowd of gamblers. Ye Li smiled. Dice games were the simplest yet most classic form of gambling, and with a beauty as the dealer, it was no wonder it drew countless men eager to throw their silver away.

The guide noticed Ye Li's gaze and immediately explained, "This lady is Rumei, one of the twelve top courtesans of the Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion. Her specialty is shaking dice—a skill even our pavilion master has praised highly." She then considerately briefed Ye Li on the den's setup. For instance, three of the twelve top courtesans worked here as dealers, all of them untouched by men. Only those who could defeat them at gambling could become their intimate guests—a feat no one had accomplished so far.

Ye Li couldn't help but laugh silently. Han Mingyue certainly knew how to make money. While most men visited brothels for carnal pleasures, the patrons of the Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion were wealthy and influential, having seen all manner of beauty. A gambling den like this was far more enticing than an ordinary one. Men were driven by the desire to conquer, and those with money and time to spare wouldn't hesitate to spend extravagantly for a chance to win a courtesan's favor.

"Ah San, what do you think of Rumei?" Ye Li pointed at the purple-clad woman with his folding fan and turned to ask with a smile.

An San struggled to keep his face from contorting and replied woodenly, "Young Master, she is undoubtedly a beauty."

"Hmm, that's what I think too." Resting his chin on the fan, Ye Li mused, "Why don't we try a few rounds? Maybe we could—"

"Young Master, your... family wouldn't be pleased," An San gritted his teeth to remind him."I know, so... this young master will leave the pleasure of your company to you." Ye Li smiled cheerfully at An San's darkening expression, then happily made his way over to the gambling table.

Miss Rumei shook the dice with a smile, glancing at the gamblers gathered around. The undisguised greed and desire in these men's eyes filled her with disdain, yet her face remained all the more charming and captivating. The sudden appearance of Ye Li squeezing to the front made her pause momentarily. The young master couldn't be more than thirteen or fourteen, his fine clothing and accessories revealing his noble background. But it was the clarity in the youth's eyes that struck her as different from the others. She flashed him a radiant smile, "Young master, care to place a bet?"

Ye Li tilted his head, looking around. Truly worthy of the top gambling house in the realm—the minimum bet here was fifty taels, enough to support an ordinary family for half a year, yet these wealthy patrons tossed it around casually. The surrounding gamblers, seeing a mere child squeeze in, couldn't help but show scornful and mocking looks, with many even jeering. Unfazed, Ye Li cheerfully took out a fifty-tael silver ingot and tossed it onto the table, declaring, "I bet on big!"

Rumei swept a smiling glance around the gamblers. In the gambling den, the wealthy and the commoners were no different—all began to clamor, "Big! Big!" or "Small! Small! Small..."

With a slight curl of her crimson lips, Rumei lifted the dice cup, announcing, "Two, four, four—small."

Some rejoiced while others lamented, but Ye Li paid no mind to the lost fifty taels, patiently waiting for the next round. Again, he bet fifty taels on big. Once more, the result was small. On the third round, Ye Li raised his bet to two hundred taels—still on big. Dice games moved quickly, and within a quarter of an hour, Ye Li had already lost nearly two thousand taels. The surrounding gamblers stared in astonishment at this extravagantly generous young master, wondering which wealthy family he belonged to.

"Young master, will you bet again?" Rumei asked with a smile.

Ye Li raised a hand behind him, and An San obediently pulled out a stack of banknotes, handing them over. The notes totaled twenty thousand taels. Watching his master toss the money onto the table without a hint of hesitation, playing the part of a lavish young noble to perfection, An San's heart ached. True, the Ding Royal Palace was wealthy, but they weren't carrying much at the moment. When they left the capital, King Ding had only brought twenty thousand taels in banknotes and some loose silver. Twenty thousand was a considerable sum—enough for their party of five to travel comfortably to the Southern Border several times over. But in a gambling den, twenty thousand wasn't much. At this rate, his master could lose it all in less than an hour.

Ye Li placed another bet—five hundred taels.

"Young master, will you bet big or small?" Rumei inquired.

Ye Li grinned. "This young master dislikes small. Still betting big."

Thus, the gamblers all placed their bets on the opposite side. Anyone with eyes could see how abysmal the young master's luck was. After losing another ten thousand taels or so, Ye Li finally smiled in satisfaction. When Rumei covered the dice cup again, he shook his head with a smile. "This time, I'll pass." Amid the crowd's jeers and uproar, Rumei lifted the cup—"Three sixes, sweep!" The room erupted in groans of despair.Another round began, with Ye Li having raised the stakes to a thousand taels per bet. This time, unlike her previous streak of bad luck, she seemed divinely assisted. "Small!"

The dice cup lifted—one, two, four—small!

"Big!"

Five, five, six—big!

"Big!"

...

In less than half an hour, the table in front of Ye Li was piled high with thick stacks of silver notes and silver ingots. An San, appearing out of nowhere, brought a chair for Ye Li to sit on. Leaning back comfortably, Ye Li watched with a beaming smile as Rumei's face grew increasingly pale. With an innocent grin, she pushed forward her silver notes. "Thirty thousand taels—small!"

Rumei's slender fingers hesitated for a moment before slowly lifting the dice cup. Everyone stared intently as the cup gradually revealed the dice on the table—one, one, two—small!

An San, standing behind Ye Li, looked worriedly at the growing pile of silver notes on the table. Earlier, he had been concerned that if the princess lost all their silver, they would have to slink back to the capital in disgrace. Now, he feared that if she won too much, they might not make it out of the Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion alive.

With an unchanged expression, she rested her chin on her hand, watching Rumei's movements with ease and nonchalance. "All in. Big!"

The onlookers gasped. The silver notes and ingots piled before Ye Li amounted to over a hundred thousand taels. If she guessed right, her purse would be overflowing; if wrong, the hundred thousand taels would vanish like water down a drain. Even among the wealthy present, few had the audacity to stake such a sum in one go. After all, their money was hard-earned, not fallen from the sky. Beads of sweat began to form on Rumei's flawless forehead, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and scrutiny. Under the crowd's watchful gaze, she slowly lifted the dice cup, and everyone exclaimed, "Three threes!"

Rumei's hand trembled, her face as pale as paper.

"Young master is truly formidable," Rumei said weakly.

Ye Li smiled without a word. Years ago, for an undercover mission, she had spent months learning gambling tricks from a master gambler, who had praised her natural talent. With her keen eyes and ears, Rumei stood no chance of cheating in her presence. Of course, Ye Li believed a place like Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion wouldn't stoop to cheating over a mere hundred thousand taels—it would tarnish Han Mingyue's reputation. But if she kept winning, that might change, given Han Mingyue's notorious love for money, a trait as famous as his pavilion.

"Young master, our master invites you for a chat inside," a steward-like young man emerged, cupping his hands with a smile.

Ye Li's eyes sparkled with amusement. "An invitation from Young Master Mingyue is an honor. But... Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion wouldn’t resort to robbery or murder, would it?"

The young man's smile stiffened, his lips twitching. "You jest, young master."

Rising, Ye Li casually handed the silver notes to An San, brushed off her clothes, and said, "Lead the way."

The steward guided them to a small courtyard behind the gambling hall. By the lake, the Water Pavilion was veiled in sheer curtains, the air filled with the melodious strains of a zither.

"Master."

"Leave us. Won’t you come in, young master?" The music paused, replaced by a deep, pleasant voice. Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly. Watching the steward bow and retreat, she laughed heartily, "An invitation from the master of Bright Moon Tower is a rare privilege." With a glance signaling An San to stay outside, she lifted the layers of curtains and stepped in.

Inside, a strikingly handsome man in dark red robes lounged lazily by the zither table, his features exuding a bewitching charm. Seeing Ye Li enter, he arched a brow and smiled. "To think the one who bested Rumei is such a young master—truly a rare talent. May I ask your esteemed name?"

Ye Li smiled. "No need for flattery. My meager skills are hardly worth mentioning. This humble one is surnamed Chu, Jun Wei."

"Chu Jun Wei? A fine name. Yet... I’ve not heard of any Chu family in Great Chu with a young master of such bearing. If you were from Western Liang’s Chu clan... your appearance doesn’t quite match." Han Mingyue studied her as he spoke.

Unfazed, Ye Li found a seat and replied lightly, "A minor family, unworthy of Young Master Mingyue’s notice."Han Mingyue gave a light hum and said, "A small household? This young master doesn't think you look the part."

Ye Li fanned himself leisurely, smiling calmly. "What's so strange about that? This humble one also finds that you don't resemble the legendary Young Master Mingyue."

"Oh?" Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow in amusement, though a sharp glint flashed through his eyes. "May I ask what kind of person the Young Master Mingyue you've heard of is like?"

Ye Li smiled. "I've heard that Young Master Mingyue is elegant and handsome, a rare gentleman in this world." Han Mingyue frowned in apparent dissatisfaction. "Has this young master disappointed you, Young Master Chu?" Ye Li lowered his gaze with a smile. "From what I know, Young Master Mingyue would never sit so casually before a stranger." Looking at the handsome man lazily kneeling by the qin table, exuding an air of wicked charm, Ye Li couldn't help but sigh inwardly. In terms of appearance alone, Han Mingyue and Han Mingxi were at least eighty percent alike. If they truly wanted to deceive others, they might very well succeed. However, the person before him clearly had no intention of hiding—or perhaps he didn't believe a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old stranger would have met Han Mingyue in person. Unfortunately, she had not only met Han Mingyue but also Han Mingxi.

"So, Young Master Chu is convinced that I am not Han Mingyue?" Han Mingxi stood up, his cold gaze fixed unwaveringly on Ye Li.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Why must you be angry, young master? It was you who lured me here under the pretense of being Young Master Mingyue. Shouldn't I be the one upset?"

Han Mingxi sneered. "Young Master Chu, why put on an act? Your extravagant spending in Bright Moon Tower was clearly meant to catch the attention of the tower master. Why not tell me what you're after now? Perhaps I'll be in a good mood and grant your request."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "Can you make decisions for Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion? Or perhaps... can you make decisions for the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity?"

The moment "Pavilion of Heavenly Unity" was mentioned, Han Mingxi's gaze sharpened like a blade, his handsome face turning cold. "Just who are you?" There were many in the world who knew of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity, and even more who knew of Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion. But those who knew the lord of Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion and the Lord of Tianyi Pavilion were the same person were exceedingly few. Ye Li lowered his head. "Before you ask me, shouldn't you first tell me whether you have the authority to decide? Otherwise, if I waste my breath explaining only to find you can't make the call, wouldn't that be a waste of both our time?"

Han Mingxi glared at Ye Li and snorted. "Han Mingyue isn't in Jiangnan right now. Whether it's Clear Breeze Bright Moon Pavilion or the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity, I have the final say. Understood?"

Ye Li clapped his hands in delight. "Excellent. May I ask for your name, young master?"

"Han Mingxi," he gritted out. Of course, he wouldn't tell him his nickname—after all, the title "Wind and Moon Noble" wasn't exactly a flattering reputation, whether for men or women.

Ye Li rubbed his temples thoughtfully. "So, you're Young Master Mingyue's... brother? No wonder you resemble him so much."

"You've met my elder brother?" Han Mingxi frowned, staring at her intently.Ye Li remained composed and smiled faintly, saying, "Well... I had the honor of meeting Young Master Mingyue once in his youth. My memory is quite good, and I have always greatly admired his elegance." Han Mingxi curled his lips. His elder brother had indeed been quite the figure in his younger days, but that was in the Chu capital, so few in the Jiangnan region knew much about it. But... how old was this kid in front of him back then? Five? Ye Li paid no mind to what Han Mingxi was thinking. "I've come from afar, yet the young master won't even offer me a cup of tea. This is hardly the way to treat a guest."

Han Mingxi stared at him for a long moment before slowly revealing a sinister smile. "If you want tea, fine. If you have a request, fine. But first, you must defeat me!"

---Author's Note---

Well... matters in the capital will take a pause for now. Next up is A'Li's journey to the Southern Border. Some readers are concerned about A'Li and Xiu Yao's relationship—rest assured, though it's not settled yet, this Southern Border arc will likely resolve it. I think Xiu Yao needs a love rival, but... should there be one or not?