Mo Li

The three of them moved to the study. Although Princess Anxi was puzzled by Ye Li's presence, she refrained from asking further questions out of trust for Xu Qingchen. After all, this delicate-looking young woman had traveled thousands of miles alone to Nanzhao, successfully deceived her, and personally rescued Xu Qingchen—she was clearly no ordinary person. The way Princess Anxi scrutinized Ye Li grew increasingly complex, and Ye Li could only sigh inwardly, shooting Xu Qingchen a resentful glare that silently demanded an explanation later. Xu Qingchen merely smiled faintly without a word.

Once seated in the study, Princess Anxi quickly set aside personal matters, her demeanor turning solemn and focused. Xu Qingchen asked, "Did you retrieve the Military Tally?"

Princess Anxi shook her head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Qingchen. The location we previously investigated was a decoy—the Military Tally wasn’t there at all."

Xu Qingchen frowned slightly. "Logically speaking… Shu Manlin shouldn’t have known we were searching for the Military Tally, nor should outsiders know its true whereabouts. Why would she hide it so meticulously, as if deliberately setting a trap for us?"

Princess Anxi shook her head. "Only a handful of people on our side knew about it, and I can vouch for their absolute trustworthiness."

Xu Qingchen replied, "Naturally, we trust your people. But this time… Anxi, don’t you find something strange? Over the past six months, every time we were close to exposing Shu Manlin’s fatal mistakes, she always managed to evade us at the last moment."

Princess Anxi said irritably, "It’s all because of Father! He always shields Shu Manlin without reason, claiming that as the Holy Maiden of the Southern Border, she couldn’t possibly do such things. He even accused you of trying to sow discord between the Nanzhao monarch and his subjects. The most absurd time, he dismissed it as a misunderstanding! Father has grown increasingly muddleheaded these past few years."

Xu Qingchen mused, "Is the King of Nanzhao truly senile?"

Princess Anxi froze, turning to look at him. "What do you mean?"

Xu Qingchen said calmly, "Originally, we all thought the King of Nanzhao was blindly favoring Shu Manlin. But this time… After I was captured, I was drugged and knocked unconscious immediately. I remember passing out around the end of the Hour of the Goat and waking up in the stone chamber around the second mark of the Hour of the Monkey. That day, you had already stationed people to watch the Saintess Hall, so they must have returned from the palace. However… during that time, the King of Nanzhao is usually resting in his chambers. Even if he wasn’t there, the guards at the palace’s secret passage entrance wouldn’t have been mere decorations. Anxi, after the incident, did you hear any rumors about this when you entered the palace?"

Princess Anxi lowered her head in thought before shaking it. "No. When I reported your disappearance to Father, he seemed deeply concerned and even offered to send people to help search for you—though I refused."

Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "The mighty King of Nanzhao—would he truly be unaware of what happened in his own chambers? Especially when he supposedly has guards stationed at that secret passage at all times?"Princess Anxi was stunned for a long time before raising her head to look at Xu Qingchen, her eyes still filled with disbelief and hesitation. "Are you saying that Father wasn't deceived by Shu Manlin at all, but was actually biased toward her and helping her? Why... I'm Father's own daughter, the Crown Princess of Nanzhao, and I've never done anything unworthy of my position."

"Perhaps it's precisely because Your Highness has been too worthy of your position?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said softly.

Princess Anxi shot her a sharp glance. "What does Miss Chu mean by that?"

Ye Li blinked and looked at the princess. "There's a saying in the Central Plains—I wonder if Your Highness has heard it?" Princess Anxi silently watched her, and Ye Li continued solemnly, "When a subject's merits overshadow the ruler's. You and the King of Nanzhao are indeed father and daughter by blood, but... though you address him as 'Father King,' in my view, it should be 'King Father.' In royalty, one is first a king, then a father. And for you, you are first a subject, then a daughter. During my time in the Nanzhao capital, I've heard much about Your Highness's reputation. The people of Nanzhao praise you endlessly as a wise and intelligent Crown Princess. Even someone like me, who just arrived in Nanzhao, has formed this impression—let alone the people of the Southern Border who have benefited from Your Highness's kindness."

Princess Anxi's face paled, and she trembled. "Are you saying Father fears me? That's why he supports Shu Manlin to oppose and suppress me?"

Ye Li sighed softly, looking at the princess with pity. "Your Highness must have read some historical records from the Central Plains. Without mentioning distant examples, let's take a recent one. Though you reside in the Southern Border, you must have some understanding of the situation of the Ding Royal Palace?" Princess Anxi's lips, bitten pale, trembled slightly as she turned to Xu Qingchen for help. Xu Qingchen sighed softly. "Anxi... I once warned you about going too far." Princess Anxi bit her lip and lowered her head in silence. Going too far... he had said those words to her four years ago when they first met. But she hadn't truly taken them to heart. Because she genuinely wanted what was best for Nanzhao, she could say with a clear conscience that she had never acted out of selfishness. She thought that by working hard to share her father's burdens, he would be pleased. She believed that if she made Nanzhao strong and prosperous, the people would live in peace, and her younger sister Qixia wouldn't have to marry for political alliances. Yet the result was Qixia running off to Great Chu to marry a man as a concubine under a false name, while her father had long been secretly plotting how to restrain her. So what did all her efforts over the years... all her actions... amount to?

Seeing Princess Anxi's devastated expression, Ye Li and Xu Qingchen could only watch her in silence. Such a blow couldn't be resolved with a few casual words of comfort—everything depended on Princess Anxi coming to terms with it herself.

The study was heavy with tension. Princess Anxi sat in her chair, head bowed. Though her expression remained composed, her tightly clenched, whitened fingers gripping the armrests betrayed her inner turmoil. Ye Li admired inwardly—at the very least, Princess Anxi was someone who knew how to control herself. That was rare, especially among women. After a long silence, Princess Anxi finally lifted her head and broke the stillness in the study. "If I give up everything now, would Father...?""Anxi..." Xu Qingchen frowned, shaking his head at her. "I don't know what the King of Nanzhao will do, but Shu Manlin... Anxi, do you understand that Shu Manlin hates you? She will never let you go, and... she will absolutely drag Nanzhao into hell. Is this what you want to see?" Anxi looked at him in confusion. "I know she hates me. At worst, I can go to the Central Plains, to Western Liang or Northern Rong. But what you're saying..."

"Do you think she took the Military Tally just to mobilize the capital's guards to besiege your Princess Manor? I've spoken with her several times. Her ambitions are indeed vast, but... she lacks the capability to match them," Xu Qingchen said.

Princess Anxi's expression turned grave as she hesitated, then looked at Xu Qingchen. "Are you saying... she wants to..."

Xu Qingchen replied, "Ask Liuyun what she's been doing at the border between Nanzhao and Great Chu."

Princess Anxi turned to Ye Li, who said solemnly, "On our way to the Southern Border, we accidentally discovered an artificially cultivated Serpent Valley not far from Snowbreak Pass. Hidden behind it was a massive weapons forge producing weapons exclusively used by Great Chu soldiers. However, I also found some other things there. Additionally, the forge is controlled by Le Jiang, the chief of the Luo Yi Tribe."

"An artificially cultivated Serpent Valley? Mass-producing Great Chu's weapons? What exactly is she planning?" Princess Anxi exclaimed in shock and anger. While Southern Border people generally liked snakes, it didn't mean they wanted their land overrun with venomous serpents. Back then, when Mo Xiuyao burned down the Serpent Valley, it hadn't provoked much hatred among the Southern Border people. Yet now, barely a decade later, another Serpent Valley had appeared. As for forging another country's weapons within the Southern Border, that crossed Princess Anxi's bottom line. Who knew if these weapons would one day be turned against the Southern Border people? To her, this was tantamount to treason.

Did her father know about all this? Was he kept in the dark by Shu Manlin, feigning ignorance, or had he actually approved her plans?

Xu Qingchen said, "Isn't it obvious? Prince Li helped the Holy Maiden of Southern Border gain control of Nanzhao. In return, Shu Manlin naturally has to assist Prince Li in seizing Great Chu."

"Foolish!" Princess Anxi snapped. Helping Prince Li take Great Chu sounded easy, but the cost would be immense. Even if they succeeded, what benefit would it bring Nanzhao? By then, a weakened Nanzhao would have no choice but to submit to Mo Jingli, just like the Southern Border centuries ago. "I must go to the palace and confront my father!" she declared.

"Anxi," Xu Qingchen said disapprovingly. Princess Anxi turned back to look at them and whispered, "Don't try to stop me. Qingchen... I don't know what your purpose is in coming to Nanzhao, but without you these past six months, I would have long fallen victim to Shu Manlin's schemes. So, I still thank you. You are outsiders, and this is still the capital of Nanzhao. Escaping unscathed might not be difficult for you, but if my father truly decides to break ties with us, you won't last long here. Leave Nanzhao as soon as possible. I will do what I must."

Xu Qingchen replied, "Is walking straight into a trap what the Crown Princess of the Southern Border should be doing now?"Princess Anxi smiled bitterly, "The title of Crown Princess was bestowed by my father. If he's determined to side with Shu Manlin, even ten Crown Princess titles wouldn't help. I must go speak with my father."

Seeing the resolute look on Princess Anxi's face, both knew it was futile to dissuade her. Xu Qingchen said softly, "Anxi, take care."

Anxi replied with a carefree smile, "Don't worry. After all, I'm now my father's only remaining daughter. He won't kill me."

Watching Princess Anxi's figure disappear decisively through the door, Ye Li sighed and asked Xu Qingchen, "Elder brother, aren't you moved at all? Princess Anxi is the most extraordinary woman I've ever met." Xu Qingchen remained impassive, glancing at her as he said, "Nonsense. Princess Anxi and I are friends." Ye Li blinked, "Then why didn't you let me tell her the truth earlier? Doesn't that mean you understand too?" Xu Qingchen looked at her irritably, "Is this what you spend your time thinking about? Since it was never possible to begin with, why leave lingering attachments?"

Ye Li nodded, "I understand. Princess Anxi is a proud woman—once she learns you have a fiancée, she'll never entertain any thoughts about you again. But elder brother, have you been using this method to ward off romantic pursuits all these years? Let me make this clear—this time it was my fault first, but don't think you can use me as a shield again." Xu Qingchen tossed a folded report at her. Catching it, Ye Li recognized the handwriting—it was intelligence from the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity about recent events in the Nanzhao capital. Her heart sank, "Elder brother, will Princess Anxi be in danger?" Xu Qingchen shook his head, "Even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs. Qixia Princess is as good as dead, making Anxi truly the King of Nanzhao's only daughter now. If anything happens to Anxi, Nanzhao would have to pass to a collateral branch of the royal family. Given that the King's prestige isn't particularly high, he could very well be deposed on grounds of having no heir."

Ye Li raised her eyebrows in surprise, "There's such a rule?"

"The Southern Border is different from our Central Plains—daughters can inherit the throne, but there's no such thing as adoption. Without descendants, the Southern Border people believe it's because the King of Nanzhao has lost divine favor and thus can no longer protect his people. Abdication would be the natural course." Ye Li nodded, "As long as there's no danger, other plans can be made later."

"Young mistress," An Er appeared at the door.

"What is it?"

"The Pavilion of Heavenly Unity just sent word—Master Liang couldn't withstand the interrogation and confessed. Sick Scholar has taken him hostage and headed toward the treasure location. Young Master Han has already gone after them," An Er reported gravely.

"Damn it, why is he getting involved? Why is everything happening at once?" Ye Li cursed under her breath before looking up to order, "You and An San prepare immediately. We're leaving at once.""Yes," An Er quickly disappeared through the door. Ye Li turned back to Xu Qingchen and said, "Big brother, I have something to attend to and must leave. If there’s anything you need, just instruct the shadow guards. Since Princess Anxi has said so, shouldn’t you leave Nanzhao as soon as possible?" Xu Qingchen shook his head. "There are still some matters I need to clarify. I’ll stay here for now. Be careful yourself." Ye Li nodded. "You be careful too, big brother."

Ye Li, accompanied by An Er and An San, rode swiftly along the markings left by the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity and the shadow guards. Fortunately, the Southern Border wasn’t particularly vast, and the area near the capital wasn’t too large either. After riding for over two hours, they finally found the location mentioned in the message from the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity. At the foot of the mountain, they spotted the markings left by Han Mingxi. "Young Master, this is the place. They’ve gone into the mountains," An San reported. Ye Li nodded and turned to give orders. "We’ll split up." An Er objected, "No, it’s too dangerous for Young Master to go alone." Ye Li sighed. "An San will come with me. An Er, follow us covertly."

"Yes."

Following the markings left by Han Mingxi, Ye Li and An San made their way into the mountains. The forests of the Southern Border were far more humid than those in the north, teeming with poisonous insects and herbs. Fortunately, these posed no challenge to the two of them. As they advanced along the marked path, An San suddenly tightened his grip on his weapon and warned, "Young Master, look ahead." His gaze was fixed warily on the scene before them. At the base of a small slope lay several men dressed in the attire of the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity, their wounds long since dried—clearly, they had been dead for some time. Ye Li frowned, listening carefully to the surroundings before pointing in another direction. "Let’s go that way." An San took the lead, and along the way, they continued to encounter more bodies from the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity. An San whispered, "None of them are ours." Ye Li’s brows furrowed deeper, but she pressed on without stopping.

After traveling for another half an hour, they finally heard the faint clashing of weapons and voices ahead. Exchanging a glance, they cautiously moved closer. At the entrance of a cave, Sick Scholar stood with a triumphant sneer, looking down at the figure seated on the ground. "Han Mingxi, did you really think I wouldn’t dare touch you just because I feared your elder brother? All along the way, your Pavilion of Heavenly Unity has been opposing me at every turn. I’ve spared your life until now—isn’t that generous enough?" Han Mingxi sat somewhat disheveled on the ground, his once-elegant fan inscribed by a famous calligrapher now discarded in the dust. He coughed lightly and said, "If that’s the case, why haven’t you killed me yet?"

"Haha, don’t be in such a hurry. You’ve worked so hard running around for Chu Junwei—before you die, shouldn’t I at least let you see him? Isn’t that right? Don’t worry, I’ll send him down to accompany you soon enough." Sick Scholar sneered. "That brat surnamed Chu has some nerve. Has he never ventured in the martial world and not heard of my reputation? Han Mingxi, don’t you know better? When have I ever shared what’s mine with others? He actually dared to demand compensation from me, even coveting the Underworld Flower. Heh… cough … Now the Underworld Flower is right here. Let’s see whether he values a friend he’s known for only a few days or an invaluable treasure more.""Boring..." Han Mingxi muttered disdainfully. The Sick Scholar, clearly pleased with himself, sneered, "Enjoy what little time you have left. You'd better pray that Chu Junwei truly finds you important enough to arrive within the hour. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to miss the show and return your corpse to him."

Ye Li quietly observed the scene from a distance, her head slightly bowed in thought. Soon, An San returned to her side and whispered, "There are no ambushes nearby."

Ye Li nodded and stood up to walk out. An San reached out to stop her but was too late. Seeing the hidden signal Ye Li made behind her back, he could only retreat into hiding again. Exchanging a glance with An Er, who was concealed on the other side, he fixed his gaze tightly on the grassy area outside the cave.

As Ye Li approached with her hands clasped behind her back, the Sick Scholar’s eyes flickered. "So, you’ve come after all."

Ye Li stepped forward with her usual composure, her gaze sweeping over Han Mingxi before settling on the Sick Scholar. She smiled and said, "Third Master, burning bridges isn’t a good habit." The Sick Scholar narrowed his eyes and snorted with a vicious grin. "Burning bridges? Blame your own greed." Ye Li sighed helplessly, tapping her folding fan against her palm. "Such are the times... people’s hearts are no longer what they used to be. Fine, consider me unlucky this time. So, what do you want? Whatever it is, release Han Mingxi first. I know you’re not afraid of Han Mingyue, but I think... Ling Tiehan wouldn’t appreciate you provoking the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity."

"You... have quite the nerve, daring to use my elder brother to threaten me."

Ye Li waved her fan lightly and chuckled. "Not at all. It’s just that I happen to have an elder brother who’s a close friend of Ling Gezhu. And it just so happens that I informed him before coming here. If anything happens to us, he’ll naturally deliver the bad news to my family—and won’t forget to inform Young Master Mingyue and Ling Gezhu as well. What do you think? It’s best to avoid making enemies whenever possible, right?"

The Sick Scholar glanced at Han Mingxi on the ground, then back at Ye Li. "Fine. Han Mingxi can go. You stay."

Ye Li nodded. "No problem."

Han Mingxi remained seated, unmoving. Ye Li frowned. "What’s wrong? Are you badly hurt?"

Han Mingxi grunted, his brow furrowed. The fabric over his left leg was soaked in dark stains, clearly indicating a severe injury. Ye Li took a few steps closer and asked with concern, "Mingxi, are you alright?" Han Mingxi lifted his head and shook it. "It’s nothing... Jun Wei, don’t worry about me. Just go." Ye Li shook her head and smiled. "You got involved with the Sick Scholar because of me. How could I leave you behind? Mingxi, I was wrong to deceive you earlier. You should call me by my real name. ‘Jun Wei’... isn’t a name I’m used to, either." A strange expression flickered across Han Mingxi’s face before he nodded. "I understand."

Ye Li smiled gently. "Let me help you up..."

Han Mingxi nodded and reached out to take her offered hand."No!" The change happened in an instant. Han Mingxi's hand, which was about to grasp Ye Li's, suddenly transformed into a fierce eagle-like claw, lunging toward her. Simultaneously, Ye Li ducked and leaned back, her hand holding the folding fan bursting into a dazzling silver glow. Almost at the same moment, a figure darted out from the cave like lightning, throwing itself onto Ye Li. Frowning, Ye Li flung the dagger in her hand.

"Cough, cough..." The person who had thrown himself onto Ye Li had a face identical to Han Mingxi's across from them, though now he looked utterly disheveled. A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his lips. "Jun Wei... Jun Wei, are you alright?" Ye Li roughly pushed the person off her, her voice icy with anger, "I'm fine. The one who's hurt is you, you idiot!" The palm strike from the person opposite had landed squarely on his back. Ye Li raised her head, her gaze sharp as a blade, sweeping over the figure before her. "Young Master Mingyue, are you satisfied now?"

Han Mingxi—Han Mingyue—had a dagger embedded in his shoulder, his dark red robes stained with dampness. He glared furiously at the person Ye Li was supporting. "Han Mingxi, you bastard! What the hell are you doing? Who gave you permission to come out?"

Han Mingxi weakly leaned against Ye Li. Supporting his tall frame with her already petite figure was somewhat strenuous for Ye Li. Han Mingxi stared defiantly at the man across from him who looked almost identical to himself, smirking provocatively, "I told you long ago that your pathetic acting skills could never fool Jun Wei while pretending to be me. And another thing... how could you possibly outdo me in being a scoundrel?"

"Outrageous! You'd risk your life for someone you've barely known for a few days? Do you even know who she is?" Han Mingyue said coldly.

Han Mingxi froze for a moment before gritting his teeth, "No matter who he is, he's my friend! Even if we've only known each other briefly, he's still better than you. At least Jun Wei came to rescue me, unlike you... if you were in mortal danger, who besides me would even care whether you lived or died?" Hearing his younger brother's furious outburst, Han Mingyue visibly faltered, his expression turning complex as he looked at the two before him. Quickly regaining his composure, he raised an eyebrow at Ye Li and said, "Sister-in-law, would you mind letting go of my brother first?"

Han Mingxi stiffened, staring down at Ye Li in disbelief as if trying to discern what about her could possibly make Han Mingyue address her as "sister-in-law." After a long pause, he managed a strained scoff, "Big brother, did that knife wound make you delirious? Stop randomly claiming relatives—I don't have a second brother." Han Mingyue sneered and pointed at Ye Li, "Han Mingxi, open your eyes wide and look properly. Is the person standing before you a man? Or have you been carousing outside for so long that you can't even tell the difference between men and women anymore?"

Ye Li helped Han Mingxi sit down before stepping back slightly, looking at him apologetically. "Brother Han, I'm sorry for deceiving you."

Han Mingxi stared at her for a long while before reluctantly pursing his lips and saying, "Fine, I get it—you're a woman. Given that we've faced life and death together, you could at least tell me which sister-in-law you are. I don't want to hear it from that bastard!" Ye Li glanced back at Sick Scholar, who was glaring at her with hatred, and Han Mingyue, whose face was unreadable, then lowered her voice. "My name is Ye Li."

"Ye Li... Xu Qingchen is your elder brother... right, Xu Qingchen is indeed your brother. You're the Third Miss Ye, you—you're—!" Han Mingxi gaped at her, his expression as if he'd just swallowed a fly. He had seen Third Miss Ye before... but where did this handsome youth before him resemble that cunning yet deliberately elegant young noblewoman?! He had sworn long ago to stay far away from that woman, so why had he been circling around her all this time? "You tricked me!" Han Mingxi accused. Ye Li bowed her head apologetically. "I'm sorry."

"'Sorry' isn't enough! I want compensation. I still want a ten percent share in Fragrant Grace Chamber!"

Ye Li nodded readily. "No problem."

Han Mingxi narrowed his eyes and pressed further, "At least four new perfumes every year."

Ye Li hesitated briefly before nodding again. "Agreed."

Han Mingxi tilted his head, studying her as if assessing the sincerity of her words. After a long moment, he lifted his chin haughtily. "Very well, I shall reluctantly forgive your deception. And I acknowledge you, Ye Li, as a friend of Han Mingxi."

Ye Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry, replying helplessly, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Brother Han."Han Mingxi snorted in dissatisfaction, casting a disdainful glance at Han Mingyue. "See that? And you still have the nerve to claim you know how to make money. If the Han family really depended on you, a whole lot of people would starve to death."

Han Mingyue's face darkened as he glared at Mingxi. "Enough with the nonsense. If you're done, get lost."

Mingxi rolled his eyes. "Are you stupid? This woman is my friend and my future business partner. Try laying a finger on her."

"Han Mingxi!" Han Mingyue snapped.

"I know my own name," Mingxi drawled, leaning lazily against the hillside and picking at his ear.

"Master Han... Are you two done catching up? If we don't act soon, the people from Ding Royal Palace will arrive, and then it'll be too late." The Sick Scholar's voice slithered ominously from behind.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Ahh~ A child without weekends is truly pitiful. The more free time others have, the busier I get. Not only do I have to train newcomers, but having someone sitting beside me is seriously distracting... This exhausted kid can't keep her eyes open anymore—off to sleep. Mwah~ pats Thank you all for your support~