Throughout the Northwest, especially within Hong Province, battles of various scales occurred almost daily. This time, Ye Li wasn’t leading from the front lines as usual but instead commanded from within Hong City. She was no longer just responsible for herself – in her womb grew a tiny, barely noticeable baby. This was her and Mo Xiuyao’s first child, and though she had never been a mother before, she knew that as one, she must protect this little one.
“Doctor Yang, how is everything?” Ye Li asked the young physician after he finished checking her pulse.
Doctor Yang respectfully replied, “There’s nothing serious to worry about. However, I must repeat my advice – please try not to overexert yourself, Your Highness. Even if there’s no immediate danger, it’s not good for the young prince in your womb.” Ye Li nodded, “I’ll remember your words, doctor. Thank you for your trouble.”
“In that case, I’ll go adjust Your Highness’s meal plan,” Doctor Yang said before bowing and taking his leave.
After the doctor left, Zhuo Jing and the others finally raised their heads to look at Ye Li with concern. Zhuo Jing frowned, “Your Highness, for the young prince’s sake, you should rest more.” The others nodded in agreement. Ye Li smiled wryly, “How can we afford to be slack at this time? But if you all work harder and become capable of handling things independently sooner, I might be able to take it easier then.” Zhuo Jing lowered his head in shame, “This servant is incompetent.” Ye Li waved her hand and smiled, “It’s not that you’re incompetent. It would be difficult for anyone to become fully capable in just two or three months. You’ve all done very well.” Zhuo Jing remained silent, glancing at Ye Li. They had been following the Princess Consort from the beginning, and it seemed nothing had ever been too difficult for her. Compared to her, how could they, as grown men, not consider themselves incompetent? Many times he wondered whether the Princess Consort was simply a natural genius or if the Xu family’s training had truly been that exceptional.
“Your Highness, a Young Master Han is requesting an audience outside,” a guard reported from the doorway.
“Young Master Han?” Ye Li started, quickly realizing, “Han Mingxi? Please invite him in quickly.”
Soon after, Han Mingxi stepped into the study. Still wearing his elaborate dark red robe, the few months apart had changed his originally rakish features somewhat, adding a hint of a ruler’s sharpness and determination. However, upon seeing Ye Li, his customary mischievous smile appeared as his voice dropped to a seductive tone, “Jun Wei… I’ve missed you so during our time apart…” Ye Li looked at the handsome man before her and sighed softly, “Mingxi, why have you come?”
Han Mingxi entered the study, smiling somewhat helplessly, “I heard Jun Wei was leading troops as the Nation-Stabilizing Prince’s Consort, beating the Western Ling Garrison South King until he was in a sorry state. Isn’t that quite impressive? Shouldn’t I come to witness the Nation-Stabilizing Princess Consort’s magnificence?” His slightly upturned phoenix eyes fixed on Ye Li, not an attempt to hide the anger within them. Knowing he was concerned for her, Ye Li smiled gently, “What magnificence? I had no choice in the matter. Besides… I’m not the one who beat the Western Ling Garrison South King into such a state. The situation in the Northwest has been tense lately – if you had come any later, the one in a sorry state might have been me instead.” Han Mingxi snorted lightly, glancing at Zhuo Jing and the others who were pretending to be busy while eavesdropping in the study, “Where’s that husband of yours, the so-called War God? What kind of ability is it to throw his wife onto the battlefield to charge through enemy lines?”
“Mingxi…” Ye Li looked at him with a smile, “I know you care about me as a friend. Given the current situation, even someone as capable as Xiuyao can’t be everywhere at once.”
Han Mingxi scoffed and turned his head away, ignoring her. However, hearing Ye Li defend Mo Xiuyao, his clear eyes dimmed slightly.
Ye Li hadn’t missed Han Mingxi’s momentary dejection, but some things, once destined, shouldn’t be dwelled upon. Hesitation at crucial moments only ends up hurting both parties. Standing up, she smiled brightly, “You’ve come at a good time. Hong Province is doing fairly well now. Why don’t you rest first, and we can discuss any matters tomorrow? By the way, Young Master Mingyue is also in the residence now. You should go see him.” At the mention of Han Mingyue, Han Mingxi started again, his expression complex and difficult to read. Every time he thought of this brother who had raised him since childhood, Han Mingxi felt both angry and helpless. The debt of nurturing and teaching wasn’t something that could be settled with a simple severing of ties. Han Mingxi’s respect for his elder brother far exceeded that for his deceased parents. Back then, his fierce opposition to Han Mingyue’s moves against Ye Li wasn’t just because of his friendship with her, but more because he could see clearly that his brother betraying his siblings and opposing the Nation-Stabilizing Prince’s manor for such a woman wasn’t worth it, and was moreover a dead end. And now… similarly, Han Mingxi’s journey of thousands of li to Hong Province wasn’t just because Ye Li was here, but also because he had received news of Han Mingyue’s capture. Hearing Ye Li speak this way now, he understood that Han Mingyue wasn’t being treated too badly, and also realized that Ye Li’s relatively lenient treatment of Han Mingyue was partly due to his relationship with her. His heart warmed, “Jun Wei, thank you.”
Ye Li smiled lightly, “What are you thanking me for? Han Mingyue made his deal with Xiuyao. Since Xiuyao spared his life, what difference does it make whether he lives better or worse? You brothers haven’t seen each other in a long time, go see him.”
Han Mingxi nodded and turned to leave the study.
In the small courtyard, Han Mingyue sat leisurely in the corridor, gazing absently at the few remaining petals of the plum blossoms in the yard that were about to wither away. But his expression wasn’t as relaxed as his posture suggested – his handsome eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and he occasionally glanced toward a tightly closed window not far away, his elegant features filled with worry.
“Elder Brother.” Han Mingxi’s voice came from around the corner. Han Mingyue started slightly, turned to look at his long-unseen brother, and couldn’t help but smile bitterly, “Mingxi’s lightness skills have improved – I didn’t even notice you.” Han Mingxi looked at him and finally said slowly, “Elder Brother, I didn’t use any lightness skills. You just didn’t hear my footsteps.” Following his gaze, although he had just entered Hong City, Han Mingxi had already learned the full story of Han Mingyue’s capture by Ye Li during his journey and naturally knew what was causing his brother such anxiety. He frowned in disgust, “Elder Brother is still so obsessed?”
Han Mingyue looked at him quietly for a long while before finally chuckling softly, “If one could become enlightened, how could it be called obsession? Rather, Mingxi, you’ve grown up during this time apart.” Han Mingxi’s face flushed, and he turned his head away somewhat uncomfortably, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Since childhood, he had been mischievous and willful, always seeing his brother shake his head helplessly at him. Suddenly hearing his praise now left him stunned, along with much joy. But thinking about the price of his growing up… these days, Han Mingxi’s life hadn’t been as comfortable and grand as others might imagine. Taking over the Han family right when everyone knew Han Mingyue had defected to Western Ling, even with the Nation-Stabilizing Prince’s manor’s protection, stabilizing the Han family’s foundation still required considerable effort and thought from him. And with the Nation-Stabilizing Prince’s manor full of capable people, how could they easily submit to a youngster who had just pledged allegiance to the Prince’s manor? These days could be said to be the most fulfilling of Han Mingxi’s twenty-some years of life.
Han Mingyue naturally knew of Han Mingxi’s hardships, and while feeling guilty, he was also gratified that his brother had managed to pull through and shoulder the responsibility of the entire Han family without being dragged down by himself. He reached out to pat Han Mingxi’s shoulder and said softly, “You’ve had it hard. Are you still angry with Elder Brother?” Han Mingxi’s eyes grew hot, but he stubbornly turned his face away. When his emotions settled, he turned back to look intently at Han Mingyue and asked, “Jun Wei has told me about your deal with the Prince. Elder Brother, what are your plans for the future?”
Han Mingyue smiled faintly, “There’s likely no place for us anymore in either Great Chu or Western Ling. When all this is over, I’ll take Zuidie to live in seclusion in Nanzhao.” Han Mingxi stared at him steadily and asked, “Are you so certain Su Zuidie will go with you? Elder Brother, honestly, your taste in women isn’t even close to being on par with the Prince’s.”
Han Mingyue smiled, “If I had the same taste as the Prince, my days would be even harder now. So… Mingxi, if possible, keep your distance from the Princess Consort. Men can be quite unreasonable when jealous.” Having his feelings exposed by his brother, Han Mingxi felt somewhat embarrassed. Thinking about it, he felt his brother’s words had some truth to them. If his brother had truly wanted Su Zuidie, he might have found a way to get her. But a woman like Ye Li… He glared hatefully at Han Mingyue for changing the subject and said, “I know what I’m doing. Rather, let me give you some advice. We both know what kind of woman Su Zuidie is. If you truly want her to stay obediently by your side, why not try my method?”
Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow curiously at him. Han Mingxi gave a cold laugh and revealed a malicious smile, “If you destroy that face of hers, she’ll naturally follow you obediently! But Elder Brother, do you truly love Su Zuidie, or do you just love that face of hers?”
Han Mingyue remained silent. Did he love Su Zuidie as a person, or did he love that face? Even he couldn’t say for certain. Love that person… after so many years, he was clear that her personality and heart were not what he liked. Love that face? Indeed, Su Zuidie was beautiful. But in this vast world, finding one or two women who could rival her beauty might not be impossible. He only knew that that year… in the peach blossom grove, when he first saw that devastatingly beautiful woman among the falling flowers, he had sunk into a deep dream from which he had never awakened…
Seeing Han Mingyue lost in thought, Han Mingxi sighed quietly to himself. How had his once-proud brother fallen for a woman like Su Zuidie, who had nothing but looks? Thinking of his brother’s resolute departure from Guangling back then, of his brother’s soul-lost state when he returned after being abandoned by Su Zuidie, of his current state of having nothing and being trapped, Han Mingxi’s narrowed eyes leaked killing intent. Han Mingyue frowned slightly and looked at Han Mingxi, “Mingxi, don’t harm her. Please… Elder Brother is begging you…”
Han Mingxi looked at his brother’s pleading face and felt only sadness in his heart. Young Master Mingyue, once as pure as the bright moon and unmatched in elegance, now begging like this for a woman to him, a notorious playboy and good-for-nothing. At this moment, Han Mingxi finally understood something that had long since been settled – the world would never again see that once gentle and elegant Young Master Mingyue.
“Elder Brother, do you truly have no regrets?” Han Mingxi asked.
Han Mingyue smiled faintly and remained silent. By now… he was long past the point of being able to regret.
After a long while, Han Mingxi finally gave up. He nodded and turned away, “Very well, I understand. Take care of yourself, Elder Brother. If someday that woman gets you killed, your brother will kill her and follow you in death.”