After inviting Ren Qining and his entourage into the mansion, Mo Xiuyao, and Ye Li personally accompanied them to meet Master Qingyun.

As Ren Qining’s group walked through Prince Ding’s mansion, they couldn’t help but show traces of surprise at the courtyard scenery. Though the mansion was situated in the heart of Li City and was the largest residence there, it naturally paled in comparison to the royal palaces of various countries and was even smaller than Prince Ding’s mansion in Chu Capital. Moreover, the mansion completely lacked the ornate beams and exotic flowers that outsiders imagined. The front courtyard where daily government affairs were handled was clean and simple yet maintained an imposing atmosphere. The residential courtyards behind were tranquil and peaceful.

While this mansion wasn’t poor by any means, it seemed rather modest given Mo Xiuyao’s current reputation. Ren Qining cast a deep glance at the white-haired man walking in front of him. Such modest arrangements either meant he truly had no ambitions for the throne, or he harbored even greater schemes. Quickly, Ren Qining dismissed the first possibility – if Mo Xiuyao had no desire to rule all under heaven, what was the purpose of his campaigns north and south?

Master Qingyun was temporarily staying in a quiet small courtyard deep within the mansion. Though Prince Ding’s mansion wasn’t large, it maintained clear rules about inner and outer areas. The many officials and generals who came and went usually only visited the front courtyard or the main courtyard where Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li resided, generally not disturbing others. Thus, the entire back half of the mansion was very peaceful. Standing at the entrance, they had a servant boy inside announce them. Only then did Ye Li turn to address the blue-robed woman who had been following closely behind Ren Qining: “Consort Yun, please wait in the side hall for tea.”

Consort Yun started, looking at Ye Li with some displeasure: “This consort has come with sincere intentions to wish Master Qingyun a happy birthday. What does the Princess mean by this?”

Ye Li’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked toward Ren Qining: “King of the Northern Frontier, in our Central Plains we have never had the custom of bringing concubines to pay birthday respects. I ask for the King’s understanding.” At these words, Ren Qining’s expression immediately turned unsightly. He was from the Central Plains, born to what was once the most orthodox imperial family. Even though the Lin imperial clan no longer existed, he hadn’t missed learning any of the proper customs. Ye Li’s actions were mocking him as being as uncivilized as a barbarian.

“Your Majesty…” Consort Yun hadn’t expected Ye Li to show her such disrespect. She glared at Ye Li resentfully, pulling at Ren Qining’s sleeve with tear-filled eyes.

The Queen of Helan beside them laughed heartily: “Princess Ding must have misunderstood. Not just in your Central Plains, we in the Northern Frontier don’t have this custom either. It’s just that His Majesty favors Consort Yun and lets her attend him. Let Consort Yun wait outside for us to return.” Indeed, the Northern Frontier had no such custom – noble families there were led by primary wives, and concubines were viewed no differently from female slaves in the eyes of these northern noble ladies. Thus, noble women of the Northern Frontier would never become someone’s concubine.

Ye Li smiled gently, “I see.”

As they spoke, the servant boy who went in to announce them came out to invite everyone in. Consort Yun quickly tugged at Ren Qining’s sleeve again, looking at him pitifully, “Your Majesty…” Ren Qining frowned slightly and said: “Wait outside.”

“This junior Lin Yuan pays respects to Master Qingyun.” In the small courtyard, Master Qingyun had been brewing tea when he heard the servant’s announcement and had people invite Ye Li’s group into the courtyard. Before Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao could step forward to make introductions, Ren Qining took the initiative to step forward and bow slightly.

Master Qingyun paused his movements and raised his head to look at Ren Qining, saying with apparent confusion: “Lin Yuan? Though this old man is aged, I still remember that the King of the Northern Frontier should surname Ren?” Ren Qining smiled faintly: “Lin Yuan is Ren Qining. This junior, descendant of the Lin imperial clan, Lin Yuan, pays respects to Master Qingyun.” Beside them, Mo Xiuyao’s expression turned cold. No wonder Ren Qining was so eager to be the first to come to pay respects to Master Qingyun – rather than birthday wishes, it was more about provoking people. Back then, the Xu family patriarch had killed the last emperor of the previous dynasty to surrender the city, and afterward, the Xu family was employed by successive Chu emperors to earn their current reputation as the foremost scholars under heaven. Ren Qining’s actions remind Master Qingyun that the Xu family’s current status was bought by betraying the previous imperial family.

Master Qingyun looked Ren Qining up and down for a while before finally smiling: “So a branch of the previous imperial family still survives in this world. Not bad. The Northern Frontier King’s achievements should comfort his ancestors.”

Ren Qining looked at Master Qingyun and asked in a deep voice: “This junior wishes to restore the empire and revive the imperial family. What does Master Qingyun think of this possibility?”

“It’s possible,” Master Qingyun said. “In matters of the world, nothing is impossible nor certain. Young Master Lin has such ambitions – why would it not be possible?”

Ren Qining’s eyes flickered, and he asked further: “Does Master Qingyun think I will succeed?”

Master Qingyun was silent for a moment before asking: “If the Northern Jin King truly unifies the world, should this world… bear the surname Ren, or Lin? Should this world be called the Northern Frontier or Great Qin?” Hearing this, Ren Qining’s expression changed slightly, and he forced a smile: “When the empire is settled, we can discuss it then.” Master Qingyun shook his head: “If the Northern Jin King cannot make this decision, there will never be a day of unification.” Ren Qining’s face turned somewhat pale, but he fell silent and spoke no more.

Ye Li stepped forward with a slight smile: “Grandfather, why are you brewing tea alone? Are Elder Su and Master Xiuting not here?”

Master Qingyun smiled as he poured several cups of tea and invited them to sit, saying: “They’re playing chess in the study. I’m old and can’t stand sitting still, so I came out for some tea. But where have those Yu Chen boys run off to these past few days? Not one comes to see this old man without being called!” Ye Li covered her mouth and laughed: “As it happens, Grandfather gave them time off these days, and they’re sprawled in the courtyard watching their little brother and sister.” The two babies, now over a month old, had grown into their features and were adorably pink and chubby. Led by Mo Xiaobao, the three little ones circled the two babies all day – even their usual wild play had stopped. How could they run to the small courtyard to attend Master Qingyun’s lessons? “Grandfather must be bored in the mansion. Let me send the boys over to keep Grandfather company. Please don’t mind their mischief.”

Master Qingyun waved his hand: “Never mind, those few have become increasingly troublesome this year. It’s nice to have a couple of peaceful days.”

Seven or eight-year-old boys were at their most troublesome age, and Mo Xiaobao, being naturally clever, was even more difficult to handle. Leading two younger ones around the mansion causing trouble everywhere, everyone who saw them feared them. If not for having Xu Qingchen before and Ye Li to keep them in check, they would likely have caused trouble beyond Prince Ding’s mansion by now. But now, for the sake of the two newborn children, they had become remarkably quiet for considerable periods. Whenever Ye Li saw Mo Xiaobao sprawled by the cradle talking to himself to the babies who couldn’t understand anything yet, she felt certain Mo Xiaobao would be a good brother.

After chatting with Master Qingyun for a while, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao accompanied Ren Qining out. Whatever Master Qingyun had said must have struck a nerve with Ren Qining, as his face was still somewhat pale when they left. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li pretended not to notice, simply having people escort Ren Qining’s group back to their lodgings.

Returning to the main courtyard, in a room specially set aside near the bedroom, two soft white little bundles lay side by side in a large cradle. The babies, just past their first month, had grown plump and lovely, their delicate beautiful features making one want to take a bite. Three children of varying heights stood around the cradle, staring eagerly at the two adorable babies. The two babies were exceptionally well-behaved, unusually awake, their big black eyes open and not crying.

“Sister… sister grow up quickly, brother will take you out to play…” Mo Xiaobao leaned on the cradle, looking at the little treasure wrapped in red swaddling clothes, speaking softly. Looking at the little brother wrapped in yellow swaddling clothes, he said: “Brother also needs to grow up quickly, brother will teach you martial arts, and we’ll protect sister together…”

“Me too! Me too!” Cold Jun Han, the little dumpling, raised his small hand: “I want to protect sister too. Jun Han likes sister!”

Mo Xiaobao, who was usually very kind to Little Cold Dummy, immediately turned fierce: “Cold Dummy, you dare take advantage of my sister?! Sister is mine, don’t you dare harbor wild thoughts!” Seven-year-old Mo Xiaobao had quite an extensive vocabulary of idioms. Little Cold Dummy turned his head proudly: “Hmph! I just like a little sister!” The little sister was so soft and tender, he wanted to take a bite…

“Wipe your drool, don’t get it on sister. Dirty.” Xu Zhirui looked at Little Cold Dummy with disdain, cold and serious like his father. However, he also wanted to pinch his little sister and little brother.

Mo Xiaobao turned around, hands on his hips, staring very seriously at his two little friends: “None of you are allowed to have designs on my sister. In the future, whoever dares to have designs on sister, you must help me beat them to death!” The two little dumplings looked at each other, then nodded firmly at Mo Xiaobao: “Right, whoever dares to have designs on sister, we’ll beat them!” At the same time, they cast hostile glances at each other. The soft tender little sister is mine!

Outside the door, hearing the three little dumplings’ conversation, Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh softly as she leaned against Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao supported Ye Li with one hand, his handsome face clouded with gloom. That fool Mo Xiaobao, all those years of teaching had been wasted. The first ones to have designs on his sister were the two right in front of him!

As the two entered the room, Ye Li asked with a smile: “Xiaobao, Zhirui, Jun Han, what are you doing?”

Seeing his parents return, Mo Xiaobao happily went to greet them, not forgetting to show off: “Mother, your son was protecting brother and sister.”

Mo Xiuyao walked over and picked up the baby from the cradle, dismissing the wet nurse watching from the side. Looking down at the baby in his arms, his eyes filled with tender love: “My little princess is awake and not crying… so good. Not at all like your brother, who cried all day when he was little. Father almost thought he knew nothing but crying.” Mo Xiaobao, slandered by his father in front of his sister, glared resentfully at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao disdainfully threw him a challenging look, holding the soft little princess even higher so that Mo Xiaobao, stretching his neck, couldn’t see even a bit.

Young Master will grow taller than Father in the future! Mo Xiaobao dejectedly and angrily swore in his heart.

Ye Li smiled and stroked her son’s little head. Mo Xiaobao immediately grabbed his mother’s clothes pitifully: “Mother, Father is bullying Xiaobao…” Ye Li lightly flicked his forehead and smiled: “You’ve been watching sister here these days, don’t you need to do your lessons?” Mo Xiaobao rubbed his forehead: “Great-grandfather said there were no lessons these days…”

“Great-grandfather is elderly, and there were many things today so no lessons. Does that mean you don’t need to study? How many days has it been since you practiced writing or read books?” Looking down at her son, Ye Li asked with a meaningful smile.

“Three days…” Mo Xiaobao knew he was in the wrong and lowered his head, saying softly: “Mother, was your son wrong…”

“It’s good that you know you were wrong. Learning requires persistence, do you understand?”

“Your son understands, your son will make up for these days right away.” Mo Xiaobao nodded repeatedly. Only then did Ye Li bend down to kiss his forehead and smile: “This is a good child. Go after lunch, don’t tire yourself too much. Everything needs moderation, understand?”

“Yes, your son understands. Your son will come to see brother and sister again in the evening.” Mo Xiaobao nodded heavily and left with Xu Zhirui and Cold Jun Han. Watching the three children leave reluctantly, Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh softly, walking over to bend down and pick up the baby from the cradle. The little one’s eyes were wide open, and seeing Ye Li, he giggled. Seeing her son so well-behaved and adorable, the smile on Ye Li’s face grew even more gentle. Mo Xiuyao, holding the little princess, glanced over, his gaze falling on the giggling son in Ye Li’s arms. His handsome eyes narrowed: “Ah Li, come hold the little princess, give that little fellow to me.”

Ye Li somewhat bewilderedly exchanged babies with him – what difference did it make who held whom? Besides, didn’t Mo Xiuyao usually prefer holding their daughter?

“Waaah…” The little one immediately started wailing loudly the moment he was in Mo Xiuyao’s arms, showing not the slightest respect. Seemingly affected by his crying, the little princess in Ye Li’s arms also began whimpering. Mo Xiuyao’s face immediately darkened as he glared at the baby in his arms, “Quiet!”

“Waaah!” went the baby boy.

“Uuu…” went the little princess.

“Quiet!”

“Waaah!”

Ye Li’s face twitched as she tried to comfort the little princess, but with those two making such a racket, even the usually well-behaved little princess couldn’t be consoled. She irritably took the baby boy back from Mo Xiuyao’s arms and handed over the little princess. Only then could Ye Li focus on comforting the baby boy, “There there, precious, Father is mean, we won’t pay attention to him… be good, don’t cry…”

The man sitting to the side holding his daughter immediately darkened his face, “Ah Li…”

Ye Li shot him an annoyed glance, “How would a baby understand when you’re yelling at him? What if you scared him?”

Mo Xiuyao cast an irritated glance at the little dumpling occupying his wife’s embrace, secretly grumbling: Looking at that posture, he was challenging him – how was that being scared? What an annoying little brat. Why couldn’t Ah Li have given birth to two little princesses? Look how well-behaved his precious little princess was.

“Ah Li, has Master Qingyun chosen the babies’ names yet?” Mo Xiuyao asked while looking at the little princess in his arms. The little princess was extremely delicate and adorable. Although only just over a month old, one could already see she looked very similar to Ye Li – even the Xu family members said she looked exactly like Ah Li when she was little. Most importantly, the little princess’s eyes looked very much like his. Indeed she was his precious daughter – her features would surely grow up beautifully. One look and you could tell she was his and Ah Li’s precious child. But that stinky boy! Mo Xiuyao glanced at the baby boy in Ye Li’s arms. Why did this boy look like Xu Qingchen?! Although nephews often resembled their uncles, Xu Qingchen was just a cousin-uncle!

Mo Xiuyao was overthinking things. The baby boy didn’t look like Xu Qingchen but rather like Ye Li’s mother, the late Lady Xu. Back then, Lady Xu had been one of the top beauties of the Xu family and was Xu Qingchen’s aunt. Looking carefully, she naturally had some resemblance to Xu Qingchen. The little bundle looked like Lady Xu, and thus also shared some similarity with Xu Qingchen.

“Not yet, Grandfather said he needs to think carefully. We can give them pet names first.” Naming babies wasn’t considered late even before their first birthday. But having no names and just calling them ‘baby’ all the time was inconvenient, especially now with two of them. Mo Xiuyao also felt they should think carefully, especially for his little princess. He had originally wanted to choose the names himself, but after making a long list of names and rejecting them all himself, Prince Ding questioned his scholarship for the first time in his life. He couldn’t even come up with a nice-sounding name for his precious child?!

“Then let’s give them pet names first? What should we call them…” Mo Xiuyao tilted his head to stare at the little boy in Ye Li’s arms who was giggling while grabbing Ye Li’s fingertip. He smiled mischievously, “Let’s follow Mo Xiaobao’s name pattern, how about… Mo Xiaobei?”

Ye Li could already imagine their son’s resentful looks when he grew up. She gave him an exasperated look and said, “You mean for our daughter, right?” Mo Xiaobao was already pushing it, though it could barely pass as a boy’s name. If they named him Xiaobei, their son would cry himself to death in the future. Mo Xiuyao shook his head, “How could that be? I’ve already thought of the little princess’s pet name. Let’s call her Xiao Xin’er – she’s the heart and treasure of me and Ah Li. Now everything matches, doesn’t it?”

“Are you sure that sounds better than Xiaobei?” Should she be grateful he didn’t call her Xiao Xingan?

“Xiao Xin’er sounds very nice, what do you think, Ah Li? Mo Xiaobei, Xiao Xin’er…”

Ye Li looked helplessly at the sky, then seeing Mo Xiuyao’s delighted expression as he held the little princess, her heart softened. Xiao Xin’er it was, but… “No Mo Xiaobei. Brother’s pet name will be Lin’er.” Some bottom lines had to be maintained – she didn’t want her son to develop an inferiority complex over a pet name. Mo Xiuyao looked reluctantly at Lin’er who had almost been named Mo Xiaobei, and seeing Ye Li’s resolute expression, could only give up, “Xiao Xin’er my precious, Father loves you the most.”

Ye Li looked helplessly at the suddenly childish man – was it okay to favor the daughter over the son like this?

Many years later, the second young master of the Mo family, who had become renowned throughout the world, once confided to those he trusted most that the person he most respected, revered, and was grateful to in his life was his mother. Not because she gave birth to him, not because she loved and nurtured him, but because she firmly saved his name, preventing him from falling into the same tragic fate as his elder brother. Just imagine standing majestically before thousands of people, sword in hand accepting their worship, when suddenly an acquaintance shouts: “Mo Xiaobei! So-and-so is calling you…” What a devastating tragedy that would have been.

Of course, at this moment the future second young master Mo had no understanding of how closely he had brushed past such a tragic fate. So he just lay in his mother’s embrace, laughing happily. Little Princess Xin’er seemed to sense her brother’s joy and also started laughing. Ye Li smiled as she looked at the two adorable laughing treasures in their arms, her smile growing wider. Mo Xiuyao looked at his wife, then at the little princess in his arms, and could only silently tolerate the fact that the toothless little rascal was occupying his beloved wife’s embrace.

Each holding a baby, they sat down. No matter how busy they were, Ye Li would always make time every day to pull Mo Xiuyao along to hold and play with the babies. This was a lesson learned from Mo Xiaobao and his father’s seemingly innate inability to get along – Ye Li firmly believed it was because they had spent too little time together when Mo Xiaobao was young.

“Xiuyao, what do you think of that Queen of Helan?” Ye Li asked while using one hand to play with little Lin’er.

Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment, frowning: “She seems not bad. It’s rare to see a Northern woman who can be so bold yet know her limits. Does Ah Li like her?”

Ye Li smiled: “I feel… this Queen of Helan is quite extraordinary. But her relationship with Ren Qining doesn’t seem very good.”

“The Queen of Helan is the cousin of Ren Qining’s former wife. Ever since the former queen died, there has been constant internal strife in the Northern Frontier regarding who should be Ren Qining’s queen. The Lin family’s confidants naturally hoped Ren Qining would marry a woman from the Central Plains as queen, but even if the Northern people weren’t very shrewd, how could they easily give in on matters concerning succession? They naturally wouldn’t agree. In the end, it seems the Northern side prevailed, leading to Helan becoming queen. It would be strange if their relationship was good.”

Ye Li rubbed her brow and said: “Even so, Ren Qining has gone too far.” When visiting another country, it would be fine if he hadn’t brought the queen, but since he brought the queen along yet also brought a concubine, he was disrespecting the queen, “Even if you hadn’t acted against the former queen, Ren Qining himself would likely have made his move in a few years, right? So wouldn’t you say you solved a problem for him?”

Mo Xiuyao was unconcerned, smiling faintly: “Doesn’t he have a new problem now? Besides… Ah Li’s instincts aren’t wrong. This Queen of Helan is likely even more formidable than the previous queen.” The former queen was the princess of the Northern Frontier’s largest tribe. Though she was a barbarian woman, her methods were extraordinary and she held considerable prestige among the Northern ministers. It was precisely because of this that the originally harmonious marital relationship gradually soured. While the current queen appeared bold and willful, seemingly lacking in cunning, Mo Xiuyao was no ordinary person – if anyone knew about playing dumb to catch prey, no one was better at it than him, “Ren Qining thinks he’s someone who can use the Northern people and then cast them aside, but this king fears his subordinates will grow too powerful and he’ll reap what he’s sown.”

Ye Li couldn’t help but smile, “In that case, it seems my feelings weren’t wrong. Was the Queen of Helan showing goodwill toward us earlier?”

Mo Xiuyao said: “Ah Li doesn’t need to worry too much. If you like her, there’s no harm in being friends. If you don’t like her, there’s no need to pay attention – this king has plenty of ways to deal with Ren Qining.”

Ye Li smiled slightly: “It’s fine, I also find this Queen of Helan quite interesting. Why don’t we invite her to the mansion for tea and a chat in a few days?” Mo Xiuyao didn’t object to Ye Li’s suggestion, “Whatever Ah Li thinks is best.”

Ye Li lowered her head, smiling as she played with the baby. Ren Qining was too full of himself. Who knew what expression he would make when one day he was stabbed in the back by those close to him?