Less than two days after Ren Qining arrived in Li City, Mo Jingli and Lei Zhenting also arrived in succession, with both parties arriving at nearly the same time. While Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were at the entrance welcoming Lei Zhenting, someone came to report that King Li of Great Chu, Mo Jingli, had arrived. Although there hadn’t been any direct conflicts between Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingli, they were already facing each other across the river, and Lei Zhenting’s forces had occupied a small corner of land north of the river. As the saying goes, “How can one allow others to snore beside one’s bed?” – naturally, the atmosphere wasn’t pleasant when these two met.

However, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao didn’t particularly care, as the atmosphere wasn’t much better between Mo Xiuyao and Lei Zhenting either. Previously, Mo Xiuyao had severely outmaneuvered Lei Zhenting, seizing the Xiling Imperial City while Lei Zhenting was deploying troops, and had killed nearly all of Lei Zhenting’s closest subordinates. It would have been strange if Lei Zhenting didn’t harbor anger toward Mo Xiuyao. But now, even though Lei Zhenting inwardly wished to flog Mo Xiuyao’s corpse, he still had to maintain a calm demeanor while attending Master Qingyun’s birthday celebration. Because if he didn’t come, the Xiling Emperor would come instead. Now that Lei Zhenting had lost his absolute advantage in suppressing the Xiling Emperor, he naturally couldn’t allow him to join forces with Prince Ding’s mansion to scheme against himself.

Mo Jingli, now wielding great power, had become increasingly grand in his display compared to previous years. He was followed by a magnificent procession of guards and servants, with pomp and circumstance no less than that of a sovereign ruler. However, the people by his side were still Ye Ying and Princess Qixia. Though Mo Jingli now controlled Great Chu, Ye Ying hadn’t become more dignified and noble – instead, she had grown thinner and more haggard. Princess Qixia, standing at Mo Jingli’s right hand, remained bright-eyed and beautiful beyond compare. Seeing this situation, Ye Li somewhat understood why the Ye family members hadn’t gone to Jiangnan but had come to the Northwest instead. Most likely, Ye Ying’s life in Jiangnan wasn’t very pleasant.

Mo Jingli’s expression maintained its usual cold arrogance, looking down on everything beneath him. However, when he saw Mo Xiuyao standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ye Li, his expression grew even more sinister. Mo Xiuyao had no interest in greeting him either, merely raising an eyebrow slightly. Mo Jingli looked at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, then at Lei Zhenting who had just arrived, and snorted: “So the Pacification South King arrived a step earlier – why are you standing at the door instead of going in?”

Lei Zhenting wouldn’t take such minor provocation seriously. He laughed heartily: “This king was just having a casual conversation with Prince Ding and his Princess. I didn’t expect King Li to arrive so soon. Perfect timing to go in together.”

“Oh? What were you all discussing? Might this king have the pleasure of hearing about it?” Mo Jingli stared at Lei Zhenting and said coldly.

Lei Zhenting smiled: “This king was just congratulating Prince Ding on recently taking Chang’xing City and being blessed with a son – truly a double celebration.”

Hearing this, Mo Jingli’s face immediately darkened. Lei Zhenting mentioning Chang’xing City at this moment was equivalent to slapping him in the face. Wasn’t the Chu capital abandoned by him? Looking at Lei Zhenting, Mo Jingli forced a cold smile: “Not just a double celebration – didn’t he take Xiling Imperial City last year? How are the Pacification South King’s heir and family doing?” True, the Chu capital had fallen into Mo Xiuyao’s hands, but hadn’t Xiling Imperial City done the same? Moreover, Lei Zhenting’s trusted subordinates and grandchildren had been completely wiped out by Mo Xiuyao – comparing the two situations, it was hard to say who came out looking worse.

At these words, Lei Zhenting could no longer smile. Although Xiling Imperial City hadn’t been lost directly by his hands, it was still partly his fault for not returning with troops in time to save it.

Standing on the steps, Ye Li inwardly sighed helplessly – choosing this time to host guests was truly asking for trouble. Now none of the surrounding countries appeared to be friends of Prince Ding’s mansion, especially these two – was it appropriate to discuss lost imperial cities while standing at the front door? Or were they hoping Mo Xiuyao would spit out what he had taken?

With a faint smile, Ye Li said softly: “The two kings have come from afar and must be tired from their journey. Why don’t we go inside for some tea before catching up?”

Hearing this, both men cast disgusted looks at each other – who wanted to catch up? Besides, they had no past to catch up on.

Leading the group into the mansion to be seated in the main hall, and after the maids had served tea, Ye Li smiled and said: “My great-grandfather is advanced in years and has been somewhat tired lately, so he may not be able to receive the two kings. Please don’t take offense.”

Both men knew Master Qingyun was eighty years old, so Ye Li’s explanation naturally left them no room to find fault. Lei Zhenting nodded: “We’ve come to wish Master Qingyun a happy birthday – how could we trouble the birthday celebrant? Let’s wait until the day of the birthday feast to pay our respects to Master Qingyun.”

Ye Li smiled in thanks, but the atmosphere in the hall grew somewhat strange. The three men present were not friends with each other, so naturally had nothing to say. Ye Li had no fondness for Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingli either, so she had no interest in mediating the atmosphere. She turned to Mo Xiuyao with a smile and said: “I have something I’d like to discuss with Fourth Sister. Would you mind entertaining the King of Pacification South and King Li?”

Mo Xiuyao nodded indifferently, and Ye Li stood up, giving a faint smile to Ye Ying who was sitting beside Mo Jingli: “Fourth Sister, shall we take a walk?”

Ye Ying also had things she wanted to say to Ye Li, so she stood up without a word and followed. After they left, Princess Qixia was the only female guest remaining in the hall. She looked at the door, then stood up as well: “I’ll go for a walk too.”

Soon, only the three men remained in the spacious hall. The atmosphere grew even heavier.

After a while, Mo Jingli gave a cold laugh and said: “Mo Xiuyao, you’re quite skilled – this past year, you’ve played everyone in the world for fools, haven’t you?” Lei Zhenting’s expression also darkened as he looked at Mo Xiuyao. One could say that in the past year and more of fighting between the various countries, no one had truly gained an advantage. The real beneficiary was that white-haired man lounging lazily in his chair. What Prince Ding’s mansion had gained wasn’t just vast territories and two capital cities from Xiling and Great Chu – more importantly, this time it had truly completely freed the Mo family army from the burden and constraints of Great Chu. Now the Mo family army could legitimately attack anywhere they wished, and no one could say anything about it. So from the beginning, Mo Xiuyao had been waiting, watching the Northern Rong and Xiling attack Great Chu. Because as former ministers of Great Chu, even though they had broken with Great Chu, they absolutely could not have taken the initiative to attack Great Chu. And now, this constraint had been completely broken by them.

Although given enough time, anyone could figure out the mystery within, by the time they understood it was already too late – Mo Xiuyao had used this year to gain the complete upper hand. Even someone as proud as Lei Zhenting had to admire Mo Xiuyao’s patience and scheming.

Mo Xiuyao looked lazily at Mo Jingli, a mocking smile curling at his lips: “This king is magnanimous enough not to mind the losers’ outcries.”

“Mo Xiuyao!” Mo Jingli roared. Before Mo Xiuyao, he seemed to forever be the loser. But Mo Jingli had never felt as strongly as at this moment that he wished Mo Xiuyao had never existed in this world. Because of his schemes, he had lost half of Great Chu’s territory and its capital city, and could only maintain control over a small corner. Even though he wielded absolute power in Jiangnan, every moment he heard people discussing Mo Xiuyao, it was as if he could hear the mockery and dissatisfaction in their hearts. Because the capital city he had abandoned had been saved by Prince Ding. And the saved Chu capital was no longer part of Great Chu. All of this was because of Mo Xiuyao…

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyes lazily: “This king isn’t here to listen to your roaring. If you have nothing else, return to your lodgings. Pacification South King, do you have anything else to say? If not, this king will take his leave.”

Mo Jingli’s face turned iron-gray, his tightly clenched fists creaking. Lei Zhenting maintained his composure better, smiling calmly: “Is Prince Ding in such a hurry for something?”

Mo Xiuyao smiled triumphantly: “This king wants to go back and see my little princess.”

Everyone naturally knew about Prince Ding’s Princess giving birth to twins, and from Mo Xiuyao’s expression, he doted more on his daughter. This made Lei Zhenting somewhat curious, since for most people, sons were still more important. Mo Xiuyao currently only had two sons, which wasn’t many. Compared to Lei Zhenting’s composed demeanor, Mo Jingli’s face showed barely concealed jealousy. For Mo Jingli, Mo Xiuyao’s high-profile showing off was like rubbing salt in his wounds.

“Might this king have the honor of seeing Prince Ding’s little princess?” Lei Zhenting asked.

Mo Xiuyao naturally wouldn’t agree: “My daughter has just passed her first month, and cannot be exposed to wind. I’m afraid I must disappoint the Pacification South King.”

Lei Zhenting wasn’t surprised by this – his relationship with Mo Xiuyao certainly wasn’t good enough for Mo Xiuyao to feel comfortable letting him near Prince Ding’s newly born children. He wasn’t concerned about the refusal, merely smiling faintly: “That is truly a pity.” Mo Xiuyao waved his hand, saying coolly: “If the Pacification South King has something to say, please speak directly.”

Lei Zhenting lowered his eyes, smiling faintly: “Prince Ding is quite straightforward. Very well, Prince Ding has broadly invited the nobility of various countries at this time, surely you have your reasons. I wonder if Prince Ding has time for a private word with me?”

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, smiling: “Naturally that’s no problem. These days are busy with various matters – how about we talk after great-grandfather’s birthday?” Lei Zhenting nodded satisfactorily: “Then this king will respectfully await Prince Ding’s arrival.”

In the garden of the mansion’s back courtyard, Ye Li walked with Ye Ying. Looking sideways at Ye Ying who was walking a step behind her, she couldn’t help but recall Ye Ying from before her grand wedding. Back then, Ye Ying had been a fourteen-year-old maiden in the prime of youth, her beauty and talent unmatched in the capital, the envy of countless girls, and the object of men’s admiration. Now in the blink of an eye, ten years had passed, and before her stood only Ye Ying’s thin, pale figure. Though her beauty remained unchanged, she had long lost her former radiance and grace, like a soulless wooden beauty.

Leading Ye Ying to sit in a pavilion, Ye Li asked softly: “How are you doing now, Fourth Sister?”

Ye Ying looked up at her, countless complex emotions flickering through her eyes before finally settling into calmness. She smiled bitterly: “How could Third Sister not know about the affairs of King Li’s mansion? It’s just living day by day. But Third Sister… you must have been living extremely well these years.” Ye Ying looked at Ye Li before her, her heart filled with unprecedented bitterness. The Ye Li whom she had once arrogantly looked down upon had long since become someone she could never hope to match. Back then in the Minister’s mansion, her brilliance had been overshadowed, leaving people with only an ordinary impression. However, even a pearl covered in dust will one day shine with dazzling radiance. From the beginning, Ye Li had been different from them.

Ye Li smiled faintly, “I am indeed doing well. Father and Grandmother are also in Li City now. You should visit them when you have time.”

Ye Ying paused slightly, then shook her head: “Better not. I have no ability now to bring any wealth or glory to the Ye family, and I’m sure Grandmother and Father don’t want to see me.” From the moment the Ye family chose to seek refuge with Ye Li, with whom they had a distant relationship, rather than going to Jiangnan to find her, Ye Ying had understood. Father and Grandmother probably didn’t think much of her either. But this decision was correct – if the Ye family had gone to Jiangnan, with no power in hand, and with herself essentially banished to the cold palace, how could she have arranged anything for the Ye family members? Mo Jingli would likely have vented his anger on them instead. As for Ye Li, even if her relationship with the Ye family was distant, at least she could provide them with a stable place to settle.

Ye Li looked at the thin woman before her thoughtfully: “Fourth Sister has changed a lot.”

“How could I not change?” Ye Ying sighed softly. Only after learning that the son she had loved and raised for years wasn’t her flesh and blood did Ye Ying truly understand what kind of person Mo Jingli was. The past tenderness and passion, the vows of eternal love, had all become like passing clouds. What Ye Ying faced now were only Mo Jingli’s cold and bored glances and Princess Qixia’s triumphant smiles. Though Ye Ying was accomplished in both beauty and talent, she didn’t have much political acumen, and due to Madam Wang’s shortsightedness, she couldn’t even match the handling of affairs of some young ladies from prominent families. But even so, after all these years, Ye Ying had come to understand, whether she wanted to admit it or not. When Mo Jingli chose her over Ye Li back then, it wasn’t because he had special feelings for her as she had believed. The marriage that she had thought would help her strike at Ye Li and trample her underfoot was just a lie for Mo Jingli to escape from Ye Li. And now that Mo Jingli regretted his decision from back then, Ye Ying inevitably became the target of his displaced anger.

“I remember telling Fourth Sister back then that if you ever faced any grievances, you could tell me, and perhaps I could help somewhat. But it seems Fourth Sister didn’t trust me, and we haven’t had much contact these years…” Ye Li looked at the red-eyed Ye Ying before her with a gentle expression, sighing softly.

“Third Sister… I…” Ye Ying started, also remembering what Ye Li had said to her back then in King Li’s mansion. But the vast difference between their fortunes these years, along with the pride stuck in her throat, had made it impossible for her to humble herself to ask Ye Li for help. Now hearing Ye Li mention it, all the grievances in Ye Ying’s heart came rushing out. She felt that her past actions of constantly targeting Ye Li had been too excessive, and now at this point, in the entire Ye family, besides Ye Li, who else remembered her?

Ye Ying bit her lip, speaking softly: “Third Sister, Ying’er begs you… can you help me find my child?”

“Your child?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow. Although most people with access to information channels knew the truth about how Mo Jingli had kicked his heir to death, the official explanation was still that the young heir of King Li’s mansion had died from illness. Ye Ying nodded, smiling bitterly: “Third Sister must know about what happened in Chu Capital two years ago. My child…” Thinking of her child whom she hadn’t even seen since birth, Ye Ying couldn’t help but shed tears. She had once used her child to compete with Princess Qixia for favor, but only when she learned that her flesh and blood were missing did she truly feel heartbroken beyond endurance. If she could find her child, even just knowing that the child was alive and well would be good.

Through her tears, she told Ye Li about how Mo Jingqi had switched the babies, and even about how Mo Jingli might never have children again. Although Ye Li already knew many of these circumstances, she couldn’t help but marvel at how Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli, these two brothers, would stop at nothing. After thinking for a moment, Ye Li nodded: “Don’t worry, if the child is still alive, I will help you find them.”

Ye Ying was overjoyed, repeatedly saying: “Thank you, Third Sister, Third Sister, I…” Seeing the guilty expression in Ye Ying’s eyes, Ye Li smiled faintly: “We were all young and didn’t know better before, let’s let bygones be bygones. Don’t worry, you’re my Fourth Sister – I won’t let that South Zhao Princess bully you.” Ye Ying nodded repeatedly, feeling even more grateful to Ye Li in her heart: “Thank you, Third Sister.”

“What’s there to thank, it’s just a small matter. When you have time in the next few days, you should still go see Father and Grandmother. Back at home, Father and Grandmother loved you the most, and besides, let me tell you, there are many things you should learn from Grandmother. Although Mo Jingli might not allow Princess Qixia to act too outrageously for my sake, there are many things I can’t teach you.” Ye Li reminded her gently.

Ye Ying nodded, understanding what Ye Li meant. Those methods of managing a household that noble ladies of prominent families used – Grandmother and Mother had tried to teach her before, but she had simply disdained them. By the time she regretted it, she was either confined by Mo Jingqi or in King Li’s mansion where no one would teach her. Even now, the power in the Regent’s mansion remains in the hands of Dowager Consort Xianzhao, and Princess Qixia could also utilize some of it. But she was rejected and neglected by Mo Jingli, and couldn’t touch even a bit of it.

When it came to the methods of noble ladies, Old Madam Ye and Madam Wang couldn’t teach Ye Ying much useful information. Coming from humble backgrounds, Old Madam Ye and Madam Wang’s knowledge and skills were quite limited. If Ye Li truly wanted to cultivate Ye Ying, she would have asked Madam Xu, Second Madam Xu, or Empress Hua to teach her. However, firstly, those conditions didn’t exist, and secondly, Ye Li didn’t need Ye Ying to become too clever.

Seeing that Ye Ying had cried until her makeup was in disarray, Ye Li called someone to take her to freshen up. Watching her gradually disappearing figure, the gentle smile on Ye Li’s face slowly faded. “Qin Feng, am I being too heartless doing this?”

Outside the pavilion, Qin Feng’s expression remained calm as he said in a deep voice: “Everything the Princess does is for Prince Ding’s mansion and the Mo family army. Moreover, King Li’s Princess isn’t some pure and innocent person.”

Ye Li smiled faintly: “You’re right. Ye Ying was taught by Madam Wang to be selfish from childhood. She’s grateful to me now, but if one day I were to threaten her interests, she would certainly turn on me without hesitation. It’s just a pity… she won’t have that chance.” Asking this wasn’t Ye Li being hypocritical. It was just that in the current situation of the world, Ye Ying was indeed quite innocent. But unfortunately, once deeply involved, without the strength to control one’s destiny, one could only become a pawn in others’ hands. This was Ye Ying’s fate, or rather, it had been determined when she chose to marry Mo Jingli. Mo Jingli was never a good man.

Ye Li stood up and walked out of the pavilion, just in time to see Princess Qixia approaching. Over these years, Princess Qixia’s temperament had become somewhat steady, no longer the spoiled princess who would brandish her whip at the slightest disagreement. Seeing Ye Li, she merely lifted her eyelids slightly and said: “Prince Ding’s Princess, wasn’t Ye Ying with you?”

Ye Li smiled faintly: “Princess Qixia, Fourth Sister is after all the properly married principal wife of His Highness. Isn’t it somewhat inappropriate for you to call her directly by name?”

Princess Qixia raised her eyebrows disdainfully: “So what? She’s just a woman the king despises. Or does the Prince Ding’s Princess want to use her status to support her?”

Ye Li covered her mouth and laughed, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Princess Qixia as she said: “How could that be? This princess is just curious. Speaking of which, King Li has been deeply in love with the Princess. How come in all these years, His Highness hasn’t given the Princess a proper status? If it were before, that would be understandable. Now that King Li holds great power, how has he not thought of this matter? This princess remembers that the Princess was stripped of her princess title by South Zhao long ago. Should we be calling you Lady Qixia?”

Ye Li’s words immediately made Princess Qixia’s face extremely ugly. These years by Mo Jingli’s side, though he hadn’t mistreated her, he still hadn’t properly married her. Although South Zhao didn’t care as much about these formalities as the Central Plains, it was precisely because of this lack of status that even now, with Mo Jingli wielding great power, she still couldn’t hold her head high among the noble ladies of Great Chu.

“In a few days, the Queen of South Zhao should arrive too. If the Queen learns that her sister is in such a situation… who knows what she’ll think.” Ye Li seemed to sigh inadvertently with regret. Princess Qixia was Princess An Xi’s blood sister, but she had never gotten along with her sister since childhood. Instead, she had been close to the former Holy Maiden of the Southern Frontier, Shu Manlin. In the end, she even disregarded her status to follow Mo Jingli, essentially severing all ties with Princess An Xi. Now her sister had become the queen of a country, while she couldn’t even secure the title of princess consort. When she meets Princess An Xi, who knows how Princess Qixia will feel.

“Don’t be smug! His Highness will make me his principal wife!” Princess Qixia declared proudly.

Ye Li smiled, pressing her lips together: “Lady Qixia misunderstands. This princess is Prince Ding’s Princess – whoever King Li takes as his principal wife has nothing to do with this princess. However, this princess must remind Lady Qixia that King Li already has a principal wife. Even if King Li wants to marry you, at most it would be as a secondary wife. In the Central Plains, there’s no rule allowing two principal wives. Even as a secondary wife, one must still be subordinate to the principal wife.”

Princess Qixia glared at Ye Li resentfully, snorted lightly, and turned to leave.