After Ye Li left, Hua Tianxiang and the other two exchanged worried glances and sighed helplessly. Every family had its difficulties – even Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, arguably the most powerful couple in the world, had moments when they were forced by circumstances.
Murong Ting sighed, “Fortunately, Cold Second isn’t very capable, so no one forces him to take wives and concubines.” As for those who foolishly tried to present themselves, she naturally had ways to deal with them. But situations like Prince Ding’s mansion couldn’t be resolved simply by driving people away as she did.
Qin Zheng also let out a soft sigh. Murong Ting paused and looked at Hua Tianxiang, “Could Prince Ding’s reluctance to ascend the throne be because of this?” Hua Tianxiang glanced at her, “Even if it’s not the whole reason, it must be part of it. But… keep what you’ve heard here to yourself, and don’t mention it outside – not even to Leng Haoyu!”
Murong Ting rolled her eyes at her, “Of course, I know that, do you think I’m an idiot? These people are so annoying. Where were they when Prince Ding’s mansion was struggling? Why weren’t they rushing to marry their daughters to him then? Now that they see Prince Ding has the world in his grasp, they come forward, talking about propriety and tradition… They even openly and subtly pressure the Xu family about relatives wielding too much power, really…”
Qin Zheng smiled and patted her hand, “Enough, I’m not angry, so why are you? Since Li’er understands the situation, we can’t help much anyway, we can only watch.”
Murong Ting giggled, “Who says we can’t help? At least I’ve convinced several young ladies not to marry Prince Ding.”
Hua Tianxiang raised an eyebrow, “You have such eloquence?” Prince Ding was now the future emperor – not only was Murong Ting’s eloquence questionable, but even if she were truly silver-tongued, she might not be able to convince those ladies eager to become imperial consorts.
Murong Ting snorted, “They’re just dizzy with ambition, forgetting what kind of person Prince Ding is. Prince Ding isn’t someone who won’t kill women. I told them about the various fates of women who admired Prince Ding, and several immediately said they didn’t want to be consorts.”
Qin Zheng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, “Ting’er, do you think whether they marry Prince Ding is something they can decide for themselves? What’s the use in frightening them?”
Murong Ting froze, then lowered her head dejectedly. Indeed, in this world, how many things could women decide? Those who wanted to marry Prince Ding and become consorts might long for wealth and glory, but even if they didn’t want to marry him, what could they do? In the end, they had no choice in the matter of marriage at all.
Standing outside the study, Ye Li didn’t immediately enter. Before she even approached, she could hear Mo Xiuyao’s voice from inside. When Mo Xiuyao was truly angry, he became very calm, but such calmness often preceded shocking bloodshed. Perhaps for this reason, Xu Qingchen had secretly sent someone to fetch her. After all, the war had just ended, and true peace hadn’t yet been established. Young Master Qingchen didn’t want rumors spreading about Prince Ding slaughtering his meritorious officials like animals after the hunt, though he didn’t think many of these people had any real merit.
“What’s wrong with not ascending the throne? Do none of you need to live anymore? The northwest has had no emperor for years, yet I don’t see anyone unable to survive,” Mo Xiuyao said coolly. “A country cannot go a day without a ruler? If that’s the case, what are you all here for?”
“Your Highness…” Someone still wasn’t giving up on trying to persuade him.
Ye Li saw that if she didn’t enter now, Mo Xiuyao would truly explode. She pushed open the study doors and walked in slowly, “What’s wrong, Your Highness? I could hear you angry before I even entered?”
Mo Xiuyao shot a displeased glare at Xu Qingchen, who smiled silently.
“Ali, why are you here?” Mo Xiuyao stepped down from his seat and took her hand, asking softly. Ye Li smiled faintly, “I remembered some matters I wanted to discuss with Your Highness, so I came over. Did I come at a bad time?”
Mo Xiuyao led her forward, saying, “It’s nothing, let’s sit and talk. The rest of you may leave.”
Seeing Mo Xiuyao lead Ye Li to sit in the main seat, those below frowned, some showing signs of dissatisfaction. As for Prince Ding’s trusted followers, they quickly lowered their heads, wishing they could dig a hole and bury themselves, inwardly complaining: if you want to court death, at least wait until we’ve left.
“Your Highness, we were in the middle of discussing matters with you!” An elderly man with graying hair stepped forward and said solemnly. Ye Li glanced at him – he looked somewhat familiar but not very. She recalled he was from some noble family of the former Great Chu, having served two dynasties. When the Northern Rong invaded, being close to the northwest, he had come to seek refuge in Prince Ding’s mansion. However, he hadn’t accomplished much, so it was natural Ye Li didn’t know his name.
Mo Xiuyao cast him an annoyed glance and said coolly, “Discussing matters? I’ve been sitting here all morning listening to your nonsense. Do you think I have nothing better to do? In the future, argue among yourselves first, and come tell me once you’ve concluded!”
The old gentleman nearly choked at Mo Xiuyao’s rebuff, “How can the coronation ceremony be nonsense?!” In the eyes of this old scholar who had read books his whole life and prided himself on his family’s literary tradition, what could be more important than the matter of a nation’s ruler?
Nearby, several of Prince Ding’s confidants cast sympathetic glances at the old gentleman and consciously stepped back to avoid being caught in their lord’s fury. To Prince Ding, ascending the throne wasn’t a big deal. If he had wanted to be emperor, he would have ascended years ago.
Mo Xiuyao said impatiently, “Who told you there would be any coronation ceremony? Two years ago you were crying about being loyal officials of Great Chu, and now, before Great Chu has even fallen, you’re eager for the merit of supporting a new dynasty? Do you want a coronation ceremony? Perfect – there’s one happening in Jiangnan right now. I’ll have someone escort you there, perhaps you can still make it in time for a drink?”
“Your… Your Highness?” These words, to the ears of these former Great Chu nobles, were devastating. But Mo Xiuyao was angry now and paid no attention to their faces turning from green to white. He sneered, “Want to send your daughters into Prince Ding’s mansion? Fine! My beloved consort needs a few more maids to serve tea, pour water, wash feet, and fold bedding! If that’s not suitable, they can do the laundry and sweeping in the mansion – it’ll save us the cost of buying new maids.”
“But Your Highness, having three wives and four concubines has always been the norm throughout history. Previously, Your Highness was busy with many matters and had no time for such things, but now that peace has been achieved, if Your Highness’s mansion still has only one Princess Consort, it would seem… seem to lack proper dignity,” someone persisted unwillingly. This time it was a former Great Chu official who had once held the high position of Minister. However, he had always maintained an ambiguous stance, offending neither Prince Ding’s mansion nor Mo Jingqi. Later, when Great Chu moved south, he brought his family to the northwest, showing good foresight in backing the right horse.
Ye Li paid no attention to these people. What truly worried her were those old officials of the Mo family army whose eyes showed similar eagerness.
Many of these people had served Prince Ding’s mansion for generations. Though they weren’t as close as Feng Zhiyao or Leng Haoyu, who had grown up with Mo Xiuyao and shared both the trust of confidants and brotherly bonds, their relationships with Prince Ding’s mansion and the Mo family army were even more complex than those trusted advisors. These people had followed Prince Ding’s mansion through years of suppression by the Great Chu royal family and could be considered truly loyal. Now that their lord was finally about to unify the realm, it was naturally time for them to hold their heads high. Such thinking wasn’t wrong – after all, hadn’t it been the same with founding ministers throughout history? When had the benefits and merits of founding a dynasty ever been monopolized by one family? But unfortunately, they served a master who didn’t play by the rules – Mo Xiuyao.
Ye Li sighed softly and patted Mo Xiuyao’s hand to calm his rising anger. Though Mo Xiuyao hadn’t shown his anger, Ye Li could feel the coldness radiating from him beside her.
But this scene, in the eyes of those old ministers, seemed improper. These scholars, unlike military commanders from the battlefield, cared most about rules and propriety. Ye Li, as Princess Consort, had burst into a discussion in the study and sat beside Prince Ding as an equal. To these old pedants, this was outrageous behavior unbefitting a woman.
“Your Highness, as a woman, the Princess Consort should observe feminine virtues, and stay in the inner quarters, how can she sit so boldly in the discussion hall? It’s really… quite improper!” an old minister with a white beard trembled as he spoke. “The Princess Consort comes from the scholarly Xu family, such behavior… doesn’t it shame Master Qingyun’s reputation?”
“Feminine virtues?” Mo Xiuyao sneered, looking down at the old minister who appeared deeply pained, “When Lei Zhenting led his army to rebel, why didn’t anyone remember my beloved consort was a woman who should observe feminine virtues? This time when I was in trouble, why didn’t any of you consider that the Princess Consort was a mere woman, and offer to lead the army in her place? Now that peace has come, you suddenly remember she’s a woman? So… your so-called loyalty, filial piety, and propriety mean… hiding behind a woman when danger comes, then sitting pretty in the prosperity won by that woman’s efforts while criticizing her for not observing feminine virtues? Very nice… what wonderful thinking. I’m truly impressed…”
These calm words left the previously righteous old ministers red-faced. These people weren’t Prince Ding’s confidants and naturally didn’t understand his personality and character. They were merely trying to throw their weight around based on their reputation and seniority.
Mo Xiuyao waved his hand and stared coldly at everyone, “What the Princess Consort does is not for you to interfere with. Remember this clearly – any word the Princess Consort says, any action she takes, represents my will. If anyone dares to disobey, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
In the vast study, everyone felt their scalps tingle and hurriedly said, “We obey your command!”
After dismissing everyone, Mo Xiuyao’s anger had not yet dissipated, and he glared at Xu Qingchen with displeasure. The Young Master elegantly drank his tea and said calmly, “Why glare at me? If I hadn’t called Li’er over, did you want to kill a few people to make an example?”
Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, “You think I wouldn’t dare?” Those old men did nothing useful all day except nag about pointless things, unable to handle any real matters. They only caused him trouble – he didn’t know why he had taken them in in the first place. He would rather trade them for a few commoners who knew how to farm and work.
Xu Qingchen smiled leisurely, “These people may be useless and often troublesome, but we actually can’t do without them. Your Highness, while these people are old and decrepit, each one has disciples and old subordinates throughout the realm. They’ve grown cunning with age – if they truly cause trouble, the effect could be no less than that of thousands of troops.” The pen in a scholar’s hand could be far more troublesome than an enemy’s sword. Of course, if Mo Xiuyao wanted to be a tyrannical ruler who burned books and buried scholars alive, then he could ignore them.
Ye Li sat beside Mo Xiuyao, frowning slightly, “Is it still about persuading Xiuyao to ascend the throne soon?”
Xu Qingchen cast an ambiguous smile at Mo Xiuyao and said teasingly, “If it were just about ascending the throne, would it stop there? Those old ministers have nothing better to do, so they’ve even planned out how to establish a grand harem for the new emperor. They were about to present the selection criteria for consorts to the Princess Consort. When the new emperor ascends, how could he have just one Princess Consort? They could enthrone the consorts at the same time. Look, they’ve even listed out the ranks. Below the Empress, there should be two Noble Consorts, four Consorts, numerous Brilliant Companions, and Luminous Attendants…”
Ignoring Mo Xiuyao’s murderous glare, Xu Qingchen smilingly handed the document to Ye Li. The reason for Mo Xiuyao’s fury was that these people had presumed to send the document directly to Ye Li, though he had intercepted it first.
Ye Li took it and flipped through several pages of flowing text. She smiled and shook her head, then looked at Xu Qingchen with furrowed brows, “Have people been bothering First Aunt and Second Aunt at the Xu residence these days?”
Xu Qingchen looked at Ye Li gently, “These are minor matters. When those ladies come to visit, we can’t simply ignore them. They wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful in front of Mother and Second Aunt.” Ye Li frowned, “I’m worried that in a few days, they’ll start bothering Grandfather.”
Xu Qingchen remained unconcerned, saying calmly, “At Grandfather’s age, how could such matters trouble him? Li’er, you know me, Father’s, and Second Uncle’s stance – whatever you decide, the Xu family will support you.”
Ye Li nodded, saying softly, “I understand, Big Brother.”
Having said what needed to be said, Xu Qingchen stood up, “Now it seems not ascending the throne was the right choice. Even before becoming emperor… many people are already impatient. Moreover, this incident came too quickly. There must be people pulling strings behind the scenes. It’s time to clean house among Prince Ding’s subordinates. And you, as a father, shouldn’t be so lazy, wanting to dump everything on your son – it’ll be many years before your son can handle major affairs.” The last words were meant for Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao scowled, “I know, those who dare reach out carelessly before me, I’ll break their limbs!”
After Xu Qingchen left, only Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li remained in the study. Ye Li smiled gently as she drew Mo Xiuyao’s handsome face down, asking, “Still angry?” Mo Xiuyao sneered, “If they want an emperor, I don’t mind showing them what a tyrant looks like!”
“I don’t want my husband to become an infamous tyrant,” Ye Li laughed.
Mo Xiuyao pulled her into his arms and smiled, “If I become a tyrant, why doesn’t Ali become an evil empress?” Ye Li leaned in his embrace, her lips twitching involuntarily. As a modern soldier who had sacrificed for her country, the idea of being an evil empress challenged her worldview. Moreover, though they spoke this way, they both understood that neither of them could truly act willfully without regard for consequences. Mo Xiuyao was cruel to enemies and showed no mercy, but he had always been soft-hearted toward his people.
They couldn’t challenge the concepts and traditions that had existed in this era for thousands of years. That’s why Mo Xiuyao chose to set aside this issue – by not ascending the throne or becoming emperor, the harem issue naturally wouldn’t exist. As a prince, having heirs was the greatest duty of Prince Ding’s mansion. Previous princes of the Ding mansion had never required multiple wives and concubines. On the other hand, Mo Xiuyao truly had no interest in the throne – he enjoyed the process of conquering the world, not sitting on that high and mighty golden dragon throne. He didn’t want to be bound to that position, but once he sat on it, many things would become beyond his control.
Mo Xiuyao affectionately nuzzled Ye Li’s hair and smiled, “Ali just needs to happily play with Xin’er and Lin’er. I’ll handle these annoying matters. When Little Bao grows up, we can travel and sightsee, living freely as we like.”
“Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Ye Li smiled faintly, her eyes lowered as she said softly, “If those people keep bothering the Xu family and Grandfather…”
“Ali can deal with them as she sees fit. I’ve said before, whatever Ali does represents my will,” Mo Xiuyao said deeply. Even if Ali wanted to kill everyone, he could bear those crimes himself. But Mo Xiuyao didn’t say this aloud, because he knew that given Ali’s nature, she would never do such things. Ali was soft-hearted… the things you’re unwilling to do, I will do them all for you!
Ye Li’s predictions weren’t wrong – after Mo Xiuyao swiftly and mercilessly demoted several of the most active troublemakers, those clamoring for his coronation and establishment of consorts suddenly fell silent. But soon people thought of new approaches. Before profit and glory, there were always countless people willing to use any means necessary to obtain them.
In the bamboo grove behind the Lishan Academy outside the city, Master Qingyun was playing Go with Su Zhe. Su Zhe held a black piece while contemplating the board and smiled, “Now that Prince Ding is about to achieve his great enterprise, why does Master Xu still look worried?”
“As they say, maintaining what you have is harder than achieving it. With Prince Ding’s intelligence and temperament, barring accidents, unifying the realm isn’t difficult. But throughout history, countless have won the realm but failed to keep it peaceful. The ancient Tai Emperor, who would say he wasn’t one of history’s greatest? Yet after unifying the realm, he ruled for less than thirty years – how can we descendants not sigh at this?” Master Qingyun’s hair and beard were completely white, his appearance thin and carrying something of an otherworldly air of a hermit. But having spent his life caring for the world and educating students, how could he truly transcend worldly affairs?
Su Zhe also sighed, slowly placing a piece as he said, “Let alone other matters, Prince Ding’s continued refusal to ascend the throne and take consorts is ultimately detrimental to the realm’s stability.” Ascending the throne, establishing an empress, and taking consorts to produce heirs not only represented the beginning of a dynasty but also gave the common people a signal of stability, calming their hearts. “Prince Ding’s temperament… is too similar to the founding Prince Ding.” Back then, if the first Prince Ding of the founding of Great Chu, Mo Lanyun, hadn’t insisted on marrying the previous dynasty’s princess, the realm might not have fallen to Great Chu’s founding emperor. And now… there wasn’t even a chance to replay those events. In today’s world, no one but Prince Ding could sit securely on the throne, and no one else could command universal respect.
“Master Xu, should we try to persuade Prince Ding?” Su Zhe hesitated before finally speaking. Though they were far from the city, they still knew all the major and minor affairs of Li City. Having discord between rulers and ministers before the nation was even established was truly not good.
Master Qingyun waved his hand and smiled, “No need, they know what they’re doing. It only looks chaotic now, but those who truly know their place are being clever. Better to have some chaos now than leave these problems to be passed down generation after generation.”
Su Zhe started, saying, “Isn’t this too risky?” Historically, when establishing rule, stability was always the most important factor. That’s why so many founding emperors granted extensive fiefs, only to find the vassals growing too powerful and having to expend great effort to eliminate them later. How could those brilliantly wise founding rulers not know these problems? It was simply that circumstances forced their hands. To start eliminating ministers before the realm was even stable was extremely risky. One wrong move could lead to chaos again.
Master Qingyun smiled, “At our age, we tend to be overly cautious in everything we do. Since Prince Ding has this boldness, why not see how it plays out?”
Su Zhe smiled bitterly and shook his head, “If you as his grandfather aren’t worried, what should this old man be concerned about? Though those old pedants will probably come to see you soon.” These people had little ability but big reputations, small minds but big tempers. It wouldn’t be surprising if they came to find Master Qingyun after being rebuffed by the Prince and Princess Consort.
“Master, several elderly gentlemen are requesting an audience outside. They say they’re old acquaintances of Master Qingyun and Master Su,” a student entered the bamboo grove and reported respectfully. The two men exchanged glances and smiled. Su Zhe laughed, “Speak of the devil.”
Master Qingyun casually tossed his Go piece and smiled, “It seems we can’t avoid them anymore. It’s been many years, might as well see them.” These people had tried to visit several times since arriving in Xiling, but Master Qingyun had turned them away with various excuses. So it truly had been many years since they’d met. With Master Qingyun’s age, position, and reputation, if he didn’t want to see someone, naturally no one dared to be unhappy about it. But this time these people probably wouldn’t leave without seeing him. Master Qingyun wasn’t truly afraid of them, he was just too old to want to deal with people with ulterior motives. “Go on, invite them in.”
“Yes, Master.”