In the end, Mo Xiuyao still didn’t meet with the Northern Tribes envoy, casually handing the matter over to Ye Li instead. Sometimes Mo Xiuyao’s willfulness truly gave people headaches. While noble elders were criticizing the King’s consort for meddling in politics as a woman, he openly handed the negotiations with the Northern Tribes directly to her. It was like giving an unrelenting slap to the faces of these old men who thought they could interfere with the King’s affairs.
However, those who had just been slapped mercilessly by the King didn’t dare say much before devising a strategy, only hiding at home to sulk, pretending not to see.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” Yelü Hong calmly greeted Ye Li at the Northern Tribes guest house, showing no anger at not being received by Mo Xiuyao personally. Not to mention the King’s consort’s position in the Mo Family Army – as the defeated party, the Northern Tribes had no right to raise objections.
“Greetings, Northern Tribes Crown Prince.” Ye Li couldn’t help but admire Yelü Hong’s good nature, still maintaining such restraint and courtesy at this point. Of course, she also had to marvel at how political power influenced people’s hearts – even the Northern Tribes people, known for their most upright and unyielding temperament, had learned quite a few twists and turns.
Ye Li sat down and, not beating around the bush with Yelü Hong, asked, “Did Princess Ronghua come with the Crown Prince?”
Yelü Hong hadn’t expected Ye Li’s first question to be about Princess Ronghua. He paused before nodding, “To be honest, Ronghua did come with me to Licheng.”
Ye Li raised her eyebrows and smiled, “The Northern King truly trusts the Crown Prince greatly.” The Northern King had used Princess Ronghua as a bargaining chip in negotiations with the Mo Family Army, yet let Yelü Hong bring her back before negotiations had even concluded. It was truly difficult to understand whether the Northern King sincerely wanted to retrieve Yelü Ye’s and the Northern Tribes soldiers’ remains or was just paying lip service.
Yelü Hong smiled bitterly, “I made a military pledge to Father King to bring back Seventh Brother’s and our soldiers’ remains. Please help us, Your Highness. As for Ronghua… please look after her.” Ye Li looked deeply at Yelü Hong and said, “The Crown Prince’s feelings for Princess Ronghua are indeed deep. At least you haven’t disappointed her these years in the Northern Tribes…”
Yelü Hong sighed softly and said, “I am inadequate, making Your Highness laugh. Let me invite Ronghua to meet with you.” Yelü Hong turned to instruct his attendant, and soon Princess Ronghua emerged from the back hall. Now dressed in Central Plains clothing, Princess Ronghua appeared somewhat haggard and pale, less radiant than their last meeting, showing more weakness and weariness.
“Your Highness,” Princess Ronghua curtseyed gracefully, speaking softly.
Ye Li raised her hand to support her, smiling, “No need for formalities, Princess. Please sit.”
After the three were seated again, Ye Li looked at Yelü Hong and said, “The King has entrusted negotiations with the Northern Tribes to me. I believe Young Master Qingchen discussed our conditions with the Crown Prince a few days ago. What does the Crown Prince think?”
Yelü Hong frowned and said, “War horses are the foundation of our Northern Tribes. The King’s household demanding ten thousand horses at once – forgive my directness – is rather unreasonable. With my authority, I’m afraid I cannot agree.”
Negotiations couldn’t be concluded in a day. Ye Li didn’t mind and smiled, “The Crown Prince needn’t rush to answer me. Since you’ll be staying in Licheng for some time anyway, why don’t you consider it further and discuss it with the Northern King as well? What does the Crown Prince think?”
Yelü Hong nodded and smiled, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. Whether this matter succeeds or not, we are returning Princess Ronghua to Great Chu. Please take good care of her – consider it a show of the Northern Tribes’ sincerity.”
Princess Ronghua’s expression remained calm as she sat quietly in the lower seat as if Yelü Hong and Ye Li weren’t discussing her at all.
Ye Li glanced at Princess Ronghua and sighed softly, “If the Princess stays in Licheng, the King’s household will naturally treat her with proper courtesy. If the Princess misses her family, I can also arrange to send her to Jiangnan.” With Princess Ronghua’s status as a marriage alliance princess, whether she stayed in Licheng or went to Nanjing, no one would dare mistreat her.
Princess Ronghua smiled faintly, a bitter smile, “Jiangnan… what family do I have left there… Ronghua wishes to return to Changxing to serve Aunt Zhaoyang. Please grant this, Your Highness.” When the Great Chu court fled south, Princess Zhaoren went south while Princess Zhaoyang remained in the Chu capital. After the Mo Family Army recaptured the capital and renamed it Changxing, Grand Princess Fuxi passed away, and Princess Zhaoyang stayed in Changxing to observe mourning. Princess Zhaoren died of illness shortly after going south. Now, Princess Zhaoyang was Princess Ronghua’s closest relative.
Ye Li nodded and said, “Very well. In a few days, Princess Zhaoyang will also come to Licheng. Then the Princess can return to Changxing with her.”
Princess Ronghua gratefully nodded, “Thank you, Your Highness.” Then she lowered her head, no longer looking at Yelü Hong. Yelü Hong glanced at Princess Ronghua, his expression shifting slightly, but ultimately said nothing more. How could there be no feelings after ten years of marriage? Moreover, Princess Ronghua was an exceptionally beautiful and intelligent woman, completely different from typical Northern Tribeswomen. But no matter what, Princess Ronghua could never be more important than the Northern throne. Parting today, they would likely never meet again.
When Ye Li left the Northern Tribes embassy, she took Princess Ronghua with her. Since Yelü Hong had already brought Princess Ronghua to Licheng, regardless of whether negotiations succeeded, he naturally hadn’t thought he could take her back. Since that was the case, it didn’t matter when Princess Ronghua was returned to the King’s household. He simply let Ye Li take her directly.
After returning to the King’s mansion and settling Princess Ronghua, seeing her dejected expression, Ye Li could only sigh silently without offering more comfort. Regardless of future relations between the King’s household, Great Chu, and the Northern Tribes, Princess Ronghua was destined never to return to the Northern Tribes. Princess Ronghua was intelligent and naturally understood that her current situation was already quite good, and Yelü Hong had shown her some affection. Her current melancholy was probably a concern for her children left in the Northern Tribes. But neither the King’s household nor the Great Chu in the south could or had any obligation to retrieve her children. The Central Plains people’s hatred for the Northern Tribes now exceeded the Northern Tribes’ hatred for them – it wouldn’t be good for those children even if they returned to Great Chu.
After several days of negotiations with Yelü Hong, the previously unyielding Yelü Hong finally relented, agreeing to exchange ten thousand Northern Tribes war horses for the remains of the Northern Tribes soldiers and Yelü Ye who died in Great Chu. Ye Li wasn’t surprised by this outcome. After this major defeat by the Mo Family Army, the Northern Tribes’ national strength was greatly reduced. The Northern Tribes itself was sparsely populated with barren land – recovering to its former glory would take at least ten or twenty years. And this assumed the Mo Family Army wouldn’t actively attack again, giving them a chance to recover. Trading ten thousand war horses for temporary peace and a chance to catch their breath might not be good for the Northern Tribes in the long run, but the current Northern Tribes had no other choice.
When both sides signed the peace agreement, Mo Xiuyao finally decided to appear in person. However, the national letters were still signed with Ye Li and Xu Qingchen’s names. As Right Chancellor now, Xu Qingchen naturally had the authority to sign agreements on behalf of the King, but having Ye Li, a woman, represent them made the Northern Tribes envoys somewhat uneasy. This wasn’t because they looked down on Ye Li, but because they also understood Central Plains customs and traditions. Women had no say in formal occasions, so they couldn’t help but doubt this peace agreement’s effectiveness.
Faced with the Northern Tribes’ doubt and the noble officials’ dissatisfied looks, Ye Li paid no mind, simply signing her name decisively on the ceasefire agreement. Only after both sides had exchanged signed agreements did Mo Xiuyao stand up, holding Ye Li’s hand, and smile at Yelü Hong, “Crown Prince Yelü, now that both our sides have signed the national letters, I hope to see those ten thousand Northern Tribes war horses soon.”
Hearing this, Yelü Hong’s mouth twitched. They said Central Plains people liked to speak in roundabout ways that made one’s head spin, but Yelü Hong discovered being too direct was also hard to take. In Yelü Hong’s ears, Mo Xiuyao’s words meant: If not for the ten thousand war horses, why would I bother signing any peace agreement with you?
“Rest assured, Your Highness. As long as… the Mo Family Army honors the agreement, within three months, ten thousand war horses will be delivered to the Central Plains,” Yelü Hong said.
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and said, “I naturally keep my word. Ten thousand war horses and neither side will initiate war for ten years.”
Yelü Hong nodded, “From now on, the Northern Tribes and the King’s household are friendly nations. I drink to Your Highness and your consort.”
Mo Xiuyao’s expression remained calm, but he didn’t object. Relations between nations were always thus – there were no eternal friends or eternal enemies. There were only eternal interests. Though they spoke of friendship from now on, both sides understood that neither the Northern Tribes nor the King’s household had the strength for another war. The Northern Tribes were just worse off – the King’s household could still fight another battle if they tried, though it wouldn’t be worth it. But another war would be fatal for the Northern Tribes. So, the Northern Tribes paid more. Once either side recovered and wanted to fight, the so-called peace agreement would be just a worthless piece of paper.
When the Western Territory and Great Chu envoys arrived in Licheng, it was just as the King’s household and Northern Tribes had signed their agreement. Hearing this news, both countries’ envoys looked displeased. With the King’s household and Northern Tribes at peace, they might turn their attention south next, and neither Great Chu nor the Western Territory could withstand another strike from the Mo Family Army now. Everyone had to face an iron fact – after so many years of overt and covert struggle, the final victor was the King’s household.
“Reporting to Your Highnesses, the Great Chu and Western Territory envoys have come to pay their respects.”
When this news came, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were sitting in the courtyard holding their two babies. The babies had been given to the Xu family to raise shortly after birth, which Ye Li had always felt guilty about. Since returning, whenever she had time, Ye Li would pull Mo Xiuyao along to accompany the babies, with little Mo Bao occasionally joining the fun. Mo Xiuyao was very fond of the little princess who had grown as delicate as jade and snow, so he went along with Ye Li every day to play with the two babies. The two had become the most leisurely people in the now bustling Licheng.
“Why did they arrive together?” Ye Li raised her eyebrows and asked.
Mo Xiuyao remained unconcerned, saying calmly, “The journey time from both directions is about the same, arriving together isn’t strange. Who came from Jiangnan?”
The guard reported, “Your Highness, it’s King Yu of Great Chu accompanying the newly enthroned Emperor Chu.”
“King Yu? Mo Jingyu?” Mo Xiuyao didn’t have many memories of these Great Chu royal princes. He might have been somewhat familiar with them in childhood, but later as he grew up, especially after the incident with the King’s household, he had almost no interaction with these people. So he didn’t have a strong impression of this Mo Jingyu who had now seemingly made it to the top.
Ye Li stood up, placing the now-sleeping Lin’er back in his small bed, saying, “Since both the Western Territory’s Pacifying South King and the Chu Emperor have come personally, we should go meet them. To avoid being discourteous.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded, carefully putting down the little princess and following Ye Li to meet the guests.
In the main hall of the King’s mansion, the two parties were divided on opposite sides. Great Chu’s newly appointed young Emperor Mo Suiyun was only twelve years old, sitting at the front of the Great Chu side. Though wearing magnificent imperial dragon robes, his expression showed weakness and panic. He kept glancing at Mo Jingyu seated below him. On the other side, Lei Tengfeng wore the Western Territory’s Pacifying South King court dress, appearing magnificent with a dignified bearing. Compared to his previous occasional impatience and fluster, he showed more steadiness and composure. The Western Territory officials seated below him all maintained solemn expressions with lowered eyes, appearing to follow the Pacifying South King’s lead, actually showing more dignity than Great Chu.
“The King arrives! The King’s consort arrives!” came the voice of the mansion’s servants from outside.
They saw the white-robed, white-haired King holding hands with his consort in green robes, with black hair and jade complexion, entering together. Just a casual glance at everyone created overwhelming pressure.
Lei Tengfeng looked at the beautiful couple before him, emotions flickering in his eyes, but in an instant he suppressed all feelings, calmly rising to cup his hands in greeting, “King, Your Highness. I apologize for the disturbance, please forgive me.”
Ye Li looked at Lei Tengfeng with some surprise. In just a month or two, Lei Tengfeng’s changes were remarkable. His handsome, straight bearing now somewhat showed the dignity of Lei Zhenting from years past.
Mo Xiuyao similarly examined Lei Tengfeng but quickly looked away. He waved his hand and smiled, “The Pacifying South King is too polite. You’ve come from afar, bringing glory to our humble home. Please sit.” Surprisingly, no one mentioned the great battle they had fought just a month ago, nor did anyone mention Lei Zhenting’s death. Although many on the Western Territory side looked displeased, they managed to hold their tongues.
Mo Xiuyao sat down with Ye Li and looked toward Emperor Mo Suiyun and Mo Jingyu on the other side. Mo Suiyun stood up and bowed deeply to Mo Xiuyao, saying, “Suiyun pays respects to Uncle King.”
A flicker passed through Mo Xiuyao’s eyes as he laughed heartily, “The Chu Emperor comes as a guest from afar, no need for such ceremony. Please sit.” Seated nearby, disappointment flashed in Mo Jingyu’s eyes as he sighed inwardly and smiled, “By rights, the King is indeed His Majesty’s elder, calling you Uncle isn’t inappropriate. The King needn’t mind.” If truly going by genealogy and status, Mo Suiyun should call Mo Xiuyao great-uncle rather than uncle. But Mo Xiuyao had no interest in entangling with the Great Chu royal family anymore. Mo Jingyu understood that Great Chu and the King’s household had already fallen out. Unless Mo Xiuyao had lost his mind, those old scholars’ wishful thinking was completely unrealistic. So although disappointed, he didn’t mind too much.
Mo Xiuyao smiled without speaking. How could someone of his intelligence not know what Great Chu was planning? He could only say those old men in Nanjing were just like those old men in Licheng – equally naive!
Seeing Mo Jingyu’s awkwardness, Ye Li smiled and said, “The Chu Emperor and Pacifying South King have come from afar, you must be tired from the journey. I’ve had guest houses prepared, please go rest there, and this evening the King and I will host a welcoming feast.”
Lei Tengfeng silently nodded, “Thank you, Your Highness.” Though Lei Tengfeng had grown much steadier these days, facing these great enemies who had killed his father was still somewhat difficult. Looking at the composed Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li before him, Lei Tengfeng suddenly felt somewhat depressed and had no heart to say more.
Mo Jingyu glanced at the visibly tired Mo Suiyun and also nodded, “Then we thank Your Highness.”
“King Yu is too polite,” Ye Li smiled gently.
Soon, Lei Tengfeng and Mo Jingyu’s parties took their leave. They had just arrived in Licheng and came merely to pay their respects. If there was anything to discuss, it would wait until after they had rested. Watching them leave, Ye Li sighed softly, “Lei Tengfeng has changed quite a bit. No wonder he could control the Western Territory in such a short time. In a few more years, he might be a worthy opponent.”
Lei Tengfeng had been suppressed by Lei Zhenting’s brilliance for too long, losing his edge. Once Lei Zhenting, that seemingly insurmountable mountain, was gone, Lei Tengfeng’s progress and changes could be called swift.
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and said, “Even if he becomes an opponent, he won’t be my opponent.” It would take considerable time for Lei Tengfeng to truly grow up, and by then… his opponent naturally wouldn’t be him anymore. His Highness the King calculated with satisfaction, feeling no guilt about setting up a formidable future opponent for his son.
Ye Li looked at him helplessly, smiling faintly, “What is Great Chu’s intention?”
With one arm around Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao said lazily, “What else could it be? Those old fellows in Nanjing are dreaming, thinking that if Mo Suiyun personally comes to show goodwill, I might have a moment of confusion and reconcile with Great Chu?” Did they think Mo Xiuyao had no son? Having conquered such vast territory, even if he wasn’t interested, he could leave it to his son. Did they expect another cycle of entanglement between Great Chu and the Mo Family Army?
Ye Li was startled, then couldn’t help but smile and shake her head. The old men who had spent their lives in court politics sometimes had ideas so complex they made one’s head spin but sometimes were naive enough to make one laugh. How could they think that after the Mo Family Army’s break with Great Chu, after the Mo Family Army had paid such a price in casualties and sacrifices, there could ever be a day of reconciliation between the King’s household and Great Chu? The people of the King’s household were no merciful bodhisattvas.
“This probably isn’t Mo Jingyu’s idea,” Ye Li said. Though Mo Jingyu was respectful to Mo Xiuyao, he wasn’t particularly warm, and not very optimistic about these people’s plans.
Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, “Mo Jingyu isn’t a fool to have survived until now and gained power. He must understand these things. However… he probably can’t fully control the entire Great Chu court right now.” Mo Jingli might have been somewhat foolish, but Jiangnan was his territory. And compared to Mo Jingyu, Mo Jingli was ruthless enough. When Mo Jingli was around, these old men didn’t dare cause trouble. Now with a new emperor just enthroned, it would be strange if they didn’t take the chance to throw their weight around.
“What do you plan to do?” Ye Li asked with a smile.
Mo Xiuyao said, “I’ve already defeated Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli. Mo Suiyun is Mo Bao’s business. Otherwise, people might think I have some grudge against the Great Chu royal family, even bullying a teenager. Later… tell Mo Bao to go see Mo Suiyun, to keep that boy from hanging around Xin’er all day with nothing better to do.”
“You mean… Mo Suiyun…” Ye Li frowned, looking at Mo Xiuyao in confusion. If Mo Suiyun were insignificant, Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t specifically mention having Mo Bao go see him.
Mo Xiuyao laughed softly and said, “I think… that boy might be clever. At least… cleverer than his father and uncles.”
Ye Li sighed helplessly. She wasn’t born into a royal family after all. She wasn’t worried about obvious dangers and calculations, but she wasn’t good at these underhanded things. At least in their brief conversation, she hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Mo Suiyun.
Mo Xiuyao pleasantly nuzzled Ye Li’s hair with its faint fragrance, smiling, “That boy’s acting isn’t bad. If I hadn’t caught his eye just now, I might have been fooled too. The look in his eyes when he looked at me wasn’t nearly as fearful as he showed. But he’s still a child, after all, probably never taught properly, so he showed his hand.”
Ye Li nodded. It wasn’t easy to avoid showing tells in front of Mo Xiuyao. That child had probably deliberately shown a fearful and reverent appearance, not knowing it was overdone.
“Mo Bao…”
“If Mo Bao can’t handle him, then he should be thoroughly trained by Xu Qingchen,” Mo Xiuyao said calmly. If the carefully taught heir of the King’s household couldn’t outmaneuver a young emperor who had just been pushed onto the throne with no support – if word got out, he as a father would be ashamed.
Ye Li looked up at the displeasure flashing across Mo Xiuyao’s face and could only nod in agreement, “I understand, I’ll have Bao’er go receive the Chu Emperor later.” But if Mo Bao performed poorly and was disciplined by his father, she as his mother could only feel sorry for him. Mo Xiuyao never lacked new methods for disciplining people and was particularly thorough when it came to disciplining Mo Bao.
So, young Master Mo Bao needed to be careful.
In the back courtyard of the King’s mansion, Mo Bao, who had just finished his lessons and returned to his room to visit his sister, suddenly shivered for no reason.