“Li’er…” Upon hearing this, Hua Tianxiang was startled, gently biting her vermillion lips as she gazed at Ye Li, whose usually bright eyes now glistened with moisture. She knew Ye Li’s difficulty – the Emperor giving such a major matter entirely to the Prince of Ding’s household appeared to be a sign of great trust and responsibility, but in reality, it was pushing them into a precarious position. Ye Li’s easy agreement to Princess Changle’s request filled Hua Tianxiang with both joy and worry.

Ye Li reached out to hold her hand that was tightly gripping her sleeve and patted it gently, smiling as she said, “The heart always has its biases. Besides, since I’ll offend people either way, why shouldn’t I choose what makes me feel better?”

Princess Changle didn’t understand what was so difficult about it, and happily threw herself into Ye Li’s arms, saying, “You are a good person, this princess likes you.” Ye Li raised her delicate eyebrows and smiled, “If I hadn’t agreed, would the princess not like me anymore?” Princess Changle looked at her with difficulty, struggling for a long time before saying, “Prince Uncle said you would agree. But… but even if you didn’t agree, this princess wouldn’t blame you. Mother says… Mother says no matter who you send for the political marriage, it’s not your fault. Because… because these matters weren’t supposed to be your responsibility in the first place.”

Surprised that the Empress would say such things, Ye Li paused for a moment, then pinched Princess Changle’s little face and smiled, “Thank the Empress for me. The Empress speaks truly, so whoever gets sent for the political marriage, it’s not the princess’s fault either. The princess needn’t be too sad.” Princess Changle blinked her eyes and hesitantly nodded, saying, “If this princess were grown up, this princess would go for the political marriage herself.”

Ye Li had never had a good impression of royal princesses and noble ladies, but she hadn’t expected this little princess to be not only lovable but to have such thoughts. Pinching her tender little face, Ye Li smiled and said, “The Empress and Emperor would never bear to send the princess for a political marriage. Besides… does the princess know what a political marriage is? Living in another country won’t be as comfortable as staying in Great Chu.” Princess Changle showed her teeth at Ye Li, grabbing her hand that was pinching her cheek, and said glumly, “I know, Mother told me that although princesses enjoy glory and wealth, we cannot choose our marriages, not even Mother can. If in the future there’s still a need for a political marriage and Father Emperor chooses Changle to go, Changle cannot make trouble. Because this is a princess’s responsibility.”

Hearing Princess Changle’s words, Ye Li and Hua Tianxiang could only sigh in their hearts.

The palace was not a good place for conversation, and even though the three were hidden in a secluded spot, they couldn’t avoid the groups of palace maids and eunuchs searching everywhere. Ye Li pulled Princess Changle up, “We’ve finished talking, let’s go out.” It was better to walk out on their own than to be found. It wouldn’t look good for the dignified Princess Consort of Ding to be found hiding in a rockery with a little princess. Princess Changle naturally had also heard the calls getting closer, and her delicate brows furrowed into a knot, “Mother would never restrict me like this, these people are so annoying, acting as if they’re afraid this princess might say one extra word to someone.” Ye Li went down the rockery first, then turned back to lift Princess Changle down, before helping Hua Tianxiang descend.

Seeing the palace servants running towards them, Hua Tianxiang smiled helplessly and said, “Now I can’t conveniently come to find you, and I thought we could talk, but it seems the palace isn’t a place where one can talk quietly.”

Ye Li smiled and said, “What’s inconvenient about it? Just come find me whenever you’re free.” Hua Tianxiang thought for a moment and shook her head, “Better not, I know you don’t even have time to spare for fun now.” Ye Li thought about how she’d only been back for two or three days and was indeed incredibly busy, and smiled helplessly, “Being away from the capital for so long naturally means there are more things to handle. I haven’t even seen Sister Zheng yet.” Hua Tianxiang pouted and said, “You’ll be family sooner or later, Zheng’er is being kept at home by her mother to prepare for marriage, you might not even be able to see her if you wanted to.” Glancing at the palace maids who were almost upon them, Ye Li smiled softly and said, “If you weren’t so picky, wouldn’t everything be settled if you got engaged early?”

Hua Tianxiang was startled and her pretty face immediately turned red, but with the searching palace maids already before them, she could only give Ye Li a hateful glare without being able to say anything.

Returning to the pavilion, Noble Consort Yun and Beauty Wang were already gone. The Empress, seeing Hua Tianxiang’s still-flushed face and looking at Princess Changle who was winking at her, seemed to understand something and nodded gratefully to Ye Li. Ye Li smiled faintly and led Princess Changle to sit down in the pavilion. Only Princess Zhaoyang, Princess Zhaoren, and Princess Ronghua remained in the pavilion. Though other noble ladies wished to plead for their daughters, they knew the palace was not a place for casual conversation and did not come forward to disturb them.

As soon as Ye Li sat down, she noticed two unfriendly gazes from across. Princess Zhaoren maintained her usual critical and dismissive attitude, while Princess Ronghua’s glare at Ye Li carried even more resentment than her mother’s. Ye Li had just picked up the tea newly served by the palace maid and was about to lift the lid when Qingyu suddenly spoke from behind: “Princess Consort, you have been overworked lately and your body is cold and weak. Doctor Shen instructed that the Princess Consort should avoid green tea recently.” Ye Li’s hand paused, and holding the teacup, she took a light breath and sighed regretfully, “Such fine pre-rain Dragon Well tea, what a waste of the Empress’s good tea.” The Empress’s eyes flickered, a trace of coldness passing through her brows, before she smiled at Ye Li, “This Dragon Well is indeed good tea, but health comes first. If you like it, I’ll have some sent to the Prince of Ding’s manor later.”

Ye Li didn’t stand on ceremony and smiled, “Then thank you, Empress. Please don’t think me greedy.”

Princess Changle, sitting in Ye Li’s arms, blinked her clear eyes and stood up, saying, “Mother, Changle needs to go practice calligraphy.”

The Empress looked at her daughter lovingly and nodded, “Go then.”

After Princess Changle had run out of sight, Princess Ronghua looked critically at Ye Li and snorted, “Isn’t the Princess Consort of Ding supposed to be skilled in both civil and martial arts? Since when did you become so delicate that you can’t even drink a mere cup of tea?” Ye Li smiled as she looked at Princess Ronghua and said, “The Princess jests. But if one’s body is unwell, naturally one should see a doctor early. Concealing illness and avoiding treatment is not wise, don’t you agree?” Princess Ronghua raised her eyebrows proudly and took a sip of tea, saying, “This princess has never heard that being unwell means one can’t drink tea.”

“Enough, Ronghua.” Seeing Princess Ronghua being so aggressive, Princess Zhaoyang frowned slightly in displeasure and said, “You’re an unmarried young lady, can’t you speak properly? What kind of behavior is this, being so reckless?”

“I’m about to be married off to Northern Rong, why should I care about speaking properly!” Princess Ronghua burst out angrily, then shot Ye Li a fierce glare, clearly having held these words in for some time. Ye Li laughed bitterly in her heart – the political marriage was the Emperor’s decision, what did it have to do with her? She turned to hand the teacup to Qingyu behind her, determined not to speak. Princess Zhaoren beside her also couldn’t hold back anymore and said, “Princess Consort of Ding, what are your plans regarding the candidates for the political marriage?”

Ye Li shook her head inwardly – Princess Zhaoren and Princess Ronghua were of the same temperament. Perhaps being accustomed to their high status in the royal family, even at times like this their words carried a commanding tone. “The Prince just brought back His Majesty’s list of suggested candidates yesterday, I haven’t had time to look at it yet. I really cannot answer the Princess’s question.”

“Everyone knows His Majesty’s intended candidate is Hua Tianxiang!” Princess Ronghua blurted out, “Speaking like this, you clearly just want to exclude her, do you think this princess doesn’t know?”

Ye Li lowered her eyes with a smile, then looked up at Princess Ronghua and asked puzzledly, “His Majesty intends Miss Hua? If so, why wouldn’t His Majesty directly decree Miss Hua to go for the political marriage, instead of having me choose suitable candidates? Since that’s the case… while we’re all in the palace today, why doesn’t Princess Ronghua go ask His Majesty if he truly intends Miss Hua? This way, I won’t choose someone later who doesn’t match His Majesty’s wishes. Princess Ronghua, what do you think?”

“I…” Princess Ronghua’s face turned pale with anger. Although she didn’t understand matters of state, it didn’t mean she knew nothing. Why the Emperor didn’t directly decree Hua Tianxiang to go for the political marriage – as a close relative of the royal family, even if she couldn’t figure it out herself, others would tell her. If she ran to the Emperor to ask, she would likely become the only candidate for the political marriage. This Ye Li, actually daring to scheme against her! Just like that Ye Ying woman, none of the Ye family are good people!

“Princess Consort of Ding.” Princess Zhaoyang looked at the resentful Princess Ronghua and sighed helplessly. She had no children, and Princess Zhaoren also only had one daughter, so they inevitably spoiled Ronghua too much, resulting in this overbearing and thoughtless temperament. This Princess Consort of Ding had lost her mother early and was even half a year younger than Ronghua, yet just looking at her conduct and bearing showed she was far beyond what Ronghua could compare to. “Ronghua is hasty and doesn’t know how to speak properly, I hope the Princess Consort won’t take offense.”

Ye Li also knew that Princess Zhaoyang had always doted on this niece, and didn’t mind as she smiled and said, “The Princess is too kind. Although His Majesty entrusted me with the matter of the political marriage, as the Princess knows, I am young and have never handled such matters before, so I’m only half-understanding of many things. Therefore, I cannot answer Princess Zhaoren’s earlier question right away, please forgive me.”

Princess Zhaoyang smiled and said, “Zhaoren also just asked extra because she was worried about Ronghua. The Princess Consort needn’t take it to heart.”

“Reporting to Your Highness, the Prince of Ding has arrived,” announced a young palace maid from outside the pavilion.

The Empress turned to look at Ye Li and smiled, “They all say the Prince of Ding and his Princess Consort are deeply in love, I didn’t believe it before, but now I do. Such a short time and the Prince already can’t wait? Please invite the Prince over.”

Soon after, Mo Xiuyao walked over slowly, standing outside the pavilion as he swept his gaze over those inside, and smiled faintly, “Empress, I apologize for the interruption.”

The Empress smiled and said, “Has the Prince come to take the Princess Consort home?”

Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly, his eyes filled with smiles as he looked at Ye Li and said, “A-Li and I have some matters to attend to, so we need to return to the manor first. I’ve come to disturb the Empress’s elegant gathering, please forgive me.” The Empress waved her hand and smiled, “Very well, it’s understandable that the Prince and Princess Consort are constantly thinking of each other after being separated for so long. Today I also wanted to see if the Princess Consort was well after not seeing her for so long. Now that I’ve seen her, the Prince may take her away.” Mo Xiuyao thanked her softly, then reached out to take Ye Li’s hand, nodded to Princess Zhaoyang, and took his leave.

The two walked hand in hand through the Imperial Garden, where the noble ladies viewing flowers tactfully withdrew. Although Mo Xiuyao’s body had recovered, the mask covering half his face still made many people fearful. After all, there had been rumors that one of the Prince of Ding’s former fiancées had died of fright upon seeing his disfigured face. Moreover, with the current delicate political situation, even those who admired the Prince’s bearing and manner would not approach to speak with him in the Imperial Garden.

Being able to leave the palace early naturally put Ye Li in a good mood. As the faint fragrance from the Imperial Garden drifted around them, Ye Li walked leisurely beside Mo Xiuyao, enjoying this peaceful moment while also concerned about his mood. “What’s wrong? Did His Majesty say something? You don’t seem to be in a good mood.”

Mo Xiuyao turned to look at her and asked, “What was in the tea just now?”

Ye Li looked at him in surprise – how did he know about what happened in the pavilion so quickly?

“Probably things like musk and safflower. Qingyu went to check, we should have results after returning.” Seeing his poor mood, Ye Li told him what she knew, also curious about these substances being put in her tea. Those ingredients would indeed have some effect on the body, but for her current condition, the impact was quite limited. She couldn’t understand why someone would risk putting such things in her tea – even a laxative would have been more effective.

Mo Xiuyao stopped walking, turned to look at Ye Li, and said, “A-Li doesn’t know what effects those medicines have?”

“They improve circulation… relieve pain…”

“A-Li, after returning to the manor, you will study medicinal properties with Doctor Shen for a month,” Mo Xiuyao finally said after a long silence.

Medicinal properties? Ye Li’s lips twitched slightly. Fine, she wasn’t unaware that these two ingredients were said to have another effect, but… it was also said that it wasn’t reliable. Besides… it did not affect them anyway, right? Though angry, Mo Xiuyao still hadn’t let go of Ye Li’s hand as he led her toward the garden exit. Seeing Mo Xiuyao not speaking to her and just walking forward, Ye Li found it quite novel – she had never seen Mo Xiuyao angry, or rather, had never seen him angry with her. She tugged at the hand holding hers, “Xiuyao…” Mo Xiuyao glanced at her but still didn’t speak. Ye Li sighed helplessly – alright, she was wrong to have appeared so unconcerned.

“Are you really angry? I’m not unconcerned, it’s just… since it doesn’t affect us, I wasn’t that worried…” Ye Li couldn’t help but despise herself inwardly – Mo Xiuyao was just not speaking to her, why was she explaining? Of course, she was angry about being drugged in the palace, and she could guess who had done it. She had even thought through how to repay them. It was just that the substance they used was so unexpected that she had appeared a bit casual about it. Why wasn’t Mo Xiuyao angry at the person who drugged her, but instead angry with her? More importantly, why did she feel guilty and need to explain to him?

“No effect?” Mo Xiuyao lifted Ye Li’s face toward his own, his deep gaze meeting her troubled eyes. Ye Li wasn’t used to being at such a disadvantage and uncomfortably struggled a bit as she said, “Yes, I know those medicines are said to have that kind of effect… but we haven’t… and that theory doesn’t seem very reliable. Besides, I didn’t even drink it.” Mo Xiuyao couldn’t be worried that because she was drugged with such things she would… be unable to have children in the future? Looking at Mo Xiuyao’s still gloomy demeanor, Ye Li belatedly wondered.

“A-Li…”

“Prince of Ding, Princess Consort, why are you here?” Just as Mo Xiuyao was about to speak, a cool female voice cut over his. They both turned around to see Noble Consort Liu in white standing under a white crabapple tree, looking like an ice fairy.

Noble Consort Liu’s gaze swept lightly over Ye Li, lingered for a moment on Mo Xiuyao, and finally fell on their clasped hands. Mo Xiuyao seemed unbothered by Noble Consort Liu’s gaze and nodded calmly, “Noble Consort Liu. A-Li and I are just leaving the palace, farewell.” A complex, indecipherable expression flashed quickly across Noble Consort Liu’s cool features. She bit her red lips as she looked at Mo Xiuyao for a long while, then turned to Ye Li with slightly furrowed brows and said, “Princess Consort, I have something I wish to discuss with the Prince alone.”

Ye Li raised her eyebrows in surprise – shouldn’t she be asking Mo Xiuyao if she wanted to speak with him alone? Was Noble Consort Liu hoping she would voluntarily step aside? As expected of the most favored consort in the palace – just this bearing was beyond what other consorts could hope to match.

Ye Li was about to speak when Mo Xiuyao’s grip on her hand tightened. She looked up to meet Mo Xiuyao’s deep, angry eyes, and could only turn to Noble Consort Liu apologetically and say, “I’m truly sorry, but the Prince and I have urgent matters to attend to and must leave the palace. I’m afraid we don’t have time to chat with the Noble Consort today.” Noble Consort Liu frowned and looked toward Mo Xiuyao, who said flatly, “Farewell.”

Noble Consort Liu’s face went white, her hand hidden in her sleeve clenched tight. She gave Ye Li a deep look, then turned and left without a word.

Watching Noble Consort Liu’s resolute departure, Ye Li looked worriedly at Mo Xiuyao, “Will she… be alright?” Of course, Ye Li had heard about Noble Consort Liu’s feelings for Mo Xiuyao, though as far as she knew, these two had never met alone. However, she couldn’t deny that Mo Xiuyao’s ruthless rejection made her feel much better.

“Return to the manor,” Mo Xiuyao said as if he hadn’t heard her question, turning and pulling her along.

Back at the manor, Ye Li looked helplessly at Mo Xiuyao, who was still maintaining his silence with a stern face, and sighed, “Are you still angry?” Do people who usually don’t get angry always become this difficult when they do? He hadn’t said a word the whole way back – having grown used to Mo Xiuyao’s gentle smiles and voice, once he fell silent or stopped smiling at her, Ye Li discovered she wasn’t used to it. “I know you’re worried about me. I was wrong to be so casual about it, alright?” Ye Li consoled herself inwardly – he was throwing a tantrum, and she shouldn’t argue with someone throwing a tantrum. Heaven knows she hadn’t meant to take this matter lightly! Mo Jingqi, just wait!

Mo Xiuyao gave her a faint look, then turned and sat down.

Ye Li felt a vein throb in her forehead – she had only heard of men coaxing women, how had it gotten reversed with her? Mo Xiuyao, do you have to be so childish? Fine, Ye Li, you need to be magnanimous!

“Xiuyao… you’re still not over it? Then… I’ll go to the study to handle today’s matters, and we can talk when you’re not angry anymore.” Ye Li, who didn’t know how to coax people, resigned herself to retreat. It wasn’t that she lacked patience or was cowardly, but rather that Mo Xiuyao’s angry appearance made her extremely uncomfortable. His usually gentle and elegant face was now expressionless, looking not so much angry as hurt. It made Ye Li wonder if she had committed some terrible sin, and if she stayed any longer, she might end up doing anything to beg his forgiveness and make him happy. So… sensing a hint of danger, Ye Li decided to make a swift retreat.

“A-Li…” A hand caught hers, and Mo Xiuyao used a little force to pull the retreating woman back into his embrace. Ye Li found herself embarrassingly aware that their current position was rather intimate – Mo Xiuyao sat on the chair while she was pulled into his embrace with no choice but to sit on his lap. Although they had shared a bed for many days, their relationship had remained completely proper, and this situation made Ye Li feel somewhat at a loss.

“Um… Mo Xiuyao, can you… let go of me first?” Ye Li swallowed, feeling almost ready to cry. She didn’t want to appear so helpless – she could handle anyone with ease, but occasionally when facing Mo Xiuyao, she would doubt her intelligence. Mo Xiuyao looked at her quietly, his gaze deep and melancholic, “A-Li, what do you consider me to be?”

“What… what do you mean?” Ye Li felt ready to cry. She must have been crazy to think Mo Xiuyao was sad. What she should do now was break free from Mo Xiuyao and quickly leave – her special forces instinct told her that if she stayed longer, something not so good would happen. “Well… aren’t we already married? Of course, I consider you my husband…”

His deep eyes blinked slightly. “Then… haven’t we forgotten something?”

“Forgotten… what?” Ye Li asked somewhat bewilderedly. Mo Xiuyao leaned against her neck, his warm breath falling on her smooth neck, his clean, elegant scent making her feel a wave of heat and weakness.

“The wedding night,” Mo Xiuyao softly breathed these words into her ear.

Boom!

Ye Li’s mind seemed to experience a massive explosion, instantly going blank. But Mo Xiuyao didn’t intend to give her time to think, gently lifting her delicate chin and lowering his head to cover those soft, fragrant lips.

“Mo… Mo Xiuyao…” Compared to their previous kiss outside Suixue Pass, this time Mo Xiuyao was gentler. But it was precisely this gentleness that made Ye Li even less inclined to resist. They were probably the only married couple who hadn’t consummated their marriage after a year. Ye Li understood clearly that Mo Xiuyao had been giving her time to prepare mentally. But herself… Ye Li didn’t know if she was ready to accept Mo Xiuyao. Or rather, had she… fallen in love with Mo Xiuyao…

“A-Li…” Scattered kisses lingered on Ye Li’s lips, trailing across her jade-like cheeks to intimately touch her small earlobes and graceful neck. “A-Li…”

Perhaps it was the ambiguous, entangled atmosphere in the room, or Mo Xiuyao’s low, pleasant calls, or perhaps those lingering, gentle kisses. Ye Li disliked how she always seemed to be at a disadvantage when facing Mo Xiuyao, so she made a bold decision. She sat up, wrapped her arms around Mo Xiuyao’s neck, and actively offered her red lips, “Mo Xiuyao… do you like me?”

Mo Xiuyao paused slightly, then smiled openly, “Yes, doesn’t A-Li already know?”

Ye Li tilted her head to look at him, and smiled radiantly, her eyes filled with starlight, “In that case, this Princess Consort permits you to like me.”

In a whirl of movement, Ye Li found herself somewhat dazed as they had moved from the table to the bed. Mo Xiuyao, lying on her shoulder, laughed softly, and after a long while lifted his head to look down at her, “A-Li, merely liking isn’t enough.” Ye Li’s heart stirred, and a stunning smile bloomed on her lips as she raised her hand to hook Mo Xiuyao’s shoulder, raising an eyebrow to say, “Then this Princess Consort permits you to love me.”

“If the price is that you can never leave me, would you still permit it? A-Li.” Mo Xiuyao asked softly.

Ye Li paused for a moment, “Forever… perhaps that’s possible. Then similarly, you’ll belong only to me?” Ye Li asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Then… I love you, A-Li… As you wish, in this life, only you…” He lowered his head to reclaim those lips that belonged only to him. It seemed as if all passion ignited in an instant, and waves of red stirred behind the light curtains. Soft moans and gasps escaped from behind the layers of curtains, and the clever maids outside quietly closed the door for their master and mistress before leaving with knowing smiles.

Much later, after the clouds had cleared and the rain had ceased.

Mo Xiuyao lay on his side in bed, watching the woman still deep in sleep beside him. Her partially exposed shoulder showed faint marks, and her face, usually either gentle or bright, still carried a not-yet-faded flush, making her appear especially serene and moving. Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to gently caress her delicate face, lowering his head to place a soft kiss. The previous gloom and melancholy in his brow seemed to have completely dispersed, and the soaring spirit in Mo Xiuyao’s gentle features showed his current joyful mood.

“A-Li… A-Li…” Remembering their recent intimacy, Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss the sleeping woman’s face. His A-Li had finally… become his. Through how many days and nights, how many times had he cursed heaven’s unfairness, cursed his enemies? His imperfect body had made him afraid to touch this unique person in the world. Now, he could finally possess her completely. For this, he was willing to give everything…

“Mm… Xiuyao…” Ye Li opened her eyes drowsily, their recent lovemaking having consumed too much of her energy, as she looked at the man before her and murmured.

Mo Xiuyao placed a gentle kiss on her lips, “It’s nothing, sleep first. We can talk about anything after you wake up.”

“Mm.” Ye Li nodded randomly, snuggling into his cool embrace before falling back into dreams.

“A-Li, in this life, only you…”